And...

They made me wait 5 and a half weeks. They told me the consejo was programmed for Thursday 29th November. I knew, KNEW deep down, that I wouldn't have news that very day but when they give you a date, you kind of stick in your head that this is THE date. It wasn't. 

I flipped out all day, had my phone stuck to my hand, was sweating, shaking, crying at various points in the day till at last I called to find out what was going on and when I would know. They were still in the meeting. Then I got my friend to call an hour later. They were in the meeting till 6pm and so no, there would be no news that day. There was some confusion over what the chuff happened next as my friend was told that they had to talk to the jefa, then to the specialists? 'What specialists?', I shrieked in the taxi...sorry, Nya. She had no idea. We had no idea. But I knew then that I was just going to have to wait and when they called me would be when they would call me. It's a very typical reaction of mine now. I go absolutely nuts for about an hour, then calm down and carry on as normal and everything is fine again...

So Friday also came and went. I checked the website about a gazillion times over the weekend. I was also moving apartment (NEVER, EVER AGAIN!) and had our Christmas party that Saturday evening. Naturally, I checked myself into the fancy hotel and just indulged. When you are awaiting news of your potential child-to-be, what else is there to do?? Luckily, the weekend did pass quickly as I was so busy moving.

Monday arrived. I was just lining my kids up outside for play when my phone went. I screamed at my assistant to take the kids, almost vommed as I answered with sweating, shaking hands and the gorgeous human on the end of the phone asked that I go to the office that afternoon to handle some paperwork as I was approved to be this Tiny Human's mummy. I asked her to repeat it. Then I started bawling my brains out in my classroom, all on my tod, and asked her just to clarify that this was indeed what she was saying. 

Yes. You are approved. You are the designation for NN. 

The world hasn't stopped spinning round my head since Monday. I've had an appointment with the delightful psychologist who was the one absolutely hellbent on the fact that children want TWO PARENTS, MARIANNE! In. Yo. Face. There's a pile more complication because I'm going home for Christmas but as he's waited 2 years and 7 months to get a mummy, I don't think he'll mind if I go and see my mummy and daddy first. There's also the absolute hilarity that I had to submit ANOTHER LETTER. This one is to accept their acceptance. I shit you not. I have to write a letter and deliver it to say thank you for accepting my request to be his mummy, I also accept your acceptance. It's in. I don't know what the next step is because I never know the next bit...only the bit I'm on. But, with any luck and without any complications, my little boy will be home with his new family early next year. I can't wait. 

The thing that sticks in my head right now, as I told my big sister who has been an absolute pillar of support and encouragement through this whole process, is that I do not feel alone in this at all. My village have just been oozing love and support all over me and my son (MY SON!!!!) and none of us can wait till he comes home and joins our huge family. So, thank you, from the very, very bottom of my heart and to all eternity, for being here for us. Every one of you. xxxx