We worked it out so that we get to come home early! We get into Birmingham at 8:40pm tonight. We are excited to get home, see Elijah, and sleep at our own house!
Today has been another long day of waiting and processing. Let me tell you, Maya has to be wondering what she got into in this family. All we do is wait in lines and sit in airports! This morning, we went to the house where Maya had to stay last night. One good thing there is that she got to stay with other Haitian kids, and there was a Haitian lady who was the caretaker. So they could speak Creole and make her feel at home. The other Haitian kids were in the US since the earthquake. They all needed medical attention of some sort or another, due to earthquake injuries.
The workers there took all our paperwork, and we were brought to a playroom to hang out with Maya until it was processed. They told us it would be very quick, maybe an hour at the most. Well, 4 hours later, we got cleared to go! Another hurry up and wait situation. But the end result is that she is legally in our custody now. She is in the US, on parole. Her parole is good for 2 years, meaning, that we just have to finish up the adoption paperwork that was left hanging by that time. That shouldn’t be a problem. We are now referred to as her “adoptive parents,” so for most practical reasons, the adoption is done. We just have some paperwork straggling behind.
She has been a total trooper through these last couple of days! She’s only cried a couple of times, more from exhaustion and missed naps than anything. I think I’ve had more meltdowns than her, so we’re in good shape. Today she’s really opened up a lot. She’s been very silly and giggly, which is a far cry from the timid, shy girl we met 2 days ago!
A couple more pics….This is at the orphanage where Maya was staying. The building got damaged in the earthquake, and so everyone has been sleeping in a tent out in the yard ever since. This is the courtyard area and the tent where she has been staying.
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From what we gathered, I think Maya was the last kid left at the orphanage. They evidently have not taken on any more kids since the earthquake, and all the rest of the children have gone home on humanitarian parole. I knew she was very late to go, but I didn’t know she was the only kid left there! I believe some kids were picked up by their families a couple of weeks ago.
Alright, well this is the last post from the road. See you back in B’ham!
Yeahhh! Welcome home Browns! Thanks for letting us peek in our your experience there. Bekah wants you to know she is up for keeping both Elijah and Maya this summer. Ditto for Mia. Just let us know if you need us :-)
Wow. Can I just say how completely blown away I am by this adoption? It is really unbelieveable. Poor little Maya. I cannot even fathom how completely bewildered she probably is. But oh, how lucky to have you guys!! I am seriously sitting here with my mouth hanging open. God bless you and your beautiful family. Can I also just say I’m a little bit teensy-tiny jealous you got to experience this twice in under six months?!? Amazing.