update and things.....

Happy belated Thanksgiving to All! We all have so much to be thankful for.

First I want to express how deeply saddened we are by the recent attacks in our sons birth country. (I am purposely not putting the country so I don't end up on those general blog searches) Our hearts and prayers go out to everyone affected by this tragedy. Knowing that our son is half-way around the world with this type of violence in his country, is very emotional for us. The other concern is whether this is also going to have any impact on our travel time-line. We were still hoping for Mid December, but with a Travel Alert for the country we are not sure. Plus my husband is not someone who is fond of traveling in general, so this is adding to his anxiety. Please pray that things calm down and the there aren't subsequent attacks. It has definitely made it an easy decision on whether or not to sight-see and explore while we are there.

On some positive notes, we received our Visa's on Wednesday along with confirmation that our legal paperwork was in route to Dillon. They were also closed on Thursday and Friday, so I am hopeful that the documents will be at their office on Monday and the ICPC process can begin. That should take about 7 days. All things considered, it looks like we are still on target. Last piece of this puzzle is his passport, which we are still hoping to hear news on this week.

And a few pics of the weekend. (Thanksgiving straight to Christmas - as you can see by our decorations)

Daddy carving the ham and turkey. (I think there was more snitching going on than carving :0)

The family of 3 anxious for a family of 4!!!

And finally a video of a very intuitive little girl! You really forget how much they comprehend at the age of 3!

Passport applied for

We're getting there. The legals have been attested and the passport applied for. It looks like the legals should be back in the states by Thanksgiving! WooHoo!!!!

However, there are a lot of holidays coming up which is going to cause the passport office to close here and there. So it may take longer to get it issued than the original 15 days. I hope just a few more days, not weeks! Last time it took us 6 weeks to get a passport! Pray things continue to move and that the passport isn't our hold up again!

Michele

Signature down!

We have received the Judges signature. After this great news, came to find out that a few documents were not included upon return to the lawyer. So Monday back to court to get them. When I spoke to our Case Worker she didn't at all seemed concerned, appears this happens quite frequently. Once the Lawyer has then, the Orphanage gets all the documents together to take to the Consulates office to be attested, then to the passport office for his passport. This application should only take a day or two then all the legal paperwork comes back to the US for the final steps. Once the legals are back in the states, we should know more of a travel date. Right now we're looking around the 16th (Ahly's first Christmas concert!) . Still to early to be defnitive on any dates right now.

On a side note. An example of a 3 1/2 year olds memory. (Note: Must like worms)

Yesterday, Ahly was pretending there was a Mommy and Daddy bird in a bucket. Along with 3 eggs. (has to be 3 of everything right now - she is 3) First one baby birdy, then two, then three! She went running to her kitchen and pretended to feed them. The conversation went like this:
M 'What are you feeding them?"

A "I don't know" and shrugged her shoulders. (3 must be prime time for that "I don't know" - because we get it a lot)

M "Must be a worm"

A "What kind of worm?"

M "Earthworm"

A "No, Red Worm"

I was floored. In Spring, Aprilish, Todd had been fishing and had different kinds of worms/nightcrawlers for fishing. He explained to her that there were many types, including the earthworm, red worm and then nightcrawlers.......

After all these months, she remembered that! Must have really made an impression, because there are still days where she can't remember where she set her baby doll down :)

Have a great afternoon!

And the Verdict Is...............

Case Approved! I was so excited this morning to get a call for Tami, our Social Worker with Dillon. As I was hoping it was news that the Judge had heard and approved our case. Now his staff has to get everything together for him and then he signs the paperwork. After that just a few loose ends:

1. Dreydens passport to leave India
2. Our visa's to enter India
3. ICPC (contract between our state and Oklahoma)
4. Get tickets booked
5. Clearance from our agency
6. GET ON THE BIG PLANE!

What a truly gloreous day - Praise God!

update on the courts and final round of pictures

We are always kept in the loop with the process. And with regards to the Courts being back in session, it's no different. We have been told that the court staff is in the office and working on scrutinizing documents. As of yet, the Judge has not been back in session. But is expected tobe in, in the next few days. I am hoping that we are one of his earliest cases. But it's all in Gods time. This judge also hears domestic adoption cases, so we're really not sure how many of us are "waiting" on a hearing date. Of course if I hear of any progress I'll keep you posted!

And finally, the last family with an actual travel date is in India now. We received these great photos. Looks like they will be our last update until we are actually there!

Look Mom and Dad I can stand!

And I have two teeth!

Halloween for Ahlyana

Just wanted to post some quick pictures of Halloween. We had a great night for it. We actually were in the 50's for temperature. (for us in the Northwoods, that's very strange) We also had plenty of daylight, thanks the change in daylight saving! (unfortunately, Mommy forgot the camera, so we ended up with pictures at the end of trick-or-treating.)

This week brings the courts back in session - It's about time! Pray that some cases get heard this week, of course I'd love it to be our case, but progress would be progess, no matter whose family it is.