Addis in 4:30

A hair-raising, super sped up drive thru the streets of Addis Ababa.
I can't believe how close the driver came to mowing down several pedestrians and rear-ending other cars!

signed, sealed and almost delivered

IT IS FINALLY DONE AND READY TO BE MAILED!!!!!!
I have had a very hectic 2 days- I seriously felt like I was on some sort of psychotic scavenger hunt but all that hectic-ness(I know, it's not a word) has paid off and our dossier is signed, sealed and ready to be delivered! I have checked and double checked and then checked again and I am fairly certain that everything is in order (oh God, I hope its in order) I will be dropping it in the mail tomorrow morning and CHSFS should hopefully receive it by Tuesday and then I hope to hear from them not too long after that about whether everything is in order and if we have moved into the waiting stage.

Then we wait.....and wait....approximately 4-6 months for a referral and then another 12 weeks before we can travel. I don't know what is going to be worse- waiting to be matched with a child or knowing who our baby is but having to sit here for 3 months, thousands of miles away from them waiting to get on a plane.

Homestudy...tested and approved

YIPEE!!!

I received word today that our homestudy has been approved! It's been about 5 months coming but now we are ready to move onto the next phase of "waiting"

I am hoping to hear from CHSFS after Christmas (like on Tuesday!) about what other documents are needed for our dossier and (hopefully) we can gather those and notarize/certify everything in one day before Ryan starts up the winter quarter at DePaul.

I think that 2007 is going to be a great year!

In the mail

Our homestudy is (finally) in the mail!
I got word today that our social worker sent a copy to CHSFS, USCIS and to us. I had actually heard from CHSFS earlier in the week that they had recieved a rough copy and just needed 1 more thing from our social worker and then it would be approved so I am hoping that it won't take too long to hear an official "approval". As soon as CHSFS approves our homestudy they will send us a list of the remaining documents we need for our dossier and then we are on "The List"

I am starting to get a little nervous about wait times as they are (supposedly) increasing and the wait to travel after referral is up to 12 weeks-this would put us around August if we are lucky and recieve a referral in 4 months and squeak by the court closure. I don't know where I am going to find all of the patience I need!

doro wat

Today was the 1st annual Ethiopian Kids Community Holiday Brunch and I had a great time! It was really wonderful to see all of the kids who are home with their families, they are all so beautiful and happy. It really made me even more excited to move this process along :o)

It was also really nice to meet some of the people I have become friends with online, it's nice to be able to put faces with names.

Also, to sort of celebrate finally recieving the draft of our homestudy I actually cooked a meal...and a good one at that!

I made Doro Wat and it was fantastic!! (for those of you who don't know me, I don't cook well.. if at all) On my way home from the brunch today, I swung by the Kukulu Market on Broadway and purchased some pre-made injera and I will definitely be doing that from now on! The old man behind the counter was very funny and made me promise to come back and tell him how my "culinary adventure" turned out. I told him my wat will never be as good as the Ethiopian Diamond but I would do my best! And it turned out well for someone that can barely boil an egg.

----> See! It sort of looks right!

At least the injera looks damn good!

----> leftovers the next night!

*big sigh of relief*

YAY!!
I just checked my email and there IT was....the "rough draft" of our homestudy!

Whew! I was really starting to get worried, but just when I was starting to fly into full panic mode, she pulled through and yanked me back from the edge. She must've really sensed the urgency in my last email ;)

Once we approve it, which we already did (with some very minor changes), she will mail a copy to CHSFS and USCIS and whomever else needs or wants it. Hopefully, CHSFS will get it before the holidays and send us the full list of documents that we need to obtain to complete our dossier.

Then this show will REALLY be on the road!

tick...tock...tick..tock

Still waiting.....5 weeks, 2 days....

I've been trying to be patient (no, really, I have been) but I think I am at the point where I can no longer be patient. Hopefully, I will hear something today.

In better news, Saturday is the Illinois Ethiopian Kids Community Holiday Brunch! I am very excited to go and finally meet some of the families in person that I have met online. It will be a great opportunity to meet new people and make connections with other families that have adopted from Ethiopia. Plus, I hear that Santa is going to be there!

waiting....

5 weeks.........
still waiting for homestudy......

i love this poem

The Chosen Heart

Longing for a child to love, I'd wish upon the stars above.

In my heart I always knew, a part of me was meant for you.

I think how happy we will be, once I adopt you, and you adopt me.

I dream of all the joy you'll bring, imagining even the littlest things.

The way it will feel to hold you tight, and tuck you in every night.

The drawing on the refrigerator door, and childhood toys across the floor.

The favorite stories read again and again, and hours of games with make-believe friends.

The day you took my outstretched hand, a journey ended, but our lives began.

Still mesmerized by your sweet face, still warmed inside by our first embrace.

I promised to give you a happy home, and a loving family all your own.

A house you've now made complete, with laughter, smiles, and tiny feet.

A parent is one who guides the way, know I will be there everyday.

Rest easy as each night you sleep, a lifetime of love is yours to keep.

Longing for a child to love, I'd wish upon the stars above.

In my heart I always knew, a part of me belonged to you.

Teri Harrison