More mini-golf pics

We had to have the pink ball of course!

Here are some pics of Makenna's first time mini-golfing! She spent more time kicking the golf ball like a soccer ball than using her club, but she had fun!!! It was a great night together. Just what we needed.

2 year Anniversary

Daddy & daughter

Mommy & her suddenly serious girl

Wow, time flies! Two years ago today is the day that we finalized Makenna's adoption here in WI. Technically it was re-adopting her, as we had already finalized in Ethiopia too. It was such a big day, and I was terrified I would answer something wrong and they would say no. I had never been in a court room, or spoken to a judge, so I had no idea what to expect. Little did I know that adoptions are the best part of a judge's case load. It's the only time they have something good come across their desk. So, needless to say, the proceedings went great. We were legally Makenna Aster Nelson's parents from that day forward. What a great day!





Each year we try to do something together that day, if not spend the whole day together. Well, tonight Makenna picked the Drive-Inn for supper and we went mini-golfing. It was Makenna's first time, and she loved it! She didn't get it, and cheated like crazy, but loved it none the less.





Here are some pics on our way to the Drive-Inn(including one while she is picking her nose--I told her if she didn't stop I was going to take a picture), while we were eating, and some of us together. I will add more of the mini-golf too.

DQ-Yum!

Fun at the Park

Okay, so still no news. We received an e-mail on Friday from our social worker that they had no news for us...still. But, they are hoping for more referrals, so again, we may still have hope. I am ready to settle in for the summer and resign ourselves to the wait, as it is exhausting otherwise. Anyhow, we went to the park today and although she wasn't her usual self, you would never know it by the pictures. She has been a little clingy and having some issues the last couple of days. I am sure that she knows that we are stressed, and is sort of understanding her life may change soon. She had a major meltdown on Saturday, and hasn't been the same since. So, we are trying to give her all the reassurance that she needs, and spend the time we have right now with her. She did end up having fun at the park, just needed more encouragement to do so than usual. She made it up the rock wall like a pro too. It was so cute!

The Mall-2 parents, 4 kids......they won!

Today I went to the mall with my sister, her 3 sweet kids and my cute little girl. We must be CRAZY!!! The kids are 7 months, 2, 5, 7. Now, it doesn't seem like it would be that bad right?? And, it wasn't bad, it was just hilarious! I heard my sister and I both say things that we heard our mom say when we were kids like: "stick together" "hold hands" "stop irritating your sister" "look with your eyes, not your hands" "no, we're not getting that" etc. Those are scary times, when you realize why your mom sounded like that. And, why with 4 kids at home we never went anywhere very often

Anyhow, we only managed to make it to 2 stores and lunch before calling it quits. I'm not sure who was more tired, the kids or the moms. I really started to laugh when I realized that we would be even further outnumbered when our next daughter comes home. YIKES!

But, I love my sister, my nieces and my nephew, so I would do it again tomorrow. I love getting to spend the day with them, and Makenna does too. She worships her aunt and cousins. So, one more day of waiting well spent. :)

P.S. tomorrow is another unofficial "deadline" for referral for us. Our SW mentioned maybe hearing something this Friday. We don't have our hopes up, so we'll see.

The Tough Questions Begin

Makenna is 2 1/2. Everynight we read stories before she goes to bed. She has a pile near her bed, and chooses 2-3 books to read before we pray and snuggle. EVERY night she chooses Over the Moon-an adoption tale. It's one of her favorite books (with no prompting from us, we want her to choose) and she knows the story. Because it's about adoption, we use it as a stepping stone to conversations about her adoption story. She listens, but has never asked, until tonight.....

There is a part of the story where it says the baby grew in another ladies tummy. So she asked me "me in mama Kari's tummy?" I said "no, not in mommy's tummy, but you grew in your Ethiopian mommy's tummy." "What her name mommy?" I just looked at her sweet face and tried to fight back tears. "I don't know yet baby." is all I could say and she didn't ask anymore. I don't know why, but I just wasn't prepared for the question. And, it re-inforced how much it breaks my heart to not have the answers for her. I really don't know her name. I really don't know anything, or have any of the answers to any of her questions. And, she's only 2 1/2--we've got years worth of questions to go!

We have practiced what we will say to her and have talked to her about her adoption since she came home. But, it so much harder than I expected it to be now that she is starting to really understand. I am overwhelmed and am feeling so many emotions. Ugh!

Daisy Daze-Part 2

Okay, so I could only get 5 on the first one so here are some more.

Daisy Daze-Part 1

Ok, so first things first, still no news.... So, we are trying to keep moving forward. I am praying (literally) for peace in my heart and soul until we find out more.

It was absolutely gorgeous here today and no longer extremely hot, so we went out for a 4-wheeler ride out behind our house. The daisies grow wild, and are so beautiful. My only regret is that her hair looks a little sketchy--but, it had been in 2 weeks, which is fantastic for us! So, I'm happy with that. ENJOY!

Stinkin' June 15th

So, for all of you following our story, today was THE day. June 15th is the unofficial cutoff date that our agency uses for the end of referrals until after the rainy season (about early September). And, we heard NOTHING!!! UGH! We sit at the top of the list, currently 3rd on the list of families waiting for referral. We are so close!

Our agency made a few exceptions last year after the 15th, so not all hope is lost. However, I am just exhausted after the last week or two. I was doing fine with the wait until then. Now, for the last two weeks, I have become obsessed. Thinking about getting a referral has taken over my life and my brain! I have been within 6 inches of my cell phone 24 hours a day, even though I rationally know that's not necessary. Still, you never know when they will call right? :) I am so glad that the weekend is here, and that I will stop obsessing for at least 48 hours, because I know they're closed.

So, we hold out hope still for a referral before courts close. We will keep you posted!

The Girl of a Thousand Faces

So, my goofy girl is the worst about having her picture taken. She never cooperates and is always making some goofy face.

Wouldn't you think that a kid who has had her picture taken as much as she has would just give in and cooperate??

Someday that fiesty spirit will serve her well.

Count your blessings

I realized today that I amwilling time to pass (so that we can hopefully get a referral) that I will never get back again. By jumping everytime the phone rings, checking my email and the adoption forum a million times a day, not only am I stressing out, but I am wasting the precious time I have left with just our family as it is.

I know that once we change to a family of four the dynamic will be different, and I will miss the one on one time I have with Makenna now. So, today I stopped to realize how cool it is to get to spend the day with her. I am so fortunate that I get to stay home with her 2 days during the week and spend the WHOLE day with her. We call them Mommy & Makenna days. Those days we get to do whatever we feel like. They usually include doing hair, playing outside, some dancing, and the occasional shopping trip. :)

I forget to appreciate what I have right in front of me. She is the coolest kid and is so sweet. And, I have a very supportive and wonderful husband, who doesn't complain about coming home to a less than perfect house, and no dinner on the table. He is just happy that we had a good day. How cool is that? Not that he would complain if there was dinner on the table either. ;)

So, how about you? Have you stopped to count your blessings today too?

Garbage Can Girl

Ok, so I had to share these pics. I was using Ron's office the other day, and emptied the garbage. I swear I left for 2 seconds and this is what I came back to. What a crazy little thing! But, oh is she cute....... Oh, and I'm sure you can guess which face she gave me when I told her to get out of the garbage can!

Going crazy while we "WAIT"

So, I am finding that I am terrible at waiting. I want things now! A lovely American trait that I never realized I was so overcome by. Everything we need on a daily basis we can get as soon as we want right?? So, suddenly you are forced to wait and the world stops spinning. UGH!

We are currently 4.5 months into the wait for referral for our next daughter from Ethiopia. We knew the expected wait time was 6-9 months, but we were hoping that it would be sooner. And, our agencies average is around 5.5 months I think. So, of course, you hope you are on the shorter end of that wait time. But, you never know. The courts close in ET during the rainy season, and our agency stops giving out referrals after June 15th, so there aren't families sitting during the court closure with a referral.

So, we only have this WEEK to get a referral! We are stressed for sure. I am still trying to remain positive, but I am starting to worry that we won't make it through. If we don't get a referral now, we won't get one until probably mid-September. So, it's a big deal. And, I am worried about Makenna too. We have been talking to her about getting a sister more lately, and she is really focused on the idea. The other day we went to an Ethiopian restaurant and she saw a baby there. She was ga-ga for this baby, and just could not leave her alone. The kicker was when she turned and asked me "baby sister??". She thought it was going to be her baby sister. Broke my heart. So, we may be able to wait a few more months, but I don't know if she can!

Well, I'm hoping for good news this week for us, and for the other families waiting too!
Good night!

Well, this is my first time

So, I decided that WE were going to hop on the blog band wagon after all. I have been contemplating it for a while. Well, for at least a year anyhow. I know..... I just didn't have time before.

Our blog is here to keep family and friends updated on the progress of our current adoption and our lives. And, of course, we will share pics! :)

For those who don't know, we are currently awaiting a referral for an infant girl from Ethiopia. We also have a BEAUTIFUL 2 1/2 year old daughter from Ethiopia who was adopted at 3 mos! More later!