Adjusting Well

In my post yesterday I told you all that Zola is adjusting quite well. I thought I'd give you evidence of things she likes and how she is adjusting so well.

Things Miss Z likes to Eat:
Sweet Potato Puree
Carrot Puree and Pieces
Hummus
Bananas
Peaches
Chicken
Yogurt
Yogurt Bites
Puffs
Rice Cereal
Gluten Free Honey Rice Chex
Pancakes
Black Beans
Bottles ;)

A Couple Dislikes:
Green Bean Puree and Pieces
Apple Puree
Peach Puree

From our food list, she's doing pretty well! :) She is putting on some weight, at least it looks like it anyway. She hasn't been weighed since last week when we she was at the Dr. but she is getting some chunk on her legs. There is nothing cuter than chubby baby legs.

We are working on loving the car seat, but she is getting better and better at being strapped in. We go on lots of walks, so those straps are helping her get comfortable in them. One our of favorite things is when we get in from taking a walk, she lights up and gets so excited to come into her house. Yesterday she absolutely lit up when Kyle came home from work, so so sweet. Today, I had to go into work and when I got home, I got lots of smiles and kisses!

Zola is quite the explorer around here. She takes everything in and is wonderful at mimicking what we do. She likes to swing, she loves the sprinkler, she really likes to dump things, pull her books off the shelf, and play with her play food. It is amazing to see how well she truly is adjusting. She acts a little shy around people at first, but then warms right up.

To say the least, we are insanely blessed by this little one. We are still in awe she is ours. We know it isn't all roses and perfect moments, but I am loving the fact that at night, we have toys to put away and baby clothes to wash. What a blessing this has been and continues to be. 

Home for a Week and a Half?!

To be honest, I can't even believe I am typing out the sentence that we have been home for a week and a half... with OUR daugher. Yes, that's right, not just home from Ethiopia, but with our sweet Zola.

The night I wrote my last post to Zola was the last night we had to wonder when we were going to have that little girl in our arms. How amazing is that. God answers prayers like no one else can is to say the least.

When Kyle and I were submitted to Embassy we had braced ourselves for the fact that the US Embassy may ask for Zola's birth father to come back once again to the capital to be interviewed. Now, we completely understand why this is asked of so many, but it just didn't sit well with Kyle and I. We had talked numerous times about how hard it must be for the birth parents to come back and reopen this wound. I also understand that this can be a good thing for birth parents, as they get to meet the adoptive family, and maybe they need more closure. But, we just struggled with someone demanding he come back to the capital, travel from his home, miss work, and possibly repoen a wound that he had already started heal from.

With our conversations, came lots of prayers as well. We prayed every night that if he is already healing from this decision, and if he doesn't need that closure, and that if it would be too difficult to leave work then that he wouldn't be asked to come to Addis (the capital) We also prayed for him and that he was healing from this decision and that he is so proud of his decision.

We were pleasantly surprised when we got an email at 3:30 am, but we didn't check it until 6am that we were cleared for Embassy and we needed to send an email with what dates we would like to travel to Ethiopia. We did just that! We got those ducks in a row, and then called a travel agent to book some flights.

I'm going to skip ahead here and tell you that we are all adjusting well. Zola lights up when Kyle or myself come into a room or are playing with her, she gets a huge smile on her face when we come inside from taking a walk, she likes to eat, and she loves to sleep!!

She is sleeping about 12 hours a night with at least one long nap during the day. I think she is loving the quiet and she is growing. We have had visitors and she seems to try to figure everyone out at first, and then warms right up. We are so blessed by all the texts, facebook posts, visits, and most of all prayer. She is one loved little girl!

Once I get my computer up and running I'll add some pictures on here and explain a little more about (both) of our trips.

Thanks for the continued prayers and thoughts, we couldn't be thankful for the support system we have and have had for the past 2  years. God's timing is perfect, because we are so lucky He called us to be her parents.

I Miss You Sweet Girl

So, I realize it's been awhile since I have updated, and a lot has happened. We have now been to Ethiopia and got the word that we legally have a little baby girl now! She is officially part of our family, what a surreal feeling. I promise I will post soon about the days leading up to our trip and our trip.

We have been home for 1.5 months, and boy do we miss that sweet girl. Tomorrow she will be 10 months old and I wish more than anything we could be with her to celebrate or better yet have her home. Just a little letter to our little peanut...

Sweet Zola,
You're 10 months old tomorrow! I can't believe that we have had your picture for 4 months now. A lot has happened in those 4 months, and the best part of that was meeting you. On June 14th, 2013 we arrived in Ethiopia and immediately went to meet you. You didn't cry when we held you, and you stared into our eyes and it went straight into our hearts. We knew we loved you from that very first picture we laid our eyes on, but meeting you was an entirely different story. That first day we met you, we got play with you, make you giggle, and even feed you. Zola, you have been in our dreams for 2 years, but none of those dreams came close to how God blessed us. You are so beautiful, and your eyes pierce right into the depths of our soul. We can't imagine life without you now, you were meant to be a Chaffee, and we couldn't be more thrilled. Baby girl, we are ready for you to be with us forever and ever. We know that everyday won't be perfect, and some days you will be mad at us, but we hope you know in the depths of your soul we love so much. We want you to know that your first dad was such a brave man to let us take you into our family. We want you to know that we are here for you no matter what. Lastly, we want you to know that we have prayed for you every single night for 2 years. We love you sweet girl, and can't wait to see you soon.
Love,
daddy and mommy


We are hoping to hear this week whether or not another birth parent interview will be scheduled, or if we clear embassy. We are praying that we clear embassy and we are getting our little Zola home sooner rather than later. If you will join us in prayer, we would so appreciate it. Thanks for all the love and support friends!

Still Grieving

Today was one of those days that I am beyond thankful for a flexible job. I was struggling with some things already, and then I got an email saying that we still don't have a court date, and she has no idea when we will get one. I was sent over the edge, and had to come home.

As I was literally yelling over the phone with Kyle on the other end and tears streaming down my face he reminded me that I am still grieving in moments like these.

Words cannot describe how relieved we were when we got the news of baby T's birth father relinquishing his rights, and making that next big hurdle we had been waiting to get over. We are now waiting to get the news of when we will go to Ethiopia and meet our sweet little girl. During the times of waiting is still difficult though.

Most of this process is waiting, but during those wait times there has been a lot of grieving. The grieving time of knowing we would never have biological children and making that decision whole heartedly true on Feb. 16 with a hysterectomy. Along with waiting for 16 months to see our sweet girls face. We then waited for 6 weeks to be submitted to court, while other families actually passing us in the waiting period. Now, to waiting to hear of when we are to travel. During those times big events or holidays come up and we (probably me more than Kyle because I'm an emotional girl) grieve those times that our little girl is not with us.

Today is not a holiday, it is just a Wednesday, but I am grieving the fact that we have no end in sight of when we will get to meet our little one. I'm grieving because we are told one thing and other things happen. I'm grieving because there are so many babies in Ethiopia right now, and not as much help or 1:1 attention like I could give her. I'm grieving the fact that this has taken so long, and there still isn't an end.

I'm sure you're all thinking I'm impatient, and that' fine, because I am. But, think about waiting 2.5 years to see your 1st childs face, also knowing she is across the ocean and you have no idea when you get to meet her. That's not to say that every step of this hasn't been worth it, because if you haven't seen her yet, you'll understand when you do. She is the most beautiful thing in the world! If I had the chance to do it all over again, I would.

Today, I'm giving myself grace to be impatient and making the decision tomorrow to pick myself up and keep on moving. Not because I want to, but because I have to. I have to practie being strong now in the hardest times to be able to show my daughter how to be strong later.

Monday Prayers

The next 2 big things on our timeline have happened, and will be happening soon! :)
We were submitted to court on May 2nd, the day after May Day, because Ethiopian court was closed on May Day. I still giggle at the holidays they celebrate. We weren't expecting to get a call from our agency until about this Thursday to find out when the Birth Parent court date, but we were caught by surprise when she called on May 9th to tell me that we got a Birth Parent Court Date for May 27th!!! Our coordinator was about as excited as we were. It was such a great day. Earlier in the week Kyle was saying that he should go to Cincinnati because that's when things happen. Sure enough, Kyle was in Cinci when I got the call.

This Monday, Memorial Day will be when Baby T's birth father goes to the courts and stands before the judge relinquishing his rights as her birth father. What a bittersweet day for us. We are so so happy because it's one step closer to meeting our little girl and making her legally ours. However, it's a bitter day to think that he is losing the most beautiful girl in the world. I can't imagine what that day will feel like for him, but we have been praying for him nightly. If you would join us in prayers for him and his heart, and his emotions we would love that. This may be his first time flying, traveling, etc. on top of letting go legally of his first little girl.

We are also hoping and praying that we find out when we travel very soon. We are hoping it's next week, but found out today it could be the week after. The Ethiopian government has a piece of paper that has to go on our case before getting our court date. We are praying MOWA (the government who has the paper) will have things ready and move quickly. We are praying for this as well.

On Friday we have our big Dr. Appointment day. I just finished my Hep A and B shots this week and Kyle already has his booster shot. We will possibly be getting our Yellow Fever shot and getting general information about traveling to Ethiopia, along with some pills, and ways to prevent getting sick.

We also received our visas in the mail today! We are so ready to go. Not just emotionally but logistically as well. It is all so exciting, but it truly does seem surreal still. I cannot wait to meet her and hold her and give her kisses. I feel like my emotions are bursting at the seams lately.

I'm going to be a mom people!!! I mean seriously and truly be a mom. I cannot believe it. I have had like 3 or 4 close friends tell me they were pregnant. I know I have posted about this before, but I absolutely love to see how The Lord has changed my heart and I'm truly so so happy for them all. It is such a beautiful part of building a family, but I feel so lucky to be building our family through adoption. It hasn't been easy, and there have been lots of tears, and anger, but I couldn't imagine it any other way. And now it's my turn to be a mom!

Prayer is an amazing thing, and I'm so thankful that we have a way to talk to God in our own ways, and He answers things in the most crazy, but amazing ways. Thank you everyone for your prayers, and your continued prayers. We are so blessed!!

Waiting is the Name of the Game

It's been about 3 weeks since I have posted about our super exciting news and many people have been asking, when does she come home, what's next, etc? So here is that post...

There is of course a "timeline" for everything. Right now we are waiting to be submitted to court. That means that all of our paperwork and baby T's paperwork will be taken to the courts of the Ethiopian government. Unfortunately this is taking much longer than we expected. Please be in prayer about this, there are only 3 staff members in Ethiopia that are doing everything for our agency over there. It is sllloooowwww, my friends. The staff is working hard to get a family home right now, which is so wonderful, but it takes away from the staff being able to focus in other places. So prayers for more staff members (they are looking) and prayers for time management. It is really hard on us right now, as we wait with no answers.

After our paperwork is submitted, it will be about another 2-3 weeks and then we should hear a date for baby T's birth father to go to court for his relinquishing of rights. Those dates are usually given about 2 months out. Prayer for baby T's birth father would be appreciated too. He is doing the most selfless act and giving his daughter to a family he doesn't even know. It is truly a bittersweet time for us. We pray for him nightly and pray for his heart in all of this.

After baby T's birth father has his court date, we should hear that day what our date is, which is usually a month after that. Once we have our date, we will begin to pack and get ready to meet our beautiful daughter.

So here is the run down:
1-3 weeks more to be submitted to court. (hopefully this week though)
2-3 weeks to hear about a court date for birth father's court date
2-2.5 months until birth father's court date
1 month after birth father's court date we will travel.
We meet our sweet girl and go to our court date and spend 1 week in ET.
Come home without her :(
1-3 months we will be submitted to Embassy and travel our last time.

Best case scenario, we will travel in July for our court date (first trip) is what it's looking like. Friends, that is a long wait to meet our daughter. It is honestly so difficult to think about not meeting her until July, pray for our hearts and our emotions as we go on this roller coaster. God has a plan, and His plan will be perfect, but that doesn't always mean it is easy. If we would have gotten a referral when we wanted, we wouldn't have baby T's picture, and let me tell you (again) she is perfect. We know the wait is worth it, but the waiting is still hard.

On a happy note :) I have met some amazing adoptive mommies and have gotten to know them a little and their hearts. One of the husbands of the couples is going to Ethiopia within the next 2 weeks. It just so happens that he is going to the orphanage where our little princess is. That means we will get pictures!!! I am beyond excited about this! However, the orphanage she is in, isn't exactly wealthy. They are in need of diapers, formula, and shoes for little ones. If you feel led, go to walmart.com and find store # 3227 in Monument Colorado. When you get to check out, there will be a place for you to type in the person who will be picking it up. That person is Dawn Patton and she will pick them up and her husband will be taking them to Ethiopia when he goes soon. If you see me around in a couple weeks, ask for more pictures and I will gladly show you!! :)

Thanks for the prayers friends, they are so appreciated and we can't wait to tell our sweet girl how many people were/are praying for her.

Thee Post

This is it! This is thee post that we have all been waiting for!! We got a referral on Thursday March 21st at 5:08 for a 6 month old baby girl. She is so beautiful. She has curly hair, and the most beautiful eyelashes, and some long legs :) I'm telling you, she is amazing. It is truly amazing to see how and why God had us waiting.

First I'll tell you the story of our referral day. Early that week, Kyle and I talked about paying the rest of our referral fee, so it was one less thing we would have to do later, and it was something that we felt like we could actually do for our daughter. I had called the agency that morning to ask if I could do it over the phone, but realized quickly it was much more expensive. I was also able to talk with the secretary who was so encouraging to me personally. When I got off the phone, I sent in our referral check. (Having no idea we were getting a referral that day)

Early that afternoon I had reached out to our agency asking for some advice for Kyle and I to encourage each other. I had been encouraged myself that day, but I wanted some ways to encourage Kyle as well. I received an email quickly saying, call me. I called and all he said was to keep my phone close. So, I did.

My phone rang at 5:08 and my hands were full of stuff, I dropped it all and answered. They told me to get Kyle on the phone. Kyle was of course in Cincinnati that day, but I began to call him. I called a couple times, then I text him that it was our day and he needed to leave his meeting and answer the phone. Still no answer... I ended up calling his bosses house and getting his cell phone number from his wife, ha! I was desperate. He had stepped out of the office he was working in without his phone for probably 12 minutes and I had called 13 times and text him about 8 times. As he was walking by that office he noticed his phone was lit up and finally answered!! :)

We were finally on the phone and then we conferenced in our agency, except that their phone was busy for about 3 minutes. There were 3 people on the call and you could tell how excited they were for us. She quickly sent me the email with her information and her picture, I forwarded it onto Kyle before opening it and we opened it at the same time. Before we saw the picture even the coordinator on the phone was talking about how cute and pretty she was!

We opened that picture and we were instantly in love. The coordinator was talking, but we weren't listening. We were staring at our beautiful little girl who had finally found us.

Once we hung up with our agency Kyle and I had a wonderful moment together on the phone and just talked about her. We also realized that neither one of us were listening to what the coordinator was saying hah, so we decided to call back another day and get all the information needed.

We started calling our family and our friends and were just over the moon excited. It was a thrilling day to say the least.

There are a lot of next steps, but I will post another day with all of that. The one thing I can tell you is that there is no definite answer on when we will get to travel but we are hoping its soon!