Flights are Booked!

The past few months we have experienced several count downs. We have finally reached the FINAL COUNT DOWN!
22 Days and we fly out of Grand Rapids. March 19 we will travel several long hours to Ethiopia. We will arrive in Ethiopia at 8:00 pm on the 20th. We will be traveling through Addis and going to Alaba. We will pick up Jibril a few days after we get there. He will be able to stay with us the rest of the trip. After a full week of events we will return to Grand Rapids on March 30 around 4:30. (specific details will follow prior to departure)
We are also very excited that my dad and stepmom will be joining us on our trip. With Dad along, we are sure to get at least 1000 pictures and great video footage. With Kathy along we will be sure to stay healthy, get some sleep, & make our connecting flights.
Over the next 22 days we will be busy working, packing, cleaning, & finishing the nursey. It feels like a long time away, but I know the time will go fast. We can't wait to bring him home to show all of you.

More details to follow.
Maybe we will post our name soon! Maybe not!
Hugs & Kisses,
Rick & Mandi

WOW! We are actually parents!

So we have not completely decided on his name yet, but Jibril is officially ours.

The court process went well.

We are looking at travel dates towards the end of March.

We will continue to keep the blog updated with new things.

We will be getting another medical report from the Embassy (height, weight, etc.) so we will let you know.

Just a few more weeks and he will be here to meet all of you.

We are so excited! I will post more later.

HUGS & KISSES!

Rick & Mandi

Hours & Counting

Right now it is 7:25 pm in Zeeland and it is 3:25 am in Addis Ababa.
Just a few short hours and the court will open.
The Ministy of Women's Affairs (MOWA), Alemu (AAI representative), and the Orphange Director will assemble together to present all the paperwork to finalize the adoption. The Judge will approve and the adoption decree will be issued. That is if all goes well and everyone is able to present their paperwork. Not only will Jibril's paperwork be there but other families that are waiting for their children as well. Ted & Jill right here from Zeeland are also anxiously awaiting the news tomorrow morning too.
Please pray that all the paperwork is present and the court process goes smoothly. Pray that we all might get a little sleep tonight. Well Rick probably won't as this snow just doesn't stop; out with the plow at 1:00 AM!! Also pray that within a few hours Jibril will officially be ours.
Next post should be THE NEWS.
All our love,
Mandi & Rick

13 Days & Counting

We are down to 13 days till our court date on Feb. 20. We appreciate everyone's uplifting words and comments last week. After being so discouraged on the delay, I can't believe it is almost here again. The whole adoption process is truly a roller coaster ride.
The past week has been very busy, we kidsat (they inform me that it is not babysitting, because they are not babies) for our twin neighbor boys (10) while their parents were out of town for the week. Rick has been plowing snow ALOT!
We continue to keep busy and anticipate Feb. 20.

All our love,
Mandi & Rick

Feeling Discouraged!

Today was suppose to be the day that the Legal part of the adoption process would take place. The Adoption decree would be issued and he would finally be ours. Unfortuantely their has been a delay by one of the parties in Ethiopia. We just received the notice that our new Court Date is scheduled for Feb. 20.

I don't really know what more to say at this point.
I will try to write more again later.
Mandi & Rick