Today was court...

This afternoon we went in for court and waited nervously for about 30 minutes in a room full of people... We got called back and were asked several questions.

Finally...

She said "Congratulations! They are yours!"

So, now, we finally introduce the two newest members of the Nuñez Family!....

- Mikiyas Elisha Nuñez - 

(Mikiyas is his given name, which we've been told is a form of Micah from the Bible. Elisha is the middle name we are giving him. :)  )

- Eyob Tsehay Nuñez - 

(Eyob is a form of Job, and Tsehay is Sun - we've been told together means something like "Sunshine after the storm")

Meeting our boys...

Last night, we got into Addis about 9:30pm, got our visas, exchanged dollars into Birr, got our luggage and finally made our way to the transition home. Even though it was after 11pm, they asked for a meal to be made for us, which was absolutely delicious! After talking for awhile and making a quick update on Facebook saying we made it (as that's our only form of communication while we're here), we headed up to bed, anxiously awaiting the next morning! It took us about an hour to fall asleep from excitement and I slept like a log for a few hours until I was awoken by Michael getting ready at 5am. He was just too excited to sleep any longer! I swear, he was like a child on Christmas morning!

We came downstairs and waited around a bit and then decided to go outside and see if we could find the boys around 7:30. Right as we were putting our shoes on, one of the staff came around holding "M's" hand and carrying "E". Thankfully another adoptive father is here and I hurriedly gave him my camera to take the first photos. I was handed "E" in which he stared at me in wonder for awhile, and I at him. "M" immediately went up to Michael and just snuggled right into his arms saying "Dad? Dad?" in his sweet little accent. I couldn't believe that at that very moment, our dreams of almost 2 years was finally coming true. I was finally able to not just see, but hold, hug, kiss, and snuggle my sweet Ethiopian boys! Amazingly, I didn't cry like I thought I would because I was just so in awe! Soon after, we switched boys and I asked "M" who I was and he said "Mommy?" Seriously, at that moment, I could've melted!

We got to spend all morning together with the boys playing and "M" loved playing soccer with Daddy outside. I got to feed "E" a bowl of oatmeal and then he fell asleep in my arms. It was heaven!! It's amazing how you just automatically feel so in love with two sweet little boys you've never met, but you do! At that time, we had to leave because we were going to do some sight seeing. They don't want us to spend all our time here at the guest house/transition home (as much as we'd love to!), because they really feel it's important to get to know the area and really learn the Ethiopian culture. So we will have a busy week with all sorts of things to see!

I'll be sure to post more details about what all we did with pictures and such, but I at least wanted to share the morning of meeting the boys! :)

EEEEEEEEEEEEEK!!!!!!

E's mom showed up for court and gave her consent, so we got the go ahead to book our tickets. I know I had said that we would be leaving on Saturday, but by the time we were able to book tickets, those tickets were gone unless we wanted business class (which was WAY to expensive). The only option was to leave this morning. Meaning we had less than 12 hours to get everything we needed, get packed, do laundry, clean house, and get everything else done. While I was a basket case, we got it all done and are sitting at the airport, anxiously awaiting our plane!  We will be on our way to meet our boys!!!!  We will fly to JFK, then have a layover in Germany and finally arrive in Addis Ababa tomorrow at 9:10pm (2:10pm for all my Eastern Time Zone folks!). 

We will have internet access while we're there, but it's not guaranteed that it will be good. I will try my best to update while I can, though! Please pray for us next Thursday as we attend court. Pray that all the paperwork needed is there so we can pass court! Once we pass court, I will finally be able to introduce "M" and "E" with pictures and their full names!!! I cannot wait for you to see our boys. You will LOVE them! :)

Thanking God that He chose us to walk this long, crazy, ever changing, always trial-filled, blessed journey of adoption. I cannot imagine NOT doing this! Thank you for everyone who has prayed and supported us (both monetarily and emotionally)! If it weren't for God and all of you, we would not be at this point. We are SO appreciative!! And a very, very special thank you to my sister and brother-in-law, and my brother and sister-in-law for watching Ilana and Aydan for 10 days while we're gone! As much as I am in a ball of nerves leaving them for so long, I know they are going to be so taken care of and it's a blessing that we don't have to worry about their care! THANK YOU!!!!!!

Next post will be from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia!!!! PRAISE GOD!!!!!!

We have a court date (tentatively)!

Yesterday morning (on what would have been my daddy's birthday!) I woke up about 4am and decided to check my e-mail. Lo and behold, we had gotten an e-mail from our agency saying we had a court date! Our court date is tentatively set for next Thursday, June 21! Why is it tentative?

There are actually two court hearings. The first one is when the birth relative or orphanage go before the judge and the second one is when the adoptive family goes before the judge. The first court hearing was actually last night our time (Tuesday day, Ethiopia time). Unfortunately, "E's" birthmom was unable to make it, so it is now rescheduled for tomorrow (or tonight our time). Please pray for her, for her transportation to be reliable so she can make it in time, and especially for her heart. This is a very hard time that she is going to be facing. My heart aches so much for her!

If all goes well and the court hearing goes through, we will be leaving Florida a little after 5am on Saturday, head to Washington DC, and then fly directly to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia! We should arrive there early Sunday morning. Michael should get to meet his two new sons ON Father's Day! We will head back home the following Saturday night and get home Sunday night. We are so excited and just cannot wait to finally meet and hold our boys!

Now, several have asked if we get to bring them home after court. Unfortunately, no. We will be heading home without our sons. In an Ethiopian adoption, there are two trips. The first trip is for court, and then we will wait several weeks for all the documents to be submitted to the US Embassy in Addis. Once we are approved by Embassy, we can finally travel back to bring them home! We're hoping for late August, early September, but only God knows! 

Hopefully in just a little over a week, we will pass court and finally declare the boys officially our sons and will be able to share their photos with all of you!!! Please keep us in prayers over the following week! I will try to update a bit while we're in country, but the internet is not completely reliable. Please also pray for me, as I have never ever left my kids (Ilana and Aydan) for more than one night. I am getting nervous just thinking about leaving them for over a week! But like my great (and very wise) friend said. "Praise God you have never had to be gone from them, but also praise God that these two boys who haven't had one day with you will be able to spend 8 days with you!" SO true!!

Thank you so much for all the prayers and support that has gotten us to this moment!!!! Can't believe, after almost 2 years, it's finally happening!! Praising God!!!!!!