What's Next?

I've heard this question so many times in the past weeks since our referral of the kiddos, and I have answered it in person, on email, on Facebook...but never on our blog!!! So, it's high time I answer your question of, "So Kristin, what's the next step in bringing those those babies home!?!?!?"

Well...now that I have some of the answers, let me tell you!

The next step is to wait for the phone to ring...again...from our adoption agency telling us that we have a court date set in Ethiopia. Prior to this court date our birth parents must have their own court hearings without us present. It is my understanding that the judges within the Ethiopian courts are asking for additional documents for our case, thus these dates are being held up. Additional documents may be something as simple as a signed document or it may be as complicated to gather as a 'birth certificate', as many children do not even have something comparable to such a document. Thus, the red tape ensues! So, the next steps are for the birth parents to have their court dates and then for our court date to be appointed. If you didn't know or hadn't heard, we are now required to attend these court hearings, thus we will be traveling to Ethiopia for these brief hearings. It is a new requirement of the process, but one that will ensure the safety of many children. NOPE...it ain't cheap! In fact, we just researched flights this past weekend and we're looking at $2,000 per ticket, round trip. OYE VAY! But on this first trip, we may get the opportunity to meet the birth parents in addition we WILL get to spend time with both children at the orphanage. We may also have an opportunity to travel within the country to see where the kids were born. This in itself will be worth the travel!

And then you ask...what's after that? We come home empty handed, broken hearted and filled with sorrow that we had to leave the children in Ethiopia. As many of you remember, we had to leave the girls in Guatemala after a visit trip and this was the worst type of emotional heartbreak a mother can and will experience. Each time I think of the moment we separated from the girls on that rainy night in Guatemala, my stomach knots and a frog appears in my throat. I cannot even begin to imagine leaving my children again in a foreign country, yet it is a requirement of their government...not to be broken by an American Mother on a mission! It is with prayer we will find peace that we will to return to Ethiopia (for another $2,00 per ticket...plus tix for the children on the way home!!!) in 4-8 weeks after that first trip to bring the children home.

We are still looking for any kind of donations! I've got a small pile of items started...but it was and still is my hope to bring at least one large suitcase (50 lbs) full of donations to be given to the orphanages (Neosure Formula, medicine, toiletries, new clothes, new shoes, etc.) as well as some fun items in the goodie bags (candy, toys, etc) to give to the children we see on the streets and roads! Just to bring a smile!!! If you'd like to make a donation OF ANY KIND to kids or adults, please get in touch with me!!!! We will be more than happy to share pictures and all of the joy we possibly can with you!!!!

Looking...

Yep...I'm looking again! I know, I'm looking all of the time. But I can't seem to find what really makes me happy! Looking, you ask? Looking for what, you ask?

I'm looking for the ONE job that makes me feel like I'm doing my life's work! I can't seem to find that! I know that I had it when I taught kiddos who were deaf or hard of hearing in Ionia County. But I left that for a once in a lifetime opportunity at Michigan State. That was soooo cool! But it just didn't last...then ever since that, my professional life has been a...well...er, um, aaah, jeesh, a F^%#$&G Mess!!!!!! (did I just say that!?) Yep, it's not that I hate where I'm working now, it's just that it's not with kiddos, with my kiddos! That's what's wrong right now. Not happy in my work. And to leave my kids everyday, to miss them growing, changing, playing and being the little ladies that they are, I want to LOVE the work that I do...

I always said I'd never want to be a stay-at-home mom because I'd go crazy or because I am in love with my profession...um, not so any more! Deaf education is still a passion but my babies are it for me! That's all I want to do and think about! I LOVE BEING A MOM! Now that we're adding to our family, I seem to be begging Josh to let me be a full-time mom or even a part-time working mom. His answer is always the same...silence, eye roll, and an exasperated "NO!" Why do I always have to be the insurance gatherer for our family? Why does insurance have to mandate how we raise our children? Grrrrrr.... I'd love to start a preschool or do something with kids on my own...and not be under the thumb of others...but damn the insurance! Any suggestions, I'm looking for 'em? If you got 'em, I want to hear 'em because I want to turn over a new leaf and change my life and my children's!!!! Seriously...what am I to do here??? HELP!!! :)

Referral!!!!!!!

REFERRAL DAY!!!!!!

JUNE 8, 2010!!!!! The phone rang at 4:00!!!! "Kristin..." AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!

Yes, Tuesday June 8th, 2010 was our 2n referral day! *sigh*

We'd like to announce the referral of Miheret! She's 3 1/2 years old and currently in the capital city of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia! She's absolutely beautiful! Her skin is completely silken and her eyes tell stories, just as Leah and Logan's did years ago. She is tall for 3 1/2, but we often compare children to Leah and Logan and we know that they are wee!!!! She is very healthy!!! No, we cannot share pictures with you, just as with Leah and Logan's adoption, until our court date. This should be in 6 (or so weeks). At this point, she will be our daughter and we can share her beauty with all of you. If you happen to visit with us, we can share her picture with you!!!

Surprise!!!!! Miheret will be joining the Knight Family with a baby brother!!! Yonas is 9 months old and just as healthy as her!!!! He has big brown eyes like his older sister, Leah...and big kissable lips!!!! Both children are in the same orphanage in Addis! Haha...surprise to all of you!!!!!

The next step is to wait for a court date within the capital city of Addis! This SHOULD be within 6-8 weeks...but this is a new procedure for the adoption process of ET adoptions. So, we'll roll with the punches on that one! That trip should be 6-7 days. Then we come home...prepare some more...and return to ET to bring the children home in an additional 4-8 weeks after that. I'm guessing October for an arrival date?! But that's purely a mother's guess!

Thus, we'd like to announce the addition of "Ella Miheret" and Isaac Yonas"!!!!!! Yes...6...a family of 6!