What happens next?

I have had several people ask what happens next for us.  It is a very detailed process and a lot of things still have to take place before we can travel.  That is why it will most likely be the beginning of next year. We are praying that it is quick and smooth.  We know God's hand is in this completely and He can do amazing things that we'd never expect.  He's already showed us that!

Here is a simplified order of the process:

• Apply with agency
• Home Study Process
• Home Study Approval
• File USCIS Paperwork
• Complete USCIS fingerprinting and biometrics screening
• Assemble International Dossier for Ethiopia
• International Dossier authenticated in Washington D.C.
• Accept Referral of our baby boy
• File PAIR agreement
• PAIR letter submitted to Ethiopia
• Embassy issues PAIR approval letter
• Approval Letter Authenticated in Washington D.C.
• Submit case to Ministry of Women, Youth and Children's Affairs in Ethiopia
• Court issues first court date for birthmother
• MOWYCA submits letter of favorable determination
• We get issued OUR court date and make arrangements to travel.
• We meet our boy face to face!
• We go to court.
• Our case passes court.
• Court issues adoption documents
• Our agency applies for new birth certificate and passport for our boy.
• He has a medical appointment by an Embassy approved physician.
• Submit case to Embassy
• Clear Embassy
• GO GET OUR BABY BOY AND BRING HIM HOME!!!!

So at this stage of the game, we are waiting for our PAIR (Pre-Adoptive Immigration Review) to be approved (8-12 weeks).  This is a new step implemented September 1 this year.....lucky us....for all adoptions in Ethiopia.  This process still happened before, but typically after meeting the child and the court date.  Now, we file and have to get approval before we can go to court.  It is also supposed to cut down on the amount of time between our two trips to Ethiopia and ensure you can complete the process.  Our trips will most likely be 2-3 weeks apart.  The first trip will be meeting him and going to court where (if we pass) he will be officially be our son!  Then, we wait for all the documents, birth certificate, passport and Embassy Doctor's appointment before we can clear Embassy and go back and get him!