2 VERY busy days!

One day at the orphanage, they suggested that i meet the attorney that they work with. Felix called a few times to set it up and she was very obviously not interested in meeting with us. She was clear that her schedule was very busy. BUT She would be able to give us a little time on Wednesday morning. So i had to be ready to leave the house by 7:30 to get in the taxi with Felix and where we needed to be at 8 to meet Vicki, the Attorney. I was SO nervous. I didn't know when i packed that i might be meeting an attorney, so i was stressed about my clothes. Thank goodness Hilary (my roommate) had a cute shirt that matched my skirt, and i happened to buy a necklace at the craft market that worked too. Not only was i worried about what i was wearing but the tone in the attorney's voice on the phone did not lead me to believe that she wanted to meet with us AT ALL even though she gave us a time, so i was worried that it wouldn't go well. The whole way there i prayed and prayed that it would go well, that i would ask the right questions, and that basically i could win her over because if i didn't, that would be really bad! When we got out of the taxi we had to walk to find it. We passed a restaurant called Red Apple, which i should have known was a positive sign... for those of you who know thats my FAVORITE restaurant at home.

When we walked in, the secretary asked why we were there and if we had an appointment. It seemed like they thought we didn't. My stomach hurt EVEN worse now because i didn't know what was happening They said we could sit down. I was SO glad that Felix was there because he speaks both languages.

When we walked in, Vicki stood and shook my hand. She was VERY professional, and a little stand offish... I was just doing my best not to throw up! We sat down and started talking. She wanted to know who i was and where i was from, who Felix was and where he comes from.. etc. I started talking about how this was my 2nd year back in Uganda, because i met a baby at Nsambya babies home, and i wanted to adopt her. Felix said her name was Scholastika. Vicki asked if she was by herself in another room, and when we said yes, her entire demenor changed. She sat back and put her hand on her heart. She said that she had been praying for a family for her, and that she knew exactly who she was. THEN i knew it was going to be ok. She shared with me that she was going to be traveling back and forth to the United States and introduced me to some other attorneys in her practice who i may talk with. She said they would do whatever they could to help. She was sure that Nsambya would give me guardianship, and that i could take her back to the US and finalize my adoption there. She told me a little bit about the process and what court would look like. She said that as soon as i have my home study complete, that i should email it and as soon as she receives it, she would put me in the cue for a court date. Her estimate was that i could have a court date as early as december, but most likely by February. When we were leaving she said that she didn't really want to meet with us, but she felt like God told her just give them 5 minutes. THEN she said that i had made her day. I was thinking Lady!! Are you kidding me!~ I made your day... you have NO idea!!! BUT i just said thank you so much for your time! ha. GOD IS GOOD!!!

Today when i got to Nsambya, they asked if i wanted to go with her to Therapy. I was a little hesitant, because my last experience with "therapy" was traumatic, and it wasn't even her. SO i didn't know how i would handle it. BUT i did want to go. SO Lola and i boarded a BODA... and went down the street to the hospital. YES ... i said it... A BODA! I was totally freaking out about how i was going to hold on to the Boda, and Lola. I was thinking SO much more about crashing then i ever do when it is just me riding it. BUT i see little kids on Bodas all the time so i figured. TIA and when in Africa, do as the Africans ... so off we went. When i got there, the Nuns all knew who i was also, which was kinda cool. I was happy that i was able to speak with the woman who does her therapy. She clearly didn't understand when i told her what i do, because she tried to explain Cerebral Palsy to me. BUT i just listened like i had no idea. Therapy at the hospital resembles home therapy to me but something is WAY better then nothing. She hates it, but they don't talk to her while they do it either, so she just cries. It was definitely better "therapy" then the last time that i went at the other babies home, so i will take it!

In the afternoon i went back to Nsambya to hang out with Lola, and Sarah Fisher. She was in Uganda last year, and like myself, came back for another summer. She has been saying ALL along that i should adopt her, and so when she found out that i was coming back and would be here, she said she was coming to hang out at the babies home with me. So she has come a few times to see Lola with me, and also on her own. She has promised that she will check on her while i am gone too.. WHICH is very appreciated by me! We spent some time on her board. She HATES it because she has to hold her head up and the weight bearing in her shoulders hurts, since it isn’t something that is EVER done.. BUT she likes to read Dr. Seuss while she is there, and she tends to forget that she wants to complain if we sing or read a book.

She likes to help turn the pages.

Right now i have to help her.. but pretty soon she will learn to do it by herself.

After she had spent some time on her stomach, we took her and Mick Paul (her roommate) outside to the playground. Sarah LOVES him so we take him when we go! Lola likes to be there. I don’t know if it is that she likes it outside, or if she really likes the swings, but either way she is happy to be there. It was a really great day!

Here is Sarah and Mick Paul

I LOVE her face here! She really liked it ... i promise! Although this face looks like she doesn't!