The Process

Since I just started the blog and missed out in writing all this earlier while it was happening I thought I would write a bit about the process and key dates. I apologize for the length! :)

September 21, 2005 - met with our adoption agency - CHOICES
September 26, 2005 - contacted CHOICES with the decision that we wished to start the adoption process for a little girl from China
September 26, 2005 - received information package from Family Outreach International (FOI) (Our Facilitator) for adopting from China
September 27, 2005 - dropped off application to CHOICES
September 28, 2005 - contacted our Social Worker and arranged our first meeting to complete our Home Study.
October 1, 2005 - completed autobiographies and family tree for our initial appointment with Social Worker
October 4, 2005 - sent in registration to FOI
October 6, 2005 - completed letter of adoption application. compiled a list of the information required for our dossier
October 7, 2005 - purchased Mary Anne's first piece of clothing...a pink sweater! :)
October 8, 2005 - first appointment with our Social Worker
October 10, 2005 - did our homework from our first SW visit. started immigration paperwork
October 11, 2005 - dropped off a form to Ministry of Children and Family. continued immigration paperwork
October 12, 2005 - dropped off criminal record checks
October 13, 2005 - Iain met with GP to get medical form completed
October 15, 2005 - we both attended Clinic to get our blood work done. second appointment with SW
October 17, 2005 - picked up letters of employment from our accountant
October 19, 2005 - picked up criminal record checks - all clear!
October 20, 2005 - mailed immigration forms. glad they were in the mail!
October 24, 2005 - Iain met with SW
November 7, 2005 - received the information we need back from Immigration
November 8, 2005 - I met with SW and then both of us met with SW
November 14, 2005 - put some photos together for our dossier, photos of us, family, house, etc.
November 17, 2005 - dropped off all information at CHOICES that they need for our dossier!!!
A big step to getting our dossier sent off to China. The next thing is getting our Home Study in.
November 20, 2005 - home visit by SW. we passed! :)
November 21, 2005 - received copy of our Home Study from our SW for review. She is quick! :)
November 28, 2005 - contacted CHOICES they have all the information they need. Our dossier should be sent to FOI in the next two days
December 1, 2005 - our dossier couriered to FOI for translation and notarization
December 31, 2005 - received letter from FOI our dossier was sent to China!!!!!!!!!
February 22, 2006 - received an e-mail from CHOICES stating our log in date at the China Centre for Adoption Affairs was January 26, 2006!!!!!!!!!
January 2006 to August 2006 - Train, Train, Train for Ironman
August 27, 2006 - completed Ironman Canada :)
December 2006 - we are officially out of the Review room at CCAA and moved onto the Matching Room
January 2006 to Present - Wait, wait, wait

Next step is our REFERRAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!