More reading material

We received 2 things from Holt today. One was a welcome letter and a reminder of the remaining fees we will need to pay. Also it reminded us that the wait time is long in the standard process and that if we are open to minor and correctable medical conditions that it would be a much shorter wait. We are looking at that right now.

The other thing was a packet with more forms/reminders to keep our paperwork up to date and a "booklet" with LOTS of reading to do while we wait (like I don't have a lot already!). It includes information about documents we will need when we travel to China, articles about adopting various ages of children, what you can expect while in China, how to prepare for travel and books, videos, magazines, web sites, etc all about adoption. It's really a LOT of information in a fairly small space but it looks like it will be good information.

LID 10/9/2008!!

WE ARE LOGGED IN! Ellen at Holt left a message at home today and let us know that they found out that our LID is October 9, 2008. The CCAA was delayed in updating their web site for a couple of reasons. First, they had a holiday on October 1 and then after that a lot of their staff was sick but we were logged in and they just had not had time to update their web site. Of course, they do the translating and logging in as fast as they can but the web site updating is secondary. It just makes us families a little crazy when we don't know what's going on!

Whew! Another milestone! Now the TRUE wait begins.

Chinese Meal

What a wonderful time we had at our Chinese teacher's house last night! We tried new foods that are only available in Chinese markets here in Omaha, we learned how to make dumplings (these had pork, Napa cabbage, soy sauce and other ingredients), we had tea and we had just a wonderful visit! One of the students was unable to stay because she didn't feel well but the other 2 of us got very full on ALL of the 10 or so different dishes she cooked for us. We also got to practice using chopsticks! It's getting easier (except for very slippery noodles!).

Their oldest son (15 years old) is a VERY accomplished pianist and I was privileged to get to hear 2 pieces while I was there. Of course, I appreciate hearing good piano. Their 3-year-old son was playing a game on the computer while we ate and visited.

Tony was racing last night but I hope that he gets to meet the family sometime because I think he would enjoy our teacher's husband.

To the family: Thank you so much for your hospitality and for helping me to learn even more about China and Chinese food & culture. Maybe we can get together again sometime and Tony can drink a beer with you!

Still Waiting for LID

I called Holt yesterday when I got home and spoke with Ellen. I told her I hated to be bothering her so much but we really do want to know our LID. She understands and she really didn't know why the CCAA had not posted it on their web site yet. All DTCs sent through the week before ours have been logged in. She asked a co-worker who also has a family anxious to know their LID and also checked the CCAA web site again and they just can't figure out what's taking so long. She said they will call their Beijing office and have them check on it. Maybe we'll find out something on Monday or Tuesday.

Ni hao!

For the last 6 Mondays we've been taking an introductory conversational Chinese class through Metro. The teacher is from China and she was fun to learn from. The very few of us who stuck it out to the end have been invited to her house Saturday evening for dumplings. Tony is racing if it's not raining but I and 2 others will be going. We might even get to learn how to MAKE dumplings!

Why did we take a Chinese class? Well, if we receive a child who is a little older and has started to develop language, we will want to be able to communicate with her. Also, if we can continue to learn until we go to China, we might even be able to catch some of the conversation on the street or in the markets or restaurants.

Still no word on a log-in date. I spoke to Ellen at Holt yesterday and she said we may already be logged in and they just haven't let Holt know yet. This really is taking quite a long time compared to the last few DTCs they sent. They did send several so maybe they are waiting till they get them all translated and then log them in all at once. I'm sure it will be soon!

No news yet

I called Ellen at Holt today to see if we had a log-in date yet. She called back a little after noon and said we didn't and was actually surprised that we didn't yet, a week and a half after sending it to Beijing. I asked if they recently had a holiday and she said that they did recently have 7 days off so I'm assuming that's what's holding us up. She did say their last dossiers submitted took 7 and 4 days to get logged in so I'm really sure that we should have a log-in date very soon.

I then told her that we were looking at the China's Child of Promise option. That is children with minor and correctable conditions. She told me that they are having a webinar on October 23 at 5 pm central time. I have registered us for that to learn more. If anyone reading this is interested in getting in on that, let us know and I'll let you know how to register. You call in and log in so you hear someone talking and you see the presentation on the screen and can ask questions via email or phone. Sounds kinda neat!