For a couple weeks I've been gathering a little heap of things that I've been planning to bring to Ethiopa: instant oatmeal packets, my hot pot, some birr that my sister had left over from her last trip to Ethiopia. The growing heap is getting a little precarious on my closet shelf, and I've thought about getting out one of my big suitcases and officially start the packing. But I've resisted the urge. I told myself that I really ought to wait at least until our case is submitted to court in Ethiopia.

Well, guess what? That suitcase is comin’ out! Our agency director, who is currently in Ethiopia, just emailed me to say that our case was submitted to court last Friday! I am just jubilant. I've already called and talked the ears off both grandmas.

Next we wait to see when our actual court date will be. Lately court dates have been happening about a month after the case is submitted. Hopefully we will pass court on our first attempt. Sometimes the judge asks for further documentation on a particular case. Other times a living relative who is necessary for the case to process doesn’t show up. Things like this can delay the decision about the adoption and make it necessary to have yet another court date. Usually the next date is scheduled just a week or so after the first one, and the delay is not huge. But of course I am hoping all will be in order and we will get through court on our first attempt.

Assuming all goes well the first time around and the timeline is consistent with recent months, our girls could be officially ours by early July! Then it's only 3-5 weeks after that till travel! Wow! That means that two months from now I may very well be in Ethiopia!!