My journey to meet my son Lennox!
Lilypie Waiting to Adopt tickers
Monday, October 24, 2011
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Last day
Today was a very bitter sweet day. I filled out the visa paperwork for Lennox. It is Ethiopian law that the child's middlename be the fathers first name. Well since I am the mother and father poor Lennox gets Jessica as his middle name. First thing we will do when he gets to states is change his name!!!!! I hung out with Lennox for two hours this morning in the courtyard thinking about how amazing my time has been with him. I was geting ready to put him in his bed when the nanny handed me a bowl of white slime. I asked what to do with it and she said "feed him" GROSS!!!! Turns out it was mashed potatoes (yay right). He ate everything and slowly slipped into a food coma, so I went to put him in his bed and he starter to whimper. I quickly walked with Betty (directors wife) out of the compound. She made me lunch and we gossiped about life stuff all afternoon. We made our way back to the guest house around 1:30 and she insisted onhaving a traditional Ethiopian coffee ceramony. It was very neat to see the roasting of the beans, heating the water over coals, and popping the popcorn. It was all done right on the living room floor. I then went to my room after three cups of coffee and packed my things. I was told that we would be leaving in ten minutes. Immediate panic set in because I was not ready to say goodbye. Well not ready to say good ye in ten minutes. I walked into lennox's room and he was crying the most awful screech. I have only ever heard him whimper but this was a full blown crocodile tears. I heard the director yelling "we go now" I picked up Lennox in that moment and he was on fire. I told the nurse and nanny that he had a fever but they said he was fine he was just sad. I knew in my gut that something was wrong with my baby. I pleaded with them to give him something and they said he was fine. Again the director yelled. I hugged and kissed my baby for the last time in months knowing that I could not comfort him. He needed me and I couldn't do anything. Heartbroken yet again.
More later
Sorry for typos. On iPhone in airport!
Jessica
More later
Sorry for typos. On iPhone in airport!
Jessica
Monday, October 17, 2011
court...
Today was the day that I went to court to see if Ethiopia would approve my adoption. I woke up this morning feeling the same as every other morning here. I got dressed for court yet again and went down for breakfast. The director meet me at the table and he was on the phone almost the entire time. Him being on the phone is not abnormal but this is the first time I could hear him say certain words "American" "Court" "Jessica". This was the first time that I have seen the look of worry on his face and hear the anxiety in his voice. When he got off the phone I asked him if everything was okay and he said "This is African, we have much worries today". We drove to court and walked inside to a room that was about 20X20 with gray chairs bolted on all sides. The director and I were the first ones there so we sat down and waited. About 20 minutes later the entire room was packed with at least 50 people from all around the world. I asked the director if he knew why these people where here and he said they were all adopting. It was a great feeling to know that there were children going to be saved by these amazing strangers. I immediately felt a connection with them. There were American, Japanese, Australians, Canadians, and others all waiting in anticipation to see if our dreams were about to come true. So about 10 people walked in and out of the attached room within about 30 minutes. It was so quick and the people coming out looked shocked. I was afraid that court was being cancelled again. The door opened and I hear "Children Nation" announced. The director started to walk towards the door and I assumed that "Children Nation" was my case. I walked into a room that was 15X8 with a black metal desk at one end stacked with files and 3 gray chairs sitting about 10 feet away. The director told me to sit while he stood behind me. He talked to the young female judge in Amharic for about 30 seconds and then the tiniest sweetest voice in English said "Passport Please" I walked over and handed her my passport. She looked me right int he eyes with the most endearing look on her face and said...
"Please sit down so we can talk"
"Do you understand why you are here"
"yes"
"Do you have a child of your own?"
"no"
"Do you understand that you need to teach your child the Ethiopian culture?"
"yes"
"Have you spent time with Tekedalign?"
"yes"
"Do you want to adopt him?"
"yes"
"Do you understand that if I approve this adoption today that Tekedalign is legally yours and you can not under any circumstance give up your right to him?"
"yes I understand"
"You have a lot of work ahead of you. I approve your adoption, congratulations on your son"
"Thank you"
The door opened and the director and I walked out through the people waiting their turn. We got on the elevator and went down to the car. The director looked at me and said "Now you cry". My body was numb, i could not believe that 3 minutes in front of the judge was it. Lennox at that moment was mine. The entire ride home I listened to the director talk about how we just have to wait for the US Embassy to review the file and approve Lennox citizenship. So it is not over yet. I now have a son who is not allowed to come into the United States. The US Embassy is currently taking 8-12 weeks to review files and grant Visa and Passports.
We got back to the guest house and I went straight to see Lennox and he was sleeping so I just gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. I picked him up after his nap and we had the most amazing time. We sat on the floor and played while he showed me more of his sweet personality. He started to fall asleep around 6pm so I took him back to his bed so that they could feed him dinner. Tomorrow will be my last day with him for awhile but I feel at peace with that. I know I am going to miss him like crazy, but I need to get back to Kadin. The nannies here are amazing and I know that they will take great care of my son. MY SON!!! I can't wait to flood the blog with pictures of Lennox. Just a couple more days and his perfect little smile will be in your hearts forever.
more later
Jessica
"Please sit down so we can talk"
"Do you understand why you are here"
"yes"
"Do you have a child of your own?"
"no"
"Do you understand that you need to teach your child the Ethiopian culture?"
"yes"
"Have you spent time with Tekedalign?"
"yes"
"Do you want to adopt him?"
"yes"
"Do you understand that if I approve this adoption today that Tekedalign is legally yours and you can not under any circumstance give up your right to him?"
"yes I understand"
"You have a lot of work ahead of you. I approve your adoption, congratulations on your son"
"Thank you"
The door opened and the director and I walked out through the people waiting their turn. We got on the elevator and went down to the car. The director looked at me and said "Now you cry". My body was numb, i could not believe that 3 minutes in front of the judge was it. Lennox at that moment was mine. The entire ride home I listened to the director talk about how we just have to wait for the US Embassy to review the file and approve Lennox citizenship. So it is not over yet. I now have a son who is not allowed to come into the United States. The US Embassy is currently taking 8-12 weeks to review files and grant Visa and Passports.
We got back to the guest house and I went straight to see Lennox and he was sleeping so I just gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. I picked him up after his nap and we had the most amazing time. We sat on the floor and played while he showed me more of his sweet personality. He started to fall asleep around 6pm so I took him back to his bed so that they could feed him dinner. Tomorrow will be my last day with him for awhile but I feel at peace with that. I know I am going to miss him like crazy, but I need to get back to Kadin. The nannies here are amazing and I know that they will take great care of my son. MY SON!!! I can't wait to flood the blog with pictures of Lennox. Just a couple more days and his perfect little smile will be in your hearts forever.
more later
Jessica
Sunday, October 16, 2011
wow....
The past two days have been insane. Well actually the last 3 days. Friday night my dear friend Kelly who traveled with me went home as scheduled. It was very sad to see her leave but I was so grateful that I got to spend an amazing 4 days with her. She is a part of my life story now. Anytime I tell the story of my son I will say how she was at my side the entire time. How lucky am I to have such an amazing person in my life?
Saturday was like no other day I have ever experienced or imagined in my life. I woke up at 6am and went down for breakfast. The director and his wife joined me. After breakfast the director stated that he would let his wife be in charge of me. I went with her and her humanitarian group of Americans. We got on their bug and traveled to the largest market in the world. The only words I have are..... scary, mad house, rudeness, cheap, dirty, and amazing. I got really good deals on scarfs and toys for my boys but it was scary. I was literally being pulled in different directions by Ethiopian people trying to get me to buy their products. The individuals I was with that day are part of an organization called Hope Arising. they are doing amazing work in Ethiopia and I feel honored that I got to spend the day in their presence. We all went to dinner together and then dropped them off at the airport. I went back to the guest house tired, alone, and missing my sweet Kadin.
Today (Sunday) I woke up to a cold shower and a lonely spirit. I went to breakfast and the director greeted me with a smile and said "You miss English". I wanted to say no but I couldn't. I fought back the tears and said I just missed my family. He told me today would be a good day. Right after breakfast I went and got Lennox from his room. We went back to the guest house and he fell asleep on my chest. The director was right... Today was a good day. I held Lennox for 3 hours while he slept. I forgot for those 3 hours that I was away from my family, friends, and sweet boy Kadin. I was holding, loving, ,and comforting MY SON. Later that day the director picked me up for a traditional Ethiopian dinner. I told him that I wanted to say good night to Lennox first. I walked into the back courtyard and found out that they moved Lennox's bed to a new room. The sign above his new room says "Toddler boys". I absolutely lost it.... My sweet baby boy was not ready to be int he toddler room. He can't even sit up fully on his won and now he is being moved. I asked the director why he as moved and he took me to Lennox's old room. In his old bed was a 3 month old little girl who was 3 pounds. Her little legs where barely bigger than my fingers. She laid there as if she was dead. I saw her tiny chest moving and I reached out and held her hand. She opened her eyes and looked at me. She was so helpless an sick it broke my heart. All I know is that the police found her in the street and brought her to the transition home. They named her Helen. I immediately went back to see my healthy baby boys face and I stopped at the window. I looked in the window and Lennox saw me. He pulled himself up and smiled at me. It was the first time e was excited to see me, he knew that I was someone who will make him happy, comfort and protect him. It is a moment that I will remember and cherish forever. I just pray that Helen can find a family that will love and cherish every moment with her.
On the upside we finally made it to dinner and it was great. The food was kinda nasty but the experience was awesome. There was traditional Ethiopian dancing, coffee, popcorn, and beer. I can't wait to show the video to family, friends, and eventually Lennox. What an amazing 3 days.!!!
Wish me luck with court tomorrow
more later
Jessica
Saturday was like no other day I have ever experienced or imagined in my life. I woke up at 6am and went down for breakfast. The director and his wife joined me. After breakfast the director stated that he would let his wife be in charge of me. I went with her and her humanitarian group of Americans. We got on their bug and traveled to the largest market in the world. The only words I have are..... scary, mad house, rudeness, cheap, dirty, and amazing. I got really good deals on scarfs and toys for my boys but it was scary. I was literally being pulled in different directions by Ethiopian people trying to get me to buy their products. The individuals I was with that day are part of an organization called Hope Arising. they are doing amazing work in Ethiopia and I feel honored that I got to spend the day in their presence. We all went to dinner together and then dropped them off at the airport. I went back to the guest house tired, alone, and missing my sweet Kadin.
Today (Sunday) I woke up to a cold shower and a lonely spirit. I went to breakfast and the director greeted me with a smile and said "You miss English". I wanted to say no but I couldn't. I fought back the tears and said I just missed my family. He told me today would be a good day. Right after breakfast I went and got Lennox from his room. We went back to the guest house and he fell asleep on my chest. The director was right... Today was a good day. I held Lennox for 3 hours while he slept. I forgot for those 3 hours that I was away from my family, friends, and sweet boy Kadin. I was holding, loving, ,and comforting MY SON. Later that day the director picked me up for a traditional Ethiopian dinner. I told him that I wanted to say good night to Lennox first. I walked into the back courtyard and found out that they moved Lennox's bed to a new room. The sign above his new room says "Toddler boys". I absolutely lost it.... My sweet baby boy was not ready to be int he toddler room. He can't even sit up fully on his won and now he is being moved. I asked the director why he as moved and he took me to Lennox's old room. In his old bed was a 3 month old little girl who was 3 pounds. Her little legs where barely bigger than my fingers. She laid there as if she was dead. I saw her tiny chest moving and I reached out and held her hand. She opened her eyes and looked at me. She was so helpless an sick it broke my heart. All I know is that the police found her in the street and brought her to the transition home. They named her Helen. I immediately went back to see my healthy baby boys face and I stopped at the window. I looked in the window and Lennox saw me. He pulled himself up and smiled at me. It was the first time e was excited to see me, he knew that I was someone who will make him happy, comfort and protect him. It is a moment that I will remember and cherish forever. I just pray that Helen can find a family that will love and cherish every moment with her.
On the upside we finally made it to dinner and it was great. The food was kinda nasty but the experience was awesome. There was traditional Ethiopian dancing, coffee, popcorn, and beer. I can't wait to show the video to family, friends, and eventually Lennox. What an amazing 3 days.!!!
Wish me luck with court tomorrow
more later
Jessica
Thursday, October 13, 2011
"This is Africa"
So I went to court today and there was nobody there. My court case is rescheduled for November 8th which means I would have to come back in less than a month and stay for another entire week. I would love to spend time with Lennox, but I don't want to leave Kadin yet again for a week. The director guy here says that I can get squeezed into court on Monday. So he dropped me off at the Hilton here in Ethiopia and I changed my flight until Tuesday. It was cheaper to just change my flight and I will only have to be away from Kadin for 4 more days instead of 7. The entire situation is not great but the saying that I keep hearing it "This is Africa". I guess that means that things are unpredictable. So my friend Kelly is going to go home as schedule tomorrow and I will stay until Tuesday. I hope the judge really can squeeze me in on Monday and they don't just tell me "This is Africa" and send me home with no court hearing. Okay that is all for now. I am going to get off here and go get Lennox. I have not seen him all day bc of court/not court, flight rescheduling, coffee tasting, and shopping.
ps Please hope and pray that I don't here those dreaded words "Well this is Africa"!!!
more later
jessica
ps Please hope and pray that I don't here those dreaded words "Well this is Africa"!!!
more later
jessica
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Finally here
So I left Sunday to travel to Ethiopia to meet my son Lennox for the first time. Everything went great with the travel to washington and then here to Addis. Kelly and I had a few minor bumps in the road but we made it and that is all that matters. We have created many great memories of our travel here to Ethiopia that we will share with you in person.
Here come the great story. It first starts with me feeling sick on the airplane (14 hour flight). We make it save a man from the escalator, get our Visas, exchange money, get bags, and don't even get stopped by customs. Or we just misunderstood what they were saying and we walked right by the customs guy to our ride. On the van ride to the guest house we get pulled over for tinted windows and get a ticket. Yep a ticket for tinted windows!!! I got sick in the van and threw up twice. GROSS!! Finally at the guest house I sit on the couch and close my eyes praying the nausea will go away. I hear kelly saying "Who is that" then a lady say "mama". I open my eyes and there he is. LENNOX!!! I didn't even know he was on the property. He was placed in my lap and whimpered for about 2 seconds. I stood up with him and he has been smiling and laughing since. I played with him for about 4 hours the first day and almost all day today. He is such an amazing little boy. I will show you all the pictures soon and post about how amazing my son is.
There however is a bad part to this story. We got word today that the Ethiopian judges have training tomorrow and therefore my court appointment is getting pushed back until November (i think). I will find out more details tomorrow.
Back to the great news of my son. He is perfect is every possible way. He is very smart and loves to be in every ones business. We are constantly walking around, looking out the window, or sitting with the other children. He loves to have kisses on this cheeks and neck and just giggles the sweetest little noise ever. He has only been in girl clothes since I have been here so I am going shopping tomorrow to get my boy some real clothes. I am so very happy that I get to spend another 2 entire days with him. Ok I better get off here before the connection goes bad.
more later
jess
Here come the great story. It first starts with me feeling sick on the airplane (14 hour flight). We make it save a man from the escalator, get our Visas, exchange money, get bags, and don't even get stopped by customs. Or we just misunderstood what they were saying and we walked right by the customs guy to our ride. On the van ride to the guest house we get pulled over for tinted windows and get a ticket. Yep a ticket for tinted windows!!! I got sick in the van and threw up twice. GROSS!! Finally at the guest house I sit on the couch and close my eyes praying the nausea will go away. I hear kelly saying "Who is that" then a lady say "mama". I open my eyes and there he is. LENNOX!!! I didn't even know he was on the property. He was placed in my lap and whimpered for about 2 seconds. I stood up with him and he has been smiling and laughing since. I played with him for about 4 hours the first day and almost all day today. He is such an amazing little boy. I will show you all the pictures soon and post about how amazing my son is.
There however is a bad part to this story. We got word today that the Ethiopian judges have training tomorrow and therefore my court appointment is getting pushed back until November (i think). I will find out more details tomorrow.
Back to the great news of my son. He is perfect is every possible way. He is very smart and loves to be in every ones business. We are constantly walking around, looking out the window, or sitting with the other children. He loves to have kisses on this cheeks and neck and just giggles the sweetest little noise ever. He has only been in girl clothes since I have been here so I am going shopping tomorrow to get my boy some real clothes. I am so very happy that I get to spend another 2 entire days with him. Ok I better get off here before the connection goes bad.
more later
jess
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