The Journey of a Lifetime

Ryan and I have decided to pursue our forth adoption and add another beautiful baby to our family. We couldn't be happier and are thrilled! Join us in our journey in adopting baby Schlenner!

Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Posting Comments

I wanted to remind our family and friends that when Kirstie and I are traveling in Ethiopia we will have a laptop with to keep in contact. I'll be updating the blog daily with news, happenings, and pictures!!! We'd love to hear comments from you all, too, as we'll be missing home and our other children, husbands, and dear family and friends.

So I want to encourage you all to leave a message on the blog. I was informed my one of my aunties that posting comments is confusing. So if you want to post a comment..."click" on the comment tab at the end of reading a post and simply type a comment and your name and "click" anonymously. That way you don't have to register or do anything else. It's simple and easy. Plus, Kirstie and I are going to enjoy hearing from you all when we're traveling next month (hopefully next month!!)

Have a fun day everyone!

Count down to Court!!!

ONLY 6 days left until our case is presented to the judge!!! On Monday, April 6th the judge (hopefully a very nice one) will see our case and decide if adequate information is provided and therefore, grant the adoption legal and binding...naming Ryan and I the official parents of Ahnya Leigh Meretech!!!!

Since Ethiopia is 8 hours ahead....this decision will regardlessly be made the day before. So things will be playing out on Sunday. I'm an emotional wreck just thinking about it.

Once we pass court, THEN I will be able to post pictures of baby Ahnya. Since Ahnya is an orphan of the court, it's illegal to post pictures of her on the web. So for those of you waiting to see what she looks like....tune in on Monday, April 6th!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Please pray that the judge in Ethiopia grants us custody of Ahnya and we are named her legal parents forever. We need all of your prayers!

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

We got Ahnya's Measurements today!

I got a wonderful surprise in my email today. Our adoption specialist sent us Ahnya's measurements for her 5 month check-up. I'm thrilled!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

As of last month, Ahnya is 11.2 lbs and 25.6 inches long!!! I was hoping she would have gained more, but she's definately making up for it in length! She's a very, very long and skinny peanut. Her health record says she's healthy. So, we're pleased to read this and over the moon!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thank you for following the blog and checking in on baby Ahnya!

Wednesday, March 4, 2009

Just when I thought things couldn't get any better....

Today, I received the best news from our social worker!!!! She told us that for no particular reason our court date has been moved up to Monday, April 6th!!!!!!! It's moved up a whole 5 weeks!!!!!!! Which means we have court earlier and travel earlier than expected!!!

When a court hearing is typically set-it does not change. Actually, this rarely EVER happens. It's almost unheard of in the adoption world!!! Although, deep down every adoptive parent hopes that this happens so they can be with their child sooner. In my case, personally I have been hoping and praying that this would happen...so I CAN travel sooner and get our baby in Africa!

It's impossible to put into words and express the feelings that this stirs up. However, I'm sure all mother's - birth or adoptive - would agree that an earlier arrival date (by 2 months) is ALWAYS music to their ears!!!!!!

We won't know WHEN we travel until after court on April 6th. But, we're hoping that it's the end of April!!!!! That would be three weeks after court...but we could always go sooner, too!!!! I like to look at things on the bright side, of course! So just think...KIRSTIE AND I COULD BE LEAVING TO ETHIOPIA IN 7 WEEKS! I'm going to try and catch my breath and soak in this wonderful news!