First Approval

[BridgetandTed]

Well things are definitely moving again back in Bangkok. We were very surprised to receive our first approval today! I e-mailed yesterday and they hadn't heard anything so I completely lost hope but then we got the phone call and e-mail. Needless to say the tears came. Thoa said to expect to be at either the November 16th or December 1st board meeting. Either way we hope to be with our daughter before November is through. I am still nervous about all the paperwork that needs to pass hands before we can book travel but I am not going to think about the today.

I hope this means others will start hearing good news soon.

Bridget

[bcphillips]

Yeah! Congrats, Bridget! This is fabulous news. I was told that our case was not reviewed last week, but that we should receive 1st approval some time soon. Our *tentative* court date is December 14th. I am hoping that it may be earlier as unlikely as that may be. Don't get me wrong, I am excited that we should be travelling before the year is up, I just hate to think that we have another 3 months of waiting. It's been a long year! Congrats to you! I am so excited for you and your family!! Thanks for sharing your good news.

Brenda

[Tulip]

Congratulations Bridget!!! That's such wonderful news!!

I talked to Thoa today as well, and she said that we do no officially have 1st Approval yet, but that she had communicated w/ HSF and learned that our file is in process with the Thai social worker and that 1st Approval would be expected soon (very likely within the next 7 days). She emphasized that both Holt Sahathai AS WELL AS the Thai gov't social worker are mutually working hard to get our daughter, and other matched children, home before the end of the year! I can't tell everyone how excited I was to hear that!
I feel bad, because I was having a horridly rotten attitude about things yesterday (to anyone who saw my snarky FB post yesterday, I apologize for being a Debbie Downer), It was such a blessing today to hear that people on all sides of this process really do care about the kids and the families, and are absolutely working to the best of their ability to try and get these sweet kids home asap. We have a "tentative" court date of December 1. Bridget, it would be neat to travel at the same time as you, but I do hope for your sake that you get the earlier date!

It's AWESOME that things are moving along in Bangkok! This should mean good things for everyone who's waiting at various stages. I'm happy for us all. Blessings!

[Tulip]

And congrats to Brenda, too! I hope we both get our Approvals very very soon.

[Kristen+Josh]

I'm so happy to see some forward movement for the December referral group. What great news for your family, Bridget!!! I hope you get the earlier meeting date and this is the start of 1st Approvals to many waiting families.

[Coley]

That's great news! Congrats to everyone who will bring their little ones home this year!

[Jeska]

It has seemed like such a long, drawn-out wait for many of us and I'm so glad for those of you who heard news of 1st Approvals. What a blessing it will be to have your kids home by Christmas. I'm really happy you guys finally got tentative travel dates. Isn't it great to actually know the date?!?!?! We were told to expect January.. but a girl can dream of December, right?

Angie ~ You totally aren't a debbie downer, you are entitled to feel frustration at the delays. I think we all know how you're feeling. I agree, however, that when you don't see or know what's going on behind the scenes you can only guess as to the cause of the delays and feel angry. As the Aug email from Holt pointed out, they are doing everything they can to expedite the process. I think the slowdowns lie with the Thai government, and Holt (and Holt Sahathai) is advocating for us as much as they humanly can. It's hard to blindly put trust in a complex process that is lightyears away. It was a nice reminder that we aren't forgotten.

That being said, I haven't really handled the wait with grace and patience (as my comment may lead you to believe). Some days are quite bleak, but some days are hopeful. And I hope you guys start experiencing a whole heck of a lot more hopeful ones.

[youngs]

Hurray!!! I am so happy for all of you! This brings some hope back to the delay filled summer! Adoption has its ups and downs, Angie, so don't feel badly! It means you feel, which is a good thing because you are a mama and your baby is far away. I wouldn't get between a bear and its cub. LOL.

[kyleandrobin]

Yay! Congrats Bridget - so happy for you!

[lucy]

yay bridget!!!!! yay!!!!!! so good to meet you and what a relief that you are getting to travel now!