Update

Well, we have good news and mediocre news...

The good news is that they were able to get that piece of paper that we needed to complete the court process.

The mediocre news is that they have located a relative of Kidus' (that we did not know exsisted until today) and that person needs to appear before the judge. I say it's mediocre for two reasons: One, we are happy that we will be able to have a connection with Kidus' biological family who will be able to give us some family history to pass along. Two, we are not happy that this may delay the finalization of the adoption a few more days. Therefore, the news is mediocore.

We did get our travel date today. If all goes well, we will be traveling August 30th - September 8th. A little later than we had hoped, but better late then never, right?

Thanks for all your prayers. I probably don't even need to ask, but could you continue to pray that the last piece in this puzzle is quickly put into place?

And as a friend pointed out to me yesterday:

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.

-James 1:2-6 (New International Version)

Court Date Today

Well, it did not go through.

A letter from one of the entities that needed to be there was not there. On the bright side, the judge did not reschedule the hearing for after the court closure. Instead, he pended his decision until he receives that letter. I am told that our guy in Ethiopia is doing his best to get that letter and get it to the judge, so hopefully in the next couple of days we will have good news. Until then., please pray. Thanks everybody.

Ok, this is the best presentation of a referral I have ever seen. Go check it out: What Do You Think?

Part of the reason it is so funny (and please chime in if you have had this experience) is that so many people tell us that Kidus looks like my husband James. I think that people like to find a resemblance... So, that makes this blog even more funny :-)

On the adoption front: According to Ethiopian time, we are down to TWO MORE DAYS :)

If 7-11 is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, why are there locks on the doors?

Well, the family and I have just been kind of holing up this week... Just thought I would drop a note to let everyone know that I am still alive and well. We are so looking forward to the upcoming court date!

We have been doing a lot of research into local accommodations in Addis Ababa and have found MANY very nice choices at very reasonable prices. The only concern we have is that they will be available, with the upcoming Millennium celebration and all. So, I guess I will ask that you add that to your prayer list. It is little scary to think about finding your own way as far as sleeping and travel arrangements, but in the long run it will probably save us a considerable amount of money.

I was rereading one of my favorite magazines the other day, Plain Truth Ministries, when I came across a great little article/editorial ( Intentionally Inclusive, by Wayne Warner ) . The author was discussing what it means to be "intentionally inclusive" when it comes to other races. Being intentionally inclusive was something I had never even considered before we started the adoption process to adopt a black child. Since we started that process, I have tried to place myself in the shoes of those that are a true minority. My favorite part of the article is when the author says, "... after five decades in ministry, I still see undesirable pockets of racial resistance, most notably among fellow believers who simply do not see any problem with the status quo!Years ago, I learned how easy it is to simply look through a person and not see them. We don’t dislike anyone; we just do not see a problem. We view life through our lenses of assumed prerogatives and thoughtlessly acquired equality, and take it for granted because it is the law of the land" (Warner, 2007). Why was I so intrigued by those lines? Because I see it everyday. So many of the majority don't understand why the minority "is so sensitive" about what name they are called... Why does it matter what other people think? It does matter. Sometimes the only thing you have to cling to in a situation is your perceived place in society. For instance, the quickest way for a man to make me angry is by treating me as if I am dumb or beneath him in someway. Why is that? Probably because I know that some men believe that to be true.

Case and point: For Father's Day, my husband wanted a chainsaw sharpening kit. So, Taylor and I went to the Tractor Supply Company and went straight back to the chain saw area. Well, the type of kit you buy depends on the type/length of the chain on your chainsaw. I did not have this information with me (didn't know I needed it), but I had bought his chainsaw at that same store two years ago and the model was still in stock. So, I looked that chainsaw up down and sideways and could not find the type of chain it had on it anywhere. Finally, I went and asked an older gentleman for help. As we were walking back toward the chainsaw area I said to him "I am trying to find the chain type on this chainsaw, so I can buy my husband a chainsaw sharpening kit." He chuckled, tapped the man we were passing on the shoulder and said to him (in his best ISN'T THAT CUTE voice) "She wants to buy a chainsaw sharpening THING." (he thought I said that and thought he would share it with the other man in the department ) I quickly corrected him and pointed out that I had said "kit, not thing." So, then he started to help me. Long story short, he had no idea, I ended finding the information I wanted and then I showed him where to find it, but I was TICKED OFF. I have to admit, I still am a little bit. The point of the long story is that I do not think that a man could have been made to feel inferior as quickly as I did because the white male has never truly been under anyone's thumb (not that it is impossible, just doesn't happen as quickly or as often). And even though I am not currently under anyone's thumb, it wasn't that long ago that I could have been. I know this isn't exactly what it feels like to be black, but I think it is as close as I will ever come since I am a white, middle class female.

Anyway, that is my two cents. If you get a chance read the article it is really thought provoking.

On the adoption front: As of 5:00pm Eastern Time, it was 12:00am in Ethiopia. Of course, this means ONLY 3 MORE DAYS!!! :-)

How much deeper would the ocean be if sponges didn't grow in it?

An article I just recently read stated that the sex ratio for adopted children is "56 boys for every hundred girls" (Gravois, 2004). This blew me away. I knew the numbers of adoptive parents requesting/adopting girls were higher, but I had no idea they were that much higher. This is a pretty good article, stating the author's opinion about why the preference exists, if anyone is interested:

Bringing Up Babes: Why do Adoptive Parents Prefer Girls?

On the adoption front: ONLY SIX MORE DAYS!! :-)

If a stealth bomber crashes in a forest, will it make a sound?

Wow! I looked at the ticker at the top of my page today and can't believe my eyes! Only one week and four days until Kidus is legally our son (and we can quit sweating the court closure!). That is only 11 days!!! Woo Hoo :-)


edit: LOL. Ok, so I posted this and then went back and read what I wrote - guess I have officially let my guard down.

What are preparations A-G?

Well, it has been an emotional weekend, to say the least. James and I came to the conclusion that it is difficult to feel excitement for the upcoming court date with the emotional roller coaster we have been riding on. Don't get me wrong though, we are EXTREMELY happy - just hesitant. Some of you are aware of the outside influences that were delaying our court date. Awareness of these things have put us on the defensive. More to the point, we are scared to let our guard down. However, we were able to put that aside and celebrate a little bit. on Friday. We went to a different Ethiopian restaurant (than our usual) and than we went to purchase Kidus' baby book(s). It was actually a very nice time.

Now, onto my other kid :) She has returned from her mission trip and had a great time. I want to show you what raising a kid in the country can do to your little princess:

Was the only reason God gave us a shin is to find things in the dark?

I actually have an adoption update!

Our caseworker called this morning and our court date has been scheduled for July 30th! This means that if all goes well, we could travel somewhere mid to end of August. Praise the Lord!!

Thank you everyone for your prayers. Please continue praying that everything goes well on that day because a rescheduling could put us smack dab in the middle of the court closure (August 5th - October 1).

Godspeed, Kidus. Mom, Dad, and your big sister are coming :-)

If air travel is so safe, why do they call it a "terminal"?

Many of you know that I have been having an especially difficult week, but today I was blessed by two very good friends. My friends (who will NOT remain nameless), April and Deena, insisted on getting me out of the house today to get my mind off of all the adoption stress. They completely rearranged their lives for the day just to make my day a little brighter. James and I are so blessed by caring, supportive, and praying friends. The day really helped me, too. I was able to kick back and enjoy the flea market shopping, people watching, and of course, the eating. If you guys are reading this (at least I know April is...Ahem, Deena): Thank you. You rock! ;-)

Side note, I have fallen in love with a new song. It is beautiful:

On the adoption front: No news.

Godspeed, Kidus.

Why can't we make newspapers that don't smudge?

The nice part about being a pessimist is that you are constantly being either proven right or pleasantly surprised. - George F. Will

If all the world is a stage, where is the audience sitting?

Many of you check this blog as a way to gage my mental health through this very emotionally trying process of waiting for a court date. Well, I have to warn you, as of this morning it is not so good.

As of this morning... we have been waiting on a court date 76 days .

As of this morning... our son is 8 months, 1 week, and 1 day old.

As of this morning... our son has spent 8 months, 1 week, and 1 day not knowing that there are three people who love him enough to lay down their lives for him.

As of this morning... I had my 15th dream in which I had my son in my arms, only to be awoken and have him ripped right back out of my arms.*

As of this morning... I have been asked by 1, 763 people if there is any news.*

As of this morning... I have had to answer no to that question 1,762 times.*

As of this morning... I am raw, moody, and emotional with a very good chance of anger in the forecast.

As of this morning... I have given up on optimism.

*these numbers are estimates, obviously.

Why does X stand for kiss and O stand for hugs?

Thanks to everyone for there supportive comments lately. I am really finding myself in a funk, but all the love and support is seeing me through it.

Of course, I spent another day with my children on the brain. Taylor left for a mission trip this morning, so I am now officially missing both my children. To help distract me, I spent a good 1.5 - 2 hours cooking. I tried 3 new Ethiopian dishes and a makeshift injera. I think that part of my success in the flavor came from the African music I listened to while cooking. Here is the finished product:
Yellow: Ethiopian Lentils
Red: Yetakelt We't
Brownish-Green: Alicha

All had great flavor and since there was no one here actually from Ethiopia, James and I agree that they taste truly authentic :)

On the adoption front: Zip. Zilch. Nada. NOTHING.

Why doesn't Tarzan have a beard?

I can start to feel myself slipping back into the "pre-adoption depression" (if this is not a disorder in the DSM-IV, it should be). For a while I was pleasantly distracted, but of course, Kidus is never really out of my mind. Now I am back to full fledged thinking about him 150% of the time, and being sad... maybe even a little sorry for myself. In my mind, we should have been back home with him by July 4th. Each little significant date makes it harder: our anniversary, first day of summer, our church's Vacation Bible School, Independence Day... I am not sure how many more of these dates I can handle without pulling my hair out. I am honestly trying to stay busy, but I really don't even want to leave the house.

Ben and Joanna sent us a wonderful video of Kidus trying to crawl. It was so awesome! When I am not watching it, I am replaying it over and over in my mind. Our caseworker also sent us two more picture of Kidus, taken towards the end of June. They woke him up for the photos, so it was our first time seeing him with a grumpy face. Adorable!

Anyway, he does look happy at the orphanage (and very well taken care). He is so chubby that James and I decided that he must be stealing the other children's food :-)

Alright, I try not to post too many of these "poor me" posts, but I think that I needed to get it out. There really aren't enough blogs out there with people whining about the wait in adoption. That leads me to two conclusions: 1. People keep it to themselves for fear of sounding like whiners --or-- 2. I am a bigger whiner than anybody else in the English speaking part of the world. Either way, I am willing to put myself out there and say: I AM SICK OF WAITING!!!

Thanks for listening. Back to your regularly scheduled programming.

My second post of the day...

Wow. I found this on another blog and wanted to share it. This couple shows amazing strength and faith in an unimaginably difficult time. I know I could certainly learn a thing or two from them.

Isn't Disneyland a people trap operated by a mouse?

This is for Marissa (and I guess I could certainly use it myself!):

Have a happy 4th of July everyone!