Finally Getting To Hold Baby Bennett

Brooke and Brian got to finally hold their baby this morning! They get to take him back with them to their guest house tonight. Brooke said Bennett is so beautiful. He is small and wearing 6 month clothes. The nanny is having a hard time with everything, so I hope everyone keeps her in their prayers. I think that they said they are going to be able to meet the mother. I will update when I get to hear more. -Christa

Trip To Ethiopia!!

Yesterday Brooke left for Ethiopia. The Chicago flights were delayed and they were stuck in Louisville for a bit longer than they expected. They had to head to Charlotte instead but they stayed on track for the Ethiopian flight. This morning at 5:45 a.m. Brooke texted my mom saying that they had made it to Rome and were stopping to get gas. From there she made it to Ethiopia! They will not get the baby until tomorrow morning. I will keep everyone updated for her. -Christa

It's Here!!!

The day has finally came that we are heading to Ethiopia to pick up our son! We can hardly believe it. What a great start to a new year. We are packed and are ready to go as soon as we wake up in the morning. Please pray for our safe travels and a great time bonding with our son in his birth country.
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My sister is going to try and update my blog and facebook for me while we are gone.
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We leave tomorrow morning at 10:47am for our first flight and there are a few other flights in between our flight to Ethiopia which leaves at 8:04pm on Dec 26th. We return to Louisville (assuming there are no delays) on January 1st at 6:13pm at Louisville Airport. You are welcome to join us at the airport for our arrival and to see the baby. My sister should post if there are any delays and the arrival changes if so.
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We are so thrilled that so many people have been waiting for our son's arrival with us and have been praying for us throughout our journey. Thank you so much. When we get home we are going to continue the bonding process with our new son and want everyone to meet him but after the airport calling first would be best and we will let you know the best time and schedule for us! Thanks again everyone and keep us in your prayers!!!

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Two days until we leave for Ethiopia!!!!

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Three days until we leave for Ethiopia!!!

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Well we have reached the final four!!! There are only 4 days left until we get on a plane for Ethiopia! I am surprisingly calm so far now that the house is coming together and we are into the Christmas celebrations. There is not much left to do. I need to make a run to walmart and get our perscriptions filled and clean the house and finish packing!

Baby Room Done

We have finished the baby's nursery.... here it is:

Packing

So I am making progress with the packing...I think. It's hard for me to know what I need to pack 1. Because this is our first big international trip (well except Bahamas and Carribbean on cruises...not quite the same) and 2. I am a first time mom and don't know exactly what I need to pack for sure. I think I know things I need but its the determining priority of things that make it into a carry on versus luggage that I hear is likely to get lost. I don't want my luggage lost :( I want to bring these things thats why I packed them in the first place!!! I tend to be an over packer I guess but I like to be prepared! Still need to buy snacks for me and Brian. Still need to buy flashlights also.... I need lots of stuff for carry on (so I think anyways) so I told Brian he needs to carry on a "European Shoulder Bag" as his "personal item" that is allowed. HAHA!

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Eight days until we get on a plane for Ethiopia!!!!

Finally A Graduate!!!

Well after 4 1/2 long and hard years I finally graduated! It feels awesome to know that I am done and I can now stay at home with our baby! I will miss all of the girls from nursing school very much though! They have been there for me through a lot and I will always remember that! There were lots of prayers during nursing school and God answered them all :) Here are some pictures from graduation.

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There are 10 days until we get on a plane and head to Ethiopia!!!! We can't wait! We love him so much and have not even got to hold him yet, I can only imagine! God is so good!

Finally Done With Nursing School

Well today I took my last nursing final. As always, it was horrible and made me so nervous! God has gotten me through a whole lot with nursing school and taught me alot through it. I have made some GREAT friends during nursing school that have been there for me through some of life's most special times and most difficult times...wedding planning, my marriage, pregnancy, miscarriage, infertility, adoption, almost not passing classes, late nights studying, me complaining about cardiac, Chick fila lunches, and so much more.... Love these people! Thanks for being there.

Africa Adoption Ornament

Go to this blog www.5millionminusone.blogspot.com to help a family earn money for their adoption and so you can have a cute ornament for your tree!

Tickets!!!!

Our tickets have arrived in the mail for our trip to pick up our baby boy from ETHIOPIA!!!

Christmas Trees

We are barely even moved in but I did manage to get our trees up so we can enjoy Christmas! I can't wait for our little boy to be able to sit in front of them for pictures!

New Carpet Before Move In!!!

Merry Christmas

If this can't put you in the Christmas spirit I don't know what can??? We were sent these pictures today of our little boy that were taken yesterday! He is even wearing a outfit I sent him a long time ago! How wonderful! We are blessed.

Flights

We have booked our flights to Ethiopia to pick up our little boy!!!! We are leaving Dec 26th and return to Louisville Jan 1st!!!! We are so excited! We have our friends the Armstrong's www.jamesandbrittney.blogspot.com on our flight to Ethiopia and our friends the Hannah's on our flight home!!! Hopefully our little boys will all be life long friends!!!! God has been good to our family and we are blessed :)