Letter still not with the ministry. Sigh!

So, it has been about 2 weeks now since we couriered the letters of acceptance, and as before the courier is missing somewhere between Almaty and Astana. Liana and Tanya are trying their best to find out what's going on and be on their case, but the letter has still not reached the ministry. The good news is, the ministry is aware of our decision and has made a note of it, so the kids are not going anywhere till we get to them.

Since everything is new with the new Hague rules, there are changes in the Immigration medicals as well. Old Doctors having left, new ones still figuring out things, etc. So that is expected to add some delay too, after the 30 day bonding period and before the court date can be given. So, its definitely not going to be a straight 30 days of bonding+Court in a week after+2 week appeal period+1 week for passport etc. If only it were that easy and simple as that. Some agency is telling their clients that they can go for just a single two-month trip. Though this would be great, practically speaking, unless things change drastically and they smooth out all the wrinkles in the process/timeline wise/no hiccups etc...that doesn't seem likely to happen. 3 months straight stay may be more realistic, to be honest.

But we are going to do the 2 or 3 trips for sure. 1st for the month long bonding period. Then 1 week appx for the court trip and then one or both of us can go back to pick him up for the last 1 week trip. Maybe we can go visit our family in Delhi, India (just a 3 hr flight from there!) after the 2nd trip while we wait out the appeal period, or maybe I can stay back, depending on many things. Let's see. All the better to use our wonderful Aeroplan Points for! :)

The fact that Adoption Horizons in Ontario is the first one to be doing this with the new process (and Sophie's agency in QC), they will take the brunt of the wrinkles in the new process, since after us 3 couples, these agencies will know what the ministry expects exactly and that can & will save time for future couples-or at least be prepared for the same.