What Now?

Okay, time for an adoption update!

The very next question we have been getting since hearing we passed court last week is, "Okay, what's next? How much longer?"

Well, anyone have any guesses as to what is next?

You're right. We wait! Surprise!

But anyway, I thought I'd give a general run-down on the steps that are left so that those of you that are interested (or behind us) can have a better idea of what exactly we are waiting on.

This is the timeline from our agency:

Family Accepted Referral (done!)           

Process Began / Paperwork Received by OWAS (done!)

Case in Court  (1-2 months)      (done!)   

Judgment Received (done!)       

So...this is where we are...

Certificate of Non Appeal Rec'd (1-30 days after waiting period)             

Paperwork Prepared for submission (1 week)   

Paperwork Submitted to DFA (1 day)    

Paperwork Approved by DFA (approx 4 weeks)

Embassy Appt Requested /Set  US process takes 30-45 days

Embassy Appointment (2-4 weeks)         

Visa Issued (3-5 days)   

Paperwork Submitted to DGM (1 day)  

DGM Letter Issued - final step (2 weeks)  

Clear as mud?

We are thinking 4-6 more months if everything keeps moving.  Which we know unexpected slowdowns can occur at any given point.

In layman's terms, we have received our translated judgment from court (yesterday).  There were a few spelling errors and we returned those to be corrected.  In the meantime we are waiting for the Certificate of Non-Appeal (CONA) to come in before we can move forward. This is a waiting period that occurs after the court judgment where the birth family can appeal the decision.  It is 30 days.  We need the actual certificate before we can begin the immigration process here in the US. After that we receive Embassy appointments, file for visas, and then travel!


We watched a homecoming video (do yourselves a favor and watch!!) from a family who just returned with their daughter from the same orphanage as E and J.  What a treasure to share in their joy and their incredibly precious daughter!! This family lives in our state and their daughter is about the same age as our sweet E, so we have already communicated about staying in touch so the girls can continue to see each other.


It is becoming so real.  The adoption process began to seem real when we received those first pictures. Then more pictures came in and we saw our children growing. Just last week, we were able to catch a glimpse of their everyday lives as this family picked up their daughter and shared pictures with the rest of us.  We saw them walking around, wearing bracelets, eating lunch, eating suckers, sitting with friends...wow.  Real orphans.  Real children.


And then, yesterday, as we proofread the court document, to see in writing that these children are declared ours...it is REAL.


And what a blessing to feel this!!