March 27, 2008

Hooked Up

Our Amharic tutor Hooked Us Up!!! We had our 9th Amharic tutoring session this week and although I still have to repeat new phrases a thousand times to myself on the way to class so that I can remember them once I arrive, I'd say we're doing a solid OK. Perhaps even better than learning a few new words this week was the part of the lesson where she offered to call a family in Harlem who prepares proper injera to let them know that we're legit clients interested in purchasing injera from them on a weekly basis! I'm not sure how it works in other cities/states, but in NYC there are a handful of families who prepare injera in their homes to distribute to families and/or restaurants in the area. We've been dying to meet one of these families and now we have our "in"! Fresh weekly injera...here we come!

It didn't stop there, however, as she continued to hook us up with other resources. She invited us to attend her Ethiopian Orthodox Church on Sunday! It starts at 8AM so in addition to looking forward to meeting her friends and church community I'm also looking forward to (??) seeing what the outside world looks like at 8AM on a Sunday. I know I know, once our Baby Bean comes home 8AM is going to feel like sleeping in - but for now I must be truthful. Sunday mornings are strictly reserved for reading the NY Times cover to cover and catching up on the ridiculous amount of magazines we subscribe to while indulging in copious amounts of cappuccinos and cuddling with the cats. Then eventually 12PM or 1PM rolls around and we muster up the energy to...go to brunch. I love the northeast, brunch is such an excuse to not start your Sunday until 4PM at which point you can convince yourself that it's too late to start any projects and therefor can justifiably sack out on the couch with a good book, movie, or game that ends up being the extent of what you do for the day. I have a feeling I should revel in that "normalcy" as often as possible for the time being...something tells me the times they'll be a changin!

And now for the status update:
It's almost be April and we're approaching month #10 of a process that initially had realistic hopes of being completed in 5-11 months and we have yet to hit 2 huge milestones: referral and court date. Our agency estimated 3-6 months for dossier preparation, 0-3 months wait for a referral, and 2 months wait for a court date placing the hope of a 5-11 month process in our minds. But alas it did take us the full 6 months to prepare and submit our dossier, and the 0-3 months wait has turned into a 3-9 months wait (and could realistically extend further), so although we're "officially" at wait month #3 I again find myself searching for ways to enjoy being 9 months pregnant for another 6-8 months... This translated means that the initial 5-11 month estimate is now more like 10 - 18 months, and we're just now arriving at month #10.

If you were actually able to follow the math in that last paragraph congratulations, you're either a stats geek or also in the adoption process.

12 comments:

Stacie said...

Oh my goodness - your Sunday mornings sound like heaven! I know that ours are pretty great too - with Micah it all is, but I think you're smart to revel in it for now. And, when the babe comes home, you'll have a whole new ritual that you'll love just as much (or more really!).

And, I totally understood the math. I really wish more referrals would come in - could you go on another trip? :)

Amanda said...

..also in the adoption process.

I told Andrew today it feels like we JUST found out we're pregnant-though, our pregnancy could go more like 11 months instead of a wee bit over 9.
Ha.

Adoption math. You should write a book all about it-I'm sure you're more than qualified! :)

I know many, many people that would buy it as well.

Actually-that's a great idea for a chapter in a book...
someone should write a "keeping it light" adoption book. It should have suggestions of what to do to keep busy, jokes, etc...

;)

Gamma! said...

The adoption mantra . . . have patience, have patience, don't be in such a hurry! Can't you just hear Herbert the snail singing it now? You brought up the song Jo - keep singing and have a great day!

Dan, Misty & Ashar said...

I'm just glad you do all the math for me, and I can just sit back and let the reality of your numbers sink in. Not a fun reality, but a reality nonetheless!

Cloverland Farm said...

of course, we're jealous: church & injera!!! let us know how it goes!

susan said...

Hello!
I've been reading your blog for a month or so now because we're on a very similar timeline. Our official wait started in mid. January with Children's House International. We were hoping for a referral for a baby girl in March which is what they originally projected. I'm just trying to stay busy and not think about it! Anyway, good luck! Let's keep our fingers crossed for good enough timing so that we can bring our babies home before the courts close!!
Susan :)

Courtney Rose said...

Your Sunday mornings, afternoons, evenings- they sound relaxing, delicious AND educational. I'm all for it.

I'm also j-e-a-l-o-u-s about your connections there in NYC. Not only do you get to eat in "brilliant" restaurants, but you also get to learn Amharic, get weekly doses of fresh injera AND rejoice with Ethiopians. Did I mention I'm jealous?

Angela said...

I love the description of your Sundays. I haven't had one like that in a while.
I keep praying that another batch of referrals will come soon.

Erica said...

I'm so jealous that you have an amharic tutor!! Thats AWESOME! We are trying to learn now that our son is home and its been hard as he wanted to learn english and forget the amharic.

Not too much longer! It'll be here to before you know it!

los cazadores said...

I'm totally envious you've got so many cool Ethio connections and, especially, a tutor! Craig and I will do good to get a book and learn how to pronounce the basics! :)

Cindy

QB said...

I am an adoption process stats geek and always like to hear where other agencies & other families are at with respect to the wait. I am not a good waiter. It sounds like you certainly are using your time wisely, and I think that's all you can do! I'll be interested to hear how church goes.

PC said...

I think it's time to start the garden, you need a diversion unrelated to the "process"! Mom C