Well, despite all the talk and rumors floating around, things are progressing for us!
Last Wednesday we got the official word from our USCIS officer that we were getting the approval we need to move forward with Zoe's adoption!!! This is an approval we have been working to get since referral day on September 25th, so it was a big day when that email came saying they were sending our letter. The picture above is when Eli and I literally RAN to the mailbox a few days later to see if the letter was inside. My best friend was over for a playdate and sure enough, it was in there, so she offered to take this adorable picture for us. It's kinda funny because although I always just think that Eli doesn't understand what's going on with the adoption, its kinda like he "gets it" more than I give him credit for. He totally seems to understand and be good with the fact that other people grow babies in their bellies and our family goes to Africa instead. He knows that it's a long process and that the "police men" (the gov'ts) are making it take a long time to get Zoe home.
So, things seem to be full speed ahead! Our approval is in DC now being "authenticated" (whatever that means) and then it will be off to Ethiopia and they should be assigning us a court date that we will travel for! (For our adoption and PAIR friends - we actually already passed our birth parent court date back in November) Right now, our caseworker tells us we should travel on our first trip sometime during the 2nd week of February. Please pray this happens. There are still a couple of lingering things that could derail that timeline, but I'll save you the details of all that, as we have been told not to be concerned and that our case is proceeding on schedule.
Outside of adoption-related events, Eli turned 4 last week. I truly can't believe I have a 4-year-old. It's so bittersweet watching your children grow. I want to keep him little forever, but yet can't wait to watch him do amazing things as he grows.
Until next time...
