Fingerprints

We went down to Norfolk today to get our fingerprints redone since they expire after a year. It was super fast this time, too. And, the woman who did our fingerprints last time did mine again today... she even recognized me, which was kind of a big deal considering no one EVER seems to recognize/remember me - not a good thing when you're a journalist, right?! So now we just keep on waiting until June, when we have to update another form that's about to expire. Good times! - Sarah

Some Movement on the List

Each week our agency sends out an e-mail update with important info - the date of the next call-in session, important program updates and a sort of status of applications. They tell us what's the next application date for families waiting for a male infant, female infant, toddler, sibling group, etc. Well, for what seems like forever, the next application date (when the application is officially accepted into the program and the family has passed Homeland Security clearances) for a boy who's 0-18 months was 10/19/06. Week after week we'd check that date and there was no movement. Until this week.... the next application date is 3/2/07 - ours is 3/14/07!!!!!!

Now, there's no way to know how many families have application dates between 3/2/07 and ours. Nor is there any way to know how long it'll take before the 3/2/07 family gets a referral and subsequently us. But, it was very welcome news. This past week or so has been really rough on me, so seeing that date change was so uplifting.

Also uplifting was the return home of our blog pals the Gurskes, who recently returned home with their beautiful toddler Leul. He is so precious. We've really enjoyed following Bethany and Jeff's journey. Please keep Habesha Child in your thoughts. She's in Ethiopia with her gorgeous daughter, but the embassy doesn't have her paperwork so her court date has been pushed back. We wish them a speedy return. - Sarah

Brothers, Typhoid, Yuppies, Sad Anniversaries and Fingerprints

While yesterday marked the one-year of our adoption application officially being accepted by our agency, it also was the day my brother came home from Hawaii after serving in Iraq! I was so happy to see him, but even more so, I was relieved to see he's retained his sense of humor. Last night, he, my mom, my oldest brother and Tim had dinner and laughed a lot. It was what we all needed, I think.

And speaking of the adoption application, I've had a few e-mails and comments about why is it taking so long - is it our agency's fault since they've seen other agencies advertise much shorter wait times. I would like to think not. Our agency was one of the first allowed into Ethiopia, so I think they know what they're doing. My fear is that other agencies are offering projected wait times from when the program started, which were obviously much shorter. But now that more people are interested in Ethiopia and more agencies are authorized, things have slowed. But who knows. And if all of this means that fewer infants are being placed for adoption, that's a wonderful thing!

Yesterday I also had a very yuppie moment (not sure what you call the yuppies of my generation, so I think we all still use that term). I went to Starbucks in the fashionable Fan to get an iced coffee for me and latte for my mom. When I came out, my hipster Jetta was parked side-by-side to no less than four other Jettas! Then,I went to the local Mac store to upgrade the operating system on my Mac laptop, after which, Tim and I went to Sam's Club so he could get his own iPod. It was kind of surreal.

Typhoid. No, I don't have it, and I'm actually quite surprised! I finally took my oral typhoid vaccine this week, four pills taken every other day (I opted for the pill because it's effective longer than the shot). It's a live vaccine, so I believe there's a risk of getting the disease from the vaccine... could be wrong about that, though. But, I know many people have side effects. But I didn't! My stomach was a little upset yesterday but that's it. Maybe I'm getting less wimpy after all.

Lastly, I sent off our form to be refingerprinted by Homeland Security late last week and we got our letter yesterday. So fast! We're going the end of this month.

Ok, seriously, this is really it: When you leave our blog, please visit the Gurskes and Habesha Child, two bloggers we love who are in Ethiopia now and will soon return with their beautiful children. We wish them safe travels - Sarah

Mingling With Brits Without Taking Flight

A few weekends ago, Tim and I drove down to N.C. to visit with our pals from England, the Faulkners. They were playing golf and soaking up the sun in Florida and then came up the coast to stay in their fellow travel companions' condo on a golf course in Aberdeen, N.C.

How do two crazy people from Virginia know such cool peeps overseas? I first met the Faulkners nearly 14 years ago when I participated in an exchange program the summer before I entered high school. They were so wonderful. From the moment we met they treated me like family. The summer before my senior year I met up with them again, this time in London while my French class was making a pit stop before Paris. Fast forward to 2004, and the Faulkners came to our wedding. Jane even spoke, reciting a Buddhist saying that was so lovely. So, when you add in their trip to N.C., we're even... two trips for me, two for them, and it's our turn to visit next. Hopefully it'll be sooner than later.

I have some adoption thoughts (only thoughts, no news people), but I'm starving, so I'll just leave you with some pictures from our trip!

Me and Jane


Tim and Rob


Charlie. Charlie and her hubby, Erwin, own the condo in N.C. Unfortunately I didn't get a shot of him, but he was quite enjoyable, and I hope we can keep in touch with them both as well.