Introducing Natea (Ethiopia Adoption)

I was unbelievably happy and relieved to see the picture of her the first time.  I know I would have loved her no matter what, but I was not someoen who had no concern for the way my child would look.  It's so funny, but she looks nothing like what I expected or even hoped for.  HOwever, God knows what is meant for you, because she is a total mini-me.  I prayed before opening the email and reminded myself that all babies are gorgeous.  I opened the pic and saw my meant to be.  I was at the office and started jumping up and down. 

Passing court was a litlte anti-climactic.  I got an email that just said "you passed".  I just expected more for all the worry. 

I chose ET first because I was looking for a child of African/black heritage.  I may have forgotten to mention that I'm black.  I chose ET because they have the most stable adoption system out of the African countries.

It has been rough but worth it.  I was with a bad agency and I made the difficult decision to walk away from a lot of money and start again.  It was the best decision I have ever made.

My timeline:

June 18th  dossier arrived in Ethiopia

August 5th got a soft referral for Natea (soft referrals are awful...it's where the agency calls and says we have identified a child for you and you should expect their info as soon as we get it all together..WTF????)

Waiting during my soft referral was horrendous

Sept 15th I got Tea's medicals and 3 pics

Oct 12th  ET courts reopen (they close for a few months every year)

Oct 16th  got my court date for Nov 3rd!!!!

Congrats!!!!

The adoption is final.  All countries are different, but ET does not require you to travel to meet the child or be present for the court date.  It is sort of done by proxy.  The adoption is final but I have to wait for the US embassy to issue her a Visa and the ET govt to issue her passport and new birth certificate.  Those documents take time.  They will be ready in early Dec and I will go get her.  I have to go to the US embassy in ET and tell them that I have adopted her and will take care of her.  they will also confirm that she will not be on public assistance when she arrives in the US.  That shoudl take about ten minutes and then we head home.

Wow, I commend you for such a leap of faith!!!  Such a hard thing to know that she's yours but not be able to take her home for another month.

What an exciting adventure! I can't wait to see pictures of her in your arms!

SO SO SO Happy for you

She is CRAZY Beautiful!

THANK YOU for sharing her.

Congratulations!!! She is beautiful

Happy and safe travels in December to pick up your daughter. Thanks for sharing this wonderful news!

 PS JJN was asking after you (she's away atm) but no doubt she will be so happy to hear your news!

Ah, I love the details. Does she have straight hair? It looks it in the pictures. That is amazing that you passed court the first time!

I am so excited for you, I know what a long road it has been. And the fact that you had that instant falling in love, just awesome.

IA adoption is hard, waiting to get your child after seeing pictures, but so worth it. Please don't forget to send us updates and of course those 'gotcha" pics!!!

 Congrats, shes beautiful!

what a beautiful little girl!! SO happy for you!
What name do you think you are going to change it too?? Are you going to keep her african name somewhere in her name??

What a wonderful christmas present!! CONGRATS please keep us posted, we have to see pics of you two together!! Specially to show people that dreams can come true!!

CONGRATS she is wonderful!

Oh my goodness!  I'm so happy for you!  Natea is so so beautiful!  Congrats! 

Her hair is straight, but I expect it to curl/wave up a bit as it gets longer,but it will probably be relatively straight. 

 It is amazing that I passed court on try number one!!! I have friends who have been in and out of court since Dec 08 and still haven't passed.  One poor woman announced that she has had a referral since Jan and has not had one court date.  She is with a horrible agency, but in too deep to turn back.

Adoption is hard.  The wait after court is crazy, but necessary.  For me, I think it's easier than waiting the 72 hours for a BM to change her mind.  But again, I've never gone thru that so I may not know for sure.  I just know that no matter waht I will get her and she won't be taken away.  It sucks that there's a wait, but I think the gaurantee that she is mine forever is worth it (for me).

What a wonderful story, congratulatons!  

What a darling Congrats!

carol's daughter:

HOwever, God knows what is meant for you, because she is a total mini-me.  I prayed before opening the email and reminded myself that all babies are gorgeous.  I opened the pic and saw my meant to be.  I was at the office and started jumping up and down. 

What a miracle! Congratulations she is very beautiful!