Monday, June 29, 2009

We're off!

AHHH!!!! I've been thinking about posting all week, but it's been so crazy around here! Life just keeps happening - we've had a great last couple of weeks, friends and family have rallied around us in amazing ways, and God's love and blessing have been pouring down. Thank you, thank you, thank you. You know who you are and when I get a chance in the next few weeks, I can't wait to share how you've all blessed us!


Well, we leave in about 30 hrs. That means I only have 30 hrs. left to wrap things up around here. It's definitely crunch time.

We leave at 9:28 am on Wed. morning 7/01 and return at 5:47 pm on Friday evening 7/10.

I think one or more of our family members will update the blog while we're gone. I know I always love to read the "in-country" updates, so hopefully riceandpeas won't disappoint! :)

And, again, we would love your prayers as we head off - for health, safety, and a million other little things. Especially for our kiddos - the ones here and the one there. My heart aches for all 5 right now - I just can't wait until I can cuddle up with all of them on the couch, smooshing me, while we read a book or watch a movie. It's the simple things, isn't it? :)

So, until then....

:)

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

13 Years

Today I've been thinking a lot about this

and this.
Our 10 yr. anniversay trip to British Columbia....where 3 years ago today I found this
in this.
And in two weeks I get to see more airplanes and mountains with this amazing man

Who loves me for me....the good, the bad, and the ugly (even my weird sense of humor - he just gets me.) :)
Happy 13th, babe. I love you.

Monday, June 15, 2009

Travel Confirmed!!!

We're heading out July 1st to meet up with the July 2nd travel group in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia!


It's been crazy around here...someday soon I hope to post what's really been going on around our house. :) But suffice it to say...as the Swearingen girls so perfectly say it..."Life is good, and God is AWESOME!"

Right now I'm asking for specific prayers for health, safety, and peace for all of us - and a continued reliance upon God and His perfect timing.

Love to all of you!

Friday, June 5, 2009

Tentative Travel Date!!!!

July 2nd!!!!!


We're still waiting on word from the Embassy, and then we'll hopefully be able to change the "tentative" to a "confirmed" travel date!

Tuesday, June 2, 2009

Birth Certificate!

We just got Jonas' birth certificate!  It's so interesting...his legal name in Ethiopia has now been changed to "Yonas Ross (and then our last name)."  In Ethiopia children take their father's name as their last name.  So instead of Yonas Tagesse, he is legally Yonas Ross in Ethiopia!  :)  He looks like such a little man in his picture.  :)  Now we wait for final word from the Embassy concerning the results of his TB test.  After that, we'll hopefully get a travel date!  


Time to kick packing into high gear!!!  Woo-hoo!