Next steps ...

We're a bit jet-lagged still - tired by 5:00 in the afternoon, barely making it until 8:30 and then wide awake at 5:00.  We'll probably adjust just in time for Bill and I to get back on a plane! 

Here is the most likely scenario as we move forward.  Of course, in the adoption world, anything can change, but this is how we see things potentially playing out at this point.

Dossier Submission - September 8 - If everything is in order, they will accept our dossier and within a couple of weeks give us an appointment date in Kiev.  Please be in prayer that they find nothing wrong with our dossier. 

Possible Appointment Date with the SDA - September 29 - Although we won't know for sure that this is the date of our SDA appointment in Kiev, the time between dossier submissions and appointment dates is running three weeks right now.   Following this appointment Bill and I will travel to Odessa and begin the adoption work that culminates with a court date.  Three weeks is the typical time period for this leg of the journey, however, it's possible that our August trip with the children may have shortened the time required.  Three weeks is not only how long it takes to do the work of adoption, but also is how long the Ukrainian government has established as a sufficient time period for connection and attachment for parents with their new child.  It's possible, we were told by Liliya, they will shorten this requirement because we hosted Katya and then brought the family over for the sole purpose of relationally bonding with both Katya and Tamara.

10-Day Waiting Period - Following the court date, there is a 10-day waiting period in which the adoption can be challenged.  Depending on how long we have been away from the rest of the children at this point, Bill will return to the U.S. and I will stay with Katya, OR Bill and I will both return to the U.S. to wait out the waiting period.  We won't make this decision until later.

Remaining Adoption Work - Following the 10-day waiting period, only one of us needs to be in Ukraine to finalize the adoption.  This usually takes about a week.  This will be me!  I'll either already be there, or I will fly back. 

The adoption world is crazy and often convoluted, and yet we are learning much about living by faith in what you cannot see.  I've heard from my husband that he has more pictures to post from our trip.  So, stay tuned!