on our way to the top!

Just had an update today that we are now NUMBER 11 on the waiting list!! Just a few weeks ago, we were number 18. It was very encouraging news. Our children screamed with excitement. With the courts closing soon, we aren't sure how that may affect things for us. For now, we will celebrate that we are moving up quickly and be thankful for those seven families who have received referrals for their babies recently. :) That means less orphans in Ethiopia and that makes our hearts happy. Check out "bringing home lucy" in the blogs that I follow for a sweet story about a family's adoption. The mom just met their little Lucy yesterday and the pictures say it all!!

just waiting

People keep asking for an update so here it is. Unfortunately, there is not a lot of news. We are still in the waiting pool and the last we heard, there were 17 families "ahead" of us who had requested a baby girl. Courts close in Ethiopia for August and September so we don't really expect a lot to happen until the fall. This morning, Brynn woke up and the first thing she said is "when is our baby girl coming?". She said she had to come before Brynn turns 10 which would be next March. I pray that it doesn't take that long, but we know it's out of our control. We did hear wonderful news this week that a friend of our's got a referral for a precious little boy. For now, we are going to have a wonderful summer and treasure the blessings we already have. Please just continue to pray for our little one and for the process. Mark and I know that the hardest "time of wait" will be once we see her face and then have to wait to pass court and get our travel plans. We promise to keep you posted as things happen.....

it arrived

Just wanted to let everyone know that our dossier has safely arrived to Ethiopia. It is being translated and we are officially on the wait list. Yeah!! The average wait for a referral is about 6 months for a girl, but we know that it's not up to us. We had a wonderful benefit dinner last night for Acacia Village which is a wonderful project we are supporting in Ethiopia. Learn more at www.acaciavillage.org. Again last night, we saw pictures of beautiful children from Ethiopia and even had the chance to meet a 2 year old little boy who was adopted from Ethiopia into a NC family that already had three children....just like us. The boy is precious and it was so warming to see him relate to his new and forever family. Adoption is an incredible thing and I am so thankful that our family gets to live this adventure. As I hear news, I'll be sure to pass it on. Please keep us in your prayers. With love....

out of our hands

Yesterday we sent the dossier to CWA and then they will send it to Ethiopia. We each said a prayer over it and went to our favorite UPS store again to send it. I'll let you know when it arrives in Ethiopia. Keep praying for our little girl and for us adding to our already busy family. It's out of our hands now and we know God is in control of this journey.

dossier keeps traveling

Now, our dossier is in Washington DC to go to the State Dept. and the Embassy of Ethiopia. It should be back to us by Friday and then we'll send it to CWA and they will send it to Ethiopia. It's hard to believe that it is almost there. For so many months, you are busy getting documents done and re-done and organizing paperwork and now we are almost to the waiting stage. This is when we really don't have any control and we just wait. Most days, I have a peace about waiting and trusting God in this process. Sometimes I do get discouraged when people make negative comments but I am learning to have tougher skin. I know we are taking a huge step of faith, but we know that many blessings will come from this. Thank you for your prayers and support.

it was found

Our document was located and should be on its way to our house. Yeah!! Instead of putting the information in the computer under my name, the lady who did it (and is on vacation today) put it under J.Mark. My name was on the cover sheet so everyone says that is the name that should be in the computer. We have also got to start using only one name for Mark. This is why you shouldn't call your child by their middle name. Sorry to my in-laws...you know I love you anyway. :) It's on the way even though UPS hasn't scanned it yet. We should get it tomorrow. Thanks for your support...

problem

As I am writing this, I am so very frustrated. Please if you read this today, say a prayer that our documents are found. I sent our dossier to the state department on Tuesday evening using an overnight service. The state department signed for the envelope on Wednesday morning and they even show where the lady in the authentication office signed for it that day, BUT now they cannot find it anywhere. This morning, I just called to ask how long it would take for them to send it back to us, and then I find out it is LOST!! This is our original copy that needs to go to Ethiopia. I thought I was taking extra precaution by sending it overnight and being able to track it. It made it to the building and even the correct office, and now it is lost. I just asked the lady over the phone to keep looking for it. I hope they find it today. I'll let you all know. Thank you for your thoughts...