Anticlimactic is the best word to describe our court appointment today. It really was just a formality. One we flew half way around the world for. Ah, well.
We waited in a small room on the third floor of a very dirty building for about 3 hours. Standing room only. Fortunately it was not a hot day and the windows allowed a cool breeze into the room. By the time we were called, most of the room had been cleared out. We went in together with the three other adoptive families from our agency, and our lawyer. The judge and two other assistants, all younger looking Ethiopian women, were seated in a small office behind desks piled haphazardly with files. We took seats along the wall.
We answered in turn as they called out the names of our children. We then answered in unison as the judge asked six very simple questions to which we all answered yes. The last question got the most emphatic answer: "Have you seen your child and do you want to proceed with the adoption?"
"Yes!"
That was it. It all took less than 4 minutes.
The lawyer for CWA said our MoWA letters shouldn't hold anything up and expects they will come in the next few weeks. So, we are still hopeful we will be able to bring the boys home in July or August.
We had lunch at the Sheraton and walked their gardens. Such a contrast with the rest of Ethiopia. The Sheraton is considered one of the nicest hotels in the world. And from its beautiful gardens you can look out and see smoke arising from a corrugated metal shack where someone lives in extreme poverty.
We head to the airport at 6 PM (that would be 11 AM at home) and should arrive in DC at 8:40 the next morning. This will be one of the longest nights of our lives as we are flying into the night. Hope to get some more pictures up when we get home. Or maybe from the airport in DC. We have a 4 hour layover there... Thanks again for all the support. Look forward to seeing some of you very soon!
We waited in a small room on the third floor of a very dirty building for about 3 hours. Standing room only. Fortunately it was not a hot day and the windows allowed a cool breeze into the room. By the time we were called, most of the room had been cleared out. We went in together with the three other adoptive families from our agency, and our lawyer. The judge and two other assistants, all younger looking Ethiopian women, were seated in a small office behind desks piled haphazardly with files. We took seats along the wall.
We answered in turn as they called out the names of our children. We then answered in unison as the judge asked six very simple questions to which we all answered yes. The last question got the most emphatic answer: "Have you seen your child and do you want to proceed with the adoption?"
"Yes!"
That was it. It all took less than 4 minutes.
The lawyer for CWA said our MoWA letters shouldn't hold anything up and expects they will come in the next few weeks. So, we are still hopeful we will be able to bring the boys home in July or August.
We had lunch at the Sheraton and walked their gardens. Such a contrast with the rest of Ethiopia. The Sheraton is considered one of the nicest hotels in the world. And from its beautiful gardens you can look out and see smoke arising from a corrugated metal shack where someone lives in extreme poverty.
We head to the airport at 6 PM (that would be 11 AM at home) and should arrive in DC at 8:40 the next morning. This will be one of the longest nights of our lives as we are flying into the night. Hope to get some more pictures up when we get home. Or maybe from the airport in DC. We have a 4 hour layover there... Thanks again for all the support. Look forward to seeing some of you very soon!
one giant step forward, tho!! i am exhausted and i didn't even make the trip! what an ordeal for you two! try, try try to sleep! still praying and am excited to know you will be home again soon, very soon! much love!
ReplyDeleteHOORAY--YIPPIE---WO HOO!!!! We are doing the "happy dance" for you all right now!!!! (and trust me ... it's not pretty!!) When we all prayed for an "uneventful and smooth" court date, God really took us for our word!! Anticlimactic is an understatement...still don't understand their rules and procedures but just SO thankful that you jumped over this hurdle with very little problems. You guys seem to do special events on holidays--you told us on Valentines Day that you got a court date and now it is Memorial Day that you legally have two new sons!!! Can you imagine the celebration we all will have when the day comes that you actually get both "B" and "T" into their new home with their new family. That really makes my stomach do FLIP FLOPS!!! Our prayers will continue to follow you as you fly home---hope your minds can be at peace and your body just sleeps the whole way home. GOD IS GOOD!!! Luv you and miss you but are so thankful you made all of us a part of your journey. xoxoxoxoxo Thank you for being the awesome people that you both are.
ReplyDeleteEmily,
ReplyDeleteI'M SO EXCITED FOR YOU GUYS!!
Thank you so so so so so much for starting this blog and telling us about your journey in AFRICA!
I miss you guys and look forward to seeing you again SOON!
Love you!
~Olivia
Glad it went well!
ReplyDeleteWe will see you both soon :) Hope you have an easy trip home.
Julie
I recommend you spend the 4 hour layover in DC catnapping! We look forward to seeing you. Thank you for the updates...we experienced the trip right along with you, minus the dogs and the head twirling! :)
ReplyDelete