Braxton Hicks.....

I have never fully been in labor until after already being at the hospital.  Eden was two days overdue and I went in because I had a high leak and then went into labor after much walking in the hospital that day.  Eli was induced on his due date and by noon we all figured out we weren't getting anywhere and with his estimated weight we ended up having a c-section.  Tobe was a repeated c-section a week before his due date. So I never had the contractions or the false labor or the "should we go to the hospital now?" feeling.  I never even had serious braxton hicks contractions.

Well leave it to the non-pregnancy to have my first braxton hicks (metaphorically speaking).  Anyways, the two real life friend couples that we have visited with got their referral when they were #13.  Did I mention WE are #13?  I also know that after the most recent referrals we may be at #1 or #2 for a toddler.  Just can't really know for sure, several people in front of us want sibling groups or an infant baby.   So it literally could be any day, but it also could be several months.  (Of course, that is making it very different from a pregnancy b/c there is no official due date in sight----I posted about our "expectancy" a long time ago HERE). 

So I am super excited and yet super crazy all at the same time.  I had several daydream scenarios today playing out in my head about how it could/would go down {today, mind you}.  And yet it did not.  I'm afraid I could have these scenarios daily....so I NEED prayer.

I really have no clue how to stop my brain....besides my friends covering me in prayer.  I can't imagine doing this for several months.  So here are a few specific prayer requests:

1.  Continue to pray for our hearts, minds, and patience as we continue to wait for our referral day and see her sweet face for the first time.  (From any day to still several months)

2.  Pray for a QUICK referral.  Ethiopia courts close from mid August thru October due to rainy season. In essence, the court process just stops.  Referrals can still be made and those that made it to court can still be processed on thru embassy....SO my prayer is that if a referral is coming soon that it would come in time that we could make it to court at beginning of August.  (this would be somewhat miraculous at this point---to put things in perspective our friends who got their referral on Feb. 27th probably will go to court at the beginning to mid June---so we are running out of time).  The downfall???  Well it just means when we do get that referral we will have a 2 month longer wait period before we ever get to see her in person because court at the earliest will be late October.

3.  Continue to pray for our hearts, minds, and patience as we continue to wait for our referral day and see her sweet face for the first time. (From any day to still several months)  {Oh wait, I already said that didn't I?  :)  Well I truly mean it.)

Thank you for following along on our journey. 

21 Month Waitaversary

We have reached 21 Months.....

We have REACHED 21 Months......

We have reached 21 MONTHS.......

WE have reached 21 Months.......

We HAVE reached 21 Months......

I guess any way you say it---it means the same thing.  We are still waiting.  The last family that moved us up to #14 was actually #11 on the list.  So I am having heart palpitations these days.  :)
Of course the good kind.  So please pray.  It can literally be any day to still several months away.  It would be miraculous to not have a post with 22 months???  Am I right???

One reason is because on May 11th--(Saturday before Mother's Day) we are having our 3rd Annual Love 2 Run 4 Love....I would love to show her picture off.  (Cause unfortunately all you non-local peeps that are following our story will not get to see her picture till after our first trip to Africa and we pass court). 

So if you are in the Franklin County area at all please come join us for this 5K run/walk....It will benefit TWO sweet Ethiopians.....(us and the Krammel family).  Message me for a registration form.  Deadline for our fun t-shirt is April 25th!!! So sign up today. 

Dear Precious Daughter,

We are waiting for you.  We cannot wait until God puts you in our lap and we get to see your face.  We are praying for your health, your caregivers, your country, and your birth family.  Your brothers and sister are praying for you too.  They cannot wait to add you to our crazy family.  You are worth the wait---we already know that.  God has big plans for your life and I cannot wait to see how you are going to bloom.   His love is amazing and I can't quite understand how He loves you more than we do.....but He DOES!!!!

Love,
Your Mommy-to-Be