Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.  Proverbs 13:12

Friday, February 13, 2009

Valentine's Day and a Quick Update

In terms of anticipation, I can't think of a better Valentine's Day than the one coming up tomorrow.  I have my Valentine Extraordinaire, Sitina, to celebrate a day of love and family and giggles.  Not the Hallmark kind, our kind!
Sorry we have been absent from the blog.  I have been LOVING my time at home with my daughter and spend a great deal of the day watching "Sitina TV."  She is a joy.  Her new firsts include feeding herself, sitting up from a laying down position, saying mamamama, waving hi and bye (but not really knowing which is which), playing with and stacking blocks, chewing solid food with her gums--no teeth yet, kissing with a "muah" sound on command, a visit to the Smithsonian to see the Presidential Portraits Exhibit, three month visit with our Goddess of a social worker, Clair, attending her first birthday party, and many others.  I will share some photos to tell the stories, thank goodness they are worth a thousand words because I am limited at the moment.
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9 comments:

Trendy Mindy said...

Melissa! She is gorgeous! I was wondering how you all were just this morning and I just found your new post :)

I am sooo happy for you! Mindy

February 14, 2009 at 10:14 AM
Anonymous said...

Melissa,

She's so sweet...getting cuter every day! Thank you for your kind words on my blog. I am so excited to travel and bring Elyse home. The packing begins!

Sunday

February 14, 2009 at 11:42 AM
Three2Five said...

Thanks for the encouragement. I wish I could a fly on the wall and see how everone else is doing. Sounds lame but sometimes I just want to know "are they Liam's little quirks or are they adjustment issues." I really think they are Liam's little quirks. Oh man he is going to be a strong willed little boy. As long as things are going well for him he is happy. Just tell Sitina she may have her work cut out for her. He does love to Dance so she will be blessed in that area.

February 15, 2009 at 10:14 AM
JonesEthiopia said...

She is such a beautiful little girl! Isn't it so awesome to be the mother of an Ethiopian baby girl??

February 15, 2009 at 8:17 PM
The Gresham Clan said...

So sweet - what an adorable little face :)!!

February 16, 2009 at 4:57 PM
Dawn said...

She is BEAUTIFUL!! I love those curls and her eyes are just gorgeous!

February 17, 2009 at 12:06 AM
Shauna said...

she's just so precious... i'm so glad that things are going so well for you...

February 17, 2009 at 3:18 PM
Maria and Family said...

I can not believe how beautiful your daughter is!! She looks so happy. Hugs.

February 17, 2009 at 6:56 PM
cb4swife said...

Thanks for your kind words on my blog and prayers. I appreciate you keeping up with our journey in the midst of caring for your adorable daughter! I can't believe you have been home with her 3 months already! God Bless...Shannon

February 27, 2009 at 3:12 PM

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So...what's next?

Below is an overview of an Ethiopian adoption process from the time my agency receives adoptive parents' completed dossier and home study.

Agency Sends Dossier for Authentication and Translation Check!
Agency will forward adoptive parents’ dossier to the U.S. State Department and the Ethiopian Embassy for authentication. Once processed, the agency will forward the dossier to our staff in Ethiopia where it is translated
Referral Process Check!
Once the dossier is in Ethiopia, adoptive parents can wait six to eight months for a referral of a child. Once referred, the agency will send the adoptive parents referral photos, medical information and the child’s background information, including any known family history. Upon acceptance of referral, the agency's foreign staff will submit adoptive parents’ dossier, with the referred child’s documentation to the Ministry of Women’s Affairs (MOWA).
Ministry of Women’s Affairs (MOWA) Reviews Documentation Check!
MOWA is the branch of the Ethiopian government that reviews all documentation submitted by the adoptive parents and on behalf of the referred child recommends the adoption to be finalized to the Federal Court of Addis Ababa.
Federal Court Date November 11, 2008 Check!
Once MOWA recommends the adoption to be finalized, a court appointment is scheduled. At this appointment, the judge can either finalize the adoption or ask for further documentation and set another court date. Once the adoption is finalized, the court decree, new birth certificate and passport are issued, and the adoptive parents can travel.
Travel December 6, 2008 - December 11, 2008
Adoptive parents should be ready to travel within two to four months after accepting a referral. One parent is required to travel and the in-country stay in Ethiopia is five to seven days. During this time, adoptive parents will complete the U.S. Embassy Immigration appointment for the adopted child, which is necessary to bring the child to the United States. The agency's in-country staff will accompany each family throughout their entire stay in Ethiopia.
Post-Adoption- Until the child turns 18 years old In Process
In Ethiopia, an adoption is finalized before entrance into the United States. Upon arrival, post-adoption reports are due at three, six, and 12 months on the anniversary of the U.S. Embassy appointment date. After the first year, family authored self reports are due every year until the child reaches 18 years of age.