This and That

We are busy in the Ausbrook's house, on purpose, so that the wait for Eli goes quickly.

Yesterday we had a "boys day". Sam is surrounded by girls...his neighbors, cousins, sister...so we invited a friend from church to come down to the farm for some fun in the mud. We went to the hayloft, had sack races, played hide-and-seek in the machine shed, walked to the woods, and played in the creek. Somehow I got the muddiest...I think it was when the golf cart got stuck in the mud and I let the boys hit the gas while I pushed it out. We finished the day off by attending a Loogootee Lions basketball game, and they won, though mostly all we saw was popcorn, nachos, candy...!

Today we had dear friends come for a visit (2 girls and their mama...girls again!). Sara and I were bestest friends from junior high, and its so fun to see our kids play together. She's very crafty, and gave me a beautiful bead bracelet that has my 3 kids names on it. Thank you Sara, I love it!

Also this week, we got shots for our trip to ET. I still haven't packed much, I'm saving that for the last minute...I've always worked well under pressure, just ask my college roomie (Hey Missy!).

Also, I had to make an emergency trip to Blessings Book Store for a parenting book. Sam and I are having a battle of the wills right now, and he was winning so I needed new ammunition. I read on another blog a very wise thought...in all jobs you have to keep learning, parenting included. I selected "How to make your kids mind without losing yours", even though everything Karen Kingsbury was calling my name! Kevin Leman, the author, has a great take on discipline, and I feel better equipped already (alright, I'm only on the introduction...but he's that good and very Biblical). I love his quote on the back of the book "We've seen the enemy, and they are small".

We have had email contact with all the families traveling to Ethiopia with us...there are 10 altogether. 7 are on our flight. We are from all over the US, California to Maryland, Nebraska to Georgia. I've also printed off pictures and names of 7 little babies who are at Hannah's Hope and have parents anxiously awaiting a little news.

Please continue to pray for us as it becomes more of a reality that we are leaving Sam and Cora for a week to go to AFRICA, and that there is going to be another baby in this house. God's plan is so perfect, and we trust Him completely. I guess we have nervous excitement...7 more days til liftoff!!!

1,2,3 Jump!

Fun in the hayloft.

We are enjoying our last days as a family of 4. I'm trying to spend extra time with the kids because I know that will be difficult to do after Eli is here. Sam and Cora don't know it, but their lives will change with a baby brother in the house.

Countdown to departure...11 days! Airplane tickets have come in the mail, one labeled, "Ausbrooks, Tamru" (Eli's ET name and name on passport).

Sam quote of the day

Tonight Daddy, aka Josh, was reading Sam and Cora a bedtime story, a Spiderman story we've read many times. One page has Mary Jane on it and Josh asked Sam what Spiderman's girlfriend's name was. Sam said,

"Just read the words Daddy, maybe that will help you."

Score one for Sam! I'm glad he gets the concept that words tell us things...now if we just teach that to Daddy.

BTW, don't you think there's plenty of room on that lap for Eli? We just learned that he is 17 pounds of pure cuteness. They also told us "Tamru is content baby most of the time. He is sweet and adorable. However, when he is upset or something is wrong and he starts crying, he really does know how to cry really hard and get respond right away. And if not respond fast enough then real crying will continue for a while. But when he is happy he is really happy."

I think real crying is a must to get attention in this house. We can't wait to give him all the attention he wants. 17 days until departure:)

Beautiful Nieces

We got to spend time with our nieces this weekend. Eli has some pretty cute playmates waiting for him!

Annika, 4 months old

(Can you tell she's 1/2 Swedish?)

Callaway, 3 months old

Sam made it home safe and sound from Virginia. He had a great time, hiking at Shenandoah, seeing over 60 deer, swimming at the hotel, eating out, and going to FunLand. Its good to have him home, and the house is back to normal...loud and messy.

Having just one child in the house was peaceful, whats it going to be like with 3? Wonderful, I think! We're buying plane tickets today...three for the way home:)

Travel Dates

We received our travel dates today. We will leave Indianapolis on Saturday, March 7 and return on Friday March 13. We are going with 5 other families.

We passed court!

We witness a miracle every time a child enters into life. But those who make their journey home across time and miles, growing within the hearts of those who wait to love them, are carried on the wings of destiny and placed among us by God's very own hands."~ Anonymous

Here he is...Eli Tamru Ausbrooks

We found out this afternoon that we passed our court date. Thank you to all who petitioned the Lord on Eli's behalf. We do not have travel dates yet, but should be early March...oh my, so much to do! Hang on Eli, Mommy and Daddy are coming!!!!

Waiting for news

Wait on the Lord; be of good courage and he shall strengthen thine heart. Wait, I say, on the Lord. Psalm 27:14

Well, our court date was today in Ethiopia, and is likely over by now considering the 7 hour time difference. I was up in the night praying, and our church joined us in prayer at service last night. If the judge approved our case, we will travel in March, if not some changes will have to be made for a new court date. We may find out the results today, we may find out next Monday...never know! I feel so much better just knowing it is done.

Uncle David got 6000 new baby turkeys last week. The kids love playing with them. The first week is a lot of manuel labor, and Sam likes to "help". I'm sure David can't wait until Sam is old enough to really help, or course by then he probably won't want to. I always enjoyed it though. In winter it sure is the warmest place on the farm!

Saturday Sam left with Nana and Papaw (Josh's parents) for Virginia. Ralph works for the Marines, and travels often to Quantico, a MC base near DC. This is Sam's first week away from Mom and Dad. So far he's having a lot of fun. They've hiked at Shanandoah National Park and seen lots of deer and swam at the hotel pool.

Saturday night we enjoyed playing cards over at Meme's with David and Aunt Kathy.

It sure is quiet around here, and Cora is a little lost by herself. She does enjoy the extra attention though. We're trying to get some jobs done before our trip to Ethiopia and a new little one in the house.

Happy 6 Months

Baby Eli is 6 months old today.

6 things we love about Eli:

1. Your big eyes, just like Papaw’s, are definitely Ausbrooks eyes.
2. Your distinguishable Ethiopian facial features, which will always remind us of your heritage.
3. Your little feet.
4. You were picked by God to be in our family.
5. Your Ethiopian name means “miracle”, and you are to us.
6. Even thousands of miles away, you make our family more compassionate and loving.

Thank you Lord for this miracle in our family. Thank you also for giving him 6 months to live in his native land. We pray that you give us favor in the eyes of the judge next week, and that Eli can come home soon. Please prepare our hearts and home for him as well. In Jesus' precious name, Amen.

"Only 4 more days until Prince Eli's court date!"

Hannah's Hope Shower

Monday night we had a shower for Hannah’s Hope Ethiopia, Eli’s current home. It was such a blessing to us to share our love for Ethiopia and Eli’s caretakers. We watched a short video of the founding of the home, and it makes me cry every time. You can watch if from AGCI’s website, right here.

We had a cake with the ET flag on it, and matching balloons and napkins. Unfortunately, I forgot to take pictures, which I should have done for Eli’s scrapbook. We did receive nearly enough donations to fill our bags though, with diapers being the bulk of it. We are so thankful to all who donated.

When we got home from the shower I read this post on our agency’s list serve from a woman who has adopted from Guatemala:

I just returned from Ethiopia yesterday. My husband and I were there on a mission trip (I am a pediatrician). While we were there, I was able to meet with Almaz at Hannah's Hope.


A special note to those with waiting children: While we were at Hannah's Hope, we saw as many babies and children as I could...giving them love, hugs, kisses and smiles. You will be so happy to know that of the many orphanages we visited, Hannah's Hope was by far the best!!!!!!!!! The place was bright & happy, the babies and children were outside playing in the sunshine, special moms were everywhere giving GREAT care, and Almaz was amazing. All that to say "Your little ones are in GREAT hands while you wait to bring them home!!"

“Holy smokes Batman, Eli’s court date is in 5 days!!!”