Common Terms in the Hinson World

Good morning all!

Today's post is strictly educational.

But since we all know that non-forced learning ='s fun,

I'm certain you'll enjoy this. 

So, here's your lesson on the adoption lingo 

you'll hear spoken in the Hinson world. 

Common Terms used in China Adoption:

CCAA (Chinese Center of Adoption Affairs) - 

The Chinese governing body that oversees 

the adoption process in China. 

Their offices are located in Beijing, China.

Home Study -

A series of interviews and supporting documentation 

put together by a licensed social worker 

in a report for the purpose of adoption.

LOI (Letter Of Intent) -

This is the letter sent in when adopting 
through the Special Needs process. 

This letter will outline basic information regarding 
your family and will also document your desire to 
nurture and provide for this specific child.

Pre-Travel Approval -

Once the Letter Of Intent is processed by the CCAA, 

you will receive a pre-travel approval. 

It usually takes 6-8 weeks 
for your pre-travel approval to arrive.

CIS (Citizenship and Immigration Services) - 

CIS is the department within Homeland Security 
that is responsible for issuing approvals 
that permit families to bring their adopted child 
into the U.S. from their country of origin.

Dossier - Pronounced “doss-ee-ay.” 

A collection of approximately 13 documents 

submitted to the CCAA for 
permission to adopt a child from China.

DTC (Dossier To China) - 

The date your dossier is sent to China. 

It takes approximately 3 business days 

for your dossier to reach China.

LID (Log In Date) - 

The date your dossier is officially translated 

and logged in at the CCAA. 

Travel Approval (TA) – 

The official invitation from the CCAA to 
travel to China to receive your child. 
Insert: SQUEAL!!!

“The brown envelope” – 

Once you are logged in with the CCAA 

and the U.S. Consulate has been notified 

of your approval to adopt from China by CIS, 

you will receive your brown envelope. 

The brown envelope contains paperwork 
which you will take to China 
and complete while you are there.

Consulate appointment – 

Once you have received your travel approval, 

you will be able to apply for your appointment at 
the U.S. Consulate in Guangzhou. 

Provincial City – 

The capital city of the province where 

your child’s orphanage is located. 

You will spend approximately 5 days 
in the provincial city.

Guangzhou (GZ) - 

The location of the U.S. Consulate in China. 

Everyone who adopts a child from China will spend 
the last half of their trip in Guangzhou. 

It is also the location of the White Swan Hotel.

Please note:

This list was composed with the help of 

Lifeline Children's Services adoption manual. 

The agency with the burden of helping me

through this process. ;)

Now all you adoption graduates out there,

I'm asking you to please share your wisdom.

What's your favorite, or least favorite adoption term??

Thanks for playing along!

God's blessings on your day,

Sarah 

The Mama educated w-a-y beyond her intelligence. :D

Documents and Letters

Good morning all!

I didn't realize it'd been so long since I updated.

You see,

every day Emily Margaret's woven

tighter into our family tapestry.

I try to balance adoption paperwork

with girly-girl fun...

oh and keeping everything else afloat.

The official report:

We're at the halfway point on our agency fees.

It's never felt so good to drop a check in the mail.

Thank you to everyone who helped make it possible.

It's amazing to me how God has provided

exactly what we needed, every-step-of-the-way!

Yesterday James and I mailed off our I800-A.

First off, I had no idea how simple I was

until I attempted to tackle that document.

Even with cheat sheet in hand,

there were multiple times I felt my eyes crossing.

Finally with signatures and check stuffed tight,

we made our way to the post office.

We prayed over that document

and asked for it to be sent on the wings of angels...

because we have an angel ready to sprout her wings!

Now the fun:

With all that drudgery going on,

you can see why mama needs

a constant project to work out all that blah.

Hence the letters I made the kids

to celebrate who'll be residing in our bedrooms.

A manly style for the boys

and an over the top girly style for Emily Margaret.

That pink E is enough to make me smile

as I walk down the hallway. :D

I won't start painting her room until 
the official wait begins.

It'll be a homecoming project/therapy 
session of sorts. :)

SO, please pray for Emily Margaret.

That her belly will be full,

her bottom will stay dry

and that God will provide her with arms

to care for her, until He brings her home to ours.

With God's grace we're gonna see this baby girl home...

HOLLA!!! ;)

God's blessings dear friends, Sarah

Mama Is Ready-To-GO!

Good morning all!
I'm here with a quick post before heading out
to teach my Breastfeeding Prenatal Class.
This week the boys returned to school.
I got part of the Christmas decor down.
What can I say, the tree's still up...
slacker alert.

I finally mailed in the accuracy agreement
for our homestudy AND
completed the I800-A form.
I'm lacking one blank spot
before sending that bad boy off.
Question 3, page 7 to be exact.
I'm awaiting a response from Karla
on precisely what to fill in.
Better to get it right the first time. :)

Emily Margaret's room is coming together.
Almost everything is here and
awaiting Mama to do her thang.
It looks like the biggest challenge will be repainting.
All the furniture will get a fresh coat of white.
Then her room will get a custom Mama paint job.
I'm cooking up something SWEET!
I invision scallops, stripes & ladybugs...
in the most non-manic kinda way.

Most importantly my heart is ready.
I'm ready to kick it in to overdrive
doing whatever necessary to bring our angel home.
SO, if you notice my house a mess
and my laundry backed up more than usual
please overlook it.
'Cause Emily Margaret is waiting and
this Mama is ready-to-GO!!!

Here's a pic of the gifts Santa left for her here.

Oh, and one last thing.

For all Emily Margaret's fan club,

concerned about her hair, 

or lack there-off.

Hobby Lobby has the crotched headbands 

in every color, for a mere 99cents!

Not that we have them ALL or anything.

So, I'm unsure of the status of her hair but

I'm certain she'll have the perfect amount to sport a bow.

Whew, drama averted! ;)

God's blessings on your day loved ones

and keep praying for our baby girl! Sarah :)