Thursday, February 3, 2011

The Big Reveal

What does Amy have in common with an elephant?

Go check out those guesses, hilarious!  Click here to read them. I learned some interesting new facts about elephants and how I am surprisingly like an elephant.  So, many of you had correct answers, but not the answer I was looking for…

Honorable mention goes to MouseyMom with the comment, “AHA! People want to extract your teeth to make piano keys!!!? just kidding!”

We had four qualifiers that answered correctly: Chrissy, Amber P, Ashley B and Steph B.  And the winner is…AMBER P!

You see, elephants have a 22 month gestation period…

Are you getting it?

Amber’s comment: “Being that I've thought of this analogy several times in my own life lately. . .I'm guessing you're adopting again!?!?!?! can't wait to hear!”

Okay Littles, just hold the sign for Mama…

2-2 004 2-2 008 2-2 012 2-2 023

Still can’t see it, huh?  It says, “We’re gonna be BIG sisters!” That’s right, praise God, we are adopting again!

FAQs

Where are we adopting from? Ethiopia through HOLT international

Umm, why now, don’t you already have your hands full? Yes, we do have our hands full.  In general, adoptions from Ethiopia have slowed.  We started this process a few months ago, but the average expected wait time is from 18-24 months. So, while a new baby in the home next week would cause panic :), we would like to set things in motion because of the current wait time.

Boy or girl? Whatever God brings.  Just like with the first adoption, most families that request a child, prefer a girl, so most likely we will be matched with a boy.

Siblings? Again, whatever God brings.  HOLT’s policy (that we wholeheartedly support) is that children must be placed in homes without breaking the birth order, so at the time of referral, we will be matched with a child at least 12 months younger than our Littles.  With these parameters, the only way to bring home siblings would be twins.  That would be like lightning striking in the same place twice, so although improbable, still a possibility.

Are you going to have your own? Good question.  We actually already have our own, two of them!  I know, you meant biological children. :)  We are open to what the Lord brings.  We know that children are a blessing straight from God, adopted or biological, and we hope that our quiver can be full of them!  Adoption is what the Lord is currently pressing on our hearts and we have been so blessed by our Ethiopian arrows!  Feel free to talk to Jon or I about this anytime. 

Thanks for your love, prayers and support!

We love our village!

41 comments:

the crazy armstrongs said...

YEAHHHHH !!! I'm just so excited for you guys !!! I just can't believe it! God is just so good! I'm sad I won't be traveling with you this time God took us both in different directions this time but who knows what the future holds.. it's all his timing:) CONGRATS!!!YOU made my day!

chrissy said...

How wonderful. So excited for you and all that God has in store. Glad I had the right answer :-)

Allison said...

SO AWESOME!!!! Can't wait to watch it all unfold, the littles will be great big sisters!!

Jennifer said...

Congratulations to all four of you! Very exciting news! I can't wait to follow your new journey to your next little arrow(s).

heidi said...

OH my...........
that is just awesome...
What more can I say, you and Jon are just such amazing parents and I love how God placed little J and A into your arms. I can only imagine how special the next one/ones will be. Amy, you trully crack me up, I love your creativity and all...sorry I had to bring up the ears thing. Honestly, I forgot what all comes with elephants, so thats why the ears thing stuck out. :) You still love me, right?ha.

Hey, thanks again for sharing.....we look forward to seeing how God opens the doors and places the next precious blessings into your loving arms.

Blessings~
Bill and Heidi C.

Rachel said...

OH I AM SOOO EXCITED!
~Rachel

Unknown said...

Thanks for sharing, Ames! And the Littles did an AMAZING job of helping you annouce the news! Those pictures made me quite smiley.

Also, great job pre-fielding the questions you are sure to answer a million times! But what a blessing to share how Father is working in your hearts and in His people. Thank you for being willing! He is good, He works good.

We will pray for your sweet baby that you are holding in your heart! (If you want a song to tug at your heart... Listen to Michael Buble's 'Just Haven't Met You Yet'. This song came out when we were beginning our adoption... I would sing it with joy, I would sing it while sobbing... :) )

Holli said...

THAT IS SOOOOOOOOOOOO EXCITING!!!
We will be PRAYING FOR YOU!!!
Congrats!!
And yes we get the your own ? but more like those are your own and they are adopted.
NOPE ALL 4 are our OWN! :)
Praising GOD for your family!!!

Mindy said...

YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! SO excited for you!!! What a blessing!! So if you area placed with a boy...I'm getting this all figured out...

Noah + Little J
Levi + Little A
Alaysia + little BOY

Sure would work out nicely! Just saying...;)

We will be praying for you on this journey!

Kristen said...

Yay for an addition to the family! I LOVE the pics of the Littles holding the sign!

JJ said...

So excited for you guys. I can't wait to hear about the many steps along the way and of course the final gotcha day pictures! Awesome!!!Congratulations.

Ashley Baner said...

How exciting!! Now that I can follow the process from the beginning I am especially thrilled! This time, when you send out letters for support, send one our way!! We have not been called to adopt but would love to support those who are!!

Rachel said...

That is awesome! We are very excited for you guys!

Anonymous said...

O my goodness!!!!! So exciting! Congratulations!!!!

kj said...

Oh how FANTASTIC!! I am so happy for you and your family! I'm sure the "littles" will be wonderful big sisters!!
Karen

Q said...

Oh Amy! What a priviledge. My heart bursts with unspeakable joy for you. I look forward to hearing what the Lord is going to do. God bless you and give you the strength and endurance to walk this wonderful road before you.
Suzy

Janell said...

Congrats Amy!! Love that you are following God's plan. Looking forward to following along in your new journey.

Mouseymom said...

Yippeeee!!!!! My heart is immediately drawn to thinking about the little one(s) that are so blessed to the have been chosen by God to be part of your family! So happy for them, so happy for you! I have loved following your adoption journey, thank you for letting us all join in!!!

OH! and I am so HONORED to have gotten honorable mention and am so glad I wasn't right!

Tricia Zaugg

SchamFam said...

We pray God directs and blesses you through the process!
I am sure the girls here will be excited to know.

Looking forward to seeing you guys later this month!

Jessica said...

So excited for you! Adoption is contagious-love it!

Jessica

erica said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
erica said...

Congratulations! Can't wait to see what and who God has in store for you! Blessings to you all throughout your journey!

Faulk Adoption said...

CONGRATS!!! I am a new follower to your blog :) What made your change from IAG for your first adoptions to Holt? I am curious as we are going to be signing with IAG...I would love to talk about IAG with you if you have time....twald8@gmail.com :)

the M family said...

Congratulations, Jon and Amy!!! Yay! We love you guys!

Erin and Pat and our 5 arrows. :-)

David and Larisa said...

Oh wow! So excited for you! How fun to (sort of) share the journey with you. We will be praying for you throughout the process, and we can't wait to see who God has in store for your family! Blessings! D, L, & Y

Carissa said...

Yey! That answer was more exciting than I expected! :) Praying that God continues to bless and direct your journey in bringing your little one(s) home! Hasta pronto!!

Amber said...

YAYYYYYYYY! I hoped this was the case! : ) Me winning is just icing on the cake.

So now I'm super curious where in the process you are (as in how close we are timeline wise?). The two agencies we had narrowed down to were AGCI and Holt - I was really impressed with both. It pretty much just came down to familiarity for us.

And I had to chuckle and think - maybe we'll both end up with twins again. Our moms may run for the hills. : ) (But oh I'd hoped not!!!).

We'll be prayerful and can't wait to hear about all the steps along the way.

Joy said...

Congrats!!! That is really amazing! God bless you guys!

Sandra said...

Yippee, excited for you guys. CONGRATS!! Looking forward to following your journey!

Carissa said...

Wow, congratulations!!! Can't wait to hear more and I'll be praying!

Vanessa said...

Congrats Jon, Amy, and Littles! Super excited for you and will be praying for a smooth process!

Dave and Angie: said...

Yeah!!! NO morning sickness!!! CONGRATULATIONS!!!
~Angie D

Unknown said...

Congratulations!!!! Be prepared for a completely different journey with the Adoption 2... God is so creative in all of His plot twists and turns :) Through it all the child or children He intended for you from the beginning of time will be in your arms... Blessings to you and your expanding family!
j
www.beneaththeacaciatree.com

Deep Fried Goodness said...

Hooray! Another Holt family in the 'hood! Can't wait! And if you use the Notre Dame place for your home study, I have tips. haha. I'm sure Beth does too. Congrats!

Todd ~ Teresa said...

Jon, Amy, Jada and Adia,

This is very exciting! Congratulations! Enjoy the journey!

Your blog updates are fun!

Leah Ann said...

Congrats from another Holt Fort Wayne family! Can't wait to follow along in your journey.

Leah Ann

Blume Family said...

Yeah, another baby coming HOME!!!! So excited!!! Unfortunately, the "wait" feels just as long for Adoption #2...thought I would be busy & not even notice...not so!!! Your heart longs for them until they come "home" just the way God wants it to be! Congratulations!!!
Hoping to see you & the little BIG sisters soon! :)
http://blumefam.blogspot.com/

Klint & Sarah said...

Congrats!

Wendy said...

OH How exciting!!! Give me a call sometime to catch up!

smw said...

congrats on your upcoming addition!

Unknown said...

Yippee! So excited for you! Can't wait to follow this adventure.