Happy New Year

It's a new year and so much has changed yet so much is the same. One year ago we were a family of 4, relatively settled in our comfortable life. We were so excited because Nepal had just opened it's doors to accepting dossiers from families hoping to adopt a nepali orphan. Our life was good, we were incredibly blessed with two boys ages 2 and 4, yet something was missing, and now one year later that missing piece has been found. One small girl from Nepal joined our family and although adding a family member shook up the balance a little in our lives, we are so happy she joined our family.

The journey over this past year was stressful to say the least. There is so much uncertainty in so many things involved in the process of international adoption. Add to that a completely new program of adoption hoping to abolish the episodes of corruption that tainted the prior program and led to its closure in 2007. Finally mix in a country who's government is in flux, trying to establish itself after the monarchy was abolished. There were so many moments I felt that there was no hope, felt powerless to do anything truly effective to get our daughter home. It was hard to bear.....very hard. Although I won't forget the anxiety that at times consumed my thoughts, the edges are now softer, worn down by the giggles and hugs I get daily from our 20 month old daughter.

I wish I had words of wisdom to ease the pain of those who are still waiting. It is so hard to bear the uncertainty of not knowing if you'll ever be able to be the parent of a child that so needs a family. I do wish that somehow that the families that are waiting somehow find a little peace. I do wish the Ministry and all others involved would get their act together, and just get the children into homes. Our daughter was so shut down when we met her at her orphanage, now she is a vibrant, bright-eyed toddler, excited to explore her world. I wish the same for the other children waiting.