CIS Fingerprinting #3

Yes, we just came back from getting fingerprinted for the third time.  Fingerprints expire after about 15 months, so it is discouraging to think that we've already gone through two expiration dates.

I can honestly say that when we started our adoption in February 2010, I never would have dreamed we would still be waiting.  I distinctly remember at our very first CIS appointment, we were asked if we were adopting from China.  We said no, we were adopting from Ethiopia.  The government worker said, "Oh, that's good.  Adopting from China can take around four years!"  I remember thinking that I was glad we wouldn't have to wait that long...ha!

However, we know our ways are not His ways but God can work all things together for good.  We went to our appointment with the hopeful expectation that this will be the last time.

Judah stayed with his grandma so that we could quickly make the three hour drive, get fingerprinted, and grab some lunch before coming home.  It was nice to spend the day just the two of us!

Officially Waiting Again!

Just an update to let everyone know that our dossier is finished and we are officially waiting for our referral as of June 25!

We have been given a general estimate of how long to expect to wait but we know that our referral could come before or after that time.  But if we've learned anything through this long, long process it is that God is in control and we need to trust in Him.

We have opened up our age range and could (most likely) be bringing home a toddler...we're so excited for the day we see their face! :)

Celebrating with some Starbucks and Judah's first cake pop - he was a big fan!

{Judah} 21 Months Old

Here's a look at Judah at 21 months...


Jude is just talking up a storm.  I love hearing his little voice and knowing exactly what it is that he's seeing or wants to have.  Here's a video of him just jabbering away!

Some of his new favorite words are:
bird, toast, tea, car, up, toes, shoes, socks, out, book, eyes, truck, bubbies (bubbles), garby (garbage truck), bar (granola bar), Elmo, Abby, side (outside), oh no, necklace


Jude is also starting to repeat letters and sounds when he's watching "Sesame Street" or "Super Why."  We read books before naps and bed, and he usually spends awhile looking at them during the day.  Right now his favorites are these Corduroy board books and lift the flap books.

Other favorites include garbage trucks, Elmo, the movie "Up."  He gets so excited when he hears the truck start to come down the street and also asks for his movies everyday.  I think "Up" is pretty much memorized by now...by both of us!  Good thing I love the movie too! :)


Learning to feed himself has been an adventure.

We've also spent lots of time outside this summer and he is loving his water table, playing with balls, and going to the pool.

This was his first time going through the sprinkler...he has no fear of the water!

Other than our first ear infection in April, it has been a great three months!  Judah is learning so much and is such a blessing to us.  Can't believe it's almost time to start planning his second birthday...

What's New?

We've had a busy start to our summer.  Ever since we moved into our house almost five years ago, we had a few improvements we've wanted to do but never got around to doing it.

Project #1:  We've always talked about doing a tile back splash, but this month we finally completed that project.  It hides a few of the imperfections in our wall and makes our kitchen look so much better.

Project #2:  We got a fence!  This has been so much fun for Judah.  A busy street went right by the side of our house and I always felt like I couldn't take my eyes off of Judah for a second.  Now he's free to run around and we have a little privacy from all of the people taking walks and driving by.  Judah does have one complaint though - the fence makes it a little harder to see garbage trucks on pick-up day.  (They are his new favorite thing to watch.)

Good thing Daddy knows his love for the trucks!

In other news, it was a great day in the mail this week!  We got our appointment letter to renew our fingerprints (for Citizenship and Immigration) and  the movie Kinshasa Symphony arrived.  I haven't watched it yet, but I have heard it is such a good story and there are lots of glimpses of Kinshasa.

Kinshasa is the capital of Congo, but it is also where our child will likely be right now because our agency works with orphanages in Kinshasa.

Please continue to pray for us while we wait.  We are *this* close to being on the wait list and we are anxiously waiting for the day we will see our little one's face.