Here I Am: Great Girls. A Good Life.

I have been sitting here tonight reading a book Emily brought home from school for us. It is titled "Cultures of the World~Ethiopia". How cool is it that my 12 year old daughter is wanting to learn more about her little brother.   She is so excited to be a big sister... that is 1 title we never thought she would claim.

The girls are pretty excited about us adopting and are the first to answer anyones questions. They are the ones that helped James and myself to make up our minds. They never doubted we should bring a little one into our family and they have been more than willing to make sacrifices to help us come up with the funds.

This past Christmas, I couldn't even get them to give me a list... up until the week of Christmas I still hadn't bought any presents, they were being so thoughtful and selfless. They helped me make an ornament for our tree that represented their brother. They gave me a sweet little picture frame with the shape of Africa with a heart over Ethiopia in it ~ love it! All 3 of my girls will be wonderful sisters to their little brother....I can't wait to see each of them hold him in their arms.

Caitlin talked with a teacher at her school and they are allowing her & Lauren to sit up a table to sell T-shirts and stuff during lunches. Isn't that exciting! She has lined up friends who are willing to work the table all 3 hours. I love it! The girls have sold necklaces and T's to their teachers and friends.   They are doing their part and we didn't even have to ask.... Did I say "I love it!"

We will be having our Adoption Yard sale on 2 weekends. Fri 4 & Sat. 5 / Fri. 11 & Sat. 12 starting at 7:00 - 4:00... It is INDOORS and we have had 15 families contribute to our cause (many, many thanks!).   The address is 6610 New Nashville Highway in the Parker Square Complex. This is off Murfreesboro Road, between Bell Furniture & Hooptown (behind Jumper's Playhouse).

PLEASE COME! PLEASE tell everyone! PLEASE check those closets...we could always use more stuff..
every penny sold will go towards our adoption...that is such a blessing! We have some cool items, beds, futons, desks, lots of house hold decor, clothes, playstation, guitar hero & all the instruments, a performing stage for little ones,barbies never opened, skates, amp & pink electric guitar...and lots of stuff I haven't even looked at. So excited! Also, have some friends baking stuff, yummy!

It's a Process! We knew our journey would have delays, it is just part of the adoption process. Well, ours came pretty early on. Our social worker suggested we put our home study "on hold" til Caitlin turns 18 on Feb. 22nd.   If we had submitted last week, it more than likely would sit on a desk and by the time it got to the right location, would no longer be correct.

So the day Caitlin turns 18, we will submit the appropriate paperwork for having another adult under our roof. Basically, we will be requesting her criminal history.... we got ours in 2 days so we will move forward pretty quickly. Was bummed at first, it added six weeks to the process. Then I realized it is 6 weeks to step back and focus on Caitlin Elizabeth Griffith, my firstborn, my sweet precious baby who has grown up to be a caring, compassionate, giving, gorgeous young woman.... Where has the time gone? She will always have our hearts, she will always be our princess. She will always be the one we learned from and we admit we made several mistakes along the way... thank you Caitlin for not holding it against us and for always being willing to grow with us.