I have been assured by a few people in my life that tomorrow is a lucky day, and right now I am okay with pure luck helping us through court. I am pretty sure our paperwork is in order, since I personally checked, re-checked, and re-re-checked it all. But, there is this period of time when it left my loving hands and was haphazardly tossed into a mail bin - then sent to government officials for authentication stamps, translated into Amharic, sat around some more, and only then finally took the long flight overseas. This is where it probably sat on someone’s paper-pileup, gathering coffee cup ring stains and random doodles from the desk’s occupant. I can only imagine the trip it has taken. And then there is Tesfanesh’s side of the paperwork… well, I can only hope that is all in order. Much to my obsessive-compulsive dismay, I had nothing to do with any of that. Must… try… to… give… up… control… of… everything… ! (Can you hear the pain in my voice?)
So, here is a list of reasons why tomorrow is a lucky day:
- It is my favorite aunt named Cindy’s birthday – happy birthday!
- Per my sister – it is the season premier of South Park. And doesn’t everyone think of Eric Cartman as a chubby, foul-mouthed good luck charm?
- It was this day in 1894 that Coca-Cola was first sold in bottles. Maybe we should all enjoy a cola tomorrow to appease the giant conglomerate soda gods - they may have an ‘in’ with the adoption gods.
- 1968, Mauritius achieved its’ independence. Though, to be honest, I didn’t dig any further into this fact to see exactly who they achieved independence from. But, I am sure this is a lucky omen. At least for the Mauritiusans.
- It is a Wednesday, and Wednesdays have always been lucky days for us in this process so far.
- It was this day in 1831 that Clement Studebaker was born. I don’t really know anything about Conestoga wagons, or the automobiles that were named after him after his death, but I do know he had a mansion named ‘Tippecanoe Place’, whose name makes me laugh. And laughing also assists in good court-day juju.
So, Ethiopia is eight hours ahead of us here in the Midwest, and although I don’t know what time our case will be heard, I am assuming it is in between the hours of 8am – 5pm. So that means sometime between midnight tonight and 9 am tomorrow the decision will have been made. We probably won’t find out until Thursday or Friday, because information seems to move at the pace of a snail, but at least we will know a decision is done. All we can do is sit, cross our fingers and toes, drink a Coke, and wait for our news. And we all know how good I’ve become at waiting…
To all whose court dates are also 3/12 – I’m sending BIG wishes your ways, too. Our kiddos have been in the Care Center long enough, it is time to bring them home.
Peace.
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Monday, March 10, 2008
They Like Me! They Really Like Me!
Or, at least they like Tes...
In the last few weeks, I have had the privilege to have had two fabulous showers thrown for us in honor of Tesfanesh's upcoming (hopefully soon) arrival.
Baby showers are always a blast, and I found this weekend that they are even more fun when you add pina coladas to the mix. My mom, on the other hand, started to look pretty sleepy after her second daiquiri...
It was fantastic to see family and friends, some who I haven't seen in seemingly ages (hi Carissa!). It also warms my heart to see how incredibly excited everyone is about my Tes, which makes this difficult wait to travel much more bearable.
Geez, and there is still one more shower to go!
Here are some pics - although I will not add anyone's picture to the blog without getting their permission beforehand and it is much too late to be calling people asking if I can post their smiling faces... so all you get is pics of me! Oh- and my sister, because I already know her answer is yes. And my mom, because she is adorable and I know she wouldn't care.
Shower #1 : Brad's Family
I believe I have a calling as the next Vana White.
A trike! So much safer than a motorcycle...
Shower #2 : My mom's family & my friends
Could these two be any more adorable?
An enormous thank you to Janice and Kay and Kim for shower #1, and to Lele and Kimby for #2. Love you all! (And a pre-thank you to the foursome who are planning #3!)
In the last few weeks, I have had the privilege to have had two fabulous showers thrown for us in honor of Tesfanesh's upcoming (hopefully soon) arrival.
Baby showers are always a blast, and I found this weekend that they are even more fun when you add pina coladas to the mix. My mom, on the other hand, started to look pretty sleepy after her second daiquiri...
It was fantastic to see family and friends, some who I haven't seen in seemingly ages (hi Carissa!). It also warms my heart to see how incredibly excited everyone is about my Tes, which makes this difficult wait to travel much more bearable.
Geez, and there is still one more shower to go!
Here are some pics - although I will not add anyone's picture to the blog without getting their permission beforehand and it is much too late to be calling people asking if I can post their smiling faces... so all you get is pics of me! Oh- and my sister, because I already know her answer is yes. And my mom, because she is adorable and I know she wouldn't care.
Shower #1 : Brad's Family
I believe I have a calling as the next Vana White.
A trike! So much safer than a motorcycle...
Shower #2 : My mom's family & my friends
Could these two be any more adorable?
An enormous thank you to Janice and Kay and Kim for shower #1, and to Lele and Kimby for #2. Love you all! (And a pre-thank you to the foursome who are planning #3!)
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
A Life Measured By Wednesdays
As I try to patiently wait for our court date, I realize a significant chunk of our adoption journey has revolved around waiting for and counting Wednesdays. I have hoped for and watched every Wednesday since October 3rd to come and go as quickly as possible, and each passing has checked off another week gone in our process.
A run down:
Wednesday, October 3rd : A very exciting day! This is the day we were officially stamped and approved by our agency and to the bottom of their list of prospective adoptive parents we were plopped. Brad and I had been basically working since our very first informational meeting on December 5th, 2006 to make it to this point (with a few detours along the way), because it was at this point that we really had the feeling that this adoption just may be actually happening with some assuredness.
16 (patience testing) Wednesdays later…
Wednesday, January 23rd : Honestly, one of the best days of my life so far. This is the day we had the honor of accepting our daughter Tesfanesh’s referral. We finally knew who are Little-One was; tearfully learned her story, took our first look at her adorable bitty face with the big bright eyes, and vowed to love her forever. We no longer had to guess who the perfect child for our family would be, her picture was staring at us from our computer screen, taken half way around the world.
7 Wednesdays later (and partially into the future)…
Wednesday, March 12th : Next week will be our day in court. Well, not us physically, but our file. My understanding is little Tes’ file will be put with our file, and brought before the Ethiopian courts. If all goes well, our daughter will be officially our daughter that day. Please keep your fingers and toes crossed!
Coincidentally, traveling families must be at the Care Center in Ethiopia on Thursdays, so we already know that when we finally get that long awaited phone call telling us we can go meet Tesfanesh, we will be leaving MN on a Wednesday. And yet another anxious hump day count-down will begin…
Thanks for making it 154 days, or 22 Wednesdays of waiting with us.
Peace.
A run down:
Wednesday, October 3rd : A very exciting day! This is the day we were officially stamped and approved by our agency and to the bottom of their list of prospective adoptive parents we were plopped. Brad and I had been basically working since our very first informational meeting on December 5th, 2006 to make it to this point (with a few detours along the way), because it was at this point that we really had the feeling that this adoption just may be actually happening with some assuredness.
16 (patience testing) Wednesdays later…
Wednesday, January 23rd : Honestly, one of the best days of my life so far. This is the day we had the honor of accepting our daughter Tesfanesh’s referral. We finally knew who are Little-One was; tearfully learned her story, took our first look at her adorable bitty face with the big bright eyes, and vowed to love her forever. We no longer had to guess who the perfect child for our family would be, her picture was staring at us from our computer screen, taken half way around the world.
7 Wednesdays later (and partially into the future)…
Wednesday, March 12th : Next week will be our day in court. Well, not us physically, but our file. My understanding is little Tes’ file will be put with our file, and brought before the Ethiopian courts. If all goes well, our daughter will be officially our daughter that day. Please keep your fingers and toes crossed!
Coincidentally, traveling families must be at the Care Center in Ethiopia on Thursdays, so we already know that when we finally get that long awaited phone call telling us we can go meet Tesfanesh, we will be leaving MN on a Wednesday. And yet another anxious hump day count-down will begin…
Thanks for making it 154 days, or 22 Wednesdays of waiting with us.
Peace.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Up to Speed
I hear ya’ people. I’ve been very uncommitted to the blog lately. I agree. Only posting updates when there is something really big (COURT DATE COURT DATE!), when honestly, I am sure everyone is at the edge of their seats to hear about my everyday mundane stuff, too. Right? Oh well, even if the answer was an astounding “NO!” I am here, and you are there, and quite frankly I can’t hear you. And it’s my blog! So, poo on you, and here is a run down of my mostly boring life since our referral:
What do you do the day you accept your referral, still jittery with nerves on how wonderfully blessed you are? Why, buy a toddler bed off Craig’s List, of course!
Along the idea of shopping, then there was registering. Spending time pouring over items, deciding which stroller Tesfanesh would look cuter riding in… Sounds like it should be fun, yes? Oh… six hours later, Brad, Kimby, and I were not thinking so. Do we need a baby gate for the top of the stairs? If so, the taller one, or the stronger one? Is bisphenol-A free really such a big deal? I mean, really, will this sippy cup make her sprout and extra head, or is it like the warnings on artificial sweetener packets, where it only causes cancer in laboratory rats in California? We did our homework on the car seat choices before we even got to the store, but still had to take a significant time to re-ponder. Booster seats with five point harnesses can go up to 100 pounds now… but will a fourth grader really want to still sit in a car seat? Really? We are very new to this whole parenting thing, and probably looked pretty lost. Besides the fact that we confused the lady when we registered at the store whose logo is the big red bulls-eye, in that we were already wearing wedding rings, but were obviously (at least I hope obviously…) not pregnant. Then at store number two, the one with the crooked ‘R’ that caters to babies, there was at least a box to check ‘we are adopting’, but they still provided me with a complimentary box with a newborn diaper, a pad for sore breasts, and a pacifier. Seriously, why ask then? Perhaps because, man, this immigration paperwork is sure making my breasts sore? Perhaps that is what they were thinking?
Okay, I didn’t mean to ramble that long just about registering. It really wasn’t that eventful. I don’t even have a picture to share chronicling the event. So, onward we go…
I turned 30! That means I had a fantabulous surprise birthday party thrown for me by the best husband & sister around, and received a very moving gift from my hubby. But, that also means I am no longer 20-something. Yes, I have grey hairs and lines around my eyes. Let’s move on.
We shopped! My sister (a.k.a. Auntie Kimmy who has promised to not play inappropriate music around Little-One’s ears, keep her apartments smoke free, and not let her devil cat eat my child) went shopping at a kid’s used clothing store. We weren’t totally sure what sizes to buy, but we both walked out with shopping bags, so we must have made some decisions! I then washed and dried all the clothes we have for her, and even ironed them. And then took a picture. Even though Kimby said it was dumb. Did it anyway! And now I am posting it.
Broke my car on that trip. Busted a hole in my radiator. All the coolant leaked out all over said store’s parking lot, I am sure. But we didn’t notice. Until the idiot light starting flashing. Freaked out. Made it home, but made an even larger mess of more coolant and transmission fluid all over the garage floor. Crappy times. Let’s not reminisce. Moving on…
We sent a present to Tes! Our motorcycle mama friend Gloria was kind enough to embroider Tesfanesh’s name on a blanket we bought, plus we wanted to send a toy. Couldn’t decide between the pony and the doll, so we bought both. And I made a photo album for her, with our pictures in it, labeled ‘mom’ and ‘dad’ in both English and Amharic. Not that she can read, but the nannies can read it to her. We also added a picture of herself, because, really, what kid doesn’t like pictures of themselves? And one of the house, and two of her new bedroom, all labeled in both languages. Ahh… the wonders of the internet. How did I find anything before you? And a few of Fischer, of course. One of the Fischer pictures shows us holding him, smiling big smiles, showing that he is oh-so-nice, and nothing to be scared of. Hopefully our tactic works.
Hmmm… I think that should bring everyone up to speed on the life and times of our household. Although, I would like to take a brief moment to thank everyone who has wished my mom well, and for a speedy recovery. That too has consumed much of my time as of late, but is of course well worth it. She is doing better, and starting to look happier than I have seen her in awhile. Continue to hope with me that she gets stronger and happier each day.
Peace!
What do you do the day you accept your referral, still jittery with nerves on how wonderfully blessed you are? Why, buy a toddler bed off Craig’s List, of course!
Along the idea of shopping, then there was registering. Spending time pouring over items, deciding which stroller Tesfanesh would look cuter riding in… Sounds like it should be fun, yes? Oh… six hours later, Brad, Kimby, and I were not thinking so. Do we need a baby gate for the top of the stairs? If so, the taller one, or the stronger one? Is bisphenol-A free really such a big deal? I mean, really, will this sippy cup make her sprout and extra head, or is it like the warnings on artificial sweetener packets, where it only causes cancer in laboratory rats in California? We did our homework on the car seat choices before we even got to the store, but still had to take a significant time to re-ponder. Booster seats with five point harnesses can go up to 100 pounds now… but will a fourth grader really want to still sit in a car seat? Really? We are very new to this whole parenting thing, and probably looked pretty lost. Besides the fact that we confused the lady when we registered at the store whose logo is the big red bulls-eye, in that we were already wearing wedding rings, but were obviously (at least I hope obviously…) not pregnant. Then at store number two, the one with the crooked ‘R’ that caters to babies, there was at least a box to check ‘we are adopting’, but they still provided me with a complimentary box with a newborn diaper, a pad for sore breasts, and a pacifier. Seriously, why ask then? Perhaps because, man, this immigration paperwork is sure making my breasts sore? Perhaps that is what they were thinking?
Okay, I didn’t mean to ramble that long just about registering. It really wasn’t that eventful. I don’t even have a picture to share chronicling the event. So, onward we go…
I turned 30! That means I had a fantabulous surprise birthday party thrown for me by the best husband & sister around, and received a very moving gift from my hubby. But, that also means I am no longer 20-something. Yes, I have grey hairs and lines around my eyes. Let’s move on.
We shopped! My sister (a.k.a. Auntie Kimmy who has promised to not play inappropriate music around Little-One’s ears, keep her apartments smoke free, and not let her devil cat eat my child) went shopping at a kid’s used clothing store. We weren’t totally sure what sizes to buy, but we both walked out with shopping bags, so we must have made some decisions! I then washed and dried all the clothes we have for her, and even ironed them. And then took a picture. Even though Kimby said it was dumb. Did it anyway! And now I am posting it.
Broke my car on that trip. Busted a hole in my radiator. All the coolant leaked out all over said store’s parking lot, I am sure. But we didn’t notice. Until the idiot light starting flashing. Freaked out. Made it home, but made an even larger mess of more coolant and transmission fluid all over the garage floor. Crappy times. Let’s not reminisce. Moving on…
We sent a present to Tes! Our motorcycle mama friend Gloria was kind enough to embroider Tesfanesh’s name on a blanket we bought, plus we wanted to send a toy. Couldn’t decide between the pony and the doll, so we bought both. And I made a photo album for her, with our pictures in it, labeled ‘mom’ and ‘dad’ in both English and Amharic. Not that she can read, but the nannies can read it to her. We also added a picture of herself, because, really, what kid doesn’t like pictures of themselves? And one of the house, and two of her new bedroom, all labeled in both languages. Ahh… the wonders of the internet. How did I find anything before you? And a few of Fischer, of course. One of the Fischer pictures shows us holding him, smiling big smiles, showing that he is oh-so-nice, and nothing to be scared of. Hopefully our tactic works.
Hmmm… I think that should bring everyone up to speed on the life and times of our household. Although, I would like to take a brief moment to thank everyone who has wished my mom well, and for a speedy recovery. That too has consumed much of my time as of late, but is of course well worth it. She is doing better, and starting to look happier than I have seen her in awhile. Continue to hope with me that she gets stronger and happier each day.
Peace!
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Court Date!
We have a date set for court!
We just found out today that our Little-One's case will be heard in Ethiopian court on March 12th. Three weeks and one day away... can I make it?! I may be hyperventilating already...
If all goes well and the stars and Venus align and the adoption gods smile on us, we will pass court that day, and then Tesfanesh will be offically and legally ours. A new birth certificate will be made listing us as her parents, and her with our last name, and then the real frenzy begins. Packing!
Here is to hoping we make it through the first time around, because I need to meet my little girl!
We just found out today that our Little-One's case will be heard in Ethiopian court on March 12th. Three weeks and one day away... can I make it?! I may be hyperventilating already...
If all goes well and the stars and Venus align and the adoption gods smile on us, we will pass court that day, and then Tesfanesh will be offically and legally ours. A new birth certificate will be made listing us as her parents, and her with our last name, and then the real frenzy begins. Packing!
Here is to hoping we make it through the first time around, because I need to meet my little girl!
Saturday, February 9, 2008
Politics
I had made a little mental note to myself when I started this blog that I would never speak about religion or politics here. Not that these topics aren't incredibly relevant and need to be discussed, but more that those discussions are much more effective done in a face to face format, not by blogging.
But, then I ran across this in the cyber-world, and it really moved me. And I don't think I'm stepping out on any kind of limb here by posting my political leanings... I think everyone can tell I hug trees.
So, here it is. May you be as moved a I was.
Peace.
But, then I ran across this in the cyber-world, and it really moved me. And I don't think I'm stepping out on any kind of limb here by posting my political leanings... I think everyone can tell I hug trees.
So, here it is. May you be as moved a I was.
Peace.
Friday, February 8, 2008
Our Family
To entertain you during these long periods of no new news, I’m offering up a few little known tid-bits of my family. Enjoy!
Tesfanesh – Okay, obviously we don’t know too much about her yet. But, since she is the star of the show, we’ll start with her.
1. Her Ethiopian family farms enset, wheat, and beans.
2. She has a beautiful smile!
3. Her astrological sign is Capricorn.
4. Her favorite food is injera with wat (though, I think that is what every Ethiopian child would say…).
5. We will be sending her a pink blanket with her name embroidered on it (thank you, Gloria!), a small photo album with pictures of us, the house, and her new room, and either a small doll (if I can find one that is not either Caucasian, trashy, or Caucasian and trashy) or if the doll search fails, a My Little Pony.
Brad
1. He is incredibly determined and doesn’t give up or do anything half way. That is probably why he got such a prize for a wife.
2. He likes Adam Sandler movies, and can do a pretty funny imitation of him.
3. When going around the room at Christmas time saying what you were most thankful for, it only took a very small amount of prodding from me for him to say ‘Beth’. (Prodding or not, I think he meant it sincerely)
4. He actually enjoys working out, and I think he would do it more often if I didn’t complain about it so much. Twelve times a month is plenty! I don’t want to live at the YMCA.
5. Probably because he spent so many years in clothing retail, his closet is impeccably neat. His t-shirts are all folded the exact same size, his pants are hanging from fancy hangers, his dress shirts all face the same direction, and everything is grouped and color coordinated. It puts my messy clothes to shame. In fact, his closet probably makes fun of my closet when we aren’t around.
Beth
1. I look really cute with a shaved head. Just ask anyone who knew me in college!
2. I have a very hard time shopping for watches because I have freakishly little wrists and forearms. I can fit infant sized toys (the kind of rattles you put on a baby’s wrist) on my wrists.
3. I prefer to sleep in absolute pitch-black. The kind where you can’t even see you’re your hand in front of your face. Which never really happens living in a city. I think this maybe one reason I like camping.
4. Really really stupid random things pop into my head at all times. Things like ‘I wish my eyes could take photographs by blinking’ or ‘I wonder if my cell phone gets lonely’ so when I get home I put my cell phone next to Brad’s on the counter. Just in case they are lonely. Yes, I know. I too am shocked people still talk to me. Ever wonder why I am so quiet? Because I may say crazy things like that.
5. I didn’t learn how to tell time or the order of the months of the year until fourth grade, because I swear no one ever taught me in school. One day I just realized I didn’t know what month came after May, and I better learn. So I taught myself.
Fischer
1. He is the only one of our family that can jump from the floor to the top of the fridge. Of course, he is also the only one who would even want to do that.
2. He says goodnight to Brad every night by going to his side of the bed and meowing until he is petted. He won’t go to sleep until it happens. He does not, however, need me to pet him before he goes to bed.
3. He thinks every time someone makes Kool-Aide in our house, he gets catnip. It is a routine now.
4. He knows the difference from the sound of opening a can of tuna and opening a can of anything else.
5. He and Brad talk about me all the time. They are definitely plotting something…
Peace!
beth.
Tesfanesh – Okay, obviously we don’t know too much about her yet. But, since she is the star of the show, we’ll start with her.
1. Her Ethiopian family farms enset, wheat, and beans.
2. She has a beautiful smile!
3. Her astrological sign is Capricorn.
4. Her favorite food is injera with wat (though, I think that is what every Ethiopian child would say…).
5. We will be sending her a pink blanket with her name embroidered on it (thank you, Gloria!), a small photo album with pictures of us, the house, and her new room, and either a small doll (if I can find one that is not either Caucasian, trashy, or Caucasian and trashy) or if the doll search fails, a My Little Pony.
Brad
1. He is incredibly determined and doesn’t give up or do anything half way. That is probably why he got such a prize for a wife.
2. He likes Adam Sandler movies, and can do a pretty funny imitation of him.
3. When going around the room at Christmas time saying what you were most thankful for, it only took a very small amount of prodding from me for him to say ‘Beth’. (Prodding or not, I think he meant it sincerely)
4. He actually enjoys working out, and I think he would do it more often if I didn’t complain about it so much. Twelve times a month is plenty! I don’t want to live at the YMCA.
5. Probably because he spent so many years in clothing retail, his closet is impeccably neat. His t-shirts are all folded the exact same size, his pants are hanging from fancy hangers, his dress shirts all face the same direction, and everything is grouped and color coordinated. It puts my messy clothes to shame. In fact, his closet probably makes fun of my closet when we aren’t around.
Beth
1. I look really cute with a shaved head. Just ask anyone who knew me in college!
2. I have a very hard time shopping for watches because I have freakishly little wrists and forearms. I can fit infant sized toys (the kind of rattles you put on a baby’s wrist) on my wrists.
3. I prefer to sleep in absolute pitch-black. The kind where you can’t even see you’re your hand in front of your face. Which never really happens living in a city. I think this maybe one reason I like camping.
4. Really really stupid random things pop into my head at all times. Things like ‘I wish my eyes could take photographs by blinking’ or ‘I wonder if my cell phone gets lonely’ so when I get home I put my cell phone next to Brad’s on the counter. Just in case they are lonely. Yes, I know. I too am shocked people still talk to me. Ever wonder why I am so quiet? Because I may say crazy things like that.
5. I didn’t learn how to tell time or the order of the months of the year until fourth grade, because I swear no one ever taught me in school. One day I just realized I didn’t know what month came after May, and I better learn. So I taught myself.
Fischer
1. He is the only one of our family that can jump from the floor to the top of the fridge. Of course, he is also the only one who would even want to do that.
2. He says goodnight to Brad every night by going to his side of the bed and meowing until he is petted. He won’t go to sleep until it happens. He does not, however, need me to pet him before he goes to bed.
3. He thinks every time someone makes Kool-Aide in our house, he gets catnip. It is a routine now.
4. He knows the difference from the sound of opening a can of tuna and opening a can of anything else.
5. He and Brad talk about me all the time. They are definitely plotting something…
Peace!
beth.
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