The phone rang this morning and I looked at the called ID before I answered it as I usually do. Department of Human Services displayed on the screen and I vacillated on whether to answer or not. Lately, they only call when they want to offer me another teenager to foster. I answered with trepidation, which quickly turned to elation. Our adoption worker was calling to tell us that she had received consent this morning from the MCI to finalize our daughter’s adoption. Not only that, but she wondered if we would be willing to participate in National Adoption Day, November twentieth, to finalize the adoption. That is only two weeks away!

If we didn’t want to participate in National Adoption Day then we wouldn’t be able to see a judge until December. Our daughter was so happy when I got off the phone and told her that she would be adopted in two weeks. This news came as such a shock because the adoption worker told us that competing petitions were taking six to eight months to come back from the MCI when we signed the paperwork. Our petition, paperwork, and the competing petition were mailed out to the MCI on August twenty ninth, so that only took about two months. Our adoption worker was very surprised as well because none of her petitions were coming back that quickly.

She became part of our family nearly three years ago. In fact, the day she will be adopted, November twentieth, is only twelve days before her three year anniversary. She has been available for adoption for over a year now. All the red tape involved with a state adoption caused numerous delays. We adults can understand that, but not a 10-year-old girl who has been waiting for three years.

We have had numerous issues arise over the past year with her, which we believe were caused by her anxiety about whether or not she would actually be adopted. Oh sure, we told her, but what proof did she have? Hadn’t her birth family also made numerous promises?

Finally, we can put all of that behind us. We hope to see her settle down and feel secure once she has that piece of paper in her hot little hand. Thanks for all of your prayers and good wishes.


Can You Influence Who Older Adopted Children Will Become?
When Adoption Takes Too Long
The Child’s Best Interest? Adoption and Foster Care

Photo Credit Julia Fuller 2007