Back to School

Now there's something I didn't know. While many in the world are worried about folders, pencils and new clothing, many others wonder if their school will be in operation because clean water is not necessarily attainable. To learn more, visit the link!

Yes, We're Still Adopting!

We've been busy...very busy! Maya is 2 years old. Need I say more? We've spent five months on the wait list for our second child, and there really aren't any changes to report in regard to the adoption process. The average wait time continues to hover around 9 months, and families who have already received referrals are making their newly required two trips to Ethiopia: one to be present for the court procedure that finalizes the adoption (which reportedly lasts about 10 minutes) and one to bring the child home after his or her embassy appointment. The courts will close the end of this month for the rainy season and are expected to open the end of September or beginning of October. This means that, although families will not be traveling for court dates during that time, waiting families will continue to receive referrals. The courts then typically reopen to a backlog of court cases but eventually get caught up again.

I have been feeling very guilty for not blogging as diligently about our second adoption. I spent so much time recording so many things while waiting for Maya, with the goal of saving this blog for both children to share. I've come to the realization that a) parenting a 2 year old is wonderfully exhausting and b) there are simply fewer "unknowns" this time around. To a certain degree, we know what to expect from the process (including the unexpected) and many of the preparations that had to be made prior to Maya's arrival don't have to be made a second time. This adoption process is different, however, in that we will eventually begin to prepare Maya for another child in the house. We've begun mentioning this to her, but the concept is too abstract for her right now. Once we get the referral we will have a picture to show her and we will be able to talk with her about something that is a little more real to us all. It will be interesting to see what she has to say!

I have made a promise to myself that I will check in before another 3 months passes by. In the meantime, we will continue to wait for what Ethiopia has in store for us!