Patience

Patience has been the theme for 2012, and it's only fitting that it should end with a figurative exclamation point!  My sister, Michelle, finally received a ruling from the court.  It was not what we hoped.  The judge ruled that she is able to leave Tonga with Malia, the baby girl; but her custody rights to Sima, the five year old boy, were stripped.  Because nothing in Tonga is quick, she didn't have to say good-bye to him right away.  She did however have to give him the news as he waited outside the court room.  Because Sima is a very resilient little boy, he took the news and understood that it was time to move on to the next thing.  The next thing being that he would return to live with his Grandmother and cousins.  I can not know the intentions of the judge, but what he sited in his ruling was half truths.  It is very frustrating working with this court system as they only hear appeals in April and October, so again we wait.  The birth family will continue to work towards the adoption while Michelle is back home in the US.  In April Michelle and her husband Omar will go back and get Sima.  Michelle is wisely choosing to see that this could be for the best.  Michelle knows that it is important for Sima to understand that his birth family is not trying to get rid of him, but that they want something better for him.  Hopefully he will come to know this over the next few months.

 Michelle and Malia however are coming home.  They have already left Tonga, and are now waiting in Fiji; which is the closest US Embassy for Malia's visa.  She already has a US passport so I'm still not certain why she needs a visa - but what do I know?   They were supposed to be home in time for Christmas, but another paper work snafu has delayed their departure. 

They are however currently staying in a place that has running water, air conditioning, no rats, and easy access to food.  They're actually staying at the LDS temple housing in Fiji, she is surrounded by lots of nice people who are happy to be there as well.  These are major conveniences that are lifting her spirits and helping her transition back to the US.  It's been great to be able to face time with her and talk to her more frequently.  I didn't know how much seeing her face and hearing her voice would mean to me.  Christmas night I was able to see her for the first time in over a year and a half; and it made me happier than I expected.  She is scheduled to leave Fiji on January 2nd, exactly one year to the day that their adoption process started.  Miraculous, hard, and long. 

On my own little tiny front we are still on baby watch.  What I thought were early contractions were most likely just the inklings of the dreaded flu that our whole family has since experienced.  It has not been pretty.  My dr. won't induce me till the 9th, so we are really in it for the long haul.  Patience young grasshopper.  Here's to 2013!