I've been going through some old binders of adoption info, mostly emails that I've collected over the years during The Wait, which for us was 4 years.

I came across a really good one that I will share here, with proper sourcing.

Anyone who has ever gone through international adoption will know EXACTLY what this is about.  And the rest of you may learn....

"You might be adopting from China if....

- you know that I-600 and I-171 aren't highways
- you've been expecting a baby for over 3 years
- you understand that it's 2006 in some parts of the world
- you've "paid for" 3 citizenships, but never brought anyone into the US (ditto for me in Canada - Anne's note)
- you know that waiting for China has nothing to do with Dillards or dishes
- your homestudy is followed by a number (ie #3 or #4)
- you never know how many days next month will have
- you know that babies come in batches
- you've been fingerprinted four times, but never committed a crime
- you automatically assume everyone who is expecting is having a girl
- you own new clothing in 3 little sizes for all 4 seasons (because you don't know when or how big)
- you look twice when you see a lady bug (I STILL DO- Anne's note)
- you're more interested in what will happen in March 2006 than in March 2009
- you know people who understand when you talk about 2 day months and 5 day months
- your due date hasn't changed by days, but by years
- you know who the Rumor Queen is...AND you don't know who she is
- you know that forecast doesn't have anything to do with the weather
- you've waited so long, they re-checked your fingerprints to see if they changed
- when you speak of "that time of the month' you're talking about CCAA updates and referrals

and finally,

you might be adopting from China if you love someone you've never met with all your heart."

Margaret Leigh

So poignant when I first read it that I had to save it.  Thank you Margaret.