We have decided to grow our family through adoption!

Why we are adopting from China: After ten years of marriage, we are ready to begin a family. The fact that there are thousands of children needing families coupled with our desire to have children makes this a perfect union.

We spent months researching and praying about this decision. After attending several adoption seminars, we began to explore international adoption, specifically China. Unlike in the United States, there are not enough adoptive parents for all the healthy babies abandoned in China. Hundreds of thousands of babies fill orphanages as a result of China's One Child Policy and preference for male babies.

In addition, there is a huge network of support groups and families in our local area. As a part of the adoption decision and process, we have joined the Central Florida FCC (Families with Chinese Children) and FAC (Families with Asian Children). These groups provide adopted children with strong cultural ties and bonds with other Asian children.

We are excited about this decision and look forward to expanding out family!

	The Paper Chase Timeline: 2004: March-May -->> Researched and visited adoption agencies May 20th -->> Decided to use CCAI (Chinese Children Adoption International) June 4th -->> Mailed Application to CCAI June 16th -->> Application Approved June 22nd -->> Completed I-600 A (Paperwork requesting permission from US government to adopt internationally) July-August -->> Completed Home study interviews and requirements August-September -->> Completed Paper Chase: Police Clearance, FBI Fingerprinting, Medical Clearance, Letters of Recommendation, Financial Statements, Passports, etc. September-October -->> All Dossier (Paper Chase Documents) were notarized, certified by the Secretary of State, and authenticated by the Chinese Consulate October 25th -->> DTC Date: Our Dossier was sent to China! November 4th -->> LID Date: Our Dossier was Logged In at the CCAA (China Center of Adoption Affairs)! November 5th - July 5th -->> Test of Patience! Waiting . . . Waiting . . . Waiting 2005: May 24th, 1:28 PM - received "The Call" We now have a daughter - Abigail Hua Bolton June 24th - received travel itineriary: July 5th - July 21st. Gotcha day will be July 10th.