Post It Notes: Guy at the checkout line

So most adoptive parents who have a child that is obviously not biologically theirs wait for the day when someone says the stupid adoption comments. Today was my day. So, I thought I would share the conversation with all of you because I was somewhat pleased with myself for how I responded, and the cashier is obviously someone who didn't get an A in geography which I thought was quite hilarious.

Cashier: So, is he adopted?
Me: Yes, he WAS adopted.
Cashier: From where?
Me: Ethiopia.
Cashier: Wow, long ways from home!
Me: Not really, we only live about 3 miles from here.
Cashier: Oh yeah I totally know what you mean, I mean from the "homeland"
Me: Well, yeah, but we'll go back someday.
Cashier: Yeah, when the economy gets better and terrorism and stuff, right?
Me: Um, well no we will probably just go when he wants to go.
Cashier: So that's in Asia, right?
Me: Um, No, actually Ethiopia is in Africa.
Cashier: Oh, yeah, of course. I was thinking Estonia.
Me: (At this point I am not even going to go any further with this geography discussion even though I am pretty sure he is really wrong on that one too.) Well, have a good day!

Well, it gave me a good laugh, I hope it did for you too. With that, I'll just leave you with a pic of my little "Estonian" LOL!

Timelines

Adoption #2

6/20/12: Announced we will be adopting again!

7/5/12: Faxed in preliminary application to Adoption Associates.

7/31/12: Finished formal application

8/13/12: Homestudy update

9/13/12: Sent I600A

10/17/12: Fingerprinting Appointment

10/23/12: Received I-171H!!!

11/16/12: Dossier to Ethiopia, officially "waiting". Informed we are #41 on the waiting list.

3/28/12 #29 on the waiting list

6/1/13 #19 on the waiting list

7/1/13 #17 on the waiting list

Adoption #1 - Eli Akram Post

Late 2008/early 2009: Researched agencies, talked with agencies.

4/19/2009 Decided we are adopting from Ethiopia!

4/23/2009 Faxed preliminary application

5/15-5/21/2009 Home Study Meetings

7/25/2009 Agency Approved

7/27/2009 I-600A Sent (USCIS Approval Request)

8/15/2009 Fingerprinting appointment

9/12/2009 I-171H arrives!

9/24/2009 Dossier to Ethiopia! OFFICIALLY "WAITING" #24 on the list

10/22/2009 WAITING #12 on the list

11/18/2009 WAITING #9 on the list

12/17/2009 WAITING #4 on the list

1/15/2010 Still WAITING #2 on the list

3/15/2010 Still WAITING, still #2.

3/31/2010 REFERRAL DAY!!!

4/20/2010 Notified that our court date is 5/6/2010

5/6/2010 WE PASSED COURT!

6/16/2010 FOREVER FAMILY!

New here?

Please visit the blog archive below, find the first post (in the month of April, 2009) and read from the beginning if you like!

Important Words To Remember:

*Dossier* The set of documents that we send to Ethiopia to be put on the waiting list.

*Referral* The photo and information on our child that we will receive several months after we've been on the waiting list. This is when we find out who our little one is!

*Court date* After we receive our referral, a court date will be set up about 6 weeks later. We will travel to Ethiopia for this hearing.

*First Trip* The trip both of us will take to attend the court hearing and meet our child.

*Second Trip* The second trip when one of us will travel to pick up the child from Ethiopia and bring them home!

Most commonly asked question:

"Why?"

Answer: Mark and I don't really know, we believe there is a reason God put it on our hearts to adopt first rather than trying to have biological children. This does not mean we will never try for a biological child, it's just not where we are being led to build our family right now. We ask that you please respect our decision and join us in celebrating our amazing family!