COURT IS NOW IN SESSION!!!!

Today was the day Ethiopia re-opened court after six or so weeks of closure, due to the rainy season. I have been very impatiently waiting on my court date to be set and I just got word today that several open cases will be heard within the next few weeks.   Cases that were filed prior to the shutdown will be assigned court dates this week.  There were eight new cases filed today, I was told.  Mine might be one of them. I am hoping it means I will be in the next round of court date assignments.       !!!!! 

Although I'm thinking it will be a few weeks minimum before I hear anything, I feel so much better that things are moving.  The morale on the adoption front has been rather low, aside from a few families traveling to bring their children home, which gave me something to live vicariously through.  Also, I got news last week that my friend Mary will be meeting her Russian daughter in a few short weeks!  It is finally happening!  She, like myself, has had a few years to be quite ready for this wonderful news. 

In the past month, I went to visit my friend Kristine in St. Louis for a long weekend and we had a marvelous time!  It was nice to get back to Missouri and see some familiar faces and places.  Her three children were full of energy so it gave me a little idea what to prepare for.  I also scored on several bags of really nice girl's clothes, thank you thank you Kristine!  With this and what I've already collected on my own, I will have no need to shop any time soon for outfits.  We are set!  I have also decided to start adding some finishing touches to Miss A's bedroom, have been trying as best as I can to prepare the house for a 5 year old and if you all have any advice on that topic, please do not hesitate to let me know what sort of mischief I can avoid with just a little bit of pro-active thinking.  I'm also shopping for car seats for a 35 pounder if you can suggest a good brand/style.