Our Adoption Journey, Step 7: Care Package

In the last month, we have been matched and pre-approved to adopt our little man, Then, we finished our paperwork, it was translated, sent to the CCCWA in China and logged in. Whew! What a month!

What's the next step? Most likely, we will receive our LOA (letter of approval) in May or early June.  Until then? More waiting. While we wait, we are sending a care package to Carter. Most likely, this will be his (and his nannies') first heads-up that he has a family.

So, we put together a few things for Carter, and his friends in the orphanage. Here's a peak:

1. Shirt: We bought him at cute, short-sleeved shirt, size 3T. Hopefully it will fit. His measurements were all over the place. So, we guessed. Realistically, we will probably never see him in this shirt--but that's okay. He needs a shirt, so he gets a shirt. Besides, if it doesn't fit him, I can hope it will be worn by another little boy that needs a good shirt.

2. Photobook: In the corner of the picture, you can see our book. It is filled with pages of our family, friends, house and puppy. Most importantly, pictures of us, telling him that we love him.

3. Wooden trains: I can't tell you how fun it was to shop for small, simple toys. We have waited so many years to buy things for our child. To get him something that might put a smile on his face. We labeled these: "to share with your friends". Why aren't they just for him? After 8 months on our adoption journey, our hearts have broken for orphans around the world. How will his friends feel, knowing Carter is going to be adopted, but that they may never be? We bought more, identical trains for him to have at home. These toys are for him to share and will stay at the welfare institute. We cannot adopt them all, but we can love them. And send them things that will put a smile on their face.

4. Dum-Dums: Because everyone needs suckers. We couldn't fit the entire bag in that tiny box, so we put some in a Ziploc bag for him to share with his friends.

5. SD card: For the nannies and caregivers to take pictures of Carter and his friends. We hope that they will take pictures of him and everyone he knows at the orphanage. I know that he will treasure those pictures for years to come. Pictures of those who loved him before we could. We thought about sending a disposable camera, but we are hopeful that the orphanage has a digital camera (and maybe it's more convenient for them?). If we send another care package, we might send a disposable camera, just in case.

6. Letter to the orphanage (not pictured): Our agency wrote out a letter, in Mandarin, explaining that we love Carter and that we are coming for him soon. We asked that they take pictures of Carter and his friends. We asked that they let him know that we are his family and love him until we can get there. We also included a copy of our pre-approval from the CCCWA.


Somehow, we fit it all into a tiny little box. Seriously, I'm not sure how.

Our Adoption Journey: LID, DTC, and all the other letters...

In China adoption, there are so many different acronyms. Why? Because there are so many, detailed steps to international adoption. So, below, I have compiled a list of all the acronyms that we might have used (or will in the future) as part of our adoption.

CCAI: Chinese Children Adoption International. Our adoption agency. It is one of the largest China adoption agencies in the US. They have been around for over 20 years and assisted in more than 10,000 adoptions of children from China. For more information, click HERE.

CCCWA: China Center for Children's Welfare & Adoption. The government agency in China that is in charge of orphan care. It is the agency that will (hopefully) approve our adoption and our travel to China to adopt our little boy.

USCIS: United States Citizenship & Immigration Services. The US government agency that oversees citizenship and immigration. Because Carter will be a US citizen as soon as he in on US soil, we have background checks and visa approval through USCIS.

LOI: Letter Of Intent. The letter that we wrote to the CCCWA, indicating our desire to adopt our specific child. It included specific information about him and our promise to love and provide for him, to the best of our ability.

PA: Pre-Approval. Following our LOI, the CCCWA pre-approved our adoption of Carter. This happens before they read through our entire dossier. After we received our pre-approval, we were able to share pictures of Carter to our friends and family. Although it is not the official approval, it is an exciting step, to be allowed to share pictures and (limited) information about him with those who love us (and him) and are praying for us all.

DTC: Dossier to China. Our dossier paperwork has been sent to the CCCWA in China. Usually within 2 weeks, it is logged into the system. And, if there are no concerns with our paperwork, we can be (hopefully) be approved in 2-4 months.

LID: Logged-In Dossier. Our paperwork has been logged into the CCCWA. Nothing has been officially translated, read or approved. This date, however, is very important because everything that happens for our adoption usually hinges on this date. Approval, travel, etc. is always based on this date.

LOA: Letter of Approval. The CCCWA has read through our dossier and approves of our adoption. WE GET TO ADOPT!!! This, of course, is one of the most important steps. (Don't get excited, it hasn't happened yet!)

TA: Travel Approval. About 2-3 months after our LOA, the CCCWA will usually approve us for travel. At that time, we are only 7-10 days from going to China. This hinges on travel visas for us and for Carter, approved by both the US and the CCCWA.