Hi Daddy!

Gabe loves his daddy! And boy does he miss him during the week when he's away all day at work and most of the evening at school. Did you know that Matt not only works 40+ hours a week at work, he's taking 4 classes this summer? He works (and schools) so hard for our family and I am so grateful for him and all his devotion to making a better life for our family.

Gabe just wanted to say "Hi Daddy, I can't wait till your home for bath time every night! Mama isn't nearly as much fun splashing as you are! Thanks for working so hard for me. I love you"

Crazy Busy Life

I can't believe it's been so between updates but life on Oxford Avenue has been busy! Since the last update Gabe and I took a trip downtown to visit Dr. R. While it was nice to have such a long break between appointments (longest ever!), it was also nice to get Gabe's eyes checked on and see where we go from here. We were certain that surgery would be scheduled at this appointment and I went in emotionally prepared... and came out excited! Excited because the surgery that was imminent and definite has been postponed indefinately. Postponed, you ask. Yes, I said postponed indefinately!!! Because even though Dr. R didn't think it could happen Gabe's vision continues to improve. Can I get a woot, woot? or an Amen!

Gabe sitting in the exam chair

Because of our busy schedule Gabe has acquired the ability to sleep even more places than before... like on the floor. I was washing dishes and he was playing with my phone. After dropping it, in his desire to get it back he worked so hard that he exhausted himself and fell asleep. I of course, left my phone next to him and it rang and woke him up, shortly after I took the pictures.

The same day as Gabe's eye appointment my 3 lovelies and I went to see the midnight release of Eclipse. Yes, we are all in our mid-to-late 20's, yes we are Twi-hards and yes, we did kick the teenager out of the seat that she tried to steal from us!

My lovelies: Sondra, Nicole, Megan and me

(we were there with 3 other, non pictured lovely ladies as well!)

Me and Edward

Yes I love Edward, if it wasn't for being a wife and a mother I would have become a Robert Pattinson stalker (but it's really a Harry Potter/Cedric Diggory thing) And no, Matt won't let me name our next son Cullen.

Gabe and I have also traveled near and far to watch my nephews play baseball. Caleb's games took us from Elyria to Talmadge and lots of places in between. Lots of travel and lots of fun. Caleb was the starting pitcher, their best catcher and pretty good at everything involving baseball. An added bonus was that one of my favorite neighbors, Andrew played as well!

Ethan's games took us to Vermilion and as his first year in pitch baseball, there is a lot of walking, not a lot of action but fun nonetheless.

One of the best parts of going to my nephews games was that Gabe was able to visit with his uncles and aunts! Hanging out with our family is one of our favorite pasttimes!

Ethan, 7, ready to hit

Gabe visiting with his Auntie Annie

Gabe was ready for the 4th of July but ended up with his very first... fever :( It was no fun and left us with a really subdued 4th of July weekend. Matt was off for a few extra days so we took turns making sure Gabe was comfortable and happy. We were able to make it out of the house for a short while to go to a cookout at my brothers but other than that we relaxed at home. It was a little odd not watching fireworks, but it was probably a good thing we skipped fireworks. Loud noises are not one of Gabe's favorite things!

One of the few smiles from baby Gaby on the 4th

We also took some trips to the zoo. Whether its by ourselves, with our usual zoo-goers the Smitleys, or with friends we always have a good time. This time we went with Megan and Steve... and had a blast. Or at least Meg and I did as we laughed uncontrollably at Matt and Steve as they tried to jump as far as a kangaroo.


the Gabe-ster!

Trying to figure out how far a kangaroo jump!

the Gabe-ster and the Meg-ster!

Matt & Steve checking out the dinosaurs

Gabe and Daddy checking out the giraffe's

Along with all of our recent adventures Gabriel continues to grow, change and amaze us every single day. His perseverance and strength humbles me on a daily basis. Like the fact that our Gabe, who "should" be paralyzed on his left side gets closer and closer every day to crawling. See?

And yes those are his fabulously cute, ultra chunky legs!

Do you feel all caught up on our lives? You do? Good! And I promise (well, maybe), I'll never go that long without updating/

Hugs!

Don't forget our 147 Million shirt fundraiser!

Our Ethiopian Adoption Timeline

June Referrals:
1 infant girl, 1 toddler boy, 2 older boys and 3 sibling groups
Estimated Wait List Numbers:
Boys: 38
Girls: 54
Siblings: 19

May Referrals:
3 infant girls, one older boy
Estimated Wait List Numbers:
Boys: 40
Girls: 55
Siblings: 22

May 22, 2013 - No more wait list numbers.  Monthly updates will give referrals by dossier submission dates along with age/gender information of children referred.  T

April Wait List Numbers:
Boys: 42
Girls: 58
Siblings: 24

March Wait List Numbers:
Boys: 43
Girls: 58
Siblings: 22

February Wait List Numbers:
Boy: 45
Girl: 62
Siblings: 24

January Wait List Numbers:
Boy: 46
Girl: 63
Siblings: 25

December Wait List Numbers:
boys: 47
girls: 65
Siblings: 24

December 4,  2012 - We lost Little A's referral.
November 29, 2012 - Referral for Little A

October Wait List Numbers:
Boys: 55
Girls: 71
Siblings:

September Wait List Numbers:
Boys: 55
Girls: 72
Siblings: 26

August Wait List Numbers:
boys: 55
girls: 75
siblings: 27

July Wait List Numbers:
boys: 58
girls: 79
siblings: 27

June Wait List Numbers:
Boys: 69
Girls: 92
Siblings: 35

May Wait List Numbers
Boys: 72
Girls: 96
Siblings: 36

April Wait List Numbers:
Boys: 75
Girls: 98
Siblings: 34

March Wait List Numbers:
Boys: 79
Girls: 100
Siblings: 35

February Wait List Numbers:
Boys: 83
Girls: 106
Siblings: 38

January Wait List Numbers:
Boys: 110
Siblings: 39

December Wait List Numbers:
Boys: 89
Girls: 113
Siblings: 38

November Wait List Numbers:
Boys: 92
Girls: 117
Siblings: 41

October Wait List Numbers:
Boys: 91
Girls: 117
Siblings: 38

September 13, 2011 - On the wait list!!!! 
September Wait List Numbers:
Boys: 97
Girls: 125
Siblings: 45

September 6, 2011 - Recieved Letter of Favorable Determination.

August 5, 2011 - USCIS fingerprint appointment

August 4, 2011 - Mailed in completed dossier

July 27, 2011 - Texas Homestudy Approved

July 25, 2011 - Texas Homestudy Completed

May 21, 2011 - Move to Texas, begin redoing all of our paperwork.

May 4, 2011 - Homestudy Approved

March 19, 2011 - Final Homestudy visit.

November 2, 2010 - Orientation papers and initial fees mailed in, waiting for Homestudy and Dossier papers to begin the 'paper chase'.

September 23, 2010 - AGCI Orientation call

September 13, 2010 - Accepted into AGCI's Ethiopia program

September 9, 2010 - Mailed official application to All God's Children International adoption agency

July 7, 2010 - Filed preapplication via the internet with All God's Children International adoption agency.

147 Million Orphans

After the outstanding success of our garage sale I hesitated to begin another fundraiser so quickly after. I didn't want to burn people out on our requests to join in our journey but then I read this post by an adoptive mother, someone who's faith and desire to be who God wants her to be is an inspiration to me.

So we are going to continue to jump in feet first, telling God "whatever it takes" we will do to bring home our family. When I think of our child(ren) already alive and waiting in Ethiopia for us to come bring them home, it drives me even more; to work harder, save more and to plan different fundraisers to bring our family home.

Our next fundraiser will run now until the end of July and is brought to us (and you) by the wonderful ladies from 147 Million Orphans.

A little background on 147 Million Orphans: Started by 2 mom's with 13 children and 7 adoptions between the 2 of them; they are working to speak up for orphans everywhere, to give a voice to those who have no voice. Some of the projects that the proceeds from 147 Million Orphans support are Amazima, Project Hopeful, feeding children in Uganda and Haiti (40% of proceeds from each product purchased directly from their website goes to feed hungry children), helping African refugess earn a sustainable income and of course helping adoptive families fundraise.

Now back to the fundraising aspect. For everything we sell from the products listed below we will recieve $10.00. So, if 10 people buy 1 shirt; that's $100! And proceeds are still going to feed children in Africa. How awesome is that?

Now for the shirts for sale:

Men's Shirt #1

Feed 1 Football Tee

Price: 24.95

front back

Sizes: S, M, L, XL, 2XL

Men's Shirt #2

Grey 147 Tee

Price: 19.95

front back

Sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL, XXXL

Women's Shirt #1

Short Sleve Tee

Price: 24.95

front back

Sizes: Small, Medium, Large

Women's T-shirt #2

Project Hopeful Baseball Tee

Price: $34.95

front back front red
Sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL

Youth

Feed 1

Price: $19.95

front back

Youth Sizes: Small, Medium, Large

Toddler Girl

Hot Pink Feed 1

Price $19.95

front back
Size 2T, 3T, 4T

Toddler Boy
Mint Green Feed 1

Price $19.95

front back

Sizes 2T, 3T, 4T

To avoid paying pay pal to use an account through them(and I'm not ashamed to admit I couldn't figure out how to do it :), we're going to do this fundraiser the old fasion way! If you'd like to buy a shirt to help us fundraise, pick one from the shirts listed above, email me @ meredithalagorga at hotmail (dot) com with the shirt style and size you'd like. I will them email you back with my address to send payment too. On August 1st I will submit our order to 147 Million Orphans, they will mail me all of the shirts and then I will ship the shirt(s) to you or deliver them if you live close.

There's also a slew of other merchandise located here if you'd like to choose something else, just let me know!

So, this fundraiser is officially 'on!' Let us know if you have any questions. If you choose to buy a t-shirt, that's terrific and we thank you. If you choose not to buy one, we thank you for your prayers and support as we work our way to Ethiopia!

God Bless!