It's been 8 months since we were in Africa...
8 months since we fell in love with Sanyu & knew we were to adopt from there..
It's been 6 months since we moved from LA & got a two bedroom place to rent, dreaming of our baby..
5 months ago I started emailing people who had adopted from Uganda recently
& started checking out agencies...
& our parents and families were told they were getting a niece/nephew/grand baby/great grand baby 4 months ago..
3 months ago we finished the applications & started all the paper work...
A month ago we finished meeting with our social worker...
& less then a month ago we found out we're #3 on the waiting list at Sanyu....
...but now there's a hiccup in the road and we're waiting on wording to make sure our home study is perfect...
....and I'm sad. I know technically we only started four months ago, {and goodness knows my friend James has been there four months so really I have nothing to complain about} but it feels like we've been doing this for 8 months. and it just feels long.
I think of my baby every day and hope they are being loved. That someone is tucking them into bed and night and giving their little checks kisses whenever they can...
...and I write new to do lists and buy more things for baby/traveling.
....So, today I searched on peoples blogs and added up how many months it normally takes from beginning to end, paperwork included.
The majority of people's adoptions, from the time they started the paperwork until they're babies were home was eight or nine months. {But there are exceptions.}
One families baby was home in two months. TWO MONTHS...
....but if I am realistic with myself the truth is we probably won't have baby home until around August. And August is so very far away.
Friday, February 19, 2010
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Oh baby baby
Dear Baby,
Today it is almost spring in the east bay. I know the groundhog saw his shadow this winter, but there is no arguing with something that is so plainly there. The birds are singing, the grass is green, and tulips are making their yearly appearance. I took the pups for a short walk this morning, and together we enjoyed the sun. It is a perfect day today baby, and best of all, the tree's are blooming. As you walk by they smell like new beginnings and cherry blossoms, and all I want to do is decorate my house with the smell. It's intoxicating...
... It's a day we would make a picnic and go the park. I'd teach you how to whistle with a blade of grass, and you'd teach me how to think ants are only the coolest thing ever. We'd go get ice cream cones in the evening with daddy and we'd marvel at all the cracks in the sidewalk. I'd share my ice cream cone with you even after you've finished yours, because really, you are to cute to help it. And we would get lots and lots of sprinkles.
...and at bedtime I would put you in footsie pajamas and read you a story. You'll want another of course. Anything to avoid bedtime! But I'll oblige, because really, I'm just so happy your finally home where you belong.
and people will tell me we're spoiling you. But you will know without a shadow of a doubt, that you're loved. So.very.much.
I love you baby. Always and forever.
Mama
P.S. On Monday your Aunt Lyndsie called and told us you were going to have a cousin! A cousin baby! and even though you may not understand it, that is so very exciting. You will have a buddy to play with at thanksgiving and a lifetime friend. Because family is forever.
Today it is almost spring in the east bay. I know the groundhog saw his shadow this winter, but there is no arguing with something that is so plainly there. The birds are singing, the grass is green, and tulips are making their yearly appearance. I took the pups for a short walk this morning, and together we enjoyed the sun. It is a perfect day today baby, and best of all, the tree's are blooming. As you walk by they smell like new beginnings and cherry blossoms, and all I want to do is decorate my house with the smell. It's intoxicating...
... It's a day we would make a picnic and go the park. I'd teach you how to whistle with a blade of grass, and you'd teach me how to think ants are only the coolest thing ever. We'd go get ice cream cones in the evening with daddy and we'd marvel at all the cracks in the sidewalk. I'd share my ice cream cone with you even after you've finished yours, because really, you are to cute to help it. And we would get lots and lots of sprinkles.
...and at bedtime I would put you in footsie pajamas and read you a story. You'll want another of course. Anything to avoid bedtime! But I'll oblige, because really, I'm just so happy your finally home where you belong.
and people will tell me we're spoiling you. But you will know without a shadow of a doubt, that you're loved. So.very.much.
I love you baby. Always and forever.
Mama
P.S. On Monday your Aunt Lyndsie called and told us you were going to have a cousin! A cousin baby! and even though you may not understand it, that is so very exciting. You will have a buddy to play with at thanksgiving and a lifetime friend. Because family is forever.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Present's are my favorite things..
A few days ago I was able to see one of my favorite people, Shyla and catch up for a few hours over coffee and cookies. It was splendid...and one of my favorite days this month...
..why? {well because I got to see Shyla..}
and, oh yes, because she got baby a present. Although, since baby isn't here yet, it kinda feel's more like the present is for me. Which I'm perfectly okay with. ;)
it's a plate, with a face on it...
so you can play with your food! Seriously, does it get any cuter then this?
I.
don't.
think.
so.
you can buy the fabulous plate here. {but hurry, there's only two left!}
.....
xoxo
..why? {well because I got to see Shyla..}
and, oh yes, because she got baby a present. Although, since baby isn't here yet, it kinda feel's more like the present is for me. Which I'm perfectly okay with. ;)
it's a plate, with a face on it...
so you can play with your food! Seriously, does it get any cuter then this?
I.
don't.
think.
so.
you can buy the fabulous plate here. {but hurry, there's only two left!}
.....
xoxo
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Just a day like today
It's a day that would be so much better with a baby. Cold, rainy, grey. It's a perfect day to snuggle with a little one. Watch Cinderella, big warm blanket, cuddling on the couch. And not changing out of Pajamas for the whole day. It's a day to make cookies together and when we get tired, take an afternoon nap...
it's a day that some would call a bummer, but I call a blessing. A day I would spend getting to know everything about you.
...I'm missing you baby.
Hugs and kisses,
Mommy
it's a day that some would call a bummer, but I call a blessing. A day I would spend getting to know everything about you.
...I'm missing you baby.
Hugs and kisses,
Mommy
Friday, February 5, 2010
Hi all,
There is some problem's right now with current families trying to bring their babies home from Uganda, I found this article online from a organization that is working in Uganda here so that we can know exactly what is going on and know how to pray..
xoxo
A
UGANDAN NOTICE- 2/5/10
The following information is free to be shared in full, not in part! If you choose to copy and paste, please include the entire notice.
Lifeline is committed to provide timely and accurate information to all of our families in regard to the current situation in Uganda. We have had direct contact with the US Embassy in Uganda and here is what we have learned (anything you may hear beyond what is communicated below is rumor and not based in fact. It is very important that our families know exactly what has happened and what steps are being taken to address the current situation).
On Wednesday, February 3rd, Ms. Sahar Hussain, Vice Consul at the U.S. Embassy Kampala met with Ugandan government officials to discuss adoption in Uganda. During the meeting, Vice Consul was informed that legal guardianship orders issued by the High Court of Uganda are issued with the understanding that American citizens will not adopt the Ugandan children in the U.S. and that the Ugandan children will not change their citizenship.
Part of IR-4 visa eligibility requires that the prospective adoptive parents (PAPs) obtain custody of the child for the purposes of emigration and adoption abroad. While guardianship orders need not contain specific language stating that the guardianship is granted with the court’s understanding that the guardians may depart Uganda with the child in order to complete a full and final adoption abroad, it must at a minimum allow the PAPs to fix the abode of the child. Guardianship orders that merely indicate that the guardians are permitted to travel outside of Uganda with the child and do not permit them to fix the abode of the child would not meet the requirements of U.S. immigration law. We do not have a visa category that would allow PAPs to foster a child in the U.S.
The US Embassy in Uganda is currently working on obtaining official language from the government of Uganda that states explicitly what the legal guardianship order allows. Until that time, petitions filed at the US Embassy with a legal guardianship order will be sent to USCIS as not clearly approvable. This significantly delays the visa process. The US Embassy is suggesting that PAPs wait until their office has received this official correspondence from the government of Uganda before making any travel plans or beginning the court process with a Ugandan attorney. The US Embassy in Uganda is sending diplomatic notes to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Justice on Constitutional Affairs to request a clear definition of what the legal guardianship order states.
The US Embassy gave us the following three options for PAP’s:
(1) Request that the PAPs attorney ask the judge to put language in the adoption order that says the PAP will be allowed to travel to the U.S. to adopt the Uganda child and that that child may change citizenship, or at the minimum state that the PAP may “fix the abode” of the child. This would allow the Embassy to process IR4 immigrant visas which may require clarification from the Government of Uganda (GoU) regarding the effect of the guardianship order. GoU may well tell the US Embassy that the guardianship order does not permit emigration and adoption abroad and therefore the child will not be eligible for an IR4.
(2) IR3 which would require the PAP to seek and obtain a full and final adoption. This will require that the PAP coordinate with local attorneys regarding Ugandan law.
(3) File the petition with the US Embassy as per usual. They will consider it “not clearly approvable” and forward it to USCIS in Nairobi. This will delay the process and there is no guarantee that USCIS will return with a favorable response.
It may be likely that all U.S. PAPs may have to obtain a full and final adoption in Uganda in order to obtain an immigrant IR-4 visa. When our Embassy has more information from the Government of Uganda, we will be sure to inform PAPs.
Lifeline families need to know that we are working behind the scene, here and in Uganda, to aid both governments in the process as well as keeping families informed about what is transpiring. Our attorney remains confident that things will work out for Lifeline families because of what he is hearing from the Ugandan Courts.
For all Lifeline adoptions our attorney has always added the verbiage in the original affidavit that the intent of the American family is to take the child to the US, finalize adoption, and apply for US citizenship.
Perhaps other attorneys have not taken this step in filing their petitions which would understandably cause concern on the part of the US Embassy.
Be assured that as new information arises we will keep you informed.
Adoption is a faith journey and we believe God not only desires to transform a child through this process, but you as well. We encourage all of our families to commit this process to the Lord in continual prayer. Lifeline also desires to stress the importance of timely and accurate information. If you are hearing reports counter to what we are communicating to you they are false. Lifeline families may contact me if you have additional questions. You are continually in our thoughts and prayers!
Dave Wood
International Director
Lifeline Children’s Services
There is some problem's right now with current families trying to bring their babies home from Uganda, I found this article online from a organization that is working in Uganda here so that we can know exactly what is going on and know how to pray..
xoxo
A
UGANDAN NOTICE- 2/5/10
The following information is free to be shared in full, not in part! If you choose to copy and paste, please include the entire notice.
Lifeline is committed to provide timely and accurate information to all of our families in regard to the current situation in Uganda. We have had direct contact with the US Embassy in Uganda and here is what we have learned (anything you may hear beyond what is communicated below is rumor and not based in fact. It is very important that our families know exactly what has happened and what steps are being taken to address the current situation).
On Wednesday, February 3rd, Ms. Sahar Hussain, Vice Consul at the U.S. Embassy Kampala met with Ugandan government officials to discuss adoption in Uganda. During the meeting, Vice Consul was informed that legal guardianship orders issued by the High Court of Uganda are issued with the understanding that American citizens will not adopt the Ugandan children in the U.S. and that the Ugandan children will not change their citizenship.
Part of IR-4 visa eligibility requires that the prospective adoptive parents (PAPs) obtain custody of the child for the purposes of emigration and adoption abroad. While guardianship orders need not contain specific language stating that the guardianship is granted with the court’s understanding that the guardians may depart Uganda with the child in order to complete a full and final adoption abroad, it must at a minimum allow the PAPs to fix the abode of the child. Guardianship orders that merely indicate that the guardians are permitted to travel outside of Uganda with the child and do not permit them to fix the abode of the child would not meet the requirements of U.S. immigration law. We do not have a visa category that would allow PAPs to foster a child in the U.S.
The US Embassy in Uganda is currently working on obtaining official language from the government of Uganda that states explicitly what the legal guardianship order allows. Until that time, petitions filed at the US Embassy with a legal guardianship order will be sent to USCIS as not clearly approvable. This significantly delays the visa process. The US Embassy is suggesting that PAPs wait until their office has received this official correspondence from the government of Uganda before making any travel plans or beginning the court process with a Ugandan attorney. The US Embassy in Uganda is sending diplomatic notes to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Justice on Constitutional Affairs to request a clear definition of what the legal guardianship order states.
The US Embassy gave us the following three options for PAP’s:
(1) Request that the PAPs attorney ask the judge to put language in the adoption order that says the PAP will be allowed to travel to the U.S. to adopt the Uganda child and that that child may change citizenship, or at the minimum state that the PAP may “fix the abode” of the child. This would allow the Embassy to process IR4 immigrant visas which may require clarification from the Government of Uganda (GoU) regarding the effect of the guardianship order. GoU may well tell the US Embassy that the guardianship order does not permit emigration and adoption abroad and therefore the child will not be eligible for an IR4.
(2) IR3 which would require the PAP to seek and obtain a full and final adoption. This will require that the PAP coordinate with local attorneys regarding Ugandan law.
(3) File the petition with the US Embassy as per usual. They will consider it “not clearly approvable” and forward it to USCIS in Nairobi. This will delay the process and there is no guarantee that USCIS will return with a favorable response.
It may be likely that all U.S. PAPs may have to obtain a full and final adoption in Uganda in order to obtain an immigrant IR-4 visa. When our Embassy has more information from the Government of Uganda, we will be sure to inform PAPs.
Lifeline families need to know that we are working behind the scene, here and in Uganda, to aid both governments in the process as well as keeping families informed about what is transpiring. Our attorney remains confident that things will work out for Lifeline families because of what he is hearing from the Ugandan Courts.
For all Lifeline adoptions our attorney has always added the verbiage in the original affidavit that the intent of the American family is to take the child to the US, finalize adoption, and apply for US citizenship.
Perhaps other attorneys have not taken this step in filing their petitions which would understandably cause concern on the part of the US Embassy.
Be assured that as new information arises we will keep you informed.
Adoption is a faith journey and we believe God not only desires to transform a child through this process, but you as well. We encourage all of our families to commit this process to the Lord in continual prayer. Lifeline also desires to stress the importance of timely and accurate information. If you are hearing reports counter to what we are communicating to you they are false. Lifeline families may contact me if you have additional questions. You are continually in our thoughts and prayers!
Dave Wood
International Director
Lifeline Children’s Services
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