Five days and we're off

We leave in 5 days. I can't believe we are that close. I have so many emotions running through me. Excitement, nervousness, anticipation, etc. Luckily, we have been so busy getting ready that the time has flown by. I feel like there is still so much to do. We need to pack, get the kids stocked up on their stuff, finish filling out forms, etc. Too much to think about at this point.
On a side note, Troy has two interviews this week! I know, what a week for all of that. Please pray that God will lead him to the right job. I know he has great plans for us. I'm just curious to see how it all unfolds.
Kid update: Collette has started gymnastics and is loving it. Her teacher said that she is really good and picks up on things quickly. She even got to walk on the big balance beam. I will take pictures on Tuesday and post them. They also have an indoor playground. So, Dakota plays on that while Collette is in class. It's a win/win situation for both of the kids.
Dakota is as wild and crazy as ever. He likes to keep us on our toes at all times. He still loves to sing and listen to music. We had a choir come to church on Sunday to sing some songs for us. He was mesmerized the entire time. Now, if we could just figure out how to keep that going during the sermon.

Ready or Not?

We leave in a little over a week and I'm starting to get overwhelmed. But the nice thing is that we have gotten a lot done. The upstairs remodel is done! I just need to decorate it a little. I will post pics as soon as it is decorated. Clothes are hung and washed. Most of our forms are filled out. Grandparents are coming to town to babysit! My sister is dog sitting. Collette has even learned how to change a diaper. So, really I should just be ready to go, right? Wrong. I would just like it all to be done so I can sit back and enjoy.

On a better note, we are very excited about the day we get to meet Elliott. Not only do we get to meet our third child, we get to meet him on our anniversary! How cool is that. Now we will have that much more to celebrate! Ready to meet you baby boy and hold you in our arms.

For those of you who want us to take pics or packages, email me: carterkellie@sbcglobal.net

Travel Tips, anyone?

We have our flights booked for June 5th-13th! We have our reservation in at the BJoe house. Troy's parents are flying in on the 3rd.

Now we just need to get ready, but I need your help. If you have any useful travel tips you would like to share then we are all ears. I am especially interested to know about communication to the US. Did you use a cell phone, skype, etc? I really want to stay in contact with my kiddos the best that I can while we are gone. Please share!!!!

Also, we are offering to take pictures and care packages to Ethiopia with us. We want to pay it forward to those of you waiting to bring home your babies. We had so many wonderful people take picture and video. It meant so much to get those updates as often as possible. Feel free to email me at carterkellie@sbcglobal.net
If you want pics we need Name, house #, ID # and a picture.
We are looking forward to delivery all these special items!

Introducing...

Make an on-line slideshow at www.OneTrueMedia.com

While we are asleep,

our case will be in court in Ethiopia. Ethiopia is 8 hour ahead of us, so by the time we wake up the decision will already be made. I ask that you remember us and Baby H in your evening prayers.
I hope and pray that tomorrow we will be able to introduce you to the precious face that we have fallen in love with. Stay Tuned...

ONE MORE DAY!!!

Ok, we have one more day before our court date. I am so excited and so anxious all at the same time. Luckily, Troy and I have been busy finishing our remodel of the upstairs. It has helped keep my mind off of the clock. We also got to hang out with a bunch of great friends tonight. That helps more then they know.
So, here is what is going on in Ethiopa today. First off, the Schmidts will be meeting Baby H today and taking our care package to him. I know Baby H will recieve lots of love today.
Also, today our paperwork is being reviewed by The Ministry of Women's Affairs (MOWA). They will go through our paperwork with a fine tooth comb and make sure that all of our i's are dotted and t's are crossed. They will say whether or not we can go ahead to court or not. Today is as big as tomorrow. Please pray that we will be approved today and that we will make it through court tomorrow. *Fingers crossed*

2 days

Two more days until our court date!!!

And two more days until Troy's 6th interview with the OKC Thunder. He has been interviewing for this job since October. We are getting closer to finding out if that is a reality as well. Thanks for your prayers.