Distration Gardening!

Yup that's right! Just 2 days until court so I needed to keep myself busy somehow! This is the view out of Hermela's room. It may not look like much, but the before shot would NOT be pretty! I decided to clean up the side of the house and add some flowers so I could actually open the blind without cringing!
I am hoping to pass court on Wednesday with my fellow Hopesters... Nikko, Chris, and Theresa. We are all anxiously awaiting! The court process is a bit unpredictable and many people do not get through the first try. There can be a variety of issues like missing paperwork, new requirements, or given the current status of Ethiopia,,,no electricity! So we are all hoping and praying for the best. With any luck we will be successful and my next post will include a picture of Hermela!!!

To my Non-Blogger Family & Friends

For those of you that are not in the Blogging world and would like to leave comments on my Blog....it's quite easy. Just click on the small "comments" underneath the post. On the next page, right hand side toward the bottom you will see; sign up here. Just click on that, enter your e-mail address and create a Blogger Google account! Then just type in your comment and it will be published! It is a great way to stay connected,,, look forward to hearing from you:-)))

A good day!

As the evening comes to a end....just 6 more days until court! I can hardly believe that I am starting to think about travel plans and packing!!??!! Lots of excitement right now with several people from my agency currently in Ethiopia getting their children. I am especially excited for my fellow "old timers" Kim B. and Karen!!! Their daughters are absolutely darling and I can't wait to hear all about them:-)) Also in Ethiopia is my friend Grace and her daughters Miranda and Addis. Their new addition to the family is the Amazing Anteneh!! Grace was also kind enough to send updates to several of us still waiting to pick up our children. Here is what she had to say about my little girl.......... "Hermela- oh lisa, shes perfect, so sweet and happy, was just smiling the whole time and playing with a tamburine." Gotta love that!

Thanks Grace:-))))))))))))))

Adoption Celebration!

YaY,,, two of my dearest friends are going to hostess a shower for me!!! I just had to see if I could find Ethiopian adoption specific invitations...with the click of a mouse I was able to find the cutest invites at http://www.mandysmoon.com/ I am looking forward to a wonderful day to honor little Hermela and her highly anticipated arrival to Huntington Beach:-))

Baby Stuff...

Who knew there could be so many things needed for such a small little girl!!! This weekend I had a crash course in Jumperoos, pack-n-plays, bottles, car seats, strollers, and ,,,,,,!!! Thanks to all the folks who helped school me this weekend! This happened to be my favorite find of the weekend (thanks Grace!) I never thought I could like a high chair so much!!! Hopefully little Hermy will be sitting in it making a mess,,, very SOON!

17 Days Until COURT!

OK~ It's the countdown to court! In the meantime I have received some great pictures from traveling families! Thanks to all of the Hope folks for capturing little Hermela....the pics are very much appreciated!!!

YOU KNOW YOU ARE AN ADOPTIVE PARENT WHEN:

1.The fact that there are 143 million children without a parent to kiss them goodnight has made you lose sleep.
2. You realize DNA has nothing to do with love and family.
3. You can't watch Adoption Stories on TLC without sobbing.
4. The fact that, if 7% of the population adopted 1 child there would be no orphans in the world, is convincing to you.
5. You spend free time surfing blogs about families who have experienced the blessing of adoption.
6. It drives you crazy when people ask you about your adopted child's "real" parents.
7. You had no idea how you would afford to adopt but stepped out in faith anyway, knowing where God calls you He will provide.
8. You have never taken an airplane ride half-way around the world with a child you just met.
9. You believe God's heart is for adoption.
10. You realize that welcoming a child into your heart and family is one of the most important legacies you could ever leave on this earth.
11. You know what the word "Dossier" means, and you can actually pronounce it!
12. You have welcomed a social worker into the most private parts of your life.
13. You shudder when people say your child is so lucky that you adopted them, knowing full well you are the blessed one to have him or her in your life.
-Author Unknown (Thanks Mendy!)

COULD IT BE????

A COURT DATE!!!!!!

JULY 2nd!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Precious Moments

This is my precious angel baby, Nevaeh Rose. In my first post I mentioned that Hermela was my third referral, Nevaeh Rose was my first. I accepted her referral on October 3, 2007 and had the opportunity to visit her in Ethiopia on October 8th during an unrelated visit to Africa. At about 12 noon, Nevaeh's caretaker arrived in the lobby of Hilton with a little pink bundle and placed her in my arms. I was able to spend a few precious hours with her.

One in ten children in Ethiopia die before their first birthday. One in six children die before their fifth birthday. For many these are just some more statistics, for those of us forever connected to Ethiopia with our children and experiences, these statistics hit home and are heartbreaking. Unfortunately, Nevaeh fell into these devastating statistics on November 6th. I am so happy I had the opportunity to meet her, she was the sweetest baby and already loved. She made a huge impact on so many people in her short time on this earth. She may have left us in body, but her spirit I will forever carry with me in my heart.

It has been a heartbreaking journey for sure, as my second referral named Edom also passed away in December. It is difficult to understand it all, however, I have no regrets with my decision to adopt and am a better person to have had these two babies in my life. It has taken some time, and my adoption process will never be the same, however, I can say that I am so happy when I look at Hermela's pictures. I look forward to bringing her home and one day telling her about her sisters Nevaeh and Edom.

They will never be forgotten.

Hermela's first outfits!

For the first time since November, I actually feel like there is hope that I might complete this adoption process yet! I couldn't resist these cute outfits for adorable little Hermela! too cute!

Grace,,, let me know when I can remove the tags and wash them!!! lol