The Referral

Eleven months ago we put our armor on because we knew well from our research and talking with other adoptive families that the waiting stage is rough and not for the faint of heart. Now, after days, months and almost one year’s time, we are accustomed to the “wait”. We suppressed the emotions of excitement to prepare for it and then to endure it. We have been resilient and strong. We told ourselves to focus on the now and fully enjoy our two biological kids because eventually big change in family makeup and dynamics would come. It was only way to stay sane. Everything about this process was out of our control.

Just a short while ago, things changed. We finally got the phone call after waiting almost a year. There is only one word to describe it…surreal. There is a good dose of denial mixed in with that. The picture comes and you will never have stared at anything for so long in your life. After all the discussion and hypothetical scenarios we had tried to imagine of what could be, we were now looking at real people and if all goes well in the coming months, they will soon be joining the Lee clan!!

Here is the official announcment from our agency:

5/31/2013

Referral acceptance: Ethiopia

Wonderful news for this beautiful Friday! Congratulations to an amazing family who accepted the referral of a 2 year old girl and 4 year old boy sibling set from Ethiopia!

Here we go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We hosted a fundraiser on 5/17/13 and it was a huge success.

Thank you to such an incredible network of friends, family and colleagues for your support and generosity. YOU are helping make this possible! We exceeded our goal and raised over $5,000!!

Waiting

We wait, and check the list movement, and wait.  We wonder when and who will join our family...boy? girl? twins? I truly believe there is a child that is meant to be a part of our family and I trust that they will find their way to us.  It is however, challenging to just let it unfold.  We have been tempted to micro manage ourselves on the wait list...hold? or let it unfold? So far, we leave it up to destiny and remain on all lists.  Timing is everything! 

Last night Mumford and Sons "I will wait for you" brought us to tears.  We have been dreaming of this and waiting for more than 3 years!  As it gets closer and feels more real, the wait feels longer.  Deep down, I know the most difficult time is yet to come, when we meet our child, and cannot yet bring them home with us....now that wait will feel like an eternity.

I am so grateful for the cheerful sounds that fill our home, busy 4 and 6 year olds....and every once in a while they stop and ask, Mom, Dad, When are we going to get our baby? Wish we knew...with big hearts and open arms, we are ready!

JOIN US...

Less than 1 month away.....get your tickets to our event 5/17/13!  We are going to raise awareness, raise funds to help orphans in Ethiopia and celebrate growing our family across oceans!

http://leeethiopiaadoption.eventbrite.com

Hope you can join us!

Fundraising event!

Save the date.....

Friday May 17th 6:30PM @ Regis University in Denver CO

  A fun event to raise awareness about international adoption and support our family in our adoption journey!

Dinner, drinks, live entertainment

Ethiopia craft sale, raffles and more!

Details about tickets to come!

Hope to see you there!

Waiting for their little sibling to fill the frame!

Here is where we stand on the wait list as of today 3/4/2013. We are moving right along! Very exciting.

Infant girl: # 35 (12 families on hold)

Infant boy: # 21 (8 families on hold)

Toddler girl: # 18 (10 families on hold)

Toddler boy: # 12 (7 families on hold)

Siblings: # 9 (6 families on hold)