Time line to Robby

June 2006: We decided that we wanted to add one more to or family. We made the decision to start the adoption process through the same agency we used with Rachael (A Helping Hand). God lead us to begin looking at the list of "waiting children". These are older children, many with special needs.

July: We began our homestudy, and looked at the current list of waiting children at AHH, but did not find 'our' child yet

August- December: we continued working on our homestudy while facing many delays and problems.

November 3: The new waiting child list arrives at AHH. We were drawn to two children, Sha Gang a three year old boy and a seven year old girl. After much prayer and a visit to Children's Hospital Adoption clinic, we decided to apply for Sha Gang.

December 3: We received a call from Grace at AHH telling us we had been chosen as Sha Gang's family. Becca got the call and remembers nothing Grace said after the initial "you have been referred Sha Gang". Becca was too busy crying and thanking Grace.

December 22: LOI sent to China. This is a 'Letter of Intent' stating that we wish to adopt Xin Sha Gang and telling a little bit about us and the proposed medical treatments he will receive.

2007
January 12: DTC Our dossier/homestudy finally went to China

January 18: PA We received our 'pre-approva;' to adopt Sha Gang

February 10 : LID Our dossier was logged in with the Chinese Adoption Authorities

May 17: LOA arrives. This is the 'Letter of Acceptance' were we state that, yes, we still want to adopt Sha Gang

May 22: LOA returned to China

June 14: We receive our TA. This is the travel approval from the Chinese Government that lets us plan the exact dates for our trip.

Our agency then contacts the US Embassy in China asking for an appointment to get Sha Gang's American paperwork done allowing him to enter the US and become a citizen. In three to five business days we will receive confirmation of an appointment. Then our final travel dates will be set. Right now it looks like we will travel the first three weeks of July