Its Finally Here

Well, I went to bed last night contemplating how I was going to make my 2, now 53.5 and 51.5lb suitcases "shrink" down to 50lbs (no way they are ever going to be less than that). This is a requirement (crazy one if you ask me) of the airlines and one I am still a bit concerned I will not be able to meet without leaving something of DIRE importance (like a blowdryer for heaven sake) behind. Hmmmm... I am still awed (and a bit frightened) by the fact that I am leaving for 12 days and only taking 3 (thats right people 3) pairs of shoes. Craziness I tell you.

On a more important note, it is finally here. Bday (baby day). I can't believe that I am leaving to travel to Africa to meet our kiddos. I awoke this am in the middle of a dream where my name didn't match on my airline ticket and the steward was telling me that he was going to let me pass through but assumed I might not make it back ino the states coming home. Do you know what, I trucked on through. Get me my kids!!!!!!!!!! Lets hope the trip is smoother than my dream!

Thank you to all who called and emailed their well wishes and plans to pray for us. They are so important and we really appreciate them!

Bon voyage!!!!!!

Life with a 3 year old

Merry Christmas everyone!!!!! We hope that you are all having a wonderful holiday! As usual we made out like bandits. We have really enjoyed our time with family and friends.

I have to share a funny (and appropriate) story. Logans best friends are our neighbors (and dear friends) 2 year old twin girls. Their mom was telling them that Santa only comes to children who have not been naughty and one of them started crying hysterically. Mom tried to calm her down and told her that she was okay, Santa was going to be coming and she tearfully said "no mom, Logan isnt going to get any presents". Ah, the joys of a stong-willed 3 year old boy. Evidentally they "stretch" not just their moms and dads but their best friends as well.

It is hard to believe that in 6 days (holy cow) I will be on a plane to Ethiopia. Reality has struck hard and brought a mixture of excitement and fear of the unknown. Your prayers over the days to come will be MUCH appreciated.

10 days and counting

We recieved new pics of the kids today. It means so much to us every time we recieve new ones. It is amazing to see how much they change.

In other news, I will now be staying in Ethiopia for 10 days. Noahs Visa appt isnt until 1/9/08. It is all good though as I will be helping to decorate (those of you who have seen my house are snickering right now I am sure) a new building that will be the new location for our agency's orphanage Faith Childrens Home. I cannot tell you how excited I am to spend good quality time with Hilena and Noah as well as all of the other wonderful children I will encounter. I am going on the adventure of a lifetime!!!!!!!

Merry Christmas to you all! May God richly bless you in 2008.

Hilena-Miss Personality

I had to share with everyone some information I was given by another Hope Adoption Agency "mom to be" who is currently visiting Ethiopia. She spent the morning in Hilena's orphanage and had the following to say about her:"...Now for Hilena. Amy, she is wonderful and has a fantastic personality. She was probably the most outgoing of all the kids and just a ray of sunshine. You will love her." Talk about words that warm my heart. This woman is actually the 2nd person to share her impressions of Hilena. The first couple considered adopting her themselves until they found out she was to be ours. They said she is a doll with personality plus and that we were going to have our hands full. We say.....bring it on!!!!!!!!

In other news my mom had her last hormone treatment on Thurs. She is officially DONE with her cancer treatments. I went with her to her appt. All of the nurses sang a special song to her and gave her gifts before she left. It was so fun to see and such an awesome feeling for me (and I am sure her) to know she is done. Woo Hoo!

Disappointing news

We found out that Hilena did not make it through court today. The hold up is related to the fact that her orphanage (along with 39 others) is newly licensed to adopt and the courts are requiring special documentation from all of the orphanages. She does have another court date scheduled for 12/26 so please be praying that all of the needed documents are squared away before then.

I will still be going to pick up Noah on 12/31 and will be able to visit with Hilena while I am there (it will be hard to say goodbye for sure). Am so excited to know that in 3 weeks I will be hugging my kids!!!!

Immunization woes

For those of you who know me well you can start chuckling now. Yes, I have waited until the last possible moment to get my immunizations for travel and yes, I am running out of time. Friday is my day to go to the health clinic for my Hepatitis A and Meningitis vaccines and I am losing sleep over it. Why oh why couldnt I be phobic about birds like my mom or bees like Mike. It will be like every other time I have had to have shots. I will have worked myself up to the point where I am literally almost hyperventilating and then "BAM" that was it? And since I am begging the nurse to give them to me in my behind I wont be able to walk well on Saturday. Ah the joys.......

On a less painful note, my mom and I are going Christmas shopping tomorrow. I am hoping I am going to be in a shopping "zone" (never can tell until I get out there) and will be able to get most if not all of my Christmas shopping done. Time will tell.

Here We Go

Okay, this is my first post on our new blog. Kudos to my DEAR friend Rebecca who created this blog for me. If anyone is interested in her talents as blog designer see her blog on my list.

I am thrilled to be able to say that in exactly 4 weeks from today I will be on a plane to Ethiopia. What a way to ring in the New Year huh?!!! Noah made it through court last Friday, and I am going to get him in 4 weeks. Hilena did not make it through court because of an extra document needed for her orphanage but has a date on Dec. 11. Please pray that she makes it through. If she does, then I will most likely be staying for 2 weeks and bringing both of our kids home. YEAH!!!!!!

Our house is in complete chaos right now. Trying to create a toy room, de-clutter our basement, paint bedrooms and switch out beds is causing major mayhem right now. Add Christmas shopping and packing for a trip accross the world in and you have quite a crazy household!!!! We are enjoying every minute.

Photo Updates of Noah!