Last week Wednesday I was curious if our file had arrived in Ethiopia yet (it was to be mailed on the 6th), so I emailed our case worker. Apparently it arrived and was picked up on the 10th, so we are officially waiting for a referral now.

We were told that with the number of people requesting siblings, the referral time is likely to be at least about 8mos. I guess that would put us into January of 2009. That is just about too long! I know it's better for us to expect it to take longer, and hope that it's sooner... but somehow i just can't quite imagine waiting into 2009. Naturally i'll be "hoping" for a referral by Christmas. But again, all in God's timing! I'd rather leave it in His hands and trust Him for His patience. (Easy enough to say at the beginning of the wait, right?) I honestly believe it is God who has lead us to/through this journey so far, and I am confident He will see us through in His way and in His time. That doesn't mean our patience won't be tested (it already has been numerous times)... but for now it does feel good to know that our dossier is complete, correct, and in Ethiopia!

Officially our request is "a sibling group, preferably a girl and a boy, or two girls, with the female child being the eldest within the age of 24 to 60 months, and a male or female child within the age of 6 to 36 months."

Or more simply put... "a girl (24-60mos) and boy (6-36mos), or two girls (6-60mos)."

Last week Monday & Tuesday were not easy with Robbie ~ he was extra difficult, and didn't take a nap, so that makes for a long day. Thursday though, he was much better. Maybe it's a bit of a chain reaction too... if he starts off well, it puts us into a better frame of mind to enjoy him more?? Not sure, but we all had a better day. He came in the door smiling, and very huggy! He climbed up on my lap and started hugging me, and when the boys would get close, he'd draw them into the hug too. He was being cute. He actually sat on the floor and played for more than a minute at a time too. Then later, after his nap (YES, he had a nap that day), he went into the bathroom, and i heard Brenden trying to get him out of there... and then Brenden called me. I've told the boys repeatedly that if they can't manage Robbie, let me know! so now i was sure he was having trouble getting Robbie out, but as i got up to go help, i asked anyway what was up, and he told me "Robbie is in the sink!" (he was sitting in the sink, and Brenden needed me to help get him out of there). Lol... i had him clarify to be sure i'd heard right, and then i quickly picked up the camera to get a picture before taking him out. It was too funny! I guess in a way he was still being naughty because he didn't listen to Brenden (come out of the bathroom), but we all had a good laugh before taking him out and locking the bathroom door.

So now we have four more weeks of watching him... hopefully we'll have more "good days." Tomorrow we have just Robbie and just for the afternoon (i think). So a "long weekend."

Jonathan did 3 shifts at the farm on the weekend (2 yesterday and one today), so it'll be nice for him to have tomorrow off!

Anyway, it's WAY late again (how do i keep letting the day get away on me like this??)...