This morning I received the e-mail I've been waiting for - I've been granted the Article 5 letter!
Adoption is always a roller coaster ride. Each of my adoptions has had it's share of high and low moments. But no adoption has been wracked with as many low points as this one. And my faith tells me that the joy coming will be equally as high.
Every step in this adoption has been met with a letter of propsed denial. Denials, re-do's, appeals, and I've been hesitant to share these low points because I don't want to scare off potential adoptive families or families who are newly into the adoption process.
Day after day I watch other families bringing home their child or children. People who started their process long after I committed to Kolina. And she waits.
Why did this adoption come with so many low points? I can give some practical reasons, I'm a single mom, an older single mom, with an unusual income stream, with 14 adopted kids still at home, with two kids who turned 18 during this process which then required re-do's of paperwork to consider them as adults in the household, which includes background checks, finger prints, etc. But ultimately I don't know why God has had her sit in the orphanage for 10 months since I've seen her. I don't know what His plan is that kept us apart for so long. But whatever His reason, things are now starting to move along.
When will I get to bring her home? That is still the question in my heart. In 42 days it will be one year since I kissed her goodbye. And still she waits.
But today my heart is soaring. I've passed the final scrutiny of the US government. They have said yes, I can bring her home. Now it is up to the court in her country to give me the same permission. Please pray for a speedy court date. Please pray for the Minister to pick up his pen and sign the adoption decree. Please pray that Kolina's healthy enough to travel. Please pray that her wait is over.
Monday, April 8, 2013
Update on Maria!
Maria has now been home for 10 months now. Her transition into our home is the easiest of all 14 adopted kids. From the first day she walked into our home it's as though she's always been here.
She has grown physically for sure. She came home in size 3T clothes and now is wearing 6. Her shoes were a size 8 and are now a 10. But more than the physical growth, her developmental growth is phenominal.
She had no expressive language - she now has 25-30 words that are understandable. She has learned twice that amount of signs. She is signing a whole sentence at the table, "May I have more milk please."
She is calling out, "Mama" to get my attention. Her receptive language is age appropriate. She knows most colors and will sign them and has learned to totally dress herself and moves through our families routine without a hitch all day long.
She's gone directly from absolutely no school into the third grade with her brother Lucas. From the first day at school she took ownership of her desk and moves through her school day with joy.
More than that she has stolen the hearts of all who meet her. That sad little face now has a very quick smile and a belly luagh that brings joy to my heart.
She has grown physically for sure. She came home in size 3T clothes and now is wearing 6. Her shoes were a size 8 and are now a 10. But more than the physical growth, her developmental growth is phenominal.
She had no expressive language - she now has 25-30 words that are understandable. She has learned twice that amount of signs. She is signing a whole sentence at the table, "May I have more milk please."
She is calling out, "Mama" to get my attention. Her receptive language is age appropriate. She knows most colors and will sign them and has learned to totally dress herself and moves through our families routine without a hitch all day long.
She's gone directly from absolutely no school into the third grade with her brother Lucas. From the first day at school she took ownership of her desk and moves through her school day with joy.
More than that she has stolen the hearts of all who meet her. That sad little face now has a very quick smile and a belly luagh that brings joy to my heart.
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