NEWS AND HAPPY TRAILS...

Family,

We received word today from Jessica that our case has made it through the local courts, and we now have the very infamous Document #1. This now means that we are on to Document #2 (let's hope this one doesn't become infamous) - earliest possible best case scenario time frame on getting a hold of that one is next Friday. We wait again. It really makes me think of the old fable telling the story of "slow and steady wins the race". Verrrrrry slowly we take tiny steps forward toward Koko. Thoughts of her give us lumps in our throats and aches in our hearts. It is so hard to explain, truly.

We know there are a lot of steps to get there....and there are a lot of other families still running their own verrrrry long, slow and steady races to get there. We always, always remember that we are not alone, not by a long shot.

Congratulations to all the families with new referrals and new court dates out there in blog land! And a huge thank you to folks who have generously given their time in-country to snap a few photos of our little Koko. You may not know just how thankful we are to have those few beautiful photos. We just want you to know you are special - we can't wait to pay it forward someday.

Finally, Chad and I are off to Haiti this weekend, after he does a wedding ceremony in Loveland - it's off to the airport tomorrow night to spend a week walking alongside the children of Haiti, learning from them in their persistent effort to make something of themselves and their country. I am humbled to be a part of the trip, my first time, and just one of many over the last few years for Chad. I know I will be changed, and am honored to be a part of something bigger than myself, something so much bigger than my own little world here in suburbia. I can't wait to tell you all about it when we get back - and so...

...we'll be back in blog land in a week - signing off...

smj out -- to see more of the world

PS - Scott and Tyler - we had a rockin' good time with you watching March Madness and eating Chinese! Thanks for stopping by! Love you!

Really.

It's just a piece of paper.

So...I could look at this two ways --

1) It's just paper! Seriously, is there a reason for the torture of prolonging this process over a piece of paper!?!

OR

2) It's just paper (or tree pulp as Grace put it) - paper can't possibly stand in the way of a future of happiness with Koko as part of our family. We will be strong and faithful.

And so, "come back Friday" is the latest directive to Gladney's in country staff. I'm specifically going to be praying for Document #1. "Dear document #1, please find your way into our file so that we can get on to Document #2, Document #3, and a court date in Addis, and a favorable ruling, and a reunion with Koko that will be the most amazing unforgettable moment in our lives."

"Fri-day. Fri-day. Fri-day."

The cheers are starting to quiet down slightly, but don't worry they're still there.

Love to you all,
smj out

SHINY NEW SPRING

Guido is a shiny little light in our house. A shiny, crazy, nutty little light. The joy he brings when we arrive home, greeted by his jumping and insane licking, his sweet playfulness, and yes, his perplexing need to eat ANYTHING but his own food, is all so priceless!

Feed the BEAST!

"I'm begging you, please, I DESPERATELY NEED your food, not mine."

"Please let me outside so I can eat more squirrel poo, oh please, please, please."

______________________________________




Spring is definitely springing around our house. The first crocus and daffies are up, and I am reminded that soon they will be gone, and the tulips will bloom as also the perennials begin again...a constant cycle, much as the cycle of our lives as we live through the seasons, not just the calendar seasons, but also the seasons of life - the ups, the downs, the in-betweens, the joys, the sadness, excitement and worry...

Oh, how we are glad it is spring. A favorite season, a time we live life in anticipation, in the hope that spring can bring when we may least expect it. We are so glad to see you, spring!

Onward!
smj

SORTA?

Power on. Check.
People present. Check.
Come back Tuesday. Alrighty then.


So, we're back to the "TUES-DAY" cheer.


Got an update on Koko today:
"Yesterday, when I came by to visit she was outside with her roommates sunbathing. She seems to enjoy her time outside, and may grow up to be a lover of the outdoors. Today when I stopped by she was taking a nap. Her caregivers tell me she is doing great, and is very playful.” --Emily


And then there's Guido. He's having a little poo problem. Ate something in the back yard (he eats EVERYTHING HE SEES) that likely gave him a poo infection....so....not really delightful. I've been laundering blankets for the last couple days from his crate time that he couldn't help soiling, poor little dude. He went to the vet today, got doggy antibiotics and a shot in the rump. He was pretty pathetic, whining and clawing at me and all. Now he's successfully down for a nap, the dreamy little guy. Doesn't this qualify as mommy practice time or something?!?

Any dog lovers out there have any tips on how we get him to STOP EATING EVERYTHING HE SEES OUTSIDE???!!!! Short of putting a muzzle on him when we go out to potty...which is not something that we want to do, what can we do? The minute we go out - he finds something to eat - you know, leaves, sticks, bark mulch, squirrel poo - EEEEEEEW, GROSS! Everything is tasty to him. And it's not like he's not eating his doggy food well. He'll just keep getting sick if he doesn't grow out of this nasty habit.

Oh well, he's keeping us occupied for sure.

Onward!

smj out.

HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY!

LUCKY US!!!

The power is out AGAIN in ET. Will try again tomorrow.

Oh, the humanity! We NEED power!

"WEDNES-DAY. WEDNES-DAY. WEDNES-DAY."

Oh, please be lucky Wednesday...

***EDITED*** STILL HOLDING OUR BREATH...

Jessica just called (10a.m.MDT 3/16/09) to say that due to a power outage today in ET, they will try again tomorrow to obtain the infamous Document #1. Stay tuned...

"TUES-DAY. TUES-DAY. TUES-DAY."
(Still cheering over here.)




In honor of TUESDAY, please partake in our latest polling question. (Come on, it's a simple mouse click!) Inquiring minds are curious about what you think:

poll by twiigs.com

It's tough to choose just one, yes?

Anywho...we'll certainly let you know when we know something in adoption news. Stay tuned...

smj out.

HOLDING OUR BREATH

Happy Friday blogwatchers.

I have little time, as I'm here at work snarfing down lunch and staring at my ever-expanding to do list...BUT...

Jessica called today. Please join us as we "hold our breath" for a hopefully successful day Monday. A day we desperately hope to hear good news that we are on our way to getting ahold of document #1 of 3. Documents 2 and 3 should be forthcoming as soon as Document #1 is in hand. Then (and only then) can we finally wait (some more) to hear about an official court date assignment in Addis. Remember, team, even then, court dates are still being assigned several weeks out from request...but we'll take any sort of teeny weeny itty bitty step in the right direction.

"MON-DAY. MON-DAY. MON-DAY."
(I'm cheering for Monday.)

Send us (and the team of people helping to get this accomplished) some good vibes...

...fingers crossed...
...toes crossed...

...smj out

INDIA NITE

It was India Gourmet Club at our house last night - we take turns with 4 other couples in the group hosting different themed dinner parties and it was our turn last nite. I had help getting the Sari on correctly from Lori - Chad brought it back for me from the last India Immersion trip. It was a good time - we had Tandoori Chicken, Aloo Saag, Naan Bread, and lots of other yummy Indian dishes. Chad even found a belly dancer to entertain us! Thanks for a good time everyone! (Brad and Amy - your "Indian" costumes were a total hoot!)

We did get news Thursday afternoon from Jessica that hopefully things are back on track again for them to work toward getting ahold of document number 1. Maybe they'll have it in a couple weeks, then it will be on to document number 2, then number 3, then we will be ready for our file to be submitted to the courts in Addis for a new court date. Court date assignmet is looking more like June-ish...we shall see. We keep up very guarded hopes. Know that we will keep you updated every step of the way.

Finally, what would a blog post be without some cute new pictures of Guido - he makes us smile!

love u all,

smj

ONE

Koko is one year old today.

A beautiful one year old.

We can't wait to share her with everyone someday.

Someday...

Love you all,
smj

SO....NO TITLE TODAY.

So, I'm just sitting here in silence trying to understand what the reason could possibly be that we continue to hear one bit of bad news (or no news) after another. Folks, it doesn't make sense.

Today was...
Well, today was another heart breaking day on the adoption front. Honestly I've tried not to be dramatic about the ongoing saga of delays that has epitomized our process, but today I really just can't sit around and say, "well, we'll just have to wait a little more, it's all out of our control." As if taking control of it ourselves would make the whole thing right.

We had hoped to hear a few days ago that a document was obtained to get us to the next step in the process of bringing Koko home. (Kind of like in National Treasure, you get a clue, to get another clue, to get another clue, yada yada yada.) Jessica says today that this first of three needed documents has still not been obtained because of currently unexplainable events involving people in the process. Sound cryptic? It is. Unfortunately rules dictate that I cannot give you details on line. Suffice it to say that we can't make sense of it.

Tears were flowing today. Um....we are faithful, faithful people. But I gotta tell ya -- hearing right now that this is some sort of "plan" is kinda tough. (just being honest)

Ok, fine. We will wait. It's what we HAVE to do. Koko is counting on us to be strong people (she just doesn't know it.) But this constant getting-our-hearts-squashed thing is getting me to feel yucko inside.

We are just thankful to have our wonderful family to hold us up when we need reminded to stay positive. If you think about it, pray for our strength over the next few weeks. And for these WONDERFUL PEOPLE, too.


Let Israel hope in the Lord: for with the Lord there is mercy, and with him is plenteous redemption. (Psalms 130:7)

Hey, Guido had his little 'parts' snip snipped last week and he got over it - we can learn from his shining example, I guess!

love you all,
smj