Since you asked...

Summer has officially began.  The graduation parties started this last weekend and will commence into next weekend, we've been to 4 so far, this next weekend we'll hit 4 more. Yes, 'tis the season, the graduation season. Graduation is always such a surreal time for me, I barely remember my high school graduation, but then again, I don't even really feel that old either. Time flies. 

Speaking of time, this coming Friday marks 3 weeks on the wait list for our little one!  We've had a few questions in the last few weeks, the big one being..so what's next?! Well, we'll try to get those questions answered.

So where are you at now?

We are officially on the wait list.  The wait list is just what it sounds like, a list of families waiting for little ones.  

How long will you wait?

In all reality, only God knows. Our agency gives projected wait times, and currently that's about 18 months, I've been encouraged over the last few months to hear of families getting referrals a little sooner. We aren't just "the next ones on the list" our agency works very hard to match each child to the family that will be best for them (the child). Once we get matched it's called a referral. 

What's a referral?

Well, a referral is our match :) It's that special call we're waiting for from our family coordinator. We'll get whatever medical and family history that's known, and see some pictures! This day will be a special day.

What happens after a referral?

Then we go to Ethiopia for our first trip, this trip will be our court trip and the first time we meet our baby.  We'll stand before a judge who will (hopefully) pass us the first time.  We'll get to spend time with our baby, see some sights and get to know his country better. 

Then can we all meet him?

Not quite yet. We'll return to Fairfield and wait for embassy, which we pray isn't too long, then we return to Ethiopia get our boy, finish all necessary things in country and then the THREE of us head home. 

Is he born yet?

Because of the current wait tome for our agency, he's probably not born yet.  Unlike domestic adoption here in the US, we are not matched with a birth mother, we are matched with an orphaned child.  We may or may not know much about our child's mother and father, or any extended family he may have. Our agency will do their best to get any information they may have, but there's just a lot we may never know. 

Do you have any names picked out?

yes and no. It depends if you ask me, or Justin. We will keep his Ethiopian name as his middle name to help to preserve his heritage, but we have some ideas for his first name :)

So how can we help?

Pray, seriously this is SUCH a big part. Please pray not only for us, but for our child's mother, father, family, whoever he may come in contact with.  Pray for his safety and for the safety of his mother. She is going to do a very selfless thing, and she may or may not even know it yet, please pray for her heart and for her to feel loved and protected.

We have felt such a huge amount of support from our family and friends, YOU are such a huge part in our babies story, we can't wait for him to meet you.