WE ARE NEXT!!!

Yes, we are told that we are next on the list for our referral. We didn't make the "end of May" cut as they sent referrals for those families with LID up to June 15 and as a reminder, we have a LOG-IN-DATE of June 20. This means that we should receive a referral the last week of June. It might be the first week of July before we have photos of our little Ana. It is finally becoming a reality. Now it's time to pull out the "to-do" list and start packing! We still do not know how old she is or how much she weighs so we'll have to wait until we hear officially before packing clothing for her.

Look at that smile!

Josiah Graduates Kindercare (Pre-school)

What a big time! Check out our big boy! Standing by best buddies Arron, Blake and Noah(behind JT).

This blog is supposed to be about our adoption, right?

* * * ANA UPDATE * * *

Hoping to get your attention, even though we do not, I repeat, do not have a referral yet. As a reminder, when we began this process, the time frame from LID (Log in date: when paperwork gets logged into China to referral (photos, information on daughter) was 5 to 6 months. The most recent announcement from the CCAA: China Center of Adoption Affairs states that it is now taking 11 to 12 months from LID to referral. There are many rumors as to why. Here are a few:

1. More domestic adoptions in China so international is slowing down
2. More international adoptions so China cannot keep up with the numbers (It's all done by snail mail, that is, hard copy authenticated paperwork). We say, "Hire some more people to work in the matching room!!"
3. China has a quota of only so many adoptions for 2006 and they are pacing themselves to not exceed 10,000.

Let me see if I can explain in layman's language instead of adoption lingo. Our LID is June 20. A set of referrals just went out to those who have LIDs from May 30 - June 5. That is only 7 days of LIDs. When we started China was sending out 30-60 days at a time. Last month, they only sent out 5 days worth, this month 7. So we are 15 days away, but referrals only come out once a month and the next batch will not come out until the end of May or beginning of June. If it's only 7 days again, we will not be included. If they continue the 5-7 day trend, you can see that it could be 2-3 more months before we get a referral. Now, we are still hoping that China will catch up and send at least 15 days next time and we will be included.

The average time frame to travel to China after receiving the referral has been around six weeks. All of this to say, WE STILL DO NOT KNOW WHEN WE'LL GO TO CHINA. AHHHGGGGG!

Yes, we've been very frustrated with this because our little baby girl is so far away and we want to hold her and take care of her, however, it's so out of our control that I'm actually beginning to have a peace about this situation because that's all we can do and what we need to do anyway. Trust in our God's timing. He's gonna work it out whether it's what we think should happen or not. The timing for us makes us a bit nervous though, because JT starts school July 21 and we want to be here for that. This is a big change in the Seidenkranz house with Josiah in Kindergarten! Also, Ed's parents will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on the weekend of August 17 and are having another marriage ceremony renewing their vows. It is a big celebration of course and we don't want to miss this. What a perfect time for our family in California to meet Ana - however, mom is anxious about this timing because I do not want to put Ana on a plane 2 days after returning or something like that.

We thank you for your prayers for us and Ana. Josiah prays for her more than once a day without exception. You can probably sense our concerns above and we sure would appreciate your continued prayers and support. Know that when the referral comes, there will be LOUD SCREAMIN, THANK YOU JESUS CHEERS, AND SOME DRUM PLAYING BY JOSIAH AND SINGING CHANTS COMING FROM OVER FRANKLIN FOUNDER'S POINTE WAY!