HALLELUIAH!!!

Our I-171H came in the mail on Wednesday!!! It was one of the most joyful days of my entire life. I went straight to the UPS store to have it copied to complete our dossier. Friday, Bethany, Gamo and I went to Columbia to have the documents state sealed and given to our social worker! I was so ecstatic that I could hardly hold it in. I compare this piece of paper to the day we had our gender ultra-sound. It was a moment when I felt like the little being growing inside me was actually a reality. That day my love just over-flowed for a person that I hadn't even met yet. In the same way, when I turned in our dossier the being that has been growing in my heart seemed real and my anticipation was marked by joy and a sense pride for this person. It was also a feeling of relief. It has always been in the Lord's hands but now the best part comes, we wait and trust the Lord to lead us to our son or daughter, and see how God always goes beyond our expectations. We'll be lead to a baby that has been chosen since the creation of the world to be a part of our family!!! How exciting!
We've had a lot of questions about travel. We will go to Ethiopia and expect to spend 2 weeks there to complete our adoption. I am looking forward to putting my feet on Ethiopian soil. It's a place where it's people are prideful in their rich culture and close knit family units. I want to learn as much as I can about traditions and holidays and food, all the things that will connect my child their roots. I also can't wait to shop! We plan to get something called life gifts. They are typically given at birthdays and are special gifts that come from their birth country. We hope to bring our child back to Ethiopia one year as a life gift.
I'll keep updating as the days go by. Our dossier still has to go to Grand Rapids, MI to the national BCS office for review. Then it is sent to Washington, DC and then to Ethiopia.

On a different note, my little girl used the big potty yesterday!!!! I couldn't believe it! We were in the bathroom getting ready for a bath and she said "potty" and pulled at her diaper. We've been through this before and I thought it was another time to play and pretend to use the potty. I stepped out of the room for literally 5 seconds and came back to her peering in her potty seat. When I looked in their was pee-pee!!! I was so proud! She then got two cookies. I think the whole thing was a fluke but I sure hope not! We'll see.