We are off!

Our morning started at 3 am. Couldn't sleep. Nick and I went to adoration and spent some time with Jesus. We are going in His strength knowing so many good people are storming the heavens with prayer. It was tough to leave the 3 little girls and Cole, but we are so thankful that grandpa and grandma are there to spoil them. We will update as we go.

Love,
Kelly, Nick, and Kaitlyn

Two more sleeps!!!!!!!!!!

Can't believe we will see our little boy in just a few days!  Nick, Kaitlyn, and I will fly out of Bismarck Friday January 21st.  We arrive in Addis, Ababa Saturday January 22nd at 10:20 pm.  Our suitcases are finally packed and I believe we are ready to go.  We have 5 suitcases packed with donations for the children in Ethiopia.  Grandpa Jerry is already here and Grandma Judi flies in tomorrow evening to take care of the other kids here at home.  Kelsie and Kylie, the two youngest, already took grandpa in the office to discuss plans while we are gone.  I think I heard them mention the White Maid (our version of the DQ) more than once.  They were really working grandpa.  For those who know my dad, it doesn't take much to get him to go for ice cream. 

We got word today that little "Y" knows he has a family and that we are coming soon.  We are soooo excited.  Two more sleeps before we leave and I sure hope I get sleep both nights.  There is another family from Bismarck on the same flights with us to see their little girl.  With only two families that we know of from North Dakota currently working with our agency, it was an act of God that we both got referrals out of order on the same date and now get to travel together to see our kids. It will be so nice to have another family nearby.

Prayer requests:  Safe travels for us and that we don't pick up any funny bugs.  That the other kids have a good safe time with grandpa and grandma while we are gone.  That little "Y" is ready to meet us and become a part of our family.  Thank you for sharing this journey with us.

WE HAVE OUR TICKETS!!!!!!

Our case manager called with great news on Wednesday.  She had court dates for us to go see our little boy.  Nick, Kaitlyn, and I will be somewhere between Bismarck, ND and Amsterdam  8 Fridays from today.  We will get into Addis Ababa, Ethiopia late Saturday evening.  We will have Sunday to rest and find a Church.  Monday January 23rd we will get to go to Hannah's Hope to see our little boy for the first time.  We are beside ourselves with excitement.  We already had so much to be thankful for with Thanksgiving coming the next day, but know we had even more to Thank God for.

Nick and I are all done with all our shots.  Kaitlyn has two to go in late December.  She wanted to wait for basketball season to be over in case she got sick from these last two. 

We are in the process of remodeling "Y's" room.  We tore down all the old plaster and  insulated the walls. We still have sheet rocking, taping, texturing, painting, and putting in new flooring to finish.  We have lots to get done. Yikes!  Good thing we have finished off the basements in our last two homes.   It is much easier finishing off new construction than demolishing old work and then redoing the rooms, however.

Busy Days

Since accepting our referral for little "Y" we have been busy with phone calls, our transition plan, more paper work, shots, and now more waiting.  We have done everything we can do and now we must wait for the Ethiopian Government to give us a court date.  It could take anywhere up to 6 weeks, but typically it has been taking 2 - 3 weeks.  We are hoping to hear possibly this week or next.  Than we will be able to book plane tickets and start counting down the days until Nick, Kaitlyn, and I get to go see our little boy. That trip will last about 6 days.  We will get to finally meet and play with little "Y" and go to court and declare that we do indeed want him to be our son.  We will have to return home without him at that time and hopefully turn around in 4 weeks to pick him up and bring him home for good.

We are trying to keep busy and spend time focusing on our other kids as they will get a little less attention when we first get "Y" home.  Friday we celebrated Kelsie's 8th birthday (actual day is Monday Nov. 15th) with pizza, pop, presents, and a delicious cake made and decorated by Kaitlyn.  Saturday, Kaitlyn, Kassie, and Kelsie competed in the Federation Piano Festival.  They all did so well.  We are very proud parents.  Today we have church and CCD for the three youngest and adult ed for Nick and I.  The Packers have a bye so no football game today.  Tonight Nick and I have bible study and Kaitlyn has the final practice for the school play tomorrow and Tuesday.  This is the first year of drama for our school in awhile.  They are very excited.

Kelly

Getting The Call! - Our New Family Member

On 10-29-10 we got a call from AGCI. K told us that at HH there was a little boy that need a family. We said yes. Our little boy is so adorable. He is five years old. None of us can wait to bring little Y home. All of the kids were so excited to be able to tell their friends about their new little brother. We can't wait to get travel dates. Nick, Kaitlyn (our oldest daughter - 12), and I are all going on the first trip. Just Nick and I are going on the second trip. Cole (our oldest son - 15) is very excited to finally have a brother. After four little sisters he always wanted a brother. Kaitlyn and Kassie (middle daughter - 9) too have always wanted a little brother. Kelsie (second youngest daugter - 7) is a little "tom boy" and she and little Y will have the greatest time together. Kylie (our youngest daughter - 6) is a complete opposite of Kelsie. Kylie is completely girly. She is very excited about little Y. Kylie is going to try to help little Y with everything. No one can wait until little Y comes home.

Kelly - Mom of Cole, Kaitlyn, Kassie, Kelsie, Kylie, and little Y.