The best adoption stationary ever!

I looked and looked for the best adoption stationary ever, but sadly, I couldn't find it. So I 'made' my husband (who is a graphic designer) make me the best adoption stationary ever. It even looks better in person than it does in the picture. It's on pearly paper and has 3 layers so it's all sparkly, shiny and 3D-y ... and I love it! He even added a red rhinestone in the heart to mark Ethiopia! What do you think?!

My 32nd Birthday things about me list!

1. I REALLY do think I hit the husband lottery with my husband. We laugh hysterically at, and with, each other every night. I think that's special.
2. I used to think that I was special because my birthday was on Christmas Eve, now I just think I'm jipped...It may be a sign of maturity in retrograde.
3. I think my 30's are way better than my 20's. I finally, honestly, like myself.
4. I LOVE my profession- Speech-language pathology rocks! I have to stop myself from chatting about it too much with random people at the grocery store.
5. I have two sisters- I'm the middle child and have all the middle child syndromes.
6. I've had the same BFF for the last 20 years. She is the best. Seriously. I could give you MANY references supporting this.
7. I love the feeling of being in a new place- I'm very addicted to the rush- that feeling of being completely in the moment and alive.
8. I like wine more than I should.
9. I use exaggerated speech more than I should, no less than 5,000,000,000 times a day.
10. The biggest compliment that someone can give me is that I'm funny. Which makes me think that I may have issues with what is truly important in life. Sad, but true.
11. I love cooking, but have a lot to learn.
12. I love kids. They are the funniest people on earth.
13. My nephew makes me laugh more than anyone.
14. My older sister is the smartest person I have ever met. Yep, it was a thrill following her.
15. I'm not good with technical stuff. I lack patience with it.
16. When I witness a child do something new and wonderful for the first time (e.g. say a two word sentence) the rush is the same intensity and very similar to the feeling of seeing Paris for the first time.
17. I miss Judah...even though I have never met him. I have cried every day since I first saw him because I miss him too much. 98% of the time I do this in private.
18. Sometimes I ROCK at bowling, even though I have no form.
19. When I was 12, I was a kick butt 1st basewoman.
20. I'm a Capricorn and a mostly stereotypical one at that.
21. I worked at more random jobs in my youth than most. If you need shoes, a Christmas tree, a meal, dog training, a secretary, clothes, a movie rental, or books, I'm your woman.
22. My dad is the funniest person I know.
23. I love old houses. I could drive around Pasadena forever and sometimes do.
24. I love the beach. To walk on. Not to run on or near.
25. The other day I got a fortune cookie that said "The best mirror is that of your best friends." I honestly hope that's true.
26. I love to hike and don't do it enough.
27. My least favorite thing about myself is that I have too much anxiety and worry about things too much.
28. I love to read about and plan vacations.
29. I cry sometimes because I miss my nephew Darrigan too much. My sister says that he sometimes cries because he misses me too. I secretly like that. When he cries...not when I cry.
30. Although I'm honestly not smart enough to hang out with him... (he turned 2 1/2 yesterday).
Example:
"What kind of dinosaur is that Auntie DL?"
"I don't know Darrigan."
"I think it's a Triceratops, Auntie DL."
"Oh, you're right Darrigan. It does have three horns."
"Yes, Auntie DL, it IS a Triceratops. What kind of tree is that?"
"I don't know Darrigan. Do you know?"
"Yes. I do. I can speak Spanish. Can you speak Spanish?"
"No, Darrigan. I can't."
Basically, hangin with Darrigan is a learning experience...for ME.
31. I've never been to a country where I didn't think for a moment that it was my favorite...and I've been to 30.
32. I'm leaving for Hawai'i in a matter of hours and I'm insanely excited about it!

So, there are 32 things about me. I've seen others do this post and thought it was fun. Sorry my list isn't more exciting!
Merry Christmas Eve!
-Danni

Happy Birthday Jude!

Yesterday was Jude's 5-month birthday! I can't believe that he is already 5 months- he was just 10 weeks when we first saw, and lost our hearts, to that little perfect lipped, old-soul-eyed babe! But don't get me wrong- I'm not pouting. No more of that for me. I'm actually super happy. Every day we are getting closer to him...
And I have so many other reasons to celebrate. Life is just really good right now. I finished all my coursework and competency exams for my MA in speech-language pathology. I am leaving for Hawai'i on Monday (for a babymoon extravaganza), which also happens to be my BIRTHDAY (whoohooo, I finally get to experience the big three-two everyone has been chatting about all these years)!
I've had nothing but fun this week. I took my best friend's babe to the zoo. I've had time to cook, shop, read, (texts that are NOT even required - i.e. no dysphagia, voice, or neuro books. I told you, life is too good right now) and drink wine. AND I have a court date next month! Plus things are going well in blogland (referrals, successful court dates, and I'm feeling more on the horizon - Lori, this is mostly about you.).
This was not meant to be a braggy-brag post, but I wrote about how upset I was when it took almost 11 weeks to get a court date - now I feel like I must share that I've been singing and dancing around my house for the last 8 days ... and no one can stop me. My husband tried once. I can tell you that story.
He was mellow. I didn't think the mellowness added to my joy. No one should be unsupportive of joy. So I asked him if he thought his current blahness was affecting my happiness level (I believe the term, although I'm not proud, was "happiness stealer"). He said he was not a happiness stealer (and stated his preference for being called a "happiness dealer"). But, he just didn't feel like being THAT happy at THAT moment. So, I left him for a few minutes to sing a ridiculous, yet completely original, song about how much I love my pups (my dogs are so generous that they don't even care that I'm tone deaf). I also made up an "I love Tommy" boogie to put him in a better mood. Yep, this is a typical night at our house. Poor Jude.
Did I mention that every day we are closer to him? ... and Hawaii makes time go by A LOT more quickly (it's been scientifically studied- I'll post my personal data next week).
I hope everyone has a wondrous Christmas! I will be thinking of you all and wishing you and your children, here and in Ethiopia, a miraculous day filled with love and peace.
Cheers to you all - you inspire me!
Danni

COURT DATE!

Is set for January 17th, so if all goes well with the court date (fingers and toes are already firmly crossed) we should be able to cover him with kisses on February 10th!

Pictures!

Here are the pictures that were taken just a few days ago! Isn't he just amazing?! Along with the photos was a note from our director..."I will know your court hearing date soon." BTW, I'm in much better spirits today. How could I have an ounce of sadness when there are lips THAT good in the world? I was just super disappointed yesterday because I was expecting to hear (and yesterday was just one of those days). Thank you for all of your sweet comments! Today, I'm happy and grateful again :) Thank goodness, yesterday I was such a bummer for me to hang out with (my husband was not polled).

Waiting for a court date...Week 10

Last week we got a call from the head social worker from our agency. She said it was the pre-travel call. She didn't know when we would be traveling, just that she had been given our name, so it must be soon. I was hopeful. Today we got a mass email update from our agency. It said that three families received court dates for the end of December.
I wrote to find out if we were in that group. Here's the response:

Danielle, I have already contacted the families with court dates. I'm sorry you were not in that group. I don't have any info at this time but we should be getting more court dates soon.

I'm so disappointed. I don't know why it's taking so long. I haven't been given any answers. I'm sad.

A candle (Gina's suggestion)...

SURPRISE!

So I was plain mopey today. Seriously, just feeling sad and frustrated. It will be 10 weeks on Monday and we still don't have a court date. I think this week was particularly difficult because we were kind of expecting one (I'm thinking Monday is our new day). I was grouchy and was having trouble pulling myself out of it...then...guess what!?
A SURPRISE baby shower! Yes, it's true! I'll say it again for those in shock. A SURPRISE baby shower! FOR ME! My friends from Bunco orchestrated a super top secret extravaganza. FOR ME! (But I plan to share the great gifts with Jude). I had absolutely NO idea and suddenly it was blue frosted cupcakes and presents galore. It is safe to say that Jude is going to be the best dressed little dude ever. The festivities couldn't have been timed more perfectly. It was such a great reminder that although I wish so badly that he had his mom and dad loving him up, he has such a great support system when he gets home and so many people that are thinking of him and loving him. I just don't have words to describe how much this meant to me. I'm a very lucky girl. Since I didn't know that I was having a SURPRISE shower, I didn't come camera ready. So, I'm going to have to coerse others to give me pictures to post. I would love to share my super special night. THANK YOU FOR TONIGHT! It was perfect!

Tesfahun, my hope

Our beautiful little one's Ethiopian name is Tesfahun, which means "be my hope"...Translated, it's quite a big job for a 4 month old, isn't it? As Carey wrote, and I completely agree with, he is "an old soul." I'm sure the name is fitting. The most common compliment given to him (besides how amazingly cute he obviously is) is how he looks smart. I completely agree.
Speaking of names, Tommy seems to prefer Judah, I'm leaning toward Jude. We don't fight over this and are ok with the dispute. You can feel free to call him either Jude or Judah. I won't be offended. If you would like to call him Tesfahun, that's ok too.
The name (which I actually like very much) Tesfahun, got me thinking, what is "my hope" for Jude? I hope that he loves life. I hope that he makes amazing lifelong friendships. I hope that he makes the world a little bit more beautiful. I hope he has passion, loves to learn, and the confidence to try. I hope he loves his family. I hope he loves adventure. I hope he feels proud of his roots. I hope he feels he is always loved. I hope he gives. Most of all I hope he doesn't take himself too seriously and laughs often. Tesfahun, I love you already. You are my hope.

On a different note, I heard from our agency that they were expecting "some court dates early next week"...I'm thinking that since it will be 9 weeks tomorrow since we received our referral that we should be in that "some" group...I will let you know the moment I hear. I just can't wait to get my hands on all that goodness- all that hope.