3 more sleeps

Only 3 more sleeps until we leave for Ethiopia!!  I have so much to do before that happens, but it will all get done, I know.  I work well under pressure:).  We definitely feel the need for this trip to be completely soaked in prayer.  Here are some specific prayer requests:

1.  The biggest thing on my mind right now- my dad is under hospice care and has gone downhill much faster than the doctors anticipated.  There is a pretty good chance that he won't make it until we get home.  We are praying that he will be strengthened....

2.  Safe travels!  Landon has never flown farther than from here to Ohio so this will be a LONG haul for him!  Praying that he handles to trip well!

3.  Health for all 6 of us- everyone has little sniffles and coughs right now.  We've been trying to take some extra Vitamin C to be sure we're good for Monday!

4.  That we pass court on Friday, May 4- that it will be the day when T is officially our son (and then we can tell you his name:)).

5.  And last, but SO important- that we will have wonderful bonding time with T.  That he will see us as his parents and feel loved.  That we can start the bonding process.  That he will understand when we have to leave and that his heart will be protected in that process.  That Landon and he will have some great brother time together. 

Thank you for lifting us up in prayer- it's been a hard week with my dad being so sick and my heart being torn in 2 completely different directions- complete joy and anticipation on one end and complete sadness on the other:(.  I will post on FB while we're gone (if there's internet- there's another prayer request!), but won't blog until we get home.  I don't have a laptop, so pictures will have to wait until we get home too!  Here we go......!

A picture for their brother

We made a picture collage poster for T- after we pass court, we'll be able to hang it on the wall next to his bed. We put pics on there of our family- in many different places and poses, a picture of our house and the boys playing in the backyard. We hope that it helps him as he waits for us. The boys thought this picture was a very important one to take. We've heard how much he loves playing soccer and playing with various other balls, so the boys wanted to take a picture of themselves with our collection of balls so he could get excited about being with us here:). Yes- we have a lot of balls- but we have a lot of boys who are ball-obsessed!:)
So we leave in 11 days and get to meet T in 13 days!!!!! In some ways it still feels like it's forever away, but I know I have lots of things to do before we go! I'm so thankful for my AMAZING friends who are all chipping in for various days to watch the 3 boys who are staying home this time. Abuzaid asked the other day, "Momma, when we adopt another boy, can I go on that trip?":) (and NO- we have not talked about adopting another boy!:)) It just seems natural to them that we'd just keep on going!
Anyway- that's the update for now. I'll update with specific prayer requests as we get closer. One request I have right now is for T and his friend L- their BFF Zebdi is getting to COME HOME next week!!!!!!!! We are so excited for him and his family (and thrilled that they'll just be a couple of hours away from us!)!!! But he will leave before we get there- we've just been praying for his heart to be ok with this parting- these boys have been together almost 2 years- they've seen lots of kids come and go, but they've always been there with each other. We know they'll see each other again, but we don't know if they understand that. We're pretty sure T understands he has a family coming soon for him too, but we've been praying that he really, really does 'get' that this next week. And we'll be praying for Zebdi and his family- it's about time!!!!!!!:) Thanks!

Horsetooth Rock Hike

We love hiking as a family! We love to get out in the mountains and get some fabulous exercise while enjoying the land God created. This one was a 5 mile hike- pretty steep in most parts too. The older 3 had no problems and Kalid hiked all the way up by himself- had a little help on the way down. His little legs were getting tired and he can't go as fast downhill as his big brothers want him to. Thank goodness for Daddy- I certainly can't carry him and hike at the same time!:) Such a great day to be outside- thankful Shane took the day off so we could have our last day of spring break together before the weather starts to turn this weekend.

Easter

We celebrated Easter last weekend at my parents' house with my siblings and all the cousins. They always have so much fun together! And it was a beautiful day on top of it! So thankful we can celebrate our risen Savior with my family!!! Apparently I mainly took pics of Kalid this day:).

COURT DATE!!!!!!

Praise the Lord!!!! We finally got a court date!!! It is on May 4- fun fact about that date- it's the same court date that we had for Kalid and Abuzaid exactly 2 years ago! How crazy is that??!!! I can't wait to wrap my arms around that sweet boy who has been waiting so darn long..... He is so very much worth the wait! Off to plan a trip to Ethiopia....!!!!!!