Saturday, July 24, 2010
Getting the boy's room ready
We've been spending the day painting, got a new closet organizer, and will be getting the bunk beds up soon! WHEW! Can't wait to bring them home!
Thursday, July 15, 2010
WE PASSED!!!!
We passed court today!! Praise Him!!
Today we also got to meet the boys' biological mother - we were able to ask questions, and we found out more about her than we thought we would. Her one request of us was to periodically send her pictures of them throughout the years as they grow. I was happy for her when she told us that she is working, and that her health is ok. She also told us more about Wondy father (he was a cook), and other things about her family.
Afterword, we had lunch, and then returned to the transition home where we got to play for an extra long time! (there was a soccor game in the drive - at last count, the girls were being beat BAD!!! lol). We also put the boys in some new outfits and shoes, and took some family pics (will post later)!
Cloud 9 isn't high enough to explain where our feelings are right now!!
As always, thank you all for your continued prayers and support.
We give God all the praise and all the glory for all that he has done for us, all that he continues to do for us, and all that we KNOW he will do for us!!
Today we also got to meet the boys' biological mother - we were able to ask questions, and we found out more about her than we thought we would. Her one request of us was to periodically send her pictures of them throughout the years as they grow. I was happy for her when she told us that she is working, and that her health is ok. She also told us more about Wondy father (he was a cook), and other things about her family.
Afterword, we had lunch, and then returned to the transition home where we got to play for an extra long time! (there was a soccor game in the drive - at last count, the girls were being beat BAD!!! lol). We also put the boys in some new outfits and shoes, and took some family pics (will post later)!
Cloud 9 isn't high enough to explain where our feelings are right now!!
As always, thank you all for your continued prayers and support.
We give God all the praise and all the glory for all that he has done for us, all that he continues to do for us, and all that we KNOW he will do for us!!
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
COURT
The past few days have been so exciting, enlightening, fascinating, and just plain fun! With each passing day, the boys seem to grow so much closer to us - it is though they have always been our sons and we are simply visiting them at summer camp or something! It is such an unbelievable feeling to pull up in our van, and Wondy is outside with the other children looking through the crowd for US! And then to hold Abiti, and have him cling to us and only want one of us to hold him! Today we got to visit the older children's transition home (where Wondy sleeps and spends most of his day) where we got to see his bed and the rest of the home. It's VERY clean and VERY organized - to think so many children are there, yet the place was not in complete chaos. We are just so impressed by the work the nannies at both of these homes do!
While visiting earlier in the day, we had given Wondy about 2 or 3 glow bands to put on his arms. At dinner tonight, we were informed that later in the evening, at bath time, he came running out wearing nothing but the glowing arm bands!! lol
We also dropped of some of the donations today - again, thank you all for your generous giving! And, we still have SO MUCH left to drop off.
We also got to do some shopping - we pretty much went to one shop that had EVERYTHING. There was so much that all of us bought that we all ended up owing David (our driver) a couple thousand BIR! lol
But aside from all the fun, great food and coffee, and SO MANY great laughs with the other families here (we've made some GREAT new friends!), it is alas time to "get down to business". Tomorow is our court date. We are to be ready by 9am, and we will be on our way by 9:30am. We have been assured over and over again that it's not high-pressure, it's very informal, and we should just relax and be ourselves. Still, that's easier said than done. A couple of the families that have gone before us have said the same - it's a very quick and easy process. But, we are still naturally nervous. We will also be able to (and are looking forward to) meet their birth family and ask questions.
We are faithful and continue to pray that all goes well - that there are no paper work issues, and that soon we will have our little ones home with us!!
Once we are out of court - regardless of the outcome - we will post to let you know!
As always, thank you all for your continued prayers and support, and praise HIM for blessing us with this wonderful adoption!
While visiting earlier in the day, we had given Wondy about 2 or 3 glow bands to put on his arms. At dinner tonight, we were informed that later in the evening, at bath time, he came running out wearing nothing but the glowing arm bands!! lol
We also dropped of some of the donations today - again, thank you all for your generous giving! And, we still have SO MUCH left to drop off.
We also got to do some shopping - we pretty much went to one shop that had EVERYTHING. There was so much that all of us bought that we all ended up owing David (our driver) a couple thousand BIR! lol
But aside from all the fun, great food and coffee, and SO MANY great laughs with the other families here (we've made some GREAT new friends!), it is alas time to "get down to business". Tomorow is our court date. We are to be ready by 9am, and we will be on our way by 9:30am. We have been assured over and over again that it's not high-pressure, it's very informal, and we should just relax and be ourselves. Still, that's easier said than done. A couple of the families that have gone before us have said the same - it's a very quick and easy process. But, we are still naturally nervous. We will also be able to (and are looking forward to) meet their birth family and ask questions.
We are faithful and continue to pray that all goes well - that there are no paper work issues, and that soon we will have our little ones home with us!!
Once we are out of court - regardless of the outcome - we will post to let you know!
As always, thank you all for your continued prayers and support, and praise HIM for blessing us with this wonderful adoption!
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Closer and Closer
Yesterday (Tuesday) was once again incredible. After orientation and breakfast at the guest house, we went to the Transition Home to see the boys. Although it's only been a couple days, it seems that we have already grown closer and closer! Wondwoosen came running to us with arms out-stretched when he saw us from their bus! We had so much fun blowing bubbles and playing on the playground together!
Then, it was off to lunch. This time we ate at the art gallery - had some delicious lasagna (yes, by the way - lots of Italian food in Ethiopia!), then more coffee at our favorite place, Kaldi's Coffee.
When we returned to the home, Abiti was down for a nap, so we got to spend a lot more time with Wondy. Although very shy when we first met, he seems to keep opening up more and more. On the playground, he would do something, then tell me to do what he just did, then laugh at me because I'm a grown up trying to play on their toys! He esspecailly thought it was funny when I tried to swing on a small rope that's tied to a tree - he could swing on it just fine, but I had to keep trying to keep my feet from dragging the ground. We are just so amazed at how well he shares, too. Some of the other children had bubble containers that were empty. He woul stop them and literally make them take some of his bubbles so they could play as well. We gave him some cheese crackers and when one of the little girls came up asking for some, before we could reach into the bag to give her her own pack, he had already given her one of his!
Once Abiti woke up, he was just as playful as well. He was full of giggles this time! He didn't seem as fussy as he was on Monday, and was running around kicking the soccer ball.
We got hugs and kisses as it was time for Wondy to get on the bus to return to the older children's transition home, and it was also time for us to leave. My heart melted when I took Abiti back inside to his nanny, and he reached out for me crying...could it be that in this short period of time we have actually grown closer and closer?
Today, we will be taking some the donations that many of you sent. We were told to send MUCH thanks to all! And, the scrubs are REALLY appreciated. Tomorow is court - please continue to pray for us that all goes well!
Then, it was off to lunch. This time we ate at the art gallery - had some delicious lasagna (yes, by the way - lots of Italian food in Ethiopia!), then more coffee at our favorite place, Kaldi's Coffee.
When we returned to the home, Abiti was down for a nap, so we got to spend a lot more time with Wondy. Although very shy when we first met, he seems to keep opening up more and more. On the playground, he would do something, then tell me to do what he just did, then laugh at me because I'm a grown up trying to play on their toys! He esspecailly thought it was funny when I tried to swing on a small rope that's tied to a tree - he could swing on it just fine, but I had to keep trying to keep my feet from dragging the ground. We are just so amazed at how well he shares, too. Some of the other children had bubble containers that were empty. He woul stop them and literally make them take some of his bubbles so they could play as well. We gave him some cheese crackers and when one of the little girls came up asking for some, before we could reach into the bag to give her her own pack, he had already given her one of his!
Once Abiti woke up, he was just as playful as well. He was full of giggles this time! He didn't seem as fussy as he was on Monday, and was running around kicking the soccer ball.
We got hugs and kisses as it was time for Wondy to get on the bus to return to the older children's transition home, and it was also time for us to leave. My heart melted when I took Abiti back inside to his nanny, and he reached out for me crying...could it be that in this short period of time we have actually grown closer and closer?
Today, we will be taking some the donations that many of you sent. We were told to send MUCH thanks to all! And, the scrubs are REALLY appreciated. Tomorow is court - please continue to pray for us that all goes well!
Monday, July 12, 2010
We Finally Meet!
Today, we finally got to meet our boys at the Transition Home! We first went earlier in the day and were allowed to spend time with just them in the family room. We got to play and put together a puzzle. Of course, since this was our first time meeting, they were both at first VERY shy. Also, Abiti has not been feeling well, so he was somewhat fussy as any 1-year-old would be. But, once he settled, he would snuggle while holding onto his truck.
As we had been told, Wondwossen was VERY shy, although he gave us both a hug and a kiss when we first met. Then, he and Shannon put together a Cars puzzle, and he seemed to quickly warm up to us. He sat with me for a while - we played with a spinning toy together while he ate some candy (they call it all "caramel"). Minutes later, a few of the other kids came into the room as well (some were in-and-out of school). They all played together so well, and Wondwossen was a chatter box around them! They were all so full of energy, but well-behaved at the same time. All of them loved to share with one another. I brought down some markers from a shelf, and Wondossen drew us a picture!
One of the Nannies came in to do measurements on the older children - we were amazed a how they followed all of her instructions without fussing or crying! They were all just so well behaved!
We then left for lunch - are at a great resteraunt celled "Metro Pizza" located just across the street from a lamb/sheep market. We got tons of great pictures there that we will share later!
After lunch, we returned to the Transition Home - this time, the boys had really warmed up to us! With all the other kids outside, with the other families as well, we got to kick a soccer ball together, play with some balloons, and play on the merry-go-round! The kids would all count "1-2-3-4-5- GO!!", and we'd give them a big push! They would all come around and slap us 5 and just laugh their little heads off! Shannon had given Abiti a bottle by this time, so he napped through most of it.
We had such a wonderful time, and did not want to leave. We learned a lot as well - such as: Wondossen listens VERY well! We would say words to him, and he can repeat them and also seemed to understand what they meant! He melted my heart when he called me "Da-da" as he wanted to look at the pictures I had just taken of him! And, both he and Abiti say , "Thank you".
This first visit has so far been much more than either of us could have expected. The people are so nice and courtious, and we've had some great laughs with our drivers and the other families here! We have TONS of pictures to share, but still are yet to do so until after we pass court. We will share them as sson as we can!
God has trully blessed us with this gift of adoption. This entire experience has been trully awesome beyond words! Thank you all for your continued prayers and support. We will keep you all updated!!
As we had been told, Wondwossen was VERY shy, although he gave us both a hug and a kiss when we first met. Then, he and Shannon put together a Cars puzzle, and he seemed to quickly warm up to us. He sat with me for a while - we played with a spinning toy together while he ate some candy (they call it all "caramel"). Minutes later, a few of the other kids came into the room as well (some were in-and-out of school). They all played together so well, and Wondwossen was a chatter box around them! They were all so full of energy, but well-behaved at the same time. All of them loved to share with one another. I brought down some markers from a shelf, and Wondossen drew us a picture!
One of the Nannies came in to do measurements on the older children - we were amazed a how they followed all of her instructions without fussing or crying! They were all just so well behaved!
We then left for lunch - are at a great resteraunt celled "Metro Pizza" located just across the street from a lamb/sheep market. We got tons of great pictures there that we will share later!
After lunch, we returned to the Transition Home - this time, the boys had really warmed up to us! With all the other kids outside, with the other families as well, we got to kick a soccer ball together, play with some balloons, and play on the merry-go-round! The kids would all count "1-2-3-4-5- GO!!", and we'd give them a big push! They would all come around and slap us 5 and just laugh their little heads off! Shannon had given Abiti a bottle by this time, so he napped through most of it.
We had such a wonderful time, and did not want to leave. We learned a lot as well - such as: Wondossen listens VERY well! We would say words to him, and he can repeat them and also seemed to understand what they meant! He melted my heart when he called me "Da-da" as he wanted to look at the pictures I had just taken of him! And, both he and Abiti say , "Thank you".
This first visit has so far been much more than either of us could have expected. The people are so nice and courtious, and we've had some great laughs with our drivers and the other families here! We have TONS of pictures to share, but still are yet to do so until after we pass court. We will share them as sson as we can!
God has trully blessed us with this gift of adoption. This entire experience has been trully awesome beyond words! Thank you all for your continued prayers and support. We will keep you all updated!!
Saturday, July 10, 2010
We Made It!!
We arrived safely in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia at approximately 10pm Saturday, July 10 (roughly 3pm EST). It was roughly 26 hours of flight! Our arrival at JFK wasn't the best - we touched down almost 40 minutes ahead of schedule, but ended up sitting on the tarmac for a little over an hour waiting for an available gate. This caused us to miss our original connecting flight! Had a slight panic attack when the girl at the gate simply said, "...there's nothing until tomorow...". But, thanks to 2 wonderful ladies at the ticket counter, our itinerary was adjusted, and we werre able to depart to Ambsterdam in the hour!!
The international flights were THE BEST! KLM Airlines was simply awesome - the meals were great, and there were t.v.'s in each seat back with your own remote that offered TONS of music, movies, news, info, etc. (I watched Alice in Wonderland with Johny Depp!). Not to mention, the people were VERY nice and helpful!
At the moment, we are at breakfast with a few other families here in the guest house, getting ready for church at about 10:15. Unfortunately, we are unable to go to the transition home to meet our boys today as we had hoped, but we will on Monday. So, today will be site-seeing and some shopping - we are hoping to get to the mountains as some of the other couples have told us how beautiful it is!
We will hopefully post updates daily - internet is a bit slow, but it works!!
Thank you all for your continued prayers and support!!
The international flights were THE BEST! KLM Airlines was simply awesome - the meals were great, and there were t.v.'s in each seat back with your own remote that offered TONS of music, movies, news, info, etc. (I watched Alice in Wonderland with Johny Depp!). Not to mention, the people were VERY nice and helpful!
At the moment, we are at breakfast with a few other families here in the guest house, getting ready for church at about 10:15. Unfortunately, we are unable to go to the transition home to meet our boys today as we had hoped, but we will on Monday. So, today will be site-seeing and some shopping - we are hoping to get to the mountains as some of the other couples have told us how beautiful it is!
We will hopefully post updates daily - internet is a bit slow, but it works!!
Thank you all for your continued prayers and support!!
Friday, July 9, 2010
Friday, July 2, 2010
Hands, Fingers, Feet and Toes!!
Thank you so MUCH to Doug and Danielle Banker for sending our boys' prints! We can hardly wait to be able to share photos of them!
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