And we keep moving forward!

Just when I start to get lost in my to do list and things that are probably unimportant something happens to bring me back to what is important. We received Terefech's birth certificate today (that is the picture that is on it, I love her disgruntled look). It actually has our names on it! One more step closer to bringing her home. Next, her passport is applied for and she has to pass an embassy medical exam. Then we should get a travel date. All that is usually taking 2-3 weeks. Keep your fingers, toes, and whatever else you can crossed that is all goes smoothly!

Some of you have asked...

what you could get us? What do we need?

Honestly...nothing. Terefech is the first granddaughter on my side so that alone will generate lots of gifts from her very excited Nana. We have tons of toys and books and have done our own shopping for clothes, etc. I appreciate everyone's generosity and thoughtfulness.

If you feel the need to do something, donate!!! You could sponsor a child through an organization. Providing a child an education is a priceless gift. Make a financial donation to agroup that helps children, adults, etc. Also, we will be taking donations with us to Ethiopia. Below is a list of things we can take to donate:

• Antibiotic syrups and ointments • Bibs • Clothes for children

• Diaper rash cream • Formula

Soy Formula

• Hand Sanitizer • Ibuprofen syrup • Multivitamin Syrup • Outside toys for older kids

• Pampers of all sizes (disposable and reusable) • Rubber or latex gloves that come in the box

• Shoes for school aged children

If you have any questions about any of those items, let me know!!!

One of my favorites

I will probably say that for every picture....they are all favorites. One of the things we know about Terefech is that when she smiles she tilts her head. She does this when she meets new people so I expect we might get to see this very face.

Terefech....you pronounce it Ter (rhymes with bear, pear, care, fair, you get the idea), uhhhh (like... I am trying to think of something and I can't remember what), fetch. Many people have asked if we are keeping her name. Yes. We feel that it is something given to her by her birth parents and we want her to keep it. I feel like it takes on special significance when you know it's meaning....she survived.

Will we shorten it? No, not unless she wants to as many kids do as they get older. Her choice. She will keep her last name as her middle name and then throw King on the end!

Want to start a garden?

Here are 2 sites where you can get free seeds...

www.dinnergarden.org/needSeeds.html

and

www.tomatoheirlooms.com/free-seeds

Sleeping like a baby...

One of our favorite things in the social report is that Terefech likes to sleep on her back!!! Great picture to demonstrate!

If you want to help us with this last leg of our adoption journey, we still have t shirts left in several sizes. Email me if you are interested!

And off we go...

Here is our little sweet one again!

Many of you have asked what happens now so thought I would give you the update....

The next step in the process will be getting her birth certificate. Once that is obtained, the process will be started to obtain her Ethiopian passport. Then paperwork will be submitted to the U.S. Embassy and we will wait for an appointment with the U.S. embassy. That is the appointment we will be in Ethiopia for. We will receive her visa to travel then. All of this is not done by us but by our agency and others.

We hope to travel in May or June but these things like all others are out of our control. So in the mean time we will be preparing ourselves for her arrival. There is a room to paint, things to buy, books to read and enjoying our last days as we three kings. We can't wait til we our WE FOUR KINGS!

Introducing.....

Terefech!!!!

Today we passed court in Ethiopia. That means that legally, in the eyes of the Ethiopian government, Terefech is our daughter. We are so thrilled!!! We hope to travel to bring her home somewhere between late May to mid June.

African Children's Choir

Last night we saw the amazing African Children's Choir. What a wonderful night it was to see

children with such gifts for music and dance. Declan was mesmerized by the drumming which the children do. They told amazing stories of what their program Music for Life can do for children. Some of the former choir members were there as adult performers. They all had attended college or were in the midst. The only reason they received an education was through the Music for Life program.

Rich and I really enjoyed the performance, as much or more than Declan. I love that the kids were still kids out there. They weren't perfect all the time but it didn't seem to faze them. They danced and sang with joy and exuberance. There were songs and dance from many different countries in Africa (the kids are from a variety of countries) and what an education it was to see the different native costumes, drumming and dances from each.

If they are in your city, be sure to attend the performance. You receive a great night out, your children have a learning experience and you are helping provide hope for children in Africa.

www.africanchildrenschoir.com