I figured it was about time for an adoption update. Things are moving along really well. Last week we found out that our adoption agency, AAI, had received our adoption documents from Addis (it was 2 ½ weeks after our court date) and had submitted them to our local USCIS along with our I600 application. If Belane was not HIV+, we could be traveling now and handling this at the embassy in Addis, but the embassy will require the HIV waiver, which will take weeks to process, and unfortunately, I can’t just go spend eight weeks in Addis waiting on the waiver.

So as soon as our local USCIS office approves our I600 (we’re hoping it is in the next few days…our Senator’s office is pushing to get it done quickly), then AAI can set up an embassy appointment for Belane in Addis, where they will submit the waiver. And then as soon as the waiver is approved, we can travel!!! Woo hoo! :)

There is no guaranteed timeline on the waiver…the first one took six months, the second took three months, the last one took eight weeks. We’re hoping it won’t be more than the eight weeks and won’t count on it being any quicker, although that would definitely be a very pleasant surprise.

The waiver is only required thanks to some very outdated legislature put in place before they knew how HIV was transmitted. It makes sense that a person with TB would need a waiver, as it is an airborne disease and something you’d have to be very careful about on an airplane. But a person with HIV is not a threat to anyone on an airplane whatsoever, so it is a bit frustrating that this is what we are waiting on. (But we did know this would be the case).

We are honestly thrilled with AAI and how wonderful they have been to work with. Even though our adoption is not one of their “standard” adoptions, everything has been handled extremely quickly, and at this point things have gone much faster than anticipated, thanks largely to their dedication.

We got some great video of Belane this week from the documentary crew that was in Addis in June. They have postponed their visit to our home, as they have decided they want to travel here for her homecoming (just when I want a camera in my face…after a 30+ hour journey around the world with a 3 year old!!!!!!). Actually I think it will be awesome to have her airport arrival on film (just don’t look at me).

For those of you who have asked about the documentary, they are working on the marketing, etc. right now and “pitching it” to several places. I will let you know as soon as I know when and where you can see it. Maybe early next year.

The video clips they sent us are great…Belane is adorable as ever. The kids have watched it over and over and are really getting excited for her to come home. We should be getting some more new pictures, as her welcome bag camera should be coming soon, and an AAI volunteer just returned home with pictures for us too. Yay!

So, that is the update for now. It’s definitely feeling like we are in the final stretch! More soon.