Should I stay or should I go?

Since our referral and then our quick court date- time has started to flly!  (just 39 days until we travel!) And until just a few days ago.....We had a BIG decision to make.

Was I going to going to stay in Ethiopia and wait for our embassy appointment or was I going to head home for a few weeks and then travel back? 

Not an easy decision.  I'm pretty sure we went back and forth a few hundred times. Bottom line:  I'm staying!  Now that we have decided, I can't really see it any other way.  There are ALOT of good reasons to stay, but the most important reason? In a word, Justice.  (JOY!)

We plan on taking placement as soon as possible after we pass court!  This will give Jeff and the kids a few days with her before they head back to the good ol' US of A.  Then, it will be me and the little Missy solo. (along with a few guest house buddies I hope!)

I'm actually REALLY excited about having this extra time to bond with Justice outside of our soon to be "normal" day-to-day life....And I'm thinking it's going to be a pretty special time for both of us.  (big happy tears rolling down face) 

I'm hopeful that we can break through the language barrier at least a little bit and work though any " kinks" before we make that LONG FLIGHT HOME!?

The whole thing is like a DREAM!

In the meantime.....I've got to get focused.   Focused on....

More fundrasing...ANOTHER garage sale (this Saturday!) AND a car wash....(hopefully next Sunday..)  Still putting items on my online store and selling things on ebay too!

Endless house projects (safety locks on cabinets, etc....) And loose ends like..

We've got all our travel shots except for that darn yellow fever!!!!...-so that's on our TO DO LIST.    

AND while we DO have our tickets booked...(Thank you Jesus!)  WE still DON'T know where we are going to stay.(it's tricky cause we don't know how long I will be staying!)  We've gotta figure that one out asap. ( I think we are between two choices at this point?)

Luckily...I don't have to start packing just yet but I'm starting to think that is going to be a super BIG project and I may need a few tips. (hint-hint!)

And The Winner is......

At exactly 5pm, Jordan- My beautiful daughter and faithful assistant took a minute out of homework time (and just after getting her travel shots!) to pick our winner!

Kelly Raudenbush!!!!...CONGRATS GIRL!!!   (please send me your mailing address and I will get all this amazing stuff on it's way to your door!!  Whoo-hoo!)

Kelly and her family our part of the adoption community! You can visit them on their family blog AND you have got to check out their website;  We Are Grafted In....LOVE IT!!  

Thank you, thank you, thank you to all of you who participated in our GIGANTIC GIVEAWAY!  AND

Thanks again to all of you who donated merchandise and artworks to our giveaway!!  (we could not have done it without you!!!  YOU ARE THE BOMB!

Is your name in the bowl? {GIVEAWAY!!}

The Bowl! {Giveaway Entries}

Hurry!  There are only (approx) 7 hours left to be a part of our GIGANTIC GIVEAWAY!!!!

This giveaway ends tonight (Wednesday 8/25) at 5 O'clock PM!  We will pick a name from the bowl at 5pm and announce the winner shortly there after! (We will take pictures or maybe even video of the drawing!)

Thank you so much for supporting us in our journey to Ethiopia! (We travel October 9th!...JUST 44 days!!)

Just scroll down to enter.....

GIVEAWAY! {3 more days!!!!}

Our Gigantic Giveaway has THREE MORE DAYS until we pick a winner!  This basket is FULL of amazing jewelry, tshirts, baby items....Here are just a few things inside. 

To read more AND to take part in our giveway just scroll down to previous post!

Thank YOU!!!

Gigantic Giveaway! {YAY!}

It's a Gigantic Giveaway !

A $331.95 Value- This basket is filled to the brim with unique items that have been generously donated to benefit our travel costs to Ethiopia, Africa in October.

Here's what's in the basket!

Ethiopia map pendant by Life a bit sweeter ($20 Value)

Map of Ethiopia on glass pendant. The pendant measures 2" x 2" and are packaged with a 16" silver-plated snake chain. Front of pendant: Country Map   Back of pendant: Text reads "147 Million Orphans Minus One"  Follow this families adoption journey at www.lifeabitsweeter/blogspot.com

Ethiopia Glass Magnets by Hand Crafted Hope  ($5 Value)

This set of 4 Ethiopia themed 3/4 inch glass marble magnets are sure to spruce up your fridge, file cabinet or where ever! It includes one silhouette of Africa with a heart over Ethiopia, one silhouette of Ethiopia, one Ethiopian Flag, and one Ethiopian star.  (Plus some really cute glass thumb tacks too!)

Safari Zoo Bib, Wipe Case and Pacifier Holder by New Life Artworks ($20 Value)

This super cute set is made with designer 100% cotton fabrics.  Bib and pacifier holder are machine washable.  Makes a great gift!

Let Love Grow Coffee Cuff  by Love Psalm 21  ($10 Value)

This re-usable coffee cuff features a sweet, little tree (Oatmeal with orange tree)  All 'Let Love Grow' products come with a beautiful hang tag ready for gift giving.

I Heart Ethiopia Bracelet by Adopting Ainsley ($42 Value) 

Sterling Silver Disc bracelet made by Heather Curry. Adopting Ainsley is donating 25% of purchases made in August to our travel costs when you mention "The Mathews Family" at checkout!  (THANKS GUYS!)

Africa Onesie AND an ADOPT AFRICA Magnet from One Chosen ($15 Value)

Brown safari animals silk screened in the shape of Africa on yellow Laughing Giraffe onesie. 100% Cotton.

Roasted Ethiopian Coffee (1 lb) from Wild Cat Coffee  ($12 Value)

Wildcat Coffee Company is a small coffee roasting company that offers organic farm gate roasted-to-order coffee.

Africa Applique Bib  from Adopt Africa ($9 Value)

Super cute white terry cloth bib with Africa/Frog applique.  AND...Please visit Adopt Africa's website and check out her digital blog designs.  Super creative blog headers, buttons and more!

"Enat" Pendant by Dos Bestios by ($20)
"Enat" means Mother in Amharic. Black and White pendant measures 7/8” x 7/8” this pendant comes with a silver bail and is finished with glaze.  Comes in a matching gift tin

Little Africa Teething Toy ($12 Value)
Little Sapling Toys make wood teethers, organic blocks, Montessori toys, safe infant and toddler toys, modern rocking horses, traditional rattles and more - eco friendly and made in USA these organic wood toys are natural, eco-friendly toys AND... They Plant a tree for every toy sold!

Vintage Map  Sterling Necklace  by DLK Designs ($41 Value) 
 Round pendant measures approximately .75 of an inch. Each pendant comes with an 18 inch sterling silver ball chain.

Simply Love T-Shirt ($24.95 Value)
Front:  "SIMPLY LOVE"  (in red) with Africa Design.  Back:  Stamped Style Font:  "MAN UP!  Protect and love the fatherless" In Army Green Color.  These T-Shirts are Unisex fit!  Super soft roomy and comfy

One less Orphan..." T-shirt from Sewn in my heart   ($20.00 Value)
This custom design t-shirt  says: "One less orphan without a family tree"You can read more about this  family and their adoption process on their blog:  Flip Flops and lip gloss!

Lavender Africa Bib  ($5 Value)

Cute Lavender Bib (100% cotton) Africa Applique front/ flannel material on the back (not pictured)

Africa Note Cards by Sugar Britches  ($6 Value)

These cards have Africa on them and Ethiopia is highlighted with a little heart. The paper is mounted on Kraft card stock. The measurements are 4"x5.5". The inside of the card is blank

"Fly" Pendant by Crimson Cat Studios  ($20)

This mixed media pendant was created on a domino!  A beautiful purple butterfly with with word "fly" with some pretty blue bling!  BEAUTIFUL!

Two BEAUTIFUL Fused Glass Pendants by Peace of Mind ($50 Value)

These are just beautiful!  Made with fused glass and metal, these pendants are gorgeous!  One is a seahorse stamped on white glass on a aqua glass background, the other, two pieces of melted glass (one a dragon fly) on a stamped metal back.  (See picture)  And don't forget to visit Peace of Mind on the web!

Here's how you enter this gigantic, super cool (THINK CHRISTMAS GIFTS!!!) Giveaway...

1. Donate $5 (or more) to our adoption fund.  Each $5 donation buys your name in the bowl!
   (one entry per $5 donation)
   
   (THIS GIVEAWAY HAS EXPIRED!)
   
   THEN.....IF YOU MAKE A DONATION:  (this is how you can get more chances to win)
   
   
   
   
   
   • BLOG about our giveaway (including links) and You get your name in the bowl AGAIN!
     
     
   • If you TWEET and or share about our giveaway on facebook....YOU GOT IT...You get your name in the bowl YET AGAIN!
     
     
   • AND last but NOT LEAST...if you follow our blog (right hand side) YOU GET your name in the bowl AGAIN!!! whoo-hoo!!!
     
     
   After you have made your donation and the various other added GET YOUR NAME IN THE BOWL choices...comment and tell us WHAT YOU DID.  Be sure to include your email so we can let you know when you win!! (POSITIVE THINKING!)
   
   
   This giveaway will go for one (1) WEEK Starting today (Wednesday at 5pm!)   That means it ends next Wednesday (Wednesday- August 25th at 5pm SHARP!)
   
   
   We will then (You guessed it) Pick a name from the BOWL!  (we will taken pictures and have a witness to verify PICK!)  and announce the winner via POSTING ON OUR BLOG and EMAIL.
   
   
   Thank you in advance from the bottom of our hearts for being a part of our giveaway!

UPDATE! {and 2 months!}

2 months = 60.8736998 days (but who's counting?)

 

So...we've got: GOOD NEWS and GOOD NEWS!!!

We got the BEST update on our girl last week along with a super fun picture too!  She is so precious AND spunky and cute.... we can handle stand it!!!

Here's what the update said:

Well, H. is still the little bundle of cuteness and spunk she was last month.  Today, as I was trying to take her picture near a door that looked out back toward the kitchen, she kept “flirting” with the gardener who outside the kitchen talking to one of the cooks.  The gardener got a big kick out of her “hide-and-seek” game, as did I.  She is such the charmer and delightful little ball of energy.  I find it difficult not to pinch her cheeks constantly when I visit her! 

AND.....

We travel 2 months from TODAY for court and will finally get to meet her and hold her and LOVE her in person!!

 YAY!