Friday, January 12, 2007

Final Home Study Visit

We had our final home study visit today with Wendy from Adoption Advocates at McDonald's. This time she had to meet all 3 girls and make sure they understood what we are doing and how it is going to change our lives. Well as much as a 2, 4, and 6 year old could understand. They were very well behaved and actually spoke to Wendy! That was progress for them! The meeting was just under one hour. We reviewed the final draft our of home study report with her and there were only a few minor changest that needed to be made. Wendy will meet with her Supervisor on Monday for final approval. Then they will over-night one copy to us so that we can mail in our I-600A application next week. Hopefully we should be able to do this on Wednesday. Then we wait approximately another two weeks for CIS to contact us letting us know what our fingerprint appointment time is. Then after we do that CIS will process our application and receive a I-171 H approval from the Depart of Homeland Security. That is the last thing we need to mail off our Dossier to China. Please pray that CIS does not take a full 90 days to process this as their website currently states as the processing timefram.

Wednesday, January 3, 2007

China from the Inside - PBS Documentary

Airing at 9 and 10 pm on PBS in Metro Detroit.

"China From The Inside" -- New PBS Documentary

Public television (PBS) will air a 4-part documentary beginning on
Wednesday, January 10, entitled "China from the Inside."

According to a preview website at this URL:

http://www.pbs.org/kqed/chinainside/

... the documentary will delve into both China's history and its
current political landscape. It will, among other things, examine
China's treatment of women, its problems with air and water pollution,
religion in China, and the government's slow response to the AIDS
epidemic.

The documentary's 4 parts will consist of the following:

* "Power and the People"
* "Women of the Country"
* "Shifting Nature"
* "Freedom and Justice"

The above website boasts that "through exceptional access to
institutions, government officials, and ordinary people, 'China from
the Inside' brings the complexity of contemporary China to the living
rooms of Americans."

The website touts that the full website (open tomorrow) will "offer a
deeper understanding of the political, economic, environmental, and
social issues facing China" and will allow its visitors to engage in
the following:

* Read projections on China's environmental future, what it will mean;
* Learn about the AIDS epidemic and the government's slow response;
* Delve into an interactive map;
* View a gallery of women activists;
* Join in provocative discussions about China's future;
* Find out how much you know with a China -v- USA quiz;
* Discover the difficulties of filming in China
in an "off camera" interview with the filmmaker;
* Download unique, standards-based content for grades 10-12.

China short on babies?

One of the reasons for the tighter restrictions for Chinese adoptions is a shortage of adoptable babies.

Here is a clip from a news story:

"The Shanghai Population and Family Planning Commission predicted that 131,000 babies will be born in the city this year, up from 123,901 last year. This number will rise to about 137,000 next year and peak in 2015 at 160,000.

City officials are concerned that this baby boom will trigger a spate of generational social problems, such as over-crowding in schools and in the job markets, problems that could stay active for several decades.

(Shanghai Daily November 8, 2006)"

I tend to believe that if many of this babies are girls, they will be abandoned. That means there will still be many babies that need a loving home.

Tuesday, January 2, 2007

More information on the China adoption changes

Single Mother Looks Past China to Adopt Child

Michele Norris talks with Heather Wareing about Wareing's adoption plans. Wareing adopted a daughter from China more than two years ago; she is now looking to adopt another, but as a single mom, she will look to a different country.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=6712266


China Set to Institute Tighter Adoption Rules

Michele Norris talks with Tim Sutfin, executive director of New Beginnings Family and Children's Services, an adoption agency in Mineola, N.Y., about the new adoption rules that China is expected to implement on May 1, 2007.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=6712263

Many are upset that it appears that only young, heterosexual, married, thin, wealthy, educated, people will be able to adopt. I understand both sides of this controversy. China is only looking at the best interest of the child. But I also think they are being too strict. These new regulations (temporary or not) leaves out many people that could give a child a loving home.