Destination: Ethiopia

Well, things are on their way! I got my passport in the mail, and emailed Erica at Imagine to let her know I would scan and email it to her right away, and she said it was perfect timing because my dossier just came back from Ottawa. She emailed me today that my dossier would be on the way to Ethiopia TOMORROW!!! That means I am mere days (well, a week or two) away from being officially waiting! So excited. I told one of my pregnant colleagues my news and looked at her belly and couldn't help but well up inside, because I'm there too. I'm expecting. Yes!!!
On the other hand, I'm already worried about the referral. I know that's ridiculous, but I was told 6 months for a referral. Some are closer to 8. Well, if I get a 6, my babe will likely scrape through court before next year's court closures. If it's 8, it'll be an agonizing summer of waiting and missing my girl. Please Please Please let it be 6. Even 6.5. I know it's likely I'll be caught in court closures, I just hope I can avoid it. Thinking of my girl all summer, when I'm not working -- it'll be more than I can bear.
Now what? Immigration paperwork should probably be started and sent off. And I don't really know what else. Maybe I'll see if Imagine has a checklist of stuff you have to do. That would be great. They also have courses that they offer, and if you aren't in Ontario, they can give you the information by module or whatever. Has anyone taken one of these courses? They look very helpful. If you have, or know someone who has, will you please leave me a comment with some feedback on it? Thanks.
I just checked in on the Imagine site to see what courses they offer and I noticed an update for a change in adoption fees, effective November 15. Right now it is $6000 CAN for the agency fee and $6500 USD for the Ethiopian fee. Coming soon... $7000 CAN agency and $8000 USD to Ethiopia. Holy Smokes!!! And what with the dropping value of the Canadian dollar??? I am back to elated and counting my lucky stars I squeezed in under the gun. Phew.
I've just reread this post and sound a little manic with my wide-ranging emotions. Well! That's about right for someone who's expecting. Expecting. That's me. I can't help but think that maybe I should light a little birthday candle each day to celebrate what may be the birthday of my little girl. It's bound to fall on one of these days! I don't know what I'll do, but I will do something each day to acknowledge my second-born. My first daughter. My sweet girl. One of the top two loves of my life. My someday girl.