Just 4 More Sleeps...

Today is Friday.  I will be getting on a plane in just 4 more sleeps to go and get our precious Eli.

 I. Can. Not. Believe. It!!!

We have been very hopeful, and our agency has been very confident that we'll be submitted to embassy on Wednesday, July 9th.  Eli had his medicals done 2 days ago -- all steps are complete for embassy submission.  We purchased my airline ticket on Tuesday.  Our plan has been for me to go ahead of Ryan by a few days, we'll stay in-country for about a week, and then return home.

And then today happened.  Our coordinator emailed and said that the medical doctor will not release Eli's medical slip until Wednesday. What in the world. Seriously. Usually it is a 1-2 day deal.  We don't know why he's decided to hold it for 1 week.  Nothing is wrong.  It's just dumb.   And so, I will most likely just be in Ethiopia on my own now, for about 2 weeks. 

I'm really disappointed for another delay.  Sometimes I swear our file must have big red, block letters written across it: MAKE THIS CASE VERY DIFFICULT.  When we received his referral 1 year ago, we never thought we'd still be waiting to get him home.

But the GOOD news is that I'll be with Eli, and my heart is full just thinking about that!!!  I also have to be so thankful that I've had 3 very special weeks with Johnathan and Tenleigh.  What a joy to watch Johnny play baseball and take him to Pirate Camp.  Tenleigh has just started T-Ball and she enjoyed Princess Camp this week.  Each week I had very special 1:1 time with each of them.  That might be just what was needed before adding Eli to the mix.  We have also loved some special time with our cousins!  (Below are some pictures of the past 3 weeks together -- cousin time, baseball, princess camp attire, and outings.  But because I'm too tired to try and figure out how to put these pictures in decent order, they're not going to be. ;)

And so I need to keep looking at all the GOOD that God is giving to us, every single day.  And the GOOD is only going to get BETTER -- in just 4 more sleeps!

               

Tenleigh and Ace! Tens is so proud that they share the same birthday! ;)

My nephew Eddie. I think he's checking to be sure he's still a boy since I put him on the Dora bike! :)

Eddie and Tenleigh coloring

Johnny loves baseball!

Love my sweet boy!

Mommy and Johnny went to a fun indoor "playground".

We love cousin time! Especially when they come over for jammie parties!

The end of the one of Tenleigh's days at Princess Camp.  Gotta love it.