A Great Father's Day!

Gram1 went crazy and showered Chris with tons of goodies.  We got sheets, many many outfits, clothes hamper, and the cutest fishing rod and tackle box.  Gram 2 gave Chris a personalized picture frame with a picture of Jo in it. 

I gave Chris a new apron (see picture)  Chris loves to cook, so it was appropriate!!  It was a great day!

YEAH.. finally got the shower pics..... Are you ready for some fun.. here you go!

I LOVE IT!!!!  THESE PICTURES MAKE ME VERY HAPPY!!!  WE'RE COMING TO GET YOU JO... WE'RE SO CLOSE!!!

*I made up the favor boxes I couldn't stand it and had to.  I had the small horse shoe charm in them with a note that said "Thank you for celebrating Jo.  I'm lucky to have you in my life".

* Also the cream blanket that I'm hugging, is a blanket I've been bugging my Mom to give me for about 7 years... I love it.. we bought it at a garage sale and I passed on it for $5 bucks.. it's hand made and beautiful.  Mom gave it to Jo... Soon we'll snuggle on the couch together underneath it.

*Finally got a good picture of Gram1 & Gram2

Hope you enjoy these pictures as much as I do!

Nuttin' Honey!

I know I haven't posted  for a few days.. just wanted to update you.. that I have nothing to update!  I've read several blogs lately where one family passed court on May 18th and traveled 10 days later.  Then I read another blog that said they passed court in April and still haven't traveled.  So.. I guess it's luck of the draw and we'll be patient!  I have a good vibes though.. so I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

In the mean time I'm working on packing lists and getting things in order for our trip.

Good day!

More Good News!!!.. Is this a lucky streak? Maybe I should head to Vegas?

Today we received a confirmation email from Holt that our USCIS approval has been uploaded into the US Embassy in Ethiopia.. this means we're one step closer.  It's really just a matter of days before we travel. 

It's actually a little hard to write this post because I have friends in the adoption world that are waiting  for their phone call or email.  So, although I'm excited for our progress, I'm sad for the families that may be moving at a different pace.

I know I've brought this up before.. but I just have to think about where we've been and what we've gone through.  Almost 5 years ago we decided to try and start a family.  So, if a 2-3 months wait sounds like torture before we go to pick up our son.. that sounds like a breeze to me.  That 2-3 months will go by in a flash.  Before long I'll be posting pictures of Jo and telling you all kinds of wonderful stories about becoming a new parent and what it's like to have him home.

I am rejoicing in this process and enjoying every exciting moment of it.  My sister-in-law started up a company and recently sold it called Razzle Baby.. She made/makes the most wonderful baby blankets, bibs, and burp clothes.. I wish you could feel all of it.. because it's wonderful.  I've been dragging around this gift bag of goodies the last week to show everyone cause it's so darn awesome.  Here's some pics.

MORE Logistics....... and SURPRISE.. waiting!

DUDE'S & DUDETTE's.. can you believe we passed court on the first try.. this is "Like, Major HUGE" and yes that was in a valley girl accent!

What does Passing Court Mean? This means that legally he is ours and we are his. He's officially and legally our son!

So, what's next? Well.. remember a few weeks ago when we got our fingerprinting appointments and I said that we had the US Gov. approval that we were cleared to be parents.. well.. this paperwork has to be uploaded into the US Embassy in Ethiopia.

#1 We are waiting for Holt to verify that we're uploaded in the computer and then they can schedule an appointment for us to meet with the US Embassy in Ethiopia. The catch with this appointment is that they only allow 20 appointments per month, or so I've heard. Just so you know there were an estimated 60 referrals in March.. so that means there are 60 family's in front of us. Now, that number is pretty much speculation.. so I don't know the exact number.

#2 While we wait for the Embassy appointments.. Jo's birth certificate and visa/passport is being processed. (I'm not clear if it's a passport or visa? What's the difference anyway?)

#3 He also has to be given a final examination from one of the four US Embassy approved doctors.

#4 Then after all these things are finished the paperwork has to be translated into English.

#5 And finally.... after all these things are completed.. we get the call that it's time to travel.. I only hope that it's sooner rather than later.

Finding out that we passed court today was SO huge...we're definitely on the downhill side. There are still many things that we need to take care of on the home front before we can travel. I'm relatively calm about it all and just really enjoying this process. Knock on wood that the rest of the process goes by quickly!

I just can't wait for Jo to be home safe and sound.

One Step Closer to Jo!!

WE FOUND OUT THIS MORNING THAT WE PASSED COURT ON THE 10th!!!! I KNEW IT!!! IT'S SO EXCITING... NOW WE WAIT FOR A TRAVEL DATE...

I'll explain details later what this means. It will probably be at least 8 weeks before they let us know when we travel.. but this is HUGE that we passed on the first try. We're overwhelmed with excitement!!!

Work Shower... fun stuff.

My peeps at work are so awesome. I really appreciate them all being excited for us. It was a great day.. lots of goodies... Diapers, bottles, onsies, wipes, diaper bag, high chair , clothes..all the necessity's. Too much fun. Excellent cake and potluck, to boot!

No word on court.. it'll probably be next week before we hear anything.. keeping my fingers crossed.

Tonight, while we sleep!

I think this may be one of the biggest days of my life..... June 10th. Tonight while we sleep Jo's hearing will be in progress. I know there are many reasons we may not pass. The mostly likely reason is that all our paperwork will not be submitted correctly. I've been visualizing this paperwork for weeks and have confidence and faith that everything will happen as it should.

Please send good thoughts and vibes that we pass the first time through court! It may be a few days before we hear the out come.

My work shower is tomorrow.. YEAH.. fun stuff.

I still plan on posting my shower pics as soon as I get them.

A Day To Remember-

I know you can't see everything in detail from this picture.. but we made out like bandits. It's sad to think there are still some items that we need and don't have yet. Maybe this is the American way?

How was my shower you ask? Off the chain.. off the hook, outta-site, BAM, finger lickin' good, wonderful, perfect, exciting, the best ever, everything I had dreamed of and more, (just to name a few). It was perfect in so many ways. We had it at the rec room at my Mom's condo, which was the perfect space and easy to get too.

The high school girls met at my place before hand. I may have had personalized napkins made up? Then we headed off to the shower (I may have made a cd of hair band music for the ride there?) The decorations were perfect, and I loved the flowers on the tables. We had a chocolate fountain instead of a cake with all kinds of goodies for dipping. Mimosa's were flowin' with strawberry's (love the presentation). The food was phenomenal. Warmed brie with a delightful walnut/brandy/brown-sugar melted on top, AWESOME! Mozzarella, tomato, basil skewers and that's to name a few.

Gram1 & Gram2 had bling'd out shirts that said.. YEP.. you guessed it.. Gram1 & Gram2... Awesome.. loved it. We received so many wonderful things. Blankets made with love. It was such a wonderful day, a day to celebrate our beautiful, wonderful baby boy. Auntie Stacie, Gram1, & Gram2, and many friends worked so hard to make it the perfect event. I really appreciated everyone being able to make it. I loved that my Mom said "I looked pretty". It was over in the blink of any eye.. but is just the first of many memories as a Mommy.

More pictures to come.

Pray that we pass court Thursday, the 10th.. it could take a few days to know if we passed or not.. fyi

My work baby shower is this Thursday too..so lots to look forward to.

CELEBRATE.. Good Times..........Come on!!!

So, it's the morning of my baby shower. Yes, I have butterfly's in my stomach.. YES.. I'm excited. Luckily, I have a long "to do" list .. which will hopefully keep me busy and make the time fly by? I also slept in till 7 which is unheard of for me.. so that's gotta be a good sign.

If you don't already know this.. the last month has been one of the wettest record breaking months in Oregon, for years. Normally by this time of year the rain has stopped. The outfit I chose is a summer outfit, and I have no back up plan.. so I'm willing the weather to stop raining. About noon today the sun is going to come out and everything is going to dry out. Quite frankly even though I love the rain, even I'm getting a bit tired of it.

All my high school buds are coming in today.. most of us have known each other since we were five... there's really no way to explain what it's like to have friends that you've known all your whole life.... there's definitely no secrets.. and boy to we give each other a hard time. About 8 hours and my buddy's will start to arrive and in 9 hours LET THE PARTY BEGIN!!

I know once the celebrations starts, it'll fly by in a flash. I want to remember every detail and stop time. The room is going to be filled with love and happiness. I wish I could put into words how excited I am to celebrate Jo.. Team Mackin is cheering us on, this is the first of many celebrations for our wonderful, beautiful, baby boy.

A Special Occasion... Requires Special Things!

I'm a fan of glassware... I swear I should have been a 1950's wife? I love the idea of being married and raising kids.. it's what I've dreamt of my entire life. Now, back to my love of dishes.. I had to restrict myself from antique stores and estate sales because I would bring home more and more dishes. I start to get all excited that I'm going to find the perfect dish, bowl, or glass even though I have loads of them at home.

So in preparation for my shower this Friday, I have been rummaging through all my favorite goodies to put out on display or to use for the party. These items were given to me throughout the years by people that are very dear to me and I hold close to my heart.

Probably my two most treasured items are my silver antique tea set (which I'm sad to say hasn't been out since my bridal shower six years ago, who has the time to keep them clean?) and a beautiful signed Waterford crystal candy dish.

Another passion of mine is arranging flowers.. so this week will be filled with flowers and dishes two of my favorite things. They make me feel pretty, OH so pretty! (when I sing this I feel like I should be wearing pink high heels and a fluffy skirt dancing around the room).