So it's been awhile….

It's been awhile since I've recorded anything here. And up until about a month ago, there really wasn't much to say that hadn't already been said. However, about a month ago - on January 23rd - we finally had our first court hearing. (Just stop and read those last seven words again. Ok. Now we can move on.) Remember, we were told that our first hearing would probably be in September. Then they told us October. And every month after that it was going to be the next month. So I finally just decided I wouldn't let myself think about it anymore. I forced contentment upon myself with the Skype calls and care packages and decided at some point it would happen and I had to just let it go. 

Once we got the phone call for the first court hearing, I went into overdrive. My mind starting thinking of the 52,000 things that needed to happen in order for us to physically bring him into our home. I made three giant poster board-sized calendars that are now hanging on my kitchen wall. It's currently acting as the family calendar and the list of all that we need to accomplish. Slowly we are marking things off and making plans for marking other things off. It's quite a process. 

Here are a few updates that people keep asking about. (Right now, I can only think in bullets so here ya go.)

• Fundraising: We just finished a raffle fundraiser that we thought would bring in $300-400. HA. It brought in $1,300 and I owed my husband a public apology because, honestly, I laughed at him for the idea and told him it wasn't going to work. Boy, I was wrong!  Also, our goal was to have $15,000 for our travel expenses. Right now we are at $12,000. Please pray for wisdom as we consider one last potential fundraiser and as we plan our trip. There are some variables that could make a world of difference in the costs. (i.e., specifically flights and hotel costs) We just won't know until we are actually booking it as to what the real cost will be. 
• Explain the January 23rd hearing. What happened there? Here, the birth mother, our little guy and his social worker at the orphanage had to appear in front of the judge and answer questions. Making sure the birth mother wasn't unwillingly coerced, that our son was willing, the orphanage thought we were an ok match for him, etc.
• What's the next step? So yesterday, we received the actual ruling from that court hearing. (It was "favorable".) Starting today, there is a 10-day waiting period for the birth family to change their mind. After that is over, there will be a final ruling issued and he's legally ours. Supposedly, it takes about a month to receive this final ruling (so around the middle or so of March). 
• When do you go get him? After the final ruling, we have to wait for his embassy appointment which is usually a 2-3 week wait. That's when we travel.
• How long will you be in-country? We were told to prepare for about 10 days including travel. Because he is older, it's important to us that he get to see as much of his birth country as possible. We are hoping that we will have enough funds to make our trip closer to 14 days including travel. Again, it just depends on the funds that are available. 
• Will your other kids travel with you? Only if we win the lottery. :) Flights are anywhere from $1,500-2,200 per person. Even with the lower fare that's another $4,500. We certainly wish they could experience this with us but it will just be Ryan and I going. (And since it's only a two week trip, we are ok with that. If it were longer, that would be a different story.)

So many people have been so faithful to walk with us through this whole process. And many have joined us as we've been on the latest leg in Taiwan. We are so, so grateful for each and every one of you. People have come out of the woodwork and we have just been truly humbled. Our gratefulness can be summed up in two words that, really, could never be enough - THANK YOU.

Really.