Trick or Treat?

Check out Gail's blog and vote for your favorite pumpkin.

The winner of the raffle will be pulled between 4-5 EST.
I will post as soon as I get the word. Good luck everyone!

Happy Birthday Grandmom

G is for the GUIDANCE you have given to our family

R is for keeping it REAL. You are always true to your values and beliefs.

A is for your positive ATTITUDE. It is contagious.

N is for the NAPS we used to take together. Your snoring secret is safe with me.

D is for the DESTINATIONS of your many trips. The bed is ready.

M is for the MANY, MANY people who love you.

O is for OPEN MINDEDNESS. Thanks for always listening to our views.

M is for MANY, MANY more healthy, happy years.


WE LOVE YOU.........XOXOXO........Rachelle, Maria and Tsebay

Yipppeee!! We've reached our goal!!!

Thanks to the support of many family and friends the raffle is sold out. We have reached our goal and will be pulling the winner on Thursday, November 1st so stop by and see who the lucky winner is. Thanks Gail, P-Dawg, Big B, Gram L, Jen and Jeff Magson, Uncle Dennis, Rebecca, my blog buddies and all the others who spread the word and got the raffle tickets sold. It touches me daily to think of all the love that is out there for my new family. Mom (Mimi) and Kate thank you so much for putting so much time, energy and love into making this raffle a reality. This will always be such a special part of our family's adoption story.

I am (not so) patiently awaiting my court date. I am really hoping to have Kozit in my arms by Christmas. Please keep the prayers coming. I dream of her at night and think of her all day. I imagine her playing with Tsebay and think of the changes I will have to make to manage two children. I find myself wondering-- What is she doing? Is she safe, healthy, well fed? I am so fortunate to have Tsebay in my life. She keeps me busy and is a constant reminder that yes, the adoption dream does become a reality. I have decided to keep Kozit as her first name although I am thinking about changing the spelling, Kozette perhaps? I am still searching for a middle name. I'll keep you posted.

Tsebay turned 9 months and is doing all the things a 9 month old does. We had her physical this week and is in tip top shape. She is crawling and getting into everything. She is very, very verbal. I wonder where she gets this from?

Here are some recent pics.













In the last pic. we are at a polo match and Tsebay is wearing her polo by Ralph Lauren. Is she styling or what? This little cutie has the perfect outfit for every occasion. Thanks to all my fashion savy friends and family.

Progress......

Double Yahoooooo! First, after a long rainy season in Ethiopia the courts are open. For those of us following the progress of Ethiopian adoptions the court closure has felt like forever. Congratulations Mestas, big sister Ellie and Evangeline Grace for being one step closer to your little ones. I will keep you in my prayers and hope all will go well during your Friday court date. The second reason to celebrate is my dossier is complete and will make a quick stop in DC and then be off to Ethiopia. I received this email from Mary today-
Kate informed me that your dossier to ready to be sent to D.C. today! That is great news!
So once your dossier reaches Ethiopia , Belay will have your dossier translated into Amharic. As soon as it is translated, he will have it submitted to the courts. I will contact you once we have a court date set for you.

I'm guessing a November 15th court date and traveling the last week of Nov./first week of Dec. Anyone have an over/under?

I've had tons of support lately to assist with adoption costs. There have been four special families giving $1000. donations, Jen, Jeff and Maddie (love ya and hope to see you soon), one of Jeff's coworkers (WOW!!!, the kindness of strangers is the best), Bob, my mom's coworker (now known as Uncle Bob) and my Grandmom Mc Gee (you rock, Gram). Thank you so much to everyone who has helped out and purchased a raffle ticket or tickets. There are still some available. My mom and cousin will be selling them until the end of the month or until we sell 275. Think, Maui, beaches, surfing, relaxing, sun, hiking, waterfalls. I promise to make it the trip of a lifetime and you'll get to see my two little cuties. I also found out last week that I will be receiving a $2000. grant through Gladney's Ashenefi's Gift! Thank you Gladney and grant organizers. Asking for financial assistance has been a humbling experience but I just keep reminding myself that it's not about me but about the girls. The outpouring of love and support is so overwhelming and keeps me motivated when the wait seems never ending. Maya Kozit and Tsebay Grace thank you as well. How sweet will it be to finally see them together.

Tsebay is growing and continues to be very verbal. Her favorite activity is to be read to. She will sit and attend for as long as someone is willing to read. She can be totally fussy but will calm down as soon as you open a book. She turns the pages and verbalizes when she sees certain pictures. She loves animals. Her two favorites are cat and duck. These are two of her first words. She has a tooth coming in on the bottom. I have felt it but don't get to see it too often. Her tongue is still out most of the time and I think it's even more so now that there is a tooth to check out. Tsebay loves music. She enjoyed some Irish tunes last night at Mulligans and enjoys entertaining us with her drum. Here are some pics of my little darling in action. She is so ready to crawl but just can't manage to go forward.

Chillin'

Here's a picture of Kozit with her buds. She looks like such a big girl. It's so amazing how all the kids care for each other and the little ones try to keep up with the big ones.

Gotta love their spirits. The girls are all so happy and they've been through more in their short lives than most of us will ever encounter. I'm inspired by my girls!

Great News from Ethiopia

"Let Maria know that Kozit is possibly the sweetest child I have ever met. I drove her yesterday, and she was in the back with one of the caregivers. Every now and then I would turn around and pat her on the leg and she would just get this huge smile. All the times that I have been around her she has never cried or complained and any time anyone gives her attention she just gives you the best smile! I will really miss her when she goes, but am so happy for Maria, Tsebay, and Kozit."


This is the word that was sent via Mary from Ryan (Ethiopia Gladney All Around Awesome Guy) today. How lucky am I? Aren't these the words every mother wants to hear? I can't wait to see that smile in person. Those cheeks are the cutest and the eyes just draw you in. I am reading, researching and preparing for the worst.......... temper tantrums, spitting, sadness, frustration and jealousy but am hoping for the best............a sweet, happy little girl that shows emotion, likes to play and loves her momma and sister.

I'm hoping no news is good news on the dossier front. My paperwork is making it's way around the country getting all the necessary authentications. Hopefully it will get to DC anyday now. Ethiopia here I come! I just got word that the courts are not opening until next week and they are expecting a back log. Hopefully it will not be too long. I know how anxious many of us are to hold our new little ones. Check out other Gladney families that are ready to travel. Renee and Geert will be picking up their two little cuties, the Mestas Family will be adding adorable twineetes and a sweet little boy to their family and Drew and Carrie will be going to get their little angel Zoe. She's only 10 weeks old.

My friend Cristin got her shots today and is planning to travel with me. I am so grateful to have a travel partner for this trip. Thank you to all of you who have offered to make sacrafices and travel with me. I am so fortunate to have such supportive friends and family.

There are so many people doing such amazing things for me and my girls. I am touched daily by the kindness people have been showing. My cousin Kate was the driving force behind the raffle tickets. Without her it would have just been another great idea and I would be going into some scary debt to make this all happen. Kate and her family showered Tsebay with everything she needed(and more) to have an swesome start in her new life. Thanks so much Kate! My college roommate, Jen, is leading the pack in selling tickets and is not taking no for an answer. She is another person that bought out baby GAP with gifts for Tsebay. I love ya, Mulv!

Here are a few more pics the Daileader's sent:






Don't forget my Sweet Tsebay-




Please continue to keep us in your thoughts and prayers.

Kozit Opened Her Care Package

Isn't she so adorable? I can't wait to kiss those adorable cheeks and check out the sparkling eyes. Wow, how blessed am I. Mimi, what great timing for these pics to arrive on your Birthday. Happy Birthday!!! Tsebay is also sharing in this special day. She's 8 months old.