If all goes well...

In exactly one month, we will be arriving in Ethiopia.  We've got our flights reserved and our lodging taken care of.  We have chosen LUFTHANSA airlines based on price, directness and crib availability.  We will be leaving Sunday, March 14th and are scheduled to arrive in Ethiopia Monday, the 15th around 7:30 PM.  Because of the lateness of our arrival, I am almost certain that we will not be able to meet Marley until Tuesday morning.  What kind of torture is that?!?!  Knowing your little one is only 5 minutes away and you still can't get to her!!!  I'm sure there will be no sleep had by the Hansels that night.

After lots and lots of mulling we have decided to stay at the House of Hope II, owned and operated by Children's Hope.  We had originally opted for the Melkam Guest House after hearing  many positive experiences from recently traveled families but the only rooms still available were small and shared bathrooms with other families.  We have a large suite booked at the House of Hope II so that will be nice plus all our meals and transportation are taken care of. 

As the days go buy, the thought of us actually being parents is becoming more and more real and the freak-out factor (while still fairly low at this point) slowly climbs a bit each day.  We've never even met our little one but already we love her very, very, VEEEEEEEEEERRRRRRRY much and cannot wait until March 16th.  Here's to the next few weeks passing quickly.

A few pics of the H.O.H. II...

and just because she's the most beautiful baby ever, here's 4 more pics!!!

Happy 5 months baby girl!!!

And what better way to celebrate baby girl's 5 month birthday than with a new, really long video courtesy of the Miller family.  We were both in tears at 6 AM this morning watching this for the first time.  By the way, this little girls got the makings of being an American Idol someday.  Check out the rythem in that head-bob to the nannies snapping fingers and the fact that she's trying to snap her own fingers too!    LOL.  Thank you Millers!!!

Make an on-line slideshow at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Could it be?!?!  A SMILE?!?!

the search for the elusive "smiling" pic...

What a GREAT week so far! Officially became a family and now, new pics of our 5 Month old Marley! Still looking for that elusive smiling pic though especially after hearing Erica talk about her sweet little toothless grin. A big thanks to all of our readers for all the wonderful comments yesterday and also to the Gramling family for the new pics. Enjoy!

Thinking about a smile???

Almost there!!!  You can do it!!!

The search continues...

OFFICIALLY MOMMY AND DADDY!!!

We are totally beside ourselves at the moment. Just received word from Ashley (our adoption consultant) saying that our court date was moved up a few days and we [insert drum roll here]......................WE PASSED!!!!!! Our court date was actually Feb. 3rd and our tentative VISA date is March 18th. And now, introducing for the first time, Marley Ann Megertu Hansel!!!

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

the 4-1-1 on Marley...

Found this post on my facebook today from Erica Shubin regarding Marley.  Erica just returned from a mission trip in Ethiopia and got to see and hold Marley for us!  You can check out her blog HERE . 

So without further adieu : "Oh my goodness she is PRECIOUS!!!!!!!! Held her, loved on her, kissed on her. My daughter asked if we could have her she loved her so much. I let her know she had a family that loved her so. I knew you had a court date coming up (Tsegaye told us) and it breaks my heart in two to hear you didn't pass...Oh and there is a picture of you two above her crib, she has the most AMAZINGLY soft curls her smile will melt you....she LOVES to be held and her toothless grin lights up a room! She is PRECIOUS!!!"

Thanks Erica.  you have no idea how much this little bit of info means to us.  So now, to all you families out there that may be taking pictures for us over the next few weeks.  WE NEED SMILING PICTURES!!!  :)

And finally; last-but certainly not least, a big CONGRATULATIONS to our very good adoption friends, the Williams family.  they found out yesterday that they passed court and have a tentative VISA appointment of March 18.  Hopefully, if all goes well, we will be traveling with this wonderful family.  You can check out there blog HERE.  CONGRATS AGAIN WILLIAMS'!!!

Heartbroken........again

Without saying alot of things we may regret, let's just leave it at this:  the same paperwork issues again and next "scheduled" court date is Feb. 10.

Coolest shower gifts ever!

These awesome, totally customizable, adoption paintings are now being offered at River's Ribbons etsy store.  Kim's mother, Ann Hogue, is an absolutely wonderful artists and painted this one as a baby shower gift for us this past weekend.  It was so cool we had to hang it immediately.  You can get your own fully customizable painting HERE !!!  Our grandmother Betty made Marley's beautiful afghan shown in the bottom pic!

Well, tomorrow is the big day (at least we hope).  Hopefully tomorrow we will introduce Marley to the world.  Please keep us in your prayers tonight along with all those families still waiting for referrals or court dates as well.  We spent this afternoon finishing up our shots in KC.  To date we have received: Hep A & B, Typhoid, Meningococcal Meningitis, and Polio booster.  Needless to say, our arms are a little bit tender tonight  :) 

Don't forget!!!