Here we are at Ethiopia Guest House, right before our court appointment.
We had an amazing week!! The guest house was so beautiful and a couple of the other families from CHI were staying there. It was really great to spend the week with other families who were going through the same thing. There were four families total that had the same court date and we all have boys just a few months apart. I think we will all try to keep in touch and hope to travel together again for our second trip.
Court was a piece of cake. We all went in together. We handed over our passports, then the judge (a beautiful young woman) asked four or five questions. We all answered in unison, "yes". And that was it! She told us that the MOWA is 15-20 days behind on their letters, so we did not pass that day. We are glad to have a rough timeline. We are just hoping to get our letters before the courts close for the rainy season... around August 8th? Kind of cutting it close, but I really think we'll make it.
Meeting our son was an incredible experience. I thought it would be awkward and unnatural since we've never been parents before, but as soon as they handed him over it just felt right. He is so beautiful and his personality is just so perfect for us. He's going to be a great addition to the Hale household.
Thank you again for your support. We miss our boy so much, but we are excited to get back home to all our friends and family.
Oh... and we got incredible video of us meeting him for the first time. Can't wait to share!!!!!
You both look SO incredibly joyful. I can't wait to see the video. This is amazing!!!!!! I will be praying that you get your letters before the courts close. Which, may I ask, what!??? I didn't know about the courts closing for a "rainy season". How long does that last???
ReplyDeleteAhhhh, that is Great News! I am sooooo happy that you met Arthur. Wow, exciting huh?
ReplyDeleteLove you and cannot wait to hear of the goodness of the Lord through your first meeting with YOUR SON!
My name is Kat. My husband, Josh, and I are in the process of adopting Jane ( your husbands cousin Sam's daughter). Jane and I have been talking about you two and reading your adoption story together. I just wanted to say that I'm praying for you and thank you for sharing your story with us.
ReplyDeleteHey there, I learned about yalls adoption blog from Jaimie Ivey's blog and thought I would check it out when I found out yall are adopting from Ethiopia! I just stayed at the Ethiopian Guest Home in January to visit orphans!!! Totally miss that place and am soo happy that yall are adopting from there! Looks like God is blessing you guys and opening doors right now! Praise God! Can't wait to read more...God Bless!
ReplyDeleteTaylor
love reading adoption stories. we adopted a child from Haiti so i know the ups and downs of the journey. it is of worth. more than i could explain in a comment. love the shirts you are giving away on Jamie's blog. love is waiting is my favorite. pretty.
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Just found your blog via Jamie's. Our family is currently in the process of adopting from Ethiopia as well. congratulations on getting to meet your little one. Praying for a quick remainder of the process to bring them home!
ReplyDeletehi heather! i'm a friend of jamie's as well - and i traveled to ethiopia earlier this year with friends who are adopting from the country. seriously cannot wait to see your sweet boy's face - ethiopian children are BEAUTIFUL! congratulations!
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