Leaving on a Jet Plane

                dream big. 
That's exactly what we did 8 years ago when we had a conversation about adopting before we were married. We knew the day would come... and  today is the day. Bags are packed, home is (somewhat) in order, and nursery is ready...yet the reality still feels somewhat like a dream. People keep telling us we don't know how much our life is about to change. This is true. And because we know this is true, we've been intentionally spending extra quality time together as a couple...to remember, to celebrate, and to keep dreaming. I LOVE the almost 10 years we've had together as just us, and in some ways I don't want that to change. However, the words of my ever-so-positive husband  keep ringing in my ear..."Judah will make us even better. Our love will grow even deeper...for him, for each other, for the world, and for God. Trust me, we'll like ourselves better as parents...we're ready for this." Man, I love my husband....and I love that God has brought us to this place. We are humbled by His blessings and that He has asked us to care for His own.

"I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you." John 14:18

We are coming for you, sweet Judah!

Thanks to everyone who has, is, and will continue to pray for us. We leave today and return to the states July 27th. We ask that you pray for safe travels, good health, lots of smiles, and that God would reveal Himself more to us while in Ethiopia. We'll try to update the blog while we're there, but we can't guarantee. Blessings and many thanks!

Showered!

Well, it's the beginning of the rainy season in Ethiopia, but I can certainly feel the downpour (of love!) here in the States! In fact, we are overwhelmed with gratitude from all of the celebrations of Judah's life and our journey into parenthood. Check out all of the festivities that occurred in North Carolina and Alabama during the month of June...

McLeansville, North Carolina 

One of the elementary schools where I'm a psychologist-

What a sweet staff and such a special day!

Greensboro, North Carolina 

Celebrated with wonderful friends and co-workers

Given by the best of friends~Barbara, Susan, and Amy (not in attendance due to her baby being born just 2 days before :-)

The amazing setting of Susan's back yard

Yep, everyone got a safari silly band!

Checking out the delicious food

The awesome lion cake that Jennilee created! 

Opening gifts!

Suiting up for tie-dying! Look behind us at all of the tie-dyed onesies, bibs, and burpcloths that the guests made.  Judah is going to be the cutest hippie in town :-)

Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Celebrated with wonderful friends 
Hosted by these lovely ladies from our church, Jan and Holly

Beautiful table and flowers created by a local florist from Africa

Guests intensely playing the "Name the Baby Animal" game

Practicing with Baby Wyatt...he weighs the same as Judah :-) 

Check out this amazing diaper cake made by my dear friend Kate, another hostess

And look what Jeff got for carrying all of the diapers and accessories...a "dude diaper bag!"

Birmingham, Alabama
Celebrated with more incredible friends from back home

Hosted by my besties, Rachel, Nancy, and Brooke

More amazing decor and food!

Nancy painted this adorable lion with surrounding lyrics from one of my favorite songs for Judah

Photo display of our adoption process

Sunglasses for Judah, just like mommy!

Adorable gift from Auntie Stacey :-)

Beautiful day with beautiful friends!

Sylacauga, Alabama
My hometown, given by my mom and her friends at my parents' beautiful home...what a special day!

Beautiful table!

Check out this cake!

So grateful my Mammaw (Judah's Great Grandmother) got to come!

Sweet friends from high school

Amazed by all of the gifts!

Nieces helping me open them!

Best gift of all...a baby quilt made by Granny Cunningham (Judah's Great-Grandmother)
Delivered by Judah's Gran'ma and Aunt Vickie, who drove from Kentucky to attend

Thank you to everyone who has celebrated with us!

We are truly grateful!

Operation Nursery, Complete!

Make video montages at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Details We Love About Judah's Room

Beautiful bedding lovingly made by Gran'ma

Artwork of an African scene painted by Great-Granddaddy Joe

You can read more about the oil painting here. 

 Bamboo flooring installed by Judah's Daddy!...and an adorable rug made by women in Africa.

You can read more about the rug here.

Vintage globe that will light up as Judah's night light...

Ethiopia is shining down on his crib.
Also, the mirror behind the globe inspired me because it reminded me of a lion's mane :-) 

Artwork by young family friend and former neighbor, Talen Niven. Talen drew this star not long before we received our referral for Judah. It was delivered to us on April 27th, 2010, approximately one hour after we received our referral phone call and saw Judah's picture for the first time. In fact, we were on the phone with family members sharing our good news when a mutual friend knocked on our door and delivered the gift and said, "Talen wanted you to have this in hopes that your baby can find his way home." Wow. Apparently Talen had an intuition that our baby would be a boy, and he certainly found his way to us that very day, the moment the gift was delivered! 

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!!!!

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 :-)

He's Ours!

Introducing our son...

Judah Wells Nix

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...