Success!......well, almost.

After getting all our documents notarized, then certified by Warren County, then re-certified by the State of Ohio, we finally sent in all our paperwork to our international agency in Oregon.  You just can't believe the paper chase until you've lived it; it can be absolutely overwhelming.  But, with help from the agency and our local social worker, we got through it. 

So, they let us know yesterday they got our package.  And wouldn't you know, we goofed up on one of the forms.  I kind of knew it would happen with at least one form.  At least this mistake wasn't really my fault.  We didn't have one of the forms notarized.  I checked the agency-provided checklist, and it turns out we didn't do it because they didn't tell us to.  It's the only one on their list that doesn't say "notarize."  Still, it needs fixing, so we're headed out this morning to rectify the problem.

Once we get that done, they say our dossier is complete.  We got a text from the USCIS (Immigrations) yesterday afternoon saying they got our application.  You have to get their permission to immigrate a child.  I was actually kind of shocked that it worked the way they claimed it would.  I don't have much faith in government, but this time, they got our package, texted us that it was there, and told us what to expect next; pretty nice actually.

The final piece of documentation is approval from the Ethiopian court.  Jenny & I will have to go there and present ourselves to an ET judge in order for them to say it's ok for Tommy to leave.  Then we have to go to the American embassy in Addis to get permission to bring him to America.  They tell us it's mostly perfunctory, but occasionally, families get tripped up by paperwork or delays in scheduling, so we're trying to stay relaxed about it.  Nonetheless, we're anxious.

So, if I had to hazard a guess, I'd say there's about a 50/50 chance we'll get in front of the court before Christmas.  And if that happens, there's a better than 50% chance he'll be home with us here before his fourth birthday in February.  That would be absolutely awesome!  We can only wait and pray.