Friday, July 2, 2010
Loving Gladney Babies
One of the greatest joys since receiving our referral has been getting pictures and updates on Judah from other Gladney families. Also, seeing a picture of us in his crib (that was lovingly delivered by a Gladney family, along with other goodies) was awesome! We would like to do the same for someone else :-) If you would like for us to take pictures and/or deliver something special to your child, please email me a picture of your little one at nix.jandv@gmail.com. Also, please include your name/blog and email address, as well as your child's name and the # of their foster care home. If you will be mailing something to me, please remember that we are leaving soon, so I'd like everything by July 15th, so we can ensure packing space. Can't wait to love on these babies! Ok, back to the to-do list...we leave in 16 days!!!!
Friday, June 25, 2010
We're Going to Africa!
Flights and accommodations are booked! We leave Raleigh-Durham airport on Sunday, July 18th, and arrive in Ethiopia Monday evening, July 19th! We will more than likely meet Judah for the first time on the morning of Tuesday, July 20th, and he will be with us the entire week we are there. Our new family of 3 will be returning to Raleigh-Durham airport on Tuesday, July 27th!
We literally have 1 million things on our "to-do" list at this point, but I surprisingly have an overwhelming feeling of peace...and confidence that we will be as ready as we'll ever be by the time we board the plane! I am slightly nervous about how we will ALL do on the 16 hour flight from Washington, DC, straight to Ethiopia, so please be in prayer that Jeff and I can sleep at least most of the way there and that Judah can sleep most of the way back!
Also, our care package made it to Ethiopia and look who is now in Judah's crib :-)
We literally have 1 million things on our "to-do" list at this point, but I surprisingly have an overwhelming feeling of peace...and confidence that we will be as ready as we'll ever be by the time we board the plane! I am slightly nervous about how we will ALL do on the 16 hour flight from Washington, DC, straight to Ethiopia, so please be in prayer that Jeff and I can sleep at least most of the way there and that Judah can sleep most of the way back!
Also, our care package made it to Ethiopia and look who is now in Judah's crib :-)
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Monday, June 21, 2010
Third Time's A Charm?
The judge was not in court today. Don't really know why, but hoping he/she shows up soon. Gladney sounded positive about tomorrow, and thinks a ruling could be made within the next 24 hours. Trying our best to remain positive ourselves...
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Court, round 2
Gladney called today to tell us that our court date has been rescheduled for this MONDAY, JUNE 21st! So grateful that there wasn't a major delay! Thanks to everyone for the well wishes and prayers...keep them coming!
p.s. An extra bit of good news also came our way this morning...a new picture and stats! He is as beautiful as ever and growing like a big boy :-)
p.s. An extra bit of good news also came our way this morning...a new picture and stats! He is as beautiful as ever and growing like a big boy :-)
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Bummed Out
We did not "pass court" today. Our adoption agency called us yesterday afternoon to tell us that the government agency in Ethiopia who reviews our case and submits an opinion to the judge has suddenly decided to not work yesterday, today, and tomorrow due to a holiday. There is a chance they could review our case when they return to work on Thursday, but there is also a chance that they will be too back-logged and we will have to request another court date which could take several more weeks. We'll know more by the end of this week.
Needless to say, we are pretty bummed out around here. We are trying to remain hopeful, but yesterday was a reminder of how fragile and unpredictable this process can be. Seeing our sweet baby's face through pictures every day but not knowing when we will get to meet him in person is very difficult. Please pray for strength, endurance, and patience...as this wait is unlike any other.
Needless to say, we are pretty bummed out around here. We are trying to remain hopeful, but yesterday was a reminder of how fragile and unpredictable this process can be. Seeing our sweet baby's face through pictures every day but not knowing when we will get to meet him in person is very difficult. Please pray for strength, endurance, and patience...as this wait is unlike any other.
Saturday, June 12, 2010
So Much to Say...
But So Much to Do! Our court date is Tuesday and if all goes well, we may be leaving for Ethiopia in a few short weeks! One million thoughts must go through my mind every second. When are our travel dates? What airline/route will we take? Can we withstand the significant time change, change in diet, etc.? Where will we stay? What will it be like to walk the streets of Addis? Will my heart hold up when we meet other orphans? When will we meet Judah for the first time? What will it be like to hold him? To touch him? To kiss his sweet face? How will all of us do on the plane ride home?! I've wanted to share so many thoughts, feelings, and stories on our blog within the past few weeks, but getting ready for our little man has taken precedence. Here is a glimpse of what we've been up to:
School is out (for the students) here in North Carolina and Monday is my last of work for a while, so trying to wrap up things there has been quite the adventure. I've been writing psychological reports until the wee hours of the morning each night...big fun. If you're wondering, I am a school psychologist and this is part of my job that needs to be completed after I work with students.
The nursery is slowly but surely coming together, but we still have a little work to do. Can't wait to post the pics of the final product!
My husband is going through the interview process for an oncology fellowship that will take place after he completes his urology residency next year. He's just recently wrapped up all of his interviews and our rank list was due to the match program this past Thursday. The process has been quite intense...good timing, right? Anyways, we find out on June 30th where we will be living 2011-2014. I hope Judah (and Jeff and I) are okay with the result!
Because we will be moving from North Carolina in one year, we will be putting our house on the market in the spring. Some major things need to take place before that happens, such as re-carpeting a couple of rooms and painting several rooms. We've crazily decided to try and get this done before our trip to Africa, so Judah can enjoy his stay here for several months without living through re-painting and re-carpeting. So....carpet is being installed next week and hopefully, we will be painting soon...although I think we're running out of time!
Oh, and the fun part, all of the many showers for Judah in North Carolina and Alabama that have either already taken place or will be happening in the next few weeks. This baby is soooo loved by so many people already, and I can't wait to share pictures of all of the wonderful celebrations!
For now, I've got to get back to writing those psych reports. If I can just hang on for a few more days, it will be nice to not have to think about work for a while. A huge THANK YOU to everyone who has been and will continue to pray for us through this exciting and busy time. Hopefully we will "pass court" on Tuesday and you'll be able to see his sweet face on the next blog post!!!
School is out (for the students) here in North Carolina and Monday is my last of work for a while, so trying to wrap up things there has been quite the adventure. I've been writing psychological reports until the wee hours of the morning each night...big fun. If you're wondering, I am a school psychologist and this is part of my job that needs to be completed after I work with students.
The nursery is slowly but surely coming together, but we still have a little work to do. Can't wait to post the pics of the final product!
My husband is going through the interview process for an oncology fellowship that will take place after he completes his urology residency next year. He's just recently wrapped up all of his interviews and our rank list was due to the match program this past Thursday. The process has been quite intense...good timing, right? Anyways, we find out on June 30th where we will be living 2011-2014. I hope Judah (and Jeff and I) are okay with the result!
Because we will be moving from North Carolina in one year, we will be putting our house on the market in the spring. Some major things need to take place before that happens, such as re-carpeting a couple of rooms and painting several rooms. We've crazily decided to try and get this done before our trip to Africa, so Judah can enjoy his stay here for several months without living through re-painting and re-carpeting. So....carpet is being installed next week and hopefully, we will be painting soon...although I think we're running out of time!
Oh, and the fun part, all of the many showers for Judah in North Carolina and Alabama that have either already taken place or will be happening in the next few weeks. This baby is soooo loved by so many people already, and I can't wait to share pictures of all of the wonderful celebrations!
For now, I've got to get back to writing those psych reports. If I can just hang on for a few more days, it will be nice to not have to think about work for a while. A huge THANK YOU to everyone who has been and will continue to pray for us through this exciting and busy time. Hopefully we will "pass court" on Tuesday and you'll be able to see his sweet face on the next blog post!!!
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