MOVIN' ALONG

Since tomorrow's Christmas Eve, we got our update early! Moved up one spot! 19!

CAN'T WAIT TO SEE THAT FACE!!

It's getting so close and I can't stop thinking about what it's going to be like to see Arthur's picture for the first time!! I've been finding other referral pics and watching videos from other families to ease the anticipation a bit. Here are referral pictures from some of the blogs I follow...

Zoie from My Crazy Adoption

Tegegne from Bicycle Basket

Zinashi from Finding Magnolia

Silas and Olive from Ethiopia or Bust

FRIDAY UPDATE

Every Friday we get an update from our agency letting us know how many referrals (if any) came through. I will be subtracting the referrals and we can watch this number get smaller every week! Sound good?

YOU'VE TAUGHT ME SO MUCH!

Arthur,

I don't even know who you are, but you've taught me so much!!

Through sharing our story and realizing we can't do this alone, I've learned a little something about being vulnerable.

You've made me more aware of the severity of today's orphan crisis and sparked a passion in me so strong it hurts.

I've learned that we have been adopted as God's children and I understand a little better how much he loves us!

I learned how to start a business! I was always too scared before.

You've taught me how to let go and trust that God is going to make a way.

Being on a budget has forced me to get over myself a little, and be ok with less. yay! This feels so good!

And lastly... you've introduced me to some great friends that I hope will be lifelong :)

I mean come on... are those not the sweetest faces?! Love you girls!

#23!

We heard from our agency a couple days ago. Subject line read "Waiting List Update" So exciting! We haven't received an update like this since we started our wait 10... almost 11 weeks ago.

The email informed us that we are family is #23 on the list overall! Things are starting to move along a lot faster now than they have in the past. We were expecting about a 10 month wait for a referral, but just 10 weeks ago we were #50 or so on the list... you do the math. ;)

JAMBO!

You know when you have an awesome idea, only to realize someone else thought of it first?? This is a still from Madagascar II. Not the best pic, but this granny is wearing the Jambo shirt!!! Zig zags and all. Weird huh?

BABY GEAR!

STROLLER

MONITOR

DIAPER BAG

CAR SEAT

BABY FOOD PROCESSOR

G DIAPERS

HIGH CHAIR

I've sort of figured out that I can't really buy ANYTHING until I know how old Arthur is. It is killing me!! I have all this time to get ready and make decisions, but alas, all I can really do is stare at his cute curtains. The other day I decided to do some dream shopping online. I picked out things that I would potentially need for a baby 6 months or older. It was really fun and relieved some of my frustration even though I didn't purchase anything. I felt more prepared in a way... until I started asking other moms about this stuff! ha! For the most part, my mommy friends have been very awesome and have helped me sort through some things, but I have definitely learned that every mom is different. Every baby is different. And I can listen to all kinds of different opinions, but at the end of the day it's going to be me and Aaron and Arthur trying different things and figuring out what works for us :)

WERE YOU BORN TODAY?

I had the craziest dream that you came into the world last night and when I woke up my insides were aching. I wonder if I could sense you being born from across the world. I guess we'll just have to wait and see.