Bad news for Eli

We didn't pass court today, and have been rescheduled for December 10th. Most people are rescheduled for a week or 10 days later, but we got sent to the back of the line. Thankfully, this didn't have anything to do with our particular case, as ours wasn't even heard. The agency in Ethiopia that oversees adoptions, MOWA, is doing some administrative stuff regarding licensing with all the orphanages. So, this pushes our travel into February, assuming we pass on December 10th. Sigh. Poor Eli. Sad us.

Court Date!!!

Ok, I admit it. This mom-to-be is getting a little anxious/nervous/excited for our Monday court date. I've been very "zen" about this whole process, but this court date is definitely one of the BIG milestones. The biggest, actually. If we pass court in Ethiopia on Monday (our Sunday night), I am a new mom once again! So, all my readers, as you go to bed on Sunday night, do us a favor, will you? Picture the judge opening our file, finding all the paperwork there and in order, and all the right people showing up at the right time. And also, please keep Shimeles' birth family -- specifically his birth mother -- in your thoughts as well. I can hardly imagine myself in her place -- relinquishing a beautiful, healthy, wonderful, sweet child, and sending him off to strangers in a land she probably can't even picture in her mind, knowing she may never again know how he is doing or what his life is like. We will never forget that it is SHE who has made the ultimate sacrifice -- a selfless, brave act of love to give her child a better life than her circumstances can provide. And for that, we are eternally grateful.

The latest on Shimeles

My friend Heather is in Ethiopia right now, picking up her new daughter. She's staying for TEN weeks, which is very unusual and is by choice, but it is allowing her to spend time with many of the children and send precious updates to all us anxious parents back home. Here's the latest on our boy:

Shimeles - Played with Heather's watch and necklace for a while and then got in trouble because he was supposed to be in the older kids room. :) heather said that he likes to push the limits and kept looking at her through the window when he went back to the other room, still smiling. should fit in with Jen's bunch just fine! :)

Oh yeah, he'll fit in just fine! Sounds like he and Ian are "twins" for sure. I think we're definitely in for it. All good.

Happy Halloween!

The boys had so much fun this year! We baked and decorated Halloween cookies, carved pumpkins, decorated the house, and of course, went trick or treating. I realize that I'm biased, but I thought my little pumpkins were just the cutest! I can't wait for next year when I have 3 little goblins running around.....