From Kamille:
Today we went to Hosanna.
Very tiring and overwhelming day.
We continue to try to call many of you, but it is very difficult to get a line out, sounds like there might be an over load on the circuit due to the holidays occurring here.
From Michelle: Sounds like they are starting to get a little tired.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Monday, September 29, 2008
Happy B-day Grandma Babe
Grandma Babe happy belated birthday. According to Ethiopian time I am only a few hours late in wishing you well on the you 35th birthday :-)
Your gift is still here in Ethiopia, will bring him home soon.
Your gift is still here in Ethiopia, will bring him home soon.
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Finding Ice Cream in Africa
I am desperate for some ice cream. Now maybe there is ice cream in Africa, but there sure isn't any in the neighborhood we are in here in Ethiopia.
Ice cream... who would have known, not that I could have planned for it. Maybe ice cream dots. I've never actually eaten those things, but I really want some ice cream.
Tamene has been running around having fun this evening. It did occur to me as I was getting tired that at home I would have more endurance when the elevation isn't so high, back in MN... then it really hit me... he will have more endurance too! What???
He was fun to play with tonight, my cheeks hurt from laughing so hard.
Also, Tamene is not yet potty trained, this means that I am required to remember to change diapers at the appropriate times. Thanks to Jamie and Trent they actually remember this.
Four more days before we leave (I am ready to go now, nice place but I miss the kids).
Today we got a lesson in how to braid hair. Guess who's head they used to demonstrate on. I am presently sporting corn rows!
OK, Tamene needs a bath and then bed.
Take care. We miss you all!
Ice cream... who would have known, not that I could have planned for it. Maybe ice cream dots. I've never actually eaten those things, but I really want some ice cream.
Tamene has been running around having fun this evening. It did occur to me as I was getting tired that at home I would have more endurance when the elevation isn't so high, back in MN... then it really hit me... he will have more endurance too! What???
He was fun to play with tonight, my cheeks hurt from laughing so hard.
Also, Tamene is not yet potty trained, this means that I am required to remember to change diapers at the appropriate times. Thanks to Jamie and Trent they actually remember this.
Four more days before we leave (I am ready to go now, nice place but I miss the kids).
Today we got a lesson in how to braid hair. Guess who's head they used to demonstrate on. I am presently sporting corn rows!
OK, Tamene needs a bath and then bed.
Take care. We miss you all!
Update 9-28-08
We have Tamene with us today. I got to take a nap with him. That was the most precious moment, watching him fall asleep.
There are two guest houses and the other guest house (not the one we are in) has a couple of small dogs. We took Tamene over to see the dogs. We was quite excited about them at a distance, but did NOT want to touch them or be touched by them. I think it is a good starting point for him to get there with our dogs.
We are all home sick, but otherwise healthy.
I am off to play with Tamene!
There are two guest houses and the other guest house (not the one we are in) has a couple of small dogs. We took Tamene over to see the dogs. We was quite excited about them at a distance, but did NOT want to touch them or be touched by them. I think it is a good starting point for him to get there with our dogs.
We are all home sick, but otherwise healthy.
I am off to play with Tamene!
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Guest House Visit
Tamene was with us for the afternoon. Trent went with the group to pick up the kids after lunch. Jamie and I waited back at the guest house. Trent arrived with Tamene later, he had been sleeping and was just waking for Trent to bring him back to us. He arrived without shoes (because of being taken directly from a nap). I brought 3 pairs of shoes not knowing what size his feet were. The 6 1/2 were too small, the 6/7 were crocks and he decided those were fun to kick off... pair three, 7 1/2 perfect fit.
We had a lot of fun with Tamene. I purchased a water bottle that had a "sports top" on it for him to drink from. He really enjoyed carrying it around and taking big drinks. Then he saw Jamie drinking from her "wide mouth" water bottle and decided he wanted some of hers... he took a huge drink and then let it drip out onto his shirt. We all laughed and he continued to become more dramatic with the drinking and spitting until he was taking a mouthful and spitting back into Jamie's drink. Jamie has a phobia around sharing germs with anyone, especially as it relates to food or drink. I don't know that she thought it was as funny as I did. Shortly thereafter she was sterilizing the bottle to reuse later. (And I am the crazy one???)
Tamene enjoyed riding around in one of those little red car riding toys... you know them, you see them at EVERY garage sale and Goodwill everywhere. It's like a Flinstone car where you make it move by scrambling your feet like Fred and Barney. Anyway, he decided it was his and he wasn't really interested in sharing. We had to pull him out a couple of times so that other children could play. He cried, hard... poor baby. I brought him in the house and put him in "the peanut shell" (if you don't know what a peanut shell is you can hunt down a description in a different blog - or use Google :-) He liked being carried in the peanut shell, I thought that was great since he is so active, I didn't know how we would contain him in the airport.
There is a an outdoor lawn swing that he snuggled into me with and let me hold him while he rested and drank from his water bottle. He wrapped his little hand around my finger and Jamie brought his blanket and he was so content and peaceful. Did I mention how in love with this kid I am?
They brought snacks for the kids, the older kids were to get cookies and the younger ones some other concoction that I wasn't going to be part of. Anyway I offered to let Tamene pick which ONE cookie he wanted and he attempted to grab all of them. So he ate that and I wrangled up a banana, this seemed to keep him content.
Also during all the play and running around the guard here at the house was very helpful, he was telling Tamene what we were saying and helping to translate to him. It was so nice, he really does follow directions well, but he is also very strong willed.
Eventually it was time to take him back to the care center. We got back on the bus and as we pulled into the care center he grabbed on tighter to me. I thought it was going to be too hard to take him in. I managed to flag down a nanny who came out a back door as Tamene was waving at her. I handed him over while he still had a smile on his face. We departed quickly and I am so excited to go get him tomorrow.
We went to eat at a traditional Ethiopian restaurant, we got to see dancing and we ate traditional food. It was fun, too much to explain all in this post, but it was fun.
More later!
We had a lot of fun with Tamene. I purchased a water bottle that had a "sports top" on it for him to drink from. He really enjoyed carrying it around and taking big drinks. Then he saw Jamie drinking from her "wide mouth" water bottle and decided he wanted some of hers... he took a huge drink and then let it drip out onto his shirt. We all laughed and he continued to become more dramatic with the drinking and spitting until he was taking a mouthful and spitting back into Jamie's drink. Jamie has a phobia around sharing germs with anyone, especially as it relates to food or drink. I don't know that she thought it was as funny as I did. Shortly thereafter she was sterilizing the bottle to reuse later. (And I am the crazy one???)
Tamene enjoyed riding around in one of those little red car riding toys... you know them, you see them at EVERY garage sale and Goodwill everywhere. It's like a Flinstone car where you make it move by scrambling your feet like Fred and Barney. Anyway, he decided it was his and he wasn't really interested in sharing. We had to pull him out a couple of times so that other children could play. He cried, hard... poor baby. I brought him in the house and put him in "the peanut shell" (if you don't know what a peanut shell is you can hunt down a description in a different blog - or use Google :-) He liked being carried in the peanut shell, I thought that was great since he is so active, I didn't know how we would contain him in the airport.
There is a an outdoor lawn swing that he snuggled into me with and let me hold him while he rested and drank from his water bottle. He wrapped his little hand around my finger and Jamie brought his blanket and he was so content and peaceful. Did I mention how in love with this kid I am?
They brought snacks for the kids, the older kids were to get cookies and the younger ones some other concoction that I wasn't going to be part of. Anyway I offered to let Tamene pick which ONE cookie he wanted and he attempted to grab all of them. So he ate that and I wrangled up a banana, this seemed to keep him content.
Also during all the play and running around the guard here at the house was very helpful, he was telling Tamene what we were saying and helping to translate to him. It was so nice, he really does follow directions well, but he is also very strong willed.
Eventually it was time to take him back to the care center. We got back on the bus and as we pulled into the care center he grabbed on tighter to me. I thought it was going to be too hard to take him in. I managed to flag down a nanny who came out a back door as Tamene was waving at her. I handed him over while he still had a smile on his face. We departed quickly and I am so excited to go get him tomorrow.
We went to eat at a traditional Ethiopian restaurant, we got to see dancing and we ate traditional food. It was fun, too much to explain all in this post, but it was fun.
More later!
Day two with Tamene
Day two with Tamene,
This morning we went to the care center to spend some time with the children. Tamene appeared to be waiting at the door for us, and ran out to see us right away. We see that he enjoys throwing things. It's like a physics test every time he touches something. He is not necessarily being naughty, just checking out how the world works.
He enjoyed wearing the sunglasses that we brought for him. He would put them on and take them off, over and over. He found many other toys to play with too. He would find a toy, pick it up, look it over, then throw it. He seems very bright, he seems to knows exactly what he wants and how to get it. There isn't really a communication problem.
All the Nannies, guards and other staff members always stop to talk and interact with him. Everyone grabs him to kiss him or flip him up-side-down. He recognizes and tries to get attention from any of those people who may be busy doing something else. He is very persistent.
He readily will come to Trent and I. If he wanders far away and we call him, he runs back!
We watched them eat lunch too. He followed the rules from the nannies, but didn't seem to like it much. It seems that he likes to make faces and is pretty easy to read (I think that comes from Auntie Jamie). He wanted us to feed him and so we only needed a little assistance from the nannies. The meal started with some kind of corn chowder and then there was a "lentil bake" of some kind. Smelled good, I would have eaten it, but it didn't look appetizing.
After they ate, the nannies lined them up against the wall to clean them up and give them a drink. Tamene was demanding that Trent stay in close proximity for this event. After lunch they lined them up again (this time outside) to sit on potty chairs. There about 10 little potty chairs all being donned by the naked dark bottoms of our cuties. Tamene was not happy to be away from us and proceeded to notify the child next to him, that he wanted more space by giving her a "nip". The nannies had to move the little girl away.
Then it was time to leave. We were sitting in the front of the bus, when some parents in the back called for me to come look. He was standing on the stairs with the nannies waving. We he saw me come back to wave I got an even bigger wave and a smile.
Now we are going to eat lunch, and then go back to pick up the kids to stay with us here at the guest house for the afternoon.
This morning we went to the care center to spend some time with the children. Tamene appeared to be waiting at the door for us, and ran out to see us right away. We see that he enjoys throwing things. It's like a physics test every time he touches something. He is not necessarily being naughty, just checking out how the world works.
He enjoyed wearing the sunglasses that we brought for him. He would put them on and take them off, over and over. He found many other toys to play with too. He would find a toy, pick it up, look it over, then throw it. He seems very bright, he seems to knows exactly what he wants and how to get it. There isn't really a communication problem.
All the Nannies, guards and other staff members always stop to talk and interact with him. Everyone grabs him to kiss him or flip him up-side-down. He recognizes and tries to get attention from any of those people who may be busy doing something else. He is very persistent.
He readily will come to Trent and I. If he wanders far away and we call him, he runs back!
We watched them eat lunch too. He followed the rules from the nannies, but didn't seem to like it much. It seems that he likes to make faces and is pretty easy to read (I think that comes from Auntie Jamie). He wanted us to feed him and so we only needed a little assistance from the nannies. The meal started with some kind of corn chowder and then there was a "lentil bake" of some kind. Smelled good, I would have eaten it, but it didn't look appetizing.
After they ate, the nannies lined them up against the wall to clean them up and give them a drink. Tamene was demanding that Trent stay in close proximity for this event. After lunch they lined them up again (this time outside) to sit on potty chairs. There about 10 little potty chairs all being donned by the naked dark bottoms of our cuties. Tamene was not happy to be away from us and proceeded to notify the child next to him, that he wanted more space by giving her a "nip". The nannies had to move the little girl away.
Then it was time to leave. We were sitting in the front of the bus, when some parents in the back called for me to come look. He was standing on the stairs with the nannies waving. We he saw me come back to wave I got an even bigger wave and a smile.
Now we are going to eat lunch, and then go back to pick up the kids to stay with us here at the guest house for the afternoon.
Friday, September 26, 2008
Update 9-26-08
Written by Kamille at 3:15pm our time,
Good evening, It is 11:00 pm here in Ethiopia. We are all bright-eyed and bushy-tailed. No one is really ready to sleep (as it is 3pm back in the US).
This afternoon we took naps. Lucky for us we brought popcorn and we are currently negotiating some barter deals for other food, because people want our popcorn.
The dilemma of the evening is trying to get or receive calls from the US... Grandma Babe managed to figure out our cryptic messages by e-mail and I just got off the phone with her.
I am not sure if it is the 17 hour flight, or the altitude here, but we are all suffering from Kankles ( I am not defining this, but I bet you can find it on Wiki if you try).
Due to the Meskal Holiday there is a lot of activity around. Someone I work with (YS that's you), told me that part of the holiday is that children go around signing and wanting to get coins, candy, etc (a little like our Halloween, but with a completely different purpose). Early I heard children singing outside and immediately remembered the information about the singing children. I ran to the gate (there is a guard at our gate at all times). Anyway, I ran to the gate and opened it, Jamie came behind me and moments later followed by Trent and a fellow adopting father. I asked if the children could wait so I could take their pictures. They stayed and I took photos on my digital camera and then showed them the pictures of themselves. Jamie brought them candy, they were excited. After I rushed the door for what I "knew" was singing, harmless children, I was reprimanded by Trent and fellow father adopter for being unsafe.
More children came again later, I rushed to the gate again, this time with at least some caution. I knocked on the gate for the guard to let me see. As he squeezed the door open slightly, I could see several dogs barking and growling. The guard finally got them away so I could see the children. I wanted to give them birr (money) but others thought this would encourage more unwanted guests.
Ahh, yes there was another round of singers, this time the guard came to stop me before I even made it to the gate. I climbed up the gate to see young men chanting and standing close to our gate they had lit a small fire (maybe part of the tradition??) . We were not allowed to leave or go out to meet them. Though in my opinion it would have been safe, but that's just me). We went to the roof of the house and waved and took pictures. This encouraged them enough that some of our guests were unable to leave, for a while. We were told to go back inside. (bummer) The guys were yelling in English "No Problem", "What's up?". It was fun (ok, entertaining more than "fun"). They hung around for a while. Later it appear some of them returned to do some sort of coffee "ceremony" with the guard. I knew they were harmless (Right, right).
Now we are watching American Television and Blogging, it really doesn't feel like we are in Africa, maybe more singers will stop during the night.
Good night.
Good evening, It is 11:00 pm here in Ethiopia. We are all bright-eyed and bushy-tailed. No one is really ready to sleep (as it is 3pm back in the US).
This afternoon we took naps. Lucky for us we brought popcorn and we are currently negotiating some barter deals for other food, because people want our popcorn.
The dilemma of the evening is trying to get or receive calls from the US... Grandma Babe managed to figure out our cryptic messages by e-mail and I just got off the phone with her.
I am not sure if it is the 17 hour flight, or the altitude here, but we are all suffering from Kankles ( I am not defining this, but I bet you can find it on Wiki if you try).
Due to the Meskal Holiday there is a lot of activity around. Someone I work with (YS that's you), told me that part of the holiday is that children go around signing and wanting to get coins, candy, etc (a little like our Halloween, but with a completely different purpose). Early I heard children singing outside and immediately remembered the information about the singing children. I ran to the gate (there is a guard at our gate at all times). Anyway, I ran to the gate and opened it, Jamie came behind me and moments later followed by Trent and a fellow adopting father. I asked if the children could wait so I could take their pictures. They stayed and I took photos on my digital camera and then showed them the pictures of themselves. Jamie brought them candy, they were excited. After I rushed the door for what I "knew" was singing, harmless children, I was reprimanded by Trent and fellow father adopter for being unsafe.
More children came again later, I rushed to the gate again, this time with at least some caution. I knocked on the gate for the guard to let me see. As he squeezed the door open slightly, I could see several dogs barking and growling. The guard finally got them away so I could see the children. I wanted to give them birr (money) but others thought this would encourage more unwanted guests.
Ahh, yes there was another round of singers, this time the guard came to stop me before I even made it to the gate. I climbed up the gate to see young men chanting and standing close to our gate they had lit a small fire (maybe part of the tradition??) . We were not allowed to leave or go out to meet them. Though in my opinion it would have been safe, but that's just me). We went to the roof of the house and waved and took pictures. This encouraged them enough that some of our guests were unable to leave, for a while. We were told to go back inside. (bummer) The guys were yelling in English "No Problem", "What's up?". It was fun (ok, entertaining more than "fun"). They hung around for a while. Later it appear some of them returned to do some sort of coffee "ceremony" with the guard. I knew they were harmless (Right, right).
Now we are watching American Television and Blogging, it really doesn't feel like we are in Africa, maybe more singers will stop during the night.
Good night.
"The First Meeting"
Recieved 9-26-08 at 9:38 am
Kamille Writes:
We work up early this morning... I did sleep fairly well. There are dogs that bark all day and night, as well as a church with some sort of singing or chanting that also goes on all day and most of the night. There is a holiday here call Meskal going on (Google it for more info). Anyway I think that might be why we can hear sounds coming from the church/temple all day.
So, as I said, we woke up early today and ate pancakes for breakfast, with syrup. Here at the guest house they do cook us more "American" type Food. After we were done eating we all loaded into a bus I think there are 9 families here, we fill up the bus. We traveled over to the Care Center where the children are.
First let me tell you what I can't tell or don't know. I have no idea how long it is from the guest house where we are staying to the center where the children are. I was there on the bus I recall us swerving to avoid a bunch of donkeys and later a group of goats. I remember see children heading off to school in their uniforms. I remember getting off the bus to enter a building and there was a little (maybe 5 or 6 year old) holding out her hand begging for money from us. HEART BREAKING! I can't tell you much about the first stop at the office, just that we did stop at an office before we went to the care center. I don't know what they told us at the office and again, I don't recall the trip from the office to the care center. I just can't keep any of it straight in my head.
Finally we did arrive at the care center, we got off the bus and there was a line of children sitting near the bus in a line - older kids (4 years old and older), they were getting on the bus to go to school. Just behind them there was another group of children playing in a secured area. My eyes scanned the area looking for our little boy. The key indicators of his uniqueness to me - black curly hair, and short little guy - was not nearly as unique in this particular setting. Jamie spotted him first, "There he is". OOOOh yes, there he was, we think he may have recognized us, but I suppose the possibility of that is the same a 12 hour old infant smiling at his mother. Let the proud momma believe he recognized us. Looking exactly like the pictures. The biggest smile you have ever seen. He ran to a young man who was helping with the children. The young man picked him up and swung him around and held him upside-down. He was loving it. Then he and the young man walked towards us (we were supposed to be signing in or something, but I didn't care... I was looking at my little boy and if someone really needed me, they could drag me away). So as they walked towards us Tamene stops to give a greeting of familiarity between him self and Ato Girma (the man who guides us through the process). Tamene proceeds to play with him by "hitting" him in the stomach - no injury or aggression, just seemed like a game they played.
I called his name, I did not approach assuming that actually would be against the rules. He did turn towards us ran a few steps picked up a rock and threw it in our direction. Again, more of a playful attempt to get our attention than anything else. Jamie, Trent and I laughed and exclaimed that he is definitely Naven's little brother!!
So I had to go, we had to sign in. Next they packed all of our families into a tiny room where they called us one at a time to meet our children so that they could video tape the experience. We were one of the last families to be called to meet our child. I can't tell you much about being in that room, other than we told the other families, we saw our little boy and "he threw a rock at us", we all laughed. Then it was finally our turn. We were escorted down the stairs to an area where all the children were playing. Tamene was playing with a small alligator-type toy and we got him to play with us with the toy, passing it back and forth. Jamie was in charge of all of our belongings, so I told her to give me something else to get his attention, match box cars... he loved them. We continued to play and he took turns interacting with Trent and then with me. Jamie started blowing up a beach ball and then he went to sit on her lap. He came back to Trent and I and let each of us hold him.
I held him, I kissed him and I felt his hair, I smelled him, and I was already so completely in love with him. He even snuggled in for a brief moment before deciding that he wanted to play again. He also snuggled in with Trent and of course loved when Trent tickled him, turned him upside-down and threw him in the air.
We took him outside to play for a bit. He had fun and is a great aim for kicking any ball you throw at him. Trent threw a blow up beach ball, it hit him in the head (very light, no injury, nothing....) he proceeded to lay down on the ground and act as though he has been bowled over. So cute, I went to help him up, but he popped back up and went after the ball again.
All in all, our time to meet him today was brief, maybe and hour - but it went so fast. As we were leaving he was looking through a glass door at us. He was still holding tight to the matchbox cars and now banging them against the window. Trust me it was cute, not naughty. Then he pressed his face against the window, stuck out his tongue and drug his pressed face down the window. All the parents were standing there and we all laughed as it was quite a sight.
We left, I was in shock. I don't recall much of what happened after we left either. Some more swerving to avoid animals in the road (keep in mind this is a populated area we are in, "city" does describe it well, just that animals are wondering about).
We will not get to see Tamene until tomorrow. But tomorrow we will spend the morning with him there are the child care center and then bring him back here to the guest house so spend the afternoon with us.
We did receive a menu today of foods that they feed the kids, the food on Tamene's list reminds me a lot of what my dad eats or talks about eating when he was a kid.
Hugs and Kisses from Ethiopia!!
We are all doing well, hope everyone is well there too.
(p.s. we have not been able to access a phone/phone line, etc. - and computer access is intermittent.)
Kamille Writes:
We work up early this morning... I did sleep fairly well. There are dogs that bark all day and night, as well as a church with some sort of singing or chanting that also goes on all day and most of the night. There is a holiday here call Meskal going on (Google it for more info). Anyway I think that might be why we can hear sounds coming from the church/temple all day.
So, as I said, we woke up early today and ate pancakes for breakfast, with syrup. Here at the guest house they do cook us more "American" type Food. After we were done eating we all loaded into a bus I think there are 9 families here, we fill up the bus. We traveled over to the Care Center where the children are.
First let me tell you what I can't tell or don't know. I have no idea how long it is from the guest house where we are staying to the center where the children are. I was there on the bus I recall us swerving to avoid a bunch of donkeys and later a group of goats. I remember see children heading off to school in their uniforms. I remember getting off the bus to enter a building and there was a little (maybe 5 or 6 year old) holding out her hand begging for money from us. HEART BREAKING! I can't tell you much about the first stop at the office, just that we did stop at an office before we went to the care center. I don't know what they told us at the office and again, I don't recall the trip from the office to the care center. I just can't keep any of it straight in my head.
Finally we did arrive at the care center, we got off the bus and there was a line of children sitting near the bus in a line - older kids (4 years old and older), they were getting on the bus to go to school. Just behind them there was another group of children playing in a secured area. My eyes scanned the area looking for our little boy. The key indicators of his uniqueness to me - black curly hair, and short little guy - was not nearly as unique in this particular setting. Jamie spotted him first, "There he is". OOOOh yes, there he was, we think he may have recognized us, but I suppose the possibility of that is the same a 12 hour old infant smiling at his mother. Let the proud momma believe he recognized us. Looking exactly like the pictures. The biggest smile you have ever seen. He ran to a young man who was helping with the children. The young man picked him up and swung him around and held him upside-down. He was loving it. Then he and the young man walked towards us (we were supposed to be signing in or something, but I didn't care... I was looking at my little boy and if someone really needed me, they could drag me away). So as they walked towards us Tamene stops to give a greeting of familiarity between him self and Ato Girma (the man who guides us through the process). Tamene proceeds to play with him by "hitting" him in the stomach - no injury or aggression, just seemed like a game they played.
I called his name, I did not approach assuming that actually would be against the rules. He did turn towards us ran a few steps picked up a rock and threw it in our direction. Again, more of a playful attempt to get our attention than anything else. Jamie, Trent and I laughed and exclaimed that he is definitely Naven's little brother!!
So I had to go, we had to sign in. Next they packed all of our families into a tiny room where they called us one at a time to meet our children so that they could video tape the experience. We were one of the last families to be called to meet our child. I can't tell you much about being in that room, other than we told the other families, we saw our little boy and "he threw a rock at us", we all laughed. Then it was finally our turn. We were escorted down the stairs to an area where all the children were playing. Tamene was playing with a small alligator-type toy and we got him to play with us with the toy, passing it back and forth. Jamie was in charge of all of our belongings, so I told her to give me something else to get his attention, match box cars... he loved them. We continued to play and he took turns interacting with Trent and then with me. Jamie started blowing up a beach ball and then he went to sit on her lap. He came back to Trent and I and let each of us hold him.
I held him, I kissed him and I felt his hair, I smelled him, and I was already so completely in love with him. He even snuggled in for a brief moment before deciding that he wanted to play again. He also snuggled in with Trent and of course loved when Trent tickled him, turned him upside-down and threw him in the air.
We took him outside to play for a bit. He had fun and is a great aim for kicking any ball you throw at him. Trent threw a blow up beach ball, it hit him in the head (very light, no injury, nothing....) he proceeded to lay down on the ground and act as though he has been bowled over. So cute, I went to help him up, but he popped back up and went after the ball again.
All in all, our time to meet him today was brief, maybe and hour - but it went so fast. As we were leaving he was looking through a glass door at us. He was still holding tight to the matchbox cars and now banging them against the window. Trust me it was cute, not naughty. Then he pressed his face against the window, stuck out his tongue and drug his pressed face down the window. All the parents were standing there and we all laughed as it was quite a sight.
We left, I was in shock. I don't recall much of what happened after we left either. Some more swerving to avoid animals in the road (keep in mind this is a populated area we are in, "city" does describe it well, just that animals are wondering about).
We will not get to see Tamene until tomorrow. But tomorrow we will spend the morning with him there are the child care center and then bring him back here to the guest house so spend the afternoon with us.
We did receive a menu today of foods that they feed the kids, the food on Tamene's list reminds me a lot of what my dad eats or talks about eating when he was a kid.
Hugs and Kisses from Ethiopia!!
We are all doing well, hope everyone is well there too.
(p.s. we have not been able to access a phone/phone line, etc. - and computer access is intermittent.)
Update 9-26 morning
From Kamille:
Good Morning all:
It is 6:26 am here in Addis Ababa. We were up late talking about our kids and where we all come from. We received Tamene's "Social Report" yesterday. It actually makes statements about how cute and smart he is.
We will eat breakfast around 7 am and then head over to the care center. We will have met him within the next few hours. I am still calm, but really excited to get going.
The guest house is nice, plenty of room. Trent and I have room with a shower.
On another note, the ride from the airport to the guest house wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it might be. However, you are on and off paved road.... and you ain't never see a pothole until you have seen one here in Addis.
I'll send an update as soon as I can after we meet this little man.
Whomever is with kids today... give them our love!
Thanks
Kamille
Good Morning all:
It is 6:26 am here in Addis Ababa. We were up late talking about our kids and where we all come from. We received Tamene's "Social Report" yesterday. It actually makes statements about how cute and smart he is.
We will eat breakfast around 7 am and then head over to the care center. We will have met him within the next few hours. I am still calm, but really excited to get going.
The guest house is nice, plenty of room. Trent and I have room with a shower.
On another note, the ride from the airport to the guest house wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it might be. However, you are on and off paved road.... and you ain't never see a pothole until you have seen one here in Addis.
I'll send an update as soon as I can after we meet this little man.
Whomever is with kids today... give them our love!
Thanks
Kamille
Thursday, September 25, 2008
First day in Ethiopia
From Kamille:
Hi all we are here in Ethiopia, we arrived on time and managed to get through all the security points without much trouble. Well except I asked Soul Sister to carry some Lysol Wet Wipes and she got stopped twice, they frisked her and took to a private room and reprimanded her for carrying such paraphernalia. (Ok, it didn't quite happen that way, but she did get asked about the wipes on two occasions).
We did venture out while we were in DC (thanks Deb). We had a great lunch and walked around a bit. Maybe we will do it again on the way home.
We all are missing our babies in the US, but excited to meet Tamene tomorrow.
We did see Donald Trump waiting for a bus in DC, I got pictures :-)
ohh gotta go, important info being delivered.
More later!
p.s. this trip seemed like a reality show in some ways. It seemed that we were waiting for a call or update so we would know what would happen next. I was glad Jamie, Trent and I were such good packers, it made us less likely to get "voted out" of the house.
Hi all we are here in Ethiopia, we arrived on time and managed to get through all the security points without much trouble. Well except I asked Soul Sister to carry some Lysol Wet Wipes and she got stopped twice, they frisked her and took to a private room and reprimanded her for carrying such paraphernalia. (Ok, it didn't quite happen that way, but she did get asked about the wipes on two occasions).
We did venture out while we were in DC (thanks Deb). We had a great lunch and walked around a bit. Maybe we will do it again on the way home.
We all are missing our babies in the US, but excited to meet Tamene tomorrow.
We did see Donald Trump waiting for a bus in DC, I got pictures :-)
ohh gotta go, important info being delivered.
More later!
p.s. this trip seemed like a reality show in some ways. It seemed that we were waiting for a call or update so we would know what would happen next. I was glad Jamie, Trent and I were such good packers, it made us less likely to get "voted out" of the house.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Travel Update!!!!!!!!!!!
Hello to all,
I talked with Kamille at around 5:00 tonight and she sounded in good spirits waiting at the DC airport. They had been out to dinner (thanks for the recommendation DH) in DC and were feeling good. The agenda was to take off around 7:45 DC time (6:45 our time) for the 17 hour fight.
I cannot believe this week is already here. I am so excited for them.
More updates to come later.
Michelle
I talked with Kamille at around 5:00 tonight and she sounded in good spirits waiting at the DC airport. They had been out to dinner (thanks for the recommendation DH) in DC and were feeling good. The agenda was to take off around 7:45 DC time (6:45 our time) for the 17 hour fight.
I cannot believe this week is already here. I am so excited for them.
More updates to come later.
Michelle
Fasten your seatbelts
We are all checked in at Minneapolis Airport... it took a little work to get all the luggage checked - it was still over and they didn't like that. We did manage to get some extra stuff through for Free.
It's important to note that we are all quite calm and feeling well. We have all had a Starbucks and are dosed up on vitamins, motion sickness prevention and other "make you feel good" meds. We are looking forward to sleep on the first leg of the flight.
We will tour the city a bit when we land in DC. We hope to get lots out of the trip while we wait to get Tamene!!
DH thanks for the DC itinerary.
Vickie, sanitizer is scheduled to make it to Ethiopia.
All thanks for the phone calls and well wishes last night and this morning.
It will be at least 24 hours before we are able to communicate again, take care!
Trenton
Kamille
Soul Sister (Jamie)
It's important to note that we are all quite calm and feeling well. We have all had a Starbucks and are dosed up on vitamins, motion sickness prevention and other "make you feel good" meds. We are looking forward to sleep on the first leg of the flight.
We will tour the city a bit when we land in DC. We hope to get lots out of the trip while we wait to get Tamene!!
DH thanks for the DC itinerary.
Vickie, sanitizer is scheduled to make it to Ethiopia.
All thanks for the phone calls and well wishes last night and this morning.
It will be at least 24 hours before we are able to communicate again, take care!
Trenton
Kamille
Soul Sister (Jamie)
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Thoughts from Grandma Lovey...
It is Sunday Morning and I am reading an article in Prophecy in the News regarding the Rapture and the Spirit of Adoption. Article by Gary Stearman Paul states that adoption is the redemption of our body which occurs at the rapture of the Church and second the entire Creation waits for the completed revelation of the adopted children of God. It seems that there is some future event of great importance that can't happen until that signal moment in which the adoptive process is completed, and the church is caught up and glorified. It is a wonderful message on the rapture and our Adoption into the family of God and the emotional and physical aspects of that.
Then I began to think of Tamene. This adoption is the physical redemption of his body and spirit. He will be accepted and loved and legally bound to a Father and family who will give him all the Privileges their natural children have. Holding nothing back from him that is promised to his natural children. Equal in inheritance. You will appear to him from the Sky, Trent, Kamille and Jamie as your assistant and scoop him up to take him through the air to a land where his little heart and mind cannot conceive the New Life he will be given. And where he has a brother and sister eagerly awaiting his arrival. His heart is anxious to attach to you but he is not quite sure yet wholly who you are or what your intentions are toward him. All he has is a blanket, a tape and a book to tell him that for sure you are coming, and as the adults come and go he is eagerly waiting his turn to be raptured away in the air with his new family. He will speak a new language and have a new life. Even his body will respond in newness of growth and his emotions will be healed. He is scooped out of a life of lack into a life of plenty. Saved from death and starvation and a life of loneliness. Saved by Love.
Just to let you know as a side note Sept.28th ends the sixth sabbatical year and Sept 29 is the Jewish new year. In this Sabbatical year the Jews are looking for Messiah to come and so are his brothers the Christians. (A sabbatical year consists of 7 years.) So we look up for our adoptive father to catch us away just like Tamene.
Just a Little food for thought on
your Long journey to catch
away your new son.
Love and Prayers for Safety MOM
Then I began to think of Tamene. This adoption is the physical redemption of his body and spirit. He will be accepted and loved and legally bound to a Father and family who will give him all the Privileges their natural children have. Holding nothing back from him that is promised to his natural children. Equal in inheritance. You will appear to him from the Sky, Trent, Kamille and Jamie as your assistant and scoop him up to take him through the air to a land where his little heart and mind cannot conceive the New Life he will be given. And where he has a brother and sister eagerly awaiting his arrival. His heart is anxious to attach to you but he is not quite sure yet wholly who you are or what your intentions are toward him. All he has is a blanket, a tape and a book to tell him that for sure you are coming, and as the adults come and go he is eagerly waiting his turn to be raptured away in the air with his new family. He will speak a new language and have a new life. Even his body will respond in newness of growth and his emotions will be healed. He is scooped out of a life of lack into a life of plenty. Saved from death and starvation and a life of loneliness. Saved by Love.
Just to let you know as a side note Sept.28th ends the sixth sabbatical year and Sept 29 is the Jewish new year. In this Sabbatical year the Jews are looking for Messiah to come and so are his brothers the Christians. (A sabbatical year consists of 7 years.) So we look up for our adoptive father to catch us away just like Tamene.
Just a Little food for thought on
your Long journey to catch
away your new son.
Love and Prayers for Safety MOM
This is it.
In just 24 hours I will be rushing to make sure every last item is ready to makes it's trek to the airport. Each bag continues to work over time, carrying just more than it's own limit and in some cases just more than the airline's limit. I intend to do some sweet talking to get those suitcases on at no additional charge. This stuff is going to orphans in need! There are medical supplies for children in a country where malnourishment is causing death in the youngest children. (How does that sound?, do you think they will take my story?).
All suitcases have been re-weighed. We do hope to be granted a couple pounds of allowance. You can bet I will be looking for the nice, smiley lady to check us in!
Yesterday does represent a typical day lately.
"In His Grip" Sister and I talked about 4 times yesterday (remember she lives near my parent in WI and we are going at the same time to pick up our little Ethiopian Prince and Princess). We are both clearly on the verge on insanity. Her flight is causing us a little anxiety as she doesn't get a lot of layover time to get to her next flight. I told her I would delay the flight as long as possible, but would have to stop at landing myself in jail. I don't know if anyone has flown lately, but fellow fliers get a little freaked out if you don't follow ALL the social norms that we related to an airplane or being inside some one's personal bubble.
Work went something like this: Meeting, decision, delegate. Meeting, decision, delegate. Talk about adoption, make a phone call about adoption, respond to 10 e-mails about adoption. Delegate adoption "work" (I have a friend (co-worker) who is working to create an itinerary for our day in DC (this is so helpful, many thanks to you). Answer some work e-mails, attend another meeting, determine what from the meeting I can delegate... then go home.
At home, assess packing situation, print our more documents for my "travel guide" (for those of you who don't know the "travel guide" is my own extensive list(s) of information about everything I might want to or need to know about our trip, itinerary, maps, directions, phone numbers, DC itinerary now included, with maps, and a/b/c options for the day, tips on the local language, copies of any/all legal documents that might be needed... it's huge).
Trent and I spent a good amount of time talking with the kids about when we leave, reminding them who will be here with them and when we will return home. Angelisa continues to ask if she can come along (Who started this? JB or McSturm - thanks a lot!). And when I remind her and explain that she cannot come along, then she wants me to stay home. I know they will do well, I think they are equally, if not more, excited to meet their brother than Trent and I.
Anyway, Soul Sister came over, we did a final round of recheck on suitcase contents.I hope we don't have to unzip those things again! We usually end our Ethiopia Preparation Sessions by eating a bowl of ice cream... that didn't happen last night, I think we are all too excited.
Trent and I spent the minutes before bed discussing how we are feeling (ohh, we are the funny little communicators) and clearing up any misunderstanding about information for the trip. I think we are back on the same page now.
Sleep - or kind of sleep. Rise again at the crack of dawn (actually it is still completely dark out). Here I am at the blog, and e-mail, and forum.
I think today might look a lot like yesterday. And tomorrow will be a shorter blog just to let you know when we are running out of the house to the airport.
NOTE:
To everyone who has sent best wishes and prayers, thank you. We continue to need and greatly appreciate your support. Keep sending up the good vibes and prayers. The next 48-72 hours are going to be some of the hardest we have endured so far.
My running theme: Patientce - is waiting contentedly. I will see if there if there is a lesson from Mr. Patience in these next hours. I want to learn, and I know my teacher will arrive.
All suitcases have been re-weighed. We do hope to be granted a couple pounds of allowance. You can bet I will be looking for the nice, smiley lady to check us in!
Yesterday does represent a typical day lately.
"In His Grip" Sister and I talked about 4 times yesterday (remember she lives near my parent in WI and we are going at the same time to pick up our little Ethiopian Prince and Princess). We are both clearly on the verge on insanity. Her flight is causing us a little anxiety as she doesn't get a lot of layover time to get to her next flight. I told her I would delay the flight as long as possible, but would have to stop at landing myself in jail. I don't know if anyone has flown lately, but fellow fliers get a little freaked out if you don't follow ALL the social norms that we related to an airplane or being inside some one's personal bubble.
Work went something like this: Meeting, decision, delegate. Meeting, decision, delegate. Talk about adoption, make a phone call about adoption, respond to 10 e-mails about adoption. Delegate adoption "work" (I have a friend (co-worker) who is working to create an itinerary for our day in DC (this is so helpful, many thanks to you). Answer some work e-mails, attend another meeting, determine what from the meeting I can delegate... then go home.
At home, assess packing situation, print our more documents for my "travel guide" (for those of you who don't know the "travel guide" is my own extensive list(s) of information about everything I might want to or need to know about our trip, itinerary, maps, directions, phone numbers, DC itinerary now included, with maps, and a/b/c options for the day, tips on the local language, copies of any/all legal documents that might be needed... it's huge).
Trent and I spent a good amount of time talking with the kids about when we leave, reminding them who will be here with them and when we will return home. Angelisa continues to ask if she can come along (Who started this? JB or McSturm - thanks a lot!). And when I remind her and explain that she cannot come along, then she wants me to stay home. I know they will do well, I think they are equally, if not more, excited to meet their brother than Trent and I.
Anyway, Soul Sister came over, we did a final round of recheck on suitcase contents.I hope we don't have to unzip those things again! We usually end our Ethiopia Preparation Sessions by eating a bowl of ice cream... that didn't happen last night, I think we are all too excited.
Trent and I spent the minutes before bed discussing how we are feeling (ohh, we are the funny little communicators) and clearing up any misunderstanding about information for the trip. I think we are back on the same page now.
Sleep - or kind of sleep. Rise again at the crack of dawn (actually it is still completely dark out). Here I am at the blog, and e-mail, and forum.
I think today might look a lot like yesterday. And tomorrow will be a shorter blog just to let you know when we are running out of the house to the airport.
NOTE:
To everyone who has sent best wishes and prayers, thank you. We continue to need and greatly appreciate your support. Keep sending up the good vibes and prayers. The next 48-72 hours are going to be some of the hardest we have endured so far.
My running theme: Patientce - is waiting contentedly. I will see if there if there is a lesson from Mr. Patience in these next hours. I want to learn, and I know my teacher will arrive.
Monday, September 22, 2008
Friend Posting
Hello,
I am Kamille's friend from work, Michelle. Kamille and I have worked together for over a year and have gotten to know each other and families. We are a lot a like and seem to compliment each other. I appreciate Kamille's enthusiasm, energy, and love for the people around her. Kamille already has a wonderful and loving family and it is exiting to see her family grow.
During their trip I will be posting information on the blog as I receive it from Kamille. This is my first post of many I hope.
Talk to you all soon,
Michelle
I am Kamille's friend from work, Michelle. Kamille and I have worked together for over a year and have gotten to know each other and families. We are a lot a like and seem to compliment each other. I appreciate Kamille's enthusiasm, energy, and love for the people around her. Kamille already has a wonderful and loving family and it is exiting to see her family grow.
During their trip I will be posting information on the blog as I receive it from Kamille. This is my first post of many I hope.
Talk to you all soon,
Michelle
One day left?
Technically today is in motion... so the only day left to wait for is tomorrow.
I am so excited I am feeling ill.
I cannot stop staring at Tamene's pics.
I keep talking with Angelisa and Naven about everything, while we are gone and when we come home. They are so excited too. Angelisa is realizing how long we will be gone, that part, she is not very excited about.
OK, off to work I go...
I am so excited I am feeling ill.
I cannot stop staring at Tamene's pics.
I keep talking with Angelisa and Naven about everything, while we are gone and when we come home. They are so excited too. Angelisa is realizing how long we will be gone, that part, she is not very excited about.
OK, off to work I go...
Sunday, September 21, 2008
How many days left... is it 4? Today is almost over, does that make it 3, we leave on Wed morning, does that actually make it 2?
I haven't figured out a calculation that makes it look like I am leaving in one day... but I will have that covered tomorrow.
Everyone sure is quiet here on the blog lately... I am grateful for the phone calls and e-mails that have come in. Every one's best wishes for safe travel, and prayers, are greatly appreciated.
The "Before I Knew You" blog is nearing an end.
I haven't figured out a calculation that makes it look like I am leaving in one day... but I will have that covered tomorrow.
Everyone sure is quiet here on the blog lately... I am grateful for the phone calls and e-mails that have come in. Every one's best wishes for safe travel, and prayers, are greatly appreciated.
The "Before I Knew You" blog is nearing an end.
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Four days until take off!
We leave in four more days! Four what? DAYS!
Naven and Angelisa are very exicited, they don't like that for them it is another 2 weeks before they meet Tamene.
I don't know what else to say... four days.
Naven and Angelisa are very exicited, they don't like that for them it is another 2 weeks before they meet Tamene.
I don't know what else to say... four days.
Friday, September 19, 2008
Does anyone else find this man annoying?
The Hoff... do you know this man? I guess I should start off by saying that this blog has NOTHING to do with adoption. It is frankly not a kid friendly blog either - Not R rated, but certainly not rated G.
Trent and I love to watch "America's got Talent". We think it is a great show and we are looking forward to Neal E Boyd making it to the end. Thank the TV gods and Information Technology Nerds everywhere for the invention of TiVo... America's Got Talent (AGT) is fun to watch but if I could vote off anyone, it would be David Hasselhoff. I am sure this guy is a nice enough man on a personal level (maybe???), but as for his career performance, I could live without it. This guy's performance on AGT is like nails on a chalk board. I just want it to stop. Trent does the fast forward after The Hoff gets out his first 3 words!
If you happen to be a fan of The Hoff, first of all, good for you, it's great that we are all different here on planet earth. Secondly, you can go to nbc.com and write him a question - he might even answer you on video!! ohhh, ahhh, wow - does it get any better than this?
For a good time - Google The Hoff... you will be amazed at the extend of his fantastic (read, nauseating) modeling.
I guess this makes me a bad person. Having an opinion about a great public figure and celebrity like The Hoff. I have to say if it wasn't for the great celebrity Jerry Springer, I don't know if AGT could continue it's incredible success (did I say I like to watch this show?).
For those of you who think I have too much time on my hands consider that AGT is not only my "favorite" TV show, but probably the only one I watch.
As a form of satire (I'll admit I am not sure if this is the exact accurate use of the word "satire"), but in my own form of satire I have decided to become a huge fan of The Hoff. I plan to read up on him and post pictures of him in my cube at work. I will have extensive knowledge about his past, current and future work. I will stop everything and demand every one's attention when we are in the presence of The Hoff or any of the works of The Hoff.
On August 2, 2006, Hasselhoff proclaimed himself king of the internet in a tongue-in-cheek advertisement commercial for Pipex. If the guy can laugh at himself with a proclamation like that, he might just get my humor.
If you are offended, please post a comment, I'd love to hear it!
Signing off, with love for the Hoff!
Trent and I love to watch "America's got Talent". We think it is a great show and we are looking forward to Neal E Boyd making it to the end. Thank the TV gods and Information Technology Nerds everywhere for the invention of TiVo... America's Got Talent (AGT) is fun to watch but if I could vote off anyone, it would be David Hasselhoff. I am sure this guy is a nice enough man on a personal level (maybe???), but as for his career performance, I could live without it. This guy's performance on AGT is like nails on a chalk board. I just want it to stop. Trent does the fast forward after The Hoff gets out his first 3 words!
If you happen to be a fan of The Hoff, first of all, good for you, it's great that we are all different here on planet earth. Secondly, you can go to nbc.com and write him a question - he might even answer you on video!! ohhh, ahhh, wow - does it get any better than this?
For a good time - Google The Hoff... you will be amazed at the extend of his fantastic (read, nauseating) modeling.
I guess this makes me a bad person. Having an opinion about a great public figure and celebrity like The Hoff. I have to say if it wasn't for the great celebrity Jerry Springer, I don't know if AGT could continue it's incredible success (did I say I like to watch this show?).
For those of you who think I have too much time on my hands consider that AGT is not only my "favorite" TV show, but probably the only one I watch.
As a form of satire (I'll admit I am not sure if this is the exact accurate use of the word "satire"), but in my own form of satire I have decided to become a huge fan of The Hoff. I plan to read up on him and post pictures of him in my cube at work. I will have extensive knowledge about his past, current and future work. I will stop everything and demand every one's attention when we are in the presence of The Hoff or any of the works of The Hoff.
On August 2, 2006, Hasselhoff proclaimed himself king of the internet in a tongue-in-cheek advertisement commercial for Pipex. If the guy can laugh at himself with a proclamation like that, he might just get my humor.
If you are offended, please post a comment, I'd love to hear it!
Signing off, with love for the Hoff!
Preparing for the next book in the series.
I wanted to take a moment to reflect on the fact that this chapter is nearing an end. Or is it the end of a book? I do have an emotional attachments to many books, if not all books, that I read. I've never found myself feeling a loss at the end of a chapter, but on more than one occasion feeling sad, and at a loss, at the end of a book. Before you start to classify me as "normal", take note that I only read non-fiction. It's not about the end of the story, it's not about happily ever after... the books I read are lessons to move me forward into the next stage or deeper into the current stage of my life.
Most vividly, I remember coming to the end of the "The Carolina Way: Leadership Lessons from a Life in Coaching" By Coach Dean Smith former basketball coach for North Carolina at Chapel Hill. I was so sad to come to the end of that book. I learned so much from Coach Smith, he was like a mentor. The point here is that I was sad at the end; there was closure and a time to move on. What I learned I would take with me, but I couldn't go back. You can re-read a book, you can recall a memory, you can, but it's not the same as the first time.
While I am thinking of that book and Coach Smith, I want to mention a lesson I learned from that book. "Point to the Passer" - encouraging players who scored a basket to point a finger at the teammate who passed them the ball, in honor of the passer's selflessness. What a great take-away. Point to the passer, the person who made it possible through their selflessness. The game of life is not something you do alone. You can't score all the points without assistance from those around you. It's not about me, it's not about my skill, it's about making sure the person next to me trusts me, and I trust him or her, and we can plan to be successful together.
Let me point to a few "passers" in my life.
- God, seriously I have been entrusted with a lot a blessings, gifts and talents... I assume I am entrusted with what I am willing to take, as well as what I am able to manage.
- Grandma Babe - She gave me the power, she gave my mother the power, to be a strong woman, to get what you want out of life. Make decisions and don't let life happen to you. And when life does happen, make the best of every bit of it.
- My parents - The sacrifices they made, the opportunities they missed out on so that I could be successful. I am grateful, and anyone who thinks that I have ever accomplished anything or have been successful at anything or have made good choices, should look at my parents, my role models. I am so grateful for the opportunity to be raised by these people! Selfless!
- Trent - here is the greatest example of pointing to the passer. My life partner, my equal. Always willing to share the ball with me and to be selfless. Supporting me in parenting, career, womanhood, and equality in marriage and life responsibilities. Supporting me in who I am and knowing when I am too tired to have the ball passed to me in the first place. And most importantly allowing me to take the ball, when he could have made the shot just as easily.
- Family - From those I talk with twice a day, to those I talk with once a year... to those I have never met. The network and support system created by all these people, past, present, and future has been, and is key to my success. I'd like to thank them all!
- Friends - just too many to mention, all those referenced here in this blog and many who are not. People who have supported me, I couldn't have been successful in so many ways without all of my friends and supporters. Special thanks to Sister-In-Love, Soul Sister, and all my other Sisters. All women who have been willing to walk by my side in any and all of the crazy journeys I have attempted in my life. Without you there, the journey would have been lonely, wouldn't have been successful, or may never have started.
- Career partners - I know beyond a shadow of a doubt, I have indeed been the recipient of many balls from many, many passers in my career. I appreciate everyone who ever thought I was worthy to carry the ball, much less actually make the shot. If you didn't believe in me, I would have never made it to where I am today!
- Those who were just passing through - Thanks to those of you who barely knew me, or whom I didn't have the opportunity to meet, who left a ball in the air for me to catch. Maybe I made a shot or maybe I passed the ball again, but I hope I was a part of helping the ball move forward. Because it isn't about making the shot, it is always about moving the ball forward. I appreciate those who let me move the ball forward, and those who let me take the shot... it's not about me, it's about you.
I am just so grateful to all the people who have supported me in life! And I've still only been here a short time, I can't wait to see what's next. So many willing to be selfless, instead of selfish, allowing good to happen, sometimes in spite of their own wants or needs.
So back to my original point, there is a chapter here... or a book, that is about to end. It's a book in the series, there will be many more to follow. But the excitement of this book is due its review. This adoption journey has been fun and exciting, exhilarating to say the least! The wait is almost over. I have learned so much about patience (not that I have improved, just that I am more educated on the subject matter), I have learned about how to have friends and hopefully more about how to be a friend. I have realized how exciting life is for everyone and how we can all celebrate something new in our lives.
Some of you have heard me say this, but I want to put it in black and white:
If I made a wish list of things I might learn from this adoption process. If I choose exactly the way I wanted it to go, I couldn't have created a more perfect journey. I couldn't have possibly comprehended what I was about to learn.
If I made up the perfect child to match our family, if I described that child the best I could with all the perfect qualities to fit with my already perfect family, I could not have possibly made a list that would have included all the matching qualities we know of our little Tamene. He is absolutely a perfect match for our family... I am sure in the next book in the series, we will learn a lot more about that (the perfect matches and our areas of learning)... Today, today he is everything I could have imagined and more, so much more.
Here is acknowledgement that this has been an amazing journey. I have a lot of new, exciting and positive experiences ahead. But I want to make note of the loss I feel for the end of this portion of the journey. I know I will never be here in this exact place in life again, and this is good too. But right here, right now, I realize how much I have learned, how blessed I am, and I could only have learned these things through this journey. I am grateful for the journey, but sad in my own way to see it end. I know it has prepared me for the next book in the series. I am sad to say farewell, yet so excited to see what I am prepared for next!
Most vividly, I remember coming to the end of the "The Carolina Way: Leadership Lessons from a Life in Coaching" By Coach Dean Smith former basketball coach for North Carolina at Chapel Hill. I was so sad to come to the end of that book. I learned so much from Coach Smith, he was like a mentor. The point here is that I was sad at the end; there was closure and a time to move on. What I learned I would take with me, but I couldn't go back. You can re-read a book, you can recall a memory, you can, but it's not the same as the first time.
While I am thinking of that book and Coach Smith, I want to mention a lesson I learned from that book. "Point to the Passer" - encouraging players who scored a basket to point a finger at the teammate who passed them the ball, in honor of the passer's selflessness. What a great take-away. Point to the passer, the person who made it possible through their selflessness. The game of life is not something you do alone. You can't score all the points without assistance from those around you. It's not about me, it's not about my skill, it's about making sure the person next to me trusts me, and I trust him or her, and we can plan to be successful together.
Let me point to a few "passers" in my life.
- God, seriously I have been entrusted with a lot a blessings, gifts and talents... I assume I am entrusted with what I am willing to take, as well as what I am able to manage.
- Grandma Babe - She gave me the power, she gave my mother the power, to be a strong woman, to get what you want out of life. Make decisions and don't let life happen to you. And when life does happen, make the best of every bit of it.
- My parents - The sacrifices they made, the opportunities they missed out on so that I could be successful. I am grateful, and anyone who thinks that I have ever accomplished anything or have been successful at anything or have made good choices, should look at my parents, my role models. I am so grateful for the opportunity to be raised by these people! Selfless!
- Trent - here is the greatest example of pointing to the passer. My life partner, my equal. Always willing to share the ball with me and to be selfless. Supporting me in parenting, career, womanhood, and equality in marriage and life responsibilities. Supporting me in who I am and knowing when I am too tired to have the ball passed to me in the first place. And most importantly allowing me to take the ball, when he could have made the shot just as easily.
- Family - From those I talk with twice a day, to those I talk with once a year... to those I have never met. The network and support system created by all these people, past, present, and future has been, and is key to my success. I'd like to thank them all!
- Friends - just too many to mention, all those referenced here in this blog and many who are not. People who have supported me, I couldn't have been successful in so many ways without all of my friends and supporters. Special thanks to Sister-In-Love, Soul Sister, and all my other Sisters. All women who have been willing to walk by my side in any and all of the crazy journeys I have attempted in my life. Without you there, the journey would have been lonely, wouldn't have been successful, or may never have started.
- Career partners - I know beyond a shadow of a doubt, I have indeed been the recipient of many balls from many, many passers in my career. I appreciate everyone who ever thought I was worthy to carry the ball, much less actually make the shot. If you didn't believe in me, I would have never made it to where I am today!
- Those who were just passing through - Thanks to those of you who barely knew me, or whom I didn't have the opportunity to meet, who left a ball in the air for me to catch. Maybe I made a shot or maybe I passed the ball again, but I hope I was a part of helping the ball move forward. Because it isn't about making the shot, it is always about moving the ball forward. I appreciate those who let me move the ball forward, and those who let me take the shot... it's not about me, it's about you.
I am just so grateful to all the people who have supported me in life! And I've still only been here a short time, I can't wait to see what's next. So many willing to be selfless, instead of selfish, allowing good to happen, sometimes in spite of their own wants or needs.
So back to my original point, there is a chapter here... or a book, that is about to end. It's a book in the series, there will be many more to follow. But the excitement of this book is due its review. This adoption journey has been fun and exciting, exhilarating to say the least! The wait is almost over. I have learned so much about patience (not that I have improved, just that I am more educated on the subject matter), I have learned about how to have friends and hopefully more about how to be a friend. I have realized how exciting life is for everyone and how we can all celebrate something new in our lives.
Some of you have heard me say this, but I want to put it in black and white:
If I made a wish list of things I might learn from this adoption process. If I choose exactly the way I wanted it to go, I couldn't have created a more perfect journey. I couldn't have possibly comprehended what I was about to learn.
If I made up the perfect child to match our family, if I described that child the best I could with all the perfect qualities to fit with my already perfect family, I could not have possibly made a list that would have included all the matching qualities we know of our little Tamene. He is absolutely a perfect match for our family... I am sure in the next book in the series, we will learn a lot more about that (the perfect matches and our areas of learning)... Today, today he is everything I could have imagined and more, so much more.
Here is acknowledgement that this has been an amazing journey. I have a lot of new, exciting and positive experiences ahead. But I want to make note of the loss I feel for the end of this portion of the journey. I know I will never be here in this exact place in life again, and this is good too. But right here, right now, I realize how much I have learned, how blessed I am, and I could only have learned these things through this journey. I am grateful for the journey, but sad in my own way to see it end. I know it has prepared me for the next book in the series. I am sad to say farewell, yet so excited to see what I am prepared for next!
Monday, September 15, 2008
The logic of an accurate mind overtaxed
Insanity is often the logic of an accurate mind overtaxed. ~Oliver Wendell Holmes
I have decided to claim this quote.
I have some logic my overtaxed mind would like to explain. To you it may sound like insanity, but remember, to me it is pure logic (granted, from an overtaxed mind).
There is no limit to the amount of donations one adopting mother can contribute to orphanages and hospitals in a developing country. The more donations I contribute the better person I am and the more gratitude it shows for my appreciation of this country and a the woman who has cared for him all this time. - There is no limit- Packing my own 50 lbs in my own suitcase is not enough. I must pack another 50 lbs in Trent's and another 50 lbs in Soul Sister's. Oh, and then I must pack another 50 lbs in "In his Grip" Sister's suitcase, and one of her poor unsuspecting children's suitcase. Will it stop there? NO. I have another 150-200 lbs of donations I am trying to get transported to Ethiopia. Why? I could leave it with my adoption agency, they will find transportation... but no! It seems logical that I would find a way to transport all these wonderful donations on my own! I mean people that I care about, and people that care about me, donated these items, I must bring them to Ethiopia, I must.
**** this blog was longer.. had more information... it was funny... but I lost it. - Hmmm, "lost it", is that a play on words?
On a seperate note, I went to my class reunion over the weekend. It was great to see old friends. It's great to get back to my roots, it's good to remember who we are and where we came from. It was a great get-away for me. Such a break from all the adoption chaos lately.
I have decided to claim this quote.
I have some logic my overtaxed mind would like to explain. To you it may sound like insanity, but remember, to me it is pure logic (granted, from an overtaxed mind).
There is no limit to the amount of donations one adopting mother can contribute to orphanages and hospitals in a developing country. The more donations I contribute the better person I am and the more gratitude it shows for my appreciation of this country and a the woman who has cared for him all this time. - There is no limit- Packing my own 50 lbs in my own suitcase is not enough. I must pack another 50 lbs in Trent's and another 50 lbs in Soul Sister's. Oh, and then I must pack another 50 lbs in "In his Grip" Sister's suitcase, and one of her poor unsuspecting children's suitcase. Will it stop there? NO. I have another 150-200 lbs of donations I am trying to get transported to Ethiopia. Why? I could leave it with my adoption agency, they will find transportation... but no! It seems logical that I would find a way to transport all these wonderful donations on my own! I mean people that I care about, and people that care about me, donated these items, I must bring them to Ethiopia, I must.
**** this blog was longer.. had more information... it was funny... but I lost it. - Hmmm, "lost it", is that a play on words?
On a seperate note, I went to my class reunion over the weekend. It was great to see old friends. It's great to get back to my roots, it's good to remember who we are and where we came from. It was a great get-away for me. Such a break from all the adoption chaos lately.
Season Premiers and Reruns
It's that time of year when TV wavers between the reruns and the excitement of Season Premiers and the upcoming Sweeps Week.
In honor of this very special time of the year, I have some Trailers for the Season Premier and a re-run for you!
Trailer for the Season Premier:
In just 9 days, the Peterson's leave for Ethiopia. In just 11 days Trenton and Kamille will meet Tamene for the first time. Join us at http://www.beforeiknewyou.blogspot.com/ to watch the "shocking and heart warming" story unfold!!
Rerun: (My readers have voted and below is the winning blog entry for rerun - OK... no one voted, but I thought it was worth a repeat!)
Monday, June 30, 2008
The deadliest catch and other tales
Salmon fishing expedition 2008: Team Big Shvundo.
My brother indicates that the name of his boat is "Team Big Shvundo". According to him Shvundo means "fun" in Bohemian. I tried to Google it, worried "fun" might roughly translate to some strange innuendo I wasn't prepared for. Google turned up nothing, so I decided I shouldn't be doing any damage by posting the word in my blog (if this is some strange profanity, please notify me immediately, this is a G rated blog!)
Day 1 starts at 2:00am- 1 big boat, 1 Great Lake, 1 motion sickness tablet, 1 extremely long nap (the word "dramamine" translates to "coma" in my world), and 1 big fish, complements of the other fisherwoman on the boat.
Day 2 starts at 1:ooam - ZERO motion sickness medication, 1 bad belly ache, and 7 fish. Two fish complements of my talented fishing (fish on, pole handed to me, and step-by-step instruction on how to reel it in). There was also an interesting CB radio conversation between the "Salmonator" and the "Skinny Dipper" the most hilarious part of the conversation was the names, I don't have more to report on the details of the conversation.
I decided that a Triathlon is easier than Salmon fishing. Though I would prefer another round of Salmon fishing to another Triathlon. But, I plan to do both again.
Thanks to Baby Brother for the excellent chartering job, we all had a blast.
(John O and Fischer, let's go this weekend - Baby Brother approves, weather permitting)
Apparently the assignment of a court date managed to keep me "satisfied" for the weekend. Once I got home I resumed the passion to pack. Another huge round of shopping tonight. I have a bedroom full of Target bags. I have no idea how all that stuff will fit into 4 suitcases, and I still haven't actually packed my clothes. I'd tell you how much we have spent in purchases, but the number is embarrassing.
Edit: I posted this last night and as of this morning this "team shvundo" is now a Googlewhack - ok it's not an official Googlewhack, but it's intriguing. (I found this in one final attempt to make sure "shvundo" is not a profanity in disguise).
In honor of this very special time of the year, I have some Trailers for the Season Premier and a re-run for you!
Trailer for the Season Premier:
In just 9 days, the Peterson's leave for Ethiopia. In just 11 days Trenton and Kamille will meet Tamene for the first time. Join us at http://www.beforeiknewyou.blogspot.com/ to watch the "shocking and heart warming" story unfold!!
Rerun: (My readers have voted and below is the winning blog entry for rerun - OK... no one voted, but I thought it was worth a repeat!)
Monday, June 30, 2008
The deadliest catch and other tales
Salmon fishing expedition 2008: Team Big Shvundo.
My brother indicates that the name of his boat is "Team Big Shvundo". According to him Shvundo means "fun" in Bohemian. I tried to Google it, worried "fun" might roughly translate to some strange innuendo I wasn't prepared for. Google turned up nothing, so I decided I shouldn't be doing any damage by posting the word in my blog (if this is some strange profanity, please notify me immediately, this is a G rated blog!)
Day 1 starts at 2:00am- 1 big boat, 1 Great Lake, 1 motion sickness tablet, 1 extremely long nap (the word "dramamine" translates to "coma" in my world), and 1 big fish, complements of the other fisherwoman on the boat.
Day 2 starts at 1:ooam - ZERO motion sickness medication, 1 bad belly ache, and 7 fish. Two fish complements of my talented fishing (fish on, pole handed to me, and step-by-step instruction on how to reel it in). There was also an interesting CB radio conversation between the "Salmonator" and the "Skinny Dipper" the most hilarious part of the conversation was the names, I don't have more to report on the details of the conversation.
I decided that a Triathlon is easier than Salmon fishing. Though I would prefer another round of Salmon fishing to another Triathlon. But, I plan to do both again.
Thanks to Baby Brother for the excellent chartering job, we all had a blast.
(John O and Fischer, let's go this weekend - Baby Brother approves, weather permitting)
Apparently the assignment of a court date managed to keep me "satisfied" for the weekend. Once I got home I resumed the passion to pack. Another huge round of shopping tonight. I have a bedroom full of Target bags. I have no idea how all that stuff will fit into 4 suitcases, and I still haven't actually packed my clothes. I'd tell you how much we have spent in purchases, but the number is embarrassing.
Edit: I posted this last night and as of this morning this "team shvundo" is now a Googlewhack - ok it's not an official Googlewhack, but it's intriguing. (I found this in one final attempt to make sure "shvundo" is not a profanity in disguise).
Friday, September 12, 2008
Two weeks from today...
Two weeks from today I will meet Tamene, eye to eye, face to face, for the first time.
I have lots of thoughts and wonders about how this meeting will go. But no expectations. None from my thinking spirit. From a matter of logic and cognition, it will be what it will be. My heart spirit on the other hand, it is very excited and has many anticipations and expectations. From a matter of feelings and love and those things we have no control over, I am in for a surprise. To again compare to the biological births I have experienced, he may come to me a little cold, frightened and not sure about the world around him, but my heart will melt and become an unformed puddle waiting to see what will happen next.
I have lots of thoughts and wonders about how this meeting will go. But no expectations. None from my thinking spirit. From a matter of logic and cognition, it will be what it will be. My heart spirit on the other hand, it is very excited and has many anticipations and expectations. From a matter of feelings and love and those things we have no control over, I am in for a surprise. To again compare to the biological births I have experienced, he may come to me a little cold, frightened and not sure about the world around him, but my heart will melt and become an unformed puddle waiting to see what will happen next.
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Stay calm—do not rush—do not panic
I found a few quotes that I want to comment on. But before I start I want to tell you about the title of this post. I was looking for a catchy phrase about staying calm - an "ironic" title for a post about excitement. In the process I found many Google Search results that includeded "In event of an emergency, stay calm." Or, "In case of fire - stay calm." I only found one result (in my brief search) with this statement, "In event of an emergency stay CALM!" I just thought it was an interesting observation. To emphasize the topic take note of the word EXCITE in all its forms.
I am feeling very excited and wanted a few words of advice from "experts":
Fear is EXCITEMENT without breath. -Robert Heller
Do not stop thinking of life as an adventure. You have no security unless you can live bravely, EXCITINGLY, imaginatively, unless you can choose a challenge instead of a competence. -Eleanor Roosevelt
Enjoyment, on the other hand, is not always pleasant, and it can be very stressful at times. A mountain climber, for example, may be close to freezing, utterly exhausted, and in danger of falling into a bottomless crevasse, yet he wouldn't want to be anywhere else. Sipping a piña colada under a palm tree at the edge of the turquoise ocean is idyllic, but it just doesn't compare to the EXHILARATION he feels on the windswept ridge. - Unknown
Think EXCITEMENT, talk EXCITEMENT, act out EXCITEMENT, and you are bound to become an EXCITED person. Life will take on a new zest, deeper interest and greater meaning. You can think, talk and act yourself into dullness or into monotony or into unhappiness. By the same process you can build up inspiration, EXCITEMENT and surging depth of joy - Normal Vincent Peale
Nothing is so aggravating than calmness. -Oscar Wilde
Life becomes precious and more special to us when we look for the little everyday miracles and get EXCITED about the privileges of simply being human. -Tim Hansel
Seize the moment of EXCITED curiosity on any subject to solve your doubts; for if you let it pass, the desire may never return, and you may remain in ignorance. -William Wirt
I have been holding this post for a couple of days, wanting to comment on each of the quotes. But I have decided to let them speak for themselves.
I am feeling very excited and wanted a few words of advice from "experts":
Fear is EXCITEMENT without breath. -Robert Heller
Do not stop thinking of life as an adventure. You have no security unless you can live bravely, EXCITINGLY, imaginatively, unless you can choose a challenge instead of a competence. -Eleanor Roosevelt
Enjoyment, on the other hand, is not always pleasant, and it can be very stressful at times. A mountain climber, for example, may be close to freezing, utterly exhausted, and in danger of falling into a bottomless crevasse, yet he wouldn't want to be anywhere else. Sipping a piña colada under a palm tree at the edge of the turquoise ocean is idyllic, but it just doesn't compare to the EXHILARATION he feels on the windswept ridge. - Unknown
Think EXCITEMENT, talk EXCITEMENT, act out EXCITEMENT, and you are bound to become an EXCITED person. Life will take on a new zest, deeper interest and greater meaning. You can think, talk and act yourself into dullness or into monotony or into unhappiness. By the same process you can build up inspiration, EXCITEMENT and surging depth of joy - Normal Vincent Peale
Nothing is so aggravating than calmness. -Oscar Wilde
Life becomes precious and more special to us when we look for the little everyday miracles and get EXCITED about the privileges of simply being human. -Tim Hansel
Seize the moment of EXCITED curiosity on any subject to solve your doubts; for if you let it pass, the desire may never return, and you may remain in ignorance. -William Wirt
I have been holding this post for a couple of days, wanting to comment on each of the quotes. But I have decided to let them speak for themselves.
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Last Call
Last Call for e-mail addresses.
Thanks to the friends and family who have already left their e-mail addresses for me to contact you while we are gone. It is hard to keep all these details straight, thanks so much for helping to make my life easier. I just don't want any complainers if you get left out :-)
If you want to recieve updates via e-mail while we are in Ethiopia, please leave your e-mail address by clicking on the link below.
Click Here to leave e-mail address
Counting down the days... 17 days until we head to the airport!
Thanks to the friends and family who have already left their e-mail addresses for me to contact you while we are gone. It is hard to keep all these details straight, thanks so much for helping to make my life easier. I just don't want any complainers if you get left out :-)
If you want to recieve updates via e-mail while we are in Ethiopia, please leave your e-mail address by clicking on the link below.
Click Here to leave e-mail address
Counting down the days... 17 days until we head to the airport!
Friday, September 5, 2008
3rd Rock From the Sun
I have done a couple of these blogs were I just plop down what I have been doing with no explanation or description behind it. I feel like that might happen here unless I hit an unexpected tangent.
Ooops, look at that, paragraph two and I found a tangent already. I found a tangent but I won't sprawl it out here. My blog is to be read by my children. I have no interest in creating a political, religious or cultural debate here on my blog. But trust me when I say I have pages of thoughts on all of those debatable topics lately and I could start a serious tangent here. This adoption process has exposed me to a whole new perspective on debatable topics. There is a new prism or lens that I see the world through. In some cases my vision is clearer and more vivid, in some cases more distorted and in other cases some horrible double vision.
In less than 3 weeks I hold Tamene for the first time. If anyone cares there is a lot of math going on in my head. Anyone who thinks numbers are black and white is completely wrong (in my humble opinion). I have done some pretty creative things with numbers, I can count the days and weeks in so many ways, depending on what I am trying to accomplish. For example: Things are going great at work and I am excited about being there and trying to get many tasks and projects completed or started before I go... at work it is a "good three weeks" until I will be out, if you ask me how long until I see my little boy I am leaving here in 2 weeks and 5 days. (Apparently paragraph 3 is a tangent as well). I don't think either of those answers is wrong, but they aren't really right either. It's all about perspective and relativity. If I go to Shawano and am returning to East Bethel, I am home when I hit the boarding town. If I go to San Diego, I am home as soon as the airplane lands in Bloomington (or whatever city the airport is in).... When I go to Ethiopia, I'll be home as soon as we hit Washington DC (our first stop in our entry back in the US). So relative to my feelings it sure is a long, long wait until we leave. Relative to my packing... HOLY BUCKETS, I have got to get PACKED!!! It's like I am leaving any second. - For a moment, I wondered if the term "Holy Buckets" would offend anyone - if you are offended, please read it as "holey buckets" - because that what this feels like, water slipping through the holes.
Daddy Trent got his clothes packed - whooo hooo! He is an awesome husband. And I must say he is an A+ packer. He has packed for me on more than one occasion (that is trust on both of our parts!). So, Super Hubby has his clothes packed and I love it. Be sure to note that I will probably check and recheck his packing just as I have rechecked my unpacked items about 100 times already. I don't know if I have acknowledged this enough, but Trent is an awesome husband! He can and does do laundry, cooking, and cleaning. He makes the bed with me every morning (at least now while I am in some sort of super clean nesting phase). He owns two growing businesses and gets the kids off to school every morning without a hitch. He is a great, great man. There are not enough words to describe him! (Is this considered a tangent?)
So packing is on the agenda this weekend. I hope to zip up and stack up the suitcases not to return to them again until it's time to travel to the airport. I know that is not very likely that I can leave them alone that long, but at least I have that as a goal. My favorite Traveling-With-Me Adopting Mom says she has unpacked her packed items now so I am sure it will happen to me. I get to meet, in person, my favorite Traveling-With-Me Adopting Mom next weekend - I am so excited! I hope I don't offend her by saying this, but I think we are equally crazy but in slightly different ways. She has packed and entire suitcase of food, I have packed an entire suitcase of medication. She has packed shower repair items including caulk; I have packed a birthday party (don't ask). She is buying a car (fun convertible) before we leave - I am hosting a co-worker get-together before we leave. I hope she and I can both get everything we bought actually packed, and arrive in Ethiopia with at least some sanity (sanitary? sane-ity?, I would take either).
Oh, other things that are new BEC completed another Triathlon - I am going to nick name her Wonder Woman and buy her a cape! She is awesome, if you know her pat her on the back and congratulate her for another "finish". She's more of a quadrathlete - her "finish" requires a biffy! (BEC - now do you see why it is better if I do not mention you in the blog?)
What else? I don't know what else... I am ready to go, we are all tired of this long wait, and I just want to get him and get home. Home can be Washington DC, Bloomington, MN or East Bethel... I just want to be someplace, anyplace that I can call home! I guess that planet Earth could be considered "home" but I am not going far enough away for me to consider that relative.
Ooops, look at that, paragraph two and I found a tangent already. I found a tangent but I won't sprawl it out here. My blog is to be read by my children. I have no interest in creating a political, religious or cultural debate here on my blog. But trust me when I say I have pages of thoughts on all of those debatable topics lately and I could start a serious tangent here. This adoption process has exposed me to a whole new perspective on debatable topics. There is a new prism or lens that I see the world through. In some cases my vision is clearer and more vivid, in some cases more distorted and in other cases some horrible double vision.
In less than 3 weeks I hold Tamene for the first time. If anyone cares there is a lot of math going on in my head. Anyone who thinks numbers are black and white is completely wrong (in my humble opinion). I have done some pretty creative things with numbers, I can count the days and weeks in so many ways, depending on what I am trying to accomplish. For example: Things are going great at work and I am excited about being there and trying to get many tasks and projects completed or started before I go... at work it is a "good three weeks" until I will be out, if you ask me how long until I see my little boy I am leaving here in 2 weeks and 5 days. (Apparently paragraph 3 is a tangent as well). I don't think either of those answers is wrong, but they aren't really right either. It's all about perspective and relativity. If I go to Shawano and am returning to East Bethel, I am home when I hit the boarding town. If I go to San Diego, I am home as soon as the airplane lands in Bloomington (or whatever city the airport is in).... When I go to Ethiopia, I'll be home as soon as we hit Washington DC (our first stop in our entry back in the US). So relative to my feelings it sure is a long, long wait until we leave. Relative to my packing... HOLY BUCKETS, I have got to get PACKED!!! It's like I am leaving any second. - For a moment, I wondered if the term "Holy Buckets" would offend anyone - if you are offended, please read it as "holey buckets" - because that what this feels like, water slipping through the holes.
Daddy Trent got his clothes packed - whooo hooo! He is an awesome husband. And I must say he is an A+ packer. He has packed for me on more than one occasion (that is trust on both of our parts!). So, Super Hubby has his clothes packed and I love it. Be sure to note that I will probably check and recheck his packing just as I have rechecked my unpacked items about 100 times already. I don't know if I have acknowledged this enough, but Trent is an awesome husband! He can and does do laundry, cooking, and cleaning. He makes the bed with me every morning (at least now while I am in some sort of super clean nesting phase). He owns two growing businesses and gets the kids off to school every morning without a hitch. He is a great, great man. There are not enough words to describe him! (Is this considered a tangent?)
So packing is on the agenda this weekend. I hope to zip up and stack up the suitcases not to return to them again until it's time to travel to the airport. I know that is not very likely that I can leave them alone that long, but at least I have that as a goal. My favorite Traveling-With-Me Adopting Mom says she has unpacked her packed items now so I am sure it will happen to me. I get to meet, in person, my favorite Traveling-With-Me Adopting Mom next weekend - I am so excited! I hope I don't offend her by saying this, but I think we are equally crazy but in slightly different ways. She has packed and entire suitcase of food, I have packed an entire suitcase of medication. She has packed shower repair items including caulk; I have packed a birthday party (don't ask). She is buying a car (fun convertible) before we leave - I am hosting a co-worker get-together before we leave. I hope she and I can both get everything we bought actually packed, and arrive in Ethiopia with at least some sanity (sanitary? sane-ity?, I would take either).
Oh, other things that are new BEC completed another Triathlon - I am going to nick name her Wonder Woman and buy her a cape! She is awesome, if you know her pat her on the back and congratulate her for another "finish". She's more of a quadrathlete - her "finish" requires a biffy! (BEC - now do you see why it is better if I do not mention you in the blog?)
What else? I don't know what else... I am ready to go, we are all tired of this long wait, and I just want to get him and get home. Home can be Washington DC, Bloomington, MN or East Bethel... I just want to be someplace, anyplace that I can call home! I guess that planet Earth could be considered "home" but I am not going far enough away for me to consider that relative.
Monday, September 1, 2008
Would you let the pregnant lady use the bathroom first?
For those of you left hanging - no we did not buy the mini-van. It sold ten minutes before we were scheduled to test drive it. We think it is a "sign" that we should not own a mini-van.
Currently I continue to obsess about lists and packing. I worry about every single last detail of this trip. I worry about going, I worry about coming home. I worry about the kids staying home, and the dogs, and the house. "Worry" maybe isn't the right word. It's not that I think something bad will happen. I just feel the need to identify the details related to everything. I plan for worst case scenario for everything... but suspect this whole process will be smooth. Everything has gone very smoothly so far, and I have no evidence that it might change. Personally though, I'd rather have a back up plan for things that is not needed than to find myself in a place of managing something that I didn't expect.
Think of the difference in the scenario between bringing bug spray to Ethiopia and leaving it home. It's a small item. It really is not a matter of life and death. Will it ruin the trip? Will everything fall apart? No. However, preventing some bug bites, making sure I take Malaria medication and the security of knowing it is there, makes it worth packing. What about paper towels. Not a major life changing event if we don't bring it, right? But how nice will it be, when that one bottle of liquid explodes and I don't have to use two days of shirts to clean it up.
I don't know if these statements are an attempt to justify my insanity or just help others understand where I am coming from. I know that I have over thought and over planned everything. In the end, I don't care if NOTHING goes according to plan. All I want is to bring Tamene home and find my family safe and sound, when I arrive in Minnesota. It seems so simple, yet I would feel so much better to know it wasn't just that we "got by" but that everything went smoothly and everyone had everything they needed and that "Thank goodness, we had that one thing'" because it really made the situation easier.
I was just thinking what would happen if we put a pregnant woman on an airplane and sent her to Ethiopia (or any other foreign country for that matter) to give birth. I think many people would be horrified, and if they had the opportunity they would send her with pain meds, and maybe find a nurse who could go along, and they would educate her on nursing and how to handle the pain and what would happen during and after birth. People would try to accommodate her every need. And, don't we let the pregnant woman ahead of us in line in the bathroom? And don't we give up our chair? It's not just about the physical part of being pregnant it's about respect for life and the process. In my opinion the grandma behind me or the 3 year old doing the potty dance probably needs to use the bathroom more than the lady who is 8 month pregnant, but we don't think twice to ask her if she would like to be next.
I gave birth right here in MN, not a foreign country and everyone worried and wondered and made sure I understood the details. Friends and family helped to ensure everything at home was in order and my needs were taken care of. I am having a little trouble seeing how our situation is any different this time, because we are adopting. This doesn't feel any different than being a first time mom. I don't' know anything about international travel, or bringing home a 2 year old or preparing for a 20+ hour flight, or having my children currently living on different continents. I don't know anything about any of it, and it is emotionally draining.
All I want is to be allowed to plan and organize and make myself feel prepared. I want my friends and family to understand that I cannot allow for one or two exceptions to what I want or need, because this process is so incredibly complex that I cannot track exceptions to "the plan" whatever the plan may be.
I do want to extend gratitude to those who have understood and committed to helping us through this time. Thanks to those who are taking off work or arranging personal schedules to help us out. Thanks to those who have said "whatever you need, I can help". Many, many thanks to those who have stood beside me in this journey and who have been compelled to understand the process and support us, and make it easier.
Currently I continue to obsess about lists and packing. I worry about every single last detail of this trip. I worry about going, I worry about coming home. I worry about the kids staying home, and the dogs, and the house. "Worry" maybe isn't the right word. It's not that I think something bad will happen. I just feel the need to identify the details related to everything. I plan for worst case scenario for everything... but suspect this whole process will be smooth. Everything has gone very smoothly so far, and I have no evidence that it might change. Personally though, I'd rather have a back up plan for things that is not needed than to find myself in a place of managing something that I didn't expect.
Think of the difference in the scenario between bringing bug spray to Ethiopia and leaving it home. It's a small item. It really is not a matter of life and death. Will it ruin the trip? Will everything fall apart? No. However, preventing some bug bites, making sure I take Malaria medication and the security of knowing it is there, makes it worth packing. What about paper towels. Not a major life changing event if we don't bring it, right? But how nice will it be, when that one bottle of liquid explodes and I don't have to use two days of shirts to clean it up.
I don't know if these statements are an attempt to justify my insanity or just help others understand where I am coming from. I know that I have over thought and over planned everything. In the end, I don't care if NOTHING goes according to plan. All I want is to bring Tamene home and find my family safe and sound, when I arrive in Minnesota. It seems so simple, yet I would feel so much better to know it wasn't just that we "got by" but that everything went smoothly and everyone had everything they needed and that "Thank goodness, we had that one thing'" because it really made the situation easier.
I was just thinking what would happen if we put a pregnant woman on an airplane and sent her to Ethiopia (or any other foreign country for that matter) to give birth. I think many people would be horrified, and if they had the opportunity they would send her with pain meds, and maybe find a nurse who could go along, and they would educate her on nursing and how to handle the pain and what would happen during and after birth. People would try to accommodate her every need. And, don't we let the pregnant woman ahead of us in line in the bathroom? And don't we give up our chair? It's not just about the physical part of being pregnant it's about respect for life and the process. In my opinion the grandma behind me or the 3 year old doing the potty dance probably needs to use the bathroom more than the lady who is 8 month pregnant, but we don't think twice to ask her if she would like to be next.
I gave birth right here in MN, not a foreign country and everyone worried and wondered and made sure I understood the details. Friends and family helped to ensure everything at home was in order and my needs were taken care of. I am having a little trouble seeing how our situation is any different this time, because we are adopting. This doesn't feel any different than being a first time mom. I don't' know anything about international travel, or bringing home a 2 year old or preparing for a 20+ hour flight, or having my children currently living on different continents. I don't know anything about any of it, and it is emotionally draining.
All I want is to be allowed to plan and organize and make myself feel prepared. I want my friends and family to understand that I cannot allow for one or two exceptions to what I want or need, because this process is so incredibly complex that I cannot track exceptions to "the plan" whatever the plan may be.
I do want to extend gratitude to those who have understood and committed to helping us through this time. Thanks to those who are taking off work or arranging personal schedules to help us out. Thanks to those who have said "whatever you need, I can help". Many, many thanks to those who have stood beside me in this journey and who have been compelled to understand the process and support us, and make it easier.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)