Woo to the Hoo

Well, our papers have now been to the Ethiopian Embassy, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and our Notary, and they've had their stamps! We heard today that our papers have now returned from their holiday and have been sent back to the good, kind, efficient and worthy people at the Department for C.hildren, S.chools and F.amilies. You know, the ones who took three months to issue our C.ertificate of Eli.gibility.

I'm kind of assuming they're going to sit on our papers for another 12 weeks. But what if they don't?? They seem to have implemented some kind of new, long overdue caseworker system whereby someone is actually responsible for our paperwork rather than everything just being shoved into a cupboard. So, you know.... our papers could go really soon.

And then, when they've gone, we could get a referral anytime. No. Really. Literally. Anytime. Some people have had referrals the same day that their papers have arrived. And we don't think that's going to happen to us, especially if there are twins involved but it could. It might be six months later, too, but it could. [And let me take this opportunity to remind my viewers that while we may, possibly, get what looks like a very fast referral once our papers actually go to Ethiopia, getting through the UK process has given us our fair share of fun and time spent on the adoption merry go round. If we do get a fast referral once our papers actually make it to Ethiopia, this is only because there are SO few people who adopt from Ethiopia, or in fact anywhere internationally, to the UK. Last year there were fewer than 250 international adoptions here. Total. That is probably a pretty accurate indication of the brutality of the process before our papers make it to country. I know nobody's judging, but ... just sayin'].

And then... I know I've said this before, but once we get the call, I need to be on the plane in about a week and won't be back for a few months, complete with baby/ies. And at the moment, despite numerous hours spent looking on ebay, we have NOTHING for this kid. Nothing. And while minimalism is nice, children need to eat out of something. And poo into something. And be cleaned by something.

So.... we'd better start getting ready and buying stuff, yes? I now declare baby shopping season.... open.