Prints

A short update on the process stateside.  Our USCIS approval and fingerprints expired.  So after having our social worker update our homestudy, we sent off for an extension for each of the above.  We received our fingerprint appointments in the mail on Monday.  Fortunately, I was needed to go into Houston the following day.  Therefore, Tuesday morning we drove into Houston and were able to be re-printed with minimal waiting (and a quick conversation with a supervisor) at a USCIS application processing center.  That chore was completed in record time and now more patient waiting.  It has been made easier (and harder) due to many other distractions, in and out of our family, and of course, the impending holiday season.  We hope all new and waiting families have a blessed holiday season with an abundance of little ones finding their forever homes.  That leaves out everyone else.  So, y'all have a Merry Christmas, too, ya hear?

Overheard

E:  I'm gonna call him "Doc" and show him on Bugs Bunny cartoons so he'll say "What's up, doc?".

CG:  I'm gonna call him "The Man" or "Man of the House"...nah, just "The Man!"

Speechless

We received word that our dossier is in the sweet hands of the nuns at Home of Hope.  We are so grateful, excited and full of reverence.  We ask for your thoughts and prayers as the nuns consider our little family and the precious ones being matched with a forever family.  I feel so honored to be in a position where we may be granted the opportunity to love and care for a new little Cockrell.   That is all for now, I am fairly overwhelmed at the moment.   

  

Romans 15:13

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

If a dear family hadn't already named their beautiful, hilarious little man Roman, then I may be tempted to snag it for myself - solely based on this verse.*  I love it so much.

Much of the contents of this blog is a source of information for family, friends and those who are or may be on the path to adopt.  Today's post is for those in our current situation.  This verse was a great comfort to me last year when my world was rocked and has been a wonderful soothing mantra for the past eight days.  If you come across this entry and stay long enough to read this, then I selfishly ask for your thoughts and your prayers. 

Kisses,

C.  


*KN, CG has been talking about A and how excited she is to tell her that she started piano this week.  So cute!

Your response to your request

Prelude
It has been many moons since our last post.  That's not entirely true.  Kendall posted in March but I made him delete it.  I was superstitious about putting things out in the internets (misspelling intentional) and ended up being right, as explained in the next paragraph.  As for my hiatus from blogging, I prefer not doing weekly "still waiting" or "please pray for us as we wait" posts.  It's just not my style.  I'm kind of an all or nothing type of person, which is evidenced by the never-posts of the last 6+ months.  I digress, now for the actual content of this entry.


We have received our approval from the Rwandan government to adopt. 

This is fantastic.  To many families, it was almost a foregone conclusion.  Not so for me.  I had begun to have doubts.  In February, the Ministry reviewed our dossier and had a concern.  An email was sent in March requesting a letter from the F.B.I. addressing Kendall's misdemeanor arrest - which was never prosecuted.  Frantically, I sent emails and made many phone calls.  I spoke to three of the nicest FBI agents, all of whom were unable to help.  A dear friend reached out to a Congressman whose staff has been incredibly thoughtful in attempting to retrieve the elusive letter.  Four weeks later, I accepted the conclusion that the F.B.I. just "doesn't do that."  What more could I do?  I was not able to get what was requested.  It was a fun time in our house. 

And then...on April 14th...we received notice that:

The government graciously considered the additional documents supplied and granted our petition.  Many huzzahs, hollas and hip, hip, hoorays don't begin to display the excitement we feel!  Sometime soon we may be fortunate enough to meet many kindred spirits in country.  I. can't. wait.


I now will start on the nursery, which will never compare to the gorgeousness of the Kohlbacher's nursery but, alas, I don't have her genes.