Missing you this Christmas

Baby Girl,
Oh how our hearts longed for you to be with us this Christmas. All I could think about as the kids opened their presents was how this day will look next year when you are finally home. I imagined you sitting there with big wide eyes in awe of each present and crawling around the floor picking up all the little wrapping pieces(-: We even hung 4 stockings and filled yours with a lovie. Something your brothers and sisters still adore to this day. Aria picked out a pink Elephant.  We can't wait to meet you in person so that we can give it to you. Although you weren't with us, you were definately in our hearts and always, always in our prayers.  We love you already and don't even know you! Merry Christmas sweet baby girl!

A glimmer of hope.....

Today we received an update from the director of our ET program at our agency. A group of staff just got back from Ethiopia after being gone for 10+ days. Everyone was anticipating the details of their trip.  I had butterflies in my stomach just reading it. Here is a blurp from the letter that sent some chills up and down my spine: " I know what is on many of your minds is the status of referrals. I do not have any concrete information on specific children to share, however, I do know that we have some referrals coming our way, hopefully in the next few weeks. I saw their sweet faces and do have photos that I will share when we have enough information to refer. "  OOOOHHH, we just can't wait to see that precious 1st photo! 


Minutes later we received another email about some major investigations going on at the US Embassy in Ethiopia. Here is a line from that email: "The Department of State continues to be concerned about reports highlighting adoption related fraud, malfeasance, and abuse in Ethiopia, and acknowledges the concerns expressed by families over the integrity of the adoption process. The U.S. Embassy in Addis Ababa actively tracks all adoption visa cases, incorporating information provided by adoption agencies and the Government of Ethiopia, to ensure that the adoption process continues to operate transparently and ethically."  


Trying not to be too alarmed and praying that all of this gets resolved asap and that these precious children can be united with their families soon!