Caterina is NOT our adopted child from Haiti, and she isn't from Chicago either.

          This is so sweet .  My nephews are a tad confused about our exchange student from Italy, Caterina.  My sister has been trying to prepare them for our adoption, but I suppose we should have mentioned that we would also have an exchange student living with us.  They think Caterina is their new cousin.  Well, she kinda is their new cousin, but I’m afraid of what they will think when she has to go home to Italy in a few months.    And let me tell you about Elijah.  He thinks Caterina is from Chicago.   All he knows is that her plane took off from there to come here.  KIDS!  They are so funny.

          I have had a very hard time pronouncing the name, “Caterina”.  Well, I can say it the American way, but it has bothered me that I can’t pronounce it correctly. I just can’t roll the R.  Out of respect for her parents, I would really like to call her by her given name.  She likes that we call her Cate, but I was afraid that her mother would be offended.  I can imagine meeting her mother when this 10 months is over.  I don’t want her to think that her daughter has been with us for almost a year, and we don’t even know her name.  I have expressed this to Caterina and she thinks I’m crazy, so I guess I’m going to have to let it go.  It has made me think about naming our adopted child.   People ask about that all the time, and we’ve gone back and forth.  We will have the choice to keep the given name or give him/her an American name.  Out of respect for his/her birth parents, I want to keep all or part of his/her name in some way.  I guess it also depends on the age of the child, but I think it’s important that we show respect for the birth parents, and that’s one way to do it.  I think!  I’m still not sure, so I’m looking for a little guidance on that.  I’m not worried because I know that my God already knows his/her name.   

          I was a little impatient this week, so I sent an email to inquire about the progress on our dossier.  Our paperwork has been legalized, and now it is being translated into French.  The translation will be completed by September 30^th at the latest, and then it will be on its way to Haiti.  Everything has to be hand delivered in Haiti, which gives new meaning to the words, "snail mail".  Once in Haiti, the timeframe becomes even more unpredictable.  Not knowing is difficult, but it’s in God’s hands.  Pray for us!