March 6th...

A year ago today as I was driving down the street on my way home from a meeting my cell phone rang! It was the news we were waiting for - we had "passed court" in Ethiopia and the kids were OURS!!!!!!!!!

You can read my original post here.

It was such an exciting and overwhelming day! I can still feel the rush of joy and the panic as I realized we would be traveling to Ethiopia and hugging our kids SOON! Today, as I was thinking over that day, I had a realization. It was a year ago today that our kids became ours. It was also a year ago today that our kids saw their mom for the last time. Mesalech had to travel to Addis (an 8-10 hour drive) to reliquish her rights to the kids. She got to spend several hours with the kids as they awaited their turn at the court. I can't imagine what that must have been like for her.

My "Mommy Heart" was rejoicing like crazy and Mesalech must have felt like she was dying just a little bit. So... today I rejoice for the year that has come and gone... but I also ache for my kids and for Mesalech. A year without a hug... that would be so very very hard!

Part VI

That night as we got ready for bed and said our prayers the kids talked about Kaleab, their dad. Marti cried as she talked about him and remembered him. It was so wonderful to hear that they were loved so well by such a godly man. We gave thanks to God that night.

From Part V

Oh... this day was so very special. The kids woke up giddy with excitement. Today was the day that we planned on returning to the orphanage to see their friends again and say goodbye to the nannies who were not working on the day we picked the kids up! Right away in the morning the kids began taking their new toys and clothes out and putting them into the bags of donations that we had for the orphanages. We had to stop them more than once from putting EVERYTHING in the bags.

Before we left for Ethiopia we collected infant Tylenol, hand sanitizer, tooth brushes, washcloths, antibiotic ointments and many other items that are difficult to find in Africa. These items along with the clothes the kids were wearing when we picked them up (we were asked to return these) and care packages from parents who were waiting to come get their kids were carried downstairs to the van. I was nervous on the way to the care center. What if the kids didn't want to come back with us, what if they cried again (Marti was especially sad when she left her friends last time), what if ..... the lack of good sleep was taking it's toll and I was worried.

When we pulled up through the gates the kids were practically jumping out of their seats. They could hardly wait for the van to stop before they got out. They ran to their friends and embraced in a way that American children would never do... probably never understand. Then the nannies came running. They were so excited to see the kids and have the chance to say their goodbyes. It was obvious that Joseph was a favorite to both the children and the nannies...

The first "job" we had was to sit down and speak with the counselor about our children. The information that we were given about their parents and home was not new... we had been able to communicate well enough with the kids that we felt pretty comfortable in what we knew. We did learn about how they had done in school and we were given some of their tests and schoolwork to take home.

Our next job was to pass out gallon baggies full of treasures to some of the children who were waiting for their parents to come. We had photo albums for one family of children, stuffed animals for others, candy and toys for others. It was totally overwhelming and so much fun to have that time to give kisses to the kids and to tell them (while crying like crazy) that their "mommies were coming soon and they wanted me to tell you that they love you so much!" I seriously bawled each time I gave those kisses.

Our final job was to pass out the candy, toys and soccer balls that we had brought for the kids. Chaos does not even begin to describe the next 5 minutes and when we heard a VERY LOUD little boy yelling at the other kids we were completely and totally shocked to find that Jacob had gotten all the little kids to sit down on the wall and wait for their treats - the look that passed between Ben and I was a mixture of "Wow! That kid has some spunk" to "Holy Cow! He is going to keep us on our toes!"

When we finally left we were all exhausted. Totally and completely drained!

Our next stop was to the German Embassy to try to get our German Transit Visas. Despite the fact that we would never leave the Frankfurt Airport the kids each needed one and this was a new rule (as of the day we left Washington DC) that ended up costing us more than $500. The workers at the German Embassy were NOT helpful but they did give us a large pile of papers to fill out and told us to come back the next day.

Finally we returned to the hotel for swimming, pizza at the hotel and hanging out. It was really nice to have the afternoon just to get to know the kids and have time to relax. Jacob and Marti were so funny in the pool but Joseph decided not to swim so that he could read his English dictionary. On our way back upstairs to change for dinner Marti somehow got onto the elevator without us. I am not sure how it happened but the next thing I knew we were all standing looking at the closed doors and Marti was not with us. PANIC mode set it. I went upstairs with Joseph while Rebecca, Ben and Jacob waited downstairs. We went up to our floor... no Marti. We waited for a while then went back down. We did this for at least 5 minutes. Finally we got to a point where we could hear Marti calling for us but we couldn't find her. (She had pushed the emergency button and stopped her elevator) It was another 10 minutes before we were all back together. I was about to pass our from fear. Jacob and Joseph were about to pass out from laughter and Ben and Rebecca just kept shaking their heads. We still tease Marti about her first elevator ride alone but she doesn't really think it is funny.

After we regrouped we headed down for dinner. While at pizza, we ran into Kurt and Kayla who we had gotten to know through an Internet group for parents adopting from Ethiopa, and they had just gotten into Addis to pick up Marti's best friend Senite. It was so fun to meet them face to face and it is one of my most favorite memories of Ethiopia.

That night I ended up with a bad headache so Rebecca and Ben entertained the kids with her laptop. Marti entertained them with her "gymnastics" and the boys just had fun hanging out.

You Know It's Going to Be a LONG Day When...

• You get up to give 2 different kids Tylenol 3 times in 1 night.
• You move from your bed to a kids bed to sleep
• and then you move back to your bed
• and then you move to the couch
• and then you move back to your bed
• and at 6:11 one of the sick kids say their better and they want to go watch tv but first can you make me some breakfast?
• You go to church with 4 of the 6 kids who are healthy and when you get to church 1 of the healthy kids say their sick too
• But not too sick to play the Wii when they get home
• And when you go to the store while some of the kids are at Sunday School your husband call to say that Addy wrote on the bathroom vanity with green permanent marker
• And your computer is dead so you can't google how to fix it
• And your house is listed and the sign is in the yard and all you can do is wonder when someone will call for a showing
• And you have to go to school to set up for the Book Fair
• and I ate ice cream for dessert even when I said I wouldn't...

I am really glad it's bedtime and the kids are all asleep. I love that this day is over! I am absolutely certain that tomorrow will be a better day!

What a great surprise

The woman who originally placed our kids for adoption and my main point of contact throughout our adoption process recently returned from Ethiopia. She took pictures to Mesalech (our kids mom) and sent me these... Enjoy!

This picture is of Mesalech. She kissed EVERY picture we sent! From what I understand it was a very happy time for her.

This is Bereket with Mesalech. It is Bereket's phone we call when we call Ethiopia. He is a neighbor and good family friend and works with their church to help the widows and orphans.
This is (from left to right) Beniam who is about 2 1/2 or 3, Ashenafi who is around 5, Emanuel (a cousin whose parents recently died) who is around 9 or 10 and Mesalech. I wish you could have heard the kids when they saw these pictures. Jacob started telling funny stories about "Ashie" and they laughed and laughed about how much "Binnie" has grown up. Marti was the most emotional about all the pictures and enjoyed having time to just look at them and pray for them. I am so thankful for these pictures and the contact Michelle made - we will be getting a letter from Mesalech this week - I can't wait!

Morning of Perfection

OK... so it is not actually a PERFECT morning - but somehow it is very nice. I got up at 6 to go do sub plans (Addy has a fever). When I came home I found Lilly and Addy running around the house 'fighting' with the Lipe Savers(Light Sabers). She really doesn't seem sick. I woke Joseph up early so he could finish his diarama for Animal Farm. Last night we made a windmill out of Knex and found all sorts of farm animals that range from the Little People pig, the pony from Lilly's Barbie and a couple other random animals. Joseph finished by filling the box full of dirt and green construction paper ????????? It is now in the car and he is quickly getting ready for school. Jacob, who has been dying to make lunches, fulfilled his wish today by making lunch for all 5 kids. :) Marti is unloading the dishwasher and Danny is loading stuff in the van to take it to the storage shed... What am I doing you might ask???? (But before I tell you please know that I was up until 11 packing boxes and getting ready for the carpet cleaner guy) I... am sitting here drinking my first cup of Keurig Coffee from my fancy schmancy new coffee pot that the kids and Ben bought me last night... LIFE IS GOOD!!!

We have decided to list our house and pray that it sells. We do not have a new house yet... we will wait until we get a good solid offer and if that means we live in our little camper trailer for a while (OK it would probably be an apartment) that is fine too. I just don't want to get my hopes set on the perfect house and have our offer fall through because we couldn't find a buyer for our house.

So would you pray that if it is indeed God's will for us to move - then our house would sell... if not, help us to continue to find contentment in the home we have. I am so excited to see what happens! :)

Have a great day!!!!

The Cry of the Orphan

Cry of the Orphan

Global Orphans

• Over 130 million orphans and waiting children under the age of 18 have lost one or both parents.
  
• Over 13 million double orphans under the age of 18 have lost both parents.
  
• Sub-Saharan Africa, with 48.3 million orphans, has the highest proportion of children who are orphans at 12%
  
• Asia has the largest total number of orphans with 73.7 million orphans, which represents 6% of all children
  
• Latin America and the Caribbean has 10.7 million orphans, also representing 6% of all children.
  
• Over 15 million children have lost a parent due to AIDS, and that number is expected to rise to over 20 million by 2010.
  
• Without AIDS, the total number of double orphans in sub-Saharan Africa would have declined between 1990 and 2010. AIDS, however, will push the number of double orphans in the region from 9 million to more than 10 million by 2010.
  
• Orphaned children are much more likely than non-orphans to be working in commercial agriculture, as street vendors, in domestic service and in the sex trade.
  
• Orphans are more vulnerable and at risk of becoming victims of violence, exploitation, trafficking, discrimination, or other abuses.
  
• Domestic Orphans
  
• More than 500,000 children are in United States foster care.
  
• Over 120,000 children in foster care are waiting to be adopted.
  
• Only around 50,000 children, or 18% of those waiting in foster care, are adopted every year.
  
• On average, children in foster care wait over 2 years to be adopted.
  
• Over one-third of Americans have ever considered adopting, but no more than 2 percent of Americans have actually adopted.
  
• 48% of the people who have seriously considered adoption indicated that they would first look to a house of worship (church) for information or advice about adopting.
  
  

Just In Case You Are Wondering

When we began the adoption process - there was a moment when Ben and I panicked. Big time. Were we doing the right thing? Had we REALLY heard God right? The doubts began swimming and so did the negative comments from worried friends and family.

In the midst of our panic I posted to some friends on an adoptive parents web board. My question was... "Tell me the good things". And the good things came pouring in. And I felt better. I was reminded again that following this path was not going to be easy -- but I would survive it and my kids would be fine.

So tonight it is my turn to tell others the good things. We have 2 different sets of friends who are beginning the process to adopt. And they too will doubt that this is the right choice for their family. So G and T and Rob and Kimberly... and all those others who are starting this process - this post is for you.

The Good Things

• Going into check on the boys at night and finding Danny and Jacob sleeping together in bed snoring with their arms wrapped around one another.
• Watching Lilly hold Joseph's hand while they walk home from school. She tells everyone how much she loves her big brothers.
• Listening to Marti and Lilly sing the songs from their American Girl CD... "I want to be an American Girl" and watching them dance around their tiny room together.
• Watching Marti carry Addy to her room and cuddling her along the way.
• Hearing Danny say that 2008 was the best year of his life.
• Watching Ben with the kids - he loves being a dad to 6 (even if he is going to get gray hair soon)
• Watching Joseph as he works so very hard to learn English, get good grades and embrace the education opportunity he has here in America.
• Hearing Joseph sing in English (he has a beautiful voice)
• Knowing (without a single doubt) that THIS is the BEST life I could ever imagine.

Bedtime Funnies

OK... in 10 minutes this will be funny...RIGHT NOW it's not...

Before you read the transcript below you need to know that I USED to be a total stickler about bedtime. Ben and I believed firmly in letting babies "cry it out" and all 3 of the kids were sleeping through the night by 12 weeks. But now that there are 6 babies bedtimes are not so strict and not so structured and at times are downright chaotic.

On a GOOD night we say prayers as a family (all cuddled in my bed) then send the kids to bed to read.

Tonight is NOT A GOOD NIGHT!

Ben is tired (he has had 6am basketball practice all week). Lilly is worn out and recovering from a tiny cold. Joseph is cranky (too little activity for his growing body) and Danny and Jacob have been banned from the Wii for not putting the games away properly. Marti is missing basketball practice and wanting more computer time. So... everyone is a little off.

So here is a slightly edited version of bedtime.

Ben: Girls (Lilly and Addy) go to bed.
Lilly: We didn't pray.
Addy: I am thirsty
Danny: (Whispering to Jacob) Ha! The girls are going to bed we can read.

Joseph and I are trying to play this Wii game my sister left - Raving Rabbit or something like that. So 5 minutes later (when I think the girls are in bed) I feel breathing on my head and realize that Lilly is still there and Addy is watching from the stairs.

Me: Girls GO TO BED!
Girls: We didn't pray. I am thirsty. Will you tuck us in? Can we read? We didn't brush our teeth.
Ben: Girls get up here!!!!!!!!!!!!

Girls go upstairs. I hear praying.

Joseph and I keep playing (we are bonding).

Addy comes back down to tell me she has had a bad dream (she has been gone for 2 minutes).

Ben yells for Addy to come back.

We need Ben's help to 'throw the cow' on the Raving Rabbit game.

Ben comes downstairs... followed by Addy, Lilly, Danny and Jacob.

We all laugh at Ben while he tries to 'throw Daisy 60 meters'.

The girls go back upstairs. The boys go back upstairs.

Addy comes back downstairs to get water and spills Danny's juice all over the counter.

I tuck the girls in and come downstairs to blog.

Joseph yells that he is victorious in 'throwing Daisy'

Uh Oh... the girls are crying about something... I gotta go.

CWA Hope Project

Our adoption agency Christian World Adoption recently started a new website dedicated to finding families for siblings and special needs children. I would love it if you would take a moment to pray for these kids and ask God to bring them a family. I am forever thankful for the families who unknowingly prayed for Ben and I - prayed that God would open our hearts to the future He had planned. These families prayed for the kids for more than a year before we even knew about them... praying that God would bring them to America - to their forever home.

So, will you join Ben and I and the kids as we pray for these children... that they might know the indescribable joy in being told that they have been chosen?

Happy Birthday Danny Boy

My sweet Danny turned 8 yesterday. Where did the years go? I remember so well the 27 hours of labor and the moment when they handed him to me. I remember watching him roll over the first time and as I was calling Ben on the phone he rolled across the room. I remember watching him play with friends and thinking how good God is to give us such an amazing young man. I remember cuddling him and wondering how I would ever be able to love another child as much as I loved Danny.



Thank you Danny for teaching me to be a good mommy. For being patient with me when I made mistakes and for laughing with me over the silly jokes we share. I will forever be thankful for you, my sweet Danny Boy!



We celebrated his birthday with 10 of his classmates and friends. Since his birthday is in February it is really hard to have a party that is both economical and sane. This year we chose to have games at home and roast hotdogs. It turned into a hotdog roasting campfire song birthday and was truly my favorite party ever! We spent less than $40 and the kids all had a great time! Ben led the kids in some super fun campfire songs and then the kids each ate as many smores as they could. It was a perfect was to celebrate Danny's big day!