Another Curve Ball

Ahhhh – I am leaving on Monday morning for Ethiopia!!!

The past few days have been quite busy, so I apologize for the short notice. Many of you will think that we have lost our minds, but we are learning that the adoption process can cause that : )

We received an e-mail from the Embassy on Monday informing us that they would like to complete another interview with a birth relative prior to being able to clear us. We were disappointed; of course, but much more so when we learned the next day that the interview would not occur until October 10. We realize in the big scheme of things, that is not all that far away, but at the moment it feels like an eternity.

Jonathan and I discussed our options (other than just sitting back and waiting) and decided together that it would be a good option to have me travel back sooner than expected to begin the attachment & bonding phase of our lives with Annaliese. Since it has been nearly two months since we passed court, we are just concerned that she is confused about where we are and why we have not come back yet.

So, I will be wrapping up my time at work this week and then leaving for Ethiopia early Monday morning. Of course, the biggest down side to all of this, is that Jonathan is going to miss out on this time with our daughter. Although he is disappointed, he is being very supportive of pursuing this option and looking forward to now getting to take two weeks off of work to be at home with his family when we return (rather than spend one week traveling and one week at home)!!

Please pray for our family as we venture into a bit of the unknown here. I am anxious to see my beautiful daughter again and longing for the day when the three of us are back together : )