It's Official!

Happy Halloween from the sister and brother!

It's been a long time since I have used the title "It's Official", but it's a classic and I feel now is the best time ever to use said tile.

Finally, finally, FINALLY...(can I get a hallelujah...........)

MF HAS OFFICIALLY BEEN ASSIGNED TO OUR FAMILY!!!!!!!!!!!

Yes, this is a big deal. This is the step we have been waiting for since September. This is the one that almost drove me out of my mind. This is the one that I have only mentioned here on the blog about a thousand times now.

So relieved to be past this point! So, the question is of course, what's next?

1) File our I-800. This usually happens right away, but in our case will not happen until next week because (of course) Ecuador goes on holiday starting tomorrow. Our agency here needs to get the document from them showing the official assignment and that isn't going to happen when they are on holiday. Any delay that can happen is bound to happen in our case, we are quickly learning. The I-800 should take 2-3 weeks before we get approval. This is the second part of the immigration process on the US end (the first part, the I-800A took three months, remember that beauty?)

2) After I-800 approval, we file another form, the DS-230 (please remember all these forms- there will be a quiz later) and send our in-country fees (a mere $2195). The National Visa Center (NVC) here cables to Guayaquil, Ecuador, our approval and the rep there starts the visa process for MF. Once the visa is approved, my understanding is that the visa consulate there cables their approval back to the US and then issues a travel date.

3) Travel. Hmmm...when will this be? We are still telling ourselves January- though there is a small chance it could be sometime in December. Depends on how fast things go. I am not opposed to traveling in December and spending Christmas there, as I have mentioned. I think having a simple Christmas there, spending time in the orphanages, would be an amazing experience for our family. Anyway, what I really hope is that we can be there in time for MF's birthday-- Jan 6. I would be heartbroken to miss her 7th birthday. I have only been there for her 1st so far and missed every other. 

Of course I feel really happy with this new progression. So much RELIEF. But, to be honest, I have had to play a lot of "name that emotion" with myself lately because I am feeling so many things, some of which (more than I care to admit) are negative due to the difficult nature of this process. But ultimately, I recognize that I am not in charge and though I can't see the reason behind the delays now, one day I hope to gain understanding. 

Devin has become my personal therapist (the last occupation he would ever pick...ha ha, poor man!) and he does so well to help me see the good in the situation. I really would be insane without him. One thing we have talked about is that I can definitely now empathize with my clients in a way that I could not before. Sure, our situations are different. But at the same time, I understand the agony of wanting a child more than anything (mine a specific child, theirs just a child in general) and the terrible pain that comes with the waiting process. I think I can honestly say that I know some of what they go through, but I also recognize and admit that what they face is much harder. I think these new insights will hopefully help me to be more compassionate and caring in my work with couples facing the mountain called "infertility." 

Anyway, way more rambling here than I intended, but hey, you get what you get! 

Thank you AGAIN, everyone, for your prayers in our behalf. We have felt them and have felt buoyed up and encouraged because of them. We are so appreciative. Continued prayers that the process will continue smoothly and that we can travel quickly to bring our daughter home would be great.