Our baby girl is cleared!!!

We officially received the news last night that our Embassy date for Kidist is August 2nd!! On Thursday, the U.S. Embassy asked which date we would prefer. After several days of waiting, we finally got the e-mail with the confirmation. What a relief!!

Now, you are probably wondering about Liyone. Nope, not yet. They are still missing some documents from the court. We were supposed to get them Friday, but as of today, they still have not arrived. Then they will be translated and submitted to the Embassy. The Embassy *hopefully* will be very happy and send us a clearance letter for him too.

I am booking the plane tickets today and we are taking a big risk :) If Liyone clears, they will let us use August 2nd to interview for him also. That gives us TWO WEEKS to get everything together and make the Embassy happy. If not, I'll have to extend my stay in Ethiopia with a hefty price to change the airplane tickets. Don't worry, if they don't have Liyone cleared by then, I'll be sitting on somebody's desk until it happens :)

I'm so excited to bring them home!! 10 DAYS until we leave! Pinch me! The day we come home (August 6th) will not only be the day the kids become Americans, but it is also Kidist's 1st birthday! I'm sure we'll ALL be craving some chocolate cake by the then :)

I also received some new pictures of Kidist. Too adorable!

A little update

The director of our agency went to the Embassy yesterday to find out exactly what they need to clear the kids. They now are requesting a document from the courts that will clarify a statement the birth family made in the interview. It sounds like the courts are willing to type this up and we should have the letter by Friday. Then it will be translated and submitted. We *hope* to hear very good news next week.

The director also inquired about Kidist and they would not talk about her case. It all seems so strange. IAN suggested I send another email to the embassy tonight and let them know we are very frustrated and concerned. I'm dying to know the reasons they haven't cleared her yet! I'd be happy if they were just waiting to clear both children at the same time. But they gave each child a case number and said twice they would clear separately. I really, really hope we get some information from them tonight and not just another blah blah e-mail :)

I'll keep you posted!

Another loop

Here we go again! Hanging on tight. We thought our adoption roller coaster was just about to pull into the station and then we take a nose dive into another loop.

I didn't see this coming. As of Friday, the embassy had everything they needed to clear both of my babies. I was prepared for another night of checking my emails and hoping for that wonderful news that we cleared. We did receive an e-mail, but it said they need MORE PAPERWORK.

It seems the birth family told the Embassy extra information that the court decree does not contain. It is not conflicting information, just the beginning of the story. Now they want it in writing. They could possibly want an update to the court decree. We've also heard they need a witness letter - from Gambella!! Oh, I can see where either one of these can take a while to get. Especially, if the Gambella letter needs to be an original and somebody has to go pick it up (500 miles away). The head of our agency is going to the Embassy tomorrow to talk to them and find out exactly what is required for him to clear. He's also going to ask about the status of Kidist's case, since they do not reply to any e-mails concerning her.

The Embassy also told my friend that all the July appointments are now booked up. So, our best hope to bring the kids home is the beginning of August. I really want to leave early, but the Embassy said again not to make any travel plans yet.

So, now we are just hanging on tight and hoping this is the last loop.

Something is happening...

Good news - we found out Liyone can come home with the negative smear tests!!! They will continue to process the sputum test and send the results when complete. We do not have to wait and he can travel to the U.S once the embassy gives us the thumbs up!

We also heard the birth family has made the three day journey and is now in Addis for the Embassy interview! The Embassy has been notified and the earliest possible appointment is July 11th. We have all BEGGED the embassy to see her sooner. This would keep her away from her home for two full weeks and she needs to return home for medical reasons. Then today, we heard more good news!! The embassy wrote back and has agreed to see her tomorrow. They normally do not have interviews on Fridays, but will make an exception for her! I was SOOOO happy to hear we will be one step closer!!!

I know families have heard they have cleared right after the interview. I'm trying very hard not to get my hopes up! They only work half days on Friday and I'm not sure if they have everything they need to clear us. I've heard through the grapevine that it's taking several weeks to process the files. Since it's been 37 days for us, I'm hoping we'll be next :) I asked again about Kidist and the status of her case, but no reply to that question. I REALLY hope to get a surprise email saying they are both clear and ready to schedule an embassy date! Most of the month is booked up for appointments. So, if things go well, we can travel the last week of July or early August!!

And here's some more pictures from our agency:

Happy Birthday Liyone!

Today is my little boy's birthday in Ethiopia. He probably doesn't even know.

I just can't stop thinking about him! Next year, I promise there will not be a shortage of cake, candles, presents, and laughter!!

Happy Birthday Liyone. We love you!!