Sarah’s room has been ready since March. We were in a big rush to get it ready in time for her arrival. Little did we know that delays would push that back 10 months or more. We sort of stalled there for a while, but we’re getting back in gear!

So now that we know who and where our little girl is, we’re going like mad again. We’ve sent all the paperwork off for our Chinese visas (we need them to enter China) and we’ve sent money off for the orphanage fee. We’ve also bought a cradle with all the furnishings and a high chair (bye-bye to that pay check). Got the bottles, got the baby toiletries, got the sippy cups. Next stop, a car seat and probably a few more outfits.

Here’s a bonus – we’re getting our stroller in China where we’re told a really nice stroller costs about $20 US.

We had forgotten just how much stuff a baby needs – but we’re remembering quickly! It’s a fun time getting ready, but we’d rather have nothing ready for her, but instead be rushing to get on a plane to get that sweet little one. We just keep remembering that this must all be done in God’s time which does not always match our schedule.

Monday night we got the 30 pages of wonder that is “travel packet 2″. More paperwork to fill out and more things to solemnly promise that we will do. And of course, the inevitable legal disclaimers … in this case there are actually three or four different ones! Curiously, none of the disclaimers said that they were not responsible for the carpal tunnel we’re getting from filling out all of the paperwork.

In big red letters all over they say “you must send these in within 5 to 7 days”. Perhaps they don’t understand how eager we are to bring Sarah home? Just try forcing us to wait! No way!

Some good news in the packet – we should have 6 or 7 days of the trip where we’re simply waiting for the various governments to finish their part of the process. That means we’ll have plenty of quality family time to spend with Sarah and Jordan! That’s been difficult to come by in recent months, and with our new addition it’s a real blessing.

Anyway, we’re moving right along in the process and eager to get to the next step. More later…

The most common response to the news that we’ve been matched seems to be something like “well when/how do you get that lovely little girl?” I wish we had an answer, but see we’re waiting again.

Here’s how it works with China adoption…
First, you complete a small mountain of paperwork and get it certified by pretty much every governing body on the planet. Literally, our paperwork folder weighs about 5 pounds and it took just under six months to put it all together.

Next, you send about half of this pile to China – the other half you keep in case there is a paper shortage somewhere in the world, or if there are any questions on the mound of papers you sent. For us, this was August 2005.

Then, you wait.

And wait.

And wait.

Finally, the day comes when you get your match and you get some information and a few pictures of the wonderful child you’ve been dreaming about. And then…

You wait.

This time it’s only 5 to 8 weeks. First, China says it’s OK to come over. Then the US says that they’ll let us stop in their offices for a visit. Then China says that it’s really OK to come over … they really mean it. In between, guess what? We fill out more paper! That’s right, we need even more! Good thing we’re allowed to carry more than one suitcase.

Finally, we go to China for a 15-day, 3-city tour complete with jet lag, strange food, sleepless nights and that bundle of joy we’re waiting for.

Yup, it’s all definitely worth it.

We got our package and sent back our acceptance a few hours later. Here is what we learned…

She is perfectly healthy.

Sarah knows a few words and she is walking.

She smiles easily (although apparently not for the camera) and knows what the word “no” means.

Sarah is active, talkative and gets along with others well.

Her favorite toys are blocks and her cloth doll and she really loves when the adults play with her.

Surprise … She is obstinate sometimes.

We’ll post more when we know more.