Adoption update and dreaming of Spring

Adoption is not really like a pregnancy in that we don't actually have a due date. We do have an expected date but things can happen... Things have already happened... We started our home study (again) in late January. I had all the documents ready and we were ready. Well, the home study took a while. It can't be completed until all documentation is done and our FBI prints took SOOOO long! Plus we had extra documentation to do because we are a foster family and we have these children and we love these children and we do everything for and with them but in reality they are not ours. Someday they may be legally ours but that day is a way off in all three of our cases. I can not post their sweet faces here or on fb. I can not make big decisions with out consulting their social worker and in some cases their parents. I have to document medications given and I have to notify the ssw if we go on vacation. So because of this we had a few extra steps to do for our home study. All without disclosing their identities because that is private information. So here we are almost August.
The home study is done and is being reviewed by our Hague accredited placing agency and it is being perfectly worded to meet all Hague requirements. Hopefully in the next week we will be submitting to USCIS. I am hearing different things as to the time it takes for approval. Please join us in our prayer that we will get an officer at USCIS who is friendly to special needs adoptions and that we will get our approval quickly. When we are approved that will be the last piece of our Dossier which will then get authenticated, translated and sent to EE Government for their approval. Once they approve it we will be given a time window and invitation to visit the country and the children. Right now I am looking at November for this. After this more paperwork and official court hearings take place and then in probably March I will travel abroad again to pick up our newest Bakers. As I said sometimes things come up but I believe we are on the right track and it is smooth sailing from here on out. Believe with me!

Next spring I will bring two precious children home with me and we will blend them into our family forever. We will learn what they like and need. We will teach them who and how we work as a family. We will nurture them in their Spirits, souls and bodies. And they will thrive and grow. Their lives will testify that GOD is GOOOOOOD and that everyone has worth and value and can be productive. Spring time is the time for rebirth and renewal and I am expecting a glorious spring!