next steps...

We’re waiting for our court hearing!  Hopefully soon!

I’ve been thinking a lot about timelines, and trying to get my head around a possible schedule.  People keep asking me when we will get her, and I just say that we’re not sure.  It’s difficult at best to estimate the timeline, but here’s what we’re looking at right now:

• After we pass court, there is a 30 day waiting period before B will finally be “ours!” 
• Then we file our I-600 form:  “Petition to Classify Orphan as an Immediate Relative.”  This approval process takes 3-4 weeks
• Passports/visas and final steps through the US Embassy – 6-8 weeks

So, if we pass court by the end of February, the 30 day wait will be up by the end of March.  Then another 2.5-3 months for the processing of the rest of our paperwork (mid-June/July).  I’m not sure at this point how the new investigation procedures will affect our case – they had said there were potential delays of 3-6 months…which could put us into September and beyond…

I’ve already bought B a couple little bathing suits and some summer clothes.  I’m really hoping we can get her here when it is still warm!

new photos!

I really wish I could share this recent round of pictures with everyone!  B is wearing a pink sparkly dress and I just can't hardly stand it.    Here are a couple glimpses.  The best one is a "thumbs up" from her. It's like she's saying, "Hey, mom & dad -- I'm ok."  I'm grateful for each little piece we get of her right now.   Hoping for a court hearing soon -- I'll be able to share more then!  

One Year

I have a counter on this blog that has been counting the days since we first began this crazy adoption process.  One year ago today, we sent in our first paperwork and our journey began!

It's hard to believe all that this past year has entailed -- working through our homestudy, accepting a referral for B, putting together our dossier, and not to mention all the money that seemingly miraculously appeared just at the right times to pay for things.

I'm really looking forward to this home stretch -- we're doing some of the "fun" things right now, like painting and preparing B's room!  I'm sewing dresses and a quilt and just can't wait until our girl is in our home rather than just in our hearts!

court delayed...

Just a quick note -- no court hearing this week, unfortunately.  Our attorney has to travel back to B's hometown for court, and hopes to do this next week or the week after.

So, not this week, but hopefully soon!!  :-)

I needed some good news today

Well, friends, as you may imagine, I've been feeling sort of "blah" lately...one might even call it mildly depressed.  The new investigation procedures and potential delays, and weirdly enough, the new photos of B, have had me in a sad state of affairs emotionally.  She just looks so wonderful in the new pictures, my heart aches to hold her!  and I can hardly stand the thought of additional delays in this already far-too-lengthy process!

So, I've been sewing her a dress, but then I get discouraged and stop.  I start thinking things like, is she going to be too big to wear this by the time we get her?  is this even the right size for her right now?  ugh.  This simple little dress is taking me a really long time to finish!

We had a note from our agency this morning that they are hoping to have her birth certificate this week, and our court hearing next week!  This is big positive news!  After we pass court, she's technically "ours" -- our last name will be on her new birth certificate and everything.  And I think we can post photos of her at that point, too.

Our attorney in the DRC is going to a meeting at the Embassy tomorrow, and will hopefully know more about how the new procedures will affect us at that point.  We're hoping and praying it doesn't delay us too terribly much!  Come home soon, B!  We miss you!!

delays and such

We received an email from our agency on Friday, saying that the US embassy has instituted new investigation procedures in all adoptions in the DRC.  Investigators will be looking more thoroughly into the “orphan” status of each child, which could require travel into some of the less stable/ difficult to reach areas.  Bottom line, this could delay adoption processes by 3-6 months.   I've been really bummed by this news!  We were really hoping to be able to travel this spring/early summer, but if things are delayed it could be as long as a whole year from now before we can go.  

About a week ago, they sent us new pictures of our B.  She’s smiling in some of them and looks so healthy…and looks like she’s grown since our September pictures.  I have her framed on my desk, and my heart aches to see that sweet face in person!  I hate the thought of her growing up even more before we can hold her.  

Most of our part is finished at this point – we will have a few more documents to submit down the road, but we’re just waiting.  This is the hardest part, I think.  When we were working on our homestudy and dossier, we were working toward something…now it is in the hands of the courts and immigration offices…

B's toes

In John 14:18, Jesus tells his disciples:  “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.”   I know He loves our girl so much more than we do, and I pray every day that He will be close to her and take care of her…