Bringing Baby Home: November 2009

God's Timing

We got an email from our agency today informing us that we did not pass our court hearing. All that means is that we have to wait longer. Apparently, the MOWA (Ministry of Women's Affairs) failed to provide a vital piece of paperwork to the court. The MOWA is in charge of adoptions in Ethiopia, they provide written support of the adoption to the courts, and provide letters to the US Embassy allowing them to issue the child a visa. We have had another court case scheduled and get to take another stab at it on the 23rd of December.

I cannot complain that we didn't pass. When I prayed about our court case, I asked the Father that He would help us pass the first try, and if we didn't pass that He would bless me with peace. He answered my prayer, not in passing (which is what I really would have liked!) but by giving me peace and allowing me to trust in His timing. The peace He has blessed me with throughout this whole adoption process has been beyond amazing. I feel no worry about any of the hiccups we've encountered, and that is awesome. He has grown me through this process, and now He's stretching me a little further.

Here's to the 23rd!

God answers prayer!!!

Oh my word!!!!!! Okay, so... I tried to take a nap today while Brenner was napping. No luck! When I got up I decided to check my email, and I had an email from our agency telling us that we've had a court date scheduled! November 24! I CANNOT believe how soon that is! It's just blowing my mind! But, I should also tell you that all the court dates that are scheduled for the next two months are tentative. "... this means there is a high likelihood that your case not be heard and will be re-scheduled for another day." I'd be lying if I told you I'm not hoping to pass on the 24th, but I am also realistic about the possibilities of our case not making it through. Nonetheless, we have a date and that means progress!

Now, not only did we get a court date, but we got a picture!!!!!!! And, not just one picture, but four!! Let me tell you that he is just so stinking handsome! He's got the biggest chubby cheeks (just like his big brother) and big sweet lips. They cut his hair shorter than it was in the last picture we saw, and it looks so handsome on him! His cuteness is just mind boggling!

What a day full of blessings from our wonderful Father!

Waiting...

The ultimate Halloween machine

We went to Wenatchee to spend Halloween with my cousin and her kidd0s. It was so good! The kids (and Roxanne and I) dressed as the characters from The Wizard of Oz. First we went and rode a little kid sized train. The wait was between 1 1/2 and 2 hours. It was crazy, but Brenner really really enjoyed it. Then we went trick or treating. Brenner absolutely hated his scarecrow hat because the straw was tickling him, but once he got the first piece of candy he didn't even care anymore. Every door we went to people were just falling all over themselves with how cute the kids were. "Oh, you guys are so cute! It's the Wizard of Oz!" "This is the BEST thing I've seen all night!" And we were just eating up all the compliments! We had a blast. Here are a couple snapshots from our super fun night, and I'll post more pics later, once I have copies of Roxanne's PROfessional pictures!

The Crew