If we were to get coffee

Several of my friends have posted blogs about what we (and by we I mean this lovely cyber community of blogger) would do if we went to coffee together.  I thought that sounded like SO much fun seeing as how I wish I could get coffee with everyone I "meet" through this cyber land of the WWW.

So here we go, 

If we were to have coffee together...


I would be SO happy we could find a time that works with our schedules, I feel like life is SO busy, that finding time for just a simple cup of coffee with a friend is so hard, why is that?


We would probably then move to talking about the craziness of life, we would talk about time, work, family, blah blah blah, maybe throw in the weather, because if you live close to me you know we've had a HOT few days together. 


We'd probably comment on why I'm drinking a hot drink on such a hot day, but for some reason I just can't drink iced coffee drinks, call me crazy, but even in 108 degree temps I'll be sipping on a  hot one.


I'd tell you I can't WAIT for fall to come, summer is such a busy time for us. An incredibly fun time filled with lots of hangout time with highschoolers, but a busy time. 


Then, I'd probably talk to you about my problem of looking to the new big thing (i.e., fall) and how I'm working on living in the now, which some days goes awesome, others, eh, not so well.


I'd probably share with you that after watching my husband at VBS this last week, I can't wait to see him as a dad. He's going to be such a good dad.


Then I'd probably rattle on and on to you about our adoption and how excited I am to hold our baby. 


I'd tell you how incredibly blessed we've been in the process, then I might tear up 


Because I think adoption hormones are real and the most random things make me tear up


I'd look at my phone and gasp that I've been talking and talking and haven't heard how you're doing


So, you'd tell me what's going on, we'd laugh about the funny moments, get angry at the bad ones, and maybe cry a bit. 


We'd probably talk about our plans to change the world, then we'd remind ourselves that's Jesus' job and we're just here to help with the plan, so we'd talk and talk about how we can help. 


We'd share big dreams for our little city and our little world. 


We'd say we have to get together again soon, because our time was so refreshing


Then our phones would probably ring because we're on to the next thing in the day


We'd hug, and leave refreshed...


If we were to have coffee together. 

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. 

It's official........87 (unofficially....)

Although we've been in the adoption process for about 7 months now, the "official" wait time doesn't begin until your dossier is sent to Ethiopia.  I realize that many of you probably don't even know what I'm talking about when I say dossier.  Here's a quick adoption lesson for you, dossier (pronounced doss-e-ay) is a huge collection of papers that basically sums up our lives; from work information, home information, family information, financial information, you name it, it's probably in there.  Most of the information has to be notarized, then certified, the it gets sent to the state department in Washington DC for certification, then to the Ethiopian Embassy here in the US for certification and THEN it is sent to Ethiopia.  

May 18, 2012 marks our D.T.E date 

(our dossier to Ethiopia date) 

Now, we are officially waiting for our agency to match us with a child!

 Our agency gives 'unofficial' wait list numbers, and we are number 87!  But our agency doesn't necessarily place a child based on where you are on the list, the placement a child is based on your families  preference and situation and what would be best for the child. So although the number isn't really "officially" how long we could wait, it's fun to see our name on a list that shows we are waiting. 

When I saw what number we were, I thought I'd be a little sad, maybe bummed by how far down on the list we are, but it's totally a God thing that I'm not at all! I'm actually excited that by the time we get matched with our child over 86 children (because others ahead of us are requesting siblings) will be orphans no longer!  

That. Is. Glorious! 

So for now, we wait, "unofficially" at #87

Let's see what God has in store for us during this wait, it's going to be good, I can feel it!

An exciting new venture!

Friends, I am so excited to get to share with you a new venture I've taken on, but before I tell you what it is, I wanted to share with you how I got here...

When we very first started the adoption process...

(by started I mean waaay back almost a year ago by praying, researching countries and agencies, ect)  

I noticed that I was changing, the way I thought, the way I went about my day, it almost seemed as if I was more aware, more aware of what was happening beyond my little life's bubble.  

Once we applied with America World and offically began this wild and crazy ride, I began to notice that I was getting very...well, uncomfortable-which was GOOD! I'm not called to live a "comfortable" life, and my comfort was beginning to get shaky and I would find myslef laying in bed at night and worrying about people and places I've never met and been to.  I would cry to friends knowing that I needed to do more, more for those who can't fight for themselves-and I'm not just talking about the orphan (although that's a huge part of it). I'm talking about the sick, the poor, the dying, the infected, you name it, I was thinking about it, and thinking about a way I could stand up for them and open others eyes to the world as well...

Enter...

Noonday was literally an answer to my prayers, and it was totally a God thing that I was able to partner with them.  I found out about Noonday several months ago, and wanted to get involved so badly, but after some prayer between Justin and I, we decided that with the paper-chase portion of our adoption in full swing, it wouldn't be fair to either (adoption or Noonday) to take on something else that I would want to give 100% to.  Literally the day we finished our dossier (the huge pack of paperwork that goes to Ethiopia) I got an email from Jessica, the founder asking if I was still interested in working with Noonday! Literally that day. It was as if God said, okay, it's time. 

So my friends, I am thrilled to announce my partnership as an Ambassador with Noonday Collection (stephanienunes.noondaycollection.com), a line of distinctive, handmade jewelry and accessories that provide a pathway out of poverty for men and women around the world.
 

Here's how you can get involved with me! You can host a trunk show in your home (or someone elses) and you don't have to do a thing except spread the word and invite you friends over to check out some super cute jewelry and accessories, and hear the stories of the men and women who created them.  By hosting a trunk show YOU are doing a part in opening others eyes to what we can do to help our brothers and sisters around the world, AND by hosting a show you can get some super cute jewelry OR get money to help with your adoption! What a win win. 

So please, 

check out my site and all that Noonday has to offer-not just for you and I, but for others around the world. 

 With Noonday, you can "style your friends, and change the world."

Okay, lets do what we can to change the world friends. 

Want to book a trunk show? Let me know, they're awesome and so much fun!

"...when you satisfy the needs of the oppressed, your night will become like the noonday."

Issiah 58:10

The waiting game in adoption

I love what Sear Frost wrote over on her blog today, it was exactly what I needed to hear so I thought I'd share it. I'm always encouraged by what I read on other adoptive mama blogs, I also LOVE Jen Hatmaker, that woman is amazing.

"This is why Jen Hatmaker is incredible. Love her. Check her out here

On Waiting in Adoption:

"Forget whatever timeline you were given at the beginning. Forget you ever heard that. Put that in the trash can. Adoption will change, shift, slow down, hit snags, be weird, be difficult, take longer than you think, take longer than you can stand. This will happen. When someone gives you a timeline, say

 "Thank you for that cute little sentence. Flush."

Potential adopters, let me tell you this: Get your "YES" straight at the very beginning. Decide on it. Roll around on it. Put it on the table and shellack it. Because you cannot let every delay and snag derail your certainty about adoption. When you say YES, you are saying YES to enter into the suffering of the orphan, and that suffering includes WAITING FOR YOU TO GET TO THEM. I promise you, their suffering is worse than yours. We say YES to the tears, YES to the longing, YES to the maddening process. YES to the money, YES to hope, YES to the screaming frustration of it all, YES to going the distance through every unforeseen discouragement and delay. Do not imagine that something outside of "your perfect plan" means you heard God wrong. There is NO perfect adoption. EVERY adoption has snags. We Americans invented the "show me a sign" or "this is a sign" or "this must mean that God is closing the door" or "God must not be in this because it's hard" but all that is garbage. You know what's hard? Being an orphan. They need us to be champions and heroes for them, fighting like heck to get them home. So we will. We may cry and rage and scream and wail in the process, but get them home we will."

Mothers Day

Mother's Day is quickly approaching

 and our friend Rachel Wurzbach of 

Rachel Wurzbach Photography 

has generously offered to host a fundraiser in honor of our adoption. Book a photo session during the month of May, and sitting fee payment proceeds will go to our adoption fund. Such a sweet and amazing gift. Rachel is an amazing photographer and also has a wonderful heart, so if you're looking for some family photos, check her out! 

Thank you Rachel!!!

Photo courtesy of the wonderful Rachel Wurzbach 

Goodness Gracious!

It's already Thursday and we're over halfway through our week with Give1Save1. 

So far you've helped us raise $794.00! 

That's almost $800, and our week isn't even over yet!

Thank you so much to everyone who's shared our link and story so far

You are forever a part of our little family. 

But wait, there's still a few more days!

Thanks for continuing to share, 

we can't wait to tell our little guy everyone who played a part in his story.