Transracial Parenting Class and Update

We attended the transracial parenting class about a week and a half ago. It was a good class and covered the difficult issues related to bringing a child of a different culture and race to the "midwest." It was a good day and we felt like we learned alot. We learned more about racial prejudices and subtle forms of discrimination(especially in school).

One of the most exciting parts of the class was getting to see a couple from the PAC class that we attending in November. The couple had been hoping to adopt a baby girl from China, but at the PAC class they found out that the wait for a child from China had just been changed to 7 years - that's right - 7 years! Their dreams were crushed and we could all read the emotional toll that it was taking on them. Scott and I left the meeting with our hearts extended to them! So . . . when we saw them again at our parenting class, our first questions was "what did you decided?" The couple had decided to adopt a "Waiting Child" from China. There are many children from China on the the "Waiting Childrens" list because of cleft lip/palate or other correctable health issues. The couple shared with us that they would likely receive a referral for a child within the next year. YEAH!!! We were so excited for them!

We are currently working on our I600A form, which is the immigration form that will allow our child to come into the country. Compared to the other paperwork that we have done, I don't think it will be too painful. We need a copy of our birth certificates, our marriage certificate, another set of fingerprints from our local police station, and a few forms concering us and our background. Once the Federal Government recieves our I600 application, we will then be sent a date that we will have to go down to the Twin Cities to get fingerprinted again (for FBI clearance). Our fingerprints and our I600 application will be good for one year after we submit it, so if the process takes longer than a year we will have to update the information (and get new fingerprints - since potentially you could have committed a crime within a one year period of time).

We still haven't told Bailey about our big plans yet! We are waiting until after her birthday to share the news (on the recommendation of our social worker). That way we can tell her that her new brother or sister should arrive by her next birthday. I am very excited to let her in on the secret and it has been very hard - not telling her. It will be fun to see her reaction. We have started to read some children's books about the concept of adoption - to slowly introduce her to the idea. Scott and I are looking forward to May 13th - kind of cool birthday gift hun!