My husband and I began our journey to Sara Lin September, 2005. We chose to adopt from China for many reasons. A close friend adopted a beautiful daughter from China. With her guidance and encouragement, we began researching information about adoption in China. A recommended book, Lost Daughters of China, provided insightful information. Without haste or indecision we moved forward with what we now know as the "paper chase". It took six months to complete the paperwork and other requirements.

Our dossier was sent for translation on 4/12/06 and was shipped to China 4/21/06. This date is known as DTC or Date to China. To our surprise, we received an e-mail the following week congratulating us on our log in date (LID) of 4/29/06. Our dossier was officially acknowleged and received by China. We had read many stories where families had waited over a month from the time their dossier went to China to receive a log in date. The LID would have occurred weeks before your received the notice due to varying communication methods between China and the adoption agency. We are thankful that our agency, Florida Home Studies and Adoption, apparently has very good communications with China.

We are in the first trimester of our paper pregnancy. I think my husband is carrying our child :) He has food cravings and gets emotional when he talks about his little girl "Sara Lin". He is going to be a wonderful daddy. We debate over who will hold her first... it is said that she is likely to bond to someone that most resembles her. My husband having dark hair threatens to buy brown contacts to cover his light blue eyes. I have naturally brown eyes and remind him how easy it is to change my hair color, should drastic measures be needed. We'll see....

According to our agency, the current wait time for a referral from your LID is 10 months. It can be difficult to ignore rumors that say 12-14 + months. We find more credibility in the agency's timeline since they receive referrals from China monthly. Last month's referrals came in at exactly 10 months from LID. We understand that the timelines may change based on the number of dossiers submitted compared to the number of available children.

Amazingly, we feel patient. We believe that God will determine the perfect timing for us to be a family. We will use this time to prepare ourselves and our home for this life changing event. We have not yet shared our exciting news with everyone.