a few pictures

well, now that Tesfamlak is officially ours, we are legally able to share a few pictures...
we don't have a ton - but here's a few to look at.
The first picture is the earliest we received. You can see the difference between it and the other three (taken about 6-8 weeks later) and how much he has changed and grown. From what we hear, he apparently has gained even more weight in the last few weeks, so we are encouraged by that news.

Thank you

Tonight we were showered with blessings from Target! I mean, it poured!

Our family at Perimeter Church (mainly in worship and arts) gave us an ENORMOUS number of Target gift cards. I haven't gotten to look at them all but I can safely say from the full gift bag I carried home that our load will be lighter financially because of it. Diapers, formula, clothes, food......can't you buy everything at target???

Thank you, thank you, thank you, friends. We are so grateful.

SUCCESSFUL COURT DATE!

As of yesterday, Tesfamlak is our SON!!!!

We are so filled with love for him, excited and anxious to get him home, now. We were hoping that we would have a date for our embassy appointment after the court date, but it will still be a week or two more before we know. What we did find out for sure is that it will most likely not be the 1st half of April, but the last. (the 3rd or 4th week)

We are very thankful that it is going to finally happen, however, we're feeling some disappointment because we thought it would be in 2 or 3 weeks. We just want him here. I am now allowed to post pictures so I will do that very soon, I promise. I'm just not able to upload them on this computer and eric's isn't available right now.

Often I'm hearing, "it will be here before you know it"! And, "that's really fast compared to [friend's name] who adopted from another country!" I know I know....time will fly.....but now it is no fun waiting. My friend Martha, who is also adopting a baby girl from the same orphanage Tesfamlak is in just responded, "that really stinks". Ahhhhh....her negativity was refreshing! We didn't realize it at the time, but in a later conversation that evening realized we were both WANDERING the aisles of 2 different Targets....searching for something....anything....to buy for the babies we can't have yet. I bought more bottles and she was buying formula. I spent 1 1/2 hours by myself in Target literally strolling down almost every aisle. glassy-eyed. Saying to myself, "I know I should be happy, but I am just annoyed that it's not FASTER".

So if you see me any time in the next month, expect me to be ecstatic and care-free (because it's spring and we can be outside) or rude and angry (because I'm in a crappy mood and can't fake it anymore that day) or crying (because I am often sporatically crying because of the baby) or completely emotionless (because it's my most common emotion lately).....Each day is an adventure with me these days!

I've got just 30 minutes

Super Why is a preschool show on PBS which strangly resembles Little Einsteins......I hate to say it but it seems a little like a rip off. Anyway, Audrey and Caleb LOVE it. They only show about 5 episodes, total so they have most of them memorized. From 8:00-8:30 this morning, they are watching tv so in 30 minutes I can: fix myself some toast and coffee, clean up the kitchen from breakfast, put up 1 load of laundry and throw another one in, check the emails I've received since 10pm and post this blog entry. I have 3 minutes left.
Wanted to give the update that we have a court date in Ethiopia on March 18th. After that, he's ours :) and they will give us an embassy date. It is usually about 3 weeks after the court date. So it looks like we could possibly be traveling the 2nd week in April, which happens to be our spring break.....that would be perfect.
We received an update yesterday. The baby is growing, eating, interacting and sleeping well, apparently. He weighs 4.5 kg now which is an improvement from 3 kg at 3 1/2 months. He'll be 5 months tomorrow (time is flying) and that is about 9 1/2 or 10 pounds. So our little baby is gaining weight.
Still haven't decided on a name.....I knew that would be the next question. Everyone asks. We'll be keeping his Ethiopian name for his middle name and we may give him another american middle name in addition to a first name. Our other kiddos have a Gilbert or Dewberry family middle name and so we're deciding if we should give him 2 middle names because of that.
Thanks for keeping up with us and praying for us. We appreciate it and need your support!!!!