Balmer Boys PLUS ONE!!!!

We are so happy to share the news that our dossier (adoption paperwork) arrived in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia yesterday!!!! After many years of talking about adoption, David and I made the decision last November to dive in, and after being accepted to the America World Ethiopia program in December we embarked on our long paper-chasing journey. Between work, school, the bar exam, and most importantly enjoying and trying to keep up with Colton and Jackson ... it was a long and tough process for us. But we are so happy to finally be at this stage in the process. Our request is for a little girl, age 6 months to 36 months. The current wait time for a referral is 18 to 24 months, so that puts us at February 2014 through August 2014 for a referral. After getting a referral two trips to Ethiopia will be required, so we anticipate another 3-6 months added to our wait time until we will bring her home. In all of this we trust that God's timing is absolutely perfect and that He had planned our family long before we even sent our first email to America World. So while my heart longs to have this little one home with us sooner, we really do trust in God's sovereign plan. We've had so many wonderful opportunities already to talk to the boys about God's goodness, His provision and plans, and waiting on His timing. The boys talk about their "baby sister" and pray for her, talk about how they will help her at the playground, and keep her safe ... these are sweet moments!! She very well may be alive now across the ocean in Ethiopia in someone else's care, or she may be yet to be conceived - we don't know! But we do know that she is already in our hearts and we eagerly wait for the time when we'll see her, hold her, and bring her home!!!!

Two very excited big brothers!!