big, ugly bump in the road

Ok, change of plans.  We were just about to book tickets to fly out this Saturday when we got a big blow.  Our case was forwarded to the USCIS headquarters in Nairobi yesterday for further review.  This ins't uncommon for ET adoptions, but it came out of left field for us.  Everyone involved with our case was shocked.  There is no rhyme or reason to this hot mess.  We. Were. Devastated.  After a lot of researching and phone calls and emails we learned that a ton of cases were sent along with ours.  And it all comes down to dirty politics, legal red tape and crappy, irresponsible decisions.  Very hard to swallow when it's orphans lives on the line here.  I don't even want to say what this means time-wise because that could change in a minute, but for those of you who've asked, we're looking weeks and weeks, maybe months.  Who knows.

Anyways, we are picking ourselves up, wiping our tears and taking action where we can and praying our hearts out.  I've been reminded that this journey is not about us, or her, but about HIM and he will do what it takes to bring himself the glory...we are just along for the ride, as hard as it is at times.  I've also been trying to think of all of the positives that can come out of this.  So thankful for a business savvy husband who can think quickly and take action.  He's been in contact with just about everybody but Obama himself.  Thankful even more for supportive friends and family who have walked before us or are in the middle of this with us.  We could NOT do this without them!  (Especially when they show up at your door with flowers and tell you to go lock yourself in your room and cry while they babysit your kids and do your dishes).

This too shall pass.

about to pop!

we are SO CLOSE.  So close to bringing Yohana home, welcoming her into her forever family.  So close my heart could literally pop!  We are hoping to hear any day now, and when we do, we will hop on the first plane over.  A friend of mine joked that it's like I'm dilated to a 3 or 4, so true!

I have been taking advantage of the past few weeks, cooking like crazy and freezing meals, buying diapers and baby food and getting everything ready to pack her bag.  But most of all, I've been cuddling lots with my baby that is about to seem very much like a big boy, no longer will this little munchkin be the baby of the family.  So I've been soaking up my time with him.  It's been sweet.

Stay tuned...

2012!

Gonna be a life-changing year, gonna be a great month! Yohana's case was submitted to the US Embassy last week so we are looking to go over in the next few weeks to get our sweet pea and bring her home!  Just waiting on the details to pan out before we make our final plans...but it's going to be SOON!  

I have uploaded some pictures of our 1st trip for anyone who wants to look through them.  I tried to keep these non-adoption-realated because we really had so much fun while we were in Ethiopia and experienced so much.  After a few days of being there, Kirk and I both felt comfortable enough to let down our guard and just go with the flow.  We started to ask our driver to take us places and do things that weren't on the recommend itinerary.  We were quite adventurous to say the least. So thankful we did not get sick the whole trip and had some wonderful experiences, I know that's not always the case.  We truly felt like we went from being "ferenge" to "habesha" in 10 short days! (foreigners to natives).  I think Yohana will be proud of all that we saw and did and tried, we have so much to tell her one day.  We can hardly WAIT to get back and be with our daughter.