So... About Those Changes....

Okay, if you're part of the adoption community, you've heard by now. But if not - Ethiopia has mandated, effective immediately, that all parents must make TWO trips to Ethiopia during the adoption process. Yeah. Two. There are good reasons for this. Really. BUT...

I'm worried. I'm worried about meeting our baby girl and then leaving her. I'm worried about paying for two trips. I'm worried about not having enough funds for orphanage donations because we have to somehow pay for two trips. I'm worried about leaving my baby girl.

So yeah. I'm worried. I know things will work out. They always do. But it's not going to be easy. Not this time. My heart is heavy tonight as I think about this stuff.

Baby Girl!!!!

Today was the day! We received our referral for a sweet baby girl! She is almost 7 months old and is quite a cutie! Big, beautiful eyes - just like her brother!

Here's the quick run-down. Ashley called Kevin first and they tried to conference me in, but I happened to be at the market with Micah and his BFF (buying "soft" foods bc I am having my wisdom teeth removed tomorrow - ick). So, the two toddlers in tow were pretending to be on a train and singing loudly throughout the store... and, I didn't hear my phone. An hour later I got in the car, checked my phone and saw missed calls from CHI. And from Kevin. I called Kevin (hyperventilating) and he was trying to play it cool. I'm pretty sure I yelled, "JUST TELL ME IF ASHLEY CALLED YOU!" at one point in the conversation. He wanted Ashley to be able to tell me, so he was trying to act like he didn't know yet. (I think.)

Anyway, Ashley got us both on the phone (after I had hung up with K and screamed BABY!!! to the two toddlers - who looked at me like I was insane) and told us she had our referral! We learned that baby girl is 7 months old (almost) but VERY tiny. Tiny tiny. We also saw those big beautiful eyes and her sweet face and fell in love. She's a cutie!

Tonight we had some friends and family stop by to see her picture (Micah showed her off - very cute) and toast to our new addition. It was wonderful.

And.... whoah! Whirlwind! Overwhelmed with emotion. In love! All of it. It's so amazing.

For those of you not in the adoption world - it will now be at least 3-4 months before travel. We're waiting for a court date and hope (HOPE) to travel in June or July.

Please keep our tiny baby in your prayers as she waits for us to arrive!