Long Overdue

Hi Everyone,
So sorry this has taken so long, but for all you who know me well this probably isn't a huge shocker that I haven't posted in like FOREVER :(.  Any who, now that we have that out of the way, let's get to the news...Things are pretty much the same in our world.  We continue to wait patiently (although on some days that term is a huge stretch, I would stay even for Rob.)  We are officially 8 months into our wait for a referral for our child, which is exciting that we have, as many of you remind me, probably waited longer than we will have to continue to wait (OPTIMISM is definitely becoming one of my strong points, for the next 30 seconds that is LOL).  Things have slowed in the adoption process for Ethiopia making wait times longer.  The funny thing is that I believe God knows what he is doing because truly we have used this extra time, enjoying the wonderful gifts God has blessed us with, you may know them as and Alex and Nico.  In all honesty, I truly have realized that everyday is a gift, being able to have two amazing little boys is a gift, and we are so blessed with you all our wonderful friends and family.  This baby, when he or she comes (and they will :)), will be so loved by so many amazing people and that makes me HAPPY.  And so that is where we are, counting our blessings, enjoying watching the boys play flag football, watching Paula Dean on food network (which I don't care who you are, she is so freakin cool) and finding the awesomeness in everyday (which I will tell you I have to shake myself sometimes and tell "me" to straighten up and sometimes my mom still does that for me too ;)).  So stay tuned...things are just getting interesting :)
So much love to you all, Thanks for your continued support!!!

Just a little addition to the last post

So funny, I forgot to say that each Alex and Nicholas want a different sex sibling.  Alex is pulling for a baby sister and Nico is pulling for a baby brother.  Funnier yet, Nico said to me the other day "Mom when Alex gets his baby sister and I get my baby brother we will both be so excited."  Whoa hold the phone, I think to myself, how do I break it to my bubs that somebody is goin get their feelings hurt because Mommy and Daddy only asked for one more, not two.  Nico is so sweet but so unrealistic LOL :).

Holdin on to Hope

And we wait.... (it really has only been like a month and a half but as most of you know I am a tidge dramatic (this is where you say a silent prayer for Rob lol :) ).  In the last couple of weeks our social worker did email and let us know that our dossier was received in Ethiopia, translated, and sent to the MOWA (Ministry of Women's Affairs).  So we are OFFICIALLY waiting, woo hoo(I know I said this in the last post but this is OFFICIAL)!  It is so wild but I actually find myself so attached to this child that I don't even know.  I often tell people that I think about how hard the first trip will be where we meet our child for the first time and how I cry just thinking about having to leave him or her.  Crazy I know because we don't even know if it is a him or her but I tell you he or she will be amazing just like Nico and Alex and I love him or her already.  Another great thing, I joined a group my friend from work started (who is also adopting from Ethiopia, Thanks so much Sue!) and we met for the first time last week.  WOW, I enjoyed so much talking to and hearing from all the ladies about their amazing journeys, some of which are home with their beautiful children and others who are in similar stages of the process as Rob and I.  The meeting was such a great stage to share, learn, and gather strength that the end result is soooo worth the wait.  It was also just neat to learn more about Ethiopia from those who have been there and chip away more in understanding a culture that seems more and more to be pretty amazing.  It makes me want to think far beyond adoption and find other ways to assist in helping this amazing culture of people gain more access to healthcare and offer opportunities to give orphans the chance to be well cared for in their own country.  Who knows what the future holds but I am open to suggestions and nudges (we shall see).  Stay tuned things are just getting interesting......