What's After Referral?

After we get our much anticipated referral, here's a rough view of what will happen.

1. We'll turn in our referral acceptance letter as soon as possible.
2. AWA will petition for an Ethiopian court date.
3. We'll hear when our court hearing will be in Ethiopia. We don't need to be present since we signed power of attorney to an Ethiopian Representative. Court dates are usually 2-3 months after the referral date. (yep, you read that right, 2-3 months . . .)
4. More waiting. In the meantime, we'll start making travel arrangements on the assumption that we will pass our first court date.
5. Our court date in Ethiopia will happen. Please do start praying that we pass our first court date. About 30% of families don't pass their first court date and end up waiting for months longer before picking up their baby. Why don't they pass? Um . . . all kinds of reasons, mostly having to do with a third world court system and paperwork.
6. When we pass court, we'll finally travel to Ethiopia to pick up our new baby(ies)! We hope this will be this summer!
7. You all get to meet our baby(ies)!