Shhhh....our baby may be sleeping. The time in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia is:
Our Timeline
November and December 2008 Discussed adoption in depth and researched agencies and countries. We found our hearts with All God's Children International...and a little guy (0-12 months) from Ethiopia January 2009 27th- Sent Application via e-mail to AGCI 28th - Approved by AGCI and scheduled conference call! 29th- Announced our dream to family and friends via this blog February 2009 2nd- Conference call with AGCI 3rd- Homestudy consultation with local agency 10th- First official Homestudy Visit and Notarized Contract for AGCI 11th- Fingerprints 16th- Final Homestudy Visit 17th- Sent AGCI contracts overnight March 2009 3rd-AGCI Caseworker/Dossier Conference Call 6th-Sent I-600A form overnight April 2009 1st-USCIS Fingerprints at 8:00a.m. sharp! Ordered Passports. 7th-Final Homestudy Walk-through...Homestudy finished and ready to be sent for approvals 7th-Conference call with AGCI May 2009 4th-DCFS Clearances 8th-Homestudy sent to state for approval June 2009 2nd- Homestudy Approved, combined with the Dossier and overnighted to AGCI...YIPPEEEE! Waitlist...here we come. 5th-Officially #11 on the Boys Waitlist July 2009 15th-Officially number "4" on the boys waitlist 28th-Notice to have A's fingerprints done again August 2009 6th- Officially number "3" on the boys waitlist 8th- 2nd set of fingerprints done because they didn't upload into the system correctly. 14th-INTRODUCED TO OUR SON THROUGH AGCI REFERRAL! IN LOVE ALREADY! 31st- FDL Arrived in the Mail October 2009 26th-Court Date!!!!!!!!
28th-We learned we Passed Court!! Awesome Day! November 2009
6th- Confirmed travel plans
19th-Fly to DC
20th-Fly to Addis
22nd-"Gotcha" Day
26th-Fly home to meet siblings...FOREVER TOGETHER!
The Cast and Crew of our blog... for now- We are waiting for one more little guy living in Ethiopia
Mommy- A.K.A. Mega-Multi-Tasker
"Big Daddy/Hubby"- my best friend and an Wonderful Daddy
"Big Sister"- Very smart and a little sassy with lots of stuffed animals in her collection
"Big Brother"- A little shy and an awesome hugger who loves costumes and sports
"Little Sister"- a bit sassy with lots of cuteness that loves to hang out with the bigger kids and loves babies
"Toby" Our 1 year old Maltese who we should have named Houdini due to his frequent escapes outside. He redeems himself when he snuggles at our feet though!
"...Once our eyes are opened, we can't pretend we don't know what to do. God who weighs our hearts and keeps our souls knows that we know, and holds us responsible to ACT..." Proverbs 24:12
God has blessed us with three children...each a miracle. Our journey for them began in our hearts, and they each continued to grow there and in my belly. I am honored God has called our family to a fourth miracle...a miracle that started in my heart and grows each day. God is good and we [my husband and I] will be forever grateful for God’s confidence in our family. We witness a miracle every time a child enters into life. But those who make their journey home across time & miles, growing within the hearts of those who wait to love them, are carried on the wings of destiny and placed among us by God's very own hands. --- Kristi Larson
As with all of our journeys to our children, we ask for your blessings of love, prayers, and well-wishes. Have faith for our journey, as we invite you to join us.
"If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?" -1 John 3:17
"Adopting a child won't change the world, but it will change the world, for that child." –Anonymous
Our Son's Time in Ethiopia
Addis Ababa
Our Agency's Timeline
The overall timeframe for adopting a child from Ethiopia is 12-16 months.
The breakdown: 3-4 months for dossier and home study, 6-8 months for referral process, 2-4 months for adoption process, 5-7 days of travel, forever home with our completed family
Our kiddos youngest brother lives here! Our hearts and minds are with him.
Random Ethiopian Facts
*There are approximately 5 million orphans in a country less than twice the size of the state of Texas. *Between 60-150 million kids live on the streets *One in six children die before their fifth birthday. *One in ten children die before their first birthday. *Half the children in Ethiopia will never attend school; 88% will never attend secondary school *In the 1980's one million Ethiopians died of starvation *Some areas still practice female circumcision *82% of the population survives on less than 1 dollar a day *Only 24% of households have access to safe drinking water *Ethiopia’s doctor to children ratio is 1 to 24,000 *Children and family are honored above all else * The average life expectancy is 37
4 comments:
Yay! I'm loving these updates! Keep them coming =)
I don't remember being able to use cell phones when we were stopped in Rome...
Love the play by play! This is awesome! They are IN ETHIOPIA!!
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