An Update -- Court Submission

We received word from our agency last Tuesday, March 22nd, that our case has been submitted to court.  This is excellent news, was quicker than we expected, and an indication all paperwork has been obtained and is in order to satisfy the governmental entities involved to review (Ethiopian High Court, MOWCYA, etc.)  We feel our agency works on the prudent and "safe" side and does not put the cart in front of the horse -- meaning they do not proceed with the next step of the adoption process until they feel confident they have everything thus far in order and obtained that will be required for the next step of the process.  We are anticipating a June court date, although as we all know it could be later depending on the current state of affairs in Ethiopian adoptions.  Both Roger and I will travel to Ethiopia to appear in court, get to meet Ezra, and then will return home until we have been issued an embassy date which will hopefully be sometime in August or September.....or before.  That would be okay too.  :)

Typical Conversation

This has become the most frequently conversation in our house the past month:

Parent to Ari (when about to do something crazy):  Careful.
Ari:  Cry?
Parent:  Yes, you might cry if you're not careful.
Ari.  Cry.

He usually stops doing whatever he was about to do.  Besides the one time he kept going and pushed his high chair over (with him in it) which caused him to fall backwards and then another chair to fall on top of him.  Thus, he wasn't careful and he cried.  Now he sits in his high chair and doesn't push off against the bar.  Every once in a while he will look over his shoulder while sitting in his high chair and say, "Cry."  Lesson learned....for now.

His tailored cape finally arrived.

WE HAVE A REFERRAL AND ARI HAS A LITTLE SISTER!!

We are blessed to announce this past Wednesday, March 2nd, we received a referral for a beautiful 6-month-old baby girl!!  Surprisingly enough, it came as a shock to us even though we had a pretty good idea of what number we were on the waitlist, and we were in the Top 5.  After waiting a mere 4 1/2 months, it just felt impossible we could be matched with a child already.  It really didn't feel like we waited at all!  We waited 8 months for Ari's referral, and there were many, many times it felt like 8 years instead!  And in case you're trying to do the math, yes, our children are 13 months apart in age.  At times that seems daunting, but I am so excited for them to grow up together, and I believe the closeness in age will prove to be a blessing in their relationship.  And the name we have chosen for her is Ezra.  Ari and Ezra.  It has a special ring to it, don't you think?

Only two days after receiving our referral, we learned of MOWCYA's alleged statement of cutting Ethiopian foreign adoptions by 90%.  At this time it still has not been confirmed, although there is no denying the fact MOWCYA is incredibly overwhelmed and unable to keep up with the current state of affairs in Ethiopian adoptions and needs assistance or major changes.  There are negotiations and meetings taking place this week with MOWCYA to try and determine what changes need to be implemented to ease their burden.  MOWCYA's situation is nothing new.  When Ari's adoption was being processed, we failed court our first time because of paperwork that MOWCYA had not yet provided, and it has done nothing but gotten worse in the past two years. 

We are sending up many, many prayers that our little girl's case will be processed in a timely manner, that she will eventually get to become a part of our family, but we are preparing our hearts and minds for a long, unknown journey before she is able to come home.  Best case scenario:  she will be home around her 1st birthday, August 19th.  Right now I am just hoping she will be home by Christmas, and even that is probably unlikely at this point.  We would appreciate everyone's thoughts and prayers as our adoption agency, the Ethiopian courts, and MOWCYA works dilligently to unite us with Ezra.  There is absolutely nothing easy about international adoption -- for anyone involved.  It is very complicated, very heart-wrenching, and requires an enormous amount of faith and patience.  But God has set us on this path not once, but twice, and  we will continue to walk with Him and trust in His grace and faithfulness.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, 

"plans to prosper you and not to harm you,

plans to give you hope and a future. 

Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me,

and I will listen to you.  You will seek me and find me

when you seek me with all your heart."

Jeremiah 29:11