Life as a Family of 3

Finally, an update! For awhile, I simply could not put this huge transition into words. I still can't, really. There is no way to describe the way your life changes when you become parents to a four-year-old overnight.  I am still getting used to being a mother. It's a very natural thing for me, but also not everything that I expected. I am still working on finding a balance between being Noel's mom and being Sarah. I think you lose yourself in the role of mother really quickly. Dave is an amazing father with a seemingly endless supply of patience and softly spoken words.

Noel is sweet and precious and sensitive and funny, BUT he doesn't like to be alone. So for this introverted mama, that is a struggle. He must always know where we are, and 85% of the time, he must be right there with us. He talks and sings and asks questions non-stop, which is cute some of the time and exhausting the rest of the time. I think he will be an excellent student because he is so curious, but let's just say there is NO way I will be homeschooling him.

I have been staying home full-time since we came back to the states.  Dave and I are thankful for our strong connection with Noel. We had bonded pretty well in South Africa and have continued to do so since we've been home. Thus far, we haven't encountered any attachment difficulties that can arise with adopted children. We've been blessed with this little guy. His behavior is great most of the time; he is sweet and affectionate and silly. He makes us smile and laugh everyday and our hearts are overwhelmed with love for our little Noely-Bean.

Please continue to pray for Noel and for us. We certainly have had a few challenges and I'm sure we'll have more in the future. Noel has had moments of extreme grief, missing his friends in South Africa. He is still adjusting to life as the only kid in the house and can get lonely (playdates welcome). He is attuned to the fact that our skin is a different color than his, so please pray that we have wisdom while navigating the transracial adoption challenges. Unchartered and terribly important territory.

We are so grateful for all of you walking alongside us during this time. I probably will not post much more on this blog, but feel free to email me (skern1129@gmail.com) with questions or find me on Facebook (Sarah Mauger Kern) for daily updates and pictures.

All Our Love,

Dave, Sarah and Noel

South Africa

We've been home for about a week and a half now. As we see our friends and family, everyone obviously wants to know how our time in South Africa was. Let's just say, I wouldn't want to do it again.

Here are a few shots of our time there. Dave will be working on putting together a video.

The day we met Noel. Taking a tour of TLC. 

One of the first days we spent at TLC. Noel wasn't crazy about having his picture taken. 

@ "Fish & Chips". It was grossing me out a little. 

The roof-top of a really cool restaurant near the Jo-burg Zoo.

We've got more, but I need to sort through both mine and Dave's. Stay tuned for a post about how we are doing as a family of three back in the USA. 

Post-Court Paperwork Process

The adoption of Noel was finalized on August 14, but we are still here in Johannesburg, South Africa. Why? Because a few things have to happen before we can take him back to the US. This is the process:

First, wait for a week while court paperwork is sent to the Registrar of Adoptions in Pretoria and then sent back to us.

Stage 1: Go to Home Affairs office to complete and submit four different forms. These forms basically pull his old name out of the South African database and re-enter him with his new name (Noel David Kern). They will assign a new ID number (which is like a SS#). We cannot proceed to Stage 2 without a new ID number.

*We are currently stuck in this stage. It was only supposed to take 7-10 days and it has been two weeks already. Our agency's partner, who is working behind the scenes on our behalf, has apparently made a direct appeal to National Assembly for our case. (And no, I don't know what National Assembly is)

Stage 2: Go back to Home Affairs office to complete more forms. At this point, we will request a new unabridged birth certificate, which is a necessity for Noel's Visa. We will also apply for a temporary and permanent Passport (We cannot apply for a passport without new ID number). The temporary passport should take 3-5 days. We do not know how long the birth certificate will take, but I don't have high hopes for anything speedy.

Stage 3: Receive notice that the birth certificate is ready and schedule appointment at US Consulate. At this time, we will be able to purchase a plane ticket for Noel. (We will most likely have to change the existing flights for me and Dave, because they are for September 10 and I don't see any way we will be able to leave then.)

Stage 4: Visa interview at the US Consulate. I believe they will give us his Visa right away at this appointment and we will be able to come home.

We have no idea how much longer all of this will take. We are so discouraged at this point. We have been here for 5 weeks and the estimated time in country that we were given was 5-6 weeks. We are having some horrible luck and could really use a miracle right now.