Meeting Selamnesh's Birth Mother

Today we left at 6am. It was a 3 1/2 hours drive to Hossanna. This country is called the green famine. The hills and mountains are green and beautiful. We saw a few waterfalls, but most creek beds were dry. It was a long drive. We went to the drop off site and waited for the private meetings. I of course was the second to last meeting. Her birth mother and I came into the room at the same time. I had seen a DVD of her yesterday, and I recognized her right away. We hugged about 20 times and each shed a lot of tears. I told her about me, my faith, my life, and how much I love her. I told her about our faith and she shared that she knows Jesus. What a comfort to know that she will be in heaven with us. She told me about her life and how she came to this decision. She wants Selamnesh to have an education and a better life than she could give her. She knows that there is a huge difference between our lives. It was so sad, and she humbled me so much!!! She asked if I would let Selamnesh come to visit when she is grown. I reassured her that we would be back. I knew most of her history ahead of time, so it wasn't a surprise. A few things shocked me. She is a beautiful woman of 25. She has a nose like my mom. Her ears and eyes are just like Selamnesh's. Tristan took some video and we got pictures of us as a family and a few with just her and I. I will frame them and put them in her bedroom. They lit candles and gave them to us, to symbolize giving us the trust of the children. We both cried and cried. And hugged and hugged!!!!!!!!! The people generally kiss three times on the cheek. I think we did 50 times.

Today was so wonderful. I praise God for our meeting. Please pray for her mother's health and life.

A very full day.

This morning I met with Salamnesh's Dr., Social worker, Nanny,and the journalist. The thing that makes this Adoption Agency different from every other is that they give you so much valuable information about her history. A journalist of the agency goes to the birth family home, films the home, the family, and where she was born. They ask the mother questions about the birth, the day she was born. And any message she wants to tell Salamnesh. I watched this 20 minute interview with her mother along with the other professionals. And then spent as long as I wanted with them asking them questions. It was a very emotional time.

Later we went shopping. I felt so rushed!!!!!!!! We had one hour at one market. Thirty minutes at another and then stopped at their version of Starbucks so everyone could by the most popular brand of Ethiopian coffee. It was amazing how much you could by for so little. There was a lot that I didn't get that I had wanted. I'm hoping that we will be able to go for a little longer tomorrow or Wednesday.

Because of Rashashana we might visit the birth families tomorrow or Wednesday. The holiday ends either day depending on the moon and the Muslin leader. It's a last minute decision.

Well, more tomorrow.............

OK. Power is back on

Seeing these kids was really great!!

We had our first laugh also. She doesn't really smile much. We also had our first bath tonight. And she didn't whimper or cry at all!!! Huge, huge!!! We also had a Vaseline massage. She loved it!!! Then we went out to the outdoor lawn swing and cuddled before putting her down and she went right to sleep. She is such an angel......

Our first day together

Today I picked up Sahara-Salamnesh at 9 am. We spent the entire day together. It went really well!!! She started out apprehensive as before. But she warmed up great!!! We ate lunch together, She ate injera and wat. The wat was really spicy, and the injera is a spongy tortilla and has a sour taste. I can't stand it!! She ate a ton of it!!! We went into the city to visit a friend's children. It was really neat to see the other side of the city. We drove through some nicer parts of Addis. We aren't suppose to take the children out in public but we went to their home and were with Ethiopians the whole time. We are having a power outage so gatta go.

More later

Being Real

Let's be real. This getting to know you process is difficult. Salamnesh went from a year of a loving caring mother to an orphanage unlike other orphanages you have heard so much about. She loves her nannies so much!!! When I peek into her room she is laughing and bobbing up and down to the nanny singing. She says little things, babble and a few words. But the entire time we spend with her she is either crying or ready too. She is SO timid!! She doesn't make eye contact. Although she is starting too. She is very serious. But we have only spent a total of 15 hours together. Today we pick them up at 9 and return them tomorrow morning. I'm hoping we have some breakthrough's today.

I knew she was little. She is very tiny. She looks like a little porcelain doll. Beautiful girl, she has the most beautiful features, on this little body. She's long, but skinny. She doesn't have good muscle tone in her legs. She sits well, but she doesn't exactly crawl, or pull her self up well. They say she can, I just haven't seen it. Despite the issues with crying, looking at me, and the physical she is the most cuddly baby!!! She loves the Ergo!! She loves to be held tight!! Yeah!! We love her so much!!! Lauren tries to take over. What a great little mama!! And Tristan is just so in Love with her. They just want to pick her up today and go home!!!

Tristan got a little queasy on the plane and going through customs. It's not good when you are waiting to be approved and you go running!!!!!!! It gets their attention.............

Lauren got sick last night. She thinks it was a combination of tired and spicy food. We eat a lot from our food suitcase. The staff here is great!!!! The meals are wonderful if you aren't the pickiest people in the world. And we are!!!!!!!!! We are staying with some vegetarians, so we are craving meat!!!!!!!! Someone get me a steak for the day we get home!!! Thick and rare!!!!!!!!

Pray for our day together. We love her so much!!!

Muskul Holiday

Good morning from Ethiopia!!

Last night we went to the Muskul Holiday Celebration. Wow!! Muskul Holiday is an Orthodox Christian holiday when St. Helen found the True Cross. So every year at this time they have a big celebration where they don't work or have school. They gather at the center of the city at the Muskul park. When you enter the park, the National "army" gives each person a pat down. They give you a trac and a candle. We walked up to the amphitheater. They have a very large tree shaped pile of sticks and branches. The celebration starts in the afternoon, they chant and sing and have people speak. The Orthodox Christian "pope" shall we say, gives a speech and message. It's long and drawn out when you have no idea what they are saying. The momentum builds as it gets dark. Then the candle lighting and then they light the tree. Families also have small fires made in front of their houses. They have a tree sticking out of the top of a pile of sticks and they decorate it with the Muskul flower that only blooms after the rainy season.

Today we spend most of the day with the babies!!! I am about to bust!!!

She is so Beautiful and shy!!

We went to the care center at 8am. We were called in one family at a time. We were 4th. When we walked into the room the camera guy was running the camera. Her nanny had her standing in the middle of the room. We were told that she is extremely shy, doesn't like to meet new people, doesn't like eye contact, and doesn't like change. She looked at us, and didn't cry. That was great!! The nanny held her for a few minutes, then handed her over to me. She is very shy!!! She looked down most of the first 10 minutes. Then she laid her head down on my shoulder. I fell so in love!!! Lauren and Tristan held her for quite a while. She never cried when we took turns holding her. Her favorite new toy is musical. Thanks Mom!!! She didn't want to let it go or let you take it away. We spent 2 hours with her and she is so sweet but so shy it's painful!!! Her leg muscles are so weak that she can't walk or even stand. We will need to work on that. She is so beautiful!!! Soft ringlet curls, big doe eyes, full lips, and the tiniest nose. She is light as a feather and long. Picture to follow as soon as I can...........

Tomorrow we will meet with her for 3 hours in the morning, come back to the guest house for lunch then go back to pick her up for the day.

TTYL

Leaving for the Care Center

Sleep was ok. To our bodies we went to sleep at 4pm. And as predicted the dogs bark and the prayer tolls ring early!!! Breakfast was pancakes. Leaving for the care center now. Talk more later.

Were Here!!!!

The trip was pretty much non-eventful. Wonderful flights, The flight attendants were great, nice and accommodating, great food, and 5 families adopting from our group. So the time went faster than it could have. Every time we turned around we were being fed great meals with Cheesecake!!! Security went great, non-eventful. In the morning we will meet Sahara for the first time. We got our social report tonight and what great pictures!!! I will share photos as soon as I can............. As for now it's almost midnight and we haven't slept for more than a few hours in the last two days. So ta-ta for now from Ethiopia!!!!!!!

Ready Set Go

At the airport

Baby girl we are on our way!!! All of the luggage made it!!!! We passed inspection and we are just waiting for our flight.

I woke up at 5:07am. And I couldn't fall back asleep. I thought about what Sahara was doing, she just got done with lunch, maybe taking a nap. I can't wait to see you baby girl!! I was ready and waiting to go at 6:30am. Until Mom and Dad (George) came at 8am to drive us to the airport. Mom is always very early and rushed us to leave. We got to the airport with almost 3 hours to kill. Saying good bye to mom was the hardest!! I love you Mommy!! I could only hope that my children love me as much as I love you!! Thank you to everyone that called or txt lastnight or this morning. Tj I will make it work, I will see your boys!! I will miss you all!!!! Blessings!!

How much luggage does it take to bring Sahara home??

327#

Now before you think, that is a lot of stuff........... We are allowed 100# per person for checked luggage. And 15# for a carry on. My purse weighs more than 15#!!!

I had less!!!!!! I did the final pack, weigh, move, weigh, pack, weigh, move, weigh. And I was under in every suitcase!!!!!! SOOOOO what's a girl to do??? Pack more!!!!! I packed an extra pair of shoes, toys, clothes for all the kids, more stuff to donate and I got the weight too.............


49# food suitcase
48#
46#
44#
45#
18#
15#
15#

24

A friend turned me on to the show 24 and if you ever watched it you know the music that goes with it at every commercial. Tonight I look at the clock and imagine in 24 hours what will I be doing...........

24 hours from this very minute I will be somewhere over the Atlantic Ocean!

12 hours from this very minute I will be waiting to board the 1st of 4 flights!!

I am no longer nervous, no longer feel like I'm going to loose it!! I am at peace.

One Day and counting

I’m calling this one day. I have one full day until we leave. And you know, I’m doing okay……. I actually feel better than I have all week.

I will be trying to post all week from Ethiopia. The internet is iffy and blogspot is blocked from Ethiopian internet. SO ……..A computer person is going to post on my blog for me. Thanks S.

We will be returning home on Friday the 3rd of October at 4:30. Into our local airport. For details call Mom, Rebecca or Christy.

Holding it together

I'm just holding it together. As you all know I'm a super emotional person and I show my feelings quite well, even when I'm trying to fake it. Up until now I have held it together pretty well. My last melt down was the day of the referral. I could have been committed!!!! Don't get me wrong, I cry, boy do I cry...... Men you think that's loosing it, no way....... Loosing it means you are to a point of no return.

Church was wonderful. Church is always an emotional thing for me. I am so humbled every worship service that I usually shed a tear or two. Being that this is the last Sunday alone, I thought it might be the time I loose it. I hate it when my children go to their dad's house. I love that unlike so many divorced families, their dad and them have a great relationship!! And we share the time 50/50. BUT I hate the idea of them going there!!!!!!! I hate Fridays, knowing that they will go with their dad in the morning, and I will always try to stall them leaving...... I'm so bad!!!!!!! I love going to church with my children!!! But they are to the ages that they love going to church with their friends, which is a GREAT thing!!!

So getting ready this morning was like this huge revelation that this is the last time I will be getting ready by myself for a lot of years. How wonderful is that, I fantasize about having someone else to get ready, baby barf, and poopy diapers, I am so excited to change diapers again!!!!

I did very well during the service. Pastor Lathen you are wonderful and should really preach more!!!!! All was going well, I was visiting with people after service when a newer couple wanted to talk about adoption with someone. Sure, my favorite subject........ I was walking them down the hall to meet the family of 5, when passing by was a woman who I admire, but don't know all that well. We have had a few conversations, and over to the house, but not someone I have shared my deepest secrets with. She asked me to stop. She started digging through her purse, boy do I know the feeling....... She pulls out a twenty and hands it too me. I asked what it was for.....people have asked me to get them things from Africa....And she says what ever you need it for. I just about lost it!!!!!!!!! Inside I lost it!!!!!! I am so humbled by the generosity of people you don't know all that well. I know physiologically that I think that if I start to loose it, the fear is that I won't come back......... Very true. I know that at some time I will crash. I just hope it's by myself and not with a new couple standing next to me wanting to talk about adoption. God is so Good!!

3 MORE DAYS!!!!!!

"They" say this is normal....you know who you are.........But .............

I wouldn't know, but if I had to guess, this is what it feels like to be on drugs!!!! I feel like I'm going insane!!!

Today at Walmart while trying to pick up last minute things.......One minute I'm crying about this all becoming reality, the next I'm giggling out loud in the middle of Walmart, that I can't believe it's becoming reality, and then I'm dazed and confused, realizing that this is becoming reality!!!!!!

I have packed all day and night. 600# of luggage guess what, the food suitcase is the only one that was over the weight limit, just means I needed to shift some goldfish crackers, sunflower seeds, and starbursts. We are allowed 100# per person for checked luggage, but only 15# for a carry on item!!!!!!!! My purse weighs more than 15#!!!!!!!!!

shower pictures

Mom made the blanket
Lauren
Tristan
snack bowls

Baby Shower

First I would like to thank my wonderful friends and family for the beautiful shower. I am overwhelmed by the generosity of you all!!! Rebecca, you are my very bestest Sister!! I know how much you wanted to to this, but how un-natural it is for you. You did a wonderful job and everyone had such a great time!! Thank you Mom. You are always so supportive and I appreciate your excitement!! Thank you to all of you that traveled so far. With the price of gas, and I'm sure you could have found something to do on a Sunday afternoon. Thank you to all of you who couldn't make it, but sent a gift. I am truly amazed by the outpouring and it really humbles me. And thank you for all your prayers. I am surrounded by such Faith Filled people and it's wonderful to know that at times you are holding up my arms. And most importantly Thank you Jesus! Lord, I am nothing without you. I told you from the beginning of this process, if you wanted this for me and our family that you make it easy for us. You have blessed me more than I ever deserve. I only hope that I can make you proud.

13 Days!!!

This proccess has gone very well. I can not say enough GREAT things about my adoption Agency. I would like to thank the entire team for taking my calls, calling me back, and for all of your support. Last night there was a slight bump in the road regaurding the schedule. All that matters at this point is that I will be boarding a flight in Ethiopia on Thursday night with my 3 children!!

Packing for this trip is a process in it's self. Anyone who has ever went on a weekend get-a-way let alone for a week knows how I pack!!!!! 3 outfits for every day, you can't show up at dinner wearing the same thing you wore during the day.......dahhhh. And then shoes really make the outfit. So a pair of shoes for each outfit. And you never want to go on a trip without the comforts of home. When we have gone on vacations out of the country. I pack 2 large suitcases for myslef. I use one of the children's suitcases for my shoes and cram their clothes into one suitcase!!! .................This is different.................I am a changed woman................. I really haven't packed for the last time, I'm sure. But............
I am bringing less than one outfit per day!!!!!!!!!!!
I think I'm bringing two pairs of ballerina slippers, one brown and one red, just because a girls gotta feel special. A pair of garden shoes just incase it's muddy, but they are new, baby blue with little flowers on them. And my favorite pair of Birkenstocks to lounge in around the guest house. Those of you who have traveled with me are in awwwwwwhhh. I'm bringing my favorite 2 pairs of cargo pants, lauren hates them, 2 linen skirts, she hates them too, a long skirt for the trip south to meet her birthmother. A denuim skirt, and a velour jogging suit. A few long sleeves and a few short sleeves. That's it!!! I'm hoping this will all fit into a carry on. I have the kids packed pretty much the same.

BUT
I packed an entire suitcase of food!!! Goldfish crackers, graham crackers, animal crackers, starburst, jolly ranchers, beef jerky, 2 jars of peanutbutter, juice boxes, fruit roll ups, fruit gushers, sunflower seeds, mixed nuts, pistashios, trial mix, ramen noodles, bannan pudding that doesn't need to be refigerated, two flavors of oatmeal, chex mix, cheddar fries, prunes, raisins, three kinds of granola bars, and 5 kinds of drink mix. Thanks to my favorite mommy to be...... easy mac and instant hamburger helper. And my daughter is a size 0!!! I'm so afraid that they won't like the food and that my children will starve!!!!!!! Besides the peanutbutter and the oatmeal everything was pretty much picked out by Lauren. Tristan will eat anything.

For mother's day we took my mother and all of us went to an Ethiopian resturant. We wanted to try a little bit of everything. Our bill came to over $80, and there wasn't one thing that we even kinda liked!!!!!!!!!! Now you understand my fear. Anyone who knows me and my children well knows that I am a tough mom!! What I say goes, no questions asked!! But you also know I do everything in my power to make them comfortable. We don't want baby Sahara Selamnesh to go hungry on that 27 hours of travel home...........

Sahara Selamnesh measurments update

New measurements are taken the 1st of the month. As of September 1 .....

Weight 16.09#
Length 28.14 inches