Daffodils, Tulips and Sunshine!

Today is a beautiful day! There are daffodils in the front yard, tulips trying to come out of their winters rest, and sunshine everywhere! The sky is blue and there is so much to be thankful for. This past Thursday we were privileged to attend an Eagle Court of Honor. It was so amazing for me to witness these 23 young men as they are ready to embark on their futures. They can achieve so much. There are many things I love about the scouting program. However I must say the the values of integrity and service just jump out at me. I believe it is so important to learn the principles of service at an early age. It is something that will benefit these boys the rest of their lives. I think a lot about the Ethiopian culture as I think about the scouting program. These Ethiopian families are trying to do the best that they can with virtually nothing, yet they will give you what little they have as a gesture of kindness and love. The goal for them is to improve future generations in hopes that they might be able to contribute to their culture and community and serve their people. This is so special to me. I think for me I take this principle for granted. When you grow up in American you just assume that these type of people will be there to set that kind of example, but that is not always the case. It really made me appreciate people who spend their life dedicated to a cause, whatever it may be. Being an advocate is true service to your fellow man. I am so proud of all the young men who worked so hard on their Eagle projects and gave so many hours of service to our communities and to several groups overseas. I am proud of my son. There is nothing sweeter that the picture of him hugging our dear friend Julie after his project was completed. It is complete bliss for him! I will never forget it.

On a heavier note, I rented "Hotel Rwanda" last night. I had heard it was a must see for us and I must admit I was so scared to watch it. As my fears let me know I was right, I just sobbed at the horror of such a tragic event. Honestly, you would never imagine this happened in 1994. I hope that doesn't sound ignorant, my reasoning about that comment is that I would have thought we would learn and this horrible behavior would have ended thirty years ago. I was astounded to learn a bit about the inner workings of politics. It just saddens me that we cannot all co-exist in this world. Find your place and be happy. Over one million people were slottered in what some people will deny was a genocide. It absolutely was and I pray for those families who must face this kind of inhumane treatment and suffering in their lives. Please pray for the orphans who rely on the blessed advocates in their countries. I am so grateful for the orpanages in Africa and the people who are trying to manage a very difficult situation. These people are hero's in this country. I cannot imagine what they must face on a daily basis. xoxo

New Forever Friends!

Yesterday our new friends shared with us the new loves in their lives. They just received their referral. They are also adopting from Ethiopia. I can't begin to tell you how beautiful these children are. The other amazing thing is how much they are already loved. We sat and looked at their pictures together many times over. It is so wonderful to know that these children are wanted and loved so much. We are so happy for our friends and wish them so much luck in finishing up this process so they can hold their children soon. The excitement and the reality of the pictures got us so emotional. It soon will be our turn to see the pictures of our children. The Hubby said this morning "I can feel the change in our family, it is going to be amazing". Nana made some yummy blankets for the babies, however the older kids have tried many times to snatch them. My kids have a thing for blankets. I did buy some really sweet hair bows and some baby lotion last week. I was imaging smelling our new babies. I just love that smell. Yum!

State Authenticated and Overnighted!

Yesterday was an amazing day! After going through our entire dossier and extra required paperwork with our cute Notary, I was on the road. I made a trip downtown to the Capitol Building. Thankfully some nice man gave me directions over the phone. It's all under construction up there and could have made for a ugly trip. I found it no problem. They now have same day service so I was able to wait. Wow, that was a beautiful thing to get State Authenticated. That means the State puts a seal on the paperwork and verifies your Notaries. After leaving downtown and heading south, I obtained 6 money orders and 2 copies of every document we had to produce which was a grand total of 86 copies. I put final touches on our "package" and drove over to the post office and over-nighted our goods! After our agency reviews the goods (24 hour turnaround) then we can receive a call. Daddy-o was so amazed he couldn't stand it. I myself am in shock too! What a relief! Everyone is asking do you know what your getting? So here's the final scoop.....We requested two kids under 3, with at least one girl. These kids will definitely be siblings, however we could also get twins....It's really fun to imagine what will happen next! xoxo

Faith is.......

During the first part of February we were still "waiting" to hear on the licensing of the first agency we chose. Mind you we decided to go forward with our adoption on December 3rd. As we worked diligently on gathering many bits of paperwork and birth certificates and such the time was flying by. During the first week of February, I kept having this feeling that something wasn't right. There still was no good news, the agency had not received their go ahead. We sat down and decided that by Valentine's day if we still had not heard anything, a change needed to be made. On February 15, one last attempt was made and still no license. We made the change and were immediately moving forward with Children's Home, based in Minnesota. I am so grateful for listening to the promptings and the great advice of my friends to change courses. I read the old agencies web page today and they are still waiting!

Yesterday, we received the final pages that will be attached to our doccier and I will be getting them State Authenticated on Monday. I hope to overnight our package on Tuesday and we should be able to get an expected time frame on getting a referral. We talked this morning and we can't even express the emotion as we ponder getting a phone call that says we have a referral for you........ If you go to http://www.childrenshomeadopt.org/ and find your way to international adoption and then go to the photo album you can see where I spend hours looking at these beautiful children who have come home to their families, they are gorgeous! xoxo

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