Sprinklers, brothers and tons of food...

We are not at the 3 week mark since bringing Jordis home and are continually adjusting to having another little one at home and trying to figure each other out.
She has done very well and is having fun with big brother Ashton.  She is a spit-fire...wow.  This little girl can hold her own.  She out eats the rest of the family - seriously.  I don't know where she puts it, but I have never seen a kid eat like this.  She loves anything that drives (that's my girl), loves to ride in the car, on the 4 wheeler and mower.  She loves being mommy's helper and loves exploring outside.

First day on the 4 wheeler - she loved it!

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Sprinklers? Yes Please.

Finally

Our second trip to Addis was the most anticipated trip full of unknowns.  This was the trip that we would get to bring Jordis home...which is very exciting.  However we had so many questions; what would she eat, when would she sleep, would she sleep, would she freak out when we boarded the plane, how would she react to Ashton.
After two days of flights we arrived at the transition home where we would pick Jordis up.  It was great...when she came through the gate into the courtyard, she remembered us and ran to our arms!  The next few days were full of discovery and adjustment.
Everything went smoothly and quickly at the Embassy and two days later, our guide showed up at our door with a visa, passport and all necessary paperwork for us to leave the country that night.
I must tell you, 3 flights over the course of 24 hours is enough to make anyone a little frustrated - but when you are a 2 year old who has never worn a seatbelt and been forced to stay in one place for an entire day in a plane, it can be interesting.  Adoption tip - if you ever do adopt internationally, remember that you will never see the people on the plane again - they will get over it.

Jordis after we landed on U.S. soil - adopted and full U.S. citizen.

Packing complete!

Finally, it is here!  We cleared the Embassy two weeks ago and got our tickets booked...3 tickets that is.  We finished packing our bags yesterday and tomorrow we will leave to travel to Addis Ababa to pick up Jordis!!!  We will arrive on Saturday morning in Ethiopia and spend 5 days in Addis.  Monday is our Embassy appointment and we will receive her visa and be back in our country, in our home with our daughter!  Excited does not describe how we are feeling right now.  I have never been so excited to sit on an airplane for 24 hours.   We would love your prayers as we travel and begin our lives together.

Update on Embassy

We heard from the Embassy yesterday that they need 3 additional documents before we are cleared.  Our agency said there is no set timeline on how long this takes.


Update!

 This morning our agency said they have found 2 of the 3 documents and are working on the 3rd!  There is a chance that our paperwork could be submitted again for review tomorrow.  Praying that we will clear and be able to book tickets to get Jordis.  

Submitted to the Embassy

We were submitted to the US Embassy for review on June 22!  This process can take 1-10 days for them to  communicate to us that we have cleared or that they need to see more documents.  We have friends who have cleared in 4 days and friends who have waited months.  It is very hard not to get a little bit anxious!  Please join us in prayer that all of our documents would be there, so that we can go back to Ethiopia to bring Jordis home.

One Step Closer

Yesterday our paperwork was submitted to the U.S. Embassy for approval!  The checklist of things to do to "bring baby sister home" is almost finished.  We are praying and hoping for a quick approval of our paperwork so that we can go back to Ethiopia to bring Jordis home.  Can't wait!

A picture is worth a thousand words...

Well we have been back a week and a half and are slowly getting adjusted back to our time zone.  I have never been so tired, but I can't wait until we get to make the next trip to bring our sweet Jordis home!  There are not many reasons that one might get excited for such an exhausting trip...she is one.

It is said that a picture is worth a thousand words.  Here are some of the words that this picture represents.

-Finally

-I can't believe it

-We are finally here

-She is amazing

-I am so humbled that God has allowed us to be a part of this little angel's life

-I would rather be no other place than right here, right now

-My heart breaks that there are so many kids in this position

-God planted a dream in the heart of a little girl more than 25 years - and now he is completing it.

- I am so happy

-I can't wait to see this little angel grow up

-We waited for four years for this day, it is more than I ever anticipated

-I am so amazed at how God has orchestrated things and provided for us so that we could be here now

-I want to savor this moment forever

Ethiopia Day Six

Today we went up Mount Entoto, which rises several thousand feet above the city.  Here are some of the sites that we saw.

Orthodox churches.

Goat market.

Emperor's palace from 1888

Overlooking Addis Ababa

These ladies carry twice their body weight 5 miles down 7% grade for $3-5

Ethiopia Day Five

Court day!  This morning we went to appear before a judge.  We did not pass because Jordis' birth father has not come to give his final consent.  He has been assigned a new date of June 7.  After he comes to court we will "pass court" and Jordis will be ours!!

Then back to the Transition Home to see our angel.  She was very happy to see us and we had another great day of fun.  Every day we leave she cries.  It breaks my heart, but this is evidence that she is bonding with us and a relationship is beginning to grow.  God has answered our prayers!

15 passenger van - Ethiopian style

view from our room at Yebsabi Guest house

Ethiopia Day Four

Transition home again.  While we were there an afternoon rain rolled and revealed to us that Jordis loves the water.  Can't wait to get her home to the sprinklers in the yard.  She is beginning to become more verbal with her soft little voice...it melts our hearts.


Back to the guest house to rest up for the big night.  For dinner tonight we went to a traditional dinner and dance!  We had injera (a sponge like crepe), various types of meat and sauces, honey wine and coffee that could double as motor oil.  After dinner we got to see traditional dances from around the country - wow!  Not quite sure how the human body can hold together while doing what they do.  Part of the show is to pull people from the audience up on stage to "dance" with them...I must tell you that we tore it up!  So fun.

Ethiopia Day Three

Today was independence day in Ethiopia.  We woke up to the sound of loudspeakers on top of trucks broadcasting celebrations of freedom from the communist regime that fell 20 years ago.

We went to the outdoor market today to do some shopping.  Shopping in a third world market is fun for some, stressful for others and entertaining for all.  We walked away with some great mementos of this amazing country and got back into the van for another wild ride across the city.

As we arrived at the transition home today, a picture was etched into my mind that will be there for the rest of my life.  We drove thru the gates into the courtyard and as I stepped out of the van, Jordis ran squealing with arms outstretch into my arms.  A little girl that I have only known for two days has ran to me and began to trust me.  I have fallen in love with her.  Another great day of getting to know her.

Addis Ababa fun fact of the day - Addis is the political capitol of Africa and is home to the African Union.

Ethiopia Day two

Today after breakfast we went back to the transition home to see Jordis. Again when we arrived she was timid and reserved but quickly warmed up to us. She seems to be a "girly girl". We brought a little purse, necklace and bracelet - wondering if she would know what to do with them. Without a thought she put the necklace and bracelet on and threw the purse over her shoulder. She started repeating english words and is calling us mommy and daddy already. We met with the doctor today to be brought up to speed on her health. She has made great progress since coming to the transition home in November and received a clean bill of health!

We have met some amazing families that are also here to meet their children. It is amazing how much you can bond with other people when you are experiencing life changing moments with them. We are so grateful for the relationships that we are forming.

Addis Ababa fun fact of the day - you can build scaffolding that is 20 stories tall without one piece of metal.

Ethiopia Day One - "Meetcha Day"

Today we arrived in Addis Ababa. It is a city of 5 million people with a density of over 14,ooo people per square mile. People everywhere! And some of those people are driving very distinctive blue and white taxis that drive in a very distinctive manner! This is something that takes a bit of getting used to, and after that becomes very humorous and fun.

After checking in at the guest house and getting settled we were off to lunch with 5 other families who were in Addis to adopt as well. Lunch in Addis Ababa is a 2 - 3 hour event - not for someone who is in a hurry...

...And hurry is what we were in. This was the day that we had looked forward to for 4 years. This was the day that we would meet a beautiful little angel who would soon be our daughter. A little girl we had dreamed about and prayed for. Yes, we are in a hurry. Back into the van and off to the transition home where we would meet our daughter. This day in adoption speak is called "meetcha day" and we were so excited. We arrived and stood on the front porch with so many thoughts and emotions racing through our heads. And then out of the front door came a sweet little girl. Those emotions racing through our heads finally boiled over and tears flowed freely.

We spent the next few hours with her getting to know her and playing with her. She was very quiet when we met her, but only 20 minutes later her smile appeared. Liz unpacked a few bags of toys we had brought for her and we quickly saw she is a girly girl. She loves jewelry and purses and knew just what to do with them. Seeing her picture on the back of the camera brought the first smile. She continued to let more and more of her personality out as the afternoon progress and it was amazing. She seems to be fairly soft spoken but is very engaging and has already started to repeat some english words.

WOW, what a day. We have prayed so long for this day and for this little girl, what a blessing to be able to meet her. Can't wait for tomorrow.

Here We Go!!

3:30 am...alarm clock goes off. This morning it was a little easier to get up at such a ridiculous hour. With over 200 pounds of luggage, we just arrived at the airport (thanks Jake for the ride). So excited and so blessed. Over the weekend our church family surrounded us and sent us off with love, prayers and unbelievable generous gifts. Thank you Mountain Life!

Packing!!

Madness...utter madness! The last two weeks have been crazy. We are getting all of our things together, anxiously awaiting our 17 hours of flights and multiple airline meals. Ashton is looking forward to having grandma to himself for 10 days. We are counting the days!

Travel Plans

The last couple of weeks have been chaotic to say the least. Since our last post we have looked at more flight options than I thought possible. We were able to book the most direct route from here to Addis. We will leave May 24 and fly to Washington DC where we will overnight and then board a flight that will take us from DC to Addis Ababa.

Packing for this kind of trip is different than any other trip. We have lists for everything all over the house; things to buy, things to pack, things to ask while we are there, things for Ashton to do while Grandma stays with him. We have growing piles of luggage, clothes, donations for the transition home and countless other things that we don't want to forget.

Today we had a conference call to give us more information about what will happen while we are in Ethiopia, when we will meet our little girl, when we will go to court and what to expect in between. We have decided to stay for 2 extra days so that we can see more of the country and take in some sights and culture while we are there.

In the midst of countless errands and planning, the reality is sinking in. The days of packing for a trip and planning to meet our daughter that we have dreamed of for so long are finally here. It brings such amazing excitement and such intense emotion. So many questions - how will the transition be, how will we communicate?

Our prayer is that this beautiful little girl who has been through so much and who is not able to communicate with us will have an overwhelming peace in her heart and feel an undeniable love and affection from us that will calm her spirit.

We appreciate all of the people who have been faithfully praying for us and our daughter. We have continually seen God answer prayers in his way and in his time!! Please continue to pray for us as we have a very intense couple of weeks ahead of us.

Love you all

Court Date!!

It finally came! The phone call that informed us we have been assigned a court date. Yesterday morning America World (our agency) gave us the exciting news that on May 30 we will be sitting in front of a judge in an Ethiopian court to answer questions regarding our adoption. Ecstatic doesn't even begin to come close to describing how we feel.

So what does this mean for us now?

Now we begin booking flights and planning our first trip to Ethiopia. We will be gone for a week, visiting different sites, an orphanage, court and best of all - spend a day meeting and getting to know our little girl! So many questions, so many thoughts going through our minds.
The reality that our beautiful daughter is going to actually be a part of our family is beginning to set in. Wow -

Urgent Prayer Needed

Well, as this whole journey has been, we felt as if we were on a roller coaster again this week. Less than 1 week after receiving our referral we received news of a directive issued by the Ministry of Womens Affairs. Follow this link to read the entire article http://adoption.state.gov/news/ethiopia_alert.html

We are not sure of all of the implications, but it has the potential of extending the amount of time that we have to wait to bring our beautiful little girl home. Will you please join us in praying for a speedy court date and a quick homecoming.

Referral Day!!

One of the most pivotal day in the adoption journey is the day you receive a referral. This is the day that the adoption agency notifies you that they have selected a child for your family.

Well, this day has finally come for us!! A few days ago we received a phone call from our adoption agency informing us that they have matched us with a little girl in Ethiopia. We are so excited that we have finally been matched and know who our new daughter is and are one step closer to bringing "baby sister" home.

We are continually amazed at how God has orchestrated things to bring us to this point. God has taught us and continues to teach us such incredible lessons about who he is.

Please pray for us as we begin a new stage of waiting for our court date and travel times. Specifically pray for a speedy process in the courts and cheap airfare for both of our trips to Ethiopia.

Still Waiting

Well our dossier has been in Ethiopia for almost 3 1/2 months now and we continue to anxiously wait "the call". For those of you outside the adoption circle, "the call" is the conversation that informs you that your soon to be daughter has been matched or referred to your family. This is quite possibly the most anticipated phone call that we will ever receive at our home. Decorating ideas are flying around for "baby sister's" room, the closet is full of beautiful clothes for our little princess, obsessive visits to airline websites to check on every possible flight schedule. Excited doesn't quite describe how we feel.

After we returned from our Christmas trip, we received an amazing Christmas gift in the mail. A letter in the mail from Show Hope (a grant foundation for adoptive families) informing us that they were granting us a large portion of our next payment to our adoption agency!!! God has continued to provide in ways that we had not anticipated. We have learned so much about the ability of God to do things that we think are impossible. To God be the Glory.

Please pray for us as we continue to wait.