Preparing for the trip

We're realizing how quickly time is passing. It's been 12 days since our court date. . .almost 2 weeks already.

We went to Walmart today and bought a bunch of stuff for the trip. We got some travel size bottles, deodorants, q-tips, Pepto-Bismol, ibuprofen, children's Tylenol, suitcase tags, neck pillows, travel tissues and wipes.

We also bought a few pairs of lightweight, quick dry pants for the trip. They'll be easy to hand wash and dry over night. We've heard it's best to wear pants there even if it's warm. I guess it's culturally respectful which makes sense.

We're going to get a few other like a set of outlet converters, a document organizer some organizing packing cases.

We are going to take up a collection at church of stuff to take and leave at the orphanage. Things like balls, bubbles, toys. We're taking two extra luggage filled with stuff that we'll leave. Then we'll have room to bring home souvenirs.

On it's way. . .

Our photo album was sent off to Ethiopia yesterday. We're told our son should have it by next week sometime. They also said that chances are good he's already been told about us. I wish I could have been a fly on the wall to see his response. It's exciting to know that he will see our faces (in photos) soon. I hope he will recognize us when he sees us in person. It could be sooooo soon. I don't know how to prepare myself for this. It's just overwhelming and so wonderful! What a great Christmas present!

Waiting. . . like usual

So, it's been almost a week since we got approved and we were told it could be as soon as 4 weeks later we'd travel. That's 3 weeks away but. . .we may not know for another week. We are realizing that we shouldn't wait until we know the date to start getting ready. There is a lot we'll have to pack that isn't typical for our other travels. We're reading a lot online about international travel and making lists. It's a little over whelming but very exciting.

Our pastor just returned from a trip to Kenya (Ethiopia's neighbor). He said he knows how to pray for us now cause the travel part of the trip was tough on him. We should have many fewer layovers which will hopefully make the trip quicker. The flight from DC to Addis will be 15 to 17 hours, ugh! I can't imagine being on a plane nonstop that long but it'll all be worth it.

I think one of the biggest things that makes me anxious and nervous and unsettled is the booking of our tickets. They will most likely be close to $2000 a piece but that all depends on how much time in advance we can get them. Then there is the chance things could go wrong and we have to change them or get new ones. It just makes me nervous. So, if you think about us traveling soon please pray for peace for us before hand and that God would have him hand in it.

Family Photo Album

So, they mentioned a while back that we could send a photo album to our son and our understanding was that we wouldn't do that until we got approved. We just asked about it and they were surprized we hadn't sent it yet. Hmm . . . oh well. We printed a ton of pictures today and I hope to get it in the mail tomorrow. We mail it to our agency in MI and they send it on. I hope it doesn't take long. We thought it would be nice for them to wait to tell him about us until they could give him the album, but now I don't know how long it will take to get the album there.

Anyway,as I was putting the pictures into the album I was trying to imagine what he would be thinking. Would he be excited? Would he understand what's going on? I hope he recognizes us when he sees us. I can't wait!

He's Gonna be my SON!!

Yesterday was our court date in Ethiopia. We found out today that we were approved. WOOHOO!! We couldn't be happier! They are telling us to except to travel in 4 to 6 weeks. However, we may only have a couple weeks to get our trip planned because we may not know when we're going for a few weeks. So, we could be going mid January but not find that out for 2 more weeks.

Liam asked if his brother is coming home tomorrow. :-) It's so sweet that he's excited but he just doesn't understand the timing of it all. Liam wants to share his toys and his bunch bed. I can't wait until my 3 boys are united!

Please pray for our son. Pray for health and pray that his heart will be ready for the news of a new family. We'll be sending him pictures of our family and that may be when they tell him about us for the first time. it's very exciting to know that he will see our pictures and know we're coming for him.

2009 Ornament

We buy ornaments each year for our kids and as a family based on important things that happen in our lives. Well, getting our referral for our little boy was a BIG deal! So, I wanted something super special. I found this ornament on Etsy.com which is a site where people can sell their own homemade things. I love it! Next year's ornament will be even more special!

NEWS!

UPDATE (only moments after posted the last blog update)

We just got an email THIS morning saying we have a court date!!!! It's December 14th!! We've been told that if we do get approved on that date (PRAY we do) that we could travel as early as the end of January. We are THRILLED!!

Please pray that God's will be done but our hearts desire that we get approved on Dec. 14th and that we can bring our boy home!

Update

It's December. That should be exciting news but we still have no news of a set court date. As I understand it, we could find out last minute about the court date. I pray it's still in December because the later it is the later we go to Ethiopia to get our little boy.

A couple days ago we got a phone message from a local family who is also adopting a boy from Ethiopia. She wanted to tell us that they would be leaving Grand Junction for Ethiopia this very morning to bring their boy home. She offered to bring something to him except that since we're still waiting on the court approval, he doesn't know about us yet. I would have loved to send a Christmas gift to him since we can't spend it with him.

So, I called her back last night and we found out that both boys are from the same village in Ethiopia and that her boy used to be in the orphanage that ours is in now. She said that their agency (not BCS) is taking them to a couple different orphanages and that our little boy's is one of them!

I gave her his picture so she can keep an eye out for him. So, there's a chance they'll come back with a report on how he's doing! It's very exciting! I am a bit (I mean, A LOT!) jealous. . . I wish I was the one travel to my son's home country today. I wish I was the one who could see my boy face to face!

Anyway, I am praying for that family and looking forward to them coming back. We're going to get together with them to look at pictures and hear all about their trip. So, the countdown to that day begins, 9 more days. Maybe we'll get our court date within the time too ;-)