I found my HEART!

So I've been trying to right this post for days.  I sit down to write it and then get sidetracked looking at this little boy's picture.  So I shall try again.  Good Friday was an amazing day.  At 4:14pm I got the CALL.  My phone rang and it was my placement agency,  I had spoken with them earlier that day asking some random questions, so I KNEW, I just knew that it was the call.  I walked outside to be alone.  My worker said they have an appropriate referral.  OH MY GOD!!!! That was my response while literally jumping up and down!  It was happening.  I wasn't expecting it for months, months I tell you.  G-man is 3 years old.  He is very malnourished, as most children in Ethiopia are (especially those who have been placed for adoption).  But the worker says he seems to be healthy otherwise.  The call lasted for 1 minute 49 seconds.  The call that will change my life 1 minute 49 seconds.  I was at my brother's house.  I came back in the house, and there must have been this look on my face, because my sister-in-law asked what was wrong.  I screamed ( I believe, although honestly its kinda blur) I got a REFERRAL.  My sister was visiting, she came out and gave me a big hug, and says call your mother.  Mind blank. My mind was blank.  People say you get pregnancy brain, I am a full believer now in Referral brain.  That is what I had, referral brain.  So I get on a computer and pull up his picture.  Its about an inch and half big.  And he is beautiful.  Absolutely beautiful and in that moment I'm gone. 

So G-man is sitting on my computer looking at me with these big brown eyes.  He's amazing.  And tiny! 

I wish you could all see him and see how beautiful he is, but I am not allowed until he is legally mine. 

So now I've found my heart and he's waiting for me in Ethiopia!

Fancy Fingerprints!

So Friday I got my fingerprints done for immigration.  For those of you who are unfamiliar with the international adoption process, I have to have permission from the USA to bring an orphan into the states.  Thus more paperwork.  So I have completed the paperwork, been fingerprinted and now am waiting on the letter that states I'm allowed to bring my future child home.  That's all for now.

So Much has Happened!

So I realize it's been way to long since I've added a new post.  So much has happened in the last 2 weeks in my adoption world.

1) I have opened the age I am willing to accept from 0-2 years to 0-4 years.  This brings about a grand slew of feelings.  I'm excited about the possibilities of what this opens for me.  It means that the process should be quicker.  I'm not sure by how much, but quicker than I thought at first.  This could mean fewer diapers in my life, no formula.  Walking and talking when I meet my child.  It also means that they are old enough to realize in more tangible ways what is going on.  They will have memories of Ethiopia and I will need to make sure that those memories remain for the rest of their lives.  They will also have known their name for years.  So while my plan was to keep their Ethiopian name for their middle name, I since have thought that more than likely I will keep their Ethiopian name and give them a family name for  a middle name.  (when I say them, that would really mean him/her I just get tired of typing that).  There are a whole slew of other things going through my brain in regards to the age change but they are harder to put into words.

2) If you're involved in the Ethiopian world of adoption you already know about the two trips.  One at court and then one a couple of months later to bring home my child.  Which is more money and meeting then saying good-bye.  I know that it will be hard on me to meet my son or daughter,  spend time with them and then have to leave them half way across the world.  But my social worker brain thinks what will this do to them.  Will they begin to trust even at the smallest level that I'm going to be there and then I leave them for 2 months with very little communication.  Will they believe that I am coming back for them.  Will it honestly even matter to them in the world that they live in? These are just a few thoughts running through my brain regarding this 2 trip thing. 

And Third on a happy note, my dossier is turned into my agency and approved.  As of Friday, I am officially on the waiting list.  So begins the wait for that phone call and email. 

An Update about the fundraiser

Hey crew,

Just wanted to give a few more details...

The women's fitted t-shirts are "very fitted".  So if you haven't already purchased one go for a size up, if you have put your shirt on and pull it around your knee to stretch it out.  :)

Also you have to buy one of the 4 t-shirts in the "store" in order for me to receive a commission.

Thanks to all who have already bought a t-shirt and for those who will, thanks in advance!

FUNDRAISER IS HERE!!!!

In an earlier blog I spoke about a prospective fundraiser...

Its here (well has been for a little while, I just haven't blogged it yet). 

http://www.adoptionbug.com/cmd.php?af=1124899

Its a tshirt store.  The "My Heart is in Ethiopia" tshirt is an original design by Daniel Mitchell.  He's the best.  Let me know if you have any questions. 

I LOVE MY SOCIAL WORKER!!!!

Home visit 2 done.  Home study rough draft written and already emailed to me to check.  Sweet. Only one small change.  Awesome.  Now to the supervisor then to the placement agency to check.  Then back to me.  I then have to get it state certified.  So hopefully by the end of the month I will have all my dossier paperwork turned in and onto the waiting list for a referral I will be placed.  Every day new things hit me.  I'm gonna be a mom.  I'm gonna loose lots of sleep.  (Honestly, not something i'm looking forward too, but who really ever is, right?) I'm gonna take him/her to the park.  My nephew and soon to be number 2 are going to have a cousin.  That excites me.  I think I'm beginning to ramble a bit so for now I shall go!

Home Visit One Done

My house is cleaner than it has ever been, and quite possibly will ever be again. BIG THANKS to my sister for making that happen.  My social worker and 2 interns came on Monday night and completed the first visit.  It was an educational visit regarding international adoption.  I knew the majority of the information, but its always nice to go over it again.  My social worker adopted her daughter 8 years ago so she has personal information and stories which are always nice and helpful.  She comes again this monday for my final home visit.  Once that is done and the home study is completed and turned in, along with my dossier (hopefully by the end of February) then on the referral waiting list I shall go.  I'm so ready to get my name on that list and get this waiting period started.  So once again its hurry up and wait.