Christmas Eve 2015

Christmas Eve is one of our favorite parts of Christmas.  The church service is always so beautiful, but it's usually hard to manage the kids by myself.  This year, Jonathan and Owen were both able to sit still (for the most part) for the entire service...a definite win in my book!  "Frosty the Snowman" greeted families as they entered, which Owen LOVED.  But when we went backstage to see Darin at the end of the service, we saw his costume on the floor.  All we heard all night long was, "Frosty melted."  Poor guy was pretty traumatized.

Note: I did not choose Owen's footwear.

Best buddies.

After that, we stopped by for a quick visit to see Grandma and Grandpa Beck, and then headed to Grandma and Grandpa Thomas's house to see most of my aunts and uncles, cousins, siblings, and nieces and nephews.  Gavyn got to play "Santa" this year and pass out gifts.  Jonathan was on his best behavior and played with his cousins all evening, and Owen spent much of his time playing with Aunt Gloria and eating sweets.

Grandma's pig tree.

Butt grab!

Christmas with Grandma and Grandpa Beck 2015

We celebrated Christmas early with Grandma and Grandpa Beck.  My siblings couldn't make it this year, but we still enjoyed our time together eating, playing, and chatting.

So excited for this LEGO set!

Trying on Grandma's boots. :)

Playing with Grandpa. 

Adoption Timeline

August 2005 - Dreams of adoption

December 2014 - Application to agency
January 2015 - Chose an agency for our home study

March 2015 - Social Worker assigned for home study

April-May 2015 - Interviews with social worker

August 10, 2015 - Home study officially completed

August 13, 2015 - Notarized home study received in mail (happy dance!!!)

August 15, 2015 - USCIS mailed
September 15, 2015 - USCIS biometrics screening at the Federal Building
September 23, 2015 - USCIS/immigration approved! (Can I get a Woot Woot?!?!)
September 29. 2015 - USCIS contact - social worker assigned
October 17, 2015 - Mailed dossier to Nightlight
December 15, 2015 - Dossier approved!!!
December 18, 2016 - Officially the #3 family on the waiting list!!!!!!!
January 12, 2016 - Officially the #2 family on the waiting list!!!!!!!!!!!
February 26, 2016 - Officially the #1 family on the waiting list!!!!!!!!!
March 4, 2016 - Devastating day ~ Uganda passed a law tightening adoption for foreigners
March 4-6, 2016 - Prayers, prayers, and more prayers
March 7, 2016 - Referral in hand for a little girl
March 8, 2016 - Vaccinations complete for travel (6 apiece - ouch!!!)
March 10, 2016 - Spoke with Dr. of International Medicine - our daughter is healthy!
March 10, 2016 - Affidavits notarized
March 10, 2016 - Commitment Letter and Affidavits mailed overnight to Nightlight
March 11, 2016 - Letter and Affidavits received!
June 1, 2016 - Received our court date!
July 7, 2016 - Leave for Uganda
July 10, 2016 - Arrive in Uganda and meet Rose!
July 12, 2016 - Court date