The time has come

Two more days until I get to pick my baby up from the orphange and never take her back there.  I am so excited!  The plan is to get her at the orphanage, we'll go to the visa appointment at the embassy on Wednesday morning, then wait for all the paperwork to come.  Family and friends are going to meet us at the airport when we arrive over the weekend. 

I just can't believe the time has come.  This past week has been insanely busy.  I just got back from 2 weeks in England.  I was unpacking from that trip..and adjusting to the new time zone.. packing for this trip.  I've never packed for a baby before.  There are so many things to think about.  I hope I have enough hands.  I think I've brought an entire medicine cabinet, "just in case".  I've brought gifts for everyone in Haiti.  I made nice little gift bags with watches, bracelets, earings, and candy for her nannies (14 of them).  I made a photo book for her birth mother.  I'm trying to arrange a birth mother visit.  I've also packed an empty photo book so when I send pictures down to Haiti, the birth mother can have an album to put them in.  I've brought gifts for my good friend, Domond, and his family.  They have hosted me, taken me around to places, and been there when I needed them.  I am grateful. 

At this point my head is spinning.  I think I've checked everything off of all the lists I had to get done.  I have one more day of work, then I'll leave for Chicago tomorrow night.  My friend Becky will come and hang out with me while I'm in Chicago.  It's awesome that I met Becky before I started this journey.  She helped me a lot in December when I had to rush to Haiti.  I'll see her as I go on this trip.. and she and Jenni will be in Indy when the baby and I come to Indianapolis next week!  So great! 

So I've checked things off my list.. at this point, it's time to sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride.  I am so excited to see her again.  Sophia.  Since I'm not a good blogger, I can't remember if I mentioned that before.  I've decided to name her Sophia.  I'm so excited to see Sophia again.  She will not be an orphan in two days.  wow.  amazing.  I'm also so very excited to bring Sophia into my family.  I can't wait for them all to meet her.  They've been hearing all about her and seeing pictures..but wow, meeting her after all this time. 

I am amazed this moment has finally come.  After all the roadblocks that have been in the way throughout this process.  This is our week, Sophia!  No more goodbyes!

Birth parent interview

The best news since I received the adoption decree came today.  Isnaika's birth mother went to the US embassy for the required interview.  This is an important step in the adoption process.  Although she is legally my child in Haiti, I cannot bring her to the US just yet.  The US government requires an interview with the birth parent (if alive).  They want to know that the birth parent understands they will never see the child again and were not paid for the child. 

All I can say for now is, if I hadn't have gone to Haiti in December...investigated why the birth mother did not go to the November appointment, she would not have been there today, which could have very easily led to many many more months waiting in the process.  I'm so thankful.  The orphanage had no clue where the birth mother lived and it's only because I met the birth mother in September and ASKED her , "where do you live?" (and wrote it down).  I took her picture.  I documented everything... and I made sure that the right people had the right information at the orphanage and made sure the birth mother was found....like a needle in a haystack.  very very very stressful.  It's been a long few months with this appointment weighing on my shoulders.  Relying on others, who quite frankly, just don't care as much as I do...  I'm so happy to say, she went to the interview.  Now, I'm waiting to find out from the US embassy that all is well.  They need to believe she is actually the birth mother (otherwise I will have to pay for a DNA test), believe her story, and give me approval. 

Next steps:  waiting for her cute little picture on a very nice haitian passport.  Then....  on to the embassy for a US visa.... then... HOME.  wow, coming soon!

A little behind on blogging

Hi everyone,
I'm a little behind updating the blog.  I'll hit some quick highlights and update more later:

This week, I'm waiting for confimation that Isnaika has a Haitian passport.
Next week, I need her birth mother to go to the US embassy for an appointment.  Please pray this happens.  If this does not happen, it will add several months to my adoption.
If the birthmother shows up, then the paperwork can enter in the US visa process.. and I will be going to Haiti soon (early March?) to pick up my little Lamb! 

I've received an update on her health - the orphanage says she is feeling much better since the Christmas incident. I just need to get her home so she can be in a clean environment. 

Hoping and praying!

More to come!