Homestudy attached....

Today I hand delivered the hard copy of our homestudy to the INS. That is a great feeling, I must say. Now just more waiting. I am feeling like I am nesting. I am planning a huge yard sale. I will be purging and really getting rid of the final bits of clutter from living here over 10 years. It will be a great feeling. It's a lot of work to have a yard sale but it will keep my mind focused on the babies and I know that will bring me great joy. Last night I fasted during my dinner meal. I just couldn't help but think of our kids, wondering if they were hungry and I am positive they are. It was something I could do to feel connected to them. I hope they can feel my love and prayers. xoxo

It's highchair day!

Well, it's the first day of the new daylight savings time. Lot's of sleepy kids this morning. I must say it will be so nice to have our days lighter three weeks earlier. Yippy! Anyway, great news today. Our agency finally approved all of our "stuff" including the final copy of our homestudy! I should receive the hard copy to deliver to the INS in a few days. This is huge. I can't believe it. I want to go out and buy a highchair today. I know this is something that is going to be used a lot and I don't have to worry about girl or boy yet. And for all of you sports fans I broke my foot Saturday night playing a rousing game of Wally Ball. It is super fun but I rolled my ankle after jumping up at the net. Oops. Thankfully, as far as breaks go it's pretty minor. Honestly, that is so duh! I am so grateful I had my toes done last week. At least they look nice. xoxo

Who's my mother?

This past week I finished a book called "There is no me without you", by Melissa Fay Greene. This book is a compelling story about one woman's desire to rescue Africa's children. I must tell you that the nerve's that will be pierced when you read this book might not come back to life. This book has forever changed me. I have had my eyes opened to things in which most of us would never like to see let alone talk about. These truths that exist half way around the world are real and I pray sincerely for change. Isn't it our hope that we all have the basic essentials to live a happy and productive life? Isn't every child supposed to be able to see their reflection in their Mother's eyes? If not their birth Mother, then who is their Mother? I sincerely hope that you might take a journey and read this beautiful true story. xoxo

Re-arrange, who me?

I know this will be hard for most of you to understand. I have to come clean and admit I was re-arranging again. It was so fun to imagine two little people upstairs with us. We will have the little ones up and the older ones down. A loves having his brother in the next room, I hear them laughing and having so much fun together. C feels truly ripped off but soon he will be so busy helping me. I can't wait to paint and decorate the babies rooms. It will be so fun. I am getting really desperate to buy some baby clothes but I better wait until we find out what we will be getting. I hope to be posting gooshy details later this week. Not our referral but at least what we are requesting and maybe some estimated time frame. xoxo

"a-woo-da-shall-o"

This is the way you say and pronounce" I love you" in Amharic. Lonely Planet publishes a book called "Ethiopian Amharic Phrasebook" that I will be looking for today. It should be found at Barnes and Noble. We will go on a shopping trip. I really want to take a few lines to express thanks again to all of you who are so supportive and loving regarding our "children to be". From the bottom of our hearts "thank you" and we love all of you. Over the past two months we have been required to do a lot of reading regarding racism and trans-racial adoption. It has been wonderful to get in touch with the African American culture and race issues and to be brought up to speed. We are embracing our new knowledge and look forward to learning more. xoxo

Fingerprinting done!

Today, we completed our fingerprinting. Yea, it's nice to check that off the list. We are all done compiling our dossier documents, we are waiting for our final/hard copy of our homestudy which is being approved as we speak. We should be hearing something by Friday, they think! We have been looking at flights and travel plans, it's really crazy to think it's not that far off. We have met an amazing couple that are adopting two children from Ethiopia too. It is the most unbelievable story. CE calls me and tells me that her relatives have just called her to talk about adopting. As the conversation progresses she couldn't believe that it was Ethiopia, let alone two little babies as well. What a small world. This is going to be a great friendship with such a beautiful common thread! I also must say it's so nice to have people to talk to about all of these details........xoxo

How do you say I love you?

Last night we were going through some information that our Agency sent us. There were recipes, statistics on Ethiopia and simple words and phrases that we can learn in the native language, "Amharic". We called M into the room and showed him the lists. He busily looked over the pages. He raised his head and said, "How do you say I love you in Amharic?" It was seriously so sweet, we couldn't stand it. I am sad to say that it wasn't on the list so I will e-mail our agency and see if they can find out for me.
We continue to be amazed at how excited our children are to have some new siblings. xoxo