Moving Fast!

April was a GREAT month for Ethiopian waiting families at our agency!! There was "15" referrals!!  We are so happy for the many families that we consider our "new friends".  So now your wondering where that puts us on the list?? Drum Roll...

It is so exciting to see things moving quickly!  Those who may be confused that the math does not add up, that 15 referrals should place us lower than 24.  As I mentioned in my last post, the list is generated by families, so when 15 children were referred some families have been referred 2 children per their requests.  Hope that makes sense to you all.

I was so excited to get this update out, but I wanted to wait to get confirmation from our agency.  The list is not listed by family names.  It is listed by gender and age of requests, so when so many referrals happen I can get confused to where we are, LOL.  I am usually right on, but just always want to confirm that I am right.

Our agency also noted in our monthly email that there are 15 more referrals close to being ready!!  All I can say is WOW...How amazing!  As excited as we are to see this happening, we have to keep a level head in this process.  The adoption process is so unpredictable sometimes.  Although we all would love to see the referrals keep coming, it could slow down for a couple months at some point.  You just never know :-)

Ethiopia courts have a "Court Closure" that begins near mid-August for about 6-8 weeks.  This is due to the rainy season that causes power outages and in country travel to be difficult for birth moms court dates.  If we are blessed to get a referral as soon as June/July we could get caught in court closure.  So realistically we are still looking at closer to end of year.  But again...you never know. 

It is not a secret that us adopting families get some interesting comments and questions.  I would love to use this blog to educate people about adoption.  I have so many ideas for blog posts. Such as tips for family and friends when our baby comes home and to answer most common questions.  Please feel free to ask what ever you would like. I will always try my best to answer.  So many people are curious and/or think they know what they are talking about when they have never researched anything (that is always a favorite).  We just ask...before you judge or have an opinion, just ask ;-)

I would like to end today's post with expressing how grateful we are for so many people in our lives.  Our bowling fundraiser was fabulous and we have had many donations come in.  Words truly can not express what this means to us.  We really could not do this without you all!!  The cost of adoption is so overwhelming and donations and fundraising is a huge part of it!!  We hope people know that you are a huge part in our baby girls life already.  We Love You All!!

HUGS