The Fast & the Furious!

For those who know us well, know we’re fast movers.  We make decisions and we get things done!

This has all unfolded much faster than we anticipated but we are on board and along for the ride – of a lifetime I think! 

We said YES to this little guy in China and we couldn’t be more excited!

We will call him “S” for now, as we’d like his name to start with an “S”, just like his soon to be little brother, Sullivan.

“S” was born with a medical condition called Bladder Exstrophy – in simple terms; he was born with his bladder outside of his body.  He has since had surgery to put his bladder back where it belongs but will need further surgeries once he is here.  Otherwise he is developing normally.

We can’t share pictures or video publicly for another couple of weeks until we are pre-approved. We are pre-PRE-approved, but not PRE-approved. However that all works! But he will be OURS, so long as everything else works out.  Which neither we, nor our agency have any current concerns over since we’ve been down this path before. 

I have been AMAZED at how much support and how many responses we have had from strangers and doctors near and far! Dr. Gearhart at John’s Hopkins in Maryland is “the man” from what I’m told in regards to this condition. He emailed me personally after reviewing “S’s” file and gave me the run down on his thoughts.

Dr. Skoog at Doernbecher in Portland also reviewed his file and called me directly and spent 30 minutes explaining what he sees from the reports and before/after photo’s that were sent us. He was wonderful and I couldn’t be more thankful for these physicians taking time out of their crazy busy days to discuss this with us so we could make an informed decision and feel comfortable that we have access to the type of medical care that “S” will need.

Dr. Takla, a peds urologist here in Bend also spent time reviewing his file and labs and called me directly to give me her take. I’ve also been included in several BE support groups which have helped us become aware of what types of options little “S” will have as he grows up as well as just all around support and love from the BE community of patients and their families! It’s a whole new world – really restores faith in humanity when you see how people come together to help each other by sharing their knowledge and experiences.

Now the nitty gritty… 

At the same time we were matched with “S”, we signed paperwork to cancel the Ethiopian adoption through the other agency. They DID agree to refund the donations that you all gave. Yay!!! It was a small fight, (and luckily I’d saved EVERY piece of correspondence) but I made it happen. So you can all rest assured that you're helping bring this little guy home!

We are still losing loads (and loads) of money but at the end of the day, we are more ecstatic about bringing this little guy home than staying in a torn place over the money we’ve lost.

Our new agency, Wasatch International Adoptions has been WONDERFUL! They are quick to respond, quick to give updates (without us asking) and even requested and sent us new pictures and video of the little man yesterday!! I so wish I could post…

BUT.I.CAN'T.

Yet. J

So here we are again, mounds of paperwork waiting for us, lots of money to save, things to do, passports to get (Sullivan needs one – who knew a 5 month old would?!) and on and on. But we see a little face at the end of this tunnel.  He EXISTS this time! It’s unbelievable and a wonderful feeling to know there is a little one, that we’ve seen and fell in love with waiting at the end of all this.

Once I can share more about him, I will!! I will also need some help in renaming this blog since “BringingHaileHome” is no longer. There has been some grief over it, for all of us. It’s sad that we won’t get to meet this little girl that my husband so dearly named right after we signed all the dotted lines, but we KNOW there is a little boy patiently waiting for us to become his mommy and daddy (big sissies and little brother too) and help him grow and prosper with all the love and care we have to give him!

Please pray, cross your fingers, send good thoughts (whatever your fancy ;) that this process is successful, less frustrating and speedy. We want to get this little guy home as fast as we can!

More to come…

~The Drakes xo

It's been awhile!

I'm sure many of you have wondered, as several have asked, if we're still adopting...?

Adopting, Yes. From Ethiopia, No. 

It's been a long and as of late, frustrating journey. I have sat down at least a half dozen times in the last year to write an update and when I read back through my complainer face sermon, I've determined its just better not to post. 

As things got increasingly frustrating with our agency, we decided to table updates and work until

after Sullivan was born as we just wanted to enjoy my pregnancy, and this little miracles arrival.

Recently we started reviewing every thing again with our agency, talking to other waiting families, and interviewing agencies who also have programs in Ethiopia. 

The outlook isn't good. 

Many agencies aren't even accepting new families into their Ethiopian program at this point as everything has slowed down so much due to changes in the rules, and unrest in the country. 

Since Ethiopia is looking like a dead end, and has for awhile, we decided to explore other options. 

During our hunt for answers we learned about two programs, one in Bulgaria and one in China where you can be matched with little ones before the mountain of paperwork even begins! These kiddos have mild to severe special needs. 

We fell in love with a little guy from Bulgaria, but as we took a few days to learn more about his condition he was snatched up by a loving family. After looking at dozens of other kiddos we ran across a little guy from China that we just can't get over! He is adorable and full of love and life! Such a handsome little guy who has a special need that surgery can help correct to allow him to lead a full, healthy life!

With the help from a nice doctor in Maryland, we've gathered a lot of good info on his condition and what he may need. We are super excited about this little one and are hoping to hear back from some doctors at John's Hopkins in Maryland today to see if our thoughts and course of action would be on track for him. As the type-A, planner that I am, I like to understand everything before jumping in with both feet - but we may just need to take a leap...AND...trust...  

Luckily the agency this little one is with is allowing us the time we need to explore and make a well informed decision.

Please pray that we find the answers to our questions. I know we will be heart broken if we don't as our hearts have already grown to love this little one. Please also pray that our first agency is cooperative with the items they have agreed to, to help facilitate us moving down this path and forward with a different adoption agency.

Much love <3 <3 <3

~The Drakes