The Road to Alexa: Ellen

March 01-Decided to adopt # 2 through the waiting children program in China. Had preidentified a child but then parents became ill and I decided the timing was not right to bring a SN child into an already difficult situation. Dad eventually passed away in May that year.

Jan 02-The need to have a second child became stronger and I began to look at options. The quota for singles had taken effect in China and I began to feel as though I would never have a second child and was beginning to prepare myself for that as well as Hannah who was really the one who had been asking for a sister for awhile. One night I was on the Rainbow Kids site and saw a flashing message about a new pilot program in El Salvador. I investigated it and it sounded too good to be true (I should have known) -4-6 month wait from dossier to referral, one trip to get the child and it was only a 2 hour flight from Miami. I submitted my application on February 13 and filed and I600A on February 19. I felt so good; I was going to be a mom again by the end of 2002. NOT!!!!! It became clearer and clearer as more time passed that this pilot program had some real glitches. In January 03 a group from the agency traveled to El Salvador and was told that the first families should receive their referrals in 3-5 weeks. I was advised that my match was done and working its way through the process. Well 5 weeks passed, then 6, then 7, etc. and I had a pit in my stomach -something was not right. The agency was very evasive and kept making excuses and empty promises. By April of 03 I followed my instincts and withdrew from the program. If it was this much trouble getting good communication I didn't have faith in what would happen should we actually ever get there. I was so disappointed and additionally was out several thousand dollars.

04/03-This time something told me to forge ahead and I began looking into the China program again. Since Hannah is from there, it just felt right even if I would have to wait for a slot. I filed an application with Florida Homestudies and Adoptions and was told I would have to wait for 12 couples to apply before I could have a slot. I was at peace with it and although I called the agency monthly to see how things were going I was not too crazy.

11/03-I got the okay to begin the paperchase for Hannah's little sister. I ran around like a crazy woman with the hope of being done sometime in December but like everyone else things didn't all go as I hoped so I was not completed with the dossier until January-still not a bad turnaround time. My paperwork was sent to China and was logged in to CCAA on February 18th making our family part of the ladybug group.

6/04-I now sit within weeks of the referral for the child I have been working toward for more than three years. I do believe that things all happen for a reason and I know that when Hannah and I travel to China and meet Alexa for the first time, that the purpose of all the starts and stops will be perfectly clear.

- Ellen