Next Easter?

Dear Macey,
 It is almost Easter! On Sunday we will celebrate the resurrection of our Savior, Jesus Christ! Easter is the day that we recognize that God raised Jesus from the dead and took Him to reign in heaven forever as our Father. Somewhere in the process of history, we came up with Easter eggs and an Easter Bunny! I guess possibly because Easter is equated with Springtime. I'm not quite sure, but I will research it so I can teach you. Anyhow, as each holiday passes this year, I can't help but wonder, the next time it comes around will you be with us? Next Easter will there be a little easter basket for you? Will the Easter Bunny fill it with goodies and treats for you? Will you be with us so that we can hide a few little eggs for you to find? Maybe you'll be too little for that yet? Will we get to dress you up in an extra pretty dress and put a big bow in your hair? Will you be here, so that we can all go to church together that day? Will we take you next Easter to celebrate the resurrection of the Savior of the world? Will that be the first year we get to tell you about the miracle God performed by rolling the stone away from Jesus's grave and proclaiming that Jesus is ALIVE!! ?  We pray that you will be here. We pray that next Easter you will be waking up here, in your home. Only God knows that answer and we trust him fully to bring you in his time.
 Even still, I am once again checking the mail like a crazy woman. Everytime I open the mailbox I peek in and move the pieces of mail around to see if I see the approval letter. It is the very last peice of paper that we need to move forward with our reuqest for you. One simple piece of paper. It will come, I know. It is so hard waiting sometimes though. I should pray for more patience. I will. The day is coming Macey, that we will get to hold you and kiss your precious face. What a wonderful thought that is!
We love you Macey!

One small step closer

Dear Macey,
 The notice for your brother's appointment finally arrived! Every step we put behind us makes me so extremely happy, and this is no exception. Alex and I will drive to Jacksonville this week to USCIS for his fingerprinting. Just Alex and I will go since Daddy will be working and your other brothers and sister have school. So, when the prints are processed and cleared we should receive the approval for your visa. Once the U.S. approves a visa for you, then we are able to petition the Ethiopian Embassy for your adoption. When our petition is received, their courts will send us your referral. The referral is a file that will contain a picture of you (Oh, how I cannot wait for that!!) your medical records, your families information (if available) your name, birthdate/age and any other information that they may be able to provide about you.
  I have to look back and remind myself how far we have come already. I have to remind myself how this time last year, we didn't even know that the gift of you would be given to us. When I look at it through those eyes, it is very reassuring that we are just about half way there. We are all so very, very excited! So many people ask about you. I don't recall one day since we started this journey to you, that someone hasn't asked about you. It might be a friend, someone from the school, someone at Daddy's work, someone at church. You just wouldn't believe all of the people who are excited for you to get here. It brings me so much joy to think about you being loved by so many people.
We do love you Macey, already!