Update

We received our first official update today!!! When we opened the email, we had 8 glorious pictures staring back at us! What an encouragement on a tough day. (One of them has our baby girl sportin' some yellow sunglasses. Maybe she'll be a dress-up diva like her sister.) She has gained 3 lbs., her head circumference has increased, and she is getting close to walking on her own. That sure is bittersweet....wishing we were there to see those first steps with our own eyes, but we feel so blessed that she is strong, healthy and happy! These pictures and the information gives us a few peeks into her life right now, which helps a mommy who wants to know everything about her little babe. We learned some about her daily schedule, foods she eats and her nap time. They tell us she is an active girl who loves to play with dolls and toys. I can't wait to see her in person!

Little Goody 2 Shoes

I posted about this amazing, young lady a while back, but thought I'd tell you about a contest she is having right now. In honor of her birthday and her new brother, she is having a give away of 12 necklaces! Now, these are no ordinary necklaces.....they're hand made by Sami, very creative and all proceeds are used to buy shoes for kids in Ethiopia. So, who wouldn't want one?! Click on the graphic at the top of this post to check out her website and see her awesome necklaces!!!

Delivering Hope

"Many little people in many small places undertaking many modest actions can transform the world."
-African proverb

This proverb and my post today have been inspired by an amazingly brave and kind group of people stepping out into the world tomorrow and journeying to Ethiopia. Delivering Hope, along with their supportive posse of friends and family, will be getting on a plane this Wednesday to deliver some hope to the children at some of the orphanages, as well as many other places strewn with people in need. I am proud to say I know them and will be watching their every move! Click on the picture to link to their blog and follow them too! You will be in awe of the wonderful things that I have faith that they will do. Let them inspire you to help others...

Our Happenings

To start off, I have an amazing group of students this year! This fall, they created a store, The H.O.P.E. Chest, and sold small toys and candy. They learned about profit, setting prices, advertising, customer service :) and other aspects of running a business. They charted their progress, bought things from the store and really got excited when they continued to sell out of items. Well, we brought it back again this spring, and they made more profit that they donated to two places. First of all, my kids had written letters to 36 children in Ethiopia who receive monthly support from a pastor friend of mine. My students, donated half of the proceeds to school supplies and clothes for these kids. The other half was donated to a non-profit group, Delivering Hope, that was created by a couple of amazing adoptive parents. These moms are getting on a plane on the 25th of May to spread some hope. I can NOT wait to see what they do!

In addition to that, my husband and I attended a Transracial Adoptive Training in Indy last weekend. It was excellent! There were 3, adult adoptees who shared their stories with us, as well as a wonderful, no-nonsense presenter. It focused on real issues. It addressed questions we had already been faced with. It was what we needed to hear to prepare us to be the parents our little one deserves. In addition, we even had some grandparents in attendance with us that day to really band us together as we prepare for our sweet baby's homecoming!

Child of My Heart

One of my friends came across this poem, and it touched my heart. Yesterday, as I was typing my post, there were some many thoughts that I could not find words for. This poem sums up the feelings that I've had all bottled up inside me over the past 14 1/2 months. It is a poem worth reading.

Child of My Heart

Oh, my child, child of my heart.
There is so much to tell you, where shall I start?
I know you're out there, maybe even now.
I know that God will lead you to me, someway somehow.

I may never fell you kick or hear your heart beat for that first time.
But, from the moment that I hold you, there will be no doubt that you are mine.

Maybe even now, your birth mom is considering what to do.
I can only imagine what she is going through.
Maybe she is a child herself, with dreams yet to fulfill.
Maybe she is not ready for a little one, but I know she loves you still.
I know her heart must be breaking, and at night she cannot sleep.
I know if it were possible, its you she'd want to keep.

On the other side, I am waiting here.
I can sense her love for you and also her fear.
I wish that I could tell her of all the sleepless nights,
Of all the tests and procedures and the prayers that this time just maybe it would right.

I could tell her of all the tears, of all the prayers I've had.
Of the times that I felt so lost, of all the times I've been sad.

I can offer a Mom to kiss away the hurt and tuck you in at night.
I can offer a Dad to teach you to play ball and how to fly a kite.
I can offer a home and a family complete with Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, Granny and Grandpa.
They are all waiting for you, and loving from afar.

I will share my love with you each and every day.
I will tell you of the woman who loved you in every single way.

I will make sure that you know just the sacrifice she made.
And if you someday want to meet her,
I will never try to dissuade.

For without this special woman,
I would have never had the chance to love you.
My dream of being a Mom (again), would have never come true.

So, please if you are out there.
Please know I care.
I know what a sacrifice you are making, and I would never judge you, that would be unfair.

I am praying for you even now and please know from the very start.
This child will always be a part of you and a child of my "heart".

cpy. Vicki

Mother's Day

"Smooth seas do not make skillful sailors." -African proverb

I like this saying because it is so true of life, motherhood and adoption. If things were always easy, your faith would never be tested, and how strong would it be? Here are few comments from my pastor this Mother's Day that really hit home.

1) All mothers face very real problems. Trust in God. Leave your concerns at his feet. Find your peace!

2) God is good and generous. Praise him for all you've been given. (which is becoming a very long list :))

I give thanks for my wonderful children today. Even when the waters are rough, they are the apple of my eye. I love you guys!

In Love

It is 2 1/2 weeks post referral, and my happiness sure hasn't dwindled at all :) We received 5 new pictures last week, thanks to the International Adoption Specialist we are working with. Let me tell you without exaggeration, that when I went to open those pictures, my heart almost beat out of my chest, I started shaking and holding back tears. Yah, I know. Just a couple pictures, right? Wrong. Each and every picture sheds a little bit of light on our baby girl, makes us feel a little bit closer to her, and reassures me that she really is out there waiting for us.

Gorgeous. That was our doctor's first word when she reviewed the pictures. I definitely have to agree. Based on the pictures, the doctor was able to judge her muscle tone and gross motor skills, which each received a thumbs up.

I pray every day that she stays strong and is well taken care of. She is a part of our family already, and we can't wait to see her in person!