I wanted to take her picture when we got back to the hotel, but she was sleeping, so you will have to settle for pictures of the cutest sleeping baby ever.
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Dalaney - Day 2 It's Embassy Day!
I would love to post a picture here of how cute my daughter looked when we went to the Embassy this morning, but I don't have one because you can't take your camera or phone in at the Embassy. So, you'll just have to trust me when I tell you she was by far the cutest baby there.
I wanted to take her picture when we got back to the hotel, but she was sleeping, so you will have to settle for pictures of the cutest sleeping baby ever.
I wanted to take her picture when we got back to the hotel, but she was sleeping, so you will have to settle for pictures of the cutest sleeping baby ever.
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Ethiopia - Take 2
We have arrived! The flight from DC was long, but not unbearable. Because the flight wasn't full we ended up with an extra seat in our row and I felt like I was traveling in high style after being so scrunched on both flights for our first trip. We both actually even slept a little and made friends with an adoptive grandma who was coming to meet her daugher-in-law and to help make the trip home with her and her new baby girl.
We breezed through immigration compared to the long line from last time. We were out of the airport in less than an hour compared to over two hours last time. Our driver remembered me from the last trip and I got to enjoy seeing my sister's face as she saw Ethiopia for the first time on our drive from the airport.
Now we are all checked in at the hotel, showered, and waiting anxiously to go pick up Dalaney. I can't believe ths day is actually here!
Neither one of us can get our phones to work even though they are supposed to and mine worked just fine on the last trip, so I hope my fam is checking this to find out that we made it safely.
A better update later after we have awesome pictures to share!
We breezed through immigration compared to the long line from last time. We were out of the airport in less than an hour compared to over two hours last time. Our driver remembered me from the last trip and I got to enjoy seeing my sister's face as she saw Ethiopia for the first time on our drive from the airport.
Now we are all checked in at the hotel, showered, and waiting anxiously to go pick up Dalaney. I can't believe ths day is actually here!
Neither one of us can get our phones to work even though they are supposed to and mine worked just fine on the last trip, so I hope my fam is checking this to find out that we made it safely.
A better update later after we have awesome pictures to share!
Monday, April 30, 2012
Soooooo.......
Since it's Monday and there's not a lot going on around here, I thought I might just hop on a plane and FLY TO ETHIOPIA to get my daughter.
Yep. You read that right. I got the email last Wednesday that let me know that we had an Embassy appointment on May 2 - that's Wednesday of this week!!! Holy cow. There has been some freaking out around here let me tell ya'. There was frenzied packing, and cleaning and planning for school and not a whole lot of sleep.
Right now my sister and I are in the airport in Washington waiting to board our flight to Ethiopia. In less than 24 hours I will have Dalaney with me forever! I'm so excited that I can hardly stand it. Stay tuned as we will update as often as possible once we land in Ethiopia.
Yep. You read that right. I got the email last Wednesday that let me know that we had an Embassy appointment on May 2 - that's Wednesday of this week!!! Holy cow. There has been some freaking out around here let me tell ya'. There was frenzied packing, and cleaning and planning for school and not a whole lot of sleep.
Right now my sister and I are in the airport in Washington waiting to board our flight to Ethiopia. In less than 24 hours I will have Dalaney with me forever! I'm so excited that I can hardly stand it. Stay tuned as we will update as often as possible once we land in Ethiopia.
Monday, April 16, 2012
Happy Adoption Day 2012
It's hard to believe it's been this long, but my beautiful son came home to his forever family twelve years ago today. I find that adoptive families have lots of different names and occasions that they celebrate - Gotcha Day, Forever Day, Referral Day, Forever Family Day - but it all comes down to the same thing. We are so happy to finally be a family that we want to celebrate! So, for our family it is Adoption Day. This is technically the day Jeremiah arrived home in the U.S. and his adoption was technically final months before this day, but today is the day we came home to KY as a family. For us, that was the best day ever!
Our long trip from Romania actually started on the morning of April 15. They are about six hours ahead of the U.S., so when we were boarding a plane there, it was still the middle of the night here. Our first flight was from Bucharest, Romania to Switzerland. I still remember driving down the still, dark streets in Romania with Jeremiah in my lap and tears in my eyes as I thought of leaving the place that had been his home. It is a country filled with beautiful people. Even though I was sad to leave, I was excited to finally be heading home. I think Jeremiah must have sensed my excitement, because he was wired! He screamed the whole time he had to sit in his own seat with his seat belt on. He didn't want to sleep on the plane at all, or eat any of the "kid-friendly" meals they presented us with. I'm pretty sure he had never seen a hot dog in his life, and he wasn't taking too kindly to these! He kept looking at me and saying, "papa" which means food in Romanian.
He also wasn't a big fan of a long layover in Switzerland. Our flight was delayed and by the time they were finally ready for us to board our flight to the U.S. I had to go to the bathroom in a bad way, but every time I sat Jeremiah down he screamed bloody murder. Finally, I just decided I would rather have him screaming in the airport bathroom than in that tiny cubicle that passes for a bathroom on the plane. We made it through the bathroom debacle, and boarded the flight, only to find that this one wasn't going to be any more fun than the last one. You try explaining to a two year old who doesn't speak English that he needs to sit still and be quiet because people are trying to sleep. Somehow, the message wasn't getting through! He finally passed out in the last half hour before our plane landed in New York. Ironic, huh?
Once we landed we breezed through security and immigration, and found the taxi that was supposed to drive us to New Jersey so we could catch a flight from there to Cincinnati. Yeah, we took just about the most scenic route we could find on the way home because it was Saturday and everything was booked. The two hour taxi ride was a hair-raising one. For one, this taxi had no car seat, so I had Jeremiah in my lap wrapped in my arms as tight as possible. Two, our taxi was driven by a large foreign man who talked rapidly on his cell phone in an unidentified foreign language for the entire trip while driving on packed interstates with one hand. Finally, a huge thunder storm chose just this time to burst out with lightening and the kind of thunder that makes your teeth rattle.
When we finally arrived in New Jersey, I was exhausted. Jeremiah was exhausted. I just wanted to go home. And that's when they told us that our flight had been cancelled due to the weather. I just started to cry. Then Jeremiah started to cry. I think the two of us standing there wailing scared the poor airport people to death and they ended up putting us up in a hotel and getting us a flight the next morning.
That was probably the best four hours of sleep I've ever had. It was very late when we got to the hotel, and we had to get up super early the next morning to head back to the airport, but I didn't care. Sleep is sleep, especially when you haven't had any for a while. We finally boarded our flight to Cincinnati and Jeremiah slept peacefully for the whole hour and a half. When the pilot announced that we were approaching Cincinnati, I started to cry. I was finally bringing my baby home.
My best friend Jodi and her Dad were at the airport to pick us up. We headed south toward home, and found a few surprises. Jodi's family had gotten us groceries so we could just go home and make breakfast and not have to worry. Sarah, Connie, and Melissa, a few of my favorite students, had decorated our whole street. All the way down the street there were signs that had the Romanian flag, the American flag, and Welcome Home Jeremiah on them, tied to any and every sign and mailbox they could get their hands on. The kids down the street had even gotten into the act and made their own signs to hang out. When we pulled into the drive there were balloons tied to our mailbox, and our shepherd's hook and a huge welcome home sign on the door.
I was so happy to be home and the day just kept getting better. We had worried that a lot of visitors might make Jeremiah upset, but that was not the case. He is a total people person. As it was Sunday, the visitors starting rolling in as soon as church was over and kept on coming the whole day. Family came, neighbors came, some of my students came, friends came, and my Mom and Dad even surprised us by driving up from West Virginia.
I know these pictures aren't the greatest because I just took pictures of them out of his
scrapbook with my digital camera, but this post wouldn't be complete without them!
Hanging out on the train from Transylvania to Bucharest.
Our long trip from Romania actually started on the morning of April 15. They are about six hours ahead of the U.S., so when we were boarding a plane there, it was still the middle of the night here. Our first flight was from Bucharest, Romania to Switzerland. I still remember driving down the still, dark streets in Romania with Jeremiah in my lap and tears in my eyes as I thought of leaving the place that had been his home. It is a country filled with beautiful people. Even though I was sad to leave, I was excited to finally be heading home. I think Jeremiah must have sensed my excitement, because he was wired! He screamed the whole time he had to sit in his own seat with his seat belt on. He didn't want to sleep on the plane at all, or eat any of the "kid-friendly" meals they presented us with. I'm pretty sure he had never seen a hot dog in his life, and he wasn't taking too kindly to these! He kept looking at me and saying, "papa" which means food in Romanian.
He also wasn't a big fan of a long layover in Switzerland. Our flight was delayed and by the time they were finally ready for us to board our flight to the U.S. I had to go to the bathroom in a bad way, but every time I sat Jeremiah down he screamed bloody murder. Finally, I just decided I would rather have him screaming in the airport bathroom than in that tiny cubicle that passes for a bathroom on the plane. We made it through the bathroom debacle, and boarded the flight, only to find that this one wasn't going to be any more fun than the last one. You try explaining to a two year old who doesn't speak English that he needs to sit still and be quiet because people are trying to sleep. Somehow, the message wasn't getting through! He finally passed out in the last half hour before our plane landed in New York. Ironic, huh?
Once we landed we breezed through security and immigration, and found the taxi that was supposed to drive us to New Jersey so we could catch a flight from there to Cincinnati. Yeah, we took just about the most scenic route we could find on the way home because it was Saturday and everything was booked. The two hour taxi ride was a hair-raising one. For one, this taxi had no car seat, so I had Jeremiah in my lap wrapped in my arms as tight as possible. Two, our taxi was driven by a large foreign man who talked rapidly on his cell phone in an unidentified foreign language for the entire trip while driving on packed interstates with one hand. Finally, a huge thunder storm chose just this time to burst out with lightening and the kind of thunder that makes your teeth rattle.
When we finally arrived in New Jersey, I was exhausted. Jeremiah was exhausted. I just wanted to go home. And that's when they told us that our flight had been cancelled due to the weather. I just started to cry. Then Jeremiah started to cry. I think the two of us standing there wailing scared the poor airport people to death and they ended up putting us up in a hotel and getting us a flight the next morning.
That was probably the best four hours of sleep I've ever had. It was very late when we got to the hotel, and we had to get up super early the next morning to head back to the airport, but I didn't care. Sleep is sleep, especially when you haven't had any for a while. We finally boarded our flight to Cincinnati and Jeremiah slept peacefully for the whole hour and a half. When the pilot announced that we were approaching Cincinnati, I started to cry. I was finally bringing my baby home.
My best friend Jodi and her Dad were at the airport to pick us up. We headed south toward home, and found a few surprises. Jodi's family had gotten us groceries so we could just go home and make breakfast and not have to worry. Sarah, Connie, and Melissa, a few of my favorite students, had decorated our whole street. All the way down the street there were signs that had the Romanian flag, the American flag, and Welcome Home Jeremiah on them, tied to any and every sign and mailbox they could get their hands on. The kids down the street had even gotten into the act and made their own signs to hang out. When we pulled into the drive there were balloons tied to our mailbox, and our shepherd's hook and a huge welcome home sign on the door.
I was so happy to be home and the day just kept getting better. We had worried that a lot of visitors might make Jeremiah upset, but that was not the case. He is a total people person. As it was Sunday, the visitors starting rolling in as soon as church was over and kept on coming the whole day. Family came, neighbors came, some of my students came, friends came, and my Mom and Dad even surprised us by driving up from West Virginia.
I know these pictures aren't the greatest because I just took pictures of them out of his
scrapbook with my digital camera, but this post wouldn't be complete without them!
The first picture I saw of Jeremiah. Taken September 1999.
He was 21 months old.
Updated pictures taken in early March 2000.
Jeremiah's brief catnap before we landed in New York.
Chilling in the airport in Cincinnati as we waited for our bags.
He wasn't any happier about being strapped in the car seat than he was about wearing a seat belt on the plane.
Meeting Pappaw for the first time.
Jeremiah reached for him as soon as he laid eyes on him and made all of us cry.
This picture turned out awful, but you had to see it. I think my Dad held Jeremiah's hand for half the afternoon while he walked up and down these landscaping timbers in our yard. They would go all the way down and then turn around and come all the way back. I'm sure they did this about a thousand times!
Looking at all of these pictures makes this seem like it happened yesterday. But I have to tell you, even though they went by way too fast, the twelve years since I became a Mom have been the best years of my life. It has been such a blessing and a privilege to watch Jeremiah grow into a young man that makes me proud on a daily basis.
He works hard at everything, especially things he loves, like baseball.
He loves his friends and wants only the best for them.
He spends his free time doing things like being Snoopy in the church Christmas play.
He loves his baby sister.
And prays for her to come home soon every night.
And even though I still long for the days when this little man would run up to me and throw his arms around me.....
I wouldn't give up hanging out with the young man you have become for anything.
Thank you God for blessing my life with my son.
I love you Jeremiah!
Happy Adoption Day!
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Ethiopia Day 6 Reflecting on an amazing experience
This is the first morning we have had time to hang around the hotel and ponder because we have been so busy experiencing things up until now. When we were planning this trip I thought 6 days sounded like a long time, but to be honest it has flown by and I'm not ready to come home. I'm not saying I won't enjoy a shower at home with actual water pressure, or some American food, but this trip has been such an experience that I'm not ready for it to be over.
One of the things we have enjoyed experiencing is the food. Even when we ate at places that are supposed to have American food, it's just not the same as at home. Everything looks different and tastes different.
They were both pretty happy about strawberry juice, which I have to admit was fabulous. (Forgot to turn this picture before I added it and now it's too late!)
This was our traditional dinner. We were all brave and tried everything, but didn't love anything. This was a night when we all had to eat granola bars for snacks when we all got back to the hotel. :)
We are headed out for our last lunch right now and then one last trip to the orphanage before we head to the airport. The next time you hear from us we will be back in the U.S.
One of the things we have enjoyed experiencing is the food. Even when we ate at places that are supposed to have American food, it's just not the same as at home. Everything looks different and tastes different.
Our Coke for lunch came in a real glass bottle with no ice.
Jeremiah and I ordered a double cheese burger to share and it was huge!
We were super excited to eat, and even thought it was good, it wasn't like a burger at home.
This is what Grant got when he ordered milk to drink with our lunch.
It was so hot you could see the steam coming off of it!
To say the least, he was not impressed!
He was happier about pizza, but it still wasn't the same as pizza at home!
The best thing was this fabulous French toast. It was amazing!
We are headed out for our last lunch right now and then one last trip to the orphanage before we head to the airport. The next time you hear from us we will be back in the U.S.
Monday, March 19, 2012
Ethiopia Day 5 It's official!
So, today was court day. I got up pretty early because we had to be ready to go by 8:45 and I didn't want to have to rush while we were getting ready and eating breakfast at the hotel. That plan was ditched when I got up and found out we had no water. Not just no hot water, but no water at all! I was freaking out! I can't go to court and ask them to give me a baby while I smell bad and have dirty hair. I went down to the lobby in my pajamas in a panic and the nice lady at the desk told me the company was working on it already. So, I went back to my room and paced. Finally, we just decided to go up and eat breakfast in our pj's and then come back down and hope the water had been fixed. Luckily, Jeremiah tried it one more time before we left and it was on! I dashed in to the bathroom and started to get ready.
Even though we had been told that our paperwork was complete and ready to go, I was still nervous. We got to the courthouse and had to walk up three flights of stairs and then wait in a crowded waiting room with adoptive families from all over the world. For a while nothing happened, and then a lady came out and shushed us all and the first group went it. We were all on pins and needles waiting for them to come out. When they did, it was our turn.
Our new friends Whitney and Kurt went in with us and they shut the door. My heart was beating a mile a minute! They asked for our passports and then the judge asked each of us, including Jeremiah, if we had seen our children, if we wished to proceed, and if we understood that this was forever. We all replied yes ma'am to each question and then she said, the paperwork is complete, they are yours! You will be surprised to know that I held it together when we met Dalaney at the orphanage, but I cried when the judge said it was official. We are now a family of three! I can't believe I have a son and a daughter. I am so blessed.
So, since we have a few (hundred :) photos of my beautiful daughter from this week, I'm going to try to post a few and hope they upoad without taking forever.
She sucks her thumb and it is so cute! I hope I still think that in a few years.
Our first family photo!
Whoo, what a great day. I can't believe tomorrow is our last day here. We get to visit Dalaney one more time tomorrow and then we come back to the hotel to grab our bags and head to the airport. We so much appreciate all of the prayers and good thoughts that have come our way. Thanks to all of you!
Even though we had been told that our paperwork was complete and ready to go, I was still nervous. We got to the courthouse and had to walk up three flights of stairs and then wait in a crowded waiting room with adoptive families from all over the world. For a while nothing happened, and then a lady came out and shushed us all and the first group went it. We were all on pins and needles waiting for them to come out. When they did, it was our turn.
Our new friends Whitney and Kurt went in with us and they shut the door. My heart was beating a mile a minute! They asked for our passports and then the judge asked each of us, including Jeremiah, if we had seen our children, if we wished to proceed, and if we understood that this was forever. We all replied yes ma'am to each question and then she said, the paperwork is complete, they are yours! You will be surprised to know that I held it together when we met Dalaney at the orphanage, but I cried when the judge said it was official. We are now a family of three! I can't believe I have a son and a daughter. I am so blessed.
So, since we have a few (hundred :) photos of my beautiful daughter from this week, I'm going to try to post a few and hope they upoad without taking forever.
This one makes me smile!
Dalaney and her big brother.
He picked her up from her crib and didn't want to hand her off to anyone else!
Whoo, what a great day. I can't believe tomorrow is our last day here. We get to visit Dalaney one more time tomorrow and then we come back to the hotel to grab our bags and head to the airport. We so much appreciate all of the prayers and good thoughts that have come our way. Thanks to all of you!
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