Meet The Kirks

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We sang Lee Greenwood and waved our flag as we exited the USCIS office in downtown Wichita. Ester is now an official citizen of the United States of America. A year after we applied we were able to pick up her certificate today. It was a nice moment as the others in the waiting room clapped to welcome our child into the realm of US citizenry. Ester wasn’t sure what to think.

Since returning from vacation, we’ve been busy organizing the house and getting prepared for the upcoming year. Natasha has been busy getting kids stuff ready for a consignment sale, and Chris has been running from room to room, filing thing, moving furniture, and preaching about the importance of organization for a family to run effectively. Justice’s top two teeth are inching their way into space and Ester learned how to use her clock radio yesterday. Kinley is just glad to be home once again.

After immigration, Chris and Ester visited the bank to open up savings accounts. Ester was proud to unload her piggy bank, which surprisingly contained $42.13. She wanted an ATM card, but we decided not to allow that quite yet.

Speaking of cards, it’s official. Chris starts school in less than two weeks and now has the ID card to prove it. This one can double as an ATM card, which just goes to show you how much things have changed since Chris was last a college student. An adventure it will be….

We had our last meeting with a social worker today. She was quite impressed with Ester’s walking and talking abilities. So, we’ve pretty much decided that she’s a genius. Although, she was a bratty genius this evening! We went to a church service, and I think she disagreed with the Pastor’s theology because she kept fussing. At least she made a friend afterward. It was very cute as she sat there with this little boy as proud as could be of herself for finding another little person amidst all the tall trees.

Lately Ester has started coming into bed with us when she wakes up early. It used to be that we couldn’t bribe her into going back to sleep once she awoke. But, now, she’ll come cuddle alongside us. It’s really cute! So, basically we’re one big (and getting bigger soon) happy family!

Ester spent the last week hunting houses with us. We finally found one and we’re excited to move in a couple of weeks from now. Ester enjoyed crawling around in the new home and looking out the front door window. We’re excited to get settled in and make it our new home.

On Friday, we take Ester to the court to get her Kansas birth certificate.

Last week, we received a call with some good news. Ester is coming home! On April 13th, we’ll fly to Ethiopia to pick her up and her first day in the U.S. will be April 21st, 2007. It’s been a long process which began almost a year ago, and it is amazing to see it finally coming close to where we want to be. We’re busy preparing the house and packing for Ester’s Gotcha Day!