the 23rd

Please pray & intercede for Solomon Edilu this week. Pray for favor from the judge that she would see fit that Solomon is eligible for adoption. His first court hearing is Monday the 23rd, and we're praying, hoping, trusting, & believing that his case would be in the 50% that passes the first time. We received about 15 new pictures of Solomon today & he's definitely growing, looking happy & well taken care of. Definitely a breath of fresh air amidst the business! Please also pray for some potential paperwork hangups regarding renewals, moving, etc.

Also fitting during this time is the 23rd Psalm (The Message):
"God, my shepherd!
I don't need a thing.
You have bedded me down in lush meadows,
you find me quiet pools to drink from.
True to your word,
you let me catch my breath
and send me in the right direction.

Even when the way goes through
Death Valley,
I'm not afraid
when you walk at my side.
Your trusty shepherd's crook
makes me feel secure.

You serve me a six-course dinner
right in front of my enemies.
You revive my drooping head;
my cup brims with blessing.

Your beauty & love chase after me
every day of my life.
I'm back home in the house of God
for the rest of my life."

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Goodbye Toths

Ellie & Caleb, friends from birth, gave each other one last hug goodbye. They've grown up together in Georgia, North Carolina, & then here at Fort Campbell. Ellie's been asking if California is close to NY. gulp.

...and then there's Joshua & Saedi, always a cute pair.

We're so grateful for one last playdate

The whole crew. Joshua, Saedi, Gideon, Evelyn, Ellie, Caleb & Isaac
We love you, Toth Family, & we miss you so much already!

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Mimi & Papa's Visit

I'm way behind in blogging because so much has happened since Easter...Mimi & Papa came for a visit, we finally closed on our house (SOLD), we've said goodbye to even more friends (boo!), we're packing, booking flights to Ethiopia, arranging childcare for kids & dog, & working with friends trying to help us find our next home. Phew!
Below are some pics of Mimi & Papa's visit. They were here for a weekend, and we had wonderful weather. We spent our time grilling out, hiking, fishing, picnicking & simply catching up around our backyard campfire.

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Miss Na'lees Egg Hunt

Joshua with his loot

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8 Kids

Meadow, Saedi, Brooke, Ellie & Emmy

Riley and I went on a date last weekend to Kohana, Target & Books a Million (exciting, I know) while our friends Jen & Trey watched our 3 kiddos. (We returned the favor the following night so they could go out.) We kept the 3 Moon kids at the same time- totaling 8 kids. We had a blast hosting on a cheat night. We stuffed their little faces with corn dogs, pizza, & roasted marshmallows. Riley & Trey were the masterminds behind it all so they could take their lovely wives out for an evening without kids, and I'm so impressed with men that would rather play with the kids instead of pay a babysitter. Kudos to them! Riley pretty much kept watch over the 5 oldest while I took care of the babies. On a funny note, I asked Ry if he would prefer playing with 8 kids as his full-time job or if he would prefer his current job. You guessed right, he's gonna stay in the Army. :)

Brody (4m), Jeremiah (6m), & Isaac (8m)

Saedi & Meadow bumming around

Ellie (5) , Emmy (3), Brooke(4)

Ellie, Emmy, Brooke, Saedi, Meadow, Jack, Brody, Jeremiah (Isaac was on my back)

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Together on Easter

Thankful our family is together for Easter

Thankful that Jesus Christ died for us, even as sinners. God's plan is always perfect and we celebrate Jesus raising from the dead to give us life! Jesus is our Redeemer, Healer, Lord Almighty, Defender, Savior, King:

Your Great Name
written by Krissy Nordhoff and Michael Neale

Lost are saved, find their way
At the sound of Your great name
All condemned feel no shame
At the sound of Your great name
Every fear has no place
At the sound of Your great name
The enemy has to flee
At the sound of Your great name

Jesus, worthy is the Lamb
That was slain for us
The Son of God and man
You are high and lifted up
And all the world will praise
Your great name

All the weak find their strength
At the sound of Your great name
Hungry souls receive grace
At the sound of Your great name
The fatherless find their rest
At the sound of Your great name
The sick are healed the dead are raised
At the sound of Your great name

Redeemer, my Healer, Lord Almighty
Defender, my Savior, You are my King

Ha ha...you try getting 3 kiddos to smile and look at the camera at the same time :)

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Court Date & a Name

We finally have our first adoption court dates in Ethiopia! On Monday I was hiking with Isaac when I get the call from Sue! I called Riley with the good new and bad news. The good news:

May 23 is the first court hearing (we don't have to attend this one). Although we will not be present, the hearing is a major hurdle as it determines Solomon's eligibility for adoption. In the past, 50% of cases were approved at their first court hearing and 50% were not. We're praying that all the necessary people needed to testify will show up & that our judge sees fit for the case to move forward. Our second court date (the one we attend) is on the 31st of May! During this hearing, we will state our desire to adopt Solomon and the judge will (God willing!) approve the adoption. Riley and I are thrilled that we got a court date so soon amidst all the recent changes in the Ethiopian government. (Just a reminder that we will NOT be bringing Solomon Edilu home yet...that will be a different trip)

The bad news: that's the weekend we were supposed to be moving! ha ha. It's not "bad" news, really. I just have to laugh at God's timing sometimes. Still not sure of the logistics of it all yet, but we close on our house 1 May, Riley's change of command is 26 of May & then we'll try to leave Ft Campbell that night. Grandparents will keep the kids, we'll skip our planned trip to NY to be a part of the housing draw, & Ry and I will hop on a plane!

I know I just threw it out there, but Solomon Edilu is right! We agreed on the name and are happy to call him by name now. Edilu is what he is being called in Ethiopia right now and we wanted to keep that as his middle name. We can't wait to meet this beautiful boy face to face in just 6 weeks and now you all can pray for him by name.


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