I haven't posted anything in a while, because not much has changed. We submitted to the USCIS and we are now currently waiting to hear back from them. Once we hear back from the government, we will submit everything to Ethiopia! Yippee! :-)
From what our adoption consultant is telling us, it's taking about 40 days to get final approval from the USCIS. If that's the case, it's looking like the end of March we can submit our dossier to Ethiopia, but I'm thinking more like April, because I've learned to overestimate on dates given to us. We shall see. Once we submit everything to Ethiopia, and we are on the "waiting" list, Shaun and I want to have a celebration! We're thinking of going to Aster's with our closets friends and family! Asters is an authentic Ethiopian restaurant in Austin, that we've heard about from some friends of ours who have also adopted from Ethiopia. I'm SO looking forward to that day!!!! I can't wait to eat and have an excuse to eat with my hands and try Doro Wott! I love spicy foods and from what I've read and heard, Ethiopian food is fool of spices!
Here's their website: http://www.astersethiopian.com
I'm getting excited about an upcoming trip I'm going on, in March (told you this was going to be random). I will be attending a retreat, in Atlanta, called Created for the Care. Check out the website: http://createdforcare.org
It's created for "moms who have the heart for adoption." I'm excited but really nervous, because I literally do not know one person going. I'm stepping out in faith and praying that God will bless my time and help me to build relationships with others who share the same love for adoption. I have heard nothing but amazing things about this retreat! Super-duper excited!!!!!!
One thing that is really important to me is being an advocate for adoption. Every since Shaun and I made the decision to adopt, I have engulfed myself by spending as much as time as I can, educating myself on many areas of adoption. I particularly enjoy reading about multi-cultural adoption, but really just anything dealing with adoption. Here's a pic. of the books I'm spending some of my evenings reading :)
I particularly like "Brown Babies Pink Parents." It's very practical. It discusses things from the best type of lotion to use to deciding how to handle challenging questions that will arise. "Adoption Parenting" is very informative, particularly with bonding. "I'm Chocolate, You're Vanilla" is another very informative book, one that I'm sure I will go back to many times over. "In on It" has not been one that I have really liked, although I haven't spent too much time reading it. What I have read hasn't been something that I've wanted to go back, like the others.
I'm SO looking forward to the summer, so I can continue to read, read, read! :-)
I have LOTS of time between now and the time we bring our sweet one home, mid-as-well read. :-)
In many ways it makes me feel closer to our baby, it helps me "feel" like a mom. If that makes sense.
In parting, I'd like to say that I appreciate everyone who, from time to time, reads our blog, and those who have supported us on this journey.
Blessings to you each!
-angel
