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

"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

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

September update

I don't really have any news to share about the adoption since the last post.  I finally got my flight booked.  My friend Kelly and I will be in Ethiopia for 4 days.  We arrive on a Tuesday and leave on a Friday.  We are excited and nervous about our little adventure.  I also got new picture of Lennox last week.  He is growing so fast.  I can't wait to get him home so that I can see him grow everyday.  My court date is October 13th.  Once I pass court then the Ethiopian Government will submit paperwork for Lennox to get a visa to leave the country.  The Ethiopian Government will notify my adoption agency when Lennox's visa is ready.  I will then go back to Ethiopia to pick Lennox up and bring him home. 

more later
jessica

Court Date

I received an email from my adoption agency on Tuesday telling me that I have a court date.  They didn't even call I was so surprised when I opened my email and saw what it said.  I go to court in Ethiopia October 13th.  I have to be there no later than the morning of October 11th and can leave as early as the evening of October 14th.  I am going to try to stick to these dates the best that I can because I want to use as little vacation  time as possible.  I found out last week that I can only use my vacation time for the adoption and not my sick bank.  I only have 5 weeks vacation left this year.  I was planning on staying in Ethiopia to spend time with  Lennox for 7-10 day and then take 6-7 weeks off when I actually bring him home.  So now I am working with getting every done with only 5 weeks of vacation.  I can legally have 12 weeks of FMLA but adoptions only allow vacation to be used.  I would have to take a couple weeks without pay if I wanted to stay home the full 7 weeks.  Anyway back to the adoption news.  I am working with a travel agent now to figure out how to get to Ethiopia!!  I will keep everyone updated on this next exciting step. 

FYI.... The latest update on Lennox is great.  His lab work came back good, he does have pink eye right now though.  He also is not one of those little orphanage kids that many of you are picturing in you heads.  He is a healthy 20 pounds, 27 inches, and is 7 months old. He is going to be a big boy just like Kadin.

more later

jessica

What next?

So it has almost been 1 month since filling out my paper work for Lennox to become my son.  The court system in Ethiopia closes August 8th until mid September.  August 8th is rapidly approaching and therefore I believe I will be traveling in September or October.  The agency will let me know when Ethiopia has scheduled me a court date.  I will then call a travel agent and schedule my flight.  I will meet Lennox a couple days into the trip and then go to court to see the judge.  I will then be able to see Lennox a couple hours a day until I come back home.  The judge should tell my agency if I pass court or not.  The ministry of Womens Affairs (MOWA) has to put a letter in my file saying that they support the adoption.  This letter is taking the longest to get into my file because MOWA is not looking at as many cases as they used to.  I plan on staying in Ethiopia for 7-10 days in order to spend time with Lennox.  I will come home without Lennox and wait for the court system to get my paperwork ready and apply for a Visa for Lennox.  I hope to travel 2 months after the first visit to go pick up Lennox and bring him home.  As soon as I get my first court date I will let everyone know. 

more later
jessica

Referral Day for Lennox!!!

So today is the day that I got my referral for my baby.  For those of you who are unsure of what this mean, let me tell you.  I turned in my paper work about 6 1/2 months ago requesting a relatively healthy baby less than 18 months old.  Well I went to work this morning and received a phone call at 9:30am.  The conversation went like this. 
This is Jessica.
Jessica this is Claire from Children of All Nation.
NO!!
Jessica are you sitting down?
NO!!!
Jessica you need to sit down I have something important to tell you
You have to hold on.  (I run down the hall like a crazy person to get to a more private phone)
Okay it is Jessica again.
Are you sitting down now?
Yes I am, please tell me this is real?
Jessica I have a referral for a 6 month old little boy, he is healthy, his birthday is Jan 1, 2011, and he is so cute.
NO WAY!!!
Jessica I am going to email you his picture along with his information.
OK OK OK I am ready.


She continued to talk about the little history that the agency knows and I was shaking so hard I could barely write it all down.  My friend Kristin was sitting next to me the entire time crying.  And for those of you who know me, yes I did cry.  I was finally getting my baby.  I hung up with Claire and the minute went by so slow as I waited for the email that was going to show me my sweet baby's face.  I finally got online about 10 minute later and saw his handsome little face.  The entire world stopped as I got to look into his amazing big brown eyes.  He might be the only baby in Ethiopia with fat cheeks.  He is absolutely AMAZING!!!   So the big question of the day is "What happens next?".  Well I get to fill out more paper work and send it to Ethiopia.  Ethiopia then will set up a court date for me.  Once I have the court date I will get to travel and see his cute  little face in person.  I will only stay one week with him and then I will have to leave my son in the arms of the Nanny's at the orphanage.  I will then wait for court approval to go back to pick him up and bring him home.  I don't have an exact timeline, but cross your finger with me that it all happens this year.  I would love to have him home for his first birthday. 

I will update you more later

Jessica