Kidd Ethiopia Adoption

The Story of Selam and Abeba and how we were led to them.

2010-10-12T09:36:00.004-07:00

were led to Selem, to her sister Abeba, to the stoop of their hut, please step in with us and learn their story:

Our first day at our sponsor community called Look Development was amazing. We spent the time handing out care packages from all the families back home who treasure these kids. We, of course could not wait to meet our sponsor children in person. As Isabelle's firend walked through the door, her older sister was holding her hand. This was our introduction to Selem (10) and her sister Abeba (13). As we said hello and began giving Selam her candy and clothes and goodies, we learned what she needed was bigger than anything we could have put in that zip lock bag. They had just lost their only living parent to AIDS, and were living all alone! The 13 year old sister was taking care of them. The look of pain and fear and despair on their faces was indescribable. We knew we would be back in a week, and asked Look Development to help us help them. We left in tears that day hugging the girls and telling them we would see them in 7 days. They asked us to visit their house when we returned.

We learned later in the week that their house was in shambles and was not safe. They had no mattress, no blankets and no food. The window and door to their hut was broken, we agreed to pay for all these things and would deliver them when we returned. Prayers and prayers were lifted up for them and for our hearts to be prepared for what we would see. Nothing could have prepared us, and only Jesus, holding all our hands and holding me up could have gotten us through our next meeting.

At Look, we were shown all the supplies that had been purchaased for Selma and Abeba, but there was a problem, anything that had been given to them was stolen. We could not even bring them the basic things they needed, because what they needed was even more basic! PROTECTION.

We left to go see them and where they lived. We drove and drove, down long muddy rodes, until we were told we had to start walking. We walked down a thick path that led to their hut. They came running out and I saw smiles from both of them for the first time. You could see they could not believe we had come. Walking up to their house was sureal, part of my mind begged to not have to enter the door, to run away and to never look back. My flesh screamed..... my spirit walked me throug their door reassuring me that this was part of our purpose and God was with us.

We stepped into a dark square of a mud hut. All that we could see was an old wire bed frame, covered in clothing.......the clothing of their deceased father and mother. This is what they slept on. Did it bring them comfort? Could they still smell their parents when they selpt? On the wall, was a poster of Jesus, and there was a Mesobi (for eating and coking) in the corner. Also a very dirty yellow jug for water.....where did they even get water.....how far did they need to walk.....was it even clean? My mind was racing as the sweat began to drip down my forhead, and I watched a huge spider crawling inches from my face. I glanced at my 2 oldest, for a brief moment wandering if they were o.k......they were, but the looks on their faces I will never forget, as a work was being done right in front of my eyes.

Our representatives from Look were talking with Abeba and asking them how they were. I went weak as they described the nightly scene of drunk men coming to their house and banging on the window to get in. I pictured these 2 beautiful girls huddled together fearing that these men would break in and steal the only things they had, or even worse, steal from their innocent bodies. We told them we would pay for them to move into a new place closer to the Look Development office so they could be safe. They did not want to give up their house, it is the only memory and only thing left from their mother and father. They feared the gov't. would take it away from them. We told them we would fix their window and door and gate, so they would be more protected......I could see Abeba's face changing, she was mustering up courage, she was so sweet and so quiet, but her face told me something was coming........I knew in my heart what is was, and I was paralyzed. She looked at us and asked to be adopted. They want a FAMILY and to bbe ptrotected and loved. Pete and I barely caught each others eyes, as we had no idea how to respond. Both of us wanted to grab them and run and bring them home and never look back. Pete only said it was a very difficult and long process, and we would do what we could to help them.

We stood outside their house and hugged and prayed over them. I held each of them tight until they cried. They needed a mother's love and protection and the feel of safet, if only for a moment. I kissed them all over their faces and told them I loved them and we would see them again, and help them in the meantime. Isabelle and Johnny begged to give them all the food we had in the van, so we asked them to walk back with us. We walked down that path to the van, praying the whole way. I didn't know until later that night after looking at the pictures that we were all holding hands. Isabelle and Johnny love these girls too, and their hearts were broken and changed that day too.

As we said goodbye and drove away, I prayed to God to show me waht to do. It was no accident that we were led here, that we were to see these girls and to learn their story. As I licked my lips I could taste Selam and Abeba. Anyone who has visited orphans knows that salty, dirty smell that the kids have. You look past it, because you care more about giving them love than the dirt or smell they carry. For the first time that taste was so sweet and I didn't want it to go away.

My prayer, is that these girsl will be protected, that YOU will be touched by this story, moved to action of some sort, that SOMEONE may see their daughters in these two girls. Last night God told me to write this story and to share it, I pray that I was sent to these two for one of you.

Thank you for reading, looking into the dark and hard places that Jesus sees and begs us to walk with him. I thank you for passing this along to anyone and everyone, and for any step you take to help us help these girls.

UPDATE: A family read this post on Facebook and immediatley knew these were their girls. They contacted us while we were still in Ethiopia and have begun the process to adopt them!!!! Isn't God truly amazing.

Meeting Endale for the first time.

2010-10-12T09:32:00.001-07:00

Meeting Endale For The First Time! from Peter Kidd on Vimeo.

2010-07-15T21:03:00.001-07:00

Waking after a restful nights sleep. we are going to meet our son today!!!!!!!!

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2010-07-15T12:17:00.001-07:00

We made it to Ethiopia!!!! we had a great trip....the kids were fantastic. our house is perfect and we are exhausted-

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And......We are on our way!!

2010-07-14T05:23:00.002-07:00

We leave today for our adventure! 5 huge bags packed for our family of 6!!!! 11 Rubbermaid bins full of donations and food for us, and things we will need for our new house.

We are praying for safe travels, for the three little ones to sleep a good portion of our flight tonight, and for our stay in Ethiopia to be blessed. We are so thankful to get to spend time with our new son, to not leave him after court, and to visit our Hopechest orphanage. We will be delivering 89 care packages from the U.S.......what a blessing this will be to tell these children- one-on-one- about there sponsor families back here, and how much they love and think about them!

I am filled with excitement, nerves, and anticipation to see how God will use us, to see GiGi back in her country of birth, to meet my new son, and to see my older 2 FINALLY get to experience this place they have heard about for years.

God bless, and I will be updating soon!

WE GOT OUR REFERRAL!!!!

2010-05-13T20:08:00.002-07:00

We received our referral today for a gorgeous 12 month old baby boy!!

A First Encounter With Our Son from Peter Kidd on Vimeo.

We are on DECK!!!

2010-05-13T06:44:00.003-07:00

We got our "on deck" e-mail on Tuesday afternoon! This means that we are most likely in the next batch of referrals and we are very close to getting our baby boy's picture and bio!! I just can't wait to see his little face and what it looks like. Will he be 3 months old, or 9 months old? Is there any info. on his biological parents, or none.....so many questions, so many emotions. It is so wonderful going through it for the second time as I know so much better what to expect....mostly from my emotions. I do not do well when I am caught off guard with a wave of emotion. The waves come quick and furious sometimes with adoption. Well, lots of the time. I know to expect the unexpected, and even that helps.

We have a place lined up for us to live at while there. We will be staying at the Ethiopia Guest home for the several months we will be living there. So busy planning, and getting ready.

The above picture is from a walk I took with the kids on Mother's Day. I just wanted to be with them and enjoy. I have to admit I had a pang of sadness knowing that my 4th child was not with me, but I know he is meant to be in Ethiopia right now and God's got him under his wing of warmth and love and protection until He sees it is time for us to go. Next year the picture will be 2 vanilla babies and 2 chocolate babies.......oh what a beautiful sight!!!! I never would have imagined my family would look like this when I was younger, and now I can't imagine it looking any other way. Isn't this supposed to be the norm? :)

New Web Site

2010-04-26T05:42:00.005-07:00

Wow, has it really been that long since I have been here? Just in case there is anyone who still visits here, and just in case you had not heard of our new web site.....thought I would post it:

www.adoptionfathers.com

We are really no longer just chronicling our personal story, but are sharing many families stories on this new site. It was created to fill a void in the adoption community as far as support and a place for dads to have a voice. Us moms have had this blogging thing down for some time now, thank GOD for all of you. Blogs got me through our first adoption, and now reaching out and giving to others is getting me through this next adoption. Being able to share and give and potentially help someone (especially the dads out there who typically lag behind their wives in wanting to adopt) is so wonderful.

Love to all!

Andrea
I hope you will join us over there, and I will still update here as we get our referral for our soon-to-be baby boy!!

Amazing story!

2010-01-04T13:56:00.002-07:00

This is the story of a girl Pete met while on his trip. He spoke about her in one of his blog posts. She was sitting to the side in her wheelchair until they noticed she did not have a turn with the parachute. Pete said the smile on her face was incredible. As they left, he noticed she was crying, he asked an interpreter what was wrong. Pete was told she was crying tears of joy for the happiness and laughter she experienced that day. Here is her story, I pray it moves you as it moves me. Please join us in supporting children like this!

Rabia Sayid Story from Children's HopeChest on Vimeo.

I am back in the blogging world!

2009-12-15T06:26:00.003-07:00

Andrea posting here: Pete and I have our blogs set up together, so at the bottom it says he is posting this, but it is me. : )

Wow, it has been months since my last post! If there is still anyone reading this or following along...... thanks.

Things have been wonderful, crazy, busy, and full of God's blessings. Also, a little 2 year old who has been giving me a run for my money! Can I get a shout out from anyone else going through the terrible two's from a firey, spunky, and strong-willed little Ethiopian prince or princess.......whew! I thank God for her vigor and strength as it is a blessing and she is a survivor, but my goodness it has been a little rough. :)

Here is a brief update on our ongoing's and what God is doing lately in our lives:

We are waiting for our I-171 so we can submit our dossier for a baby boy! Yeah....so excited and also feeling so much more prepared this time around. Then....as soon as those words come out, I realize that one can never really be fully prepared for international adoption and what may come your way. At least I know how to better expect the unexpected. :)
We have been asking God to lead us to a bigger way to help and support the children in need in Ethiopia, and if you have been following Pete's blog, you have seen that he just got back from a Vision trip with Children's Hopechest, and we are sooooooo blessed to have found LOOK DEVELOPMENT and to be beginning the journey to finding sponsors for these children there. http://afatherseyes.blogspot.com/
LOOK DEVELOPMENT is located in Nazret and we have a need to find sponsors for 100 children to start. So many wonderful things to share about this organization and how God has led us there, we will be sharing more on that soon!
Enjoying our 3 kiddos and enjoying the Christmas spirit. What a pleasure.

If you are interested in potentially working with us and sponsoring a child, PLEASE post here or send me a message.

Looking forward to blogging again and hope all are enjoying the Christmas time with their family!

Considering adopting an older child? Read this

2009-08-19T12:16:00.004-07:00

Friends of ours through our adoption agency and our Yahoo Group posted this short and powerful post on their blog. Had to share it!! Thanks Raymer's for being awesome parents.

Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Nice Mommy and Daddy

If you need a reason to consider adoption, particularly to adopt older children, I submit the following two stories that are brought to you courtesy of Feromsa:

1. Out of the blue Feromsa began to discuss being at Kids Care Orphanage. In this discussion he made this comment, "In Kids Care I pray, 'Please give me nice mommy and nice daddy' and now I have nice Mommy and nice Daddy!"

2. In another discussion about being in Kids Care Feromsa offered this observation, "The big kids know that people don't want them. They want the little kids. I was scared I too big."

I don't think any commentary is necessary.

To read more of their story, follow their blog here

Well, I asked.......

2009-07-29T16:36:00.010-07:00

Gotta love the beach, corn rows and a cute bathing suit!!!!!

Asleep in her high chair...hee hee

She love that daddy of hers. When she is with him, I need to BACK OFF, she shake her finger at me and tells me "no no"!

We both just woke up.....I love that lovey cuddly time

"Sitting on the dock of the bay"- and fishing.....and crabbing!

So several posts ago I titled it "Lord Expand My Territory". Well, both Pete and I have been praying for some time now as to how and what He will lead us to. For a little while we wondered if we should move to Africa for a year or so and just DO. We continued to pray and we have definately heard His answer on a few things.

#1. WE ARE ADOPTING AGAIN!!!!! Yeah, we have begun the paperwork and are going back to Ethiopia for a baby boy!!! We are so excited and always knew we would be going back again to adopt another child, but it feels really good to be actually in the "chase" again. His name will be Mathew, or Matty as we have been referring to him.

#2. We are committed to finding an orphanage to sponsor and support (with our friends and family......YES THAT MEANS YOU!). We have been working and talking with Tom Davis and his team at Children's Hopechest for some time now and we are hoping that on their next trip, we will, or God will direct us to the place that we will be involved with. We will be following up with more on this towards the end of the year.

#3. We realized we would be able to do more by not actually moving to Ethiopia, but to leverage and gain as much support and help from our network here that we can make a huge difference there.....BUT we believe that money alone does not do the job, our hands and feet and eyes and arms to hold and hug and love need to be in action.........so Pete has felt called to go on a trip to do just this. He will be traveling with Tom Davis in November to Ethiopia for a vision trip. God willing he will get to see and meet the children of the orphanage that we will be sponsoring and greater than that, will be able to love on and give to as many children he can come in contact with. We laugh though, because as anyone who has been to Ethiopia knows, we think we are going to give hope and to give love and to give the word of Jesus..........while in the end we end up getting so much more. Between you and me :) I think Pete will come back even more changed and even more convicted than we are now. So, stand by as he will be creating a blog for his trip.....and anyone with referrals around that time who want some pics and love delivered to their child.....he will be visiting the Transitional home!

So, maybe this means I will actually start updating my blog again on a more regular basis. I hope~ and I hope that you follow along as we could use many prayers as we follow our passion and the mission we feel we are being ever more called to.

Now that I dropped all that on you, I am heading off to tuck 3 sweet peas into bed and pray for the 4th!

Gotcha day Celebration!!

2009-06-15T07:27:00.005-07:00

We can't believe you have been with us only one year Gigi......it feels as if you have always been with us. I also can't believe a year has flown by so quickly. You have made us so proud. You have worked SOOOO hard with weekly therapy and have grown stronger and stronger, day by day. Almost exactly one year after coming to us you have completely caught up and are walking, talking, loving~ and are a true miracle and blessing to us! Because of God leading us to you, we now have a greater love and passion for Christ, for Africa, and for helping children. Our hearts have been opened and our eyes have seen! Every time I look at you I am reminded of how much God loves us and how much he chooses us to be His children ~just like we love you and have you as our child. God has blessed us so much by allowing us to see all your firsts:

Your first tooth~ now you have a mouth full!
Sitting up for the first time
Crawling
Standing
Walking
Giggling~ the kind of free belly laughing that comes when something just hits you as funny. This took some time as you were so reserved and waited to let yourself open up.
Your first solid food~ now you eat ANYTHING and EVERYTHING
Hugging and kissing~ to watch you open up to love and affection and give it has been the best gift to us. To watch you heal from what you didn't get before us, and to learn to trust us enough to let yourself be fully loved and to give love and affection.

There are so many more things that you have done and shown us over this past year, but mostly we are beyond thankful that you are where you were always meant to be- at home!

We enjoyed some Ethiopian food, your favorite music by Ethiopian singer "GiGi", and a family celebration marking this special week that you came into our arms forever!

Walking Gigi!!!

2009-05-29T10:13:00.004-07:00

We are so proud of how hard Gigi has worked on her muscles and how far she has come in the past year. She decided to start walking this week......she and us are so happy!! Excuse the fun hair Gigi has.......when we approach week's end it is time for a re-do of the do.

FINALLY a video- Dancing and Giggling Gigi

2009-04-21T12:41:00.002-07:00

This one's for you Kari!

Photo Session!! One year Referral-versary!

2009-03-27T04:32:00.005-07:00

It has been one year since we got to see sweet Gigi's face.....and we received THE CALL. What amazing memories of that day and what lied ahead until now. Thank you GOD for blessing us!!!

We had a great time getting pics of the kids. Check them out! We love Mama Mia Photography, so
bloggy friends who live nearby, give her a call!!

Mama Mia Photography
Kari Anderson
Leesburg, VA
571-291-1457

Lord, expand my territory-My heart is still in Ethiopia

2009-02-10T13:51:00.006-07:00

Every day I spend some time researching, praying and looking at the need and situation in Ethiopia regarding orphans. I have been reaching out and finding my way as to where the Lord might direct me. I have felt so strongly, from before we even brought Gigi home, that there was more for me in Ethiopia. After being there and now being home for some time, I find I am even more on a mission. I know we will be going back to adopt again, but there is still something more. My prayer is that the Lord "expands my territory" and shows me how I can be used as His servant to help more orphans and just to make more of a difference. It is so exciting to feel this direction SOOO clearly and to pursue and pursue until He shows me I am on the right track. There are several areas and things I have been moving forward on and all are so exciting and have great possibilities.......what is more exciting is to see what the Lord does in my life and Pete's life and our families life. Or should I say what He will do through our lives- for the lives of many precious children. So many people and groups inspire me to keep plugging away and to keep supporting and searching for ways to help. I love Amazima's blog- what this woman of such a young age is doing is nothing but pure God and pure and true religion. Also, I had the opportunity to speak with Tom Davis, the author of "Fields of the Fatherless", "Red Letters", and "Confessions of a Good Christian Guy". He also heads Children's Hopechest. What they are doing in Africa is incredible and big and inspiring too! There are so many others out there who are "doing" and just reading their blogs and the stories of how God is paving the way for them to follow their passion for the needy children of this world keeps me plugging away. What I realize is that one person with a burden on their hearts and a desire to please the Lord and glorify Him in all they do- can do big things. This is my prayer and my desire and my search. I thought I would throw it out there for my friends to see and read. It feels good to write what is in my heart, thanks for listening/reading.

Some recent pics of the kids and Gigi, just growing up before our eyes!

A blessed reunion!

2009-02-02T09:38:00.003-07:00

What a gift.....we got to see sweet Meti and her awesome mother at the airport as they were coming home from Ethiopia! Meti was such a part of our week when we got Gigi. She loved Gigi so much and according to the nurse and nannies, she used to carry Gigi around and help take care or her. It was soooooo hard saying good-bye to her almost 8 months ago. She told us through tears she prayed she would see "Selam"/ Gigi again one day. I know Meti is so special and probably had this relationship with so many of the other children and babies at the orphanage, she displays so much love and joy and God's heart for such a young person- she is so special. I am so thankful that she is now home with her family who has adored her and prayed for her for so long. Her family is so special and what a treat to finally meet Patty too! She was incredible, and it was a treat to visit with them and have lunch and watch Meti and Gigi together again. Also, our two other kids had heard all the stories about this little girl, so they were so excited to meet her and visit too! Enjoy the pictures!

A lost camera can put you WAY behind on blogging!

2009-01-28T15:50:00.003-07:00

So, I finally bucked up and bought another camera. I thought for sure it would just *turn* up somewhere. I had visions of someone calling me to tell me they found my camera........the call never came. The camera never showed up under a couch, in a bag, or under the seats of the van along with the old dried up french fries and cherrios. Just thought I would FINALLY add some pictures. Took these yesterday and today. Gigi didn't know what to think of the snow, even more than that, she didn't know what to think of the "armor" I put her in which made her not be able to move. She handled it like a champ.

Latest pics

2008-12-10T14:43:00.003-07:00

What NOT to do during a Social Worker post adoption visit!

2008-11-10T16:19:00.003-07:00

We had our 4 month post placement visit and things seemed to be going so well. I had the social worker and Gigi with me, in the living room in front of our fire stove (it was a chilly day and it felt soooo good, plus the ambiance). Gigi was being so cute and her personality and energy was shining through. We were having great conversation yet WHERE WAS PETE?? Finally he called, he thought we were meeting AT the AWAA office and was there having them tell him our SW was at a home visit. So, he was going to have to conference in while driving home. The house of cards started falling down here. We did have a great time answering the questions and loved talking about how it has been since Gigi came into our lives physically. Then, the SW asked to see the nursery, and look around......no biggy. Then she said she wanted to talk to Isabelle and Johnny. I knew their true hearts as far as Gigi goes, so I was not at all concerned until we walked into the family room, my heart stopped!!! There stood Johnny with a real swiss army knife, opened!!! As we entered the room, he said, "look mommy, I want to cut"!!! Oh my, oh my, oh my, I ran over and took the knife and said Johnny what are you doing. He said, "I want to cut this paper, aren't there scissors in here?" Well, yes honey, but why don't we get you your Crayola ones that aren't so sharp. When I went over to get the knife I realized that there was a kit that my brother-in-law had given my son on the couch. It was a boy kit, and in it was the swiss army knife AND a fish hook, needle and fishing wire wrapped around a stick.....which I promptly removed from the couch un-noticed. WHEW!! I could barely look at the SW at this point. She must have felt her job duty was to chime in and she appropriatley said, "you really shouldn't be playing with that, it could really hurt you." Then as I sat down on the floor, I screamed as I sat on a bunch of MARBLES!!!!! Yes, marbles. My daughter had decided to explore her beautiful marble collection and dump them out all over the floor. I tried to calmly shuffle them close to me as she talked to the kids, but the "CLINK, CLINK" was giving it away, as well as the scream I first gave out without any explanation. I started laughing and just said, "This is so not what to have your kids doing when you have the social worker come to visit", and we laughed. I made sure I pointed out that Gigi wasn't mobile yet, as we already covered, but we did need to remove all choke-ees from our toy closet very soon. :) So....we wrapped up as Pete walked in the door, said our goo-byes, and I think we passed!!!!

Doing the "Do"

2008-10-20T12:19:00.003-07:00

She is such a ham, she always scrunches up her face when she smiles at the camera.

I am having fun at trying new "do's" on GiGi. This one turned out really good. As long as I can get her to sit long enough, we are good to go. I also learned this time that doing it after a bath when her hair was a little wet made it easier.

Look who's upright!!

2008-10-19T12:08:00.003-07:00

This is a HUGE step for GiGi. She has not wanted to put any weight on her legs, so for her to be standing by herself is MAJOR!! The physical therapy seems to be working and she is so proud of herself.

Lights, Camera, Action!

2008-10-18T04:50:00.003-07:00

I realize now that I could never be an actress or newsperson........Pete; however, could! We were so blessed to be called a couple weeks ago for an interview. I may be getting this a little wrong, but here is what I remember: The group within the government who regulates and oversees international adoptions put out new regulations (things that we did not have to do for our adoption). One is that the family needs so many hours of education before proceeding with their adoptions....again, we did not have to do this, but apparently we will next time. Anyway, they were putting together a movie on international adoption which everyone will be required to watch who is adopting internationally. Since Ethiopia adoptions have been so popular and numbers are rising, they really wanted a family to interview and to talk about the process and experience. So.......we packed up GiGi and Pete and I and we headed to DC for our talk. When I sat on the couch in front of the huge, hot lights and the cameras, I felt a tad nervous!! I really wanted to do good, but there were times I really felt like I was on a roll, hitting some good lessens learned, etc. and then the camera guy would stop me and say "ooohhh, your baby hit your mic. during that, can you move her to your husband and start over, that was great." AHHHHHHHHHHHH, what was I saying again? I would totally clam up and could not repeat the same thing. When you are passionlately talking about something and have to "TAKE TWO", it is really hard. Anyway, overall, I think we did good. Pete seemed so comfortable......maybe too comfortable. Come to think of it, I believe he LOVED the spotlight! We laughed that if all the sound bites are from him, we will know how I really did. But seriously, it was a true blessing to be able to talk and share about our experience. So, if you see us one day, stop back here and say hi- and you are free to make fun of me! :)

Gabrielle is ONE!!!!

2008-10-08T12:21:00.004-07:00

I made a duck cake and she loved it....her first taste of cake. We had a candle in an Ethiopian candle holder that we lit in honor of her birth mommy. It was VERY emotional for Pete and I. We want to make sure we thank her, remember her, and pray for her every birthday GiGi has, as that day is more about her and GiGi than us. I now realize why adoptive families celebrate "gotcha days" like birthdays.

More Pics

2008-10-01T15:20:00.005-07:00

GiGi does SO BIG with her arms when you say it.......the cutest thing!!

Our latest happenings

2008-08-21T12:27:00.005-07:00

Gabrielle will be 11 months the end of this month and I was looking into what types of things I could do to help with her development. She has made such strides since coming home. I mean she was 8 months old and did not have full head control. However I am an American mom with American Dr's. who have all kinds of goals and such. On the possitive note, we also have so many wonderful programs here - thank God, to assist children who are not where they should be developmentally. We could not get her to bear weight on her legs. You would put her in standing position and she would just bend and her legs would not do anything. I wasn't worried, just more concerned that I did not know how to stimulate her or work with her. I wasn't sure if the things I was doing were hurting or helping or even discouraging her. Her pediatrician had us call a local county program and they were so nice. If a child is more then 25% behind the county will pay for the physical therapy- we have an appt. Monday. Well, last night I pulled up on her little arms and said "up" and could not believe it when she actually straightened her legs and stood right up!! She doesn't hold it for long, but if you have seen her you know this is MAJOR!!!! I was screaming and laughing and saying "good girl" in the high shreek that my 6 year old does it. I know it is such a small step, but it is so major to see her for the first time using her lower body.

On to another topic.......when to leave baby for the first time. We have not left Gabrielle at all since she has been home. Either Pete or I have been with her nonstop. I have been really trying to work on my running routine again.......not so easy with 3 young kids who are all home. I don't have a triple jogger (laugh), so it has been challenging. I squeeze it in when Pete gets home, or on the weekends, or do the double jogger if Isabelle is at camp or a friends house. Well, we have an amazing little girl in the neighborhood who loves the kids and always wants to help out. She is too young to leave to go out or shopping, but wonderful to be with the kids outside or playing while I get things done around here. So, my BIG plan was to have her come while GiGi was sleeping and RUN!! The thought of this time alone on the mountain, with the fresh air, running like the wind to my music blasting in my ear without pushing 100 lbs. of kids or watching the canopy raise every 2 minutes with wonderful comments about their space in the stroller being compromised, or the need to stop to check out the cool bug on the road, the occasional snake, or the pee break. I was beyond happy until I realized that our nap schedule was off due to a Dr.'s appt. in the morning. So, like any good mom, I panicked and called "daddy" wondering if it was really bad to have GiGi here with an 11 year old, sitting in the family room with her toys, should she wake up. He said, no she is ready, you will only be gone 30 minutes or so. Sweet, I just needed a little support, so on with my plan; however we know the plan never really works out like we think. I thought GiGi would have been awake before I left, but she wasn't. So, I told the sitter if she woke up and was upset to call me, but she would see Isabelle and Johnny and should be fine. Well, I did get to go up the mountain, and on the way down, cruising to "How Great is our God" (thinking I had struck gold and really gotten smart about squeezing my time in with 3 kids), the phone buzzed in my hand. I pulled up and the runners high was broken immediatlely upon seeing my home number. GiGi was FREAKING out, Isabelle and Johnny made her call because they had never heard her cry like this before. I was on my way........now I am running with the TOTAL opposite feelings. I felt like the worst mom, how could I leave this child and think she would not wake up and be scared to see another face. I was now running, not like the wind, but heavily and hard. I pulled up with my hamstring- tight!!! I stretched and tried to run again.....not happening. I didn't pull it bad, but there would be NO running back home or it would be bad. As I am now WALKING ( when I felt like flagging a random car to get back to my scared, freaking out baby) I am WALKING like there was all the time in the world. I literally laughed out loud and thought, "God, you are really funny". I don't know what this means, but it is funny. I have never wanted to get back to my house so quickly from a run before, and I have never gotten there so slowly. When I got home, she was fine.......definatley looked as though she had been screaming HARD, but she calmed very quickly with me and we moved on. I don't think she is scarred for life, but we will be waiting a little longer before I try that lovely plan again!

We are home from the hospital!

2008-08-10T12:32:00.004-07:00

WHEW! I am sort of snickering as I see what my last post read and now this one. Oh how things can change with kids so fast. We were on vacation last week, had Gabrielle in the ER one day because of a fever following a bad chest cold.....after many tests and LOTS of poking and screaming, we learned it was a virus!! We got home Thursday night and I said to Pete that I we should take her to the Dr. since the fever just wasn't staying away without Motrin. She seemed great Friday morning and I was so happy I had not given her any Motrin.......well when I went to get her from her nap my knees went weak. She was pretty out of it and was BURNING up like I have never felt in a child. I took her temp the "back-end" way to get the most accurate reading......good thing I was on the floor with her because it was 105! Her Dr. said to take her straight to the Pediatric ER we have here. OH MY not again I thought, but I knew something had to be going on. Well, as it turns out she has Pnemonia (I have no idea how to spell that, all I know is it can be nasty). So, the blessing is that after a really long and scary night Friday night, we had a great night Saturday night and now we are home Sunday night. Gabrielle is quite the fighter and is so strong and we are so happy to be home. My sister-in-law, Alease came and hung with me last night which was exactly what I needed. She is such a blessing in my life and I cherished the time we spent and her staying with me and bringing me all those magazines and sweets.

GiGi got so much attention at the hospital, it was really cute. I think any person who was working who was from Ghana, Uganda, Ethiopia, and so on, had to stop by and see her. It was wonderful how supportive and amazing they all were.

I had a strange experience as we were getting ready to leave. That morning a Tech had come in and woke me up.....I hadn't gotten much sleep so I was REALLY out of it. The first thing I thought was, wow, my stomach feels really good, but I shouldn't be laying on it. I then rolled over carefully realizing that I didn't just have a baby.....well I did, but not out of my stomach like the last 2. The last time I was in a hospital to stay over was for my c-sections. Anyway, I thought the similarities were wild and it was like I had just had a baby- I did! So, when the nurse came in later and took out GiGi's IV's and such and said, congratulations you may get her dressed and go home, I was so excited. I couldn't wait to get that little gown off of her and get her in her clothes and do her hair. As I was picking out her outfit and getting her ready I started crying as, once again, the feelings were so familiar to the 2 times before as I had gotten my new babies ready to leave the hospital. It was a gift from God to have this experience, the one on one time, the SERIOUS bonding through some rough moments, and the joy of getting her dressed and ready to leave the hospital with me as a total and complete part of me, just as I had with my 2 older children.

GiGi is healthy AND sleeping through the night!

2008-07-22T07:44:00.003-07:00

We got all Gabrielle's medical tests back and she is perfectly healthy! She has even already had several immunizations- which is wild to me. Things here are going so well.......after the past few weeks. I had some nasty stomach/intestinal bug which the Dr. thought was Giardia, I am still not convinced since he never tested me for it, but whatever it was is gone and the Meds, most likely kicked ANYTHING else out of my body that should not have been there! I figured I would find out Gabrielle had Giardia, even though she has no symptoms; however she has nothing and now many of my friends and friends of friends have the same thing I struggled with. I suppose when going to the Dr. and telling them of "intestinal issues" and then mentioning coming home from Africa in the same conversation they tend to treat for the worst. :( We are good to go now and functioning like a normal family again, thank God!- our health is SOOO important and I take it for granted too much.

Gabrielle is coming out of her shell more and more every day. It is so amazing to watch and enjoy. Pete and I keep saying, "she REALLY likes it here." She is starting to be able to hold herself up on all fours- with me supporting her. So her are strength is getting better each week. She is babbling and talking and is so happy. She says "dadda", still working on "momma"; for some reason she thinks it's really funny when I say it repeatedly to her. I think she is playing me. The best news of all is SHE IS SLEEPING THROUGH THE NIGHT!!!! Thank you Jesus! After being sick and having weeks of not good sleep, we all feel like new again. Need I say it- we take sleep for granted too!! I appreciate now and thank God for getting a whole night of un-interrupted sleep :)

Photo session of GiGi

2008-07-08T13:14:00.014-07:00

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Thanks to my girlfriend Tamara, who took amazing pictures of Gabrielle~ It was so fun to connect with good friends and to have GiGi have her first photo session!

Gabrielle is loving her brother and sister

2008-06-30T07:30:00.000-07:00

A Visit to Gabrielle's Orphanage

2008-06-27T15:06:00.006-07:00

On Thursday 12/12 we spent the day at Kids Care Orphanage - Gabrielle's home for months 3, 4 & and 5 of her young life. This visit was an absolute highlight of our journey. This compound was home to an estimated 40 kids from newborn on up and according to Aster (the founder of the orphanage pictured with Andrea in the video) they receive around 3 to 5 new kids per week. Aster is the closest I've come to meeting a Saint. Thank you Aster for taking care of our little girl - you are such a gift.

We were privledged to spend time with the beautiful kids. They sang songs for us while sitting in their small schoolhouse room. Thanks to the generosity of our friends Chris and Jan McNally we brought a parachute to play with the older kids - and you'll see by the looks on their faces that they just loved it! These kids gave us a gift that we'll cherish forever.

Words (or video) alone can not adequately describe the experience of visiting this orphanage. If there is one simple truth that we learned during our short visit it's this:

No matter where in the world you go - kids are kids. They want to learn, they want to sing and they want to play - but most of all they want a family. Our hope is that every child in the home has their day - their day to be united with their mom and dad.

P.S. Bono wrote this song after he and his wife visited Ethiopia years ago and were forever touched and changed. He just released the song a few months ago. Here is the link to Bono being interviewed about it and singing it for the first time. He gets pretty emotional, it is an awesome video.

WATCH HERE

Please pray for my nephew and my sister

2008-06-26T07:07:00.003-07:00

I am asking for your prayers. My sister called me a couple days ago and told me that her son had not been feeling well, they thought maybe he had Lymes disease. After blood work they were very concerned and were told to take him to Children's hospital in Boston. After more testing and a bone marrow test, they were told he has Luekemia. He is such a precious little boy, he just turned 3 in April and now he will begin fighting this disease. Please pray for him, Ethan and my sister and brother-in-law, Bob and LeeAnne. My sister is so strong and I know God will see them through this. It has been a tough couple of days for our family and we just ask for your prayers. If you would like to visit his blog and/or post a message of support, I am sure that is what is holding them up right now.

Things are going great!

2008-06-20T14:02:00.002-07:00

Things are going so well with Gabrielle and the rest of the family. We are finally getting settled.......that would be mainly Pete and I. Gabrielle has been doing so well, it has been mommy and daddy who have had some catching up to do! The whole family is bonding and it just seems so right and like it is exactly how it was supposed to be. God always knew what He was doing, boy can I see that loud and clear now.

I keep watching Gabrielle and looking at Pete and saying, "she looks just like the baby we took from the Transitional Home." That is sarcastic. It was work to make her smile, she actually only smiled a couple of times the two days we were at the TH. She also was so "blobby". She just didn't move and was pretty still and quiet, just taking it all in, a very sweet quiet demeanor. She is still very sweet and very good, however she babbles and babbles and cracks herself up. She smiles all the time and just seems so happy and really coming out of her shell. When we first got her, her head was still wobbly and she wouldn't really go into any position other than a slouch in your arm, or cradling her like a baby. We have been amazed at how much she has changed, she started sitting today!!!!! This seems almost impossible compared to a week ago. She still has some work to go to strengthen her muscles and catch up, but I have faith and confidence she will continue to do so. She was obviously loved and cared for, but the development part of nurturing was not there. She needed her mommy and daddy and brother and sister and we are thanking God every day for his blessings and the gift we have received.

Meeting GG for the First Time!

2008-06-15T06:12:00.003-07:00

Here is a video clip of us meeting Gabrielle (in person) for the first time - don't think it needs any other introduction.

PRAISE GOD!

A special thanks to Dana for taking such amazing pictures that we will treasure forever, and to Barett for taking great video (and being an all around great guy!)

GiGi's personality is coming out more and more

2008-06-13T02:08:00.000-07:00

Her personality is shining through more each day. This morning she woke up smiling and so happy. We also got a first round of antibiotic in her, I think that has helped a little. We are all doing great.

Yesterday was such a full and amazing day. We went to Kids Care orphanage, where Gabrielle came from. It was a blessed experience. Those of you who know Pete, imagine him with 25 kids, HE WAS IN HIS ELEMENT! He had them all singing, he kept handing out candy and they kept singing for him, it was a beautiful sound. We got it all on tape so we will be downloading many videos for you to watch when we get home. Then, in Pete style, he taught them how to sing "happy birthday".......to him! It was so funny and so classic. After that we took them all outside and played with them. Our dear friends the McNally's bought parachutes and beach balls for us to bring some of the places we visited. We pulled out the huge parachute and began playing. The squeels and laughter and HUGE smiles were again a vision we will never forget. Pete had them count 1, 2, 3 all around the circle and then as he called out the numbers one by one, the kids took turns running
under the parachute as it went up. It was so much fun. The look on Pete's face was priceless the entire time too.

I went into a back room and found many women hunched over bowls of water with rice, and open fire. They were preparing food. I took a stab at pouring the Injera batter on the skillet, we all laughed......I need some practice. They laughed so hard at me and called me white.......isn't that discrimination :). I laughed so hard, they kept putting their arm next to mine to compare and laughing. The women were a rip!

Some of the gut wrenching parts about this orphanage were the tiny, tiny day old babies who were lined up in the cribs. So small and so helpless, I kept picturing Gabrielle lying there. The great news and thing I had to keep telling myself was that if they were healthy they would go to families just like us and it was a blessing that they had made it there. There were also some sick children who looked to have Aids and that was really hard too. Again, this place was so amazing and took great care of the children, that it was a gift they were even there. I just wish they all had homes and parents.......but we can't change the world in one day.

Later we got to JOURNEY to meet our great friends little boy. This was really fun and quite the experience! We drove and drove and finally found the place. There was no way to drive around to the door so we had to scale down and up large rocks and a gully filling with water, and wave a man to stop drilling, to get to the other side. After getting in they told us he was not there, that was their headquarters. The director told us we were not allowed to see him, and then after talking he said since we has travelled so far we were alllowed!! PRAISE!!! Then we proceeded to find the actual home where he lived. (The roads here are CRAZY bumpy, and oh there are no traffic laws at all. Makes for some very interesting navigating.) He was soooooooo cute and sweet and so happy to learn of his mommy and daddy. They had made an album for him and we had a translator read the whole thing to him. He smiled and told the translator he was happy. This was such
an experience to be able to hug one of these children and assure them they have a family- someone coming to get them who truly love them and are working so hard to get here to pick them up. It was my wish for every child we had seen at Kids Care and it felt so good to deliver this news to a child, especially one who will be coming home to our friends right in Leesburg with us. We go to the same church too, what a blessing for he and GiGi. I am so glad we will get to see him again one day, and to know that a little boy probably slept very good last night after hearing about and seeing pictures of his soon to be family, the dream of every orphan here!

So, we are heading out tonight, so we will check in from home!!!! Thanks for following along, we have some amazing movies Pete has put together, but we have bee un-able to download them. Check back to watch in the next couple days!

Chow!

I love my daddy

2008-06-11T13:23:00.001-07:00

I think falling alseep on daddy's chest has to be one of Gabrielle's highpoints this week, along with sooooo much love and attention, a clean bath, clean clothes, lotion all over, and a MIRROR. I put her in front of one today and she thought it was so funny. some good bonding going on!

We made it through our embassy appt.!!!

2008-06-11T09:48:00.001-07:00

Great news! We had our embassy appointment today and got through just fine. I was feeling so nervous and sick to my stomach regarding what the Wests and Cordells have been going through, but by the Grace of God we made it!! I am asking for prayer for both those families as they are feeling stuck and probably scared as far as how long they must stay. They are all working so hard for them I have faith they will get home soon.

We are doing so great here, and absolutely taking it all in. I think it will take me years to process and try to describe everything that has happened so far, needless to say, it has been life changing already. The people are amazing and the amount of situations and experiences that are heart touching and heart wrenching are endless. Several moments stand out in my mind- one I will never forget was pulling up to the transition home. The intensity and nerves in that van could have run it without diesel. Before we went in we all held hands and prayed, a moment I will NEVER forget. As the doors opened and the parents of the older children walked in, all you could hear was "mommy", "daddy"......again a sound I will never forget. These children came running into their parents arms and never turned back, they now had a mommy and daddy and the smiles have been endless ever since.

We each got to take turns as our babies were brought out. As if we were not already in tears with our hearts swollen to the most, after witnessing the older children, God continued to swell our hearts with love and gratitude as we watched each family united with their babies. Again, a moment I will never forget.

Yesterday we got to go back and get our children for good, again- amazing! Just as I think I have pulled myself together this week, another life moment gets us. Saying good-bye to the nannies, the gate man, the nurse and the older children who are staying was almost more than I could take. The gate man LOVES Selam/Gabrielle and she "lit up" whenever he was near. I did not know at one moment what she was so excited about, she started smiling and wiggling and waving her little hands and feet. I looked over and the gate man and he was snapping and smiling at her. I cant recall his name right now, but we recorded him giving Gabrielle a video message that was being translated so she can always remember him. He was like a daddy figure to her and he cried when we said good-bye. He told her his hope was that one day he would see her again. Summed up- It was wonderful, beautiful and heart-wrenching, all at the same time. Tears of joy, tears of
compassion, tears of gratitude, tears of sadness, and tears of hope.

Since then we have gotten to spend time with our little girl. She is the sweetest little thing. She smiled and giggled for us yesterday AND started babbling- which they told us she did not do at the transition home. She is such a baby to us, and can already see her progress and personality coming out. She is a treasure and a love, and she is already so attached to us. AMAZING! Oh, and did I mention how beautiful she is? Those eyes and that little mouth and her hair!!! I love it all.

So, here we are today, blessed by a success at the embassy and looking forward to tomorrow where we get to go to the orphanage she was first brought to. Also we are going to see a dear friend of ours little boy. They were referred him several weeks ago and he was moved to their transition home with another agency. We get the privilage of bringing him the first coorespondance from his family, a letter, a photo album and the amazing news that he indeed has a family who wants him and already loves him sooooooo much! This should be another one for the books!

Fw:

2008-06-09T12:04:00.000-07:00

Wow, what a day. I will update later, but for now here are some pics!!! We had an amazing, blessed day and Gabrielle is PERFECT for us!!!!

2008-06-09T12:00:00.000-07:00

Meeting Gabrielle for the First Time!

2008-06-09T11:40:00.001-07:00

We had an amazing day and will post later - here are a couple of pictures of a day we'll never forget. Thank you God!

Families we are here with!

2008-06-08T22:52:00.000-07:00

Fw: We MADE IT!!!

2008-06-08T14:23:00.001-07:00

THe flight was great, we had a couple hour delay after
sitting in the tarmack due to storms, but otherwise it
was great.

Took some time to get through the airport in Addis,
but that was to be expected. We are so excited and
happy to finally be here, it is almost surreal. '

The other families are awesome, we are going to have a
great week. THanks for your prayers, we will be back
soon with pictures!

WE LEAVE TOMORROW!

2008-06-06T06:21:00.001-07:00

Our next post will be from Ethiopia!!!! We head out tomorrow.

Wow, packing and running errands

2008-06-04T04:35:00.003-07:00

So, it has been crazy the past several days! Crazy fun!! I get butterflies in my stomach every time I really think about us getting on that plane to head to our little girl and her country. I am filled with so many emotions, but mostly gratitude. I feel so blessed and am so thankful that we have gotten to this place. Boy it has been wonderful and growing and challenging up to this point, and I have a feeling those words will continue to be used for the rest. I can now look back, even over those several weeks of not getting through court, and realize how much God held me up and literally walked us through to this point. I have never been so "in his hands" before, and I can see now what a gift that is. My relationship with Him is like it has never been in my entire life, He knows this and I am guessing was all part of the plan. What a great place to be with the Lord as we are getting ready to make this journey to Ethiopia.

Our friends and family and blog-world friends: You are all so important and special to us and this part of the process would never have been so rewarding and deal-able (I know that is not really a word, mom don't call me on that :) without all of you. Sometimes just looking forward to reading your e-mails and posts was what made everything "fun". Your prayers and commitment to friendship and faith has blown both Pete and I away, and I am really touched by the world of people who are out there. I invite you all to join us on our trip to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. We will be blogging as much as possible and would love to give you all a look into what we are doing, seeing, feeling, etc. These may be my famous last words. I realize the power, the new baby, the sleep, the (hopefully not) stomach issues, may make it tougher to blog, but we will give it everything we got. Here is the schedule of what we are doing:

Saturday night- leave
Sunday night- arrive
Monday - morning shop
afternoon **seeing Gabrielle for the first time**
Tuesday- Take Gabrielle with us
Wednesday- Embassy appt.
Thursday- visit orphanages, etc
Friday night- Leave
Saturday morning- ARRIVE HOME

Meet Gabrielle (Selam) Kidd!!!

2008-05-29T09:36:00.001-07:00

Referral Picture

WE LEAVE JUNE 7!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2008-05-23T11:49:00.001-07:00

Our case was approved by the judge today, but still not officially closed. That should happen on Monday. From the news of court, AWAA has confirmed our travel for June 7!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I can not post pictures until Monday, we still need to get through then; however we are celebrating that we are definatley going!!!!!

WHEW~

We are on for Friday

2008-05-21T15:04:00.001-07:00

We did not pass on Monday. All our paperwork was there, the MOWA document was even there; however the person who looked at it did not see the orphanage papers, which were there last week and said come back Friday! Can you believe this???? So, Friday we go.

And waiting.......

2008-05-20T04:44:00.003-07:00

No e-mail this morning. Still waiting for news. We are praying for God to continue to strengthen us, for His help in this attack we feel, and for the Faith and Hope that I know only He can give us.

Still waiting......

2008-05-19T16:42:00.001-07:00

Well, Our 4th shot at court was today. Still have not heard wether we passed or not. Communication has been a nightmare from Ethiopia, so we are still hopeful that we will wake up to a wonderful e-mail. Check back soon!

We did not pass

2008-05-13T14:52:00.002-07:00

We did not pass court today. The paper from MOWA was still not there. We will be going back next week for the 4th shot. PLEASE continue to pray for us, this is so painful.

Gabrielle's Nursery

2008-05-12T14:38:00.007-07:00

I wanted to post a HAPPY! This room makes me so happy. I finally finished the nursery. YEAH! I need to sew the bows onto the crib bumper yet and put some frames and things on the walls, but mostly done. I LOVE doing nurseries, it makes me happy to know this is the same crib used for all 3 of my kids, the same rocker/glider (this is the 3rd time I recovered it with all new fabric). Those big purchases for your first really do pay off as you use them over and over for each child and it becomes more sentimental each time I pull it out. I lined the curtains with a thermal blackout lining, so when they are lowered no light enters the room. I did this is my older daughters room and it worked so well. Thanks for looking!

No court again today

2008-05-11T17:05:00.004-07:00

Hi family,
Well, we did not get good news this morning. The
needed papers from MOWA did not show up this morning
at court, so Girmachew was told to come back tomorrow.
:( Thank you so much for all your prayers and
fasting. IT means so much to us to know that we have
such a strong team behind us.

I am going to be really honest and let you all know I
had a REALLY hard weekend. I sort of lost it Friday
night. There have been some other issues that came up
last week regarding our travel dates and flights being
completely booked up. Pete and I booked tickets on
our own 3 weeks ago, because we saw that things were
totally filling up and did not want to be stuck
waiting 3-4 extra weeks because there were no airlines
tickets. Without court mistakes or delays it was
plenty of time (also our tickets are transferrable, so
we could move them if needed); however we were then
being told if the rest of the group couldn't get
tickets we couldn't go anyway. I panicked and
realized that my controlling our NOT going into June
was becoming a reality. Not only would we more likely
look at June, the travel is booked well into June. I
am not saying it could not happen that we would find a
way to get there before, or AWAA would allow us to go
earlier, we will have to see how this plays out. I
just broke down completely. What I have learned and
come to in the end is freedom. I have given it up to
Him. I have made all the phone calls and e-mails I
can, even booking our own tickets 3 weeks ago when we
realized the flights were filling up. Really I have
made every effort to see that the right things are
being done and done correctly; however these things
are out of my control. I realize that God is so much
bigger than all of these things, and He can pave the
way to get us there, not me and not America World. I
need to trust HIM. I am still glad we took all the
steps we have and felt He was directing us to do that;
however now I need to let Him work out the rest. I
also panicked thinking I never wanted to be another
Oct. 19th situation, and how much older Gabrielle is
getting, time missing out with her, etc. This is all
fear and discouragement and NOT from Him, but from the
enemy. Now I feel very free knowing that for whatever
reason God needs to do a little more work in Pete and
I AND Gabrielle needs to be there a little longer.
Pete told me once in my despair of wanting Gabrielle
home, that this is the only time she will ever live in
Ethiopia, that this is her culture and where she is
from. She will be with us forever and will visit ET
one day, but that what she is gaining from seeing
Ethiopian people every day and the nannies caring for
her and talking to her in Amharic, etc. is making her
who she was supposed to be. It has been so hard to
understand why He would want her there any longer than
I think she should be.....but I am now free of this
too. I will get her when the time is right and me
beating myself up emotionally and spiritually won't
help matters. I thank Him today for the lessons I am
learning and for my friends and support here, and for
the knowledge that in the end, He will give me what I
have asked for. In this process I have grown closer
than ever to God and to my husband and I say, bring on
the rain, Lord- BRING IT ON! I am ready and willing
and nothing is going to break me down while He is
right here with me.

An explanation and apology go a long way.

2008-05-06T04:32:00.002-07:00

Pretty wild how I was feeling last night. I was angry, confused and frustrated. I couldn't make sense out of what had happened with our court date and was very worried about our new one coming up. When things don't make sense and we suspect mistakes, our confidence starts to diminish. I went to bed last night with the Spirit telling me there was a mistake and I needed to forgive and move on. I was asking God to take away my anger and my hurt and to restore my faith. When I got up this morning, after sleeping a full night for the first time a 2 weeks, I felt so refreshed. Everything seems so much easier to deal with on a good nights sleep. I had sent an e-mail to Duni last night sharing my feelings and concerns. When I checked e-mail this morning, there was a response from her. Not just any response but an apology for the mistake. There was indeed an error for our court date and it was for May 12th, yesterday was a holiday where the courts were closed and would not have held court cases. I so appreciate that mistakes can happen, and when people face it head on, it takes the sting away. I really appreciate Duni and all she is doing. I still feel disappointed that we have a weeks delay, but also was assured we will travel soon after. Thank you God for restoring my mind and heart and for those who have the compassion to apology and recognize errors when they happen.

No Court Today

2008-05-05T13:06:00.003-07:00

We did not get good news today about our court appointment. This was the e-mail from our coordinator. I usually don't just post the e-mails, but I don't have many good thoughts right now, I will share later.

Dear Families-

I am disappointed to have to be sending this news, but due to two federal holidays falling in the same week, your new court date will be May 12th. Officials at court were not able to process anyone’s case. We will do everything on our part to have you travel as quickly as possible after this court date.

Blessings,

Duni Zenaye
Africa Program Director

Court- Butterflies in my tummy :)

2008-05-04T13:50:00.006-07:00

I really do have butterflies in my stomach! We were given today as our court date, and when asked about it being a Sunday, our coordinator explained that with the time change, etc. it really happens today and we will hear the news tomorrow (Monday). I keep doing the math in my head and I still don't quite understand when the court appt. would be, but I just keep stopping today and praying. I know I only need to ask God once and He hears me, I think the other 400 times must be for me. God-willing you can visit here tomorrow and see the sweet pictures of our baby girl. Pray for us tonight and we will be here tomorrow with updates and pictures as soon as we hear!!!

A baby shower!

2008-04-29T05:55:00.010-07:00

My dear friends threw a baby shower for Gabrielle. It was such a special day surrounded by my closest friends and family. SO much love, SO much generousity! I was totally overwhelmed at times just thinking of how loved and cherished this child of ours is, then throw on all of the amazing gifts she received......comparing that to where she has come from. She deserves EVERY bit of it. One of my friends said it best after I opened the most gorgeous set of baby bone china for her, "Well, she certainly was not born with a silver spoon in her mouth, but she is having one put in it." We laughed so hard. She is so loved and has been for so long. I cried tears of happiness and feeling more blessed than ever. God is so good!
Oh, by the way, it felt so funny to go to my baby shower not physically pregnant......so I surprised my friends with a little funny and came with our referral picture taped to my belly! I have a cute pic of it, and started to post it and then realized you can see her face.........whew, that was close. You will just have to wait one more week! I am going to rub it in though, WAIT TILL YOU SEE HER!!!! :) She is a doll!

We have a court date!!

2008-04-14T16:39:00.002-07:00

I was not expecting to hear today.......go figure that throughout this whole process I am finally caught off guard with something happening BEFORE I thought it would and BEFORE I was emotionally drained from waiting. I think staring at our beautiful girl's face everyday and still feeling like I am on cloud nine must help a little :)

We are scheduled for MAY 4!!!!!

So looking forward to sharing pictures that day with the help of God and a successful court hearing so that she becomes OURS!

Seeing Gabrielle for the FIRST time!

2008-03-29T16:45:00.002-07:00

We have a baby girl!!!

2008-03-26T09:08:00.002-07:00

The call really did come!!!!!! At 10:00 this morning Duni called and said this was the day. We have a little girl, she is beautiful and is healthy and is 6 months old. We are beyond excited and can't really believe this is happening.......it is incredible!!!! Thank you God for sending us this beautiful angel.

Another day in the life of waiting and being UBER CLOSE!!

2008-03-25T13:39:00.006-07:00

We were back to Alexandria, VA for our renewal of fingerprints appointment this morning. With the video camera ON MY LAP- JUST IN CASE, I told Pete that "the call" was of course going to come while sitting in the packed DMV like waiting area of the USCIS office. I said I was not going to hold back and for him to be prepared for me to be screaming and to potentially be escorted out of the USCIS office as a potential threat of some unknown sort. We got a good chuckle and then he remembered that we could not take cell phones in. WHAT!!!! Not that I WANTED the call to come in the USCIS office, BUT I COULD NOT MISS THE CALL EITHER---not after all this time (insert MAJOR womanly drama here)!!! We could be in there in the black hole for hours, like we had been in the past. I had this so perfectly orchestrated in my head before we left the house, as well as having the home phone forwarded to my cell, now I would have to quickly change course, because any woman out there waiting knows----there is a science to this and it must be well planned out and strategically thought about EACH and every time we leave the house. Well, nothing for me to really do but sprint to the car after being fingerprinted to see if I had indeed missed the call........I had not. Deep sigh, another day in the life of knowing we are SOOOO close and should be hearing soon.

I know I sound crazy, but I know many out there have done things like this, please feel free to share those in the reply to this post so that I don't seem really nuts! Come on, I know someone else has forwarded their phone..... :)

God has this planned and I know He will do it in His way, lets just hope I'm not stranded in the bathroom when the call comes, as I don't have a plan for this......yet :0

Things rolling again

2008-03-24T09:35:00.004-07:00

YEAH! My friend Dana received her referral this morning!! I am so happy for them. Their paper baby travelled with our paper baby TOGETHER back many months ago, so I can only imagine how she must be feeling right now. It is so rejuvinating to hear of referrals flowing again!

Adding this later: The West family also received their referral for a baby boy! Yeah!

Congrats Cordell and West families!!!!

When God brings things full circle!- An amazing story

2008-03-16T13:46:00.005-07:00

We had an amazing experience and gift a couple weeks ago that I wanted to share. A couple months ago, I got a call from our family coordinator with our agency, of course my heart started racing at the thought that this was "THE AWAITED CALL". I answered the phone and heard Duni say, "Andrea, do you have a minute,I have a potential referral for you?" WOW, I would have assumed that I would have started screaming and freaking out, but I really felt not a whole lot. I said, "Duni, give me minute I think I need to scream or something." All I can say is that there was this overwhelming feeling that was not settling within me, and it was a little scary. Duni proceeded to say that it was a POTENTIAL referral and she had some things to tell us. She went on to say that there was a six month old little girl, (inserted her name here), and she was beautiful, but had tested positive for HIV. I didn't know what to think. She went on to explain that we were close to the top of waiting for an infant girl and that they have reviewed the waiting families and had chosen us to be presented with her referral before opening it up to the rest of the families. What a compliment, they thought we would be a good family to handle this situation, as well as our location being so close to fantastic medical care. I was so confused, because I just felt this is not my baby, as much as I wanted it to be. I did not know if it was because she was HIV+ or because I just knew she wasn't Gabrielle. I told her I needed to talk to Pete and pray and we would call back shortly. Needless to say, the next 12-24 hours were REALLY difficult. We have a heart for the children with HIV, we had just had a fundraiser several months earlier for AHOPE and our hearts and minds really had been opened; however it just didn't feel right. We prayed and prayed and prayed and prayed. We know sometimes God asks us to do things we are not comfortable with and is scary, was this one of those times? We knew we could do this, but was this Gabrielle and was this the path God wanted us to walk down. After much prayer and discussion, we just felt the Holy Spirit telling us no. I have to say that was a hard call, my heart was breaking for this little girl, I wanted her to have her mommy, but didn't feel I was her. I cried telling Duni that it was only fair to open her information up to others. I said that when she called me, it didn't make sense. Every part of my body was not feeling it. I told her it was like the Holy Spirit within me was saying, "this doesn't make sense, but it will for someone else." I told Duni this. I told her that there would possibly be another mom out there who would see this little girl and somehow it would make sense. I said we would keep asking God and if we felt him leading us to her we would let her know asap. But, I asked that she let me know if this little girl was adopted as I would be praying for her. I prayed for her continuously and she often came to my mind. Then fast-forward to a couple weeks ago. I was talking to a friend who lives here in my town and is also adopting from Ethiopia. She was telling me of a friend of hers, with our agency, who had left for Ethiopia to get their little girl. I thought I knew all of the families who were traveling and knew there wouldn't be any other baby girl adoptions before me, so I inquired further in confusion. After some more questions I deduced her friend was adopting the same little one we had heard about. I asked her if her name was "------". She said yes and I got complete goose-bumps and began crying. She went on to tell me how amazing the story was of her friend. She and her friend had gone on a missions trip this past summer. They visited an orphanage where there were lots of babies, this mom told herself not to get too attached to any one baby as where she was in her paperwork, she knew she would not get referred any of these babies. She still found herself drawn to one little baby girl, she even had her friends take several picture of her with this little 9 week old beauty. Fast-forward to a couple months ago.......the e-mail goes out about the baby and this family inquires about her. When they received the pictures, she immediately realized this was the SAME baby she had seen in the orphanage many months prior. I went to her blog in tears and read with such amazing feelings how this referral made TOTAL sense to this mom. She explained how her little girl was meant to be hers starting back when she held her in the orphanage when she was weeks old and now she had made her way to her as her daughter. All I could think was "THANK YOU GOD for coming full circle and letting me know." I hadn't stopped praying and asking that this baby find her mommy and wondering if we had made the right decision and correctly followed what we felt He was telling us. Sometimes God doesn't let's us wait a long time to show us the outcome of our decisions and sometimes he gives us this gift more immediately. He is SOOOO mighty and SOOOO powerful and He has everything in control. We learned so much through this experience and are so thankful for his gift of just knowing in the end. I also feel like he was telling us that we know our daughter already, no matter how far away she might be. The Holy Spirit within me is helping guide me to her from across the world.

Gabrielle, I already know and feel you as mine in my heart. I thank God for all this time He has prepared you and us. I can't wait to see the picture of your physical beauty, but the picture/feeling in my heart is so much bigger!

Patience

2008-03-14T17:51:00.002-07:00

O.K. I know this is a re-do from November; however I was going back through my blog and it actually made me feel good to read this post, so I thought I would recycle it----is this even allowed in the blogging world? I wonder if I am going to get some sort of ticket or black mark, no one tell :[ So good for me to remember the idea and reasons for patience.

The Power of Patience

Patience pertains to every phase as we work through our adoptions. It could be a physical that can't get scheduled, a pile of paperwork that just doesn't seem to get smaller, that darn I-171 that STILL hasn't shown up, the home study that seems to be taking months to wrap-up, the wait for a referral, the wait for a court date, and finally the last wait is to physically wrap our arms around our babies and place our lips on their skin for the first time and give them the kiss we have been dreaming of for so long. I need to hold on to these teachings and do the best I can and pray the prayer of Patience.

"For you have need of steadfast patience and endurance, so that you may perform and fully accomplish the will of God, and thus receive and carry away [and enjoy to the full] what is promised. ”Hebrews 10:36

The Word of God promises that the patient man will be perfect and entire, lacking nothing. (James 1:4 KJV.) A patient man is a powerful man. He can remain calm in the storm. He has control over his mouth. His thoughts remain loving in times when people's behavior becomes challenging.

Without patience we cannot endure to see the fulfillment of our faith. Everything does not come to us immediately upon believing. There is a waiting period involved in receiving from God. It is during that period that our faith is tested and purified. Only if we endure and wait patiently will we experience the joy of seeing what we have believed for.

Patience is not only the ability to wait, but also the ability to keep a good attitude while waiting. Waiting is a part of life that cannot be avoided. We will spend a great deal of our lives waiting; if we don't learn to do it well (patiently), we will be quite miserable. God is so patient with us. And we are to imitate Him.

Be encouraged to actively pursue patience it will lead you into God's power

Pray This:

"Lord, help me to exercise every kind of endurance and patience, perseverance, and forbearance with joy (Colossians 1:11). In Jesus' name, amen."

Praise God for news from USCIS!-----AGAIN

2008-03-13T06:38:00.002-07:00

Well, He didn't let me wallow too long in the place I was in my last post.....which was only about 2 hours ago. The adoption specialist at our local USCIS office e-mailed me back ALREADY! They have scheduled our new fingerprint date for March 25!!!!!! So, we could wait about a month after that for our new 171,which brings us to April 25th, and we expire May 9th!!! How about that for timing. So far it appears that we should be covered no matter what. I am so thankful, and should remember, HE always has it covered. Boy was I crying out to him last night in a big, messy way. He took care of us and I am so thankful. Prasise God for having it all under control, even when I lose my focus.

Hanging in there by a thread today!

2008-03-13T04:48:00.005-07:00

Just wanted to pop a word here to say I am hanging in there, though barely at times. Really, I am doing good, I am just very concerned now about our expiring fingerprints. We have not gotten a letter with our fingerprint appt. yet, and then after that we wait for the new amended (or in our case, the amended-amended 171). I did get an e-mail back from the woman in charge of adoptions related paperwork at USCIS and she said it is a month processing AFTER your fingerprint appointment. So, let's hope things get rolling. Will keep updating everyone on the situation........

Probably some good prayer time and a good run is in order for my day. We are heading to the end of another week and I am feeling not so strong right now. I need to keep things in perspective and I always pick myself back up, but today I am going to let myself feel this and then move along.

Families Coming Home!

2008-03-09T10:26:00.011-07:00

So sorry, I have been trying all day to upload the pictures and blogger is not working. I will get them up as soon as possible. Here is the recap:

The Ethiopian flight was 2 hours delayed......so first through the doors was the Harpolds......RUNNING!!! I heard Mel yell "Andrea I am so sorry", as she was in tears. They were not going to make their flight home. I caught up with her and we ran along side one another while we hugged and I kissed Myli's head (in the blurr of running she was soooooo cute). It is funny now, but at the time I felt so bad for them.. I am sure after a LONG week, a LONG flight, you just want to get home and to think of sitting in the airport for another couple of hours would be enough for anyone. They had an amazing week and I am sure they are SO happy to be home now.

Next to come were the Treadwell's, again running by. They were running so fast and also looked not too happy, that I did not even call out to them. Obviously they needed to rush and did not need me slowing them down.

Next was Erica, she came calmly walking out of the doors. She must have a long layover I thought. We hugged and got a tad misty. She was doing great! Abel was absolutely gorgeous. As I leaned over to tickle his face and make baby talk, he smiled from behind his pacifier. He is a doll for sure. Erica was doing really well. I think she knew she was close to being home and realized she had a really rough week. She said Abel was feeling better and actually had a great flight. This was such good news after reading her not-so-great, but honest blog posts. Rest assured YG friends, she is doing great, and Abel is doing great too.

Next was the Wegners, they also had more time. Their children are beautiful and looked so happy and in amazement. They just smiled and looked around. It was one of their son's birthday's today. What a birthday present to come home and join his forever family! Wonderful to meet you in person Wegners!

It was such an honor and blessing to see and visit briefly with these families who I have gotten to know with our agency. I look forward to hearing of their final homecomings and their adjustments. God is so good and is doing amazing things.......some of which I saw today!

Requesting re-fingerprinting date

2008-03-06T14:58:00.007-07:00

Well, I was hoping we did not have to do this, but it is the smartest thing to do. Our fingerprints expire May 9......so we would have to be back home with our baby by that date. We were hoping to travel in April, I know it is still a possibility; however we are cutting it too close for comfort. BACK TO USCIS.....can you believe it!! So, I sent a letter requesting an appointment to get our fingerprints re-done. THEN, we would have to wait for another updated I-171 to arrive with our new date on it. I am hoping that this goes quicker than the regular waiting on the 171, as it took 3 months when we did it for China and about 2 1/2 months for Ethiopia. I have to say that I am still holding out all hope and faith that we get our referral, get a court date quickly, with success and we can get there and back by this date. We still have 2 months, so have hope and faith with me!!!!! Even though this seems daunting, I feel pretty upbeat about it all.

A fresh new week!

2008-03-02T17:29:00.008-07:00

With each new week brings a refreshed spirit and the hope, yet again, that the call may actually come. I had a very emotional weekend (just when I thought I had it all under control); however God must have seen that I needed a little more of something. I avoided people at church this morning knowing, for the first time through this whole process, that I would not be able to answer their questions and would need to politely tell them I could not talk about the adoption. The service was just what I needed and felt great afterwards until a friend approached, who is also adopting from Ethiopia, and asked how I was doing. She noticed I didn't look like myself. I burst into tears and felt like they would never end. Also was doing the solo thing this weekend as hubby was away, so there I stood an emotional mess. What better place to do this than in church I suppose. Anyway, my friend was so sweet and I pulled myself together. DARN, I get so upset with myself when emotion flies out like that when I didn't even know it was coming. Oh well, thus the journey continues. Tomorrow will bring a renewed sense of hope that the call will come this week and I will get to see the little face, the little person who has engulfed my heart with her spirit!

Also, many dear friends of mine are IN ETHIOPIA as we speak, or as I type/you read. M. Harpold and E. Treat have become family to me and I am praying for their wonderful gotcha days and first meetings with their angels. I will also be meeting them at the airport next weekend, so look for pictures of them and their new babes! Praying for their health, safety and that God shines on them during their time with their children there. You can follow their journies too as they are both blogging while there. They are listed in my Blogroll. Also, check out the Wegners, McIIrath's and Treadwell's as they are there too.

Testing this out

2008-02-26T06:54:00.002-07:00

Cool beans, I hope this works. Trying to see if I can
post to blogger from an e-mail.
Test.....test.....test.....is this working.......shall
I try a picture? Sure, why not. Envision that soon
this will be a pic of Gabrielle while we are in Ethiopia! The picture I just attached is probably a little scary. I hope I didn't have anything in my teethe.

Get the tissues ready!

2008-02-19T11:29:00.002-07:00

Friends of ours through our agency have shared this amazing video diary of their time in Ethiopia getting their beautiful boy Levi

A Blanket for Gabrielle

2008-02-18T13:27:00.004-07:00

There is a group of families traveling to Ethiopia the first week of March with our agency. We are so excited for these families, they have become such great friends of ours throughout this journey so far. Since we are so close to a referral, I bought a photo album and blankie (thanks Kari) to send over. I could have a referral before they go, but I am thinking either while they are there, or the following week. Regardless, I think I could have some of my friends take some things just in case our Gabrielle is in the Transitional Home by then. So, I went to the store and bought the softest, cutest blanket. I brought it home and told my kids to love on it because it was going to their sister. They have been taking turns sleeping with it, and it gets carried around most of the day! The cutest thing to watch! My kids are so excited to have their little sister here with them and keep telling me they will wrap her up in her blankie and get LOTS of love and cuddles from them. :)

Keep Asking! by joel Osteen

2008-02-13T07:34:00.001-07:00

Keep Asking

For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will
be opened (Matthew 7:8).

Is there something you are believing God for? Does it seem like it's taking a long time to
come to pass? Be encouraged today! The Bible says that through faith and patience you
will inherit the promise. You can trust that God's Word is true. Submit your prayers to the
Lord, and keep an attitude of faith and expectancy. Keep asking. Keep seeking. Keep
knocking on the door, and it will be opened to you. It may seem like it's taking a long
time, but know this: God is working behind the scenes on your behalf. He is orchestrating
things in your favor. He is perfecting whatever concerns you. Don't give up! Start thanking
God for His faithfulness in your life. As you stay faithful in your prayers and thanksgiving,
the Lord will move mightily on your behalf. He'll take you places that you've never
dreamed, and you will live the life of victory He has in store for you!

A Prayer for Today

Father in heaven, thank You for giving me a diligent spirit. Thank You for Your
faithfulness. Give me strength to stand until I see Your promises fulfilled in my life. In
Jesus' Name. Amen.

Born in my heart pendant

2008-02-13T07:25:00.005-07:00

One of my friends has had these necklaces made and they are beautiful! She is adopting 3 children from Ethiopia and these necklaces are helping to support their adoption costs.......as we can all realate to that! We have been telling our kids that their little sister has been growing in our hearts for a while now, so I HAD to buy one and can't wait to wear it! Here is the Etsy site:

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=9400604

I finally feel what I have known in my head!!

2008-02-12T15:58:00.000-07:00

I am just getting around to posting an experience I had a week ago. Time seems to stand still while thinking of "the wait" for a referral, but really times just flies by.

So it has been weeks since this mom was out and about with no children in tow. Actually "out and about" hasn't even been happening as we have had a rough winter as far as viruses, colds and the flu. Neither of my kids, or myself or hubby seem to have been sick at the same exact time (I am not complaining about this), so each person has gotten great attention and care; however this should explain why it had been weeks since I had even been "out and about", especially with two children well enough to be in school the same day! Anyway, I was in my glory enjoying the time to myself, but mostly the quiet. Sometimes, just being quiet and not talking or answering questions, or listening is so nice and soooooo peaceful! Perfect time for prayer, PERFECT time for God to make himself known. So, I was leaving Target in my quiet car (my radio is broken so it was totally silent), and I was praying and thanking the Lord for all my blessings and how good it felt to be out and healthy with an entirely healthy family........when all of a sudden I had this amazing feeling come over me. It was like I was filled up from my toes to my head with the most wonderful feeling of joy, peace, calm and excitement. I have to interject here that over the past 6 1/2 months of waiting I have had ups and downs, ALWAYS trusting that things were in God's hands, knowing this so strongly in my head, yet I could NOT feel it in my heart. When I thought about my baby or how long it was taking, I would always get an ache and longing feeling and yes sometimes jigs of crying, even though I was telling myself what I SO believe to be true "Andrea, he has it all planned out and everything will work out just the way it is supposed to". I have two children now that were not easy to bring into this world, and when I look back on their birth stories it all makes sense. So, I just kept drilling this into my head, hoping my heart would feel it. We call this in our house being "incongruent". When your thoughts and emotions, or mind and body are not in synch with one another. I have been challenging myself lately and praying that I would actually FEEL what I knew so strongly in my head and by my faith. So, hop back into my car with me......this feeling was as if I got the call saying I had my referral and that I had a healthy baby girl. Any fear, worry, concern or question I had in my head was literally pulled out of my body. I began screaming at the top of my lungs with the most joy and excitement. It felt so great. It was so clear that God was telling me he had my little girl, she was fine and he was with her and to give it all up to him. SOMEHOW I FINALLY felt it!!!!! And it was amazing. I was and still am so thankful that I was finally ready for this gift. I do believe I must not have been ready, or the way I have been feeling was all a part of this process. All of my prayers and asking to feel at peace, was answered!!! I have literally been floating around feeling like I already have a referral and not worrying or thinking about anything but how great this all is and how close we are.

Then, yesterday I got a call from our agency and was told we are next in line for a baby girl! God is so good!! I know this process is far from over, but I am already realizing what this wait has meant to me. I already know I would not trade it for anything. I hardly believe I am saying that, but it is true. I have grown SOOOOO much and learned so much about myself, my faith, my friends and my family. It has been truly priceless and I know God wanted and needed me to go through this process just as it has been progressing. I can say this, know this and finally feel this!

New batch of shirts

2008-02-05T12:32:00.000-07:00

These are great colors and an awesome fit. They are from the Gap and are long and stretchy. I didn't even buy any Smalls because they run small. So go up a size and you will love the fit!

I will start making them with different fabrics but if anyone wants to call dibs on any particular size/color, let me know. Thanks!

Medium (fit of a small): 3 light Pink, 1 pretty blue SOLD
Large (fit of Medium): 2 hot pink (fabulous color)
XLarge (fit of Large): 2 hot pink (fabulous color), 2 light pink, 1 dark blue

Good Morning YG Friends, Here's to you Kari!

2008-02-03T06:40:00.001-07:00

I didn't have any chocolate chips, but they were sooooo yummy anyway. I can't wait to make them again with blueberry's or chips. Thanks for the recipe Kari, I enjoyed having scones and coffee with everyone. :)

A beautiful ending to a long story from Guatemala!

2008-01-31T15:31:00.000-07:00

I wanted to share this amazing video of a little boy finally coming home! The photographer I use and friend of mine introduced me to this mom over a year ago. She knew that we were both adopting internationally and thought we would hit it off. Well at the time they were going to Kazakstan and we were going to China. Well, as we know the Lord redirects us when he sees fit. They switched to Guatemala right when we switched to Ethiopia. I had run into her at Target (isn't that where everybody runs into everybody...mental note to never go there in total house-frau mode as one WILL see a long lost friend who thinks you have lost yourself in being a mom)......Anyway, I digress. She told me of how they had been matched with a little baby boy. Well over the past year I run into several of her friends at our church and have gotten the update every couple months. They got to go see him many moths ago, but could not bring him home. It took over a year for this moment in the video to finally happen. Anyway, break out the tissues and for anyone STILL waiting, this is hope that things do eventually work out. God is good and his is all powerful in bringing us to our children when his timing is perfect. Congratulations S family!!

http://www.bonniehorsemanphotography.net/darkroom/share/?client/home

Welcome home Friends!!!!

2008-01-28T06:21:00.000-07:00

Oh was yesterday so much fun! I am so blessed to live so close to the airport where all families come back to the States from Ethiopia. My dear friend Kari, who is also adopting with AWAA, has deemed me the ET meET and greET. Our agencies first big travel group was arriving yesterday after spending the week meeting and getting their children. Some of these families I have spent months chatting with and becoming friends with on our Yahoo Group. We have supported one another, prayed continuosly for them and have watched their journeys to getting these kiddos. How special it was to be at the airport to watch them walk through the doors on the other side of customs and immigration, their children's first steps into America! One of my dear friends Penelope and Gabe had a long layover, so we were able to visit for a long time......and I got to visit with Josiah thier 14 month old cutie!!!!! Alexandra slept in the Baby Born the whole time, but boy was she cute under there. Penelope and Gabe were so gracious (especially after a 17 hour flight with two new babies), they shared so much with me about their trip and how amazing it was, the country, the people, the culture. I will never forget hearing the description of the transition home, the nannies and the love there. It was like water to a mothers weary soul. Knowing my baby is with us on this earth and to not be with her to care for her yet is something that adoption brings; however hearing about the amazing care and conditions at our agencies facilities meant SOOO much to me. The words and description Gabe gave me said it all. He said it was like a peice of heaven. He had never seen so much love in one place, with all the babies being loved by their nannies and the new parents coming to meet them and love them and God's grace all over. He said he now knows what heaven feels like. AMAZING! Enjoy the pictures, these families look amazing if you ask me.....after a pretty emotional and rough week travelling, bonding, etc. Then just getting off of a 17 hour flight with babies! I look forward to being there to see more of you return, and by Gods Grace it will be me, Pete and Gabrielle wearily but excstatically walking through those doors in the next coming months!

Meeting wonderful new friends

2008-01-28T06:02:00.000-07:00

Last night we had the privileage of getting together with several families in our area who are or have adopted from Ethiopia. We began the evening in prayer and continued to enjoy one another throughout the night. It was such an amazing evening. The kids has so much fun, the adults talked and talked and talked. To be surrounded by many others who have the same passion you do for orphans and for adoption was just incredible. There were parents of 11 children (these people were a wealth of information), there were parents of special needs children, there were moms and dads adopting 12 and 14 year olds, waiting moms and dads for babies, and parents paper chasing as they look to make their family of 4 children a family of 7 children, and a family in Ethiopia right now getting their son. Everyone has their own story, everyone has their own feelngs on age of children, how many, etc., BUT in the end we have all been touched and chosen in the same exact way by God. It is awe inspiring to me to get together with others like this and to hear the way God led each of us to his orphans and particularly to Ethiopia. Even though the stories are so specific to each of us, it is overwhelming to me how they really are the same story over and over and over. God is truly in control and he knows exactly how to reach each one of us and to soften and prepare our hearts to have us step out in faith and embrace his children. I am so happy to have found these families and even more so for our children to come. It will be so important for them to be surrounded by other children and families who came to be just like them. Also, for us to be able to share in and celebrate the Ethiopian heritage and culture.

We love Duni!

2008-01-13T16:06:00.000-07:00

Last week we were so fortunate to meet our new Africa Program Director. She is so sweet and smart and has the passion to help the children of her country. I think any of us who are adopting little girls would hope that one day they grow up to be like Duni. She is beautiful inside and out.

Thanks for everyone's support and enthusiasm on my fundraiser!!!!! I can't wait to get the mommy one's up, they are turning out really cute.

Boy and Girl Bodysuits!

2008-01-11T10:57:00.000-07:00

Sizes: 3-6 mos. (13-18lbs.) 6-9 mos. (19-26 lbs.) 9-12 mos. (27-34 lbs.)

Specify Size and pattern/color on Paypal when ordering, or e-mail me at poshbabyposh@yahoo.com

Sizes: 3-6 mos. (13-18lbs.) 6-9 mos. (19-26 lbs.) 9-12 mos. (27-34 lbs.)

*Pink Long Sleeve- one only- 9 mos.

Whimsical Bodysuits celebrating our Ethiopian Children!

2008-01-09T17:55:00.000-07:00

The creative part of me is screaming to be out again. So, I have come up with really fun, whimsical bodysuits for our ET babes!!! I hope you all like them, I will be posting more as I make them. The continent of Africa is depicted with a fun fabric and then accented with a flower, chenille ball, etc. where Addis Ababa would be in Ethiopia! Some will be long sleeve and some will be simple short sleeved bodysuits that are thick and high quality. They are for sale, and you can use PayPal to purchase them. The money will support our adoption expenses in bringing Gabrielle home. I have already had requests to make the same thing on T-shirts for mommies, so stay tuned. I have so many cute fabrics, and can't wait to make more. I will be making boy ones too!

I had a business for many years now, Posh Baby Posh. It started before I had my daughter when I could not find anything of high quality for her nursury.....so I made something myself as I have sewn my whole life. This turned into a business where I did custom baby bedding, accessories, window treatments and even clothing for children. It became too much to manage being a full time mommy, and trying to get our paperwork done.....so I stopped. Since my world is all about adoption these days and Ethiopia, I had to find a way to make something that celebrated both, ENJOY and let me know if you are interested.

Happy New Year! 2008.....bring it on!

2007-12-31T09:15:00.000-07:00

Well, it has been a MONTH since I last posted. A lot has happened and a lot has not happened.....if that makes sense. After learning that we were not getting our referral by the end of November AND then learning not December or January, most likely.....I sort of tuned out for a little. I didn't really tune out completely....let me assure you that my emotions were TUNED IN! I was so dissapointed/frustrated/mad/impatient/sad. I decided that the best thing I could do for myself and my family was to accept this (for the time being) and focus on gettting ready for Christmas and truly enjoying the holidays. I did that pretty successfully. I enjoyed my kids to the max, enjoyed the time with my dear hubby (always such a romantic time of year I think), spent amazing time with family and friends. I did have many "moments" that Pete needed to wrap his arms around me and assure me to keep the faith and we would see movement soon. We even came up with a plan one night after Christmas to contact our agency to find out what possible things we could do to help the situation, and get clarity on what the heck is going on. Since then all Oct. 3 families have had successful court dates and they are to be travelling the end of January.......so I am feeling a little more hopeful once again, since there is movement. I am still hanging to hear of court dates for the Oct. 13 families and am so dissapointed that our agency has not gotten this mess cleared up as of yet. I know now they are working hard, but oh Lord, this CAN NOT happen to us. So my thoughts as of now are this:

1. So psyched families are getting ready to travel in a couple weeks, they must be SOOOO ready after all this time!
2. Assuming/hoping/praying/pleading referrals will come in the next week or so
3. Thinking we will be in second batch of referrals
4. When the current group of babies living in the Transitional home move out to join their families, I assume my baby/ies will be the next batch in there.......so exciting! (never too hopeful though.....see I am learning)
5. Making appointment to go to agency to meet new director and meet the CEO. This should be great. I am praying there is some way we can help and praying we get a good understanding of timing and assurance that we will not be put through what the current families have gone through.
6. Learning of many families in our county who are adopting or have adopted from ET. This is so exciting and makes me feel so good. What a great feeling to know that my family can have a support network right here in our town.....and how important for our kiddos!!

Happy new year! Hopefully more to come soon......

Patience

2007-11-30T06:34:00.000-07:00

The Power of Patience

Patience pertains to every phase as we work through our adoptions. It could be a physical that can't get scheduled, a pile of paperwork that just doesn't seem to get smaller, that darn I-171 that STILL hasn't shown up, the home study that seems to be taking months to wrap-up, the wait for a referral, the wait for a court date, and finally the last wait is to physically wrap our arms around our babies and place our lips on their skin for the first time and give them the kiss we have been dreaming of for so long. I need to hold on to these teachings and do the best I can and pray the prayer of Patience.

"For you have need of steadfast patience and endurance, so that you may perform and fully accomplish the will of God, and thus receive and carry away [and enjoy to the full] what is promised. ”Hebrews 10:36

The Word of God promises that the patient man will be perfect and entire, lacking nothing. (James 1:4 KJV.) A patient man is a powerful man. He can remain calm in the storm. He has control over his mouth. His thoughts remain loving in times when people's behavior becomes challenging.

Without patience we cannot endure to see the fulfillment of our faith. Everything does not come to us immediately upon believing. There is a waiting period involved in receiving from God. It is during that period that our faith is tested and purified. Only if we endure and wait patiently will we experience the joy of seeing what we have believed for.

Patience is not only the ability to wait, but also the ability to keep a good attitude while waiting. Waiting is a part of life that cannot be avoided. We will spend a great deal of our lives waiting; if we don't learn to do it well (patiently), we will be quite miserable. God is so patient with us. And we are to imitate Him.

Be encouraged to actively pursue patience it will lead you into God's power

Pray This:

"Lord, help me to exercise every kind of endurance and patience, perseverance, and forbearance with joy (Colossians 1:11). In Jesus' name, amen."

Clarity is a good thing

2007-11-29T11:14:00.001-07:00

Clarity brings peace and calm; however their still may be feelings of dissapointment and emotion....today I feel all of these.

I had a great conversation with our family coordinator yesterday and feel I learned of several things that are so helpful in this journey of the unknown. Knowing ANYTHING helps the wait and the anticipaition and the planning. Gaining a better understanding of how things are working and moving forward has helped me SOOOO much. Even though the news is not exactly what my heart wants, that's o.k. because it is all in His timing and I am trusting fully in that. So, especially for you YG friends I hope this sheds some light and clarity for you as well. I think if anything we will have a better way of watching and gauging how and when referrals might come along.

-The agency's main focus right now is to get all the referred families through their court dates successfully. I completelly agree that this has to be the main focus. So after Dec. 7, G-man will be focused on getting the 2nd group their dates, and probably preparing for the first group to travel. I asked if there would be any referrals in between those two court dates. The answer is most likely no, but possibly. It really seems to depend on the workload of G-man and if he feels he has the bandwidth to do that. Again, his focus will be on the first 2 groups of families.

-It sounds like G-man has hired some staff to help him (YEAH!!!) and he will be gettting them ready so that he can eventually task them with some of the things he has had to do, thus giving them the opportunity to do more things simultaneously (This is my interpretation). I will be praying that he finds this great staff and if they are already hired, than I pray for their ability and their hearts for how much good and help they are providing. Also, so that G-man doesn't have to be the one man show (must be exhausting)

-O.K., so IF there was time to do some referrals in December (again, sounds unlikely), there would only be able to be 4 children referred. The transitional home holds up to 16 babies.....there are 12 there now. I asked why not have referrals come as soon as court dates start happening successfully and those new referred babies would stay at the original orphanages for a short time, as they did before the TH. I learned this is not possible as ET adoption guidlines state that an agaency MUST have a transitional home. They are not allowed to stay at the orphanges as soon as they are referred. There is a grace period given to the agencies when they begin working with ET, America World's grace period is over, and great thing that our transitional home is up and running (probably why their haven't been more referrals as G-man was again the main person setting this home up and now we know it was probably pretty time-critical). So, if there are 16 children in the TH they are not even able to get more referrals. So, for us waiting families and those who will be there soon, this is a great piece of information as we can watch the TH for children leaving/coming to better gauge the flow of more referrals. Also, Rachel is there now helping and when she moves there, this home will no longer be on G-man's plate. Also, as G-man gets his new staff up and running, their hope is to eventually have things going really smoothly and the TH home will essentaully have a revloving door as famlies come get their little angels and new referrals enter.

-I also know exactly where I am on the waiting list, not only by # dossier submitted but, what the requests are before me. We were the 21st dossier submitted, i.e. we are 6th on the list. However, we are 4th in line asking for a girl.......AND the first 2 families on the list are asking for multiple children, so they could obviously get girls as well (I believe they are both open to gender). So, I realistically could be like 6th in line for a girl. From this I gather it would be pretty unlikely to get a referral in the next batch, still could happen, but my expectations won't be there. Also, I asked if I should just get through the holidays and the New Year before even thinking again about getting one and the answer was pretty much- that's a good idea, you won't be getting a referral any time soon. A bummer, but a gift to have the understanding of where I am in line!

So, now I feel so relieved to just know the deal. It is so dissapointing that I will be waiting several more months, but at least I can reset my expectaitions and if something happens sooner, great, but I won't be frustrated not knowing what's going on anymore or being upset each Friday when I heard nothing.

I am so thankful that my coordinator was willing to share this information and allow me to literally dig into everything she said. I know again that this is in God's timing and it will all be worth it in the end.

Praying for families to have success on Dec. 7 and praying for the second group of families to have their date VERY soon after!! You guys have been doing so good hanging in there, you're almost there!

I am looking forward to laughing

2007-11-27T13:36:00.000-07:00

Today's many thoughts:

-With court delays going on in Ethiopia, there is news that our ever-anticipated referral will not come anytime soon. Here we were waiting day to day with great hope that "the call" was coming..........last night was great news mixed with sad news.

-One of the referral groups got their new court dates which is such great news. My heart has been with them and not knowing how hard it must be to have a picture in hand and just waiting to get the chance to go get them! I am praying that December 7th is a glorious day, and I am so excited that they have movement on their process.

-My heart feels for the second referral batch who won't even get their new court dates until the first group goes through. I pray that they all have news of success and completion by Christmas or the New Year! I also pray for their patience and peace during this time of waiting. God will hold thier babies in his hands and will also do his work in their hearts to get them through.

-I am left to wonder when we can even think of getting our referral. I have gone from feeling so close and excited, to feeling like this process and phase will go on and on and on and on and on.........I know our news will come, and I know it will just bring me to the next phase which I am seeing is also not that easy; however it will be THE NEXT PHASE. I am ready for a new set of waiting issues. I felt like this as we were approaching the end of the paper-chase. Each phase is a higher quality problem. I am hoping to get some information from our agency tomorrow that will help me better understand and grasp the delays that we may be experiencing. I just need to know if we have to now wait until all families fully get through their court dates for anymore referrals. I will be fine either way, just need a sense of direction and help to better set my expectations and ability to wait. Boy have I grown so much through this process, I felt last night like God is really getting me ready for something AMAZING. I never doubted this experience and having another child would be incredible, but I get the feeling there will be more to it than I could have even thought of. Maybe he is going to give us the gift of twins (we have requested an infant girl or twins), or maybe we will experience something so amazing that our lives will so be changed and we are able to give more than we ever thought and make a huge difference for children, or maybe it is just the gift of the growth of my heart, my soul and my faith.

-People talk of the miracle of birth........how about the miracle of adoption!

-My dear husband sent this to me today. It is so right on I had to post it..........and that concludes my thoughts for the day.......I think that is enough, don't you?

"The Lord said to Abraham, 'Why did Sarah laugh.'" Genesis 18:13 NIV

You'll laugh again!
In Genesis 18:13-14 we read: "The Lord said to Abraham, 'Why did Sarah laugh and say, 'Will I really have a child, now that I am old?' Is anything too hard for the Lord?'" Then in Genesis 21:2 we read: "Sarah became pregnant and bore a son...[and] said, 'God has brought me laughter'" (Ge 21:2-6 NIV). But between the first and the last laugh Sarah went through a wrenching time of disappointment and heartache. The 'love of her life,' Abraham, betrayed her to save himself. Abimelech, a heathen king, took her to his harem and would have slept with her had God not stepped in to rescue her. Yes, like Sarah, between the first laugh and the last you'll do a lot of growing. You'll celebrate your good times and pray for grace to survive your bad ones. Some days you'll feel like you can't go a step further, yet through it all you'll learn to trust God more than you ever dreamed possible.

Here's an important thought: when you share your story with others don't just tell how you started or where you are today, tell them what God brought you through. Why? For those are the things they are struggling with too! King Abimelech's tent was in Gerar, which means the halting place. There will be times when you'll feel as if your life has come to a complete halt; like you're getting nowhere. Maybe that's where you are today. If it is, please know this - God will be faithful to you! Not only will He bring you through, but like Sarah, you'll laugh again as you watch Him fulfill His promises in your life!

Got Milk!

2007-11-07T06:11:00.000-07:00

I have not addressed this issue on my blog as of yet, even though it has been a major part of my journey these days.......but I am so happy with how things are going that I have decided to share, hoping that this will incourage someone else or help another mommy know it is possible.

I decided months ago that I wanted to nurse my new baby. I nursed my first two and why should I not try to provide the same nourishment, protection and boost for my third baby. Well, one might say........maybe because I am not pregnant and not carrying this child? I had researched online and talked to several women who had done this and learned it is completely possible. I scheduled an appt. with my Dr. next as I thought I should discuss with him, and I read that I would need to be on the pill for a couple months first (all part of the protocol) The nurse AND practitioner at my ob/gyn had never come across this request (you know I was feeling like a lunitic that day). They were very confused as to why I was there asking for the pill, and wanting to nurse, WHEN I was not preganant AND asking for the pill!!! It was comical the looks on there faces....I can laugh now. They were telling me nicely "honey, the pill is used to avoid getting pregnant, not to nurse" Long story short, they called in the big guns. They got on the the phone with the Certified lactation group working in labor & delivery at the hospital. They said, sure she can nurse without being pregnant, and assured the practitioner that indeed the pill is used to put one's body into a "pregnent-like" state to prepare for the relactation. OH, THANK GOD I thought, someone doesn't think I am crazy. What I learned was that it is totally possible to relactate, or even do it for the first time if you have never had a pregnancy.

So, I have been pumping now for 2 months and have about 400 ounces frozen in our freezer!! I am just so thrilled and amazed that a woman's body can do this. Knowing that my little girl and maybe little boy are with us on this earth and in the care of others is hard for a mom. Each time I sit down to pump I know that I am doing everything I can to give Gabrielle the best of what a mom can give. When she comes home she will receive this milk that was prepared for her months before and it will make this mom feel so good. I couldn't give her my body for pregnancy, but in my heart she has lived; however giving her my body for her nourishment feels great!

Adoption is so emotional and spiritual. We connect to these little ones through God with our hearts and minds. So far my experience with adoptive nursing is that it brings such a wonderful physical component to adoption which has meant a lot to me. I can't even imagine if when I get my baby she actually is willing t nurse on me, that will be a whole added experience of bonding.

The Endurance we need for the marathon of Adoption

2007-11-06T11:47:00.000-07:00

I found this on another blog (Mary- Owlhaven) and had to share it. It is SO fitting for those of us in the various stages of adoption. There are those days spent struggling through paperwork that seems to never end, the endurance that it takes to wait,wait and then wait some more for that call to come. Then the call and picture of your beloved child is seen in reality and not just in heart! Then waiting again for the moment you can officailly call that child yours. Then the ultimate wait begins........getting to the day of actually holding and kissing that blessing of a child. We were all purposely chosen and put on this path, our reward will come, but not without running the marathon first. It is too big of a reward to be given lightly and easily. Enjoy!

Hebrews 10:35-36

“So do not throw away your confidence, because it has great reward. For you need endurance in order to do God’s will and so receive what is promised.”

Absorb what it’s saying. God has made us certain promises that we will only see fulfilled on the other side of a demanding climb. We’re going to have to sweat this one out and feel the burn in our limbs but the reward is going to be “great.” There is something God wants to give you, Beloved, but He’s purposely requiring tremendous perseverance from you in order for you to have what it takes to receive it rightly. Humbly. You will need ENDURANCE to do His will in this particular situation. It will not come easy because it’s too good to come cheap.

Without Christ you can do nothing but, with Him, you are capable of things you’ve never dreamed. All surpassing power abides in your jar of clay. Do not shrink back. The God of the Universe looked the world over and found you.

Let God be God of the Future

2007-11-02T11:15:00.000-07:00

So friends, I get a daily devotional and today's was EXACTLY what I needed. It can be hard to wait on news of our baby/babies, and trying to keep faith and our hearts in line. This devotional was so helpful for me I wanted to share it:

For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome. Jeremiah 29:11

God has a plan and a purpose for each of us and a specific way and perfect time to bring it to pass.

Much of our frustration and misery comes from either not believing that fact, or believing it but being determined to do things our own way and in our own time, determined to exalt our own will and timing above God's.

According to Isaiah 55:8, God's thoughts are not our thoughts, and His ways are not our ways. We want what feels good right now, but God has something far greater in mind.

We are constantly trying to figure out something we do not understand or trying to make something happen now that is not happening yet. It seems as if we are always trying, but believers are supposed to believe!

"Why, God, why?" and "When, God, when?" can be two statements that keep us frustrated and prevent us from enjoying peace. Many times we do not understand what God is doing. But that is what trust is all about. Let God be God in your life. Give Him the reins. He knows what He is doing.

Do This:

Trust yourself and everything to God Who judges fairly and deals righteously. Deposit yourself in His hands and watch what He can do!

www.joycemeyer.org

Neighborhood fun and trick or treating

2007-11-01T11:26:00.000-07:00

Our neigborhood has a party every Halloween and all the adults and kids dress up. We decorate a hayride for the kids and take them around the neighborhood (houses are pretty far apart) to get candy and have fun. This year John wanted to be Spiderman and Isabelle wanted to be Super Girl. They came up with the idea that mommy and daddy should be matching them. I actually found adult matching costumes and we had a ball!!!

A beautiful sight to get the day going!

2007-10-23T16:34:00.000-07:00

After putting Isabelle on the bus I was heading back up the driveway and was thinking the fall coloring was so beautiful....then I saw the most amazing rainbow. It was a full rainbow....like the whole arch! I have never seen that before, what an incredible sight. So, I snapped some pictures, I couldn't get the whole thing on one picture because it was like right above me, but I hope some of these give an idea of how amazing it was. Seeing a natural, beautiful treat like this makes me reflect on how truly amazing, powerful and giving our God is. He created this phenomenon and made it so special that it is only seen under certain circumstances....I felt like he gave me a gift this morning, like a big colorful smile. I needed it!! We have been thinking so much of our baby girl, who is no doubt with us on this earth, in Ethiopia. If he can make rainbows like this, he can take care of her and hold her in his hands untill we get to her!

So happy for our friends!

2007-10-20T05:24:00.000-07:00

Yesterday our Yahoo group lit up with messages of great news from afar and such excitement!! Our agency got 6 referrals that went out to five families. So many of these families we have gone through this process with, so it is so amazing and emotional to see and read their messages of joy announcing their new babies. I am in a cloud today. I was so emotional hearing the news of each family, it was like having four of your close friends call within the same hour saying they have delivered their babies!! It is so inspiring to see things rolling along and to know that we have to be SOOO close. We are so close and yet I long for my baby girl even stronger. The closer we get the stronger the pull becomes. I suppose that is exactly how God wants me and he knows exactly what he is doing. It is a day for praise!!!

Fundraiser Success!!

2007-09-25T04:37:00.000-07:00

"I will sacrifice a freewill offering to you; I will praise your name, O Lord, for it is good." -Psalm 54:6 (NIV)

Saturday night was our fundraiser event. It was such a magical night and it turned out to be an amazing success. Our Lord is so good.....he made sure the right people were there, he led me to prepare and plan a type of event I have never done, his words and spirit flowed through Pete as he presented and the hearts and minds of people were opened and touched! And America World was so amazing to have 4 people there and to help us so much in getting the right visual and beautiful pictures of the children there!

We had a cocktail reception for about 50 people including a silent auction, a lot of emotion and a lot of laughs. We raised a total of $8,000 for AHOPE for Children and for America World's Visiting Angels mission teams. We can't wait to do it again next year and hope it just gets better. Next year we will have had the experience of having been to Ethiopia as well as having Gabrielle. Hopefully will be able to give people more of a picture of what it is like there as well as share our video of gotcha day with Gabrielle.

Our freinds, family, neighbors and community are so amazing. Everyone came who rsvp'd and it just turned out better than we could have ever expected! My dear husband did such a FANTASTIC job speaking, I was so impressed and again in awe of him. I am so blessed and so proud of him and that he is my husband.

It was a little like this was our second step to Gabrielle (first being the paper pregnancy), I felt so close to her during this whole event and know one day this will mean a lot to her and to us. We have to keep helping the children and people who are from her birth place....they will be her extended family and we will never forget that or that she could have easily been one of the other beautiful children left behind or in a worse situation. The country is beautiful and historically rich, the people are beautiful and have amazing spirits and we are so looking forward to finally going there in a couple months to witness it first hand and fall in love with it even more!

Till next year!

A "led" encounter towards Adoption- our story and now my turn to give back

2007-09-09T12:14:00.000-07:00

So my story begins back when I was in a very difficult place. I had recently learned I could not physically have anymore children and Pete and I were searching for answers and the right path. We always knew we would adopt one day......."one day" seemed easier than actually doing it at the time. We investigated surrogacy (which did not feel right and now we know why). The whole adoption thing seemed so overwhelming, but it was what we felt like we were being led to. All the questions began....domestic, international, WHAT country, etc. Not to mention, all the normal questions and fears that come along with initial thoughts about adoption. I was upset one day, put both my kids in a jogging stroller and went out for a run and some quiet time of prayer and searching. I ended up on a back road, dirt road, a dead-end road that became the opposite. Rarely I would see a car when on this road so pulled the stoller over as I saw 2 cars coming....then I realized they were stopping (probably to ask for directions as they were obviously lost. I quickly needed to pull myself together as I had been crying asking the Lord for answers, I was in the middle of telling the Lord that we knew we were to have more children and how should we go about doing it. When the man climbed out of his car I realized that 2 beautiful boys were in tow......both were not his skin color or race. My mind started racing....he asked a quick question about a house for sale nearby and then I realized the shirt he was wearing said "Christian Adoption Association"!! As a started to break down I asked him if he had adopted and a huge smile came across his face and I will never forget his response, "We are huge fans of adoption, we have adopted 4 children and I am a chairman on the Christian Adoption Association.....anything you would want to know I would love to share." I could not muster many words and apologized for my tears, but assured him that our encounter was PERFECT timing. I needed to get my thoughts together but I wanted to talk to him. We exchanged information, I briefly said hello to his wife in the car behind and off they went. I called my husband from my cell phone and told him what had happened and knew in my heart of hearts that we were going to adopt. When I got home there was already an e-mail from this man with information on a seminar the following week on adoption as well as the agency he used, America World (our now agency). Mark was an angel sent to me to answer my prayer that day, and even though I thought I must have come across weird and a mess, he completely understood and knew where I was coming from. He even said in his e-mail that he was e-mailing me from his blackberry on his way home, because I seemed like I really wanted and needed some answers and information. I often look back at that encounter and thank God for his amazing work at just the time we need it. NOw it was my turn..........

Two weeks ago I went to a Southern Living party at a friend's house. Towards the end of the party I began talking to a woman there. She asked how many kids I had and I told her two and that we were in the process of currently adopting one or two. She seemed a little surprised, but nothing out of the ordinary..... she then asked from where and her face changed drastically as a said Ethiopia. She was completely stunned and immediately I could see the emotion welling up. I recognized this face as it had been the look on my face one time a ways back on a dirt road. She swallowed hard and said she didn't know why she was getting so emotional and said she was sorry but she and her husband had been through a lot and adopting from Ethiopia was what they had specifically thought about doing. A ways back they had decided to move forward with Ethiopia and then became very fearful of the possibility of a child coming home with HIV, or other illness. They have two boys and couldn't imagine having that situation come into their family, the thought became too overwhelming for them to ask questions or continue to move forward, her husband one day just said it was too much and he couldn't do it........she was devastated. She felt as if she had lost a pregnancy. I shared with her the specifics on how they test children and there shouldn't be concern.......but I knew in my heart that this wasn't the real reason, they could have called the adoption agency and gotten the reassurance and answers they needed. She said her husband had recently asked her if they could possibly revisit the adoption discussion, but they were afraid. I shared with her that I feel everything happens in God's timing and how we had been a path to go to China for 1 1/2 years before being led to Ethiopia. We believe we were moving too fast, or that we had work in our hearts that needed to be done in order for us to go to Ethiopia. I believe they fall in this same category. Sometimes we need to go through some pain and/or searching to finally know when we have reached the right place that is the Lord's destination for us. She could not believe that we had met at this party and how it was unbelievable timing........no it wasn't that unbelievable.......just a blessing! I was so thankful to get to be on the other side of providing answers and hope when it comes to adoption. I told her about our fundrasier coming up and sent an invitations not knowing what to expect. I ran into them at church this morning and with big smiles and enthusiasm said they will be coming! I pray that they find the answers they are looking for and turn to their faith to wash away their fears.

Adoption Dreamin'

2007-09-07T05:45:00.000-07:00

Isabelle in the crib with Johhny when he was a baby, she used to love to do that and now she's dreaming of it with Gabrielle.

Well, I haven't posted much about adoption dreams....as I feel like like I have had so many over the last couple years during our process. On our Yahoo adoption group, people started sharing theirs and it has been really fun and cool to see what our minds come up with. I did have a VERY vivid dream while on vacation......then came home and saw the posting of dreams from our group. I thought my dream was too weird and it wasn't funny so I didn't post.....then I realized that is what dreams are.....strange and weird. I also have gotten such a chuckle out of everyone's elses....I even asked Pete two nights ago if he had any and he hadn't.....then this morning.......

My daughter was really groggy when I woke her for school this morning and with her eyes still shut she smiled and said, guess what I had a dream about.....I said horses? (she LOVES horses) she said no, and then I just said Gabrielle?? And she said YES!!! She was so excited she was holding her arms wrapped around her saying "I can't wait mommy to have her, she is so cute!" It gave me goose-bumps and made me a bit emotional. I was like, "what did you actually dream?" She said she was in Gabrielle's crib with her, holding and playing with her. With the biggest smile and arms still wrapped around her she said "she has really curly soft black hair and she is so cute......mommy I want her home with me now". I just hugged her and told her we are getting closer everyday. I am actually more touched now as I am writing this than when she told me. Isabelle has been praying and thinking of Gabrielle for so long.....for her young age she has been so in touch with this process and I do believe that it is possible that her little spirit could have been with Gabrielle last night. That is what we pray for at night, that our love and emotion reach Gabrielle through our Lord, we ask him to hold her in his hands and that even though she may be torn away from her birth family and put into an orphanage, that she always feels the strong love we have for her through our Lord, Jesus Christ. We feel like when she finally meets us in person and her sister and brother that she will already feel a connection b/c of this spiritual delivering of our nurturing.

Well, now for my dream. I will make it breif. It was last week while on vacation. I basically dreamed that I gave birth to two babies. I was literally crouched over the side of a dirt road and delivered both babies. There was a girl and a boy. I was making dinner over a fire when the labor started. Funny, I had c-sections with my two bio kids, so I don't know what delivering that way is like, but it seemed pretty darn real. I won't be too graphic; however I somehow knew one of the babies did not live and all I kept saying was do I have a boy or a girl.....then I realized that I was bleeding A LOT and was not sure if I was o.k. That was the end of it. I know that is not too funny, and sort of sad; however in the dream I was not too distraught about losing one of the babies, it seemed natural, I just wanted to know which one was alive. When I woke up my stomach was hurting, I had pretty bad cramping that went away after I got up and had breakfast.....that may have added to the real-ness of the dream!

2007-09-05T05:40:00.000-07:00

2007-09-05T05:37:00.000-07:00

Fundraiser fun!

2007-09-03T19:00:00.000-07:00

So I haven't "blogged" much about my passion these days and our upcoming fundraiser. I have been very inspired to give back to the children of Ethiopia and the country from where our children will be from. My heart just goes out to the unbelievable amount of orphans who are living there and especially the ones who have been born into the situation of having HIV. These children are outcasts, sometimes their own family does not want them after their parents die and it just speaks to me and makes me want to reach these kids and share the love of the Lord with them. They are loved as much as any of his other children and they deserve childhoods, love, attention and hope just like any other beautiful child. After I read "There is No Me Without You", I was a woman on a mission! Here we are a couple months later and Pete and I are hosting a cocktail fundraiser to raise money for these two organizations. AHOPE for Children is an orphanage and community program to house and help children with HIV/AIDS. An AMAZING program with AMAZING people who have done so much for these children. We are also raising money for our adoption agencies missions programs, Visiting Orphans. I can't say enough about how amazingly wonderful and Christ-centered, warm, caring, loving and giving the people of this organization are. They travel around the world (Ethiopia being one place) and share the love and word of our Lord with orphans. I have attached pictures of the invitations, I was so excited with the way they turned out and I am so excited for how things have been moving along. I have gotten such amazing support from so many businesses in town who are donating for the silent auction, as well as the Redskins and many other friends and businesses. I finally got the invites out and have started receiving responses!!!!!! So much fun! I will keep you all updated on how things unfold closer to the event! Please say prayers that some eyes are opened, hearts are touched and that many children can be touched and helped through this event. I will tell my kids one day that I would have done anything to have helped their mommies and daddies stay healthy and well, but that I am so glad that the Lord decided they were our kids after all; however I want to make sure they know that we have and will continue to help those who we will leave behind and will have to say good-bye to.....their heratige, their culture, their story!

2007-09-03T18:49:00.000-07:00