We're #2

Yep, that's right! We are number 2 on the waitlist! Can you believe it! Oh my goodness, I'm so excited! Today I actually feel like it's really going to happen.
So, I thought I'd explain what will happen next. When we get "the call". Our caseworker (Sue) will tell us that she's matched us with a baby. She will give us some info and then email us her picture and medical information. We will have 10 days to accept the referral. Once we accept they will do a second set of medical tests. Once those come back and we approve them, we will be in line for a court date. Once we pass court. (which less than 50% of people pass the first time). Then they will assign us an Embassy appointment. The Embassy appointment determines when we travel to pick her up. So there is a bit of a wait even after we get the referral. Right now the courts are really backed up so people are waiting several months for their court date.
So, please be praying that people will start passing court, so that they can get caught up. And continue to pray for Violet. Thank you all so much!

Violet's Room

We've done a lot of work to Violet's room. We still have a little to do but I thought I'd post pictures anyways. Enjoy!

Merry Christmas!

Yes, you read it right. Today is Christmas in Ethiopia. Actually they celebrate on January 7th. But with the time difference that makes it Christmas right now! :) So we decided to go out to eat to celebrate Christmas in Ethiopia, which is called Ganna. This was also our first taste of Ethiopian food. It was very spicy!

The wait continues...

Yesterday I got a call from Sue (our caseworker). She was wanting to clarify what age of child we are looking to adopt. Our paperwork says 0-18 months but she knows that's what we are required to write for our homestudy. But when they know someone is wanting an infant they will pass over them on the list and wait for a younger child. So to make a long story short. That's what they are doing with us. If they have a child over a year old they will pass over us on the list.
So that means that now we know we will be referred a child between 0-12 months. :) We are still #4 on the list and the 3 people in front of us on the waitlist are also waiting for 0-12 months. So if they get a child 12+ months it will go to someone behind us on the waitlist. The office is going to be closed until January 2nd. So no more referrals will be given this year. I just wanted to keep you all updated. Hope you have a very Merry Christmas.

#4 #4 #4

WE'RE NUMBER 4!!!!!! I am so excited I can hardly stand it. I decided to call because I'd been discouraged again about the adoption and I was pretty sure we'd moved up one spot. And then she told me we were #4. I can't believe it! We moved up 6 spots in 2 weeks!!! I've been laughing and jumping up and down over and over. I am so happy!!!!! PRAISE THE LORD!!!

Chevy's Night

Thank you to everyone who joined us at Chevy's tonight! We feel so extremely blessed! We have the most amazing friends and family! Hebrews 10:24 says "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds." That is what you guys have done for us. Every encouraging note, every dollar donated, every prayer! It encourages us deeply and reminds us that God is working. God has called us as believers to care for orphans and widows. And each of you is answering that call as you help us answer our call to adopt. Thank you for blessing us!

#10

I called today and we are officially number 10 on the waitlist. That means the next time we move, we'll be in the single digits!!! #10... doesn't that just sound so close! And she said that it seems to be moving a little faster lately. Praise the LORD! So Sam did the math and averaged it out, if we stay moving at the same pace we'd get our refferral on March 5th. Which is exactly the projected "due date" we gave ourselves in the beginning. Exactly 6 months from when our dossier was received in Ethiopia.
And if I haven't said enough, I CANT WAIT TO SEE MY BABY!!!!