We have Good News, and Good News

As if yesterday wasn't enough good news, we've been lambasted with more, unexpected news today. First, and most simply I will share that Daniel got word, from an attorney he partners with, that we received a large settlement on a very old case. This was shocking to Daniel because he'd completely forgotten about the client and the case. We love those surprises! I have been hoping, praying, and open to something like this since we started the adoption process. Finances are always an issue in international adoption, and each time we haven't been prepared but took the leap anyway. We just trust, and it shows up at the perfect time one way or another!

On another note, I received news from another family that a judge who was previously on maternity leave in Ethiopia will be returning on March 1st, AND she will have an assistant, AND she will ONLY be hearing adoption cases! This is big news because court has slowed down considerably in recent months, and there has been talk of needing a new judge. This means after we receive the referral of Amelie, it will only be 1-2 months until our court date instead of the 2-3 months we've been seeing lately.

I don't like to set myself up for disappointment, so this projected timeline is merely a hopeful one based upon recent family timelines with our agency:

Dossier completed and sent to our agency- next week (1st week of March)
Dossier sent to ETH and translated- (1st week of April)
Referral of Amelie- 1-8 weeks later (Let's guess late May)
Court date- HOPEFULLY before late July before courts close for the rainy season (August & September). If not, worst case scenario (we can live with) we'll wait during August & September and be heard in October.
Travel- Either during or after the rainy season. Since we started this process we've been hoping to have our little girl home with us on Thanksgiving.

Looking at it that way, we are 6-9 months out, which isn't bad. It's dreamy really! We need to hope this streak of efficiency keeps up. If it does she will be here sooner than we realize.