Today was quite a busy day. We fly out at 10:50 tonight which I haven't figured out if that's a good thing or not. Henok should sleep and thanks to Dramamine I'm sure he will (hehehehe)but I just hope he isn't wired when he does wake up! He's a million miles an hour from the time he wakes up til bed. There's no rest for this kid all day long, too much wiggling to rest, so I'm stressin about the plane ride.
Today we visited the fistula hospital where they help the women of Ethiopia in childbirth and repair of obstetrical fistula's if they occur during childbirth. Ok here's the scoop if you didn't watch Oprah 2 years ago when she visited and helped fund this hospital. The women in Ethiopia have small builds, are married VERY young like 12 and 13 in the villages, have extremely small pelvises and babies too big to fit. So when they go into labor they are laboring for like 5-7 days and the babies get stuck in the pelvis, and the pelvic bone and babies head rub against each other creating a tear that creates the fistula. Fistula's cause incontinence and the women are shunned from the society for their horrible smell. Not only do they labor for 7 days, the babies usually are still born and the poor girls have no home. So this wonderful hospital helps repair fistulas, has a maternity ward for those expecting, operating rooms for C-sections when necessary, a recovery center and a special refuge for the women (about 1.5%) that cannot be cured of the fistula. Those 1.5% of women are employed by the hospital for various jobs and live there for the rest of their lives. It is a beautiful sanctuary of hope and a beacon of promise to a country of women who desperately needed aid! The hospital also teaches mid-wifery to women that can go back to their villages and aid others that can't get to the hospital. Such a wonderful experience. Jas and I bought a painting done there of a woman holding her new baby. It's beautiful and our payment helps fund the hospital. Bonus!!
We also went to the orphanage that is loosely affiliated with our orphanage in Ethiopia, Hannah's Hope. It's where Henok was relinquished. We went in and saw the children eating and I started to cry and had to go watch Henok whoop up on some adults in a fun game of soccer cause I just couldn't look at these faces that may or may not find their forever parents.
As I watched Henok I kept thinking, he's a life full of promise. He's got some MAD soccer skills, can shoot hoops in basketball and has more energy than I could dream of having. He is a bundle of potential and with God he could do more than my mind can comprehend. So I am thankful to be apart of his life! As with all my kids, all I want for them is to find their passion and go with God wherever that may take them. Mission field, to be a teacher, pastor, work with kids, whatever it may be - just go with God!!
** We did survive the flight, Henok slept a bunch, so did I. He was great on the plane when he was awake. He's got this show off personality that makes everyone giggle! Too cute. He did however get overly tired and started this incredibly annoying whine thing. So I just held him and endured all the stink-eye glares for having the kid who won't stop whining. Yeah loads of fun!! We made it home at 11:30p.m. to Yakima. 39 hours of travel. Too much for us to put up with, but hallelujah we made it. Now comes the fun part..... adjustment and transition.
Thanks for following our journey to Henok thus far, it's been an exceptional experience. Hmmm....I wonder what's next??
Kala
Monday, May 25, 2009
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Wednesday May 20th
Wow, nothing could've prepared us for this day. In our hearts we knew we wanted to meet Henok's birth mom, and we also knew we'd be emotional but that doesn't really scratch the surface of seeing the woman who doesn't get to see her baby grow up. Who out of faith and love handed him over to give him a chance and not starving and to get an education, and to have his needs met and be loved.
When we dropped off the kids to the grandparents house the night before we left, I had kissed Faithie on her head told her I loved her and laid on the bed with her. She looked at me and started to tear up and said she was sad cause she would miss me. And we both just laid on the bed and cried. Then Hopie came in and she started to cry so I just grabbed them and we cried together. This is the longest trip I've been away from my babies and it was incredibly hard to say goodbye for 8 days. Then I thought of Henok's mommy. What was it like to hug him and then walk away without being able to say, I'll see you in 8 days? With only a wish and prayer of something more for him? That's what tore at my heart even more as we prepared mentally to meet her.
So we got up, went to breakfast where Henok put away a substantial amount of food and headed to the orphanage early to play and try to talk with Almaz about what to expect. Our meeting was to take place at 8:30. So right around then a lady walked in, looked at us and went to sit down. I didn't know who she was but I almost started crying. It turns out she was going to court to finish the paperwork for her baby to be adopted by someone. Whew, ok not her - so where is she? So I was down watching the little kids sit on the potty's because at like 18months they are on their potty chairs and they sit there til they go, and sing songs and act silly. So who wouldn't want to see that?Seriously, it is adorable.
All the sudden Almaz came down and said "Ok she's here". She saw me, I saw her and we grabbed each other and just cried. Some people she is staying with who were there when Henok was born also came to say goodbye and to meet us.
Wow, Henok looks just like her. She was quiet and sweet and cried almost the entire time (so did I!)
Almaz read the letter we wrote her, gave her the album and then we asked what she wanted us to tell him about her and what could she tell us about his father. She said she tried and that when she was pregnant she moved from the village and bounced around til she found friends to take her in. She gave birth at home and tried to raise him but just couldn't do it. She said she hasn't talked to Henok's father since she left the village (we thought he was dead so that was confusing) and her parents have no idea she had a child and adopted him out. The family she stayed with had a grandmother figure who adored Henok and passed away a year ago and they wanted to see him one last time. So then we took a few pictures and she walked away.
I am so thankful for the meeting and am glad to have that piece of this puzzle for Henok. What surprised me was Henok's indifference to seeing her. He didn't go to her, cuddle with her, he barely acknowledged her. We had to tell him to go kiss her goodbye. I guess when she visited him throughout the last 10 months it was the same way. He didn't get worked up when she came or left. Almaz thought it was because he remembers how poor they were and being desperately hungry and having nothing. That he has already seen we are different and he doesn't want to go back to the other life. My heart did break for her, to see her son not being overly affectionate broke my heart and once we can communicate I'd love to see what he remembers.
After we took some pictures before she left Henok told them he was going to America on an airplane where the buildings are high. (thank goodness for translation!) It was quite cute.
So one more day in Ethiopia and then off to real life.....
When we dropped off the kids to the grandparents house the night before we left, I had kissed Faithie on her head told her I loved her and laid on the bed with her. She looked at me and started to tear up and said she was sad cause she would miss me. And we both just laid on the bed and cried. Then Hopie came in and she started to cry so I just grabbed them and we cried together. This is the longest trip I've been away from my babies and it was incredibly hard to say goodbye for 8 days. Then I thought of Henok's mommy. What was it like to hug him and then walk away without being able to say, I'll see you in 8 days? With only a wish and prayer of something more for him? That's what tore at my heart even more as we prepared mentally to meet her.
So we got up, went to breakfast where Henok put away a substantial amount of food and headed to the orphanage early to play and try to talk with Almaz about what to expect. Our meeting was to take place at 8:30. So right around then a lady walked in, looked at us and went to sit down. I didn't know who she was but I almost started crying. It turns out she was going to court to finish the paperwork for her baby to be adopted by someone. Whew, ok not her - so where is she? So I was down watching the little kids sit on the potty's because at like 18months they are on their potty chairs and they sit there til they go, and sing songs and act silly. So who wouldn't want to see that?Seriously, it is adorable.
All the sudden Almaz came down and said "Ok she's here". She saw me, I saw her and we grabbed each other and just cried. Some people she is staying with who were there when Henok was born also came to say goodbye and to meet us.
Wow, Henok looks just like her. She was quiet and sweet and cried almost the entire time (so did I!)
Almaz read the letter we wrote her, gave her the album and then we asked what she wanted us to tell him about her and what could she tell us about his father. She said she tried and that when she was pregnant she moved from the village and bounced around til she found friends to take her in. She gave birth at home and tried to raise him but just couldn't do it. She said she hasn't talked to Henok's father since she left the village (we thought he was dead so that was confusing) and her parents have no idea she had a child and adopted him out. The family she stayed with had a grandmother figure who adored Henok and passed away a year ago and they wanted to see him one last time. So then we took a few pictures and she walked away.
I am so thankful for the meeting and am glad to have that piece of this puzzle for Henok. What surprised me was Henok's indifference to seeing her. He didn't go to her, cuddle with her, he barely acknowledged her. We had to tell him to go kiss her goodbye. I guess when she visited him throughout the last 10 months it was the same way. He didn't get worked up when she came or left. Almaz thought it was because he remembers how poor they were and being desperately hungry and having nothing. That he has already seen we are different and he doesn't want to go back to the other life. My heart did break for her, to see her son not being overly affectionate broke my heart and once we can communicate I'd love to see what he remembers.
After we took some pictures before she left Henok told them he was going to America on an airplane where the buildings are high. (thank goodness for translation!) It was quite cute.
So one more day in Ethiopia and then off to real life.....
Tuesday May 19th
Today was an overall good day. We did wake up without power and haven’t had power all day which means Jason didn’t get a hot shower and I didn’t get to curl my hair. I’m sure far worse atrocities are happening worldwide BUT for now that’s as bad as it’s been. We took Henok with us looking for a café and couldn’t find it so some kind girls showed us a different one and to our surprise NO ONE spoke English so we ordered bunna “coffee” and Henok got to pick a pastry which he thoroughly enjoyed then back to the hotel for more coffee and some breakfast.
After breakfast we took Henok to Hannah’s Hope because we went shopping at a large market and it’s frowned on now to bring the children with us – Ethiopian’s are upset that Americans are taking the kids away. So we shopped with anxiety I might add. I’m a look at 3 shops then make a purchase kinda gal and this was like “how much you pay??” in your face. So I hope we hit everything on our list. Whatever we forgot we can make up with some coffee. We bought like 20 kilos of coffee! Yum yum!
Jason found an old Bible written in Amharic on leather that he bought and also got a painting of Jesus that is pretty darn cool. So we got some fun stuff to hang on the walls and such.
After shopping we went to this extra yummy Italian restaurant and I ordered this Gorgonzola pasta which was just delicious. We also got a pizza to go on recommendation from previous traveling families which Henok is diggin!
Then Jas went to get Henok while I took a nap cause we both hit a wall of exhaustion – the time change isn’t being good to us to say the least. Luckily we have a child who sleeps the night through so it’s not like I’m up with baba’s every few hours. Hallelujah! When I woke up Jas took a nap and Henok and I played soccer in the hotel which made me nervous so we went to Hannah’s Hope and it was fun to have his special mother have him say “America I’m very excited!” Too cute. He also played a little bit of soccer and I would’ve thought he would want to stick around for dinner but he said he wanted to go to the hotel. So we came back scarfed banana and some pizza and he’s going to try some more clothes on!!
I am ready to head home but the next major check off on the list is the birth mother meeting which hopefully we can meet her tomorrow. Almaz the orphanage director said that his mother has seen him 3 or 4 times since she relinquished him and he does ok when she’s there and when she leaves so she had no worried about his reaction to seeing her one last time. I would like that piece of the puzzle for Henok. So as he grows and wants answers like why didn’t she keep me, or what do we know about her we can tell him honest answers. So I’m praying that she comes tomorrow so we can have that treasure of knowing his mommy in Ethiopia.
One side note, Henok LOVES Jason. He is always walking around Mommy Daddy, it’s quite precious and I’m so thankful that at this point he’s excited and happy to be with us!
More tomorrow,
Kala
After breakfast we took Henok to Hannah’s Hope because we went shopping at a large market and it’s frowned on now to bring the children with us – Ethiopian’s are upset that Americans are taking the kids away. So we shopped with anxiety I might add. I’m a look at 3 shops then make a purchase kinda gal and this was like “how much you pay??” in your face. So I hope we hit everything on our list. Whatever we forgot we can make up with some coffee. We bought like 20 kilos of coffee! Yum yum!
Jason found an old Bible written in Amharic on leather that he bought and also got a painting of Jesus that is pretty darn cool. So we got some fun stuff to hang on the walls and such.
After shopping we went to this extra yummy Italian restaurant and I ordered this Gorgonzola pasta which was just delicious. We also got a pizza to go on recommendation from previous traveling families which Henok is diggin!
Then Jas went to get Henok while I took a nap cause we both hit a wall of exhaustion – the time change isn’t being good to us to say the least. Luckily we have a child who sleeps the night through so it’s not like I’m up with baba’s every few hours. Hallelujah! When I woke up Jas took a nap and Henok and I played soccer in the hotel which made me nervous so we went to Hannah’s Hope and it was fun to have his special mother have him say “America I’m very excited!” Too cute. He also played a little bit of soccer and I would’ve thought he would want to stick around for dinner but he said he wanted to go to the hotel. So we came back scarfed banana and some pizza and he’s going to try some more clothes on!!
I am ready to head home but the next major check off on the list is the birth mother meeting which hopefully we can meet her tomorrow. Almaz the orphanage director said that his mother has seen him 3 or 4 times since she relinquished him and he does ok when she’s there and when she leaves so she had no worried about his reaction to seeing her one last time. I would like that piece of the puzzle for Henok. So as he grows and wants answers like why didn’t she keep me, or what do we know about her we can tell him honest answers. So I’m praying that she comes tomorrow so we can have that treasure of knowing his mommy in Ethiopia.
One side note, Henok LOVES Jason. He is always walking around Mommy Daddy, it’s quite precious and I’m so thankful that at this point he’s excited and happy to be with us!
More tomorrow,
Kala
Monday May 18th
This morning about 3:30 I woke up and just couldn’t sleep! I knew today was the day we would finally meet our son. So Jason and I watched movies, got up early, read books trying to pass the time until we could go eat breakfast with the other families and meet Almaz, the orphanage director. I also had a few moments in the dark with God including tears…what if this was a mistake? What if he doesn’t really like us? What if we can’t even touch him and show him physical touch - holding hands, kiss on the cheek, rub his back? So I cried and prayed the one scripture that came to my mind about not being anxious, Do Not let your hearts he troubled….. and I gave God the fear, picked up Angels and Demons and started reading.
Around 7am we just went downstairs to get some coffee and a few other families dealing with nervousness were already down in the lobby. We chatted, ate some breakfast, drank some really strong but good coffee and paced for Almaz to show up.
When Almaz came up the steps I just wigged out (on the inside…ok now we’re close). Oh before she came a family took us up the the 2nd floor and showed us how close we were to Hannah’s Hope where our son has been for the last 10 months. Wow, sooooo close!
We filled out our paperwork correctly, had Almaz review it and then we took off with a soccer ball and cameras to finally lay eyes on our long awaited son. Since being in Dulles getting on the Ethiopian Air flight we have made some friends also adopting who were so great to take video for us as we meet our boy. There aren’t word to describe the feelings that took place next. Because we are the only family of this travel group picking up an older child we got to meet him first and all the other families watched us as the gate opened.
We would like to introduce you to the newest member of the family. This is Henok Johnston. Isn’t he a doll??
He came bounding around the corner and grabbed me hugged me and went for Jason. Of course we’re both BAWLING and Jas scoops him up and he kisses his cheek and says “Daddy.” One of the best moments of my life. This day with 3 other days will be the most profoundly humbling and exhilarating days of my life. March 13,2002 Faith entered my life and made it better. December 1,2003 Hop entered and spiced it up even more. March 26,2007 Mikey arrived and we have been blessed to have him in our family. And now May 18th, 2009 Henok became a part of our family for ever and all I can say is this will be quite an adventure.
We played soccer with him for a good half an hour, took a picture of his bed, got pictures with his special mothers and met some of the other families children. We went back to the hotel to get what we would need at the Embassy and then went back to Hannah’s Hope to take Henok with us. When I got there he was eating injera for lunch with shiro wat I’m pretty sure. So the special mothers sat me down and fed me lunch also while I waited for him. Spicy but GOOD! Then Henok came over and I showed him his new clothes and shoes, he PEELED his other clothes off and got ready with a HUGE smile on his face. And we were off. Henok sat on my lap the whole way there and back from the Embassy which was so sweet. While at the Embassy he was our pure entertainment, and I told him he was ‘funny,funny” so that’s all we’ve been hearing since. “funny funny” mama funny funny! He also almost ate us out of house and home. We brought what we THOUGHT were enough snacks for the trip and plane ride back to America. Um… he’s gonna have to slow down or we’ll have to get some fruit to keep here(which is on the agenda tomorrow anyway) just to keep our stash from depleating for when he’s gonna need it on the plane!! He ate a cashew peanut granola bar, 2 lollipops, a pack of oreos ( the travel size one people not the whole container!), and started in on the goldfish. I have mixed feelings about food consumption cause I’m not so much thinking he was like starving as much as trying it all out and seeing if we will give it ot him. And honestly with some rationing so he won’t get a tummy ache I don’t really care what he eats. But we now know what will work in a pickle when we get home.
So after the embassy appointment we came back to the hotel and just hung out. We showed him his bag and I’ve got 6 whole minutes of him taking it all out kissing it, stacking it up, putting it in his Spiderman backpack. Then he started putting it all on. So he’d take out a pair of socks” Mama, casi” and he’d put them on , then “mama, pajamas” and I’d say “Yay Henok” and he smile put it all on with Jason’s Mariners baseball cap and he was off to wander the room then back to the bag to check out more goodies. I had more fun watching him check out all his new things he was just having a ball!
We went down for dinner and thank goodness the workers can communicate with him, so he ordered Macaroni and a Coke. And for today, you better believe he got it.!When we get home Coke won’t be happening like at all maybe some rootbeer or sprite but I’m sure he’ll but just fine.
Then he ate some of my food, Jason’s tbone steak and his macaroni. HA! I thought he was a bottomless pit until when we got him to finally lay down after a shower and brushing teeth which he LOVED both! He was rubbing his tummy so I asked him in Ahmaric “Ya-Mal?” which means “That hurt?” and pointed to his tummy and he said yes! Bummer dude, bad marks for mommy and daddy letting him shove his face full of food. It was a learning lesson though, we will just ration how much he intakes and maybe give more variety if we can but lessen the amount he consumes.
All in all this day was 100% more than I prayed for! At Hannah’s Hope all the people tell us Henok special. And he sure is. I can’t wait to bring him home!!
Blessings,
Kala
Around 7am we just went downstairs to get some coffee and a few other families dealing with nervousness were already down in the lobby. We chatted, ate some breakfast, drank some really strong but good coffee and paced for Almaz to show up.
When Almaz came up the steps I just wigged out (on the inside…ok now we’re close). Oh before she came a family took us up the the 2nd floor and showed us how close we were to Hannah’s Hope where our son has been for the last 10 months. Wow, sooooo close!
We filled out our paperwork correctly, had Almaz review it and then we took off with a soccer ball and cameras to finally lay eyes on our long awaited son. Since being in Dulles getting on the Ethiopian Air flight we have made some friends also adopting who were so great to take video for us as we meet our boy. There aren’t word to describe the feelings that took place next. Because we are the only family of this travel group picking up an older child we got to meet him first and all the other families watched us as the gate opened.
We would like to introduce you to the newest member of the family. This is Henok Johnston. Isn’t he a doll??
He came bounding around the corner and grabbed me hugged me and went for Jason. Of course we’re both BAWLING and Jas scoops him up and he kisses his cheek and says “Daddy.” One of the best moments of my life. This day with 3 other days will be the most profoundly humbling and exhilarating days of my life. March 13,2002 Faith entered my life and made it better. December 1,2003 Hop entered and spiced it up even more. March 26,2007 Mikey arrived and we have been blessed to have him in our family. And now May 18th, 2009 Henok became a part of our family for ever and all I can say is this will be quite an adventure.
We played soccer with him for a good half an hour, took a picture of his bed, got pictures with his special mothers and met some of the other families children. We went back to the hotel to get what we would need at the Embassy and then went back to Hannah’s Hope to take Henok with us. When I got there he was eating injera for lunch with shiro wat I’m pretty sure. So the special mothers sat me down and fed me lunch also while I waited for him. Spicy but GOOD! Then Henok came over and I showed him his new clothes and shoes, he PEELED his other clothes off and got ready with a HUGE smile on his face. And we were off. Henok sat on my lap the whole way there and back from the Embassy which was so sweet. While at the Embassy he was our pure entertainment, and I told him he was ‘funny,funny” so that’s all we’ve been hearing since. “funny funny” mama funny funny! He also almost ate us out of house and home. We brought what we THOUGHT were enough snacks for the trip and plane ride back to America. Um… he’s gonna have to slow down or we’ll have to get some fruit to keep here(which is on the agenda tomorrow anyway) just to keep our stash from depleating for when he’s gonna need it on the plane!! He ate a cashew peanut granola bar, 2 lollipops, a pack of oreos ( the travel size one people not the whole container!), and started in on the goldfish. I have mixed feelings about food consumption cause I’m not so much thinking he was like starving as much as trying it all out and seeing if we will give it ot him. And honestly with some rationing so he won’t get a tummy ache I don’t really care what he eats. But we now know what will work in a pickle when we get home.
So after the embassy appointment we came back to the hotel and just hung out. We showed him his bag and I’ve got 6 whole minutes of him taking it all out kissing it, stacking it up, putting it in his Spiderman backpack. Then he started putting it all on. So he’d take out a pair of socks” Mama, casi” and he’d put them on , then “mama, pajamas” and I’d say “Yay Henok” and he smile put it all on with Jason’s Mariners baseball cap and he was off to wander the room then back to the bag to check out more goodies. I had more fun watching him check out all his new things he was just having a ball!
We went down for dinner and thank goodness the workers can communicate with him, so he ordered Macaroni and a Coke. And for today, you better believe he got it.!When we get home Coke won’t be happening like at all maybe some rootbeer or sprite but I’m sure he’ll but just fine.
Then he ate some of my food, Jason’s tbone steak and his macaroni. HA! I thought he was a bottomless pit until when we got him to finally lay down after a shower and brushing teeth which he LOVED both! He was rubbing his tummy so I asked him in Ahmaric “Ya-Mal?” which means “That hurt?” and pointed to his tummy and he said yes! Bummer dude, bad marks for mommy and daddy letting him shove his face full of food. It was a learning lesson though, we will just ration how much he intakes and maybe give more variety if we can but lessen the amount he consumes.
All in all this day was 100% more than I prayed for! At Hannah’s Hope all the people tell us Henok special. And he sure is. I can’t wait to bring him home!!
Blessings,
Kala
Sunday May 17th
Well after a seriously LONG flight and time change we arrived in Ethiopia around 8p.m. and headed straight for the In Country Visa line which took at least an hour and a half. Then to the customs line which wan’t as bad but our whole group went together so it took a while to get us all through. Then had to get all of our bags accounted for and get to the vans. So one whole van was for our luggage and the other was just enough room for our travel group. As we were heading through Addis Ababa the van stopped and the window I was next to was open and this boy about 10-11 came to the window begging for food. First of all it scared me out of my mind I swear that kid came out of nowhere and then he just kept saying “uh food, hungry, please?” I almost cried but didn’t thank you very much! Then he was gone. So that was a memorable experience! Then we drove on for a while til we got to the Union Hotel Apartments where we would be staying.
When we got to our room it was around 11p.m. and we were whiped out, for sure. So we plugged in the hot water heater and got ready for a quick shower. As I was getting ready I noticed a sign above the toilet “Toilet Cannot Flush Toilet Paper,Thank You” So I was like hey Jason, is this a joke, what am I supposed to do. So he started laughing at me and said “Oh just put the toilet paper in the garbage can when you’re done”. Uh yeah right are you kidding me? Let me say this, I have only been out of the contiguous United States to go to Hawaii ok, I have never been anywhere where you couldn’t flush t.p. down the toilet. So I’m still getting used to this one. Anyway, we must have a suite cause we have a king size bed and this huge shower/Jacuzzi tub in the bathroom that we have yet to figure out how to drain the water. It took us 5 minutes to figure out how to turn the lights on. Anyway, we hit the sack and slept like a rock til 3:30 am and couldn’t go back to sleep for nothing! So I read my Angles and Demons book which I really want to finish, the night we stayed in D.C. we saw the movie and it’s LAME-O but the book is fascinating, so I feel I must redeem my expensive ($9.75 a person – don’t complian Yakima people)crappy theatre experience. Then we watched a downloaded episode of the office on the laptop, the power went out 2 times, and then we decided forget it and go down and get some coffee!
And today begins a new chapter for us…. Becoming a family of 6!!!
Blessings,
Kala
New Friends Kale and Kim
More new friends Truett and Kim
When we got to our room it was around 11p.m. and we were whiped out, for sure. So we plugged in the hot water heater and got ready for a quick shower. As I was getting ready I noticed a sign above the toilet “Toilet Cannot Flush Toilet Paper,Thank You” So I was like hey Jason, is this a joke, what am I supposed to do. So he started laughing at me and said “Oh just put the toilet paper in the garbage can when you’re done”. Uh yeah right are you kidding me? Let me say this, I have only been out of the contiguous United States to go to Hawaii ok, I have never been anywhere where you couldn’t flush t.p. down the toilet. So I’m still getting used to this one. Anyway, we must have a suite cause we have a king size bed and this huge shower/Jacuzzi tub in the bathroom that we have yet to figure out how to drain the water. It took us 5 minutes to figure out how to turn the lights on. Anyway, we hit the sack and slept like a rock til 3:30 am and couldn’t go back to sleep for nothing! So I read my Angles and Demons book which I really want to finish, the night we stayed in D.C. we saw the movie and it’s LAME-O but the book is fascinating, so I feel I must redeem my expensive ($9.75 a person – don’t complian Yakima people)crappy theatre experience. Then we watched a downloaded episode of the office on the laptop, the power went out 2 times, and then we decided forget it and go down and get some coffee!
And today begins a new chapter for us…. Becoming a family of 6!!!
Blessings,
Kala
New Friends Kale and Kim
More new friends Truett and Kim
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Hum De Dum...
Hey what's up with you? Oh me, not much just GOING TO ETHIOPIA this weekend! Uh huh, yup you heard me correctly. We got a call on Tuesday morning, like 8:30, and I was at work and I'm not "technically"supposed to answer my phone but I saw I missed a call from our caseworker. So I secretly texted my hubby and told him to get on the phone NOW. About 3 minutes later Faithie calls my work and says "Hey mommy, you get to go to Ethiopia to pick up "H"!!!!! So Hopie and I started jumping up and down, Mikey just stood there like "oh great, today she actually lost her mind..." And I was FREAKING out after that!
So the last 2 days have been frantically packing cause yeah you guessed it we didn't prep ahead of time, other than packing donations. Our stuff didn't get packed til yesterday, but now we're just making sure we've got everything and See ya people, I'm meetin my son!!
So it's weird cause in like 4 days, he won't just be a picture I show off, he'll be in my arms FOREVER! Wow, it's hard to wrap my brain around but I'm up for it!
Thank you to all those who have prayed, brought cute clothes, gave moola, and just listened as we blabbed about the journey. It's been a blessing to share this journey with you all and I can't wait to share the next part, raising "H"!! Wow, what an honor!
And with that I'm going to go sing with the HSM3 dvd, because I literally can't resist!!!
Blessings,
Kala
So the last 2 days have been frantically packing cause yeah you guessed it we didn't prep ahead of time, other than packing donations. Our stuff didn't get packed til yesterday, but now we're just making sure we've got everything and See ya people, I'm meetin my son!!
So it's weird cause in like 4 days, he won't just be a picture I show off, he'll be in my arms FOREVER! Wow, it's hard to wrap my brain around but I'm up for it!
Thank you to all those who have prayed, brought cute clothes, gave moola, and just listened as we blabbed about the journey. It's been a blessing to share this journey with you all and I can't wait to share the next part, raising "H"!! Wow, what an honor!
And with that I'm going to go sing with the HSM3 dvd, because I literally can't resist!!!
Blessings,
Kala
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
I Just Hit A Wall
Let me clarify for those of you who know me and for those that don't. No, I didn't literally hit a wall, just figuratively, rest easy my friends! For those of you who don't know me...I may or may not but more than likely have in the past bounced off more than a few things with multiple cars mostly in my youth or even as recently as 2 years ago whatever... so that's where any cause for those who do know me would come in (hypothetically! hehe). Seriously though, we have been sitting on our mountain of praise telling everyone joyfully that yes we are FINALLY on our way to Ethiopia after literally a year process and holding our sweet boy's pic for 10.5 months now, yup we were running to everyone, on the phone more than we should've been I'm sure, proclaiming our days were numbered as a family of 5. And then we got a phone call. One that I should've prepared for because if anyone is going to hit a roadblock it's us. We've had more than our fair share of delays in this adoption. And here's yet another.... So we're awaiting a t.b. test before our travel dates are confirmed. Another roadblock, yup I'm pretty sure this makes a baker's dozen!We can't travel to Ethiopia to pick up our son til he has tested negative for t.b. AH!
Last night I told Faithie my heart is just sad. I want him home, I want to begin our lives as a family of 6. Whatever the future holds I'm wanting to be there now not in another month. (I'm sure I'll look back on this and think "What was the rush again?" But right now that's where I'm at) So last night between playing on the scooter and almost giving me a stinkin heart attack going down the church ramp, Faithie would come over periodically and we'd lift our cause to the Lord. Faithie told me her heart is sad too, she wants to share her toys with her new brother, she wants to play with him and teach him English.
So I emailed my case worker to get the scoop from her because God love him Jason doesn't give details, he gives vauge - I think that's what she said kinda answers. And I had to hear for myself that our plans are halted or pushed back. So my oh so sweet case worker called me and we talked. Oh how nice to hear a woman's touch in a conversation where I really needed not only answers but hope. So it looks like our orphanage director thinks we still might be traveling if we can get the t.b. test done. They are cutting it close for reasons unknown to me but it's out of my hands. So this morning feeling the weight of the unknown I laid in the tub and thought I need to pray scripture. (When the bottom feels like it's falling out of things, I pray scripture). And it feels like somebody let all the air out of my balloon. So I got Hopie to school and called my oh so wonderfully inspiring girlfriend who spoke hope to my soul when I really needed it. Thank you Nichole. With every word I felt your heartbeat as tears streamed down my cheeks (and I'm also thankful I didn't get ticket!) I know we are prayed for, I know our son is meant to be in our family. I know God is God and this will all be ok. He'll be home before we know it and we'll look back and think, "What we're all those days of worry for?" I know I trust God with my heart, my problems, my situation and my son I haven't even met yet. I know that I know that I KNOW Jesus will hold my hand when it "feels" like the world is collapsing.
So I open my bible and where better to start to read in crisis than Psalms. So I open up to Psalm 12 and read it. Ok it's fine. Then I keep reading to Psalm 13:5-6
But I trust in your unfailing love;
my heart rejoices in your salvation.
I will sing to the Lord,
for he has been good to me.
And yes he has. This too shall pass (as my mother always tells me).
Yes we have plane tickets that will continue to be on hold.
Yes for next week we have our children taken care of while we are gone and won't cancel those arrangements.
Yes we still have far too much packing to do, a few more doses of oral typhoid fever vaccine to take, endless prescriptions to fill and take with us, donations to pack, prayers to pray, and sleep to LOSE!
And you know what - I'm singin to the Lord the whole time. Why? Because this can crush my spirit or I can hold His hand and give Him the glory and praise for however this all shakes out. Since this adoption started, I can look back and see how He has delicately weaved a path for us and this isn't looking like the tapestry I thought but it will still be beautiful, God will still recieve glory, and I will continue to lift my eyes to the ONE who gives me hope and strength.
But as for now, my ultimate nemisis awaits - LAUNDRY!!
Please pray with us that we are able to meet our son quickly, my heart is ready, my mind is ready (well what's left of it, I think it's mostly gone!).
And I'm singin to the God
who brings redemption to the nations,
Kings and oceans bow to him in praise.
And I’m singing to the God
Who wrote the book on our salvation
To the One Who covers me in grace
I’m singing
Sing with me,
kala
Last night I told Faithie my heart is just sad. I want him home, I want to begin our lives as a family of 6. Whatever the future holds I'm wanting to be there now not in another month. (I'm sure I'll look back on this and think "What was the rush again?" But right now that's where I'm at) So last night between playing on the scooter and almost giving me a stinkin heart attack going down the church ramp, Faithie would come over periodically and we'd lift our cause to the Lord. Faithie told me her heart is sad too, she wants to share her toys with her new brother, she wants to play with him and teach him English.
So I emailed my case worker to get the scoop from her because God love him Jason doesn't give details, he gives vauge - I think that's what she said kinda answers. And I had to hear for myself that our plans are halted or pushed back. So my oh so sweet case worker called me and we talked. Oh how nice to hear a woman's touch in a conversation where I really needed not only answers but hope. So it looks like our orphanage director thinks we still might be traveling if we can get the t.b. test done. They are cutting it close for reasons unknown to me but it's out of my hands. So this morning feeling the weight of the unknown I laid in the tub and thought I need to pray scripture. (When the bottom feels like it's falling out of things, I pray scripture). And it feels like somebody let all the air out of my balloon. So I got Hopie to school and called my oh so wonderfully inspiring girlfriend who spoke hope to my soul when I really needed it. Thank you Nichole. With every word I felt your heartbeat as tears streamed down my cheeks (and I'm also thankful I didn't get ticket!) I know we are prayed for, I know our son is meant to be in our family. I know God is God and this will all be ok. He'll be home before we know it and we'll look back and think, "What we're all those days of worry for?" I know I trust God with my heart, my problems, my situation and my son I haven't even met yet. I know that I know that I KNOW Jesus will hold my hand when it "feels" like the world is collapsing.
So I open my bible and where better to start to read in crisis than Psalms. So I open up to Psalm 12 and read it. Ok it's fine. Then I keep reading to Psalm 13:5-6
But I trust in your unfailing love;
my heart rejoices in your salvation.
I will sing to the Lord,
for he has been good to me.
And yes he has. This too shall pass (as my mother always tells me).
Yes we have plane tickets that will continue to be on hold.
Yes for next week we have our children taken care of while we are gone and won't cancel those arrangements.
Yes we still have far too much packing to do, a few more doses of oral typhoid fever vaccine to take, endless prescriptions to fill and take with us, donations to pack, prayers to pray, and sleep to LOSE!
And you know what - I'm singin to the Lord the whole time. Why? Because this can crush my spirit or I can hold His hand and give Him the glory and praise for however this all shakes out. Since this adoption started, I can look back and see how He has delicately weaved a path for us and this isn't looking like the tapestry I thought but it will still be beautiful, God will still recieve glory, and I will continue to lift my eyes to the ONE who gives me hope and strength.
But as for now, my ultimate nemisis awaits - LAUNDRY!!
Please pray with us that we are able to meet our son quickly, my heart is ready, my mind is ready (well what's left of it, I think it's mostly gone!).
And I'm singin to the God
who brings redemption to the nations,
Kings and oceans bow to him in praise.
And I’m singing to the God
Who wrote the book on our salvation
To the One Who covers me in grace
I’m singing
Sing with me,
kala
Monday, May 4, 2009
Not Gonna Lie
Ok so here goes....I've been absent from blogland lately. Um duh I guess since it's been months since I last posted. A LOT has transpired like oh I don't know.... WE"RE GOIN TO ETHIOPIA yeah you heard me in like 12 days (ish) we are awaiting a t.b. test on our guy and then we're off. Oh man, I'm jittery with excitement and frantically trying to figure out what I really need while I'm there and how in the world all this is going to play out. Will there be bitterness or happiness? Will be let us hug him or will he not be havin any of it? I will try to blog what I can when I remember but hey let's face it I'm not so good at the rememberin part!
Oh to top it all off I've been poked with vaccinations for traveling, which was nice and cheap! NOT! We're up to like $800-$1000 in medical crap from one day of shots!
Then I got the flu and puked up one of my typhoid fever vaccination pills so I'm not exactly sure what that means, I guess some extra prayer that I really don't get it! I hear it's just awful!
While havin the pukes with poor Faithie I might add, I did happen to enjoy my moments with her just laying on the couch. I was rubbing her arm and told her I'm so glad she's my girl and that I think she's awful sweet. So then like 10 times after that she kept saying, "Hey mom, remember when you told me I'm a sweet girl?" HA! Yea babe, I forgot already! :). What a doll!
What else is new... oh Mikey figured out peeing in the tub (in plain view I might add) gets QUITE a reaction. So then he proceeds to blame Hope and says "Hopie peed!"
Like father like son?! HA!
That's it for now. Nap time before Step at 4:15! {Oh yea and the "new" Kala has been working out, still not ready to try on swimsuits and RUIN a perfectly good day but getting better at toning up!)
Peace Out,
Kala
Oh to top it all off I've been poked with vaccinations for traveling, which was nice and cheap! NOT! We're up to like $800-$1000 in medical crap from one day of shots!
Then I got the flu and puked up one of my typhoid fever vaccination pills so I'm not exactly sure what that means, I guess some extra prayer that I really don't get it! I hear it's just awful!
While havin the pukes with poor Faithie I might add, I did happen to enjoy my moments with her just laying on the couch. I was rubbing her arm and told her I'm so glad she's my girl and that I think she's awful sweet. So then like 10 times after that she kept saying, "Hey mom, remember when you told me I'm a sweet girl?" HA! Yea babe, I forgot already! :). What a doll!
What else is new... oh Mikey figured out peeing in the tub (in plain view I might add) gets QUITE a reaction. So then he proceeds to blame Hope and says "Hopie peed!"
Like father like son?! HA!
That's it for now. Nap time before Step at 4:15! {Oh yea and the "new" Kala has been working out, still not ready to try on swimsuits and RUIN a perfectly good day but getting better at toning up!)
Peace Out,
Kala
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