Adoption Wait Time

The adoption referrals for parents with log-in dates through 9/8/2005 received their referrals today. Congratulations to those parents who are able to see their childrens' pictures for the first time. That represents a 14.9 month wait for these parents. If their wait time is indicative of our wait time, we only have 9.3 more months of waiting. However, it is probably inappropriate to predict our wait time based on the most recent parent's wait time. It may be better to consider the most recent CC@A (China Center of Adoption Affairs) productivity. If you look at their most recent productivity, our wait time is even longer. The lengthening wait time is depressing. I hope that when referrals come out next month that we can report an improvement in the statistics. We think about our baby all the time.

The following table represents the historical wait time for 2006:

Cut-off in Log-in Date	Date of Referral Release	Average Wait Time (In Months)
4/25/2005	1/5/2006	8.5
5/13/2005	1/25/2006	8.6
5/25/2005	2/27/2006	9.3
5/30/2005	3/27/2006	10.0
6/6/2005	4/27/2006	10.8
6/15/2005	5/26/2006	11.5
6/28/2005	6/26/2006	12.1
7/13/2005	7/31/2006	12.8
7/22/2005	8/24/2006	13.3
8/9/2005	9/25/2006	13.7
8/25/2005	11/2/2006	14.5
9/8/2005	11/30/2006	14.9

Window Cafe

Our window cafe is now open for business! It's hours of operation are from sunrise to sunset and we offer a wide variety of seeds. We have had repeat customers so far, and hope to attract new customers soon.

Part I of CIA Exam

I tested for Part I of the CIA exam last Wednesday. I think I did OK on the exam, but grades will not be released until January 15. I've already taken Parts III and received credit for Part IV. So, if I pass Part I, I will take Part II in May 2007. Unfortunately, the exam is only offerred twice a year. I have so much free time now that I'm not studying that I don't know what to do first! The limited number of people that actually visit our blog may have noticed the big gap in posts while I was studying!

Breeder's Cup Gala

Bryan and I went to the Breeder's Cup Charity Gala. It was fun! I even got my hair done for the event (which I haven't done since our wedding day!). Allison Krauss and Union Station http://www.alisonkrauss.com performed at the event and Wow! they were good. I didn't think I liked country music, but this was somewhere in between country and folk. I now have their CD and am a fan.

First Annual Pumpkin Carving

Pumpkin Carving with Sandra, Chad and Andrew.

Stack o' Lanterns by Sandra
Graveyard Ghoul by Chad
Kitty on Moon by Kristen & Bryan
Roasted pumpkin seeds by Bryan...yum!

Brown Envelope

We received the "brown envelope" from the U.S. Consulate General of Guangzhou containing documents we will use to complete our adoption in China. Everyone that adopts from China talks about this "brown envelope" because these documents always arrive in a brown envelope. This communication means that the INS has approved our adoption and therefore the U.S. Consulate of Guangzhou will approve our child's visa. This is the last formal communication we will receive until our long-awaited referral day.

New Computer Day!

Bryan and I finally received our new computer after nearly a month of having no home computer. I never realized how computer-dependent I was until our computer crashed abrubtly. I was so happy that I ran out to the car to capture its first moment that it arrived at our house. Bryan and I quickly unwrapped the computer, took the computer casing off and admired the beautiful hardware inside! Hopefully my next entry will be made from our new computer.

Malaysia

Our home computer crashed so I haven’t been posting lately. I posted this message reluctantly from my work computer since I hate to mix work files with personal files. A new Dell computer is arriving sometime in the beginning of November! Yeah!

I wanted to share a few pictures from my business trip to Malaysia. The pictures from bottom to top are as follows:

(1) Petronas twin towers. I took a tour up to the bridge. Too bad I didn’t see Sean Connery and Catherine Zeta Jones!
(2) McArabia chicken sandwich from McDonalds in the Dubai airport. I couldn’t resist trying Dubai’s version of a McDonalds burger and it was yummy!
(3) Batu Caves Sri Subramaniam Temple. This is a beautiful Hindu shrine. I climbed all 272 steps to get to the caves!
(4) Mom monkey with baby. Malaysia has all sorts of wildlife. I took this picture for my sister Kelly since she loves monkeys!

Adoption Log-in Date

We just received our Log-in Date ("LID") to China!!!!! This isn't a major milestone, but we grasp for any milestone, no matter how minor, since we don't have our daughter yet.

Our Documents to China ("DTC") date is 6/9/06 and our LID is 6/14/06, so the CC@A is currently processing documents extremely quick. Historically, it has taken much longer to receive the LID. Assuming the current wait time stays stagnant, we will be traveling to China this time next year.

Yeah!

Yummy Stirfry

Bryan cooked awesome stirfry tonight! He cooked enough to feed an army!

Passed Part III of CIA Exam!

Today I finally received my test scores for Part III of the CIA Exam and I passed!!!! The letter was postmarked July 14 so I'm not sure where the letter has been since it left the Institute of Internal Auditors in Florida.

I will start studying for Parts I and II shortly and I have been comped for Part IV. Hopefully I can get this certification done before I become a Mom!

Welcome

Welcome to Kristen and Bryan's blog. This website will be used to keep everyone posted on our China adoption during the wait time and during our China trip.

Left is a picture of our adorable nephew Johnny.