Thursday, December 29, 2011
Friday, December 23, 2011
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Happy birthday
Happy 13 month birthday baby girl! I so hate that we are not able to spend this day with you. Please know, though, that we miss you VERY much!!
I wonder are you walking yet? Have most of your teeth come in?? How much hair do you have now?? Oh, how I can't wait to get an update on you.
We love you baby cakes!!
I wonder are you walking yet? Have most of your teeth come in?? How much hair do you have now?? Oh, how I can't wait to get an update on you.
We love you baby cakes!!
Monday, December 12, 2011
Monday, December 5, 2011
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
November 30, 2011!!
Today, half way around the world, someone said the words "she is thiers". Have sweeter words ever been said??? Nope!!! Baby A.J. is OURS forever!!!!!! Next step, embassy!
Monday, November 21, 2011
approved police report
Well, the 18th has come and gone and we are still awaiting our decree. The judge did, however approve our more detailed police report but she wanted to look over our file again before issuing the decree. It seems that this part of the journey may never end. I am trying to have hope and faith, but I'm not so sure I can keep holding out anymore. We're praying for a miracle and that this week we get the news we have been waiting for since March.
We love you baby girl!
We love you baby girl!
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Ammar-Juliana T.
My dearest A.J.,
Today is the anniversary of your birth; you are one year old. We hate more than anything that we cannot be with you, but please know that we are thinking of you today, as always, and sending our hugs and kisses to you via prayer. Your grandparents also wish you a happy birthday, please know how much they love you as well. We all hope today is magical for you. We love you precious girl, happy birthday!
Friday, November 11, 2011
a flood of emotions
We had a court date today in hopes that our revised police report would be present and that we would get our decree, however the report was obtained too late and the judge has issued another court date for the 18th. We are bummed that we did not get "the" news today but we are still crying like babies that we have gotten this far!!!! Thank God! Come on 18th!!! We miss our baby girl!!
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
It's been nearly 5 months since I have held my child in my arms and I'm starting to forget what it felt like.
I am slowly forgetting what it was like to hold her tiny little fingers and to hug her closely.I am starting to forget the way my daughter smelled. I am beginning to forget what it was like being a family of three. I am starting to forget the memories we tried so hard to make.
Life is miserable without her in our arms.
We have not seen any photographs of her since July and her first birthday is quickly approaching. Never in a million years did we think we would miss her birthday and now that this nightmare is becoming a reality we are having to come to terms with all the time we are losing with her. We just keep praying that she knows how much she is loved and that she knows we have not forgotten about her. However, no matter how much love we have for her right now it will never take away the fact that she has had to spend her first years in an orphanage. She is our baby who is stuck in another country without the love of her mother and father. How much sense does that make? We want her home more than anyone knows and one day we will board that plane with her in our arms forever, but for now we sit and wait in pain.
Please keep praying that our baby is safe and healthy. We miss her and cannot wait to bring her home.
I am slowly forgetting what it was like to hold her tiny little fingers and to hug her closely.I am starting to forget the way my daughter smelled. I am beginning to forget what it was like being a family of three. I am starting to forget the memories we tried so hard to make.
Life is miserable without her in our arms.
We have not seen any photographs of her since July and her first birthday is quickly approaching. Never in a million years did we think we would miss her birthday and now that this nightmare is becoming a reality we are having to come to terms with all the time we are losing with her. We just keep praying that she knows how much she is loved and that she knows we have not forgotten about her. However, no matter how much love we have for her right now it will never take away the fact that she has had to spend her first years in an orphanage. She is our baby who is stuck in another country without the love of her mother and father. How much sense does that make? We want her home more than anyone knows and one day we will board that plane with her in our arms forever, but for now we sit and wait in pain.
Please keep praying that our baby is safe and healthy. We miss her and cannot wait to bring her home.
Friday, October 21, 2011
Well the judge asked for a more detailed police report before she will issue our decree. This is really getting old...how long do we have to wait before we get to bring our baby home? I am so emotionally exhausted it's not even funny. Please pray that we get this done quickly and she can come home to her mommy and daddy asasp!
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Saturday, October 15, 2011
Friday, October 14, 2011
please
Baby girl,
Please know that I have not forgotten about you and that I am here waiting to bring you home. We love you more than words can say and we will see you soon! Love you baby girl! -Mama and Dada (Happy early bday, you turn 11 months old tomorrow!)
Please know that I have not forgotten about you and that I am here waiting to bring you home. We love you more than words can say and we will see you soon! Love you baby girl! -Mama and Dada (Happy early bday, you turn 11 months old tomorrow!)
Thursday, September 15, 2011
10 months!
Happy 10 month bday baby girl!! Hopefully not too many more birthdays will pass before we get to bring you home! We love you!!!
Thursday, September 8, 2011
a little bit of GOOD news!
Just thought I would let everyone know that ALL of our paperwork has been obtained and now we just wait for the courts to re-open and we will have our court decree!!! This is such a big step for us!! We are thrilled!! Thank ya Jesus!!!
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Our trip
In order for us to answer that age old question "How was you trip to Ethiopia?" I have decided to write a post about it. I know I have previously written about our day to day events while we were there, but I still feel people aren't able to get the whole picture. I will try to do my best to describe our wonderful trip and the great country of Ethiopia.
June 2011:
As we made our way through the airport of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia we soon realized we were no longer home. The faces all looked familiar but we didn't recognize any of them. If you have ever been to Ethiopia you know how familiar the people of Ethiopia can look. They have such gorgeous round eyes that seem to paralyze you with just a look. Their eyes follow you as you obtain your visa. They follow you as you make your way through security. They know within an instant why you have traveled to Ethiopia and they cannot look away. Unlike the typical eyes of an American they hold no judgement, they hold a deep sorrow buried behind a gorgeous smile. Their eyes say "selam" with a simple nod of the head and a raise of the eyebrows. Even in the airport these people were kind and generous. It was a great glimpse of what was to come.
The ride from the airport to the guest home was bumpy and full of black smoke. Little did we know that the dense fog of smoke we hated while we were there would be something we would come to miss once we were home. We saw things on this ride that can never be forgotten. We saw women and children begging for money, we saw people sleeping on the streets with nothing but t-shirts on, we saw terrible things on this ride. It was an awful site and to this day I cannot get those images out of my head.
Once we arrived at our guesthouse we were ushered to our room on the top floor and were astonished as what we saw. It was an almost empty room with no working electricity. We were a little shocked and upset by the lack of supplies in our room to say the least. However, as the days went on we fell in love with this room and the balcony views we were given. We also figured out how to make the electricity work...we had to turn the breakers on lol! Every morning we would walk out onto the balcony and stare down at the streets of Addis and watch people walk to work as well as those who were selling items on the streets. As we stood there and people watched we could smell the spices of breakfast being made and the sweet aroma of coffee filling the air. This place that we once were scared of was now becoming home to us.
Just a few blocks down the road was a home for children waiting to be taken back to their forever homes. This place was the foster home in which our daughter was living. Our daily trek to the foster home was always the highlight of our day. Come rain or shine we would be there knocking on the gate to be let in. We would walk up the stairs to the infant room and pick our daughter up out of her crib. Of course we could never leave that room until we had played with every other child in there as well. Once we had played with all the babies we would take our little girl back down the stairs and into the "family visitation" room. We would come to spend most of our days in this room and we would not have had it any other way. We made lifelong friends in this room and we will never forget the times we spent with them and their children.
Each day on our walk back to the guesthouse from the foster home we would interact with the people of Ethiopia. We would memorize phrases that our new best friend Joni would teach us and then we would try them out as we were walking back home. We learned how to say "hello" and "how are you." We also learned how to say " no, I do not want" as well as "no, thank you." It was so much fun to see the reactions we got as these words came out of our mouths in Amharic. Joni's, our driver/translator/body guard/new best friend, teaching moments became very valuable to us and we will never forget all that we learned from him.
On our last day we were scared to say goodbye for fear that it would be too long until we were able to come back. We were scared that our daughter would forget us and that Joni would think we had forgotten about him. We were scared to turn and walk out of a country that had given us so much in such a short period of time. We were dreading turning around and walking away from our new life in Ethiopia, but with tears streaming down our faces we left. We left our heart in Ethiopia and have not been whole since. We miss all of our new friends. We miss that big empty room on the top floor. We miss the smell of morning spices. We miss walking to and from the foster home. We miss our daughter more than words can say. We miss the feeling of holding our daughter in our arms. We miss Ethiopia and our beautiful little life we had while we were there.
We had the time of our lives in Ethiopia and we will forever cherish the memories that were made.
June 2011:
As we made our way through the airport of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia we soon realized we were no longer home. The faces all looked familiar but we didn't recognize any of them. If you have ever been to Ethiopia you know how familiar the people of Ethiopia can look. They have such gorgeous round eyes that seem to paralyze you with just a look. Their eyes follow you as you obtain your visa. They follow you as you make your way through security. They know within an instant why you have traveled to Ethiopia and they cannot look away. Unlike the typical eyes of an American they hold no judgement, they hold a deep sorrow buried behind a gorgeous smile. Their eyes say "selam" with a simple nod of the head and a raise of the eyebrows. Even in the airport these people were kind and generous. It was a great glimpse of what was to come.
The ride from the airport to the guest home was bumpy and full of black smoke. Little did we know that the dense fog of smoke we hated while we were there would be something we would come to miss once we were home. We saw things on this ride that can never be forgotten. We saw women and children begging for money, we saw people sleeping on the streets with nothing but t-shirts on, we saw terrible things on this ride. It was an awful site and to this day I cannot get those images out of my head.
Once we arrived at our guesthouse we were ushered to our room on the top floor and were astonished as what we saw. It was an almost empty room with no working electricity. We were a little shocked and upset by the lack of supplies in our room to say the least. However, as the days went on we fell in love with this room and the balcony views we were given. We also figured out how to make the electricity work...we had to turn the breakers on lol! Every morning we would walk out onto the balcony and stare down at the streets of Addis and watch people walk to work as well as those who were selling items on the streets. As we stood there and people watched we could smell the spices of breakfast being made and the sweet aroma of coffee filling the air. This place that we once were scared of was now becoming home to us.
Just a few blocks down the road was a home for children waiting to be taken back to their forever homes. This place was the foster home in which our daughter was living. Our daily trek to the foster home was always the highlight of our day. Come rain or shine we would be there knocking on the gate to be let in. We would walk up the stairs to the infant room and pick our daughter up out of her crib. Of course we could never leave that room until we had played with every other child in there as well. Once we had played with all the babies we would take our little girl back down the stairs and into the "family visitation" room. We would come to spend most of our days in this room and we would not have had it any other way. We made lifelong friends in this room and we will never forget the times we spent with them and their children.
Each day on our walk back to the guesthouse from the foster home we would interact with the people of Ethiopia. We would memorize phrases that our new best friend Joni would teach us and then we would try them out as we were walking back home. We learned how to say "hello" and "how are you." We also learned how to say " no, I do not want" as well as "no, thank you." It was so much fun to see the reactions we got as these words came out of our mouths in Amharic. Joni's, our driver/translator/body guard/new best friend, teaching moments became very valuable to us and we will never forget all that we learned from him.
On our last day we were scared to say goodbye for fear that it would be too long until we were able to come back. We were scared that our daughter would forget us and that Joni would think we had forgotten about him. We were scared to turn and walk out of a country that had given us so much in such a short period of time. We were dreading turning around and walking away from our new life in Ethiopia, but with tears streaming down our faces we left. We left our heart in Ethiopia and have not been whole since. We miss all of our new friends. We miss that big empty room on the top floor. We miss the smell of morning spices. We miss walking to and from the foster home. We miss our daughter more than words can say. We miss the feeling of holding our daughter in our arms. We miss Ethiopia and our beautiful little life we had while we were there.
We had the time of our lives in Ethiopia and we will forever cherish the memories that were made.
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
9 Months
Yesterday my baby turned 9 months old! She is growing up!
It is becoming harder and harder to understand why God has us waiting until the courts re-open to even pass court...it hurts so badly to know that A.J. is growing up a continent away.
We do feel blessed, however, to even have her in our lives and to have held her in our arms once already but the waiting is def. getting old! She is a beautiful little girl and we cannot wait to have her home so we can shower her with all the love and security she could ever need. We love our little girl more than words can say, so would you please pray that she is able to come home as soon as possible?? Thank you so much to everyone who already does this and to everyone who will now!! -Mama 2 be
It is becoming harder and harder to understand why God has us waiting until the courts re-open to even pass court...it hurts so badly to know that A.J. is growing up a continent away.
We do feel blessed, however, to even have her in our lives and to have held her in our arms once already but the waiting is def. getting old! She is a beautiful little girl and we cannot wait to have her home so we can shower her with all the love and security she could ever need. We love our little girl more than words can say, so would you please pray that she is able to come home as soon as possible?? Thank you so much to everyone who already does this and to everyone who will now!! -Mama 2 be
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Monday, August 8, 2011
needing a miracle
looks like we will be stuck in the court closure unless a miracle happens and we receive our court decree before then...ugggghhh!!!!!
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Friday, July 29, 2011
Mondays & Wednesdays
People tell you that you should take adoption one day at a time... this is not true. Since being in Addis, our world has existed only for Mondays and Wednesdays. Family court, which we attended while we were there (a very disappointing adventure), occurs on Mondays. Each Monday we wait with anticipation hoping that good news will come. So far we continue to wait. Wednesdays typically bring updates from our agency. An update means a health update and two wonderful photos of our beautiful daughter trapped in her native country until the process works itself out. So the direction to take things one day at a time is complete and utter BS... for us, this process consists of Mondays and Wednesdays.
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Monday, July 25, 2011
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Pray until the Answer comes
That was the title of our one minute devotion today.
I should first say that I am not someone who reads the gospel on a daily basis or on a monthly basis for that matter, but my mother-in-law gave my husband a book called "The power of Prayer" for his birthday last night and I can't put it down. I don't know if it's because right now I feel as though I can do nothing but pray or if it's because I've always secretly wanted to know HOW to pray. Either way I feel compelled to read each page and to do what it says...I want my child home and I feel like this book was given to us to help me through this waiting period.
When I opened it up to today's devotional I couldn't help but laugh at the title because I have been questioning whether my prayers were going to be answered or not. We are four weeks and counting past our court date and still have not "passed." It is getting harder everyday to keep the faith, but I am reading these devotions in hopes that I will find the strength I need to continue.
While we did not get news of court today I did get an email that was much needed. Our friend Rachel's, whom we met in Ethiopia (Evi's mom), mother sent me a very sweet and loving message. Reading her words brought tears to my eyes...her email came at a time for me when I was doubting the meaning of this journey. She, Kathy, reminded me just why we chose to go down roads less traveled. We meet people along these roads that change our lives. We meet people that we never knew existed before and we are better for it. Rachel, Joel and Kathy are amazing people and I am so glad to have met them. We now have family in Wisconsin and I couldn't be happier about that.
(Evi, Rachel and her father Joel)
I should first say that I am not someone who reads the gospel on a daily basis or on a monthly basis for that matter, but my mother-in-law gave my husband a book called "The power of Prayer" for his birthday last night and I can't put it down. I don't know if it's because right now I feel as though I can do nothing but pray or if it's because I've always secretly wanted to know HOW to pray. Either way I feel compelled to read each page and to do what it says...I want my child home and I feel like this book was given to us to help me through this waiting period.
When I opened it up to today's devotional I couldn't help but laugh at the title because I have been questioning whether my prayers were going to be answered or not. We are four weeks and counting past our court date and still have not "passed." It is getting harder everyday to keep the faith, but I am reading these devotions in hopes that I will find the strength I need to continue.
While we did not get news of court today I did get an email that was much needed. Our friend Rachel's, whom we met in Ethiopia (Evi's mom), mother sent me a very sweet and loving message. Reading her words brought tears to my eyes...her email came at a time for me when I was doubting the meaning of this journey. She, Kathy, reminded me just why we chose to go down roads less traveled. We meet people along these roads that change our lives. We meet people that we never knew existed before and we are better for it. Rachel, Joel and Kathy are amazing people and I am so glad to have met them. We now have family in Wisconsin and I couldn't be happier about that.
(Evi, Rachel and her father Joel)
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
4
Last night we took our last anti- Malaria meds...it marked the fourth week home and still waiting to pass court.
There is alot going on in Ethiopia right now and we are just praying that we pass court and bring our little A.J. home as soon as possible!! Please pray for the children in Ethiopia and that A.J. comes home fast! -Mama 2 be!
There is alot going on in Ethiopia right now and we are just praying that we pass court and bring our little A.J. home as soon as possible!! Please pray for the children in Ethiopia and that A.J. comes home fast! -Mama 2 be!
Friday, July 15, 2011
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Travel day 8 and 9
6:20/6:21
We did not pass court today. Our MOWA letter was not present and we are needing another document in order to pass. Very frustrating and sad to us. We spent most of the day in a bad fog and felt very upset about spending one of our last days with our daughter in this mood. The lawyer tried to persuade us that these documents would be easy to get but we knew better...too many late nights on yahoo groups to get that past us lol! The foster home did not allow visitors until a while after we got out of court so we went to eat lunch first. We went to Island Breeze again and yet again did not feel the breeze. lol. Once lunch was over we got to go see our sweet little girl who was still having some trouble teething..poor thing. (on a side note- our friend Rachel passed court and is now the legal parent of her beautiful Evi!!!! We are so glad for her!!!!)
Last day-Today is our last day with our daughter. I hate even writing those words. I have been sick today and just want to throw up! Not fun on the last day you get to hold your daughter for God knows how long, sigh. Grrrr...today has been terrible! Although it seemed as though being sick kept me from realizing that today was our last day. So that's a plus- I guess...
I said goodbye to my daughter today. I cried in my husbands arms and he cried with me. It was the hardest thing I've ever had to do! I became so upset that the illness that had overtaken me reared its ugly head. I got sick right there in the foster home; thankfully I made it to the bathroom just in time. After what seemed like an eternity we all loaded up in Joni's car and drove away. I felt surrounded by love as I looked around and noticed that no one else in the car had a dry eye. It was a very safe place to cry and share our pain. I made friends for life in that car ride. I made friends for life in Ethiopia. I will never forget one second of our trip. It was the trip of a lifetime and I do have to say that I have one gorgeous daughter!!! God bless Ethiopia!
Rachel and Evi, Joel (Rachel's father) and April and Micah.
Joni, Michael, Shaun and April and Me.
Michael and A.J.
Coffee ceremony on the last day.
We did not pass court today. Our MOWA letter was not present and we are needing another document in order to pass. Very frustrating and sad to us. We spent most of the day in a bad fog and felt very upset about spending one of our last days with our daughter in this mood. The lawyer tried to persuade us that these documents would be easy to get but we knew better...too many late nights on yahoo groups to get that past us lol! The foster home did not allow visitors until a while after we got out of court so we went to eat lunch first. We went to Island Breeze again and yet again did not feel the breeze. lol. Once lunch was over we got to go see our sweet little girl who was still having some trouble teething..poor thing. (on a side note- our friend Rachel passed court and is now the legal parent of her beautiful Evi!!!! We are so glad for her!!!!)
Last day-Today is our last day with our daughter. I hate even writing those words. I have been sick today and just want to throw up! Not fun on the last day you get to hold your daughter for God knows how long, sigh. Grrrr...today has been terrible! Although it seemed as though being sick kept me from realizing that today was our last day. So that's a plus- I guess...
I said goodbye to my daughter today. I cried in my husbands arms and he cried with me. It was the hardest thing I've ever had to do! I became so upset that the illness that had overtaken me reared its ugly head. I got sick right there in the foster home; thankfully I made it to the bathroom just in time. After what seemed like an eternity we all loaded up in Joni's car and drove away. I felt surrounded by love as I looked around and noticed that no one else in the car had a dry eye. It was a very safe place to cry and share our pain. I made friends for life in that car ride. I made friends for life in Ethiopia. I will never forget one second of our trip. It was the trip of a lifetime and I do have to say that I have one gorgeous daughter!!! God bless Ethiopia!
Rachel and Evi, Joel (Rachel's father) and April and Micah.
Joni, Michael, Shaun and April and Me.
Michael and A.J.
Coffee ceremony on the last day.
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Travel day 5/6 and 7
6/17, 6/18, 6/19
Day 5/6-I forgot to write yesterday...Michael was sick and so I was the only one who was able to go see A.J. in the afternoon. :( Today we went to the foster home and spent some time with our adorable little girl!! She is too cute for words!! Since Michael was sick for the second half of our visits yesterday I "let" him have more time with A.J. than me...lol aren't I nice?? :) After our morning visits we went to have lunch at an authentic Italian restaurant...yes ITALIAN!! IT was delicious!!
After lunch we did a little shopping. We went to the Mercado and bought a traditional dress for A.J. to wear when she is a little older! It is so cute! After our short shopping trip it was time to go back to the foster home and love on our daughter some more! When we said goodbye to her for the night we went to eat at the Island Breeze. The name of the restaurant is a bit of a joke however because it was super hot and cloudy in there!! Food and company was great though! After supper on our way back to the guesthouse we heard music and dancing going on in the streets. It is a whole different city at night.
Tomorrow Joni is going to take us to church! We are very excited to experience this!
We will also get to meet Joni's wife! We have heard such great things about her from Joni that we are super excited to meet her!
Day 7- Today is father's day and we are going to church in Ethiopia-how great is that?? Joni took us to the Orthodox church, his church, and we were able to experience a short bit of that service. The service took place outside and all the women wore white dresses and shawls to cover their heads. It was beautiful! We even got to meet Joni's wife, the boss! She was very very sweet and welcomed us with open arms! Next Joni took us to the church of Michael...My husband, Michael, loved this! lol. In Ethiopia today was the festival of St. Michael and they were having a "party" on the street leading up to the church of Michael. It was amazing to see! The crowd was so large we couldn't even get into the church! After all of the sight-seeing Joni drove us to the foster home to spend some time with our daughter on father's day.
A.J. seemed to be teething today. She kept her fingers in her mouth almost the entire time we saw her. Poor girl, but she kept a smile on her face and laughed like she didn't hurt a bit! She is such a good girl. We just want to get her home already!! -Mama 2 be!
Day 5/6-I forgot to write yesterday...Michael was sick and so I was the only one who was able to go see A.J. in the afternoon. :( Today we went to the foster home and spent some time with our adorable little girl!! She is too cute for words!! Since Michael was sick for the second half of our visits yesterday I "let" him have more time with A.J. than me...lol aren't I nice?? :) After our morning visits we went to have lunch at an authentic Italian restaurant...yes ITALIAN!! IT was delicious!!
After lunch we did a little shopping. We went to the Mercado and bought a traditional dress for A.J. to wear when she is a little older! It is so cute! After our short shopping trip it was time to go back to the foster home and love on our daughter some more! When we said goodbye to her for the night we went to eat at the Island Breeze. The name of the restaurant is a bit of a joke however because it was super hot and cloudy in there!! Food and company was great though! After supper on our way back to the guesthouse we heard music and dancing going on in the streets. It is a whole different city at night.
Tomorrow Joni is going to take us to church! We are very excited to experience this!
We will also get to meet Joni's wife! We have heard such great things about her from Joni that we are super excited to meet her!
Day 7- Today is father's day and we are going to church in Ethiopia-how great is that?? Joni took us to the Orthodox church, his church, and we were able to experience a short bit of that service. The service took place outside and all the women wore white dresses and shawls to cover their heads. It was beautiful! We even got to meet Joni's wife, the boss! She was very very sweet and welcomed us with open arms! Next Joni took us to the church of Michael...My husband, Michael, loved this! lol. In Ethiopia today was the festival of St. Michael and they were having a "party" on the street leading up to the church of Michael. It was amazing to see! The crowd was so large we couldn't even get into the church! After all of the sight-seeing Joni drove us to the foster home to spend some time with our daughter on father's day.
A.J. seemed to be teething today. She kept her fingers in her mouth almost the entire time we saw her. Poor girl, but she kept a smile on her face and laughed like she didn't hurt a bit! She is such a good girl. We just want to get her home already!! -Mama 2 be!
Sunday, July 3, 2011
Travel day 3 and 4
6-15-11, 6-16-11
Well the "next" few hours of the flight did not fly by, ugh. My stomach was in knots and it seemed as though it would never settle down. I am severely jet lagged today but am still very excited that today we meet our daughter for the first time!
Today we met our beautiful A.J.!! It was very surreal driving up to the foster home and having them open the gates for us to come in. It didn't seem real until we were ushered up the stairs. Sister showed us up to her room and walked us right over to her crib. She was just lying there awake staring at us. I had to take a step back because she looked so differently than all of the photos we had received thus far. She was far more beautiful than I could've ever imagined! Her big round eyes just kept darting between my husband and myself. I immediately asked if I could pick her up and was told "of course!!" She began smiling as soon as I picked her up; as if she knew who we were already. Despite her being transferred from Awassa, nearly 6 hours away, she was as happy as she could be! Her laugh was the most beautiful thing I had ever heard! The next few hours with her went like a dream. We began to realize that she is definitely our child, she did not want to be put down! She was beginning to become spoiled already!
As we drove back to the guesthouse it became apparent to me that A.J. was a very lucky girl to have been born in Ethiopia but also very lucky to have more than most Ethiopians. She will have a roof over her head and three meals everyday when she comes home. She will not have to worry about clean water or malaria. However, as lucky as she is to be coming to America we are ten times more lucky than she to have her coming into our lives. She is a miracle and we are so grateful to the country of Ethiopia and her birth mother for giving us this little blessing. She is our pride and joy.
The streets of Ethiopia are a sad sight and definitely make me feel grateful for all I have. Even while staying in Ethiopia we are far better off than most because we have bottled water and walls made of concrete. We have a guard who watches over our guest home day and night and we have someone to make our meals for us. We are very grateful to all of the people who have already gone out of their way to make our stay here the best possible stay. Of all of these people we are the most grateful to our driver, translator, body guard and most of all our friend Joni. He has shown us God. He has shown us generosity at its best. We have already been blown away by his caring nature and we haven't even been here three days! He is a great, great man and I must say if you are going to Ethiopia ask for Joni- most people know who he is! He laughs with us and crys with us- he is our "cousin" now as he puts it. We love him like family!
So far Ethiopia has been wonderful! We cannot wait to come back! -Mama 2 be
Well the "next" few hours of the flight did not fly by, ugh. My stomach was in knots and it seemed as though it would never settle down. I am severely jet lagged today but am still very excited that today we meet our daughter for the first time!
Today we met our beautiful A.J.!! It was very surreal driving up to the foster home and having them open the gates for us to come in. It didn't seem real until we were ushered up the stairs. Sister showed us up to her room and walked us right over to her crib. She was just lying there awake staring at us. I had to take a step back because she looked so differently than all of the photos we had received thus far. She was far more beautiful than I could've ever imagined! Her big round eyes just kept darting between my husband and myself. I immediately asked if I could pick her up and was told "of course!!" She began smiling as soon as I picked her up; as if she knew who we were already. Despite her being transferred from Awassa, nearly 6 hours away, she was as happy as she could be! Her laugh was the most beautiful thing I had ever heard! The next few hours with her went like a dream. We began to realize that she is definitely our child, she did not want to be put down! She was beginning to become spoiled already!
As we drove back to the guesthouse it became apparent to me that A.J. was a very lucky girl to have been born in Ethiopia but also very lucky to have more than most Ethiopians. She will have a roof over her head and three meals everyday when she comes home. She will not have to worry about clean water or malaria. However, as lucky as she is to be coming to America we are ten times more lucky than she to have her coming into our lives. She is a miracle and we are so grateful to the country of Ethiopia and her birth mother for giving us this little blessing. She is our pride and joy.
The streets of Ethiopia are a sad sight and definitely make me feel grateful for all I have. Even while staying in Ethiopia we are far better off than most because we have bottled water and walls made of concrete. We have a guard who watches over our guest home day and night and we have someone to make our meals for us. We are very grateful to all of the people who have already gone out of their way to make our stay here the best possible stay. Of all of these people we are the most grateful to our driver, translator, body guard and most of all our friend Joni. He has shown us God. He has shown us generosity at its best. We have already been blown away by his caring nature and we haven't even been here three days! He is a great, great man and I must say if you are going to Ethiopia ask for Joni- most people know who he is! He laughs with us and crys with us- he is our "cousin" now as he puts it. We love him like family!
So far Ethiopia has been wonderful! We cannot wait to come back! -Mama 2 be
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Travel day 2
6-14-11
We woke up this morning several times before finally deciding to to get up at 7:30 a.m. We watched our last little bit of t.v. for a while and began to get ready to go to the airport... We have now been on the plane for about 5.5 hours-ugh-the plane air is kicking up my allergies and I am hot and sticky. Did I mention that I am not a good road trip person so this plane ride is going to be terrible!!?? At least the end result will be well worth the trip!
I do have to say that I am still astounded at the number of actual Ethiopian people on this flight...I have never been so moved by the eyes of people before in my life. I am beginning to understand why people say this trip will change my life. Seeing the Ethiopian children on this flight even makes me tear up!
Side note- Michael saw the actual "crazy adoption" woman who we purchased his shirt from!!! (Man-up for the fatherless shirt)
Here's to hoping the next few hours fly by!
-Mama 2 be
We woke up this morning several times before finally deciding to to get up at 7:30 a.m. We watched our last little bit of t.v. for a while and began to get ready to go to the airport... We have now been on the plane for about 5.5 hours-ugh-the plane air is kicking up my allergies and I am hot and sticky. Did I mention that I am not a good road trip person so this plane ride is going to be terrible!!?? At least the end result will be well worth the trip!
I do have to say that I am still astounded at the number of actual Ethiopian people on this flight...I have never been so moved by the eyes of people before in my life. I am beginning to understand why people say this trip will change my life. Seeing the Ethiopian children on this flight even makes me tear up!
Side note- Michael saw the actual "crazy adoption" woman who we purchased his shirt from!!! (Man-up for the fatherless shirt)
Here's to hoping the next few hours fly by!
-Mama 2 be
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Monday, June 27, 2011
Travel day 1: 6-13-2011
Today we left for Little Rock airport at 1 p.m. Michael's parents came to tell us goodbye before my parents drove us. We said goodbye to Amel and we were on our way!
Two hours later we arrived at the airport and began our departure to our little A.J.! Before we went through security we did have a chance to eat with my family for the last time until after returning home. After another round of goodbyes we went through security and headed to board our plane!
We arrived in Atlanta at 7:30 p.m. and then caught another flight to Washington D.C. We landed in D.C. at 10:30 p.m. where we stayed overnight until we boarded for Ethiopia!
The whole day was a whirlwind of emotions and we were very eager to meet our little girl, which was now just a matter of hours away!! Ethiopia here we come!!
Two hours later we arrived at the airport and began our departure to our little A.J.! Before we went through security we did have a chance to eat with my family for the last time until after returning home. After another round of goodbyes we went through security and headed to board our plane!
We arrived in Atlanta at 7:30 p.m. and then caught another flight to Washington D.C. We landed in D.C. at 10:30 p.m. where we stayed overnight until we boarded for Ethiopia!
The whole day was a whirlwind of emotions and we were very eager to meet our little girl, which was now just a matter of hours away!! Ethiopia here we come!!
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Holy Ground
A few quick notes about our recent trip to Ethiopia...
Exodus 3:5 has God telling Moses, "Take off your sandals, for you are standing on holy ground." Every single day we took off our sandals to go into the upstairs rooms of the foster home to collect our beautiful daughter and to love on the other babies there. Every single day we took off our sandals to enter the visiting room off of the court yard to play with our beautiful daughter and the other children. These were truly places of holy ground. This passage was shared this morning in church and I was shaken to the core as I realized the sacredness of the places we had recently spent time; God is truly working wonders in his holy way for the children that we placed eyes upon.
One other thing has continued to shake me since we traveled to Ethiopia: I saw the face of God and the love of Jesus Christ in a man named Yohannes Mulugeta who we called Joni. Joni changed me. I want people to see me in the same way that I saw Joni. Joni was a very loving man and our trip would not have been the same without him.
Lastly, I will count the days until I get to hold my daughter again. I love her more than I have ever loved anything. Anything. Leaving her on that last day was the most difficult thing I have ever had to do and I hope to never have to endure that again (albeit I know that I will endure this pain as a parent many times in AJ's life).
Exodus 3:5 has God telling Moses, "Take off your sandals, for you are standing on holy ground." Every single day we took off our sandals to go into the upstairs rooms of the foster home to collect our beautiful daughter and to love on the other babies there. Every single day we took off our sandals to enter the visiting room off of the court yard to play with our beautiful daughter and the other children. These were truly places of holy ground. This passage was shared this morning in church and I was shaken to the core as I realized the sacredness of the places we had recently spent time; God is truly working wonders in his holy way for the children that we placed eyes upon.
One other thing has continued to shake me since we traveled to Ethiopia: I saw the face of God and the love of Jesus Christ in a man named Yohannes Mulugeta who we called Joni. Joni changed me. I want people to see me in the same way that I saw Joni. Joni was a very loving man and our trip would not have been the same without him.
Lastly, I will count the days until I get to hold my daughter again. I love her more than I have ever loved anything. Anything. Leaving her on that last day was the most difficult thing I have ever had to do and I hope to never have to endure that again (albeit I know that I will endure this pain as a parent many times in AJ's life).
Thursday, June 23, 2011
the light of my life
Before I blog the details of our trip and our day to day events I want to talk about our little girl.
I want to talk about the pain I feel now having left her in Africa. Saying goodbye to her was the most painful thing I have ever done. My heart breaks at this very moment. Not having her in my arms is killing me. I feel empty and lost. I feel like I've lost half of myself. I will not feel whole again until I have her home safe and sound. She is the light of my life and truly a gift from God.
She has changed our lives forever and we could not be happier about that. In the few days that we were with her she showed us how great life can be and how hard it can be at the same time. She has shown us what God looks like. We miss her more than words can say. We love her more than words can say. -Mama
I want to talk about the pain I feel now having left her in Africa. Saying goodbye to her was the most painful thing I have ever done. My heart breaks at this very moment. Not having her in my arms is killing me. I feel empty and lost. I feel like I've lost half of myself. I will not feel whole again until I have her home safe and sound. She is the light of my life and truly a gift from God.
She has changed our lives forever and we could not be happier about that. In the few days that we were with her she showed us how great life can be and how hard it can be at the same time. She has shown us what God looks like. We miss her more than words can say. We love her more than words can say. -Mama
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Tomorrow Tomorrow!!!
Well we leave tomorrow to start the journey of meeting our daughter!!!! We will not officially leave the states until Tuesday, but as of tomorrow we are about 1 day away from seeing her and holding her beautiful little face!!! Love u baby girl! -Mama 2 be!!
Friday, June 10, 2011
Thursday, June 9, 2011
5 days left until we leave to see our little girl!
Today was our preliminary court hearing and we really don't know how it how it went. We have asked if A.J.'s birth mother was able to appear and if our MOWA letter was present but all we received back was that everything went fine. Sigh. I hate this unknown period. Ugh.
On another note, I have been reading that many families have been receiving very quick turn around between court and embassy!! This is very encouraging! I hope that this is how it happens with us! Please pray that this is the case! -Mama 2 be!
P.S. We just found out that A.J.'s mother appeared and gave her consent!!! However, our letter was not there ugh, but one small step for us!!
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Time in a bottle
Well last night I stayed awake for over an hour after I had turned the T.V. off. I thought I was ready to go to sleep, but I guess my mind had other plans. I couldn't stop thinking about the up coming court date for both us and A.J.'s birth mother. Was she going to take back her decision to give her child up for adoption? Was our MOWA letter going to be present at court? Is this adoption story going to have a happy ending? All these thoughts played over in my head again and again all night. Somehow after over an hour of me playing out every scenario in my head I fell asleep. When I woke up I decided that I would only think happy positive thoughts about seeing our little girl, however I have already broken that vow. One day lacking until our preliminary court hearing and only 6 days until we travel. Please pray with me that we will get to bring home our little A.J. very quickly and that all will go well with court. I know I have asked that several times but it's very important and it needs to be said more than once. We love you baby girl! -Mama 2 be!
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Monday, June 6, 2011
Single digits!
We are finally in the single digits!!! Only 8 more days and then we are off to see our beautiful girl! I am becoming so anxious it's crazy!! I can't believe we will actually be holding our little girl soon! I still feel like this is all a dream of course I know it's not, but who really gets to travel to Ethiopia and see their daughter for the first time???? It doesn't even sound like it could really happen! Wow I love this little girl already!! -Mama 2 be!
Sunday, June 5, 2011
A little sunday surprise!
Well I don't normally blog on the weekends, but I received a little gift from a couple who were recently in Ethiopia! They took pics of our beautiful little A.J.!! I cannot share the ones of her face, but I can share this one!
Aren't they adorable!!!!???? -Mama 2 be!
Aren't they adorable!!!!???? -Mama 2 be!
Friday, June 3, 2011
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Changing it up
Okay so I'm sure you've noticed that the number went from 15 to 12 in a day lol! Well I have decided to change the numbers to reflect the number of days left until we leave for Ethiopia rather than the number of days until we land in Ethiopia. I realized that we may not have internet access to blog the last two days seeing as how we will be traveling. So, yeah 12 days!!!! -mama 2 be!!
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Summer time
It feels as though Summer is officially here! 90 degree weather and pool time!! I have my second sunburn of the season; which is odd because I didn't burn at all last year...but oh well I love Summer time! This Summer is even better than the last because we get to meet baby A.J!!! T-16 days and counting! T-10 days until A.J.'s birth mother appears in court! -Mama 2 be!
Monday, May 30, 2011
Second that!
I second everything my husband said in his last post! I am also pleased to announce that we are now T-17 days!!!! -Mama 2 be!
Parental Sacrifice
Let me first remind that I am not one to espouse evangelism. I must, however, admit that in this adoption process my faith and my church are often appearing overly relevant. To this end, yet again, our minister and his sermon spoke to me and found volume in and to our time and situation.
This process of adoption has definitely changed the way I see everything. Everything. This week's sermon was titled "Why We Remember" and focused on Titus 3:3-7 (in case you'd like to reference this). Our minister, Dr. Bruce Tippit, always offers talking points to the congregation in the program. I found my connection, this week's relevance, in a modification of the sermon and the talking points. This week's talking points, directly from the program, were:
This process of adoption has definitely changed the way I see everything. Everything. This week's sermon was titled "Why We Remember" and focused on Titus 3:3-7 (in case you'd like to reference this). Our minister, Dr. Bruce Tippit, always offers talking points to the congregation in the program. I found my connection, this week's relevance, in a modification of the sermon and the talking points. This week's talking points, directly from the program, were:
- God in Jesus Christ loved us in spite of what we could never be (Titus 3:3-4).
- God saved us in spite of what we could never do (Titus 3:5a).
- God changed us even though we couldn't change ourselves (Titus 3:5b).
- Jesus gave himself for us when we had nothing to give (Titus 3:6-7).
I thought the scripture which spoke of the grace of God in saving us without our doing anything to earn it and without any expectation of return was moving and spoke to the solidity of my faith. Making this even stronger, the scripture and the above talking points brought my mind directly to thoughts of our little girl and how we are in this process in very much the same way as was spoken in the scripture. To this end, I made a few modifications to the talking points:
- WE loved our little girl in spite of what we could never be. Despite all of the things that we will fail at in our lives, we decided that our little girl mattered more than our failures to be more than what we are.
- WE saved our little girl in spite of what we could never do. Despite all of the things that we will never be able to do (save the world, change all the bad, prevent all of our mistakes), we decided that saving our little girl was far more important.
- WE changed our little girl's life even though we couldn't change ourselves. Despite all of our failures to change the aspects of ourselves that need changing, we decided that changing her life-- her situation-- was far more valuable.
- We gave ourselves for our little girl when we had nothing to give. Adoption is expensive. Each time a moment arises, more money is needed, and each time we have miraculously had the money (through saving and through the grace of God). So... Despite the limited resources that present themselves to us, we give ourselves to our daughter.
Once I had made these modifications in the program, I showed them to Megan. She took my modifications and added our little girl's birthday to the end of each bullet in place of the scripture verses. Each talking point bullet now reflected my modifications with "11.15.10" at the end.
After a few moments it became apparent to me that there was yet another set of modifications to the talking points which equally applied. These modifications reflect the ideas of the sacrificial parent (God, and our immediate parents). These modifications made me realize that our parents made the same sacrifice that Dr. Tippit was talking about in his sermon. Hence, I modified the bullets once more:
- WE loved our little girl in spite of what SHE could never be. A parent, my parents, Megan's parents love without expectation of reward in the form of what the child will become.
- WE saved our little girl in spite of what SHE could never do. Again, no reward, no return is expected in the unconditional love of a parent.
- WE changed our little girl even though SHE couldn't change herself. Time and time again parents save and change when the person being saved and changed is incapable of saving and changing.
- WE gave ourselves for our little girl when SHE had nothing to give. This is directly applicable to our situation but is also applicable to the love of a parent to its child and continues to reflect the idea that no reward is expected.
In the love of a parent, in the love of God, in the love of Megan and I to our little girl, nothing but presence is expected. We have decided to make this trek to bring home our little girl despite what she could never be, never do, can't change, and despite the fact that she has nothing to give. Likewise we have made this decision in spite of all that WE can never be, never do, can't change, and with what little we can give. Ironically, God asks the same: we are asked to only carry the love and the living message and to remain present as Christians.
As we count these days, as these days rapidly pass, I am more and more aware of the changes in my soul as God prepares me and prepares Megan to embody his love and to pay his gift forward. We are ready to be parents and to allow our little girl to rejoice in the sacrificial love we have to give.
On this Memorial Day, I offer my remembrance to those who have served in the armed forces, those who have sacrificed in spite of all of the things listed above, to God (and Jesus Christ) who chose to sacrifice in spite of all of these things, and to our parents who have lived as models to the power and potency of true sacrificial parental love. I can only hope that Megan and I will continue this tradition passing it on to another generation.
Come, days, fly by so that we may board that international flight to lay eyes on our beautiful little girl.
Friday, May 27, 2011
One more down!
Days are flying by and I couldn't be happier about that!!! -Mama 2 be
-13 days until A.J.'s birth mother is to appear in court- prayers needed please!
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Time is ticking
Twenty-one days until we get to see our A.J. and I'm already dreading leaving her. The only saving grace is that she is young and probably won't remember us leaving her. Please pray that things go smoothly at our court date and that we have a speedy embassy date! -Mama 2 be
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
The anticipation continues
Well as time passes we get closer and closer to seeing our little girl for the first time and it still seems like a dream...the actual thought of seeing her in person just amazes me. I am sure everyone is getting tired of hearing the same thing over and over, but all I can think about it holding her and giving her tons of kisses. If I'm half as emotional when I meet her as I am now she's going to think I'm a nut case lol.
I have been worrying lately about whether or not her birth Mother will be able to attend the preliminary court hearing and if our MOWA letter will be there...but then I saw this sign...it read " Worrying?...Stop and pray"...how fitting??!! Even my mother put it into perspective for me; she told me that it's out of my hands and she's so right. I will probably still worry about it, but I have been trying to let go and let God. Sigh, and hopefully I won't lose my mind in the process. -Mama 2 be
Sunday, May 22, 2011
As of Monday
Since I may be busy Monday I have decided to go ahead and post Monday's count down number. Only twenty-four days until we see our little girl!!!! Love her more and more everyday! -Mama 2 be
Friday, May 20, 2011
The longest days
As the count down continues these next 27 days are already dragging on. I have packed donations and I am sure I will repack them another hundred times. I'm just praying that this time goes quickly! -Mama 2 be
Thursday, May 19, 2011
count down begins!
Twenty-eight days until we get to hold our little girl! The excitement continues! -Mama 2 be
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
So little time!
It's crazy to think that in less than a month we will be traveling to see our little girl for the first time. Of course, we hope all goes well at the court hearing for her birth mother. While we know that day will be very hard for her birth mother we hope that she continues to think that the decision she made 7 months ago is still a great one and comes to court. We also hope that our MOWA letter is in the first court hearing...of course both of these could only happen if things went very smoothly...so cross your fingers and say a little prayer for everyone involved in this process please!
There are so many loose ends to tie up before we leave- boarding our dogs, someone to take care of our cat, find someone to watch little Amel who stays with us..long story...and how we are going to get all of these donations to the airport and then to Ethiopia in one peice...sigh...even with all of this to do we are loving this stress!!!
-Mama 2 be
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
We're leaving on a jet plane...
Some of the most beautiful words: "You will have to be in Addis no later than June 16th, morning!"
WE HAVE A COURT DATE!!!
We will get to see our beautiful baby girl for approximately six days starting on June 16 with our court date on June 20! It will be wonderful to see her, kiss her, hold her and will torturous to leave her on the evening of June 21. At least some solace can be taken from the fact that we get to move her to the foster home where she will have greater attention, constant medical, and where we will receive medical and photo updates every 7-10 days!
I am so pumped! After my LASIK I said that LASIK was the best money spent... this will now take that place.
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