We got a ruling..and what comes next!

So, we got a call around 5:30 pm today, we got a positive ruling from court! Our attorney hopes we get our written one tomorrow but I am not expecting that of course. Monday/Tuesday would be much more reasonable to expect. I am listing the steps in country for my sweet friends who are following us each step of the way! I will try my best to explain and to not be too confusing..

1. COURT! (May 20, 2014)
2. Verbal Ruling (May 29, 2014)
3. Written Ruling (May 30, 2014)
4. Apply for Passport (May 30, 2014)
5. Pick up passport (June 4, 2014)
6. Go for IOM Medical Exam (June 20, 2014)
7. Follow up for IOM Medical Exam Results (June 23, 2014)
8. Court Rehearing for Birthmother and relatives (June 20, 2014)
9. New Written Ruling
10. DNA Results In
11. Private Investigation Complete
12. Document Review at US Embassy
13. US Embassy Exit Visa Appointment
14. Pick up Visa 

GO HOME!!!!!!!!

So we get our written ruling, and then after we get, we can go directly to the passport office to apply for her passport. This on average, takes around 4 days with our attorney, up to a week. Like I said, this is an average, and not to be confused with anything absolute. If I have learned anything it is not to expect ANYTHING! Taking it one day at a time is crucial for not having major meltdowns, which I have had and will certainly have again.

Then as soon as we get our passport, we can go and get her medical exam, which is a very basic physical and other basic tests, which we already have, but the Embassy needs to be able to travel home. After we go back to get our TB skin test read (in 3 days), we can schedule our Embassy paper review and appt..which is only done on 2 days a week. Then, after the appt, we can pick up our visa in 2 days to come home! 

So as you can see, we are at the mercy of the timing of these events to take place in a fashion that allows us to move through quickly or not. 

I do not know a date we will be home, I have no clue what obstacles we will cross, or if there will be any big ones. We just literally have to go day by day, step by step, until we reach the finish line!!

One thing is for sure, this sweet little girl, who I am learning is more like me than I ever imagined, will be very worth it!

Thank you all again for every single prayer during this time!!