Court tonight! (well, really tomorrow)

Sometime this evening, there will be a judge making a life altering decision for a whole lot of people. It is more than just the 5 of us as that will be forever changed. The number just keeps growing. When we really sit down to think about how many lives are affected by this adoption, the number is staggering. Will anyone decide to adopt because of our experience? How will it change Noelle and her future goals differently than if she were an only child? What will Eli and Ruthie think about all this when they are grown up and leave the nest? The questions just roll right over each other and onto the next one.

As soon as we hear anything, we will post the news.

Jeanne

Paperwork update

Well, our paperwork was found. that's about all I can say. They are dating our paperwork as of Oct 29th - 3 weeks after it was sent in and the check was cashed. We will wait until next week for our fingerprinting and then ask for an emergency review of our paperwork as we will be within the two week window. It has beena trying and time-consuming last 2 days. But we praise God that our paperwork was found and it will be processed. We also have enlisted the help of our Congressman Bill Foster's office who is going to follow up with USCIS instead of us badgering them.

Thanks for the prayers. Keep them coming as the next three weeks look to be insane. Did I mention that I have over 100 lesson plans still to grade?

Jeanne

Another free clothing giveaway

GROSGRAIN MINI STORE OPENING NOVEMBER 6!!!! AND BIG PREVIEW GIVEAWAY!!!!

Eli and Ruthie are 7 months old!

The kids turned 7 months old over the weekend! Here are some glimpses of Noelle at 7 months for your enjoyment. With the new travel dates, we would be able to post pictures of the kids when they turn 8 months old!

Urgent Prayer Request!

We received a call from the agency tonight asking if we could travel 2 weeks earlier than planned. All I can say is SWEET!!!!! Here's the glitch - USCIS has not officially approved our change of country request. I am sending them an email tonight requesting that they process it now so that our paperwork will have the time to get to the Ethiopian Embassy for our appointment on Nov 24th. Please pray with us to find favor with the USCIS so that this can happen. What a great birthday present for Jeff (Nov 29th). Thank you all for your prayers as we do believe in the power of prayer!

Jeanne

ps - Friday is our court date - we would appreciate your prayers for favor with the Ethiopian government to rule that we are going to be great parents for Eli and Ruthie :)

Update time again!

We received a surprise update on the kids! It was such a nice treat! they are growing so much bigger and doing so many more things. That is great for them, but we are sad to be missing all the "firsts" It is clear that the kids are being well taken care of and well loved by the nannies at the orphanage. Court date is next Friday! When we pass I can start posting their actual pictures as they will legally be our children! Can't wait! Enjoy the bits as we wait.

Jeanne




Credit to Vicki for the paper used in the layout! http://vicki20.blogspot.com/

Marie-Therese Gown GIVEAWAY !!!!!!!

YOu guys have got to see this one. It is unbelieveable!!!!!

Marie-Therese Gown GIVEAWAY !!!!!!!

Tagged!

Thanks Tania! My first tagging! So here are 7 random thoughts about me. Look to the bottom - have you been tagged?!! If so, post 7 random things about you on your blog and tag another 7!

1. I too am a picky eater and would love a separated dish. I only enjoy mixing corn into my mashed potatoes (It's good - really!) ALways have been picky, just ask mom who used to hide butter in my potatoes just so I would eat them.

2. Which brings us to #2 - incredibly competitive. We used to race getting our pjs on (again, good trick mom, but I didn't care because I needed to WIN!!!) I am very cranky if I don't win. Wonder where my daughter gets it from? And no, I dno't always let my daughter win. SHe even tells me "take it easy on me Mommy!" when I am skunking her at playing cards or tennis on the Wii :)

3. I am the baby of the family and my brother and sister still hold it against me. It is so not fair.

4. I love to cook and bake. My husband hates it because I don't follow recipes really well, and can't usually duplicate anything to a T. Basically, that means enjoy it while it is there because it may not come back again! I just found a yummy recipe for chocolate butter cream icing too. mmmmmmmmmmmmmm...

5. I don't eat breakfast. Never have and probably never will. I know that's not a good thing and my metabolism won't start and blah, blah, blah... My daughter doesn't eat breakfast either. I try to get her to eat but she won't do it.

6. We are sports fanatics and will watch just about anything live or on tv. We love NIU volleyball and Noelle has tried out ballet, soccer and swimming and will be starting basketball at the end of this month.

7. The thing that Jeff and I most would like is a piee of property in Wisconsin with lots of trees and maybe lake access to spend lots of time at over the summers and weekends. Someday....

Alright people! Consider yourself tagged!

1. Amber
2. Rachel
3. Lisa C
4. Joy
5. Sarah K
6. Mom!
7. Jen

Update Surprise!!

We got an update today! SUrprise! We weren't expecting one but it was super exciting news! I calculated Bayush's weight wrong last month - it was actually 9 lbs, which helps make this month's number a bit more reasonable!

Bayush - 12 lbs (WOW!!), 24 in long!! We're out of 0-3 m clothes!

Firew - 15 lbs, 26 in long!

This is such great news! They are now having supplementary feedings along with their formula, transfering objects from hand to hand, reaching for known individuals,and....sitting with support! Yippee! I want to go get them now. Come on court date!

Jeanne

Paperwork Prayer Request

OK everybody, our paperwork (I-171H and fingerprints) expire on Oct 30 & 31. Our court date is Oct 31. Please pray with us to find favor with the court in Ethiopia as we have not yet heard about our renewal application! We are resting (or at least attempting to rest) on God's promise: "And we know that all things work together for the good, to those that love God and are called according to His purpose" Rom 8:28 (a bit of King Jimmy for you today - I memorized verses old school). Thanks for joining us in praying this through.

Jeanne

Beautiful Costume GIVEAWAY !!!!!!!

This is so pretty. Even if you aren't looking for a little girl's costume, go check it out!
Shenandoah Costume GIVEAWAY !!!!!!!

Court and Travel Dates!!

WOO HOO!! we got the call tonight about travel!! Our court date is Oct 31, travel on Dec 7th - 14th! Way too excited for words!! We are coming my precious little babies! Time to start buying the my first Christmas ornaments and stuff! Crib was put up this past weekend :)

Jeanne

Cool Red Riding Hood Jacket GIVEAWAY !!!!!!!

This is soo adorable!

Red Riding Hood Jacket GIVEAWAY !!!!!!!