One month down and a lifetime to go!

Three weeks after passing court, we were cleared by embassy....It is hard to believe that was just ONE month ago!  The morning of August 24th, Christian and I boarded an early flight leaving Ethiopia, headed to America!  

For those of you that do not know his age, Christian is 6 1/2 months.  Sometimes I still look at him in complete awe....and I think to myself, God chose us for him.  We have done a lot during his first month in the US.  He has had a ton of "firsts"!  He has attended his first US church service, first trip to the park, first time in a swing, first blowout (he could have kept this one! :-)) First time eating baby food, first time eating American food, first time meeting grandparents, family and friends.  First tooth, first time sitting up, rolling over, holding his bottle, Skyping and the list goes on, but I think you get the picture!  

When Dion and I boarded the plane from Atlanta to head to Ethiopia, we didn't know what to expect when we arrived.  We did not know if he would be afraid of us or if he just wouldn't like us. To our surprise, when we arrived at the foster home and met him for the first time, he smiled.  The look on his face said "What took you so long!?".  I hugged and kissed him for the first time...he was no longer a packet of information (our dossier), he was no longer a picture (our referral), HE WAS OUR SON! 

We spent a few hours with him each day leading up to our court hearing, and each day he would greet us with that same adorable smile and he never cried.  The day we passed court, we went and picked up our son!  He was no longer an orphan, he was our son.  Typically, you do not get custody of your child after passing court.  However, because we decided that I would stay in Ethiopia with him until we cleared embassy, they allowed it because he was legally our child.  A few days after passing court, Dion had to head back to the US, and I stayed behind with Christian.  Little did we know, God was already putting everything and everyone in motion to get us through embassy in record time.  Just 15 days after passing court, we were cleared to go home!  (you can check my timeline for dates)

I can't get enough of this little boy.  Sure, there are days when I am tired or exhausted, but seeing his smile makes each day much brighter.  He has brought so much joy to our family and it feels like he has been with us since birth.  He has had no issues with attachment and I credit some of that to staying in Ethiopia with him prior to bringing him around family and friends.  It was a major sacrifice to stay there, and I had planned on being there for at least 2 months!  But it was so worth it and I would do it all over again.  People have asked me how could you stay in a foreign country, alone without any family or friends.  Can someone pass me the EASY button?  EASY!  I could stay because he is my son!  Everyone does not have the ability or flexibility to stay, and I can totally understand that.  But God made a way so I could stay, so I stayed.  

He is healthy, happy and he sleeps through the night and he eats like there is no tomorrow.  :-) 

He is perfect!  So many people have remarked on how much he looks like myself and my husband and it warms our hearts each time we hear it.  This little boy has impacted and blessed our lives more than he will ever know!  People have said that we saved him.  That is a false statement.  God called us to adopt and we answered; we prayed and God answered.  We didn't save Christian, Christian saved us!

One month down and a lifetime to go!  I love you son!  

We are officially a family of FIVE!

We arrived home on 8/24, exactly 2 months after we received our referral for our dear son Christian. As many of you know, I stayed in Ethiopia between court and embassy so that I could bond with him before boarding a plane and taking him home. Those three weeks were full of FIRSTS! First kisses, first diaper changes, first early morning smiles, first time eating baby food and so many more. 

It's amazing that he is in our lives and he fits in just perfectly. We are often told how much he looks like us and I couldn't agree more. 

He is the happiest baby I have ever seen. He is always smiling and laughing! He rarely cries and he is so laid back. God definitely had His hand is this and I couldn't be happier! 

Our time together in Ethiopia flew by. I had planned on being there for at least 2 months. However, God had a different plan and less than 2 weeks after passing court, we cleared embassy and we were on our way home! Our results are not typical! We know many people that waited on average 8-10 weeks. We know that it was only by the grace and favor of God that our time was accelerated and we are forever grateful! 

For those of you that may have questions, feel free to leave comments or you may continue to email me at kdadoption@gmail.com 

Til next time....

xoxo

Picture from our last plane ride home! 

Update....sorry for the delay!

This has been a very busy week for us.  We were submitted to Embassy on Monday, 8/19/2013 and we cleared Embassy TODAY!!!!  I wish that I could take credit for the quick submission and clearance, but I can't.  God opened each door that we walked through during our attempt to get submitted and He gave us favor in each situation.  I am so thankful for all of the prayers and words of encouragement.  After almost 3 short weeks in Ethiopia since boarding the plane for the first time to see our son, we will be going home! 

xoxo,

Dana

On our way to embassy submission!

In order to be submitted to Embassy, there are a few things that must take place first.  

1.  Obtain court decree---DONE

2.  Obtain birth certificate---DONE

3.  Obtain passport---DONE

4.  Obtain medical clearance---Scheduled for Monday!!

5.  Embassy submission--TBD

Woohoo!!   It's amazing to think that soon, we will be able to leave Ethiopia!  How soon? Not sure, it really depends on how fast the Embassy is processing things.  With courts being closed, we are hoping that this will speed up the process. But we will be happy once we are able to be submitted!  Please keep us in your prayers! 

XOXO, Dana

Introducing Christian K.D.

Christian Fanuel Keane-Dawes.  Fanuel was his name that was given to him by the orphanage and it means Vision of God.  This little boy stole our hearts before we ever knew of him.  This picture was taken the day that we met him for the first time.  It was a day full of so many emotions.  After traveling for almost 30 hours, being stranded at the airport in Ethiopia for 3 hours early in the morning, we headed right over to meet him.  You wait for this moment, and while you wait, you ask yourself what will it be like?  You fantasize about the first time that you will hold him and look into his eyes.  You think about the first time you will kiss his little cheeks and hold his little hands.  You wonder what will his voice sound like.  And if you're anything like me, you have dreams about this moment when you go to sleep, and you don't want to wake up.  When we first saw him and he looked at us with his wide eyes, he embraced us.  He smiled and it melted my heart.  There is no doubt in my mind that Christian was supposed to be our son.  Immediately, he took a liking to us and the attachment process for us has been a breeze.  I can't wait to bring him home so everyone else can meet our handsome prince.  

XOXO

Dana

We passed court!!! Gotcha Day!

Today we passed court!  Glory be to God!  It was quite simple and surprisingly fast.  Right after court, we went straight to the foster home to pick up our handsome son, Christian Fanuel.  He is such a happy baby and we are so honored to be his parents!  They allowed us to take custody of him because I will be staying in Ethiopia until we make it through Embassy. We are praying that the wait time for Embassy will be fairly quick, but we are also realistic in knowing that it could take months.  Either way, I am in it for the long haul!  

With that being said, I have my hands full!  :-)  So until later, I must go tend to my son!  Photos coming soon!

Our first meeting......Metcha Day!

Today was one of the best days of my life.  We met our son for the first time!  He is such a happy baby.  He laughed, played, talked and instantly became comfortable with us.  He is such a joy!  He never cried and he even took a nap right in my arms.  Today was a very emotional day.  After being on a plane for 2 days and being stuck at the airport for 3 hours, to say it was well worth it would be an understatement.  Holding him in my arms and seeing his face made the 2 days of travel feel like 2 minutes!  This little boy is so precious to us and we still can't believe that he is going to call us Mom & Dad!  

Well I am off to get some much needed rest and I look forward to seeing him again tomorrow and every day for the rest of my life! 

xoxo

And we are OFF!!!

I know...I am a day late posting this, but that is what happens when you are packing, repacking, unpacking and packing again.  LOL.  We are currently in Cairo, Egypt for an 8 hour layover before we head to Ethiopia!  We flew out of Atlanta, then to Frankfurt and then to Cairo.  I would have loved to have taken a trip to the pyramids....but just before we left, several US Embassy's closed their doors due to potential threats.  With that being said, no leaving the airport for us!

Words cannot express the feelings that I have.  I have pinched and kicked myself several times to make sure I am not dreaming!  This journey seems like it took a long time to get here, but in retrospect, the weeks and months flew by.  What started off as an application to adopt is now a little person waiting on me to pick him up!  And just to think that when we started this process, he wasn't even born yet!  But God already knew that he would call us his mom and dad.  It is such an honor and a tremendous blessing to be in this position.  A position that I never thought we would ever be in.

As some of you know, my husband did not want to adopt.  It took me approximately 5 years to get him to just take a look into the adoption process and the reasons for adopting.  It started off as a casual conversation (with me already knowing he would say no...AGAIN) and I asked the question, "What if God wants us to adopt?".  It was that day, my life would forever be changed...our lives were forever changed.  God spoke to my husband's heart and here we are!

Our hearts are overwhelmed with gratitude and joy!  We are so honor that God chose us!

Until we arrive in ET.....over and out!


xoxo

Dana

Thank you GOD!

As I mentioned in my previous posts, we were hoping to get a court date prior to the courts closing on August 7th. We prayed and we had many friends and family praying on our behalf and God answered! We will be heading to Ethiopia soon to pick up our son!!! 

We are so thankful and we feel so blessed. Words cannot describe the emotions that we are feeling inside. 

We thank you for your words of encouragement, prayers and support. It means the world to us! We look forward to introducing our son to you soon!!

Wordless Wednesday/ Waiting Wednesday

Thinking of you....

Not a day goes by that I do not think of you. I look at your pictures each and every day and I am thrilled each week when I receive an update about you. I have had dreams of holding you in my arms. And to think...those dreams are so close to becoming a reality. You have people praying for you each week and everyone wants to know more about you! You're already a rock star! :-) 

We are nearing the court closure, but I will not be moved or frighten of the possibility of not being able to see you face to face before court closes. I will remain unmoved and steadfast, relying on my faith in God. 

I will see you soon! 

Love,

Your mommy. 

Today's court hearing....

Yesterday we were informed that the hearing for the child that we are adopting was scheduled for today 7/9.  What does that mean exactly?  There are a few steps in the adoption process once it makes it to court.  The first step once you have been submitted is for a finder's or birth mother hearing.  If the child is abandoned, whoever discovered the child is required to appear and give his or her testimony.  If the child has relatives, then someone (mother, father or whomever has been caring for the child) has to appear to relinquish their rights.  Once the judge signs off on it, the next step would be for another hearing to be scheduled that we would travel to Ethiopia for.  

This first court hearing isn't always a slam dunk.  The judge may require additional paperwork, further investigation or it may have to be rescheduled if the guardian did not show up for the hearing.  In our case, our child was abandoned and therefore an officer will need to appear.  Courts will be closing within the next 3-4 weeks and it is our prayer that we will be able to have a hearing before the courts close. 

All morning, I have been thinking about the story that will be told in court today....my child's story.  Left alone, abandoned.  It is a bitter sweet moment for me.  On one hand, my heart aches because someone left you alone without any connection to who you are or who you were.  I wonder what have your eyes seen, and what have your ears heard.  But then I am reminded that you were not alone, God was with you.  For His word says, "I will not leave you as orphans, I will come to you". John 14:18.  He was watching over my precious angel.  He had someone in place at the right time to hear your cry for help.  When I think of how He saved you, my heart becomes overwhelmed with joy.  It also makes me think about how He saves each one of us each and every day.  In a sense, we are all orphans that God wants to adopt into His family, His kingdom.  He wants to save us from the sinful nature of this world.  Just as bad as I want to hold you, he wants to hold all of us.  He wants to take our burdens away and carry our load for us.  He wants to see us do great things and live a long and prosperous life.  The things that He wants for us, I want the same for you.  While I may feel that you were alone, God never left your side.  He knew your story before it was ever written.  And I am honored that he chose us to be apart of your story.  

It may take a few days before we know if we passed court and when we are expected to travel.  But I can rest and wait patiently because I know that you are in good hands, for you are in His hands.  

Love you,

Your mommy

Submitted to court!

We have officially been submitted to court as of 6/28/13.  This is pretty fast considering we just received our referral on 6/24/13.  The courts in Ethiopia will close in August, so we are praying that we are able to get a court date before they close.  It will be very close, but we know that if it is God's will, then He can and will make it happen.  

So what happens now?  We wait for a court date.  The child that we are adopting was abandoned, so this case will be different from most of their cases, which are typically relinquishment's.  At any given moment, we can receive an email or a phone call telling us when we need to arrive in Ethiopia.  Once we pass court, the child is officially our child and we will just have to wait for a visa.  

If we do not get a court date before the courts close, then we will have to wait until they reopen in October.  Again, we know that we would be pushing it getting a court date within the next 30 days, but we will just continue to put our trust and faith in God's hands. 

Please continue to keep us in your thoughts and in your prayers.

xoxo

We received our referral!!!

First let me apologize for posting this message so late. Second, we received our referral on 6/24!!!  Words can't express the joy that we feel in our hearts. We are so thankful that God chose us!! We can't disclose the gender or age of the child because we are having a gender reveal party and we want to make sure everyone is surprised! :-) 

Thank you all for your encouraging comments and emails. It really means a lot! 

We are one step closer! Please continue to keep us in prayer. 

xoxo

Still waiting.....

Although we know that our waiting is not in vain, it is still a difficult process.  At this point we do not know who we are adopting, the gender of the child or their age.  All we know is that a referral could come any day.  God is definitely teaching me to be patient and I am reminded that everything will happen according to His will and His timing.  For those of you that are also waiting, just remember that soon and very soon the day will come that we will fly to Ethiopia to pick up our son's and/or daughter's.  Be encouraged and rest assure that God is making preparations!  

XOXO,

Dana

It has been awhile....

I know that it has been awhile since I last posted anything, and I have received a few emails asking if everything was OK.  Everything is great!  A matter of fact, our dossier arrived in Ethiopia this week!  What next? We wait!  :-)  At this point, we will wait for a referral to be sent our way! It can be as quick as a few weeks or as long as 6 months.  However based on our desire to adopt a child between the age of 2-5 and being open to either gender, it should not take 6 months.  When most people adopt, they are seeking to adopt infants and that process can take a long time.  Our adoption agency currently works with 4 orphanages in Ethiopia and we have been told that they have kids that are currently waiting that fall within the age range that we requested.  We will have to wait to be matched with a child.  Once matched, they will provide us with a photo of the child, their medical exam/history and they will give us as much information as possible about how the child became an orphan.  But for now, we will wait for that day to arrive!   XOXO

I-171H Received

We received our I-171H at the end of January while I was traveling for business. As soon as I landed in Minneapolis on 1/31, I had to book a flight immediately to head to California because my grandmother's health was failing.  I didn't even have time to really enjoy or be happy about the fact that our I-171H for had arrived finally as I had been waiting for this day to come.  Instead, I would go and spend time with my grandmother, who later passed away on 2/7/13.  It was the first time that I had ever lost anyone this close to me.  I wanted to be sad but I was also angry at myself about all of the missed opportunities to just call and say hello.  It seems that my life was always too busy, at least that was what I tried to convince myself of.  But was I really too busy to pick up the phone and have a 5 minute conversation?  No, I wasn't and now I can't get that time back.  While we were dealing with her being on life support, I thought of ways to try and keep myself busy.  I was going to work on the adoption while I was there.  But then, I thought about how many times I was too busy to pick up the phone.  And it was at that moment I decided that I would leave all of our adoption paperwork in the suitcase and I would stop and focus on her.  For this would be the last time that I would be able to do so. 

Although I told my grandmother before she became ill that I was in the process of adopting, it saddens me that my grandmother will never be able to see, know or hug her grandchild.  Nor will she be able to see pictures or hear about the journey and the travel that lies ahead.  And although I know that she will not be able to share in this experience, I know that she would want me to keep following my dreams and that is what I will do.

I love you Granny.....

USCIS Update. Happy Friday!!

I had this feeling all day that I needed to call and check the status of our application. I ignored that feeling for most of the day, out of fear of being disappointed. 10 minutes ago, I decided to call. To my surprise someone answered right away. She then told me that my case had been assigned to an officer and that she would transfer me to her. Considering that I was once a government employee, my first thought was that I was going to be transferred to someone's voicemail. Surprise again! She answered! She then told me that she reviewed our file this week and that it has been approved and we should receive the letter within the next 7-10 business days! Woohoo!! Can you say Happy Friday!!! This just made our weekend! Hope you all have a great weekend! XOXO

Still waiting.....

I must admit that the hardest part of this process so far has been waiting.  I called and checked the status of our application today and it STILL has not been assigned to an officer.  Hopefully it will get assigned soon....until then, we shall wait.  XOXO

And we wait.....

Today I called USCIS to check the status of our application and as of today it has not been assigned to an officer.....BUMMER.  So we wait.  I am not sure how long it will take.  I have read on other adoption blogs where it only took 7-10 days.  Although it has only been 8 business days (not including the New Year holiday), it seems like it has been months.  I am hoping that by the end of next week we will receive some good news in the mail, in the form of a golden ticket.  :-)

Until then.....we will wait. 

XOXO