Perspective

On January 12th we had our first meeting for our new co-op. We had been ice skating the day before and had decided to go every week. Taishauna and I were tossing around ideas on decorating the rooms for when we made the big switch. These were the things that were occupying our mind. Ordinary, everyday things that you think are important.

Then we turned on the news.

At first, there was just a few people talking, speculating really, because no one was there yet. Our first reaction was to go online and see where the earthquake hit in relation to Fontana Village. We couldn't determine if they had been affected.

As we watched the news unfold, the horrors emerged. We were used to the images of a poverty stricken Haiti, but the images of the devastation were beyond anything we had ever seen.

The next morning we received the fantastic news that the kids in the village were not hurt, Monsour's family was okay. We weren't sure if there were any structural damage, but we were so relieved to find out that the kids were okay.

It wasn't until Thursday night that it hit us. There was no way we were going to be able proceed with the adoption because the very courts in Haiti were gone. And if we didn't finish by September, we would not be able to adopt Avena because she would be 16 and unable to be adopted. We spent about 24 hours feeling sick to our stomach.

On Sunday morning, we decided to write a letter. To the president. Of both countries. It had to be the letter to end all letters. We would send it to everyone, everyone. Maybe someone could help us.

By Monday morning we began hearing from our adoption agency. The US govt. had decided to grant humanitarian visas for all adoptions that were already in progress and met certain criteria. We had to get copies of paperwork, scan Nicks passport and email it. Register with the Joint Committee on International Adoptions. We heard back right away and were very encouraged. Then we got an email asking for our copy of the adoptions decree. That we don't have.

We went back to panic for a little while, but then were assured that our case did meet the criteria and we were moving forward. We got our papers all together and submitted them to the Department of Homeland Security.

Then things started moving. Sort of. The adoption agency was sending a flurry of emails everyday. A group from the agency flew to Haiti to help with the kids and help bring them to the Haitian Embassy and set up travel to US. What? When?

Okay, we might want to start painting bedrooms and getting ready!

So the last week has been a little crazy. We've switched bedrooms, painted walls and made room for Avena. We have met with the social worker to update our paperwork. We need to buy clothes for her to wear home from whatever city she flies into.

So the bottom line: Avena is coming home. Soon. We just don't know when. Or where.

This major event is happening to our family a little sooner than expected, but not soon enough. We have been working on this process for two years, but now that it is here we are all wondering what to expect. We have no idea who Avena is. What kind of girl is she? Is she happy to be coming? or sad? Probably both.