Court Date #1 Complete!

It seems like the last two weeks have sped by on one hand, but on the other it was as if they moved like a river of molasses.  Even after the completion of one adoption, the wait is still a struggle.  And truth be told I feel guilty writing that since we haven't experienced being "stuck" in the process like so many others we know.

As the day fades away on June 5, we are happy to report that our guardianship court date ensued as planned earlier today.  A member of the Bethany Ethiopia team attended court to affirm with the judge that it is in M's best interest to be placed for adoption and to be matched with us.  The other piece necessary for our adoptive parent court date (and trip to Ethiopia) to be scheduled is a letter from the Ministry of Women's, Youth's and Children's Affairs (MOWYCA) confirming their approval of us being fit to adopt M.  This letter is expected to arrive to the judge within 1-2 weeks.  We are praying for the shorter end of that timeframe!  From there, the estimate that our adoptive parent court date could be scheduled 1-3 weeks from whenever the approval letter is received.  We will likely have 1-2 weeks' notice to travel and will spend 4 days in Ethiopia.

As I also did with Nicolas, I am beginning to get antsy to want to get things in order.  With the pace our case has moved at so far, I worry that we will be rushing to get everything together before she arrives home.  I was at Target the other day and I just couldn't resist!!  $1.50 for a onesie?  YES PLEASE!! :)  I have also purchased the fabric for my very first major sewing project - curtains for her room.  Please pray for me.  Yes, it is nothing more than straight lines, but they DO need to be straight! :P

I should also mention that we did receive some amazing pictures and a precious video from our friends who just arrived home from their first meeting with their daughter AND we received an update from Bethany with an OODLE of pictures and another video.  YAYYYY!!!!!!  It's the pictures and video that hold us over in the wait.  We were very excited to see some pictures of her on her tummy holding her head up like a big girl!  We also found out that she loves mobiles.  I think I need to add another project to my list :)  She has gained a little weight (literally - a little...5 ounces) and our friends report that she looks GREAT! :)  Let me just take a moment to say GOD ROCKS!!!

I hope to be back at the computer very soon drafting the ALL CAPS update announcing our first trip to Ethiopia.  We cannot wait to meet our little girl!!!