MERRY CHRISTMAS

What a Day!!!

Well it looks like the Gladney staff has been working overtime. The following families received referrals today: The Breedloves, Fairy Good Baby and The Rooneys. While The Brophy Family and The Clevingers are in Ethiopia being united with their new additions. And last but not least I received a surprise phone call from Mary that Kozette is officially my little angel. Yes, it's true, Belay worked his magic and was able to get into court today and take care of everything that needed to happen. Kozette is my daughter and Tsebay's Quinn sister. We are thrilled. Thank you Gladney for all your hard work. Sweet dreams and happy holidays!!

NO FUN

It looks like we will be on pins and needles for another week or two. There was another problem with the court proceedings. Belay is working on getting it all sorted out so that Kozette will officially be a Quinn Girl. Gladney feels confident I will be able to keep my travel dates of Jan. 8th through the 15th so I just confirmed our tickets for these dates. Of course there is the risk that I will have to change these and pay the fee but otherwise I would lose the seats. Tsebay and I will leave for the east coast on Sunday as planned and pray for the best. We will really be celebrating when this adoption is official. Thank you all for your love and support. Let's hope the third time is the charm.

the wait continues.............

Unfortunately there were some paperwork issues and the court proceedings did not go as planned. A new court date has been set, December 14th and the tentative travel dates are January 8th-14th. I am extremely disappointed but knew this was a strong possibility from everything I have been reading on the blogs and message boards so I was prepared. I have been assured that everything is prepared properly. There seems to be some problems with new MOWA (Ministry of Orpahns and Woman's Affairs, I think)workers.

The weather here on Maui is terrible so if you try to call and don't get through we're fine but the phone reception and electricity is off and on. Schools are even closed. The weather matches my mood.

Now I must go and rearrange my travel plans. Thank you all for your continued love and support. Please keep Tsebay and Kozette's birth mom in your prayers as I'm sure this is a very difficult time for her. She is a very strong woman who really wants her girls to be together. As always please pray for my little Kozette. Please pray that she is safe, happy and healthy during this wait.

Happy December!!

Tsebay and I are anxiously awaiting Kozette's arrival. We look at her picture all of the time and give her kisses. When I ask Tsebay, "Where's Kozette?". She looks at the fridge because this is where her picture is hanging. She also attempts to say her name and most times comes our with a Zeet. Thanks to Uncle Lon, Kozette's bed is ready for her. The girls and I will be sharing a room. It's quite cozy.

This Thursday is the big court date and I am trying not to get too anxious. I think I need to take this week off the blogs and yahoo groups. Too much information is dangerous sometimes, especially when some of it is misinformation.

Hopefully I will be posting later this week that this little cutie is officially my little girl. Do we belong together or what?

Book it!!!

If all goes according to plan I will be departing Philly for Ethiopia on December 22nd and arriving on the 23rd. Kozette will be in my arms on Christmas Eve and I will have a wonderful present to bring home for Tsebay, her very own big sis! Cristin, Kozette and I will be in country for the week and will depart on the 29th. It's a bit risky because they are not issuing visas the same day and this only gives a two day window. I'm going to take my chances. I really want to minimize the time I am away from Tsebay. Most agencies tell you not to book until you have a successful court date but due to the holidays there is limited availability so we went for it. The change fee is $50. and cancellation is $100 so it's not too unreasonable. We are using Susan Parr travel and they have been great. They are working on getting us a room at the Hilton.

My plan is to leave Maui for Philly on December 15th. This gives me one month to get my life in order. I plan to take the month of January off so I need to get plans ready for school in addition to getting the house ready for a two year old. There is so much to do and with Tsebay's new found mobility it is a challenge to get anything accomplished during her waking hours.

It will be great to catch up with my blogging buddies also in Ethiopia to pick up their little ones. What an unforgettable holiday season we will all have.

Please send positive vibes out for successful court dates for all.

We love Drew, Carey and Zoe!

I agree with Renee that this traveling family is among my favorite people. Please check out their blog and see the great pics and posts about their trip and their little girl, Zoe. They delivered a care package to Kozette and took these awesome pics. Blog buddies rock! Thanks again Drew and Carey.





I think Kozette will be Little Miss Aloha. She looks like she is ready for Maui.