We have officially only been waiting 2 weeks and 4 days since our referral, and it feels like months. I didn't think the waiting after we got the referral would be this tough, but boy oh boy - I am READY to go get our son and bring him home!! Our friends just brought their children home yesterday from Hannah's Hope. It was SOO good to talk to them and hear about their experience in Ethiopia! They are such an amazing family and they have blessed us so much. They took a ton of pictures of "A" and held and loved him the entire time they were there. I am so thankful for that and feel like a little part of us went with them to see him.
He is so adorable, I can't get over it. He's got the biggest eyes (again he totally looks like my nephew and it's kind of eerie). He has such an intense stare, it's like he's looking right into your soul. I wonder what's going on in that little mind of his? Our friends said he is a genuinely happy baby, very aware and sweet. I just can't wait to hold him!! Two months seems like an eternity when you know your child is somewhere other than in your arms. Again, it comes down to trusting that God has His perfect timing! I'm looking forward to when that perfect timing comes :)!
We are working on "A's" room and my friend Malia, who is an incredible artist is going to paint a mural on his wall. She's going to paint a silhouette of an African looking tree with 5 Elephants (Tom, Me, Whitt, Lowa and "A" ). I just love this idea. After it's all done, I'll post a picture.
That's where I am right now. Doing lots of praying, trusting and missing. To all of you waiting (in any stage of adoption), know that our prayers are with you. God is SO good and in control. He loves us and knows what is perfect for our children and our families. Blessings to everyone!
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Snowing in March in NW Washington? What's This World Coming To?
So there was snow here today - in late March? What is going on around here? I am SOOO ready for the Winter to be DONE and for Spring..... to spring! There are cherry blossoms on the trees and buds are beginning to bloom, but I am more than ready to have full-on leaves, flowers and sunshine. Here are a few pictures of Lowa and Whittaker enjoying their Spring/Winter day :)! They were the only ones thrilled with the idea of snow. After playing out in the snow, we came in for some delicious hot chocholate. It was fun - and hopefully the last fun, snowy day this year :)!
Bring it on Spring - We're READY!!
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Easter...
Don't you just love the cheesy grins?
Easter is always so special for our family because it is the time of year when we get to celebrate the reason for our faith - that Christ has risen! We love this holiday and getting to spend it with Grandma and Grandpa makes it even more special. The kids loved their Easter egg hunt so much that we had 2 Easter egg hunts!! They kept asking for more, but we cut them off at two. Of course, it was pouring outside, so we had our Easter egg hunt inside Grandma and Grandpa's house - it was perfect!!
L, W and Grandma making our Strawberry Shortcakes
No news on travel and we're not expecting to hear for a while. We continually pray for "A" and know that God will unite us with our son when it's just the right time! In the meantime, we're busy painting, cleaning, cleaning and then more cleaning. It's that nesting thing that happens when you're getting ready for your baby to come home. I remember doing this when I was pregnant with Lowa and Whittaker. Pictures of the progress will come soon :).
Friday, March 21, 2008
Missing My Boy...
My good friends left today from here in NW Washington for Ethiopia to pick up their beautiful children. I can't believe how excited I am for them. Knowing that they get to hold, kiss, hug and play with their children brings me such delight. I also love that they get to go see our son "A." They will be taking tons of pictures and loving him for us. I am TRULY grateful and can't wait to hear how he is doing.
On the flip side, I am so sad today. I am missing my boy so much that it leads me to tears. I know he is being so well taken care of and again, I am SOO grateful, but I miss him! I think of his sweet face, his beautiful curls, the milk-drunk look on his face after having his bottle. I think of his sweet hands grabbing his special mother and anticipate the day he will hold onto me. My boy is so precious and I am relying on God to give me patience and peace in this time of waiting. I am thankful because I know God has given me His peace that passes understanding, but I still yearn for my son in my arms. I look forward to the day with great excitement and anticipation.
On the flip side, I am so sad today. I am missing my boy so much that it leads me to tears. I know he is being so well taken care of and again, I am SOO grateful, but I miss him! I think of his sweet face, his beautiful curls, the milk-drunk look on his face after having his bottle. I think of his sweet hands grabbing his special mother and anticipate the day he will hold onto me. My boy is so precious and I am relying on God to give me patience and peace in this time of waiting. I am thankful because I know God has given me His peace that passes understanding, but I still yearn for my son in my arms. I look forward to the day with great excitement and anticipation.
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
We're Now Living in.... MINIVAN World
We knew once we got the referral of "A" that the inevitable would happen... we would have to move to the world of minivans! Tom and I always "swore" that we would never own a minivan - we thought we were just too cool for that. Well, now that we are a family of 5, the minivan is WAY COOL!! Either our "cool" meter has seriously dropped off a cliff or we've entered into a whole new level of cool (minivan cool baby)! I can't believe how awesome these things are. They seriously thought of every family situation when on the road and put it into the minivan. Tom said it's like a house on wheels - it's kinda true!
The kids call it our "new, blue car" and love to travel anywhere in the thing. I think driving it is fabulous, but the best part is that I don't have to break my back when I'm buckling the kids into their car seats - YES!! Being 5'11" and having to bend over and over and over throughout the day for buckling was, well let's just say, NOT SO FUN! I barely have to bend over now and I'm thinking that's pretty dang wonderful!!
Lowa and Whitt Kickin' it in the minivan!
I'm looking pretty "hip" (yes, the word "hip" totally dates me :) )!
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
You're Not Gonna Believe This...
I'm in SHOCK - we have a referral of our baby boy "A." His name is more perfect than we ever could have imagined and the face on this child blows me out of the water!!! I wish I could share pictures and info., but that will come soon enough - after we arrive home!!!
Here's how it all went down...
About 11:00 Tuesday morning, our case worker called. Let me back up a bit... I had received an email from her earlier the previous week in which she was hoping to call everyone on the list. I didn't get the call Thursday, Friday or Monday. I wanted to send an email to just say "hi" and that I would love to hear where we were on the list. Every single time I thought about it, I truly felt like God said, "No, I am in control. Don't try to take control of something you'll never be able to control. Rest in my peace and know I have the perfect timing." So I never sent an email and I'm so glad I didn't. When our case manager called, it was so wonderful, because I knew it wasn't any of my doing! Back to the call...
There was some chit-chat at first about her trip to Ethiopia and how I was so excited to hear from her. Then she said, "Well, I'm going to throw you for a loop." I KNEW it was coming and my whole body literally started shaking!!! She said she had a little boy for us. I immediately wanted to know more. With tears flowing, mouth beaming and body shaking I found out about our sweet little boy. I told her that I wanted her to send the pics and info, but that I was going to wait to see them until Tom got home. It seriously took SO much WILL POWER not to look at those pictures!
I called Tom right away, but of course this was a day he had a meeting that he couldn't get out of. I didn't reach him by calling so I sent a text message (which I never do). I said, "Call me asap, referral!!" Tom is waiting to hear from some school districts this week about whether he gets an interview or not, so he thought that was why I was calling. (Remember, the last time we got waiting list numbers 2-3-08, we were #6 on the boy list. Neither of us was expecting this). The first thought that ran through his head was, "Wow, Kristin must be calling about an interview. I wonder why she called it a referral?" This lets you know how far off we thought a referral would be. Then it clicked in his brain- "Oh my gosh, this is a referral for a child!" He was at lunch, so thankfully he could call me. We were both thrilled and shocked - as I've said many times! I shared all about our "A" and he was so excited. I waited until he got home and Tom's parents came over to see "A" and take pictures of us seeing him for the first time. I can't say he's the cutest baby boy in the whole world, but he's tied for first with Whittaker! Man, this boy is beyond precious! We all can't believe how precious he is. The first thing Lowa and Whittaker said was, "It's baby A." They are going to be wonderful siblings to this little man. Another crazy thing... He looks like he's one of the family - extended. I have nieces and a nephew who are bi-racial. They are my sweet little people and so special to me - I am in love with these kids! When we saw the pics of "A" we all thought, "My gosh, he looks like them when they were little." - It's eerie and such a God thing. The boy belongs in this family!
I have to share a story about what Lowa said.
Earlier today we were sitting at the table and we were talking about our new baby brother "A." Lowa all of the sudden says, "Mom, "A" sad."
"Why is he sad?"
"Because he not here with us."
"Oh Lowa, you are a precious girl and will be a wonderful sister. I bet he's ok, but he'll be excited to come live with us."
Later she said,
"I look all around the house, and I not find 'A' ".
"Well 'A's' in Ethiopia right now waiting for us babe."
"Oh yeah, he gonna be happy, he gonna be wrapped up in a blanket and live with us."
I just thought these were such precious stories. Whitt was also looking for him earlier. I'm so thankful they're excited!
Officially he is not ours yet (he actually won't be officially ours until we go pick him up in Ethiopia). Even though he's not legally ours yet, we feel like he is in our hearts. Next, our papers are sent to MOWA - Ministry of Women's Affairs - the Ethiopian courts. The papers consist of our home study and dossier (all that paperwork I did earlier in the process). It sounds like the time frame for court is 2-3 months. So, we'll keep you all updated.
We just can't say thank you enough to all of our family, friends and fellow bloggers for your love, support, prayers and kind words. They mean more to us than you'll ever know. Signing off for now. - a mother of 3!!
Can you tell we're in LOVE!!!????
We're in awe of how beautiful he is!
I love that my kids are thrilled about their new baby brother. Grandma and Grandpa were so excited to see too!!
Here's how it all went down...
About 11:00 Tuesday morning, our case worker called. Let me back up a bit... I had received an email from her earlier the previous week in which she was hoping to call everyone on the list. I didn't get the call Thursday, Friday or Monday. I wanted to send an email to just say "hi" and that I would love to hear where we were on the list. Every single time I thought about it, I truly felt like God said, "No, I am in control. Don't try to take control of something you'll never be able to control. Rest in my peace and know I have the perfect timing." So I never sent an email and I'm so glad I didn't. When our case manager called, it was so wonderful, because I knew it wasn't any of my doing! Back to the call...
There was some chit-chat at first about her trip to Ethiopia and how I was so excited to hear from her. Then she said, "Well, I'm going to throw you for a loop." I KNEW it was coming and my whole body literally started shaking!!! She said she had a little boy for us. I immediately wanted to know more. With tears flowing, mouth beaming and body shaking I found out about our sweet little boy. I told her that I wanted her to send the pics and info, but that I was going to wait to see them until Tom got home. It seriously took SO much WILL POWER not to look at those pictures!
I called Tom right away, but of course this was a day he had a meeting that he couldn't get out of. I didn't reach him by calling so I sent a text message (which I never do). I said, "Call me asap, referral!!" Tom is waiting to hear from some school districts this week about whether he gets an interview or not, so he thought that was why I was calling. (Remember, the last time we got waiting list numbers 2-3-08, we were #6 on the boy list. Neither of us was expecting this). The first thought that ran through his head was, "Wow, Kristin must be calling about an interview. I wonder why she called it a referral?" This lets you know how far off we thought a referral would be. Then it clicked in his brain- "Oh my gosh, this is a referral for a child!" He was at lunch, so thankfully he could call me. We were both thrilled and shocked - as I've said many times! I shared all about our "A" and he was so excited. I waited until he got home and Tom's parents came over to see "A" and take pictures of us seeing him for the first time. I can't say he's the cutest baby boy in the whole world, but he's tied for first with Whittaker! Man, this boy is beyond precious! We all can't believe how precious he is. The first thing Lowa and Whittaker said was, "It's baby A." They are going to be wonderful siblings to this little man. Another crazy thing... He looks like he's one of the family - extended. I have nieces and a nephew who are bi-racial. They are my sweet little people and so special to me - I am in love with these kids! When we saw the pics of "A" we all thought, "My gosh, he looks like them when they were little." - It's eerie and such a God thing. The boy belongs in this family!
I have to share a story about what Lowa said.
Earlier today we were sitting at the table and we were talking about our new baby brother "A." Lowa all of the sudden says, "Mom, "A" sad."
"Why is he sad?"
"Because he not here with us."
"Oh Lowa, you are a precious girl and will be a wonderful sister. I bet he's ok, but he'll be excited to come live with us."
Later she said,
"I look all around the house, and I not find 'A' ".
"Well 'A's' in Ethiopia right now waiting for us babe."
"Oh yeah, he gonna be happy, he gonna be wrapped up in a blanket and live with us."
I just thought these were such precious stories. Whitt was also looking for him earlier. I'm so thankful they're excited!
Officially he is not ours yet (he actually won't be officially ours until we go pick him up in Ethiopia). Even though he's not legally ours yet, we feel like he is in our hearts. Next, our papers are sent to MOWA - Ministry of Women's Affairs - the Ethiopian courts. The papers consist of our home study and dossier (all that paperwork I did earlier in the process). It sounds like the time frame for court is 2-3 months. So, we'll keep you all updated.
We just can't say thank you enough to all of our family, friends and fellow bloggers for your love, support, prayers and kind words. They mean more to us than you'll ever know. Signing off for now. - a mother of 3!!
Can you tell we're in LOVE!!!????
We're in awe of how beautiful he is!
I love that my kids are thrilled about their new baby brother. Grandma and Grandpa were so excited to see too!!
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
The Waybacks
Tom and I had the chance to go out on a double-date with his parents this past weekend. We drove down to Seattle to watch our brother-in-law play with his band, The Waybacks. They're an amazingly talented group. Their style is a mix of blue-grass, rock, sort of rockish country, celtic, and more. James is our brother-in-law and he plays the guitar and any other stringed instrument you can think of. I'm not exaggerating when I say that I think he is one of the top guitarists in the world. His fingers move faster on the guitar than mine do on my "air-guitar!" He is a blast to listen to when he plays - they all are! Their new album comes out March 25th and we're so excited to download it off of i-tunes!
It's always wonderful to get to hang out with Tom's parents, Jim and Susanne. They are such amazing people and we feel so blessed to have them living so close to us. We went out for pizza and then headed off to the concert. I think we arrived home around 1:00am. It was worth it! Here's a few pics of the four of us and James rocking out. The lighting was really dim, so we couldn't get a good pic, but this will do!
No news on the adoption yet. Our case manager just got back this week from Ethiopia. We're excited to hear from her! We'll post any news once we find out :)!
It's always wonderful to get to hang out with Tom's parents, Jim and Susanne. They are such amazing people and we feel so blessed to have them living so close to us. We went out for pizza and then headed off to the concert. I think we arrived home around 1:00am. It was worth it! Here's a few pics of the four of us and James rocking out. The lighting was really dim, so we couldn't get a good pic, but this will do!
No news on the adoption yet. Our case manager just got back this week from Ethiopia. We're excited to hear from her! We'll post any news once we find out :)!
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