HE's OURS!!!!

WE MADE IT

WE DID IT

HE'S OURS!!!!

We found out this morning that we passed court.

We have an Embassy date of August 20th so we are finalizing airfare now.

I cannot tell you how amazing it is to be able to have this behind us.  

But I do have to eat a HUGE humble pie!  I see SO clearly now why God had us wait for this.  I have asked his forgiveness a dozen times today.  

Leaving on the weekend of the 16th allows for D's current job to be complete, we will only have to be gone about 2 weeks instead of 3 and we will be home before the kids start school.  How does it get better?

I cannot wait to go kiss that little face.  Am I going to have the most beautiful kids ever or what?!!!

Or am I just a biased momma? ;o)

My friend Cindy and I have been waiting together.  She has been waiting for her referral and we have been waiting for our travel.  We have so many parallels in life we just knew we would get news at the same time.  

Yesterday she received her referral for a precious little boy and today we find out that we are going to get ours.

Praise God from whom all blessings flow!!!

Nope

Ok, so now I am to the point that it's just getting kinda comical.  I think perhaps I may have cracked a bit in all the waiting, but at this point I think I may need some kind of breathing treatment when we actually do hear that we have passed court. So... maybe tomorrow.  I believe this is the reason I do not read suspense novels, I always read the end first...lol 

I did get some news today that has put a HUGE smile on my face.  My dear friend has FINALLY received her referral.  I almost drove off the road when she called to tell me.  What a way to lift someones spirits.  When posts about it I will link to her blog so she can share the details.  But it's been a LONG time coming.

What a huge praise.  I am still smiling.  

God is Good!

Maybe tomorrow?

So today the news is that the paper they need from the women's ministry in ET was not at the court again when they tried to submit our case.

We are told it is done however and is to be there tomorrow and tomorrow we should pass.

This is fairly happy news.

But then there were a few people that passed today that haven't been waiting nearly as long and I had a moment of pity party.  I do NOT wish this wait on anyone, I just was sad that we are still waiting.

So if you hear whooping and hollering tomorrow you will know it's me.  And probably my adoption coordinator cause I KNOW she is sick of my whining.  I am a bit over it myself.  hhhmmm wine I think I will go have a glass and toast to a passed court date tomorrow when we can FINALLY call him ours.  AND share his picture.  

Care to toast with me?

This kid LOVES to draw

N LOVES to draw, his favorite color is red and he only uses markers.  

I caught him in the act so I thought I would share... is this kid too cute for words or what?!

Perspective

I found out this morning that my best friend from High school lost her husband to cancer last night.

They have a daughter that is my S's age, and he has grown children from a previous marriage, and grand children.  

I cannot imagine being a widow right now.  There are times I would like to toss my husband on his ear, but I sure don't know what I would do without him in my life.

Her husband has been battling cancer for several years, so it's been a long time coming.  I know from experience though even when you think you are prepared for a death it's something you just aren't ready for.

I wish I lived near her so that I could visit and comfort.

In times like these I am reminded that there is always a silver lining, there are always things out of my control, and in His hands.  There are things I will never understand in this life time, but know that God loves us with all His heart.

Well...it's something

We found out today that we didn't make it through court this week.  Apparently there is a piece of paper from some government office that wasn't available.

And since it's a government office, not ours, they cannot "demand" that it be done.  I get that.

So the news is that they "expect" the paper to be filed this coming week.

If that is the case our travel date has been moved back to August 18th.

I will admit to blowing a bit of a gasket when I read that information.  Considering we were supposed to have traveled in July.  I had to apologize to the bearer of the news.

This time frame does allow for D to finish up a job is working on, so he won't have to worry about leaving a job at the end.

The airfare seems to be much cheaper during that time frame, that's a HUGE relief.

We will miss S's High school orientation, she's starting in a special program called "Legal Studies" that allows students to study the legal system so they may pursue a career either in law or law enforcement.  She wants to be a juvenile lawyer. Anyway we will miss that, AND her first day at High School. We will also miss Z's first day at college.

We will be gone for my birthday but it's not a big mile stone or anything, so it's no big whoop. ;o)

So... we wait for a bit more.

D was also in a fender bender today, some guy ran into his back end.  He's fine, and it was superficial damage.  But it wasn't a great day to deal with that issue as well.

Looking forward to a good weekend.

fun

I felt the need to share some fun stuff...it's been a bit dreary around here lately.

Here are some fun pics of N.  

He built a tower of blocks and wanted a picture of how they were taller than he is.  

And then a cute one of him at our friend's pool. He has grown SO much I happened to pass one from when he came home December of 2006... what a difference.  

Wednesday morning

Sheesh what a week again... not really eventful, but it seems so long already.  

Still no news, so still no travel.  We were supposed to have been there already.  We were originally going to leave on the 14th, then the 21st and here it is the 23rd and here we still sit.

I am glad I was here last night though.  Had a bit of a scare.  S was pretty sick yesterday, sick to her stomach, body aches, and a high fever, I ended up in the emergency room with her.  She had some pretty severe back pain so we were afraid it may be a kidney infection.  It's not thank God, but she does have a pretty nasty viral infection.

D has been sick for the last couple of days, although nothing like this, and I have been trying VERY hard not to come down with it.   The blessing I see here is that we are home, and not in ET while this is happening.

Maybe today is the day we will here some good news!

Please continue to lift my friend Carolyn in your prayers.

Also there was a very tragic attack on one of AAI's orphanages in Ghana.  None of the children were hurt physically , but some staff were badly injured both physically and emotionally. A few of the girls witnessed the brutality.

Please read about how you can help here.

Please lift in prayer for emotional and physical healing.

Guess what?

No news!!!

Surprise! ;o)

So we actually had a really great weekend.  We spent Saturday morning with great friends at the beach.

Then Saturday evening with our friends from Emmaus, at a 20 year celebration.  The music was awesome, the company was awesome, and it was so much fun to see all the people who's lives have been touched and changed by the love of Christ. 

Sunday afternoon was a bit of a downer as we had to say good bye to a dear friend, as he had gone home to heaven earlier in the week.  The celebration of life was truly a blessing, and a testament to the man that he had been.

Sunday night was spent just vegging and praying that today would be the day that we finally heard that we could travel.

I feel an urgency as never before to get there to pick up my son.  Perhaps it's the critical condition of my friend Carolyn's daughter.  She desperately needs to be lifted in prayer.  They still have a week in the country and her sweet 10 yr old daughter weighs a whopping 32 lbs.  If you feel led, please lift them up!!!

We are still hoping to be able to travel before the end of July...but I am not holding my breath. ;o)

Maybe we will have good news tomorrow. ;o)

Woo hoo got news...one more step closer!!!

We found out today that the paperwork needed for E's court stuff has been obtained...and I think submitted.  We are waiting to see if we have to have another court date or this will just pass us. Pray for the passing!!! ;o)

It feels SO good just have a piece of news... I don't do the limbo well... haven't EVER. ;o)

I pray that we have great news to share on Monday, whether it be a court date or a pass notice! ;o)

Blessings

Today is better than good!!

Amazing Song

I was sent this song yesterday BOY is it appropriate!!!

Check it out!!

Another Friday no news....

I feel like a broken record. ;o)

We have heard nothing this week about our case.  I haven't posted because it feels a bit redundant.  We have cancelled a week of our guest house just in case another family needs it. That made me sad.  We are going to stay at a wonderful guest house in Addis called the Addis Kidane, there is a family there already with their child, and one going soon to pick up their daughter.

This week as been a busy one other wise.  We have had VBS, Power Lab, at our church.  N has really seemed to enjoy it.  He comes home singing fun songs, and telling everyone that God loves them. ;o)  S has been helping out, and landed herself a babysitting job. She is stoked, she has decided that she would like to learn to surf.  Or do something athletic.  Not sure where that came from, but I will not discourage her. ;o)

I hope today is the day that brings good news, but at this point I am just hanging on to God with all I have to remain patient and calm.  I am not so good at it.  I know He is holding E in ET and us here, and that there will be a day soon that we are together.

joys of technology

We found a little play cell phone recently that we gave to N to play with.

Well, the influence of his big sister is SO apparent!!!

Almost 5 minutes after we gave it to him he says "Hey mom, I'm gonna text someone."

Then shortly there after he's holding the phone out as if to take a picture of himself, smiles, looks at the camera as if looking at his picture and decides he doesn't like and takes another one.

Today he was walking around the house pretending like he was texting friends and then talking at his phone as if to answer.

This kid is SO not getting a real cell phone ANY time in the next decade!!!

Quick update

Just because I didn't actually update in the last post.  

At this point we are still in limbo.  The piece of paper they need is still being worked on and they hope to have it done some time this coming week.  SO.... that means we may not be leaving on the 21st.  We will definitely will not be leaving prior to the 21st.  I am so bummed, but know that nothing I can do here will change things so we are waiting.

This coming week is VBS at church and the kids will be very busy.  I am so excited because we are going to work on raising funds for AHOPE and the sponsorship of a child.  YAY!!!  Our church and the families are historically very generous so we are so excited to see what happens.  I am not able to take the time off work though since we are waiting to leave for ET soon... so I will miss the fun.  

Looking forward to sharing good news with you all soon!

Blessings

hhmmm is there a pattern?

I could not get to sleep last night.  I just laid there whining (silently... didn't want to wake up D) and praying.  Whining about all this time we have been waiting... whining about the unfairness of it all... whining about why I have been so unhappy and fussy.  I was annoying the crap out of myself, I think if God has ear plugs He used them. ;o)

So eventually I began to just ask God to speak life into me... to speak blessing... to help me remember the good. 

And of course since He's faithful He did. (maybe he didn't use the earplugs, just did some eye rolling)

The pattern seems to be that we have some really GREAT event in our lives. We are washed in His love, mercy and Grace. Then something happens to steal that away.   Or at least try for a period of time.  I am unfortunately a SLOOOOOW learner.  I fall for the trap almost every time...luckily the time that I am in the trap seems to be shortening.

I began to think about the wonderful things that have happened through this adoption.  The lives that have been touched.  The people that have blessed us so tremendously, that we can't even put it into words.  The humbling that has occurred because of these people and His love.

Maybe we are waiting because we have more people to touch by showing them the Glory of God before we leave for ET?  The glory of all that He has done for us in this process?  The way He has made things happen.  Perhaps this is His way of showing us that we think this process beforehand is difficult... just wait until we get Little E home?  Not that Little E will be difficult but navigating life with 4 kids, jobs, daycare, and advocating for his health, will be a task that we can only do by relying on Him?

And so the pattern continues.  I will rejoice in the blessing, and I will do my best to rejoice in the fear and uncertainty... because I know it's all to His glory and ALL part of His plan.

The new news......

There is no news.  Nothing.  Nada.

We have been promised that we will hear something tomorrow.  But I am not holding my breath.

Please pray with us that we get some kind of news tomorrow.

Blessings

A

New Court news

ok, well.. not really news.  But we are still sort of on to leave on 7/21 and return 8/08.  The issue is trying to get airfare home.  There just isn't any.  It's crazy.  

We are also leaning towards having D come with me for the whole time.  We discussed the fact that it's priceless time for bonding and attachment.  And it's something D didn't really get with N. He had to go right back to work. 

We did have an offer from a dear friend to stay here at the house with N and S for a good portion of our stay away.  But 3 weeks is a really long time to be gone from the kids.  We will miss them TERRIBLY.

We are having our agency check into an avenue to be gone a bit less time.  

Please help us pray for a solution and leading in the right direction.

Better than good weekend

This weekend was one of joy and humility.

We had a huge garage sale on Saturday.  We were inundated with donations and love...it was unbelievable. 

Saturday morning we had friends show up at 6:15am to help us set up.

We had family over to help, even my dad and that was one of the most amazing things to me.  He may not realize it, but it was priceless to have him there to share.  My mom helped categorize things cause that's what she does...and does it WELL! And my mother in law was priceless in with her help in the areas where we couldn't be.  

We had so many blessings.  But the biggest one to us both was that the night before we asked God for a specific figure.  Now we know that's bold, but we are told to ask, and you don't receive if you don't ask.  We just knew that whatever we were given would be the right amount.  

Well, God provided that amount and more!! Over and above what anyone should make in one day at a garage sale.  God was so amazing!!!

We are both so humbled by the outpouring of love from friends and family.  SO humbled.  

Thank you God!

Shirts!

AHOPE has begun producing great t-shirts and all proceeds go to the kids please consider buying one.  Check them out here.

No Court

So, I think I am going to stop posting about all the great things God does because obviously someone else reads it and tries to flub up my faith.

NOT HAPPENING.

We did not pass court today so no picture to share. ;o(  There was some paperwork missing.  I was initially pretty upset.  Still am, I want my boy, but we specifically prayed last night for God's timing, for His provision and that we would trust Him... even when we hit road bumps.

So, now we wait probably another 10 days at least, and then travel.  I AM thankful that we didn't have to wait for a later court date to find this issue and then wait that much longer. There is a blessing there.  God has my little man in His hands and will continue to hold Him until we get there.

I will say that another light in our lives is the outpouring of love and support we have received for our garage sale this weekend, our garage has over flowed into the house.  YAY GOD!