tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31794222768550538012024-03-13T11:38:01.200-05:00The Douglas FamilyLearning to live in the present moment is part of the path of joy.
--Sarah Ban BreathnachOur Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17837035097067639534noreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3179422276855053801.post-88488678313627082572010-05-02T18:23:00.002-05:002010-05-02T18:36:30.733-05:00Baby Boy!We <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">received</span> our referral for a baby boy! It happened much sooner than we had expected. We didn't expect to hear anything until the end of summer of early fall. He is six weeks old. He is such a cutie! We can't wait to meet him and hold him. We now wait to hear when our court date will be and whether we will need to travel to Ethiopia twice. We're praying that we can bring our sweet boy home this summer. We're overwhelmed with praise and thanksgiving that God is bringing this little guy into our lives!Our Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17837035097067639534noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3179422276855053801.post-89378145944540720262010-01-29T15:50:00.003-06:002010-01-29T16:17:49.454-06:00Here we go again!We've decided to adopt again. Being in Ethiopia and adopting <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Meron</span> was such a life-changing experience. As soon as we got home we felt moved to adopt again. There is such need in this world and millions of orphans who don't have families. I can't imagine having grown up without a mom or dad to comfort me and love me and give me security and let me always know that I was safe, but the sad reality is that children across our world are experiencing just that. That being said, we knew we needed to take some time and really pray about bringing another child into our family, and not just react to emotions of seeing the need in our world. So, for the last year we have prayed and asked to be led in the direction we were supposed to take, and a couple of months ago it became very clear that the answer to adopting again was yes! We started the "paper chase" about two months ago, and just sent our documents off for their final authentications. Amazingly enough, the paper work is a little less confusing the second time around and we were able to complete it in about a third of the time as it took last time. Hopefully, within a couple of weeks we will be on the waiting list for a referral! That's when we just wait. It could be several months before we are matched up with our child. God already knows who that child is and when he will be brought into our lives, and it's our job to wait patiently and trust in Him. We are thankful for all of you who faithfully prayed for <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Meron</span>, and we are asking you to please pray for this little guy too. Please pray for his health and safety, and for his birth parents, as we don't know the circumstances that will lead to him being orphaned, but we pray for peace for them for what they may be experiencing.Our Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17837035097067639534noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3179422276855053801.post-68150838583416533882009-12-16T14:28:00.007-06:002009-12-16T15:00:46.239-06:00Gotcha Day!!!<div><div><div><div><div>Today is Gotcha Day. One year ago today was the first time we saw Meron face to face and held her in our arms. It is amazing how quickly a year can go by. We have been so blessed. She is a happy, healthy toddler and she brings so much joy to our family.</div><div> </div><div> </div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415938876777919602" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/SylHtquTdHI/AAAAAAAAAYE/Bx4An1yH1Oc/s320/may+2009+013.jpg" border="0" /></div></div></div></div></div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415938532580040274" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/SylHZofInlI/AAAAAAAAAX8/b0ztGOmVV18/s320/may+2009+007.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415937222248267490" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/SylGNXHsfuI/AAAAAAAAAXs/FVFkvVGGc7g/s320/mid+june-mid+july+111.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415936686768837186" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/SylFuMTc0kI/AAAAAAAAAXk/fbDCL2AlrOk/s320/mid+june-mid+july+084.jpg" border="0" />Our Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17837035097067639534noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3179422276855053801.post-27221013155981206552009-10-31T13:03:00.022-05:002009-11-18T13:46:51.209-06:00Fall is Here!<div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div>I haven't blogged in a really long time. What a quick, yet fun summer it was. Fall is already well on it's way too. I'm going to attempt to blog at least once a week from now on so hopefully I won't always be three months behind!<br /></div><div>Here are some pics from summer and the start of fall, unfortunately not in any sensical order.</div><div> </div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405527812568530578" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/SwRK5-OkPpI/AAAAAAAAAXU/45WQWet-TTI/s320/end+oct-+mid+nov+033.jpg" border="0" />Here are the kiddos all dressed up for Halloween. Lane was a scary ghoul, Meron was a flower, Shelby was Hannah Montana (of course!), and Ty was a werewolf. The boys had to hide their masks off to the side because everytime Meron would see them she would shriek in fear. I wasn't sure she was going to be too thrilled about her first Halloween, because at first it seemed like it was over-whelming and scary to her, until we got to the trick-or-treating part. It didn't take her long to catch on and like going up to the houses for a treat! After about five houses her litttle legs were worn out and she was happy to sit in the stroller and look at all of the other trick-or-treaters. Thank goodness she didn't see any scary ones. The boys went with some friends and of course came back with the old pillow case full of candy. They have enough sweets to last them for two years! And lucky for Shelby, Meron doesn't eat candy yet so she got all of hers, so she too has enough junk food to last for entirely too long! Anybody want any candy?<br /><br /><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405527821275769746" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/SwRK6eqiK5I/AAAAAAAAAXc/TysQOUHjMCU/s320/end+oct-+mid+nov+030.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405522785862227874" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/SwRGVYSZF6I/AAAAAAAAAWk/Cgxx0LzpVLQ/s320/mid-july-aug+044.jpg" border="0" />This summer we went to Utah to visit some of Brandt's family. It is so beautiful there. We had a great time seeing everyone.<br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405522792042972546" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/SwRGVvT_xYI/AAAAAAAAAWs/7V4GOjH8gAY/s320/mid-july-aug+051.jpg" border="0" />We stayed with Brandt's cousin Annalyse and her family. We had such a great time with them. Their children are the same age as ours, and the kids had such a blast together. This is Shelby and Josie. Their second day together they siad, "Yesterday, we didn't really know each other and now we're like sisters!" Too cute!<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405522796411725554" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/SwRGV_llpvI/AAAAAAAAAW0/ACniaWmaer4/s320/mid-july-aug+053.jpg" border="0" />This is Ty and Lane hanging out with Taylor and Brenden. I wish we all lived closer together. We always have such a good time getting together.<br /><br /><br /><div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405522796987221442" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/SwRGWBuzBcI/AAAAAAAAAW8/2sx_uQF4dSM/s320/mid-july-aug+068.jpg" border="0" />This is the whole gang together for a pool party.</div><br /><div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405522802781357058" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/SwRGWXUOhAI/AAAAAAAAAXE/vbpkirPVCNU/s320/mid-july-aug+095.jpg" border="0" />Brandt's uncle and aunt took us on a hike up in the mountains to this beautiful waterfall.<br /><br /><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398828569177679858" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/Sux9-r0Q5_I/AAAAAAAAAT8/65ZkTcdSugg/s320/sept+032.jpg" border="0" /></div>In September, Tsegay and his wife Almaz visited the U.S. Tsegay was our representative in Ethiopia. He represented us in court for Meron's adoption and took care of the Ethiopoian side of the process. He and his wife Almaz also run the House of Hope transition home in Ethiopia where Meron was before we were able to bring her home. They are a couple of amazing people. All that they do for the orphans in Ethiopia is just awesome. It was great to see them again and to get to visit with them. As you can see, Meron wasn't so sure about all of this.<br /><br /><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398828295666936498" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/Sux9uw6OKrI/AAAAAAAAAT0/vzgvi7ahhOc/s320/sept+029.jpg" border="0" /></div>The get together was at an Ethiopian restuarant in Chicago. It was great to be able to take the other kids to meet Tsegay and Almaz since they weren't able to go to Ethiopia with us.<br /><br /><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398829196279093602" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/Sux-jL85GWI/AAAAAAAAAUU/2BeNnoDwK_c/s320/sept+028.jpg" border="0" /></div>This is what Ethiopian cuisine looks like. Everything is served family style and you don't use silverware. The food is served on a type of bread called injera, along with extra injera on the side. To eat it, you break of a piece of injera and pinch up a biteful of what you want. Everyone eats from the same common plate. It's hard to tell from the picture but the plate is about the size of an extra-large pizza, so it's enough to feed an entire family.<br /><div></div><br /><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398828774519239298" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/Sux-KoxgcoI/AAAAAAAAAUE/zSOQEoGlP9g/s320/sept+010.jpg" border="0" /></div><br /><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398828986074360738" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/Sux-W84La6I/AAAAAAAAAUM/giW0ysRpZnQ/s320/sept+019.jpg" border="0" /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>We had the opportunity to try out the new sky windows at the Sear's tower. They were pretty wild!<br /><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398829700691315922" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/Sux_AjCIzNI/AAAAAAAAAUc/zqhsPLYx0vM/s320/sept+048.jpg" border="0" /></p>Fall is also fair time. It has been tradition for the past fourteen years that one of the grandkids has rode the merry-go-round with grandpa Darrell, and this year Meron got her first ride. She loved it!<br /><br /><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398829986007737858" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/Sux_RJ635gI/AAAAAAAAAUk/3nkMQGkNxFc/s320/sept+053.jpg" border="0" /></p>Ty put his wood-working skills to use and made his little sister a chair for art class project. He did a great job, and as you can tell, Meron loves it.<br /><br /><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398831073446980482" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/SuyAQc8l64I/AAAAAAAAAU8/2mFyir4tPA4/s320/mid+aug-mid+sept+017.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398830803424813714" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/SuyAAvCSopI/AAAAAAAAAU0/HkkM4BEFNpk/s320/mid+aug-mid+sept+031.jpg" border="0" /></p>On Labor Day weekend, we went up to Black Pine animal park. It's a great place to get a close up look at wild animals. They have several rescued tigers, chimpanzees and other exotic animals that they care for.<br /><br /><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398831326228761122" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/SuyAfKodyiI/AAAAAAAAAVE/QR099k6FIXc/s320/mid+aug-mid+sept+036.jpg" border="0" /></p><p>At the car auction, Ty found his dream car, or one of many. :)<br /></p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398832172779518626" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/SuyBQcR5OqI/AAAAAAAAAVc/rQyIrJW9ZcQ/s320/mid+aug-mid+sept+051.jpg" border="0" /></p><br /><p>We also had the great opportunity to meet some new friends and celebrate the Ethiopian New Year, which is September 12th. My mother-in-law met a great couple from Ethiopia, that live in the area and she told them about Meron. They have several friends in the area that have also moved here from Ethiopia and on Ethiopian holidays they get together and have traditional celebrations. We were blessed that they invited us to come and celebrate with them. What a great gift! We plan on teaching Meron about her culture as much as we can. But being told about your culture and being able to experience it are completely different. In the above picture Shelby and Meron are joining in the traditional dancing. They did great, and loved it. I tried too, but have a feeling I wasn't that great at it!</p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398831861992591394" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/SuyA-WghECI/AAAAAAAAAVU/StroUAZ5aNI/s320/mid+aug-mid+sept+050.jpg" border="0" /></p><p>This is a traditional coffee ceremony, she roasted the raw beans over fire. It smelled so good! Then she brewed it and served it with popcorn. When we were in Ethiopia, they served pocorn with your coffee everyday. It is kind of like desert. The coffee is sooo good. It is the only coffee I like black. If you like coffee, you should give Ethiopian coffee a try.</p></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Our Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17837035097067639534noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3179422276855053801.post-70290777993793026622009-07-11T07:45:00.002-05:002009-07-11T07:51:05.215-05:00Summer Fun<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/SliKPTBx7cI/AAAAAAAAATs/5ESD19n-RlM/s1600-h/mid+june-mid+july+039.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357183752167615938" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/SliKPTBx7cI/AAAAAAAAATs/5ESD19n-RlM/s320/mid+june-mid+july+039.jpg" border="0" /></a> Splish splashing with my cousin Audrey.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/SliKAThIeoI/AAAAAAAAATk/0Iy7LRejxUw/s1600-h/mid+june-mid+july+036.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357183494601079426" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/SliKAThIeoI/AAAAAAAAATk/0Iy7LRejxUw/s320/mid+june-mid+july+036.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Summer fun is exhausting!<br /><div></div></div>Our Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17837035097067639534noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3179422276855053801.post-62632199241255205202009-07-11T07:26:00.005-05:002009-07-11T07:42:25.998-05:00Busted!Have I mentioned that <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Meron</span> loves getting into EVERYTHING?! Except of course her toys. This was one of her recent ones, she decided it looked fun to dump out a bag of 1000 q-tips. :)<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357178467288561586" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/SliFbrUbN7I/AAAAAAAAATE/03NJMqEHsfY/s320/mid+june-mid+july+024.jpg" border="0" /><br />Uh-oh, she caught me what do I do next.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/SliGRenLztI/AAAAAAAAATU/qmXUOvIsFHk/s1600-h/mid+june-mid+july+028.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357179391590518482" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/SliGRenLztI/AAAAAAAAATU/qmXUOvIsFHk/s320/mid+june-mid+july+028.jpg" border="0" /></a> Maybe I put it in my nose.<br /><div><br /><div> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357179630186441650" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/SliGfXc4q7I/AAAAAAAAATc/MKCpkeyAjb8/s320/mid+june-mid+july+027.jpg" border="0" />Or was it for my head?<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357179148049755298" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/SliGDTWirKI/AAAAAAAAATM/8rBnATzCEp0/s320/mid+june-mid+july+026.jpg" border="0" />Oh yeah, I think it goes in my ear. </div><div> </div><div>Nothing gets past this girl, she's always thinking. :)<br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div>Our Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17837035097067639534noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3179422276855053801.post-68964496881993041222009-06-24T21:01:00.033-05:002009-07-02T12:35:03.105-05:00Summer's Finally Here!<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352897580668414498" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 4px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 1px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/SklP_R7J6iI/AAAAAAAAARU/QVnS95o0bEM/s320/78780009.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div>I am so glad summer is finally here. It is so good to be outside and enjoy the fresh air. School is out, so the kids are able to play with their friends. We can go for bike rides and late night walks. I can make sun tea. We can swim. We can grill out for dinner. I LOVE summer!<br /><br /></div><div>And of course many more weeks have flown by since I last blogged, so here are some pictures of May and June.</div><div> </div><div> </div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352896151721428066" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/SklOsGrpRGI/AAAAAAAAARM/kDppa4jFawI/s320/78780146.jpg" border="0" /></div><div>Look at that ornery grin!</div><div> </div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352895966279805778" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/SklOhT26q1I/AAAAAAAAARE/UdGOu-dFEUk/s320/78780141.jpg" border="0" /></div><div>Meron loved her birthday cake. This picture is on her actual birthday, she had a cupcake. Unfortunately, she didn't get to have it until 8:00 at night because we were at one of the kids activities and we paid for it. First she was just wound up and giddy before bed, then it turned into her crying most of the night. Note to self : no cupcakes right before bed!</div><div> </div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352895748632438546" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/SklOUpDvZxI/AAAAAAAAAQ8/AEFrjCh_Q2E/s320/78780126.jpg" border="0" />Here have a taste! She dug into a chocolate cake for her party.<br /></div></div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351082094032873570" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/SkLc0DLIaGI/AAAAAAAAAOs/Y1Kg3eGf8bA/s320/may+2009+021.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div>What a ham! Meron loved her new summer fun stuff she got for her birthday.</div><br /><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351082398013826402" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 315px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 227px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/SkLdFvl1pWI/AAAAAAAAAO0/fcbbCx5UCgg/s320/may+2009+022.jpg" border="0" />She's got the cheese for the camera thing down pat!<br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351082958576819266" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/SkLdmX2eHEI/AAAAAAAAAO8/2AX2Te6qgMg/s320/may+2009+023.jpg" border="0" /> Shelby had poetry for mom night at her school. All of the kids wrote poems about their moms, then took turns getting up and reading them in front of the parents. Very sweet.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351083302041046882" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/SkLd6XWuT2I/AAAAAAAAAPE/pjsNVkcxIRQ/s320/may+2009+029.jpg" border="0" /> </div><br /><div>Lane had a fun field trip to camp SOLE ( science and outdoor learning experience). His class learned orienteering with a compass, tree identification, constellation identification and canoeing. I had fun too, and finally learned how to properly use a compass, although I hope I never really have to!</div><div><br /> </div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351083576183261410" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/SkLeKUnUiOI/AAAAAAAAAPM/FYbPLRnISyo/s320/may+2009+031.jpg" border="0" /></div><div><br /></div><div>Shelby also had her end of the year baton and pom pom recital. She was so cute. She is such a little performer. She is always making up songs and dances at home. I think she loved performing in front of an audience other than mom and dad.</div><div> </div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351083895750329810" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 226px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/SkLec7GDBdI/AAAAAAAAAPU/JRNp5RZ6hKg/s320/may+2009+037.jpg" border="0" /></div><div>She also had her bridging ceremony from daisy scout to brownie scout.</div><div><br /><br /></div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351084242828535346" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 234px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 313px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/SkLexID8JjI/AAAAAAAAAPc/WzXIDEf1Feo/s320/may+2009+054.jpg" border="0" /></div><div>What a cute brownie.</div><div><br /><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352898906143407858" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/SklRMbtBPvI/AAAAAAAAASE/8PjKsbnDypI/s320/78780163.jpg" border="0" />Ty demonstrating some of his vertical ability. :)<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352898247475260114" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/SklQmF-S6tI/AAAAAAAAARs/42-TQeRSO8o/s320/78780056.jpg" border="0" /><br />Lane played volleyball at school with his friend Adam.</div><div><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352898667300312274" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/SklQ-h8Y1NI/AAAAAAAAAR8/85JU5Tx8mww/s320/78780076.jpg" border="0" /><br />Shelby did the triathlon in her school district. It was a cold, rainy day but she stuck it out.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352898061257359106" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/SklQbQQfPwI/AAAAAAAAARk/Aqisn4rfE_E/s320/78780055.jpg" border="0" />Meron grew in her "fangs" before her upper middle teeth, which we thought was pretty appropriate considering she likes to scare people by saying "rraaarr".<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352898466557697810" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/SklQy2HnnxI/AAAAAAAAAR0/pVhHqj4p0Q8/s320/78780063.jpg" border="0" />Punk rock baby!<br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352895056174655042" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/SklNsVc8JkI/AAAAAAAAAQk/DZqFnv3BXrY/s320/78780065.jpg" border="0" />Lane had his fifth grade parents breakfast. They handed out awards to the students and showed a slide show from events during the year. It was a celebration of transitioning from elementary school to middle school in the fall. Where did the time go?<br /><br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352895525133369810" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/SklOHodaQdI/AAAAAAAAAQ0/qesI5BHoso0/s320/78780060.jpg" border="0" /><br />Our nephew Adrian celebrated his fifth birthday.<br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352895305864876018" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/SklN63nuj_I/AAAAAAAAAQs/YmjNf4xNrVc/s320/78780057.jpg" border="0" /></div><div>Shelby and her cousin Emma hanging out waiting for cake.</div><div> </div><div><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352894529073998562" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/SklNNp2WauI/AAAAAAAAAQU/o3DoBzeXHIE/s320/78780031.jpg" border="0" />On the last day of school the kids get to have field day. They have fun events like water balloon toss, tug-o-war, sack races, etc.<br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352893491912799970" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/SklMRSH2duI/AAAAAAAAAP0/bRKFHKZQl8E/s320/78780018.jpg" border="0" /></div><div>Last day of school silly string fight!! On the last day of school we hide and jump out and get the kids with silly string when they get home, then they all get each other and their friends. It's a fun celebration of the end of school and beginning of summer.</div><div> </div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352893731833123858" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/SklMfP5UFBI/AAAAAAAAAP8/E3UnAhuPldM/s320/78780022.jpg" border="0" /></div><div>Ty getting blasted!</div><div> </div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352894216654626338" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/SklM7d_xHiI/AAAAAAAAAQM/1eh7LPqZTSE/s320/78780023.jpg" border="0" /></div><div><br /></div></div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352893941701194722" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/SklMrdtws-I/AAAAAAAAAQE/03HHfzY_5Ps/s320/78780015.jpg" border="0" /> <div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352899518690916770" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/SklRwFnueaI/AAAAAAAAASM/Os6n_pnUQ2U/s320/may+2009+073.jpg" border="0" /></div><div>Our niece Audrey celebrated her first birthday! She loved her cake too.</div><div> </div><div> </div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352897836629849298" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/SklQOLdHdNI/AAAAAAAAARc/EYsRfKIJPqE/s320/78780049.jpg" border="0" /> <div>Hanging out with big brother.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351084582790488594" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 1px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 4px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/SkLfE6hL4hI/AAAAAAAAAPk/vnnReuIgfjs/s320/may+2009+073.jpg" border="0" /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Our Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17837035097067639534noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3179422276855053801.post-23763194420351539992009-04-30T08:01:00.002-05:002009-04-30T08:21:55.337-05:00Happy Birthday Meron!<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/SfmhuOor41I/AAAAAAAAAOk/1WGtFzCuXTE/s1600-h/engine+5+029.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330469449544491858" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/SfmhuOor41I/AAAAAAAAAOk/1WGtFzCuXTE/s320/engine+5+029.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div><br />Today is Meron's birthday. What a blessing she has been! She is jabbering dada, mama and HI! She's also pulling herself up and walking around furniture and getting into EVERYTHING! She is such a happy girl and brings such joy to our family. We feel extremely blessed and humbled that the Lord chose us to be her family. And though this is such an exciting day for us, my heart keeps going to her birth parents, and the anguish they may be feeling. It was one year ago today that a woman halfway across the world gave birth to this precious little girl and for reasons we will never know was not able to raise her. I have no doubt that she loved Meron deeply and giving her up had to be unbearable. So today as we celebrate this special little girl, we pray that the Lord will give her birth parents a sense of peace and know that their baby girl is well, happy and loved by a family that is truly blessed to have her in our lives.Our Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17837035097067639534noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3179422276855053801.post-76135522543198268502009-04-29T08:21:00.039-05:002009-05-02T19:30:00.639-05:00How Time Flies!Time has really flown by!! It took me four months to finally post about our trip to Ethiopia, but now that I'm getting the hang of blogging, I'm going to fast forward through the highlights of the past four months, then try and keep up with things. There just doesn't seem to be enough hours in the day!<br /><br /><br />When we arrrived back in Fort Wayne, we found out there had just been an ice storm the day before. This was quite the contrast from having just been in sunny Ethiopia. Welcome back to Indiana!! :)<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/Sfh0ndsDNAI/AAAAAAAAAOc/b4KzAYRp5qo/s1600-h/christmas+2+005.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330138380326089730" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/Sfh0ndsDNAI/AAAAAAAAAOc/b4KzAYRp5qo/s320/christmas+2+005.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/Sfh0b8dYSYI/AAAAAAAAAOU/6xU9O7U5vM0/s1600-h/christmas+2+003.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330138182427625858" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/Sfh0b8dYSYI/AAAAAAAAAOU/6xU9O7U5vM0/s320/christmas+2+003.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><br /><br /><div>Christmas was just a few short days after we got home. What a great gift to be able to bring Meron home in time for Christmas and all be together again.<br /><br /></div><div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/Sfh0BTtbGeI/AAAAAAAAAOM/FFtvHKPZ_4I/s1600-h/christmas+2+057.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330137724812466658" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/Sfh0BTtbGeI/AAAAAAAAAOM/FFtvHKPZ_4I/s320/christmas+2+057.jpg" border="0" /></a> What a sweetie!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/SfhzzRma9uI/AAAAAAAAAOE/Jy9JfWvmkF4/s1600-h/christmas+2+052.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330137483728058082" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/SfhzzRma9uI/AAAAAAAAAOE/Jy9JfWvmkF4/s320/christmas+2+052.jpg" border="0" /></a> I'm not sure I understand all of this.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/SfhzhTkTmcI/AAAAAAAAAN8/dqrO0UbE0G8/s1600-h/christmas+2+043.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330137175018412482" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/SfhzhTkTmcI/AAAAAAAAAN8/dqrO0UbE0G8/s320/christmas+2+043.jpg" border="0" /></a> It was so good to be home with our kiddos for Christmas.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/SfhzPatGZ4I/AAAAAAAAAN0/hKCo35WiIDg/s1600-h/christmas+2+049.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330136867696699266" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/SfhzPatGZ4I/AAAAAAAAAN0/hKCo35WiIDg/s320/christmas+2+049.jpg" border="0" /></a> Bud must have been a good boy, Santa left him a little treat too.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/Sfhy8sxnMWI/AAAAAAAAANs/rC8xtGzZcow/s1600-h/christmas+2+059.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330136546129949026" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/Sfhy8sxnMWI/AAAAAAAAANs/rC8xtGzZcow/s320/christmas+2+059.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/Sfhyk_g-soI/AAAAAAAAANk/ZuxTaaPwia4/s1600-h/christmas+2+149.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330136138843599490" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/Sfhyk_g-soI/AAAAAAAAANk/ZuxTaaPwia4/s320/christmas+2+149.jpg" border="0" /></a> Getting ready for bath time.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/SfhyW1JWGlI/AAAAAAAAANc/aLJeWkMU2GM/s1600-h/christmas+2+009.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330135895541946962" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/SfhyW1JWGlI/AAAAAAAAANc/aLJeWkMU2GM/s320/christmas+2+009.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/SfhxvVPVExI/AAAAAAAAANU/VWymOIp5S1U/s1600-h/engine+5+010.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330135216962212626" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/SfhxvVPVExI/AAAAAAAAANU/VWymOIp5S1U/s320/engine+5+010.jpg" border="0" /></a> They're already teaching her those bad video game habits!!!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/SfhxjazEZiI/AAAAAAAAANM/JcCNxqOyGVo/s1600-h/engine+5+011.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330135012295861794" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/SfhxjazEZiI/AAAAAAAAANM/JcCNxqOyGVo/s320/engine+5+011.jpg" border="0" /></a> Meron's first time in the snow.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/SfhxS7ktyBI/AAAAAAAAANE/fDP9zvFYnhk/s1600-h/engine+5+019.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330134729036253202" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/SfhxS7ktyBI/AAAAAAAAANE/fDP9zvFYnhk/s320/engine+5+019.jpg" border="0" /></a> Buddy loves the snow just as much as the kids. In fact, I think he thought he was one of the kids!<br /><br /><br />Sadly, we had to say goodbye to Buddy in February. He was such a huge part of our lives for fourteen years. He is missed so much. He was our first "kid", and a brother to Ty, Lane and Shelby. He brought so much joy to our family, as well as occasional frustration, like the time he ate an entire chocolate cake off the table, or when he would get wet in the pool run straight to the sand box and roll around then make a bee-line straight into the house to roll all over the carpet! Those were the days I wished we didn't have a dog, but what I remember him for the most is his love and loyalty. If he thought we were threatened, he was right there to protect us. If we were sick or sad, he was sitting right there beside us. If we were running around the back yard playing kick ball, he was running right along side us (usually tripping us up :) ) We love him and will miss him. There will never be another "Bud". He really was a great dog.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/SfhxBZ1DTkI/AAAAAAAAAM8/xrh2HvlSHK4/s1600-h/engine+5+009.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330134427920191042" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/SfhxBZ1DTkI/AAAAAAAAAM8/xrh2HvlSHK4/s320/engine+5+009.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/Sfhwl-HUSWI/AAAAAAAAAM0/njUFdWuhYCc/s1600-h/feb-mar+2009+008.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330133956624140642" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/Sfhwl-HUSWI/AAAAAAAAAM0/njUFdWuhYCc/s320/feb-mar+2009+008.jpg" border="0" /></a> Brandt celebrated his ?? birthday. Bet you can't guess!<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/SfhwaCMOnGI/AAAAAAAAAMs/mLgpe56lX-8/s1600-h/feb-mar+2009+017.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330133751560051810" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/SfhwaCMOnGI/AAAAAAAAAMs/mLgpe56lX-8/s320/feb-mar+2009+017.jpg" border="0" /></a> We celebrated Meron's baby dedication in February. This was a special day at church when we make a promise in front of family, friends and the congregation to raise Meron up to be a christian woman through our faith and through the help of the Lord's wisdom and guidance.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/SfhvcbOzuAI/AAAAAAAAAMk/Q66iV34WZsY/s1600-h/feb-mar+2009+043.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330132693129869314" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/SfhvcbOzuAI/AAAAAAAAAMk/Q66iV34WZsY/s320/feb-mar+2009+043.jpg" border="0" /></a> In March we celebrated our 14th wedding anniversary. The years have flown by!!<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/SfhvJnDfHpI/AAAAAAAAAMc/dr_5EWBJ5Yo/s1600-h/feb-mar+2009+078.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330132369886092946" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/SfhvJnDfHpI/AAAAAAAAAMc/dr_5EWBJ5Yo/s320/feb-mar+2009+078.jpg" border="0" /></a> Lane turned 11 in March! Seems like just yesterday he was such a little guy.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/Sfhu10ZI7-I/AAAAAAAAAMU/I5Z8aOH-K3o/s1600-h/feb-mar+2009+088.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330132029869191138" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/Sfhu10ZI7-I/AAAAAAAAAMU/I5Z8aOH-K3o/s320/feb-mar+2009+088.jpg" border="0" /></a> Shelby's drawing of a vase was chosen to be in the Fort Wayne FAME Festival that celebrates the arts.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/SfhuVbBPN7I/AAAAAAAAAMM/N0mBiFQzlfY/s1600-h/north+carolina+153.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330131473302239154" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/SfhuVbBPN7I/AAAAAAAAAMM/N0mBiFQzlfY/s320/north+carolina+153.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />In April, we went to North Carolina's Outer Banks for Spring Break. They are a group of barrier islands that run along the coast of North Carolina. It was very beautiful there, but it was still a little chilly and very windy. There are five lighthouses that are on the different islands. Two of them are open for climbing late spring through early fall. They both opened the week after we left, so unfortunately we missed out, but they were still neat to see. They were each painted differently and their grounds were all a little different. <br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/SfhuAWMOv5I/AAAAAAAAAME/-LX-B7EW6d8/s1600-h/north+carolina+114.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330131111228915602" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/SfhuAWMOv5I/AAAAAAAAAME/-LX-B7EW6d8/s320/north+carolina+114.jpg" border="0" /></a> This was a sunset on the ferry ride back to one of the islands.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/Sfhtp7s2BfI/AAAAAAAAAL8/JWcebiZSx6I/s1600-h/north+carolina+073.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330130726160827890" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/Sfhtp7s2BfI/AAAAAAAAAL8/JWcebiZSx6I/s320/north+carolina+073.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/Sfhs_x5sLqI/AAAAAAAAAL0/ClODzloZ3_A/s1600-h/north+carolina+051.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330130001975848610" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/Sfhs_x5sLqI/AAAAAAAAAL0/ClODzloZ3_A/s320/north+carolina+051.jpg" border="0" /></a> Hanging out during a lunch pit-stop.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/SfheBqAxCoI/AAAAAAAAALs/4jPrmkG2lo0/s1600-h/north+carolina+034.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330113541543365250" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/SfheBqAxCoI/AAAAAAAAALs/4jPrmkG2lo0/s320/north+carolina+034.jpg" border="0" /></a> This is on Jockey's ridge sand dune. It was crazy windy up there!<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/Sfhdn2FQAII/AAAAAAAAALk/Ky5hPpXKib4/s1600-h/north+carolina+044.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330113098106798210" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/Sfhdn2FQAII/AAAAAAAAALk/Ky5hPpXKib4/s320/north+carolina+044.jpg" border="0" /></a> Take them on vacation and they still find time for video games!<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/SfhdKv544wI/AAAAAAAAALc/6I6XO3ht59Q/s1600-h/north+carolina+148.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330112598232326914" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/SfhdKv544wI/AAAAAAAAALc/6I6XO3ht59Q/s320/north+carolina+148.jpg" border="0" /></a> Too cold for playing at the beach, but we still found some cool sea shells.<br /><br /><div><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/Sfhb5fAvOrI/AAAAAAAAALM/LBf_aJic1KQ/s1600-h/spring+2009+007.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330111202128247474" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/Sfhb5fAvOrI/AAAAAAAAALM/LBf_aJic1KQ/s320/spring+2009+007.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />All dressed up for Easter Sunday.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/SfhbRqqhm7I/AAAAAAAAALE/AOa_fYglQ1o/s1600-h/spring+2009+034.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330110518061538226" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/SfhbRqqhm7I/AAAAAAAAALE/AOa_fYglQ1o/s320/spring+2009+034.jpg" border="0" /></a> Grandma brought over some fun bubbles for after the egg hunt.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/SfhakrR-39I/AAAAAAAAAK8/gbftwsjJ4oI/s1600-h/spring+2009+091.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330109745132920786" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/SfhakrR-39I/AAAAAAAAAK8/gbftwsjJ4oI/s320/spring+2009+091.jpg" border="0" /></a> Meron loves her cousin Audrey! We spent an afternoon at Foster Park enjoying their beautiful flowers. Every spring they have the most beautiful tulips and daffodils in bloom.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/SfhaXC8Go8I/AAAAAAAAAK0/oQBaSZAgWzk/s1600-h/spring+2009+097.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330109510965437378" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/SfhaXC8Go8I/AAAAAAAAAK0/oQBaSZAgWzk/s320/spring+2009+097.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/SfhZ9Ec32zI/AAAAAAAAAKs/p_q67fN-0fg/s1600-h/spring+2009+076.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330109064694717234" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/SfhZ9Ec32zI/AAAAAAAAAKs/p_q67fN-0fg/s320/spring+2009+076.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/SfhZfYqnAfI/AAAAAAAAAKk/NzKJht6J0zo/s1600-h/spring+2009+127.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330108554724966898" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/SfhZfYqnAfI/AAAAAAAAAKk/NzKJht6J0zo/s320/spring+2009+127.jpg" border="0" /></a> Cute monkeys hanging in a tree!<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/SfhZN3k_m1I/AAAAAAAAAKc/YgwbYicpgHY/s1600-h/spring+2009+155.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330108253785267026" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/SfhZN3k_m1I/AAAAAAAAAKc/YgwbYicpgHY/s320/spring+2009+155.jpg" border="0" /></a> After the park we went to Zesto's and Meron had her first ice cream cone. She absolutely loved it! She ate it so fast I'm surprised she didn't get a brain freeze.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/SfhY5EerkLI/AAAAAAAAAKU/Ma6FljnZn_c/s1600-h/spring+2009+160.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330107896471195826" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/SfhY5EerkLI/AAAAAAAAAKU/Ma6FljnZn_c/s320/spring+2009+160.jpg" border="0" /></a> What do you mean the ice cream's all gone!!!!<br /><br /></div><div>That's the last four months in a nutshell. After we got home from Ethiopia we kind of hit the ground running, as much as we would like to freeze time, life just takes hold and before we know it another day, week, month has flown by. <br /><div> </div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Our Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17837035097067639534noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3179422276855053801.post-51068938923567637942009-04-19T13:59:00.011-05:002009-04-20T11:46:22.343-05:00Home!!!<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/Set8ErRu1PI/AAAAAAAAAJ0/MtkcM-ODGcI/s1600-h/Ethiopia+167.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326487404074161394" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/Set8ErRu1PI/AAAAAAAAAJ0/MtkcM-ODGcI/s320/Ethiopia+167.jpg" border="0" /></a> The long flight home. Dad stood in the aisle for a while so <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Meron</span> could sit and not be held for a minute.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/Set72id8PLI/AAAAAAAAAJs/O_A_wtWvLVo/s1600-h/Ethiopia+172.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326487161191283890" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/Set72id8PLI/AAAAAAAAAJs/O_A_wtWvLVo/s320/Ethiopia+172.jpg" border="0" /></a> Our first photo all together as a family. What an exciting day!<br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/Set7oR_-1SI/AAAAAAAAAJk/eYLmsHGcJmU/s1600-h/Ethiopia+169.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326486916252488994" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/Set7oR_-1SI/AAAAAAAAAJk/eYLmsHGcJmU/s320/Ethiopia+169.jpg" border="0" /></a> Meeting my new brothers and sister and my cousin.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/Set7NzhLYBI/AAAAAAAAAJc/vV2LN8p5QzU/s1600-h/Ethiopia+175.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326486461393625106" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/Set7NzhLYBI/AAAAAAAAAJc/vV2LN8p5QzU/s320/Ethiopia+175.jpg" border="0" /></a> Meeting grandpa Mike.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div>Day 7</div><div>Saturday, December 20<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">th</span></div><br /><br /><div>We flew overnight Friday night and most of the day Saturday. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Meron</span> did so good on the plane. By the time we flew into Indy, we had been traveling for 24 hours, which meant <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Meron</span> had to be held for 24 hours. Needless to say she wasn't used to being held that much and especially by people she didn't know that well. She slept on and off in our arms and when she got restless, we would walk the aisles with her. We were in good company though as there were probably at least ten other adoptive families on board too. I'm sure it was quite amusing to some - all of these tired looking new parents pacing the aisles trying to entertain/sooth their child but still not knowing exactly how to do it. </div><br /><div>We arrived in Indy in the late afternoon. We were a little apprehensive about how <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Meron</span> would do in the car seat because she had never been in one before, but I think the exhaustion from the trip played in our favor. She slept most of the way home. It was so great to be back home. My sister-in-law and mother-in-law helped us surprise the kids. The kids didn't expect us home until the following Wednesday night. After they knew we were home they brought the kids home and we surprised them. It was so good to have them back in our arms. </div><br /><div>Later that night and in the next couple of days the rest of the family came over to finally meet the baby girl we had all been praying for.</div></div></div></div>Our Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17837035097067639534noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3179422276855053801.post-42567221470637479502009-04-16T13:02:00.016-05:002009-04-20T11:48:31.206-05:00Journey to Ethiopia<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/Set_1KyaOOI/AAAAAAAAAKM/Hq4-IJKHMOA/s1600-h/Ethiopia+165.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326491535701326050" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/Set_1KyaOOI/AAAAAAAAAKM/Hq4-IJKHMOA/s320/Ethiopia+165.jpg" border="0" /></a> This is <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Nigiste</span> and her new mom Amy and her sister Jennifer. We had the opportunity to get to know them during our time in Ethiopia. They are a great couple of ladies. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Nigiste</span> was at the House of Hope with <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Meron</span>. It will be great to keep contact over the years, so <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Meron</span> can know another child she was in Ethiopia with.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/Set_o3b4XfI/AAAAAAAAAKE/kfssiX4-so8/s1600-h/Ethiopia+162.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326491324348128754" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/Set_o3b4XfI/AAAAAAAAAKE/kfssiX4-so8/s320/Ethiopia+162.jpg" border="0" /></a> This is <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Mekedes</span> and her parents, Marianne and Steve. They arrived at the House of Hope the day before we left, so <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">unfortunately</span> we didn't have a lot of time to visit with them. We are thankful to have photos of a couple of the children she was at the House of Hope with to share with <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Meron</span> as she gets older.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/Set_WG65XLI/AAAAAAAAAJ8/WtEXXIAnWPQ/s1600-h/Ethiopia+159.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326491002087234738" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/Set_WG65XLI/AAAAAAAAAJ8/WtEXXIAnWPQ/s320/Ethiopia+159.jpg" border="0" /></a> Our last day in Ethiopia. We're eager to get home, but at the same time it's hard to leave Ethiopia. We met so many wonderful people and had such great experiences it's hard to leave it all. We were very fortunate to have the time we had there. Despite it's struggles with disease and poverty, it is a great country. The countryside is beautiful and the culture there is very kind and friendly. We will tell <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Meron</span> about her heritage, but hopefully someday we can take her back to visit so she can experience it herself. She is such a blessing.<br /><br /><br /><div>Day 6<br />Friday, Dec.19<br /><br /><br /><br />This was our last day in Ethiopia. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Meron's</span></span> travel documents were completed early so we either had the opportunity to go home today or wait until the next Tues. which would have gotten us home late Christmas Eve. There weren't any flights in between and we were missing our kids back home so much so we took the earlier flight. In retrospect, we kind of wish we would have stayed the extra couple of days we had intended because there is so much more of the country and the culture we would have liked to take in, but at the time we just wanted to be home with our kiddos. We also were going to have to go to another guest house so other families could come to the House of Hope, and before we left for Ethiopia we were told that we were not able to take <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Meron</span></span> with us out in public because people have raised questions and concerns over the number of Ethiopian children being adopted by foreigners. While we stayed at the House of Hope, we would leave <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Meron</span></span> with her nannies when we had to go somewhere and they had a driver that helped get us around. At the guest house we would have to leave her with nannies she didn't know, and we didn't want to do that to her after having just gone through getting to know us. We also didn't think we would have any transportation. So with that knowledge we thought our last few days would be spent sitting in the guest house, and we thought we might as well come home early if we weren't going to have the opportunity to see more of Ethiopia. Since we have been home we have found out that we could have taken <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Meron</span></span> with us places and the guest home had a driver we could have hired. Oh well, the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">experiences</span> we had were priceless and maybe someday we will be able to take <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Meron</span></span> to see the wonderful country she came from.<br /><br /><br /><br />Before we headed back home, we had a full day ahead of us. In the morning, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">Tsegay's</span></span> wife took us shopping for souvenirs. We were able to by some wonderful souvenirs to give to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">Meron</span></span> through the years as well as some beautiful items to give to her siblings to help remind them of her culture. I wish I would have thought to take some pictures while we were out and about that morning, but I think I was still a little out of it from the day before.<br /><br /><br /><br />Later that afternoon we had the opportunity to go see <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">Meron's</span></span> orphanage where she spent the first five months of her life before she went to the transition home. It was an absolutely priceless opportunity. It's hard to describe the emotions. The pictures tell a lot.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/Sed2WR3Tv7I/AAAAAAAAAJU/OhA2u1kSdmo/s1600-h/Ethiopia+138.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325355209513484210" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 319px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 232px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/Sed2WR3Tv7I/AAAAAAAAAJU/OhA2u1kSdmo/s320/Ethiopia+138.jpg" border="0" /></a> This is a courtyard area when you first come into the orphanage.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/Sed1moopT8I/AAAAAAAAAJM/k9EJIuAw15U/s1600-h/Ethiopia+145.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325354390992277442" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 338px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 259px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/Sed1moopT8I/AAAAAAAAAJM/k9EJIuAw15U/s320/Ethiopia+145.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/Sed1J3IQMZI/AAAAAAAAAJE/169KR47V7No/s1600-h/Ethiopia+139.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325353896666739090" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 254px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/Sed1J3IQMZI/AAAAAAAAAJE/169KR47V7No/s320/Ethiopia+139.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div><br /> </div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325353562399325874" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 335px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 251px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/Sed02Z4sPrI/AAAAAAAAAI8/74U4-ivvK48/s320/Ethiopia+137.jpg" border="0" /> This wooden pen area had rabbits in it, we thought they might be pets, but when we saw a rabbit skin hanging from a tree we realized that they were for food.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/Sed0gsmMNrI/AAAAAAAAAI0/H8y9y5mNIQ0/s1600-h/Ethiopia+140.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325353189464880818" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/Sed0gsmMNrI/AAAAAAAAAI0/H8y9y5mNIQ0/s320/Ethiopia+140.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/Sed0RIQh5PI/AAAAAAAAAIs/wyX2VGUlTo8/s1600-h/Ethiopia+143.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325352922012312818" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/Sed0RIQh5PI/AAAAAAAAAIs/wyX2VGUlTo8/s320/Ethiopia+143.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/Sed0AT1UdRI/AAAAAAAAAIk/tK544zsMspg/s1600-h/Ethiopia+144.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325352633061635346" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/Sed0AT1UdRI/AAAAAAAAAIk/tK544zsMspg/s320/Ethiopia+144.jpg" border="0" /></a> This sweet girl is standing in front of one of the rooms. Most of the other older children were at school while we were there. It would have been hard to see all of the older children there because unlike the House of Hope, the children here are not matched up and waiting for their families. Unfortunately, only a small number of the older children will probably be adopted.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/Sedzuib2nHI/AAAAAAAAAIc/d1Jj9O8774w/s1600-h/Ethiopia+142.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325352327743708274" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/Sedzuib2nHI/AAAAAAAAAIc/d1Jj9O8774w/s320/Ethiopia+142.jpg" border="0" /></a> This is the nurse. She is standing in one of the baby rooms. They have small cribs wall to wall with two babies in every crib. It is overwhelming to see the need there. The orphanage workers are wonderful people who love these children and give it their all to care for them, but the need and the number of children leave little time except for basic care such as feeding and changing.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/SedzcRv-M4I/AAAAAAAAAIU/OhmcIuTJTiE/s1600-h/Ethiopia+147.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325352014027043714" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/SedzcRv-M4I/AAAAAAAAAIU/OhmcIuTJTiE/s320/Ethiopia+147.jpg" border="0" /></a> These women are washing laundry and diapers at the orphanage. The conditions are rough and the work endless, yet they were smiling all the while.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/SedzNe0cVfI/AAAAAAAAAIM/dghcT493LiQ/s1600-h/Ethiopia+148.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325351759837418994" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/SedzNe0cVfI/AAAAAAAAAIM/dghcT493LiQ/s320/Ethiopia+148.jpg" border="0" /></a> These young women got a kick out of getting their picture taken and seeing themselves on the digital screen.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div>After dinner that night it was time to say goodbye to all of the amazing people we had met throughout the week, and who played such a huge part in caring for <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">Meron</span> and helping us make her a part of our family.</div><br /><div>We then headed to the airport to start the long trip home.</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Our Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17837035097067639534noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3179422276855053801.post-39013428429606813382009-04-14T13:34:00.006-05:002009-04-14T13:55:49.910-05:00Journey to EthiopiaHere are some random photos from our trip.<br /><br /><br /> <br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/SeTZcbBS_fI/AAAAAAAAAIE/SNM7ecYFYAM/s1600-h/Ethiopia+152.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324619741771529714" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/SeTZcbBS_fI/AAAAAAAAAIE/SNM7ecYFYAM/s320/Ethiopia+152.jpg" border="0" /></a> Hanging out at the House of Hope. She's still<br /> trying to figure out what's happened in the last<br /> couple of days.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/SeTZAcQ4EnI/AAAAAAAAAH8/ZB1WNiKV42s/s1600-h/Ethiopia+132.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324619261068972658" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/SeTZAcQ4EnI/AAAAAAAAAH8/ZB1WNiKV42s/s320/Ethiopia+132.jpg" border="0" /></a> The blue buses are taxis. Our driver called them</div><div> "blue devils", driving in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Addis</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Ababa</span> is like organized </div><div> <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">chaos</span>. I wish I would have gotten a picture out the front</div><div> window to tell the story better. Cars drive within inches</div><div> of each other and the lines on the road, if there are any, </div><div> are just taken as a general guideline.<br /><br /></div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/SeTYoV3TQHI/AAAAAAAAAH0/4qsy9NP92SY/s1600-h/Ethiopia+013.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324618847034228850" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/SeTYoV3TQHI/AAAAAAAAAH0/4qsy9NP92SY/s320/Ethiopia+013.jpg" border="0" /></a> A modern building in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Addis</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Ababa</span>.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/SeTYaZSkGQI/AAAAAAAAAHs/DHGYqlZDmqU/s1600-h/Ethiopia+081.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324618607435716866" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/SeTYaZSkGQI/AAAAAAAAAHs/DHGYqlZDmqU/s320/Ethiopia+081.jpg" border="0" /></a> It is not uncommon for cattle, goats etc. to be grazing </div><div> alongside the road in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Addis</span>, or just walking down </div><div> the street.<br /><br /></div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/SeTXsa01HfI/AAAAAAAAAHk/RTXvmnJU_gw/s1600-h/Ethiopia+033.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324617817573891570" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/SeTXsa01HfI/AAAAAAAAAHk/RTXvmnJU_gw/s320/Ethiopia+033.jpg" border="0" /></a> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Meron</span> sleeping in her crib at the House of Hope.<br /><div> </div></div></div>Our Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17837035097067639534noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3179422276855053801.post-75862756724715483222009-03-25T10:31:00.010-05:002009-04-14T13:33:17.615-05:00<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/SeTRUkED8oI/AAAAAAAAAHc/X_DDR20wBjQ/s1600-h/Ethiopia+095.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324610810667070082" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/SeTRUkED8oI/AAAAAAAAAHc/X_DDR20wBjQ/s320/Ethiopia+095.jpg" border="0" /></a> This is a view of the Ethiopian countryside. <br /> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Addis</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Ababa</span> is in a high elevation area of Ethiopia <br /> and the mountains are beautiful.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/SeTQv5tWL-I/AAAAAAAAAHU/vAx5di1RpSc/s1600-h/Ethiopia+090.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324610180822216674" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/SeTQv5tWL-I/AAAAAAAAAHU/vAx5di1RpSc/s320/Ethiopia+090.jpg" border="0" /></a> On the other side of the cars is an area where they </div><div> had their <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">millennium</span> celebration last year. They</div><div> celebrated the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">millennium</span> in September of our </div><div> 2008. We follow the Gregorian calendar and Ethiopia</div><div> follows the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Ge'es</span> calendar of 13 months. They have 12</div><div> months of 30 days and 1 month of 6 days. It's hard to </div><div> see but there is a large sign of lights right beyond the car </div><div> that says 2000.<br /><br /></div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/SeTP7Qyf6wI/AAAAAAAAAHM/bdtlmLXTtE0/s1600-h/Ethiopia+123.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324609276484774658" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/SeTP7Qyf6wI/AAAAAAAAAHM/bdtlmLXTtE0/s320/Ethiopia+123.jpg" border="0" /></a> This is the lion of Judah. The lion is represented in </div><div> many places in Ethiopia.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/SeTPmPvuZ7I/AAAAAAAAAHE/WlLTPTrtJ6s/s1600-h/Ethiopia+119.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324608915427452850" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/SeTPmPvuZ7I/AAAAAAAAAHE/WlLTPTrtJ6s/s320/Ethiopia+119.jpg" border="0" /></a> This is a woman carrying a large bundle of wood or</div><div> something along the mountainside road. Many women</div><div> do this job everyday. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Ephrim</span> told us that Ethiopian</div><div> women are very strong, most of these women are very</div><div> old and they go up and down this mountain everyday doing </div><div> this hard physical labor.<br /><br /></div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/SeTPUgV_sLI/AAAAAAAAAG8/rln1Y3u11UE/s1600-h/Ethiopia+110.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324608610645291186" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/SeTPUgV_sLI/AAAAAAAAAG8/rln1Y3u11UE/s320/Ethiopia+110.jpg" border="0" /></a> This is a former king's house.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/SeTO7f6oolI/AAAAAAAAAG0/_8v5-jHpWc4/s1600-h/Ethiopia+101.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324608181033804370" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/SeTO7f6oolI/AAAAAAAAAG0/_8v5-jHpWc4/s320/Ethiopia+101.jpg" border="0" /></a> This is another view of the Ethiopian countryside.<br /><br /><div>Day 5</div><div>Thursday Dec. 18<br /><br /></div><div>This was Embassy day! Other than meeting <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Meron</span>, this was the most important part of our trip for the adoption. It is an interview at the U.S. Embassy in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Addis</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Ababa</span> to ensure that we are indeed <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Meron's</span> adoptive parents, that she was legally an orphan and to start the process for her to get a travel visa. Unfortunately, nature was against me starting the night before. Wednesday night I woke up with wrenching stomach pain which soon turned into double-ended <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">unpleasentries</span> I won't go into detail about. I was so careful with what I ate and drank, I thought for sure I would avoid contracting any kind of sickness from the food or water. We even used bottled water to brush our teeth. The only thing I can think of is that maybe I could have gotten something from our eating utensils, because the plates, glasses and silverware were washed in regular water. Anyhow, I started popping <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">pepto</span> pills hoping to start feeling human again before our visa appointment. We had taken a prescription with us for this kind of sickness, but the day before we left I read about another family that had traveled before us and the husband had gotten sick and had a terrible reaction to the medication. He ended up in the hospital because of the antibiotic. So, the thought of having a reaction and being hospitalized there freaked me out. That was a big mistake, I should have started the prescription as soon as I got sick, but I continued with the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">pepto</span> which did nothing. Noon came and it was time to go to the Embassy. Rescheduling or missing your <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">appt</span>. is not an option. I felt terrible, the car ride to the Embassy felt like an eternity. We finally arrived and stood in a short line to go through security, all the while with my sickness bag in hand. I probably looked like quite the picture, pale-faced and all hunched over holding my stomach. After a short time, we got through security and they took us to another building to wait to be called for our interview. We went upstairs to a small, hot, overcrowded room and sat down. It was only a matter of minutes and I needed a bathroom fast! Upon asking <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">Tsegay</span> were the ladies room was, he informed me that the only one was back in the other building! So the next hour entailed of going back and forth between <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">buildings</span> until we were called for our interview. Finally it was our turn, and we were called up to a window like a bank tellers and asked to raise our right hand and say an oath, although I couldn't say what it was because all I was concentrating on was not throwing up on the Embassy official. I'm assuming I must have looked pretty terrible because upon finishing the oath, the official told me I could go and Brandt could finish everything else. Needless to say I immediately started the prescription, because at that point I couldn't imagine that any reaction I had could feel any worse. The rest of that day and night are kind of a blur for me, I spent most of it in bed and the bathroom. Brandt was amazing through it all. He completely took care of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">Meron</span> and all our paperwork that day. I also forgot to mention that <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">Meron</span> had SEVERE <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">diarrhea</span> and was going through entire outfits every hour and Brandt was a trooper through it all. Unfortunately, I was feeling pretty miserable and didn't think to take pictures of anything that day.<br /></div><div>Earlier in the day, before our <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">appt</span>. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">Ephrim</span> took Brandt out of the city so he could see some of the countryside. I wish I could have been there, it seemed pretty amazing. He was able to get some pretty amazing pictures though.<br /></div></div></div></div>Our Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17837035097067639534noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3179422276855053801.post-29944829016559020082009-03-11T13:22:00.012-05:002009-03-25T10:28:14.948-05:00Journey to Ethiopia<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312004766193251058" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 220px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 171px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/SbgIMM4hcvI/AAAAAAAAAGM/KRaSFCcpNes/s320/Ethiopia+055.jpg" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312004400192816482" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 204px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 180px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/SbgH25bOBWI/AAAAAAAAAGE/LXPpvyZ1zOk/s320/Ethiopia+051.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312004128417894834" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 226px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 176px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/SbgHnE_B0bI/AAAAAAAAAF8/bUXb7EXtggk/s320/Ethiopia+053.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><div>Day 4<br /><div><div><div>Wednesday, Dec.17</div><div> </div><br /><div>This was our first full day in Ethiopia. After breakfast, Ephrim took Brandt and I and Amy and Jennifer to Lion Zoo. It was a small zoo, about the size of a park, but we were able to get extremely close to the lions. A chainlink fence was about a foot out from their steal bars and that was it. I suppose if you were crazy enough to try you could reach out and touch them. It was kind of funny to see rabbits at the zoo. They also had monkeys, some in cages and wild ones on the outside. The wild ones hung around the outside of the cages visiting their buddies. </div><div><br /><br /> </div><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312003874862756658" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/SbgHYUaxczI/AAAAAAAAAF0/sJhVEklbFSI/s320/Ethiopia+045.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312003613888898114" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/SbgHJINwZEI/AAAAAAAAAFs/_yeJ0c51JWg/s320/Ethiopia+046.jpg" border="0" /></div><br /><div><br /> </div><div>After the zoo, Ephrim took us to the national museum. It was very interesting. We had a great guide who was able to share a lot of cultural information with us. He did drag things on a bit long in the evolution section, and lost us with a lot of details, but the rest of the tour was spectacular. We were able to learn about some of the different tribes in Africa, as well as see ancient artifacts. There was also a section full of crowns, robes and furniture from past kings and queens. There is a lot of history of Meron's country that we didn't know about.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312005166642769154" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 215px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 153px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/SbgIjgrILQI/AAAAAAAAAGU/EM0NkVmPDIY/s320/Ethiopia+066.jpg" border="0" /></div><br /><div>ancient dice<br /></div><br /><div><br /></div><br /><div>After the museum, we went back to the House of Hope and spent time with Meron. Tsegay also gave us a tour of the House of Hope and we were able to take some pictures because the children were napping. We were not allowed to take pictures with other children in them because they were matched up with other families and we didn't have their permission. We would have liked to take pictures of the other children Meron was there with for her to have someday, but we were at least able to exchange photos with the two other families that were there when we were.</div><br /><div> </div></div></div></div></div>Our Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17837035097067639534noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3179422276855053801.post-34503549268773397412009-03-04T11:45:00.009-06:002009-03-25T10:30:43.390-05:00Journey to Ethiopiaplaying with dad<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/Sbxd1v99OXI/AAAAAAAAAGs/BPU41OghsAQ/s1600-h/Ethiopia_019.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313224838381123954" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/Sbxd1v99OXI/AAAAAAAAAGs/BPU41OghsAQ/s320/Ethiopia_019.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/Sbxc-Brm3_I/AAAAAAAAAGk/J9UVA7Aa0fY/s1600-h/Ethiopia_151.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313223881063325682" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/Sbxc-Brm3_I/AAAAAAAAAGk/J9UVA7Aa0fY/s320/Ethiopia_151.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />Meron's day nannies<br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/SbxcHHPvuwI/AAAAAAAAAGc/r_OchlHmC4E/s1600-h/Ethiopia_027.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313222937664273154" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/SbxcHHPvuwI/AAAAAAAAAGc/r_OchlHmC4E/s320/Ethiopia_027.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />Meron's night nanny (she had a special bond with her)<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/SbgBI0GukxI/AAAAAAAAAFk/ymON6i3uFZI/s1600-h/Ethiopia+158.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311997011420943122" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/SbgBI0GukxI/AAAAAAAAAFk/ymON6i3uFZI/s320/Ethiopia+158.jpg" border="0" /></a> This is Tsegay, who represented us in court.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/SbgAsgAbujI/AAAAAAAAAFc/SgLiIOLQn9Q/s1600-h/Ethiopia+086.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311996524989495858" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/SbgAsgAbujI/AAAAAAAAAFc/SgLiIOLQn9Q/s320/Ethiopia+086.jpg" border="0" /></a> This is Selay, our amazing cook, roasting beans for coffee.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309391023378292354" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 352px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/Sa6_AWIcXoI/AAAAAAAAAEE/cFCv2_Z2OeM/s320/Ethiopia+088.jpg" border="0" /> courtyard at house of hope<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309759557708961986" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 8px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 6px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/SbAOL3f6WMI/AAAAAAAAAE8/RAlTzPdbiNQ/s320/Ethiopia+151.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309759767626007810" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 1px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 18px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/SbAOYFgCRQI/AAAAAAAAAFE/4TU4_4pRJ_w/s320/Ethiopia+027.jpg" border="0" /></div><div></div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309758742992895362" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/SbANcccdvYI/AAAAAAAAAE0/wspd76sG0tU/s320/Ethiopia+134.jpg" border="0" /> </div><div>Meron's nursery at house of hope transition home.</div><div></div><div></div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309758246201274530" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/SbAM_hwHMKI/AAAAAAAAAEs/l5zVNPsmdMU/s320/Ethiopia+031.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309758051390037794" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/SbAM0MBfnyI/AAAAAAAAAEk/9MiQak_VglM/s320/Ethiopia+030.jpg" border="0" /> This was our room at the transition home with Meron.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309757558887018834" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 1px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 5px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/SbAMXhTn8VI/AAAAAAAAAEU/sAQQStzU4Mo/s320/Ethiopia+019.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309757806508415858" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/SbAMl7xKm3I/AAAAAAAAAEc/PC0jh2fH8X8/s320/Ethiopia+025.jpg" border="0" /> Playing with Meron our first day together.<br /></div><div></div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309390766958520802" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/Sa6-xa5NKeI/AAAAAAAAAD8/-WTJ1knqGwg/s320/Ethiopia+087.jpg" border="0" /></div>The other part of the courtyard at house of hope.<br /><br /><div><div><div><div><div> </div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Our Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17837035097067639534noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3179422276855053801.post-9104956725629252852009-02-17T10:13:00.001-06:002009-03-04T10:55:55.955-06:00Journey to Ethiopia<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/SZxbACNYhdI/AAAAAAAAADk/UlVKoSU4-cc/s1600-h/Ethiopia+018.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304214517286733266" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/SZxbACNYhdI/AAAAAAAAADk/UlVKoSU4-cc/s320/Ethiopia+018.jpg" border="0" /></a> Meeting <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Meron</span> at the House of Hope<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/SZxav4_3F6I/AAAAAAAAADc/pbk5NiE65J8/s1600-h/Ethiopia+016.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304214239936190370" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/SZxav4_3F6I/AAAAAAAAADc/pbk5NiE65J8/s320/Ethiopia+016.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/SZxaay3DndI/AAAAAAAAADU/158iG65Adcg/s1600-h/Ethiopia+014.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304213877511396818" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/SZxaay3DndI/AAAAAAAAADU/158iG65Adcg/s320/Ethiopia+014.jpg" border="0" /></a> One of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Meron's</span> nannies<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/SZxZmZI5ycI/AAAAAAAAADE/VguFTtlXPJU/s1600-h/Ethiopia+088.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304212977253730754" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 367px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/SZxZmZI5ycI/AAAAAAAAADE/VguFTtlXPJU/s320/Ethiopia+088.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div> </div><div>House of Hope in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Addis</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Ababa</span></div><div><br /><br />Day 3<br /></div><div>Tuesday, December 16<br /><br /></div><div>Around 11:30 Ethiopia time we arrive at the House of Hope, which is the transition home <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Meron</span> had been staying at since her referral in October. When we arrived we met <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Tsegay</span>, who is our in country representative. He represented us in court and handled all of our paperwork. We were brought into a sitting area and waited to meet <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Meron</span>. Words cannot even express the excitement and anticipation we were feeling right then. After about fifteen minutes, one of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Meron's</span> nannies brought her in to meet us. She was so beautiful. We had studied her picture for months and couldn't believe we were actually looking at her face to face. Her nanny handed her to me and immediately she started wailing. I wanted to be able to comfort her but she had no idea who I was. After holding her for a couple of minutes I handed off to dad, and she continued to wail. Thank goodness we had prepared ourselves for this, and it was a small comfort at the time to remember that we were told that it was a good thing if she cried and didn't want anything to do with us at first because it showed that she was attached to her nannies and in time would be able to attach to and bond with us. Eventually we were able to distract her with toys and she would calm down a bit, until she looked at us then she would cry again.<br /></div><div>A short while later, it was time for lunch. Although eating was the last thing on our minds right then. It is tradition to all sit down together and have lunch. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Selay</span>, the cook, prepared us a wonderful lunch of fried vegetables, beef with Ethiopian spices and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">injera</span> (traditional Ethiopian <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">flatbread</span>). Throughout lunch, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Meron</span> would play with her toys then look at us and cry until we distracted her with a toy again. We had lunch with <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Tsegay</span> and Amy and Jennifer. Amy had just met her daughter a couple of hours earlier, and Jennifer, her sister, came to Ethiopia with her. It was a little awkward at first because we had just met all of them and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">Meron</span> would cry and we didn't know how to sooth her. It all was a little overwhelming, but everyone was so kind and throughout our time there we were able to spend a lot of time with <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">Tsegay</span>, Amy and Jennifer and create great friendships. After lunch, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">Tsegay</span> took us to our room we would stay at for the week. We were very fortunate to be able to stay at the House of Hope because they can only <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">accommodate</span> two families at a time. Additional families have to stay at a hotel or guest house. The time we were able to spend with <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">Meron</span> experiencing her environment was priceless. It was also beneficial to her to be able to get used to us while still in her environment with people she knew. We were able to spend the afternoon in our guest room getting to know <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">Meron</span> and relaxing. By later that afternoon, dad was able to get her first smile.:) <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">Meron</span> transitioned to us very well over the next few days.<br /></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div>Our Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17837035097067639534noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3179422276855053801.post-4210936716719070472009-02-05T12:54:00.000-06:002009-02-17T10:13:02.185-06:00Journey to Ethiopia<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/SZrf-pnKBAI/AAAAAAAAAC8/wiBoIHfzd7Q/s1600-h/Ethiopia+082.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303797778597151746" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/SZrf-pnKBAI/AAAAAAAAAC8/wiBoIHfzd7Q/s320/Ethiopia+082.jpg" border="0" /></a> We saw these cute boys near the House of Hope<br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/SZrdzxkduBI/AAAAAAAAAC0/xrNzpfbRkHE/s1600-h/Ethiopia+080.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303795392731527186" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/SZrdzxkduBI/AAAAAAAAAC0/xrNzpfbRkHE/s320/Ethiopia+080.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/SZrdSW5jCDI/AAAAAAAAACs/aN49oS6CSYU/s1600-h/Ethiopia+083.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303794818636515378" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 238px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/SZrdSW5jCDI/AAAAAAAAACs/aN49oS6CSYU/s320/Ethiopia+083.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div> </div><div><br /> </div><br /><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div>Cattle in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Addis</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Ababa</span> Our driver, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Ephrim</span></div><div> </div><div> </div><div>Day 3</div><div>Tuesday Dec. 16</div><span style="font-size:+0;"></span><br /><br /><br /><div>As we fly into <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Addis</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Ababa</span> we are able to look out the window and get our first glimpse of Ethiopia. It is beautiful. It is very mountainous, which I didn't anticipate. It reminded us a lot of when we fly out west. We were also able to see the Nile River. Sometime in the late morning we land in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Addis</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Ababa</span>. Wow! What a good feeling to be on the ground again. Although we are exhausted and a little homesick, we are filled with anticipation, because <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Meron</span> is somewhere in this city! We just want to hurry up and go meet her, but we have to go through other steps first. After we get off the plane we make our way to the Visa office too get our temporary travel visas. This went relatively quickly, then we were off to exchange money. The lady who helped us was none too friendly or helpful, which didn't help, since we were already starting to feel a little overwhelmed and out of our element. Then we found our way to baggage claim, and much to our surprise and delight, all of our luggage was there. I forgot to mention that in D.C. we had to check all of our luggage, because Ethiopian air has tighter <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">regulations</span> on the size and weight of a carry-on than the other airlines. A couple who traveled a few weeks before us lost ALL of their luggage and spent their entire trip with just the clothes they were wearing. After we gathered our luggage we were shuffled toward the door. By now the language barrier is very evident and we were exhausted and feeling very overwhelmed and homesick, and that's when we saw a man with a bright <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">beaming</span> smile holding a picture of us. It was <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Ephrim</span>, our driver, and who also ended up being our link to Ethiopia for the rest of the week. Immediately, we felt at ease with him. He had such a great spirit and was just so much fun to talk with. He shared with us a lot about Ethiopia while we drove through <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Addis</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Ababa</span> on our way to the House of Hope where <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">Meron</span> was.</div><br /><br /><div></div></div></div>Our Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17837035097067639534noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3179422276855053801.post-21173224819050885832009-02-05T12:19:00.000-06:002009-02-05T12:53:36.277-06:00Journey to EthiopiaDay 2<br />Monday Dec. 15<br /><br />We wake early filled with anticipation. In less than 24 hours we will be holding <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Meron</span> in our arms! We have studied her picture and wondered about her for months now and we are so close to finally meeting her. We have a six o'clock flight to D.C., with a couple of hour layover then off to Ethiopia. The flight to D.C. was quick and uneventful. When we get to D.C. we headed to Ethiopian Air to check in for our flight. It was kind of exciting to finally get a glimpse of some Ethiopian people. A couple of older women were dressed in traditional Ethiopian clothing, which are like long dresses with several layers of shawls draped over them. It was also interesting to listen to them speak the language. We also got our first taste of the pace of their culture. All along this process our agency has stressed over and over that the Ethiopian pace of doing things is not at all like here in the U.S. They are very laid back and move at a much slower pace. They don't show urgency in anything, what is the hurry, things will eventually get done. So we were told to prepare ourselves to be patient and move at their pace while in their country. Which we did, so it was no surprise at how things were in the airport. Their system of checking people in, didn't seem to be a system at all, and there certainly was no urgency to get us all on the plane in any timely manner. Once the plane was boarded and we took off, it was a couple of hours later than scheduled. I don't say this out of disrespect, it was just interesting to see how differently they ran things, and I am glad that we were <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">forewarned</span> and prepared to take things as they came. No matter how slowly they came. :) Once we were in the air we settled in for the LONG flight. It was a fourteen hour flight from D.C. to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Addis</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Ababa</span>. We had an hour layover in Rome for refueling, but we didn't get to leave the plane. Plus it was 2 a.m. and pitch black outside, so we were in Rome but have no idea what it looks like. After nine hours on the plane we were hoping to catch a glimpse of some mountains or something. No such luck. So we were off again. It was hard to get settled in for another five hours, especially after watching the little t.v. screen show the plane creep across the Atlantic at an <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">unbelievably</span> slow pace for the last nine hours. But we were within five hours of finally being in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Meron's</span> country! We were seeing a light at the end of the tunnel and getting excited again.Our Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17837035097067639534noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3179422276855053801.post-10053271886993912972009-02-05T11:46:00.000-06:002009-02-05T12:18:35.012-06:00Journey to EthiopiaDay 1, Sunday Dec. 14<br /><br />What an overwhelming an exciting day. This was the day before we flew to Ethiopia. We started the day going to church together with the kids, which was such a comforting thing with all of the uncertainties we had of the week ahead. Then we came home to pack, yes we are one of those families that does <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">everything</span> at the last minute. :) No matter how many times I tell myself I'm going to prepare ahead of time it just doesn't seem to happen. So, we pack and unpack about five times trying to <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">eliminate</span> anything we don't really need. We were trying to keep it to three suitcases, one large one of donations for the orphanages and two small carry-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">ons</span> with our clothing and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Meron's</span> things. I didn't think it would be possible, but we made it. They were busting at the seems, but we were finally packed. Our biggest concern was our paperwork. We were terrified of forgetting one of our documents. We thought it wouldn't go well to show up at our Embassy appointment and realize we left the paperwork on the kitchen counter!<br />Around six that evening we loaded up the van and prepared to head to Indy to spend the night because we had a six a.m. flight. This was probably the single most difficult moment of this entire journey for us. To have to kiss the kids goodbye and know that in 24 hours we would be halfway across the world from them was one of the hardest things we've done. But we knew that God was watching over all of us and that everything would be o.k. So, we said goodbye and with tears in our eyes drove out of the neighborhood and headed to Indy. It's amazing how your whole heart can be in two places at once. On the one hand we couldn't bear to leave our children here, but on the other hand we knew our other precious child was waiting for us to bring her home. We truly relied on God's strength to keep us sane through all of this. Later that night we checked into our hotel and tried to get a good night's sleep for the long day ahead of us.Our Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17837035097067639534noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3179422276855053801.post-26788875067648522672009-02-05T11:34:00.000-06:002009-02-05T11:45:28.547-06:00Journey to Ethiopia<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/SYslkgtdt1I/AAAAAAAAACk/dPcVpPP8Q-o/s1600-h/Meron+009.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5299370695717664594" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/SYslkgtdt1I/AAAAAAAAACk/dPcVpPP8Q-o/s320/Meron+009.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Wow, it's hard to believe we've been home for over a month now. Time really flies when you get back into the swing of things. Meron has adjusted better than we could have ever hoped for. She is so happy and has such a bubbly personality. Ty, Lane and Shelby adore her and she's taken to them so well. It seems like she has always been a part of our family. </div><br /><div>I've wanted to share our trip and some photos, but it seems overwhelming to do it all at once so I'll break it down by days and post a little at a time. </div>Our Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17837035097067639534noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3179422276855053801.post-52172456589005354762008-12-23T11:52:00.000-06:002008-12-23T11:59:54.756-06:00MERON IS HERE!!!<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/SVEl81oubkI/AAAAAAAAACQ/vqEyN_symKs/s1600-h/casual+family.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5283045565002575426" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/SVEl81oubkI/AAAAAAAAACQ/vqEyN_symKs/s320/casual+family.jpg" border="0" /></a> We're home! One year and three months after starting this journey, all six Douglas' were together under one roof. We were able to finish our paperwork and get an earlier flight home. We got home around 6:30 Saturday night. It was fun to surprise the kids because they didn't know we were coming home early. All we can say at this point is praise God. We are so truly blessed. Our minds are still in a fog from the whirlwind, but what an amazing experience. Meron is absolutely perfect! She is so adorable and has a funny personality. We can't wait for you to meet her. She transitioned to us really well. She did cry a lot when she first met us, but that's because she was very attached to her nannies, which is a blessing. They truly loved her and she loved them. She had a very special bond with one in particular, and it was fun to watch them together. After our first day together, she was taking very well to both of us. By the end of our stay she could go back and forth between us and her nannies happily. What a humbling experience all this has been. It is very humbling to be in another culture where nothing is familiar, and we are the minority. To catch a glimpse of another part of our world that we share is such a priceless, unforgettable experience. We can't say enough about the Ethiopian people. They are absolutely amazing. They are very kind, happy people. Most of them have absolutely nothing, but would give you anything. And they're so joyous about life. We were fortunate to spend a lot of time with a few people there, and they shared with us their faith and how truly blessed they are by God. They walk very strongly in their faith and are thankful each day for things that we take for granted every day like our home, food, clothing, etc. We could go on all day but will cut it short. <br />Thank you very much for all of your prayers. We are thankful for family and friends like you. We couldn't have done it without all of you.<br />We've also attached a few pictures here for you to see.<br />Thanks again!<br />Brandt and Michelle ( and Meron )<br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/SVEl174s77I/AAAAAAAAACI/2_6eyjnMIrU/s1600-h/Meron+%26+Nanny.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5283045446421114802" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/SVEl174s77I/AAAAAAAAACI/2_6eyjnMIrU/s320/Meron+%26+Nanny.jpg" border="0" /></a> Wtih her nanny.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/SVElkclAMKI/AAAAAAAAACA/0t0vDLSBJhQ/s1600-h/Brandt+,+Michelle+%26+Meron.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5283045145959215266" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/SVElkclAMKI/AAAAAAAAACA/0t0vDLSBJhQ/s320/Brandt+,+Michelle+%26+Meron.jpg" border="0" /></a> In Ethiopia<br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div>Our Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17837035097067639534noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3179422276855053801.post-68614351686706606682008-12-17T15:07:00.000-06:002008-12-17T15:35:24.558-06:00NEWS FROM ETHIOPIA!<p><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;"><a href="http://www.mapsofworld.com/ethiopia/maps/ethiopia-map.jpg">Map of Ethiopia</a><br /></span><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;">Hello to everyone from Ethiopia! It is beautiful here! We made it here safe and met our beautiful daughter! She is more beautiful and perfect than we could have ever imagined. We feel truly blessed! The House of Hope where Meron has been living and where we are staying is so nice. We can tell that the kids are all very well taken care of and are shown lots of love by everyone. It is so nice to know that Meron has been so well taken care of. We can't wait to get her home and meet everyone. She is a special little girl and a true blessing. It is hard to e-mail and call the U.S. from here so this might be it until we get home. We will try again later though. Please keep us and the kids back home in your prayers.<br />Brandt and Michelle</span></p>Our Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17837035097067639534noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3179422276855053801.post-82030491059178664352008-12-15T17:49:00.000-06:002008-12-15T17:54:38.502-06:00PRAYER FOR THE KIDS<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/SUbtOkIGsZI/AAAAAAAAABg/jFsyI8_tZKY/s1600-h/Lane.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5280168447610106258" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/SUbtOkIGsZI/AAAAAAAAABg/jFsyI8_tZKY/s200/Lane.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/SUbthP7qOxI/AAAAAAAAABw/OcP-CquVmaw/s1600-h/ty.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5280168768606714642" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/SUbthP7qOxI/AAAAAAAAABw/OcP-CquVmaw/s200/ty.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5280168596817779330" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/SUbtXP9_GoI/AAAAAAAAABo/ECBPYRANj38/s200/Shelby+in+hat.jpg" border="0" /><strong><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;">Lane, Shelby, and Ty</span></strong></p><p><strong><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:130%;">Please keep the kids at home in your prayers as their parents travel to bring Meron home. Looking forward to Christmas Eve, when all will be together again!</span></strong><br /><br /><br /></p>Our Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17837035097067639534noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3179422276855053801.post-91186600528346793252008-12-11T16:29:00.000-06:002008-12-11T17:16:37.657-06:00GETTING MERON: UPDATE<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/SUGUnns9BhI/AAAAAAAAABY/mLy6c1Ob3pM/s1600-h/Meron+3.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5278663646648272402" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/SUGUnns9BhI/AAAAAAAAABY/mLy6c1Ob3pM/s400/Meron+3.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/SUGUi_hl1HI/AAAAAAAAABQ/yqv10RBSD5k/s1600-h/GetAttachment.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5278663567143720050" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/SUGUi_hl1HI/AAAAAAAAABQ/yqv10RBSD5k/s400/GetAttachment.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;"> Hi everyone,<br />What a week it has been! First we want to thank all of you for your prayers and words of support, we really appreciate it. We appreciate your e-mails too, you have all been so supportive and encouraging. We found out today that we are going to be able to go get Meron next week!! It has been a roller coaster few days. Last Thursday, our agency called and told us that they were trying to expedite our papers for the visa appt. so we could travel early and be home for Christmas. That was an incredible surprise! We were told we would know for sure on Monday, but then on Monday we were told we would know on Tuesday. Then on Tuesday we were told that we wouldn't have a definite answer until Thursday or Friday, because they were waiting on the final papers for Meron's passport to go through. They told us it was still a possibility to go next week, but to plan on going over Christmas. So today we didn't expect to hear anything and were preparing ourselves just to go in two weeks when we got the word that everything was all set and we get to go next week. (Hopefully we will keep our sanity through all of this!) Needless to say we are ecstatic ( if not a little panicked) and the kids are thrilled that we will be home for Christmas. We have been so greatly blessed. We fly out of Indianapolis Monday morning and arrive in Addis Ababa Tuesday morning. It will be a very long flight filled with anticipation! I guess it will give us some time to learn some Amharic phrases though. Hopefully we will meet Meron next Tuesday!! Our visa interview is on Thursday at the U.S. Embassy. Then her travel visa could be ready on Friday, but we have to stay through Monday because sometimes they aren't ready until Monday. We will start heading home on Tuesday and should arrive in Indianapolis on Christmas Eve. We hope to have the opportunity to send out an e-mail or two while we are in Ethiopia. We ask once again for your prayers for Meron, as this transition could be quite traumatic for her. She will be taken away from every security that she knows. We pray that she will quickly bond with us and feel safe and loved. Please also keep us in your prayers for safe travels (I'm not a huge fan of flying). And please keep Ty, Lane and Shelby in your prayers. Even though they are very excited, these next couple of weeks will be quite a roller coaster for them too.<br />Thanks again for all of your prayers.<br />Brandt and Michelle<br /></span><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/SUGUdSN13gI/AAAAAAAAABI/1qDMEutwSjc/s1600-h/image001.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5278663469081943554" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 281px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/SUGUdSN13gI/AAAAAAAAABI/1qDMEutwSjc/s400/image001.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div>Our Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17837035097067639534noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3179422276855053801.post-13433431358993093712008-12-09T18:34:00.000-06:002008-12-09T18:39:09.083-06:00FIRST PICTURE AND NEWS!<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/ST8Ov8vOCUI/AAAAAAAAAAM/Zn3GVJltQpo/s1600-h/Meron1%5B1%5D.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5277953505222330690" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yeX-YOv5D1Y/ST8Ov8vOCUI/AAAAAAAAAAM/Zn3GVJltQpo/s400/Meron1%5B1%5D.JPG" border="0" /></a> <strong><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;">We are overjoyed to announce that we passed court today and Meron Grace Douglas is officially our daughter! Thank you so much for your prayers and support, we are truly grateful to have sunch wonderful family and friends. The tentative date for our visa interview is on Christmas Eve. They will let us know more in about a week. Hopefully Meron will be in the arms of her parents for her first Christmas. We have attached a picture of Meron for those of you who have not see her yet. It's the picture we received with her referral. She was already named Meron when we got her referral. In Ethiopian it means Gift of God. We thought that was perfect. We couldn't wait to share the news! We will keep you updated as soon as we know more. Thanks again for your prayers.</span></strong><br /><div></div>Our Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17837035097067639534noreply@blogger.com