Update on "The List"

If you've been following my blog, you know our adoption is on hold because of a new law passed in the country we hope to adopt from.  This law states that children under the age of five can only be adopted internationally if they are part of a sibling group or have certain special needs (outlined in "The List").  Our country processed adoptions of children under five for everyone who submitted their paperwork in May.  We were submitted June 2, so we just missed the cut-off.  (We are currently approved for two children, ages 0-60 months.)


Unfortunately, the special needs list that was initially released is very limited; it only includes twelve special needs, and most of them are somewhat rare.  Many, many common special needs were not included (things like FAS, spina bifida, cerebral palsy, heart conditions, and HIV).  We have been hearing encouraging reports that indicate there is a big push to expand "The List".  I am stalking my email with my heart in my throat trying to wait patiently for good news.  


Yesterday I got some exciting news from a friend who is also adopting from our country.  Last Friday, the government decided to create a working group to develop a new (and hopefully much expanded) list.  One man who was asked to be part of this group is actually an adoption facilitator who works with many families adopting children who have special needs.  This group will meet for the first time this Wednesday.  Please keep them in your prayers as they make important decisions that will affect a lot of children.  As of right now, I  am not aware of a timeline for the group to release an new list.  Obviously, I'm hoping it will be tomorrow!  (Okay, so maybe that's not completely realistic...)


On a different note, I had a wonderful chat with another adoptive mom this week.  Her name is Megan, and she adopted a precious little girl named Dasha from the same orphanage we will probably be adopting from (you know, tomorrow when they expand the special needs list :).  Megan and her family only live about two hours from us!  She had a very positive experience in country and had many good things to say about this particular orphanage.  The children take music lessons, participate in special holiday programs, and spend lots of time outside. (Sadly, this is not the case in all orphanages.)  


Megan spent about a month visiting her daughter in the orphanage, so she had the opportunity to interact with several of the other children who are still waiting for families.  Hearing her describe these little ones made me so eager to get there!  I am trying hard not to fall in love with a specific child(ren) at this point because there is still so much uncertainty with regard to our process, but it is hard not to give your heart away when you hear another mom share about little ones she wishes she could have brought home.


I mentioned my friend Aislinn in an earlier post.  She and her husband are adopting a precious seven-year-old girl who is HIV-positive.  Their paperwork was submitted the same day as ours, but they are able to travel to get their daughter since she is adoptable under the new law (because of her age).  Aislinn and her husband flew out yesterday evening!  Their appointment with the SDA is tomorrow, and they should meet their daughter by the end of the week.  So exciting!  (And also just a tiny bit heartbreaking because I had so hoped to be traveling with her.)


I know I've said this before, but thank you for sharing in this journey with us.  I'm thankful for every little bit of good news along the way, but I am really looking forward to the day that I can tell you we're on our way to bring our little ones home!