Making plans to bring our girls home!!!!!

Yes, it is actually happening. We got an email on Friday saying we were clear to travel and bring our girls home. There was also an email to call our director, Sue, immediately...uh oh. But it was good, she wanted to see if we would be able to travel THIS weekend. Holy Cow!!! I actually thought about it, but the stress over planning places for the kids to stay, airplane tickets, rooms, and packing in a day and a half overwhelmed me just a tiny bit. So I had to say no, it nearly killed me to think they could be home in a week and I was opting for the later date. But it was the right thing to do. That also means we get to travel with our buddies Meggan, Ryan and Doug. Ryan and Doug were 2 daddy's that were there for court when we were. Neither of their wives were able to travel that trip. This time Ryan's wife, Meggan, is able to come and we will have so much fun. Doug's wife will need to stay home with their little one's, but it will be good to hang out with him again. Ryan and Meggan have a 2 year old son, Rylee, who was also adopted from Ethiopia. We were able to spend some time with their family at the CCI reunion in Chicago this past summer. Rylee is so stinkin' cute. Such a ham. They are from Michigan...we can't hold that against them....just teasing !!!! Actually, we used to live in Michigan and loved it, but that old Illini Michigan football rivalry still stands true. Check out their story at Meggs blog, ryanmeggsjourney.blogspot.com They are adopting the super sweet Baby Ezra that we have pictures of me holding while we were in ET.

So, now that this adoption is actually going to happen I am a ton of mixed emotions. So stressed to get everything ready. I know the girls will care less, but that's just my personality. I am worried.....worried about the transition for the girls. This is literally going to be a whole new world for them. Talk about culture shock. Worried about my bio kids. Hope they understand how this will impact our family. We have talked and talked about it. They are all three thrilled to get the girls home, don't get me wrong. But it will shake things up a bit around here. For one, the boys are not used to having babies around and they are going to have to learn to pick up there lego pieces.....or Eliza will be eating them all day. :) And all three kids are going to have to realize that is it know longer going to be as easy to jump in the car and take off. We have to work around naps and schedules. But soon Hannah will be able to drive and that will help a bunch....although, that brings on a whole new set of emotions and worries.

I just can't wait to get them home. I am actually looking forward to a few things I haven't done in ages......bathing a slippery giggly baby, changing diapers, yes-I said it, and most importantly....loving on them. I love on my kids now, but not the same way you love on a little one.

Ava and I doing a princess puzzle


Ava loving her bath..blurred out all the girly parts :)



Getting Eliza ready for bed...notice the drool mark are my shoulder...yes, I am even looking forward to that!!!!


Lovin' on Liza






We are looking into flights that leave the weekend after Thanksgiving. Our embassy appointment is on December 2nd. That is all going to be here before we know it. I have great plans to get a lot of things done before we travel. I would love to get most of the Christmas lights put up outside. I got about half done yesterday and was planning on doing the rest today...but of course, it's cold and rainy. I would also like to get all the Christmas shopping done so I don't have that to worry about later.

When we get back home, the holiday season will be in full force. I know we will have lots of parties and family get togethers to attend. But we have talked and I think we are going to have to keep our holiday festivities to a minimum this year. The girls will be home for only a week or so before all of the Christmas hoopla hits. They will be overwhelmed and scared. We will have to take this first month or so to bond with our girls. Get them used to us taking care of them and let them learn that we are their forever family now. So unfortunately, that will mean limiting our outings with the girls. We will go to the family parties but depending on how the girls handle it, we will have to see how long we can stay. So please, family and friends, understand that we are not being rude or ungrateful. We just need to protect our girls and forge a bond with them that will let them grow up to have healthy relationships with all of you. Hope you understand. Also...and this will be the hardest part. When we are at social gatherings we have to really stop ourselves from letting friends and family hold and love on the girls. I know, you are all going to want to love on them, and that is fine. We have just read so many books that stress that "we" their parents take care of ALL their basic needs at first. So sorry to say, we are the ones who need to feed them, change diapers...darn, and meet all their needs. They are so used to having a handful of nannies take care of them, that they haven't learned how to rely on any one special person. And that would be us :) So for awhile we are going to be over protective and basically a little selfish with Ava and Eliza. I know you all will understand, even though it will be hard on all of us.

I do want to take just a second to thank and thank again, all those who have helped us out one way or another during this year plus process. The support, emotional and financial, that we have received has been such a blessing to us. We know everyone has financial responsibilities of their own, but somehow, many of you found a way to help us bring our girls home. Thank you.
And the prayers and well wishes we have received have been overwhelming. Again, such a blessing. We already know how much
you all are going to love our girls. We are so blessed to have all of you in our lives. And soon, in the lives of our daughters.

Colossians 3:17
And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.


Ephesians 1:16
I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers.