Test Run

Hi, it's Amanda!

Just stopping by to test a posting. I will be posting information for Jill, Brian and Glenda while they are on their VERY exciting trip. Prayers for a safe and wonderful trip!

Here We Go

Tomorrow is the day. We are in the midst of a crazy house. Suitcases
are setting everywhere. Adoption papers are being searched for. I am
tired but I can't sleep.

This has been a great week; my sister-in-law, Erin, and my nephews
Ryland and Cael have been here this week. The boys have had a blast
playing baseball in the rain, sliding down the redneck slip-n-slide
and eating by the bonfire. Tomorrow Erin will trek from Readstown to
Madison with four boys...may God be with her!

Thank you to Erin for watching our boys tomorrow. Thank you to Matt
and Cathy for watching the boys for 10 days! I know that I will miss
the boys more than they will miss me!

SOCIAL REPORT

FINALLY! Today we received our litte "star's" social report. 14 pages of pure bliss. 14 pages to make this momma really really anxious to travel to Ethiopia to see one ADORABLE little girl.

I can't wait to show the pictures after we pass court! She has unbelievable hair- corkscrew curls all over her perfectly round head. Tiny little legs with no fat rolls to be seen. Eyes that twinkle. And a smile that lights up a room.

In two weeks from today we will be able to see her. I can't wait. I can't wait!

Family Pictures

This is a typical Mekebo look...complete with the squinting.

This is Eli, aka our little tree climber.

This picture concluded with them wrestling in the grass.

The boys took the chance to put us in choke holds.

It is June. I can't believe how the time is flying. Summers seem to go so fast. The boys get older and each summer has its own fun. Elijah will be doing baseball. Mekebo will be doing a combination class of football, baseball, golf, etc. And they will both be doing swimming lessons in August. We are going to continue homeschooling during the summer.

These family pictures were taken by my friend, Jody Bendel. She did a great job capturing our family. It always helps when you have a friend taking the pictures because they know the personalities of your children. Eli hams it up. Mekebo wants no part in pictures.

This week we received an update of Kokeb...she is 16.5 pounds now! She seems to be growing well.

We are counting down the days until we travel. YAY! Matt and Cathy are going to watch the boys on this first trip. We are so lucky that they can hang out with them. Noah and Haley have been here this week and we have had a blast. We are blessed to have such wonderful, and silly, family members! Haley even said she would teach Eli while we are gone.

Thanks for everyone's prayers. I know God is listening!

Court Date!

So, it was Tuesday, June 24. I was in the basement doing laundry when I heard Brian screaming from his office, "We got a court date! We got a court date!". Immediately I didn't get it. I had imagined a call from our CHSFS social worker with such important information... Anyway, I ran into Brian's office- jumping the whole way there.

Sure enough, we were granted a court date of June 30, 2011. The boys heard me screaming and immediatly came to see what was going on. I love these instances of PURE joy. How often do we scream and dance and shout because of happiness?

I still think and dream about my darling little girl. She is 9 months old now. What will she be like? Will she cry when we hold her? What one thing can we bring her that will encapsulate our love (we are allowed to bring one thing for her on our first trip)? Nothing will measure up.

So, now I am wishing that I didn't procrastinate about many things. June is going to be SO busy. We have to go to Madison to get our vaccince updates. My two nieces graduate. We are going with Brian to Minneapolis for a short get-away. My niece and nephew are staying in Viroqua for a week. My sister-in-law Erin is coming for a week. I love summer! We are so blessed to have wonderful family and friends.

This week has also had its sad point. One of my dearest friends called with devestating news. What can I do? What will help? I feel helpless. But, I can pray. And I have been praying constantly. Life is hard. God never said it would be easy. He has a plan for everything.

Can't wait to post a picture of our little girl and introduce her! Praying we pass court...

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day! Today I am celebrating the wonderful lives of my mother, Glenda Kanis, and my grandmother, Marie Bosman. Each of them have helped mold me into who I am today. My mom has shown me to be selfless and to be independent. My grandmother has shown me patience and perserverence. What great mothers!

This morning we were able to attend a wonderful church in Monroe, WI. It was a wonderful service and we were able to light a candle for our little lady in Ethiopia. I can't wait to bring our little "star" home.

Mother's Day always holds many emotions for me. I share this day with the birth mothers of "our" children. Mekebo has two mothers. I have had dreams about spending days with his birth mother. My dream would be for Mu to truly feel loved by his birth mother and his adoptive mother.

Every day I think about my children's birth mothers. I used to be scared of the idea of an "open adoption" but now I dream about the possibility of that.

Regarding our current adoption: we are officially submitted to court and are waiting for our court date. I am praying for a miracle!

Happy Mother's Day!

Submitted to Court

Today we received word that our papers are officially submitted to the Ethiopian Court. So, now we wait for our court date (1st travel). Our little darling is 8 months now. She is 14.7 pounds. I can't wait to hold her and kiss her.

This past weekend Eli and I were able to watch my nephew run in his first half-marathon. It was so much fun to cheer him on throughout the course.

We also got to spend time with baby Macy. Eli and Mu love her so much. They try to make her laugh. They hold her. They helped give her a tubby. I can't wait to see them with a sister. They are going to be great brothers!