It has been just over a year since Ben and I found out that I was pregnant and recently I have spent a lot of time thinking back on the changes in our family. When we first started discussing an adoption I began writing a journal about what we were doing and my thoughts and feelings about everything. I hadn’t looked at it since I last wrote which was in May 2009. I thought that since it was on my mind I would look back and see how far we have come. I cried when I read my first entry. A portion of what I wrote is below:

1/31/09
The truth is, you may not have even been born yet. But I can already see your baby fingers and toes and beautiful, curly hair. My arms ache to hold you and I can’t help but cry when I start to think about you being in Kenya without us. I’m worried that you won’t get enough to eat and that you won’t be held enough. Who will love you and sing to you and rub your back until we get there? I can’t wait to come and get you and if I knew where you were, I would leave tonight.

My last entry read:

5/21/09
…We have to get a move on it so that we can come get you in September. I can’t wait! After our meeting with Alice I was jumping up and down with excitement because we are now one step closer to coming for you. September will be here before we know it and then you will be ours!

I am blown away by how God worked through all of this. Even when our plans were changing and we thought we would adopt from Lesotho and when our travel plans were in flux and when I got pregnant, God still knew where Eden was and was preparing her (and us) for our future together. And how perfect that Eden was at the Sally Test Center waiting for me when I went for the very first time on September 21, 2009.

It’s so different being able to experience the beginning with Andy. It’s amazing to watch him learn and grow. And it is SO fun to know that he recognizes us. When I go get him out of bed in the morning he always has a big smile for me and now when we put him in bed at night he cries when we walk away from his crib.

Tonight I have a very happy and thankful heart because of my wonderful God and the beautiful family he has given me.

This past weekend we traveled to our nation’s capital in order to meet the stipulations of our travel order: we had to present Eden to the Kenyan embassy and get proof from an embassy employee.

We left early Saturday morning so that Ben could watch the US World Cup game. We spent Saturday night in Pittsburgh and were able to be there to celebrate Ryan and Anna’s birthdays. Sunday afternoon we drove to Rockville, MD where we stayed the night. Monday morning we got up early and headed out in search of the Kenyan embassy.

It only took 2 1/2 hours to go 17 miles thanks to several wrong turns, wrong exits, wrong addresses and near crashes. When we finally arrived, we walked right in and were escorted to the board room where we met with the Third Secretary. He talked with us for a few minutes and then wrote a letter for us to take to the magistrate in Kenya.

After we left the embassy we decided it would be appropriately patriotic and educational to visit some of the highlights of DC. We walked the sleeping babies to the White House and then to lunch. We drove to the Washington Monument and walked down to the WWII Memorial and the reflecting pond. Given that it was about 99 degrees with 99% humidity we felt that we had seen enough and dragged our stinky, sweaty bodies back to the car for the drive home. We got back to Pittsburgh in time for dinner and then got up Tuesday morning and headed back to Indiana.

We spent about 20 hours in the car in order to spend 20 minutes at the embassy but it was a fun trip filled with laughter and we created some good memories. The kids were wonderful in the car and we were blessed with mostly good weather. We hope you enjoy the new pictures!

There was a time not so long ago where I was the popular Wolfe. Every one wanted to talk about me and see pictures of my growing tummy. It seems that was quickly and easily replaced with Eden who is clearly now the most popular Wolfe. I understand and I’m not complaining (too much) but I just thought everyone should know that I am aware that I am not as exciting as I once was. So, for an update on Miss Eden…

It’s hard to believe that she has only been with us a little over two weeks. I think we have all adjusted pretty well. Ben has had a harder time adjusting to the lack of sleep but I had the advantage of getting up every few hours during the night before Eden came because of little Andy anyway. Our daytime routine is pretty settled, but the nights are still a work in progress.

She is changing and growing so fast. She loves to walk behind the little car at the Sally Test Center and she can do that all by herself now. She has learned how to drink out of her sippy cup and pulls herself up on everything. A few days ago she started letting go and standing alone and she is able to do it for a pretty long time now. She gets a big smile on her face and holds her hands up in the air. She is going to be walking in no time. She is very good at waving and waves at everyone (and sometimes no one) and also talks all the time. She likes to end her “sentences” very loudly for emphasis.

The lawyer is filing for an emergency adoption order again hopefully sometime next week. Apparently there is a different judge that he is going to file with and he is feeling optimistic. We have also started the process of getting a birth certificate for her and will hopefully complete that on Monday. Then we can get her passport and then the visa. Keep praying that everything goes well and quickly!