tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-69284529849616452522024-03-12T19:17:23.296-07:00Our Ethiopian AdventureWelcome to the Mullis family adoption!jackiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02184373681711914195noreply@blogger.comBlogger193125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6928452984961645252.post-68445079814431508522013-11-15T17:35:00.001-08:002013-11-15T17:36:11.139-08:00The Mullis Life <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I am now blogging over at <a href="http://www.themullislife.blogspot.com/" style="color: red; font-weight: bold;">The Mullis Life</a>. I would love for you to follow me there. :) </div>
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<br />jackiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02184373681711914195noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6928452984961645252.post-70562069232538256732011-11-27T13:42:00.000-08:002011-11-27T13:50:35.129-08:00Happy 14th Abigail!My oldest turned 14 last week! Abigail , Esther and I went up to Virginia on the Thursday and Friday before her birthday. My BFF, Amy and I took her to Breaking Dawn and then we had lunch at O'charleys with Nana and Gramps. Then we drove home and Abby had a basketball game. Pawpaw and Grandma drove over from the cabin for the day and spent the weekend in Kernersville. <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QRnVv2C60qY/TtKvJF1LMfI/AAAAAAAAA2M/7MrDFNqPir0/s1600/Image%2B2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QRnVv2C60qY/TtKvJF1LMfI/AAAAAAAAA2M/7MrDFNqPir0/s400/Image%2B2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5679794650786509298" /></a>Nana and Gramps got her a back sac she has wanted for a long time ( since her old one broke)<br /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PYHO4ARH9V8/TtKvIr2rE_I/AAAAAAAAA10/DHnIgI4VqVM/s400/Image.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5679794643813471218" />We went out to Outback with Grandma and Pawpaw and they also took her to the store and bought her a Carhart coat that she has been wanting. She has wanted a new pair of TOMS too and so that is what we got her. I told her you know you are getting old when you ask for shoes and a coat for your birthday!<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0vGZuxC-Xvg/TtKvIxYTt_I/AAAAAAAAA18/aCl50XmlQNM/s1600/Image%2B1.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0vGZuxC-Xvg/TtKvIxYTt_I/AAAAAAAAA18/aCl50XmlQNM/s400/Image%2B1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5679794645296723954" /></a>I am so proud to be your mom, Abby. I love you so much, but I really LIKE you too. You are one of my favorite people to hang out with! I can't wait to see how the Lord uses you as you follow Him through your teen years and watch your future unfold. Love you my sweet redhead!<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>jackiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02184373681711914195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6928452984961645252.post-77282401544457249602011-08-02T11:48:00.000-07:002011-08-02T11:51:46.290-07:00<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:180%;">We have MOVED.... Please visit us<a href="http://themullislife.blogspot.com/"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cc0000;">here</span></a></span>jackiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02184373681711914195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6928452984961645252.post-15436000227297401452011-06-30T07:28:00.000-07:002011-06-30T08:10:29.666-07:00Adjustments<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">This </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">blogpost</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> is actually a plea for advice! Please comment here or on FB if you have any advice.</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> Waiting for the kids to come home I spent so much time reading, planning and seeking advice on how to make Micah coming into our family as easy as possible. We have had a really easy adjustment with him (so far) and I am very thankful for that. I really only thought of Sarah Faith as a baby to love and take care of. I have had three babies before..no problem, right?</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Wrong.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">For one she was afraid of every piece of baby equipment we have, except the </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">bumbo</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> seat because they have those in the TH. I have gradually worked her into the swing, playpen and </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">exersaucer</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> with 10 min increments daily. This morning she played in her playpen happy for 20 min. She still prefers me, but is getting better daily at being in the floor or swinging.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">My issues now are with sleep. Naps, she wakes up 30 min in terrified. Screaming with huge tears rolling down her face. All I have to do is rub her back or head and she will fall asleep again, only to repeat this 30 min later. Her favorite way to sleep is on my chest with both of my arms wrapped tight around her.. so she cant hardly move. Her whole body will relax and she will fall asleep right away as long as I lay and hold her like that.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Night time is the same way. She sleeps about 4 hours ...8:00pm- midnight and then is into a 30 min crying out pattern the rest of the night.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Has anyone else had this problem? Tips on helping her get through it? How long will this last </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">approximately</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">? Any online articles I could research? I am sure there are but my sleep deprived brain </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">isnt</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> having a whole lot of luck researching this! </span></div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">thanks.....</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Jackie</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">** I wanted to add that it isnt that I mind holding her and rocking her! I LOVE doing that ( although I would enjoy a little more sleep at night). I waited 3 years for a baby to love on and I am enjoying it SOOOO MUCH! I am just trying to help her not be so afraid and terrified when she does wake up.**</span></div>jackiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02184373681711914195noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6928452984961645252.post-34711688143894240682011-06-23T02:43:00.000-07:002011-06-23T02:48:34.407-07:00Micah and Sarah Faith's Adoption video<iframe width="480" height="295" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/yWSCdV6RkfY?fs=1" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><div><br /></div><div>Here is a video of our adoption story. If you click on the white title on the video it will take you to the full screen version. :)</div>jackiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02184373681711914195noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6928452984961645252.post-46830622387019078912011-06-06T12:31:00.000-07:002011-06-06T12:40:23.393-07:00Embassy Date<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">We have an embassy date of </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><b>June 16th!</b></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b> </b>We will arrive June 14th and have our Gotcha Day. We will spend a few days enjoying Ethiopia with the kids, have our embassy day on the 16th, get their visas on the 17th and leave the evening of the 18th. </span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">We will fly 17 hours and land in DC Sunday morning. We will be in NC around 6:00 pm</span></div><div><br /></div>jackiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02184373681711914195noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6928452984961645252.post-15296071554702044322011-06-05T17:18:00.000-07:002011-06-05T17:30:35.190-07:00how I am feeling...I<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> can't even begin to describe how I am feeling this week. I honestly cannot believe it is finally time to go back to Ethiopia and bring Micah and Sarah Faith home! The best way I can describe my feelings is similar to the week leading up to when I got married</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> ( Which ironically is 16 years ago to the WEEK! Our anniversary is this coming Friday!)</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I am terrified and worried something will go wrong one minute and giddy with excitement the next! When I lay down to go to sleep my mind is SPINNING with all I need to do! I have lists for my lists right now and only 7 days to get it all done.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I am so very thankful to everyone that has prayed for us and encouraged us and supported this adoption. I am very thankful to have been able to share so much through this blog and face book. Someone said to me the other day that they feel like they have experienced this with me (even though they live miles away) because of the Internet. It has truly been a journey.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">We should find out tomorrow our exact embassy date, but is should be within the week we are there. I will try to post pictures of our Gotcha Day on here from Ethiopia, but sometimes blogger is funny over there and I can only post on FB.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Ahhhhh. .....Only 8 more sleeps till we leave!!!<br /></span><div><br /></div></div></div>jackiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02184373681711914195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6928452984961645252.post-72737797757448176472011-06-03T19:56:00.001-07:002011-06-03T20:39:32.713-07:00What I know..<span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">This</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> post may a bit premature, but I am figuring after 27 hours of travel, a new baby, bonding, stretching from a 5 family household to a 7 family household. </span><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">This</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> may very well be the last time in a long while my thoughts are all clear and running in the same direction. :)</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Adoption has taught me a lot over the last two years and I feel like there are some things I need to share.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">1. </span><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">You</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> have to be called to do it. There are some people, even friends of mine, that believe all </span><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Christians</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> are called to adopt. I disagree. I believe all </span><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Christians</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> are to CARE for widows and orphans and that might mean praying for adoptions, giving to families trying to adopt, encouraging these families, but I think you have to feel that it is something God has called you to and on the darkest nights when you wish you had never even heard the word adoption, that is when His calling will get you through the valley.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">2. </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Dont</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> be afraid if your husband </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">doesnt</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> "get it". I have never ever (and I have heard </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">alot</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">) heard of an adoption story where the husband was on board first. I am sure there are some, but the majority is the wife is called first. I am not sure why...maybe the maternal instinct? </span><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">The</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> more I talked about it, the more Greg dismissed it, BUT the more I prayed about it, the more I saw the Lord use other people's testimony ( in real life, on the radio, in news articles) to speak to Greg and soften his heart. I did show him </span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=duyL9UjLrdM&feature=player_embedded"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC0000;">THIS video</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> when I felt he was close and I am pretty sure that was what pushed him on over to the dark side :)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">3 .The only expectation to have is the unexpected is going to happen! Oh my word is this true. We went in wanting a baby boy and to be home by the end of 2010 with him. Our Gotcha Day will be in JUNE 2011 for a 10 year old boy and a baby girl! We have hit </span><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">every</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> bump in the road! Referral loss, Ethiopia became a two trip country, court hold ups, embassy </span><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">snafu's</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">..you name it, it has happened. I kinda wish I would have NEVER set any type of timeline in my head and never been so age and gender specific. I think it would have saved me a lot of heart ache and a lot of questions. ( See tip #1)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">4. If you feel called </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">DONT</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> let money stand in your way! There are so many resources out there and God has just amazed us with providing just what we needed when it was due. The </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Levites</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> had to step in the water before the Lord rolled the sea back....sometime ya got step first and trust Him to provide it.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">5. Select your agency careful and pray about it. </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Alot</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">. I </span><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">didn't</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> do this and God blessed us with an amazing agency and when I think of how little research I really did on them, I shudder at what could have been. I have heard stories and we watched in Ethiopia other agencies handle families and<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC0000;"> </span></span><a href="http://www.awaa.org/default.aspx"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC0000;">America World</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC0000;"> </span>is top notch. Not only that, the families that are with </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">AWAA</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> are amazing. There are at least 10 woman, some I have never met, that I could call any time, day or night and they would pray and cry with me over our children. We have stayed up all night praying, we have rejoiced at kids coming home, at referrals, at court success. </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">AWAA</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> is a family and I </span><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">am so</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> proud and so glad to belong with them.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">6. </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Dont</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> let all the adoption literature scare you. If you get into this </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">paperchase</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> and start reading books and cases..it can scare your socks off! I agree there needs to be some </span><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">preparation</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">, BUT you also have to A) use common sense. B) trust the Lord for </span><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">guidance</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> with the children He has given you. If I took every possible symptom of a institutionalized child and compared it to my three home grown, well balanced, much loved children...they would have some of the symptoms! Wanna know why? Because they are kids and kids act like kids..and act out. and explore. and push boundaries. I am by no means saying throw out all the valuable resources, but </span><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">don't</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> let it terrify you either. There are a lot of worse case scenarios in </span><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">those</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> books.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">7. Be ready to be changed. You wont see people the same any more. Or Race. Or social standings. You wont laugh at racial remarks..in fact they might even offend you. You wont look at materialism the same way. America drama </span><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_24"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">isn't</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> exactly entertaining after you witness extreme poverty first hand. You will cry more, you will pray more, you will sleep less and hopefully think about yourself less. God becomes closer and the world becomes smaller.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">I have asked myself now that I have been through one of the more difficult adoptions our agency has seen, would I do it again if I knew how much it would hurt and how much it would consume our lives??</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">The </span><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_25"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">answer</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> is yes. One hundred times over yes. </span></div>jackiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02184373681711914195noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6928452984961645252.post-48775350551264902912011-06-03T09:52:00.000-07:002011-06-03T10:09:33.912-07:00We are CLEARED FOR TRAVEL!!!!!<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LFFYAXG0EmI/TekU71r_sgI/AAAAAAAAAe8/eFO9Olfn6bM/s1600/ethiopian-767-300_cover.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 360px; height: 235px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LFFYAXG0EmI/TekU71r_sgI/AAAAAAAAAe8/eFO9Olfn6bM/s400/ethiopian-767-300_cover.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614041428750479874" /></a><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:Candara, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">We got the call this morning that we are cleared for Embassy! Less than 24 hours after we stepped out on faith and bought our plane tickets He opened the door and cleared us! Praise God! He really is amazing! </span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:Candara, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:Candara, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">We leave on June 13 and our embassy appointment will be that week ( we should find out Monday what the actual date is.) </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:Candara, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:Candara, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">We will be back in Greensboro at 5:55 on Sunday June 19<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">th</span>. ( united flight 5690)... Father's Day. :) Anyone close by that would like to meet us at the airport is more than welcome to come meet the newest Mullis kids! :)</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:Candara, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:Candara, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> Isaiah 43: 1-2<br /><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Fear not, for I have redeemed you,</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">I have summoned you by name; you are mine.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">When you pass through the waters,</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">I will be with you ;</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">And when you pass through the rivers,</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">They will not sweep over you.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">When you walk through the fire,</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">You will not be burned;</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">The flames will not set you ablaze.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel , your Saviour.</span></span><br /></span></div>jackiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02184373681711914195noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6928452984961645252.post-63482248841781151832011-06-01T11:01:00.000-07:002011-06-01T11:20:15.697-07:00Stepping out of the boat<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-j-W0SGPVdJ0/TeaCju1oYvI/AAAAAAAAAeA/Ykb7C8TyD6g/s1600/images-1.jpeg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 259px; height: 194px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-j-W0SGPVdJ0/TeaCju1oYvI/AAAAAAAAAeA/Ykb7C8TyD6g/s400/images-1.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613317535943910130" /></a><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">After finding out that we needed more paperwork for embassy on Friday and pretty much reeling with the news all weekend ( seriously, Lord? Can't at least one part of this go smooth?) We made the decision to go ahead and make our plane reservations for June 12</span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">th</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> -19</span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">th</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">. We decided that it was time. Our kids have been over there waiting since meeting us in January and its just time. We decided that we would go on faith that God would provide the embassy appointment we need, when we need it.</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Greg will fly home on June 19</span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">th</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> and hopefully we will all be with him, but if the kids have not gotten their Visas, I will stay with them until they are cleared for travel. It may be another week or just a few days, but </span><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">regardless</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> they will have their mommy and daddy there in Ethiopia on June 14</span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">th</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> for Gotcha Day.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I have had total peace about this... in spite of our agency giving us a worse case scenario ( stuck in country for longer) I still think we need to go. Greg does too and last night I began preparing a list of items needed for additional time in ET, thinking of ways to keep the kids entertained as we wait on embassy, imagining in my mind getting through a 17 hour flight and customs alone. I woke up feeling like, with God's help I can be brave and for the kids, I can do this. We called grandparents and airlines this morning and began planning to leave the 12</span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">th</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">My phone rings around 11 and it is </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">AWAA</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> and I am thinking to myself they have gotten the email telling them we are going no matter what and here comes round 2 of worse case trying to talk me out of it. Instead she says, "Your family must have been praying hard last night because the document that should have taken until June 8</span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">th</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> to be submitted was actually submitted last night!" </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">It is a faxed copy of it, but the original is on its way back to the city . </span><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Hopefully</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> embassy will take the faxed copy and clear us tonight (PLEASE PRAY THEY DO!!) but either way the document is found and on its way to </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Addis</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> so they can submit the original if need be! Please pray it is also what embassy needs to clear Micah. Sarah Faith is good it is just one document for Micah they are requesting.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Now, we still </span><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">haven't</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> cleared and we still </span><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">don't</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> have an embassy date, but the fact that the Lord allowed the document to be submitted a full week ahead of time is a big deal to me! We are still leaving on the 12</span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">th</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> cleared or not, embassy date or not, but I am hoping and praying the Lord will allow us ( and our kids) to know we are cleared and with a solid date by the time we leave on 6/12/11. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">If so, we will arrive home on June 19</span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">th</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> on Father's Day. How cool is that!? Greg would have all 5 of his kids together for Father's Day and my dad and his dad will be at the airport to meet us. The first time we have all ever been together on Father's Day.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Stepping out of the boat is not an easy thing for me to do, but with God in charge we feel like it is the right thing to do.</span></div><div><br /></div></div>jackiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02184373681711914195noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6928452984961645252.post-24616658210358209312011-05-29T05:43:00.000-07:002011-05-29T05:52:18.107-07:00Embassy News<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">So we were hoping and praying that Friday was THE day we would clear Embassy. Well, instead I got an email saying that the Embassy wants more documentation on Micah. ( insert very large SIGH here)</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Our agency thinks they have what embassy needs and are going to take it to them Tuesday when they open ( Blast you national holidays!) If so, they should clear us and we should get a date to leave in the next week or two. IF it is not enough then our agency will have to send someone to the region Micah is from to collect the document and since this will be on African time it could take a few weeks.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">PLEASE PRAY with us that embassy will accepts AW documents and go ahead and clear us. I know a few weeks is not that long in the scheme of things, but my heart is breaking as Micah has had to wait since January for us to come back and so many of his friends have left the TH to be with their forever families and still he waits. It is hard for me to understand, I cant imagine how hard it is on a 10 year old little boy. And Miss Sarah Faith is growing like a weed and I am MISSING IT! She is 7 months now...I SOOOO want her home by her 8th month birthday.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">I'll post what we hear back on Tuesday in the mean time THANK YOU for your prayers!</span></div>jackiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02184373681711914195noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6928452984961645252.post-18208718674998696972011-05-25T04:50:00.000-07:002011-05-25T05:07:15.867-07:00Sarah Faith through the monthsHere are pictures of my sweet baby girl through the last few months...<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OBXPS2mUTn8/Tdzu4hA_-RI/AAAAAAAAAZg/gjf82223Ne4/s1600/Mulunesh%2BPhoto%2B3.jpg.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OBXPS2mUTn8/Tdzu4hA_-RI/AAAAAAAAAZg/gjf82223Ne4/s400/Mulunesh%2BPhoto%2B3.jpg.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610621890499442962" style="cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></a>Her referral picture that we saw in January. She was around 8 weeks<div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OBXPS2mUTn8/Tdzu4hA_-RI/AAAAAAAAAZg/gjf82223Ne4/s1600/Mulunesh%2BPhoto%2B3.jpg.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZIMpG0djF4o/Tdzu4xD7heI/AAAAAAAAAZo/qFrXyJoVqnc/s400/IMG_0577.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610621894806701538" style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /><br />When we were in Ethiopia for court. Her 3 month birthday<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-N3u-MUXeOMM/Tdzu5OX9bMI/AAAAAAAAAZw/QoBHTtHIE1g/s1600/IMG_7594.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-N3u-MUXeOMM/Tdzu5OX9bMI/AAAAAAAAAZw/QoBHTtHIE1g/s400/IMG_7594.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610621902675340482" /></a></div><div>At 4 months in February</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-N3u-MUXeOMM/Tdzu5OX9bMI/AAAAAAAAAZw/QoBHTtHIE1g/s1600/IMG_7594.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-biYxSzSJ7jM/Tdzu5Yo041I/AAAAAAAAAZ4/8krWAgh1WCI/s400/DSC02294.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610621905430438738" style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></div><div>5 months in her little baby bed at the Transition home</div><div><br /><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YAofzyFrmYY/Tdzu5m7oeJI/AAAAAAAAAaA/gVfLYmKDBQU/s400/IMG_1615.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610621909267413138" /></div><div>6 months old and so sweet</div><div><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qiDc7zscu8M/TdzvMmcH_bI/AAAAAAAAAaI/8OuBr5rUtTc/s1600/DSC_0668.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qiDc7zscu8M/TdzvMmcH_bI/AAAAAAAAAaI/8OuBr5rUtTc/s400/DSC_0668.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610622235552775602" style="cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px; " /></a></div><div>7 months old</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Hopefully she will be home by June 21st when she turns 8 months old!!</div>jackiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02184373681711914195noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6928452984961645252.post-62908619525586519272011-05-24T14:18:00.001-07:002011-05-24T14:22:29.423-07:00She eats what??<div>So I asked if it was possible to see a schedule of Sarah Faith's day and also if she was eating yet or just on a bottle. Oh boy!! Is she eating! Can you read this schedule? Fish Soup ? Barley? Pasta? Wow~ I bet those diapers are gonna be nice huh!?? The good news is she is sleeping through the night! :)</div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ifHYpsms7T4/TdwgzzcHk-I/AAAAAAAAAY4/7GciHHgZg8s/s1600/Mulunesh%2527s%2BMenu%2B.tif" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 291px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ifHYpsms7T4/TdwgzzcHk-I/AAAAAAAAAY4/7GciHHgZg8s/s400/Mulunesh%2527s%2BMenu%2B.tif" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610395310150357986" /></a></div>jackiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02184373681711914195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6928452984961645252.post-30407409766857080542011-05-22T13:40:00.000-07:002011-05-22T13:43:18.365-07:00Our new Family BlogI would like to invite everyone over to our new family blog, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#6600CC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><a href="http://themullislife.blogspot.com/">The Mullis Life</a></span></span><a href="http://themullislife.blogspot.com/">.</a> I would love for you all to follow me and/or bookmark the new blog. Once we get home from Ethiopia all our bloggy adventures will be directed to here. Thanks!!!<div><br /></div>jackiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02184373681711914195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6928452984961645252.post-77938520190015462672011-05-18T18:05:00.000-07:002011-05-18T18:16:57.489-07:00EMBASSY!!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">We were submitted to EMBASSY today!!! Whooooo Hooooo! What this means is that AW was able to collect all our post court paperwork and they took it to the US Embassy in Ethiopia. The Embassy has 10 days to look it over and either clear us, request more information or do an investigation. There were families last week that were submitted on Wednesday and cleared on Monday! SOOO we could very well be looking at flying to Ethiopia by next weekend! Oh MY GOODNESS!!!!!! Please pray there will be no hangups and we will clear Embassy with no problem!</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Here are some pictures of Micah and Sarah Faith that I havent shown on the blog before. I can not begin to tell you how much I am looking forward to loving on these kids SOON!</span></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_fjSJ7roLOU/TdRuz0n44nI/AAAAAAAAAV4/HRYqxTQ6AJA/s1600/IMG_1620%2Bcopy.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_fjSJ7roLOU/TdRuz0n44nI/AAAAAAAAAV4/HRYqxTQ6AJA/s400/IMG_1620%2Bcopy.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608229272561443442" /></a><br /><div><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-E644jiRsbSM/TdRtaXH2DuI/AAAAAAAAAVw/tmgP0-hKPX8/s1600/IMG_2539.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-E644jiRsbSM/TdRtaXH2DuI/AAAAAAAAAVw/tmgP0-hKPX8/s400/IMG_2539.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608227735634054882" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8XD5nXSfKMg/TdRtabBZf7I/AAAAAAAAAVo/_U-k4vye-ew/s1600/IMG_2894.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 297px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8XD5nXSfKMg/TdRtabBZf7I/AAAAAAAAAVo/_U-k4vye-ew/s400/IMG_2894.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608227736680759218" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NbN5Fo3GjVs/TdRtaLtLpEI/AAAAAAAAAVg/nkp2fS4puFw/s1600/004.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NbN5Fo3GjVs/TdRtaLtLpEI/AAAAAAAAAVg/nkp2fS4puFw/s400/004.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608227732569433154" /></a><br /></div>jackiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02184373681711914195noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6928452984961645252.post-2736376027453192422011-05-11T06:06:00.000-07:002011-05-11T06:14:21.732-07:00So whats next.(.when do we go get them??!!)<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> A lot of people have asked us what is next with the adoption and when do we get to go get them.</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Now that we have passed court ( I have to pinch myself that I actually get to write that!) we are waiting for the staff in Ethiopia to gather all the post court documents which include passports, birth certificates, health examinations and other things.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Once that is all completed they will take our documents to the US <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Embsaay</span>. They can only submit documents on Wednesdays so whatever the next Wednesday it is they will submit us. (We are hoping this is next week May 18<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">th</span>)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The embassy take about a week to let you know that 1.) you are clear or 2.) we need to <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">investigate</span> a little more into your particular case and make sure everything is <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">ok</span>.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">If we hear that we are cleared we can go ahead and book our flights. we will need to be in country about a week, but we get to go get the kids and bring them to the Guest House with us the very first day! </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I will keep you posted, but we are <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">really</span> hoping and praying that we can leave the week of May 30<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">th</span>...but we will see.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Here is our latest update from <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">AWAA</span>. Love these babies!!</span></div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xUqhoDLjSl8/TcqLfLIQ4PI/AAAAAAAAAVY/Cd8QKAeXuAc/s400/April%2BUpdate%2BMullis%2BPhoto%2B4.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605446053895659762" /></div><div><br /></div>jackiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02184373681711914195noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6928452984961645252.post-66945511058378422702011-05-06T16:37:00.000-07:002011-05-06T16:37:04.702-07:00meetcha day video<iframe width="480" height="295" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/_iq-wQMe3MM?fs=1" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe>jackiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02184373681711914195noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6928452984961645252.post-26750658296725078132011-05-03T08:13:00.001-07:002011-05-03T08:14:53.882-07:00 <p><div class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left'></div></p><p><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='left' ><img src='http://lh4.ggpht.com/_aqd7RVGLb3g/TcAbgK5_7aI/AAAAAAAAAVQ/tVDksoceXg0/bloggerPlus.jpg' ></img></div></p><p><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='left' ><img src='http://lh5.ggpht.com/_aqd7RVGLb3g/TcAb7Jlc2aI/AAAAAAAAAVU/Cw2IcBSywQw/bloggerPlus.jpg' ></img></div></p>jackiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02184373681711914195noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6928452984961645252.post-61235671277932326322011-05-03T08:07:00.001-07:002011-05-03T08:07:49.669-07:00We passed court for Micah!! Photos coming soon!!! <p><div class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left'></div></p>jackiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02184373681711914195noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6928452984961645252.post-36785859843161651792011-04-26T10:55:00.000-07:002011-04-26T11:04:39.040-07:00Sarah Faith is officially a Mullis!<div>We got a phone call this morning <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">around</span> 9:30 from Kristen to let us know we had passed court for Sarah Faith! Micah has a court date for this Thursday ( our Wednesday night) Please pray his file will be looked at by the judge and she will pass him too! If so we should be able to go get them bu the end of May!</div><div>Introducing Sarah Faith "<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Mulunesh</span>" <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Mullis</span></div><div>Born October 21, 2010<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ewH3L0KVX1I/TbcIchr2YEI/AAAAAAAAAVE/csozv8X7Zr0/s1600/IMG_0577.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ewH3L0KVX1I/TbcIchr2YEI/AAAAAAAAAVE/csozv8X7Zr0/s400/IMG_0577.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599953947830149186" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-j3MoNe0Aick/TbcIcKulm0I/AAAAAAAAAU8/NxTMerLHXso/s1600/IMG_1615%2Bcopy.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-j3MoNe0Aick/TbcIcKulm0I/AAAAAAAAAU8/NxTMerLHXso/s400/IMG_1615%2Bcopy.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599953941667617602" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8g7f3x_LJaE/TbcIb-iK-XI/AAAAAAAAAU0/Niy-3Db4IE0/s1600/IMG_0593.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8g7f3x_LJaE/TbcIb-iK-XI/AAAAAAAAAU0/Niy-3Db4IE0/s400/IMG_0593.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599953938394315122" /></a>THANK you all SO MUCH for the prayers and encouraging words. We are so excited to have her as a part of our family and CANNOT wait to share good news and pictures of Micah too!<br /><br /></div>jackiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02184373681711914195noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6928452984961645252.post-59647988023918848472011-04-18T10:42:00.000-07:002011-04-18T10:53:52.112-07:00SKYPE TIME<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">We were able to skype with Micah and Sarah Faith last night! We heard that a family over in ET had an Internet stick that worked at the transition house and that they had been able to skype some of the families with older children. Well , they were going to be at the Transition House in the morning ET time and were hoping to pass court. If they did, this could be our last chance to skype. </span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">We woke up at 3:30 AM and as soon as we logged in the Mowens sent us a message saying, "going to find your kids" My heart about beat out of my chest when our skype starting ringing a few minutes later and there was Micah! His eyes just lit up when he saw us and the first thing he said was , " I love you Mum , I love you Daddy"! We blew lots of kisses and waved. Then they brought Miss Sarah Faith out and Micah was holding her and giving her big hugs and kisses. He was holding her like a pro too! He is going to be such a big help on the embassy trip home.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">We were able to see Tara Mowen get some big smiles out of Sarah and Micah's friend Josh translated for us that he misses us and wants to come home soon. Oh break my heart! Micah asked where his brother was and we said sleeping, but by then Abby has woke up and was able to say hello, then Greg woke Nathan and Esther up. Micah lit up like a Christmas tree when he saw Nathan. I have a feeling there is going to be some serious male bonding with Daddy and his boys!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">We were able to talk to them for about 15 precious minutes and it was such an amazing gift! They seem "real" again to me! Oh, how I want to jump on a plane today and go get them.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> We should hear some news on our case this week. Please pray that the judge will look at our file and that we will have a favorable letter from MOWA. I so want to move pass this waiting stage!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></div><div><br /></div></div>jackiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02184373681711914195noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6928452984961645252.post-56223707667818849742011-04-17T18:48:00.001-07:002011-04-17T19:22:49.841-07:00The Easter bunny<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Tonight, before I went to the grocery store to stock up for the week, I swung into </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Kohls</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> to get a hat to wear to our Ladies Spring Luncheon Garden Party at church in May. While I was walking around, I also picked up this adorable little white stuffed bunny that was half off and thought that I would either stick it in Esther's Easter basket or save it for Sarah Faith. </span><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> I was in line to check out and I noticed this little redhead girl about 4 years old in line with her parents and grandmother, crying and saying over and over," I want my baby, I want my baby." Her parents were, for the most part, ignoring her, but she kept reaching out her hands to the shelf of bunnies ( just like the one I had in my hand)... Saying over and over, "I want my baby." </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> I could tell her mom loved her but she told her that no she </span><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">couldn't</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> get one tonight and I actually wondered while waiting to check out why her mom </span><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">wouldn't</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> get it for her. Did she think it would be spoiling her? Did they not have the money for a $4 bunny? Was she going to be getting a bunny in her Easter basket next week? She seemed like a sweet little girl...why not ?</span></div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">She kinda reminded me of me in that I had a love for stuffed animals and a love language of gifts when I was a child. I paid for my things and walked out to the van. When I got to my van and got in, I heard the Lord speak to me as if He was right there beside me telling me to go and give that child the stuffed bunny in my bag. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Ok</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> that was kinda weird...and not normal for me.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">But I got out and started across the parking lot feeling a bit like an angel in disguise ready to bless this sweet little girl with a stuffed bunny.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Then it hit me why God was asking me to do this. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">By the time I reached them I was sobbing...crying the ugly cry- the honey, call 911 if this crazy lady tries anything funny- kinda cry . I told the little girl's mom that I also had a little girl, but that she was in an orphanage in Ethiopia and even though I really wanted her home for Easter that </span><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">wasn't</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> to be this year. I told her that right now there was nothing I could do to get my baby home, but I wanted to give her little girl this "baby" to take care of. She hugged the crazy lady ( yes, that would be me) and I walked away.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">As I got back in my van , I knew why the little girl reminded me of myself so much and why she touched my heart so deeply. I have been crying out to my heavenly Father for years "I want my baby." Through unexplained secondary </span><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">infertility</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">, through domestic adoptions that never worked out and now... as two of my five children are half a world away and we are waiting in the madness of a flawed system to bring them home. "I want my baby".</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">God taught me tonight that just like the parents of that little girl, He loves me, but He has not given me what I cried for. I cried for a biological baby and he said no. I cried for a domestic adoption and He said no. I cried for a baby boy from Ethiopia and He said no. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">He has given me an amazing husband. He has given me three beautiful biological children. He has given me two Ethiopian children that I would have never thought to ask for... yet alone cry for. A 10 year old son? A baby daughter? In His plan, through the pain , He has brought to us the two children He has planned for our family. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Now, if He can </span><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">orchestrate</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> that.. I can trust Him with the timing to bring them home.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">And He will.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">In His time.</span></div>jackiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02184373681711914195noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6928452984961645252.post-45627791467682135902011-04-15T08:18:00.000-07:002011-04-15T08:37:49.790-07:00The short version<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">In case you have fazed out ( and I <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">wouldn't</span> blame you if you did) Here is the short version of "our Saga":</span><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Jan 24 ~ First court date. No <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">MOWA</span> letter. No <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Birth mom</span> statement for Sarah Faith</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Feb 8 ~ Second Court Date. unfavorable <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">MOWA</span> letter. need <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">homestudy</span> authenticated by state and US embassy. <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Birth mom</span> statement there though. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">March 14 ~ Third Court Date. No <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">MOWA</span> Letter no new court date..waiting on <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">MOWA</span> letter</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">~ One week of waiting on <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">MOWA</span> Letter to be written...(every single day) ~ </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">March 21 ~ <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">MOWA</span> Letter written </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Begin waiting on judge to review for 13 work DAYS! Every single day get a "maybe tomorrow" email. (That is two and a half work weeks of waking up EVERY single morning and waiting by the phone to get good or bad news) .<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">AWAA</span> Makes a formal appeal, <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">judge</span> will see case on April 8<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">th</span>.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">April 8<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">th</span> ~ Fourth Court Date. Judge <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">doesn't</span> come to work. Will see case April 15<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">th</span>.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">April 15<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">th</span> ~ Fifth Court Date. Judge <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">doesn't</span> get to case. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">AWAA</span> will appeal on Monday, April 18<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">th</span> for a court date for the </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">SIXTH TIME!!!</span></b></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">NOW there is a case that is very similar to ours that when the judge did pick the case up to review it, the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">MOWA</span> letter was unfavorable AGAIN because <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">MOWA</span> wanted their embassy form authenticated in the US. Which will take at least 10 days to do and get back to Ethiopia.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> I am not sure if that will be the same with our case or not...but probably.</span></div></div>jackiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02184373681711914195noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6928452984961645252.post-82013899727063143182011-04-08T08:01:00.001-07:002011-04-08T08:13:09.473-07:00Another week<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Play by play of my last 24 hours.....</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> Yesterday at 11:00 am: We received an email stating that the judge was going to FOR SURE review our case today..</span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">yipee</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">! :)</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Yesterday at 2:00pm: We received an email stating that if the US government </span><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">shuts down</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> then the embassy in Ethiopia will not be able to process visas and will stand still all adoptions until they are back up and running.... um.. boo hiss, Washington, quit acting like babies and get your act together. :(</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Yesterday at 5:00pm: I check the mail and our renewed </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">USCIS</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> I171h form is there.. </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Yay</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> no backlog for that! :) </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">This morning at 10:00am : We receive an email that the judge did not look at our file and will not until next Friday. Even after she said she would. Apparently, she took the day off...I know, right. :(</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">This morning at 10:30: We find out that the other three families waiting, their file is to be reviewed on Monday not Friday like ours. .. Way to turn that knife in my heart. :(</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Seriously. That has been my </span><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">roller</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> coaster for the last 24 hours. And if one more person tells me it is all in God's timing, my head may spin around and I may spew a green substance.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Excuse me if I am cranky.</span></div></div></div>jackiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02184373681711914195noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6928452984961645252.post-89291746993579500222011-03-29T17:55:00.000-07:002011-03-29T18:09:13.934-07:00Blessed and Broken<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">We are still waiting..... Our </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">MOWA</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> letter is written. It is suppose to be on the judges desk. It is suppose to be reviewed and passed. Every single day for the past 2 weeks!</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">So here is how my day goes...I wake up around 1 am and pray to around 3am..no alarm, I just wake up, count 7 hours ahead and know the judge is up and working. Then I fall back asleep until around 5am when I wake up again and get up. Do my quiet time and pray. Then I try to go about some normal routine with my phone in my hand and my heart in my throat. The poor girl assigned to communicate with me at AW should call by 9:30 or 10:00. So from about 9:15 until 10:00..I really am a bundle of crazy nerves. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">BY 10am..I know. IT </span><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">hasn't</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> happened. No phone call means no passing court. Then by 10:30, I get the dreaded "not today, but soon very soon, maybe even tomorrow" email. </span><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">This</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> has </span><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">happened</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> for 2 weeks and 2 days.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> I have run the </span><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">gambit</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> of emotions in dealing with this particular "bump". Everything. From anger to despair to checking flights in order to meet the judge one morning in her office for a little meeting..My will, my time table, my way has been utterly broken.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">But... I am blessed. So blessed. Faithful friends who text, </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">facebook</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> and email me daily. Who listen to me whine and wail. My sweet </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">homeschool</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> five in a row family have set up a schedule again today. 12 moms have stepped up to take different hours and stand in the gap and pray my children home. I am reminded of who loves us, of our </span><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">support</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> system and I am broken, but oh so blessed</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">.....but </span><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">aren't</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> we all?</span></div>jackiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02184373681711914195noreply@blogger.com8