They won't be home this year.

Well, the word is in and CIC has said that the Visas will not be issued this year. From what I can tell we are one of the lucky ones who gets to have all their documents re-verified by immigrations........ hoping to get a bit more information next week, but due to Christmas holidays here and in Nairobi looks like it may be a while. We probably won't get anymore updates till the New Year.
Well, just think how much we'll save in flights missing out on all those high season prices and I would hate to not be able to travel with Hazel and Ramona........ Sorry, trying to find the silver lining.

On a bright note I got to help out at preschool today for their Christmas party and they even dressed me up as a Christmas tree. The kids had a blast and I had fun laughing and singing with them. They really just light up this time of year!

That's it, enough is enough!

I realize that things have not gone as we had planned or ever imagined they would have. However I have to realize that there are some things that we have absolutely no control in life over. I have spent the past few weeks in despair avoiding people so not to have to explain what is happening as it appears that no one really knows what is going on or why our file has been delayed while others along side us where not. It breaks our hearts to think that we will not be with our sweet ones for Christmas. The stocking are hung and presents are bought but it is something that we need to come to terms with. The last while I have been unable to sleep, tossing and turning and filled with dreams that don't make sense. I can't sit still yet I don't have the focus to carry out task or projects. But I have decided that instead of wasting the precious days I have I will try to embrace each day and try to make the most out of it. Today Cohen and I spent time outside going for sleigh rides and sliding down hills. We both really needed to laugh. I need to remember that this is hard on him as well as he is constantly asking when we can travel to his brother and sister and I keep finding extra things packed away in our suitcase that he has added thinking we will need. So for the sake of sanity and for the sake of my little man I am going to do my best to make the most out of everyday and do our best to add some laughter back into our lives. This was not what we had hoped for but we will make the best of it. It is time to live life and not just move through the motions of it.

To those out there also waiting and hoping for a miracle I wish you the strength to live the life you have and the courage to continue your journeys to your wonderful waiting children.

Merry Christmas and Seasons Greetings to each and every one of you.

You knew just what I needed......

Last night some dear friends of ours stopped in on the way through town and seemed to know just what I needed to try and cheer me up.

1 - they brought yummy take-out comfort food
2 - a new foot spa
3 - chocolates
4 - great company!

So after you left and Dale went out I poured myself another baileys and coffee, had a couple chocolates and watched a movie while enjoy a nice warm foot soak!

Thank you guys for being there when we needed you. Who could ask for more!

Sending out a huge thank you.

I just wanted to send out a great big thank you to my dear husbands boss. Without your patients, flexibility, understanding and compassion you have shown to us throughout this process I know that we would be under even greater amounts of stress. You have been so great through this whole process and we can't thank you enough.

No go....

I think I can actually feel a piece of my heart breaking off as I type this.....We are soooooo sad to report that we will not be taking those wonderful flights our travel agent was able to find for us for Sunday and we have NO idea what is going on! We are so tired, sad, heartbroken, disappointed, you name it. I am so tired of living day by day waiting for the call and having our hopes and dreams smashed to pieces. When will this end. Do we have to hit every single road block there is. I know, I know I am just feeling sorry for myself, but I'm just tired of having no control over my own life. It has been almost 3 yrs since we started this process and I have held these 2 beautiful children in my hearts for the past year as I have not been able to hold them in my arms. Please, Please let there be a happy ending to this and please let my arms finally get to hold them!

We need everyones positive thoughts and prayers

Hey everyone. Whether you are a believer in prayer or positive energy please send some our way. We are still waiting to hear something from our agency this week but we are planning on going ahead and booking our flights today and praying for the best. At this point if we stay till Jan 1 we will be at the max timeframe for a visa to be issued. With the holiday season coming we are watching the flight prices increase daily and the available flights are disappearing. So pray and think positive thoughts that we will hear good news tomorrow and that our travel agent can find us some good flights out for this weekend!!!

Donna
(with fingers and toes and everything else crossed)

The finished look of A's room

After countless delivery delays we finally got the furniture for Almaz's bedroom (thanks to some help from our brother-in-law Jason).
I had been collecting bits and pieces over the past 6 months and was a little worried that I might not be able to pull it all together but I think it turned out pretty good. What do you think? Do you think it is a room fit for an Ethiopian princess?
I am hoping to pick up some art work and mementos for her when in Ethiopia to put on the top shelf so that her little brothers won't be able to get to them.
Hard to believe this room started out with walls painted all the primary colors. It took 4 coats of white to cover it. So much for 1 coat paint. LOL!

Not the news we where hoping for.

Well out of the 6 families currently waiting for Visas 3 got them issued today. We where not one of them. Our is currently still under review. For what we are not sure. So, it looks like we will be gone for Christmas. The question now is what to do. Do we wait for word on our Visas, or do we take a leap of faith and book tickets? It such a hard decisions with Christmas coming and flights filling up. Ugh! Ugh! Ugh! I have nothing more to say!