How we told our parents

I'm crafty.  I love to make pretty things.  Even if it means someone will open it up and then throw it away a few short hours later.  It's all in the presentation.  When we thought it would take 2 weeks to get approved, I figured we could tell our parents on Valentine's Day and so I started making these super cute little boxes.  I found stickers that said, "Expecting...a baby from Ethiopia."  They have a picture of a folded, red construction paper heart so it gave me the idea to fill the boxes with folded, red construction paper hearts.  We wrote them a note on cards who were handmade by some other people who are trying to fund their adoption from Ethiopia. 

We went ahead and told them today at lunch.  I gave the moms the boxes and told them it was their early Valentine's gift.  I plan on sending my dad's tomorrow or Tuesday. 

Here are a few pictures...

Approved!

I got word today that our application was approved already!  We didn't have to wait two weeks...only one business day.  How blessed are we?  It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood, for sure.

God's Thoughts on the Matter

I haven't totally addressed our reasons for adopting yet but don't worry.  I will.  They are thoughts that are still in the works and I'll get there soon.  What God says, though, speaks louder than anything I could ever say...
I have been reading everything possible lately about Ethiopian adoption.  Finding websites, books, and a ton of amazing blogs.  There are so many wonderful Christian families who are great resources!  They are truly an inspiration to me because sometimes when I feel discouraged about the process that we have only just begun, I see something like this that fills me back up and gives me the motivation to keep going.

There are an estimated 147 million orphans in the world.  Adopting one child will not change the world; but for that child, the world will change.

Do not be afraid, for I am with you, I will bring your children from the east and gather you from the west.  Isaiah 43:5

Jesus said, "I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you."  John 14:18

A father to the fatherless,
A defender of widows,
Is God in his holy dwelling.
God sets the lonely in families.
Psalm 68:5-6a

Step One is Complete!!

We sent in the application on Wednesday!!  It feels SO good!  We should be informed when it arrives at Children's Hope International.  It could take up to 2 weeks to find out if we are approved.  But of course, I have no reason to think we may be rejected.  Regardless, I can't wait to find out if we are an official adoptive family! 
I made sure we took a picture before we dropped it off at the post office.  Thank goodness for extended hours, though.  Like I have said before, I had some difficulty getting the correct medical information about myself and it needed to be notarized.  After a week of waiting and having it done incorrectly, I decided to print a clean letter, have the doctor sign it and just have my mom do it because she's a notary.  I made her promise to not ask questions because there was no way I was going to explain the reason for needing the notarizing of the letter.  She can't figure out what it's about and I love it!  :)  She'll find out soon.

On another note...My friend, Lindsey, and I helped out a wonderful ministry called Holy Sews last Sunday.  I taught myself to knit this time last year and I have been impressed with what all I have been able to do.  You never know when a skill like that will come in handy.  Our friends were attending a marriage seminar with us at our church and Lindsey asked me if I would like to come help out with something she was doing that afternoon.  She said there was a lady who was getting ready supplies/materials to sew layette for premature babies who have passed away.  This lady she was talking about, Regina, lost a baby through stillbirth and did not have access to appropriate layette or burial clothing so she realized the need that others may encounter also.  I LOVE to create anyting possible so this was right up my alley!  I was excited to go and see what this was all about and happy to help.  We asked what we could do and they asked if I knew how to knit.  I said, 'Of course,' and they gave me yarn and needles and let me loose!  It's amazing how God finds ways to use talents, isn't it?  Lindsey matched layette, sorted and packed it up for several orderd they had.  She is a NICU nurse at ACH and has recently introduced me to Jodie, a mom of babies she took care of back in August.  One of Jodie's babies, Eli, passed away and she is getting involved in this ministry also.  Please take a minute to check out the ministry and if you have another minute, check out Jodie's beautiful family.  I hugely admire this super sweet mama!
http://mcginleybabyjourney.blogspot.com/2010/01/my-holy-sews-work-day.html

That 'Pregnant Glow'

I went to the doctor yesterday...no, not pregnant!  I also didn't go because I'm sick but because the agency needs documentation that I don't have anything contageous and can physically/mentally take care of a child....ha!  I've been a little nervous about how our adoption will be perceived by everyone and since we haven't told anyone yet, I'm not used to talking about it to anyone but Justin.  Yesterday, as I was explaining my reason for the appointment to the nurse, she was so interested and kept asking questions.  It made me feel so good.  Then, when the doctor came in, we talked some more about it.  He signed off on everything and we discussed future wellness documentation about vaccinations and such that I'll probably have to have when traveling to Africa.  He was wonderful and said that if he needed to personally take this letter to the bank to get it notarized, then that's what he'd do, since there isn't a notary at his office anymore.  I'm sure I had this rediculous grin on my face because I was smiling so big it hurt...you know the kind.  I couldn't help it, though.  He told me that he was happy for us and that he could see my excitement.  He said I had that 'Pregnant Glow'!!!  Really?  Me?  Pregnant Glow?  How exciting!!  All I could say was a quiet, "Thank you," with that silly grin still on my face.  And then he said, "Congratulations."  I'm not sure if I was ready for this yet.  I guess it was one more step towards making this journey REAL.  Until this point, it has seemed a little surreal.  I was congratulated for my child?  MY child?  I'm so excited, I have no words!!   :)

Godspeed

I love music.  This is nothing new.  Music speaks on so many different levels and I love songs that have some type of emotional power to them.  Today I found this song and I was surprised I'd never heard it before.  It's written to a little boy and although we have no idea whether our next child will be a girl or boy, I think it's beautiful and fits our situation.  Even more than that, the image in my head as I listen to this song is my beautiful Cooper.  ::quiet tears::



Dixie Chicks--Godspeed

Dragon tales and the "water is wide"
Pirate's sail and lost boys fly
Fish bite moonbeams every night
And I love you


Godspeed, little man
Sweet dreams, little man
Oh my love will fly to you each night on angels wings
Godspeed
Sweet dreams


The rocket racer's all tuckered out
Superman's in pajamas on the couch
Goodnight moon, we'll find the mouse
And I love you


Godspeed, little man
Sweet dreams, little man
Oh my love will fly to you each night on angels wings
Godspeed
Sweet dreams


God bless mommy and match box cars
God bless dad and thanks for the stars
God hears "amen" wherever we are
And I love you

Godspeed, little man
Sweet dreams, little man
Oh my love will fly to you each night on angels wings


Godspeed
Godspeed
Godspeed
Sweet dreams