The liquor store

So, I was in a local mom n' pop liquor store yesterday. No, we don't frequent those routinely, but we were looking for a couple good bottles of wine to sip....Anyway, as I was leaving, I was interested to see if my suspicions would be confirmed, so I asked the store owners where they were from (a husband and wife). I, of course, wasn't surprised when they told me - Ethiopia! So I told them we were adopting from Ethiopia and they told me all about how wonderful Ethiopia is. They told me about how Ethiopia has always been independent, and that it's history goes all the way back to the days of Jesus. They said the country has never been colonized, no slavery, and that the people there are very shy, but respectful of foreigners. The people are gentle and kind and I parted with them saying to me, "bless you". I was instantly drawn to them, hard to explain. So...I am now committed to start sharing with you great information about the land where our future daughter will come from.

We'll start with the map of where exactly Ethiopia is.

Bring on week ten!

SMJ

More than education

This morning we completed our final adoption education class with our educator, Laura. It's more than education, though. It's hearing first hand stories of real adopted kids and families helping to make our process more real than ever - Laura and her husband have five adopted kiddos. We appreciate her insight, compassion, and understanding of the entire adoption process. It was a wonderful two and a half hours well spent this morning, a true blessing. Thank you, Laura! She told us about this video that we thought we'd share with you all. ~Peace.

So much love...

So much love from the residents at the nursing home where I work! Today, Mary, our activities director, helped the residents lovingly make the most adorable baby blanket for us. It is so soft, cuddly and was made with so much love! I love our residents!
Well, we have completed two full months on the wait list, finishing up week 9 in a couple days. My how time flies! Tomorrow we're off to our last adoption education class. We've been reading our books - tons of great information. We'll share some tidbits with you when we're finished.

Onward,
SMJ

Havin' Fun!

Don't send a lame eCard. Try JibJab Sendables!

We're working on week 9 so we thought we'd join in the fun and dance the weeks away!

As an added bonus we will finish our last adoption education class this weekend.

Onward.

Process update...

We watched our Ethiopia specific training video, and passed the test - that part's done. One more class in a couple weeks and we'll be done with all of the training.

We made it to the police station today to get our fingerprints re-done for the Colorado Bureau of Investigation clearances that we need to renew.

I also got our new doctor's examination forms in their envelopes to send off to our docs tomorrow for homestudy updating. Since we just had our physicals re-done in January, we don't have to go in again, just need to have them complete the appropriate forms for homestudy updates.

I'll also be sending our Colorado Child Abuse registry clearance form off tomorrow to have that updated and current as well.

In reading all the blogs out there, LOT's of people got referrals this week, after a period of not hearing much of anything, with the time frames still falling within the 3-5 month wait list time. Very exciting for them all! I love to read (and join in the excitement) of how others' got "the call". When you have time, check out some of their blogs listed in the "other blogs we follow" section to the right. We're in for an exciting, life-changing phone call sometime in the next several weeks! Wow.

Wow.

Palm Sunday

Well, today is the end of week 7 on the wait list to receive our referral, and so tomorrow begins week 8...

We are working on finishing our required adoption education. We are learning about everything from attachment and bonding issues, to Ethiopia specific information, to what to bring on the airplane for our new little one when we meet her for the first time! We will watch a DVD and take an on-line test this week to complete our Ethiopia specific training and will finish our last 'in-person' class on March 29 in Castle Rock. As part of our training there are some books we will be reading and doing book reports on (like the old days in school), listed below if you want to check them out. We're excited to expand our knowledge, another step in the journey to get ready for 'Baby K'.

"Kids Are Worth It! : Giving Your Child The Gift Of Inner Discipline" by Barbara Coloroso

"Raising Adopted Children, Revised Edition: Practical Reassuring Advice for Every Adoptive Parent" by Lois Ruskai Melina

"There Is No Me Without You: One Woman's Odyssey to Rescue Her Country's Children" by Melissa Fay Greene

In other news, the process in updating our home study requirements will continue as Chad and I meet up at the police station this Wednesday to do our fingerprints, yet again, for our Colo Bureau of Investigation search to be re-done/renewed.

We're busy-ing ourselves with small house projects and have our eyes toward Easter. The amazing Passion Celebration today has left us bittersweet, with the knowledge that even though the story today ended darkly with Jesus being laid in the sealed tomb, we know SUNDAY'S A COMIN' and we'll be reminded once more, as we always are in worship, that Jesus is our risen, life-giving, Lord and Savior!

Praise Him from whom ALL of our blessings come!

SMJ

The Polls Are Open!

TWO new voting polls to the right! Test your baby trivia knowledge!

Baby Room Color

Skybluepink with a Heavenly Border? Yes, this is the winner of the "pick the baby room color" voting poll! We'll need an explanation! HOWEVER, yellow did come in second, and I think we will work with that. Watch for the next voting poll question...coming soon.

More To Do...

We received documents today to complete for updating our homestudy; new fingerprint cards, new doctor's forms, a new financial form to complete - this will keep things going for a few more days!

Had a rejuvenating weekend with Chad in San Diego this past weekend and heard a great speaker at the National Pastor's Convention - will share more with you all soon.