Day two has been another success . . . for Maya.
The beginning of day two wasn't a walk in the park for me. After two hours of sleep night before last, and only about three hours last night, I was a basketcase this morning. I was tired to the point of feeling just SICK, I was homesick like crazy, and the frustration of the meds was about all I could take. But, 12:30 came and Maya went down for a nap. Know who else went down for a nap? Paige and Craig. We all slept for three glorious hours. I'm pretty darn sure it was the best nap I've ever taken. Probably the most needed nap I've ever had, too.
Maya is a happy girl. I think we may have pushed her a wee bit far today, though. We went out for a while this morning. When we came home, she was ready to stretch out, eat her lunch, and sleep for a while. Afterwards, we got her to sit up pretty much the whole afternoon playing with us and her toys, with a few breaks in between. She's not used to this at all, so I think it made her a little ill and grumpy. She started crying at supper for no apparent reason. As we got into the elevator to come upstairs, it just made sense that she had probably been a little overstimulated. She ate her supper, got her diaper changed and her teeth brushed (which was not at all a favorite thing to do for her) and I laid her down in her crib. Right now, she's rocking herself to sleep again. She slept for eleven hours straight last night, so hopefully she'll rest well tonight, too.
She doesn't require white noise to sleep. This is very foreign to me, as every member of our family has a fan in each of our bedrooms. If you enter our house at night, it pretty much sounds like a tornado simulator. I've found that we can talk, wash clothes/dishes, turn a light on here and there, and it doesn't wake her up. I guess when you live in a place with lots of other kids and lots of activity at all hours, you get used to all of the sounds around you.
Believe it or not, its COLD here. I mean, cold in Alabama terms. If it gets below 80 in July, that's cold. We went out this morning and I was wearing my sundress and Maya had on her cute little summertime outfit with her little bare toes hanging out. After a couple of blocks, we had to go and buy a blanket. It was about 72 degrees and windy. The last thing we need is for her to get a cold with these heart issues. We didn't stay out that long, but we'll try again tomorrow. Funny thing was that she kept kicking the blanket off. All these little Bulgarian grannies kept coming up with their Bulgarian jabber that we couldn't understand, but it was very apparent that they didn't like her toes sticking out. One lady looked like she was singing "Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes" because she was trying so hard to get us to understand that her 'skinny legs needed to be covered'. Our advantage was that we could just say "English?" and keep on going. They didn't know what we were saying, and we kinda pretended not to know what they were saying. We laughed about that one.
Things are going well, but I sure can't wait to be home. We've got what we came here for, so in my eyes its time to get outta Dodge. We still have a couple of legalities to take care of, though, so we're hanging on for a few more days.
Love y'all lots,
Paige
Tuesday, July 16, 2013
Monday, July 15, 2013
Gotcha Day
Gotcha day isn't an adopted child's birthdate, but to his or her adoptive family, its pretty darn close.
Gotcha day is pretty self-explanatory. This is the day we walk into our baby's institution, and say, "No more, sweet one. I've GOTCHA!"
Today was our gotcha day. We walked into Maya's orphanage, picked her up out of her crib, and said, "No more, sweet Maya. We've GOTCHA."
What. A. Day.
We've had surprises. We believed that Maya was only on one medication for her heart, but turns out that she's on four. Reality check number one.
We also believed that we were going to be sent home with a month's worth of the meds she needed until we could get her to the International Adoption Clinic in Birmingham. For two meds, we have three weeks worth, for one we have a week and a half's worth, and for the other med we have 6 days worth. Reality check number two. ( . . . and we're working hard on this one to get it resolved. The girl needs her meds for her heart.)
She's taken very well to being taken out of the only environment she's ever known. She's been happy with us, and I dare say that she was pretty stoked to see us when we came in. I actually kinda think she may have remembered us.
I scooped her up out of that bed, and she immediately grabbed my face with both of her hands and just laughed. She then laid her head on my shoulder for a second or two, and then she looked at Craig. She 'talked' to him for a minute, until finally he couldn't stand it any more and took her from me, just like I imagined him doing.
She's not eating any solid food. I came prepared with baby food, formula, and rice cereal. She downed an 8 oz. formula bottle, thickened with the cereal, in about 2 minutes. I tried to give her some of the baby food, but she HATED it. The orphanage gave us the rundown on what she usually eats, and aside from the bread soaked in milk (gross) its not too far off. For her snack, I made a 4 oz formula/rice bottle and added a little bit of yogurt, and she loved that. And then finally, right before she started getting really sleepy from the day, I made another 4 oz formula/rice bottle, but I mixed in some of the vegetable/meat baby food. Again, she downed it in no time. If we can live like this until we get home home, I'm totally fine with that. The prep is pretty easy to do in a hotel room and she's quite happy with it. Feeding was a major concern for me, so this is a real answer to many prayers.
She's taken her meds with a little bit of pedialyte poured into a bottle. The meds are in powder form, so it just mixes right in, and this is how she's used to taking them. Its a rigorous schedule, though. We give her four meds at 6 AM, then one at 10, one at 2, another at 6, and the last one at 10PM, and she's done...until 6 the next morning. I'm thinking the IAC may tweak all of that some. Who knows how different her meds, schedule, and treatment will be like once we're back in the US. Their medical practices are approximately 25 years behind us, and that's not a joke. The country just got their first MRI machine a few months ago. We have LOTS of those in every major city (and then some) in the US, so that's a huge advancement for them here.
She had her first bath ever today. She didn't hate it, but I'm not sure she loved it. In the orphanage they 'washed her off' on Fridays with a washcloth, so being submerged belly-button down was a whole new world. She got a good scrub, and then got slathered with lotion that smells so good you could eat it. She smells like a Paige-kid now, and there's nothing corroded in her hair. Its the simple things, ya know?
Right now, she's lying in her crib. I tried rocking her to sleep, but I knew that was probably too far out of her comfort zone. She wasn't thrilled with it, so I laid her down and she's sucking her thumb, rocking her own self to sleep, as she's done for countless nights. I can't wait for the day that she actually reaches for us, and wants us to brush her hair from her face while she drifts off.
Its been a wonderful day. I know its been a huge change for her, but she's handled it like a champ. There's so many emotions I feel right now. I'm tired from not sleeping last night, I'm a little sad because I miss my kids back home so, so much, and I'm incredibly full of joy because there's one less. And she's mine . . . ours. She belongs to a family now. Her life will never, ever be the same, and ours won't either.
We love her, we love our God, we love our friends, our family, and we love being chosen for the honor and privilege of raising Maya Cosette Stewart.
My heart is full.
Love,
Paige
Gotcha day is pretty self-explanatory. This is the day we walk into our baby's institution, and say, "No more, sweet one. I've GOTCHA!"
Today was our gotcha day. We walked into Maya's orphanage, picked her up out of her crib, and said, "No more, sweet Maya. We've GOTCHA."
What. A. Day.
We've had surprises. We believed that Maya was only on one medication for her heart, but turns out that she's on four. Reality check number one.
We also believed that we were going to be sent home with a month's worth of the meds she needed until we could get her to the International Adoption Clinic in Birmingham. For two meds, we have three weeks worth, for one we have a week and a half's worth, and for the other med we have 6 days worth. Reality check number two. ( . . . and we're working hard on this one to get it resolved. The girl needs her meds for her heart.)
She's taken very well to being taken out of the only environment she's ever known. She's been happy with us, and I dare say that she was pretty stoked to see us when we came in. I actually kinda think she may have remembered us.
I scooped her up out of that bed, and she immediately grabbed my face with both of her hands and just laughed. She then laid her head on my shoulder for a second or two, and then she looked at Craig. She 'talked' to him for a minute, until finally he couldn't stand it any more and took her from me, just like I imagined him doing.
She's not eating any solid food. I came prepared with baby food, formula, and rice cereal. She downed an 8 oz. formula bottle, thickened with the cereal, in about 2 minutes. I tried to give her some of the baby food, but she HATED it. The orphanage gave us the rundown on what she usually eats, and aside from the bread soaked in milk (gross) its not too far off. For her snack, I made a 4 oz formula/rice bottle and added a little bit of yogurt, and she loved that. And then finally, right before she started getting really sleepy from the day, I made another 4 oz formula/rice bottle, but I mixed in some of the vegetable/meat baby food. Again, she downed it in no time. If we can live like this until we get home home, I'm totally fine with that. The prep is pretty easy to do in a hotel room and she's quite happy with it. Feeding was a major concern for me, so this is a real answer to many prayers.
She's taken her meds with a little bit of pedialyte poured into a bottle. The meds are in powder form, so it just mixes right in, and this is how she's used to taking them. Its a rigorous schedule, though. We give her four meds at 6 AM, then one at 10, one at 2, another at 6, and the last one at 10PM, and she's done...until 6 the next morning. I'm thinking the IAC may tweak all of that some. Who knows how different her meds, schedule, and treatment will be like once we're back in the US. Their medical practices are approximately 25 years behind us, and that's not a joke. The country just got their first MRI machine a few months ago. We have LOTS of those in every major city (and then some) in the US, so that's a huge advancement for them here.
She had her first bath ever today. She didn't hate it, but I'm not sure she loved it. In the orphanage they 'washed her off' on Fridays with a washcloth, so being submerged belly-button down was a whole new world. She got a good scrub, and then got slathered with lotion that smells so good you could eat it. She smells like a Paige-kid now, and there's nothing corroded in her hair. Its the simple things, ya know?
Right now, she's lying in her crib. I tried rocking her to sleep, but I knew that was probably too far out of her comfort zone. She wasn't thrilled with it, so I laid her down and she's sucking her thumb, rocking her own self to sleep, as she's done for countless nights. I can't wait for the day that she actually reaches for us, and wants us to brush her hair from her face while she drifts off.
Its been a wonderful day. I know its been a huge change for her, but she's handled it like a champ. There's so many emotions I feel right now. I'm tired from not sleeping last night, I'm a little sad because I miss my kids back home so, so much, and I'm incredibly full of joy because there's one less. And she's mine . . . ours. She belongs to a family now. Her life will never, ever be the same, and ours won't either.
We love her, we love our God, we love our friends, our family, and we love being chosen for the honor and privilege of raising Maya Cosette Stewart.
My heart is full.
Love,
Paige
Sunday, July 14, 2013
No Driver, No Food, No English (y'all thought I was kidding, didn't you?...)
We'll, we're here. And that's about it.
Travel was easy. The only tricky part was making our flight from Munich to Sofia, and we made a run for it and made it. Somehow, though, we didn't go through Passport check-in or baggage re-check. We just followed the signs once we got off the plane and ran. When we got to the boarding area, we told them we didn't go through the Passport check, and the lady just said, "Oh, well don't worry about that". She just scanned our passes and let us through. Whatever you say, oh sweet angel lady sent from Heaven.
We got into Sofia around 5 PM. Our driver was waiting at the airport, so we met him and he drove us to our hotel. He's a nice dude, but he informed us that he'd only be with us two days, but if we wanted him to take us other places that would cost us more money. Huh? That's not supposed to happen, but we're working on it.
The area we're in now is supposedly more touristy. I suppose its more touristy for Europeans, but not for Americans. We can't find any English, hardly, and the restaurants all serve "nervous meat balls". I like my meatballs unnerved, so, no thanks. We found a market down the street so we're living off Coke Zero, trail mix, and bananas with Nutella until we can figure out what to do. I want to be near a KFC again.
We're picking up Maya at 9:30 in the AM. We wanted to go and buy her diapers and wipes and "her" food today, but our Bulgaria lady informed us that we'd pick her up tomorrow and then go and get her supplies. They just don't do things here the way we do them at home.
The weather here is beautiful. Right now, its 6:04 PM and its in the upper 70's with a nice breeze. We're on the balcony enjoying what we don't get in July in Alabama.
That's all I've got for today. BUT, HARK . . . Craig just did a Skype call with our Social Worker with Lifeline, and I think she's gonna try and make some contacts and get us moved back into the city. HOW. WONDERFUL. I sure hope that works out.
I'll post again tomorrow, or if we're able to get moved and settled back at Hotel Budapest I'll let you know that happy news.
Love to all!
Paige
Travel was easy. The only tricky part was making our flight from Munich to Sofia, and we made a run for it and made it. Somehow, though, we didn't go through Passport check-in or baggage re-check. We just followed the signs once we got off the plane and ran. When we got to the boarding area, we told them we didn't go through the Passport check, and the lady just said, "Oh, well don't worry about that". She just scanned our passes and let us through. Whatever you say, oh sweet angel lady sent from Heaven.
We got into Sofia around 5 PM. Our driver was waiting at the airport, so we met him and he drove us to our hotel. He's a nice dude, but he informed us that he'd only be with us two days, but if we wanted him to take us other places that would cost us more money. Huh? That's not supposed to happen, but we're working on it.
The area we're in now is supposedly more touristy. I suppose its more touristy for Europeans, but not for Americans. We can't find any English, hardly, and the restaurants all serve "nervous meat balls". I like my meatballs unnerved, so, no thanks. We found a market down the street so we're living off Coke Zero, trail mix, and bananas with Nutella until we can figure out what to do. I want to be near a KFC again.
We're picking up Maya at 9:30 in the AM. We wanted to go and buy her diapers and wipes and "her" food today, but our Bulgaria lady informed us that we'd pick her up tomorrow and then go and get her supplies. They just don't do things here the way we do them at home.
The weather here is beautiful. Right now, its 6:04 PM and its in the upper 70's with a nice breeze. We're on the balcony enjoying what we don't get in July in Alabama.
That's all I've got for today. BUT, HARK . . . Craig just did a Skype call with our Social Worker with Lifeline, and I think she's gonna try and make some contacts and get us moved back into the city. HOW. WONDERFUL. I sure hope that works out.
I'll post again tomorrow, or if we're able to get moved and settled back at Hotel Budapest I'll let you know that happy news.
Love to all!
Paige
Sunday, July 7, 2013
Go Time
We're now five days away from go-time.
FIVE. DAYS. AWAY.
I've packed most of Maya's things, but I haven't even begun to think of what to pack for Craig and me. It never fails that every time we pack for a trip, something is forgotten. It may be little, like dental floss, or it may be of significant importance, like Craig's belt. SIGNIFICANT importance.
We go on lots of trips. Mostly little overnight get-aways, but its something we both love to do. Or did love to do. We won't be going on any little OR big excursions for a while . . . a LONG while. But that's ok. We'll gladly give those up to be able to see our little girl thriving at home where she belongs.
On Friday at 5 in the evening we'll board a flight to Chicago, then to Munich, and finally ending up in Sofia. We'll chew our fingers for two days until we're finally able to go to the orphanage and pick up the one that God has set apart for us . . . our Maya. Sweet girl.
My main purpose of this post, however, is to thank those of you that have helped to make this happen. When we first committed to do this, we had no doubt that God would see this to the end, in every way. We really didn't expect everything that we've received. We haven't lacked for anything. Precious people have given us clothes for not only Maya, but for Daisee, too. And these aren't clothes that somebody just needed to get out of the way. These are cute clothes that they could've easily sold for good money. Instead, they chose to give them to us, because they knew we could use them. People have loaned us invaluable items for trip one and trip two. Items that will help to keep my flat iron in operation while in country, because I was going nuts trying to figure out what in the world my hair was gonna do if we couldn't convert that voltage in the outlets. INVALUABLE. Family and friends have entertained our kids while we were in the beginning stages making trips back and forth to Birmingham. We had a jewelry fundraiser, and within two hours, the first order was GONE, and we realized that we needed more. Within a few days, the other pieces that we ordered were sold, too. People just walked up to us at church, work, the front door, and said, "Here's some money. We want to help". We received an international adoption grant from Families Outreach. What we lacked in funds we made up for from our own savings. A lot of you bought coffee from our coffee fundraiser. We've been given gifts from precious people that also want to see Maya, the one made in HIS image, reach her full potential. And prayers. Prayers have been said by hundreds, and prayers have been answered by our Heavenly Father. So many people are involved in this. It isn't just us. Not by far.
The bottom line is that God provides, and he uses those he loves to provide.
See this closet? God provides.
Ok, so the reason you see this and nothing else is because today, FINALLY today, I've gotten it organized. Its N.I.C.E.
So, all of this to say that if you fit into any of these categories, let me just say THANK YOU. Not a thing has gone unnoticed or unappreciated. A difference was made by every single person that worked and helped to make this happen.
In five days, it happens.
Not a moment too soon.
I'll update with more plans later in the week.
Love,
Paige
FIVE. DAYS. AWAY.
I've packed most of Maya's things, but I haven't even begun to think of what to pack for Craig and me. It never fails that every time we pack for a trip, something is forgotten. It may be little, like dental floss, or it may be of significant importance, like Craig's belt. SIGNIFICANT importance.
We go on lots of trips. Mostly little overnight get-aways, but its something we both love to do. Or did love to do. We won't be going on any little OR big excursions for a while . . . a LONG while. But that's ok. We'll gladly give those up to be able to see our little girl thriving at home where she belongs.
On Friday at 5 in the evening we'll board a flight to Chicago, then to Munich, and finally ending up in Sofia. We'll chew our fingers for two days until we're finally able to go to the orphanage and pick up the one that God has set apart for us . . . our Maya. Sweet girl.
My main purpose of this post, however, is to thank those of you that have helped to make this happen. When we first committed to do this, we had no doubt that God would see this to the end, in every way. We really didn't expect everything that we've received. We haven't lacked for anything. Precious people have given us clothes for not only Maya, but for Daisee, too. And these aren't clothes that somebody just needed to get out of the way. These are cute clothes that they could've easily sold for good money. Instead, they chose to give them to us, because they knew we could use them. People have loaned us invaluable items for trip one and trip two. Items that will help to keep my flat iron in operation while in country, because I was going nuts trying to figure out what in the world my hair was gonna do if we couldn't convert that voltage in the outlets. INVALUABLE. Family and friends have entertained our kids while we were in the beginning stages making trips back and forth to Birmingham. We had a jewelry fundraiser, and within two hours, the first order was GONE, and we realized that we needed more. Within a few days, the other pieces that we ordered were sold, too. People just walked up to us at church, work, the front door, and said, "Here's some money. We want to help". We received an international adoption grant from Families Outreach. What we lacked in funds we made up for from our own savings. A lot of you bought coffee from our coffee fundraiser. We've been given gifts from precious people that also want to see Maya, the one made in HIS image, reach her full potential. And prayers. Prayers have been said by hundreds, and prayers have been answered by our Heavenly Father. So many people are involved in this. It isn't just us. Not by far.
The bottom line is that God provides, and he uses those he loves to provide.
See this closet? God provides.
Ok, so the reason you see this and nothing else is because today, FINALLY today, I've gotten it organized. Its N.I.C.E.
So, all of this to say that if you fit into any of these categories, let me just say THANK YOU. Not a thing has gone unnoticed or unappreciated. A difference was made by every single person that worked and helped to make this happen.
In five days, it happens.
Not a moment too soon.
I'll update with more plans later in the week.
Love,
Paige
Monday, June 17, 2013
Saying 'YES' To Adoption
"God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure." Ephesians 1:5 (NLT)
Adoption. One of the most beautiful pieces of the Gospel. An all-powerful and loving Father God chose us, in our sinfulness, to be His sons and daughters. Does it get any better than that? The fact that we, as Christians, can replicate this relationship in our own families to tell the Gospel through our lives is an complete honor and joy.
"WE SAID YES TO ADOPTION" // Andy & Laura's Story
Part of God's provision came from Lifesong and its partner, Legacy 685 Adoption Fund, helping this family financially with a matching grant and funding support.
INDIGENOUS ADOPTION // Ukraine
Meet Volodya and Lyliya, one of the many Ukrainian families blessed by Adoption without Borders, an initiative that intentionally links like-minded families and churches in the USA with Christian families in Ukraine who are seeking to adopt.
"(Adoption is) the deepest evangelism we can provide, to dedicate our lives to bringing children to the Lord. Our biggest dream is that all of our children would commit their lives to God." --Volodya & Lyliya, adoptive parents of five Ukrainian children
HOW CAN I HELP?
Because of your support, the families above have been able to give a forever family to a child in need. Are you looking for ways to join the cause? What you could do:- Start a Church Adoption Fund
- Encourage these families by commenting on the blog or on Facebook, offering prayers and words of encouragement
- Support families through Adoption Grant Fund
READ MORE ABOUT ADOPTION...
How Could We Not? - Erik & Erin's adoption story is unique, but beautiful as they stepped in to help a family member in need by providing Austin with a stable and secure family. Read Full StoryWorth the Wait - Guest blog post from Jeff & Rachel, adoptive parents of Kate from Ethiopia. Read Full Story
God Creates Family from Strangers - Sharon, adoptive mom, shares her heart of on an ordinary day four months after bringing Asrate into their forever family. Read Full Story
US Churches impacting Ukrainian families! - Three US churches wrap around a Ukrainian family to ensure home repairs where finished soadoption could be complete. Read Full Story
"I know you guys!" - Read as Robert & Alexis share about meeting their son Jacob for the very first time. Read Full Story
Wednesday, June 12, 2013
We Wait No More!
We received word from Elena this morning regarding our travel dates to Bulgaria.
One month from today, July 12th, we'll leave for Bulgaria.
On July 15th, Maya will be an ORPHAN. NO. MORE.
PRAISE JESUS! We're going to get our girl. The wait for signatures, governments and a court date is finally over. The race has been completed . . . almost, but we can definitely see the finish line.
Our girl stands at that line, and she's waving her arms, saying, "I'm here! I wanna go home! Come get me"!
We're coming, sweet girl. We see you, and we're almost there.
We'll arrive in Sofia on July 13th. On July 15th, we'll take Maya to be with us (for FOREVER, people!) and have her documents submitted for her passport. Her medical tests will be performed and our appointment with the US Embassy comes on July 18th, and we'll receive her visa on the 19th.
On the 20th, we're all coming home. We're ALL coming home . . . for good.
We wait no more.
Isaiah 40:31 But those who trust in the LORD will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.
How we love you all,
Paige
One month from today, July 12th, we'll leave for Bulgaria.
On July 15th, Maya will be an ORPHAN. NO. MORE.
PRAISE JESUS! We're going to get our girl. The wait for signatures, governments and a court date is finally over. The race has been completed . . . almost, but we can definitely see the finish line.
Our girl stands at that line, and she's waving her arms, saying, "I'm here! I wanna go home! Come get me"!
We're coming, sweet girl. We see you, and we're almost there.
We'll arrive in Sofia on July 13th. On July 15th, we'll take Maya to be with us (for FOREVER, people!) and have her documents submitted for her passport. Her medical tests will be performed and our appointment with the US Embassy comes on July 18th, and we'll receive her visa on the 19th.
On the 20th, we're all coming home. We're ALL coming home . . . for good.
We wait no more.
Isaiah 40:31 But those who trust in the LORD will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.
How we love you all,
Paige
Tuesday, June 11, 2013
Say Whaaaat?
Talk about a shocker.
We've been waiting for a court date for a couple of weeks now. I thought surely it would've come last week, but . . . nothing. I thought surely it would've come yesterday, but . . . nothing. I may have been getting a wee bit bummed. Not to the point that I was pouting, but I thought that we would've heard SOMETHING. Man.
Me and the little kids were getting ready this morning to head to the movies with our buddies. The phone rang at 8:15 and I saw that it was Lifeline. Oh, good. There's that SOMETHING. Stephanie said, " I just got the weirdest email from Elena". I knew it was bad. I knew that she was about to tell me that the judge had looked over our documents, and that he or she wanted new FBI prints. Prints that would've taken WEEKS to redo, and prints that would've delayed court. I've been worried sick about those crazy prints.
"Ooooh, no", I said. "Oh, its ok . . . its a good crazy." Stephanie might have sounded a little excited.
She told me that we had court yesterday, then she said that the judge permitted our adoption. I got really scared at first, because it sounded like she said that the judge PREVENTED adoption.
It was the fingerprints. They were too old. I knew it.
"No, he PERMITTED adoption!"
That, my sweet people, means that we are now officially Maya's parents. Somebody's working on getting a piece of official paper that says so. The little line that asks for parent's names? That's where our names are gonna go . . . Craig and Paige Stewart. We're Maya's mama and daddy. For real.
The official decree of adoption should take about ten days to be in-hand. Elena is working on getting an appointment for us with the US Embassy in Sofia for visa issuance, and the process of getting a new birth certificate is underway. The Embassy appointment will be the big determining factor in when travel will take place. We have to be there for that. From all indications, it shouldn't be that long of a wait.
So, our timeline that we had in our heads has been drastically reduced. The date we've waited on has come and gone, and so has the anxiousness that we've felt! Its over! We've just gotta hold on a teeny bit longer for that appointment date and we're THERE!
As soon as we get more info on everything, I'll pass it along.
We're so excited!
Love,
Paige
We've been waiting for a court date for a couple of weeks now. I thought surely it would've come last week, but . . . nothing. I thought surely it would've come yesterday, but . . . nothing. I may have been getting a wee bit bummed. Not to the point that I was pouting, but I thought that we would've heard SOMETHING. Man.
Me and the little kids were getting ready this morning to head to the movies with our buddies. The phone rang at 8:15 and I saw that it was Lifeline. Oh, good. There's that SOMETHING. Stephanie said, " I just got the weirdest email from Elena". I knew it was bad. I knew that she was about to tell me that the judge had looked over our documents, and that he or she wanted new FBI prints. Prints that would've taken WEEKS to redo, and prints that would've delayed court. I've been worried sick about those crazy prints.
"Ooooh, no", I said. "Oh, its ok . . . its a good crazy." Stephanie might have sounded a little excited.
She told me that we had court yesterday, then she said that the judge permitted our adoption. I got really scared at first, because it sounded like she said that the judge PREVENTED adoption.
It was the fingerprints. They were too old. I knew it.
"No, he PERMITTED adoption!"
That, my sweet people, means that we are now officially Maya's parents. Somebody's working on getting a piece of official paper that says so. The little line that asks for parent's names? That's where our names are gonna go . . . Craig and Paige Stewart. We're Maya's mama and daddy. For real.
The official decree of adoption should take about ten days to be in-hand. Elena is working on getting an appointment for us with the US Embassy in Sofia for visa issuance, and the process of getting a new birth certificate is underway. The Embassy appointment will be the big determining factor in when travel will take place. We have to be there for that. From all indications, it shouldn't be that long of a wait.
So, our timeline that we had in our heads has been drastically reduced. The date we've waited on has come and gone, and so has the anxiousness that we've felt! Its over! We've just gotta hold on a teeny bit longer for that appointment date and we're THERE!
As soon as we get more info on everything, I'll pass it along.
We're so excited!
Love,
Paige
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