I had a dream a month or two ago about our adoption. When I awoke, it was with the distinct impression that we needed to get all our affairs in order so that we would be prepared when our adoption goes through. I clung tight to that dream, but as the months have passed and things in Samoa have deteriorated I have lost hope.

I've heard from a few people who have a Samoan referral that the attorneys are sending new affadavits. The process seems to be resuming. We won't know anything for sure until someone has a successful adoption under these new laws. Even then, it doesn't necessarily mean anything to us since our situation is particularly unique. But it gives me a glimmer of hope.
- posted by Adria @ 12:40 PM

 
I received an email today from our agency. Our letter did get to Samoa and things are being worked on from that end. Nothing has changed, really, except that I'm going to keep hoping. If the birth family still wants to place the children, maybe we do still have a chance of bringing them home.
- posted by Adria @ 2:17 PM

 
I have emailed our agency twice for an update but haven't heard back yet. The new Samoan law says that off-island adoptions will not be permitted unless no one on the island can care for the child. In addition, all adoptions will need to be approved by the Attorney General, who does not want non-Samoans adopting the Samoan children. There are some who don't like that she has given herself so much power, but that's how the law stands at this time.

Our situation is a little bit different. Theoretically, since the judge already signed our paperwork, we are just waiting for the US Consulate to issue the boys' visas. However, the person at the consulate is disapproving of the Samoan adoptions in general, and with the changes in Samoa a whole lot of little things would have to go our way for us to bring them home.

I tell myself I shouldn't give up hope, but for the most part, I have.
- posted by Adria @ 10:18 AM