Care packages and photos!

Hi Everyone,

The single greatest event during the waiting period for me was when someone returned and had taken a snapshot (or several) of Zadie and emailed them to us. Seeing a fresh perspective of her life, her world and just seeing more of her meant everything to us.

Well, time to pay it forward. If you want to send a care package to your child, please email me and let me know. I'll send you our mailing address. Also, while I plan to take pictures of all of the children I can and are allowed to, I don't want to miss anyone. If you can tell me your child's name, their foster care location and any other details that would help me, I would love to take many many photos for all of the waiting families.

For care packages, I'd like to have them all by 14 April as I am a bit worried about transporting them all! This will give me time to optimize packing!

For photo requests, I'll take those up until we depart and if I can get to email while in country, I will continue to check for requests.

ccwilli3 at gmail dot com

Cheers!

Charlie

Flights are booked!

Our flights are booked! Infant in arms looks so good to us on the itinerary!! April 29 is our embassy date!

Welcome to the family, Kid!!!

Kristin called at 10:41 EST. We passed court!!! Our embassy date is April 29th.

We are THRILLED!!!!! What a day!!!!!!

And now we can introduce to you: Zadie Hayat Williams.

Tomorrow, Tomorrow...

How in the world am I supposed to sleep? I have a full evening planned for myself, running to and fro, getting stuff done that needs to be done. Charlie is out of town on business, and he is running ragged. But while we are sleeping, and in the early hours of our time here, our little Zadie could legally become our daughter!

Our court date is TOMORROW!!! I know, I know, I know... there are multiples of things that have to go right, which means there are multiples of things that may go wrong, but what a monumental day!!

Send us your happy thoughts, your positive wishes, your prayers, whatever you have!!! I can barely contain my excitement/nervous energy/worry.

Another Shower for Zadie Cakes!

The girls I work with schemed, manipulated and downright lied to me and got me to a favorite restaurant (which I thought was a quiet dinner out with 2 girls for one of their 40th birthday). Once I arrived - after a LONG day at work with NO makeup, mind you - I realized that it was a fabulous shower for Zadie!!!!

It was wonderful! It was luxurious! They spared nothing! The food was wonderful. The drinks were even better (and how many expecting mommies can sip sangria while opening their gifts?). The decorations were gorgeous, and the gifts were extravagant!

I was overwhelmed by all the thoughtfulness that went into this party! I had the time of my life. I laughed and laughed. It was great to be surrounded by ladies who are so supportive, and people who I know are also waiting for Zadie.

Court Date! March 26th!

We are thrilled!!! What a day of celebration!! We heard around 11:45 EST today, so we were pretty worthless for the rest of the workday. (I hope our co-workers don't read this.)

Then we heard all kinds of great things about Zadie - she's growing, bearing weight on her little legs and almost rolling over.

We can't wait to meet her!!! And the "boom bands" are playing!!

updates galore

So the court date wait is over. We finally received our court date today.

On top of that, we received new measurements, a new development chart and an updated photo. Our little angel is progressing nicely and gets cuter everyday!

For all the families that are waiting for referral or a court date, it does get better and just hang in there. I can only imagine that passing court followed by seeing her in person can top how we feel today.

And yes, we are celebrating with a little California Cab from one of our favorite St Helena wineries! Cheers!

10 weeks and counting

Still waiting for Zadie...

Wednesday of this week will be 11 weeks since we accepted the referral that we are waiting to hear about a court date. I know the in-country staff is working very hard for us and little Zadie, and for this we are most appreciative.

We are hoping this week will be the week we finally hear about our little girl officially being ours!