Gifts for our Guy!

Zack and I are privileged to live in a good neighborhood with some really great neighbors. Over the past several years we've become close friends with one family in particular...

We met Mike & Tiffany back in 2001 right after they moved into our neighborhood. At the time their daughter, Megan, was about 9 months old. Since then we've spent lots of time together: on vacation, at the lake, many nights at Johnny's Pizza, and just hanging out.

They are amazing friends, and they have two amazing kiddos. Megan and Jon are great kids, and so much fun to be around! They are pictured here, along with Adie's friend Zoe. They are very generous... just last week, they brought over a scooter & trike for our boy. He's not even here yet, and he already has friends who are so kind to him!

We want to say a big THANK YOU to Megan & Jon for their sweet gifts. We can't wait until the day when the 3 of them can get out in the cul-de-sac and ride their scooters and bikes together!!

Adoption Stuff...
Today is Day 11 of our 20 [business] day wait. The SDA is supposed to take 20 business days to review each dossier before approving and assigning an appointment date. Sometimes it takes longer, so we're not trying to set any expectations. But we are getting closer. So please keep those prayers coming!!

Weekend Away, and The Next Hurdle

It's that time of year - vacation time! But while friends and family around us are setting sail for exotic locations, we're saving all our vacation time for the big trip later this year...

In the interim we enjoyed a much-needed get away this past weekend. Zack was asked to go to Savannah and work at an expo on Saturday morning, and in return we got a weekend away on the company! It was nice to have a few days to relax, shop, see the beach, and eat some really good seafood! It definitely did us some good to have at least a mini-vaca until time for the BIG TRIP...

And speaking of the BIG TRIP, we have some news to share! We received an email this morning, letting us know that our dossier was submitted to the SDA today (Ukraine's state department of adoption)!!!! We are so excited to finally get this piece of news.


So what's next?
The SDA has 20 business days (give or take) to review our dossier. If everything 'passes', then they will approve us, and will assign us a date to come to their office for an appointment.

All of that means that by mid-August we should receive approval and a travel date. Based on everything we've been hearing/reading lately, we could get an appointment around mid-October, or it could be later depending on how busy they are.

We appreciate everyone's prayers and support that helped us to this milestone. God is Good... All the Time! Now it's time for a new set of prayers... please pray that the SDA will approve us and assign us a travel date.

Another step closer to our Little Guy!

At a Snail's Pace...

Several people have asked for the latest adoption news, since we haven't posted in a while. Well, guess what... we're still waiting!

The good news is that things are moving along in Ukraine and they've apparently been accepting dossiers from the U.S. on Mondays, as is the norm.

So we're moving up in the line! We have a general idea of when we might be submitted, but I don't want to "jinx" anything! :)

Please continue to pray that our dossier will be submitted soon and that the SDA will accept it and assign us an appointment/travel date. I promise to post as soon as we know anything.

Hang in there Little Guy, we're getting closer!!

Breakfast With a JRT

I guess there will be things that I have to get used to when we bring Little Guy home. I can count the number of times on my hands that I have sat down at our dining room table. Usually, we camp out in front of the TV and eat our breakfast, lunch and dinner.


As I was fixing my bowl of cereal on Sunday morning before going to church, I started thinking about things that I would have to change or get used to doing a different way. SO- I poured my cereal, sat down at the dining room table, called Adie to sit next to me since LG isn't here yet and we had breakfast. I know you are thinking- you are disgusting letting a dog sit at the table- but in my defense, my dog is smarter and better behaved than most kids.



As I sat in church yesterday I was thinking about changes and first times for things and my mind began to wander (as it sometimes does in church). I saw a Hispanic man who I have seen now for probably 2 years come in with his 2 sons and what I think is probably his fiancee. Every Sunday, rain or shine, this man brings his 2 sons to church and they sit on the FIRST row. I kept thinking of us walking in with our son in his little kacki pants and Polo shirt. I thought about when we have a child dedication service and we can invite family and friends to this special service Dr. Merritt has 2-3 times a year. I guess maybe it is finally starting to get more real to me.


Here is the kicker. You are going to think this is stupid, but it hit home to me. We have been needing a new bike rack that will fit my company car and Jennifer's Accord. We went to Wal-Mart on Saturday and bought one. Not just for our two bikes, but one to carry three bikes. It is the first "family" thing I have seen us buy. It was very exciting.