Introducing SAMUEL JACOB KOCEICH...

What an amazingly wonderful, emotional and perfect day!!!
We received an email around 10:30 this morning (I didn't see it until about 1:30...but that's another story...LOL) that we passed court and Samuel Jacob is officially a Koceich!!!!
Praising God from whom all blessings flow!!!

Year End Tax Deductable Donation Opportunity...

Just in case I missed someone in the email I sent, here it is...

Hi Friends,

To start, Matt and I can't tell you enough how blessed we feel to have each of you walking beside us in encouragement, prayer and financially on this journey to Sam. You are more of a treasure to us than you will ever know!!!

Although I hesitate to share this because of my prideful self, I know I should.

There is a fund with our agency that we have qualified for called the Eternal Family Fund. It is a tax-deductable donation and I know some of you may be looking to meet a certain amount of donations before the end of the year. We have qualified to receive up to $6000 through this fund for all donations sent before our court date (which is Thursday, December 24th) Any donations sent after that date will not go towards our adoption (unless we do not pass court, if that happens I will find out if they extend the deadline for donations)

You can donate online by following the link below or you can mail a check (if you would like the address to mail the check just let me know, but those would have to be mailed by Monday to have a chance of making it on time)

Eternal Family Donation - Adoption, International Adoption, Christian Adoption Agency

Please do not feel pressured in any way to donate if you are not led to do so!! God has a perfect and wonderful plan for our family and He will provide for our every need!

Again, thank you so much for all you each have done for us!! There WILL BE one less orphan in the world because of the love, encouragement, prayer and/or financial support from you!!!

Love,
The Koceich Family

p.s. Also, if you haven't heard about our awesome adoption t-shirt fundraiser visit out adoption blog at
www.tosuchasthese.blogspot.com

THEY ARE HERE, THEY ARE HERE, THEY ARE HERE...

I am sooo excited about our adoption t-shirts. They were designed by the owner of a t-shirt design company who graciously gave us cost and allowed us to use his awesome design!! I LOVE these shirts!!!! What a great way to support an adoption from someone you know and promote adoption at the same time. There are over 147 million orphans in the world and you could be a part of decreasing that number!

We have a limited amount, but plan to buy more as needed. I have set up a Paypal button to the right if you would like to purchase through Paypal, or you can send a check and we will get a shirt to you as soon as possible. Be sure to let us know the size(s) you need.

The shirts come in men's and women's fits and we can even get child sizes.

The cost is $20 per shirt with all proceeds going towards our adoption!!

Thank you so much for helping bring baby Sam home!!!
And, check back on Christmas Eve...if we pass court (only 50% do on the first try) we will post his picture!!! He is so very perfect and wonderful!!!

Love you all!!!

A Taste of Culture...

We had a great night out with a sweet family who is also adopting from Ethiopia. As a matter of fact they received a referral for a beautiful baby boy just less than a month after we did! I am so excited to share this process with this family and to have them (and, joyfully, others as well)in our lives to walk this path and to share in the experiences of international adoption.

This past weekend we took our families to an Ethiopian restaurant in Dallas.
It was a great experience! The restaurant was pretty empty when we walked in and I was a bit nervous, but we had been told by a trustworthy source that the food was delicious, and indeed it was!! We ordered two different dishes. One was called Kereje kitfo and was like a spicy ground beef with greens and cottage cheese (but the cheese looked more like a feta cheese to me). The second dish was called yebere sega tibs and was like a cross between fajitas and barbeque. However, both dishes were WAY spicy!!!! I drank two Sprites to get through it and ate more injera than meat, but honestly, I LOVED the taste!!! The injera is a bread that they serve the meat over and they give you lots of extra injera to use as a utensil. So fun!! The kids were pretty hungry still when we got home...LOL!















I also got a second care package together for Sam. Another wonderful family from our group has volunteered to take it for us and we are so grateful. These images are only of the little outfit and toy, but are also adding a recordable greeting card that we each said "I Love You Y****") (well, I said, "Mommy loves you Y**** and Matt said Daddy and so on so that he would hear a name with a voice. I hope they play it for him often, but at least I know the wonderful Root family will play it for him! His Nani is also sending him a soft Christmas toy.





I am sure Christmas will be tough knowing that he is not here. I am sad to not get to experience his first Christmas with him, but I know he is being well taken care of and that God has surrounded him with His angels. I pray that he sleeps peacefully each night and that he knows in his heart his forever family is coming soon!!

We love you precious Sam and can't wait to hold you in our arms!!!

Poem...

I read this on another families adoption blog! I LOVE IT!!!

Twas the Night before Christmas--for the parentless............


Twas the night before Christmas and all through the land
there are parentless children, with no toys in hand

No stockings to be hung by the chimney with care
no hopes for a family soon to be there

Their beds are not snug--but cold and quite bare
there are no goodnight kisses--no one to care

While we in our homes, laughing in delight
all settle down for a Merry Christmas Eve night

When in some one's heart--there arises a clatter
there are children in need--who's lives really DO matter!

Away to the computer please go in a flash
to see the sweet face with whom YOU could be matched!

While a child you see--their beautiful face all aglow
could this be MY child--could I already know??

When in the dreams of the orphan--what always appears
is a family to love them, to care and hold dear

As you stare at that child--your heart beats real quick--
for you know in your heart that sweet face will stick

More dreams sweet children have--to call parents by name-
come mama! come daddy! come family to claim!

To the ends of the earth--your heart seems to call
now child--I'm coming--I wish for you ALL!

So on a plane to your child--over rooftops you flew
to hold this dear soul--a wish did come true

And then in a twinkling-I saw through the door
this child of my heart-that was waiting no more

As I got my camera and was turning around-
into my arms did he come with a bound!

He was dressed in many layers from his head to his foot
and into my heart his life was just put

there was no round face--no plump little belly
just sad little eyes, and legs shaking like jelly

In a swirl of a pen, and a stamp and a seal
my world became brighter--like I could suddenly feel!

We spoke not a word--they weren't needed at all
and I knew in this moment where I got this call

God layed his hands on my heart--and to the occasion I rose
and He could do it for you--this question He'll pose.....

It won't be a shout--no not even a whistle
it won't be real clear--but faint like a whisper

Can you make room in your heart--if you try with your might?
And make a difference for one--help them see the light?

I can see you exclaim as you hold your child tight--
Thank you Lord for this gift--you got it EXACTLY right