Approved.

Aaaahhhhhhhh!!!!!  Our files for both boys were just APPROVED by the Haitian Government!!!  I am BEYOND thrilled!  I can't believe it.  It took exactly two months, which is ridiculously fast! This is truly an answer to so many prayers.

There are now basically 3 more steps before I can go pick them up.  1) Parquet - where the adoptions will be legalized through the Haitian courts 2) MOI, where the boys obtain their visas to travel to the United States, and finally 3) I-600 approval from the US Immigration (which allows my boys to enter the United States and will make them US citizens immediately upon arrival).  These last 3 steps will take a few more months, but I am praying that things keep moving as quickly as they are.  I just cannot believe how quickly their approvals came, I am in elated shock!!!  Thank you so much for all of your prayers and support.

benson brothers june update...

Not too much to update, but I looooooove these pictures they sent of the boys playing together!  They spent 10 days in the Lamardelle orphanage this last month where they got to sleep in beds next to each other which, apparently, they loved.  The reports said that Ashley stayed glued to Mickenson's side the whole time they were in Lamardelle, and that Mickenson was very protective of his little brother. :)

I am so glad that they have each other. 

Ashley looks almost as tall as Mickenson here!

Ashley is getting so much bigger!  "Ashley's gross motor skills have improved greatly since his transition to the toddler group. The freedom to move about more often and play with new toys has increased his walking skills as well as his finger dexterity. He is able to understand and follow basic instructions and he recognizes familiar faces."

"Mickenson loved the open space of Lamardelle which allowed him to run around freely.  Mickenson enjoyed playing soccer each night in the Lamardelle foyer with some of the older children, ages 6, 9, and 15.  Mickenson loved chasing after the ball and using his feet to kick and run and had no trouble keeping up with the older kids."  I cannot wait to take him to a soccer field and just set him free.

Our files remain in IBESR, they have been in there about a month and a half. The approximate waiting time in IBESR is 2-6 months (lately there have been several that have been approved in around 2 and a half months, so that is encouraging?).  Thank you so much to everyone who has supported us in this.  We absolutely could not be this far in the process if it weren't for the help of so many of my friends and family.  Thank you so so very much.