Adoption Update

Our new and exciting update for today is once again, nothing. Our adoption decree may or may not be signed. It may or may not have been picked up from the judge. It may or may not be waiting to be registered. No one seems to know anything and apparently no one can find out, for whatever reason. Three weeks ago we thought we were days away from FINALLY getting to travel. Why haven't we learned our lesson? What seems to be just within our reach is yanked to the ends of the earth and here we sit once again, waiting for tomorrow. Then we wait for another Monday. Then we wait for another couple more days. We have to explain to our kids everyday that we are doing everything that we can as parents to get these kids home. We can only do so much - it is up to the "professionals" to do the rest. The kids are past being upset or disappointed. They are just mad. I think if we let them be in charge of this mess our kids would be home next week! They would get results. They don't take to "waiting" very well, and wouldn't be quite as patient as we are expected to be. One of the most frustrating aspects of this adoption thing is the negative reflection it has for prospective adoptive parents. When we first started the process and accepted a referral (OVER A YEAR AGO!!!!), we had so many people ask us how it is done and all seemed so interested. We had several families tell us that they really thought they would love to bring in a child or children to their home to be a Forever Family. Well, that has certainly changed. Due to this process being so ridiculously long and drawn out, those prospective families have seen the heartache and anguish that has gone on in our lives. We keep smiling and saying the right things, but they know better. They now think adoption is something they would never do. Think how many children could be brought into their Forever Families. Think how many lives could be saved. Think how many eternities could be spent with Jesus if they could just know about Him. Think how many families would be blessed by adoption. Adoption is such a wonderful thing, and something that should be happy. Maybe I should get a tee-shirt made that just says "Really, I know it will be worth it when the kids are home. Just don't ask me about it today."