Video

This is what makes that 9 months+ of waiting worth it. Take a minute (or 8) to watch this, it is really amazing to see all that our agency is doing for the children and families of Ethiopia. I need to watch this everyday to put this wait into perspective.

9 Months....

Today marks nine months of waiting to be matched with our little one..... not really sure what to say about that right now.

Too Cute!!

Look at what I bought today.....So I may be ahead of myself here just a little bit, but I couldn't resist! I found this bedding a while ago and I have been trying to be patient, but as I was price checking, I began to see that it was selling out on numerous sites, so I had to get it before it was too late. I figure if we are referred a boy then I will try to return it or sell it on ebay and get some equally cute baby boy bedding, but I am feeling pretty confident that we will get a girl. It is just so fun to move forward a little, even if we will have to wait a while before we can see our little girl sleeping in her cute little room.

Newest report...

This is the newest report on Ethiopian adoptions.....

Adoptions of Abandoned Children Halted by Ethiopian Court:The Ethiopian First Instance Court has temporarily stopped accepting cases involving abandoned children from orphanages in Addis Ababa, citing concern over a recent increase in the number of abandoned children being brought for adoption. The number of abandoned children from orphanages in Addis Ababa has grown dramatically in recent months and Ethiopian authorities have become aware of possible cases of unethical practices associated with some of them.Currently neither MOWA nor the First Instance Court are accepting any abandonment case from any orphanages in Addis Ababa pending an inquiry.

This will probably slow our adoption down more, but I really don't mind. I don't want there to be any questionable behavior going on, and I certainly don't want to bring a child home that has a family that wants to be loving on them but is somehow conned out of raising their child. I know that God has our child picked out for us, and as Kevin says, I don't want to wait on God, I want to wait with Him as he brings that child into our family. So, please pray that any unethical practices would be brought into the light, so that kids that really need homes can be placed quickly.

80's and Garden

I went to a very fun 80's party last weekend, but because Kevin had our camera in Mexico I was unable to share the fun on here. Don't worry, Kevin is home and healthy, no flu!! Seriously though, he had a wonderful time learning more about some ministries going on in Mexico, and spending time with some wonderful people. But yes, he got there the day the news broke about the flu, and then the next day there was an earthquake not far from where they were, but thank God he is home safe and sound. Anyways... the 80's party was so fun, we celebrated our friend Kathy's birthday and I just had to share a few pics....

Here I am in all of my 80's garb. I used almost half of a can of hairspray to get my hair to stay like that, and I don't think it moved an inch all night.

Since Kevin was in Mexico I got to go with two dates, Becky and Katie Beth, aren't they gorgeous?

Here are some of the other girls at the party, such great outfits!

So yesterday I decided to try my hand, or my lungs, at another 5K. This one was significantly harder then the last one that I did. First of all, it was cold and my asthma doesn't like that, and it starts right on a hill, another thing my lungs don't like much. It wasn't pretty, but I was able to finish, and I was able to beat my time from the last race! Here I am with my friend Kristen before the race.

This is the beginning of the first hill. It looks like it ends at the top but instead it goes around the corner and continues up for at least a another 5 miles, okay not quite that far, but it felt like it. Here is some of the gorgeous scenery that we got to run through. The finish line!! Here we are with some of the other girls that ran, Laura, Lisa, Laura, Me, Kristen and Dawn. Overall, it was a fun day and since I am a glutton for pain I am sure I will run the next race in the series, fun times!

Yesterday our agency gave out two more referrals, two sweet little boys! That means in the month of April they gave out 7 referrals. That is the most referrals they have ever given out in a month! So, with all of my investigating, I am guessing we are number 11ish on the list. What that means as far as a referral I have no idea. My fear is that we will see our sweet child's face and then have to wait until the courts reopen to get a court date. It is hard enough to wait not knowing who our child is, but once we know who they are it will be so, so hard to have to wait to go get them. I am just hoping that by some miracle we will get a referral and pass court before the rainy season comes and they close the courts. But I am also fully prepared to have to wait.

So, congratulations to all of my forum and blog friends that have received their referrals this week, I am truly happy and so excited for you!!