Shopping for Cohen

Yesterday our niece Katelyn celebrated her ninth birthday with her friends. She had a spa theme and so I helped out with manicures and pedicures. After their "spa treaments" we took the girls shopping. While Limited Too, Claire's, and Build-a-Bear were fun, I had the most fun at the clearance rack at Strasburg... I got Cohen's Christmas outfit for $12.97! I get so excited when I picture him sitting in front of our Christmas tree this year!



Someone asked me this weekend if the waiting was getting easier since we are getting closer to bringing Cohen home. I guess you would think that since each day brings us just a little bit closer to the day when Cohen is finally with us for good, it would get easier... but it doesn't. The uncertainty of WHEN is starting to drive me crazy. The fact that tomorrow he will be six months and not here is very difficult for me. I just don't know how much longer I can go through each day smiling and pretending like I am fine.

I shouldn't complain ... I am very thankful that we were able to spend time with Cohen. I treasure every picture that we took and every moment that we were able to share together. I know that God is working to bring our family together. This little guy is what keeps me going each day.

We're in PGN!!!

Just got an update from our agency and we are officially in PGN! I am excited and nervous at the same time. Excited since this means we are one step closer to bringing Cohen home. Nervous because I have heard all the horror stories about PGN. Right now we are just praying for a miracle that our case will move through quickly without any delays.

And of course I cannot post without showing off our precious boy. These swimming trunks were given to us from a friend and I just had to see Cohen in them before he outgrew them. Thank goodness he is a patient baby. He let his mommy play dress-up with him a lot while we were with him.

A few more pictures...

from our trip to visit Cohen. I really hope we get updated pictures this week. Can't wait to see how much he has changed since we were with him. We were showing a friend from our Spanish class (who has two precious little ones from Guatemala) some pictures of Cohen and talking about how it looked like his head had been shaved in some pictures. She said that many people in Guatemala do shave their babies' heads, so that their hair will come in thicker. Don't worry, Cohen. If they shave your head again, Mommy just has a really good excuse to go shopping for more cute hats!

Trying to stay busy and accomplish things that may be difficult once Cohen comes home. This week I am going to be talking with the pediatrician we plan on seeing, working on a little make-over for the guest bathroom, and spending a little time doing some yard work (anyone who knows me well is laughing at that last one... Emily Carr, I really need your help!)


Hola! Just hanging out in GC enjoying the warm weather.


My mommy loves this little grin.


Now be sure to tell Nana how much I love the quilt she made for me.


Let me get this straight, Dad. When I come home, you're going to take me rock climbing? I can't even walk yet!

Still no news?

Here we are at the end of yet another week and still no news. I checked in with our agency earlier and our case worker assured me that she would pass on any news or information the minute she received it. I can't help but think, "How hard is it to let us know if our case is even in PGN?"

So here I am, wishing it were Monday morning already so that the world of adoption craziness can begin again. I'd be a complete mess if it weren't for your kind words and e-mails. Thank you for keeping Cohen in your prayers! We've just got to get that sweet baby boy home!!!!

Our Little Gigglebox

No update today on our progress, but here's my favorite video of Cohen we took while we were down there. I guarantee you will fall in love with him as you watch this!

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Call from Qatar!!!

So, I get home from work around 4:00 today and decide to make a bacon and tomato sandwich -- my favorite! As I am sitting down to take my first bite, the phone rings. Unknown name, unknown number. Usually I would just let the phone ring, but today I answer... nothing. A minute later, the phone rings again and I answer... nothing. The third time the phone rings I am ready to scream at whoever it is that is calling me. I answer with my meanest voice, "HELLO?" "Can I speak to Lori?" "This is Lori." "Lori, it's Amy. Can you hear me, I have a sore throat."

Oh my goodness! It's my friend Amy who lives in QATAR! (I posted a map of the Middle East because I guess I never really knew exactly where it was.) For those of you who know Ben and Amy, they are doing fine. They will be coming home in July and staying until September. The last time we saw them, Amy was expecting their second son and he was born two days after Cohen! Can't wait to get those two boys together!

Amy told me that she and Ben check our blog and have been praying for us. Wow, Cohen, you have people in Qatar praying that you will come home soon! I tear up just thinking about it. Amy, thank you so much for calling. On a day where I was disappointed because we didn't get any update on Cohen, you put a big smile on my face!

Big Congratulations to Kellie, Scott, & Gabriella!

While we were visiting Cohen in Guatemala, we met some wonderful families who were also waiting to bring their babies home. We just heard the news today that one of the families is OUT OF PGN!!!! YEA!!! Here is a picture of Gabriella (who we all nicknamed Princess) with her mom Kellie.



Hearing about Kellie and her family this close to bringing Gabbie home gives me so much hope. We complete mountains of paperwork, go through blood tests, home studies, and fingerprints, and feel like our entire life in under a microscope. Then there is the waiting... We don't labor in a hospital, but for months and months we are in emotional "labor." But after all of this craziness, I guess it hits you. It is worth it.

Who knows exactly how much longer it will take for our case to make it through PGN. All I know is that every crazy hoop we jump through in order to bring Cohen home is worth it.

The e-mail that made me dance...

We just received Pre-Approval from the US Embassy!!!! That means that our case is on its way to PGN, which is like the federal level court. How long will we be in PGN? Don't I wish we knew! PGN is the scary part because many cases are kicked out for crazy reasons. We just pray that our case is assigned to a reasonable reviewer that allows us to pass through PGN without kick outs or unnecessary delays.



Oh, and Cohen wants to wish everyone a Happy Easter!