We are heading to Philadelphia!!

Hello my friends! Please pray for safe travels. We are leaving in the morning for Philadelphia. We are taking Tong Tong (our hairless cat) with us tomorrow and will bring the other two cats after LiLi's surgery. We decided to leave tomorrow so we would beat some of the Labor Day traffic. Today my mom came over and played with LiLi while we packed. We worked non-stop from 0900-1700. Tonight George and I went to dinner with my two sisters and brother-in -laws. It's starting to hit me that I am going to be away from my family for the first time EVER for Christmas, birthdays, etc. BUT..this is a great experience and I'm very excited. I just got through bathing Tong Tong and we're heading off to sleep....I'll be in touch~!

Dossier to Ethiopia 11 weeks ago today!!

Today marks 11 weeks that our dossier left for Addis Ababa. The agency has told us that most referrals occur between 3-4 months. We are getting close. We are super excited..especially LiLi who talks about her baby sister Bella daily.

BIG NEWS: We are moving to Philadelphia for the next few months. George was offered a job that he couldn't resist. It is a great opportunity for him and he is super excited. We have already rented a furnished apartment right in Center City..walking distance to everywhere. We love Philadelphia and have been there dozens of times for George's business. LiLi is already enrolled in ballet class (since she has taken since she turned 2..it was important to me that she continue since she enjoys it so much). We will definitely miss our family but will be back in September for LiLi's surgery and in November for her 4th birthday party. We already have Anna booked on a couple of flights and she will be with us for 10 days during Christmas break. Please pray for safe travels since we are driving there on Monday. After LiLi's surgery, I will drive up with the three cats! HELP ME!!! :)

I will post as soon as we hear anything about BABY BELLA!!

USA Today News Report

Please take the time to read this article and view the video. It is heartbreaking!

http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2008-08-17-ethiopia_N.htm

We can't wait to bring Bella home.

Dossier to Ethiopia 2 months ago

It has been 2 months today that our dossier left for Ethiopia. We are halfway there! :) We are really getting excited!

We are having a great time in Norfolk, Virginia. George is working for 2 weeks and LiLi and I are having lots of time to hang out. We have gone to Norfolk Botanical Garden, Childrens Museum, Jumpin Monkey, and much more. We had lunch yesterday with a lady that I met on the Ethiopian Yahoo site who adopted her daughter from Ethiopia in March. She is 18 months old and precious. LiLi did very well sharing with her. We will be in Norfolk until at least the 20th.

I'll be in touch!

Having fun in the sun!

We had a GREAT time in Myrtle Beach. We spent 5 nights at The Embassy Suites right on the beach. Since we live right near the beach it doesn't interest LiLi too much. SO..we spent 5 days at the pool. It was so relaxing and it was great to have so much family time without any distractions.


I was finally able to meet Kathy Irwin(who was alosi in the process of adopting from Vietnam). We met her family at The Hard Rock Cafe at Broadway on the Beach for dinner. We spent a couple of hours chatting like we had known each for years!


We are leaving on Sunday to go to Norfolk, Virginia for a couple of weeks. George will be working and LiLi and I will be tagging along for fun. We plan on going to the Aquarium, the beach, IMAX, Children's Museum and much more.

Ethiopia Update: Our dossier was sent to Ethiopia 8 weeks ago tomorrow. They are estimating that we will receive our referral within 4 months. The courts closed today for their rainy season.
They will reopen at the end of September. We are still able to receive our referral during the court closure. Please pray that we receive the referral of our daughter soon and that she is healthy.