DOSSIER APPROVED!

After an almost two year process Jeff and I got word from our social worker in Costa Rica that our dossier was approved! This is huge. For Costa Rica this is the last step in the adoption process aside from being matched.

What's just as exciting as this is that while we were waiting on our dossier to be approved we were also amending our home study. This process was a lot more work than expected and it too was finalized at the same time that our dossier was approved! And if that's not enough, Costa Rica also updated their list and PANI sent us the new waiting child list and sent us a possible referral! We reviewed the information and we were thrilled. We requested her full file and expressed our desire to submit a letter of intent.

Once they receive the letter of intent we have 3 days to change our minds and after that waiting period she would officially be matched as our child. She is 9 years old and seems pretty awesome but so do all the kids whose files we've looked at.

If and once all this happens they will begin counseling rounds with her. This is where they will let her know that she has been "chosen" (😢 just thinking about that makes me want to cry) Then they will give her, our/her family photo album which includes pictures of our home, family, church and friends!

Once the counseling rounds end communication begins!! We get to FaceTime her and call and write to her! We cannot leave for Costa Rica until after Christmas because the social work offices pretty much close down for the month of December and we would be stuck in Costa Rica much longer than necessary. We really hope all will go as planned, (but we have learned from our experience with adoption that this is not always the case) and that we will get to travel in January to go get her. We will be in Costa Rica for 5-6 weeks doing paperwork, Dr. appointments and bonding as a family with our new daughter.

Faith and Izzy are super excited as well about her in particular. Please pray for us and pray that all will go smoothly!