Update

Happy Wednesday!
Fingerprint update- an officer from USIS called Duane on Monday asking why she had my fingerprints but not his! He told her the story and she said call her after we leave so she can expedite and she should have them in 48 hours...does this mean she will have it all done???? Could we be a week (if they can get his print on Friday) away from authentication!!!  Can anyone give me a rough timeline after authentication and I send it all to ET about how long it took before you knew you were "waiting"???  Could we possibly be waiting by March?  I don't want to get to hopeful as there are still so many things that can go awry but...

 As I sit here and watch the snow I have been excitedly looking at all the formula that is coming in!  The drive is going very well!  Wanted to extend to anyone out there....if you want to send any this way I am going to collect for another 2 weeks and then ship to WHFC! 
also for anyone out there who would prefer to do clothing just a GREAT tip- LL Bean is having 30% off their sale items starting tomorrow!!  I work there and I am anxiously awaiting so I can gather as much as possible for the kids out there! 

Here's to a great day- and maybe being a month away from waiting!

Ethiopian Dinner pics!

 Outside the restaraunt...FREEZING! just a few blocks from our house so we walked down, have not been there before!

 Enjoying his Ethiopian beer!

Update

Well we got our preliminary approval on our dossier from WHFC!!! Yeah so that is set and Duane's finger is healing nicely, going to give it one more week to be sure then off to get his prints!

The formula drive is in full swing!!  Getting great response so I am thrilled.  If anyone would like to donate or more information contact me at kriswat101@yahoo.com  I also have a paypal account at that email if anyone would like to donate $- if you prefer to send formula best prices right now are on amazon and babies r us just think how many only 1 can  will feed.  Wide Horizons is thrilled about this.  I am also gathering clothes- they said they need for infant up to age 10!  Anything you guys want to ship is great!!  I will cover the cost of shipping it all to WHFC or a traveling family to get it to ET!! 

Have a great Friday and praying for some referrals to come today!!  (Meg, Kristen, Kala....)

Formula Drive

I was on the conference call a few weeks  ago that WHFC held and I have not been able to get out of my mind the struggle that Ethiopia has to get formula, not financially but just to have access.  I have decided to start a formula drive!  I have posted it on my facebook, going to get it started at work and my church!  If any of you would like to participate and send a can (or however many!) that would be AWESOME!!  I will take care of the shipping to WHFC.  A few people have also asked if they can send other items (clothes,shoes, toys...) the answer is YES!  If you are interested in sending anything please email me at kriswat101@yahoo.com- put formula drive as the subject line and I will respond with where to send these items!  You can order cans online and have them shipped right to me, you would not even have to leave the house!!  Remember 1 can makes a HUGE difference!

What I love about reading blogs

So Duane and I have been married for 16 years, we have a pretty great life, both have good jobs, own a house in our city and one on the beach, we have traveled...and now for the past few years have REALLY wanted to start our family, well a lot of our family and friends ask why...you have such a great easy life, kids will change everything...blah blah blah. 

but here in blog world I get to see people ENJOYING their kids and families, I love this!  (don't get me wrong I read about the chaotic stuff too) but I love to see moms and dads taking so many pics of their kids to share, having so much fun doing different things!  It is so encouraging versus to hear from my co-worker- are you sure you really want kids...

I know my life will never be the same and I CAN'T wait!

Just a quick update!

Well Daune's finger is healing nicely! We are hoping one more week and then get his prints! 
We also sent our  dossier to WHFC for preliminary approval! Very excited about this praying all of our ducks are in a row!

We have also officially started our own business!!  DKW video and events!!  Duane is a 3 time Emmy award winning news videographer (yes I love to brag about him!!!)  so we have decided to start our own business on the side!  He has his first gig next weekend!  I have also started school online for event planning, very exciting!  Things are coming along very well!  I will also be starting my half-marathon training this week, well really it is "pre-training", going to do a video blog of this! 

2011 is going to be an AWESOME year!!!

fingerprints?

Well we had our finger print appointment on Friday! I was so excited, we even planned to spend the whole day in Baltimore.  So we get there no wait, go up to the counter and turn in our form, the lady says to Duane let me see your hands, as he turns them over she asks him to remove his band aid...did I mention that this week when he went to sit down at a restaraunt and pull his chair up that the seat was not attached. the seat proceeded to take a few layers of skin off his finger (ouch!) where else but the tip!  the lady at the counter looked at him and said we cant take your prints. She was pretty matter of fact about it.  i felt my eyes welling up, but did not want to cry Duane felt so bad  and I did not want to make it worse.  So now we wait for it to heal...As we left I asked him what he thought the reason that God put yet another obstacle in our way was.  He replied that God has our children picked out and he will put all types of road blocks to ensure that our timing is perfect for his plan.  I know he is right but...the wait to wait continues! On a good note one of my employees who is Ethiopian is very excited about teaching us Amharic! So now we begin our Culture studies!!