Thank you Kim for the wonderful message about our beautiful daughter. Kim and her family just returned home from Ethiopia and her baby boy shared a room with Nevaeh. They were able to play with her somewhat and she gave us a wonderful update. Someday soon I hope I can do the same for a family waiting to travel.
Thank you Kate and Stefani. Kate and Stefani have helped me keep my sanity during this crazy and wonderful journey like only others going through it can. It's amazing how close I feel to these women and I haven't even met them in person. Some day soon I hope that will all change.
And thank you to all our family and friends who have given us so much support, listened to me ramble on about things I probably repeated a million times, and for just being there.
Tomorrow is a huge day. Our case will go before the Ethiopian judge and if all goes well the judge will declare Randy and I the legal parents of Little Miss B. I'm not sure when we will hear the outcome, hopefully it will be sooner than later. I want to think that we may hear something tomorrow as by the time we will be getting up and heading to work, it will be the end of the day in Ethiopia. If not tomorrow, I hope Friday. I don't think I can make through the weekend not knowing.
My niece Cassidy.
Cassidy getting ready for the festivities. 
It was really fun opening all the gifts. I can't wait for Little Miss B. to use them all.
One advantage of adopting, you can have a drink at your own baby shower.
An enormous thank you to these ladies, Lori, Sherri, Jody, Aunt Becky, and Stephanie for putting together such a wonderful shower.Next to holding her in my own arms, today we received the next best thing. Little Miss B's social report. It contained a ton of information about her including her latest measurements, temperament, sleeping and eating habits, etc., along with 20 plus photos. She has grown over 2 inches and gained 2 lbs since we received her referral. She is so beautiful, she has the biggest brown eyes and full pouty lips. I cannot wait to bring her home. Our court date is August 13, two weeks from today. I cannot post any pictures until the judge declares us as her legal parents, you will just have to take my word.
Wow, it's been an up down last few weeks that's for sure. We were so happy to finally have received our referral, and even more thrilled to hear that it was pretty certain we would make it through courts before they closed for the rainy season. Then we hit a snafu, a really big snafu. Before we can get a court date, MOWA (Ministry of Women's Affairs) needs to issue a favorable opinion letter to the courts before a judge will even review our case. Last week we found out that MOWA decided to unexpectedly close for a couple of weeks to review some staffing issues. They are not expected to return until July 24. What this means is, we don't have a court date because we don't have a letter from MOWA. And once MOWA returns, then the judges will be going on their two month leave during the rainy season. I was devestated, I couldn't stand the thought of having to wait an extra two months because of the MOWA closure, and then because of the court closure.
Then I started to hear rumors. Rumors that maybe the judges would work through the rainy season. So I contacted our specialist, but she had heard nothing of the sorts. Again, my heart sank. For a few moments I thought there would be a chance.
Not three hours later my phone rang. I see it's our specialist. "Cheryl, it's Jill. I have some great news. You have a court date of August 13." As I was sitting at my desk and trying to listen to what Jill has to say, my feet are stomping, my arms are waving. Once again I am overjoyed and cannot believe it. One step closer. I guess the judges decided to stay on for a couple of extra weeks and there are several families from my agency that will also go before the judge on this day. Again, this is a tentative court date and things may change but it's step in the right direction. I am keeping my fingers and toes crossed that we all pass. After we pass, we wait for a Birth Certificate and then travel. Travel should be about 6-8 weeks after court. Hang on Little Miss B. We are getting closer!
Dear Little Miss B,
Today you turn 6 months old. Although we are not yet together physically, know that we are together emotionally and spiritually. We are always thinking of you from the moment we wake up until the moment we go to sleep. We are amazed at how much we love you; how much we need you, even though we have not yet even met.
Wow, what an overwhelming few weeks. I am still shocked and overjoyed by this news, I still cannot believe we received our referral for this beautiful, amazing, baby girl. I have to admit, I am struggling at work, it's been hard to focus on anything else but her. The support we have had from family, friends, and coworkers has been amazing.
The most common questions we have been receiving is what's next? When do you get to travel? Before we can get on that jet plane, a few things have to happen. First, our case needs to go before an Ethiopian judge. We are now waiting for our case to be scheduled in their court system. We are hoping and praying that we get scheduled prior to August 1. You see, as of August 1, the Ethiopian courts are closed for two months during the rainy season. If we don't get scheduled before then, it will be October before the courts re-open and just that much farther out our travel will be. We have been told by our agency that they are quite hopeful that we will make it. Once the judge declares us as her legal parents, then we wait for a birth certificate. Once that arrives, then we can schedule travel. If we make it before the court closure, I am hopeful we will travel in September.
People are also asking us about her circumstances that led her to be placed into the orphanage. This is something we are not going to share with anyone as this is her life, her story to tell if she so desires once she is old enough to understand.
For the sake of this blog, I will call her Little Miss B as I don't want to reveal her name until we pass court. As much as I want to show you all how beautiful she is, I also cannot post any pictures until then. You will just have to be patient and trust me when I say she is the most beautiful, precious, baby with a perfect pout and big brown eyes.
