Planning for school.....

I am so excited, after all the wait, to think about Mame getting to go to Summit school with her new brothers and sisters in the fall. One of the teachers, is also an ESL teacher, and we are meeting next week to put together a summer plan for Mame....that I can do at home and help her be ready for the fall.

And then, when she starts school this fall, this same, wonderful teacher, is going to help and put together a program for her, depending on where she is and how much she has learned.

What a blessing.

These are pictures of Mame and her "school" time at the orphanage. I can see they learned a little English alphabet and some words....I cannot wait to talk to her face to face...or at least try. It is happy/sad to think that all the other children in these photos are home with their new families....while Mame has waited and waited.

BUT...her wait will be over soon.

Pictures during the wait....

Todays picture comes from April 2009. Not normally in a dress, I am assuming this came in some donations....

My lovely daughter....

If a picture tells a 1000 words......

Then what does a 1000 pictures tell?



lol. Well, not quite a thousand.



But in waiting two years for Mame....I have collected quite a few photos....about a year ago, I counted them ...and I had 400...and I have some new ones since then of course! I have made her a scrapbook, that is up to 99 pages already...and I have to finish...before I go.

So I thought over the next two months...as I wait to travel, I will share of those pictures. And all those traveling families, who have gone before, you will recognize your photography. Thank you!








Today's favorite...Mame and her girlfriends....who have been home in the States for quite a while.

Finally, my daughter....

The journey of a 1000 days.....

......well actually 748! :)

Announcing my daughter:

Olivia Hiwot (Hewot?) "Mame"

as of APRIL 13th!

(I passed court 9 days ago, but no one told me..)

Jehovah be praised.....

watching the.....

tick tock tick tock tick tock....

(one burden lifted, I was worrying last night about funds for the trip...and time off work, and I had forgotten about some stock I had. ;) Cashed in enough for the trip and time off. what a blessing.....God provides!)

tick tock tick tock tick tock...

The week that changed our lives....perhaps....

There are some weeks....days..moments...that we hold our breath, as we realize...life will never be the same.

I don't know if this will be one of those weeks.....I have had four or five of them in my lifetime.....

hoping it will.....

waiting.....

Where the rubber meets the road.....

feeling anxious....

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
Phil 4:6,7

Counter's back up....9 days.....

Maybe the news on April 22nd will be an early birthday present.....

Did not pass....

I did not pass court. MOWA, who has to show up with their approval form...did not show up. My next (5th) court date is April 22.

Two nights.....

Just two nights.....two more nights....until I know. ..... For the first time this afternoon, it started to hit me... that maybe, this time, maybe it will happen. All the waiting will be over and I will be a new momma.....

Could it be? Wish it was tomorrow night already....

Numbers and dates

fourth court date, four days away

six to 8 weeks (if I pass) to embassy date

possible embassy dates every other Thursday: May 6, 20, June 3, June 17, July 1 July

7 weeks would be June 3rd.... my Nicholas' 12th birthday!

When will it be? It seems too.....unreal and scary that I might, after two years, actually be making a trip to Ethiopia....

To be honest...I feel nothing right now. I know, if I pass, I will be in tears and estatic..... I know if I don't, I will continue feeling nothing..... But I don't feel nervous or weary, or hopeful....odd.

Now wait and talk to me Monday night! lol.

Counting down....

9 days until court.... I wonder if this will be the magic one...

It almost scares me....

Eeeek.... after waiting so long.

Those who read and pray....pray not just that we will pass court, but that the timing of the embassy appointment and logistics for my children staying at home will reveal themselves. At the minute I have no clue how that will work out....let alone be good for everyone.

But God does.