Tuesday, February 24
Day two...and final news from Ethiopia
I can't handle being away from our little girl one more second in the moments we have left while sitting in Robel's office, but I just wanted to share not to expect anything else from this travel group (probably). We will not be visiting the TH again and Robel's office seems to be the only sure thing for getting through on the internet. WE'RE SO SORRY!!! I just want you all to know that your children are amazing and we got some great shots if we had releases, although they are much more careful now and brought the babies out for some quick pics in front of the fireplace. Karen, Karl got a great one of your precious smiling, though!!! It is amazing!!! ALL the little babies looked so much healthier than the last pics I had seen and I was able to speak with the main nanny and Fortuna, the head nurse, to make sure she understood details about vitamins, etc. What an amazing day that I can't wait to process. Love to you all from Ethiopia.
Day One (and just a tidge of two) in Ethiopia
Wow. What do you say about the day you meet your daughter for the first time? I have so many thoughts whirling around in my head. I will start, though, with the lighter stuff. God’s provision on our trip was clear, as every step of our adoption journey has been. Because of an impending snow storm, Karl and I decided at the last minute to leave for Chicago the night before and stay with my bro and sis-in-law. So, we had our last pizza night on the couch with the boys and then Mom and Dad took them to their house and we ran around doing the last few items on our to-do list. We ended up getting to Chicago around midnight their time (an hour later for us). We had a wonderful tour of Justin and Erica’s new place, gabbing for a little, and then went to bed. We were up and around by 9 because we had forgotten something (go figure!) so we had to get to a store before heading to the airport. Our entire trip went so smoothly. We just missed the snowstorm (my friend, Melissa, called upon hearing 200 flights were cancelled at O’Hare!) and had a nice layover only to leave on time again in D.C. The flight really wasn’t bad at all. I kept finding myself thinking, “Is this really happening?” “Are we really going to pick up our daughter that we’ve waited for for so long?!?” When we got to the airport in Addis, we had to wait in a long line for our visa and then another line for immigration and then got stopped by a man about the donations we were taking in. That felt like a close call to me, but Karl thinks he was perhaps trying to get paid off, so we just did what he said (not paying him anything) and were able to get by and go out to meet our driver with no further problems. I kept thinking we’d meet people from America World, but we ended up not meeting anyone until our “official meeting” at 10 the next morning after a fitful but good night sleep.
It’s so crazy to meet people that you’ve heard so much about for so many months. Our group is wonderful with a lot of variety. We have first time parents, parents of about to be nine children, and us. Duni and Robel have been great walking us through the process of yet more paperwork and taking us where we need to be. Also, it has been a joy getting to know a little more about the other families that we will now forever be linked to. I started getting nauseous—in a good way!—as we prepared to leave the Hilton (our paperwork party place) for the transition home. I get butterflies now just thinking about it! We had about a 20 minute drive and pulled up to a set of silver doors. We were there!!!! We quickly assigned who would take video/pictures as each of the families went, family by family, to meet their kids. The Renos helped us out and then we returned the favor. We got to go first because of our last name, but when we arrived we were told Gelila was sleeping, so we said we’d wait. Then, a minute later, here she came!!! It was so amazing and surreal at the same time. They had dressed her in the outfit we sent over and had done her hair in little pigtails all over her head. It was so precious. She was sleeping when they handed her to me and she was so tiny! She started to wake up and look at me and I think she (of course!) didn’t know what to think. But she just studied my face with her gorgeous brown eyes, as calm as can be. She is so precious! I can’t wait to introduce her to people. Fairly shortly, I handed her to Karl and she began studying him, too. She was really out of it (that precious I’m-really-still-sleeping-here kind of out of it!) but one of the things we learned about her is she can suck down a bottle (slowly, but consistently) while appearing to be sound asleep!) Karl and I both spent time feeding her a bottle for about 30 minutes, I’m guessing. It was when her bottle was done that she woke up and really came to life. She started being very interactive and making lots of squealing sounds. We also learned she loves her tongue and may be a thumb-sucker! She spent a long time interacting with us. Duni told us that this was the day to interact and get to know our kids/babies and tomorrow we could be passing out care packages, giving donations, etc. but I couldn’t help myself. The toddlers especially were a riot! They just crawl all over you! Karl and I both had a couple of buddies that were just dying for attention. Sherry, I got your middle son on video bouncing on Karl’s lap, talking and laughing. He was so precious. And Kristen, your sweet girl shared a room with Gelila (along with many other babies) and when I walked in she was laying on the mat watching me. The second I bent down and picked her up, she just SMILED this beautiful smile! I wish I could have captured it on camera, but the memory is precious. Anna spent a lot of time holding her. Hilary, your little girl looks so big, I didn’t even recognize her. She had the cutest little outfit on (it was the Olivia line from Target—the same as Selah’s nursery—I’m thinking maybe you sent it to her? J ) and she was sitting in the bumbo seat. I think she’s gotten more hair! But she was still so tiny and precious, she just looked really healthy. Your little man came up to me (along with a whole crew of toddlers) when I opened up my bag looking for something. I felt so horrible, because I didn’t have treats in there or anything, just care packages, and you could tell they were like, “What in the world! Who is this white woman that comes in here, opens up a bag in our presence, and doesn’t have anything in there for us!” It was funny, but I wish I had brought them little treats today. Don’t worry, tomorrow I’m going to ask the nannies if I can give them stickers….and chocolate J Tomorrow will be the day that we work really hard at passing out care packages and taking pictures with all the families we have care packages/consent forms for, but let me just say as all those who have gone before me have as well, the nannies love these kiddos! Speaking of nannies, we also got to meet Gelila’s nanny (I’m using Selah’s Ethiopian name mostly here since that’s what she’s used to and what all the workers at the TH know her as). She was only there near the end, but it’s obvious she loves her very much and the feelings are mutual. She was the one that got her hair all ready and, probably dressed her in the clothes we had bought her. I am hoping someone can translate tomorrow so we can talk with her more.
One more blessing is as we were preparing to leave, the pediatrician came that takes care of the kids. We were each able to meet with him and go over our child’s records for the last several months. He described Selah’s skin condition as an allergy/sensitivity/eczema and instructed us on how to care for it, but seriously, it already looked so much better! He also gave us the growth chart and her page of medical records since she’s been at the TH, but she’s been so healthy, that there wasn’t much to see except for all the info on her skin.
Speaking of this, if you could all be praying for little Liam Chan. When we arrived, the Chan’s found out that their little man is running a high fever and is not doing well. Before they left, the doctor spent a long time examining him and hooked him up to an IV. Of course, Shelley and William are very overwhelmed by this new development and would really appreciate all your prayers. (If this hasn’t made it to the yg, can someone please post it there? Shelley asked that the yg prayer warriors would go to town!)
Well, it’s 11 o’clock and tomorrow is Gotcha Day—the day we get to take Selah with us forever—so we need to get some sleep. The internet was down and is now running impossibly slow (I couldn’t get onto my e-mail account) so Robel said tomorrow we could go into the office and e-mail. I will be sending this entry via e-mail to my sis who will then post it to the blog. Because of the internet issues, though, and the fact that we’re not going to the TH after tomorrow, this may be my last post from Ethiopia. Rest assured, though, that I will be journaling and catch up for lost time when we return. I know it’s not the same for all you blog stalkers (I have been one for so long now, I know!), but it is hope for the future, at least J
We are SO happy. They say not to have expectations or, rather, to expect anything, but today was better than we could have dreamed. We are blessed beyond measure.
It’s so crazy to meet people that you’ve heard so much about for so many months. Our group is wonderful with a lot of variety. We have first time parents, parents of about to be nine children, and us. Duni and Robel have been great walking us through the process of yet more paperwork and taking us where we need to be. Also, it has been a joy getting to know a little more about the other families that we will now forever be linked to. I started getting nauseous—in a good way!—as we prepared to leave the Hilton (our paperwork party place) for the transition home. I get butterflies now just thinking about it! We had about a 20 minute drive and pulled up to a set of silver doors. We were there!!!! We quickly assigned who would take video/pictures as each of the families went, family by family, to meet their kids. The Renos helped us out and then we returned the favor. We got to go first because of our last name, but when we arrived we were told Gelila was sleeping, so we said we’d wait. Then, a minute later, here she came!!! It was so amazing and surreal at the same time. They had dressed her in the outfit we sent over and had done her hair in little pigtails all over her head. It was so precious. She was sleeping when they handed her to me and she was so tiny! She started to wake up and look at me and I think she (of course!) didn’t know what to think. But she just studied my face with her gorgeous brown eyes, as calm as can be. She is so precious! I can’t wait to introduce her to people. Fairly shortly, I handed her to Karl and she began studying him, too. She was really out of it (that precious I’m-really-still-sleeping-here kind of out of it!) but one of the things we learned about her is she can suck down a bottle (slowly, but consistently) while appearing to be sound asleep!) Karl and I both spent time feeding her a bottle for about 30 minutes, I’m guessing. It was when her bottle was done that she woke up and really came to life. She started being very interactive and making lots of squealing sounds. We also learned she loves her tongue and may be a thumb-sucker! She spent a long time interacting with us. Duni told us that this was the day to interact and get to know our kids/babies and tomorrow we could be passing out care packages, giving donations, etc. but I couldn’t help myself. The toddlers especially were a riot! They just crawl all over you! Karl and I both had a couple of buddies that were just dying for attention. Sherry, I got your middle son on video bouncing on Karl’s lap, talking and laughing. He was so precious. And Kristen, your sweet girl shared a room with Gelila (along with many other babies) and when I walked in she was laying on the mat watching me. The second I bent down and picked her up, she just SMILED this beautiful smile! I wish I could have captured it on camera, but the memory is precious. Anna spent a lot of time holding her. Hilary, your little girl looks so big, I didn’t even recognize her. She had the cutest little outfit on (it was the Olivia line from Target—the same as Selah’s nursery—I’m thinking maybe you sent it to her? J ) and she was sitting in the bumbo seat. I think she’s gotten more hair! But she was still so tiny and precious, she just looked really healthy. Your little man came up to me (along with a whole crew of toddlers) when I opened up my bag looking for something. I felt so horrible, because I didn’t have treats in there or anything, just care packages, and you could tell they were like, “What in the world! Who is this white woman that comes in here, opens up a bag in our presence, and doesn’t have anything in there for us!” It was funny, but I wish I had brought them little treats today. Don’t worry, tomorrow I’m going to ask the nannies if I can give them stickers….and chocolate J Tomorrow will be the day that we work really hard at passing out care packages and taking pictures with all the families we have care packages/consent forms for, but let me just say as all those who have gone before me have as well, the nannies love these kiddos! Speaking of nannies, we also got to meet Gelila’s nanny (I’m using Selah’s Ethiopian name mostly here since that’s what she’s used to and what all the workers at the TH know her as). She was only there near the end, but it’s obvious she loves her very much and the feelings are mutual. She was the one that got her hair all ready and, probably dressed her in the clothes we had bought her. I am hoping someone can translate tomorrow so we can talk with her more.
One more blessing is as we were preparing to leave, the pediatrician came that takes care of the kids. We were each able to meet with him and go over our child’s records for the last several months. He described Selah’s skin condition as an allergy/sensitivity/eczema and instructed us on how to care for it, but seriously, it already looked so much better! He also gave us the growth chart and her page of medical records since she’s been at the TH, but she’s been so healthy, that there wasn’t much to see except for all the info on her skin.
Speaking of this, if you could all be praying for little Liam Chan. When we arrived, the Chan’s found out that their little man is running a high fever and is not doing well. Before they left, the doctor spent a long time examining him and hooked him up to an IV. Of course, Shelley and William are very overwhelmed by this new development and would really appreciate all your prayers. (If this hasn’t made it to the yg, can someone please post it there? Shelley asked that the yg prayer warriors would go to town!)
Well, it’s 11 o’clock and tomorrow is Gotcha Day—the day we get to take Selah with us forever—so we need to get some sleep. The internet was down and is now running impossibly slow (I couldn’t get onto my e-mail account) so Robel said tomorrow we could go into the office and e-mail. I will be sending this entry via e-mail to my sis who will then post it to the blog. Because of the internet issues, though, and the fact that we’re not going to the TH after tomorrow, this may be my last post from Ethiopia. Rest assured, though, that I will be journaling and catch up for lost time when we return. I know it’s not the same for all you blog stalkers (I have been one for so long now, I know!), but it is hope for the future, at least J
We are SO happy. They say not to have expectations or, rather, to expect anything, but today was better than we could have dreamed. We are blessed beyond measure.
Monday, February 23
News from Addis!
Hi, Danielle's faithful readers! This is her sister writing on behalf of the Black family. She hasn't had access to the Internet, so she asked that I keep all of you up to date on their time with Selah and assure you that she'll be giving all the details upon her return (as well as lots of pictures, I'd imagine!:) She called my parents, this morning, and told them that they had gotten to spend 2 hours with Selah earlier (we are 8 hours behind them) and it had been more incredible than she'd even imagined. Tomorrow night, they'll get to have her sleep with them in the hotel!
The rest of the family is doing great, too! Sunday Grandma and Grandad took the boys to Ohio, where they got to drive the Gator and go sledding with their cousins. I didn't go on that excursion, so I can't provide many more details than that. But I am proud to report that their quality time with me is reflected in their new found love of Spanish words for various sweets. Basically, I've decided that since I'm the aunt and not the mom, and the ability to speak Spanish is an amazing lifelong skill, and they are the perfect age to pick it up, and incentives really are the key to all meaningful learning... well... I've decided that I'll basically give them anything they want as long as they can ask for it in Spanish and Grandma and Grandad will be the ones putting them to bed, afterwards. For those of you who don't know me, I just returned from teaching English in Paraguay. Anyway, I'm sure my sister will be overjoyed to return and find the fluency with which her boys can ask "Puedo tener mas caramelos, pororo, chicle, helado, marvadiscos, y chocolate?" Yup, we're doing just fine. Life in the Black household will never be the same.
The rest of the family is doing great, too! Sunday Grandma and Grandad took the boys to Ohio, where they got to drive the Gator and go sledding with their cousins. I didn't go on that excursion, so I can't provide many more details than that. But I am proud to report that their quality time with me is reflected in their new found love of Spanish words for various sweets. Basically, I've decided that since I'm the aunt and not the mom, and the ability to speak Spanish is an amazing lifelong skill, and they are the perfect age to pick it up, and incentives really are the key to all meaningful learning... well... I've decided that I'll basically give them anything they want as long as they can ask for it in Spanish and Grandma and Grandad will be the ones putting them to bed, afterwards. For those of you who don't know me, I just returned from teaching English in Paraguay. Anyway, I'm sure my sister will be overjoyed to return and find the fluency with which her boys can ask "Puedo tener mas caramelos, pororo, chicle, helado, marvadiscos, y chocolate?" Yup, we're doing just fine. Life in the Black household will never be the same.
Wednesday, February 18
Check, check, check, and check.
Hey everybody! Thanks for your prayers. I say that prayers and supplements helped bring about a miracle :) I am so much better! I actually have been for two days. Thank you, Jesus! (and Shaklee! :) ) Just wanted to check in with everyone and say things are great. Thanks to Shelley and Alyssa watching the boys the past two afternoons, I have pretty much all my errands run--even buying all the donations. In fact, since I still have two good friends bringing formula donations to me, I am REALLY going to have to take some of my own back to Sam's!!! I looked into taking extra/over-sized baggage to Africa, and for us, it just doesn't seem worth it. We are talking extra charges from $125-400 PER BAG!!!! Can you imagine?!? I'd rather just take our allowable limit and then make monetary donations. I don't know how some people did it (took many, many, many bags). They are WAY more amazing than me.
My list says we're on target to leave Saturday morning around 8:30 a.m. It ends up we're going to leave our car at my brother and sis-in-law's new condo and Justin will drive us to the airport. Our flight to Washington D.C. leaves at 1:15 and arrives around 4. Then, around 8 we fly out of Dulles all the way to Addis Ababa, with a refueling in Rome. It kills me that we're stopping in Rome and will only be able to look out the window, but oh well. We actually arrive Sunday evening in Ethiopia.
Two more quick pieces of news to share: one was a pretty huge scare, I guess you could say. Yesterday we got Selah's birth certificate via e-mail which is written in Amharic and English. Someone pointed out that the gender said "male." I seriously thought, "God, are you serious?!? Could this really be happening?!?" But then I realized that if something this wild and crazy happened and Selah was really a baby boy, we'd just have to trust God!!! It would be too over-the-top not to think He had His hand in it! Not that I would be totally okay with it at first (the nursery IS pink on two walls, after all :) Kristen at America World, though, has assured us today that it's a misprint and they'll get it corrected. I mean, I thought she was way too pretty to be a boy, but Owen called Karl pretty tonight, so I guess boys are pretty, too.
In other news, we got a weight update today and Selah has gained one pound bringing her to a whopping 13 pounds at 6 months. In some ways, I wish she was bigger as far as her growth and development, but I have to admit, I'm so excited that she's just a little peanut. Karl and I both love the baby stage so much, and we feel so excited that to us, who were used to 16 pound babies at 4 months and who's tiniest little guy is now 35 pounds, 13 pounds is going to feel so small...and wonderful!
At Encounter last night, Karl talked about the different names of God. We were then asked to put/draw God's name to us right now on a notecard. One of the words I put was extravagant. God is so extravagant right now in my life. I feel like what He has done in my life and in this adoption is SO OVER THE TOP, I just feel like bursting with the joy and gratitude in my heart.
Thank you, Jesus, for all your gifts to us. You truly are extravagant. I love you.
Signing off...I probably won't write until we're on our way. TWO MORE DAYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
My list says we're on target to leave Saturday morning around 8:30 a.m. It ends up we're going to leave our car at my brother and sis-in-law's new condo and Justin will drive us to the airport. Our flight to Washington D.C. leaves at 1:15 and arrives around 4. Then, around 8 we fly out of Dulles all the way to Addis Ababa, with a refueling in Rome. It kills me that we're stopping in Rome and will only be able to look out the window, but oh well. We actually arrive Sunday evening in Ethiopia.
Two more quick pieces of news to share: one was a pretty huge scare, I guess you could say. Yesterday we got Selah's birth certificate via e-mail which is written in Amharic and English. Someone pointed out that the gender said "male." I seriously thought, "God, are you serious?!? Could this really be happening?!?" But then I realized that if something this wild and crazy happened and Selah was really a baby boy, we'd just have to trust God!!! It would be too over-the-top not to think He had His hand in it! Not that I would be totally okay with it at first (the nursery IS pink on two walls, after all :) Kristen at America World, though, has assured us today that it's a misprint and they'll get it corrected. I mean, I thought she was way too pretty to be a boy, but Owen called Karl pretty tonight, so I guess boys are pretty, too.
In other news, we got a weight update today and Selah has gained one pound bringing her to a whopping 13 pounds at 6 months. In some ways, I wish she was bigger as far as her growth and development, but I have to admit, I'm so excited that she's just a little peanut. Karl and I both love the baby stage so much, and we feel so excited that to us, who were used to 16 pound babies at 4 months and who's tiniest little guy is now 35 pounds, 13 pounds is going to feel so small...and wonderful!
At Encounter last night, Karl talked about the different names of God. We were then asked to put/draw God's name to us right now on a notecard. One of the words I put was extravagant. God is so extravagant right now in my life. I feel like what He has done in my life and in this adoption is SO OVER THE TOP, I just feel like bursting with the joy and gratitude in my heart.
Thank you, Jesus, for all your gifts to us. You truly are extravagant. I love you.
Signing off...I probably won't write until we're on our way. TWO MORE DAYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sunday, February 15
Not in the plan
So far, I am ticking away at my to do list--I'm right where I need to be. And that was even with sickness in my family. However, now I'm sick. I consider myself to have a high pain tolerance, but this may just be a strep thing. I'm achy and my throat hurts so bad I can barely swallow. I guess I didn't have to worry about skipping church after all. BUT, the show must go on. Nevermind that my parents are in Paradise (yep, that's really the name of the place in the U.P. of Michigan) having a grand old time and my husband is in sunny California. And my precious Braden started throwing up (separate illness, I believe) But I'm not bitter. Truly. And this is not, Shelley, an attempt to get some free dinner out of you (because I know you would do it if I would let you--you're amazing). I just wanted to get it out at 7:05 in the morning. I would even take a picture of my throat and show you...if it didn't take so much stinkin' energy (and risk losing forever some of my more squeemish blog readers). My motto for today: We will survive!!!!!
Friday, February 13
Eight days and counting....
So, I'm going to kill two birds with one stone and make my to do list for the next eight days on my blog. I thought this might also give people an idea of what needs to take place to make everything happen in fairly short order! I am one of those psycho people that likes to write things down even after they've happened to make me feel better, so don't mind the fact that I'm starting with Thursday. :)
Thursday, 2/12
1. Pick up upstairs rooms (after putting the kids into different rooms over the weekend)
2. Go through piles
3. America World travel conference call
4. Shop at Target for almost EVERYTHING we need for travel to Ethiopia and Selah's room
5. Go to Carrie's to pick up my amazing set of African-American hair products (Carol's Daughter) and get a mini-lesson. Also pick up money belt and large suitcase
Friday, 2/13
1. Take Karl to the airport at 5:15 a.m. (that's just so you feel sorry for me)
2. Dentist appointments for the rest of us at 8 (also so you'll feel sorry for me)
3. Receive unexpected GORGEOUS flowers from my amazing, far-away Valentine
4. Check e-mail and start lining up some meals for the week we're home
5. E-mail Lisa about prescription donations needed at the transition home
6. Write thank you notes
7. Library
8. Pizza and movie night on the couch with the boys :)
9. Put together mini bookshelf for Selah's room
10.Check United Limo schedule for Saturday
11. Print off documents needed to take to Ethiopia
12. Finish packing Selah's bag
13. Start putting donations in two duffels
Saturday, 2/14
1. Wake up feelings sorry for myself because it's Valentine's Day. Then, look at my flowers and realize just how good I have it. Call Karl and tell him :)
2. Clean nasty kitchen
3. Sweep and dust upstairs
4. Do something special with the boys (Probably from my Every Day a Holiday book)
5. Jenna coming over to be my substitute Valentine :)
Sunday, 2/15
1. Go to church (still up in the air :) We may take this Sunday off and do church at home)
2. Lunch with Alyssa and Eric
3. SABBATH!!! BE WITH THE BOYS!!! Resist the urge to do other things
Monday, 2/16
1. Babysit Brenna
2. Laundry
3. Pack my clothes/see what's missing
4. Bank
5. Grocery shop/meal plan
6. Send off last of One family t-shirt orders
7. Contact the health department to see if I can still get a menangitis shot. Schedule.
8. Get an izoom in case we drive to Chicago instead of United Limo
Tuesday, 2/17
1. Karl home :)
2. Babysit Brenna
3. Call Bristol St. Pediatrics about consent form to treat children form for Mom and Dad
4. Call Mom and Dad and as what they need while we're gone (meal plans, etc.), then make up appropriate lists to leave with them.
5. Do something special with the boys
6. Church
Wednesday, 2/18
1. Have Karl make copies of passports, credit cards, and flight itineraries
2. Have Karl begin to pack
3. While Shelley babysits, run to Lowes (door pulls for Selah's dresser and returns), pharmacy for scabies and dramamine, and donation meds
4. Buy other last minute items didn't find last week at Target
5. Don't forget to pick Braden up late from Math Pentathalon!
Thursday, 2/19
1. Buy remaining donation items
2. Finish packing donation and care package duffels
3. Sweep/dust the downstairs
4. Call Sharpline to make sure I can drop the van off there for work while we're gone
Friday, 2/20
1. Be together as a family
2. Reserve United Limo tickets or talk with Justin and Erica about parking at their place in Chicago
3. Last minute odds and ends
4. Pack carry-ons
5. Load luggage into the van
6. Clean all the bathrooms
7. Make sure copies and lists are on the counter for Mom and Dad
8. Library
9. Last pizza and movie night on the couch with just the "boys" and mom :)
10. Clean out fridge
11. Take van to Sharpline
Saturday, 2/21
1. Leave early in the morning for Chicago, then Dulles, and then on to Addis Ababa! Two days until we meet Selah!!!
You know, I'm glad I did this. There's a lot to do, but it looks VERY do-able when I break it down like this. I may or may not let you know how it's going :) If not, you'll hear from me (maybe I can even get Karl to write some thoughts :) in transit and in Ethiopia, as long as we can get an internet connection :) WE CONTINUE TO BE SO EXCITED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thursday, 2/12
1. Pick up upstairs rooms (after putting the kids into different rooms over the weekend)
2. Go through piles
3. America World travel conference call
4. Shop at Target for almost EVERYTHING we need for travel to Ethiopia and Selah's room
5. Go to Carrie's to pick up my amazing set of African-American hair products (Carol's Daughter) and get a mini-lesson. Also pick up money belt and large suitcase
Friday, 2/13
1. Take Karl to the airport at 5:15 a.m. (that's just so you feel sorry for me)
2. Dentist appointments for the rest of us at 8 (also so you'll feel sorry for me)
3. Receive unexpected GORGEOUS flowers from my amazing, far-away Valentine
4. Check e-mail and start lining up some meals for the week we're home
5. E-mail Lisa about prescription donations needed at the transition home
6. Write thank you notes
7. Library
8. Pizza and movie night on the couch with the boys :)
9. Put together mini bookshelf for Selah's room
10.Check United Limo schedule for Saturday
11. Print off documents needed to take to Ethiopia
12. Finish packing Selah's bag
13. Start putting donations in two duffels
Saturday, 2/14
1. Wake up feelings sorry for myself because it's Valentine's Day. Then, look at my flowers and realize just how good I have it. Call Karl and tell him :)
2. Clean nasty kitchen
3. Sweep and dust upstairs
4. Do something special with the boys (Probably from my Every Day a Holiday book)
5. Jenna coming over to be my substitute Valentine :)
Sunday, 2/15
1. Go to church (still up in the air :) We may take this Sunday off and do church at home)
2. Lunch with Alyssa and Eric
3. SABBATH!!! BE WITH THE BOYS!!! Resist the urge to do other things
Monday, 2/16
1. Babysit Brenna
2. Laundry
3. Pack my clothes/see what's missing
4. Bank
5. Grocery shop/meal plan
6. Send off last of One family t-shirt orders
7. Contact the health department to see if I can still get a menangitis shot. Schedule.
8. Get an izoom in case we drive to Chicago instead of United Limo
Tuesday, 2/17
1. Karl home :)
2. Babysit Brenna
3. Call Bristol St. Pediatrics about consent form to treat children form for Mom and Dad
4. Call Mom and Dad and as what they need while we're gone (meal plans, etc.), then make up appropriate lists to leave with them.
5. Do something special with the boys
6. Church
Wednesday, 2/18
1. Have Karl make copies of passports, credit cards, and flight itineraries
2. Have Karl begin to pack
3. While Shelley babysits, run to Lowes (door pulls for Selah's dresser and returns), pharmacy for scabies and dramamine, and donation meds
4. Buy other last minute items didn't find last week at Target
5. Don't forget to pick Braden up late from Math Pentathalon!
Thursday, 2/19
1. Buy remaining donation items
2. Finish packing donation and care package duffels
3. Sweep/dust the downstairs
4. Call Sharpline to make sure I can drop the van off there for work while we're gone
Friday, 2/20
1. Be together as a family
2. Reserve United Limo tickets or talk with Justin and Erica about parking at their place in Chicago
3. Last minute odds and ends
4. Pack carry-ons
5. Load luggage into the van
6. Clean all the bathrooms
7. Make sure copies and lists are on the counter for Mom and Dad
8. Library
9. Last pizza and movie night on the couch with just the "boys" and mom :)
10. Clean out fridge
11. Take van to Sharpline
Saturday, 2/21
1. Leave early in the morning for Chicago, then Dulles, and then on to Addis Ababa! Two days until we meet Selah!!!
You know, I'm glad I did this. There's a lot to do, but it looks VERY do-able when I break it down like this. I may or may not let you know how it's going :) If not, you'll hear from me (maybe I can even get Karl to write some thoughts :) in transit and in Ethiopia, as long as we can get an internet connection :) WE CONTINUE TO BE SO EXCITED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thursday, February 12
A madhouse!!!!
I just had a long post that disappeared giving you all updates on how life is going on in the Black house. I don't want to take the time to post it all again (ARGH!), but suffice it to say we are doing fine and riding on the excitement of that little princess Karl and I will get to meet in 11 short days (we leave in 9!) Life is quite stressful with all that needs to be accomplished in the next 9 days, but God has been so good and we are chipping away at things little by little. The nursery is GORGEOUS thanks to my sis and sis-in-law and our Saturday marathon. Selah's suitcase is mostly packed, and tonight I will go shopping to see if I can tackle some of the HUGE list of items I still need to buy.
This is all good since Karl leaves in the morning for a 3 day speaking retreat (back through the night in time for work Tuesday morning!) My wonderful husband is worse than I am, trying to get everyone at work up to speed for our trip since he is becoming the Campus pastor for our church's North Campus which starts its service 8 DAYS AFTER WE GET BACK!!! AHHHH!!!! Thank you all for your continued love, support, and encouragement. We TRULY cannot tell you how your kindness has lifted us up and made this entire adoption journey so much more amazing. We are SO THANKFUL to have you in our lives. Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU!!!!!
This is all good since Karl leaves in the morning for a 3 day speaking retreat (back through the night in time for work Tuesday morning!) My wonderful husband is worse than I am, trying to get everyone at work up to speed for our trip since he is becoming the Campus pastor for our church's North Campus which starts its service 8 DAYS AFTER WE GET BACK!!! AHHHH!!!! Thank you all for your continued love, support, and encouragement. We TRULY cannot tell you how your kindness has lifted us up and made this entire adoption journey so much more amazing. We are SO THANKFUL to have you in our lives. Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU!!!!!
Monday, February 2
SHE IS OURS!!!!! Introducing our daughter....
Our travel dates are confirmed. As of right now, we fly out of O'Hare airport to pick up our baby girl February 21st and return on February 28th--my mom's birthday!!!! We are looking for a decently priced flight from South Bend to Chicago, but right now that would cost us between $700-$800, and we really can't justify that!!! I wish we could, though! It would be so great to have some friends to greet us at the airport, not to mention NOT having a 2+ hour drive to get home once we return!!! We will keep looking...
My wonderful friend and fellow adoptive parent, Shelley, put the video together for us. THANK YOU, SHELLEY! It will be a treasure forever. Here are some of my favorite stills we've received:
These 2 1/2 weeks are going to fly by!!! We have so much to do, and I'm so happy that we do! Here we come, precious little Selah....
Sunday, February 1
While I'm Waiting.
Well, the time has arrived. By the time we wake up in the morning, court should have taken place. A judge should have decided whether or not we will be able to travel to pick up our little Selah in 2 1/2 weeks or if we will have to wait. Possibly months longer. This song is my prayer tonight.
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