Ethiopia: Day 6...The Big Day

Our court appointment today was first changed from 3 P.M. to 11 A.M. Then again to 9 A.M. Like I said, the concept of time is futile here. However, it turns out to be a good thing because we were ushered to the front of the line while about a hundred people gave us the Evil Eye. In groups of 3 couples each, we appeared before the judge in a small room as she asked us a list of questions and glanced at our passports.

The entire process took all of 90 seconds. A bit anticlimactic, as will be this post.

As far as we know, we have been approved on our end as the official parents of our children. But, things still aren’t wrapped up here, and we will likely be waiting even longer than expected for an embassy date and to bring them home. I want to use profanity over this news, but I am choosing to exercise self control. Okay. You know I can’t bring myself to use profanity.

After court, we all made a mad dash to see the kiddos at our respective orphanages or foster homes. The boys were in the yard playing with all their friends when we arrived, and they both immediately ran to Keith. They must not have seen me, right? So sweet seeing our sons love on their daddy.

They wanted to take us inside to play, even after we insisted that we all play outside with their friends. Same story, different day. Cars, coloring, kick ball, coffee ceremony, ditch school, Ivan destroying anything in his path.

We sat with them at lunch again, trying to capture every moment either on video or picture. At naptime, none of us wanted to let go. I know that our absence will be explained, as they receive weekly counseling on the process. Still, they’re children. Avery’s been begging to go pick them up “after her nap” since October when we first showed her their pictures. We will miss them desperately and think of them constantly but know all of this is in God’s hands. Just remind me of that when I start complaining.