sweet updates!

We are officially less than a month away from boarding a plane to Ethiopia! Ross and I are in disbelief about how close we are. We were prepared to wait a lot during this process... it's just so fun that we are hopefully almost finished waiting. Each day that passes lately brings a bit more preparation. Gathering humanitarian aid and getting that packed, making sure Miles' room has the essentials, wondering how to toddler proof our house, etc.

Last week we had an awesome update day. My sweet blog friend Layla is in Ethiopia for a month right now doing a rotation for medical school and went to visit our little guy. She took him a picture of us, and this is what she said:

"I have pictures for you that I so badly want to send, but the internet out here is so slow that it won't let me attach the files to an email. So you will have to take my word that Miles is way cute! He LOVED the picture. I gave it to him and the caregivers told him it was mommy and daddy and he started kissing the picture (I had it laminated so it would hold up better). Then I was trying to take some pictures of him and the caregivers took the photos away and he started crying! I got a picture of his angry face then! They gave it back and peace was restored! I can't wait for you to meet him! He is precious! And you will see by the pics that he is well-loved and has more toys than he could ever play with there!"

To say that I was wearing a permagrin for the rest of the day would be an understatement. That was such sweet news. And later that same day we got a new picture and an update from the in country staff that stated what a big and silly personality our little guy was showing. And the picture - possibly my favorite to date- his head is thrown back and he is just laughing such a big laugh. Oh I can't wait to find out what that laugh sounds like!

So lots of friends are asking what happens before we go. The first thing that we're praying for is for courts to reopen as scheduled on September 28th. Last year they decided to stay closed a week longer. If that happens our court dates will likely need to be rescheduled. The next thing that we're praying will go smoothly is our first court date on September 30th. We aren't present for this one- but we have to have a letter approving our adoption by MOWA and Miles' birth family has to appear to officially relinquish him. My heart is heavy just typing that. Please pray for his family that is involved. I can't imagine the emotions wrapped up in that day for them. If that day goes smoothly then we will be headed to Ethiopia 10 days later.

We still haven't officially decided where we're staying and we haven't finalized our airfare either- but that will come together. We're traveling with several other families and we're looking forward to getting to know them all. Such an awesome experience that we will all be sharing!

In the meantime we are staring at pictures of him all of the time imagining him here with us! I can't show you how adorable he is quite yet, but check out the big grin...