Almost...

Its hard to believe that we are approaching the 4 month mark! I used to look at the 4 month mark as the "window" of actually getting a call for a referral. I hope we are getting into the window!! I think we are getting closer, but there hasn't been ANY referrals for the waiting families in quite a few weeks. We need to get a batch or two of referrals given out to move us up in line! When our dossier made it to Ethiopia, there were about 40 dossiers in front of ours. Luckily there were quite a few referrels given out since then, so we are hopefully in the 20's!

What is amazing though, is now there are close to 100 dossiers from our agency in Ethiopia right now. The wait times are getting longer. The wait time estimate used to be 4-6 months. I think right around the time when we completed everything the wait was extended to 6-12 months! Even though we are getting closer, I feel that its still so far away. We havent even started the nursery! The wait its starting to get hard........

But good news is....our adoption friends Shawn and Lisa are in Ethiopia right now!!!! (check out their blog) They left Saturday morning for the long journey to Addis. Right now..its late afternoon in Addis Ababa. So that means, they met there children a few hours ago. I cant wait to get an update from her!!! I cant stop thinking about them and what its been like on their journey!!!

Too funny....

This was recored with the web cam at the office Does your dentist do this?!

Last weekend!

Things are WAY to quiet in the adoption world right now. I am really hoping to hear that some families are receiving referrals sometime soon?!?! I think all of us waiting families were getting spoiled that last few months hearing about other familes getting "the call"! Our agency has 2 or 3 families in ET now picking up children and 7 more will travel later this month. It has slowed down a bit...which is making our wait even longer!

So while we wait... John and I drove to the Northwoods of Wisconsin to his parents lake home. We thought it would be fun to take our little brother Lucas. This was a new experience for Lucas. He has never been on a boat or even around a lake! Lucas also did an awesome job on the 12 hour car ride from KC to Land O' Lakes, Wisconsin! I am posting some photos taken over the weekend.

We also had some VERY thoughtful family throw us a baby shower. Hopefully I will have some photos to post soon! Thank you Bob and Mary Kay, for hosting such a nice afternoon!

Lucas on his first ever boat ride - and he's driving!

Johns brother Mike (expert water skier) giving Lucas a lesson

Mike and Lucas

A visit to the hot dog stand

Lucas and our nephew Vlasty

The Boys

BBQ and other fun things.....

Saturday was fun! Thank you to everyone who came to our home. We enjoyed the company and all the food everyone brought!



It was nice to see everyone again and meet new families who are sharing the experiences were are in this adoption process. I think we need to plan an evening out with everyone to meet up for some Ethiopian Cuisine! Unfortunately..I didn't take ANY photos! What was I thinking?!! Oh well, we just got caught up on chatting away with everyone.



We are also sending a prayer and good thoughts to Shawn and Lisa to make it through court tomorrow so they can be on there way to pick up their little ones. Lisa..you have to let me know as soon as you hear!!



Other thoughts...last week our "little brother" Lucas had a judo tournament. We really enjoyed watching him! John was so excited about it, he decide to participate in a match! I am so proud of him. Its been a few months since he has to his judo club, due to an injury. John was able to borrow a gi and here is the outcome-

(John is a black belt...but since he didn't have his gi with him, he used a competition belt which is red)
****Notice his dance move!

Kansas City Area adopting families! (who might read this blog)

My husband and I are having a get-together at my home for Ethiopian Adoptive Families! We would like to meet other families in our area!(Families currently in the process of adopting from Ethiopia or those who have adopted from Ethiopia). I have posted this on the CHI Yahoo group and the local KC group

It will be on Saturday, August 2nd at 4:00pm.We can visit about our experiences, offer advice, make contacts, andwatch Ethiopian episode of Adoption Stories which I have recorded if people are interested. Please contact me if you are interested in attending so I can get a head count and we can plan for food. I will be supplying barbecue and baked beans, but will request everyone to bring one item! Please email me if you are interested! amandazabel@gmail.com

Thank you!
John and Amanda

Chicago!!

Just returned from a fun girls trip in Chicago! We left on Friday and returned Sunday afternoon. I must recommend the Amalfi Hotel. The hotel is a trendy boutique hotel, with great service and fabulous accommodations. The view...well, not the best but the location was great!

Dinner at Smith and Wollensky was awesome. They are very serious about their steaks!

Some shopping on Michigan Avenue...

We also went to the Blue Man Group show....this was my 2nd time. It was even better than the first!

After the show..on to the Hancock Building an up to the 96th floor to the Signature Room for some Champagne and dessert!

Then to Navy Pier to watch a fireworks show on a boat in Lake Michigan....

And before heading home....a quick visit to Johns parents condo where (which is pretty fabulous too) to see the family. Thanks for the brunch and a ride to the airport!

Back in KC.....and back to the real world.

Two Months!

Two months down! Today marks exactly two months waiting since our dossier has been in Ethiopia! Time is really going by fast! I finally feel like we can start thinking about the nursery. Yesterday, John and I went shopping and browsed for baby furniture. Decorating and shopping for furniture is absolutely one of my most favorite things to do! Now..if John and I could just agree on which room to make the baby's room...I could start painting! Well, or maybe we could hire the painter. Because both of us are horrible at painting and ruined many carpets, ceilings and trim in the past trying to do it ourselves.

We are still hoping for a referral in the fall. We are really wanting to bring home our little girl by Christmas.

Other great things that come in twos?! Our boys...Billy and Bosco. I purchased a new digital camera so I can learn to use it before the little one arrives. Here are some photos of the boys.

Go Royals!

Billy's Passport Photo

Billy with my niece Katy and my cousin Mark