This morning we got the call that our I600 has been approved. Woo hoo! (and a big thank you to our Senator’s office). We are now looking at our last hurdle…the HIV waiver, and then we can finally, finally travel to get our sweet girl.

I remember back when we started all of this, I wrote out the long list of “steps” in the process that had to happen before Belane could come home, and there were so many things that had to happen and so many variable time frames that it was overwhelming.

We heard all the horror stories about how the process can take forever to bring home an HIV+ child and it was all pretty daunting. I am thrilled to say that from the day we officially started updating our paperwork and the rest of the process to bring Belane home until this point has only been four months. If the waiver is processed in a timely manner, (we’re hoping for eight weeks) then it will make the entire process six months from start to finish, which is pretty dang good for any adoption, but super dang good for an HIV adoption.

I keep reminding myself of that when I get frustrated that we still have so long to wait to bring her home.

Our embassy appointment in Ethiopia will be next Wednesday, Sept. 13. If the waiver takes eight weeks, then Belane’s visa will be ready shortly after Nov. 8. We’d like to travel before Thanksgiving so we can spend the holiday together as a family. Of course it could take much longer, and I guess there is always a tiny possibility that it could be done quicker (not holding breath). All of this “wait and see” is tough on a natural born planner!! (and impatient mama).

So, on my big long checklist that I started back in May, we’re down to one more box to check off. It’s been quite the journey thus far…emotional, stressful, exciting…as many of you know the description of going through an adoption being like a roller coaster is very appropriate.

Now that we are this close I am going to let myself start to really get ready…make packing lists, organize her clothes…it definitely makes it all seem real. Thanks to all of you out there who are supporting us in this journey.

More soon.

And thanks Tracy for these new photos. :)