My Final Post

OK, not final final, just for tonight. Earlier today we went to a breakfast with Santa, so I had to include a pic with Santa. It was so perfect. We were in this lodge and it started to snow pretty good, it felt like we were in a snow globe. I love this time of year, so beautiful. Anyway, that's that.

Having fun in the snow when we got home.

New Room

OK, with the arrival of, oh my gosh, I almost just spelled out his name. That's a big no, no. Anyway, for clarity purposes let's just call our new son LB (little brother) until we're allowed to share his name with those of you who don't already know. Anywho, we needed to add another bed to Elijah's room before we get LB. So on our way back from Tennessee last week we stopped at IKEA and picked up a loft bed. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Ikea!! I am so glad they finally are coming to this part of the country. That was one of the sad things to leave behind in California. Anyway, I digress... So we stopped at IKEA and found this awesome loft bed in the As-Is department. Elijah has been dying for a pirate ship room, so we picked up a few things and started on that yesterday. In a split moment decision, I painted the bottom 1/3 of his walls brown for the pirate ship...but I think it is going to end up being half pirate half castle because of some of the accessories we picked up at Ikea. Anywho, he was super excited and seeing 2 beds in there definitely makes us want to go pick our boy up from Ethiopia even more!

The View as you enter

The Loft and Elijah's toddler bed

Awesome "Torches"

The view from LB's bed

Light Up Lex

This might sound silly, but one of the fun things I enjoy about living in Lexington, OH has to be Light Up Lex which we experienced again on Monday night. If anyone has ever been to Disneyland or even Cedar Point or Kings Island...this is sure to pale in comparison, but nonetheless, I really love it, Pretty much everyone who lives in our small village, who want to brave the elements, go to the town "square" and enjoys hot chocolate and donuts while they countdown for Santa to come to town. It reminds me of "The Christmas Story" when they are at the parade...much smaller scale of course...probably why I love it so much. Anyway, this year it was really, really cold. The wind was blowing hard and snow was starting to fall and winter was just in the air. Here are some pics from the night.

Elijah waited with anticipation for Santa to arrive on the big, red fire engine.

The Big man finally arrived!
A great pic of my husband whom I love and appreciate more than words can say.Yes, Christmas cheer is even on his face.

Christmastime is Here!

Melkam Yelidet Beaal! (Merry Christmas in Amharic)

So, I haven't posted in a while, so I know I'm going to post a lot tonight, well post pictures anyway, not promising on words, I'm tired! Anyway, this week started with setting our tree up Sunday night and putting the rest of the decorations up on Monday. I told Scott after spending almost 8 Christmases together, this is our first respectable Christmas tree (thanks to Target clearance last year!!!!) Here are a few more pictures...

Emma's loving it too!

Bittersweet Excitement

Salem!!

OK, so this past Thursday we got some very exciting news...our court date is set for January 2nd. Although we cannot be MORE excited about going to Ethiopia to join our son, it seems very likely that if everything goes smoothly on our court day, we will be traveling to get him at the same time that my cousin Leilani will be getting married in California. Scott is actually the minister who is supposed to marry them. So hence the bittersweetness of it all. Of course, nothing is more important than our son joining our family, but I must say my heart was breaking a bit today when I had to break the news to Leilani. So, chica, please know we love you so much and could not be more excited for you and Chris...but I know God's plans are good and perfect. Your wedding is going to be the best day ever and even if we are on the other side of the world, we will be celebrating with you! We love you!!

Ok....I have lots of pics to upload here....Halloween stuff mainly and our first real snow....enjoy!!

yes, my husband IS weiring a skirt...oops I mean Kilt.

The Knight or Prince Charming, depends on who you ask!

Cousin Micah as none other than Captain Underpants

The beautiful Ariela as Snow White

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Elijah's first day of riding the bus to preschool in the SNOW!!

It doesn't get much better than throwing a snow ball at mom through the window!

Not many of these moments left...

So, Sunday after church, we were really exhausted. After we finally got home we had about 45 minutes of rest time before having to go back for Trunk-or-Treat. Elijah and I laid down and I tried to get a power nap. I felt myself slipping away almost immediately. Elijah, although tired, was not so cooperative. As I laid there, I felt him touching my face, so I could tell I was not going to get any sleep, but I kept my eyes closed anyway. He proceed to pat my cheek and then slipped his hand under my face. I then peeked and saw his eyes were closed and he was just snuggled right there next to me with the cutest smile on his face. I closed my eyes again and then he started whispering..."I love you Mommy" "You are the bestest Mommy ever". It was such a sweet, touching moment. Our minds have been racing all week about our new son and how excited we are about that and everything we need to get done before going to pick him up. At this moment though, on Sunday afternoon, my mind relaxed and it was so nice to just enjoy Elijah. It was awesome to just spend those few moments snuggled with him and thanking God for the years we have had with just Elijah and yet so thankful for the changes to come. Its hard to put into words, but lets just say I cherished that fleeting moment.

~Ciao

4 Months, 3 Weeks, 1 Day

Our sweet day has finally come! We are no longer just a "waiting family" but a waiting family with a referral! God is so good! Although we cannot give too many details, I will say we have a referral for a beautiful 21 month old boy, and can't be more thrilled. So lets start at the beginning...if you've talked with me already today, you'll probably skip this over because you've already heard it...but I have to write my memories of this day somewhere, right?

Ok, so our day started off pretty much like most Tuesdays. Got up, got Elijah on the bus, went to the Y with Scott, came home and ate breakfast....and here is where I see God at work. Again, I won't get into details, but lets just say I spent a lot of time with God after breakfast and cried and just gave our adoption up to Him...again. Don't you love how we trust Him with things, and then so easily get back in the same 'ol ruts of worrying. I am so thankful He has so much patience with me!!
Anyway, I felt at peace after that and went about the morning. Had a nice chat with my mother-in-law, made lunch, and then about 1:20pm...as I got Elijah settled in my room, while I was getting ready for a piano lesson I was about to give...the phone rings. I noticed on the caller ID that it was from CHI and I started shaking. I tried to answer the phone as calmly as possible and Erin told me who she was and said she had a question for me. So at this point, I'm thinking, "Oh no, something is wrong". Then she proceeded to ask if there was a number where she could reach Scott so she could talk to both of us together. Then I started shaking a ton! (OK I'm crying again...wow my eyes are sore!!!) Anyway, he got on the line as well, and I remember her telling us she had a referral for us and at that point I completely lost it. I heard Scott sniffling on the other end as well. (which totally reminded me of when Elijah was born. I had an emergency c-section and was on lots of medication so was not all there...but I remember Scott holding my hand and sniffling...crazy) OK, so I'm a little ADD right now, sorry. OK, so the rest of the phone call was a blur, she mentioned that she was sending us an e-mail of the info, and that's about all I remember. Right after hanging up with her, my piano student pulled into the driveway, so I went outside (a complete wreck, mind you) and told her we had to reschedule, just got a referral...
So I rushed inside and went to tell Elijah that Africa finally called us. He kind of looked at me dumbfounded as I told him he was going to have a little brother (ok, crying again). He said "YES!" and then proceeded to watch his cartoon. At this point Scott came home and we opened the e-mail together and cried as we saw him for the first time, It was awesome!

After calling lots of family, we had a celebratory dinner with Barbie, Tj & family. After that some great friends brought us our first new "baby" gift. The picture above is of the flowers, balloon and the big brother and little brother bears they got Elijah and his new brother. Thanks you guys!!!

Anyway, we are so excited right now, and so thankful God has not forgotten us or this child, and that someday soon He will hopefully unite us as a family! Thanks so much for all the prayers you've offered up on our behalf and for the ones still to come!!

~Ciao!