Another small delay.. but we knew it was coming

Well, our court date came and went yesterday without a Court decree.. but we knew that it might be possible. You see the Court in Ethiopia is moving through court dates so quickly that sometimes Federal MOWA is having a harder time keeping up with the demand for file review and recommendations. We knew that they might lag a few days behind... thus the lack of stress regarding this specific issue.

Oh how I am wishing there were more hours in the day. I am still not packed, I am still actually working through my packing list. In my mind, extended stay is so much more intense than a week stay. So I guess that is making a little crazy. I am thankful to have such an amazing group of adoptive Momma's to glean wisdom from about my extended stay. I have learned the following:

I can get medications for things like Scabied, Lice and Giardia in Ethiopia with little problems. I have learned that I need to pack more than one pillow case... hmmm... can anyone say lice? EEEWWWW!

I am working through this list and I have to say, staying in country and working through things like lice and scabies and ringworm sound better than passing them to the other 8 people in our home. THAT SOUNDS LIKE A NIGHTMARE!!!

Remember this..?

Well, I am getting back on a jet plane and headed to Ethiopia to go take custody of our little ones! I am very excited and nervous. I am leaving October 29! While I am gone, for a length of time I do not know yet, I will be leaving my amazing husband and our littles here. I know he has lots of support, but man I am nervous about all the added stress for him while I am gone.

I have been cooking lots of meals and am planning a cooking day with my mom to freeze a bunch of pre-cooked or crock pot meals for them in the hopes that having dinners done will help.

We have been so blessed by the people who have helped financially for my extended stay.... It was overwhelming to say the least. We have calculated the total to be about $65 a day for me to be there with the kids... If you wanted to help still, you can click on the "ChipIn" link on the right =)

Please be praying for our family, while we are thousands of miles apart yet again, to be strong.. to lean on God and the people God has placed near us. Please be praying for G and G, I know the transition will be exciting and scary for them. 

A date... a date..

Today we received word that our Court Decree will be ready October 22, 2012, and then G & G will legally be HUFF's!

We are beyond happy and still a little in shock that this is finally happening after waiting so long. Please be praying for us while we make travel arrangements. Also if you could be listing up G & G as their little worlds are about to change, that God would cover them in peace and that they would be blessed by our time together in Ethiopia.

Happy Birthday Baby Girl

For 11 months we have waited for one single piece of paper, one paper that said something we already knew... that our G & G needed a Momma and Daddy to love, care for, and protect them. 

Thursday, October 4, was my baby girl's 2nd birthday. I was at my parents getting ready for my soon to be sister-in-law's bridal shower when at about 10:30am Catherine from BCSI called me. I know her number by heart, I know it because every week she called to tell me this WAS NOT the week we had been waiting for and that maybe next week was the week. 

It was late in the day Ethiopia time, and I figured she was delaying the inevitable by calling so late in the morning. My disappointed tears we already brimming my eyes when I answered the phone. Something was different in her voice.. she was almost chipper... "Hello Brandi, this is Catherine..." something was going on.. my hands started to shake.. "I wanted to be able to tell you that we received word that your letter has been signed and Ash has approved your case." Commence sobbing... As I sat around the table with my sister, brother-in-law, and parents... I received one of the most amazing phone calls EVER! We got the letter we have waited and prayed for... we got it!

This moment was tinged with sadness, my sweet sister-friends who have been struggling through this journey with us, waiting and hoping for a letter of their own, did not receive a letter Thursday and our hearts are heavy for them. I never imagined moving through without them. I never imagined being the one to plan my flight, without my girls. My heart is heavy and I am praying for a miracle and standing with them to fight! 

But she is SOOOO busy :/

We have been waiting for the signatures we need from the head of SMOWA for over three weeks now. Each time our social worker has an appointment to receive the documents with the needed signatures the person who needs to sign them is not available.

Two weeks: She was sick... and just could not come to work...
Last week: So busy from being sick she did not have time to review
This week... She was in a meeting and could not be bothered...

So we wait and pray... every Tuesday and Thursday it is like a roller coaster of thoughts and emotions.

Moment of honesty here:
If one more person tells me "All in God's perfect timing" I am going to freak out! I know God's over arching plan is for Him to be glorified. Glorified in the waiting, glorified in the heart break, glorified in the reunion of our family. HOWEVER, I know that God does sit there and smile down on this woman as she forces our children to stay in an orphanage. I know that the reason they are still there is not because God hasn't planned for them to come home yet or we are not ready, but because of human's and their selfish desires to be powerful. Sin is the reason our children are not home yet, selfishness and the need for power are the reason our children are not home yet... Not God.