I'm back!  We had a little "water-balloon-exploding-on-the-computer" incident about a week or so ago which totally slowed down my e-mailing/blogging capabilities.  I could check e-mail and blogs fine, but when I went to type, our "k" wouldn't work, so when I'd say, "well, I've started packing!" it looked like, "well, I've started pacing!"  ha ha  It drove me crazy.  And every time I typed a "t," my cursor would jump back two words and erase everything in between.  Ugh!!!  So, all I gotta say is I love the Mac store and I'm indebted to them for fixing our beloved computer in 2 hrs. as opposed to the 6-7 days they initially told us.  (I think they saw Ross' countenance fall so much they had great compassion on him and said, "Wait, just a sec, I think there's somebody in back who can fix it up today.")  Yeah!  :)

Really no news here yet.  Truth is, I guess I've been doing a little packing AND pacing.  :)  No travel date yet.  We were told on the 14th after we passed court that we'd most likely receive Jonas' birth certificate, embassy appt. in Ethiopia, and travel date in about 2 wks.  Last Thursday was the 2 wk. point but we haven't heard anything yet.  We're thinking we'll be traveling in about 3-4 wks, but of course that could change.  I'll post as soon as I know!

Countdown to Court - 1

1 thing that you just gotta see:

WE MADE IT!  Introducing our SON, Jonas ("Yoni") Tagesse!!!!

Countdown to Court - 3,2

3 things that have helped me not go crazy the past few days:

1.  An amazing, inexplicable, divine peace.  Only God. 

2.  My kids recently found a Bobby McFerrin CD and have been playing and/or singing "Don't Worry, Be Happy" non-stop all week...literally.  

3.  We've been super busy.

Miles' program and last day of school:

Ellie's musical:

Miles' 5th birthday!!!:

And we've been cleaning out the attic (Maggie found my old 4th grade glasses - I HAD to find an excuse to post this hilarious picture.  She looks so much cuter in these than I EVER did!):

    

2 things that ARE threatening to drive me absolutely crazy right now:

1.  Today is THE DAY!

2.  I've got to stop checking my e-mail and get off of this blasted computer!!!  Ok, I'm going shopping.  :)  Hope to be back very soon!

Countdown to Court -4

WE GOT OUR SOCIAL REPORT TODAY!!!!  20+ pages of pictures and info about the sweetest little 3 yr. old on Earth.  Woo-hoo!!!!

So, 4 things I learned about Jonas today:  :)

1.  His nickname is "Yoni."  :)

2.  He loves to build giant towers out of Duplo blocks.

3.  He hates vegetable soup.  :)  (Maggie will be absolutely thrilled to know this since I've been warning her it'll be one of the things he'll probably love and I'll have to make it a lot....she shares his sentiment about veggie soup.)

4.  He loves to give hugs, kisses, and cuddle.  (Oh, music to my ears...I'm coming, baby!) 

Countdown to Court - 7,6,5

7 things that amaze me:

1.  My Savior's love.

2.  My family.

3.  My church family.

4.  My new home (in all of it's 91 yr. old glory - how so much history, beauty & character can exist right alongside some daunting fixer-upper opportunities. )  :)

5.  This entire adoption process which has led to....

6.  Jonas Tagesse....and

7.  How much I've grown in the last couple of years.

6 things I've learned through this adoption process:

1.  It's not about me.  (Embarrassing to admit, but true.)

2.  My life's purpose - to glorify God with everything I am and everything I do.

3.  Waiting is a blessing in disguise - one I wish NOW I would've taken more intentional advantage of instead of pining & whining (oh well, live and learn, right?)  :)

4.  Adoption is JOY personified, but includes many inherent deep losses as well.  This aspect has really been heavy on my heart for my little man the last few months.  Ironic how such conflicting aspects can coexist.  

5.  God's timing is perfect.  

6.  Just because things  are or aren't going smoothly, quickly, or as expected doesn't mean God "is" or "isn't in it."  (This was one huge barrier of false theology I had to work through during that first tough year.)   

5 things we'd love prayer for:

1.  That God would continue to prepare all of our hearts for each other (Ross, me, kids, and Jonas.)

2.  That we'd continue to rest in God's perfect timing - and specifically that Ross' schooling and travel to Ethiopia work out.  He's supposed to be gone from June 8-12.  

3.  Health.

4.  Safety.

5.  Peace.  Anxiety be gone!  :)

Countdown to Court - 8 (oops! 1 day late!)

8 great Amharic phrases I hope to learn (written phonetically and addressed specifically to a boy):

1.  I love you so much!/Beht-AHM ehn-wuh-dih-HAH-loh!  

2.  Don't be afraid./AH-teh-frah.

3.  Are you hungry?/Rah-BEKH?

4.  Do you need to go potty?/Meh-tah-tih-bee-yah BAYT meh-HEHD tih-fuh-lih-GAL-ekh?

(When Miles heard this one, he said, "My head is full of garlic?"  Say the second half of this phrase out loud - it sounds exactly like that...it's like playing Mad Gab!)  :)

5.  Good job!/Tih-ROO sih-RAH!

6.  Are you tired?/Deh-keh-MEKH?

7.  Where does it hurt?/Yeht lie nohw yah-mih-MEKH?

8.  I'm sorry./Yih-kir-TAH

(And then a few one word commands such as:  Wait!/Koy!, Stop!/Koom!, Look!/Ay!)

Countdown to Court - 9

9 things I hope to accomplish before we travel:

1.  Unpack and say "Good-bye!" (good riddance) to the unsightly POD parked in our driveway.  :)

2.  Paint the ENTIRE house...Ok, this one's more wishful thinking...really hoping I'll get a good start this fall.

3.  Finish reading Toddler Adoption:  The Weaver's Craft.

4.  Lose about 5 - 10 lbs. so I don't feel so poured into my favorite jeans...dealing with a little "wait-weight" I think.  :)

5.  Soak up the time with my 4 oldest - I don't want to miss a second 'cause I know life is about to be turned upside-down for them!  (In an awesome way, but change is change!)

6.  Continue listening to my "Simple Amharic" CD and actually nail down a few key words and phrases - and get SO good that Danae doesn't laugh hysterically at my attempts...probably more wishful thinking here too.  :)

7.  Set up Miles' and Jonas' bunk beds and room.  Can't wait for this one!  (Thanks, Tammy!)

8.  Continue to nest like CRAZY!!!

9.  Get organized, shop, and cross every last thing off that daunting packing list!     

Countdown to Court - 10

10 things I wonder:

1.  What will that first moment be like?  

2.  Will he be guarded and distant, or eager and curious?  Or a little bit of both?

3.  Do his big, beautiful, brown eyes light up when he smiles? 

4.  What will he love to play with most - dinosaurs, cars, trains, balls...?

5.  How does a person, let alone a 3 yr. old, process 3 moves and 3 different languages in a mere 5 months?

6.  What will our communication be like?  (He's probably losing his first language, learning Amharic, and now we're going to be throwing English in the mix...)

7.  Will I be able to handle subtle and not-so-subtle racism with wisdom and grace?  (Because the mere thought makes this mama bear wanna explode or, worse yet, overprotect and in the process neglect teaching valuable lessons on how to face it in the future.)

8.  When will this totally surreal experience begin to truly sink in - the fact that I may have a son on the other side of the world in 10 days?

9.  When will he first call me "Mama?"

10.  Will he really be able to deeply, honestly love me as Mama in his little-boy heart?