We are so excited to welcome Liza to our family. Even before Ken and I met, I was considering options to adopt as a single mother. Fortunately, Ken and Chelsea and Hayley came into my life!

We originally filled out our application for Holt International in December 2005, and our official ‘log in date’ was on St. Patrick’s Day, March 17, 2006. At the time, the wait was 8-9 months. Little did we know the time would continue to drag out for nearly 3 years.

The paperwork is finally done (I hope), and we are finishing last minute details before we leave. Karie, my sister, is my travel companion. I can’t say ‘thank you’ enough times to express the gratitude we feel to have her spend 16 days with us! Ken and the girls are going to hold down the fort at home, so we’ll have plenty of time together as a family when we get home. I also have to thank my Father and friend, PJ, for volunteering as back-up travel companions, and Brad, Gina and my Mother for emotional support (and the all important hand-me-downs!) Ken’s family has also been great, Chelsea and Hayley talked about sleeping in Liza’s room when she first gets home to comfort her, and Curt and Cheryl have already volunteered to baby sit, and Kristine and Jim have sent remote well-wishes!