File off to Zambia Today

I hope it packed its gravol as it is a lengthy flight (about 27 hours from here).

I am elated to say that we received our legalized Statutory Declaration this morning from Foreign Affairs in Ottawa and so our file was sent to Zambia this afternoon. It takes about one week to arrive on the right person's desk in Zambia and so now we need to be approved by the Zambian officials. I am not too nervous about this stage as it seems that most everyone who has submitted a file so far has been approved. Then, and this is a big then, we wait for our "referral" of our baby girl. This could take anywhere from 2 weeks to 12 weeks (however, recently there have been some pretty serious delays with the other folks who are adopting due to a suspension on Zambian adoptions). I won't get into detail now, as this is a day for celebrating and we don't want to spoil the mood. What I can say is that things are looking up and the suspension should be lifted sometime in the next couple of weeks and then we are off to the races. We have been reassured by our agency that the suspension should not affect our adoption. I do however, carry a heavy weight on my heart for all those in front of me who have been waiting for a very long time for their referrals. If you are the praying type, please pray for them. If not, as I am not, please send your good vibes their way.

I am on my way home from work soon and have already told Darryl the great news. We plan to celebrate with our great friend Phill who is coming over for dinner tonight.

By the way, I am little disappointed in the lack of Ellwood jokes that came out of my last post!!!! Shame on all of you. I was hoping for some good ones.

The best thing about receiving this news today was that I wasn't expecting it. Our file was only in Ottawa for one week so we are really happy that the news came so quickly. The past couple of weeks have flown by. I haven't been concerning myself with the adoption much as I have been so busy with Darryls business, at work, and cottage season coming up soon. This news was certainly a bonus and puts us on track to have her here more quickly than December. A lot of things could still go wrong, but so far so good. I plan to keep positive. It's working for us so far.

I wish she were here. My mother has always said to me "Don't wish your life away" meaning just enjoy today and don't concern yourself with waiting for the good things to happen in the future. I think just this once, my mother could make an exception. I should be a mum. Darryl should be a Dad. Things have been pretty tough in the last couple of years and I want more than anything to see him hold her in his arms, play with her on the floor and I want to see the father's pride in his eyes.

Last night we sat on the couch and we weren't talking much. Darryl turned to me and said that while he was in Home Depot that day, he saw a father and his two year old son, walking through the store, having a good ole' conversation. He said he felt jealous and then it turned to excitement because although it is always on our minds, it is hard to believe when your belly isn't getting bigger each day. It is hard to know when you don't have that constant nagging from your wife to rub her feet or requests for pickles and ice cream. This man and child excited him because he could, for once, see a little of himself in them and that made him very happy. It made me happy too.