Please Pray

Please pray really hard that we will make it through court before closure. Word from AGCI is that we should know in the next few days how many families are going to make it! I'm trying to remember that God's timing is always perfect & His faithfulness has been so evident through out our journey. However, I know our little girl & so many others are in Ethiopia & need to come home as soon as possible! Please, God, move mountains...get tons of families through before closure!

& Running Low on Patience

Update to yesterday's post about how the wait is going....I've officially lacking patience today! I want my girl & I want her in my arms now!!!! God, please give me peace & patience!!!!! By the way, patience is not in my nature, so I know the waiting part of the adoption journey has a huge purpose in my heart. N realized a couple of weeks ago that my initials are K.A.L.M. We have laughed & laughed b/c I'm not a calm, patient person!!!! What a joke!

More Stuff

My sweet friend, Hallie, came by today with more goodies for Hannah's Hope (& to see our pink room & our girl's sweet face)! We grew up across the street from each other & I used to always babysit her. She was my hero when our twins were born. She took on our family for a senior project & came over several days a week for an entire semester to help me (& learn about child development, I think it was)! Thank you, Hallie, for everything!!!! By the way, she is getting ready to graduate from college & I would love to find her Prince Charming for her...any of my blog buddies have any good, Christian candidates????

Baby K'tan

I had a hard time deciding on what kind of carrier/sling to go with for our trip to Ethiopia to pick up our girl. I ended up going with the Baby K'tan (I think it was Liz who suggested it....thank you!). I definately may need to invest in a Ergo or Beco later, but I think the K'tan will be good for now (& I really wanted a wrap). I tried it with R &, as you can see from his face, he was not happy about being my guinea pig. He was a good sport though & I love it! No, carrying an older toddler for extended periods is not going to be easy, but I definately think this will make it a little easier! I can't wait to get my girl in it!
Everyone keeps asking about how the wait is going for us. We are definately excited & anxious, but we still have a wonderful peace. It is so good to know that she is being well-cared for at Hannah's Hope. They say she has REALLY attached to A, the orphanage director (to the point that she gets really sad when A has to leave the compound). It is so good to know that she is getting lots of love & hugs, but I am a little jealous b/c my heart wants her to be attaching to me! Please continue to pray that we make it through courts. I know anything is possible with God (& A, the orphanage director) in control!
You may have noticed my new hair do. I got my hair whacked last night. I've been thinking I would need something short & easy soon, but I had originally thought I would wait until after our trip. However, after our referral came & I knew she was older, I decided that may be an unnecessary change for our little girl after she arrives.

Surprise

Look at the suprise we found on our front porch when we returned last night from our weekend at my grandparents'! Our first donations for Hannah's Hope (& what a load!). Thank you, Jonathan & Beth!!!!

Needs at Hannah's Hope

Many of you have asked about the needs at Hannah's Hope. Here is the list of the most needed items. We are so anxious to begin gathering donations which we will carry over with us when we travel.

For babies
~Whole suitcase of diapers, half being for newborn babies
~Pull-ups (for the few toddlers that are almost toilet trained)
~Johnson and Johnson baby shampoo
~Lotions, baby oils and baby wash
~Diaper rash cream—Desitin is the best, or whatever other kinds you think is a better
~Baby Wipes
~Bottles-Avent bottles—both large and small sizes
~Clothing for newborn babies both for boys and girls
~Moses’ Baskets
~Multivitamins for babies—liquid drops. Also, organic flax seed
~Vegetable or soy based formula—this is the kind that is most needed
~Dairy based formula

Things for older children
~Shampoos and conditioners that are fortified for curly hair
~Dandruff shampoos
~Body soap
~Toothpastes and toothbrushes for children
~Body lotions—especially for dryer or ashy skin
~Clothing for boys and girls between 4 and 13 years old and especially need pants and pajamas
~Shoes including crocs, sneakers, for 4 through 13 years old children
~Bedding-sheets for the older children (twin sizes; Pink (bright), red and lime green)
~Chewable Multivitamins for the older children

Other things
~Scrubs in sizes small or medium for the special mothers**
~Air refresher (any kind that is safe to use in children/babies rooms an bathrooms)
~Regular size towels (both blue and pink).

Just Can't Sleep

What a wonderful day today has been! The AGCI families who were experiencing the delay in their adoptions got word that they are through court & the children are officially their's! This is truly an absolute miracle! It is a long, long story (& I'm sure I don't know the half of it), but only the hands of our great God could have worked it out! He is amazing! There were also several more referrals today. When I talked to Kate to confirm that our paperwork was good, I asked her if they were partying in the AGCI office! What a wonderful day & what an awesome God we have (now please let us get through courts before they close!...He, he, he!)! Now, I can't go to sleep! :-)

The Process from Here

Kate just called & all of our paperwork was correct! The process (as we understand it..please correct me if I'm wrong) from here is this: The AGCI coordinator in Ethioia is opening our file at the Ministry of Women's Affairs (MOWA) & the Federal Court of Addis Ababa. Once our file is reviewed by MOWA it will then go to the Courts for the Court date—this will be scheduled up to 2-3 weeks later. We have to keep in mind that it may not get scheduled until after courts reopen in October. We'll see. We are definately praying that it will get scheduled by the end of July (before courts close for August & September)! After the court decree is issued (whether it's before court closure or after), AGCI will request our U.S. Embassy appointment . Once this is scheduled, this will be the magic date that we have to be in Ethiopia (usually it's 2-3 weeks after the Court Decree is issued).