Mama, bonjour! (2 days in a row!)

We had our first Skype date with our Beya on Saturday morning.  It was scheduled for 10am, but they called at 9:40.  Keith was in the basement, and I was scrambling to figure out how to answer the call on his mac.

Finally we got it together.  One of the Congolese attorneys was with her to translate.  We didn't have a great video connection, but we could see her beautiful smile and the pretty braids in her hair.

The first words she said to me were Mama, bonjour!  I melted!  "Mama!" -- the best word I think I've ever heard!  She was speaking a mix of French, Tschiluba, and probably Lingala, so we were really thankful for the translator.

We talked about the foods she likes and showed her the room we're preparing for her.  We showed her one of her dolls, and she giggled and asked when she could have it?

The best part was when she told us she loved us and that she wanted to come home NOW.  Not tomorrow, but NOW, NOW, NOW.  She crossed her arms over her chest and her brow wrinkled up in a little angry scowl. I want you now, too, baby.

Throughout the conversation, she was really interested in what papa was doing -- I told her I loved her, and without missing a beat, she asked, "what about papa??" She really liked papa's hat and that he plays the guitar (he played a little for her, too).

Toward the end of our time, when we were saying our goodbyes, we lost the video feed.  She told us not to cry...that she'd be angry with us if we cried.  I love this girl so much.

Then, this afternoon, our Skype was ringing again!  2 calls in 2 days seemed too good to be true!  There was no video this time, but that sweet voice saying bonjour, mama & papa was musical.  She's BIEN!   It has been a good weekend.

spring is coming?

I wrote a post about a year ago about feeling like “spring” was on the way.  Not just spring in the sense of the season, but spring in my heart.


My heart has been heavy, "wintry" if you will, for quite a while.  Many of you know my struggle with endometriosis and the physical and emotional pain that has caused.  I've dealt with this since my adolescence, over 20 years now.

I've never had huge career aspirations.  Sometimes I’ll half-jokingly say that I’m still trying to figure out what I want to be when I grow up.  I've always known one thing, though:  I want to be a mom.  If I have a job that I can tolerate that pays the bills, I feel ok about that.   But children have been one of my deepest desires for as long as I can remember.  

When I married Keith in 2003 (10 years ago!), we talked about how having kids might be a problem, because of my health concerns.  I never really believed that, 10 years later, I would be carrying around the pain and burden of the horrible word “infertile.”  For many years, we said we were ok with whatever happened.  “Trying” to get pregnant was too strong a statement – we were “not preventing” and seeing what happens.  And nothing happened...and that was harder than I thought it would be.

We always wanted to adopt, too.  Adoption isn't really “plan B” for us.  I’m so thrilled to be adopting Beya.  I can’t even tell you how much this adoption process is an amazing dream come true.  But somehow…and I can’t really explain it…the waiting and the challenges of the adoption process has done something to exacerbate the “barrenness” in me.  The pain of infertility has not magically disappeared because we have a girl on the way…if anything it seems worse these days.

The court documents we received from the DRC recently stated that “the best place for the child’s blooming is in a family.”   I can’t wait for the blooming of spring in my heart and in our family.

Come home soon, Beya.

one step closer!

Well, friends, we finally received our documents from the court! It's official -- our case was approved!   It is so fun to finally be able to post pictures of OUR girl!

We're working on the next batch of paperwork to file with US Immigration.  This next part of the process could take 3 to 9 months or so...  I'm really hoping it's the sooner rather than later part of that time frame!

This waiting business sure ain't gettin' any easier!

Meet our girl

in a holding pattern...

Well, friends, it is our understanding we had a court hearing at the end of February and that our case was approved.  We're still waiting on the paperwork from that hearing before we can file our next round of documents with US immigration.

So, not much to report at this point!  We're hoping the paperwork comes through soon, though, so we can get the ball rolling on the next stage in this process.  I'm a little worried about continued delays -- and just anxious to get our girl home!

and the blessings rain down...

Some of my sweet friends threw a party for me & B last weekend.  We registered on Amazon for a few things we thought might be nice to have before we bring B home -- it's kind of hard to plan when we don't have a definitive timeline! Everyone was really thoughtful in their gift choices, though.  We got a wide variety of sizes of clothes, some great books, art supplies, hair products, and even a tiara!  It was a sweet time - I felt really blessed by the love and gifts!

It was also the morning of the shower that we received the latest batch of pictures -- the pink sparkly dress ones, along with B's current height and weight.  That was maybe the best gift of all.  

Princess for a day! 

  

wonderful gifts

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!