Things have suddenly gotten very busy for Jillian Michaels! On May 12 former coach for NBC’s The Biggest Loser brought home her two year old daughter Lukensia from Haiti after a two year adoption process; this just two weeks after her partner gave birth to a son Phoenix on May 3 in Los Angeles.
“We’re swimming in babies over here,” Michaels, 38, told PEOPLE in its latest issue.
Michaels started the adoption process in Hati after she had started the legal process to adopt a child from the Democratic Republic of Congo. Jillian explained that it was a pilot adoption program in Congo and she had commented, “I’m terrified that [the country] will close, so I just keep my fingers crossed and hope for the best and give it to God.” She received an adoption referral for her little girl shortly thereafter. To the best of our knowledge Michaels is still pursing adoption from the Democratic Republic of Congo.
It has been a struggle for other adoption agencies to be successful in Congo. The Congo program at MLJ Adoptions, Inc. is not a pilot program and has successfully brought more than 80 children home from Congo and has more scheduled to come home for a total of 100 by the end of June. Families currently in our Congo program have been receiving a referral within approximately two to four months from receiving their I-171H from USCIS and their child usually comes home approximately seven to 11 months later.
Many parents in the adoption process have a concern that a country might close. MLJ does a great job of researching and building relationships in the countries, staying up to date with changes, and keeping families informed. Countries can close, which is completely out of our control, but so far our adoption program in the Democratic Republic of Congo has continued to be a huge success and we do not anticipate the country closing any time soon.
With two new little ones at home, we are wondering if Jillian is still pursuing her adoption from Congo. Since she already sent in her dossier, there is less work for her to do until closer to finalization. Some parents find the wait a bit easier when there is at least one child in the house. What a fun new adventure for Jillian. Her home must be filled with excitement with a newborn and a toddler. It will be fun to see if she adds a third child in sooner or later.
MLJ Adoptions
MLJ Adoptions is a Non-Profit, Hague-Accredited adoption service provider located in Indianapolis, Indiana, working in Africa, Eastern Europe, Latin America and the Pacific Isles. We are passionate about serving children in need.
MLJ Adoptions
MLJ Adoptions is a Non-Profit, Hague-Accredited adoption service provider located in Indianapolis, Indiana, working in Africa, Eastern Europe, Latin America and the Pacific Isles. We are passionate about serving children in need.