FINALLY!!!! And the Next Steps

Our hearts were OVERJOYED on Friday to find out we got the Regional Head signature we have been waiting for!!  I don't know what she heard or saw that was different from the last 10 months but I am so happy we are finally past this step.  Believe it or not, receiving this news was almost as wonderful as when we got our referral call.  Our hearts have been longing to meet our kids and it feels amazing to move forward again.

Here are the next steps:

- Monday (tomorrow) we are submitted to court.  Then, three things need to happen.

1.  There is a First Court Hearing where birth parent/abandonment documents are approved at the federal level.  We do not attend this court date.  It should be scheduled sometime within one month of being submitted.

2.  MOWCYA's Letter of Consent  The Ministry of Women, Children and Youth Affairs reviews the documentation on our children and they give a letter of consent to the courts.  This is supposed to occur by the time of the First Court Hearing.

3.  Second Court Hearing - This is where WE appear before court, testify that we have met our children and want to proceed with the adoption.  After this court hearing, they are legally our children!!  This is supposed to happen 2-3 weeks after the First Court Hearing.

All this being said, we are hoping and praying that we are able to travel sometime in January.  If things go smoothly, early January. . . if not, late January.  After having  hit so many detours along the way, I'm bracing myself for delays - but still am so thrilled that we feel like we are moving again.

Please pray that the process is speedy and smooth for us.  Even though that hasn't been the norm, I'm praying boldly to make up for all the lost time.  :)

Also, please continue to pray for our kids.  They were moved to a different orphanage last week Wednesday.  We are hoping that they find comfort in the friends who moved with them and that they are well loved and cared for by the new nannies.  My heart just aches for them, imagining how scared they must be in this transition.

Our family so appreciates all the prayers and support from all our family and friends.  This adoption journey has looked NOTHING like what we anticipated.  However, we have felt so much love and encouragement from those around us.  Thank you.