I had such good intentions of being a blogger again. I had even better intentions of winning the prize for being the fastest ever home study and adoption dossier preparer. Only to fail at all of the above.
The home study is done-ish. I'm just plagued by a police clearance for the few months we lived in St. Thomas, USVI. "Island time" is a very real thing, so getting a person to feel urgent along with me about a form isn't easy. We didn't commit any crimes while living there except exercising super poor judgement to move there in the first place, but for some reason the USCIS believes there should be actual documentation of our good standing.
The dossier isn't even close. I don't want to discuss it. Aida is there--all turning 1 and stuff--and we're here missing her, talking about her, praying for her, and as odd as it might sound, loving her.
Our wonderful friend, Karis, traveled to Ethiopia in February. She carved out some time to visit Aida, and I'm so happy she did. What a sweet one headed our way! I've done this adoption thing enough times to know that what you or others observe about your child in her environment doesn't pack itself up neatly and board the plane to the U.S., but it still feels good to know that she is content, happy, loved, engaging, and most definitely eating. All of that means she has the capacity to be those things here, too, someday.
Have I told you that Aida is really tall? Her caregiver said she tried to put her in an exer-saucer, but she kept tipping the whole thing over because more of her was out of it than in it. My basketball loving boys think she's destined to join them on the court. I'm fast forwarding to clothing discussions knowing that every skirt and pair of shorts will look way shorter on her than her shrimpy friends.
Happy birthday, sweet Aida. May your next big day be spent here with us smothering you with hugs and kisses.
Moresoon, eventually.
The home study is done-ish. I'm just plagued by a police clearance for the few months we lived in St. Thomas, USVI. "Island time" is a very real thing, so getting a person to feel urgent along with me about a form isn't easy. We didn't commit any crimes while living there except exercising super poor judgement to move there in the first place, but for some reason the USCIS believes there should be actual documentation of our good standing.
The dossier isn't even close. I don't want to discuss it. Aida is there--all turning 1 and stuff--and we're here missing her, talking about her, praying for her, and as odd as it might sound, loving her.
Our wonderful friend, Karis, traveled to Ethiopia in February. She carved out some time to visit Aida, and I'm so happy she did. What a sweet one headed our way! I've done this adoption thing enough times to know that what you or others observe about your child in her environment doesn't pack itself up neatly and board the plane to the U.S., but it still feels good to know that she is content, happy, loved, engaging, and most definitely eating. All of that means she has the capacity to be those things here, too, someday.
Have I told you that Aida is really tall? Her caregiver said she tried to put her in an exer-saucer, but she kept tipping the whole thing over because more of her was out of it than in it. My basketball loving boys think she's destined to join them on the court. I'm fast forwarding to clothing discussions knowing that every skirt and pair of shorts will look way shorter on her than her shrimpy friends.
Happy birthday, sweet Aida. May your next big day be spent here with us smothering you with hugs and kisses.
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