DIS/DISUnplugged/Dreams December Event Info – DISapalooza (continued)

[sshaw10060]

Yes...it's in regards to our adoption. When we began the process, families were waiting maybe a year before getting their referrals. As you can see, we have been waiting (as far as China's concerned) for 2 1/2 years now. And no end in sight. No speed ups...nothing. They are about a year behind us in referrals, so it sounds optimistic, but they really only match families at a pace of about 3-6 days per month. When you have families logged in just about every day of the month, it takes China an ETERNITY to get through one month of referrals. If they continue at the pace they've been going at, we could be waiting another 5 years. It just sucks...and there's nothing we can do about it except pull our paperwork and I'm not ready to do that yet. We've looked into other programs, but we don't qualify (too many divorces between the two of us).

Not only is the waiting agony, but then we have to keep our papers updated here with our homestudy. Just about yearly...homestudy updates are $400...fingerprinting is $160 (every 12-16 months)...I-600a (immigration-related...allows us to bring her back into the U.S.) is $700 now and that's every 18 months. We get one free renewal with the fingerprinting and I-600a paperwork, but we've used that so this time we pay for it, but next renewal is free. And I sincerely hope that we won't have to pay for this again after that...

Please don't mis-read this...I am very excited about our adoption plans...it's just so hard to wait...I'm not getting any younger and I'm afraid that by the time we get a referral, I'll be 80. By the time we get this referral, we will have probably aged out of the program, so Dorissa will be an only child.

Sorry guys...I just have these pity me days with this every now and then. Thanks for the shoulders...

Hang in there. I have a co-worker that adopted her son from Russia. They flew over there twice and came home without a baby. They had really given up when they got a call saying there was a child available. They took a third trip and came home with a wonderful son. The whole process took them 4 or 5 years, but I know they would do it again in a second.

 

[Minnie Lor]

I just looked at our agency's international adoption opportunities. I don't recall ever seeing Taiwan as an option, but it's there now! Hmmmm....additional research may be required on this...

I can also get you the name of the agency that does Taiwan that my friend is using. Usually it's a 6 month to a year process. I have another friend that has used them twice. It's a Christian organization.

 

[scarlett873]

I can also get you the name of the agency that does Taiwan that my friend is using. Usually it's a 6 month to a year process. I have another friend that has used them twice. It's a Christian organization.

I think I know what agency it is based on your description...is it a large agency?

I was just looking on the site for our agency and it looks like we could technically qualify, but the process is a bit different...and the children there may have various special needs...

Still researching...

The waiting sucks, but I know in the end it will be worth it. I don't doubt that. It's just hard to wait now, when all of my friends and family have little ones...

 

[DVCsince02]

I am spending my day doing laundry and packing up summer clothes. I am coming to accept the fact that if I don't live in Florida it's going to be cold. So rats, my summer things go in a box. On a plus or minus note, depending on how you look at it, I pulled out my winter clothes, which I hadn't done in three years (b/c we lived in Florida) and they are too big! So luckily, when my mom was here this past week we went to JCPenney's and shopped on her associate discount. YAY! My oldest DS had no winter wear to speak of, so he got new clothes, too. Did you all know that they have plus sizes in the little girls department? I did not. I got a new winter jacket there that you can wear four different ways. I liked the plus sizes over there. They allowed for my "baby hips". I refuse to pack up my capris as I don't intend on staying away from WDW. I will need them there!

My Mom bought DD's winter coat at JCP. She loves it. Black and pink, zippered inner coat, etc.

6' x 3' x 2'. Can't go anywhere without the necessities.

That's big enough to fit the body after the murder.

 

[scarlett873]

My Mom bought DD's winter coat at JCP. She loves it. Black and pink, zippered inner coat, etc.



That's big enough to fit the body after the murder.

Note to self...steer clear of Todd and his box...

 

[sshaw10060]

Note to self...steer clear of Todd and his box...

I agree. Any man that needs that much swag to travel is best given his space.

 

[kathrna]

Yes...it's in regards to our adoption. When we began the process, families were waiting maybe a year before getting their referrals. As you can see, we have been waiting (as far as China's concerned) for 2 1/2 years now. And no end in sight. No speed ups...nothing. They are about a year behind us in referrals, so it sounds optimistic, but they really only match families at a pace of about 3-6 days per month. When you have families logged in just about every day of the month, it takes China an ETERNITY to get through one month of referrals. If they continue at the pace they've been going at, we could be waiting another 5 years. It just sucks...and there's nothing we can do about it except pull our paperwork and I'm not ready to do that yet. We've looked into other programs, but we don't qualify (too many divorces between the two of us).

Not only is the waiting agony, but then we have to keep our papers updated here with our homestudy. Just about yearly...homestudy updates are $400...fingerprinting is $160 (every 12-16 months)...I-600a (immigration-related...allows us to bring her back into the U.S.) is $700 now and that's every 18 months. We get one free renewal with the fingerprinting and I-600a paperwork, but we've used that so this time we pay for it, but next renewal is free. And I sincerely hope that we won't have to pay for this again after that...

Please don't mis-read this...I am very excited about our adoption plans...it's just so hard to wait...I'm not getting any younger and I'm afraid that by the time we get a referral, I'll be 80. By the time we get this referral, we will have probably aged out of the program, so Dorissa will be an only child.

Sorry guys...I just have these pity me days with this every now and then. Thanks for the shoulders...

No need to be sorry. We're all here for you. It's a hard process. I've not been through it, but I've heard that it can be difficult. I think your dedication to this shows a lot about you and your character. I hope that the ball will begin rolling on their end very soon. In the mean time just keep your chin up and vent as often as you'd like.

 

[Annette_VA]

Wow, Todd - that's a big box!

Brandie - Sorry to hear how frustrated you are. Hopefully, you won't have to wait much longer

 

[DVCsince02]

Sorry...just needed to vent a little...carry on!

I just looked at our agency's international adoption opportunities. I don't recall ever seeing Taiwan as an option, but it's there now! Hmmmm....additional research may be required on this...

 

[cocowum]

Is there a phone number for Dreams Unlimited? I need to talk to someone about transferring a trip reservation we made on our own to Dreams Unlimited so we can join the DAP, I sent an email through the generic "reservations@dreamsunlimited.com", but I didn't get s response back, although I concede it might have gotten lost in my email box and deleted. Thanks

Mike

Mike, I would email a dreams agent directly and they will tell you how to transfer the ressie.

Tracy ~ winotracy

Mindy ~ UrsulasShadow

Kathy ~ Safetymom

Have fun shoe shopping. I hate shoe shopping. I'm a traditionalist. I don't like weird cluncky heals or pointy toes.I like just normal shoes. I'm looking for a pair of black boots, low heals, to wear with skirts. I went thru 136 of them online and didn't like one pair.

 

[kathrna]

My Mom bought DD's winter coat at JCP. She loves it. Black and pink, zippered inner coat, etc.

Sounds like the same one. Too bad she's not coming to DAP, we could have been twinsies. But then again, I don't intend on wearing it in Florida. But then yet again, last year during Mousefest I was freezing. I wasn't AT Mousefest, but I was at the parks being left out of the party. Poor me, I didn't make the sign ups. But I am in for this year.

 

[Minnie Lor]

yeah that goes against everything you stand for from what I've heard.

 

[cocowum]

yeah that goes against everything you stand for from what I've heard.

 

[chirurgeon]

John does it again. And Teresa too. They have straightened everything out and I have the email for the party. I will respond when I get home. I don't want to do it from the phone.

Brandie, you and Matt have been so patient. I hope the pixie dust helps and I will send up a few prayers for you and your Princess to be united ASAP.

Kim

 

[Minnie Lor]

John does it again. And Teresa too. They have straightened everything out and I have the email for the party. I will respond when I get home. I don't want to do it from the phone.

Kim

Yay!

 

[Minnie Lor]

Next post should take us to page 50.

 

[kathrna]

John does it again. And Teresa too. They have straightened everything out and I have the email for the party. I will respond when I get home. I don't want to do it from the phone.

Brandie, you and Matt have been so patient. I hope the pixie dust helps and I will send up a few prayers for you and your Princess to be united ASAP.

Kim

He IS a genius, you know!!

 

[Minnie Lor]

I am bored. Really bored. The faculty are all in their weekly faculty luncheon, the classes look to be over for the day and the students are making exiting off campus for the weekend. It's very quiet. I may have to go walk the stairs again.

 

[georgemoe]

OK Folks, we booked Airfare yesterday and Booking at the DolFUN Next week. DAP is a go!! WooHoo!!!

Nice Mike!

I have found that it takes the same amount of time to walk as ride the boat. 30 minutes-ish...assuming there aren't a bazillion people embarking/disembarking at each stop.

You walking on your hands?

 

[Minnie Lor]

And I'm starving too. I alreadyate my cheese stick and high protein bar. I think it's because of all of the stairs I'm doing.