Making the Decision

I first found Effie while searching through waiting children photo listings. History shows that I start looking about every 3 - 4 years.... This time I was ONLY LOOKING! I had no intention of adopting again. I was about to turn 45! Not that 45 is old or anything but I am eligible to retire in 6 years. My youngest is 9 which means he'll graduate high school just a few short years later....Hmmm.

Effie was probably about 10 months old in the photo.  As I mentioned in my previous post, I soon found a video of her posted on another site and she appeared to be about 2 1/2 years old. I knew I was falling in love but did I have the energy (not to mention the finances) to do it all over again?

I began researching her condition which I soon figured out was not her diagnosis. In addition to her nose malformation, I learned she had a Tessier Facial Cleft. I watched her video again and again and again. I emailed the craniofacial surgeon who had repaired my son's cleft palate and asked his prognosis.

I couldn't get her out of my mind. I struggled for weeks, questioned my self, talked to my kids about it, struggled some more. I was consumed for a period of time with indecisiveness. Besides, I wasn't even eligible. Since I'm single, the guidelines from China stipulate that in order for me to adopt, I can't have more than 2 children under the age of 18 in the home. But sometimes an exception could be made...

I submitted the application to the adoption agency and about three weeks later I received the Notice from the China Centre for Children's Welfare and Adoption that I was preliminarily approved to adopt Effie. With that approval, I got another picture. She's probably about 18 months and looks a little sad at the moment.

The struggle, the indecisiveness, the doubt...all gone. Effie is going to be my daughter and I am elated!

Adopting Effie

This is my first time creating a blog so bear with me :) I'm going to start with my current journey which is working to bring "Effie" home. Effie is a beautiful little girl who is waiting in China. She was found abandoned at birth and is now 4 1/2 years old. She has always been in an orphanage.

I first found a baby picture of Effie online listed with an agency who was trying to find her forever family. A couple of weeks later I found a video on another agency's site of a 2 1/2 year old little girl that looked very familiar.... I contacted both agencies and found that it was the same little girl!


Effie has a Tessier facial cleft and a nose malformation which will require some significant surgeries. I see her beauty now, just as she is, and when I watched that video and and saw her determination, I was hooked!

 

This is my fourth adoption from China and my third of children with special needs. Because Effie has significant special needs, all of my paperwork must be turned in by mid June.

I already have preapproval from China and the homestudy is almost complete. The race is on!