What happens Next?

Many of you have been asking when we go to pick up our son? I wish it was next week but that's not how the process works.

Micah is not officially our son until we go through the court process in Ethiopia and are granted guardianship by an Ethiopian judge (this is called passing court.

We do not have to appear in court, but a POA (power of attorney) with our agency stands in our stead.

A Court date must be scheduled for us. Paperwork must be gathered in order for this to be requested. More paperwork is necessary in order for a successful court date for us, in which case Micah will become an official Richardson family member. Court dates are usually scheduled 8-12 weeks after receiving a referral. A family who recently received a referral on November 26th has a court date of February 2nd. Hopefully we will get a court date for mid-February. Our agency will email us the court date as soon as they receive it.

It is possible that we will not pass court the first time. This does not mean that Micah will not be our son. It only means that all of the paperwork was not in order for the judge to approve our adoption and grant guardianship. 30% of families do not pass court the first time. If we don not pass court the first time, another court date is scheduled 1-2 months out. Pray with us that we are not among the 30% of families who do not pass court the first time.

As soon as we pass court, we will post pictures of our son for all to see! Until then, his beautiful face remains a mystery to many.

Travel is usually 2 weeks after passing court. We will travel to Ethiopia to pick up Micah and stay in-country approximately 5-7 days. During our stay we will do some shopping in local markets, visit the transition home (orphanage like home that is operated by our agency) to see and hold our son for the first time (Meetcha Day) and love on all the children who are waiting for their families to come take them home, re-visit the transition home a day after our first visit to pick up Micah and take him back to the hotel to remain forever with us (Gotcha Day), finalize paperwork for the adoption, obtain a visa for Micah at the US Embassy, and possibly visit the orphanage he was taken to when he was found.

We will then come home and begin our lives together :)