Thursday, July 7, 2011
One Week!
It is hard to believe that one week from today we will be in the air and on our way to meet our boys. We have kept pretty busy the last few weeks putting together a picture book for each of the boys, getting gifts for their caretakers, collecting our final round of notarized documents, gathering as much formula as we can to donate to the orphanages, and getting immunizations and prescriptions for yellow fever, typhoid, and malaria. Now comes the task of packing everything (and trying to stay under the 50 pound weight limit). We are also looking forward to getting out of this triple-digit Texas heat and enjoying the moderate 50's, 60's and 70's of the Ethiopian rainy season. After spending a week there with our boys, I'm not sure we'll want to come back!
Saturday, June 18, 2011
We're Going To Ethiopia!
We got the call today! Well, email actually (it is Saturday after all). We are currently on vacation visiting family in Washington DC and had just finished having dinner at an Ethiopian restaurant, of all places. I checked our email on my iPhone after we left and as soon as I mentioned it Joy started screaming (and hasn't stopped yet)!!!
We don't have all the details yet, but we do know that our court date will be July 21. That means that this time next month we will be in Ethiopia meeting our kids for the first time! We expect a call from our agency on Monday to give us more information. Looks like we will have a lot to get done in the next month, but I can't think of a better Father's Day present.
We don't have all the details yet, but we do know that our court date will be July 21. That means that this time next month we will be in Ethiopia meeting our kids for the first time! We expect a call from our agency on Monday to give us more information. Looks like we will have a lot to get done in the next month, but I can't think of a better Father's Day present.
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Thank You!
We are so grateful for having such wonderful friends and family members in our lives! The flood of loving phone calls, emails, facebook messages, and blog comments have made this awesome experience even more unforgettable. Thanks to everyone (especially to those of you who started screaming when you found out)!
Our paperwork was submitted to Ethiopian courts yesterday, so our next stage of waiting has officially begun! In 4 to 8 weeks we should have an assigned court date. We are praying for a court date before the court closure.
Our paperwork was submitted to Ethiopian courts yesterday, so our next stage of waiting has officially begun! In 4 to 8 weeks we should have an assigned court date. We are praying for a court date before the court closure.
Sunday, May 22, 2011
The Post You've Been Waiting For!
This week held even bigger surprises than the ones we talked about in our last post!
On Thursday afternoon, May 19th, (a day now forever burned into my memories) I got a call at school from our adoption agency that started something like this, "Sorry to be calling you at work, but I just wanted to make sure I got a hold of you..." The rest of the conversation was a blur. I remember thinking, "what? can this really be our referrals? is there any other reason AAI would be calling me at work? oops, I need to be listening!" The conversation lasted about 40 minutes, which has been yet another patience building exercise, because the entire time my only desire was to hang up, call Jon, and scream hysterically into the phone.
In two emails and about 20 attachments we have been getting to know our two sons. Asnake (meaning he outshone, outclassed, overshadowed, or became better than others) is a beautiful 9 month old boy who we having seen laying on Strawberry Shortcake sheets with big, alert eyes. His hands are out stretched toward the camera as if inviting us to reach down and begin playing with him. Soon, baby, soon!
The second email highlighted our older son, Eskinder (meaning defender of mankind) an irresistible 2 1/2 year old. In my favorite picture of him, Eskinder is clutching his name to his chest with a solemn and intense look on his face as if to say, "This is me! Don't forget me! I am Eskinder!". We won't. I also love zooming in on the bottom of his picture to look at his little toes in his yellow flip-flops.
The big question everyone asks is, what next? The answer is more waiting! (I bet you already knew that, didn't you?) We will wait 4 to 8 weeks to be assigned a court date that could be 1-3 months out from that point. Courts also close from sometime in August until late September or October. We may be able to complete the first trip before courts close (we are praying for a date before the closure), but it may be more likely that we would make our first trip after they re-open.
We are praising God about these boys, and have had a wonderful weekend calling friends and family with the good news. We are learning slowly that we need to stop making predictions and plans and let God work His story in His time. He is faithful.
On Thursday afternoon, May 19th, (a day now forever burned into my memories) I got a call at school from our adoption agency that started something like this, "Sorry to be calling you at work, but I just wanted to make sure I got a hold of you..." The rest of the conversation was a blur. I remember thinking, "what? can this really be our referrals? is there any other reason AAI would be calling me at work? oops, I need to be listening!" The conversation lasted about 40 minutes, which has been yet another patience building exercise, because the entire time my only desire was to hang up, call Jon, and scream hysterically into the phone.
In two emails and about 20 attachments we have been getting to know our two sons. Asnake (meaning he outshone, outclassed, overshadowed, or became better than others) is a beautiful 9 month old boy who we having seen laying on Strawberry Shortcake sheets with big, alert eyes. His hands are out stretched toward the camera as if inviting us to reach down and begin playing with him. Soon, baby, soon!
The second email highlighted our older son, Eskinder (meaning defender of mankind) an irresistible 2 1/2 year old. In my favorite picture of him, Eskinder is clutching his name to his chest with a solemn and intense look on his face as if to say, "This is me! Don't forget me! I am Eskinder!". We won't. I also love zooming in on the bottom of his picture to look at his little toes in his yellow flip-flops.
The big question everyone asks is, what next? The answer is more waiting! (I bet you already knew that, didn't you?) We will wait 4 to 8 weeks to be assigned a court date that could be 1-3 months out from that point. Courts also close from sometime in August until late September or October. We may be able to complete the first trip before courts close (we are praying for a date before the closure), but it may be more likely that we would make our first trip after they re-open.
We are praising God about these boys, and have had a wonderful weekend calling friends and family with the good news. We are learning slowly that we need to stop making predictions and plans and let God work His story in His time. He is faithful.
Monday, May 9, 2011
Surprise!
Recent phone conversation from someone we hadn't talked to in 8 years, "How would you feel if we sent you $5,000?"
From the fifth grade teacher at my school, "Do you care if I engage my students in a service project to raise money for adoption?"
God, you are cool.
From the fifth grade teacher at my school, "Do you care if I engage my students in a service project to raise money for adoption?"
God, you are cool.
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Week In Review
Oh, “the list”. If you are an adoptive parent, you may be able to relate to the obsessive quality it takes on in your life. Our wonderful adoption agency puts up monthly stats for AAI families to see regarding referrals, court dates, and the list of requests from waiting families. They are awesome about relaying facts only, and not getting swept away in speculation. We are also known to read any Ethiopian adoption blog we can find, especially families with AAI.
I experienced a major roller coaster of emotions last week, when a friend’s (I have actually never met her, but anyone on this journey is considered as much in my mind) blog stated that 3 referrals had been given. Needless to say I let my imagination run wild, thinking we were now number five. My heart soared as I thought about how soon it could be. My level-headed husband merely kissed me good night and said he wasn’t getting his hopes up until we heard from AAI. We did find out the next day that we indeed had moved up (yay!), but 2 of the 3 referrals were for families “behind” us on the list. Many of the families ahead of us on the list desire girls, or two kids, and these families behind us received infant boys. If families intend on adopting 2 kids, the Ethiopian government states that they must be 9 months apart, unless twins, and these little guys were not. My brain could process the reasons why those boys were not intended for us, and I knew that God had placed those babes for a reason, but my heart was broken. I was truly surprised by the intensity of my emotions, which of course, only made me more emotional. I found it hard to rejoice that 2 orphans were receiving families, when I wanted so badly for them to call our house home.
The next day I picked up a book by Jeff Manion called “The Land Between: Finding God in Difficult Transitions”. I had wanted to read this book for almost a year, but I believe God was waiting to place it into my hands until now. It’s a great book that spoke to me about calling out to God in honest ways during difficult situations. I really felt like God was soothing me through the words of the author and reassuring me that He continues to work out all things for good. I really need to be keeping a better prayer journal, because I have been truly amazed to see God’s hand time and time again in our adoption. He was able to get my heart and brain back on the same page.
We are now officially number 6 on the list, because along with the 3 referrals last week, one also happened yesterday. We are thankful for referrals, babies getting families, and God’s help in the easy and the hard.
I experienced a major roller coaster of emotions last week, when a friend’s (I have actually never met her, but anyone on this journey is considered as much in my mind) blog stated that 3 referrals had been given. Needless to say I let my imagination run wild, thinking we were now number five. My heart soared as I thought about how soon it could be. My level-headed husband merely kissed me good night and said he wasn’t getting his hopes up until we heard from AAI. We did find out the next day that we indeed had moved up (yay!), but 2 of the 3 referrals were for families “behind” us on the list. Many of the families ahead of us on the list desire girls, or two kids, and these families behind us received infant boys. If families intend on adopting 2 kids, the Ethiopian government states that they must be 9 months apart, unless twins, and these little guys were not. My brain could process the reasons why those boys were not intended for us, and I knew that God had placed those babes for a reason, but my heart was broken. I was truly surprised by the intensity of my emotions, which of course, only made me more emotional. I found it hard to rejoice that 2 orphans were receiving families, when I wanted so badly for them to call our house home.
The next day I picked up a book by Jeff Manion called “The Land Between: Finding God in Difficult Transitions”. I had wanted to read this book for almost a year, but I believe God was waiting to place it into my hands until now. It’s a great book that spoke to me about calling out to God in honest ways during difficult situations. I really felt like God was soothing me through the words of the author and reassuring me that He continues to work out all things for good. I really need to be keeping a better prayer journal, because I have been truly amazed to see God’s hand time and time again in our adoption. He was able to get my heart and brain back on the same page.
We are now officially number 6 on the list, because along with the 3 referrals last week, one also happened yesterday. We are thankful for referrals, babies getting families, and God’s help in the easy and the hard.
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Just Facts - Calendars
You may already know that the time in Ethiopia (East Africa Time) is 9 hours ahead of our Central Standard Time or 8 hours ahead of the current Central Daylight Time. But here is something you may not have known...Ethiopia is currently in the year 2003!
There are a number of differences between the calendar we use (the Gregorian calendar) and the one used in Ethiopia (the Ge'ez calendar). The main difference is the seven- to eight-year gap. This comes about as a result of alternate calculations in determining the date of the Annunciation of Jesus. Apparently, in 400 AD Annianus of Alexandria calculated everything one way, but then in 525 AD Dionysius Exiguus calculated it to be different and his calculations were eventually adopted by the Europeans and that is what we all use now. I'm not sure how that all works, but I guess there isn't a law saying that everyone in the world must agree on what year it is.
Another difference, as if that one wasn't enough, is the layout of the months. In the Ge'ez calendar, each year has 12 months that are 30 days long. That makes sense enough. But then they throw in a few extra epagonemal days (days within a solar calendar that are outside any regular month) which make up a 13th month. There are typically 5 of these days tacked onto the end of the year, but every 4 years there is a 6th day to account for leap year (which occurs during the year prior to when we celebrate leap year).
Oh, and one other thing...the new year in Ethiopia starts on our September 11 (or September 12 during an Ethiopian leap year). So I guess that means we are approximately 8.5 months into the year 2003.
Just go ahead and add this to the list of things you never cared to know!
There are a number of differences between the calendar we use (the Gregorian calendar) and the one used in Ethiopia (the Ge'ez calendar). The main difference is the seven- to eight-year gap. This comes about as a result of alternate calculations in determining the date of the Annunciation of Jesus. Apparently, in 400 AD Annianus of Alexandria calculated everything one way, but then in 525 AD Dionysius Exiguus calculated it to be different and his calculations were eventually adopted by the Europeans and that is what we all use now. I'm not sure how that all works, but I guess there isn't a law saying that everyone in the world must agree on what year it is.
Another difference, as if that one wasn't enough, is the layout of the months. In the Ge'ez calendar, each year has 12 months that are 30 days long. That makes sense enough. But then they throw in a few extra epagonemal days (days within a solar calendar that are outside any regular month) which make up a 13th month. There are typically 5 of these days tacked onto the end of the year, but every 4 years there is a 6th day to account for leap year (which occurs during the year prior to when we celebrate leap year).
Oh, and one other thing...the new year in Ethiopia starts on our September 11 (or September 12 during an Ethiopian leap year). So I guess that means we are approximately 8.5 months into the year 2003.
Just go ahead and add this to the list of things you never cared to know!
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Mini-Update
Let’s start with some knowns…
• There are 7 families ahead of us waiting for a referral.
• The last few court hearings for AAI families have been scheduled 3-4 months after referrals have been accepted.
• Ethiopian courts close from early August until October.
Now it’s time for some guesswork. At current best guess, our new family members will not be home in 2011. We will likely get our referrals sometime this summer or fall, but it probably won’t happen soon enough to ensure two trips to Ethiopia plus wait time before a new year.
While we would prefer to bring our kids home tomorrow, the realization of this news has actually brought a measure of peace and contentment. Knowing that this process is unfolding in God’s time, and not ours gives us more time for prayer and preparation, more time to save, and more time to trust in the one who has the greatest adoption stories of all time. Thank you for praying for peace. God has given it.
• There are 7 families ahead of us waiting for a referral.
• The last few court hearings for AAI families have been scheduled 3-4 months after referrals have been accepted.
• Ethiopian courts close from early August until October.
Now it’s time for some guesswork. At current best guess, our new family members will not be home in 2011. We will likely get our referrals sometime this summer or fall, but it probably won’t happen soon enough to ensure two trips to Ethiopia plus wait time before a new year.
While we would prefer to bring our kids home tomorrow, the realization of this news has actually brought a measure of peace and contentment. Knowing that this process is unfolding in God’s time, and not ours gives us more time for prayer and preparation, more time to save, and more time to trust in the one who has the greatest adoption stories of all time. Thank you for praying for peace. God has given it.
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Ethiopian Cooking
Today we decided to try our hand at Ethiopian cooking. We wanted to start with something that looked relatively easy, so we chose Doro Wat (spicy chicken stew), Abesha Gomen (collard greens with green peppers), and Injera.
This was our shopping list
These were our ingredients
Some of the spices we had to make ourselves...this was berbere
Cutting up ingredients
First try at making injera
The finished product (not quite authentic, but still pretty good)
Time to eat
We have room for two more!
We surprised ourselves with how delicious everything turned out. However, we did find out that Wat really does mean extremely spicy stew.
Monday, March 21, 2011
Number 8
We are slowly making our way to number one! We are excited to report that a couple of people received referrals last Friday. Yay for kids who now have forever families! AAI still expects another handful of referrals sometime soonish. We are not sure if we are high enough on the list to expect to be in that handful, but are thankful for some progress, and mostly for kids getting families and homes.
Please continue to join us in prayer regarding our kids, wisdom for officials in the Ethiopian government, and our agency staff. The wait is getting harder, (especially for one of us), so prayers for patience would also be appreciated. We are grateful for your support!
Please continue to join us in prayer regarding our kids, wisdom for officials in the Ethiopian government, and our agency staff. The wait is getting harder, (especially for one of us), so prayers for patience would also be appreciated. We are grateful for your support!
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