A Happy 10 Years

It is hard to believe that 10 years ago today we were standing in front of 400 people and giving our promises to each other. Where has the time drifted off to? Three, and soon to be four, kids later, a lot has happened. There's no place I'd rather be.

Our day didn't look much different than any other day ... but it did end with a fun trip to the ice cream store with the kids. It probably wasn't the way most people would expect to spend their 10 year wedding anniversary (myself included), but I didn't need anything "extra" today in order to remind me how truly rich and blessed I am. Though fancy dinners and romantic getaways are always a treat, today was special in its own right ... I'm reminded of how much I have to be thankful for. I love you, babe.

Court Date

We got a call from our agency this afternoon stating we have a court date for July 3rd! For those unfamiliar with adoption terms, this is the date that our case goes before the judge in Ethiopia to adopt this little girl. Assuming we pass, we will become the proud legal parents of our new baby girl. We were told we can expect to travel 4-6 weeks after our court date! Everything is moving along very quickly! We are so, so thankful. We marvel that at every turn, we feel like a miracle is taking place.

Thank You, Thank You, Thank You!!!

We want to shout out a huge "THANK YOU" to all the families that helped with our fundraiser yard sale. It was a huge success. It was the biggest yard sale I have ever seen! People donated, people helped set up, people helped watch my kids, people gave so much of themselves to make this possible. In the 3 days of the sale we were able to raise $2,500. And we still have several bigger items that we are going to sell on Craigslist, so I still don't have a "final" total of what we'll raise.

Thank you to my mother-in-law for helping me pull every item out of the garage and get it priced. Thank you to my mom for staying for 4 days to be with my kids and keep my home in order. Thank you to my husband for doing all those, "Honey, would you please ... " without grumbling and complaining. Thank you to the 15 families that donated items and sacrificially gave their time and resources. Thank you to the families that gave finanicial contributions. Thank you to all the words of encouragement and love that was given through phone, email, Facebook, etc. It was difiicult and humbling to receive all the help, but I know I couldn't have done it without all of you. Thank you for sharing in our vision and love for the little girl we are longing to bring home. We feel so rich indeed. Bless you.

Good-bye Patty

I am so behind in my postings, and so many things to share about! But for tonight, and considering it is 2am, I want to pay tribute to my dear, dear friend Patty. I just got home from such a fun night out "with the girls," but this night didn't end the way it usually does. Tonight I had to say good-bye to one of my dearest, treasured friends. Tomorrow morning she and her family are moving to California. For whatever fearful, prideful reason, I worked so hard to keep from crying tonight when it was time to say good-bye, and I succeeded ... that is until I got into the car. Patty, I thought of all our fond memories and the joy I experience when I am with you. You bring out the best in people. I cried thinking that we'll have less of those nights out, and I cried because I wish I would of capitalized on the precious days you were here. I wish I would have called more, I wish I would have had coffee more with you, or nights out to tell stories and spur one another on. I have regrets, that I didn't do more. But mostly I cried because part of the "beam" that I lean on, is being uprooted tomorrow and moving to California. I've always felt you've had my back, and could come to you with anything. I've always known I could depend on you, and could feel your love stengthening me. You are such a dear, dear friend, I miss you already. California is getting just a little richer tomorrow. I love you, Patty.

Referral Accepted

We drove up to our adoption agency this afternoon and signed all the necessary paperwork to "accept" the referral of our little baby girl. I had tons of nerves and fears come creeping out of the woodwork all the way up there, and then after we signed everything, I had so much peace all the way home.

We Received Our Referral!!!

I am speechless and quite emotional ... our adoption agency just called and said they have matched us with our little baby girl. I don't have much info yet, except that she is two months old. Wonderfully shocked and SOOOO thrilled to "know" her. I will update as soon as we know any more info. Thank you for sharing in this special day with us. Our hearts are so full.