a good rainy day

2 trips to the Embassy today. both were quick 5min rides dropped off by our host and then 30ish min walks back with the boys in tow. both were pretty quick in and out as well with fast service. it felt preferential. we were seen very quickly each time. the interview was 10mins or less and very quick and easy. the boys did not have naps today which was a bit tough but anticipating their needs because of it helped a lot and we made it thought he evening without any major meltdowns.  I told the boys we were going to see their families tomorrow so Hayden was a bit emotional tonight at bedtime anticipating seeing her tomorrow.  I expect that tomorrow will be a hard day but a good and necessary one. I will take good pictures of the goodbyes so we can remember it all very well. the Embassy was basically like "well everything looks good. see you Friday." it was so much less painful than I anticipated! thanks for always praying us thought each step of the way. ok no power gtg!!

passports are at the Embassy

We were dropped off at the Embassy today to bring the passports and walked back. we got them to Freda and she confirmed that we do not need anything else at all to give her for our file!! such good news! our appointment is at 2pm today for our "visa interview" which is the very last thing I need to do.  Tomorrow we will go and say goodbye to gramma and auntie in Mukono. Friday pick up travel visas.  Saturday pack and leave.
There's a great story from our walk home with the boys.  I will tell you about it when the power is back on and I have more time to use the computer.

Mamma alliwah?

Mamma alliwah? it means "where's momma?"  today after the 6 kids who now live here [we have new neighbors across the hall, a family of 6] went down for their naps the 2 Mommas who belong to them hopped on a boda-boda and had an adventure heading to the craft market.  The adventure included a torrential downpour and EVERYONE staring at us.  You could hear them talking about us as we went by.  I did my best princess wave whenever I noticed their attention on us. However the point of this little anecdote is that they kids were all awake by the time we got back and Johnny was especially clingy when I got back.  Our neighbor [the groundskeeper's wife] said that she asked the boys in Luganda where I was when she returned from work.  They answered that I had left on an airplane and gone back home.  It was so sweet and sad that they thought that.  For the last few days I have been talking a lot about how we are going to go on an airplane and go to see daddy and our house and their giraffe wall and their beds etc.  So I was gone and they assumed that's where I was.  Maybe they can't believe it either that we are all really coming back together.  Tomorrow is THE LAST BIG DAY when I go to the Embassy and bring them the passports and have our interview.  Our new neighbor Kate is going with me since she has some business there as well for her boys she is adopting.

A nice place to visit but...

Uganda is so much more beautiful when you don't feel stuck here and you know that you will be heading home soon.  I actually loved the  view last night as I rode into the city.  There was a full moon and the city looked so nice. The view from where we are staying is also lovely.  The flowers, trees, lizards, people, everything is easier to appreciate as I think of leaving and not coming back for a long, long time.  Honestly, I think that I could stay here for a visit or a vacation now and genuinely enjoy it here because it is so beautiful and the stress from the boys' adoption would be gone.  I like the food and the people and learning about the culture and language, but if I shed any tears as I go, they will be replaced by tears of joy and thankfulness!

our special books so we can go on the airplane and see daddy

I have them in my hot little hands...

honestly I cannot describe how I feel. giddy is the best description. just thrilled but also in some state of disbelief. I have wanted this so badly for so long and it is happening tangibly, really, truly, physically, legally.

oh yes. it is real. sweetness!!

just got back home with these babies!

FYI: Uganda does not allow non-resident foreigners to adopt their children outright.  We can only become legal guardians and the children belong to us as our wards until age 18.  Our boys now legally have this status as our wards and remain Ugandan citizens.  It is well known that they can and will be adopted into our family as American citizens and have dual citizenship. This is how it is done here. Some countries finalize the adoption in country some must be finalized in the USA.

see you sooner

Sooner or later... how 'bout sooner? just got the call that the passports are ready to pick up!! and also got an email from the Embassy that I can bring them to her Wednesday AM and have our visas by this Friday! and got an email from the travel agent with our itinerary for a flight Saturday to be home on Sunday!!! WOOOOOOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!! Keep praying. Until our seat belts are buckled on the plane anything could happen but this is all GREAT NEWS!!!