Last week we sent Mekonen's welcome bag to AAI in Washington for our director to take to him when she flies to Ethiopia this week. How exciting! It was so fun to put together this little gift for him. We were told to send an outfit, a small toy, picture album with our pictures in it, and a dispoable camera for them to get pictures of him getting his bag. The key? It all had to fit in a gallon size ziploc bag! Whoa. We went shopping for this stuff on our date night the day after we got the referral call. Jon picked out a little blanket doggie toy which we washed in our regular laundry detergent/fabric softener and then slept with it for a week and a half. The agency suggested this so that it has our scent on it which he will then recognize when we come to get him. Awww, so sweet. I picked out two little outfits (we most likely won't get these back, and he probably will only wear them once as the laundry pile at the orphanage is massive to say the least). The picture album is one of the baby einstein one's where he can chew/play with it. We included 3 pictures of Jon and I, one of our dog Macy, and one of our nieces and nephew, labeled "Your Cousins!!" It came out very cute. :) So here it is!
This...
And then this...
Last night we went through our packet and signed our names 17 times officially accepting the referral of Baby Mekonen! It was shipped off to AAI this morning! Woo-hoo!!!
We also had to prepare a new Power of Attorney, get it notarized, physically bring it to the Secretary of State in Indianapolis, get the state seal, and FedEx it it to AAI. The Power of Attorney allows a specific man from AAI to represent Jon and I in court so we don't have to travel twice. The man we signed POA to has moved from Ethiopia to the United States. A new guy was hired and we had to prepare another POA that would allow him to represent our case. Phew. As far as I know, everything is all done for now.
Wow. I can't even believe we are at this point! Everyone said the waiting after referral was hardest, but so far, it has been easier! (although as we continue on, I might change my mind). It's easier now because I have a little face I see everyday when I get up, a little face I look at on my desk all day at work. I have a name to use when we pray, and a specific little person on my heart and mind all day long. What a joy!
Last night we went through our packet and signed our names 17 times officially accepting the referral of Baby Mekonen! It was shipped off to AAI this morning! Woo-hoo!!!
7 comments:
We have that photo album for Rex! :-) You did a GREAT job picking out toys/clothes. :-) I can't wait to meet the little man!
so excited for you guys!!! :) he is going to love his presents!
I just found your blog, my hubby and I are also in process for Ethiopian adoption. Your blog is awesome! I will be back...mine is www.5byfaith.blogspot.com
Is it okay if I add you to my blogroll? I don't want to forget about you!
How Sweet!!! Yay... for you being at this stage. How fun. I can't wait to see him home with you... it's going to be A-mazing!!!
Hi Rachel...it has already been a process for us, really waiting on God's timing for us to move forward. We originally started out with AGCI and we're frusterated that things just didn't seem to move forward, mainly due to finances. We prayed, and because we were not yet locked into a commitment, we ended up changing over to Gladney, and immediately God provided finances! It really seems that this is where God wants us. And, things have been moving along, until we hit some hangups with our homestudy, but that is nearly in our hands now, and we hope to be on the waitlist within a few weeks. With the Gladney Ethiopia program, the wait is currently at 8 months average.Then the average wait for court is 1-3 months, and then about 1 month after passing court to travel. Who knows what it will be when our time rolls around! They base averages on what the previous month's referrals were averaging, so it's always changing. It's so exciting that you have your referral! Do you have court date yet?
So exciting! There's something so satisfying about "packing" for your baby!
Just a warning though- you won't get anything except the photo album back. True, the laundry is all mixed up and worn by whomever but so are the toys and other trinkets. I just don't want you to have visions of Mekonen carrying his little puppy home on the plane with him. I hope this doesn't break your heart! But you can be assured that it will be "his" long enough for a photo before it's shared by all of his roomies :)
Wow! That is soooo exciting. Raymond and I just overjoyed for you both. I cannot wait to meet him. Thomas and Samuel will have someone to wrestle with. I am sooooo stoked. What a wonderful idea for the blanket. I hope things continue to go smoothly. Raymond and I think of guys often. Now we have a new person to think and hope for. God bless you guys.
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