6/12

This month marks 6 months of waiting on a referral since our dossier (file of adoption paperwork) went to Ethiopia. It also marks 12 months of actually being in this process. There is movement on the waiting list, as they are referring baby boys to families whose files were complete March 9th, 2009 and baby girls to families whose files were complete November 14th, 2008. Our file was complete May 18, 2009, so we have a little bit of a wait still left.

Here our are next steps:
1. Receive/Accept a referral of a baby.
2. Documents submitted to court. (This will occur shortly after we accept our referral, as the child's file is court-ready when we receive the referral).
3. Court date/ Child becomes legally ours. (Sometimes this requires more than one court date, but our agency is working very hard to make it only one).
4. TRAVEL - I'm sure I have said this before, but I'll say it again...I'm ready to travel!

Rebecca :)

Families for Children

Our adoption agency has a blog of it's own to highlight what is happening in Ethiopia and other countries and to promote its work. While not every article seems worth mentioning, this one stands out.

Families for Children - All of Them.

Anniversary Blog

Today marks a special event for us, as Ryan and I celebrate three years of marriage. We have truly been blessed to have each other on the path thus far. I can't imagine a better friend with whom to travel.

Two days ago also marked five months of waiting on a referral from AAI. When we first began this process, five months was about the longest we imagined we would have to wait, but here we are, behind families who have waited anywhere from eight to ten months for a referral themselves. Our last check-in with the agency produced an answer of "probably another few months for you" and reminded us how annoying it must be to have families call who KNOW they have at least a few more months to wait who call just to hear it one more time.

Rebecca :)

The Mothers of Ethiopia

This news series was posted by someone in our adoption group. I couldn't help but share it (and archive it so I can read it again sometime!).

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Part 5

News Story

This news story features a family that has adopted through our adoption agency several times. At the end of the story, Julie Hehn tells what she likes most about her LARGE family. Her answer is something we would all love to say.

Hehn Family of 29

Rebecca

Another

For someone who loves to write, I feel like I have done a lot of copying lately! Here is yet another.

One question many people ask when someone like us is in the middle of an international adoption is: "Instead of adopting, couldn't you send all that money to the birth parents so the child can stay in their first family and culture?"

Those who adopt probably ask this question of themselves twice as much as they hear it from others. Here is one adoptive mom's thoughtful response.

Why International Adoption and Not Aid Instead?

We are so thankful for a "virtual" adoption community that can express in words what we often find difficult to say.

Rebecca :)

Women and girls...

I borrowed this link from a fellow blogger. I have found so many New York Times reports that are irresistable. This is one of them.