Happy Mother's Day
It is hard to believe that this time last year I was paper pregnant and waiting for an unknown miracle. Now, 365 days later, I am living with my miracle every day. My little miracle kisses me good morning. My little miracle giggles and ahhs and Mama mamas and baaahhhs and nananas to tell me what's on her mind. My little miracle tells a story with her eyes and shakes with her whole body when she sees me after work. My little miracle loves to read stories.
So to my little miracle I want to say,
thank you. Thank you for making this the most amazing Mother's Day ever. You are the most extraordinary of all miracles and I am so grateful for your presence.
Sitina's favorite game at the moment is Peek-A-Boo!
BOO!
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.
5 comments:
You are the BEST MOM ever! Sitina is the luckiest daughter in the world. When she has the words to tell you so I know that she will. In the meantime you'll just have to believe those of us who have been around to witness you with her. So, from Sitina and all those who love and cherish you, we wish you a VERY Happy First Mother's day. There is nothing like the wonder of the first one. Enjoy every minute.
She's beautiful! Happy Mother's Day!
So awesome-mommyland is a greta place to be!! I am so excited for all the friends I know celebrating their first mother's day, it just makes me soooo happy for them! and that girl of yours, a CU-TIE!!!!
i love Ricki's comment-- SO TRUE!!!! we were thinking of you on Sunday like crazy! jocelyn Matt and Zara
Miracle. I love that word. Thank you for sharing your miracle with us...and with me in particular.
I love you both!
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