My Family, My Journey: Not So Wordless Afterall

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Not So Wordless Afterall

Well, we got an update from our caseworker today and it's not good news. Apparently they are still waiting for a document from the orphanage in order to complete our file. This means that our case hasn't even been submitted to the courts yet. It's hard to understand why we have been so unlucky with wait times and hard to swallow that after more than 6 months in care already, these boys have more months ahead of them before they have a family. I think I know what a punching bag feels like...

22 comments:

The Busters said...: Heidi, I am so sorry. This is so frustrating. Yes, I imagine you definitely know what a punching bag feels like. I think of you and think of your boys MANY times a day. I hope you can feel all the love that I am sending out to you. Praying for a quick resolution!!! Wish I were close by and we could go out for a beer. XOXOXOXO Love you, Emily; Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Robyn said...: I just have no words for you other than to say I am so very sorry that this has happened. Oh how I hope this document is received quickly!; Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Claudia said...: Oh Heidi, I'm so sorry, I really don't know what to say. Thinking of you!!; Wednesday, March 17, 2010
ELYSSA said...: I am so sorry to hear that! I was hoping that you would get better news this week. I am sending my love!; Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Evelyn said...: Oh, Heidi! This is so hard to understand and I am so sorry. My boys were in care for 8 months and I still don't understand it. Hoping for good news soon!; Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Sara said...: Ugh. Ugh. And ugh. Praying for you and your boys.; Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Sheila said...: I am so sorry to hear this; it's such a hard place to be, the worst sort of limbo. You're everything (a family, a mom) on paper, yet not in practice. You get all of the worry, yet none of the perks yet. And the not knowing is the worst. It's excruciating and I feel for you.; Wednesday, March 17, 2010
heather said...: ugh. Heidi I'm so sorry. I know you are just ready to get on a plane and GO! I'm keeping all crossables crossed that you get good news SOON. xo; Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Jennifer said...: I'm so, so sorry. Just so sorry.; Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Julie said...: Heidi, I am so sorry to hear this.; Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Rebecca said...: i don't know what to say. i am so sad to hear this. my heart aches for you and for those sweet boys that i love so dearly. i'm here ... always.; Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Ellen Enright said...: How frustrating!! I'm very sorry to hear this.; Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Wes and Layla said...: I know that has got to be incredibly frustrating. Your family is definitely in our prayers.

In other news, their room is adorable, and I know they will love it! :); Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Katie Morris said...: Oh no, oh no, oh no! I am so very sorry. I know you are frustrated and disappointed. At least you know what has caused the delay, not that it makes it any better. I will be praying that it is received quickly. This just really stinks.; Thursday, March 18, 2010
Eryn said...: Punching bag is a perfect description...I am so sorry. Sounds like we have identical situations. We're waiting for court-so we can get our kiddos-punching bag twins.

Love you, but wish we weren't THESE kind of twins. I'd rather be on a plane-fun in ethiopia-meeting our children-kind of twins. :) Hugs, Hugs and more hugs.; Thursday, March 18, 2010
Amy said...: I am so sorry. I really hope you get good news soon.; Thursday, March 18, 2010
Amy said...: I am so sorry. I really hope you get good news soon.; Thursday, March 18, 2010
Tam and Kai - NYC said...: Oh Heidi, I'm soooo sorry. My eyes welled up as I read this. Punching bag is putting it mildly, considering the strength you two have already shown during your wait, this is just...I don't know - too much. Those boys need to come home.
I am here for anything you need. You know that.
Sending hugs...; Thursday, March 18, 2010
InventingLiz said...: So very sorry for the bad news! I hope things speed up for you soon!; Thursday, March 18, 2010
Karen said...: Heidi,
So so sorry. I keep thinking about seeing your boys running on a beach. A big hug to you...Karen; Thursday, March 18, 2010
kn said...: oh my gosh i'm so sorry to read this! I just had a moment to come over and do a buddy check.

i have nothing to complain about. being away from the ones we love is the worst.

I hope the paperwork is together very very soon. like today.

hold on. one day this will all fade from memory.; Thursday, March 18, 2010
Tanya said...: ughhh!!; Thursday, March 18, 2010

Timeline

*PAPER CHASE/5.5 MNTHS*
6-27-08: Register for orientation with local agency
7-16-08: Attend orientation with local agency
8-19-08: Decide to adopt from Ethiopia through Gladney. Best decisions ever!
8-28-08: Attend orientation with Gladney
8-28-08: 1st Home Study interview
9-25-08: Home study interviews completed & all Gladney paper work submitted
9-30-08: CIS fingerprints
10-2-08: FBI clearance
11-12-08: Home Study report completed
11-25-08: Gladney approval
12-4-08: CIS approval
*WAIT FOR REFERRAL/13 MNTHS*
12-11-08: Wait list!!!!!!!
4-21-09: Increased our age preference hoping to speed things up (HA!)
8-29-09: Heidi's medicals updated
9-15-09: Mark's medicals updated
9-20-09: Travel Immunizatons
11-10-09: Sent in request for CIS fingerprint updates
11-11-09: Gladney calls to review our age preference
11-17-09: Gladney calls again and tells us about twin boys who *might* become available. We agree to increasing our age preference in order to pursue these boys.
11-21-09: Receive CIS fingerprint appointment
12-16-09: Have CIS fingerprints taken
1-4-10: Referral!!!!!!! 28 month old twin boys!!!!!
*WAIT TO PASS COURT/4 MNTHS*
1-19-10: Start home study update
2-18-10: CIS fingerprints cleared
3-4-10: Home study update completed/sent CIS extension request
3-30-10: File submitted to courts!
3-31-10: Received court date!
4-22-10: Received CIS approval extension
4-23-10: 1st court date
4-28-10: 2nd court date
5-05-10: 3rd court date
05-06-10: 4th and final court date! We're a family!
5-12-10: Receive travel dates!
5-18-10: Travel!
6-1-10: Home as a family of SEVEN (four humans, three puppy dogs!)

Fun Facts About Ethiopia

•Ethiopia has been around for a very long time. The country's Rift Valley is known as the cradle of humanity - fossils of the oldest known upright hominid (4-million years old) were found here in 2005, surpassing the famous 3.5-million-year-old 'Lucy', which was discovered in the same region back in 1974.

•A thousand years before Christ, the Queen of Sheba, we are told, traveled to Jerusalem where she met King Solomon, married him, and had a son, Menelik. When Menelik reached maturity, it is said he left Jerusalem and took with him the Ark of the Covenant, containing the original 10 commandments, back to Ethiopia. The Ethiopian Christian Orthodox Church says it still has the ark in its possession. No one else makes such a claim...

•Ethiopia's official religion is the 1700 year old Ethiopian Christian Orthodox Church. The Jews of Ethiopia, Beta Israel, are said to have been there for 3000 years. And its Muslim adherents have practiced Islam for 1300 years. Ethiopia is split religiously, with official statistics of 35% to 40% Ethiopian Orthodox primarily in the north, and 45% to 50% Muslim, primarily in the South.

•Ethiopia is the only country in Africa never to be under colonial rule, other than a brief occupation by Italy during WWII. You can visit many restaurants in Ethiopia today due to the influence of Italy during the occupation.

•Traditional Ethiopian food consists of various vegetable or meat dishes, usually a wat or thick stew, served atop injera, which is a large crepe-like sourdough flatbread made from fermented teff flour. One does not eat with utensils, but instead uses a piece of the injera (always with the right hand) to scoop up the sauces.

•The Ethiopian calendar is very similar to the Egyptian Coptic calendar – each have 13 months, 12 with 30 days each and the 13th month at the end of the year with 5 or 6 days, depending on whether it is a leap year. The year starts on September 11th (12th in a leap year). The Ethiopian calendar is 7 years behind the Gregorian calendar, so Ethiopia recently celebrated their millennium on September 12, 2007.

•Coffee can be traced back to the 9th Century where it is believed a shepherd discovered coffee beans in the highlands of Ethiopia, namely the Kaffa region. The Ethiopian people are very proud of their coffee and they show this in their well known coffee ceremonies. The Coffee Ceremony is a very important part of socializing in Ethiopia and to be invited to a coffee ceremony is always considered a sign of respect and friendship.

•There are multiple tribes with different subcultures and over 80 languages in Ethiopia. The Amharic language is a Semitic language spoken in North Central Ethiopia and is the official working language for Ethiopia.

•Family in Ethiopia includes immediate and extended relatives, neighbors, and friends. Faith and family are the foundation of the Ethiopian culture. Ethiopians are very respectful and loving. The elderly are considered very knowledgeable and as a very important part of the family structure. Children are usually raised in a large community that includes extended family and neighbors, and siblings are expected to help take care of each other.