#9- yes single digits PLUS updates!

OK - yes we are now officially #9 on the wait list!  Its just purely amazing!  We saw the May stat's from our agency AAI today.  They are amazing.  And the funny thing is only ONE family in front of us will take a boy in the same age range - all others want girls or an older boy!  So we could potentially move up that list VERY fast. I'll have to copy the email below.

Anyhow - sorry for the confusion about the password - I couldn't get it to work.  I need to figure out how to invite people - but like having the followers.  So for now - oh well - we're still live and open as usual.  I'm very glad people are liking our posts and following our story.  I know that I love keeping up with people and I feel like I know families already.

So on another note of the Backus life is worrying about Nate's school, summer camp -you name it.  Anyhow we are moving to a new school for summer camp.  Its a HARD choice but needed for our family.  And possibly may need to switch schools in the fall - Nate is NOT really up for any of this as he LOVES his buddies at St. Paul - and honestly so do we - Craig and I really like the parents.  But today I took him when I went to register him for summer camp at another local school/church and he was able to get out of school early and go meet the teachers - 1st and 2nd grade (he'll be in 2nd next year) and even played recess with the 1st graders.  INSTANTLY making friends with 3 boys - granted one we know as its our neighbor buddy!  So that was great.  I"m just very excited.  He's ready to start summer camp at his new location in about 2 weeks.  Of course that first week I'm on travel for work - but luckily we have wonderful friends that are able to help pick him up.  Anyhow I just feel so much more comfortable.  I still pray God leads us to the right path of life in general and know where to place him this fall.

But for the moment - I'm excited to be in single digits for our referral!  I had thought we were around 10 or 11 - but not this low!  Just happy so many familiest found their forever kids.  And pray they get to meet them soon and bring them home even sooner!  I'm so happy baby A found his forever family too!  And just amazed at how God talked to me via my dreams and A's mom IS the mom from my dreams - she looks just like her!  Its just MEANT for him to be with them.  Maybe someone is dreaming of us with our future little guy.  And yes - its about 90% we'll get a little boy as most people want girls and they have so many boys - hence we'll move up faster.  yes - babbling with joy.

Gail

Email copied from an AAI Group -
Dear Families~

I'm happy to report that there was a lot of referral activity during the month of May, therefore, the wait list has changed quite a bit. The numbers are still low in regards to finalized adoptions and children brought home, but, as I said last month, this is a direct result of the slowdown of referrals a few months ago. Here are the numbers:

# of dossiers sent to Ethiopia - 4
# of referrals - 9 
# of adoptions finalized - 1
# of children brought home - 0

Referrals - The 9 children referred were 4 infant boys, 1 infant girl, 2 18 mth old boys, 2 3 yr old boys. We still have partial information on at least six children and expect this number to increase. Most of these children are infants and most are boys...our wait list is getting very "pink". Alemu is well aware of the families waiting for older children and females. 

Current Situation in Ethiopia - I feel like a broken record when I tell you that we do not have any concrete updates regarding MOWYCA's long term plan on how many cases they will be processing each day, but this remains accurate. They are currently processing five new cases per day in addition to clearing the backlog of court cases. We have been told that this will continue at least through September.

Court Hearings and Closure - We do not know the exact dates of the closure coming up but it will probably be from about August 8-September 30. We are really hoping that all the families that have accepted referrals will have their court date prior to this closure. Please understand that just because a court hearing might take place prior to the closure does not mean that the adoption will be finalized prior to the closure. If a family attends court and their testimony is approved, the adoption will be finalized, pending the letter of consent from MOWYCA. This letter might be at court the day of the hearing, but might not be there for several weeks (or even months) after court. We should get a better feel for this in the next few months. Referrals will continue to be given during the court closure, however, a court case will not be able to be opened. Families are also able to travel for their embassy appointment during the court closure. 

Summer Hours - Beginning next week Monday, June 6, our office will be open from 8-5, Monday-Thursday and 8-12 on Friday. These hours will continue until after Labor Day. 

 

Okay, now for the part you really want to see.....

Waiting Families~
2, male & female, 0-5yrs
1, female, 0-12mths
1, female, 0-12mths
1 or 2, female, 0-2yrs
1, female, 2-4yrs
1, female, 0-12mths
1, female, 0-2yrs
1, male, 4-5yrs
1, male or female, 0-3yrs
1, female, 2-4yrs
1, female, 0-2yrs
2, male, 1-4yrs
1 or 2, female, 0-2yrs
2, male or female, 0-24mths
2, male or female, 0-7yrs

Please note that a family may change their preferences in regards to age and gender at any time, therefore, anything on this list could change on any given day.

Please let us know if you have questions on this information or anything else. 

I think summer has finally arrived here in Michigan and it is gorgeous outside! We hope you enjoy the change of seasons,

~Sally, Mary, & Laura