Days Go By....

As we come to a close on 2007, we look back on the year and realize that we have had so many good thing happen this year. Our children are healthy and happy and are really all very "good" kids. We feel so lucky that our family has come together like we have. Our children all love each other and have a great time together. We were able to spend all summer with Aaron and had a great time in Steamboat with all 4 kids. Our holidays were wonderful. Aaron was home from Cornell and Erica and her boyfriend, Dan spent Christmas with us. We had such a great time and the girls really do enjoy having everyone home. It was a lot of cooking and cleaning for me, but it was all worth it. Bailey and Sierra are spending some time in Yuma with their dad and will start school again on the 7th of January. We had a great office party and our office staff this year gave us a great gift. They collected money and sent it to AFAA to help support a child in our name. Everyone is in the spirit of giving the gift that keeps on giving!! This was such a special gift. Thank you all!!
We will end our holiday celebration this weekend with my mom and dad coming for New Years. I hope that my sister and her kids can come also. We will see!!
The biggest disappointment for the year was that we were not able to get the boys home from Ethiopia. We still have not heard anything about a court date and therefore have no idea when we will be traveling. At this point, it could easily be March. We are trying to be patient, but this becomes more frustrating every day! We will keep you posted......

It's All We Have For Now

I want to thank Karen again for some wonderful photos. Since this is all we have for now, we will take it! Some of these were taken over a year ago and some as recent as April 2007. Enjoy the photos!!!
Natinael Practicing his Karate!!Natinael on bike!Kidus!!Pajama Party - Natinael in the back right in white jammies with his arm around his friend TarikuKidus!Kidus getting tickled!!Karate in Pink Jammies!Natinael in Aug 2006Natinael on the left in light blue jacket.

More pictures!!!

Thank you Karen!! The pictures have helped put a bright spot into the last few days again. I am so thankful for any little piece of information or photos that I can get. It makes me realize that these are real little boys. Enjoy the photos!

Natinael with those big dark eyes with his buddy Fikre.

Kidus is in the background of this photo of his friend Efrem. This one is just too cute not to show you again!
Natinael-What a cutie!!
Another spelling of the name-who knows? Isn't he precious?!!Group photo-Natinael in the back in green and Fikre is on the right in pink/purple.Thanks again Karen! These are so precious to all of us!!
Pray for fast court dates!!!

Oh Boy-How about the BIG BOY!

Aaron we are so proud of you!! Aaron had his first indoor meet of the season this last weekend. Please click on the link below and get all the details. It makes Clint and I very anxious for trips east for track meets.
http://www.cornellbigred.com/index.asp?path=mtrack&tab=mens

Way to go Aaron!!


We do not have anything positive to report on the adoption story. We have had a very disappointing day and frustrating as well.
I have called all week to get an idea about the DVD and other goodies that we wanted to have sent to the boys. It has been sitting in Indiana all this time waiting for Cheryl to return from Liberia. After the third phone call this week I was told today that the DVD could NOT be sent to the boys. I was devastated!! I poured my heart and soul into that and just imagined them getting it and looking at it over and over again. AIN'T GONNA HAPPEN!! Apparently there were issues when Cheryl took another DVD into Liberia this last week. Children were teased, cried, etc and I guess it was not a good scene. So...bottom line is it will not be going to the boys. All they will get is the photo albums.
I was such a mess after that conversation that I had to have Clint call to talk to Cheryl. What about court dates? Why are so many other agencies and their families getting court dates and AFAA families are not? Clint learned what a tough character Cheryl is and was able to have a conversation but really did not get any more information. We will just have to wait.......

I am over my shaking and crying but what makes me more angry and sad is that Natinael and Kidus are waiting also. We just want them to come home.........

We must concentrate on the good things....Sierra and Bailey are playing BB all weekend and that will keep us busy. Everyone is healthy and happy at home. Also, Aaron and Erica will be coming home soon for the holidays and we will be together!!!