My Last 6 weeks!

Picking up Baby From Hospital

July is over? Seems like time is going much faster than normal. I am really enjoying my time with Lydia. Lydia is so sweet and very passionate about the work she does with Abba Adoptions.  She is so busy and we are driving everywhere! Court Dates, Hospitals, Other Baby Homes, and Foster placement home visits. I am learning quickly that flexibility is key. We will start the day at court with 3 or 4 appointments after. Then its really luck if we can get out in less than 2 hours. Many days we have to reschedule other appointments because court decides to take all day. Fun stuff.
Unfortunately, these particular outings don't have a lot of opportunities to take pictures. Identities need to be protected and a lot of the times its not appropriate to do so.
Doesn't sound super exciting but I am really have a great time. I am learning so much and getting to hang out with Lydia is wonderful. Its been enlightening to be able to fill in the gaps of what I already knew about the legal side of an adoption.



Some thoughts from one of my days: "It started early sitting in 2 different courts for a few hours 🗂and sitting with a sweet mama who wanted to sign consent for her daughter to be adopted. As the time got closer I could see her getting more nervous. At the last minutes all the different options ran through her head again and she asked me about foster care and what if she kept her? I got to tell her how courageous she was and reminded her that it was her choice whatever she decided. I cant imagine the heartache she was feeling. 💔Then we drove to the other court and met with a family. There was a lot going on in that story. After an intense morning we ended the day at the hospital picking up this sweet little girl who was 6 days old." 👶🏽

Mr. S was Adopted by a very sweet Finland Family in June.  He loves his family and seems to be fit in so well. On the first day as a family mom sent us a video of him going around the circle giving hugs to daddy, sister and mommy. I think it was about the cutest thing any of us could have received. We love updates at El Roi. Between S and his sister their house will be full of loud laughs and cheering. What a wonderful sound it is.

H is finally with his family!!!!!!!!!!!! Today he met his family and tomorrow he will be taken to the guest houses where his mommy and daddy will stay until they fly back to Holland. I couldn’t be more happy to finally see this kid with his forever. He was very chatty and seemed pleased to be with his family. It was almost like he was a different kid. Went better than I think any of us could have imagined. He Came to El Roi at 4 weeks old and now is 3 1/2. Its been a pleasure being his auntie and even more of a thrill to finally have this day be here.

Last Picture with H!

Praise!
-My dad is coming! I am having a hard time containing my excitement. I am thrilled to get to show him Refilwe and my Home these last 4 years. We will spend 12 days in Joburg then we have a 24 hour stop in Amsterdam on our way back to San Francisco. The stop is a small treat I am super excited about it. I am looking forward too sitting at a Cafe with a cup of coffee and take it all in.
*** update we are spending almost 48 hours in Amsterdam. Just looked at our tickets again. 
- We got an update from Baby E in Sweden which I really cant call a baby anymore. She is growing up to be a beautiful young lady at 3 1/2. Her parents are rocking this thing called parenting haha. I might be given an opportunity to get more updates from my small people and I am jumping at the bit to see if it will pan out. Hopefully next blog will be full of updates. Thats my dream anyways...

I got to sit on C's placement

Her Mommy and Daddy are so cute!

Prayer:
-Safe Travels for my dad and I in 6 weeks. Officially half way through my last bit of time here. so many emotions! If this is new news you should read my last blog : )
-I applied for a Job and its kinda my dream job. Its exactly what I was hoping to do going back to the States. I hope this is a good foot in the door to working with adoption in the states. I would just about jump out of skin if I would get this opportunity.
-Everything gets sorted by the time I have to leave. Ive been working on it it all for a few weeks now and I'm feeling good but anyone who has moved cross the world knows that doesn't always work.
-I have a last wonderful 5 weeks with Lydia.
-Adoptions! I have 4 more kids (from my original kids) that could go to their families before the end of the year! I want them to be with there families so badly!!!

Baby Brother turned 18 this month!

Got to make Chocolate chip cookies with the boys!

Okay, I finally took picture of my little cottage. Many of you have been asking where I live. 

View from my front door

Living Area

View of my garden

Kitchen. 

If was staying I had high hopes to get chairs and put them against the counter closest to me and use it as my Dining area. Since its usually just me and the counter is very low. But since im moving I either eat on the floor or sit on my couch. I also had so many dreams of decorating more (which I love to do) but alas, maybe in my next house!