My best friend

I met my husband Pete in 2005 through mutual friends, and I was immediately smitten. It wasn't long until we were spending most of our free time together, I fell in love.  He is fun, charming, handsome, and hilarious.  No one can make me laugh quite like he can.  The one thing during our dating relationship that I struggled with is now one of the things that I love most about him.  Pete is spontaneous where it matters, but will not make a resolute decision on big decisions until he is 100% certain its right.  So it was with getting married.  I was ready way before Pete was, and looking back I'm so glad we waited until he was certain.  I know that because of that our marriage is stronger, and I never have to doubt that Pete was ready.  Likewise with this decision to adopt.  While we came to this decision at the same pace, It was Pete that really solidified what was in my heart.  I, being more emotional than Pete, was going back on forth on domestic and international adoption, what agencies, etc.  One night while looking at lists of waiting children, Pete said "I think its Africa, let's do Africa."  That was all I needed.  If he was certain, then I could rest peacefully knowing it was the right choice.  We slowly began looking at different countries and eventually settled on Ethiopia. 
Once in a while I have a bad day and I wonder how we are going to do this, and how we are going to make it through, it seems in those moments Pete always come through for me.  Hugging me, telling me he has no doubts and no regrets.  He is my rock. He is my best friend.

Blessings

I know in my last post I talked about how calm I felt about the whole financial situation. Let's just say that soon wore off!  Later that night I was growing more and more anxious thinking about how in the world we were going to do it.  We went to my parent's house that night to get our contracts notarized and my parents gave a us a nice big chunk of what we need for this initial payment.  They are just amazing.  Other donations started so roll in (thanks in large part to my amazing friend annie, who quickly got the word out about our need), and my anxiety soon gave way to a swelling in my heart.  So many amazing people in our lives that show their love without batting an eye.  I don't know how we got so lucky.  We may not ever be able to pay this kindness back, but I promise to give back to this world, more than it has given me.  We still have a long way to go to meet our goal, but we are getting there, and in the depths of my heart I know we will achieve it.
I also hope I'm half the parent my parents have been to me.  They really are the kindest most generous people I have ever met. 

So absurd it's funny, I think...

We are still very excited about being accepted into the Ethiopia program.  Going through all the paperwork with Pete and seeing his expression when we talk about our child melts my heart every single time.  Today we had our "conference call" to review the contract paperwork.  I guess I didn't realize how fast this would all start to happen, because it turns out we need about six thousand more dollars than we currently have saved in order to get a 2,000 dollar Father's day discount... by next week.  HAH!  When we realized this last night we just sort of looked at each other and laughed, because at least in our world, its not like we have $6,000 tucked away in a coffee container in the freezer or something.  I'm surprisingly calm about the whole thing.  Not because I'm confident Pete will get a $5,000 tip tomorrow, though that would be AMAZING, but I guess its so absurd, it is far beyond my control.
The entire adoption is going to cost us about $30,000.  Which we have always known, but I think for some reason I imagined we would have months and months to fund raise, nope! It is apparently half within the first six months and half the second six months (that is if it all happens within a year, very unlikely).  So here we go, we are off and running, appealing to the people in our life to help us.  Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine that our "Yes" was going to require the yes of so many others too.  It's humbling.
I believe that it will happen, I believe that God will provide because he is the one that lead us down this path.  He funds what he favors.
My next step is applying for every single grant we meet the criteria for.  Pray for us.

Approved!!!!

After what seemed to be an almost hilarious amount of obstacles we finally had everything we needed. Faxed in the final letter (yesterday) just under the wire for the meetings today. We are approved for the Ethiopia program at our agency! When I got home from work I had a terrible headache (probably stress) and sat on the couch staring at my phone. Our contact person called and I almost dropped my phone! We should be under contract by the end of the month, that is if it goes smoother than the initial application, hah. I'm already humbled by the kindness of people in our lives. This is the first step on a long journey of paperwork, fundraising, home study, waiting, paperwork,fundraising, traveling to our child (!), fundraising, court, embassy, paperwork, then finally home!!!! Now we prepare ourselves, our hearts, and our home for our baby! If I'm this excited about our approval phone call I can't imagine how I'll feel when we open that e-mail with the child we are matched with. And then to hold them in my arms. Needless to say I'm very excited. Let the work begin to bring home our baby!  

Adoption Creed  

Not flesh of my flesh 

nor bone of my bone, 

but still miraculously my own. 

Never forget 

for a single minute, 

you didn't grow under my heart, 

but in it.