How it all began

Hello my name is Tina and I would like to share our international adoption adventure with you. We are at midway point (or so we think) and I thought it might be helpful to share our story with you. I have tried to sum it up briefly so as to not bore you and to let you know where we are at.

It started when the three boys we loved very much from the foster care system left. We wanted to adopt them, but the county had other plans. Because of that, we decided to go far away to bring a child of our own home. We thought about a couple different counties, then God open the door to Uganda. We had friends that had recently brought home a little boy from there  and they said they would help us with the process.

In June of 2009 we began the home study and by September of the same year the approval was granted. We were matched with baby Grace September 1, 2010. She was six months old. Now the waiting game  began!!! It took for what seemed like forever to hear anything and finally almost a year later,on August 9, 2011 we heard from them. Our paperwork that we had sent to the courts was lost. I know, imagine how we felt. A whole range of emotions flooded us as we tried to make sense of it all. After much running around, and a large check, we had updated paperwork and we were back on track. On September 29th we received notice that our court date in Uganda had been set for December 9, 2011.

Jeff boarded a plane on Dec 4th to fly the friendly skies with hopes of bringing our little girl home. We were warned in advance about the court system and that there may be a hiccup or two. Boy was that the case! Jeff and Grace began their two hour drive to Kampala in what has to be described as the ultimate driving experience. Upon arrival at the court house, we were informed that the judge was not there, and to please come back Monday. No problem, since the judge that would be hearing our case Monday was more favorable. After changing his airline ticket, we thought all was well. Enter Monday morning. Upon arrival at the court house, the lawyer informs us that we are missing paperwork that only the other lawyer has, and he is in Rwanda working a human rights case.  The judge did hear the case, only to tell us to come back with all the paperwork. So now Jeff is back home and we are waiting on a new court date. We believe that in Gods timing He will bring Grace home to us.

Thanks for reading

Tina