We got word yesterday that our dossier was on its way to Ethiopia as of Monday. We also got news that was pretty encouraging regarding the rest of the process. We had been assuming that we would have a very long wait for a court date since the courts in Ethiopia are just reopening after being closed for two months for the rainy season, but our agency assured us that they do not have a backlog and things will move right along.

Once our paperwork arrives in Ethiopia, the dossier will be translated and then it will be prepared for court. We have been told that our paperwork will likely be submitted to court in November, and by my estimates, I am guessing we will have a court date in early December and then travel sometime in January, maybe February. Of course these are all just estimated guesses at this point (and things certainly could take longer), but it was really good to hear that our process will move right along, and we aren't at the end of a long line for a court date.

So, I am gearing myself up for a good three to four months of waiting now. Not a horribly long period of time in the land of adoption, but still a long time for a mom to be separated from her child.

Have I mentioned that I am NOT the best waiter?

I know that the holidays will keep me busy. Heck, I know that 10 kids at home keep me busy. But I am hoping to come up with a "waiting plan" other than "check my email 1200 times a day and obsess over packing way too early".

So, here is my contest. Leave a comment below with your best suggestion for me on how to handle the wait for travel for Solomon. The person who leaves me my favorite suggestion will get to chose from a selection of new books from Adoptionshop.com.

Remember, I have been there done that quite a few times, and I have written lots of suggestions for others, so you're going to have to be creative. :)