Haregewoin Teferra

There is no me without you is a wonderful book written by Melissa Faye Greene. In the book, Greene depicts the struggle and achievement of Haregewoin Teferra in her quest to save the lives of African children. I have just read on Melissa Faye Greene’s blog that Haregewoin Teferra who gave unselfishly of herself to save the lives of many orphan and abandoned children passed away today. If you have not read this book I strongly encourage you to read it.

My Favorite Adoption Video

Speechless

Steelers Nation Baby!

One

Today marks one month of waiting for a referral. Our agency is averaging 4-5 referrals a month; at that rate we wouldn’t receive a referral until close to the end of the year. The wait time for a court date, as well as the number of court attempts to pass court have increased. I remain optimistic that we will bring our son home before the end of the year.

We’re Pregnant

That’s right we’re pregnant on paper!!!!!! Today marks our first official day on the wait list. Hopefully we will have Jordan in our arms within the next nine months. What a wonderful Christmas present.

It has arrived!!!

Yesterday I asked God to delivery our I-171H, immigrations approval in our mailbox today. Today before going to check the mail I told myself the approval would be in the mailbox and sure enough it was. God is good and he answers prayers. I thank him, I thank him, and I thank him. I know we will get the baby that God has selected for us. This entire process has been God’s work.

Today is my birthday!!!!

I hoped to be on the waitlist by today but that didn’t happen, maybe we’ll make the list by Christmas.

Frustrated

I have two more steps in the process before I’m officially on the wait list. I’ve been extremely frustrated with my agency for a couple of weeks now. Once I receive CIS approval my dossier will be complete. Oh yeah, I need my agency’s approval first!!!! My home study had been sitting on someone’s desk for almost two weeks. I previously inquired on three different occasions as to whether all my documents were received by my agency. I was assured that once my home study was approved it would be sent to immigrations and they had everything they needed. Today I get a reply to an e-mail that I sent over a week ago stating that a document that I originally mailed back in June and again two weeks ago had not been received and that was the hold up. The e-mail also advised that I could fax the form in. QUESTION #1 Why did it take 5 months and 3 inquiries from me, for someone to figure out that they didn’t have this piece of paper? QUESTION #2 Why was I advised two weeks ago that I had to send the original copy, when a fax copy was acceptable. QUESTIONS #3, Why didn’t this incompetent person include the fax number in the e-mail. I think she's full of it, but at this point what can I do, I’m at their mercy.

Guest Book

Today is a Special Day

20 years ago today I gave birth to a magnificent child.

Alex for all the times my days were stressed and things seemed rushed
For all the times you grew up a little faster because I couldn’t always be there
For all the times I thought I was listening but didn’t hear you
For all the times I had to say no and you didn’t understand
For all the times you saw me frustrated and impatient

I have cried inside again and again because what you didn’t see were…

All the times I laughed and bragged about your intelligence, ingenuity and beauty
All the times I was amazed at how perfect you were as I watched you sleep
All the times I noticed how fast you were changing into a wonderful person
All the times I sat with a lump in my throat holding back tears of pride
All the times you inspired me to be a better me

For all the times past and to come no one will ever take your place in my heart

Love Mom

Pam & President Elect Obama

This is a picture of my cousin Pamela and President Obama. The pic was taken during a campaign stop in Fayetteville a few weeks ago. My dear cousin was one of the selected volunteers who was afforded the opportunity to drive in the motorcade. If you know Pam you have already received an 8x10 framed color copy of this photo. And for those of you who have not had the pleasure of meeting her, I'm sure she'll be more than happy to send you an autographed (her autograph) copy.

1 REASON

CIS Finger Print Appointment

Yeah!!! Today I received notification of my finger printing appointment with immigrations, which literally took an act of Congress. After two months of waiting and 5 attempts to obtain confirmation I called my Congressman and today I not only received a reply to my e-mails I received the actual appointment letter. If things continue to go as planned I should be pregnant on paper (waiting for a referral) by December and in Ethiopia no later than September 2009.

I have to send a special thank you to Shannon from the Ethio-Kids of NC group who pointed me in the right direction to get this issue resolved. Thanks Shannon

Two Wonderful Years

Today is my second anniversary. Yesterday I ordered my husband an edible arrangement and had it delivered to his office today. You know the saying about great minds think a like. Well, guess what I received for my anniversary today, if you guessed an edible arrangement you’re right. So now we have enough fruit to last a month. I’m glad I love chocolate covered strawberries!

Charity Water

I received my order from Charity Water today. Can you guess what my family members will be getting for Christmas this year? If you guessed a $20 bottle of water you’re correct. It feels good to have all my Christmas shopping out of the way so early!!!
Please click on the baby bottle on the right to find out more.

Interesting article about adopting

Mary-Louise Parker Talks Adoption. Mary-Louise Parker often reflects back on her childhood, wishing her parents would adopt a sibling and promising herself that someday, she would adopt a child of her own. Now mom to Caroline "Ash" Aberash, 2, the 44-year-old actress says the adoption from Africa was a dream fulfilled. "I think it’s something everyone should do if they can and want to," Mary-Louise said Saturday night at the New Yorker Festival in New York City."I can’t adopt 500 children, but I did adopt this one beautiful little girl and it was an amazing thing. Especially after having been to a Third World country, and having seen the desperation there, and the need, and all the children, and holding those children and seeing them and touching them." Mary-Louise said that she recognizes that the need for adoptive parents is just as great in the United States as it is abroad, but believes every child should have a chance at a great life, regardless of geography: "I hear the comment, "Why not adopt from this country?" There’s a lot of need in this country. And I think if you want to adopt anywhere it’s a beautiful thing, but it’s not a contest. So you shouldn’t say "Why don’t you adopt this child over that child." A child is a child and every child deserves to be loved." "If was a contest, however, a Third World country is different from, say, Baltimore. It’s different when there are dead bodies by the side of the road and parents having to amputate their children’s limbs so children can beg to get money, and mothers are having to sell their daughters into sex slavery. It’s a different thing, so I don’t think you should make it a contest when it comes to children, and who’s deserving of love and who’s deserving of a family. Every child is deserving of that."