Adoption blaahg......

Blog, what a weird term.  Yes, I think it's a mash-up of web and log but if it were me who picked the name I think I would have chosen something different.  Blog is a lot like blaah which is kind of how Becky and I are feeling right at this moment.

We were hoping to write that everything went perfect at court today but, alas, that is was not the case (a court pun for the purists).

The good news - the judge (finally) heard our case.

The bad news - the judge said he was going to issue an "interim adoption decree" rather than the "full adoption decree."

The GREAT news!! - we will now be considered Joy's parents in Ghana (Yeah! Praise the Lord!!)

The uncertain news - what does this "interim decree" mean?  As best as we can piece together it means that we're kind of in adoption parent try-outs.  If we take good care of Joy over the next two years then we can go before the court again in Ghana and they will decide at that time if they will issue the "full and final" decree.  What?? does that mean that they could take her away from us after two years????  In theory that's possible but from what we've been able to read (and talk to others with more knowledge) this is highly unlikely.

I'm a guy who likes certainty.  I really only like surprises on Christmas morning and my birthday - if the rest of the year was fairly scripted with nice like check boxes in front of my various assigned tasks - I'd be a pretty happy (type A) camper (who would rather not sleep in a tent and gets to shower at least once or twice a day).  This ruling introduces some more uncertainty into a process that has already be faith testing and faith building.

We both know (and trust) that the Lord has everything under control.  We've heard an encouraging story about a family who were told they had an interim decree and when their power-of-attorney (POA) went to pick up the paperwork it had been changed to a full decree -- [God - that would be awesome and we'd be perfectly okay with that kind of surprise move] but we want to thank and praise Him for bringing us this far.  The adventure continues and we're not jumping off the roller coaster no matter what.

I asked our POA what Joy's name is now and he said "Joy, something, something, Homme".  That's pretty much his typical communication style but no matter what "something, something" means as long as the first and the last part are right we're good to go!

So, this started out blaah-gy but I want it to end on a much higher note.  We're Joy's parents!  We're humbled, thankful, and excited.  We truly appreciate all of you for your thoughts, prayers, support, and friendship and we will keep you posted as we know more.

And now for the big reveal.... (we feel like we can now show more pictures since we've come through court minimally-scathed) here is our beautiful little girl Joy something, something Homme.

With love,
-Jay & Becky (on behalf of the Homme Clan -- of 8)