Embassy update and TBK is 6 months old!

As it is Thursday, J. Mo, baby crew and I headed over to the U.S. Embassy to check in with our buddy, Evan Elliot (who I learned today is from Leadville, CO and his father was the city’s mayor for 8 years!). 

We were pleasantly surprised to learn that the investigator is currently in the region (Harar) and due back tomorrow and will submit his report by the middle of the next week.

The goal of the Embassy investigation is to confirm the orphan status of each case in question.  If the investigation satisfies the Embassy’s definition of an orphan, it can issue the visit and schedule the exit interview within a few days.

If they are NOT satisfied, the case gets sent to the USCIS/Nairobi Office which conducts another investigation.  This generally takes about a month.

What to think…

Best case scenario, we could be out of here within 2 weeks.   It is also quite likely that our cases will be sent to Nairobi and be another @5 weeks.  I know of 3 families from our adoption agency whose cases have recently been sent to Nairobi for further investigation.  

I don’t even want to think about a worse case scenario, so I won’t.

On a less anxious note, TBK turned 6 months old today!!  As such, we splurged and had a great time lunching at the Sheraton.  We are having a bigger celebration tomorrow night with the Hodes’ household --to coincide with our 9^th Shabbat.

My mom sent Tali a beautiful note and reminded me that today is also the yartzeit (death anniversary) of my Grandmother, Selma “Eamie” Sax Pink.

-----Original Message-----

From: pat kraft

Sent: Thursday, January 26, 2012 11:24 AM

To: Jennifer Kraft

Subject: To Tali Bamlak Kraft

Dearest Tali,

Thanks to your cousin Karen, we are reminded that it is your 6th month birthday and your Poppa and I join the rest of your family in wishing you a long and happy life, and an especially fun day in celebration.

    

Today is also a day of reflection for me.  Looking back 14 years ago, your Mommy was with me when we said goodbye to my mommy, "Beamie," your Great grandmother ....an expected but sad day for so many people that loved her. Two days ago I received in the mail a plaque that had hung in our synagogue in Benton Harbor, MI, for many years, commemorating the many good deeds she had accomplished....

So my little one, your name will always be Beamie to me, no matter what we call you, to honor the memory of both of your great-grandmothers who truly lived life doing deeds of "loving kindness."

May your awesome Ema raise you to follow these precepts with humor, love and much joy...HAPPY BIRTHDAY to you and  love to your Ema."

LOVE and can’t wait to hold you.  Uncle Gary thinks you are terrific.  He arrived home exhausted but happy last night.....Poppa and me."

Love and Goodnight from Addis,
--Jen and Beamie