Update

Yes, I know it has been 3 months since I have posted (2 months if you count the twitter updates!) but let's be real...I have never been the best blogger anyway!  We have been home for 2 months now, and life is good!  Everyone seems to be adjusting well and we are enjoying watching G. learn new things everyday!  I think she has grown 20% in body weight, but that's a good thing, especially since we have had a pretty hard time finding things she will eat.  My latest obsession right now, is hair...It's all about the hair right?  G's is still only about 2 inches long, but I am working hard to keep it healthy and find the right products.  Some of you reading this, might think that is a no-brainer, but all the "Do's" for her hair are "Don'ts" for mine and vice versa, so I'm investing some time now, before I am knee-deep in learning to do braids and the like.  

I think this will be my last post on this blog and I thank everyone out there for their support during this journey.  I wish those of you waiting to bring your little one(s) home the best of luck!

An Unexpected Surprise

Wonderful news!  Yesterday, Abbey called to tell us that we passed court and now have a second daughter!  We were scheduled for our second court date on July 9th, but the court was able to process our case early!  We are leaving soon to get our baby girl!

More waiting

Abbey called and we did not pass court -- there was a problem with some of the paperwork, and MOWA was unable to issue an opinion.  We thought we were successful with MOWA when we didn't get a call yesterday, but that was not the case.  We hope to be issued a new court date tomorrow...

Now...We wait for the call

Good morning all!  It was so strange to wake up this morning and wonder...Is B. our daughter?  Well, she certainly is in our heart, but did a judge make her ours last night?  I woke up AT LEAST every hour last night, praying and calculating what time it was at that point in Addis.  I promise to post as soon as I know anything...I know how much everyone wants to know.  We will continue to pray for all the waiting families!

Court Date!

Well, we received a court date last Friday -- June 17th!  We are so excited and hope it is successful and we can travel very soon!

Details of "The Call"

I did not think it would take me this long to write this entry, but...  I was driving down the freeway, talking to Joe.  I said "It is 3:00 you know" (Code for the call isn't happening today) to which he says..."I know..." Then, at 2:53 a call beeps in - Area Code 817 - I quickly and nervously say "This is it, I've got to get it..."  Of course, it was Abbey.  After some brief greetings -- How are you...Fine...How are you...then it comes..."I have some good news." I stopped her mid-sentence and said "Don't tell me anything!"  I was on my way to get Katie at school, so I could not immediately divert to be with Joe.  I called him back immediately and we determined that it was most efficient for him to get Katie at school (he was closer) and meet at home. Unfortunately, snack time had not occurred yet at school, so our 5 year old was not too pleased to be taken abruptly from such critical commitments...We had wonderful visions of seeing the pictures all together, but she was still recovering from the trauma and required a little show (Kipper the Dog) to get over it.  Once Joe and I got in front of the computer, video camera set up and positioned, we called Abbey back.  She quickly told us that they had a beautiful baby GIRL for us...Yes we were quite surprised at the girl part, since we just assumed it would be a boy.  She had her e-mail all queued up and ready to go, so we got it within 20 seconds of the call.  We had 7 pictures to pour over -- each one of them seemed to tell us a little something different about her.  After Abbey walked us through the background, medical info, etc.  I asked her "What's next?"  She indicated that when we were ready to accept the referral, to let her know.  Without hesitation, we both piped up -- WE ACCEPT! and a confirmation was on it's way.  Our heads are still spinning, but we are thrilled.  Oh, and the trauma of the missed snack time was soon forgotten as Katie saw her baby sister's picture!  On to the next leg of the journey...

Today is the Day!!

At 2:53 today, we received the call!  She is an absolutely beautiful 11 month old little girl...More details to follow.   The call is as wonderful as everyone says!!

BTW - I tried to post on the gladney africa message board, but it appeared to be down...

A New Week...

It is Monday morning and I am full of hope for the week! Cell phone is charged and ready...Let's have some movement this week!

8 Months and 5 Days

Well...We have been on waitlist for 8 months and 5 days.  I really thought we would be talking travel plans by now, but we all know how unpredictable this whole process can be.  I am so happy for all of the court passings, referrals, and court dates lately, but I have found an increase in my anxiety about our call.  Every day, I find a reason why "today would be a perfect day for a referral" but it just doesn't pan out that way.  I'm not sure what else to do, but offer it up.  I hope everyone has a wonderful Easter weekend and we will start the wait again on Monday!

As time goes by...

Okie dokie, I was doing a-ok with this whole waitlist thing until the last month or so when I have been telling everybody who asks..."Any day now!"  I am having those thoughts like...Have they lost our file?  Maybe there is a problem.... What if we don't get through court before rainy season?  The list goes on...Many of you know what I am talking about.  I used to stalk the FBI list multiple times a day and now I just wait for the email notification on my phone for a post to the Gladney Africa message board...(I have decided that is the fastest way to hear stuff.)  I wasn't even able to listen to the update call today for fear I might hear some discouraging news. I find 3:00 is a tough time of day, because I start to realize "the call" probably won't happen that day, but on the flip side, 9:00 am is a very hopeful time...The whole day is ahead of us!  Last night, Katie asked me "What if there aren't any babies left when we go to Ethiopia Mommy?"...From the mouths of babes!  Anyway, I have much to be thankful for and my heart goes out to everyone in the process...especially those experiencing trials much greater than mine.  Here's to 9:00 am tomorrow and another day of possibilities!!  

On a separate note, Katie had 60's day at pre-k today, so I thought I'd share her "Peace and Love" look...

New Blog!

As many of you know, I have been seriously delinquent in my blogging, so I have decided to transfer our blog to blogger, hoping I will be better.  

As far as where we are now...

We have now been waiting 7 1/2 months and have reached the point where are having to update Gladney documents (physicals, criminal background checks, etc)  I never dreamed we would be needing to do this, but here we are...I am hopeful that we will get a referral soon but am also trying to be realistic.  I have really reached the obsessing phase of the wait....checking the FBI list, yahoo groups, email...Sometimes I even think my email must be down since I haven't gotten any messages from the yahoo groups.  Since today is late Friday, I know the window for this week is pretty much closed...Here's to something next week!