COMMON ABBREVIATIONS

DTC = dossier to China, Date your dossier was sent to China from the CHI St. Louis office

LID = log in date with the CCAA in China and the official start date of your wait for referral

TA = travel approval

ACR = Age of Child Requested

DOR = Date of Referral Date you received the photo and other information about the child you will/have adopted.

TA = Travel approval to come to China to complete the adoption

DOT = Date of Travel Date you will/did leave to travel to China for the adoption.

NSN = Non Special Needs Child without a known medical condition.

SN = Special Needs Child with a discernable medical condition.

LIO = letter of intent to adopt a waiting child

PA = pre-approval to adopt a waiting child

SW = Social Worker The social worker who prepares the home study, which is a major part of your dossier.

SWI = Social Welfare Institute (orphanage).

a. mm/dd/yy = adopted on mm/dd/yy

b. mm/dd/yy = born on mm/dd/yy

DH = Dear Husband .

DW = Dear Wife .

DD = Dear Daughter .

DSD = Dear Step Daughter .

DS = Dear Son .

DSS = Dear Step Son .

MIL = Mother in Law (May or may not be dear ...)

FIL = Father in Law .

SIL = Sister in Law .

BIL = Brother in Law .

DP = Dear Partner

OT = Off Topic Any topic not related to the stated purpose of the email list.

CCAA = China Center for Adopton Affairs The part of the Chinese government that processes all dossier and matches prospective families and Chinese children needing families.

INS = Immigration and Naturalization Service The part of the U.S. government that all U.S. families must deal with to allow the immigration of their child into the U.S.

= Little grin .

= Very Big Grin .

BB = Bulletin Board Usually electronic forum where messages are posted.

BTW = By the Way .

FWIW = For What It's Worth .

ROFL = Rolling on the Floor, Laughing You may only write this if you have in fact rolled on the floor first or you may roll your child, cat or dog a few times!

LOL = Laughing Out Loud You should actually laugh out loud to use this one in good conscience.

IMHO = In My Humble Opinion

OTOH = On The Other Hand

BTDT = been there done that