Ethiopian Family?

Did you know we have family in Ethiopia? Well, maybe not exactly but there will soon be a few. As most of you know we are in the process to adopt again - this time going a bit different route - to Ethiopia! There are lots of facts that pulled us in this direction - like Ethiopia's FIVE million orphans, the extreme poverty and famine, and an average life expectancy of 42 years. However, we really feel like God has led us down this road and that He has our next baby (or two!, more on that later) waiting for us in this African country.

We chose an agency (The Gladney Center) in mid February. Today we are awaiting our final document from immigration to complete our foreign dossier (big, fat packet of paperwork outlining every detail on our family that is reviewed by the U.S. and foreign country prior to adoption). Once completed we will officially join Gladney's waiting list for a referral. A "referral" will come in the form of paperwork (including a photo!) on a child, including medical/background info. Gladney has told us to expect only a 2-3 month wait for a referral. This is very fast for international adoption. Once we accept a referral, Chris and I will travel 6 weeks later to bring home our baby (or babies). Yes, because we have no idea how to have only one baby at a time we have requested twins under 6 months. We have no guarantees we will be able to adopt twins but we are hopeful. I'm envisioning many of you reading this with you chin on the floor thinking we are insane since our oldest just turned three-years-old. We agree with you. Again, we feel like God has given us a heart for adoption and led us down this road, so we are greatly depending on Him to provide us with sleep and some sort of sanity! We hope to use this blog to keep you posted on our process and of course show off the latest and greatest photos of L&C.