It's a Boy....FINALLY!

We have not been able to speak online much about our precious boy, but we are excited to say we FINALLY had our court date July 1, we were approved, and we are officially the proud parents of Benjamin Natinael Shaw!! Nati is 22 pounds and 2 1/2 years old now, and he is a sweet, loving, and happy little toddler. We were able to go over there and meet him when we had our court date, and we spent time with him each day in the care center.  We took him back to the Guest House with us one day, and it was hard to take him back!  We spent quality time with him there and got to learn his personality a little better, and he us.  I'll never forget the first moment we laid eyes on him: the door opened and the driver called his name, he turned around and saw us and smiled a HUGE smile and started crawling like crazy toward us.  I had been praying that he would just somehow know that we were his family, and it looks like my prayers were answered.

We have so many stories about the beautiful kids there at the care center, and our trip in general.  Like when they stopped to get the goats we brought money for (thanks to 2 generous donors).  We didn't know they were getting them right at that moment.  But sure enough, they hog-tie 2 goats and toss them in the minivan with us! That was a new experience! They don't do that at Wal-Mart Supercenter!! :)  But it was worth it when every kid at the center hugged us and said thank you, and my little boy and all the toddlers drank milk the next day! My family endured over 300 pictures and an hour of video, God bless them. ;) 

So, the next steps in the process are going to require patience on my part.  After holding Nati and hugging and kissing him, it makes my heart ache to wait to hold him forever. But I know the end is in sight, and it won't be much longer before he will be here with us.  We all can't wait!!  Please pray for miraculous speed in the next steps--issuing a birth certificate, passport, medical exam, and translation to request to be submitted to Embassy.  We're looking at 2-3 months from now, please pray for the shorter time!!

And finally, we are SO PROUD AND THANKFUL to introduce to you: our son. Thank you, God.