Look what I can do…

So my latest obsession has been researching and reading about caring for B-girl’s hair (well W-boy too but it’s less complicated).

I’ve gotten a couple books - Wavy, Curly, Kinkyy was one and the other was Kinki Kreations. I definitely got more out of the latter. It seemed a little more straight forward in the instructions of caring for the hair - what to do when and how often. Plus it had lots of great hairstyles.

Last time I was at Jen’s house she had done some cute box braids on Rienne’s hair and we were talking about practicing. She was sad that she’d gotten rid of her styling heads from her hairstylist days. It made me think of my daughter’s Barbie Island Princess Styling Head at home. I knew the hair consistency is different but I wondered if it would work.

So tonight while Natalie and I were listening to an audio book at bedtime I sat Rosella in front of me and went to town. (Let me say that the way they create those scalps is a little creepy.) Cornrows have been what intimated me the most so that’s what I tried. The first one was kind of fat and half way down I started braiding over instead of under so I took it out up to that point and redid it. The second one went much better. I think the skinnier they are the easier it is.

Granted Rosella couldn’t complain if I was pulling too hard so I can’t testify to her experience but I was pretty pleased.

I bought some cute snaps and things from Snapaholics and then have been buying different ballies and beads and such at Walmart - little bit at a time.

I’m dying to try all these cute hairstyles on B-girl. Especially the two-strand twists. That looks pretty easy. I also scored a satin pillowcase at the big clean out of my husband’s grandparents house.

Some Amazing Stories

My friends Kim and Brooke just got home from Ethiopia and have written some amazing entries on their blogs. Kim was there to pick up her beautiful 4 year old Netsanet. Brooke was her saving grace and travel companion.

Go read, it will touch your heart.

Kim’s Blog

Brooke’s Blog

No New News

I am suspended in time. Waiting for an e-mail, a phone call, anything.

As far as we know we were filed for court last Monday or Tuesday. It has been taking about 7-10 days to find out what your court date is.

Supposedly the Ethiopian courts will “stop” on July 8th (Tuesday). I don’t know if that means stop accepting filings or stop handing out court dates. They will still hear cases until August 8th (again, this is kind of heresay).

I am trying not to get anxious but I admit that I am nervous. Add to that the fact that last week of 4 families with court dates only one passed court. The other two were delayed until July 18th for some reason. If we get a court date toward the end of the month and don’t pass the first time, we could very well get stuck in the court closure.

Of course we are not the only family feeling this pressure. It is very evident among the adoptive families. One family is adopting two older girls who have been in the orphanage for over a year - longer than any other kids there. They are desperate to get them home soon, as they should be.

I find some peace of mind knowing that if we do not make it through before courts W-boy and B-girl will not be spending the extra time at an orphanage. It will, in fact, mean extra time with their grandmother.

There have been 2 major delays in our adoption process. First the approximately 3 weeks we lost when AWOP wanted us to switch to Children’s House International. Then we lost about another 3 weeks recently when our papers were not getting from the AWOP representative in ET to the Hope lawyers in ET.

That’s 6 weeks. It could definitely mean the difference between making court and not. I know that the first 3 week delay was one that was a result of obedience to what I felt God telling me. Thought I can’t explain the second one, I realize that it too may be God’s hand in delaying our process.

Don’t get me wrong. I am not giving up. I’m hoping he was just using those to teach me patience or something. We serve an almighty God who can accomplish the impossible. I rest in the knowledge that he sees the big picture and he controls this whole process.

Welcome Home Netsanet!

Tonight I got the great privilege of going to the airport with Jen to welcome home Kim and beautiful Netsanet. She had a tortuous trip home (not because of Nettie but because she was flying standby all the way from Ethiopia). Her bags are still in Germany but she and Nettie are here safe and sound!

Tag, You’re It

So, it’s now been 19 days since we heard from AWOP that our kids paperwork was ready. And in those 19 days it has failed to make it from one person in Ethiopia to another person in Ethiopia.

Meanwhile the clock is ticking and we are getting closer and closer to court closure.

So I turned into a squeaky wheel…the one that wants some grease. I called, they called, they called me back, I called, etc. etc.

I finally confirmed at about 11:30 today that my papers are still in the hands of the ET national that AWOP works with and he has had trouble getting them to the Hope staff. We (me and Grace @ Hope) suspect that he was trying to deliver them to someone who no longer works for Hope.

The good news is that Grace (um, not sure of her official title but she is the go-to gal at Hope) is traveling to Ethiopia on Monday to pick up her son. I was able to get a phone number for the man who holds my paperwork and have given it to Grace so that she can track him down next week, get the papers and HOPEFULLY get our case filed.

Please pray that this all gets squared away next week!

Adoption is a Roller Coaster

Anyone who has been or is involved in the adoption process knows what an emotional roller coaster it can be - so many highs and lows.

Well we have friends who are strapped in and going through the ride of their life right now. They were supposed to take custody of their newborn son on Saturday but there are delays with the birth mom and they are on what probably seems like a never-ending ride. You can go to their blog and read all the details but I’m sure the Grays would appreciate any extra prayers on their behalf and on behalf of the dear birth mom.

My heart aches for everything they are going through but we rest in knowing that God is sovereign and that he is all powerful. Please pray for the Grays.

UPDATE: Praise the Lord. The birthmother has signed the papers and baby Gray is coming home.

More Pictures Soon

Since Michelle has gotten back from Ethiopia we have been anxiously awaiting new pictures of the kids. My case manager emailed me and said he hopes to have them today. So now I’m really stalking my e-mail I wish so desperately that I could share them here with all my readers but I can’t until court date. Maybe I can give you a glimpse of something like I did last time.

One Step Closer

One more hurdle is down. I heard from our AWOP case manager today that our kids legal papers are all done. This means that once our dossier is finished in translation (which I’m hoping it is - you usually don’t hear but it’s been 3 weeks) then Hope can file for a court date for us.

Tonight my wonderful friend Stacey is throwing me an Adoption Shower which is bound to be amazing. I hear Jen’s got a surprise up her sleeve and I’m very curious. Also my friend Michelle is doing the cake and they are always amazing creations (like this and this that she did for my kids birthdays). Can’t wait!

Congrats Bruyns Family!

I am so excited to announce that our friends the Bruyns are the official parents of little Netsanet Grace. They had quite a time getting through court due to power outages in Ethiopia. Nettie is beautiful and will make a wonderful addition to their family along with Mason, Abigail and Judah.

I just THOUGHT we were done with the paperwork

Found out this morning that apparently Ethiopia has changed their requirements for the Power of Attorney that is part of our dossier and gives Hope’s lawyers legal right to act on our behalf in court. When they first announced the change a few weeks ago, we thought we’d be grandfathered in but apparently not. So it is one new piece of paper that has to go all the way through the process - notary, state authentication, Washington authentication, Ethopian Embassy and then sent to Ethiopia. Another $150 in costs at least.

The good news is that nothing is held up because of this. As long as it is there by our court date we are good.