Vibes Please. My brother and SIL are adopting a child from Ethiopia.

[elshiva]

They just announced this last mother's day. It's taken awhile for the news to "sink in" so I haven't reported it earlier.
Okay, first thing people usually ask is "Why not adopt an American baby?" Apparently you have to be really rich to adopt an American. That's what Matt (my brother) said at least. It's easiest to adopt an Ethiopian child right now.
The process is going to take over a year. The child will be a newborn, so he or she may not even be conceived as of this time!
Any vibes or whatever would be great. I am excited for them, even though I have a major phobia about children. They are going to be great parents. :)

[LibertyLover]

1. Congratulations to you and your brother and sister-in-law

from the mom of a little girl adopted from China - it was the best thing that ever happened in my life. Definately good vibes to all concerned!

[elshiva]

3. Good for you! My aunt adopted my cousin from China

about 7 years ago. Matt and Emily would have adopted from China, too, but they've changed their adoption policies.

[Sanity Claws]

2. Good luck and vibes to the new parents

I hadn't heard of Americans adopting children from Ethiopia. I hope it works out well for everyone involved.

[elshiva]

4. I hope it works out well, too. I'd never heard of it, either.

I think it's fine for white parents to raise a black child.

[Sanity Claws]

5. There are some Ethiopian refugees in US

I knew some Eritrean and Ethiopian refugees who were resettled in Seattle. They have strong communities that seem to revolve around their religion. They tend to be Christian Orthodox or Muslim. Your relatives may want to get in touch with these communities so the child learns more about her culture.

[elshiva]

6. Thank you for sharing, Sanity Claws.

I don't know of any Ethiopian communities in Baltimore, where Matt and Emily live, but there might be one. Baltimore is a port city. It's always been ethnically diverse also there are communities of new African immigrants. I've heard about a growing Somali population.

What got my mom excited was the fact that there are Ethiopian Jews, as well as Muslim and Christians. My father's family is Jewish (albeit white Ashkenazi). Ethiopia has such a rich cultural history, it's sad that they are having so much trouble. :(

[Tangerine LaBamba]

7. There's a nice Ethiopian community in DC,

and in Northern Virginia, so I suspect Baltimore may have one, too.

The most beautiful people in the world, I swear, come from Ethiopia...................

[elshiva]

8. Yes, Ethiopia has had a lot of influence on our culture.

More than people realize. One word: "Rastafarianism." Raggae is Jamaican, but it's heart and inspiration is Ethiopia. I was in Target the other day and I saw a man covered in the Ethiopian flag. To top it off, he had a gold Lion of Judah that is in the flag around his neck. He could have been Ethiopian and/or a Rastafarian.

[BarenakedLady]

9. Best wishes.

:hug:

[elshiva]

11. Thank you, BarenakedLady. How are you?

:hug:

[BarenakedLady]

12. I'm doing good.

Thanks for asking.

How about yourself?

:pals:

[elshiva]

14. You are welcome. I am still very sick.

:pals: :hug:
Are you naked? :)

[BarenakedLady]

17. I am!

Under the covers, under my pjs! LoL. I'm always nekkid underneath.

[elshiva]

23. Naked under your clothes.

:) :hug: How is the horse? ;)

[Inchworm]

10. Grats and vibes to you all!

:woohoo:

:hug:

[elshiva]

13. Thank you, Inchworm. Did you see my Doctor Who thread?

:hug: :hug: :hug:

[Inchworm]

15. Yup

I even clicked on it. I got confused by all those words, words, words though. :dunce:

:blush:

[elshiva]

16. What confused you?

I am really mad at the person who reviewed it because he used the phrase "magic Negro" which is fucking racist bullshit. :puke:

[Inchworm]

18. Oh!

Ok, I see now. What an ass.

I just saw it was Amazon and backed out :D

:*

[elshiva]

21. Heehee, I love you honey.

:* :*

[Inchworm]

25. I love you too!

:loveya:

[elshiva]

26. What is that a picture of? It's very tiny.

It's the Doctor, but what is he doing. :loveya:

Thanks!

[LeftyFingerPop]

19. Good vibes and best wishes, sweetie

:hug:

[elshiva]

22. Thank you, studmuffin. There should be ashtrays in doctor's offices.

:hug: :loveya:

[darkstar]

20. Vibes.

Kudos to your family, too. You'll make a terrifc Auntie, I imagine....



:hug: :hug: :hug: :hug:

[elshiva]

24. Thank you, Darkstar.

I'll send the child presents and whatever he/she needs, but I can not babysit. I have a big child phobia, so I'm going to be a bad auntie. :(

:hug:

[kwassa]

27. You don't have to be rich to adopt an American baby.

Congratulations to your brother and sister-in-law, and you, auntie!

Most adoption programs, or many, at least, operate on a sliding scale based on income. If you adopt children over age 2, the process is often free, paid for by different government programs.

We adopted a wonderful infant girl from Long Island, New York two years ago. We were charged based on our income. She is a fabulous child.

I don't blame your brother and sister-in-law, most Americans don't really check out domestic adoption.

and here she is last summer at the beach.

[elshiva]

28. She is a beautiful child.

They did investigate domestic adoption. That's what they said. I don't know much. Again, I have a child phobia, so I don't get into these issues.

I DO respect people who are good parents. :hug:

[kwassa]

29. Thanks!

[Tuesday Afternoon]

30. wishing you guys all the best on this

:hug:

[elshiva]

31. Thank you, sugar.

:hug: :*

[NJmaverick]

32. Hey they deserve the best no matter who they open their hearts and homes to

adopting is a wonderful thing.

[raptor_rider]

33. Good Luck!!!

My mother and step father in law adopted a 6 year old girl from Thailand back in 2006. They started the process after the tsunami hit. It is a lot of work, however in the end, it is worth all of the waiting, paperwork, procedures, and yes, money.

[applegrove]

34. Very cool.