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Back from Disney World!!

We just returned back from Disney World late last night (or should I say early this morning). My mother promised Drew, when he was in the NICU, that she would take him to Disney World some day. She decided now was as good of a time as any, since her physical health is a bit unpredictable, at best. It was so fun. I think we were like energizer bunnies while there. We just kept going and going and going... It was so fun. The kids had a blast. :) Here is one of my favorite pictures. I'll post more when I get some time. For now, it's catching up on laundry and cleaning around here!!

On our last morning at the resort, we went swimming. Guess who we saw at the pool (besides Vern Yip) -- someone even more 'famous' in my eyes -- a family who adopted from Ethiopia. Well, Jaden met the dad, I was swimming with the kids. Anyway, the dad said, 'that place (Ethiopia) will change your life.' I think it already has!! :) His ONE regret about the whole thing (adopted about 2 and 1/2 years ago) was not adopting two children the first time. The adoption agency they used (they live in Canada, I think) went out of business right when they were beginning the process of adopting another child from Ethiopia. Makes you wonder, maybe we should adopt two as well?!?

Show Hope

Oh what awesome news! We got a grant today (much larger than I ever anticipated) from Show Hope!! It's not ALL of what we need to complete the process, but it's a HUGE HUGE help. :) I really didn't count on any grants, so to get one is thrilling. I'm so grateful to God for providing this money for us. It is such a blessing.

Here are some pictures from the past few weeks. :)

Found her Easter Basket -- that sneaky bunny!! :)

But dad and mom give the good stuff!

Toppers Adoption Fundraiser! - Yummy pizza!!

Dossier -- this picture does not do any bit of justice to the amount of paper work we filled out (nor the cost to overnight it)! But, it was completed (note all the x's on the checklist) and that is ALL that matters!

Dossier sent: 5/5/11 Approved: 5/6/11

We are officially WAITING (impatiently)!!!

Dossier Approved

Our agency approved our dossier today. We are now, officially...

What is next?... Our agency will obtain state certification through them and then send the dossier to be authenticated by the US State Dept. and Embassy of Ethiopia. And meanwhile, we wait... They can't give much specific information as to when we will receive a referral, because it really could be any time between tomorrow and well, a LONG time from now (a year? 18 months? not unheard of). But, right now, they are currently submitting referrals for couples who turned in their dossier at the end of October. So... most logical guess at this point would be that we would receive a referral some where around CHRISTMAS! Oh what a gift that would be!! :) Generally, I think you travel for your first trip about 2 months after that (given that there are no major bumps in the road -- uncommon that there are no bumps though). And meet your baby. Then come home (and TRY to stay BUSY) for another 2 months-ish before returning to bring your baby home. Ohhhh, that sure sounds lovely!! :) 

Dossier --- CHECK!!

Whew! Our agency should have our dossier by 3pm tomorrow. One they approve it, we will officially be on the wait list for Baby #3!! TECHNICALLY, we could get "the call" ANY day from when they approve it (probably Monday). I'm sure it will be a MIN. of 4-6 months (MIN.), but it feels pretty good to know that TECHNICALLY, it could be ANY day. :) Whew!! Baby baby! :)

Tomorrow = Dossier Day

Tomorrow morning = send in DOSSIER day!! Once it is received and approved by Holt (in just a few days) we will be OFFICIALLY on the WAIT LIST for our new baby!!!!!!