OOPS...

We got a little ahead of ourselves. Talked to our consultant today and our official number on the list is six! I'm not really sad about that AT ALL, still so close!

Also, my friend Sandi has helped me discover some great numbers on etsy. That's where I will be finding my numbers from now on... so pretty!

HIGH FIVE FOR #5!

Well, at least that's what we think we are... there are so many things to factor into the count down and sometimes it's hard to know. I think I might double check with our consultant today. Anyway, things are moving fast! and yes, I'm freaking out a little :)

FOUND MY ROCKER!

Isn't she a beaut?! I know it needs some work, but dream with me. I'm thinking new upholstery in a charcoal grey, a little oil on those legs and this will be the coolest rocker you've ever seen! Found this at a yard sale for a whopping $5 while out treasure hunting with Katie :)

What's your favorite?

THINGS GOT SCARY THERE FOR A WHILE

I'm just realizing that I let you in on some not-so-great news a few weeks ago and then left you hangin'. It's kind of a lot to explain which is probably why I've waited until now to walk you through it. Here's what happened...

On March 4th, MOWA (Ethiopia’s Ministry of Women’s, Children’s and Youth Affairs) announced that they would be cutting inter-country adoptions by 90%.

What did that mean?? Well, before this announcement MOWA was reviewing around 50 inter-country adoptions a day and they would now only be reviewing 5 a day... pretty drastic cut.

What did that mean for us?? Right now we're waiting for a referral (or to be matched with a baby boy in Ethiopia). After that we're given a court date maybe a few months out from the time of referral. If this actually went into place it would likely take a year or longer just to get a court date... yuck! (but it doesn't slow down the referral process... are you with me?)

Many people felt that this was not in the best interest for these children, so petitions were signed, letters written and many conversations happened around this issue.

By the middle of the month we got news that just days after this was announced, the director of MOWA and several other staff members were terminated. (which seems like good news!)

There hasn't been another official update about where this is all going to end up, but we've been seeing a lot of court dates scheduled, so that's a good sign. Keep praying for these little babes. They're caught up in a huge mess and just need to come home!!

YEP!

Moved up three more spots! We are getting so close, people!

A LITTLE BALANCE

Did you see that dark cloud hanging over me all winter? Yuck! I'm so glad the sun is finally out and I can enjoy life again. ...ok, so maybe it wasn't only "winter blues". We've been chipping away at this adoption block for a while now and honestly... I'm tired! This thing has completely consumed me for the past year and I think it's time I gave myself some room.

A while back I had a really good chat with Aaron about how balance in parenting was important to us. We're going to love our kids and we're going to tend to their needs, but we don't want to forget about "us" and we don't want to forget about what our passions were before we had kids! It's so easy to get sucked into this world and this amazing adoption community, but I think I got a little lost and Aaron was kind enough to give me a gentle "nudge". I'm so thankful that I have a partner who's not afraid to call me out ;)

TIME FOR SOME GOOD NEWS!

Just got word from our agency that FOUR babies were referred today! That moves us up to number 14 on the list! I didn't mention this before, but we were told that part of the hold up was that they ran out of HIV testing kits in Ethiopia. Last week the kits finally came in and they were able to test the babies and prepare them to be matched! I'm still feeling a hodge podge of emotions. I'm ready to get a more final word about where we're going to end up with this change in the system. Keep praying for inter-country adoptions from Ethiopia and that any changes they make to the system will be what's best for the kiddos over there!

FRIDAY UPDATE

Friday's news came as a shock! Ethiopia announced that they will be cutting foreign adoptions by up to 90 percent. I haven't really been able to think about anything else. My mind just wont let me rest. I run through all the different scenarios given all the possible outcomes. Ha! That will just make you crazy! But, the thing is... I don't feel worried. I'm ready for us to be parents, but right now this isn't about us and our timeline. This is about children who are at risk of falling victim to a corrupt system. The intention of this cut back is to try to solve the problem and a lot of people are worried that this will only create more problems and leave more children left behind without families. Right now we need prayer. Will you join us in prayer as we enter into this season of lent?