Martin Luther King, Jr. Day-Monday

“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.”--Martin Luther King Jr., Strength to Love, 1963

Well said!

A Quote from an essay written by Brian Schoeni who adopted 3 daughters from China-
"It’s about taking something that in some ways is selfish – wanting to be a parent – and transforming it into something that affirms the best in humanity: the ability to love someone unconditionally, simply because I choose to."

Just Breath!

This week I was seeking answers.  I think it is probably because I was tired of telling all of our friends and family over the holidays that, "I don't know why it is taking so long."  I made a 2 phone calls and an email before I got the information that satisfied my brain (at least for the time being).  Often, I have heard myself and from others that they get vague answers to their(adopting families) questions.  It is very frustrating, but I also understand that the agency does not want to give families false hope.  I wasn't settling with vague answers this week.  Enough is enough!  So, I dug until I got some sense of what is going on in our agency, the orphanages they work with, the Ethiopian Court system, and the U.S. Embassy.  I got enough to sustain me for now.

So I will try to explain to the best of my ability.  One issue that families who are adopting older children are dealing with is a change in the culture of the region in which our agency has an orphanage.  They are seeing many families give up infants while keeping a child who is 3 years old to help out.  There has also been a shift in the age ranges that adopting families are requesting.  In the past when a child older than 2 years was referred to our agency they often went on a waiting list.  The orphanages knew this and tried not to refer this age because they didn't want the children to wait.  Now there are more families willing to adopt this age so there aren't waiting children anymore.  As a result our agency has let the orphanage directors know that there are families available for older children now.  Finally, the slow down in the entire process has come from the Ethiopian Courts asking for more documentation than ever, the U.S. Embassy making requests for documentation that the agencies can't anticipate, and the Ethiopian government actually deciding to slow down the process by allowing only so many approvals go out per day.

So with all that, we were told that instead of expecting the wait to be 0-3 months we should expect the wait to be 12 months.  Yikes!  All I have to say is at least we have a general idea and live our lives accordingly.  Thank goodness we have already put in half that time, because tomorrow we are officially 6 months on the waiting list.

That is it in a nutshell!

So, we are looking towards the summer for some action!  We appreciate everyone's concern and prayers.  Please keep them coming!

Love,

DMM & MTM

Your Family Eagerly Awaits!

Dear Daughter,
We really hoped we were going to meet you before the end of 2011.  Although it was hard not having you here our family really let us know how much they are all excited to bring you home.  You received your first  doll from my cousin and your first stuffed animal from grandma this Christmas.  They all ask about you and share in our excitement for your arrival.  I hope you will have someone to share Christmas with on January 7th(Ethiopian Christmas celebration).  It makes me very sad to think you might be alone.
The love of my family reminded me why we began this process in the first place.  We want to share the abundance of love this family has with you!  I hope it won't be long.  We love you already.

Love,
Mom and Dad 

Merry christmas by third day

Referrals went out today!

Well.. the dry spell didn't last too long!  Two referrals went out today for baby boys.  It is so exciting to see another family that you have been in contact with receive their referral.  Pure Joy!  One of these days it will be us.  And you can believe I will be shouting it from the roof tops.

Great way to end the day!
DMM

Five Months Waiting!

     It looks like we have hit another dry spell!???  Haven't heard about any referrals in a few weeks.  NOTHING!  I am thankful that there is a lot going on right now to keep our minds from dwelling on it too much.  We have had 4 concerts to go to in two weeks along with, decorating the house, cookie making, end of quarter school projects and SHOPPING! It is usually when I lay in bed at night or in the morning I am still dreaming of what our little girl is going to be like and if she is safe and happy now. Usually it's all day long that I think about her.  So, I am thankful that the Christmas Rush is keeping me sane!

Happy Shopping!
DMM 

Age Range

     After speaking with Children's Hope International today, we decided to expand our age range again to 2-6 years.  We started out at 3-4 years, then 3-5, now 2-6years.  We are now at are maximum age range before we would have to redo some paperwork.  The reason we decided to change is complicated.  Essentially the broader your age range and other preferences the quicker the referral.  We chose the age that we did so that she will be as close to MVM's age as possible with still being young enough that the adjustment won't be so difficult for her.  I hope we are still fitting that criteria.  MVM says that he just wants to be a big brother and maybe be able to pick her up.  How cute is that?
It has been quiet on the referral front last week and this week.  Hopefully that will change real soon!

Until next time,
DMM   

Kisses from Katie.mp4

The Count Down!

     MVM  is pointing out our current number on the waiting list.  Over the Thanksgiving holiday, my family, including: my aunt, uncle, cousins, sister, nieces, brother-in-law, mom, sons, and husband all participated in writing little prayers or messages to our daughter-to-be on each of the little Africa's that represent our place on the waiting list.  Each of those Africa's is a family waiting to adopt a child from Ethiopia.  We are currently number 47.  We started almost 5 months ago at 53.  Hopefully that number isn't as bad as it sounds.  There was a 4 month lull in the process when nothing was happening.  There has definitely been much more action this month.  Thank you for all your support family!  

We love you dearly!

The Maley Clan