This was in Emma's update that we received yesterday. It needs no intro.
The social worker asked her what she thinks of going to USA with her families, she was very happy. And when she was asked "Why?" she said “My parents will play with me, make me happy and send me to school".
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So many times during the adoption process we hear the statement, " you are doing great things. This child is so lucky." We are not doing great things, we are doing the thing that God has called all of us to do. Take care of the orphans. Her needs are not material, all she is asking for is someone to love her and care for her. In many parts of the world it's a privilage to go to school, it costs money. A child views it as love.
It's so darn easy to love these kids. They want it, they hang on every moment of your time, every word you say. If I tell Samantha we are spending the afternoon together one day, you would think I told her she would never have to do a chore again. It's not about what we do that day. If I give her 2 hours of uninterrupted mommy time that is a hundered pounds of golden love. How lucky am I to receive that gift from her? I can give Emma material things, but it's all about the LOVE exchange. It's hard to put into words and one day I hope you all understand, that Doug andI are the lucky ones. God is giving us the greatest gift ever, the gift of love all wrapped up in a little girls body.
Friday, February 26, 2010
Thursday, February 25, 2010
"Strange things are afoot at the Circle K"
10 points for whoever can guess where that is from. (OKay, I know it's an easy one).
It's been an exciting couple of days this week. First we celebrated Emma's birthday via video camera. I am sure the DVD will bring her much amusement in the years ahead, but we had fun making it.
Yesterday we got an update from our social worker that we passed a hurdle that might let us travel by mid-March. We are very exicted and while it will only give us about a weeks notice we really hope we get that Mid-March embassy date.
Today we got another update on Emma. There were pictures attached and in the pictures she is wearing the clothes we sent for her birthday and holding the doll! It was so thoughtful of them to include in the pictures the things we sent for her.
Keep us in our prayers the coming week as we try to remain calm, cool, and collected enough to pack and organize.
It's been an exciting couple of days this week. First we celebrated Emma's birthday via video camera. I am sure the DVD will bring her much amusement in the years ahead, but we had fun making it.
Yesterday we got an update from our social worker that we passed a hurdle that might let us travel by mid-March. We are very exicted and while it will only give us about a weeks notice we really hope we get that Mid-March embassy date.
Today we got another update on Emma. There were pictures attached and in the pictures she is wearing the clothes we sent for her birthday and holding the doll! It was so thoughtful of them to include in the pictures the things we sent for her.
Keep us in our prayers the coming week as we try to remain calm, cool, and collected enough to pack and organize.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Wishes, excitement and anxiety...oh my!
Since I do not have a private blog and it would take me forever to figure out how to set a private blog, I have to keep this blog very generic. While it can be challanging at times it is also great to be able to share with so many people who wish to be lingerers.
The incredible Deutschland family just returned home Sunday night from Ethiopia. They took our daughters birthday package with them. They were unable to give her the present directly, so no pictures of that, but the important thing is she knows that there is a family in the US waiting for her and wanting to celebrate her milestones whether she is near or far from us.
The waiting this week is getting very difficult. There are murmors on the board and someone got their travel call which only intensifies the situation. Part of me is thankful we don't have our call yet, because I feel like I still have so much to do. But mostly, I could be packed and on a plane in 48 hours if I was required to be.
Things I have learned about traveling to Ethiopia-
Bring a flashlight-electricity is a luxury
The people are amazing-there has not been one person I have talked to yet that has said anything other than the people of Ethiopia are the kindess people they have ever met. I guess Minnesota nice met it's match! :-)
Coffee is an artform-you don't run to the local coffee joint and hope to get it in 30 seconds or less, there is a coffee ceremony. They are very proud of their chief export and it's very good!
Last, but not least...They love their children!
Thank you to all of those who have asked and are praying for us. We are tired of the waiting, but it's not our decision to make, so we we wait un-patiently on stand-bye.
Clip from "Dear Sweet Daughter" by Gayle Leubecker
I'll be right there to get you just as soon as God allows.
But til He says the time is right I give to you this vow.
I'll pray for your protection every night on bended knee.
For God will hold you in His arms, until you're here with me.
The incredible Deutschland family just returned home Sunday night from Ethiopia. They took our daughters birthday package with them. They were unable to give her the present directly, so no pictures of that, but the important thing is she knows that there is a family in the US waiting for her and wanting to celebrate her milestones whether she is near or far from us.
The waiting this week is getting very difficult. There are murmors on the board and someone got their travel call which only intensifies the situation. Part of me is thankful we don't have our call yet, because I feel like I still have so much to do. But mostly, I could be packed and on a plane in 48 hours if I was required to be.
Things I have learned about traveling to Ethiopia-
Bring a flashlight-electricity is a luxury
The people are amazing-there has not been one person I have talked to yet that has said anything other than the people of Ethiopia are the kindess people they have ever met. I guess Minnesota nice met it's match! :-)
Coffee is an artform-you don't run to the local coffee joint and hope to get it in 30 seconds or less, there is a coffee ceremony. They are very proud of their chief export and it's very good!
Last, but not least...They love their children!
Thank you to all of those who have asked and are praying for us. We are tired of the waiting, but it's not our decision to make, so we we wait un-patiently on stand-bye.
Clip from "Dear Sweet Daughter" by Gayle Leubecker
I'll be right there to get you just as soon as God allows.
But til He says the time is right I give to you this vow.
I'll pray for your protection every night on bended knee.
For God will hold you in His arms, until you're here with me.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
The package is in the air
The wonderful family that is taking our daugther's package is leaving today. I am being a little selfish and hoping they will send me pictures of "Emma".
Still no word on travel, but doing okay about that. Work is crazy busy. I have turned the guest room into the packing staging room and anytime I think of something I need to bring I open the door and fling it onto the bed in there. It's definately going to be interesting when it's time to pack it all. how much do you need for one week?! I'll post that list later....
Still no word on travel, but doing okay about that. Work is crazy busy. I have turned the guest room into the packing staging room and anytime I think of something I need to bring I open the door and fling it onto the bed in there. It's definately going to be interesting when it's time to pack it all. how much do you need for one week?! I'll post that list later....
Friday, February 5, 2010
Travel when?!?
Everyone's adoptions are different. It depends on domestic or international. If it's international, which country? It also depends on your agency. My friend is actually leaving next for Ethiopia to pick up their baby son. They passed court around Christmas and found out their travel date about 10 days after passing court. Plenty of time to buy airline tickets and find someone to stay with their kiddos back home.
Well, after much research on our agencies blog, I am discovering; for some reason our agency only gives you about 10-12 days notice before you travel. YIKES!!
I am have to admit I am starting to panic some. The short notice to travel doesn't scare me as much as trying to find someone to stay with the kids. They have school and need to be here. Samantha especially will need the stability and routine. So, if you all could pray that someone is able to step forward and stay with our kids (and Keesha).
Some great news this week! While we are not able to be with our daughter for her birthday at the end of February, I was able to locate a family to take her a birthday present. They are leaving next week. And get this...they are adopting 2 kids from our daughters orphange. Which is a small orphange, so it's amazing. Our kids are probably great friends! This family was definately an answer to prayer! We can not thank them enough for this special gift.
It's been a great week all in all. I never realized how much stress waiting for court had on me and our family. Holding your breathe for that long does makes you a little crazy (it's that lack of oxygen.)
It's getting close....
Well, after much research on our agencies blog, I am discovering; for some reason our agency only gives you about 10-12 days notice before you travel. YIKES!!
I am have to admit I am starting to panic some. The short notice to travel doesn't scare me as much as trying to find someone to stay with the kids. They have school and need to be here. Samantha especially will need the stability and routine. So, if you all could pray that someone is able to step forward and stay with our kids (and Keesha).
Some great news this week! While we are not able to be with our daughter for her birthday at the end of February, I was able to locate a family to take her a birthday present. They are leaving next week. And get this...they are adopting 2 kids from our daughters orphange. Which is a small orphange, so it's amazing. Our kids are probably great friends! This family was definately an answer to prayer! We can not thank them enough for this special gift.
It's been a great week all in all. I never realized how much stress waiting for court had on me and our family. Holding your breathe for that long does makes you a little crazy (it's that lack of oxygen.)
It's getting close....
Monday, February 1, 2010
WE PASSED COURT!!
Phew!! What a very long month it has been and a very long day! We are so excited that we passed this time around and didn't have to live through another re-scheduling of court dates. We are officially new parents again!!!
Too soon to give you news on travel, but it's been about 6-8 weeks after you pass court. So that puts us around mid-late March.
The girls are so excited. We have all just been holding our breathes. There is so much to do to get ready for travel, but hopefully there is no more glitches and it's all down hill from here.
Thank you everyone for your prayers and kind words over the last week and especially the last 24 hours. We couldn't have done it without all the support from everyone!
Too soon to give you news on travel, but it's been about 6-8 weeks after you pass court. So that puts us around mid-late March.
The girls are so excited. We have all just been holding our breathes. There is so much to do to get ready for travel, but hopefully there is no more glitches and it's all down hill from here.
Thank you everyone for your prayers and kind words over the last week and especially the last 24 hours. We couldn't have done it without all the support from everyone!
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