Well, I have been putting off starting this blog because I didn't want to jinx anything. I guess it's time to have faith and plunge into this thing head first! 
Click on this photo to enlarge!
We received our second referral last week - we feel really good about it! They are 3 year old twins! Their names are Netsanet (female) and Eyasu (male). Their birth father is deceased and their birth mother is still alive, but cannot afford to support them. They are the youngest of her nine children. It breaks my heart to think of having to make a decision like that - I can't even imagine. They just recently came to the orphanage. As you can see from the pictures, their heads have recently been shaved - probably either because they had lice (or someone else did) or their hair just wasn't taken care of.
We have submitted our court papers to the Ethiopian courts and are now waiting on a court date. In light of some new laws that have just taken effect, we will probably have to travel to Ethiopia twice - once for the court hearing to officially adopt the children, then again a few months later when their visas and passports are ready and we can bring them home. We are hoping for a May/June court date and then sometime in the early fall we hope to bring them here.
Our boys are really excited! It will be interesting to see how they all interact. Especially since the twins are only about 7 - 8 months younger than Cooper. We will have 4 kids with only about 3 years total difference in age! We are trying to think of american names for them - of course we can't agree on anything! Everything that I love, Kevin hates, and vice versa. I think we are going to have to resort to having me name the girl and Kevin name the boy and just be happy with what the other chooses!
In the coming weeks, we are hoping to start a service project of some kind, to benefit the orphanage where the twins are now living. The orphanage is run by a foundation called Kingdom Vision International. We feel really good about this organization and their leadership and feel like any money or other donations will be put to use directly for better care of the children. We are hoping to take money and/or donations with us on both trips so we can take pictures/videos of these donations being distributed so you can all see how much they are appreciated! I am truly excited about this aspect of our travels, and hope that we can get the support of all of our family and friends!
We'll keep you posted about any new developments! Please keep us in your prayers!
Love,
Kelly
Click on this photo to enlarge!
We received our second referral last week - we feel really good about it! They are 3 year old twins! Their names are Netsanet (female) and Eyasu (male). Their birth father is deceased and their birth mother is still alive, but cannot afford to support them. They are the youngest of her nine children. It breaks my heart to think of having to make a decision like that - I can't even imagine. They just recently came to the orphanage. As you can see from the pictures, their heads have recently been shaved - probably either because they had lice (or someone else did) or their hair just wasn't taken care of.
We have submitted our court papers to the Ethiopian courts and are now waiting on a court date. In light of some new laws that have just taken effect, we will probably have to travel to Ethiopia twice - once for the court hearing to officially adopt the children, then again a few months later when their visas and passports are ready and we can bring them home. We are hoping for a May/June court date and then sometime in the early fall we hope to bring them here.
Our boys are really excited! It will be interesting to see how they all interact. Especially since the twins are only about 7 - 8 months younger than Cooper. We will have 4 kids with only about 3 years total difference in age! We are trying to think of american names for them - of course we can't agree on anything! Everything that I love, Kevin hates, and vice versa. I think we are going to have to resort to having me name the girl and Kevin name the boy and just be happy with what the other chooses!
In the coming weeks, we are hoping to start a service project of some kind, to benefit the orphanage where the twins are now living. The orphanage is run by a foundation called Kingdom Vision International. We feel really good about this organization and their leadership and feel like any money or other donations will be put to use directly for better care of the children. We are hoping to take money and/or donations with us on both trips so we can take pictures/videos of these donations being distributed so you can all see how much they are appreciated! I am truly excited about this aspect of our travels, and hope that we can get the support of all of our family and friends!
We'll keep you posted about any new developments! Please keep us in your prayers!
Love,
Kelly
How exciting and an amazing adventure for the whole family. I'm glad our neighborhood is so close and can feel in on the excitement of welcoming someday two beautiful children into our ever growing neighborhood! Netsanet, Eyasu and all of you will be in our prayers!!!!
ReplyDeletePatty
Dear Kelly and Kevin,
ReplyDeleteI am one of the blank heads following your blog. I never have time to learn how to download a picture.
What beautiful children you are hoping to bring into your family. I admire your wonderful generosity in doing so.
I can just see that sewing machine and serger flying on pink ruffly clothes for your little girl--and oh how she will love them!
I wish you smooth sailing in the next few months and would love to participate in your humanitarian projects. I will be in Utah again for the summer. Love to all,
yer ant---Gayle
They look like little sweethearts. Best of luck to you in your adventure!
ReplyDeleteKelly! This is great! I can't believe how big the boys are. I didn't know how much work it took to get your babies here either! Hope all go's well!
ReplyDelete(This is Julie H. I don't have a google account so I'm using Adams. If you need anything from Alaska we are here.....)
Kevin & Kelly: Well here is my first batch of names. We will try the "S" names first...... Sein, Safari, Saber, Salvo or Salvio, Sani, Sasson, Sasha, Swayer, Sayer, Sean, Shan, Shane, Shaan, Shon, Shain, Shaine, Sedric, Sefu, Shaman, Shiro, Siervo, Ski or Skii or Skee, Simon, Skyler or Skylor, Sky, Sonny, Spencer or Spenser, Steven, Stevan, Stevin, Stevon, Stefan, Stefen, Steffen, Stephan, Stetson, Stone, Storm, Stuart, stewart, Stew, Stu, Summit, Sven, Sy, Swift, Shona, Silas or Symon. I'll have more later. As for the prize money offered, if I should win this name contest, please split it in half and start a Mission or College fund for both of them! You guys deserve the best of all God has for you!
ReplyDelete