Out of the darkness

Our file has officially found its way out of the deep, dark hole called IBESR. We are elated to FINALLY be out, but it's mixed feelings because there are so many more moutains to climb. However, trying to be optimistic and hoping that we will not spend 14 months any where else like we did IBESR. My friends have asked, what is IBESR? I honestly don't really know. I think someone reads through our file and approves our family to adopt? But, I can't figure out how that would take soooo long since we had a homestudy done that cost close to $2000 (and has now expired..uggh.) So, in IBESR is someone basically studying the homestudy? For 14 months? It's a still a mystery to me!

I know there are still a few families that have been stuck in IBESR longer than us, and I have a really good feeling they will be released very soon as well. It seems like the gates are finally opening and IBESR has momentum right now. I am hoping this is true for all the families and kids waiting.

Next up? I think it's Parquet. I say "I think" because I haven't looked at the steps since way back when we decided to adopt. We have been taking it just one step at a time. We are still trying to figure out how we can satisify the judge and sign that infamous notebook in Haiti, while somehow feeling at ease about leaving our boys at home. Caden is our diabetic and although he is now 8 and not a toddler anymore, his care can be very routine or very choatic depending on the moment/day. This makes not only us, but our family members who would be caring for him very nervous. One of the many reasons we chose Haiti was the comfort and satisfaction of not having both parents out of the country at the same time. So much for that!

Anyway, all in all it was a great email to wake up to this morning!! Never thought I would see the day as it was starting to feel so hopeless! We are so thankful!

Please let me come home...

My family is missing me!

Avery at the O

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

A few more of O life!

Looks like Avery (bright pink dress) might be a shoe girl...takes after her Aunt Robyn!

Pure Sweetness

Suzanne, a fellow adoptive mom, just got back from Haiti to visit her girls and sign before the judge (oops, I mean sign the random notebook.) Anyway, she took this photo of our little one smiling!! We just love it!

She also emailed this update:

"What a sweet little girl Avery is. She gave me the biggest smile when I called her name Monday. We were only at the O a few min, but I did get her smiling. After my meeting with C's bio mom Tuesday I hung out in the toddler room for a while. Avery was sleeping as the nannies prepared lunch. I woke her up as the nannies started to serve children. She gave me the biggest smile and hug. then she went patiently to wait for her meal. Avery does have the mollescum virus (sp?) most of the toddlers have. It is not painful but can be irritating as the sores heal causing sctatching adn scabs. It will heal itself in about 1 years time without meds. Other than that she seemed very healthy and content."

Avery must have known...

Well, if that smile didn't brighten our day! So excited to finally get a glimpse of Avery when she doesn't look sad or sleepy! She must have known that her daddy got offered a new job yesterday! We are so proud of him and relieved! Looks like Avery is too!

I thought once the job was secured, we would venture into an adoption from Rwanda. And, although that likely may take place in the future, we have agreed to wait for Avery to get home first. My patience on the Haitian process has all but disappeared, so adopting another little girl now (sister for Avery) sound great since honestly, it may be years before Avery gets here. But, the longer Avery stays in Haiti and lives at the orphanage, the more issues/obstacles there may be once she finally arrives home. We want her to adapt in our home and bond with us and then we'll re-evaluate Rwanda. Honestly, flying from here to Rwanda, to Kenya, back home does make me a little nervous. But, I am still following other families in process to get a feel for their trip and experience.

Heard today from some of the families who are in Haiti right now taking care of the "extra step" that has been thrown into our Haiti process. Standing before the judge....or as what it has been more accurately described as standing outside a gate and signing your name on a blank piece of paper in a notebook.

Can't believe we'll have to spend money for 2 tickets to Haiti and leave a diabetic child at home, to go sign a random notebook. Funny enough, it's not surprising at this point! Nothing is.

Anyway, before we qualify for this interesting adventure, we have to....GET OUT OF IBESR. So, at the rate things are going, mabye the judge will have changed his mind by then. I guess that's one way of looking at being stuck in a positive light. More time for changes...hopefully for the better that is! Please, NO MORE STEPS already added to a VERY LONG process.