The Girl's Room!

I know, I know! I have been horrible about blogging over the last week. I can't tell you how much has been going on and I REALLY couldn't tell you because our computers hard drive went down and we had no access to anything. In fact, all of our pictures, videos, files, etc are completely wiped out. We ended up having to get the hard drive replaced (which takes weeks) and had to buy a computer to hold us over in the mean time. Being this far from family and friends, and trying to gather information on a totally new place is extremely difficult to do without the Internet.
So now, being a two computer home (I realize we are still not caught up with many of you), I can blog freely and keep family, friends and everyone else up to date on all the news!
OK- playing catch-up.
I AM SO EXCITED ABOUT MACIE AND ELLA!!!!!!!!
If I could take up this entire blog entry explaining all of the emotions and anticipation I feel it would easily fill all the previous entries and far beyond. I can't wait to get over there and hold them in my arms. It is more difficult than I can say to NOT just buy a plane ticket and go over there and get them. I already don't want to let them go. That by far, is the most anticipated change in our house!
That said, there has already been much that has gone into the transfer of records and home study updates since the move.
We are working with the same agency (CHSFS) and they actually have a satellite office in our city so I got to go and see the office and meet with our new social worker (love ya Beverly) who gave us all the update information needed for the state of Maryland.
In California, the process is a bit simpler to adopt internationally. Here not only is the home study a bit more thourough and descriptive, but you also have to have the sanitation/code enforcement department come out and examine the nooks and crannies of your home, as well as the fire marshall for basic review and safety standards.
Last week the sanitation department issued their stamp of approval on the house and we are hoping that the fire marshall can take a look at the house early this week.
Our review has pretty much been completed other than that and we are hoping to have it all sent off to immigration by the end of the week.
Once immigration gets it, they review and forward it on to the Ethiopian embassy for review and filing. Keep in mind, all of this is really pushing the time line. We are working with two separate governments and we ALL know how government paperwork doesn't always move as quickly as we would like.
We have not yet received word about the girls birth certificates, so those still need to be issued and that could take another 2-3 weeks. Anyway, all things considered, we are doing well and hope to travel some time in September!
I know I have been bad about pictures of the house- they are coming- but my priority has obviously been to get the girls room started, worked on and (almost) done. So at least you are getting to see some pictures of that! I'll attach more of the house as we get it finished too! We have a lot of stuff, what can I say!