Keeping current

On Friday afternoon, our social worker, Wendy, came over to update our licensing (which happens every 6 months) and gather some information to finalize our home study revision (which has to be done every year while in process). The licensing update was pretty quick; she checks our hot water temp, tests the smoke alarms, checks for carbon monoxide detectors and ensures all things hazardous are locked up.

For the home study part, she had already collected the documents prior to the visit, but now that our kids are older she had to talk to them about the adoption and include that in our report. Tessa went first and said she was excited to get new brothers or sisters. She reminded Wendy (multiple times) that she is 4 1/2. Wendy asked how she would feel if babies came, and Tessa told her, "Well, they would be, like, 1 (year old) and I am 4 1/2. Glad we got that squared away... Wendy moved on to Mark, and he said, "We just keep waiting and waiting and waiting." She asked him how he thought he could help when the babies or kids arrived, and he said that he would write down some words and tell them how to read the words. What a great kid! Wendy suggested that Mark help us make some flashcards for the children to help them communicate with us while they learn English; regardless of their ages, I thought this was a great way for Mark and Tessa to get involved in the preparation and bond with their siblings when they arrive at home. Mark was brainstorming important words and Tessa immediately suggested "chocolate"; that girl is always thinking. We'll let you know how that project goes!

I've also added a bunch of blogs written by families who are also adopting or have already adopted from Ethiopia to the right of this page. Some are people using our agency, some we found through other blogs and we are even fortunate to have one other family who we know "in real life"; it has been so great to have them with us in this process (Insert shout-out to the Hanson family here...). I enjoy reading all of their stories and seeing how their families have evolved. Thanks to all of them for sharing that!

The "Promised in November" Holiday Photo

Here's Mark (sans front teeth) and Tess (w/ her ever-so-fashionable hair bow) from Christmas 2008... They are really great kids! Last night at bedtime, Mark prayed that the babies (or "babies who are already kids" as he and Tess call them due to our open age request from infant to 5) would come during the night or the next night or SOON! He also referred to them as his brothers.....wishful thinking or psychic powers??? Leaving our request open to either gender, and given our age range, there are so many possibilities when the call comes!

Sooooooooooooo...

It seems that little three-post-sprint I went on in November tired me considerably, because I haven't exactly been on top of posting regularly since then...mmmm, or ever. Don't get me wrong, I do visit my blog often to view my "What's the current temp in Addis?" icon so I can share with everyone around me how warm it is there and how cold it is here (Right, Kim!?). I do feel bad, however, that another waiting parent visited my blog and had to comment on a November post 'cause that's all there was. On the adoption front, there are many families traveling to pick up their children in the current and upcoming weeks as well as many who just returned. Congratulations to all of them! We continue to make sure all of our paperwork is updated and in order for when we get "the call".

...and here's to a busy February of posting :)

Two amazing stats

1. This is my 3rd blog post in 3 days!
2. It is freezing here, but it is still over 80 degrees in Ethiopia!

Waiting for their sibs

Jim and I aren't the only ones patiently waiting...

Tessa is readily using the "I'll share all of my presents with my brothers and sisters" line in regards to the ever growing Christmas list which includes Barbies and.....Barbies. And clothes, believe it or not, because she is always quick to remind us that she knows style and fashion. (Awesome! Can't wait until she's 16.)

Mark is now in the middle of his second season of Oswegoland Park District basketball, only this year Jim is his coach. Go Impact!! His reading and writing are really taking off, too, and he is using both to fuel and share his wonderful imagination. And...not to spoil any future Christmas card/blog photo...he has also lost both of his front teeth!!

How the time flies!!!!

If you look over at our handy-dandy sidebar time line, you'll see that Saturday marked one year on the waiting list. While that sounds like a long time, the prospect of being close to a referral is pretty hard to grasp, too. The Ethiopian courts have reopened, but there have not been any travel groups announced. There are now 63 children matched with families that are waiting to travel. Many of those referrals have come in the last month, and have included many babies and homes for many older children waiting for families. We could be matched tomorrow, or it could be a few more months. Knowing the challenges children must endure to become part of the adoption system certainly keep that wait in perspective, and we pray for all of them and their biological families for those tough times. We know that when we add to our family, it will be part of a way bigger plan and are thankful for our part in that.

Since our home study is over a year old, we've been in the process of making a few updates. That includes some forms, fingerprints and completing a classroom session for adoptive parents. Jim and I went to Chicago for that on Friday, and we did enjoy talking with other adoptive families, many of whom are just starting their journey.

As for Mark and Tessa...we'll need more than a few minutes and for sure some photos to do them justice!! They are doing very well, and we look forward to sharing their adventures real soon.

The short version...

We're still waiting for a referral, but are happy to see the Ethiopia program stable and doing well. We're also at the point of renewing some of our paperwork that has to take place on an annual basis.

Jim and I did run the 10K....the whole thing!! It was a lot of fun. Thanks to Patti and Mark for going with us and Christine who picked up our race packets.

Tessa is having a great time in pre-K, speech class and ballet. She is logging A LOT of hours playing Barbies. Mark's really enjoying 1st grade, too! He's waiting for his basketball team to get started and has two very loose front teeth.

I still love Direct TV...a lot...

I'm pretty sure that ties up all of the loose ends from the previous few posts that exist on this blog. Now I'm thinking about (and I know I've said this before), actually trying to keep up with this and post more than 5 times a year... I'm not totally thrilled with any of the Blogger templates, though. Anybody out there have any ideas??