Hello all!
It's been a while since we've updated our blog as we have been home settling in. So far, so wonderful!
We are truly blessed with our sons - they have adjusted beautifully. The things we feared most did not happen! We were both nervous that they wouldn't sleep through the night - turned out not to be an issue! We were nervous that they wouldn't eat anything we fed them - REALLY turned out not to be an issue, especially with AJ! He eats like a teenager!! lol
Aside from a couple little "bugs", they have been very happy and healthy!! And Bryson has mastered riding his bike!
We both comment on how it seems that they've always been with us as they've settled in so well - they're playful, rowdy, and sometimes fussy: everything we've ever expected from 2 little boys!
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Leaving Friday!!
We got our call today for embassy! We will be leaving for Addis this Friday - embassy on August 30!!
Thank you all for your prayers and support!!
Thank you all for your prayers and support!!
Sent from my iPhone
Monday, August 16, 2010
Saturday, July 24, 2010
Getting the boy's room ready
We've been spending the day painting, got a new closet organizer, and will be getting the bunk beds up soon! WHEW! Can't wait to bring them home!
Thursday, July 15, 2010
WE PASSED!!!!
We passed court today!! Praise Him!!
Today we also got to meet the boys' biological mother - we were able to ask questions, and we found out more about her than we thought we would. Her one request of us was to periodically send her pictures of them throughout the years as they grow. I was happy for her when she told us that she is working, and that her health is ok. She also told us more about Wondy father (he was a cook), and other things about her family.
Afterword, we had lunch, and then returned to the transition home where we got to play for an extra long time! (there was a soccor game in the drive - at last count, the girls were being beat BAD!!! lol). We also put the boys in some new outfits and shoes, and took some family pics (will post later)!
Cloud 9 isn't high enough to explain where our feelings are right now!!
As always, thank you all for your continued prayers and support.
We give God all the praise and all the glory for all that he has done for us, all that he continues to do for us, and all that we KNOW he will do for us!!
Today we also got to meet the boys' biological mother - we were able to ask questions, and we found out more about her than we thought we would. Her one request of us was to periodically send her pictures of them throughout the years as they grow. I was happy for her when she told us that she is working, and that her health is ok. She also told us more about Wondy father (he was a cook), and other things about her family.
Afterword, we had lunch, and then returned to the transition home where we got to play for an extra long time! (there was a soccor game in the drive - at last count, the girls were being beat BAD!!! lol). We also put the boys in some new outfits and shoes, and took some family pics (will post later)!
Cloud 9 isn't high enough to explain where our feelings are right now!!
As always, thank you all for your continued prayers and support.
We give God all the praise and all the glory for all that he has done for us, all that he continues to do for us, and all that we KNOW he will do for us!!
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
COURT
The past few days have been so exciting, enlightening, fascinating, and just plain fun! With each passing day, the boys seem to grow so much closer to us - it is though they have always been our sons and we are simply visiting them at summer camp or something! It is such an unbelievable feeling to pull up in our van, and Wondy is outside with the other children looking through the crowd for US! And then to hold Abiti, and have him cling to us and only want one of us to hold him! Today we got to visit the older children's transition home (where Wondy sleeps and spends most of his day) where we got to see his bed and the rest of the home. It's VERY clean and VERY organized - to think so many children are there, yet the place was not in complete chaos. We are just so impressed by the work the nannies at both of these homes do!
While visiting earlier in the day, we had given Wondy about 2 or 3 glow bands to put on his arms. At dinner tonight, we were informed that later in the evening, at bath time, he came running out wearing nothing but the glowing arm bands!! lol
We also dropped of some of the donations today - again, thank you all for your generous giving! And, we still have SO MUCH left to drop off.
We also got to do some shopping - we pretty much went to one shop that had EVERYTHING. There was so much that all of us bought that we all ended up owing David (our driver) a couple thousand BIR! lol
But aside from all the fun, great food and coffee, and SO MANY great laughs with the other families here (we've made some GREAT new friends!), it is alas time to "get down to business". Tomorow is our court date. We are to be ready by 9am, and we will be on our way by 9:30am. We have been assured over and over again that it's not high-pressure, it's very informal, and we should just relax and be ourselves. Still, that's easier said than done. A couple of the families that have gone before us have said the same - it's a very quick and easy process. But, we are still naturally nervous. We will also be able to (and are looking forward to) meet their birth family and ask questions.
We are faithful and continue to pray that all goes well - that there are no paper work issues, and that soon we will have our little ones home with us!!
Once we are out of court - regardless of the outcome - we will post to let you know!
As always, thank you all for your continued prayers and support, and praise HIM for blessing us with this wonderful adoption!
While visiting earlier in the day, we had given Wondy about 2 or 3 glow bands to put on his arms. At dinner tonight, we were informed that later in the evening, at bath time, he came running out wearing nothing but the glowing arm bands!! lol
We also dropped of some of the donations today - again, thank you all for your generous giving! And, we still have SO MUCH left to drop off.
We also got to do some shopping - we pretty much went to one shop that had EVERYTHING. There was so much that all of us bought that we all ended up owing David (our driver) a couple thousand BIR! lol
But aside from all the fun, great food and coffee, and SO MANY great laughs with the other families here (we've made some GREAT new friends!), it is alas time to "get down to business". Tomorow is our court date. We are to be ready by 9am, and we will be on our way by 9:30am. We have been assured over and over again that it's not high-pressure, it's very informal, and we should just relax and be ourselves. Still, that's easier said than done. A couple of the families that have gone before us have said the same - it's a very quick and easy process. But, we are still naturally nervous. We will also be able to (and are looking forward to) meet their birth family and ask questions.
We are faithful and continue to pray that all goes well - that there are no paper work issues, and that soon we will have our little ones home with us!!
Once we are out of court - regardless of the outcome - we will post to let you know!
As always, thank you all for your continued prayers and support, and praise HIM for blessing us with this wonderful adoption!
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Closer and Closer
Yesterday (Tuesday) was once again incredible. After orientation and breakfast at the guest house, we went to the Transition Home to see the boys. Although it's only been a couple days, it seems that we have already grown closer and closer! Wondwoosen came running to us with arms out-stretched when he saw us from their bus! We had so much fun blowing bubbles and playing on the playground together!
Then, it was off to lunch. This time we ate at the art gallery - had some delicious lasagna (yes, by the way - lots of Italian food in Ethiopia!), then more coffee at our favorite place, Kaldi's Coffee.
When we returned to the home, Abiti was down for a nap, so we got to spend a lot more time with Wondy. Although very shy when we first met, he seems to keep opening up more and more. On the playground, he would do something, then tell me to do what he just did, then laugh at me because I'm a grown up trying to play on their toys! He esspecailly thought it was funny when I tried to swing on a small rope that's tied to a tree - he could swing on it just fine, but I had to keep trying to keep my feet from dragging the ground. We are just so amazed at how well he shares, too. Some of the other children had bubble containers that were empty. He woul stop them and literally make them take some of his bubbles so they could play as well. We gave him some cheese crackers and when one of the little girls came up asking for some, before we could reach into the bag to give her her own pack, he had already given her one of his!
Once Abiti woke up, he was just as playful as well. He was full of giggles this time! He didn't seem as fussy as he was on Monday, and was running around kicking the soccer ball.
We got hugs and kisses as it was time for Wondy to get on the bus to return to the older children's transition home, and it was also time for us to leave. My heart melted when I took Abiti back inside to his nanny, and he reached out for me crying...could it be that in this short period of time we have actually grown closer and closer?
Today, we will be taking some the donations that many of you sent. We were told to send MUCH thanks to all! And, the scrubs are REALLY appreciated. Tomorow is court - please continue to pray for us that all goes well!
Then, it was off to lunch. This time we ate at the art gallery - had some delicious lasagna (yes, by the way - lots of Italian food in Ethiopia!), then more coffee at our favorite place, Kaldi's Coffee.
When we returned to the home, Abiti was down for a nap, so we got to spend a lot more time with Wondy. Although very shy when we first met, he seems to keep opening up more and more. On the playground, he would do something, then tell me to do what he just did, then laugh at me because I'm a grown up trying to play on their toys! He esspecailly thought it was funny when I tried to swing on a small rope that's tied to a tree - he could swing on it just fine, but I had to keep trying to keep my feet from dragging the ground. We are just so amazed at how well he shares, too. Some of the other children had bubble containers that were empty. He woul stop them and literally make them take some of his bubbles so they could play as well. We gave him some cheese crackers and when one of the little girls came up asking for some, before we could reach into the bag to give her her own pack, he had already given her one of his!
Once Abiti woke up, he was just as playful as well. He was full of giggles this time! He didn't seem as fussy as he was on Monday, and was running around kicking the soccer ball.
We got hugs and kisses as it was time for Wondy to get on the bus to return to the older children's transition home, and it was also time for us to leave. My heart melted when I took Abiti back inside to his nanny, and he reached out for me crying...could it be that in this short period of time we have actually grown closer and closer?
Today, we will be taking some the donations that many of you sent. We were told to send MUCH thanks to all! And, the scrubs are REALLY appreciated. Tomorow is court - please continue to pray for us that all goes well!
Monday, July 12, 2010
We Finally Meet!
Today, we finally got to meet our boys at the Transition Home! We first went earlier in the day and were allowed to spend time with just them in the family room. We got to play and put together a puzzle. Of course, since this was our first time meeting, they were both at first VERY shy. Also, Abiti has not been feeling well, so he was somewhat fussy as any 1-year-old would be. But, once he settled, he would snuggle while holding onto his truck.
As we had been told, Wondwossen was VERY shy, although he gave us both a hug and a kiss when we first met. Then, he and Shannon put together a Cars puzzle, and he seemed to quickly warm up to us. He sat with me for a while - we played with a spinning toy together while he ate some candy (they call it all "caramel"). Minutes later, a few of the other kids came into the room as well (some were in-and-out of school). They all played together so well, and Wondwossen was a chatter box around them! They were all so full of energy, but well-behaved at the same time. All of them loved to share with one another. I brought down some markers from a shelf, and Wondossen drew us a picture!
One of the Nannies came in to do measurements on the older children - we were amazed a how they followed all of her instructions without fussing or crying! They were all just so well behaved!
We then left for lunch - are at a great resteraunt celled "Metro Pizza" located just across the street from a lamb/sheep market. We got tons of great pictures there that we will share later!
After lunch, we returned to the Transition Home - this time, the boys had really warmed up to us! With all the other kids outside, with the other families as well, we got to kick a soccer ball together, play with some balloons, and play on the merry-go-round! The kids would all count "1-2-3-4-5- GO!!", and we'd give them a big push! They would all come around and slap us 5 and just laugh their little heads off! Shannon had given Abiti a bottle by this time, so he napped through most of it.
We had such a wonderful time, and did not want to leave. We learned a lot as well - such as: Wondossen listens VERY well! We would say words to him, and he can repeat them and also seemed to understand what they meant! He melted my heart when he called me "Da-da" as he wanted to look at the pictures I had just taken of him! And, both he and Abiti say , "Thank you".
This first visit has so far been much more than either of us could have expected. The people are so nice and courtious, and we've had some great laughs with our drivers and the other families here! We have TONS of pictures to share, but still are yet to do so until after we pass court. We will share them as sson as we can!
God has trully blessed us with this gift of adoption. This entire experience has been trully awesome beyond words! Thank you all for your continued prayers and support. We will keep you all updated!!
As we had been told, Wondwossen was VERY shy, although he gave us both a hug and a kiss when we first met. Then, he and Shannon put together a Cars puzzle, and he seemed to quickly warm up to us. He sat with me for a while - we played with a spinning toy together while he ate some candy (they call it all "caramel"). Minutes later, a few of the other kids came into the room as well (some were in-and-out of school). They all played together so well, and Wondwossen was a chatter box around them! They were all so full of energy, but well-behaved at the same time. All of them loved to share with one another. I brought down some markers from a shelf, and Wondossen drew us a picture!
One of the Nannies came in to do measurements on the older children - we were amazed a how they followed all of her instructions without fussing or crying! They were all just so well behaved!
We then left for lunch - are at a great resteraunt celled "Metro Pizza" located just across the street from a lamb/sheep market. We got tons of great pictures there that we will share later!
After lunch, we returned to the Transition Home - this time, the boys had really warmed up to us! With all the other kids outside, with the other families as well, we got to kick a soccer ball together, play with some balloons, and play on the merry-go-round! The kids would all count "1-2-3-4-5- GO!!", and we'd give them a big push! They would all come around and slap us 5 and just laugh their little heads off! Shannon had given Abiti a bottle by this time, so he napped through most of it.
We had such a wonderful time, and did not want to leave. We learned a lot as well - such as: Wondossen listens VERY well! We would say words to him, and he can repeat them and also seemed to understand what they meant! He melted my heart when he called me "Da-da" as he wanted to look at the pictures I had just taken of him! And, both he and Abiti say , "Thank you".
This first visit has so far been much more than either of us could have expected. The people are so nice and courtious, and we've had some great laughs with our drivers and the other families here! We have TONS of pictures to share, but still are yet to do so until after we pass court. We will share them as sson as we can!
God has trully blessed us with this gift of adoption. This entire experience has been trully awesome beyond words! Thank you all for your continued prayers and support. We will keep you all updated!!
Saturday, July 10, 2010
We Made It!!
We arrived safely in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia at approximately 10pm Saturday, July 10 (roughly 3pm EST). It was roughly 26 hours of flight! Our arrival at JFK wasn't the best - we touched down almost 40 minutes ahead of schedule, but ended up sitting on the tarmac for a little over an hour waiting for an available gate. This caused us to miss our original connecting flight! Had a slight panic attack when the girl at the gate simply said, "...there's nothing until tomorow...". But, thanks to 2 wonderful ladies at the ticket counter, our itinerary was adjusted, and we werre able to depart to Ambsterdam in the hour!!
The international flights were THE BEST! KLM Airlines was simply awesome - the meals were great, and there were t.v.'s in each seat back with your own remote that offered TONS of music, movies, news, info, etc. (I watched Alice in Wonderland with Johny Depp!). Not to mention, the people were VERY nice and helpful!
At the moment, we are at breakfast with a few other families here in the guest house, getting ready for church at about 10:15. Unfortunately, we are unable to go to the transition home to meet our boys today as we had hoped, but we will on Monday. So, today will be site-seeing and some shopping - we are hoping to get to the mountains as some of the other couples have told us how beautiful it is!
We will hopefully post updates daily - internet is a bit slow, but it works!!
Thank you all for your continued prayers and support!!
The international flights were THE BEST! KLM Airlines was simply awesome - the meals were great, and there were t.v.'s in each seat back with your own remote that offered TONS of music, movies, news, info, etc. (I watched Alice in Wonderland with Johny Depp!). Not to mention, the people were VERY nice and helpful!
At the moment, we are at breakfast with a few other families here in the guest house, getting ready for church at about 10:15. Unfortunately, we are unable to go to the transition home to meet our boys today as we had hoped, but we will on Monday. So, today will be site-seeing and some shopping - we are hoping to get to the mountains as some of the other couples have told us how beautiful it is!
We will hopefully post updates daily - internet is a bit slow, but it works!!
Thank you all for your continued prayers and support!!
Friday, July 9, 2010
Friday, July 2, 2010
Hands, Fingers, Feet and Toes!!
Thank you so MUCH to Doug and Danielle Banker for sending our boys' prints! We can hardly wait to be able to share photos of them!Wednesday, June 30, 2010
First Court Date!!
We are excited to announce that today we received our first court date - July 15th! Now, everything seems to be moving along so quickly. We went from yesterday thinking that we would receive our court date sometime next week, to getting a phone call this morning while getting ready to get vaccines, telling us that we need to be in Ethiopia by July 12th!
We are so excited, and continue to be trully AMAZED by His glory!!
Also, we will be collecting donations for the Transition home and orphanages. Things that are being requested are Scrubs for the Nannies (new or used), bouncy seats (new or used), underwear for boys and girls - all sizes - toothbrushes, toothpaste, wipes, formula, multi vitamins for infants and children, and childrens tylenol. Please let us know if you would like to donate!!!
Love,
Leo and Shannon
We are so excited, and continue to be trully AMAZED by His glory!!
Also, we will be collecting donations for the Transition home and orphanages. Things that are being requested are Scrubs for the Nannies (new or used), bouncy seats (new or used), underwear for boys and girls - all sizes - toothbrushes, toothpaste, wipes, formula, multi vitamins for infants and children, and childrens tylenol. Please let us know if you would like to donate!!!
Love,
Leo and Shannon
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
So Much To Share
So many exciting things have happened since the last time either Shannon or I have posted on our blog!
As many of you know, we spent what seemed like forever on our "Paper Pregnancy". We finally made our way through that road block, then, on Thursday, May 6, we finally received our referral! And, instead of 1 baby, we found out that we will be blessed with 2 boys in our home - brothers!! Ages 1 and 4. Unfortunately, at this time, we are unable to blog or post pictures of them, but rest assured - we cannot wait to share more with all of you!
This news alone has been so exciting for us! We have been nervously awaiting each next step in the process. One of my faveorite steps has been the joy of putting together care packages for them. And, with much thanks to Doug and Danielle Banker, they recieved the first of them! We want to thank you both for delivering them to our boys, and for sending us such wonderful pictures of them opening them! You both are in our prayers as you go through your own special, exciting adoption journey, and we are greatful that you've shared your hearts of service with us. We also cannot wait to serve another family in the same way once we are at the same point in our journey as you are.
And, speaking of which, our next bit of exciting news came today - our boys' birth cirtificates were located, and thus all of our paperwork was submitted to the courts! Our agency anticipates we should be reciving our first court date sometime within the next week or so, and they are thinking it may be set for sometime in mid-July!
We are so honored and thankful that God chose us for this journey. We are thankful to Him for blessing our lives with all of you - our friends and family both old and new. We give Him all the praise and glory for all that He has done, continues to do, and will do for all of our days. We are so excited, worried, scared, nervous, but at all times faithful to Him for all of the things we have yet to see although we know that He will show us amazing things!
We have overcome so many challenges, and know there will be more, but we know in faith that everything will be done according to His plan.
Thank you all again for you love and support. And, we'll try to get better at keeping our blog updated!!
Love, Leo and Shannon
“For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” (Jeremiah 29:11 NIV)
As many of you know, we spent what seemed like forever on our "Paper Pregnancy". We finally made our way through that road block, then, on Thursday, May 6, we finally received our referral! And, instead of 1 baby, we found out that we will be blessed with 2 boys in our home - brothers!! Ages 1 and 4. Unfortunately, at this time, we are unable to blog or post pictures of them, but rest assured - we cannot wait to share more with all of you!
This news alone has been so exciting for us! We have been nervously awaiting each next step in the process. One of my faveorite steps has been the joy of putting together care packages for them. And, with much thanks to Doug and Danielle Banker, they recieved the first of them! We want to thank you both for delivering them to our boys, and for sending us such wonderful pictures of them opening them! You both are in our prayers as you go through your own special, exciting adoption journey, and we are greatful that you've shared your hearts of service with us. We also cannot wait to serve another family in the same way once we are at the same point in our journey as you are.
And, speaking of which, our next bit of exciting news came today - our boys' birth cirtificates were located, and thus all of our paperwork was submitted to the courts! Our agency anticipates we should be reciving our first court date sometime within the next week or so, and they are thinking it may be set for sometime in mid-July!
We are so honored and thankful that God chose us for this journey. We are thankful to Him for blessing our lives with all of you - our friends and family both old and new. We give Him all the praise and glory for all that He has done, continues to do, and will do for all of our days. We are so excited, worried, scared, nervous, but at all times faithful to Him for all of the things we have yet to see although we know that He will show us amazing things!
We have overcome so many challenges, and know there will be more, but we know in faith that everything will be done according to His plan.
Thank you all again for you love and support. And, we'll try to get better at keeping our blog updated!!
Love, Leo and Shannon
“For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” (Jeremiah 29:11 NIV)
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Anxiety
Yesterday we received this email from our agency:
America World is writing to inform families that the Ethiopian Federal Court announced a change in the court policies today. This change requires both prospective adoptive parents to appear at court in person to testify to their desire and commitment to adopt their referred child(ren).
Beginning today, families need to be prepared to travel to Ethiopia approximately 4 - 8 weeks after receiving a referral in order to be present in Ethiopia for their appointed court date. Families will remain in Ethiopia for roughly 5 -7 days and will then return to the US. After officially passing court, families will then travel back to Ethiopia approximately 10 -12 weeks later to pick up their adopted child(ren). Once more information and details have been received in the weeks ahead, America World will be in the process of exploring the possibility of escort service options in lieu of a second trip [on a case by case basis]. Families travelling to Ethiopia and meeting their children prior to passing court enables children to return on an IR-3 visa, thus allowing children to become US citizen upon arrive into the US.
Our agency has always cautioned us that there can always be changes made during international adoptions at any stage of the game. I guess I never realized how big that change can be. Basically what this means is that instead of one trip to Ethiopia we will be required to do two trips. We had a conference call with our agency today and there still seems to be a lot unkown as to how this will all work out and if it will effect our waiting time. I have to admit that yesterday I was initially upset, but I am trying to hang on to what I know to be true and God's promises. I know 1 thing for sure: That God wants Jimmy and I to adopt. How and when we get there I don't know but God does. God knew way before we got to this point that this bump in our journey was coming and He will guide us through it.
So once we get our referral we will both have to travel to Ethiopia for court approximately 4-6 weeks after our referral. We will be in country for 5-7 days and then will have to leave our baby (can't even imagine how hard that is going to be right now) and not be able to return for 10-12 weeks to pick him/her up and bring them home. The extra trip is going to add about $5000 extra to the adoption cost. They said in the call that the second trip could possibly be as short as 3-4 days and that they are not sure if both parents will have to be present for the second trip. Like I said earlier a lot is unknown that hopefully will become clearer over weeks to come. So we need all the prayers we can get - not just our family but all the families that have been informed of the changes.
I just read a devotional yesterday about Laying aside Anxiety: running with peace. The thing that hit me most about this devotion was Philippians 4:6-7 - Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. When I read that verse I thought there are definetily things in my past that have caused me anxiety that I now am thankful for. For example: infertility. If we would have never experienced infertility, we probably would never have gone down this adoption road and I am so thankful for those experiences now. But then I got that email later yesterday... It is a whole differnt story to try and be thankful as you are right then and there experiencing anxiety. So I am working on casting my anxiousness on God and being thankful as I do it. So thank you God for continuing to surround us with such a supportive group of friends and family cheering us on!!!!!
America World is writing to inform families that the Ethiopian Federal Court announced a change in the court policies today. This change requires both prospective adoptive parents to appear at court in person to testify to their desire and commitment to adopt their referred child(ren).
Beginning today, families need to be prepared to travel to Ethiopia approximately 4 - 8 weeks after receiving a referral in order to be present in Ethiopia for their appointed court date. Families will remain in Ethiopia for roughly 5 -7 days and will then return to the US. After officially passing court, families will then travel back to Ethiopia approximately 10 -12 weeks later to pick up their adopted child(ren). Once more information and details have been received in the weeks ahead, America World will be in the process of exploring the possibility of escort service options in lieu of a second trip [on a case by case basis]. Families travelling to Ethiopia and meeting their children prior to passing court enables children to return on an IR-3 visa, thus allowing children to become US citizen upon arrive into the US.
Our agency has always cautioned us that there can always be changes made during international adoptions at any stage of the game. I guess I never realized how big that change can be. Basically what this means is that instead of one trip to Ethiopia we will be required to do two trips. We had a conference call with our agency today and there still seems to be a lot unkown as to how this will all work out and if it will effect our waiting time. I have to admit that yesterday I was initially upset, but I am trying to hang on to what I know to be true and God's promises. I know 1 thing for sure: That God wants Jimmy and I to adopt. How and when we get there I don't know but God does. God knew way before we got to this point that this bump in our journey was coming and He will guide us through it.
So once we get our referral we will both have to travel to Ethiopia for court approximately 4-6 weeks after our referral. We will be in country for 5-7 days and then will have to leave our baby (can't even imagine how hard that is going to be right now) and not be able to return for 10-12 weeks to pick him/her up and bring them home. The extra trip is going to add about $5000 extra to the adoption cost. They said in the call that the second trip could possibly be as short as 3-4 days and that they are not sure if both parents will have to be present for the second trip. Like I said earlier a lot is unknown that hopefully will become clearer over weeks to come. So we need all the prayers we can get - not just our family but all the families that have been informed of the changes.
I just read a devotional yesterday about Laying aside Anxiety: running with peace. The thing that hit me most about this devotion was Philippians 4:6-7 - Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. When I read that verse I thought there are definetily things in my past that have caused me anxiety that I now am thankful for. For example: infertility. If we would have never experienced infertility, we probably would never have gone down this adoption road and I am so thankful for those experiences now. But then I got that email later yesterday... It is a whole differnt story to try and be thankful as you are right then and there experiencing anxiety. So I am working on casting my anxiousness on God and being thankful as I do it. So thank you God for continuing to surround us with such a supportive group of friends and family cheering us on!!!!!
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Today is brought to you by the number 3!!!!
We are three months paper pregnant!!!!!! But still waiting. Our agency ended up having 17 referrals for January. But have not posted any referrals for Febuary yet. Not sure why but it does seem like a lot of families are having trouble passing court!!!!
There has also been recent negative press about Ethiopian adoptions in the news lately which I think may also be affecting the referrals!!!!!
So we continue to wait!!!!
Thanking God for giving us this time to continue to save money and continue to grow stronger as Husband and Wife!!!!
Keep us in your prayers!!!!
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Tried to learn how to cook Ethiopian Food!!!!
This past Saturday I was invited to learn how to cook Ethiopian food. There is an Ethiopian adoption group in Mason that is having a fundraiser on 2/6 and is serving Ethiopian foods. So this past Saturday we met to prepare a lot of the food. Unfortunately I did not leave with one recipe. There were three Ethiopian women that were in charge of the dishes we were preparing. I think Ethiopian women keep all their recipes in their head and they don't use measuring cups. I did learn that Ethiopian food requires a lot of prep work, a lot of onions and a lot of garlic. I left there smelling like a "spice rack" as Jimmy said and our car smelled for days after I went. Even though I left with no recipes, I did meet some awesome families that have adopted or are in the process of adopting from Ethiopia, or have lived in Ethiopia. These families will be a great support and resource as we continue on our adoption journey, which I'm sure, will be more helpful than any recipe I could have left with.
I was able to try some Ethiopian Cuisine. Ethiopians do not use utensils to eat they serve injera bread (sourdough flatbread) which they use to scoop the Ethiopian food on. I hate to say this but I didn't really care for the injera, I hope I'll acquire a taste for it because it is a staple (or utensil) in their country. I also tried doro wat (chicken stew), lentils, and greens. The doro wat, lentil and greens were very yummy!!!! Here is a picture of doro wat and a typical ethiopian plate with people using their injera to eat with.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
2 months paper pregnant
Ok so I have been a big slacker on keeping up with the posting!!!! Many of you are probably wondering what has been happening on the adoption front. Well not a whole lot!!! We just continue to wait for a referral. Our Dossier was sent to Ethiopia 11/20/09. 1/20/10 was our 2 month point. We get weekly updates from our agency and this week they posted that they have had 11 referrals for the month of Jan. They also shortened the wait for a referral by a month. Now the wait for an infant boy referral is 3-6 months and for an infant girl is 8-11 months. Our agency also said that they would be sending an "On Deck" email to those families that are a month or two away from getting a referral. The "On Deck" email will explain to us in more detail what to expect when we get a referral. I'm hoping in the next month we will get an “On Deck" email!!! So needless to say I check my email all the time. I hope this is normal, because I'm starting to feel a little obsessive.
Once we receive our referral we still have to wait for a court date and pass before we can make travel arrangements. That could take another 3months. So I've been wondering if once we have the referral will the waiting be worse, easier, or about the same???? Needless to say it is still a bunch of waiting!!!! Jimmy and I are trying to use this time to save money and vacation time for the adoption. I am able to take 12 weeks off just like a regular maternity leave, however I would like to get paid for those 12 weeks so I need to save my vacation time. So one blessing about the wait is the longer we wait the more vacation time and money we'll have saved up. But ultimately God is in control and his timing is more perfect than I'll probably ever know.
Once we receive our referral we still have to wait for a court date and pass before we can make travel arrangements. That could take another 3months. So I've been wondering if once we have the referral will the waiting be worse, easier, or about the same???? Needless to say it is still a bunch of waiting!!!! Jimmy and I are trying to use this time to save money and vacation time for the adoption. I am able to take 12 weeks off just like a regular maternity leave, however I would like to get paid for those 12 weeks so I need to save my vacation time. So one blessing about the wait is the longer we wait the more vacation time and money we'll have saved up. But ultimately God is in control and his timing is more perfect than I'll probably ever know.
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