adoption update

I wanted to write a post to let you all know that we are now in the stage of waiting so I don't anticipate writing a lot until we get a referral and begin planning our trip to Ethiopia. The paperwork arrived a little over a month ago in Ethiopia and they say it can be a 3-9 month wait for a referral. The referrals at this point have come much quicker than this but I try not to get my hopes up. I definately feel excited about being able to plan in more detail for our babies to come home-I have one of the rooms pretty much ready (a baby room) and am waiting to see how 0ld the other child will be (and whether they will be a boy or girl) before decorating the second room. I went shopping last week with my friend Natalie who is excited for me to register but again I am waiting for the details of our referral:)
Next week I am meeting with a pediatrician that was recommended. We need to decide on a doctor before we get the referral as they will look over the children's medical history and advise us to bring medications for them if needed. I am also getting the proper imunizations for traveling to Ethipoia next week as well.
We are also tossing around ideas about the amount of time we will spend in Ethiopia-It looks likely that Sean will be traveling ALOT this next year so there are many unknowns. We are hoping to go to Ethiopia for several weeks in order to 1:Spend more time with the people there, absorbing the culture more fully, 2: To meet our children when they are as young as possible and 3: To be there for the court date in Ethiopia to avoid having to readopt them in the US (a regulation in the US that requires-the parents need to be present for the adoption to be valid in the US).
Besides that, we are praying and thinking about our little ones daily, reading "There's No Me Without You" (a book about the beginnings of international adoption in Ethiopia) and talking about how much our lives will change in the next year. A year of New Beginnings.
I am also very reflective on Gods goodness, his Grace in our lives over the past several years as we have gone through the pain and loss of a miscarriage and then infirtility. His plans are SO much greater than I could have ever planned or imagined. I reminded once again, His grace is sufficiant, His love complete, his timing, perfect. So as I wait now, I can look back and see how he has lead us in the past and be confident that He is now leading us, and our children, now as well.