Thirteen Hours
The Eastern U.S. time zone is now 13 hours behind China.
This means that we can start watching the CCAA site at 7:00 this evening instead of 8:00. Assuming that they go to work at 8:00, which I’m not absolutely positive of.
I’ve had a lot of people ask me what would constitute a speed up.
- If they only do through the 23rd then that will be a bit slower, but we could also assume they did some of the 24th but did not send it.
- If they do through the 24th this will be a little more than they have been doing. But not so much that we could call it a speed up.
- If they do through the 25th that will be impressive. Enough to make people six or eight months out have maybe a month or two less wait if they keep that rate up.
- If they do through the 26th that will be very impressive.
- The 27th and 28th were a weekend. The 29th was a very small day. Making it to those days isn’t mathematically more impressive than the 26th but would be a good morale booster.
- If we think that they may be heading towards a stabilization though, then we’d need to see them go to at least the 30th. That will be about 1.5 the number that they have been doing. I have not seen anything saying they are going to do the 29th or 30th.
The rumors are still all over the place. I think there is reason to hope that they’ve made it to the 25th or 26th, but there is also reason to be afraid that they have not.
A few agencies are telling their mid-September people that they will be referred in November. The only way (in my mind) that they could be sure of this is if they know that this cut off makes it to the 25th or 26th. I have reason to believe that some agencies do know the cut-off (or rather, have a list of the referrals that they will be receiving) but have been sworn to secrecy by the CCAA. I’m hoping that it is those agencies giving the mid-September folks some hope for next month.
October 29th, 2006 at 10:19 am
As a mid-September girl, I’ll take it! My fingers are crossed. Thanks for the update! I really hope we see referrals tomorrow. I feel horrible for the August LIDs waiting so patiently.
October 29th, 2006 at 10:35 am
I am new to posting, but have been a faithful reader of this wonderful site. I am LID 9/12 and I am also keeping my fingers crossed. My agency is small and will not speculate…so this site is great.
October 29th, 2006 at 11:18 am
Good Morning!
Two things: This has been voiced before, but this morning I really have a feeling that the reason things are so weird this month is that different agencies really do have different cutoff dates. Whether this is due to the DTC/LID issues we’ve been discussing and they’re trying to make it right, or whether it’s because they’re trying to split a day to get all the babies matched, I don’t know. But I wonder if the CCAA has done the best they can this month. Maybe they’re not being deliberately secretive, but maybe they don’t know exactly what to say about the cutoff and what to post on their website. Maybe this extra week of waiting has been because they’ve been trying to match every baby they can. I’d like to think that’s true…who knows?
The other item is that I had totally forgotten about daylight savings ending, so thank you RQ! You made my morning when I realized I just got an hour of my day back! LID 9/29
October 29th, 2006 at 11:42 am
I had a dream a few nights ago that I got up and looked the CCAA’s site, and it clearly read Aug. 25. Se we’ll see!
October 29th, 2006 at 11:42 am
My large China only agency says they expect referrals this week and the dates for this month(August) start with the 24th!
October 29th, 2006 at 11:46 am
Come on CCAA….Impress us!!!!!! Wouldn’t it be a wonderful Holiday gift for soo many of us to receive our referrals in 2006!
My SW keeps telling me to wait on renewing my I600A - it expires in late Feb.!!! That means I have to get my referral no later than Dec. and that’s cutting things VERY close! I’m praying that she knows something that I don’t! LID 9/29/05.
October 29th, 2006 at 12:00 pm
Andreas mom—-what do you mean by “the dates for this month (August) start with the 24th”?
Hang in there all you august LIDers. We’re all pulling for you. I too had a dream the other night that the referrals went through September 5th! I think this has been the longest month of anticipation we have had so far…..feels like it anyway.
October 29th, 2006 at 12:02 pm
Ode to CCAA
(a la Dr. Suess)
My vote is for stabilization
my cards on the table-ization
can call me quite nerdy
(LID of 8/30)
I believe CCAA is able(-ization!)
Yop Yop!!!
Here’s to news within the next 24 hours!
:-)
Laureen
http://www.babysites.com/sites/laureen
October 29th, 2006 at 12:07 pm
beatr1ce,
This agency had no LID’s Aug 1-23.
October 29th, 2006 at 12:15 pm
Thanks Leigh….in a sick way…this wait is exciting. It’s like going to vegas. My luck has gotta change here real soon so I just keep my hopes up. Just when I am ready to give up……I hit a small jackpot and start pluggin those quarters in again…..sigh…..
October 29th, 2006 at 12:49 pm
Great news is coming tonight, I can just feel it in the air. I am crouched in frog position, poised and ready to spring up and shout “YAY!” (I think I have a leg cramp already.)
Nancy in NJ
DH Joe
LID 2/16/06
p.s. …a 48 year old, overweight cheerleader in flannel PJ’s? I can’t promise it’ll be pretty over here, but it will be LOUD!
October 29th, 2006 at 1:00 pm
the “I believe” threads were very motivating…I think we should go back to that “happy place”!!!
Therefore…I BELIEVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Bring’em on….got my pom poms ready Lostindespair!!!!
October 29th, 2006 at 1:11 pm
Given that CCAA had some holiday time early this month, it stands to reason that their Oct update is on the tardy side. It is just as reasonable that they set a new cut off date (for us in the Eastern part of N. America) soon…like ….tonight?!
LID 9/13/05
October 29th, 2006 at 1:17 pm
LostInDespair~ You made me laugh out loud!! That was terrific!!
Jenni
October 29th, 2006 at 1:19 pm
Does anyone have a feeling that we’re all going to crash this site again on Monday?
October 29th, 2006 at 1:22 pm
lost in despair….you have cracked me up,LMAO!!!!!!!
I BELIEVE I BELIEVE I BELIEVE
LID Dec.19th
October 29th, 2006 at 1:25 pm
As soon as I see the load getting heavy again I’ll start making changes again to try to keep it from crashing.
I plan to have us at another provider before next month’s referrals come out. There will be a little bit of downtime when we move, so I’m not going to attempt the move until this batch is out and we have the next slow period.
October 29th, 2006 at 1:50 pm
lost in despair,
you gave me a good giggle, hehe!
PS another former cheerleader here, maybe we can start a squad….Give me an “R”, give me an “O”, give me an “A”. REST OF AUGUST!!!
LID 8/26/05
October 29th, 2006 at 2:06 pm
I am optimistic! Things just HAVE to speed up! I am going with Tater on this one.
October 29th, 2006 at 2:33 pm
RQ, you rock. I believe….I believe we will see referrals and TA’s TOMORROW !!!!
know what’s reallllly scary on Halloween? the way those miniature candy bars maximize the size of our behindz !!!
Have a GREAT week everyone !! jfk
http://www.HelloKatieGirl.com
October 29th, 2006 at 2:35 pm
Hi everybody,
I am french speaking (Québec, Canada) I can read you but it difficult for me to write in english…But I will try my best! Thank you very very much RQ for all you do for us! My LID is so far: 15/03/06!!!!!!
October 29th, 2006 at 2:42 pm
Afternoon all. I wanted to tell you guys about something I saw on Friday. As I was driving around on Friday doing me weekly errands, I passed one of those signs that light up, with the arrow at the top and you can change the letters on it. It was not sitting in front of a business or a church or any building that I could find. It simply said “I BELIEVE”. So here is to believing…that we see a CCAA update and it blows our minds.
October 29th, 2006 at 3:03 pm
God afternoon from Norway here :-)!
China is now 6 hours ahead of my country, so when I wake up tomorrow morning at 06.00, the time in China is 12.00 hours. First thing I`ve done after getting up fom bed the last week, has been to open up the CCAA site, that wont change tomorrow…. All fingers crossed for great news for the late august LID`ers.
LID 16 aug 05.
October 29th, 2006 at 3:06 pm
hello everybody,
You know what I’m “frustrated” about? That you guys (I mean American people) see the referrals before me (European) :-)
I will be sleeping tonight while you can see the change of the CCAA site this evening. Yes indeed, I’m convinced that tomorrow will be the day; we suffered enough this past week!
Lid 8-23-2005
October 29th, 2006 at 3:08 pm
I mean “last” week
October 29th, 2006 at 3:17 pm
I BELIEVE. I so hope we see a speed up. I would really like to see some chance of a referral before Christmas next year. Oh please CCAA make my dreams come true.
B
LID 4/19/06
October 29th, 2006 at 3:17 pm
C’mon 8/24!
From one of those 8/24ers!
October 29th, 2006 at 3:26 pm
reglissoly,
You said that perfectly. I am very impressed.
October 29th, 2006 at 3:30 pm
Thank you NovLID…
October 29th, 2006 at 3:34 pm
Good evening from Norway too.
I am pretty sure that when I turn on my computer tomorrow morning and look up this site, all you Americans will have celebrated the change of the CCAA web site, with Martinis, Margueritas and Tequilla.
I BELIEVE…… they will change it first thing tomorrow morning. My guess is they will change it to 8/24.
I hold my breath for all you August LID’ers.
Regards
Beate
LID Dec-8-2005
October 29th, 2006 at 3:52 pm
Message saw in Spanish Adoption agency [removed]
They said the assignations will be only to 23 august.
20-10-06 Asignaciones
Llegada de las asignaciones
Según información recibida por varias fuentes las asignaciones llegarán a España entre mitad y finales de la semana que viene y las familias las recibirán probablemente a principio de la otra.
La fecha de corte es el 23 de agosto (para aquellas agencias que tienen fecha de registro hasta dicha fecha) es decir que se confirma que entra en dicha asignaciones el grupo de protocolo público del 18 de agosto 2005 que cuenta con más de 150 expedientes.
October 29th, 2006 at 3:59 pm
Dear Panda,
Is it possible that this is old information? It seems to be dated October 20, 2006…
October 29th, 2006 at 4:01 pm
Gee whiz!!!! I’m TIRED already but I HAVE TO STAY UP tonight!!! I’m REALLY REALLY REALLLLLLY hoping for referrals up to 8/26!!! Although I had a NASTY dream the other night that CCAA only matched 8/10!! NOT a good dream at all!!
His,
Mrs. U
LID 9-12-05
http://www.makingahouseahome.blogspot.com
October 29th, 2006 at 4:01 pm
RQ, you referred to the possibility of a list that agencies have been sworn to secrecy and Im putting my bets on that one. I just keep seeing way too many agencies that are sticking with the 14 month wait as well as telling their October people they may get referrals in December. Also there are a lot of people who are being told to hold off on renewing their 171H. That, again, indicates to me that there may be a reason these agencies are telling them to hold off on the renewal. Maybe they know something we dont????? I know a ton of rumors are floating around out there but it just seems strange that there would be so many agencies saying the same thing. Since I am a mid October LID I will choose to believe that rumor unless some major new rumors indicate otherwise.
Christy
10-17-05
October 29th, 2006 at 4:15 pm
Hi Christy,
As a fellow 10-17-05 LID’er I’m hoping as well that the agencies that are suggesting a December referral for October LID have to have some information to go on.
Good luck to all you late August LID’s who have had a long and stressful weekend. It’s 4:11pm here in Atlantic Canada and I’ll be chceking the CCAA site all night with my fingers crossed for everyone. Who can sleep with all this excitement going on ?
Elizabeth
LID 10.17.15 for Gracie
October 29th, 2006 at 4:22 pm
I was cleaning my house this morning…and I went into the “nursery” and was just going through some things..and DUSTING off some things….
I keep all of our documents and paperwork in there…and I started to go through them….and as I was reading through them….not one…not two…but three ladybugs landed on the paperwork from our agency that talked about our DTC and LID!!!!! Right as I was reading!!!! They just landed one right after the other….I could have cried!!!
I carried the notebook with the ladybugs on them…outside…and you are never going to BELIEVE this….I gently scooted them off the notebook…and as I did…the flew back to the notebook! I repeated this several times before I finally grabbed my husband and said…”come look at this!”…when I got back outside…we looked at the notebook and there were about 10 ladybugs on it!!!!!!!!!!!!
Call me nuts…but I do have a witness:-) I am just beside myself and will chose to believe this is going to great news!!!!
October 29th, 2006 at 4:27 pm
I saw a ladybug in the kitchen window a few moments ago.
LID 4-29-06
October 29th, 2006 at 4:42 pm
I had a cricket climb up my leg in church- does that count?!! Whatever it takes, my belief drum is beating loudly, and I am just going to pray for AOA!!
Jill in NJ
LID 8-25-05
October 29th, 2006 at 4:44 pm
Wow! A ladybug visited me Thursday night as I sat on the sofa…we were up at our family’s vacation house in the Catskills,which had been closed up for a month, and it was snowing outside; where this ladybug came from, I have no idea. All these ladybugs…hmmm. And you had TEN at once, LinPatton? Something is definitely afoot tonight…
LID 2/16/06
October 29th, 2006 at 4:54 pm
About ladybugs…
It’s fall here in Belgium, quite a “hot” fall this year. Last thursday, my husband and I were walking in a park. We were “invaded” by ladybugs : they landed on us, they came on the bench where we seated. Today, we found a ladybug on… our sofa (we live in the center of Brussels at the 5th floor). My DH, who always tries to keep a certain distant with the rumors and the wait, looked at me with the ladybug in his hand (and I have to say that he is afraid of insects) and asked me if this was the sign that things are going better ?
It really broke my heart because my only answer was : I really hope.
Iseirinne
Lid 9 nov 2005 (Faraway, So Close)
http://www.waitingforyou.be
October 29th, 2006 at 5:06 pm
linpatton3:
What a beautiful story! I love ladybugs and my (first)Chinese daughter too! Very special to have so many landing on your documents….
It is fall here in Holland (same wether as iseirinne told) and I see ladybugs every time I go into our garden…. Are things turning for the better now….???
I hope so too!
Love, Debby
October 29th, 2006 at 5:14 pm
starwarzME- Your “Believe” story reminded me of Friday at work. I work at a university and for the past several years we have had a terrible football record and the last few games last year we turned things around and we have not lost a game this year. We beat the big team in the city and someone took a picture of the team on the field praying and on Friday it was in the CAF- a huge blow up picture of that scene with the caption “Believe”. I also saw a poster of it in the housing office in the afternoon. I had to laugh to myself–OK I get it…I do believe! Come on CCAA!
And now everyone is seeing ladybugs and now the movie SIGNS is on! LOL Gotta mean good news in a few hours!
October 29th, 2006 at 5:32 pm
!!!!!! Ladybug Sightings !!!!!!
We should definitely do polls and analyses on the number of sightings per LID/DTC, etc.
{My ladbug sighting was yesterday as I untied my rambler rose from its trellis….the branches are literally 15 feet long…unwinding them from the ins and outs of the trellis, and there was Ms. Ladybug, slowly marching her way around the frame of the trellis (probably inspecting my work!!)
Oh, and another interesting note…two weeks ago I saw a mailbox with a bunch of ladybugs painted on it…and when I got home, my paperwork from the Chinese Consulate in Chicago was sitting at the front door (it had about 8 authenticated documents inside.)
PJ
October 29th, 2006 at 5:39 pm
Has anyone heard more on when referrals will arrive this week? ANYTHING??????????????
LID Aug 17, 05
October 29th, 2006 at 5:56 pm
angelsinpower — crickets definitely count!!
Several years ago, one of my southeast Asian students (Taiwanese, I believe) gave me a jade cricket and explained that crickets were considered good luck.
Since I don’t see lady bugs as often as I see crickets, I’m going with cricket luck!
clem
LID 9feb06
October 29th, 2006 at 6:07 pm
I think the ladybugs have moved in for the winter here in upstate NY! I have been seeing them on the walls, floor and they love the windows. I truly hope this is a good sign! Come on CCAA and give us some light at the end of this very long, dark tunnel! :)
October 29th, 2006 at 6:12 pm
Panda,
Please consider removing the agency’s name from your post. For very good reasons RQ has asked that we keep agency names off the board.
Thanks.
October 29th, 2006 at 6:14 pm
I had a dream two nights ago where I was given the number “38.” I have no idea what this means, but wouldn’t it be fantastic if the CCAA covered 38 days this month?
October 29th, 2006 at 6:19 pm
Eh…. last fryday, there was a green cricket in my house, I found it when it was crushed….. soooooo….. I go for the ladybugs for luck!!!
October 29th, 2006 at 6:20 pm
I am just waiting. I really can’t let my emotions go anywhere at this time. I’ve reached a point in the wait where I’m kind of numb right now (logged in ‘only’ 10 months) and I’ve been trying to emotionally prepare for maybe not even being half way there and now these rumors arise, and I think I just have to wait. Part of me thinks, Tater is , well , usually right and they say 8/24, not much of a speed up, but then Oct in Dec would be a huge speed up and I just don’t think I can let myself go there yet. I’m really feeling this weekend for you Aug LID’s and I hope tomorrow is the “big” day. Let’s see what this batch brings for them (and the rest of us as well.
Pam
LID 12/26/05
October 29th, 2006 at 6:27 pm
Please remember, we do not name agencies on this board. I’ve removed the reference above. Also, that is what made me give my original “23rd” rumor early last week, so it’s pretty old news. Not that you shouldn’t post info when you have it, just pointing out that it’s not new.
As for ladybugs, ya’ll will remember that I think the whole ladybug thing is pretty ridiculous, and yet I’ve been seeing them everywhere for two days as well.
October 29th, 2006 at 6:33 pm
It’s 6:30 am in China…
October 29th, 2006 at 6:39 pm
Not to be a party pooper, but tis the season for Japanese beetles in some parts of the US. Or are ladybugs and Japanese beetles one and the same? We have them all over the place right now.
I did see a little girl dressed up as a ladybug last night in a restaurant though. Does that count? :)
October 29th, 2006 at 6:47 pm
DH is sitting across the room wondering about my sanity as I laugh out loud to posts about 40 something cheerleaders and crickets in church.
Some people say that reading this site will depress me, but it never does. You know where I got depressed this week…my own agency support site. Hmmm. Thanks RQ.
Believing for more babies than anyone can dream of this month.
October 29th, 2006 at 7:05 pm
Long time lurker here, first time posting. I’ve been a closet RQ addict for a while now. Just wanted to thank RQ for all she does for us. I couldn’t even imagine going through this without her site. RQ, you are the best!
October 29th, 2006 at 7:37 pm
Well, Ive been checking in throughout the weekend. Just thought I’d post to add to the “good Karma” chain we’ve got going. I really hope we see referrals tomorrow and that we get well into late August!!! If this wait could stabilize at 14 months!!! Oh boy! That would be more than great!
LID 12/20/05
October 29th, 2006 at 7:59 pm
I know my situation is quite different than most of yours since I live in China. Let me share my insights, though I don’t wish to discourage you. We are on the “expedited” list because we are living and working here. That means we are put in a different pile and our paperwork is processed faster. With our first daughter, Charlotte, the time from log in til meeting our sweetheart was just three months! Things have changed DRAMATICALLY since then. Our log in date is mid January of 2006, and we phone the CCAA each month to see how our file is progressing. Because we do not go through an agency, we contact them directly with the help of Chinese speaking friends. Believe it or not, they put us directly through to the matching room! When we phoned last week, we were very disappointed to hear that though we were completely approved and in the “matching room,” it still could be several months before the actual match. They told us to expect 14 months, even though we were expedited. That considered, I’m worried some of you have some unrealistic expectations and will be disappointed. My mother always said, “Expect the worst and hope for the best.” I can promise you one thing, however: you will receive the RIGHT baby at the RIGHT time. We always laugh now at how if it had been a day later or a day earlier we wouldn’t have our perfect daughter, Charlotte. Trust the process and the universe and enjoy your wait, if you can. Your life is about to change dramatically so try to live in the moment and be present with all the loveliness in your life today. I know it’s easier the second time around because we have faith we will receive exactly the right daughter that is meant for us. Take care all of you. I’d love to get a thread started for anyone else who is in the expedited pile. Anybody out there?
LMR
October 29th, 2006 at 9:51 pm
There is a new message in Chinese on the CCAA website right now. I just checked. I live in China so I printed it out and had one of my colleagues translate it for me. It has NOTHING to do with wait time - only details about a conference not relevant to any of us.
So if you looked this morning and thought the Chinese new posts were about wait time or referrals, know that they are not.
Sorry, but it’s good to know ASAP rather than waiting and wondering.
Our referral will come directly to the school where we teach at (American Int’l School of Guangzhou) so you can imagine I am haunting the teacher’s lounge where our mailboxes are, and my heart skips a beat everytime I see a courier guy coming into the office. It’s weird to find out at your place of employment and I keep imagining the scenarios in my head! That’s all we’ve got for now…our active imaginations.
It’s a beautiful day in Southern China and I hope you’re all having a great sleep across the waters.
All the Best,
Leah (aka LMR)
October 29th, 2006 at 10:27 pm
LMR - Thanks so much for sharing your story! It certainly sheds some light on the current process. Although, it does not give me much hope that the wait time is going to shorten any time soon.
Good luck and I hope that you get a speedy referral!!
October 29th, 2006 at 11:16 pm
Leah aka LMR, do you have a blog or a website? I would love to hear more about teaching in China. Whereabouts in Guangzhou is your school located?
I’m not sure how to email you privately here or I would have done that–apologies to the group for threadjacking :)
October 29th, 2006 at 11:21 pm
GinaH- I had that SAME dream a few weeks ago….
That’s GOT to mean something.
October 30th, 2006 at 12:29 am
Postfarm,
My school web address is lrempel@aisgz.edu.cn
If you want to look at our school website it’s aisgz.edu.cn
We love living overseas, and are delighted to be raising our daughter (soon to be daughters) in their home country!
We wouldn’t trade it for the world, though it’s a lucky few of us who manage to arrange our lives so it’s possible. I’d be happy to hear from you!
Leah
October 30th, 2006 at 1:17 am
Yes, yes, yes LMR…I’m here and we are an expedited family! How can we chat? Email you at your school email address? We started the paperchase 15 months ago and I haven’t spoken to any expedited families during this process. It would be great to chat with you!
October 30th, 2006 at 1:40 am
Hi Snoopy,
Refer to the email just before the one you sent. I gave my email address at school to “Postfarm.” Yes, let’s find a way to chat. I’ll also give you a link to a chatroom for people adopting who live abroad. It’s: adoptionforamericansabroad@yahoogroups.com
I look forward to hearing from you. Where are you in China?
Kind Regards,
Leah
October 30th, 2006 at 7:03 am
lmr
do you know if the CCAA have a couple of expedited tracks? A couple of couples of Chinese descent living in Canada in my travel group were expedited. They waited 7 months …to pick up their bbies. (in early May 06) ..while the rest of our travel group are still waiting to get referrals. - good luck to all of us!
LID 09-13-05
October 30th, 2006 at 8:17 am
Hi buddababy,
Pardon me if I’m speaking out of line (I realize you addressed this to lmr)…yes, you are correct regarding your question. My family is considered “expedited” due to my husband’s Chinese heritage. Depending on the size, I would say most agencies have at least a few expedited families at any given time. Back in April/May of 2006, expedited families from our agency were receiving their referrals very quickly as well. This is no longer the case because the wait has stretched out further and further for everyone…expedited or not. In other words…because the standard referral time has increased, the referral time has increased for expedited families as well. So at the present time, expedited families won’t be receiving their babies much sooner than anyone else (or probably ANY sooner for that matter). That has pretty much been tossed out the window since the massive slowdown began. So, we continue to wait with all of you! Here’s to seeing a speed up for everyone soon! Blessings to all!
Snoopy8
November 2nd, 2006 at 6:35 am
RQ - Is it possible for them to refer the whole month of September since all of the polls show a dramatic decrease in LID last September? Just curious………
November 2nd, 2006 at 6:54 am
A little more hopeful for a more optimistic future! This could be our month, RQ! What a month this has been! Painful!