This is M's friend, M, updating for her while they are in ET. As I have been, I'm sure you all have been anxiously awaiting an update!
I got my first update today in the form of a couple of short text messages. A & M do not have internet access at their hotel this time, so details will be limited.
By the time all of us woke up yesterday morning (Sunday), E was in their arms! As I type this, E is sleeping peacefully in M & A's hotel room, as it is around 8 pm (Monday) there. She seems to have taken especially well to A and is looking to be a Daddy's Girl! He was able to get her to sleep tonight after a meltdown.
M reports that she did cry a lot yesterday, as is to be expected. She has a cold that is worsening, so that, of course, compounds the issue.
However, M tells me that they are doing great, and that E is precious, sweet, and cuddly! She has 3 teeth and loves to chew on spoons. She also says that E is much calmer than R. R is quite the bundle of energy, so for M & A's sake, let's hope this phase lasts at least until they have settled in at home and R has gotten used to her new baby sister! They had their embassy appointment today and that went well.
Tomorrow, M & A are going shopping while E plays at HH. Keep them in your prayers that their trip continues to progress smoothly and I will post updates as I receive them!
Monday, December 28, 2009
Friday, December 25, 2009
Merry Leave for Ethiopia Day
It's after midnight, so it counts.
A and I are doing bills. Too bad the whole world doesn't stop while we go get our girl.
R woke up a little while ago crying. Poor curly fry. She had a bad dream. I pray that she sleeps peacefully while we're gone.
We're packed, save a few things to throw in the bags in the morning.
I still don't feel like this is actually happening! My friend M will update the blog while we're in country if she hears from us.
Merry Christmas!
A and I are doing bills. Too bad the whole world doesn't stop while we go get our girl.
R woke up a little while ago crying. Poor curly fry. She had a bad dream. I pray that she sleeps peacefully while we're gone.
We're packed, save a few things to throw in the bags in the morning.
I still don't feel like this is actually happening! My friend M will update the blog while we're in country if she hears from us.
Merry Christmas!
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Making Progress
I have no idea how we prepared for our trip to bring R home with my working the entire week before, as well as having 2 baby showers and parent-teacher conferences! We would have never made it this time around.
However, A and I have both been off this week and working like crazy to prepare ourselves, our 2-year-old, and our baby's room before we leave on Friday.
This is not without some help from our friends and family. Thank god for them. Yesterday A's friend J came and helped him paint for a good portion of the day. This evening, J called at 5pm and asked if we could use some more help tonight or tomorrow... He and his wife came and helped us for a couple more hours! J, A, and I worked on the room while J's wife played with R the entire time.
And earlier in the day, A's mom came and watched R for us while I went to the dentist and A ran errands. She is coming tomorrow, too, but just to bring us the valance for the baby's window.
I'm loving how the room is turning out. I plan to try to post a few pictures tomorrow if time allows. If not, that'll have to wait until we get home, and then who knows when I'll have time.
I went to the store tonight at 9:3o or so to get some last minute things for the trip and milk, diapers, and wipes for R.
So yeah, tomorrow is Christmas Eve. Which is also Leave for Ethiopia Eve.
I'm exhausted and going to bed.
Good night.
However, A and I have both been off this week and working like crazy to prepare ourselves, our 2-year-old, and our baby's room before we leave on Friday.
This is not without some help from our friends and family. Thank god for them. Yesterday A's friend J came and helped him paint for a good portion of the day. This evening, J called at 5pm and asked if we could use some more help tonight or tomorrow... He and his wife came and helped us for a couple more hours! J, A, and I worked on the room while J's wife played with R the entire time.
And earlier in the day, A's mom came and watched R for us while I went to the dentist and A ran errands. She is coming tomorrow, too, but just to bring us the valance for the baby's window.
I'm loving how the room is turning out. I plan to try to post a few pictures tomorrow if time allows. If not, that'll have to wait until we get home, and then who knows when I'll have time.
I went to the store tonight at 9:3o or so to get some last minute things for the trip and milk, diapers, and wipes for R.
So yeah, tomorrow is Christmas Eve. Which is also Leave for Ethiopia Eve.
I'm exhausted and going to bed.
Good night.
Friday, December 18, 2009
Some Christmas Pictures
R got her picture taken with my friend H's kids recently. Here are some pictures from the photo shoot. It was a nightmare, but at least some of the pictures turned out well.
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Really? x 2
What is up with my child? Tonight, I got to pull a "pink raisin" (cranberry) out of her nose when we got home.
The thing is that I even checked all around her car seat to make sure there were none in it from the other night. Apparently, I missed one.
When we got home she had a flushed face and was sort of snotty (pleasant!). I asked her if she stuck something up her nose, and she said, "no, Momma." When we got in the house she would not get up in her chair to have dinner.
She finally said, "Mom, rais, nose." Yep, sure enough, I got the tweezers and got to pull a nasty, smashed up, snotty cranberry out of my child's nose.
Who knew being a mom was so glamorous??
The thing is that I even checked all around her car seat to make sure there were none in it from the other night. Apparently, I missed one.
When we got home she had a flushed face and was sort of snotty (pleasant!). I asked her if she stuck something up her nose, and she said, "no, Momma." When we got in the house she would not get up in her chair to have dinner.
She finally said, "Mom, rais, nose." Yep, sure enough, I got the tweezers and got to pull a nasty, smashed up, snotty cranberry out of my child's nose.
Who knew being a mom was so glamorous??
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Did I tell you?
My sweet little beet has gained 5.5 pounds since Oct.! When we got our updated info after getting our confirmed travel dates last week, I was so happy to see that she's starting to thrive.
We didn't get any new pictures like we did the first adoption with R. I was disappointed about that, but we will be able to take pictures of our own soon enough. Plus, if I'm being honest, the fact that she's not smiling in any of the pictures we have makes this momma so sad. So maybe it is a good thing.
I hear from another ET momma that her son is in the hospital in ET with pneumonia. Please pray for this little guy and that his parents are able to get into the first Jan. travel date to bring him home.
And, if I'm being a little selfish, please pray that my T stays healthy. All I want to do is hold her in my arms and know she's ok. My mom said recently that God must really want for her to come home... With pneumonia going around the agency's home and my mom's friend's death, she cannot get home fast enough...
We didn't get any new pictures like we did the first adoption with R. I was disappointed about that, but we will be able to take pictures of our own soon enough. Plus, if I'm being honest, the fact that she's not smiling in any of the pictures we have makes this momma so sad. So maybe it is a good thing.
I hear from another ET momma that her son is in the hospital in ET with pneumonia. Please pray for this little guy and that his parents are able to get into the first Jan. travel date to bring him home.
And, if I'm being a little selfish, please pray that my T stays healthy. All I want to do is hold her in my arms and know she's ok. My mom said recently that God must really want for her to come home... With pneumonia going around the agency's home and my mom's friend's death, she cannot get home fast enough...
Monday, December 14, 2009
She died.
My mom's friend, K, died about an hour ago. My mom's a wreck but is trying to hold it together. My mom can't really deal with things that are sad (can't watch sad movies or read books with sad endings), so this is going to be hard.
My mom did go see her today, thank God. And K's daughter made it in (she lives across the country) before it happened.
I freaking hate cancer.
My mom did go see her today, thank God. And K's daughter made it in (she lives across the country) before it happened.
I freaking hate cancer.
Really?
Yesterday we went to my parents' house to celebrate Christmas before they leave to visit my brother next week and we go to Ethiopia.
On the way home, R was hungry and wanted a "nack" as she calls it. I had dried cranberries (pink raisins to her-- "rais, pinnnk, peese Mom") so I handed her the baggie as we were driving down the interstate. It was dark so I couldn't see her very well, and I kept talking to her to make sure she wasn't choking or anything.
About 10 minutes from home, she started sneezing really hard. I said, "are you ok, baby?" and she said, "yeeaahh." The sneezing stopped, and she fell asleep.
When we arrived home, I opened the van door, and to my horror, sticking 1/2 way out of child's nose was a cranberry! She was fast asleep, so I pried the cranberry out of my sleeping child's nose. I looked down at the two cranberries on her shirt. They, too, had been up my child's nose, as they were covered in snot!
No wonder she was sneezing so hard.
This morning when she woke up we had a talk about how we do not stick things up our noses.
(And, yes, I do realize I should have taken a picture.)
On the way home, R was hungry and wanted a "nack" as she calls it. I had dried cranberries (pink raisins to her-- "rais, pinnnk, peese Mom") so I handed her the baggie as we were driving down the interstate. It was dark so I couldn't see her very well, and I kept talking to her to make sure she wasn't choking or anything.
About 10 minutes from home, she started sneezing really hard. I said, "are you ok, baby?" and she said, "yeeaahh." The sneezing stopped, and she fell asleep.
When we arrived home, I opened the van door, and to my horror, sticking 1/2 way out of child's nose was a cranberry! She was fast asleep, so I pried the cranberry out of my sleeping child's nose. I looked down at the two cranberries on her shirt. They, too, had been up my child's nose, as they were covered in snot!
No wonder she was sneezing so hard.
This morning when she woke up we had a talk about how we do not stick things up our noses.
(And, yes, I do realize I should have taken a picture.)
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Five Days
I have 5 days of work to get through before we go to get E. After that, I have nearly a week until we leave on Friday, Dec. 25!
Sooo, that's more than a little surreal to me. It's insane. After all this time, we are so close to bringing our girl home, and I can't really believe it is actually happening.
I'm starting to worry about R and how she'll do when we're in Ethiopia. I love that little princess so much, and it is going to be so hard to be away from her for the week. Ok, so maybe I'm worried about how I'm going to do when we're away from her!!
I worry, too, about the changes that are going to happen very soon for our family. I cannot wait to bring the baby home, but at the same time, of course that means everything is going to be different.
Change is hard for A, too, especially. He does not do well with change, and this is no exception. I know he loves the baby and is just as excited as I am to bring our sweet little beet home. However, like I've mentioned, A is on the Asperger's spectrum, and that means difficulty with change!
But we'll get through it, and before we know it, we will be on a plane to Ethiopia!
Sooo, that's more than a little surreal to me. It's insane. After all this time, we are so close to bringing our girl home, and I can't really believe it is actually happening.
I'm starting to worry about R and how she'll do when we're in Ethiopia. I love that little princess so much, and it is going to be so hard to be away from her for the week. Ok, so maybe I'm worried about how I'm going to do when we're away from her!!
I worry, too, about the changes that are going to happen very soon for our family. I cannot wait to bring the baby home, but at the same time, of course that means everything is going to be different.
Change is hard for A, too, especially. He does not do well with change, and this is no exception. I know he loves the baby and is just as excited as I am to bring our sweet little beet home. However, like I've mentioned, A is on the Asperger's spectrum, and that means difficulty with change!
But we'll get through it, and before we know it, we will be on a plane to Ethiopia!
Friday, December 11, 2009
The Faith of a Child
Today, I received the sweetest email while at work...
So, the song “Feed the World” came on and I was explaining to T about how it’s about how many children in Africa don’t get to celebrate Christmas because they don’t have any food or toys or money. She asked if at least Santa went to their homes, and I explained that many don’t have homes for Santa to go to. We talked about this for a few minutes and she disappeared.
A few minutes later she comes downstairs with her bank and asks me to open it and asks me for a baggie. She comes back with the entire contents of her bank in the bag and says she wants to “give it to the poor children who don’t get to celebrate Christmas.” She insists she wants to give it ALL. So, you will find a bag of money in R’s bag to bring with you to ET. On the bag she drew a picture of a child holding a toy “so that M knows what the money is for.” She also enclosed a small toy and a pen so they can “draw on paper.” I am seriously crying.
This is from my friend's 5-year-old daughter. So, tonight, when R gets home, she'll have in her diaper bag the most precious of the things I will TAKE with me to Ethiopia in 2 weeks. I think about the innocence of this beautiful child and her amazing spirit. How her sweet heart breaks for the children of Africa, of Ethiopia, as mine does and how she will be a change for them.
I am so proud of this child and in awe of her faith and compassion. How many of us are willing to completely drain our savings to give to those who have none? How many of us have the faith to believe that what we do, no matter how small, can make a difference for others?
I cannot wait until I see this tiny five-year-old girl again to tell her how proud I am of her, to tell her that I will carry her gift-- literally every penny she has-- with me to Ethiopia and share her heart and her story.
It makes me wonder what you, what I, what we all can do to be a change? What are you willing to give of your time and resources? And what I am willing to give? If T at 5 years old can give everything selflessly and without hesitation, what can I do at 30 years old?
So, the song “Feed the World” came on and I was explaining to T about how it’s about how many children in Africa don’t get to celebrate Christmas because they don’t have any food or toys or money. She asked if at least Santa went to their homes, and I explained that many don’t have homes for Santa to go to. We talked about this for a few minutes and she disappeared.
A few minutes later she comes downstairs with her bank and asks me to open it and asks me for a baggie. She comes back with the entire contents of her bank in the bag and says she wants to “give it to the poor children who don’t get to celebrate Christmas.” She insists she wants to give it ALL. So, you will find a bag of money in R’s bag to bring with you to ET. On the bag she drew a picture of a child holding a toy “so that M knows what the money is for.” She also enclosed a small toy and a pen so they can “draw on paper.” I am seriously crying.
This is from my friend's 5-year-old daughter. So, tonight, when R gets home, she'll have in her diaper bag the most precious of the things I will TAKE with me to Ethiopia in 2 weeks. I think about the innocence of this beautiful child and her amazing spirit. How her sweet heart breaks for the children of Africa, of Ethiopia, as mine does and how she will be a change for them.
I am so proud of this child and in awe of her faith and compassion. How many of us are willing to completely drain our savings to give to those who have none? How many of us have the faith to believe that what we do, no matter how small, can make a difference for others?
I cannot wait until I see this tiny five-year-old girl again to tell her how proud I am of her, to tell her that I will carry her gift-- literally every penny she has-- with me to Ethiopia and share her heart and her story.
It makes me wonder what you, what I, what we all can do to be a change? What are you willing to give of your time and resources? And what I am willing to give? If T at 5 years old can give everything selflessly and without hesitation, what can I do at 30 years old?
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
I freaking hate cancer.
I mean, duh, right? Who doesn't?
One of my mom's best friends, K, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1999. Since then, it has been an on-off battle, with tumors appearing and disappearing and chemo and radiation...
Those of you who have cancer or have had loved ones who did/do know the routine.
This fall, K's cancer returned with a vengeance. She went from taking an amazing job opportunity in DC and moving away to returning home for more treatments, more fighting.
But this time is different. K's condition has rapidly worsened. She's in the hospital right now and has been since Monday. I don't really know how much fight she has left.
Mom's been dealing with it through avoidance and trying not to think about it. I mean, she's over at K's all the time and is always doing what she can for her. But my mom doesn't do well with things that are hard or, well, horrible and awful.
If/when K dies, it's going to be horrific.
I freaking hate cancer.
One of my mom's best friends, K, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1999. Since then, it has been an on-off battle, with tumors appearing and disappearing and chemo and radiation...
Those of you who have cancer or have had loved ones who did/do know the routine.
This fall, K's cancer returned with a vengeance. She went from taking an amazing job opportunity in DC and moving away to returning home for more treatments, more fighting.
But this time is different. K's condition has rapidly worsened. She's in the hospital right now and has been since Monday. I don't really know how much fight she has left.
Mom's been dealing with it through avoidance and trying not to think about it. I mean, she's over at K's all the time and is always doing what she can for her. But my mom doesn't do well with things that are hard or, well, horrible and awful.
If/when K dies, it's going to be horrific.
I freaking hate cancer.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Shopping List
Ok, I'm in list-making mode and need some input.
Specifically, I'd love to hear some suggestions about things you purchased while in ET or things you hope to purchase when you travel. Yes, we've been to ET before, but we didn't do so super-hot on the shopping the last time.
So, silly request, maybe, but I'd love to hear your ideas.
Specifically, I'd love to hear some suggestions about things you purchased while in ET or things you hope to purchase when you travel. Yes, we've been to ET before, but we didn't do so super-hot on the shopping the last time.
So, silly request, maybe, but I'd love to hear your ideas.
Monday, December 7, 2009
Embassy Date Confirmed
We are booked to leave Christmas day to bring our sweet girl home.
Please pray for S that she gets some good news and is also coming with us.
Total travel time to Ethiopia from our airport to Bole: 24 1/2 hours, 19 in the air.
From Bole to our airport: 26 1/2 hours, 21 in the air. (Earth's rotation adds time on the way home...) Yeah, we added it up.
This picture has nothing to do with this post, but isn't it cute? This is R's BFF, N, and she in their matching Christmas shirts. M told them to hold hands, and they just did it! I love these little sweet girls, both soon to be BIG SISTERS! :)
Please pray for S that she gets some good news and is also coming with us.
Total travel time to Ethiopia from our airport to Bole: 24 1/2 hours, 19 in the air.
From Bole to our airport: 26 1/2 hours, 21 in the air. (Earth's rotation adds time on the way home...) Yeah, we added it up.
This picture has nothing to do with this post, but isn't it cute? This is R's BFF, N, and she in their matching Christmas shirts. M told them to hold hands, and they just did it! I love these little sweet girls, both soon to be BIG SISTERS! :)
Friday, December 4, 2009
Whatcha Y'all doing on Christmas?
Because A and I are tentatively traveling to ET to bring T home.
We are happy... but it is bittersweet. S did not receive the same good news today, so PLEASE pray for a miracle that she and her husband will also be traveling with us. The agency has not heard about their case yet, although they passed court on Tuesday night with us. We will be heartbroken if we do not travel together.
We are happy... but it is bittersweet. S did not receive the same good news today, so PLEASE pray for a miracle that she and her husband will also be traveling with us. The agency has not heard about their case yet, although they passed court on Tuesday night with us. We will be heartbroken if we do not travel together.
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Tick-Tock..
I’m super nervous about court tomorrow—tonight, really, while we “sleep” or whatever. I don’t know that I’ll sleep much. I’m just hoping we know before the weekend whether E is “our” girl or not. If she appearing in court, her birthmother is Addis already, and it is getting close to morning. What must she be thinking? Is she scared? Does she regret this decision? Will she respond to the questions we included with the album? Does our letter give her comfort or worry? Will she stop at HH to see T one more time and say good bye? Is there anyone with her for her to lean on? I hope she is not alone.
Will we pass court?
I've gotta say that this part of the adoption process is way more stressful this time than it was with R. Mainly because we know when court is this time. The first time, I slept in blissful ignorance while R's birthmother appeared in court, our paperwork was approved, and we passed on the first try. That was a Friday, and on Monday, my husband surprised me at work with the amazing news.
This time, I've been a ball of stress for 2 weeks since the date was assigned. I'm glad we know when it is, but it is way more stressful.
By tomorrow when we wake up, our fate will be decided. I'm praying for passage and for strength to endure the additional wait when we don't. (I cannot allow myself to feel confident about this.)
I just downed an entire bag of M&Ms without tasting it. Stressed much? Um, yeah.
Please, if you're the praying kind, please say a prayer for us, for our sweet daughter, for her birthmother, and for my friends S and D whose court date is also tonight while we sleep.
Will we pass court?
I've gotta say that this part of the adoption process is way more stressful this time than it was with R. Mainly because we know when court is this time. The first time, I slept in blissful ignorance while R's birthmother appeared in court, our paperwork was approved, and we passed on the first try. That was a Friday, and on Monday, my husband surprised me at work with the amazing news.
This time, I've been a ball of stress for 2 weeks since the date was assigned. I'm glad we know when it is, but it is way more stressful.
By tomorrow when we wake up, our fate will be decided. I'm praying for passage and for strength to endure the additional wait when we don't. (I cannot allow myself to feel confident about this.)
I just downed an entire bag of M&Ms without tasting it. Stressed much? Um, yeah.
Please, if you're the praying kind, please say a prayer for us, for our sweet daughter, for her birthmother, and for my friends S and D whose court date is also tonight while we sleep.
Monday, November 30, 2009
30 Days, 30 Posts
Did anyone notice it seemed like I had a lot to say this month? Just for the heck of it, I tried to do a post a day-- and succeeded!
This month has been a month of change and transition, so I'm glad that I have a record of my day to day thoughts as we fell more and more in love with our precious baby, received new pictures of her, found out our court date, and gave thanks for her in our lives.
I don't plan to post daily for a loooonnnng time. With that said, our court date is TOMORROW NIGHT so I'm sure I'll have a lot to say over the next few days.
A couple families (at least I only know of 2) have court tonight while we sleep. Please pray for good news for them.
This month has been a month of change and transition, so I'm glad that I have a record of my day to day thoughts as we fell more and more in love with our precious baby, received new pictures of her, found out our court date, and gave thanks for her in our lives.
I don't plan to post daily for a loooonnnng time. With that said, our court date is TOMORROW NIGHT so I'm sure I'll have a lot to say over the next few days.
A couple families (at least I only know of 2) have court tonight while we sleep. Please pray for good news for them.
Sunday, November 29, 2009
My Daughter's Birthmother
I have been thinking of her so much today. If she knows about our court date on Wed. and plans to attend, I'm sure she's weighted by it. I know I am.
I am starting to feel the enormity of what she will be doing... making the long trip to Addis, staying overnight in a strange place, appearing in court, relinquishing custody (God willing), seeing pictures of her daughter, and reading the letter we sent.
Today as I was getting dressed and ready to begin my day, it just hit me. And I wept. T's birthmother and I are forever connected, though we will most likely never meet. But in that moment when it felt like my heart was breaking in half, I shared her pain.
Court-- passing court, I should say-- is a beginning for us. The beginning of T legally and wholly being our daughter in the eyes of the Ethiopian government. For her birthmother, it is an ending. The ending of T being her daughter in the eyes of the Ethiopian government. A birth certificate will be issued, with my name as "Mother" and A's as "Father." It will be as though T was never her birthmother's, just always our daughter.
She says good bye forever to her daughter and I say hello forever to my daughter. Our beautiful, sweet, tiny girl...
Tonight my heart is heavy. I am praying that she makes the journey and that we pass court on Wednesday. I am praying for her-- for strength, for hope for her daughter, for comfort of her broken heart. For her to know that her daughter is loved and will be loved forever. I'm praying that she knows her daughter will be ok and that we will do whatever we can to give her a good life.
I am starting to feel the enormity of what she will be doing... making the long trip to Addis, staying overnight in a strange place, appearing in court, relinquishing custody (God willing), seeing pictures of her daughter, and reading the letter we sent.
Today as I was getting dressed and ready to begin my day, it just hit me. And I wept. T's birthmother and I are forever connected, though we will most likely never meet. But in that moment when it felt like my heart was breaking in half, I shared her pain.
Court-- passing court, I should say-- is a beginning for us. The beginning of T legally and wholly being our daughter in the eyes of the Ethiopian government. For her birthmother, it is an ending. The ending of T being her daughter in the eyes of the Ethiopian government. A birth certificate will be issued, with my name as "Mother" and A's as "Father." It will be as though T was never her birthmother's, just always our daughter.
She says good bye forever to her daughter and I say hello forever to my daughter. Our beautiful, sweet, tiny girl...
Tonight my heart is heavy. I am praying that she makes the journey and that we pass court on Wednesday. I am praying for her-- for strength, for hope for her daughter, for comfort of her broken heart. For her to know that her daughter is loved and will be loved forever. I'm praying that she knows her daughter will be ok and that we will do whatever we can to give her a good life.
Saturday, November 28, 2009
New Moon: A Review
M and I went to see New Moon tonight along with our husbands. Yes, baby girl is with the grandparents practicing for when we go get her little sister (hopefully soon).
I liked it better than Twilight if we are just talking about the movie. I didn't like some of the changes that were made from what happened in the book. However, of the 4 books, New Moon was the one I liked the least. I think the actors were better in this one, but I would have liked more Edward! (Of course during much of the book he's absent so there you go...)
Overall, it was a good movie, and I'm sure I'll watch it again. (A will most likely buy it for me as a "surprise" when it comes out on DVD. He's so sweet.) The books are sitting over there on my bookshelf, tempting me to read them all over again...
I liked it better than Twilight if we are just talking about the movie. I didn't like some of the changes that were made from what happened in the book. However, of the 4 books, New Moon was the one I liked the least. I think the actors were better in this one, but I would have liked more Edward! (Of course during much of the book he's absent so there you go...)
Overall, it was a good movie, and I'm sure I'll watch it again. (A will most likely buy it for me as a "surprise" when it comes out on DVD. He's so sweet.) The books are sitting over there on my bookshelf, tempting me to read them all over again...
Friday, November 27, 2009
A Blue Van and a Red Van...
When did M and I get so old? Today, we went to the mall for our annual day after Thanksgiving shopping. No, we did not join all you insane people at 4:30 at Wal-mart. We eased into our shopping around 12:30, had some lunch, and then hit the mall.
M has been my best friend since we were in 5th grade and 10 years old. We've been through a lot together, from being children to graduating from HS and having children. We now both drive minivans... and I realize today how "old" we are. M is pregnant with her 4th baby, and her first will be 10 in March. We're married and have husbands we love dearly even though they drive us nuts sometimes.
However, ever since we were mere children, we've always known how to crack each other up and have a good time.
So, yeah, I'm thankful for my husband, my precious daughters, and my family. But I'm also thankful for M. As life has changed, she's always been the constant in my life and me for her. It's an amazing (and comforting) thing to know that no matter what happens, I'll always have her.
M has been my best friend since we were in 5th grade and 10 years old. We've been through a lot together, from being children to graduating from HS and having children. We now both drive minivans... and I realize today how "old" we are. M is pregnant with her 4th baby, and her first will be 10 in March. We're married and have husbands we love dearly even though they drive us nuts sometimes.
However, ever since we were mere children, we've always known how to crack each other up and have a good time.
So, yeah, I'm thankful for my husband, my precious daughters, and my family. But I'm also thankful for M. As life has changed, she's always been the constant in my life and me for her. It's an amazing (and comforting) thing to know that no matter what happens, I'll always have her.
Thursday, November 26, 2009
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
We have so much to be thankful for this year...
I think about our referral of R around Thanksgiving. Two years ago today, I remember thinking it would be my last Thanksgiving childless. Little did I know that our first sweet daughter had already been born! Just a few short weeks later we received her referral, one of just a few magical moments in my life.
This year, I'm the momma of two beautiful daughters, and I am so thankful that my path has brought me to them.
As I celebrate and give thanks for the blessings I have, I miss my precious T and wish she were here with us. I pray that next week will be another magical moment and that I hear the words, "You passed court..."
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
I think about our referral of R around Thanksgiving. Two years ago today, I remember thinking it would be my last Thanksgiving childless. Little did I know that our first sweet daughter had already been born! Just a few short weeks later we received her referral, one of just a few magical moments in my life.
This year, I'm the momma of two beautiful daughters, and I am so thankful that my path has brought me to them.
As I celebrate and give thanks for the blessings I have, I miss my precious T and wish she were here with us. I pray that next week will be another magical moment and that I hear the words, "You passed court..."
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
The Great Apple Pie Disaster
UPDATED:
So, my husband made his fancy pie today while I was out in Christmas picture hell at Sears with my friend H and her 2 children. I called him, and he said the drain was clogged. I asked which one, and he told me it was the kitchen sink.
Do you know what that husband of mine did?
Apple peels (AND APPLE CORES!! AUUGGH!). Lots of them. Down the garbage disposal.
Huge clog.
Hence, the great apple pie disaster.
I'm trying not to stress about this. However, this is not the first time he's clogged up the kitchen sink. I just wish he would LISTEN to me about the garbage disposal.
So, my husband made his fancy pie today while I was out in Christmas picture hell at Sears with my friend H and her 2 children. I called him, and he said the drain was clogged. I asked which one, and he told me it was the kitchen sink.
Do you know what that husband of mine did?
Apple peels (AND APPLE CORES!! AUUGGH!). Lots of them. Down the garbage disposal.
Huge clog.
Hence, the great apple pie disaster.
I'm trying not to stress about this. However, this is not the first time he's clogged up the kitchen sink. I just wish he would LISTEN to me about the garbage disposal.
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Yay for Thanksgiving Break!
I love that we get Wednesday off as well as Thursday and Friday this week. It is so nice to have the day before Thanksgiving to prepare for the holiday. Not that I actually COOK or anything silly like that, just that I don't have to rush around after work or the morning of Thanksgiving picking up what we need to bring to my parents' house.
A is still on the cooking obsession, and this has extended into pie baking, specifically apple pie. He even bought a fancy-shamancy pie pan and some sort of pie vent thing. IDK... So maybe he'll bake a pie tomorrow, and we can take that, too. One less to buy. We'll see how it goes!
A is still on the cooking obsession, and this has extended into pie baking, specifically apple pie. He even bought a fancy-shamancy pie pan and some sort of pie vent thing. IDK... So maybe he'll bake a pie tomorrow, and we can take that, too. One less to buy. We'll see how it goes!
Monday, November 23, 2009
Ok. Here's the deal.
I think I must be just about the cruddiest person on the face of the earth. There was a baby shower for a friend at work today. It was nice... until another girl brought her 9 month old daughter in for the shower.
Sigh.
Now, obviously this baby wasn't a pretty little Ethiopian girl, but she was a baby. One about the same age as my little one. So, instead of being happy for my pregnant friend, I felt miserable. See where the cruddiness comes in?
Who is miserable (and more than slightly jealous) at a baby shower? No point in being sulky at an event whose purpose is to celebrate babies.
But sometimes it is really not fair. The lady with the baby and my pregnant friend get to be with their children from the moment of birth and before that. Whereas, my sweet baby currently is sleeping in a "transitional home" in Ethiopia, some 7000+ miles away.
Don't get me wrong. I wouldn't have it any other way... it is just sometimes really hard to be an adoptive momma. Today was one of those times.
Sigh.
Now, obviously this baby wasn't a pretty little Ethiopian girl, but she was a baby. One about the same age as my little one. So, instead of being happy for my pregnant friend, I felt miserable. See where the cruddiness comes in?
Who is miserable (and more than slightly jealous) at a baby shower? No point in being sulky at an event whose purpose is to celebrate babies.
But sometimes it is really not fair. The lady with the baby and my pregnant friend get to be with their children from the moment of birth and before that. Whereas, my sweet baby currently is sleeping in a "transitional home" in Ethiopia, some 7000+ miles away.
Don't get me wrong. I wouldn't have it any other way... it is just sometimes really hard to be an adoptive momma. Today was one of those times.
Sunday, November 22, 2009
National Adoption Day
It was yesterday, but I was dealing with my sick baby girl so I didn't comment on it. (She is fine today.)
It's strange to think about what my life, and my children's lives, would be like without adoption. I may or may not have bio kids at this point in my life for one thing. A and I may or may not live in a nicer house or any number of things. You get the idea.
But there would be no R or E in my life, something I can hardly imagine. There would be no trip to Ethiopia, a trip that changed my life in many ways besides bringing home our girls.
And my precious babies... I think a lot about what R's life would be like if she had remained in Ethiopia. The thought is painful. My beautiful, precious, spirited two-year-old... I don't know how her life would have turned out. For E, my concentration is on getting her home, but there are parts of her story that would be vastly different if she would remain in ET.
I don't mean imply at all that I have "saved" my girls from Ethiopia. While I am so thankful that they are my daughters, I am well aware that decisions made without their input or consent will have consequences for them, for us, for their birthfamilies, for their birth country.
So, today, yesterday, tomorrow, every day really, I thank God for the gift of adoption in my life. I know the road we've chosen will not always be easy for any of us. But I also know that adoption has shaped, enriched, and changed my life for the better. I'm a momma of two beautiful girls who do not share my DNA but will forever hold my heart.
Happy National Adoption Day!
It's strange to think about what my life, and my children's lives, would be like without adoption. I may or may not have bio kids at this point in my life for one thing. A and I may or may not live in a nicer house or any number of things. You get the idea.
But there would be no R or E in my life, something I can hardly imagine. There would be no trip to Ethiopia, a trip that changed my life in many ways besides bringing home our girls.
And my precious babies... I think a lot about what R's life would be like if she had remained in Ethiopia. The thought is painful. My beautiful, precious, spirited two-year-old... I don't know how her life would have turned out. For E, my concentration is on getting her home, but there are parts of her story that would be vastly different if she would remain in ET.
I don't mean imply at all that I have "saved" my girls from Ethiopia. While I am so thankful that they are my daughters, I am well aware that decisions made without their input or consent will have consequences for them, for us, for their birthfamilies, for their birth country.
So, today, yesterday, tomorrow, every day really, I thank God for the gift of adoption in my life. I know the road we've chosen will not always be easy for any of us. But I also know that adoption has shaped, enriched, and changed my life for the better. I'm a momma of two beautiful girls who do not share my DNA but will forever hold my heart.
Happy National Adoption Day!
Saturday, November 21, 2009
My (older) Princess is Sick
Poor little curly fry. She woke up this morning (at 10am when A and I woke her up-- normally she gets us up before 6 on Sat. mornings) with a fever, belly ache, and owie teeth. At least that's what she said.
She's been mostly laying on me all day but is up in her bed for a nap right now. :(
She's been mostly laying on me all day but is up in her bed for a nap right now. :(
Friday, November 20, 2009
New Moon
Ah, yes, my friends, in case you didn't know, I'm a Twilight fan. The second movie came out today... I would love to go see it, but I don't see that happening any time too soon.
I was disappointed with the first movie, but it was still Twilight, still a silly love story that just happens to involve vampires. I'm hoping New Moon is better than the first. We'll see.
If anything it is a chance to regress a little, to be a teenager again. To get my mind off my baby 7,000+ miles away...
Heck, maybe I'll read a Sweet Valley High book next! (M, Kind Smiles, perhaps?? That was classic.)
I was disappointed with the first movie, but it was still Twilight, still a silly love story that just happens to involve vampires. I'm hoping New Moon is better than the first. We'll see.
If anything it is a chance to regress a little, to be a teenager again. To get my mind off my baby 7,000+ miles away...
Heck, maybe I'll read a Sweet Valley High book next! (M, Kind Smiles, perhaps?? That was classic.)
Thursday, November 19, 2009
A Letter to My Daughter
Dear E,
It has been one month since I saw your face for the first time, knew your sweet name, heard your story, and longed to hold you tight. You are also nine months old today.
We are getting closer and closer to bringing you home, little one. I got new pictures of you yesterday from a dear friend who went to Ethiopia on a mission trip. She tells me looking in your eyes melted her heart. She says you're a little shy and wary of new people. She tells me you have a sweet little cry.
And the pictures. Sweet girl, I see your hair is growing, and you look bigger! You have a runny little nose, and you look a little sad especially in one of the pictures. You're sitting on your own-- big girl!-- and you like to play with little toys. I can't wait to hold your hand!
The older you get, the more the transition into our home is going to become more difficult. I'm trying to prepare myself for all this. I know that we've been waiting for you, but you haven't been waiting for us. In your short life, you've experienced more loss than most people.
Princess E, your daddy, sister, momma, and the rest of your friends and family love you so much. While I pray that in 2 weeks, you'll officially and legally be mine, I am preparing for a longer wait.
Regardless, daughter of my heart, know that whenever you do come home, that is what it will be.
Home.
Your last stop.
I love you,
Momma
It has been one month since I saw your face for the first time, knew your sweet name, heard your story, and longed to hold you tight. You are also nine months old today.
We are getting closer and closer to bringing you home, little one. I got new pictures of you yesterday from a dear friend who went to Ethiopia on a mission trip. She tells me looking in your eyes melted her heart. She says you're a little shy and wary of new people. She tells me you have a sweet little cry.
And the pictures. Sweet girl, I see your hair is growing, and you look bigger! You have a runny little nose, and you look a little sad especially in one of the pictures. You're sitting on your own-- big girl!-- and you like to play with little toys. I can't wait to hold your hand!
The older you get, the more the transition into our home is going to become more difficult. I'm trying to prepare myself for all this. I know that we've been waiting for you, but you haven't been waiting for us. In your short life, you've experienced more loss than most people.
Princess E, your daddy, sister, momma, and the rest of your friends and family love you so much. While I pray that in 2 weeks, you'll officially and legally be mine, I am preparing for a longer wait.
Regardless, daughter of my heart, know that whenever you do come home, that is what it will be.
Home.
Your last stop.
I love you,
Momma
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
We have a court date!
We received word right around noon today that our court date in ET is Dec. 2nd. This is the step that has to happen in order for E to legally become our daughter on the ET side. Several things have to happen in order to pass court. First, the birthmother has to appear and relinquish her rights. She will have to travel a long way in order to do this. Second, the Ministry of Women’s Affairs (MOWA) must attach their approval to both our dossier paperwork and E’s paperwork. Third, the Central Authority must also attach their approval document.
If we pass court, they must issue a court decree before we can have our embassy appointment to get E’s visa for her to be able to enter the US. The embassy MUST have this no less than 2 weeks before the embassy appointment.
There is an extremely slight chance all this could happen quickly and make the Dec. 28 embassy appointment travel group. It is NOT likely this will be the case, especially since our case manager has prepared to have 2 court appointments because of the difficulty in getting E’s birthmother to appear in court and some recent paperwork issues other families have experienced. If/when we do not pass court the first time, our next court date would be about 3 to 5 weeks after Dec. 2.
My main hope is that E is home before her first birthday on Feb. 19. This seems feasible even with the likelihood of 2 court dates.
I also received word that my friend S whose daughter is with E at HH has court the same day. We are praying that regardless of what happens, we will be able to travel with them.
If we pass court, they must issue a court decree before we can have our embassy appointment to get E’s visa for her to be able to enter the US. The embassy MUST have this no less than 2 weeks before the embassy appointment.
There is an extremely slight chance all this could happen quickly and make the Dec. 28 embassy appointment travel group. It is NOT likely this will be the case, especially since our case manager has prepared to have 2 court appointments because of the difficulty in getting E’s birthmother to appear in court and some recent paperwork issues other families have experienced. If/when we do not pass court the first time, our next court date would be about 3 to 5 weeks after Dec. 2.
My main hope is that E is home before her first birthday on Feb. 19. This seems feasible even with the likelihood of 2 court dates.
I also received word that my friend S whose daughter is with E at HH has court the same day. We are praying that regardless of what happens, we will be able to travel with them.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
The Non-Update Update
Just talked to our case manager. No new news on our adoption. I'm glad she's checking in and making contact with me, but honestly, I'd rather she just call when she has new info for us.
She did say she hoped she would be calling us with a court date "very soon" instead of "in a couple weeks" like I've heard her say 2 or 3 times since we got our referral. Progress, my friends, progress!
In happier news, my friend K who was recently in ET sent me an email with an update on my baby girl. The email juxtaposed with the phone call is making the phone call a little more bearable.
She did say she hoped she would be calling us with a court date "very soon" instead of "in a couple weeks" like I've heard her say 2 or 3 times since we got our referral. Progress, my friends, progress!
In happier news, my friend K who was recently in ET sent me an email with an update on my baby girl. The email juxtaposed with the phone call is making the phone call a little more bearable.
Monday, November 16, 2009
Back to School
Ugh. Applied to grad school today.
Educational leadership-- which is the master's one must obtain to get an admin license in my state.
So there you go.
As M said yesterday, I probably am insane, as the semester will start probably right when my baby comes home. But I feel like I need to start so I can say I'm at least working toward the degree/license when the curriculum position becomes open.
I hope I am making the right choice.
Educational leadership-- which is the master's one must obtain to get an admin license in my state.
So there you go.
As M said yesterday, I probably am insane, as the semester will start probably right when my baby comes home. But I feel like I need to start so I can say I'm at least working toward the degree/license when the curriculum position becomes open.
I hope I am making the right choice.
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Sunday Evening
Sunday. The start of a new week.
I am hoping, so hoping to receive word of a court date this week. I'm feeling so hopeLESS that right now I feel like E will never come home. In my head, I know that she will (someday), but in my heart, I just feel like we still have such a long road ahead of us.
Please, please, I want her home before her first birthday. Please.
I am hoping, so hoping to receive word of a court date this week. I'm feeling so hopeLESS that right now I feel like E will never come home. In my head, I know that she will (someday), but in my heart, I just feel like we still have such a long road ahead of us.
Please, please, I want her home before her first birthday. Please.
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Two Year Pictures...
Ugh. Disastrous.
I knew it was going to be bad when she fell asleep in the car 18 minutes before we got to the photography studio. That was her nap, and of course she woke up cranky.
We had dressed her in one of the outfits before we left home. It was cute, but I had also packed two more-- an ET dress and a cute pants and sweater outfit. I would have been happy with either of them and had planned to let her choose which one she wanted to do for her second outfit.
There was lots of clinging to me and crying and screaming at first. And in the middle and the end, too.
They got some good shots, I guess, but only in the one outfit and mostly up close, I'm guessing. The photographer will post them online tomorrow, so I'm hoping that I'm happy with them.
I am holding out hope that my baby will be home in time to get Christmas pictures of some kind taken.
This is extremely unlikely that she'll be home so maybe I should have just done some Christmas shots today, too.
I knew it was going to be bad when she fell asleep in the car 18 minutes before we got to the photography studio. That was her nap, and of course she woke up cranky.
We had dressed her in one of the outfits before we left home. It was cute, but I had also packed two more-- an ET dress and a cute pants and sweater outfit. I would have been happy with either of them and had planned to let her choose which one she wanted to do for her second outfit.
There was lots of clinging to me and crying and screaming at first. And in the middle and the end, too.
They got some good shots, I guess, but only in the one outfit and mostly up close, I'm guessing. The photographer will post them online tomorrow, so I'm hoping that I'm happy with them.
I am holding out hope that my baby will be home in time to get Christmas pictures of some kind taken.
This is extremely unlikely that she'll be home so maybe I should have just done some Christmas shots today, too.
Friday, November 13, 2009
Perspective
I spent the day today with fellow teacher at a conference. It was an eye-opening experience as this co-worker is in a wheel chair... She got in a car accident as a senior in high school and has been in the wheel chair ever since.
I learned a lot about what it might be like to be her. Lots of people look at you, the counter is too high to order your deli sandwich for lunch, you have to around and over and around again to find a ramp or elevator, people tend to talk to you a lot.
Yes, these are all obvious things. I know that. But I have not really "lived" it. And, yes, I'm well aware that walking around with J for one day does not in any way give me the full scope of her life.
However it makes me understand things a bit more, gives me some perspective. It gives me pause to think about how I treat others.
Two more things before I go to bed:
1. If you did not see the pictures of R yet, check out the post below.
2. I'm missing my little baby so much tonight it hurts.
I learned a lot about what it might be like to be her. Lots of people look at you, the counter is too high to order your deli sandwich for lunch, you have to around and over and around again to find a ramp or elevator, people tend to talk to you a lot.
Yes, these are all obvious things. I know that. But I have not really "lived" it. And, yes, I'm well aware that walking around with J for one day does not in any way give me the full scope of her life.
However it makes me understand things a bit more, gives me some perspective. It gives me pause to think about how I treat others.
Two more things before I go to bed:
1. If you did not see the pictures of R yet, check out the post below.
2. I'm missing my little baby so much tonight it hurts.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
My Baby is TWO!
Below are some pictures of my beautiful daughter from the past (almost) two years. Start at the bottom and work your way up to the top, as there is no way I'm going to try to rearrange them all. She brings such joy into my life, and I am so thankful that I have the privilege of calling her my daughter. She is such an amazing little girl! Enjoy the pictures!
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Veterans' Day
My school district is a military district in that approximately 40% of our students are students of military moms and dads. The district is home to a military base, and so I have taught students who have lived all over the world right along with students who have never left our area.
So, yeah, Veterans' Day has a lot of meaning for us as staff and of course our students.
Today we had a nice assembly, organized by a former marine turned teacher. It really makes me think about selfless the men and women who fight and/or have fought for our country are. I see what he, my students' parents, and countless others have sacrificed for our country and for our freedoms.
All I can say is, "Thank you."
So, yeah, Veterans' Day has a lot of meaning for us as staff and of course our students.
Today we had a nice assembly, organized by a former marine turned teacher. It really makes me think about selfless the men and women who fight and/or have fought for our country are. I see what he, my students' parents, and countless others have sacrificed for our country and for our freedoms.
All I can say is, "Thank you."
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
She's Precious
Don't you think? My friend M had a little birthday party for R today. (We sent cupcakes, and R came home with a party hat!) Here she is with M's gift to her taking her afternoon nap on the sofa at M's house.
Thank you, M, for making the day special for my daughter. You really are awesome.
(R's 2nd birthday is Thursday.)
Monday, November 9, 2009
"Go Duuu"
Well I learned tonight that R has reached the age in which I can't say anything around her I don't want her to repeat.
"Go duu" translates to "Go dude!"
The other day R was in the van with me when I was trying to get on the highway behind a semi. It was going really slowly as we headed down the ramp and into construction. I exclaimed, "Go dude!" as a I willed the semi to speed up.
Tonight as we were coming home from my friend M's house, we again got onto an on ramp to get onto the highway.
From the back seat, my little girl says, "Go duu! Go duu!"
After asking several options for what this could mean, I finally realized what she was saying.
Oops. :)
"Go duu" translates to "Go dude!"
The other day R was in the van with me when I was trying to get on the highway behind a semi. It was going really slowly as we headed down the ramp and into construction. I exclaimed, "Go dude!" as a I willed the semi to speed up.
Tonight as we were coming home from my friend M's house, we again got onto an on ramp to get onto the highway.
From the back seat, my little girl says, "Go duu! Go duu!"
After asking several options for what this could mean, I finally realized what she was saying.
Oops. :)
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Orphan Sunday
What a weighted word. Most of the time, I am able to sort of "forget" that R was an orphan for part of her life. But there's the part of her life that is different from most other people she'll meet. She was born in a country far from here, beautiful and amazing-- yes, but one fraught with disease, hunger, and suffering.
I think sometimes about what would have happened to my beautiful daughter if she had remained in Ethiopia. It is hard, even harder now that I have not one but two Ethiopian daughters.
I often think about the path my life took to become the mother of two...well, I'll just say it... two orphans. One I tuck into bed each night and whose little curly head greets me in the morning right after I wake up to the sound of her little feet running down the hall. The other, a sweet, precious baby whom I've never held or comforted, but who has completely stolen my heart.
My sweet girls. Orphans no longer...
I leave you with a picture of R and me taken at the orphanage where R spent the first weeks of her life before coming to HH and becoming my precious daughter.
I think sometimes about what would have happened to my beautiful daughter if she had remained in Ethiopia. It is hard, even harder now that I have not one but two Ethiopian daughters.
I often think about the path my life took to become the mother of two...well, I'll just say it... two orphans. One I tuck into bed each night and whose little curly head greets me in the morning right after I wake up to the sound of her little feet running down the hall. The other, a sweet, precious baby whom I've never held or comforted, but who has completely stolen my heart.
My sweet girls. Orphans no longer...
I leave you with a picture of R and me taken at the orphanage where R spent the first weeks of her life before coming to HH and becoming my precious daughter.
Saturday, November 7, 2009
I was tagged... like weeks ago.
(Check out the extreme cuteness of the post below if you haven't already.) Here you go. This reminds me of a frame that my mom and I bought and put a picture of my dad in, which says, "Everything you say is fascinating." I'm sure you'll find all this info fascinating, too! :)
1. Where is your cell phone: Sofa.
2. Your hair? Ghastly.
3. Your mother? Carefree.
4. Your father? Retired.
5. Your favorite food? Ice cream.
6. Your dream last night? In Ethiopia.
7. Your favorite drink? diet Coke.
8. Your dream/goal? Family together.
9 What room are you in? Family room.
10. Your hobby? Scrapbooking.
11. Your fear? Not passing court.
12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? Right here.
13. Where were you last night? Home.
14. Something you aren't? Judgemental.
15. Muffins? Chocolate chip.
16. Wish list item? Clean house.
17. Where did you grow up? 50 miles from here.
18. Last thing you did? Put R to bed.
19. What are you wearing? pjs.
20. Your TV? Football.
21. Your pets? Never had one.
22. Friends? Amazing.
23. Your life? So far so good.
24. Your mood? Fine.
25. Missing someone? Umm, E, of course.
26. Vehicle? Minivan.
27. Something you're not wearing? Shoes.
28. Your favorite store? The Children's Place.
29. Your favorite color? Red.
30. When was the last time you laughed? 15 minutes ago.*
31. Last time you cried? 2 hours ago.**
32. Your best friend? M. (since we were 10)
33. One place you go over and over? Work.
34. One person who emails you regularly? M.
35. Favorite place to eat? Local Mexican place.
* At R as she was singing and playing with Beary while I was putting her to bed.
** R and I were watching some video of the first time we met. I hadn't watched it in probably at least a year and had forgotten how emotional it makes me.
Consider yourself tagged if you haven't been already. I can't keep up anymore with who has been and who hasn't.
1. Where is your cell phone: Sofa.
2. Your hair? Ghastly.
3. Your mother? Carefree.
4. Your father? Retired.
5. Your favorite food? Ice cream.
6. Your dream last night? In Ethiopia.
7. Your favorite drink? diet Coke.
8. Your dream/goal? Family together.
9 What room are you in? Family room.
10. Your hobby? Scrapbooking.
11. Your fear? Not passing court.
12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? Right here.
13. Where were you last night? Home.
14. Something you aren't? Judgemental.
15. Muffins? Chocolate chip.
16. Wish list item? Clean house.
17. Where did you grow up? 50 miles from here.
18. Last thing you did? Put R to bed.
19. What are you wearing? pjs.
20. Your TV? Football.
21. Your pets? Never had one.
22. Friends? Amazing.
23. Your life? So far so good.
24. Your mood? Fine.
25. Missing someone? Umm, E, of course.
26. Vehicle? Minivan.
27. Something you're not wearing? Shoes.
28. Your favorite store? The Children's Place.
29. Your favorite color? Red.
30. When was the last time you laughed? 15 minutes ago.*
31. Last time you cried? 2 hours ago.**
32. Your best friend? M. (since we were 10)
33. One place you go over and over? Work.
34. One person who emails you regularly? M.
35. Favorite place to eat? Local Mexican place.
* At R as she was singing and playing with Beary while I was putting her to bed.
** R and I were watching some video of the first time we met. I hadn't watched it in probably at least a year and had forgotten how emotional it makes me.
Consider yourself tagged if you haven't been already. I can't keep up anymore with who has been and who hasn't.
Friday, November 6, 2009
Some Adorableness to Lighten the Mood...
Last night was a rough night for me. Had a conversation with my case manager and left it just feeling discouraged. I know she can't just tell me what I want to hear to make me feel better for a day or two. I know she's honest and cautious. So I know our conversation was what it had to be, no matter how much I wish it were different.
Before I forget (again) the website for the adoption baby book is: http://www.greerchicago.com/shop/. Type the title into the search, and you'll find it. I got a really nice reply to my "Thank you" comment that I sent to them. The owners are adoptive parents themselves, and the wife sent me a really nice email after I submitted my comment. So, if you're looking for a baby book for your adoption, that would be a good place to start! Let me know if you get it if you like it or not. I haven't started to fill out E's yet because she's not officially mine yet! I don't want to jinx myself.
Ok, onward to the point of this post. Here are some pictures of R as a cupcake. Adorable, no? Enjoy!
Trying on the costume after Momma got it in the mail. Yeah, she likes it! Thank goodness! I was afraid she'd refuse to wear it.
Trick or Treat: Take One-- My parents' town had Trick or Treat a different night than mine did, so R went two times. My dad has been talking since last year about how he wanted to take her, so here she is in her stroller, waiting for "Ahhdad" (Grandad) to take her out!
Cute or what? She did such a great job going from house to house! She would say "treeet pleees" (treat please), "tannks" (thanks), and "bye bye" (complete with a wave) at each house!
Enjoying some of the spoils of her hard work and extreme cuteness!
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Sometimes Waiting is..
... really really hard.
I want my daughter home.
I want this ache in my chest to go away.
I want to hold her tight.
I want my family on one continent.
Please do not tell me "It is all God's timing."
Please do not tell me "She'll be home before you know it!" and smile at me.
I know these things. But I don't want to hear them. Not tonight.
Tonight, I'd just rather you tell me that the waiting sucks and let me be.
I want my daughter home.
I want this ache in my chest to go away.
I want to hold her tight.
I want my family on one continent.
Please do not tell me "It is all God's timing."
Please do not tell me "She'll be home before you know it!" and smile at me.
I know these things. But I don't want to hear them. Not tonight.
Tonight, I'd just rather you tell me that the waiting sucks and let me be.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Luckiest Momma. Ever.
Yep, that's me!!
Do you ever just walk around in awe that your child is actually your child?
I do...
All the time.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Phone Scams
Ugh. Tonight we got a phone call from the "warranty department" telling me that the warranty on our van was set to expire today. First, the chick started to say the wrong vehicle, a Honda instead of a Toyota. I said, "What vehicle?" and she corrected herself.
Then she told me that they've been sending us notices in the mail that the factory warranty was going to expire, but we hadn't responded so that was why she was calling.
I said we'd received no such notices, and she started to get irritated with me. She said they'd been sending them to *the numbers of my street address* but didn't mention the street name.
Again, I asked which warranty this was, and again, she was snippy.
I said there was no way the warranty was expired. She argued that it was.
I told her we'd just bought the van 2 months ago. She said something else, and I repeated myself.
Then, abruptly, the phone disconnected.
Things like that really tick me off. Sure, I didn't fall for whatever scam she was trying to pull, but what if the next person does? It's just wrong. That woman had no right to call my home at 7pm while I'm reading to my daughter and harass me and lie to me.
What types of scams have people tried to pull on you?
Then she told me that they've been sending us notices in the mail that the factory warranty was going to expire, but we hadn't responded so that was why she was calling.
I said we'd received no such notices, and she started to get irritated with me. She said they'd been sending them to *the numbers of my street address* but didn't mention the street name.
Again, I asked which warranty this was, and again, she was snippy.
I said there was no way the warranty was expired. She argued that it was.
I told her we'd just bought the van 2 months ago. She said something else, and I repeated myself.
Then, abruptly, the phone disconnected.
Things like that really tick me off. Sure, I didn't fall for whatever scam she was trying to pull, but what if the next person does? It's just wrong. That woman had no right to call my home at 7pm while I'm reading to my daughter and harass me and lie to me.
What types of scams have people tried to pull on you?
Monday, November 2, 2009
Oops
Today A and I realized that R thinks she's going to go LIVE with my parents when her baby sister comes home. (Not just stay with them for a week while we go to get E.)
She's excited about it.
Oops. My poor little sweetie.
So I guess we need to work on talking to her about how there will be 4 in our family and that she'll come home when momma and daddy come home with E...
Suggestions?
She's excited about it.
Oops. My poor little sweetie.
So I guess we need to work on talking to her about how there will be 4 in our family and that she'll come home when momma and daddy come home with E...
Suggestions?
Sunday, November 1, 2009
November is...
... a great month to pass court!
That's what I'm hoping for. A court date. Soon. Passage on the first try. Pleeeease!
November also is Adoption Awareness Month.
What type of things do you do to celebrate adoption?
(PS-- Adorable pictures of R as a cupcake coming soon. My laptop hard drive is completely full, so I literally cannot download one more picture on it. I am going to try to upload them at work and add them from there. Brace yourself for cuteness. That's all I can say.)
That's what I'm hoping for. A court date. Soon. Passage on the first try. Pleeeease!
November also is Adoption Awareness Month.
What type of things do you do to celebrate adoption?
(PS-- Adorable pictures of R as a cupcake coming soon. My laptop hard drive is completely full, so I literally cannot download one more picture on it. I am going to try to upload them at work and add them from there. Brace yourself for cuteness. That's all I can say.)
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
History
(I'll respond to my getting "tagged" and more about the baby book probably tomorrow. Other stuff on my mind tonight.)
History.
We all have one.
In the case of my two daughters, they have a common history. They are (or will be) adopted. They are from Ethiopia. They have A and me for parents. They are Ethiopian Americans being raised by white parents. Etc.
However, how my girls come to our family is different. In R's case, she was referred to us at 3 weeks and home with us when she was little over 3 months old. Most of the time, when I think of her history, it is with us. All but 3 weeks of her life, I knew she existed and loved her. Even though we weren't together her entire life, her history includes her momma's love almost immediately.
E, on the other hand, her history's different. Depending on when we pass court and travel (I'm hoping for around Christmastime but am not holding my breath), she'll be close to a year old. A year of her life that I will know almost nothing about. And her history is... well, without going into detail you and I both know I can't share, her story involves more loss and grief than R's does.
I have three pictures of E. Three. That's it. I've never held her in my arms, kissed her sweet cheeks, or sung her to sleep. But in one of the pictures especially, this momma sees a scared little girl. A sad little girl. In all three, I see MY little girl.
My little girl who has dealt with loss. Uncertainty. Grief. Pain. Sadness.
So, my questions for you are these:
How do you cope with your children's histories? How do you come to terms with that time when you and your child were/are apart?
History.
We all have one.
In the case of my two daughters, they have a common history. They are (or will be) adopted. They are from Ethiopia. They have A and me for parents. They are Ethiopian Americans being raised by white parents. Etc.
However, how my girls come to our family is different. In R's case, she was referred to us at 3 weeks and home with us when she was little over 3 months old. Most of the time, when I think of her history, it is with us. All but 3 weeks of her life, I knew she existed and loved her. Even though we weren't together her entire life, her history includes her momma's love almost immediately.
E, on the other hand, her history's different. Depending on when we pass court and travel (I'm hoping for around Christmastime but am not holding my breath), she'll be close to a year old. A year of her life that I will know almost nothing about. And her history is... well, without going into detail you and I both know I can't share, her story involves more loss and grief than R's does.
I have three pictures of E. Three. That's it. I've never held her in my arms, kissed her sweet cheeks, or sung her to sleep. But in one of the pictures especially, this momma sees a scared little girl. A sad little girl. In all three, I see MY little girl.
My little girl who has dealt with loss. Uncertainty. Grief. Pain. Sadness.
So, my questions for you are these:
How do you cope with your children's histories? How do you come to terms with that time when you and your child were/are apart?
Monday, October 26, 2009
It's been one week...
... since we became the parents of two! In that time, we've opened our hearts to a beautiful baby, Baby T, our sweet little girl who we've prayed for. Could I be anymore blessed?
The waiting, it's painful, so painful. I try to steel myself against it, but it catches me at unexpected times, my eyes suddenly filling with tears and my chest tightening in a way only other waiting mommas can understand. I can't bear to think of her in pain or sick or in need of anything.
In this week, we've received all her paperwork and information. There is not much, but it is enough for us. We've talked to our international adoption specialist, and she's given us her opinion. We've shared our good news with our family and friends. We've stared at her pictures for hours. We've prepared R even more for being a big sister.
We've signed and notarized many a form and sent them all to our agency.
And now, we wait some more.
Wait
Wait
Wait
For a court date, for a travel date, for a gotcha date.
My heart is 7,000 miles away, stolen by a precious baby girl who has no idea I'm her momma.
Please, little one, hurry home.
The waiting, it's painful, so painful. I try to steel myself against it, but it catches me at unexpected times, my eyes suddenly filling with tears and my chest tightening in a way only other waiting mommas can understand. I can't bear to think of her in pain or sick or in need of anything.
In this week, we've received all her paperwork and information. There is not much, but it is enough for us. We've talked to our international adoption specialist, and she's given us her opinion. We've shared our good news with our family and friends. We've stared at her pictures for hours. We've prepared R even more for being a big sister.
We've signed and notarized many a form and sent them all to our agency.
And now, we wait some more.
Wait
Wait
Wait
For a court date, for a travel date, for a gotcha date.
My heart is 7,000 miles away, stolen by a precious baby girl who has no idea I'm her momma.
Please, little one, hurry home.
Sunday, October 25, 2009
The Perfect (adoption) Baby Book
I'm a history lover, a scrapbooker, and a writer. When we brought R home, I, of course, wanted a baby book for her. The problem? Baby books for bio kids abound, but I had trouble finding something perfect for my adopted princess. The last thing I wanted was something that would have a bunch of blanks or fail to accurately record HER history, her story! Finally, I found the perfect book:
I was thrilled to find this book and did my best to record as much information as possible for R as the months of waiting for her and then the time after she came home passed.
So, last week, after we got our referral and sweet E was suddenly a reality instead of a dream, I went looking (online) for this book again. To my dismay, I couldn't find it. Out of stock everywhere. Or I could purchase it for a mere $124 off Amazon. (The book retails new for $16.95.)
I was distressed. The book was the perfect one the last time around, and I didn't want to have to try to find a new one. But I didn't want to pay over 100 dollars for something that should be less than $20.
Today, as R napped upstairs, I searched the Internet. Finally, I found it! I actually bought 2 copies, one for me and one for a friend whose daughter is also currently at HH playing with E, I'm sure! I can't wait to get it.
Am I silly? Probably. But filling in this book, R's story, our life before her and after she came home, and her life both before and after us, was important to me. It's important for me that baby E also gets this history. If my house were on fire, I'd grab that book, my wedding album(s), and my grandparents' wedding album.
(In case you were wondering, no I'm not getting paid to advertise this book or anything like that. Just what's going on at my house on a Sunday afternoon while the princess sleeps!)
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
THE CALL (Y'all want details?)
Setting: Monday, October 19, 2009: 2:51pm. In my office at work. Suddenly, the phone rings. THE ring. The crazy one I had just the night before programmed into my phone so I could stop being so jumpy whenever the cell phone went off.
Caller ID: It's our case manager!!! Hands start shaking. Brief surprise that the phone actually works in my cement block, no window cave.
Me: Hello!?!?!
J: Hi, M, this is J from *our agency,* is this a good time to talk?
M: I had a feeling you might call today. (Nervous laugh and now the tears are flowing.)
J: She laughs. It's a good day! I have a little girl to tell you about.
At this point, I'm dashing upstairs to my friend H's classroom so she can be there. If A isn't with me, I want her there.
J starts to give me details as I sprint down the hall. I ask her to wait a second as I make it to H's room, gasp her name, and say "PAPER!." I kick some kids out of the workroom between H and another teacher's classroom and sit down.
I'm shaking so much I cannot write as J begins talking again. Tears are all over my face, and H eventually gets me a tissue or 5.
J tells me her name. Starts with a T, and I've never heard it before. She spells it for me, but I can't grasp it and spell it wrong. No matter. I learn MY DAUGHTER is 8 months old on paper, but she's small, very small, and if that is the case, she's most likely a bit behind what most children can do at 8 months. If she 8 months, she's most likely been malnourished for at least part of that time. The HH doctor thinks she's probably more like 4-6 months instead.
She is from the southern part of ET and came to HH on Oct. 12. She looks like other ET children I've met from that area. R is from the north, and so they both look Ethiopian, very much so, but in different ways. The eyes, they're beautiful. I see her spirit in them. She's tiny but strong. I so wish I could share her picture with you. Obviously, not yet. But I hope soon.
Blood work results came back on the 16th, and she's good to go. She has pink eye, and they're giving her drops. Her sweet head is shaved because she has fungus (very common, I'm guessing ringworm) on it. She had diarrhea when she arrived but is better now. She has a bad cold, but she's doing fine. She's 12 pounds. (That's how much R weighed when she came home at 3 months, so I know how small she is.) She's cutting a tooth and trying to roll over on her own. J says she can't sit on her own, but in one of the 3 pictures we have, she is clearly sitting up.
She makes eye contact and is very alert. She's perfect.
I call my husband. He says, "and why are there no pictures in my inbox?" J was sending them right then.
By then, it is 3:05, and the students are dismissed at 3:10 so I tell him I'll call him back when H's room clears out.
I text a few people. I can only get out the word "Referral" as my hands are still shaking. A lot. (My dad calls A and ask him what that means. He tells him it means he has 2 granddaughters now.)
I call A back. We look at the pictures together, over the phone, just like with R. Her daddy is speechless. He's in love with her.
She's our girl. Our sweet, tiny, miracle of a girl. Our baby E! Her big sister is so proud that she had to bring her own copies of the 3 pictures we received with her to my friend M's house today (she's there when I'm at work).
She's older than I had imagined her to be, and we got our referral in less than 1/2 the time we thought we would. When we got on the list in May, we were told the wait for a girl referral was 10 to 12 months and that it was slowing down. It's been 5 months.
So, my girls (if we keep her birthdate as is-- will decide later) are 15 months apart instead of at least two years like A and I had meticulously planned. (Sweet, she was born when I was still 29!!) But she's our girl, and I hope that my sweet daughters will love being so close in age.
And again, this is a lesson that we cannot put our timelines on adoption. With both, we've been completely wrong about timeframes.
That's it. :)
Caller ID: It's our case manager!!! Hands start shaking. Brief surprise that the phone actually works in my cement block, no window cave.
Me: Hello!?!?!
J: Hi, M, this is J from *our agency,* is this a good time to talk?
M: I had a feeling you might call today. (Nervous laugh and now the tears are flowing.)
J: She laughs. It's a good day! I have a little girl to tell you about.
At this point, I'm dashing upstairs to my friend H's classroom so she can be there. If A isn't with me, I want her there.
J starts to give me details as I sprint down the hall. I ask her to wait a second as I make it to H's room, gasp her name, and say "PAPER!." I kick some kids out of the workroom between H and another teacher's classroom and sit down.
I'm shaking so much I cannot write as J begins talking again. Tears are all over my face, and H eventually gets me a tissue or 5.
J tells me her name. Starts with a T, and I've never heard it before. She spells it for me, but I can't grasp it and spell it wrong. No matter. I learn MY DAUGHTER is 8 months old on paper, but she's small, very small, and if that is the case, she's most likely a bit behind what most children can do at 8 months. If she 8 months, she's most likely been malnourished for at least part of that time. The HH doctor thinks she's probably more like 4-6 months instead.
She is from the southern part of ET and came to HH on Oct. 12. She looks like other ET children I've met from that area. R is from the north, and so they both look Ethiopian, very much so, but in different ways. The eyes, they're beautiful. I see her spirit in them. She's tiny but strong. I so wish I could share her picture with you. Obviously, not yet. But I hope soon.
Blood work results came back on the 16th, and she's good to go. She has pink eye, and they're giving her drops. Her sweet head is shaved because she has fungus (very common, I'm guessing ringworm) on it. She had diarrhea when she arrived but is better now. She has a bad cold, but she's doing fine. She's 12 pounds. (That's how much R weighed when she came home at 3 months, so I know how small she is.) She's cutting a tooth and trying to roll over on her own. J says she can't sit on her own, but in one of the 3 pictures we have, she is clearly sitting up.
She makes eye contact and is very alert. She's perfect.
I call my husband. He says, "and why are there no pictures in my inbox?" J was sending them right then.
By then, it is 3:05, and the students are dismissed at 3:10 so I tell him I'll call him back when H's room clears out.
I text a few people. I can only get out the word "Referral" as my hands are still shaking. A lot. (My dad calls A and ask him what that means. He tells him it means he has 2 granddaughters now.)
I call A back. We look at the pictures together, over the phone, just like with R. Her daddy is speechless. He's in love with her.
She's our girl. Our sweet, tiny, miracle of a girl. Our baby E! Her big sister is so proud that she had to bring her own copies of the 3 pictures we received with her to my friend M's house today (she's there when I'm at work).
She's older than I had imagined her to be, and we got our referral in less than 1/2 the time we thought we would. When we got on the list in May, we were told the wait for a girl referral was 10 to 12 months and that it was slowing down. It's been 5 months.
So, my girls (if we keep her birthdate as is-- will decide later) are 15 months apart instead of at least two years like A and I had meticulously planned. (Sweet, she was born when I was still 29!!) But she's our girl, and I hope that my sweet daughters will love being so close in age.
And again, this is a lesson that we cannot put our timelines on adoption. With both, we've been completely wrong about timeframes.
That's it. :)
Monday, October 19, 2009
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Alma Mater
A, R, and I went to my alma mater to visit my sweet cousin, C, for the night. We arrived yesterday afternoon and got back this evening. It was, ironically, homecoming weekend, so it was very crowded. We hadn't planned specifically for homecoming. Just this weekend in Oct., we always have Friday off.
We were lucky to get a hotel room when I bothered to check online for hotels... Everything was sold out, my first clue that perhaps it was a special-event weekend. I played dumb and called the hotel we usually use. And we were in luck because they had a last-minute cancellation!
It is always nice to visit C, and I love returning to a place I spent 4 years of my life. We did some of my favorites and visited some of my favorite places. She's living in the same apartment/condo complex I lived in my junior year. Weird, as my unit--904-- was right across from hers, and we used to spend a lot of time in her building at our friends' place.
And most importantly, I got to have a burrito from my favorite Uptown street vendor! I brought a couple home to enjoy in the winter as well as a few for my friend M.
Overall, it was a great way to distract me yesterday from the suspense of my post below. And I won't even mention how terrible two-y my child has been the past 2 days...
Go Bobcats!
We were lucky to get a hotel room when I bothered to check online for hotels... Everything was sold out, my first clue that perhaps it was a special-event weekend. I played dumb and called the hotel we usually use. And we were in luck because they had a last-minute cancellation!
It is always nice to visit C, and I love returning to a place I spent 4 years of my life. We did some of my favorites and visited some of my favorite places. She's living in the same apartment/condo complex I lived in my junior year. Weird, as my unit--904-- was right across from hers, and we used to spend a lot of time in her building at our friends' place.
And most importantly, I got to have a burrito from my favorite Uptown street vendor! I brought a couple home to enjoy in the winter as well as a few for my friend M.
Overall, it was a great way to distract me yesterday from the suspense of my post below. And I won't even mention how terrible two-y my child has been the past 2 days...
Go Bobcats!
Thursday, October 15, 2009
The Suspense...
... is killing me!
Let's just say, for example, that there's been a lot of movement on the infamous list in the past week and a half.
Let's just say, for example, that we are now a very good number, you know, hypothetically speaking.
If this keeps up, by the time we do in fact get THE call, I'll have gone crazy and therefore will not be able to adopt anyway! Because I'll be nuts. I mean, more nuts than I feel right now.
AUUGGH!
Let's just say, for example, that there's been a lot of movement on the infamous list in the past week and a half.
Let's just say, for example, that we are now a very good number, you know, hypothetically speaking.
If this keeps up, by the time we do in fact get THE call, I'll have gone crazy and therefore will not be able to adopt anyway! Because I'll be nuts. I mean, more nuts than I feel right now.
AUUGGH!
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
ET Courts are Open!
A family using my agency passed court today. That's great for them!
And, of course, if I'm being a tad bit selfish, great for us, too. Because that means movement. That means more children uniting with their forever families and more beds open at my agency's home in ET. Which means we inch, day by day, closer and closer to meeting our daughter.
I am certain now that she's born and out there, making her way to us. With her big eyes and her courage, just like her sister.
Have I ever mentioned R is the bravest child I've ever known? I'm so blessed to be her momma and soon the momma of two ET girls. God is good.
Speaking of R, I'm home with her today. She's sick, the poor little curly fry. I took her to the doctor late this morning, and now she's sleeping soundly. She wasn't scheduled to have a flu shot today, but they did give it her, which saves us a trip back there next week.
Yeah, this post is scattered but so is my brain today.
And, of course, if I'm being a tad bit selfish, great for us, too. Because that means movement. That means more children uniting with their forever families and more beds open at my agency's home in ET. Which means we inch, day by day, closer and closer to meeting our daughter.
I am certain now that she's born and out there, making her way to us. With her big eyes and her courage, just like her sister.
Have I ever mentioned R is the bravest child I've ever known? I'm so blessed to be her momma and soon the momma of two ET girls. God is good.
Speaking of R, I'm home with her today. She's sick, the poor little curly fry. I took her to the doctor late this morning, and now she's sleeping soundly. She wasn't scheduled to have a flu shot today, but they did give it her, which saves us a trip back there next week.
Yeah, this post is scattered but so is my brain today.
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Chili and Cornbread
Is there anything better than chili and cornbread on a fall day? I took R to my parents' house this afternoon (she's staying overnight, too-- practicing for when Momma and Dadda go to ET to bring home baby sister), and my dad had made a huge pot of chili. Not just any chili-- my Grandad's chili. My grandfather used to make it for fall family gatherings. Maybe I'm biased, but his recipe is better than any other chili I've ever eaten!
What are some things that are fall traditions in your family?
What are some things that are fall traditions in your family?
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