Amazing, astounding news…
We are parents!
To two lovely 2+ year old little girls.
Never in our wildest dreams did we dream of two girls – much less 2 year old twins! Daddy is a little shocked – Mommy is overwhelmed.
We received an email from our agency Thursday afternoon and had to suffer through 7 more hours apart before both of us were home together at 8:30pm to open the email and see our daughters for the first time. 13 months, 20 days and 6 more hours… and worth every minute. We are incredibly excited and thrilled.
Thank you for celebrating with us! We will post more video / info when we can!
Nicky & Jrock
FAQs
When do you travel to Ethiopia to pick them up?
There is a court process for them to legally become our kids (2-8 weeks) and then an immigration/citizenship process (1-4 months). THEN, we will be able to fly to Ethiopia and pick them up. So we are guessing now – February or March? But only a guess.
So this is for sure now?
Well – 95% for sure. There is a possibility that the court process may not go through, but that has only happened to one family of the dozens we know. So we are optimistic.
Are you changing their names?
Yes and no. We will be keeping their beautiful Ethiopian names as middle names. We’re selecting new first names over the next while.
Are you prepared?
Heck no! We weren’t sure about ages or genders, so our kids room looks like some kind of explosion zone. We don’t know if they will be in cribs or beds, for example, so we’ll have to get another of one or the other… but the nesting is definitely one of the most pleasurable things about becoming new parents, right?
Why did you put 2+ years as their age?
Their birth date is exactly the same date they came into the Ethiopian orphanage, so we are making an educated guess that they made an educated guess about their ages. But they are probably between 2-3 years old… Currently one girl is 20 lbs and 33.5 inches; the other girl is 21 lbs and 34 inches.
Are they identical twins?
We don’t know! They sure look alike. But we could also immediately tell them apart, so…? J
Some inspiration…
from Nelson Mandela
“Children are the rock on which our future will be built.”
from Kahlil Gibran – a Lebanese poet
Your children are not your children.
They are the sons and daughters of Life’s longing for itself.
They come through you but not from you,
And though they are with you yet they belong not to you.You may give them your love but not your thoughts,
For they have their own thoughts.
You may house their bodies but not their souls,
For their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow,
which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams.
You may strive to be like them,
but seek not to make them like you.
For life goes not backward nor tarries with yesterday.You are the bows from which your children
as living arrows are sent forth.
The archer sees the mark upon the path of the infinite,
and He bends you with His might
that His arrows may go swift and far.
Let our bending in the archer’s hand be for gladness;
For even as He loves the arrow that flies,
so He loves also the bow that is stable.
October 24th, 2008 at 11:32 pm
CONGRATULATIONS YOU TWO!!!
When are we celebrating and planning our trip together to pick up all four of our girls?
TWINS! This is so exciting! So glad you got to hear the news before the weekend, I was starting to stress when I didn’t hear anything.
I’m e-mailing you!
Laura
October 24th, 2008 at 11:39 pm
I just congratulated you by email, but it’s just not enough! I had to come to your blog and do the same!
CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!
Oh shoot, I’m crying those happy tears again. So thrilled for you!
Karen
PS. For your guessing at clothing sizes and shopping pleasures… Elsha is 34 inches currently at age 2years, 2months old and is wearing mostly size 2’s. However, she’s also 29lbs
October 24th, 2008 at 11:43 pm
My Okanagan peeps were the first congrats - thanks peeps!
October 24th, 2008 at 11:46 pm
I will join the ranks of e-mailers and posters. We are so thrilled for you both. I wish a speedy rest of the process and that before you know it you will each be holding a beautiful little girl in your arms. Nothing beats a sweet little girl, but maybe I am biased. Congrats!!!
-Kari
October 24th, 2008 at 11:47 pm
CONGRATULATIONS YOU TWO ON YOUR TWO THAT ARE TWO!!! AMAZING!! What a joyous day!
I have 25 month old twin girl niece (identical) and they are 25 and 26lbs. Sofia is 17 months (been home for 5 months) and is 27lbs. Just a little FYI. Sofia was 19lbs when we met her.
I can’t wait to hear their names, yours and the Ethiopian ones. I hope that you have a very speedy court date and that they are in your arms, where they belong, quickly!
All my best,
Alicia
October 25th, 2008 at 12:01 am
Congratulations Mommy and Daddy!!!! I am so excited for you guys. I hope time flies for you so you can hold your little girls in your arms soon.
Shannon
October 25th, 2008 at 12:13 am
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!! I’m so excited for you! Twins?! Wow! I laughed outloud and burst into tears when I read that. Overwhelming for sure but so exciting. So awesome. Wow. Congratulations. So sweet. You guys are going to do just fine. Congrats. Looking forward to seeing where the next many months take you all.
October 25th, 2008 at 12:22 am
Oh wow!! How wonderful!! A million congratulations to you both! Two daughters! What an incredible gift! I hope everything moves swiftly and you are with them before you know it!
Dianne
October 25th, 2008 at 12:33 am
Thanks to all you late-night BCers!!!!
October 25th, 2008 at 1:02 am
Congratulations!!!! I’m SO thrilled for you! They are beautiful girls! They look very much like S right now, and she’s currently 31 months and 29 lbs. Can’t remember her height. We’re in Hawaii on a holiday and I couldn’t resist responding to your fabulous news! Have fun planning their room and let me know if you have any questions about 2-3 year olds! They’re a handful! And sooo special. Such brilliance at this age. Yay!!
Gina
October 25th, 2008 at 1:26 am
Oh my goodness! Congratulations! You both must be over the moon! I am so happy for you. I just read your news on the yahoo board (yah for good news in BC today!) and am so absolutely thrilled for you. I can’t wait to follow along on the next exciting step of your journey and am hoping to be not to far behind you guys.
I can’t wait to hear more details!
There will be a big smile on my face and my heart for you and your girls tonight as my head hits the pillow.
Again enjoy the bliss and try to get some sleep tonight!
October 25th, 2008 at 3:02 am
Congratulations! What wonderful news! A double blessing!!!
October 25th, 2008 at 5:00 am
CONGRATULATIONS ROWAN FAMILY!!!! Wow, TWINS!!! You’ve had such a long wait but totally worth it after seeing those faces I’m sure!! Enjoy the post-referral high!! I am excited to hear the names you’ve chosen!
October 25th, 2008 at 5:50 am
Wonderful, fantastic, magical news! I know I already emailed you, but we’re just thrilled for you two! They’re so beautiful, and the adventure of being parents to two little girls is just beginning. Enjoy this day, this weekend, the first step on that parenthood journey — because it’s a day you’re never ever going to forget.
I can’t tell you how happy we are for you!
October 25th, 2008 at 6:03 am
I’ve already said it on the forum, but WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOOOOO!
Btw, I did a 3 month study on twins in University- one way to tell is hair texture. If their hair differs in ANY way, they’re fraternal
October 25th, 2008 at 6:14 am
Congratulations!! I am happy for you guys and was so excited to read the post.
October 25th, 2008 at 6:18 am
Hey there- I can’t believe it!!!!! Twins- you are sooo lucky! Adam and I are thrilled for you both- Congratulations you are now a proud mommy and daddy!
Carolyn
October 25th, 2008 at 6:29 am
WOW! Congratulations! That is so exciting!!
October 25th, 2008 at 7:27 am
Congratulations!! Twin girls - you are twice blessed. I hope your time to travel goes quickly.
Enjoy staring at their pictures
Eileen
October 25th, 2008 at 7:39 am
CONGRATULATIONS!!! Twin girls….ahhh!! that is the most wonderful news!!
October 25th, 2008 at 7:39 am
Aaah!!!! Yay! Congratulations! I hope getting their room ready makes the next part of the wait fly by. Start with a fun shopping spree for cute girls clothes!!
june
October 25th, 2008 at 7:51 am
I’m not sure if I’ve commented on your blog before… but I check it often to see if you’ve gotten your news yet… and here it is!! Congratulations! Wow- 2 precious little girls. What a gift what a celebration!
Ramona
October 25th, 2008 at 8:10 am
Wow!!!! Congratulations Nicky and Jrock!!!! TWIN GIRLS -YAHOOOOOOOOOO!
You guys waited a really long time for this - all the best as your prepare to bring your daughters home!
Can’t wait to hear more about the referral moment.
Hugs,
Rana
October 25th, 2008 at 8:16 am
So, so happy for you! I have been reading your blog and I’m so happy and relieved for you:) Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy the bliss of seeing those little faces!!!!
October 25th, 2008 at 8:21 am
Yippee!!!!!!!!!! We are SO happy for you!!!!!!
Sherri
October 25th, 2008 at 8:22 am
CONGRATULATIONS TWINS…. that is amazing. I can’t even imagine what you both must be feeling right now. I can’t wait to hear more and see more after the court dates. Here’s to a speedy court date and visa processing.
Natalie
October 25th, 2008 at 8:55 am
CONGRATULATIONS!!!!
:)
Hopefully things will progress from here very quickly.
Pink, Pink and more pink, sometimes purple, will fill your home. Have fun!!
October 25th, 2008 at 8:55 am
Absolutely incredible, congratulations!
October 25th, 2008 at 9:02 am
Congrats! I am so excited for you both. What an amazing ending to a long wait. Enjoy the next few months preparing for your precious twins to come home. I hope that this next stage goes quickly.
Blessings
Kim
October 25th, 2008 at 9:07 am
I had to run over here to and congratulate!!!!!!!!
I’m hoping they will be good friends of Abby!!
By the way, she’s 29lbs and about 90cm (at 3.5 years), she hasn’t actually grown anything since referral in April?!
Anyways, sooooo happy for you both!!!!
nathalie
October 25th, 2008 at 9:09 am
HOLY CRAP!!!! CONGRATULATIONS!!! Isn’t it the best feeling when you see those little faces pop up
Twins, you’re going to busy, and it’s going to be great!!!!
Rhonda
October 25th, 2008 at 9:18 am
Hooray!!!!! Congrats Nicky and JRock, what fabulous news!!!! I’m thrilled for you and I hope that the process to go and get your girls is lightening fast!
October 25th, 2008 at 9:21 am
Rob and I are very thrilled for your guys!!!!You are going to have so much fun shopping x2! I will be stalking your blog from here on in for sure! Amazing news!!
Jenny
October 25th, 2008 at 9:25 am
Congratulations!!! I’m am SO VERY HAPPY for you! How VERY EXCITING!
Praying you don’t have to wait too long to bring them home!
Blessings,
karen (in sk)
October 25th, 2008 at 9:29 am
Wow! That was worth waiting for, eh? TWIN GIRLS! Amazing…
Congratulations, Nicky and Jrock! Hope you will have them in your arms soon.
Can’t wait to meet you all at Naramata!
Shauna
October 25th, 2008 at 9:36 am
Congrats you guys that was a very long haul!!!!!!!!
October 25th, 2008 at 9:47 am
Congratulations!!! I am all teary, excited, and happy for your family. May this last part of the journey to your girls pass swiftly.
Savour this moment!
Al the best,
Karen
October 25th, 2008 at 9:55 am
I am so excited to hear your wonderful news. I am so thrilled for you two! Twin girls, how huge a blessing is that. Worth the wait, I’m sure. Jenny Adachi’s Mum
October 25th, 2008 at 10:30 am
Yahoo yippee! Twin girls! Congrats yet again! Enjoy your first weekend of being parents!!!! The referral high is an amazing feeling so soak it all in while you can!!
We are so happy for you…you definately waited longer than expected but oh how worth it!!!!
Ricki
October 25th, 2008 at 10:30 am
OH I’m sooooooooooooooooooooooooooo happy for you! YAYAYAY!! That is soo exciting and I wish you all the best!! What wonderful, STUPENDOUS news. And twins. That is wonderful. I’m cheering up a storm, that’s for sure! You’ve waited a long time! Twins! Icing on the cake for sure!
ME
P.S. Can you see I’m excited! That could mean that we’re next! LOL!!
October 25th, 2008 at 10:35 am
Wonderful news. Congratulations. Best wishes as you prepare your home for these two little ones.
October 25th, 2008 at 10:36 am
What wonderful news! Twins! Congratulations! I hope you are both enjoying these once-in-a-lifetime moments of excitement. What a thrill!
October 25th, 2008 at 10:39 am
Congratulations on your referral of twin girls! We’ve been following your blog for a while. So happy for both of you.
Sincerely,
The Stokes Family
New Brunswick
Waiting for a referral from Ethiopia
October 25th, 2008 at 11:22 am
Wow ! Congratulation ! I read your blog since this summer and I am so hapy for your referral.
October 25th, 2008 at 11:25 am
Congratulations!!!!!!!! Teins..How very exciting!
October 25th, 2008 at 11:25 am
ooops…I mean TWINS!!
October 25th, 2008 at 12:44 pm
Oh and I just wanted to remind you that I “predicted” 2 year old twins….’cept I said a boy and a girl…but hey pretty close?!?!?!?!
October 25th, 2008 at 2:07 pm
Fantastic news!!!! I can only imagine how thrilled you both must be. Best wishes for an amazingly fast process until they are in your arms forever!!
October 25th, 2008 at 2:13 pm
Oh wow!!! Congratualtions!!
I tell ya’ … I left the computer for a few hours and the whole world changes. You, Jrock and the pups must be so excited! What a way to spend the weekend!!!
Our girls will be close in age, so we can swap stories and ideas over the years! What a thrill.
Congratulations to all of you! Enjoy a wonderful weekend.
This referral could not have come to two more patient, ready and expectant parents. You will be such wonderful parents to these two beautiful girls!
We are celebrating here for you as well!
Barb
October 25th, 2008 at 2:14 pm
How wonderful!!!!!! I know you have waited a very long time! I am so happy for you both!!!
We would love to see pics if you are emailing!
Dimitri and Claire
(starting homestudy..maybe this week!)
October 25th, 2008 at 2:22 pm
I sent you an email, but also wanted to post a huge congrats! A
October 25th, 2008 at 6:10 pm
I am still beyond thrilled for you two. AMAZING News!! I think I feel extra excited about your girls because of my identical twin 2 year old nieces…. OOOH, I’m still giddy for you. I am now going to have a glass of wine and toast your good news!!
October 25th, 2008 at 6:10 pm
Hi there.
I posted congratulations on the Yahoo group, but it’s impossible to go overboard with the good wishes when the news is this amazing! So many people have been following your journey and I’ve certainly admired how well you’ve handled the long wait. I know YOU probably don’t think you were handling it too well at times.
I love reading about your adventures with your hubby and your dogs, but things are about to get even more fun!
Congratulations again. You’re going to be wonderful parents to those precious little girls.
Karen T.
Mom to Eric from Ethiopia, 17 months
October 25th, 2008 at 7:15 pm
YAAY!!! This is so wonderful!! TWINS!! TWINS!! TWINS!!
I am so happy for you both. After all these months of waiting, now you finally know who your children are. I can’t wait to follow along these next steps. CONGRATULATIONS!
October 25th, 2008 at 10:34 pm
Oh Nicky I am just so happy for you. It is crazy actually how happy I am!!! You have waited so long and have been so patient. I can’t wait to hear more. Have fun planning! By the way, I love Gibran.
Natasha
October 25th, 2008 at 10:52 pm
Congrats!! Thanks so much for blogging your experience, I have loved reading it.
Rebecca
Northern BC
Planning on starting the process to adopt from Ethiopia
October 25th, 2008 at 11:24 pm
Oh my goodness, I just logged on to the CAFAC board and read your good news. You must be “over-the-moon” excited!!! Congratulations Mommy and Daddy! Now the fun stuff begins!
yay!!
October 26th, 2008 at 12:32 am
Congrats! How very exciting!!! So glad to here of this wonderful new!!!! Take care on the journey ahead! Blessings:)
October 26th, 2008 at 7:53 am
There are no words to describe what you both must be feeling. What an amazing moment…take it all in. Laura
October 26th, 2008 at 12:53 pm
congratulations……I remember when we first met….you were just begining. I am so happy for you.
Blessings
Debbie
October 26th, 2008 at 2:31 pm
Wow, that is amazing news! I can’t wait for my turn. Enjoy all the preparation and celebrating. It has been a long time coming and you deserve it!
Can’t wait to hear more about your journey.
Congratulations!
Jen
October 26th, 2008 at 3:44 pm
Congratulations! Twin girls, what a wonderful gift! So worth the long wait. Here is hoping for a speedy travel date and I would loe to sneak a peak if you are sharing.
October 26th, 2008 at 5:07 pm
Congratulations you guys! Can’t wait to see the cute girls!!
October 26th, 2008 at 8:25 pm
Wow - congratulations! How thrilling!
October 26th, 2008 at 9:51 pm
Congratulations!!! Enjoy memorizing their beautiful faces!!
Steph
October 26th, 2008 at 9:56 pm
Wow, look what happens when i go off the board for a couple of days! I’m last to the party! Congratulations! Wishing you a speedy courtdate.
October 26th, 2008 at 11:10 pm
I have been gone all weekend and when I got back, I checked the Yahoo board and when I saw “It’s twins”, I thought…”oh I so hope that post was started by ‘Nicky’” and almost woke my kids with a happy scream when I saw that it was. Congratulations you guys…so happy for you!
October 27th, 2008 at 5:34 am
Congratulations!! This is soo wonderful!!! I can’t wait to follow along the rest of your journey! I hope that you have a super speedy court date! CONGRATS!!
Alicia & John
October 27th, 2008 at 9:48 am
Fantastic news Nicky and Jrock! I’m very, very happy for the four of you! You ARE wonderful parents!!! May you always be as happy as you are today! CONGRATULATIONS!!!! Enjoy every moment of this wonderful and amazing journey!!!
Clinks,
T
October 31st, 2008 at 12:26 pm
Congrats on the babies! The video you made was very touching. I noticed that you mentioned you were changing the names of the girls…I was wondering why you’re doing that? Are you planning to give them ‘white’ names or Ethiopian names?