Tuesday, August 5, 2008

I have some explaining to do...

Okay, so since my last post a few people have asked what I mean by "referral." I guess I kind of forget that not everyone is familiar with all of this adoption lingo, so let me explain...

When our agency matches us with a child, they call us with the referral. They send us a picture and a medical record. They recommend that the medical record be reviewed by a pediatrician who specializes in international adoption. We have one week to either accept or reject the referral. If we accept the referral, then they begin doing all the stuff required to secure a court date in Ethiopia to make the adoption legal (legal in Ethiopia- we will have to later come back to the states and adopt him here as well). Now, I say we can reject the referral, but just so you guys have an idea, that rarely ever happens. The only instances I know of that people have rejected their referral (with our agency, anyway) is because they had requested two children but were only referred one. Those families rejected the referral and told the agency they didn't mind waiting longer for siblings.

Once a family receives (and accepts) their referral, they typically travel to Ethiopia to pick up their child 6-8 weeks later. However, just to make things more complicated, Ethiopia courts close for August and September. So if a family receives a referral during that time (which is when we expect ours- naturally!) then the wait will be longer- more like 8-12 weeks. And THEN he is home with us!

Whew! I think that makes sense!

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hey! I saw that you guys are now in the top 10! Congrats!! :) Yes!!! Let us know as soon as anything happens, ok? :) Getting excited for you...

Sandy Shelestovich said...

This is getting so exciting. I told your mom today that it looks as if her new grandson may really be there when she comes to visit in December. I'll keep praying that your son will be the center of all you Christmas pictures this year.

Love,
Aunt Nan XOXO

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the explaination. We are so excited. I can't help it,but I was shopping with aunt Nan for clothes for Eli just buying alittle older size since we don't know the exact age he will be when you get him.
Take Care, our prayers are with ya'll
Mom

Anonymous said...

I see you have added to your blog so I thought I would make a comment. We really enjoy catching up with everthing that is happening but wish the news was coming a little more often. When your mom came in the other night for bible Study I was reading your blog and told her about the referral explaination. She was surprised to see that her question to you and your answer all happened so fast. Our prayers are that the next few months go quickly for you and we missed you at the reunion last weekend.

Anonymous said...

Congrats! My brother got his travel dates to pick up their little girl, they are going in October! I hope that the same blessing happens to you guys very soon. We are praying for you and all the families waiting to hold their children very soon!
Dana, Steve and Riley

Rebecca Caldwell said...

Hey guys! You all are right up there now!! Won't be long!