Plan for Homecoming

As we anxiously await news that we will be traveling to pick-up our daughter, many of you have asked how we plan to address attachment & bonding issues when arrive home. This is going to be a huge change for our entire family & we will definately need plenty of time to get to know one another & become a family! We realize that we can plan all we are able to, but until we are home we will not know exactly how things will work out. However, at this time, we do plan to spend the first 6 weeks at home with limited visitors & distractions. We know that everyone is excited about meeting O.E., & we hope to have some visitors but it will be important to limit the number of visitors we have at a time & the length of stay. If you visit or see us out, it will be very important for O.E. to stay in our arms. So, no holding our new sweet girl until after the initial period of bonding & attachement. Also, if you stop by or are at our home helping us, it will be important that we are the ones meeting all of her needs (food, drink, etc.). We are so thankful that so many have offered to help us & we will definately need it, but the best way to help will be to give the boys extra attention or bring us a meal. For those of you in town, we would love for you to come to the airport & help welcome O.E. home! We figure that she will already be overwhelmed from traveling & it will be okay to all welcome her home before we go into "hiding" for 6 weeks! We hope this makes sense & is not offensive. There are many different ideas in the adoption world as to what is best for forming attachement & bonding and there are different fits for each family. This is what we feel is best for us! Please continue to pray for us as we complete our adoption process & bring O.E. home!

Sorry!

Sorry for that pitiful post. I feel much better now...thanks for listening! Plus, I just finished off a box of cheesecake bits & am in the process of devouring a HUGE chocolate shake (thanks, Kendra, for that idea...there is great comfort in food! :-) )

Still Nothing

We still have not heard anything from court or immigration. I definately feel like I'm losing hope. I'm trying to remind myself that if we don't make it through, she will still be waiting for us. We will not be losing her (just several months of our life together...don't go there, K...). Anyways, We wrote our birthmother letter last night. That was so tough...very hard to express all that we want to say to O.E.'s birthmother. As a parent, I do not think that I have the level of selflessness that she must have....I know she would rather parent O.E. herself than allow another family to adopt her...still she has chosen what she feels is best for her child even though it has to hurt so badly...now that is selfless LOVE! My heart just aches with sadness & then anger that things are so difficult in Ethiopia that parents who genuinely love their children are unable to care for them. God, why...America, why don't we do more in Africa...oh, right...there's no oil there!? Please continue to pray. Sorry to be so BLAH!

Prayer Request

Tuesday is already finished in Ethiopia. That means only 2 more days left of court before closure. My heart is with all the families waiting to hear if they make it through. I think there are now only 4 more AGCI families. They added 2 more to the travel group that was suppose to leave this coming weekend but now don't have to be over until the next weekend (the 9th). I'm feeling that it is crunch time! Please pray we make it through! Also, long, long story, but I finially was able to get in touch with immigration (USCIS) & they have done nothing with our request to increase of age parameters to include a 4 year old. Ugh! At least we found this out now! We resent our request letter & worded it a little different, so hopefully someone will take quick action on it (we overnighted it, so it should be getting there). Please pray for some wonderful USCIS worker to get our request & process it quickly. Kate said to keep the pressure on them & if I don't have confirmation that's it's been completed by next Monday, to call her & we'd take it to the next level (congressman)! Praise the Lord we found out there was a problem with this, so we could get going on fixing the problem. Thank you for all your prayers. We expect that AGCI will be notifying the remaining families (including us) as to whether they made it through court at the end of this week. We'll keep you posted...please keep praying!!!

My New Favorite Product

As I've been on my quest to find products & knowledge that will help me care of O.E.'s hair & skin, I've found the most wonderful product & company. Stacy H. told me about "Shea Terra Organics". I ordered two of the African Shea Butter products & love them. Bath & Body Works doesn't have anything on this stuff. Yes, it's a little more than a bottle of BBW lotion (about $8.50 more), but this stuff will go a long ways. I'm sure it will actually end up not being more expensive in the long-run b/c it is so concetrated & moisturizing! Anyways, what is even more wonderful about this product is the company behind the product. Shea Terra Organics is very active in supporting self-empowerment & environmental projects in Africa. They founded a project called the "Ethiopian Goat Project" which provides goats, grain and training about goat care to families in Ethopia. The goat's milk provides nourishment for entire families and is wonderful sustenance for babies. Check it out for more on their story! I can't wait to lavish my girl's sweet skin with this awesome product!

http://www.sheaterraorganics.com/index.html

Packing

Tonight we started packing a few bags. No, we haven't heard anything, but we realized that we've already got tons of donations just piling up & thought we could go ahead & try our hand at packing the things we have at this point. We were pretty sucessful & enjoyed the challenge. We have one full 50 lb donation bag & one donation suitcase that is at 40 lbs. I know what I'm going to buy to fill up the other 10 lbs. So, we pretty much have filled 2 of our 4 checked bags. Plus, we got O.E.'s little suitcase packed (right now the plan is for that to be one of our two 15 lb. carry-ons...we have to make sure we make it to Ethiopia with clothes & toys for our newest family member...right!). All of you seasoned ET travelers...I'd love to hear how many of your 50 lb. bags you filled with your own clothes, etc. I'm trying to figure out how much room we have for donations. Hmmm... by the way, I'm soooo ready to know whether we will be traveling soon or waiting until the fall. :-( This is by far the hardest wait ever! I want my girl here & I want her here now! Please pray a) that we have a court date scheduled for this week (still no confirmation), b) that our court date will happen as scheduled & without delay, & c) for complete favor in court! I am so thankful for the wonderful people in ET who are working so hard to get as many children through court before closure. The love of the Ethiopian people for their children is amazing!

Hanging in There

We are still waiting to hear if we will make it through court before it closes. I have heard a little info here & there and I think it's enough to get me through. I don't think definate word will be given to the remaining families until the end of next week. We'll just have to wait & see. We're still working hard on gathering stuff for the trip & preparing in case we get to travel soon! I'm a planner, so I'm enjoying myself! Also, we've gotten a lot of new pictures of our sweet girl from traveling families! They have been brightening our days, as well! We've heard a little more about her personality & she is such a special little girl! We are so blessed!

:-(

I just heard from my adoption buddy in VA who got a referral for a 4 year old boy the week before our referral. They found out they leave for Ethiopia Aug. 2. There are 3 families in that travel group & we aren't one of them. :-( So sad for us but so excited for them! I believe there are now 6 AGCI families left waiting to hear if they will make it through courts. Please keep praying for us & these other families. It is so hard waiting without knowing anything! Thank you for praying!

Pictures

Wow! We just received 5 new pictures of our girl from one of the AGCI families that traveled this past week! We are so in love! Thank you, Adanise!!!! These have made this the most wonderful Monday!!!!

Thoughts

Here it is, Monday morning! My heart is excited & anxious to see what news this week holds. Here are some random thoughts that I have...God has been so good to daily refresh my spirit & remind me that He is with us.

~HUMILTY: Lately I have been overwhelmed with feeling inadequate for the things that are to come (bringing a fourth child into our family, dealing with attachment, etc.) & in awe that God has allowed us to join Him on this journey. I feel so unworthy...I can't do this! Why did He chose us...but I know we are just His vessels & we can't do this, but He can through us!

~FEAR: There are so many unknowns in this place of waiting & plenty of room for fear to try to creap in. Satan knows that God is doing something BIG & he is working so hard to replace God's peace with fear. I know that Satan is trying to blur our vision & distract us from the knowledge that God is in control of it all (court, traveling, attachement, language, etc.). In my Bible Study, God gave me a sweet reminder. "Those aspirations (vision to adopt an older child, etc.) are the ones I gave to you. You belong to Me. It's OK. Now shut up & jump" (Do You Thing I'm Beautiful? by Angela Thomas). GOD is going to finish the good work He has began...not me or N or our family, but God! We just have to trust Him & be obedient!

~MERCY, GOODNESS, & GRACE: God is so merciful! No, we don't deserve to be on this journey (of life with Him, of adopting our daughter from Ethiopia). We are not perfect. We mess up daily....over & over again. But b/c of God's grace & mercy, we are redeemed. He takes ALL that we are...mess-ups, heart breaks, EVERYTHING in our sack of ashes & exchanges them for a crown of beauty. God is so good! He has been reminding me so much of all the roads that have led us to this point (lossing my dad, miscarriages, etc.). Thank you, God, for loving us!

Now, Lord carry us through this week...no matter what the news!

Working Hard & Waiting for Our Girl

We've been busy, busy trying to wrap up little projects around the house (especially N) & trying to have fun without our little girl. We can't wait until she is here with us! The boys are getting tired of shopping for all the "girl stuff", but they have been good sports....especially R who has been my guinea pig for trying out anything from bow headbands to slings (remember my post a while back). He says I'm must think he's a GIRL...really he is just the closest brother to our little sister's size! :-) It is so hard for them to understand that she doesn't have any of the things they've been so blessed to have for their entire lives! We hoping for good news this week about court! But we are trying to remember that God's answer may be "wait" & if it is it's okay b/c He knows the perfect plan for our family!

Today

Today has been a day of impatience for me! All morning long I've had this nagging thought that our file had been misplaced or forgotten. Ugh! Then, I spent way too much of my afternoon stalking blogs & anxiously trying to find some comfort from stories of families who had been through this wait (yes, even looking way back through blogs & trying to see exactly how long it has taken everyone from referral to passing court to travel call...very obsessive). Then the phone rang & it was AGCI! Ahh (for those of you who may call our house...please don't...the sound of the phone ringing gives me a heart attack...Lol!)! It was Kate looking for our addendum to our homestudy! What? This should have been long taken care of! She ended up finding it, but for a few hours I thought my feelings were becoming reality! After a good cry & hearing that she found it, I'm feeling better now! On the bright side, I was able to ask her about how things were moving along for us & she said that we should have an update next week from court! Moving on...meltdown over...time to return to trusting God & NO MORE BLOG STALKING!

This sign has been on my computer for a while now. The blog world has been a wonderful resource & outlet through our journey, but there are times that it becomes an obsession & interferes with my faith. This is one of those times...it's time to just rest in Him! Praying for good news next week! Please, Lord, bring our sweet girl home!

No News is Good News???

We heard that a group of families who are like us (have a referral for their child & are waiting to get through court) received news yesterday that they definately will not make it through court before closure. Since we did not receive a call or email, we have reason to believe that we are still in the runnings to make it through before court closes for rainy season (August & September). This does not mean we are definately going to make it, but it is hopeful. I still have moments that I wonder if someone just forgot to call us or email us, but I'm not ready to email Kate to find out. I think I'm just clingy to hope & resting in the assurance that what is meant to be is meant to be & God is in control. I'm so sad for the families that received the difficult news....it has to be so hard to know that they will definately not meet their child until Fall. My prayers are with those families today & in the days ahead.

Week of Prayer

Long story, but a friend who is in ministry is at a conference this week for children at risk around the world. Guess who his prayer partner was yesterday...a gentleman from Addis Ababa (where Hannah's Hope is) who leads a minstry there. He shared that the upcoming week is a national prayer week in Ethiopia for "Children in Need" followed by a Sunday in which many pastors are dedicating the service to focus on children. How amazing that God brought this man into the path of our friend, so we could learn about this week of prayer & join with Christians in Ethiopia in prayer for the children! More details may follow....

Encouraged

I am feeling so much more at peace about traveling now. This weekend has been like a breath of fresh air. It has included LOTS of good 'ole retail therapy. I've been focusing on getting clothes & activities/toys for traveling. It looks like the temperature will be pretty consistent whether we travel next month or in a few months, so I figured this was a good place to focus my attention. I've bought lots of handband bows...a girl's gotta have a bow for every outfit...right!! I think we are ready to pack her bag minus a couple little things. Also, yesterday we went to an AGCI picnic here in town. It was such an encouragement to talk to other's who have been through this same wait (specifically the wait from referral to making it through court...which they all agree is the toughest of all the waits). I also got to pick the brains of several who have already brought their kiddos home & got lots of valuable bits of information & feel so much less overwhelmed about all the preparations. Now I think I am ready to tackle our birth mom letter & photo album. This is going to be my focus for the next few days. This is such an intimidating task. What an amazing woman our little girl's birth mother is! We have a picture of them together & it is full of love! She is such a strong, brave woman! This weekend I have thought a lot about how much courage it took to take steps to give her child a better life rather than allowing her to end up like so many children in Addis Ababa...on the streets. I believe she is a Christian & I can't wait until the day we are one big family in heaven celebrating our great King together! Now, the task of writing her a letter...WOW! I'm continuing to pray for good news this week about courts, but I'm resting in God's sweet peace that His goodness will be seen in His timing!

"I'm still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong & take heart and wait for the Lord" Psalm 27:13, 14

Please Pray

Please pray really hard that we will make it through court before closure. Word from AGCI is that we should know in the next few days how many families are going to make it! I'm trying to remember that God's timing is always perfect & His faithfulness has been so evident through out our journey. However, I know our little girl & so many others are in Ethiopia & need to come home as soon as possible! Please, God, move mountains...get tons of families through before closure!

& Running Low on Patience

Update to yesterday's post about how the wait is going....I've officially lacking patience today! I want my girl & I want her in my arms now!!!! God, please give me peace & patience!!!!! By the way, patience is not in my nature, so I know the waiting part of the adoption journey has a huge purpose in my heart. N realized a couple of weeks ago that my initials are K.A.L.M. We have laughed & laughed b/c I'm not a calm, patient person!!!! What a joke!

More Stuff

My sweet friend, Hallie, came by today with more goodies for Hannah's Hope (& to see our pink room & our girl's sweet face)! We grew up across the street from each other & I used to always babysit her. She was my hero when our twins were born. She took on our family for a senior project & came over several days a week for an entire semester to help me (& learn about child development, I think it was)! Thank you, Hallie, for everything!!!! By the way, she is getting ready to graduate from college & I would love to find her Prince Charming for her...any of my blog buddies have any good, Christian candidates????

Baby K'tan

I had a hard time deciding on what kind of carrier/sling to go with for our trip to Ethiopia to pick up our girl. I ended up going with the Baby K'tan (I think it was Liz who suggested it....thank you!). I definately may need to invest in a Ergo or Beco later, but I think the K'tan will be good for now (& I really wanted a wrap). I tried it with R &, as you can see from his face, he was not happy about being my guinea pig. He was a good sport though & I love it! No, carrying an older toddler for extended periods is not going to be easy, but I definately think this will make it a little easier! I can't wait to get my girl in it!
Everyone keeps asking about how the wait is going for us. We are definately excited & anxious, but we still have a wonderful peace. It is so good to know that she is being well-cared for at Hannah's Hope. They say she has REALLY attached to A, the orphanage director (to the point that she gets really sad when A has to leave the compound). It is so good to know that she is getting lots of love & hugs, but I am a little jealous b/c my heart wants her to be attaching to me! Please continue to pray that we make it through courts. I know anything is possible with God (& A, the orphanage director) in control!
You may have noticed my new hair do. I got my hair whacked last night. I've been thinking I would need something short & easy soon, but I had originally thought I would wait until after our trip. However, after our referral came & I knew she was older, I decided that may be an unnecessary change for our little girl after she arrives.

Surprise

Look at the suprise we found on our front porch when we returned last night from our weekend at my grandparents'! Our first donations for Hannah's Hope (& what a load!). Thank you, Jonathan & Beth!!!!

Needs at Hannah's Hope

Many of you have asked about the needs at Hannah's Hope. Here is the list of the most needed items. We are so anxious to begin gathering donations which we will carry over with us when we travel.

For babies
~Whole suitcase of diapers, half being for newborn babies
~Pull-ups (for the few toddlers that are almost toilet trained)
~Johnson and Johnson baby shampoo
~Lotions, baby oils and baby wash
~Diaper rash cream—Desitin is the best, or whatever other kinds you think is a better
~Baby Wipes
~Bottles-Avent bottles—both large and small sizes
~Clothing for newborn babies both for boys and girls
~Moses’ Baskets
~Multivitamins for babies—liquid drops. Also, organic flax seed
~Vegetable or soy based formula—this is the kind that is most needed
~Dairy based formula

Things for older children
~Shampoos and conditioners that are fortified for curly hair
~Dandruff shampoos
~Body soap
~Toothpastes and toothbrushes for children
~Body lotions—especially for dryer or ashy skin
~Clothing for boys and girls between 4 and 13 years old and especially need pants and pajamas
~Shoes including crocs, sneakers, for 4 through 13 years old children
~Bedding-sheets for the older children (twin sizes; Pink (bright), red and lime green)
~Chewable Multivitamins for the older children

Other things
~Scrubs in sizes small or medium for the special mothers**
~Air refresher (any kind that is safe to use in children/babies rooms an bathrooms)
~Regular size towels (both blue and pink).

Just Can't Sleep

What a wonderful day today has been! The AGCI families who were experiencing the delay in their adoptions got word that they are through court & the children are officially their's! This is truly an absolute miracle! It is a long, long story (& I'm sure I don't know the half of it), but only the hands of our great God could have worked it out! He is amazing! There were also several more referrals today. When I talked to Kate to confirm that our paperwork was good, I asked her if they were partying in the AGCI office! What a wonderful day & what an awesome God we have (now please let us get through courts before they close!...He, he, he!)! Now, I can't go to sleep! :-)

The Process from Here

Kate just called & all of our paperwork was correct! The process (as we understand it..please correct me if I'm wrong) from here is this: The AGCI coordinator in Ethioia is opening our file at the Ministry of Women's Affairs (MOWA) & the Federal Court of Addis Ababa. Once our file is reviewed by MOWA it will then go to the Courts for the Court date—this will be scheduled up to 2-3 weeks later. We have to keep in mind that it may not get scheduled until after courts reopen in October. We'll see. We are definately praying that it will get scheduled by the end of July (before courts close for August & September)! After the court decree is issued (whether it's before court closure or after), AGCI will request our U.S. Embassy appointment . Once this is scheduled, this will be the magic date that we have to be in Ethiopia (usually it's 2-3 weeks after the Court Decree is issued).