Dearest Hannah,

Today you turned 8 months old. I chatted with Nanny Hywot on Facebook earlier this week. (Random, I know.) It was about 2:30 p.m. there and she said you were laying beside her so happy and smiley. She says you are getting so big, rolling over on your own and almost sitting without assistance. She also says you love any kind of fruit. Oh how I wish you could be here for us to celebrate with you today. I hate that you can't be here yet all together. Our country's Embassy is asking for more information from your birth family before they clear us to bring you home. So again, we all wait. You have so many people who can't wait to meet you. There are 3 little people who ask about you daily, and along with our family pray for you continually. I am thankful that you are unaware of the "the wait" right now. I have to admit, it's a bit of a hard wait for your mama. I long for you to be here...

To feel those soft, soft curls, smell your sweet babyness,

to make you laugh, to watch how you LOVE your Daddy,

to see you fall asleep next to your big sister,

and see you endure your big brothers.

To sing to you of Jesus' love and tell you stories of His faithfulness.

To introduce you to your grandparents and aunts and uncles that love you so much already.

To show you the church family that has prayed for you with us.

To dress you up in all the shoes that have been purchased and given to you, to bathe you,

feed you, change your diaper

and all the other little things that come with having you.

Soon. Very soon that day will come. And we wait, not as those without trust in a sovereign God, but with a hope, a hope that I look forward to telling you all about that one day you might share in that same hope. So hurry home, Hannah Sitota. Hurry home.

Love,

Your Mama