The Pool is ready for you

Here are two swim rings that are waiting patiently for two little girls to swim with them.

Yesterday was another hot, hot day here in Wisconsin.

I went over to Kev and Mal's pool to float around on a raft for a bit.

The water felt so good, just like our pools on St. George always feel.

I did not stay on  my raft very long, I was enjoying being in that nice, refreshing water.

That is when I noticed the two swim rings just waiting for two little girls to join them.

Courtney and Paul arrived safely in Addis last night about midnight our time.

Today they have already spent time with Soliana and plan to do so again tomorrow.

Report from Courtney says she is very sweet and I just be she is!

Cannot wait to see for myself.

The Labor

Today Courtney, Paul, and Tizita are in labor.

Their labor will last over 13 hours (which really isn't all that long)

It will take them that long to fly across the "Big Sea."

After the labor, they will finally be able to see their daughter/sister, Soliana.

As you can see from their itinerary, Soliana's name is on the list of passengers!

That is so exciting.

I love seeing Soliana's name as an official part of the Van Auken family.

Of course, as you all know, I am having an anxious day because of this flight.

I am watching the flight on Flight Aware and so far, so good.

The end result of this "labor" will be so worth everything just as any new baby is so well worth the labor that a mom goes through.

I am just hoping that the next ten days go quickly.

June 29 cannot come soon enough for me!

Soliana is finally coming home

It has been a roller coaster of emotions.

It has been a ride with the lowest of lows and now, the highest of highs.

After losing Natnael in January before he was able to come  home,

our sweet little Soliana will be on her way home soon!

This is a picture taken when Courtney, Paul, and Tizita met Soliana on their first trip to Ethiopia in April.

Just look at those two sisters!

What a fun household awaits the Van Aukens in the future.

This is Tizita as we greeted her coming off the plane on Sept. 12, 2008 just shy of her second birthday.

I will never forget the emotions when we first saw her beautiful face and now we get to experience it again!

Courtney, Paul, and Tizita leave on Tuesday, June 19 and return on Friday, June 29.

That is the night that we get to meet our little Soliana for the first time as she gets off the plane.

I cannot wait.

And here is Natnael, the little boy who stole our hearts even though John and I never met him.

We never want to forget how he plays into this whole story.

If it weren't for him, Courtney, Paul, and Tiz would not be bringing Soliana home.

God, in his perfect wisdom knew that Soliana needed the Van Auken family more than Natnael.

God is good all the time.

Please keep all of us in your thoughts and prayers during this travel time.

Thank you.