Our shots are done, only two more oral typhoid vaccine tablets to take, bags are packed (full of donations of formula, diapers--cloth and disposable, and shoes), hopefully our visas will be processed this week, and we are racing to finish our big projects (me--work and school, Ababa--the kitchen and various other projects around the apartment). We had a wonderful "toddler shower" on Saturday and enjoyed spending time with our friends and B's future BFFs:-) We had our official travel call with our agency this morning, and we can't believe the time is almost here!
I leave Saturday and Ababa next Tuesday (don't get any ideas about breaking into our place as we have someone staying there while we are gone, and our friends will be keeping an eye on it as well:-)
Please pray that B's aunt's court date goes smoothly tomorrow and that she has peace about her decision, that our MOWA letter is written before we travel for court, and that our travel and court date goes smoothly. Most of all, please pray for B (and for us) that our hearts are open and we can begin this journey of becoming a family!
A mom, a dad, an amazing little boy who was born in Ethiopia, and a miracle pregnancy...our adventures becoming a family.
Monday, June 20, 2011
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Human pin cushions:-)
We got our travel vaccines today, including yellow fever, polio booster, and typhoid (oral vaccine), plus a tentanus booster and a Hep A shot for me. Feeling kind of yucky, but trying to power through!
One week from tomorrow is my last day in the office until the end of September.
I have no idea how we are going to get everything done at work, home, and school before then, but somehow it will work out.
A huge thank-you in advance to all our friends and family who are helping whether through watching woosha while we're gone, being so kind to throw us a "toddler shower" to celebrate, being patient when I am stuck at work until all hours of the night instead of keeping to our original plans, etc. THANKYOU!
One week from tomorrow is my last day in the office until the end of September.
I have no idea how we are going to get everything done at work, home, and school before then, but somehow it will work out.
A huge thank-you in advance to all our friends and family who are helping whether through watching woosha while we're gone, being so kind to throw us a "toddler shower" to celebrate, being patient when I am stuck at work until all hours of the night instead of keeping to our original plans, etc. THANKYOU!
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Only Three Weeks...
Three weeks from today, we meet B!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
In 16 days I leave for Russia, on June 29 Ababa and I will meet-up in the Frankfurt airport (he'll be coming from NYC) to fly into Ethiopia together and then on June 30 we meet B and July 1 we appear in court.
Please pray that this all goes smoothly.
Three things have to happen before B will legally be our son:
1. His current guardian has to legally relinquish their rights (please pray for peace and safety for them as it is a long journey and a heartwrenching decision!)
2. MOWA needs to write their letter approving our adoption.
3. Ababa and I have to both appear in court in Ethiopia
Then it takes several days for the adoption decree to be written...and then, B will legally be our son and can come live with us in Addis until he is cleared by US Immigration to come to the US and we all will come home together.
Things easily can take longer at each step of the way, and there are many possible complications.
But, as Ababa says, "if God say the same" in about three weeks we meet our son and become a family.
In 16 days I leave for Russia, on June 29 Ababa and I will meet-up in the Frankfurt airport (he'll be coming from NYC) to fly into Ethiopia together and then on June 30 we meet B and July 1 we appear in court.
Please pray that this all goes smoothly.
Three things have to happen before B will legally be our son:
1. His current guardian has to legally relinquish their rights (please pray for peace and safety for them as it is a long journey and a heartwrenching decision!)
2. MOWA needs to write their letter approving our adoption.
3. Ababa and I have to both appear in court in Ethiopia
Then it takes several days for the adoption decree to be written...and then, B will legally be our son and can come live with us in Addis until he is cleared by US Immigration to come to the US and we all will come home together.
Things easily can take longer at each step of the way, and there are many possible complications.
But, as Ababa says, "if God say the same" in about three weeks we meet our son and become a family.
Friday, June 3, 2011
Court Date:-)
Well, I can't contain the excitement anymore:-)
WE GOT A COURT DATE FOR SWEET B!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
We're still working out the details as it is smack dab in the middle of my business trip, so we'll see how it all works out! But, eitherway...WE ARE MEETING B IN JULY AND THEN LIVING IN ETHIOPIA UNTIL HE IS CLEARED BY THE US EMBASSY TO COME TO THE US (probably 6-8+weeks).
Our hearts are so full!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
WE GOT A COURT DATE FOR SWEET B!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
We're still working out the details as it is smack dab in the middle of my business trip, so we'll see how it all works out! But, eitherway...WE ARE MEETING B IN JULY AND THEN LIVING IN ETHIOPIA UNTIL HE IS CLEARED BY THE US EMBASSY TO COME TO THE US (probably 6-8+weeks).
Our hearts are so full!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Addis Projects
Well, this weekend is Memorial Day and that was my goal to stay peaceful and not start obsessing about getting a court date. I am still doing pretty well, but I think it's taking most of my concentration to concentrate on work and school. When I sit down to type my brain just keeps going, "when is our court date...will we pass this summer...will it be in July...will it be after I am back from Russia...will it work with Ababa's class schedule in the fall...will we pass the first time...how long will it be between court and embassy...." So, this weekend I'm going to post some awesome videos of ET and cool projects in my neighborhood and of course, the story of Vilele....
But, for today...
Korah video
The City of Addis Documentary
A Walk to Beautiful short
But, for today...
Korah video
The City of Addis Documentary
A Walk to Beautiful short
Friday, May 20, 2011
Rays of Sunshine
Two very cool things for today.
An Ethiopian friend gave us the meanings of B's Ethiopian names. When you put his American name along with those names, his whole name has the coolest meaning!
God heard
with his luck
my prayers were answered
How amazing is that?!?!?!?!?!?!??!?!? Even before we knew this, we loved his full name, all his names, and hope they represent something of the different facets of him--where he's come from and who he will become. We thoughtfully chose his American name (which is also an Ethiopian name) with much prayer (and Ababa and I each had dreams that was his name!) but we are amazed at how his whole name also represents our journey to him and God's incredible faithfulness.
No matter what the future holds, and whatever bumps we may encounter in becoming a family, B is truly an answer to our prayers! We know that God hears our prayers and believe that God is placing B in our family, but we also grieve for the loss B and his birth family have experienced. We don't understand how the beauty of B joining our family can come from the ashes of loss and pain surrounding the circumstances that are leading to him joining our family but we are grateful that it does and that God is working a miracle in bringing our family together.
For today, I wanted to show this video. It blew me away and made me smile:-). I am going to post more of the story of Vilele and his brothers later this week, but for now...here's Vilele.
An Ethiopian friend gave us the meanings of B's Ethiopian names. When you put his American name along with those names, his whole name has the coolest meaning!
God heard
with his luck
my prayers were answered
How amazing is that?!?!?!?!?!?!??!?!? Even before we knew this, we loved his full name, all his names, and hope they represent something of the different facets of him--where he's come from and who he will become. We thoughtfully chose his American name (which is also an Ethiopian name) with much prayer (and Ababa and I each had dreams that was his name!) but we are amazed at how his whole name also represents our journey to him and God's incredible faithfulness.
No matter what the future holds, and whatever bumps we may encounter in becoming a family, B is truly an answer to our prayers! We know that God hears our prayers and believe that God is placing B in our family, but we also grieve for the loss B and his birth family have experienced. We don't understand how the beauty of B joining our family can come from the ashes of loss and pain surrounding the circumstances that are leading to him joining our family but we are grateful that it does and that God is working a miracle in bringing our family together.
For today, I wanted to show this video. It blew me away and made me smile:-). I am going to post more of the story of Vilele and his brothers later this week, but for now...here's Vilele.
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Court Update
We got a quick update from our agency today that families who were submitted to court a few weeks before us just received court dates for mid-June. AAAAAAAAGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHH!!!! I'm trying to remain level-headed about this, but this is really, really, really exciting!!!
Please keep praying that we get a court date (and pass court) before the closure.
Sweet B, we may get to meet you in just a couple of weeks!
On a other note, I met my adorable niece V this weekend and am in love:-) B-you're going to have an awesome cousin to play with!
Please keep praying that we get a court date (and pass court) before the closure.
Sweet B, we may get to meet you in just a couple of weeks!
On a other note, I met my adorable niece V this weekend and am in love:-) B-you're going to have an awesome cousin to play with!
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