Why China?

I can't remember when we first spoke about it, but I've always known that Jerry and I felt the same way about adoption.   Although we had never seriously considered pursuing it, I guess it had come up in those random conversations you have with a person you know, or want to know inside and out.  Somewhere along the way, we had answered those initial questions for each other that adoption sometimes brings up.  Yes, we felt we could both love a child that was not biologically ours, whole heartedly and we shared a respect for people that chose to build or grow families through adoption.

Fast forward to April 2007.  Jerry and I spent a weekend with a family member and their adopted daughter from China.  She and her parents were so perfectly matched.  We were both taken with this lovely little girl and found their adoption journey so compelling.  After the weekend, I casually asked Jerry what he thought about adopting a little girl from China.  In classic Jerry style, he looked at me and said OK.  As I look back,  I'm not sure if he wasn't really listening or totally on board!  Either way, we decided to move forward and do some homework.

Once we learned more about the children waiting for adoption in China, we realized our initial instincts were right and decided to sign on with Chinese Children Adoption International (CCAI), the agency our family member had used.  The Chinese adoption process although very straight forward, can be a long one.  We weren't in a rush and signed on knowing this, however the WAIT wasn't exactly what we had anticipated.
CCF