the first waiting post

I'm sure this will be the first of many posts that have "waiting" in the title.  The last week or 2 has really been the first time so far in the process that we are just waiting on something and don't have anything we can be doing on our own to speed things up.  I have been reminded many times over the last few weeks that this thing isn't going to happen on my timing or by my own doing.  It is very reassuring to know that I can rest in the One who holds all things in His hands and works all things in His timing.  I can't imagine going through this process not knowing who is in control.  I'm so thankful my God is so great!  

Right now we are waiting on our finalized home study, we have passport appointments on Friday, and have to go to the police station on Friday to get our local police clearance letter/certification.  Once we get these things done, we send off for the final pieces we need to submit our dossier... once we submit our dossier, the REAL wait starts.  The 18-24 month (if not longer...hopefully not longer!!) wait starts.  We have lots of books to read in that time and lots to get ready for, I just pray the months fly by!

I'm sure I'll also make a few pot holders & towels over those months.  I was just thinking tonight as I was pinning one together, I think it will be pretty cool to tell our child one day all the preparation, planning, and fundraising that went in to bringing them home.  (Maybe not... I obviously don't have children yet... so you can correct me if I'm wrong. :))  To tell them about all the people that supported us, prayed for us, and loved us through the months of waiting will be a pretty cool thing, I think.  I hope it will help them know just how loved they are by so many.

{Speaking of... posted a few new things to the shop tonight.  Including a couple of gingerbread man pieces!}

We have been shown love in some real ways this month.  In ways that leave me speechless and full of tears.  I am thankful beyond words to each of you that have loved, supported, and prayed for us.  God is so good!

  

life as of late

I figured it was time for an update!  What's been going on with us??  Well... the home study is done!  Now we're just waiting on the finalized copy so we can move forward with some of the next steps.  We're anxiously awaiting this so we can get a move on with finishing up our dossier.  I'm honestly not sure if it's possible with the time it takes to get things, but we're hoping to have our dossier completed by end of November.  I'm trying not to look too hard at adding all the time tables up cause then I'll just stress myself out... just gonna take it one day at a time and do what we can when we can!

I've also been trying to work on towels, pot holders, and burp cloths for the Etsy shop.  There are a few new items, including a fall print and new A&M and UT prints.  Stop by and check them out!!  They make great Christmas gifts, especially for those people that are hard to shop for. :) (www.etsy.com/shop/awaitingethiopia)

[Update: I've had people ask how to donate via PayPal so I posted a link at the bottom of my blog.  TOTALLY not asking for anything, but people have asked that I put an option up. :)]

For those of you who don't know, Chase has been drawing & designing furniture for the last oh, year or so?  Earlier this year he flew out to North Carolina and showed his designs to a furniture company out there and they liked his stuff!  Since then, they agreed to produce one of his chairs and see how it turned out.  The chair was finalized for October's international furniture market and is available for sale!!!  While he was in NC for market he met with them again to show him some more pieces and they liked several more and will be producing some more pieces for April market!!  Just to give you all an idea, Chase is a Marine, ultra runner, guy's guy kind of guy, with no furniture or design background other than his current job.  So it is VERY cool that he's accomplished this!  Although, if you know Chase, you know that he is determined and doesn't let anything get in the way of his dreams.  I'm so proud of him!!

Pictures from boot camp graduation in October 2005, engagement picture just a few days later, and 7 years later his very own chair from frame to completion! 

home study under way!

We are on day 2 of the Home Study!  Tomorrow is the home visit, so I'm doing some final cleaning touches tonight.  So far I think it is going pretty well!  She has asked pretty much the same kinds of questions that were in our extensive questionnaire that we already turned in, so we've at least had time to process the questions already.

My mom and I have been busy keeping up with Etsy orders, I'm so thankful for all the orders that have been coming in!  My mom's dear friend, Luann, was so sweet to feature my blog & Etsy shop on her wonderful blog.  You can go check it out here- while you're there, please browse around and check out her stories of Weegie (her sweet Corgie who is also known to make a blog post from time to time), the Chief (her husband), and you won't want to miss her AMAZING recipes!!!! 


If you enjoy her blog as much as I do, please "Follow" her blog on the right hand side of the page.  She has been given the opportunity to do some reviews for items such as cookbooks and food items, but the blog world thinks she needs to have more official followers before they will consider her "worthy".  And believe me, try just one of her recipes and you will know she is definitely worthy!  Thanks friends!!

thankful

Celebrating one of our first milestones-- submitting the home study application.

We were advised by several people to celebrate the little things through the adoption process, so I plan on trying to do so and document them with at least one picture. :)  It's nice to be able to check something off the list!  I never thought I was much of a list person, but I am loving checking things off of these lists.  The piles of paperwork haven't been consuming us ever since the home study application was turned in.  But that does not mean our work is done... We have quite a bit more to do before submitting our dossier.  I cannot wait until I can say we are DTE (Dossier To Ethiopia), this is when we get put on the official waiting list and get an estimated waiting time!!!  

Since I last checked in...  we've been cleaning and organizing around the house, getting ready for the home study.  My mom and I have been making towels & potholders (and a few burp cloths by request!) like crazy.  Thank you SOOOO much, Mom, for sewing everything!  You're amazing!  I've sold a few orders on Etsy but have sold the most just through friends and family.  Thank you ALL for your support and prayers, it is all appreciated so so much.  You can check out the Etsy shop at http://www.etsy.com/shop/awaitingethiopia.

I have been somewhat overwhelmed with lots of emotions lately, mostly gratitude.  I could never have dreamed how kind, thoughtful, and generous people would be.  Not only from our friends, but from people we barely know.  We have been trusting that God will take care of us through this, in all aspects, and He has been faithful.  And we are so thankful.  Thank you to all of you, I don't think I can say it enough.

Next week is the home study!!  Can anyone give us any pointers?  I haven't baby proofed the house or done anything at all in the means of creating a nursery.  At this point that is all 18-24 months away, surely she is not expecting to see any of that?!?

Thanks for checking in, I'll be back to let you know how the home study went!!