Buttercup meets Tater

Buttercup has arrived in Addis and settled in at the Ayat house. We had a brief conversation over the phone this afternoon. In case any of you did not know Buttercup is not taking custody of Lil' B until later in the trip. She hopes to do much more traveling in country this time and the newer regulations, since our first trip, don't allow traveling about with the kids.

I honestly think we're happier this way anyway as we've heard of other agencies that ease you in with your kids over a series of meetings rather than taking them right away. She and Tater had "meeting #1" Sunday afternoon. Travis of the in country staff asked Tater if she wanted to go to America... her answer - um, no. I cannot fathom what is going on in her little head. What a life thus far for this precious little one.

Buttercup spent a short hour with her and eased into the connection with some bubbles & games. She had the opportunity to hold her and said it was a very successful first meeting... one last thing that got passed on... oh, and she has "good hair"... yes!

Tomorrow they hope to head off to the village where the 3 kids grew up in. This is honestly the part of the trip I am most jealous of. I am so hopeful we can get some pictures to help piece together more of their heritage. If we can get some pictures of their homes and surroundings and hopefully even some extended family how awesome would that be?

The days ahead should allow for a few more short meetings with Lil'B then taking her back to Ayat on Wednesday.

A few have inquired how I am doing here. Some say your head may swell very slightly when there is lots of stress. Others say in the rarest most concerning cases the opposite effect of a shrinking head may occur... well here's a picture of me with a few of the kids.


Actually, all is well back here at home... we're ready & waiting!

31 plane ride hours later.....

First stop, Cairo.

This place is amazing and my friend Wendy, our host, has been fantastic. You can see the Nile from her balcony, and the pyramids in the distance.

Tomorrow night we leave for Ethiopia!

Laura, Wendy and I at the pyramids.

Well, I think we are ready to go. Bags have been packed and weighed, Farmboy's hair has been cut (so he doesn't look too grizzly when I return), lists have been made for the family to maybe follow while I am gone.

Tomorrow morning, my dear friend Laura and I leave, first stopping in Egypt to visit a friend there for a couple days, and then on to Ethiopia and Li'l B. Sunday, Nov. 1, we will meet her for the first time. Kinda surreal, but it IS real.

Here's hoping to a decent night's sleep (not really counting on that one).

Tickets are bought.
Bags are starting to get packed.
We are getting our little girl!!!

October 28th

Happy Birthday!!!

Our baby turned 3 today. Happy Birthday, Li'l B!!!

God has such a great sense of humor. I have to honestly admit Farmboy and I were looking upon adopting a 2 yr old with a hint of trepidation. Seriously, when we first learned of our little dear, we had to double check with our case worker about the age, hoping we were mistaken, and she was actually almost 3, rather than almost 2 at the time. I know, I know, lots of people LOVE that age. The younger the better, stuff like that. Uh, not so much for us. We are so much more drawn to a bit older, just connect so much more easily to older children. Hey, with our first adoption, we specifically requested age 3 or older. But, we KNEW she was to be a part of our family and trusted that God would help us parent our little 2 yr old. Hmmmm, is that why God made this whole thing take so dang long? Yes, I am being a bit trite. There has been a massive amount of aching and longing for her as we waited and waited....and SHE HAD TO LIVE OVER A YEAR WITHOUT HER PARENTS. Heartbreaking. But, I also see a glimpse of His best. Of course, yet again, God knew what He was doing all along.

Well, sweetie, happy 3rd birthday!

miles closer

Next step -- our approved I-600 is now at the US embassy in Ethiopia, according to my Gladney case worker. Hopefully Monday our HIV waiver will be submitted, and 6-10 business days later it should be approved. Then we book travel....

Approved!

I'm stunned.

Inch by inch....and then hundreds of miles in one moment.

We just got notification our I-600 is approved. 5 days! It got approved in 5 days.

Not quite sure the rest of the paper trail, to the National Visa Center, to the embassy, getting the HIV waiver approved....but I think this means ONE WEEK of travel.

When? Still unsure, but we are getting so close!