Are you one of the victims?

Are you one of the ones that was erased from my link exchange on my blog? While changing templates I accidentally erased all my links to other adoption blogs. If you are one of the families that was listed on my blog and you would like to be back on, please let me know. I enjoy reading your blogs and staying in touch with others who have been through the adoption process or are like me in the paperwork limbo.
I look forward to hearing from you!

Another step closer

We got all the paperwork back from all the states now! Yeah! Now we just wait for the I600 H form to come back and everything will leave for Washington and then to Ethiopia. I know, most of you have no idea what I'm talking about but it's another step closer to our girl!

FYI...

I was in the middle of changing my blog template and I accidentally deleted most of my template. For example all of my links to the other adoption blogs I like to read and converse with. I have a really busy week at work so it may take some time to get it all back up but I'm working on it. (I saved a copy of my template before I tried to change it, but it didn't work...or maybe you have to be smarter than the computer)

I have to have it!

I must be in the mood to shop which is NOT a huge shocker. I wanted to share these cute finds.

I love these Baby Legs. They are sooooo cute and they come in many colors and patterns.

I also love this girls Fall Tunic.

I also love these Mary Jane and Camo socks!

Cutest shoes ever!

I just received a gift from a lady that owns a local baby store. I know it's a bit premature but I had to share. We think we are getting a baby girl under the age of one so she got me 12 months shoes. They are so cute!





They are made by Pedipad. They are so soft on the inside for baby. Thanks Debbie for the shoes! The have really cute camo shoes for boys too!

My bro is getting married!

My brother Sy is one of my best pals. He is getting married to a wonderful lady, Miss Emily. I love her! She is so sweet and they make the cutest couple. They will marry this June. Congrats and blessing to you both. I love you!

These are some of their engagement photos.

I've been tagged

Ok so i've been tagged by Isabelle. Here are the rules: Choose 5 people to tag and a reason you chose each person. Leave them each a comment directing them to your blog so they know they are it. You can't tag the person who tagged you. As a courtesy to the person who tagged you, please let them know when you have posted so they can have the sheer delight and extra work load of reading your answers.

Ive never been tagged but from what I have been told, I have to share 10 things about myself.

1. I LOVE Mexican food!
2. I love to decorate my home.
3. My favorite sports to play are golf and volleyball.
4. I spend an embarrassing amount on my hair cuts and haircare products.
5. I hate doing laundry.
6. I'm pretty much a girly-girl.
7. I would love to meet Bono from U2!
8. I have a bad habit of rolling my eyes.
9. I'm a real estate broker.
10. I'm married to the man of my dreams and have a wonderful daughter who is also a girly-girl!

There is so much I could write but those were the first random things that came to mind.

I have decided to tag, Lisa W, Jana, Farmboy and Buttercup, Grace and Roger Family. I chose you because I would like to get to know you better. Happy writing!

Good times!!!!

Ok, I'm about to rip my hair out! Luckily, I have a lot of hair. A few weeks ago I sent off my I600-A off to the U.S. Citicenship and Immigration Services to the specified address in our state. It got returned to me today because Dallas no longer takes the form for International adoption, it needs to go to the Oklahoma City office. ARGHH....Of course, instead of forwarding the papers to the new office, they sent them back to me. Just another delay.
I also sent off all the papers to their originating states to get certified by the Secretary of State, which was 5 different states. I have gotten back 3 of them so I guess that is a little bit of good news.
I will be out of town for two days on business so I guess I will resend the paperwork out AGAIN when I get back.

Racism...What year is it?

I'm going to talk about a tough subject that may be viewed as controversial but it's something that should be discussed when preparing to adopt a baby of a different race. No need to ignore the issue. Our social worker did councel us on what may happen after we adopt a baby of a different race and has even counseled our daughter on things that might be said to her at school about having a sister that looks different.
It all started the other night when Savannah and I went to a sandwich shop. We were placing our order and I looked on the counter and someone had written in red marker on the counter the "N" word. I was enraged about it. I told the lady at the register about it and she said, "Oh I'm sorry, someone wrote that on table 6 and 7 too," and then she left it. It makes me so angry that someone would write that. I must be naive but I thought we lived in the year 2008. What is going on? Later that night I couldn't stop thinking about it and I began thinking into the future when I would be walking hand in hand with my 3 yr old daughter or taking my daughter to the grocery store. What if someone calls her that word? I will want to beat the crud out of them to put it bluntly. I know we are supposed to turn the other cheek but I'm not sure I can. I will pray about this for sure. We are all beautiful in His eyes, I wish everyone knew that...Spread the word.

Are you serious?

So here is where we stand in the whole process.
As I mentioned before, we thought we were done with all the paperwork. After we sent it in, they informed us that we needed to have all the notarized documents (which is all the documents in the dossier packet) need to be sent back to their originating state to get certified. This includes original birth certificates and more. This means that I had to write cover letters to 5 different states and of course write checks and fed ex the off. When we get the docs back from all 5 states then we will send off the completed packet to Washington to get authenticated. After that is complete, the packet will finally get sent to Ethiopia. At that point, the entire packet (dossier) will get translated into Amharic. After that is done, they will send it to the Ethiopian Supreme Court to set a court date...wow, so much. After that, just kidding I will tell you about that when the time comes.

So for now, just waiting to get the documents back....