Gods Gift in Ethiopia- Take 2!!!!! :)

Some very exciting news!!!

2008-09-05T10:01:00.000-07:00

Well, I am very sorry for the lack of updates in the last couple of months!!

We have had a bit of a change in plans.... I am pregnant with twins!!! Yes, this came as a major shock, but we are very excited about it! So, our adoption is now put on hold...We for sure want to do another adoption in the future, so Jada can have a sibling from Ethiopia.. just not sure when!!!

So, maybe I will update my blog on our pregnancy once in a while!?

:)

2008-07-17T06:34:00.000-07:00

Well, as of tomorrow, we will have not internet for a while... We are going to update what we have and get a faster connection. So, it might be a while for my updates. If anything really important happens, I will update from my parents house!

Well....well....well....

2008-07-11T13:45:00.000-07:00

Guess what showed up today???? 2 months late.... Low and Behold our fingerprints have found their way back home! I was totally shocked when I opened the mailbox.... Hmm...now we have everything we need, except for our Homestudy update which won't take long.

Given Up.... sigh.....

2008-06-23T20:23:00.000-07:00

So, I emailed our guy at the fingerprint place and he confirmed that the fingerprints were mailed to our correct address 3 weeks ago... So, I have come to the conclusion that they are lost somewhere between here and Ontario... Part of me just wants to hope that they will come and the other part of me just feels like not thinking about going to re-do them. What frustrates me the most is that we have to send them by Registered mail and then they mail them back by regular mail.. this makes no sense....

Hmmm.... not sure what to do.... We still do have to wait for other stuff, so it is not holding anything up, but we still do need them...

One year ago tomorrow....

2008-06-20T12:29:00.000-07:00

Our lives were forever changed with one glimpse of a beautiful, precious little girl named Yenenesh Tsegaye....

I wanted to post my entry from our referral day and the day after, just to remember that wonderful day!

Thursday, June 21, 2007

ITS A GIRL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh my word!!!! Marty and I found out this morning that we have a little baby girl! We are beyond excited and overjoyed!!!!!!!!! She was born March 2!!!!!!! Isn't she adorable!!! Thank you for your prayers!!!!!!!

Friday, June 22, 2007

"The Lord has done great things for us and we are filled with Joy!" Psalm 126:3

Well, now that my heart rate is slowly going back to normal after the excitement of yesterday, I would love to tell more about our referral day! I always enjoyed reading other peoples, so I want to share our little story!!

So, Marty drove me to work yesterday, which he rarely does b/c I am in the city, but he had a meeting, so we carpooled. I had said to him a few days ago that it would be so great to hear about our baby on Thursday b/c then we could be together, and we had talked about on the way yesterday!

Then, I get into my office and there is a note on my computer saying that Adoption Services had called WEDNESDAY at 9 am and I begin to panic wondering why I had not got the message from the morning before!! So, I run to talk to the secretary and she said that she knows nothing about it and that someone else took the message. So, with my heart pounding I call back and the lady on the other end says "we have a beatiful picture of your baby" and then I start to cry and say "what is it" and she says a "beautiful girl", and I am like "a girl"!? Then, I really started to cry!! Then, we talk for a bit more and I was writing stuff down, so I would not forget!

So, we got off and I called Marty and said come back to my work, we have our referral and they are sending it on e-mail!! Marty came back like 2 sec. later and we opened to the e-mail together and saw our daughter for the first time! Then, I called other important people, trying to get the words out we have have a baby girl!!Then, yesterday afternoon, we went to sign the official acceptance form... The lady said are you sure about this like 3x and I am thinking YES, give me the pen!!!!!

Wow, life can change so quickly and goes by so fast!!! We have had Jada home for over 7 mths. and sometimes we still can't believe it!

Thx for the support and prayers from family and friends, especially my fellow adoptive friends!!

:)

Ps... still no fingerprints...super annoyed, but lets not talk about that!

Wow, so on a positive note....

2008-06-12T19:47:00.000-07:00

I just wanted to post about something nice that happened today. So, totally out of the blue, we got an email from our Caseworker from IA, "just because she was wondering how we were doing with everything and if we had any questions.." Honestly, I was so suprised!!

It was such a nice email to get... Sometimes it is hard not to feel like just another family on the big long list. For those of us in the adoption agency world, sometimes it is easier to complain and be negative about them... So, just something nice! :)

"Supposed" to be one their way back to us...

2008-06-10T20:58:00.000-07:00

So, last week I got a phone call from the Fingerprint place to inform me that they fingerprints had been returned to them AGAIN... At first I was confused b/c we had given them the correct address....But whoever mailed them out to us for the second time used the legal address again. I was like NO WAY!!! So, they were calling to confirm our mailing address... (I had called them twice with it and Marty had emailed them!!!) So, they told me that it would be corrected and mailed out that day!

Honestly, I am not usually such a whiner/complainer/venter on my blog, but come on, these are employees of the RCMP....

Let you know when I have them.... If they show up!!!!!

the drama continues....

2008-06-03T19:33:00.000-07:00

So, still no fingerprints.... Basically they did make their way to Ottawa and were mailed back to us almost 5 weeks ago! However, they were mailed to our Legal Address instead of the mailing address... It is my fault b/c at the police station, everything was in the legal address, so under address I wrote that one in. It is not a real address, it is just a description of where we live. So, the post office here got it and mailed it back b/c of they did not recognize that address. It then gets back to Ottawa and it is sent again to our Legal address (after I specifically called there with the change in address!!!) I have told the post office here that it is coming and to call me and will come and pick it up....The annoying thing is that it is my fault and we would have had them weeks ago!! This has given me many headches with all the back and forth and phone calls! If only it was not so important...

Besides that pretty much everything is done! Our Social Worker is coming next week to update our Homestudy and then that is sent off to AB Childrens Services for their approval. That can take up to 6 weeks, but I am hoping for less (last time it was 3 weeks!)

I will keep you updated.......

Annoying....

2008-05-27T19:52:00.001-07:00

So, we mailed our fingerprints off via registered mail a month ago. We were given a tracking number, but I never even bothered to check it and then today I thought hmm.... maybe I should see what it says. Well, the online info says that it was not received at its destination.. So, I begin to panic a little bit (fingerprints are really important, and there are money orders in it, so the $ side of this kinda adds up).

First, I call Canada Post and they said that they will try to do a tracking on it and it can take up to 5 buisness days... The lady was really nice, but still I am kinda freaking out b/c I so do not want to redo all of it...

Then, I decide to call the RCMP fingerprint place in Ottawa and they were already closed. So, I am going to try again in the morning. The Post lady said that once in a while it is just not updated on the website, so I am hoping and praying this is the case.

Funny thing though, one of my lovely friends reminded me that all these "mishaps" happen for a reason... Leading us to the right baby at the right time! She is so right and I forgot all about that.... When I think back to the timing with Jada, somethings happened way quicker and somethings took longer than they were supposed to...But it all worked out perfect b/c of when Jada was born, when she entered the Orphanage and all the other stuff, which led her to being our daughter! So, in the big scheme of annoying things that happen, God has it all worked out!

However, I am still really hoping that they are there!

Prayer Request...

2008-05-25T08:35:00.000-07:00

I found out this morning that Steven Curtis Chapman's (Big Christian Music Artist) 5 yr. old daughter died on Wed. The little girls name is Maria and she was adopted from China... The family also has 2 other girls adopted from China. They are huge advocates for adoption and have a charity that helps families adopt from China and have done lots of other thing. Maria was run over in the driveway by her older brother, so a very awful accident.

I have been thinking about it all morning and I think that this family needs a lot of prayer....

Hmm... nothing to new to report....

2008-05-21T20:33:00.000-07:00

So, nothing majorly new on the adoption front.. I did Jada's name change the other day and got that certificate back, so now I am working on Canadian Citizenship forms and getting all the documents for that. Once we get that back, then I can apply for her Canadian passport! (Jada is still an Ethiopian Citizen as of right now and has an Ethiopian passport- which is actually really neat!) We are going to Mexico in Nov. for my sister's wedding, so I would like her passport for sure by then, so I have more incentive to take care of all of this!

Meanwhile, we are waiting for our fingerprints to come back from Ottawa, did the Dr. appointments/lab work, employer letters, ect...ect...ect...!!!! Next week, we are getting a bunch of other documents notarized... I am loving highlighting stuff off my list after it is done!

I have also just started a journal for this adoption. I did it with Jada and it starts with us officially deciding to adopt and ending with our last day in Ethiopia from picking her up... I am thinking it will be a very cool gift to give our kids someday!

Jada's Dedication/Mothers Day!

2008-05-13T18:59:00.000-07:00

Sorry, I am not sure why they are so small??!

6 months tomorrow!

2008-05-09T11:32:00.000-07:00

Well, tomorrow marks 6 mths. that we are arrived home with Jada! So, just for fun, I thought that I would post the email that we sent home the day that we met her... Such wonderful, tearful memories....

Hello Everyone!

We met our adorable, cute, beautiful, amazing JADA today!!! We were so nervous driving there and the second we walked into her room and saw her, our nervousness was replaced with tears of joy and complete hapiness!!! The moment was surreal and the best feeling in the world to hold and kiss and feel our daughter... We only got to stay for 2 hrs. and we miss her so much already! She did not cry and was very serious at first, trying to figure us out... But she put her head on my shoulder right away and would not let go of Marty's finger!

After about 1/2 hr. the nurse came to hold her and had her laughing and smiling like crazy!! She really started to show her cutie pie personality!!! She loves playing with our camera and loves the flash... Soon, Marty was lifitng her above his head and she was laughing and giggling so much.. it is the best sound in the world!!! She babbles, sneezes and sighs (I think she was bored with us!!)

She has 2 little teeth and is almost sitting up by herself!! She was very relaxed the whole time and so healthy, looking around and very curious as she reaches and grabs.. she wanted Marty's necklace and likes when I kiss her fingers!!

All the staff were telling us how smart and beautiful she is.. They told us we were very lucky and she is the guards fav. baby!!! She is so loved by the staff, they are so caring and thoughful and everyone knows her!.. The home is bright, cheery and spotless!!! I am hoping to sneak out a few more babies and hoping no one notices!!!!

We are going back tomorrow and get to keep her forever... we cannot wait for you all to meet her!!!

The computer won't allow us to send pics, going to try see if they can be put on facebook....

Love, Marty, Jill and JADA!!!! :) :) :) :) :)

You know when you are an adoptive parent when....

2008-05-07T22:07:00.000-07:00

1. The fact that there are 143 million children without a parent to kiss them goodnight has made you lose sleep.
2. You realize DNA has nothing to do with love and family.
3. You can't watch Adoption Stories on TLC without sobbing.
4. The fact that, if 7% of Christians adopted 1 child there would be no orphans in the world, is convicting to you.
5. You spend free time surfing blogs about families who have experienced the blessing of adoption.
6. It drives you crazy when people ask you about adopted child's "real" parents.
7. You have ever been "pregnant" with your adoptive child longer than it takes an elephant to give birth. (2 years!)
8. You had no idea how you would afford to adopt but stepped out in faith anyway, knowing where God calls you He will provide.
9. You have ever taken an airplane ride halfway around the world with a child you just met.
10. You believe God's heart is for adoption.
11. You realize that welcoming a child into your heart and family is one of the most important legacies you could ever leave on this earth.
12. You know what the word "Dossier" means, and you can actually pronounce it!
13. You have welcomed a social worker into the most private parts of your life.
14. You shudder when people say your child is so lucky that you adopted them, knowing full well you are the blessed one to have him or her in your life.
-Author Unknown

Friends!

2008-05-07T19:31:00.000-07:00

So, last week we went to the African Childrens choir at our church and LOVED it!!! They are so talented!

Along with seeing the choir, we met 3 other families with kids from Ethiopia! One couple got home a couple of weeks ago with their 3 yr. old son and the other 2 couples are waiting to travel very soon.. one to pick up a sibling group of 3! and the other to pick up a 7 mth. old girl! It is really great to make a connection with your families that have adopted and especially from Ethiopia...We plan on having a BBQ with them soon! We are really realizing the importance of having friends that have families like ours (for the kids and for us!)

The paperwork is going good... We handed in all the paperwork today that our local agency needs, so I am happy that is done... I love getting rid of the stack! I am still working on the paperwork for IA, but it is going fairly well... Today we went in to do our Dr. form and the lab work. Slowly, but surely it will be done!

Anyone have any good girl baby names that they are willing to share???!? We were talking about it the other day and cannot think of a girl name (or maybe 2 if we need!) Middle names are easy b/c it will be a family name and their Ethio name, but struggling with first names! Not that we need them now, but I like daydreaming about it!

Super Impressed...

2008-04-29T13:20:00.000-07:00

Well, we have been in touch with IA the past week or so and we have a new caseworker from last time.... I am super impressed with her!!! When we have to email and talk back and forth, it makes a world of difference if the person is good that you are dealing with! Our last caseworker was good too, but near the and, their were a few "issues" right before we left, so our new one is like a breath of frresh air!

I like the fact that we have done this once before and know the process and what to expect. Last time, we would learn every little step as we go, and now I can see more of the big picture! We got our go ahead from the AB government to update our Home Study, so I am really happy about that.. We still have to wait until June to do it, but that is o.k... Our Social Worker (we are using them same one as last time) is the amazing....and she is so on the ball with things, so I know that once it is done, she will send it off for approval right away.

Meanwhile, I can get all the other stuff ready, so once the Homestudy is done, we can mail it all off... I am looking forward to putting together the picture book.. last time it was all just me and Marty, so it will be much more cute this time with Jada in it! I think, next week we will do the Doctor visit, so that is out of the way too.. kinda dreading that! Anyways, I am not as "anxious" this time, but I still want it all done.. If it takes a year for referral like it is predicted, I want it out of our hands and in Ethiopia's hands!!!

Tomorrow night we are going to see the African Children's choir perform at our church! We are really excited about that, I know Jada love it... She LOVES to sing and dance. Plus, I think we will buy a CD or 2 that they sell, so we can play it in the house for our kids!!!!

All About Me!

2008-04-25T16:35:00.000-07:00

I was tagged by my fellow adoptive friend Jaclyn... Jaclyn and I were in Ethiopia at the same time and were together when we met our kids for the first time!!!

I am: very content
I think: a lot about our future kids!
I know: that we are doing what we are supposed to be doing, even though it is not always easy
I want: more space in our house
I have: a wonderful husband and beautiful daughter
I wish: International Adoption was not such a complicated, lengthy, expensive process...
I hate: how much racism still exists
I miss: being a nurse, sometimes
I fear: the unknown
I feel: satisified
I hear: Jada laughing on Daddy's shoulders
I smell: rice
I crave: a week in Cancun
I wonder: what life will be like in 10 years?!?
I regret: not buying cute pants for Jada the other day.. when I went back, they were all gone...
I love: when Jada says "mama" :)
I care: about the estimated 2.5 million orphans in Ethiopia....
I always: smile and tear up thinking about our referral of Jada and our first meeting
I am not: Independent
I believe: that God has a very special plan for Marty and I... and our family
I dance: with Jada to the radio
I sing: while I am driving
I cry: a lot more now that I am a mom!
I don't always: have enough patience...
I fight: rarely
I write: in a journal sometimes
I win: at baking the best banana bread!
I never: eat on a plane!
I confuse: my husband
I listen: not enough....
I am scared of: flying
I need: fufillment
I am happy about: having a daughter :)
I tag... Jody V, Lindsey T, Jenn (soon to be P!)

Check 2 things off!

2008-04-21T21:48:00.000-07:00

So, today we went in to get our fingerprints and police checks done... I was wanting to get that out of the way b/c it is sent off to Ottawa and can take 4-6 weeks to get that back. I love being able to check off the list of things that we need for our Dossier!!! It feels like each time you are getting closer and closer... to waiting and waiting....!! :) I am not quite as anxious as last time, but I would like to have it ready for when our Home Study is done b/c once that is back, I am much more oganized!

Oh, and we have for sure decided that we are going to ask for 2 kids this time! When we were in Ethiopia, we were hanging out at the Sheraton one day, swimming and we started talking about it and decided that when we came back, we wanted to bring home 2!! So, it is really exciting! Although, we are really undecided about age range and we want to make the max age.... We do enjoy the baby stage (Jada was 7.5 mth. when we came home), but know that there are tonz of toddler aged kids too... So, we are not sure if it will be a twin request or sibling request... Lots of different ways at looking at it... Our agency IA (Now Imagine Adoption, used to be Kids Link) is saying up to 12 mths. for referral of siblings under 3, so it will be a longer wait this time as well. With Jada our referral was in 17 days, so this will be a very good lesson on patience! We do have a couple of months to decide, so we are just going to keep praying about the age and talking about it!

I love the thought that God has our kids chosen for us already, and He has it perfectly planned out, so I shouldn't stress too much!

Wow, back on the emotional, unknown, crazy ride of International Adoption!!!

2008-04-15T22:23:00.000-07:00

Well, we are again doing paperwork... It feels like just yesterday that we were doing it for Jada's adoption! We basically have to start from scratch with everything and how soon we forget how much there is!

Marty and I have been talking about our second adoption pretty much since we were in Ethiopia last time! We knew that we for sure wanted to do it again, but wanted to wait a bit! Well, now less than 6 mths. have gone by and we are ready to start! In AB (it varies from province to province) we have to wait until our 12 mth. Post Placement Report (a write up that our Social Worker does about Jada's adjustment and development, how we are doing ect...) is complete and then can hand all the paperwork in... Our PPR will be done in June, and then we get the green light from AB Childrens Services!!

So, I am hoping to update my blog a lot more often as we go through another journey to get Jada a little brother or sister!!

Our Birthday Girl and More!!

2008-03-21T12:56:00.000-07:00

Beautiful Jada :) January Pics!

2008-01-26T11:55:00.001-08:00

Photo Shoot!!!!!

2007-12-06T19:06:00.000-08:00

Oppss.....

2007-12-05T19:25:00.000-08:00

I am very sorry about the lack of postings since we have been home... I am feeling guilty! Marty works from home, so he is on his laptop all day... Since it is a work computer, we cannot do any pictures on there and I am lucky to get on it to check my email! But we got some pictures taken last week that are great, so hopefully in the next few days, I can get to a computer and put them on here!!

So, stay tuned!! :)

Jada's first Dr. appointment!

2007-11-21T19:30:00.000-08:00

So, yesterday, we went and saw the Doctor! We are very luck to have an adoption specialist pediatrician that is here in Edmonton. She sees babies that have been adopted Internationally and knows all about it, as she has 2 adopted kids herself.

First, Jada was assessed by the OT (Occupational Therapist) to basically see where she is at. So, she observed her playing and then did a few different excercies with her... She did really great we were happy to find out that Jada is right where she should be for an 8 mth. old... the only thing that is missing is rolling over, but that is coming very soon!

Then we spent an hr. with the Dr... She is wonderful to talk to and asked us lots of questions about Jada. She was really impressed with how good Jada is doing and how is she is so so beautiful! Jada is in the 75% for height and weight!!!! Yeah! We will go back in 2 mths. for a follow up, but she had no concerns! She has to now has to do some routine blood blood and get her up to date on her vaccines.

Jada is (I think!) over her jet lag and settling in very nicely. She is always laughing and loves to play and be entertained, although she seems to entertain us for the most part! She is sitting up as of last week and is now eating baby food.. carrots, peaches, sweet potatoe ect..

It is wonderful to have her home and cannot believe that is has only been a few weeks that we have had her!!! :)

Pictures!!! Some of Ethiopia and some of home..in no special order!!!!

2007-11-17T12:27:00.000-08:00