IT'S A ......

Well, we got THE CALL this morning. Big Brother and I had gone to the library early this morning to hang out and have fun (he was really looking to get out and just enjoying the new found freedom we have with no more daycare). We read books, Baby Sister played with the toys and took an entire box worth of books out. I signed both kids up for story times at the library before we left. It was just after eleven and we had to go grocery shopping. That's okay though the kids had slept late and had a pretty late breakfast.

So, we pull into Wegman's at about 11:15am and my phone rings. It is the coordinator that we work with at the agency, My heart skips a beat, but since she had already called me once after telling us we were un-officially number one on the list I figured it was not time for a referral. I answer the phone, a little worried about what she is going to say, and she says, "I have good news this time. I am just about to email you pictures of your baby." We are out of the car at this point and I have just finished changing Baby Sister's diaper. Big Brother is very impatiently awaiting going into the store when I tell him to get back in the car because we are leaving. We are going home I say. I tell our coordinator not to tell me if it is a boy or a girl that I want Hubby to be there when we find out. And as I say this I decide to go to Hubby's work so we can all be together.

I hang up with my coordinator and tell Big Brother why we are going to interrupt Daddy at work. He is so excited (although a little bit let down that we do not have an exact travel date yet). When we pull into Hubby's work I have Big Brother call Hubby and tell him "we are outside. We need to see you in your office. Where should we meet you?" Hubby walks out the side door and takes us to his office. We open the email and IT"S A GIRL!!!! She is two months old and we have already faxed back our initial acceptance letter.

Now, last week I learned that some of you out there reading are with our agency so you know what all this means but for my readers who don't. Now our match will be sent to the in-country staff who will do some more paper work and submit our case to the court. Our coordinator said it can be as soon as four weeks and as late as.... well, anytime. The courts in Ethiopia close down for two months from August to October because that is rainy season there. So, we are really hoping to get a court date before then. Will you say a prayer for us? Thanks! After we get through court we will be given a date with the US Embassy where we will receive her Visa to enter the US and we will head to Ethiopia to be there just a few days before that Embassy appointment. We are hoping (although in this process you should never get too attached to dates) to head over there at about the end of August, just before school starts. We will see though. And for those not in the adoption world - no I will not be posting any pictures - not until she is home. Sorry folks!!

So, we have tackled the big wait. We have been assigned a baby and we are now onto tackling the wait for travel. That one is a bit harder but truthfully I never though we would get here. I never thought we would actually get a referral so I think for now I am okay with the wait. Ask me again next week though. :)

And now for the big change. Baby Sister will no longer be Baby Sister... from here on out she will be Big Sister and Baby will now be Little Sister (not Baby Sister as I think that would be confusing). So, we now have Big Brother, Big Sister and Little Sister. Are you excited for us? We are thrilled!!!!

Okay, mommy moments pals I am cheating. This is not on topic at all - which you know if you read this far but I am so excited I had to share my news. I hope you will all forgive me and I promise to be on topic next time.