Laughner's Journey to Ethiopia

In April of 2007 we announced our commitment to adopt from Ethiopia, and started the process with America World (our adoption agency). We then started all the paperwork, physicals, fingerprints, home study (with Wide Horizons), and everything else that goes with completing our dossier. It took us until Dec. 7, 2007 to complete our dossier. We decided to request a healthy child either sex under 24 months. From Dec. until July of 2008 we were waiting for a referral. On July 18th we received our phone call from America World. They told us that they a had a beautiful baby boy. He was born on May 27, 2007. So he turned 15 months this last Wed. He is living in America World's Transition Home until we can go to Ethiopia and pick him up. We have a little story to share later about his name, but we have to wait until we pass court. After we pass court we can share his Ethiopian name and his photo. On August 7, 2008 the Ethiopian Courts closed for two months for the rainy season. The courts ...

Benjamin visited his kindergarten class today, and had his first bus ride! He will start all day kindergarten on Tuesday. Michael is starting third grade! Allison is starting sixth grade! Sara is starting her sophomore year! Wow, it is hard to believe that the kids have all grown so much! This will be the first in a long time to be home alone. It looks like I will have the months of September and October to get things done. We hope to travel the last week of Oct. to mid November. I will then have a little one home again. I can't wait to share Daniel's pictures with you! We pray for lots of great school years.

A great big thank you to the Moles Family who just returned from Ethiopia. They took 5 pictures of our son, some video to come soon, and delivered a care package from home to him. We are so thankful for these pictures. It is nice to see him growing and see him looking so healthy. It does make it harder to wait to go get him though. I can't wait to share all these pictures with you. I love knowing that Daniel has something from us to hold on to. We can't wait to be the ones traveling, handing out packages, and taking photos for other families. Waiting for the courts to reopen.

Today we went shopping and took advantage of the tax free weekend and some coupons. We bought mostly stuff for Daniel. We also got new luggage to use when we go get Daniel! Here is his new car seat! We bought Daniel a new outfit and book. We are going to need small quiet toys to keep him occupied on this long flight home. We bought baby gates and brackets to attach gates without messing up the banister. Daniel we are getting ready for you! We can't wait to come get you! We love you!

The kids and I have been having fun picking things out for Daniel. Here are some of the goodies that are waiting on him. The first picture is a blanket that Grandma made. One side is jungle print, the other side has our family picture on it. She made two blankets. One is in Ethiopia with the Moles Family being delivered to Daniel with a photo book. The other is here for when he comes home. We are thinking that we should have a court date mid October and travel will be early November. We received our first email from the travel department of our agency. yeah!!! Please let us go get Daniel!

We still have some t-shirts and bags left from our adoption fundraiser. We have reduced the prices to $15.00 each. We are trying to empty out the crib for Daniel. If you are interested in purchasing one, please let us know. There is more information on the left side of the blog. Thank you for all of your support.

Today we received an update about our son. Rachel from the transition house sent us a sweet update telling us more about Daniel and what he is doing. We also got two new adorable photos of him. He was described as so adorable, light skin, big eyes and a great smile. He is crawling all over and pulls himself up to a standing position using furniture. He has a big personality, is lots of fun, and loves to laugh and smile. Daniel is a good sleeper. He wakes once a night for a bottle and takes two naps a day. He is a good eater and very healthy. He weighs twenty pounds. We love the updates and the new pictures, but it makes us want to jump on the next plane and bring him home. There are four families leaving this weekend to pick up their little ones. One of the families are taking a care package to Daniel from us. They are also going to take pictures and video of Daniel for us. We are so blessed to have this opportunity. The Ethiopian courts start there closure for the rainy season this T...