Progress

Met with my social worker a week ago and she's finalizing the homestudy. I never expected it to be so long and it's a bit embarrassing that others who petitioned later than me are ready to travel. However, it's not her fault, nor mine, just the way things have fallen together. I've been househunting through this process and of course working full time and raising Jemma Rose.

Who just got her class assignment and will be, as expected, in a mixed first second grade class. I of course have mixed feelings about that as I want her to feel like and be treated as a second grader.

As for the dossier for Jing Jing (Amelie, Bellamy, Rebecca? still thinking through the names) I need to get my financial statement, personal letter and the letter from the Amherst Police Department and should be all set. Hopefully next week and then things can be reviewed by the dossier consultant. It seems so much more complicated this time than when I went for Jemma. I'm also a bit surprised that the agency isn't bugging me, wondering when the dossier will be ready.

Preliminary Approval Received!

I got the call on March 14 that China has approved me to be Jing Jing's mom. I've still got a way to go before my dossier is ready to go to China but this is a relief. She will be mine!

The homestudy visits are all done and I'm writing out answers to a huge packet of questions from the agency. As my social worker says, they are very "thorough". And some thought provoking questions, definitely. Time is flying though, and I need to get the dossier finished. I have had one definite relief in the closing of our Amherst house, and it feels better to be doing the adoption with the proceeds in the bank. Had never planned to maintain two residences, even though I did love the Pioneer Valley.

Today is the last day of March and we have had springlike weather. What a relief, and what a good time for fresh beginnings.

The "Letter of Intent"

I'm a week into the process for my second adoption from China. On January 2, I emailed Harrah Family Services agency, in Spring Texas to petition for "Jing Jing". January 3, I asked a few more questions, and the agency worker asked if I was petitioning for her -- she said she'd gotten in a second petition that morning. Well, I ended up going to the mat for my new daughter before I ever have her; YES I was serious, I petitioned the previous day!

Turned out she hadn't read her emails but it was a less than auspicious start to the process for Jing Jing. She is an adorable little toddler and living in Yichang City, Hubei Province, PRC. Does not look at all like Jemma Rose, and is different; a longer face, different sort of features. But she is cute, cute cute!

The following week I was able to complete my letter of intent which is apparently still undergoing translatioon into Mandarin since last week. One group of 21 other families had their letters go to China from Harrah's last week, there are 7 of us who are petitioning for the children who were not selected in the "preview" round. What a process! Kinda makes me feel a bit funny about all those people who passed "my" Jing Jing by. What did they worry about that I'm not seeing? And I feel a bit indignant, too! She is adorable; how could 21 families pass her by?

Nonetheless, when I looked at the Harrah's list there she was, and I was floored that she was still available! (I'd considered being a preview family but didn't; I just thought I would see who was available without competing with the younger, richer married couples, and letting God/the universe lead me to my child.)

Her "screen name" is Jing Jing and if that isn't the name to get your attention during the holiday season, what is? Every Jingle Bell I heard turned to Jingle Belle.