After a few anxious days yesterday I received that long-awaited e-mail from Sue announcing embassy clearance for this Thursday! Kathy and I had packed on faith the night before believing this would happen. The e-mail was only the beginning as better than half a day was spent securing airline reservations and confirming there is room at Grace Guest House. In just a few hours we board a plane to Ethiopia! We will arrive at 0110 in the morning on the 30th, travel to the guest house and await an early morning trip to Miskaye to get Joseph and Jacob. From there we will travel to the embassy for a brief interview and back later in the day to pick up necessary paperwork saying they are mine and can travel! Just two and a half days later we will begin the journey home. Arrival is scheduled for 5:41 at Nashville International airport on United flight 5924. There will be a group of family and friends gathered at the top of the escalators with a welcome home Joseph and Jacob sign if you care to join us.
I have also made an appointment for their first visit with the pediatrician and planned an Ethiopian Christmas celebration in the 7th. The tree is the only Christmas remnants left in my house..well, and the tons of packages waiting for the boys :) Oh, and I discovered that I had been reading the boy's birth certificates as month/day/year instead of as written day/month/year! This means I was in Ethiopia on Jacob's first birthday 11/7 and will celebrate Joseph's 4th birthday on 5/12. Everything about their development is right on target now that I have this straight!
God is faithful and true to those who wait on his perfect timing. I am so thankful for the prayers and support of so many through the past year and can only re-pay the kindness through the smiles of two little boys. Thank you all! and I am out of here!! Happy New Year!
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Waiting for any news
It's been a while since I last updated. For those who don't know, the first anticipated embassy appointment was held up by something requested of the birth mother. So two weeks later I wait not so patiently for possible word of travel at the next embassy date. I know that God's timing is perfect and that Joseph and Jacob will be here as planned, but it is so hard. I fight the tears often as I think of my sons. I have three sons, none of which can I be with on this Christmas. Yet as was heard in church on Sunday morning, I should not grumble and complain at life's circumstances. So this Christmas my daughters and I will celebrate and be thankful for where we are, what we have, and what is to come. We'll remember those who can't be with us, and will look forward to the reunion that is coming soon. As I watch and re-watch the many videos and look at pictures from first meeting the boys I anticipate Joseph running to me with outstretched arms and that smile that lights up the night. Who knows, maybe there will even be a glimmer of recognition from Jacob (or at least a few less tears). So for now, I remember to praise God for this additional two weeks in which I prepared my heart and my home for the arrival of my sons.
Guys, I will be there soon. I love you with all of my heart and rejoice that God will be with you this Christmas despite my absence. Merry Christmas!
Guys, I will be there soon. I love you with all of my heart and rejoice that God will be with you this Christmas despite my absence. Merry Christmas!
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Fundraising activities
There were many events planned to help financially prepare for this journey. Yard sales, a cookout, benefit dinners, and a gold party were some of those I hosted with the help of family and friends. At the first yard sale Kathy held a raffle for handmade baby afghans while Anna Ruth and Rebecca manned a table of lemonade, brownies, and cookies.
Benefit dinners were held at the Dinner Bell and Chick-fil-A and attended by co-workers, family, and friends! I was blessed to have my son David home on R & R from Iraq to attend Chick-fil-A. Thanks to Allison and Jason for these events.
The cookout was hysterical as a grill that normally has flames a foot high had but a tiny flicker. Thanks to Becky for inviting me to Big Lots for this fun-filled day!
Benefit dinners were held at the Dinner Bell and Chick-fil-A and attended by co-workers, family, and friends! I was blessed to have my son David home on R & R from Iraq to attend Chick-fil-A. Thanks to Allison and Jason for these events.
Friday, December 3, 2010
Missing these little guys like crazy
Just realized how awful I've been at updating the blog since actually being able to show pictures of the boys. I'll try and spend these next days waiting on word from the embassy to post some of my favorite memories of this journey. This video was made when Kathy and I went for court and depicts the boys personalities well. The waiting is hard but watching the videos and looking at the pictures just makes me smile. Joseph and Jacob, I'll be there soon!
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
and it's embassy time!
In just a few short hours my paperwork will be reviewed and plans finalized for a return trip to bring the boys home. I received an e-mail from Sue today which said to be ready to travel for a December 16 embassy date, meaning we will return home the 18th and in plenty of time for Christmas. I know in my head there is a possibility that something will be missing or that there won't be two slots left for the embassy appointment but in my heart I keep hearing December 16th and have for months. I think I may stay up these next few hours in prayer as the clock ticks towards business hours in Ethiopia. Or, perhaps I'll close my eyes knowing that prayers of thanks have been lifted from all parts of the world for what God will do!
Needless to say the next few days will be crazy. I have a shower on Saturday (have already begun receiving cards and gifts!), airline tickets to book, a guest house to reserve, and shopping to be done. Not to mention getting the last items placed in the boys' room resulting from the shower. Oh, and then there is work. How in the world do I wrap that up neatly in a week. I am so excited I can't eat, can't sleep, can barely even think as my mind races toward this homecoming. In the midst of all the joy is a sadness that I will miss Joseph's birthday on December 5. He turns 3 and will be without a family to celebrate. But oh how we will make up for that when he and Jacob are here.
Thanking God for what he will do and praying for my sons...will post again soon.
Needless to say the next few days will be crazy. I have a shower on Saturday (have already begun receiving cards and gifts!), airline tickets to book, a guest house to reserve, and shopping to be done. Not to mention getting the last items placed in the boys' room resulting from the shower. Oh, and then there is work. How in the world do I wrap that up neatly in a week. I am so excited I can't eat, can't sleep, can barely even think as my mind races toward this homecoming. In the midst of all the joy is a sadness that I will miss Joseph's birthday on December 5. He turns 3 and will be without a family to celebrate. But oh how we will make up for that when he and Jacob are here.
Thanking God for what he will do and praying for my sons...will post again soon.
Saturday, November 13, 2010
"They are your children"
The last week has been the most amazing experience of my life. Kathy and I left for Addis Abbaba, Ethiopia on Saturday, November 6. We arrived to the Grace Guest House on the evening of November 7.
Early in the afternoon of November 8 I met Joseph and Jacob. They were everything I imagined. Joseph has a calm, quiet, loving personality. He is a protector of his brother. Jacob is very strong-willed and very cautious in showing his true self. As we left Miskaye orphanage Joseph told us that his feet hurt. His shoes were about two sizes too small, so at our next stop, an orphanage to pick up a little boy for a Phillip and Gina Payne (another CCI family from Franklin), Joseph was given another pair of shoes and some lunch. Both boys slept on the ride back to the Guest House. Joseph woke happy and accepting of the circumstances of his new life. Jacob remained quiet throughout the first day. I saw quickly that Joseph is quite the athlete as he kicked anad threw ball all afternoon. He was thrilled with a pair of shoes that fit his feet and acted as though I had given him a brick of gold when he also got new underwear. Jacob accepted his meals but remained quiet throughout the day. Both boys slept soundly until the call to worship early the next morning.
November 9 Jacob awoke a new child. The first time he was up during the night he was on his knees. The second time he was standing. He quickly showed off his ability to crawl and is almost walking. Both boys played well, napped, and ate great. Until the night that is. I'm still not sure if Jacob sensed my apprehension over the pending court appearance or if his stomach was upset from the change in formula, but he cried most of the night.
November 10 both boys were again happy and playful. I headed to court late morning leaving Kathy in charge. Apparently Joseph had quite a come apart when I left asking where his mama had gone. With the help of an interpreter it was explained what was happening. He begged to not return to the orphanage, agreed to get on an airplane "just one time," and he, Jacob, and Kathy went to the room to cry together and look for distraction.
I sat in the court room knowing that their mother was present. As I scanned the sea of faces I quickly found her. Jacob looks just like her! After her appearance she agreed to meet with me. Though few words were spoken (and none with an interpreter) I hope that she understood my love and gratitude for these two little ones. I was called in to see the judge soon after. There were a few brief questions followed by a period of silence and then those long awaited words..."they are your children." I practically ran from the room and could not wait to return to tell Kathy and the boys.
The afternoon was hectic as we packed for our return trip. Joseph watched anxiously as we filled our luggage. When we went outside to await our ride he climbed in my lap and went to sleep. Jacob sat quietly with Kathy. Joseph slept the entire ride back to Miskaye for which I am grateful. There were many tears as we left these boys in the care of those who obviously care deeply for them. I left them with photo albums and toys and a promise to return as soon as possible. I only hope that someone is telling them daily that I am coming back. Our afternoon was spent shopping before returning to the airport. There are many stories to share another time.
Kathy and I arrived back in Nashville on November 11 exhausted emotionally and physically. I pray now for a quick turnaround as paperwork arrives to the Embassy. My prayer is for a homecoming prior to Christmas. I spend each day watching videos and looking at pictures praying for the moment when Joseph and Jacob are again in my arms.
Early in the afternoon of November 8 I met Joseph and Jacob. They were everything I imagined. Joseph has a calm, quiet, loving personality. He is a protector of his brother. Jacob is very strong-willed and very cautious in showing his true self. As we left Miskaye orphanage Joseph told us that his feet hurt. His shoes were about two sizes too small, so at our next stop, an orphanage to pick up a little boy for a Phillip and Gina Payne (another CCI family from Franklin), Joseph was given another pair of shoes and some lunch. Both boys slept on the ride back to the Guest House. Joseph woke happy and accepting of the circumstances of his new life. Jacob remained quiet throughout the first day. I saw quickly that Joseph is quite the athlete as he kicked anad threw ball all afternoon. He was thrilled with a pair of shoes that fit his feet and acted as though I had given him a brick of gold when he also got new underwear. Jacob accepted his meals but remained quiet throughout the day. Both boys slept soundly until the call to worship early the next morning.
November 9 Jacob awoke a new child. The first time he was up during the night he was on his knees. The second time he was standing. He quickly showed off his ability to crawl and is almost walking. Both boys played well, napped, and ate great. Until the night that is. I'm still not sure if Jacob sensed my apprehension over the pending court appearance or if his stomach was upset from the change in formula, but he cried most of the night.
November 10 both boys were again happy and playful. I headed to court late morning leaving Kathy in charge. Apparently Joseph had quite a come apart when I left asking where his mama had gone. With the help of an interpreter it was explained what was happening. He begged to not return to the orphanage, agreed to get on an airplane "just one time," and he, Jacob, and Kathy went to the room to cry together and look for distraction.
I sat in the court room knowing that their mother was present. As I scanned the sea of faces I quickly found her. Jacob looks just like her! After her appearance she agreed to meet with me. Though few words were spoken (and none with an interpreter) I hope that she understood my love and gratitude for these two little ones. I was called in to see the judge soon after. There were a few brief questions followed by a period of silence and then those long awaited words..."they are your children." I practically ran from the room and could not wait to return to tell Kathy and the boys.
The afternoon was hectic as we packed for our return trip. Joseph watched anxiously as we filled our luggage. When we went outside to await our ride he climbed in my lap and went to sleep. Jacob sat quietly with Kathy. Joseph slept the entire ride back to Miskaye for which I am grateful. There were many tears as we left these boys in the care of those who obviously care deeply for them. I left them with photo albums and toys and a promise to return as soon as possible. I only hope that someone is telling them daily that I am coming back. Our afternoon was spent shopping before returning to the airport. There are many stories to share another time.
Kathy and I arrived back in Nashville on November 11 exhausted emotionally and physically. I pray now for a quick turnaround as paperwork arrives to the Embassy. My prayer is for a homecoming prior to Christmas. I spend each day watching videos and looking at pictures praying for the moment when Joseph and Jacob are again in my arms.
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