Day 30.
Dang. This is getting ridiculous now.
On Friday, we handed in our completed dossier to the US Embassy here in Tegucigalpa. Their job is to complete a full investigation into our adoption to make sure we are not engaged in any manner of child trafficking. I guess it is a big issue in this part of the world, and kiddos are bought and sold all of the time. So, the fact that the US Government wants to make sure it doesn't happen in our country is a great initiative.
The downside is that we cannot get the little guy home until it is done. The brochure indicates that a full investigation can take anywhere from 1 week to 1 month. However, it is the experience of many others that the investigation actually takes just 2 or 3 days if all of your details are in order. And we have gone to great lengths to insure that ours are in fact in great order.
So, this would be business day #2 since we turned everything in and we stare at the phone. Waiting for a ring.
Waiting. That is the real theme of the entire adoption process. I hope someone is inspired by our experience, but I also don't want to mislead anyone who might find it in their hearts to adopt. It builds character like nothing I have ever experienced. I like certainty in my life and there is nothing but uncertainty when you are adopting.
This morning I was looking through some notes and found that 216 days ago we were matched with Justin and had a meeting at Buckner in Dallas to hear all about him. 216 days ago since we knew who our son would be. And yet we still have not spent 1 day in our own house as a family. We are close, and yet we still wait.
Dan tells me all of the time that "A watched pot never boils". I know he didn't come up with it, but he says it enough that I credit him with its origin in my mind. And yet, I check my phone about 24 times an hour.
On Saturday, I have plane tickets to come home that were bought 6 weeks ago. If I have to change the tickets, it will be $250 per ticket for 5 of us (Thanks, United Airlines and Continental!). So, obviously, somewhere in my cheapskate psyche is a hope that I can save $1250, but that is 100% dependent on whether or not the phone rings either today or maybe tomorrow at the latest. If it does, we might make our flight and I could be on the air on Monday. If not, well, who knows anymore?
If you can't tell, I am hoping the phone rings from the Embassy.
And, I am learning exceptional patience.
Waiting.
Hey Bob hope you get the call soon. I am a P1 that is also an adoptive father. Have 1 son from Ethiopia and we are planning to travel in November to Uganda to finish adopting a brother and sister.
ReplyDeleteNot looking forward to all the uncertainty of being in country without a solid end date.
I have really liked hearing how educated you are about the whole process, many many people have no clue what to expect or how to speak about the issues with other people.
Best of luck.
Bob, been a fan of yours for years. Obviously I hold dear some of the same values you do. I went to a small private college like you and my brother actually just adopted from Africa and had many of the same trials it sounds like your family has had. Hold on a little longer. We'll be praying for a quick send off back home and know this, we all miss you on our radios every day and can't wait for your sports humor to get back. We need more great dad's/sports guys on the radio and while Dan is great, you both together are radio gold. Safe travels and God speed!!
ReplyDeleteBob, been a fan of yours for years. Obviously I hold dear some of the same values you do. I went to a small private college like you and my brother actually just adopted from Africa and had many of the same trials it sounds like your family has had. Hold on a little longer. We'll be praying for a quick send off back home and know this, we all miss you on our radios every day and can't wait for your sports humor to get back. We need more great dad's/sports guys on the radio and while Dan is great, you both together are radio gold. Safe travels and God speed!!
ReplyDeleteWow, this boy is incredibly lucky (maybe blessed is a better word) to have you guys as his new family. The sacrifice and time you have all spent to bring him safety, love, attachment and stability is honorable. Experiencing one thing after another, total uncertainty, lots of bills to pay, and in the end, if held together the right way, a family that has begun to bond in ways necessary and not otherwise possible. It seems that this has the potential of bringing your family closer together than most families ever get the privilege to experience. This is a book I'd love to read.
ReplyDeleteI am thinking like Happy Gilmore, and wondering if this adoption process is regulation sized OR WHAT???? We are woefully short in the "DFW" right now on people that are not just the guy in the next cubicle. You might mention that to the embassy.
ReplyDeletePosted this before but not sure it went thru.
ReplyDeleteFrom one adoptive dad to another, and from a P1, its nice to hear someone that has read the right materials and has a good idea of whats to come. A lot of unknowns, but for most people its all more than worth it.
We are leaving in a month for Uganda to finish our second adoption of a brother and sister. Definitely not looking forward to the open ended trip around the world. I like to have a plan.
Best of luck this week, hope you guys can all make it home before needing to change the tickets.
Why do we have to wait for such a long time?
ReplyDeleteBob, I heard you on the call in Friday. I can hear the stress in your voice and I'm just your radio buddy. I know Dan and Donnie really know your angst. I wished I could make it easier for you and your family but all I can do is pray and send you a blog post. We miss you on the air here. Rhads, Followill and company are holding the course, though. It seems no good thing is accomplished without sacrifice. Hoping your trip is over in the very near future and we hear you on The Ticket again soon.
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