One Step Closer

Today I woke up to an amazing email from Sue, our agency director. She had sent me information on 2 beautiful little girls. My heart skipped a beat when I first looked at them. We went into this thinking we would end up with one girl around a year old. Well, it has finally happened.....we accepted a referral for a 1 year old beautiful little girl. But.....we have also accepted the referral for a beautiful 3 year old little girl. I know....crazy. I'm going to be a Mom of 5. Yikes!!! From the moment we were approved for 2 kids I told Darren we would end up with two. I said it kind of jokingly.....but I just had a feeling. I can not explain to you how I felt when I opened those emails. Sue emailed me around 5 am. She is a super human and I don't think she ever really sleeps. It was around 6 am and I was getting ready for work. I checked my email and I rushed into the bedroom with the computer. Darren was sound asleep. When I woke him up he thought something bad had happened, like our house got broke into or something. I showed him our little girl, Baby T, with tears in my eyes. Then I showed him the second girl, Baby M. He said "wow, now what do we do?" I was shaking and crying. He jumped out of bed and got his glasses....he can't see 2 inches in front of him with out them. We had a fairly short conversation about adopting both girls. It just seemed right. Of course, I let my brain get involved and I came up with every reason why we shouldn't adopt both girls. 99% of those we completely selfish in nature. So I email Sue and told her we wanted to adopt both of the girls. After I sent that email....I was completely as peace with our decision. It was the best feeling.
I was a complete mess at work today....poor Jennifer. I kept checking email every 5 mintues or so....... Sue emailed me back and said I could send gifts to the girls, but I had to get them to her pronto. She leaves for ET on Saturday. She will travel to see the girls early in the week. So, Darren and I rushed out and got new outfits, pajamas, jackets, socks, hair bows, blankets and dolls. We also included a photo album for each girl. It was so much fun. I have to overnight it all to Sue so she can get it in her luggage.
Now that the major part is out of the way, all the little things creep in......what are we going to name them????? We will keep their given names as middle names, but plan on giving them american first names. How will I rearrange the babies room??? I have a crib all set up, now I will have to move things around to get in a twin bed too. But I have plenty of time to figure all of that out.
We are not able to show pictures until we pass court and they are legally ours, so until then, you will just have to believe me....they are both super cute. But I took pictures of all their goodies... :)
Right now, I can't stop smiling. That part of the journey is over. Now we begin a whole new kind of waiting. Which in truth will probably be much harder. We will wait to be summited to court, we wait for a court date, we pray we pass court, if not, we wait for another court date. We really don't know a timeline right now. As I have said before, ET closes courts during the rainy season, and it looks like we may fall right into that time.....so we may not go to court until October. Then back to waiting.....once we pass court we wait for an embassy date. Wait wait wait. But it will be so worth it when we get to see our girls smiling faces.
Right now what we need are prayers and lots of them. Pick and choose or pray for all of them :)
Pray for the health and safety of our babies.
Pray for our patience as we enter into this new part of the adoption process.
Pray for our finances to fall into place. Two girls, twice the fees.
Pray that paperwork goes smoothly and swiftly.
All in God's timing.

Hangin' in there....

Today is July 1st....I have no idea where June went.....holy cow. We have been so busy that we really haven't done much this summer but run kids to different activities. Baseball, swim team, birthday parties, etc. It's pretty much non stop. In the rush and craziness of running kids I am looking forward to adding another child into the mix. Really, what's one more??? I'm sure she will rock my world when we do get her....but she is going to be nothing but a blessing to my family. Everyone is anxiously waiting her arrival. Friends and family are asking "have you heard anything?" "when do you travel?". It used to be "will you have her this summer?" now it's turned into "will you have her by Christmas?" Well, I honestly don't know. We are still waiting on our referral. It's going a little slower than we had hoped but there have been alot of changes with the process. First the two trip rule, then the closings of different offices in ET that have to file paperwork for the orphans. Now we are moving into the rainy season in ET and that means the courts will most likely close for awhile.
We have been slowly moving up the waiting list for a little girl 0-3 years old. I'm glad to say we are now #1 on the list. So we could really have a referral any day. Then we will apply for a court date and pray we get in before the courts close because of the rain. If all that falls into place we could have our girl home by Christmas. I know God has all this planned out and in His perfect timing. It's just so hard not knowing and waiting. I really had no idea what a roller coaster this process was going to be. It has been much more emotional than I ever imagined. I am normally a pretty level headed person, but this waiting has turned me into a grumpy crazy lady. I check my email a zillion times a day. I check our agency website a zillion times a day. Not sure what I think is going to change in 20 minutes but I still check. I just can't help myself. One day I am so down and grumpy and I can't stand to be around anyone...the next day I will be excited and soooo looking forward to our baby. My poor family...having to put up with me. I just can't wait to smell her and hold her. I know that sounds weird. But Hannah smells like perfume and hand sanitizer...don't ask. Hannah is almost 15 and she is not into hugging anymore. The boys pretty much smell like dirt...seriously-they are so dirty by the end of the day. They play hard and sweat. Luke turns 11 in 14 days and is almost as tall as me now. Owen, who is 7, still likes to cuddle but he is growing like a weed and is long and leggy...kind of hard to cuddle. I want that clean baby smell.....powder, lotion, and yes-even diapers...if she is not potty trained yet. I can't wait. I want to kiss on her, I want her to fall asleep on my shoulder. Oh, it gives me the chills just thinking about it. I am in love with her already and I have no idea who she is.

Darren just got back from working at an orphanage in Haiti. Check it out at www.glahaiti.org. When he got home and told me the stories and showed me video and pictues....oh man, my heart ached. He said it was so hard to leave the kids. He is now worried about going over for our court date and meeting our girl....then having to come home without her and wait 6-8 before we can go back and bring her home. He is convinced I will be a wreck. That is really going to be hard, I already know it. I just can't imagine getting back on that plane without her.....
Well, I need to stop dreaming about my girl and focus on my stinky boys.... :) It is shower time, then bed time.
Please keep us in your prayers. That God makes His path clear to us and we get the news about our daughter soon.

Weak moment

Well, I broke down and bought something for the baby that I don't have.....
I was at TJ Maxx today and I saw this sweater dress. This picture does not do it justice. It is soooo cute. I bought it in a 2T thinking that maybe if we get our girl this fall or winter she could wear it. But if not, Baby S, the Johns' baby should be able to wear it so I will give it to her.
Just had to show everyone!!!

Time is standing still.....

Well, we are still waiting on our referral. Things slowed to a hault in Etiopia during the elections. They are now over and we are all hoping that the government will start processing paperwork again. At this point, we really have no idea when we will get "the call", it could be tomorrow...it could be in another 6 months. Who knows...well, God does-but He's not giving me any hints. :)

This has been kind of a crazy week so far. First, my friend and business partner, Jennifer, FINALLY got their official referral for their sweet baby girl. They have been "matched" with Baby S for several months now, but one office in Ethiopia was closed and holding up the process. Well, they finally signed off on the paperwork and the referral was given. Now Jen waits to hear when she and her husband will travel for the court date. The ET courts usually close for the rainy season, roads are just too bad to travel. That season is anytime in August and September. It just depends on Mother Nature. They could be closed for only a couple of weeks or 6-8 weeks....So to say the least, everyone wants a court date before the closings.....I pray that they get in before the rain hits. I could not be happier for Jennifer and her family, but it is a little bittersweet. Deep down I know we were both hoping we would get referrals close together so we might travel at the same time. How fun would that be???? We have been there for each other during this entire process-that would have been a really nice way to finish this up!! And I hope our girls are close in age. Best buddies growing up together...oh, it makes me tear up just thinking about it.

Second, Darren left for Haiti on Sunday with a group from our church. I miss him and I sooo wish I could have gone with them. They are working at God's Littlest Angels orphanage. The family that runs the orphanage, the Bickels, are originally from Monticello. When we started the adoption process, I looked into adopting from Haiti. But the process was not a smooth one....and the timeline was really long. So we switched to Ethiopia. Then the earthquake hit and things got even crazier. The Haitian goverment has tried to streamline the adoption process somewhat since the earthquake. I'm getting facebook messages and texts from our group saying the kids are just adorable and Haiti is beautiful. I wish I was there!!!! But I know I would be an emotional mess loving on those babies. I'm an emotional mess now, what difference would that make??? :)

Third, this week is busy!!!!! Where is Darren when I need him??? Oh, in Haiti loving on those babies!!!!! I usually get up early and go to work. Darren gets the kids where they need to be in the morning and then goes to work. Well, this week I am doing all of it. So I have recruited my dear friends to help me out getting children where they need to be. Thank you...you know who you are... :) The bakery is super busy this week. We have several parties that we are doing all the dessets for, we have several special orders, restaurant orders and the first farmer's market of the summer. We are baking fools. Seriously, we were so tired today when we finally left. I think we baked around 30 pies today. Plus cookies and cakes. It felt a little like Thanksgiving......
The next couple of days are going to be very busy at the Pie Hole, as we lovingly call it.

So, as my friends and followers, I ask for your prayers. Prayers for patience as we wait. Prayers for the safety and health of our baby girl. We don't know who she is yet, but God already knows and is watching over her. Prayers for the Johns that their paperwork will move swiftly through the court system. Prayers for Darren's safety in Haiti. Prayers for me, that I sit back and let God do His work, in His time. Not mine. I know He is leading me down a path, I just need to trust and follow.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make straight your paths.
—Proverbs 3:5-6

Hannah's 8th grade graduation

Sick and Tired

I am sick and grumpy. So get ready for some whinning.......
First, I am sick-major sinus infection. So much fun-NOT.
Second, my friend, Diane and I had a garage sale this weekend and it rained the entire time. The sale was horrible, we are going to try to do it again next weekend. Diane is heading to Haiti for a mission trip and I am going to Ethiopia-so we were hoping to have a great sale-maybe next week...

As far as the adoption, not good either. Still now news on a referral. We were considering a sibling set, two sisters, but it just did't seem right or work out. So, we are still waiting. I know she is out there somewhere.

One plus of the last few weeks is that I have lost a ton a weight. I am really happy about it. Back in my skinny jeans :)
But this week has been hard, I have been totally stressed and now sick. I have not eaten well at all and I have got to get back on the program. I haven't gained any weight, but I haven't lost any either.

Ok, I am so sick and drugged up I can't even think straight, I know I am rambling......better go before I say something super dumb.

Mother's Day.....bitter sweet

Well, today is Mother's Day. We have had a busy day and I got to enjoy my family. First, my church family at early service. Second, we met my parents and two grandma's for brunch. Third, we went to the farm to see Darren's Mom and sister's family. We are now home and we have all gone our seperate ways....doing our own thing. I am searching the waiting list to see if any new children have come into our agency....what's new right?
When I woke up this morning and went out for breakfast...Darren said, "I was hoping we would get a referral for Mother's Day." Yeah, me too. The waiting is getting to me. Some days are better than others. I try so hard not to worry about it....it will happen when it's the perfect time and God knows when that is going to be.....I wish He would let me in on the secret!!! But I jump at every phone call...every email. It's pathetic. I'm trying to keep busy and not worry about it. I am working on a garage sale.....why am I doing that? I hate it every time. Tons of work for not alot of money. But the garage sale has kept my mind off of the baby...until I go to a friends garage sale and buy the cutest darn clothes for a little girl I don't even have yet. Yes, I did. I told myself I wouldn't buy clothes and I did. I caved in a weak moment. But they are soooooo cute. Already hanging in her closet. I have no idea if our child will even fit into them, but if not, I'll put them in my garage sale...or give them to Jennifer. I bet they will fit her little girl.....we just need to get her home too. The office that can sign off on the last paper for her adoption is closed right now. So baby S is just waiting......just like us, I guess. Do you think she is as stressed as we are...or is she enjoying the life she knows right now? That's what I need to do....enjoy the life I have right now. Why stress out about something I have no control over. It's not fair to me or my family. I will do better....I promise.