Went to our first Seminar for CHina Adoption

HISIRISHGEM · 09-11-2005, 11:23 PM

After putting it off and putting it off because either finances haven't been in line, or the seminars have been too far away, we went to a seminar for China adoptions. They'd been trying to get us to go for about Oh, I'd say 6months now maybe?? Things just didn't line up...too far away, and besides, my hearts been set on Cawli.

Anyways, Doug wanted to go and research more information on financing options and talk with other parents, and just get a glimpse of what you all were going through in person. The agency called us a month ago and told us they were coming to our area.....I put it on the back bench, because as I said, I am totally interested in Cawli......well doug got a call and sure enough....found out that the seminar is being held right at our church. So right then and there he thought that was a definate yes. So Saturday we went to this seminar. Wow! I just fell in love with the children....never mind the adults....I just wanted ALL the children! :O)

Then the agency spoke and then some parents, and a couple who are doing "special needs" their child is so beautiful!!

Then a case worker from our area who does the homestudies, etc. I was so nervous about the caseworker...but I didn't want to ask questions in front of everyone so I waited and ran to her afterward to ask her thoughts about the homestudy next summer, about the options she thought about...etc. etc. etc. Oh my Gosh! She thought our plans were great and thought we were really thinking things through...glad we were starting to research and look into it....and said there were MANY couples like us. I think the one thing that scared me was the college issue with Doug! I'm totally terrified!

Well, after talking with this agency, getting to know this Christian caseworker, doug now wants to go through this local agency...which has me freaking out! I mean, its just the first agency we've looked into.....I know its a christian agencys....but we need to get input on it, and they don't have the physician like Cawli.....Umm...they may be the same where price is concerned.....23k....but Uh.....this will take prayer!

Either way......It may be that we can go with the Christian Caseworker and have Cawli as our agency. But If DH wants this agency....I don't care as long as they have a good rep. and my Emma Grace comes home safe.

Does anyone have opinions on America World Adoption Association? Please email me and let me know.

For those of you going through agencies....How did you and your hubbies come to an aggreement on the right agency?? I just love the idea of having a physician with us....DH says we'll have "the great physician with us" How do you fight with that? Ugh!

~Traci~ · 09-12-2005, 12:53 AM

I don't know about AWAA and I don't think I've heard of them...

We actually chose CAWLI all on Lisa's recommendation. We flew up to Boston for the orientation and to meet everyone but it wasn't needed. It made us feel a little better though

The other thing that I've realized is huge w/ CAWLI (besides the dr issue) is that they do all the notarizing, certifying, & authenticating. There are so many in my DTC group that are having to mail their paperwork all over the country to do this and all we have to do is get our paperwork together and mail it all to CAWLI. They deal w/ all that and we don't have to.

It's completely possible if that SW will do it to have her do your HS and still go through CAWLI. We had to go through a different agency for our HS b/c CAWLI doesn't do HS's in our state. So the only thing the other agency is doing is our HS & post-placements and CAWLI is doing everything else.

And we're actually paying less then $23,000 for the adoption, all paperwork (that includes mailing & copying everything that we've had to overnight to Boston), a HS update (per a requirement in TX), & travel for 3 people (including going to Boston for 2 days before our trip & 1 day after our trip).

TTYL
Traci

HISIRISHGEM · 09-12-2005, 02:47 AM

Oh Thank you traci!! Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We'll probably ask this agency if they do all of this....but if it ends up being cheaper in the longrun, whats the difference?? We'd be saving and really I'd rather have less of a headache and go with the agency that I know has a good rep.....that friends have gone through and that I wanted to go with in the first place than one just because its closer.

As I've said....the Idea that there's a physician on board is a plus for me.....and ya know...I didn't even THINK to ask about the paperwork process being done with them. It does say

US. Authentication fee 500.00

Then Dossier Translation 650.00

Includes the following foreign expenses it says: Orphanage Fee, Foreign Gov'd Fee's, Legalisation & Notarization of Dossier in China

Includes the following In-country Expenses: All transport...4 & 5 star hotels, some meals expert guides, tips for guides and bus drivers

I just let doug read your remarks and Got Him interested in at least maybe traveling with me to Mass Next semester. I just know Cawli is the one...I just know it!

I am so scared though about the CW & Post placement agency?? Will I choose or Cawli?? I'm totally scared about this...I'm afraid of screwing this whole thing up!! Thank goodness we're not starting until Summer!

HISIRISHGEM · 09-12-2005, 04:20 AM

Traci,

I just thought of something!! I know you have family either up there or close to there...but about how much did it cost you to go to Boston?? Did you stay in a hotel?? Will you have to take classes through cawli?

You know of any nice hotels that are economical to stay at that are close to the agency?? Lisa?? You may be able to help as well with some of these questions!lol I'm wondering if we should plan a trip during DH's off time from school during winter break. Hmmmmm.. Leave it to me to plan ahead then watch, he'll get a new job

When I called CAWLI this summer, she said there really wasn't much I could do this early...but I may just ask her to send me the information now. I need to plan this stuff. The more I get out of the way the better. I'm anal and have to be prepared at least the luggage stuff and the small packing issues I can start to buy...less money...I have the room., etc. Will help me get through the waiting crisis!

Lisa67 · 09-12-2005, 10:44 AM

Hi Rebekah!

I can answer some of your questions. THere are lots of hotels here but you won't find any cheap ones inside of Boston. You'll have to stay out west (where I am) or in the suburbs to get it cheaper. That's my first thought, anyway.

You don't 'need' to take any classes with the agency. There are some travel meetings that are very beneficial to attend but they can also have another adoptive parent talk to you about it on the phone. Although you do have me to bounce stuff off of too!

I'm sure they could send you a packet with some info. A lot of it is already on their website too.

And as for agencies, you already know my thoughts on this. I haven't heard of AWAA's rep before but I only have high regards for CAWLI. That's obvious or I wouldn't be going with them for a 2nd time!

I'm sure there are some benefits of having an agency that is local--like I enjoy having my travel group nearby and stopping in the agency to visit once in a while. It's nice to have the families we have met through our adoptions so close--it's comforting and it's good for the kids to have each other too.

As for fees...everything on their site, and their estimation of travel costs, are right on. There weren't any surprises and we actually had money left in the end. I thought when they handed me our fee for travel that they forgot something because it was a lot less than I had imagined. I'm guessing with the rise in fuel costs that airline prices will fluctuate and make that part of the cost higher but the rest of it (meals, hotels, gov't fees, etc) are relatively stable.

HTH!

HUGS

Lisa

~Traci~ · 09-12-2005, 02:57 PM

We did not stay cheap when we went to Boston for our meeting. I think it was $150/night which is on the cheap for Boston but definately not cheap. I really haven't figured out where we're staying when we travel for our trip. If it's around $150/night it's worked in already to my estimates. We're also using miles for our flights to/from Boston so that's where we're saving some. A main reason we're going to Boston in the first place is 2 days before: so MIL can see it since she's always wanted to & 1 day after: so my family can see Aimee and we don't have to "host" them for 2 weeks... This will get them through till Christmas when they'll probably spend a couple weeks. We'll be more adjusted then and hosting them won't be an issue but 2 weeks right when we get home will be impossible to do so this will work for us

If you use a different agency than CAWLI to do the HS you have to pay the post-placement fees before your HS is complete AND the HS agency has to sign & notarize a document stating that it's done. I'm not sure if CAWLI has their families that go through them pay the PP fees beforehand or what but that's what we had to do.

We didn't take any classes through CAWLI. We're planning on going up in April to do a cultural day but it's not required. One of the main reasons DH wanted to choose CAWLI is b/c they're in Boston so he thought it was his "excuse" to go to Boston any time we could...so we are... He love Boston and so wishes we still lived there but in all reality we could not have afforded a house in all of MA (that's why we're looking in NH & ME soon). As well as the snow factor for me was just too much. I hate snow, I like heat...DH loves cold & hates heat! He solves his issue down here by keeping the a/c on 72 & freezing me out...

That's ok b/c during the winter I have the heat up & he has to step outside in the 50 degree weather to get cooler!

I would ask your agency about the $500 authentication fee and exactly what that includes. It does sound like they do do the authentication but you may have to notarize and certify.

Let me know if you have any more questions!
Traci

HISIRISHGEM · 09-12-2005, 04:15 PM

Traci!Rofl...sounds like DH is like me! I'm a snowbunny! I hate the hot weather too....I have the fans and central air on in here. DH Freezes at night. Its like we're sleeping in snow he says.ROFL. I also sleep with a ton of pillows leaving him practically on the edge, but we won't get into that.hehe. Poor Guy!

I'll call AWAA. I haven't heard too many people that "I know" myself tell me too much about them. I have heard a ton of people tell me about cawli. My heart is so set on cawli that I'm just praying DH changes his mind! But if he feels Gods direction here at home...I won't fight. I'm glad he's being level-headed at least and taking a look into Cawli.

I'm going to there site right now......I'm also calling AWAA when he gets back between classes to find out if they Authorize, notarize & certify for us the documentation.

Thanks ladies...I'm off to do some more research!

Jewels · 09-13-2005, 04:59 PM

This is just an idea but if you're looking for cheap places to stay in Boston you might consider staying in a Youth Hostel. I love travelling that way. You get to meet people that are travelling from all over the world and it is cheap cheap cheap. Like $30 a night! Here's a link to the Boston Hostels. http://www.hostelsweb.com/cities/boston.html Some hostels it's dorm style but how much time will you be spending in the room anyway? Some of them have both dorms and private rooms though so check them out.

I'm excited for you!!!
Julia