Muwah! I love You All!!!

Oh big hugs and kisses to you all!!!

Thank you so much for the lists!

I can't even tell you how much I appreciate it - like ((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((this)))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))) much!

Now, I am going to compile them all and start my shopping.

My mom is coming to town for a visit next week and I am going to put her and Yvan's momma to work helping me shop!!! Hee!

Also, ordered a toddler bed that converts to a double bed and a dresser for Ade's room.

This is a huge step people! It was so hard to press the "confirm your order" button because I am used to living in a state of paranoia but I did it!!!

P.S. Shelley - I loved all your emails and your excel spread sheet -AMAZING!

Seriously, I love you all so much!!!

Calling All List Makers!!!!!

I need your help!

Actually, I need your lists!!!

Pretty please? With sugar on top?

I have been having a bit of a panic attack this week because I HAVE NOTHING READY!!!

What have I been doing the last, oh 12 months!!!!????

O.k. I know what I have been doing.....waiting...to be sure this was all going to work out.

While nothing is 100% yet until we get that visa, I need to get our bags packed for Ethiopia.

I need lists of what to bring.

My brain is running amok people - AMOK!!!

I have no idea how to pack for a toddler.

I know he needs clothes.

My friend Cheryl suggested lots of toys because he will be busy.

What else do I need?

I know some of you lovely BTDT's have some great lists so could you share your knowledge and experience with me?

Maybe just post 5 or 6 items you absolutely could not have done without.

Do you think you could do that for little old me?

I will send you hugs and kisses if you do :)

Finally on to the Immigration Stage!!

The last stage of what seems to be our never ending adoption.

Immigration!!!!!!!!

I know it seems silly to be celebratory but we had a wee celebration tonight and maybe a tear or two were shed.

It, as many of you know, has been an extremely long haul.

The year anniversary of our referral is next week - who would have thought we would only be at the immigration stage just now...not me that is for sure.

We are still being very cautious - immigration processing used to take 3 weeks, now it can be anywhere from 6 weeks to 16 weeks!!!

But still, we are celebrating in our small way.

I really need to get the room done, clothes purchased, the home child-proofed!

If you build it, he will come!!!!

Say it with me!

IF YOU BUILD IT! HE WILL COME!!

P.S. I might have a had a cocktail or two tonight to celebrate so please excuse any grammatical errors on my part :0

Lovin' the Double Rainbow

O.k. you HAVE to watch this all the way to the end.

I love, that he is LOVIN' the double Rainbow.

Thank you for the enthusiasm dude - it made me giggle!

The Cake That Made Me Cry

Our staff has a get together every year in the summer for a BBQ and pool party - this year the rain managed to stay away long enough for a bite to eat and a dip in the pool.

We were surprised with a celebratory cake for passing court by one of the gals who works with us.

She is very talented when it comes to cake making

and this cake.....

Made. Me. Cry.

Notice the soccer ball for South Africa ('cause of World Cup), Mount Kilimanjaro, the pyramids, and a little desert.

The best part is the little heart for Ethiopia - that just got me!! And so did the little Ethiopian flag and the cute baby giraffe!!!

I pretty much had the ugly cry in front of everyone.

Kristie, the oh-so talented, cake lady showing her cake! Thank you so much Kristie - you are an amazing friend!

I have been pretty quiet on the adoption front lately. It has been hard to blog about my wait knowing there are good friends of mine going through the hardest time right now. I think of these lovely ladies every day - Steph, Lyndsey, Colleen, Alex, Jen, Bonnie and Kelly (and anyone else who might be caught in Oromia) - know there are so many of us sending love and hugs to you!

It has been almost 7 weeks since we passed court. I did really good the first 4 weeks - there were smiles all around.

Now. the anxiousness is creeping back in.

Last week I was a festival of water works again.

Enough.

We are ready.

Ade needs to come home.

Our docs should be headed to Nairobi next week if all goes well....and then the final step begins.

Immigration.

It used to take 3 weeks to get a visa and now the new norm is anywhere from 6 to 16 weeks.

I'm not going to set myself up for failure by hanging on to the 6 weeks but I'm also hoping with every fibre of my being it won't be the 16 weeks.

As for Ade's room - well..that is a work in progress. I;m having a hard time with it.

I started cleaning it out - moved the office downstairs and just need to get the big furniture out.

Shopping still needs to be done and I really want to get out and do it but I am still so scared something will go wrong. So I am waiting a bit before I really get into it but I promise to post pictures when it is all done.

It has been a long haul and we both feel like our hearts still need protecting. Logically we know he is coming home but when is the bigger question.

Honestly, until he is in our arms, we won't be able to rest easy.

Oh Sure He Looks Cute....

...but don't let that fool ya.

He eats pooh!

Cat pooh!!

Gets right inside the kitty litter box and chows down like it's...

... foie gras

or filet mignon...

or frickin' peanut butter and jelly sandwiches!!

So. Gross.

(I kinda knew he did it but today I caught him red-handed or should I brown-pawed!!!!)

The Best Thing About Summer Is....

...breakfast outside!

I am Canadian

Happy Canada Day Eh!