It’s been quite a few months since we’ve posted about our adoption, and many have been inquiring about what is happening in that arena. I can tell you this…
A whole lotta nuttin’!
As I wrote before about the international adoption process, we had our first Ethiopian court date in December. As all of our documents have been approved and re-approved by seven zillion people and agencies on U.S. soil, this is the time that our documents are approved in Ethiopia. During this review, the boys’ eligibility for adoption is also approved. If all goes smoothly, at the end of the court date, we legally become mom and pop to two little munchkins.
Unfortunately, that’s not exactly how things always work.
On December 22nd, we received notice that our case was denied. Why? One of the Ethiopian agencies changed addresses the week prior, and all of our five million pieces of paperwork now needed to reflect the new address. We were heartbroken and I was flat-out ticked. But, I had a great discussion with God (which I will share with you soon), and we felt peace about the next go-around.
Since then, we have had several more failed court dates.
It happens.
Documents get lost. Judges get pregnant. Ethiopian agency heads get transferred (or jailed as the case might be). Rules of process change.
We are now looking down the barrel of our next court date, March 26th. We really and truly believe that this is it. All of the glitches and itches have been addressed. All of the paperwork is in order. And so we wait.
The frustrating news: if it goes through in March – by the time we meet our little ones, they will have been in the orphanage for over a year.
The somewhat-sick good news: we are not the only ones. Apparently, there are a large number of families that are experiencing delay after delay after delay.
So… we pray and wait.
And prepare their rooms and wait.
And wonder what-in-the-world-are-we-thinking-to-adopt-toddlers-in-our-middle-age and wait.
And take a ginormously huge breath, exhale slowly and wait.
And then wait some more.
Thanks for the update. I was one of those wondering when. Glad things are still on track. I know it’s frustrating, but God is in the timing. He can even handle bureaucrats! Love ya. ML
I’ve only read a couple of your posts so far, but both struck chords with me. I have friends whose Guatemalan adoption has been put on hold and I have a friend who is a foster father right now. I’m praying this morning for protection for your big, tender heart and for the strength to be able to handle the wait in God’s Waiting Room.
Ah, the wildness of adoption!
Our first was private, and we are in the process of a public adoption now – through DCFS. It’s far beyond interesting!
God bless you in the process!