Kids

This video is so cute!

The Rain

It's raining... in fact, it's pouring and I love it! There is something about the rain that makes things new. I pulled out my sweaters, put on my sweats and a jacket and took Dudley on a walk. He loved it. There are times when he prances like a horse and today, in the rain, was one of them. He cracks me up, sniffs at everything, turns looks at me to make sure I'm o.k., and then moves on to the next smelly item.

The leaves have fallen and winter is setting in. It seems like every year I forget until it happens, how much I love the smell of the first rain. The best smell in the world, I wish they could bottle it up. I suppose then, it wouldn't be as wonderful.

Garrett took off to work and school this morning decked out in his rain duds. It's funny, he loves to bike to work, rain, shine, or snow.... he loves it! It is kinda fun to see. My brother is the same way and he lives in Seattle, bless his heart- where it rains ALL THE TIME!

I also got a call today from Garrett's aunt, Karen. Apparently there is a woman at their church whose son (Officer in the Air Force) and daughter-in-law, also adopted from Ethiopia. I'll tell you what- this whole world keeps getting smaller and smaller! I hope to meet her this week and get to know her story! It is amazing to discover this whole adoption "underworld". It seems like every day there are more and more of us out there with stories to tell and encouragement to give.

Home Study Day!!

Meet Christine! What a gift and encouragement she has been to both Garrett and I throughout our adoption process so far. Forgive the star coming out of my head- it is really attached to the tree behind us! Ha Ha!

The final step has been completed! Christine's visit was this morning and it went well. She saw our home (Christmas tree is already up), met Dudley, and sat with us for a little under an hour going over final questions and formalities. Now, she is famously posted on our blog with great pride! We couldn't have asked for a better social worker. I have no doubt, but that we will stay in touch throughout the process and long after the move!

Now we wait. Our actual Home Study document has to be filtered through a few different people at FCCA and then it goes to CHSFS for review. Any questions they have get sent to FCCA for updates and then it goes back for final approval. Once that is received, a completed original gets sent to them as well as immigration and us. Our hope (and Christine's), is that CHSFS will have a final draft before Christmas! The best Christmas gift we could ask for!

I'm sure I will say it again, but thank you so much, to all the staff at FCCA! From the random phone calls, to the visits, all the books and resources, and more than anything the time and prayers that you have put into us and our growing family- thank you is not enough.

Cleaning

Well, Christine (our social worker) comes to complete our home visit tomorrow morning. I know they tell families not to worry about the whole "home inspection" thing, but I couldn't help myself. While I was at work today, Garrett did all of the final cleaning in house (I did quite a bit on my days off) and ran some extra errands. I am so thankful for the team that Garrett and I make. Our house is now super clean and ready for inspection.
As far as the visit goes, we are as prepared as we can be. I am actually starting to feel more relief than anything. It will be a weight off my shoulders to have this phase of the process complete.
I keep looking at the forum that CHSFS has running for all of the Ethiopian adoptive families, and it is so exciting to see the list moving. There have been about 20 children matched with families in November alone! What an amazing time for them. I am hopeful that the list keeps moving through this month and the next, until all the children that need homes find them.
Garrett and I have starting looking at housing in Bethesda. We are hoping to find a home for rent where we can plant it for a while. There are plenty of apartments, but coming from a home now, it would be an easier transition to have some property, even if it is just a small little plot of land.
We have sent out some emails regarding the move to various military personnel that have been through all of this med school stuff. Apparently, we can move only after Garrett gets his orders to report for officer training. We are still waiting for an idea of when those orders might come in, so that we can begin to move forward with things. We're guessing some time around June, but we won't be sure until we hear further. That said, for now, we are getting an idea of what and where we need to be looking. Kinda like window shopping!
We'll keep you updated!

The Full Moon Callers

I think I am moments away from reaching the end of my rope. I am totally out of energy! I'm not sure if it is the emotions of the holidays and all the thoughts about future transitions or if it is just working overtime and not sleeping well. No matter which way you look at it, I am exhausted and feel like I am barely able to make it through a day without either crying or being so livid that I could just spit!
I am thankful for the hours that have been available to work, but now it is totally biting me in the rear and I need a break!!! The last few days have been crazy with bizarre calls, stupid calls, and sad calls. Then there are the odder than odd... the "full moon" calls! Some say it is all superstition the full moon thing- I beg to differ. Request to sit in on a police dispatch center when the moon is full and I can guarantee the strangest, craziest, oddest events will, in fact, happen. It is entertaining to say the least. The whole department has a totally warped sense of humor, so there is a lot of laughter, but we do tend to stay busy, if not slammed and everyone is tired by the end of their shift.
That said, I look forward to going home to a warm bowl of chili with some corn bread, a good Seinfeld episode and Garrett's arms to find rest in.

Donation News

Happy Thanksgiving! After yesterdays interview with our social worker, Garrett and I have been talking a lot about all of the amazing gifts we have been given over the last few months. We have so much to be thankful for without all the exciting news, but somehow with it, comes a mix of humility and joy. We are overwhelmed at all the support and encouragement we have received from family and friends with all the changes going on in our lives. It goes without saying that there is NO way, we could have gotten to where we are now without you. Your thoughts and prayers have not gone unfelt and our lives are being changed by them. Our greatest thanks on this Thanksgiving Thursday is for all of you and what you mean to us.
Also, great news for those of you who have requested information on contributing towards our adoption fees; all donations are tax deductible! All you have to do is mail your gift to Family Connections Christian Adoptions (our Home Study agency). Any instruction about who funds are to be distributed to can be written on your check directly, or a note can be enclosed with your gift. FCCA will promptly process funds received and send you a receipt for tax filing purposes.

Family Connections Christian Adoption
1111 Howe Ave, Suite 395
Sacramento, CA 95825
(916)568-5966
http://www.fcadoptions.org/

Med School is Official/Interview Day

Garrett received his official letter of acceptance to UHUSH in the mail on Monday. It came on Department of Defense watermarked paper (made me laugh). He immediately completed the forms and sent back priority mail, back to the school. We are both so excited. Sometimes we just find each other smiling at the thought of all the things ahead. How funny are we?!?
We met our social worker, Christine, today. What a pleasant visit! I'm not sure what I was expecting, but she put both Garrett and I at ease and just chatted with us for a couple of hours.
This whole process has really been a huge endeavor for both Garrett and I. We have had to filter through our history's and share who we once were, where we came from, who we are now, and how we got here. Some areas were more difficult than others to share about, but all the blessings that have come from those struggles have grown both Garrett and I in ways that we wouldn't trade for the world.
Christine filled in any missing details today and I was extremely encouraged to hear that our paperwork is more likely to be finished and on it's way to CHSFS by the end of December! This means we will probably be on the "waiting" list by mid January. I emailed CHSFS today and they are still advising a 5-7 month wait for an infant. That wait can vary depending on the circumstances of the family waiting as well as the status of the Ethiopian government, courts, and the orphanage itself. If there happens to be a flood of children available, it could be much sooner. Once you are "waiting"- any call that comes in from CHSFS could be THE CALL!

Nursery Update

Isn't it sooooo perfect?!?!?!?!
I know... I know, we are getting a bit ahead of ourselves. Things just keep coming our way and we are trusting in Gods pacing of it all.
We got a phone call earlier this week from a friend of mine, letting us know that her sister had a crib that she was no longer needing. Well, my own sister had offered us the one that she has, but as we began to think about it, we realized that we may well, need two! We jumped on the offer and went and picked it up tonight! What a beautiful crib. We, of course, set it up right away and have fallen in love with our new little nursery. Dudley has even found that he fits perfectly underneath the crib. His new sleeping place, no doubt.
Anyway, thank you to Jamie and Dani and their famalies for their generosity and support! WE LOVE IT!