What may have seemed like a simple gesture...

I would have to say that my family has been our biggest advocates throughout our entire adoption journey. In fact, I think my family may be as anxious and excited about our referral as we are. We often talk about the arrival of our babe during our weekly Sunday dinners at my parents’ home - like when it will happen, how it will happen, how we might tell everyone, how old he or she might be, whether we can convince my parents to come with us to Ethiopia to meet their final grandchild, etc... My family has supported and encouraged us through every heartache and milestone along the way. In fact, my mom and sisters were as busy as I was after the bankruptcy, spending countless hours writing letters, contacting media and politicians, and sending emails to anyone who would listen.

I'm pretty sure I have not mentioned this before, but my younger sister is expecting her third babe and is due in February – Yippee, I can’t wait to meet my new niece or nephew.

On Christmas, my parents surprised my sister and her husband with a gift for their new babe - and they also surprised Chad and I with one too. What may have seemed like a simple gesture meant more to me than the gift itself. Although, my sister may have the physical signs of a pregnancy and a due date, we both have the minds and emotions of expectant moms. Their gift reminded me how important this adoption journey is to more then just Chad and I. And that there are many people in our life that love our unknown child (whom we cannot see or feel, but long-for and cherish all the same) - just as we love and anticipate the arrival of my sister's unborn child. This adoption is as real for them as it is for us and they have just as much emotionally invested in this journey as we do.

Chosen by Papa and Grandma, with love, especially for their long awaited grandchild...

Today also marks 18 months of waiting for our referral. I have great hope for the magic and miracles that the new year will bring our family...