six...again

We reached 6 months "officially" waiting this week. 11 months since we originally went on the waitlist.

Friends

*This party will be closing today, March 15, if you still want to place an order please let me know ASAP.

There are so many unexpected blessings that come along with adoption. One of those unexpected blessings are the great friends you make. They are often "blog" friends. People you have never met in real life, but who still support you, your family, and your adoption.

I recently started selling Thirty-One products as a way to increase our family income to help support our adoption. Sweet, sweet Debi saw a post I put on facebook, and offered to host a blog/catalog party. I can't thank her enough for this.

I just wanted to encourage all of you to stop by her blog. Even if you don't purchase any Thirty-One items, she is doing a great giveaway for people just willing to share about the party on their blog, facebook, or twitter. So stop by, share, and leave a comment to be entered to win one of her great handmade Africa products!

http://jenkinsethiopiaadoption.blogspot.com/2011/03/im-having-blog-party-and-giveaway.html

And each of you should now that I am so grateful for your friendships! I am thankful that this crazy rollercoaster ride of an adoption has allowed me to "meet" you!

30 by 30

In honor of my non-birthday (I'm a leapyear baby, so neither yesterday nor today was really my birthday, although that didn't keep me from celebrating!) I've decided to make a list of 30 things I want to do by the time I turn 30 in 2014. In no certain order:

1. Run a 5K.

2. Adopt a child.

3. Travel to New York City.

4. Travel to Seattle.

5. Take a vacation to Hawaii.

6. Renew my wedding vows (our 10th anniversary will not be until Dec. 24, 2014, so this might happen a little later than my 30th birthday).

7. Have another biological child.

8. Teach my daughter to recognize her ABC's.

9. Completely organize my craft area.

10. Learn how to perfectly distress a painted piece of furniture.

11. Go on an international mission trip.

12. Pay off both our cars.

13. Become a stay-at-home mom.

14. Make a quilt.

15. Learn how to sew a zipper.

16. Make a slipcover.

17. Relearn Spanish.

18. Grow out my hair.

19. Chop off my hair.

20. Buy my husband an iPad. Completed 4/17/11

21. Wear a size 6.

22. Learn to cook something new.

23. Play in the rain with my kids.

24. Surprise my husband. Just once. Completed 4/22/11

25. Purchase an original piece of art.

26. Throw a dinner party.

27. Start my own business.

28. Redesign an entire room using only antique or flea market purchases.

29. Take a cruise.

30. Read my Bible all the way through (but chronologically).

What would you add to this list? Should I consider making it a 101 in 1001 (days)?

10/5

So, it's been 10 months today since we went on the waitlist the first time. But the exciting news this month is that we are officially back on the waitlist. And with our adjusted waitlist date we have been "officially" waiting 5 months.

I am so relieved to finally be official again. I am really praying that the delay will be resolved soon and that referrals will start coming quickly. Praying for all those families at the top of the list, and those who have been in limbo with court.

I owe it all to you

Happy Valentine's day to my sweet hubby! I love you so much!

(Make sure to check below for details from our family valentine's day celebration!)

Will you be my......

Valentine?

Dinner: heart shaped pancakes with strawberry syrup, heart shaped fruit

Valentine's kisses (I sure love this girl!)

Gifts: Bubble bath, teddy bear, book, and suckers!

After party: Dancing with Samantha

It's Time to Celebrate!

We are back on the waitlist!!! Woohoo!!!

So for a few details:

We have an adjusted waitlist date of 9/17/10. The average for referrals is 10 months. That puts us at getting a referral in July-ish. (*Just to be clear, this is based on current averages, due to some extenuating circumstances, we expect the averages to go up for a little while. But then I am really hopeful they will level back out around 10 months. Either way God is in control!)

A court date and travel will most likely not happen until after the rainy season and courts reopen.

We have slightly changed our preference. We are now anticipating a referral for 1 or 2 children of either gender between the age of 0 to 18 months (including twins).

Thank you so much for your support over the last 5 months (Wow! I really can't believe it's been that long!). Please continue to keep us in your prayers. We would love to have our child(ren) home by the end of the year.

Love you guys!