6 Month LID

Happy 6 Month LID to us, Elena!
When I first started my paperwork, the wait for referral was 6 months and I was all concerned about being in China when the school year started. Ha! Well, we all know the 6 month wait is totally out the window. The CCAA wants the wait to stabilize at 12-13 months and I hope & pray that we are halfway through this wait. Going with the referral trend however, it is more likely we are only 1/3 of the way through (late Oct referral??). This is tough...is Ellie born yet? Or if not, do her birthparents know she might be a girl? Is her birthmom taking good care of her? Is she thinking about what she might have to do if she gives birth to a girl? I feel so helpless.
As those in the process of adopting from China know, there is a singles quota. I think it's 7% of an agency's total dossiers sent to China. So there are looooooong wait lists for singles vying for a spot. In fact, some agencies have a big essay application submission in Oct/Nov. I started seriously going to seminars and filling out applications last August/September and amazingly I found a spot with one of the local agencies when I went to their info meeting. My Mom basically told the Social Worker I'd take the spot right then and there! =)
Anyway, my whole point is that last week one of agencies I applied to called and told me there was a singles spot available. LAST WEEK!! This was the first agency (other than the one I fell into) to offer me a spot since applying. Basically a whole year later if you look at paperchasing and my LID 'anniversary'. CRAZY. So I keep reminding myself (and so does my Mom) that even with this extended, rollercoaster wait, I am still way ahead of where I could be in this journey. And no, it doesn't really help with my immediate frustration (!) but I keep repeating it in my head. I'll probably only really believe it when I have Elena in my arms. =)