We passed!!

This morning we received an e-mail congratulating us for successfully passing our court appointment. PRAISE THE LORD! Our wait is almost over. It is now only a matter of weeks,(probably about 4 to 6) before our dream becomes a reality.

We've been told to expect about a two week notice when it is time to travel. Sometimes it is even shorter than that. That's not a problem for us. We would leave tonight if they would let us.

Thank you all for your prayers and words of encouragement.

Yahoo!!! New Up-dates

Monday we received a "surprise" up-date and health evaluation on Isaac. It also included 14 (YES 14!!) pictures of our little chubby guy. I know I may be a little biased, but he IS the the cutest baby ever! We cannot wait to pick him up, cuddle him and love on him! I know we are getting close with every passing day. . . as God knows the set/appointed date and time, but I have to admit that with each picture I feel more and more motivated to "try" and speed time. (smile)

Remember us Friday. . . . Pray God's will would be done; in us, through us, and around us. . . . for court hearing in Ethiopia.

Something that's been on my mind. . .

As our big day, without a doubt, draws nearer, I hover between moments of impatience and then thoughts of the reality of all that will change in our (Eric, Mine and Isaac's) lives. So what WILL change? Am I ready? How will adjustment and transitions go? for us? for Isaac? I'm not trying to be pessimistic, just ready for when times get tough, to keep my dreamy bubble of parenthood in perspective.

Here is a clip I read on a wonderful webpage for adoptive families, giving insight into adoption from the child's (possible) perspective. It is sobering, yet true. It brings light to what otherwise would be a real mystery to newly adopting parents.


A Different Perspective
Immense Loss; Walk a Mile in Baby’s Booties

Imagine for a moment…

You have met the person you've dreamed about all your life. He has every quality that you desire in a spouse. You plan for the wedding, enjoying every free moment with your fiancée. You love his touch, his smell, the way he looks into your eyes. For the first time in your life, you understand what is meant by "soul mate," for this person understands you in a way that no one else does. Your heart beats in rhythm with his. Your emotions are intimately tied to his every joy, his every sorrow.

The wedding comes. It is a happy celebration, but the best part is that you are finally the wife of this wonderful man. You fall asleep that night, exhausted from the day's events, but relaxed and joyful in the knowledge that you are next to the person who loves you more than anyone in the world…the person who will be with you for the rest of your life.

The next morning you wake up, nestled in your partner's arms. You open your eyes and immediately look for his face.

But IT'S NOT HIM! You are in the arms of another man. You recoil in horror. Who is this man? Where is your beloved?

You ask questions of the new man, but it quickly becomes apparent that he doesn't understand you. You search every room in the house, calling and calling for your husband. The new guy follows you around, trying to hug you, pat you on the back,...even trying to stroke your arm, acting like everything is okay.

But you know that nothing is okay. Your beloved is gone. Where is he? Will he return? When? What has happened to him?

Weeks pass. You cry and cry over the loss of your beloved. Sometimes you ache silently, in shock over what has happened. The new guy tries to comfort you. You appreciate his attempts, but he doesn't speak your language-either verbally or emotionally. He doesn't seem to realize the terrible thing that has happened...that your sweetheart is gone.

You find it difficult to sleep. The new guy tries to comfort you at bedtime with soft words and gentle touches, but you avoid him, preferring to sleep alone, away from him and any intimate words or contact.

Months later, you still ache for your beloved, but gradually you are learning to trust this new guy. He's finally learned that you like your coffee black, not doctored up with cream and sugar. Although you still don't understand his bedtime songs, you like the lilt of his voice and take some comfort in it.

More time passes. One morning, you wake up to find a full suitcase sitting next to the front door. You try to ask him about it, but he just takes you by the hand and leads you to the car. You drive and drive and drive. Nothing is familiar. Where are you? Where is he taking you?

You pull up to a large building. He leads you to an elevator and up to a room filled with people. Many are crying. Some are ecstatic with joy. You are confused. And worried.

The man leads you over to the corner. Another man opens his arms and sweeps you up in an embrace. He rubs your back and kisses your cheeks, obviously thrilled to see you.

You are anything but thrilled to see him. Who in the world is he? Where is your beloved? You reach for the man who brought you, but he just smiles (although he seems to be tearing up, which concerns you), pats you on the back, and puts your hand in the hands of the new guy. The new guy picks up your suitcase and leads you to the door. The familiar face starts openly crying, waving and waving as the elevator doors close on you and the new guy.

The new guy drives you to an airport and you follow him, not knowing what else to do. Sometimes you cry, but then the new guy tries to make you smile, so you grin back, wanting to "get along." You board a plane. The flight is long. You sleep a lot, wanting to mentally escape from the situation.

Hours later, the plane touches down. The new guy is very excited and leads you into the airport where dozens of people are there to greet you. Light bulbs flash as your photo is taken again and again. The new guy takes you to another guy who hugs you. Who is this one? You smile at him. Then you are taken to another man who pats your back and kisses your cheek. Then yet another fellow gives you a big hug and messes your hair.

Finally, someone (which guy is this?) pulls you into his arms with the biggest hug you've ever had. He kisses you all over your cheeks and croons to you in some language you've never heard before.

He leads you to a car and drives you to another location. Everything here looks different. The climate is not what you're used to. The smells are strange. Nothing tastes familiar, except for the black coffee. You wonder if someone told him that you like your coffee black.

You find it nearly impossible to sleep. Sometimes you lie in bed for hours, staring into the blackness, furious with your husband for leaving you, yet aching from the loss. The new guy checks on you. He seems concerned and tries to comfort you with soft words and a mug of warm milk. You turn away, pretending to go to asleep.

People come to the house. You can feel the anxiety start to bubble over as you look into the faces of all the new people. You tightly grasp the new guy's hand. He pulls you closer. People smile and nudge one other, marveling at how quickly you've fallen in love. Strangers reach for you, wanting to be a part of the happiness.

Each time a man hugs you, you wonder if he will be the one to take you away. Just in case, you keep your suitcase packed and ready. Although the man at this house is nice and you're hanging on for dear life, you've learned from experience that men come and go, so you just wait in expectation for the next one to come along.

Each morning, the new guy hands you a cup of coffee and looks at you expectantly. A couple of times the pain and anger for your husband is so great that you lash out, sending hot coffee across the room, causing the new guy to yelp in pain. He just looks at you, bewildered. But most of the time you calmly take the cup. You give him a smile. And wait. And wait. And wait.

--Written by Cynthia Hockman-Chupp, analogy courtesy of Dr. Kali Miller

All this to say: We covet your prayers as we journey on. . .

March 26th

It has been confirmed, our court date has been bumped to March 26th.

We are also hearing rumors that there might be a new rule going into effect that will require adoptive families to be present for both the court and the embassy appointments. That will mean two trips over and back. This new rule is supposed to go into effect on April 9th! This makes us all the more anxious to pass court on the first try. There is a chance that the rule will be delayed until July. We should hear the official ruling in the next week or two.

I think we've been rescheduled.

There were five other families scheduled to have court appointments today. Four of the families have been given the news that their appointments were rescheduled for March 26th. I believe it was due to a missing letter of approval from Ethiopia's Family Welfare Ministry (MOWA) which is away on a conference. Our social worker does not typically have office hours on Fridays, so Monday we are expecting to hear that we have been bumped to the 26th. Thankfully, it is only two weeks from now. Rescheduled court appointments often come about four weeks later.

We have a Court Date!

Praise the Lord, we have a Court Date and it is this coming Friday!

If everything is in order, Isaac will officially become our son on Fiday March 12, 2010. If something is missing from our paperwork, we will have to wait several more weeks for our a second court appointment.

Most families are given permission to travel about a month after a successful court date.

I think the end is almost in sight... or is it the begining?

More Photos!!

Yesterday, we received 8 more photos of our hansom little boy. We were amazed at how he has grown in the past month. He hardly even looks like the same baby.

We are delighted to see how healthy and happy he appears to be. In one of the photos he is smiling from ear to ear while clasping his hands together. In another, he is laying on his belly and holding himself up with his little arms. Way to go little man! Mommy and Daddy will soon be there to cheer you on.