For those of you who have asked.....

Hello all here is some info for those of you who have asked what you can do to help the orphanages in Ethiopia.
Also check out this website for Ethio-American Family Services

"Right now our most urgent needs are: diapers, lotion, formula, clothes for kids ages 4-12 and sheets. We are hoping to do a drive for some of these items. And, of course, money is always needed. Dedra said your kids were excited about being involved. There is certainly much they could do, even at 8 and 9, that would be so helpful. We have a kids group right now who are considering doing a project called "Give 'Em 5". We say that we are building this orphanage $5 at a time, so they are seeking out people to donate $5. We are also trying to contact day care centers to circulate a flyer to have people donate their gently used crib sheets, bibs and baby blankets. So, there are many things that kids can do to help"

Asher update :-)

Apparently Asher is not a fan of monkeys :-)

"while I took the photos, clothes, and tape recorder and gorilla to ashefni. He was not fond of the gorilla he threw it away. But he is such a happy baby and so chunky and fat. I love it. I just hugged him. I love it. He is also walking did you know that??? Oh my goodness. yes, I have been in your place as a waiting parent as you may know. So, as I have done before I got pics and I got a little of him trying to walk. He actually loves you all talking to him. Another baby tried to grab his tape recorder and he snatched it. I said he is already like hey this is my family man!!! Again he is so precious."

Merry Christmas to all!!

Many things have changed since Christmas of 2007, so hold on while we lay it all out for you! It’s hard to believe how quickly the year has passed. The men and kids continue to get older, while every woman miraculously stays the same age. What’s up with that?!? As usual, the man gets the short end of the stick!

Carter is 9 and Justice is 8. They are the best of friends, and always willing to help their sisters even when mom and dad don’t tell them too! Both boys have been bored out of their minds in school this year, so we had them tested to see what could be done to keep them engaged and excited about learning. Both boys qualified for the gifted and talented program, and will start attending the program after Christmas break. They are both video game junkies, love to read, enjoy soccer and swimming.

Avery is 4 and Reagan is 2. They are polar opposites when it comes to nearly everything. Avery is the princess who needs lots of cuddles and compassion, while Reagan is the strong independent one who doesn’t want any help or told how to do anything. Avery loves horses and drawing, while Reagan is a mother in the making while she drags around all of her dolls and puts them to bed or feeds them. Avery will start Kindergarten next year and Reagan will get one more year at home before she starts preschool.

Our foster children, Jacob and Jake are both doing well. Jacob just turned 15 years old (yikes!!) and Jake will be 13 years old in February. Jacob is continuing to improve in his communication skills, and his behaviors are continuing to decrease as well. Jake is still the mellow man on campus who is usually smiling to talking you up about anything but the weather is his favorite.

Sadie and Asher are…well, still in Ethiopia. As if having six kids in the house wasn’t enough for us, we have begun the process of adopting these two beautiful children from Ethiopia. Sadie is a 3 month old girl with big beautiful eyes, and Asher is a 15 month old boy that is full of energy and life. Everyone at the orphanage in Ethiopia says that he is the life of the party with a very strong personality. We are hoping that if everything continues to progress at the current rate, we will be able to bring our two new children home in March!

Sarah and Travis are still crazy in love, Sarah is still a RN on a Labor and Delivery/ Nursery unit, and Travis is still the Executive Director at the Arc.

We hope that everyone has a wonderful Christmas and the very best New Year! Please keep in touch. Look us up on facebook , our Email is Dunn625@aol.com, and our blog is, of course, right here.

A lift!

God knows when you need a lift in spirits and this was big lift for all of us today!

"When we visited Bete Saida last week we were told that this little guy was a Dunn. These were taken during the coffee ceremony. He was the life of the party."
Happy Holidays.
Bo and Dawn

Here is a glimpse of Asher :-)

Please Pray

Sadie is still not gaining weight so please pray for her, We have been allowed to send some formula to her & are hoping that helps quickly!
Asher looks great! he's chubby and smily :-)
Please pray that our immigration papers are prossesed quickley so that we can have our caes opened in the Ethiopian courts ASAP.

Our Home study report if finished and should be off to USCIS, with our I-600a, tomorrow (I hope).

Christmas Plays

As you can see NO one was real happy about any of the programs, oh well we made it through!

Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. ~Romans 15:13

Thrilled

We got some new pictures of Sadie today....it was like a great cup of coffee on a morning that you you just can't quite wake...more energy to keep on going. We should have some of Asher coming also.
Our home study agency called tonight and said that she was putting the finishing touches on that so I hope to see that SOON & get it on it's way to Ethiopia!

Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ ~ Ephesians 5:20

Awwww.....

Our home study visits are finished!! now we just need to wait a few days for the report, then well be sending it in along with a few odds and ends to complete our dossier!
God knows what we need and is taking care of us so well!

I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. - John 10-:14-15

Thank God for other families

Here is an update we got from a family who just traveled to pick up their daughter! Please pray for them to have a safe and smooth trip home.

Sarah, Gadise is so little and sweet with huge eyes. She is very aware and loved the audio tape, listening very intently. We went to Beta and saw your referral for your son. He is so cute and quite the walker....strong and ruling the room. He got around really well and had a great relationship with the caregivers.

our Sons name is Ashenafi, i think we will call him Asher or Ashton.

Thankfull!!!!!!

We may have our home study report completed by the end of next week, God can get things moving!!

More Payer...More Waiting

Today, we are praying (as we do everyday),is the day we hear some information on our son as well as how fast our home study can be done since they have all our paperwork in order. We are also concerned as Gadisse is not gaining weight well.
We are still praying about how we will afford all thins since it is happening MUCH faster than anticipated. We know God will provide but, as I have said before, I am not patient so I want to know right now how He wants us to do this! it was nice to have our budget laid out and plans made, God’s plans just differ from ours sometime, and always better :-).

The boys and I have our travel appointments at the health department today so I am assuming there will be SHOTS for all!

Decorating

Ordered the Crib sets for the babies, still waiting on that name