Ethiopia -- here I come

What a difference a week can make. I really thought the best part of last week was finding out about our fingerprint appointments. I was so wrong. Kari of mycrazyadoption.com had different plans for me. On November 2nd she uploaded a video.. http://mycrazyadoption.org/winners-of-the-missions-trip-giveaway that changed everything. I was picked to go on a mission trip in February. Back story -- I had seen on another blog Kari was fundraising by selling adoption shirts to send someone on a mission shirt. It sounded like a good cause, we need shirts about adoption so I bought two, one for me and one for Dan. So imagine my surprise when my name was picked first and when it makes my winter break. I am needless to say overwhelmed but in a good way. I am so looking forward to this trip and all that I am going to learn from it.

Wednesday = fingerprints and then everyone keep your fingers crossed we get the 171H very quickly!! Last step of the dossier!

On a fun note I found the cutest Christmas outfit for Grace. Yes I am thinking a year ahead!

Wow

Wow I won a mission trip to Ethiopia in Febuary!!!

We have appointments

I went home this weekend to see my family. The bonus of the trip was I got to see Laura and her daughter Mekey as well. Mekey came home to her forever family in June and is just the most amazing little woman. Dan and I got to meet Laura and Mekey in July and we instantly feel in love. Laura has been so helpful with all of our questions. Thank you Laura!

Marissa made my day and swapped TOMS with me because out of all of us that ordered only hers actually said Ethiopia. Thank you Emmie.

Best of all -- when I got back to Syracuse waiting in the mail was our fingerprinting appointments for November 10th and they are in Syracuse!

Great weekend!

I - 600A

Big Day -- I came from work today and in the mail was the HOME STUDY. Anyone who happened to see me get the mail got a good laugh because I did a happy dance at the mail box. I immediately got back in the car and went to the post office. One step closer!!

Our Dossier checklist -- everything is checked except the power of attorney and the I -171H!

My last happy dance was over these awesome shoes. www.toms.com is making these limited addition shoes to build new wells in Ethiopia. Marissa was the first to order a pair of these awesome shoes. Dan and I have ordered ours too. I will have pictures with us in the shoes when they come in!

Happy Anniversary

Today is our fourth Wedding anniversary!

Time flies when you are having fun (or tracking down paperwork for the dossier).

I am very excited about how far we are. We have most of the requirements ready to go. We are almost ready to send out the I - 600A. Our home study is being approved by Dove as we speak. We have read it and it is amazing -- Thank you Kate! A very big step -- when this returns (hopefully 30 days) we can send our Dossier to Ethiopia!

I found a quote recently ( it was in my fortune cookie) "To achieve a great goal, one must begin with a small achievement." It has been my motto in putting the dossier together.

On special days like today, I find myself smiling and thinking.... This will be the last anniversary it is just the two of us :)