Timing is EVERYTHING in Adoption

http://addingtothepirkles.blogspot.com/2010/12/attitude-is-everything.html
Here is a link to a post I wrote the week before we got the boys' referrals. 
It is relevant here.
Small recap on Seth's referral.  He was 12 months old when we got his referral. What we heard at the time of the referral was that earlier he had been referred to another couple along with baby girl.  Before the couple made it to court, his birth mom came and got him and decided to raise him.  The couple received the referral of a different baby boy.  After they went to court for the baby girl and new baby boy, Seth's birth mom realized she wasn't able to take care of him properlly and brought him back to the orphanage. A few days after this couple returned to the states. Sue then was going to let the couple have his referral back, making it 3 babies they would be adopting. We were told that after much thought, they decided that if they adopted again, it would be an older child, knowing it would be easier for Sue to place a baby. I have often thought about this couple, thinking how I would want them to know that I was thankful for their decision. Let them know that Seth was loved.   Now I know how "close" we came to not getting Seth. Of course God was in control all along.  This other couple was in Ethiopia on their embassy trip to pick up the other two children AND were planning to go to court for Seth while they were there.  And while there, God used circumstances to convince them to make the heartwrenching decision to say no to Seth and yes to an older child in the future.
God has given me a wonderful blessing this week!  Our agency director Sue is friends with me on facebook. I happened to comment on one of her posts and then I got a friend request by one of the other women who had commented.  Lo and behold, she emailed me and it was this same woman who had once had Seth's referral.  We have emailed back and forth this week and it has been a wonderful blessing for both of us to look back and see how God manipulated this whole timing situation so that we both got the children in our home that God wanted there.  It is awesome how we are all connected.  I am hoping that soon there will be another connection..  They have been to court to adopt a 9 year old boy in Ethiopia and are now waiting for their embassy date to pick him up.
She is planning to mail  a little package to us for Aaron to take to Ethiopia with him next week so that if he is lucky enough to visit where this boy is staying, Aaron can hand deliver a package from his new Mama!  At least maybe Aaron can get some pictures with him.  Can you see how we are connected????  8000 miles away!  This world seems so huge, but GOD knows each of us!
I am so thankful to know  a little more of Seth's past!

Splash Pad

Here are a few pictures of our morning.  This is the first time we have gone to the one in our new town and it was a hit.  Natalie is in TN visiting grandparents, so I only have pictures of Madelyn, Hannah, Seth and Ethan.  Hoping the boys take a great nap today!

12 Days Until Aaron Goes Back To Ethiopia

I am so excited for Aaron.  The countdown has begun.  Check out the organization he is going with at www.ordinaryheroblog.blogspot.com   The first mission team is on their way.  Check out the blog daily and hopefully there will be some posts that will give you an idea of what Aaron is going to be up to in a few weeks! 
I already told Aaron to go against his "stay in the background" personality and hop into some pictures while in Ethiopia and hopefully he will make it into some of the posts and I can see what he is up to while there.  I probably will have minimal email connection with him and I am thinking that's the only way I will hear from him. And probably won't get that every day.
One of the ladies that came over to fill blessing bags asked Aaron if he felt guilty for leaving me alone with 5 kids for 11 days.  He said "no, it is not near as long as my 16 day fire detail".  It never occured to him to feel guilty. And he shouldn't!  Kids are blessings!  Now I am not saying that by the time Aaron gets home  I might be ready to get out alone, but I am so excited for him!  He is my other half.  When he goes to Ethiopia, in a way, I do too.  I am the one who encouraged him to go for it when he couldn't decide.  I am so happy that he gets this opportunity! 

Blessing Bags

Aaron is going to Ethiopia at the end of this month. One thing he will be doing is handing out "blessing bags".  In each bag is a pair of pants, a long sleeve shirt, socks, and underware for one child.  Many have a small toy thrown in also.   On the outside of the bag, we have written if it is for a boy or girl and the size.  Aaron will be handing them out to street children when he goes.
Our Sunday morning class brought in lots of donations for him to take.  Last night, 5 ladies and I met at Panera for supper.  I have never eaten there before.  Good sandwich,  way to expensive for a sandwich for a miser like me. 
Then we all came back to my house and we packed Blessing Bags.  I am so grateful they came and helped. It was quite overwhelming to me.  All of the many many piles of clothes I had.  I meant to take pictures and forgot.   I loved having everyone over!

Picture Review of Last Few Weeks

My Aunt Sue came down for over a week and brought us this from Indiana.

We watched it turn into this.

And 10 days later, into this...

Our septic tank was fixed...

Seth was mesmerized by the tractor. 

WORD!

Madelyn got to babysit.  Just kidding...

Seth's would be transported like this if he still lived in Ethiopia.

Things are settling down a little from all of the house mishaps. 
I am trying to work 3 12 hour shifts a week.  I really like my new hospital.  I was able to get off of orientation early, so as of 3pm yesterday afternoon, I had my own patients and didn't have to work under someone.  There is are still a few computer things I have to ask about, like where to chart something or where to find something, but I think I will be fine.

I dropped Hannah off at a friend's house this morning and picked up her friend's sister plus another friend of the girls. So I have Natalie, Madelyn, two friends and the boys today. They will be going home in about an hour. The good thing about having kids this age is that it is easier to have their friends over because they disappear to the other room and don't need you except when they get hungry.  They have had a great time and I hope to have more play days this summer. 

Can you believe that a year ago today, June 5, 2011, the boys and I landed in Huntsville after a miserabl 36 hours of travel. Well worth it. Of course