Lemon Drops, Anyone?

I thought that title would be the best intro for Gram1 & Gram2. It's funny.. I searched and searched and really didn't have any pictures of the two of them together. So, I thought the image of a lemon drop would be perfect!

Now, if you don't already know, this will be the first gran baby on my side. Chris has many nieces and nephews, and Jo is just as special. Gram1 is my Mom and Gram2 is my Mom's best friend Mary. Between the two of them I have no idea which is more excited and thrilled. I know my Mom has lost sleep because of excitement.. and they each seem to grow more anxious with ever step through this process.

My Mom and Mary worked their first jobs together scooping ice cream.. so they have been friends their entire lives. My high school years were when they became best friends. I worked for Mary in the office as a TA and she was our senior class advisor. I planned our senior class trip to Disneyland as my senior project. So, with Mary being the Sr class advisor she would travel to Disneyland with us. Naturally, my Mom volunteered as a chaperon.. and that's where the friendship (or should I say trouble) really started to bloom.

They have sampled lemon drops all the way from Italy to the San Juan Islands and are about to embark on a new journey to Gram1 and Gram2. Although, Mary lives at the coast I know she'll still be a big part of Jo's life.

Jo is SO lucky to have so many people who love him.

HOLY Jump'in Up & Down Martha!!!

That's what my 8th grade social studies teacher Mr. Gienger used to say when he was excited. I have no idea what it means but, that was the first thing that crossed my mind this morning when I opened my eyes.. and I thought to myself.. "this sounds like a blog entry"

One week from today I have my baby shower.. a BABY SHOWER people!!! Do you know how many baby showers I've been to.. how many I've helped with. It's SO excited.. that we're all getting together to celebrate the Mackin's expanding their family.

One week from today is my shower and two weeks from today I will get an email that says that we passed court. Two weeks today is my Mom's birthday I might add.. so it has to be a sign that we'll pass court.

Have a great safe weekend everyone. I'm off to jump around and look like an idiot doing some aerobics. I woke up with boundless energy this morning.. and I need to burn some of it off or I may self-cum bust.

We Passed!!

YEAH.. we got the final government approval today. This means the US government approves us to be acceptable parents. Also, our fingerprints passed and we don't have any sketchy pasts.

Now.. just get us through the court date!!! June 10th ..... here we come!!

Time After Time.. "More Waiting"

There’s really a lot of “sit around and wait” in this whole adoption process. And yes, I used air quotes when I typed that.

9 days till my family & friend’s baby shower and 15 days till court and my work baby shower. This is court that you want to happen and want to pass.

There’s so much anticipation while waiting. I think reading the on-line message board might make it worse, it’s sort of addicting because you want to know what’s going on with all your peers. For those of you reading my blog, who aren’t in the adoption world. There’s a Holt message board were we can talk with other families that are in the process. It’s great because you learn so much about what to expect.

Hoping to get our fingerprint approval from the government any time.. (more waiting).

I haven’t met Jo yet.. but, I sure do miss him.

I'm Glad That's Done

Got all of our vaccinations yesterday. Chris had to get 5 and I had to get 4. Went pretty smooth. Chris claims his didn't hurt.. but, mine sure did. My arms are sore today. It wasn't near as much as we thought it could be.. YEAH!

Hoping to get our final fingerprinting approval in the mail this week.

Carter Grace Mackin accidentally scratched Chris's eye earlier this week with her paw. Eye doctor, Brian did a great job with the sketch of Chris's eye showing where the scratches were. Carter got him good. Thank goodness he just has to use drops for a few days and all is back to normal.

"Team Mackin"

Boo-YA!!! Team Mackin-in full affect.

Just some quick thoughts on my mind. Just because we're adopting doesn't mean life stops.. there's still responsibilities, still friends and family to remember, still chores to complete. Every once in a while I have to stop and appreciate where we've been and how far we've come. Almost exactly a year ago.. I remember a really tough day at work.. I was SO SO SO sad that I wasn't able to get pregnant. I actually left work and went home for the day. I literally couldn't even speak because of the sadness and loss in my heart.

I just have to stop and be thankful for all the people that have stood beside me, behind me, supported me, loved me, and gave me the unconditional love that I truly needed. Thank you to the friends, thank you to the family, "just thank you"! You know who you are.. and you are wonderful people that I couldn't live with out.

Now, here I am a year later.. and it's like this HUGE light has turned on inside me.. I feel alive.. I feel vibrant.. Everything looks brighter, smells better, tastes better, and sounds better.

I know these trying times make you a stronger person.. but, I just have to send gratitude out into the vortex... AND to quote Dave Matthews and Kenny ..."I'm Alive, and Well"

Special props to the husband for being not only a saint but a rock through this process.

"Jo.. we can't wait to meet you.. we can't wait to hold you.. You are forever in our lives, in our arms.. and you're totally stuck with us! We love you so much and it was SO SO SO SO worth the wait"

MACKIN-OUT! word

Hear Ye, Hear Ye!

Just found out our court date is June 10th. We met on the 10th and were married on the 10th. The 10th is a good day! 23 days to go! What a great birthday present for Chris.

Book'em Danno-

So, we show up early for our fingerprinting appointment.. which was a good idea.. because we were first in line when they got back from lunch. They didn't seem to look at the date and time we were scheduled.. Darn.. we should have came two weeks ago.. and then been two weeks ahead of time. Grrr. I seriously thought about bringing them Shanana Bread.. but, I figured maybe that would hurt our processing?

The person who helped me took my prints about 40 times because apparently, my fingerprints have started to wear off? Who knew? It was my left hand that they had the most problems with, which is random since I'm right handed. He said they could get sent back for a reprint.. but, if I don't have a print now.. it's not like I can workout to get better print later? Hopefully, it'll all go well and there won't be any problems.

I'll now begin calling USCIS every day until it's approved. Sorry, workers at USCIS.. but, I must call to check on the status until we're through this step. It's called being neurotic, yep, that's me.

Where Does The Time Go?

I swear I just blinked and it was Friday at 4.. now here it is Sunday at 4? How did that happen.. where did the weekend go? I've always been a bit neurotic about cleaning and being orderly.. but, again.. I'm seriously upping the anty. I have so many things on my mind that I'd like to get get accomplished.. it's preoccupying me from worrying about when our court date will be and when our USCIS approval will come through.

We heard from our social worker that our court date could be the second week of June, hopefully we'll hear the official date this week? We go in for fingerprinting tomorrow.

In the mean time.. I'm obsessing about life's little details that fill our day and our time. I know once "Jo" comes home all these things that matter today will be put on the back burner and won't be important anymore. Maybe that's why I want to get them all accomplished while there's time?

Big Survivor finale tonight.. stuffed steak and crab legs for dinner.. YUM.. An early birthday gift given to Chris from Grammie!

Update..

Waiting.. waiting.. and more waiting.. adoption is all about the next step.. although we don't have many more to go! We're currently waiting to find out when our court date will be. We also have our fingerprinting appointment next Monday, May 17th. After they process our fingerprints they will send the paperwork over to the US Embassy in Ethiopia. Once they receive this paperwork and once we pass court we'll travel a few weeks later. I'm hoping we hear when the court date will be scheduled by next week sometime. The actual court date will probably be in June. Hopefully the paperwork for the fingerprints will be over to Ethiopia mid June or by the end of June?

So, we're waiting for the court date appt, and then wait to pass court.
And we're also waiting for our fingerprinting to process and make it's way to Ethiopia. I did hear once this is processed and uploaded in the system, US Embassy in Ethiopia can see it immediately!

While I'm waiting.. I have many things to keep me busy and preoccupied. It could be a matter of a couple months before we bring that little cutie pie home. So, I'm ferociously cleaning like crazy. I currently have all my blinds, curtains, and windows (inside & out) cleaned on the downstairs. Hoping to be completely finished by next week.. and then start painting. Also, while I'm working on all these projects.. we're getting ready for my shower June 4th.. which is only 23 days away.. but, really who's counting! Many friends and family are coming into town. I'm so thankful that everyone could make it.. it's going to be a great time! Can't wait to spend some time with my peeps!

PS.. I can't believe I spelled ferociously correct on the first try!

My First Mother's Day!

I had no expectations on the day.. however, I was shocked to be showered by gifts and cards!! Chris surprised me with a necklace of Abush's birthstone.. SO sweet.. I was shocked. My friends Jennifer & Juli got me the most beautiful necklace that I can put his picture in. And my Mom and sister got me a diaper bag FULL of goodies.. YEAH!! What a great day.. my heart is full and smiling!

Lions, Tigars, and Cartwheels.... OH MY!

SO... inquiring minds want to know!!! We got an email today.. looks like we made the cut.. our paperwork was submitted on time before the big change. At this point.. we travel ONCE!!! Relief, joy, excitement... YES!!!!!!

Now.. we wait to hear when our court date is, and pray we pass on the first try!!! It'll probably be the first part of June, but who knows?

Now.. I need to do go some cartwheels.

PS.. Thank you for the comments! Also, to the peeps that sent me Mother's Day cards.. so thoughtful and unexpected.

Update!

We're back to the waiting game. Waiting to hear if we made the May 1st deadline to travel once. Waiting to hear when our court date is, and if we have to show up for it? They said it could take several weeks before we find out our status. However, they did tell us that they would let us know as soon as they hear anything.

I have lots of things to keep me busy in the mean time. It's only a matter of days until our son is in our arms!

I can't wait to meet him and introduce him to everyone.

Now, I'm calling it a night and going to watch some Little People, Big World..

Night All!

Let's Register... easier said than done!

ok.. tell me to sell a house in 10 days.. and I can do it.. well maybe not in this market. Tell me to plan a trip to some remote island.. I can do that.. HOWEVER.. tell me to register at Babies-R-US.. Whhhoooeeeshhh.. No idea what the heck I'm doing.. thank goodness I have awesome girlfriends that are well trained Mom's and know what they are doing. What a great night with friends!! Thanks ladies for all your help.

Also.. to all those that are reading my blog.. if you're out there.. can ya make some comments.. Bueller.. Bueller...? Hello, caller?

Clean: Must Get Everything Clean

ok... I'm normally a complete neat freak and nut about cleaning.. but, I don't know what's came over me.. it's like EVERYTHING must be organized and right in it's place. There's a cleaning frenzy going on... pulling dressers out, vacuuming behind them and more. I really need to clean my blinds.. and man.. I'm unmotivated to do that.. HOWEVER.. it must be done... Here I come dust and dirt.. you are SO OUTTA HERE!!!

DANCE!!!!

YEAH YEAH YEAH.. we have a son.. I want to shout if from the top of every building. I want to go up to every stranger and tell them about our journey and how happy we are, (is that weird) Is this what being a parent is going to be like? And then.. in a weird way.. it doesn't seem real.. it's so far away.. and so many things are yet to happen. I haven't been able to sleep because there's too much excitement.

Our sons name is Abush Alaro and he was born October 13th, he came into Holt care Oct 22nd. He's been waiting for us.. just as we've been waiting for him. Did he make the journey to us, or did we make the journey to him? I'll tell you one thing, this baby is going to be SO loved.. I just want to kiss every single spot on him. We are OVER JOYED.. SO happy!!!

ok.. so back to last Wednesday. After we accepted Abush.. we wanted to tell my Mom and sister.. so, then we could tell everyone else. We were able to set up dinner with them. Luckily, neither one of them had plans. Chris and I got there before my Mom and sister and were able to talk to the waiter and asked him if he would come to the table and ask my Mom and sister if they wanted to meet Jo. It was great.. at first they had no idea what the waiter was talking about.. so he asked them again. Then, finally they got it. I knew my sister knew something was up.. but, I did happen to fool my Mom.. YEAH!!!

After dinner and announcing the exciting news we drove home and started calling people and telling them all about our son. We pretty much been making phone calls and sending emails starting ever since.

We are so blessed and this is a dream come true.. we are so humbled and honored to have been chosen as parents for this beautiful baby boy.