From party to panic and back

Well, as you know, today was the day we have been counting down to for weeks! (Over a year if you count the entire process) The day started as we expected. Our visit with Elisona in the orphanage was pretty normal with only mommy and daddy knowing what the day really meant. Cydil’s parents arrived at about 9:30 and by 10:15 we were throwing the first of two parties for the orphanage kids (pictures to come tomorrow). The pudding was a hit with some of the kids and a miss with others, but everyone enjoyed the bubbles! We left Ellie for her nap and went to lunch anticipating the afternoon when we would return to pick-up Elisona, sign some paperwork, and head back to Tirana with Elisona Joy Waggoner!

It was a phone call from our Bethany representative during lunch that changed our celebration lunch into one of frustration. We were told that the judge did not have the paperwork done (that he had had 15 days to draw up) and because there was no power at the court house, it would not be completed today, meaning we could not take Elisona home until tomorrow at the earliest. Needless to say, this eliminated our appetite and changed our mindset dramatically. We made phone calls, we prayed, and we made more phone calls. Finally, we decided to return to the court house with our representative to see if there was any way of getting the papers that were promised for today. Our first prayer was answered as we arrived and noticed that the power was back on. To make a long story short, while we got the adoption decree today, we were unable to notarize the custody paperwork today (it turns out that today is the day that all the notaries in Vlora attended a seminar to update their licensure). What that meant was that we could take Ellie home with us, but our first full day of “parenthood” will be spent in the car driving back to Vlora leaving Elisona behind in Tirana with Grandma Van and Aunt Hannah as babysitters while we get a document notarized (it has to be notarized in Vlora because the orphanage director’s signature is also required, not just ours). After tonight’s tortuous ride home, we didn’t want to subject Ellie to 6 more hours in the carseat on Wednesday, only to repeat it again on Thursday when she will make the required trip to apply for her passport.

All this hassle is worth it though as I hear her cute little snore coming from the crib at the foot of our bed while we type this blog. She has seemed quite relaxed and comfortable with us since arriving at the apartment and for that we are very grateful. Provided we return at a decent hour tomorrow, we hope to post photos for you. Meanwhile, we are bushed!