Some useful info from a bureaucrat? Wow!

Some good news, at last! Well, at least useful news.

This morning my colleague was able to help us speak with the Magistrate's office and we learned that we can definitely go to California for my sister's wedding because we won't be able to meet the baby until after our adoption training course is finished (which will probably be at least 3-4 more months, meaning August or September at the earliest.)

We had wondered if they might wait till the course was over to call us, since all the Czech applicants who are at our stage in the process will have to complete the course, so our file is probably in the batch with them. The latest we had heard is that we might not have to do the Czech training course (we're taking one online in English from an American adoption agency), but we'll have to go to the first session on April 19th to find out more details because we haven't been able to get a straight answer.

At this point, even if we have to take the course in Czech (with a translator), or don't have to go to every session but have to wait until it's over, that will be okay with me. The disadvantages of that new reality:

• We don't get to meet our baby as soon (it might not be till August or later)
• We might have to pay a translator for 10 sessions

However, the advantages are actually pretty cool:

• I had already reconciled myself to August or later because it looks like our new visas won't be ready till then anyway
• This means we can go to Sarah's wedding without any worries
• We can also spend several weeks in California, seeing friends and family, meeting the new ESI teachers at training (for the first week), and stocking up on some things for next year

So, overall, this is good news. And from a bureaucrat, no less! :-)

By the way... The photo in the post has absolutely nothing to do with the adoption, but it is from a recent trip we took together for our church retreat in the interesting town of Kutna Hora.