JOURNEY TO ANNSLEIGH

We've Had A Birthday!

2009-10-24T20:20:00.003-05:00

We have had a big first birthday at our house on Oct 16! It was, of course, a princess party. Our princess is always so active that almost all the pics are blurry, but I think you can still see thru it all that she is a precious one! We are still running on adrenaline here and more in love with her than EVER!!!!! She has brought so much fun to our family. She is a truly a joy in our lives.

Since We've Been Home

2009-10-09T22:06:00.004-05:00

Since I am done writing all about our trip, I am sooooo excited to tell you now all about what life has been like since we have been home.....Its FABULOUS! Annsleigh is so well adjusted already....sleeping all night....eating non stop....perfect clean bill of health from the pediatrician, and he checked EVERYTHING....and her personality is just precious....she is cuddly and loves to be rocked and hugged....yet she is bubbly and silly and giggles all the time. The giggles always give her the hiccups! She babbles all the time like Pebbles does. Sounds just like her...How precious! Everything that I prayed to God about such concerns as bonding and sleepless nights and attachment just never were issues. He took care of all of that! She instantly took to the whole family, but is very attached to me. I do housework with her in the sling, or I do nothing but hold her and cuddle, which sometimes is what I do...cuz she will grow quick...and she is walking now. I am just so grateful I got to see her first steps before I have to go back to work on Sunday, night shift....YUCK! But, it will be ok....gotta do what you gotta do! Anyway, we also already had our court appearance here in TN for our readoption, so we are all done with major paperwork and expense now.... and I will post mostly pics for a while to catch you up....thanks for reading!

Home coming on Sunday at the airport

2009-10-09T17:53:00.003-05:00

Asleep at last in the bassinet on the plane

Annsleigh meets her Uncle Chris

Annsleigh meets big brother Bradley

Bradley truly adores his sister and is very very protective of her. He cries if she falls down like all babies do. This is one happy boy! He helps change her diapers and helps sing her to sleep and rubs her back with me when we lay her down. He could not be a better big brother. He is such a big help and everyone is adjusting fabulously!

Our Journey To Ethiopia Day 9 - Sunday

2009-10-09T17:20:00.003-05:00

Annsliegh meets her NeNe!

Annsleigh meets her Pa!

Annsleigh meets her ciocia Terri! (thats Polish for aunt/I grew up with that one!)

Annsleigh meets her cousin Jon-Thomas!

Annsleigh meets her cousin Jacob!

At about 1AM we got into Dubai and we are to get another hotel stay for some sleep....and this time the Dubai airport was very very busy...and we had to get a transit visa for Annsleigh...this was very confusing for us at the airport...go to one desk...he says go here and there.....we go here and there....and that guy doesnt know why we are at his desk....so we go back and forth....stand in a long line for them to scan Annsleighs eyes....got to the front of that line and he didnt know why I was there...they dont do that on babies....well....I just about had enough at that point....and I learned something about myself that I just never ever knew after 46 years.....when I am beyond exhausted....I cry...so there I was in the middle of the Dubai airport just crying and balling ...... walking in circles going here and there!...I just wanted to blink my eyes and I us be HOME!!!!!poor Brad....trying to put up with me....but finally we got it together....got to the hotel, took hot showers and took a 5 hour nap..left for the airport by 7AM and the 16 hour flight began....It was quite interesting....Annsleigh cried EVERY time I left her to go to the bathroom. She cried ANY time Brad held her. I had to hold her the entire time. We had a bassinet....by the way....dont ever let your travel agent talk you out of bulkhead seats at least on Emirates. The bassinet is wonderful if you can get your baby up in there asleep...but....make sure your TV screen is pulled up and out before she sets it up or you will not be able to see your own screen. Such as the case with me....the bassinet is in the way of getting your own screen up....but most of the time watching anything was out of the question for me anyway. Annsleigh fought sleep most of the way...she was hyper....hyper ...hyper...what a handful!!!! Finally she fell asleep over Canada somewhere and she really never woke up until we got to Houston....She fell asleep again and woke up in Nashville and it was just beyond words to describe how well she instantly took to the whole family. and them to her...the pictures say it all!

Our Journey To Ethiopia Day 8 - Saturday

2009-10-09T17:17:00.002-05:00

This morning Brad went shopping at the open markets while Annsleigh & I had girl time. And I got our packing done because we are heading for home tonight!!!! Cannot wait to get back & introduce Annsleigh to her brother. This night we caught a 7PMish flight back to Dubai....

Our Journey To Ethiopia Day 7 - Part 4

2009-10-09T15:02:00.004-05:00

After a little while in the van all of us took a vote on if we wanted to stop & eat. One of the guys was starving so we stopped at a really nice restaurant to grab a bite to eat. It took a very long time for our food and all we all ordered was soup and sandwiches. So that put us even later at getting back to the HOH. We ate & went on. After a while Tesfu's cell phone rang & he handed it to Brad. Brad couldnt understand & hear what was being said so he handed it to me. All I got was "Tihune's mother is...." so we gave the phone back to Tesfu & he told us that Tihunes mother will be at the HOH tomorrow 8AM. WE said OK....although we thought that was strange. Birth parents at the HOH? So they get to go there? Do they EVER? What if she saw Annsleigh?(Tihune)? We found out that the sick birth mother in the hospital had recent contact with her 2 girls who were being adopted in our group. WHAT?!? Didnt know birth families went to the HOH or even knew where it was. Didnt like hearing this....thought about it long enough to get another call on Tesfus cell & we were told Tihunes mother there now! What? Ok....but is she at the HOH NOW? All I can think is what if she sees Annsleigh? All this confusion! Its is getting late and there is lots of traffic on the roads now....dusk. Other folks in the van were mentioning they were missing their already prepared and paid for suppers at the HOH and Ethiopian Guest House...my mind wandered when the van pulls over in the middle of nowhere.....Why? Someone says "Its Tihunes mother!" WHAT?!? WHAT IN THE WORLD?!?....and.....sure enough Brad & I get out of the van to meet this very pretty well kept small framed woman & her 3 year old daughter....I was in shock and fumbled to find my list of questions for the birth mother that I had prepared hours & hours earlier. And I had to ask someone in the van for a pen....so there....on the side of a very busy road on the edge of the town of Addis....van door wide open with engine running....& beggars coming around we proceed to interview Annsleighs birth mother....not at all the way I expected her interview to go. It sure took away all the emotion I was afraid I would show when talking with her. We hugged her, learned some things we can share with Annsleigh like she has 4 sisters, one of whom we met....precious 3 year old. She did allow a picture of her and the 3 year old with us on the side of the road...WOW! We got back in the van & on & on to Addis. We got back to the HOH when it was dark out. We picked up Annsleigh and Tsegay handed us her ticket to ride! .....her birthcertificate & passport! Be sure NOT to open this brown envelope....only airport immigrations in America open it...I also asked Tsegay why we never saw the orphanage & he said they were in the process of moving....and this was what they thought was best... maybe so...but they could have told us. Anyway, we got back to the Melkam & shared our Fig Newtons and Raman noodles with the Rahals since they missed their supper at the HOH tonight. We also heard back from our travel agent....we go home tomorrow! YAY!!!! We all slept very good that night. I guess we finally adjusted to the time change and all just in time to head home....but we are very ready for home....end of day 7!

2009-10-09T14:24:00.002-05:00

The sugarcane in WenjiTypical street with houses in Wenji? I wonder.....could this be the street Annsleigh was born on?

Typical homes in Wenji.....I wonder.....could she have been born here?

Sugarcane plantation in Wenji

Our Journey To Ethiopia Day 7 - Part 3

2009-10-09T13:11:00.002-05:00

Something I must say is that I am so happy to have seen the village that Annsleigh was born in. Wenji is a very beautiful quiet village...seemed very peaceful... lots of open spaces...grassy spaces....trees....flowers...kids playing in green fields...sugarcane everywhere. No wonder she is just SOOOO SWEET!!! :) I loved her village & was so glad to see it & get pics of it. I dont care if she never sees Addis Ababa again, in fact, I would rather she not see it....but I do hope that some day she can see her village in person. Most of the civilians from this village though have terribly stained teeth...We found out that it was from excess flouride that the sugarcane factory leatched out into the water....see, too much of a good thing is not good! Anyway, we pulled up to the sugarcane factory long enough to be told this is it....dont take any pics....and drive off. Strange....very strange....on we go! To the hospital...Oh boy! We pull up to the hospital & all get out just so we can sit in the hospital "lobby" on more comfortable benches than in that scrunched cramped van. The couple that was here to meet their birth mom was taken in ahead of us and led up to her room. We sat in the lobby and started diveying up whatever snacks and drink we had as we were all getting pretty hungry at this point....so 8 of us shared turkey jerky, fruit snacks and a little bottled water...Then a man from the hospital comes & says we are to go with him to visit family....we all acted confused....said no.....he said come.....so we all went. I really did not want to walk the halls of this hospital and I am a nurse! Thats the problem, my downfall....I can see the germs everywhere! But, here we go! At this point I got the giggles because this was all so ridiculous....10 adults and none of us ever knew where we were going or doing, just going along with what we are told....But I do know we all should not go in and see this birth mother!!! CHI and the government is so strict about what we can and cant ask a birth mother or give to her and now this guy wants all 10 of us to bombard this poor sick lady's room? Most of us said no & stood outside her door in the hall. The little hospital man asked whe needed to use the toilet? We all quickly said NOPE! No Thank You!!! :) We all were then led down the hall to the nursery. Now, I was glad to see this, being a NICU nurse back home...old metal bar cribs....all empty.... & then he shows us this small white wooden box with a lid made only of screening.....its to keep the malaria away from the premature baby! No extra warmth just netting....with mosquitos buzzing around it...then it dawned on me.....WE ARE IN MALARIA TERRITORY!!!!! WE DIDNT TAKE OUR MALARIA MEDICATIONS!!!! (because we were supposedly not leaving Addis Ababa where there is no malaria!) What can we do now....oh well! Hope for the best! We all were drawn to walk out an a large connecting balcony as all the windows were open. The breeze felt great and we welcomed to breathe fresh fresh air! We then were asked if we wanted to see the HIV floor....why not? At this point? Why not? So...off we go...we all were taken to a very very small doctors office and we filed in and piled up in there. A few chairs....and a doctor in the middle of consulting his patient on taking her medications while we all just stared at them!!!!! What in the world. Talk about uncomfortable for us and them. Although they acted like they didnt see all of us. No HIPPA policies here. But we couldnt understand the language. But still. No privacy!??!! Seemed very awkward like such an invasion of privacy. We left the office when that patient did & we were off to tour the business office. All of us....cram in there, smile & wave and they all were just so sweet and friendly and looked up from their desks, welcomed us, smiled and waved back....unreal.. we were all just slap happy by now...and then we were done...led out the door and into the van. We started the long bumpy ride back to Addis. As if the day wasnt strange enough already....the best was yet to happen....

Day 7 Part 2

2009-10-07T21:53:00.003-05:00

On the way to Wenji

So...the road is getting worse as the terrain is getting drier & drier. There were cactus and deep dry gulches. As we went further along, closer to Wenji, we notice more use of horses....horse drawn carriages (with truck tires) and horse pulled plows. It felt like Amish country! Except, here were some horses just standing in the middle of the road, in the middle of a 2 lane road....we are told that is what they do with the old horses that are of no use to anyone anymore...they put them out there hoping they would just get hit....that is too sad to me....Anyway, we kept on & on & finally began to see the sugarcane. Wenji's sole survival revolves around the sugarcane plantations & the sugarcane production that season for the factory...no rain...no sugarcane...no jobs....abundant rain...abundant crops...lots of jobs...Rumor had it we were to tour the factory. We all voiced that we thought we should see birth families first...we've kept them waiting long enough. We finally got to Wenji & the van stops at this place that had a rose garden. After we picked up one man, another man came up to the van door and shook most everyones hand. It wasnt until much much later that we figured out who these 2 guys were. The first was from the sugarcane factory, the other was the orphanage director. At first we had them confused....but it didnt really matter....we were clueless the whole trip thus far anyway.... The orphanage director said it was so much (dont remember how much) to get the sugarcane factory tour. Somehow, the Harrris' ended up paying for everyone....we go in this building I dont know what it was....like a community center...some people were sitting at tables having drinks...some were watching a movie on a screen...We all made a BEE line for the bathroom....a stinky 1 seater in the pitch black...I dropped my sunglasses on the floor in there and left them....we all shared our TP and hand sanitizer... We kind of then wandered out the back door when I first heard word that the birth families were here!?!? What? What in the world? Was this the orphanage? Where were we anyway? We get outside nervous, anxious and emotional. Slowly but surely each couple was hooking up with their birth families. We found out that one family's birth mother was not here because she was sick in the hospital. It was not Annsleigh's birth mother? We asked about Tihunes (Annsleigh ) mother? Tesfu asks the orphanage director and he said something back...Tesfu tells us Tihunes mother is not coming, but the orphanage director acted like he didnt know she was supposed to be here. Anyway, we just stood around with the other couple whose birth mother was sick and took some time to take pictures of the grounds for they were pretty. The other couple was told that they were going to get to go to the hospital to visit the birth mother. I thought that was great & we wondered where the hospital was. We tried to pass the time but man, this was a sad emotional moment for me....not getting to meet Annsleighs birth mother. Anyway, finally the other families all took their pics and said their goodbyes & hugs & we were told we were going to the factory now. The one family needing to visit their birth family in the hospital said, "No, visit birth family first!" They were told "No, hospital not near here..." So..... we were all herded along to walk thru the rose garden. We took a group pic there & then we were all told to get in the van so we can get to the hospital so this family can visit their birth mom....OK.....here we all go....Just as the van was pulling away... the orphanage director took whatever donations we had and left...that was the only way we knew he was the orphanage director. As we left I asked..."What about the orphanage?" No answer.... Then it seemed to all of us that "Did we really just pay for families to visit birth mothers?" Alot of this just really didnt feel right....strange.....just very very strange....the day goes on and gets even more strange...

Our Trip To Ethiopia Day 7 - Friday Part 1

2009-10-05T16:44:00.006-05:00

The Flat Tire

Donkeys walking by

The children are responsible for the herd

This day is very long & will be hard to describe to anyone who wasnt there to truly feel the emotion and confusion and exhaustion we all had by the end of the day. This is the day we are to visit the orphanage where the birth parent meeting will take place....or so we thought.... It starts off with us getting picked up at approximately 8:15AM. This excursion is supposedly 8AM - 12PM. I distinctly remember our caseworker telling us that Holy Savior Orphanage "Is right there in Addis....so its close..." We based our immunizations on this....we did not take the malaria meds because we were staying in Addis....a higher elevations with no malaria.....wrong! We ask Zeyedeh from the Melkam how far it is to Wenji, the village Annsleigh is from where the orphanage is.....he says...."Um...... lets see.....you go about 10km then take a left.....and then about 100km & turns into such & such & then another 200km you do this and that..." He lost me! Clearly it is far, supposedly 2 1/2 hour ride 1 way. We took our nondrowsy dramamine & off we went. First, the van collected all the families that were adopting chihldren from Holy Savior... 5 of us couples...Once all collected all the families were taken to the HOH to drop the children off so the nannys could watch them...cannot take the children with you when you visit birth families...Going back again and again to the HOH I did not think was such a good idea. When we got there, we stood around for sometime just waiting for one more couple to get dropped off. This was too long of a wait especially for the older kids. The longer we hung around the more behavior issues were coming out of shear confusion on a childs part not quite sure why again they have to go to this HOH. I cant help but wonder if they think...are they leaving me here? Are they going to come back? Alot of the older kids were just really ready to board the plane & go home. Our Annsleigh....well she went nicely to her nurse & her took her as she smiled, clapped and cooed....her nurse said "Oh, shes changed so much already!!! She is sooo happy!" That made Brad and I feel sooooo good! :) We stood around the HOH for some time just waiting & waiting for another couple to arrive. This was too long of a wait especially for the older kids. The longer we hung around the more behavior issues were coming out of sheer confusion on a childs part not quite sure why again they have to go to the HOH again. Alot of the older kids were reallly just ready to board the plane & go home. Well.... finally the other couple is dropped off & we all pile into the van. Off we go......little did we know we would not be back to our little one until dark (7PMish!!!) We bounce along the road & take pics right & left. The further we went the more beautiful it became. Mountains, open plaines, streams, fresher air...After quite some time now, we started passing dramamine around the van for some folks...then the van pulled over onto the shoulder & someone said we had a flat tire....we all got out of the van to stretch our legs while the driver & Tesfu changed the tire. We took some pics of the surroundings & a herd of donkeys walking across the road. After a while the spare tire was on & we continued on. ...we drove & drove & drove & made a pit stop at a restaurant because, get this, THE MEN HAD TO GO PEE!!!!!! HeHeHe! Then we drove on & on & then the van pulled over again, this time at a tire shop. We thought we were just going to drop the tire off & pick it up on the way back...instead we waited on it to be fixed because we were told from this point on the road gets very very bad & we wont want to be stuck without a spare...ok sounds good to me....we better wait...We all got out of the van again to strectch our legs... Tesfu's cell phone rings. Its the orphanage director wondering where we are because he has the birth families waiting? Tesfu tells him what is going on.... beggars start coming around....we are getting better at saying no.....finally we get the tire fixed & we all get back in the van and we are on our way once again...and they were right....the road got worse & worse...

Our Trip To Ethiopia Day 6 - Thursday

2009-10-04T20:02:00.006-05:00

Tired of riding

No car seat & in the front seat?!?!?

Love this picture of the Ethiopian flag

Addis Ababa from Entoto Mountain

The market place at the base of the mountain

Tsegay and Annsleigh

Annsleigh and her nurse

This day was one excursion we wouldnt miss. We got picked up at the Melkam Guest House at approximately 9AM for a ride up to Entoto mountain. This was an absolutely beautiful short ride. At the base of the mountain was the open markets where we are to shop on Saturday. Masses of people everywhere. Then as you work your way up the mountain the mood completely changed. Everything became more beautiful....the air cooled and cleared & it felt soooooo good to breath fresh air. We all enjoyed taking some deep breaths. There was still mud sided houses & shacks with mud roofs to live in but they dotted the hillside with grassy spaces in between. These children can play in the grass! Still had lots of women carrying heavy loads of sticks or water buckets, or bushels up the mountain.....and lots and lots of little donkeys trotting along with similar loads. They looked like they were doing it effortlessly. We stopped near the top for great pictures. Funny that from far away, Addis Ababa looks orderly & quaint. At the top we also visited a couple of very old Christain/Catholic churces and the old emperor and emperess castle. That was something to see....except the beggars outside the church. Did not expect that...and our tour guide scolded them for bothering us. From here on ...we were discouraged from handing out to the beggars because once you do, you will be hounded and harassed. Its hard to not give give give, but we started to get used to saying no. Well, the whole time Annsleigh of course slept in the sling. Thank God for the sling! When we came back down the mountain we were the only ones that needed to go to the Melkam so 1/2 way back our van stops and we are told to get out and get in this other van with someone we have no idea who and off we go....and everytime you go somewhere, it doesnt matter if you've been there before or not, they always go a different way. So, we drove along felt like forever and we began to wonder why we would trust someone to tell us get out here and go in there...in a strange country....when lo and behold, we finally pull up to the Melkam....just very strange how we never really knew who we were with or where we were going....but we made it. Anyway, back at the Melkam just in time for a much needed nap which we didnt get because Annsleigh was now wide awake.....and again soaked thru her diaper, outfit and sling. We got picked back up at about 2PM so we could go back to the HOH to take pictures of 2 babys for some waiting families back home and to take our donations there. We get close to the HOH and our van cannot get closer to the HOH because there are big fuel trucks parked all in that road and one truck just parked in the middle of it all. We sat in the van for awhile and finally we are told to just get out and walk. By now, civilians have congregated around the van. So we get out and have to walk about 1/2 block & Im shielding my baby from the coughing people around there. The stench was horrible too...When we got to the HOH Annsleigh was asleep in her sling again which I was grateful for because I thought at least none of the nanny's would be able to take her from me. Well, we asked to see the crib she slept in & the nannys prepared the crib next to it so she could lay down. After they went thru all that trouble, I hated to not oblige so I reluctantly laid her down. She stayed asleep & we left the room. We went a few doors down and took pics and videos of both babys. I knew how precious these pics and videos would be for the 2 families back home. That was all we lived for when we were in their shoes. When we were done taking pics, we went out the door onto the walkway upstairs and there Annsleigh was....in her nurses arms, all dressed up in a little traditional Ethiopian dress complete with head wrap. How precious was that? And I asked her to show me how to do the wrap. Now I felt bad for not letting Annsleigh's nurse just hold her as much as she wanted. I have the rest of my life with Annsleigh. and she had to let go....well, this time Annsleigh did not really cry when she left the nurse to come to me. We then were ready to go, but we were told our ride was still out down the street corner so the driver walked us to the corner. I did not like walking out there with my baby....too many people loitering, coughing, hacking, peeing....I would try to walk around & away from the crowd. We get to the corner & our van is not there, but bouncing up the road to the corner...full of the other families who are going to the HOH also for some reason.....so...we go walk back to the HOH & everyone gets out of the van & we just have to wait around until everyone is ready to leave....Kinda confusing....kinda tiring....Anway finally we leave and on the way back to the Melkam the van stopped at a grocery store for more formula & cereal so we can replace what the HOH gave us. By the way on the very first day you pick up your baby, the van can take you to the corner grocery for formula/diapers/bottled water. And if you stay at the Melkam, it is in what they say is a good neighborhood although you wouldnt know it by looking, and one day Brad & a couple of dads walked to the grocery around the corner from the Melkam to get more water and formula. Brad said it was fine...he felt very safe...no one harassed them (beggars) & the grocery store folks were very helpful. We got back to the Melkam once again exhausted and once again Annsleigh soaked thru those Ethiopian disposable diapers. Tonight we had to try everything to get her to sleep, even dancing. Sucking on the empty bottle worked. We slelpt wrestless again....End of day 6

Our Trip To Ethiopia Day 5 - Wednesday

2009-10-01T12:26:00.007-05:00

On the grounds of the Ethnic Museum
Outside the Ethnic Museum

Annsleighs favorite spot.....asleep in the sling :)

Annsleighs favorite spot when awake.... caught digging in the food suitcase :)

We got up this AM in our best dressed clothes for our Visa appointment. Brad wore Khakis and a nice button up shirt and I wore a long black and white skirt and black sweater. White sandals. We were still exhausted but adrenaline kept us going. We rode the bumpy van but it wasnt too long of a ride. The Embassy is a very unimpressive building. We were prodded along to all sit outside on rows of benches under a canopy. I remember thinking that I never read about this....maybe we dont have to sit in the hot stuffy room I had read about. They were taking in a few families at a time to go thru a security check point. Ahhhh! Thats what this line is about.....just to get in the building. It didnt take long for our turn and really all of our agency peoples turns to get security checked. You have to leave your cell phone there and any cameras. We went thru that area and did not know where we were going after that....they just pointed like we should know....we came to the end of that hall where there was an open door to the outside....& finally saw a very small arrow pointing to another little building.....so....you have to walk outside across a small area to the next building. Ok, this is where the long wait is... I recognized it by the descriptions reading other family's blogs...Not enough seats for everyone....dimly lit...hot room....We waited for about 1 1/2 hours. Annsleigh was a very good girl as she was making friends with everyone we sat around once a seat opened up. A little social butterfly! It really did not seem too long a wait as we talked with other families. Then they started the CHI agency group. Almost seemed like our large group skipped line...but finally our name was called. We went up the stairs to the window which is where you conduct your appointment. The lady in the window sounded and looked American. Was friendly enough. The entire time, CHI agency folk was right behind us to help answer any questions we stumbled over. But they prepared us well the day before, I must say..all was well as she thumbed thru the papers. She asked us all the questions we were prepared to answer....then the big hiccup!!! She looks at the papers and shuffles them around and says. "Oh wait just one minute!......." as she is flipping thru all the papers. Brad & I are sick to our stomachs....."Hold on...hold on..." she says... WHAT DOES SHE MEAN HOLD ON WAIT A MINUTE...EVERYTHING SHOULD BE IN ORDER!!!!!! NOW WHAT?!?! She says..."When was this child referred to you?" March 30 we said.... So she starts counting up on her fingers then says...."Oh thank God! I first read your request as for a child 0 - 6 years. Then saw it said 0 - 6 months and thought she was surely out of the range for age of child you requested. But she made it just by a biscuit!" I said yes, she was 5 1/2 months old when we got her referral. SHEW! That was a nervous moment. But all was well. And I dont know what would have happened if they did find some loophole....this was the baby we were taking home and thats all there was to that! After a BIG sigh of relief, we were free to go. Her passport should be ready by Friday AM. We went outside to get some fresh air because everyone has to wait for the entire group to be done before we all leave. We thought this was a perfect chance to change a very soggy diaper. But the only spot we saw was outside on this shelf like thing and another baby was getting changed. So we waited....then all of a sudden no time for that! Everyone in the group was finished with their appointments so it was time to leave and leave quickly for some reason. We were once again correlled along the way into the crowded van with one very soggy diaper. On the way back to the Melkam we made a pit stop off at the HOH (not sure why). Annsleigh's nurse comes up to the van and sees Annsleigh. She comes up to the van with a care package for her.....another beautiful traditional Ethiopian dress and wrap....and her name and email address.....that was so sweet. How touching. This nurse really does love our baby....I must find a way to send her pics of our Annsleigh in this dress.....Anyway, then off we go....to the Melkam. Got there with another soaked thru outfit on Annsleigh. As soon as we got there and chaged her we went to the kitchen to make lunch. I should have known better, but I carried Annsleigh down to the kitchen in a diaper only.They had the back door open and it felt so good. Not cold, not hot. Well, the sweet lady that cooks and cleans at the Melkam very very kindly looked at Annsleigh, rubbed her arm smiled at me and nodded and said..."It is cold..." I had read about how they do like to bundle their babys and I really should have know. So, I respectfully marched right back up the stairs and put some clothes on Annsleigh and went back down. Then we emailed our travel agent to try to change our return flight tickets so we can come home earlier!!! YAY!!! Cannot wait to see our 6 year old boy at home!....Cannot wait to get all settled at home!....We have to wait on a response....At about 2:30PM we got picked up at the Melkam so we could visit the Ethnic Museum. It is very beautiful...This was the only time during our entire trip where the electicity was out. But not for long. It soon came back on and we saw the entire museum. We thought we were then headed back to the Melkam but instead headed to the Hilton so some folks could use the internet cafe there. By the way, internet is free at the Melkam....it is dial up...but it was sufficient. We got to the Hilton....it is gorgeous. Wish we could stay there and have our baby stay with us. We are not allowed to stay in the public hotels with our newly adopted babys because the towns people do not like seeing "their babies" being adopted out, supposedly. Anyway, probably too expensive anyway. We went ahead and paid to use the internet at the Hilton and never even got on...we got a rain check to use the next time we came...but we never went back....and no one else needed it. So...finally back to the Melkam...Once again Annsleigh fell asleep in the sling in the van so when we got back to the room we learned that Annsleigh fights sleep when over tired and then gets just plain hyper. We also began to believe that all the excursions and pick up times were babys nap times. Made it for really messed up days and we were beyond exhausted. Again, when bedtime came we quickly fell asleep when she did, but for some reason after 3 hours Brad and I could not sleep. Still tired, but unable to sleep. What in the world? Then, laying long enough we finally fall back asleep just in time for the rooster to crow....end of day 5......

Our Trip To Ethiopia Day 4 - Tuesday

2009-09-30T11:22:00.006-05:00

This sling was perfect for us!

Little miss busy body

Just pure sweetness..

A 10 second power nap

This morning we went back to the HOH, the agency run place Annsleigh has been living at for the last 6 months. We went there so we could review important paperwork for our visa appointment which had been moved up a day! YAY! I put Annsleigh in her sprout pouch sling for the first time. She loves it & falls asleep in it. I have got to recommend some kind of sling or pouch to hold the little ones. It is so much easier to hold onto her in the bumpy brakeslamming van rides. One time, out of the sling, her little head bumped into the railing in front of us when in the first row of van seats, even as I tried my best to hold tight to her. The slings as also great for the excursions and museum trips later. They do like to be held and with it, both of my arms were free to pull up and climb into the vans and squeeze into them, as well as get out of them with a baby. My muscles were sore by the time we came home from this exercise. Anyway, when we got to the HOH, Annsleighs nurse came up to her again....Annsleigh reached for her but this time I did not let her hold her. I felt like it really confused Annsleigh, plus made me sad...Once again, as soon as we got out of the van at the HOH all the older children come up smiling and giving hugs and kisses. I cannot wait for all of them to go to their new homes...HOH is wonderful, dont get me wrong....they do love the children and all the adults know all the childrens names and likes and dislikes and personalities, but it is still an orphanage.....older ones especially look like they are in ragged clothes. The older kids just stand around outside. There is a heap of bikes piled up in the corner....one of the parents ask if they can ride them. They say yes.....we pull them out and all the kids start playing. Just seemed like the workers there dont try to engage the kids in any kind of play or even encourage it. Those bikes were piled up for a while. Anyway, all this observance occurred while all us parents just stood around wondering what to do. Then we were led upstairs so we could sit or whatever until it was our turn to go over paperwork....finally our turn comes. We reviewed our I-600 and I-864 papers and income tax forms. We are told how to fill in the sections that pertained to Annsleigh and did so. Then we were told verbatum how to answer questions that would come up tomorrow at the visa appointment. 1. What happened to birth parents.....mother relenquished due to no income...father unknown.....2. Was this the child referred to you?.....yes.......3. Have you had any personal contact with this child prior to this trip?...no....4. Do you plan on visiting birth parents?....yes....then we will be told we can have no further contact with birth parents and no gifts given. Thats it! Ok....easy enough. Everyone gets asked the same thing...Cool.... After this, Brad and I were exhausted and went back to the Melkam Guest House and rested as Annsleigh would have it.:) She fell asleep in the sling again while in the van..We skipped the excursion to the National Museum as it looked like we all could get in a good nap....or so it seemed. Annsleigh woke up wired and bouncing off the walls! She takes like 10 min power naps ready and raring to go go go!!!! She unpacked all our bags and tried to tear down the headboards as Brad and I were zombies laying around the room....We discovered she likes those little banana puffs I happened to bring along despite hearing from other families that these kids this age dont know what to do with little cheerio bites....YAY! Glad I brought them. She wanted to take them herself (she has a pincer grasp.....YAY!) but I took over and told her to let momma do it now. She also likes to hold her own bottle...but the same thing....I told her to let momma do it now. She is non stop eating these banana puffs. Hilarious! Sticks her tongue way out to catch one off my finger....She is extremely busy when she is awake...never still & silly too. When she poots, she smiles and scrunches her nose! She finally fell asleep when it was too late for a nap 7:00PMish. Its very hard to learn what your toddler like baby wants and needs to go to sleep. She fights it and fights it. The HOH staff do not tell you anything about your baby and her likes/dislikes or routine at all. Does she like to rock? Pat the back? Go to bed with a bottle? Just lay down? Seems like they could give a little info on the routine. This was very hard for us. We fell asleep also when she did and knew it was gonna be hard when she woke back up. And she did...up at 11:00PM. She is quite cute when she wakes up.....she sits straight up with eyes clothes and swaggers back and forth and flops back over a few times before she actually wakes up. She always wakes up smiling...which is fabulous :) But it was very very difficult now to get her back down. We gave her a bottle and she sucked it dry. The only way we could get her down this time was with her laying down on the bed while we held the bottle and she sucked it empty.... something we really wish we brought but didnt because supposedly these kids dont use pacifiers, dont have pacifiers and dont know what to do with pacifiers...was A PACIFIER!!! And they dont sell them here. We just had to take the nipple off the bottle and let her suck on the plain nipple.....BAD BAD BAD! As far as all American standards go and my better nursing judgement.... but we had no choice. Finally after much fretting and rubbing her eyes and ears....she went out....and so did we....end of day 4. Whew!

Our Trip To Ethiopia Day 3 Part 2

2009-09-29T12:18:00.010-05:00

Court yard/driveway at HOH where kids play

View from second floor HOH

My first pic with Annsleigh

Brad's first pic with Annsleigh

Finally! A nap in our room!

Finally we get to the HOH. It is not in a good area...and the picture in the CHI booklet is very very deceiving.... there are no signs up front to let you know you are there.... there are big trucks parked all along this small road. And if you want to call it a road....it is dirt and holes. Very very bumpy. Men urinating freely outside the gates of the HOH. Well, the gates open and in we go..... When you drive in there is baby laundry drying on the lines above the concrete driveway. That is also the only place the older children play. A concrete courtyard so to speak. There is a metal merrygoround type of playground toy on the right but it always has laundry drying on it. As soon as you get out of the van the older children come up to you smiling and hugging you and they just dont want to let go. I just want to bring them all home, except for the fact that fortunately I am sure all these children have waiting families or will soon. They are precious. One little boy about 2 was playing with a yoyo and doing tricks like walk the dog with it. He taught me how to do that! He must play with that thing all day long. Anyway.... We are led to the stairway and Almaz, a familiar face from the CHI booklet, stands at the top of the stairs. I hug her. She leads us up to the upstairs room on the left corner & tells us she will go get Tihune. I am emotional & nervous. Will we recognize her? ( In some of her pics other families took for us it did not really look like her so you cant help but wonder this)...Will she cry? Will she like us? When we get into the room where you wait to receive your baby there are already 2 families in there united with their babies. Jorga and Clint have baby Ruths sitting on a blanket on the floor playing with her. So glad to see her sitting up!!! Rachel and David have Jacob and he is glued to his new momma. How precious! Then we see Almaz pass by the window carrying a baby!!! Is that Annsleigh???? As soon as she walked in with her that was all she wrote! There is no doubt that precious buttercup was our Annsleigh! They had her all dolled up in a bright buttercup yellow jumper dress and even a yellow headband!.....Boy, she is GORGEOUS!!!!! Brad did grab her first simply because he is taller than me and could reach her......but he kissed her cheek and had her just long enough to hand her to me.......we both held her and teared up....she didnt even cry....but we did...She is not crying!!! We were told she is very serious and leary to go to others. We dont see that. We spent the next 1 1/2 hours in that room playing with her...amazed at her abilities.....this child being in an orphanage that long and she is not the least developmentally delayed...This is what we learned about Annsleigh in the first hour together......random.....She is amazing! She smiles alot! She scrunches her nose up somethimes when she does a silly smile! She giggled for us! She can crawl! She can stand all by herself! She has 2 teeth! She pooped and I changed her! She needs to hold on to something while we change because she is busy!!! She is perfectly normal "down there". (No FGM thank God). She babbles alot! She is so animated! She is busy....active like a toddler...Then Almaz gave us a can of Promil formula and a box of wheat/milk cereal and a box of honey/wheat cereal. All the instruction we got was feed a bottle every 3 hours and cereal at 9 AM/ cereal at 6 PM. Thats it?!?!? For an 11 month old!!!???!!? Wow!She has some eating to catch up on!!! We just missed her 3PM bottle :( Oh well, by this time, there was another family there united with their 2 beautiful new daughters aged about 7 and 10 maybe. We were all given the choice of leaving to go on a city tour. One family went...the rest of us stayed so we could bond with our babies.. We couldnt keep our eyes off of Annsleigh. She is sooooo healthy. We kiss those cheeks and lips! Annsleighs nurse came up to her and reached for her. Annsleigh cried for her and went to her. Her nurse hugged her and hugged her and cried holding her. When I reached for Annsleigh she did not want me. This was hard to take. I took her anyway and the nurse let go.... I saw how much they loved each other, but now it was my turn....her nurse asked if we would be back tomorrow... I said yes.... and she left. As soon as the city tour returned with the folks that went, we loaded up in the van to take Annsleigh with us to the Melkam. Unbelieveable....no crying....and she fell asleep on my shoulder on the way. I teared up holding her as there were beggars coming up to the van windows, some already familiar to us....When we got back to the room I carried Annsleigh upstairs....my heart was racing and I was winded....oh....that was the altitude change I read about. I laid her down on the bed & she napped. I took pics of her and watched her sleep & we phoned home with the good news that she was in our arms safe & sound & healthy! She she woke, we bathed her, fed her and us and went to bed. She felt asleep very easy this first night with a bottle.....Now.....at night.....Addis sounds like any big city....car alarms....sirens...bar music from 10:30PM - 1:30AM, dogs barking, cats fighting....airplanes over head....this was the noise at night at the Melkam....then....before daybreak....rooster crows and prayerful chanting....Annsleigh awakes....but that is the beginning of day 4!

Our Trip To Ethiopia Day 3 Part 1 - Monday

2009-09-29T11:27:00.005-05:00

Just when we fell into a deep sleep the wake up call rangat 6AM. We were dragging out of bed then realized what our task was for the day.....meet Annsleigh!!!! Adrenaline kicked in! The airport shuttle scooted us over to the airport in no time. We were there in no time, at 7:15AM. One thing to know about the Dubai airport....it is humungous.....very very wide open spaces.....so the walk to the gate was very very long. When we got to the gate we saw Rachel and David again and also met Jorja and Clint who are also adopting thru our agency. Their little baby girl who is 10 months old needs to head to surgery day after they return, and I always thought our agency should have/could have expedited their case more than they did. They also have had lots of horrendous issues getting this far as they were caught up in the abandonement issue months ago. Anyway, we talked with them until boarding time. It was great to meet them. The flight quickly boarded & it was a quick 3 1/2 hour flight that felt like no time at all(any flight seemed short compared to the 14 hour one the day before). We landed in Addis Ababa at about 11:05. I teared up, got emotional already.....we were in our baby's country....being this close to our precious baby. God has brought us on this amazing adventure that we never thought would/could do. I did not experience my first impression out of the airport as others had.....like horrendous traffic, diesel smell, pollution, shortness of breath due to altitude...what I experienced was beauty. As soon as we exited the customs area, the Melkam Guest House owner Zeyedeh and his 12 year old son held my name up looking for us with friendly smiling faces. Actually, everyone this entire trip so far has been very polite & friendly. As soon as we walked outside, there is a mountain range. Beautiful! Birds chirping. No smog. Fresh air. It felt good out. 68 degrees partly sunny skies. It was a quick van ride to the Melkam Guest House only about 4 miles away. When we got there Brad napped while I freshened up and unpacked a little bit. There was less than 2 hours left til we get picked up to be taken to the House of Hope (HOH) where Annsleigh has been living for the last 6 months. They picked us up at about 2:30PM at the Melkam. From here on, I have a very very different impression of Addis Ababa now. We drive along & I see masses & masses of people what we would call "loitering" in every square foot of space along the roads in what should be sidewalks. Some laying down as if to sleep amongst the chaos. Piles and mounds of trash everywhere. Some children and adults digging thru it. Thousands of people with mats laid out on the ground with their produce lined up and displayed on it. Sometimes its fruit/veggies sometimes metal trinket odds and ends. Thousands of people with shoe shine mats set up everywhere. Shoe shine? They are wearing sandals! They are washing shoes/sandals amongst the filth. And there are women everywhere carrying extremely heavy loads on their backs...straw/bundles of sticks/ water bottles full. Mobs of people walking everywhere as if everyone is very busy.....Doing what? Loitering and hanging out while the women work....Hanging around...and the masses & masses of people cross the street whereever and anywhere they please. There is alot of hand holding/arm holding amongst men. Is this to be safe to cross the street? Or just good friendship? Or is it something else? Crossing the street is next to impossible, but they do it anyway. Let me try and describe the streets. The streets are packed with about 4-5 cars or vans wide in each direction, with motorcycles squeezing in between. I would say bumper to bumper, but that is not accurate. That would be too orderly. Its all cock-eyed traffic cutting off and squeezing in. Horns beeping like crazy....smell of smog is overwhelming....but....in all the mayhem....there is no animosity....no one giving anyone else "the finger", or pulling a gun or knife out. They are courtiously random in their driving and pedestrian crossing. Pedestrians just walk out in from the the moving vehicles and look right at the driver and just continue to slowly swanter across in no hurry and come literally within inches of being splattered. They just look at the van like, yeah....in my own time. They are not afraid of being hit. Poverty is obvious. Beggars up to the van made me just cry. Boys my sons age in rags...smiling...one beautiful young girl with her hair braided beautifully begging at the van. 3 more arms come in the crack of the window. One blind man, one man with him. A couple other men. A young woman with her baby wrapped around her, both thin looking in rags...begging at the window. Brad was handing out $1 birr left and right and bubble gum to the kids. I cried....Its very easy for these people to pick out the vans full of white folks. They know we have the handouts....Its hard not to give....The crippled people....one has no legs...so down on the ground, with shoes on his hands to walk along....1 man sitting on his shirt on the ground amongst the heap of chaos 1/2 of him burned almost in a straight line down his hair and face. 1/2 hair missing. 1 man with football sized tumors all over his back which was shirtless. 1 armed men, 1 legged men....crutches.....wheelchairs.....GOD!!!!! I see now why it is so hard for someone to describe this! One little boy about 2 sat in between adults asleep on the sidewalk......he was just watching traffic go by. All in rags....I cant help but wonder how long before they realize they cannot take care of him and put him in an orphanage? .....2 children walk down the street. The boy was wearing a hat made out of a cardboard box. Then, amongst all this are clean and well dressed folks & children adorably dressed & well groomed, some of them with backpacks like they were coming or going to school. .....

Our Trip To Ethiopia Day 2 - Sunday

2009-09-27T20:49:00.004-05:00

Hotel in Dubai

One day just turns into the next while on the flight over to Dubai, or no matter what route you take. As soon as we landed in Dubai it was time for bed, and we had no bed to sleep in because our travel agent made a mistake. And we used a travel agency to avoid any mistakes. Go figure. We called our agent immediately when we landed and he told us to approach the Emirates desk and book a room and he would reimburse us. Easy enough. (By the way, we rented an international cell phone thru verizon and it worked great the whole trip!). We went to the Emirates desk, got our room paid for. Note to self......always take extra money with you! This was $150 we did not plan on spending! By the way, we did not need a transit visa, which some folks said they needed. The Dubai airport is beautiful and very very clean. We got a hotel shuttle van to pick us up....when we walked outside....it was stifling....hard to breath through the thick hot humid heat. All our American soldiers based there earned even more respect from me. I thought back to the Gulf War & how hot it had to be by the burning oil wells....in army fatigues.....unbearable! They dont know how they did it. Well, the shuttle ride to the hotel was quick, but it might be the drivers lead foot that got us there like that....and then uses the breaks at the last minute. Sometimes I wondered if they drove like that on purpose just to make you feel even more glad that you finally arrived at their destination. Another note to self.....Dramamine tomorrow! We got to the Almanar Hotel....very very nice 3 * hotel. It had a kitchen in it complete with stove, full size fridge, microwave and washing machine. It had chandalier lights above the beds. Funny thing.... we felt soooo stupid.....when we got to the room we did not know how to turn on the lights. None of the switches turned on the lights. We felt too stupid to go down to the desk to ask how in the world do you turn the lights on....so we searched and searched in the dark. I picked up the phone in the bathroom to call the front desk but couldnt see to dial thank God because I really hated to ask them how in the world do we turn these lights on....Then, in what I thought was a night light on the wall was actually a thing plugged into the wall that had a slot for your room key to go in. We slid the room key in, and what do you know? Lights on.....for about 5 seconds.....then off again. Note to self......dont just swipe the room key through it.....leave the room key in it....lights will stay on......then you can turn the lamp off with the switch by the bed. Its actually a very good idea. That way, when people check out, they have to have all the lights turned off. Anyway, I am taking the time to write so much about even these silly little details because had someone else written about it, we wouldnt have fumbled around in the dark for 20 minutes completely exhausted. (This is how I am going to tell our whole story. I am going to mention anything that might be helpful for the next families. And I am going to be brutally honest in some of it. Some of the journey is quite confusing and strange. Stay tuned for that.)Now,....the lights are on.......we were both exhausted and thought it felt great to shower and go to sleep. We both slept sound about for about 3 hours and then woke up feeling like we were ready to go get our baby. We had no clock in the room and did not know the time. I looked out the window....still pitch black out.....we were awake and hungry. We did call home with our cell phone. We got to hear our little Bradleys voice. That was sweet. By the way, he was no longer missing us. He was at his cousins house doing fine. They had to get him out of the pool to talk on the phone. And he was quick to say HI! Bye! I love you! Gotta go swim! That made us feel better. We also found out it was only 1:30AM. We could not go back to sleep. We talked about Annsleigh....wondered if she was crawling yet....had teeth yet....would she like us?...thought about her sleeping soundly ....only 1 more night without her.....we turned the lights out and couldnt sleep...my growling stomach kept me up. So we went around the hotel to find a vending machine.....never found one....so went to front lobby of hotel and asked where the vending machines were....they didnt have any....looked at us like we were odd. Another note to self.....vending machines must be an American thing......so we went back to the room. We found snacks and drinks in the fridge in the room.....with prices like $15/Red Bull, $10/small bag of pretzels!?!?!? Wasnt THAT hungry! So..........Brad went to bed....fell asleep and I started to write this journal. This is the end of day 2.....running into day 3

Our Trip To Ethiopia Day 1 - Saturday

2009-09-26T12:25:00.005-05:00

Sept 12, 2009 Saturday - We left the house at 8:50am for a 12:55pm flight. Too early! We sat at the airport for 3 hours. But we spent it with Bradley, Pa and NeNe because they wanted to see us off. Bradley was fine until about 30 min before we said good bye. Then he cried & cried & cried already missing us. We tried not to cry but we both teared up. We sure do miss that little fella. Then we made it thru the baggage x-ray & metal detection without a glitch. Patted myself on the back for packing within regulations. WHEW! First hurdle done with no problems. And none of our checked bags were over 50 pounds. 3 checked bags....1 full of food for us to eat (Brad is kinda a picky eater & I know will not eat the Ethiopian food and we did not want to be rude not eating what they cooked), 1 full of Annsleigh's things & 1 full of our clothes. We also had 2 carryons plus our laptop. Once we made it past security checkpoints we found our gate.....it was a very quick & watched the TN VOLS game in the airport restaurant/bar. VOLS lost by the way. We then went back to the gate and now there were a ton of people waiting to board. We were definitely the minority now. Mostly Arabs. There was another caucasion couple....could they be another CHI adoptin couple? THEY WERE!!! Here is where we met David and Rachel (Rubin) When I met her I felt like I knew her because we both had been communicating on the CHI yahoo group for sometime now. They are adopting 11 month old Jacob. Annsleigh's boyfriend!!!! This was when we were informed that we did not get an email announcing that our Visa appt had been moved up a day to Sept 16!!! I hope its true!!! We talked and got acquainted until ready to board. At the boarding gate it said the Temp for Dubai was 106 tomorrow! Wow! Now thats hot! It was a full flight. 14 hours. We flew Emirates and its the only way to go. As comfortable as possible. All seats had their own screen and remote control for 600 different channels......movies (good oldies...latest releases...disney...you name it), TV shows, music etc..I loved watching the cockpit view of takeoff and landings. And the view from the camera beneath the plane of the terrain down below. When we got to Dubai, he had an 8 hour layover & we were supposed to have a room included in our fee. We were told as we were trying to find our seats that we did not qualify for the room.....so...nothing we could do about it now. We were on our way no matter what...may not have a place to stay... but we were on our way. Seats were still very tight and uncomfortable to try to sleep in but we expected that. They sure made sure you didnt go hungry. Offered food about 4 times during the flight. It was VERY long. But the 600 movie/TV channels helped alot. The only way I could sleep was by putting the tray out in front of me & putting the pillow on it slumped over & Brad then leaned all the way over on me sideways, put his pillow on my back and tried to sleep. That worked until the seat in front of me reclined and woke me up hitting me in the head....one day ran into the next during the flight. Thats all for day 1.

My busy busy little bee

2009-09-23T11:24:00.005-05:00

My sweet sweet Annsleigh is a very very very active and busy little girl. If she is awake, she is on the go! Busy busy busy. We already decided she will be a busy little bumble bee for Halloween. She is no doubt keeping me very very busy and unable to blog yet about our trip. Promise its coming, but wanted to get a new pic up here of her and her brother. When the family met us at the airport, we had her dolled up in her Ethiopian ethnic dress and wrap. How adorable is this? As you can tell, Bradley is madly in love with her. Very protective of her. Hope to blog my journal of the trip very soon.

We are back!!!

2009-09-21T00:38:00.002-05:00

We were able to come home early.....so we are back!!! And exhausted....promise I will post what we did and saw everyday. But, for now I've just gotta say that Annsleigh is just perfect! She is sooooooooo happy. Thank you Jesus! Smiles everywhere....giggles everywhere! Bradley loves her so much too! Now gotta try and get this angel to bed. She just woke up from sleeping on the plane for about 6 hours and its 12:42 AM soooooo.....wish us luck!

We are off to Ethiopia!!!

2009-09-11T14:33:00.002-05:00

One last post before we leave! We are super excited and so ready to go. Annsleigh, HERE WE COME!!!!!!! We leave tomorrow AM and dont think blogging will be too easy while we are gone. But, will update when we can!! Will be back on the 22nd. Keep us in your prayers!

Somebody Pinch Me!

2009-09-07T11:48:00.002-05:00

Will somebody pinch me please!!! I just cannot believe that in just 1 week, our precious little one will be in our arms. It still just doesnt feel real. The bags are almost completely packed now, we have our tickets, but I still just cannot believe it. And no matter how much I have studied and read everyone elses blogs as they journeyed to Ehtiopia to bring their little ones home, I still have to say I dont know what to expect. When she is placed in my arms....what will it be like? When she sleeps on my shoulder...what will it be like? Her country....what will it be like? Her personality....her teething....her sleeping habits.....what will any of it be like? All I know is has got to heavenly to have her in my arms....feel her breathing, watching her sleep. I know the rest will all fall into place. Brad always likes to make bets with people. Yesterday he asked me heads or tails? I said for what? He said to see who will hold Annsleigh first. I said I didnt want to pick! But I did...I lost...but I told him it will just have to be both of us...I'll hold her bottom....and he'll hold her top!

WE GOT THE OK TO TRAVEL!!!!!!!

2009-09-01T17:23:00.003-05:00

Everything is done and ready to go!!! That is as far as the agency is concerned. (You can see how NOT ready we are!!!) Sweet Annsleigh is completely ready and waiting for us to bring her home. We just booked flights to leave on Sep 12. For anyone wanting to see us return at the airport, we will return to Nashville on Sep 22 at 3:04pm!!!! Wow! I havent been able to think past the adoption once.........until just now. :) This is truly amazing. Now, please just pray for our health before and during our trip. Brad is sick as a dog right now with a stomach virus. Maybe we can get all this out of our systems before we leave. And........no H1N1!!!! PLEEEEEZE!!!!!

Travel Conference Call Today

2009-08-31T21:12:00.003-05:00

Now, this is getting very exciting! We had our travel conference call today with our agency, along with 11 other families. This is quite a big travel group. They prepared us for our trip, what to expect in country, how to dress, and how to fill out all the paperwork, the weather, the altitude, everything. What is most exciting is the fact that there is only one more email we expect to receive in the next day or 2 in which it will give us the official "OK TO TRAVEL" . So.............we are literally almost there. We have jumped all the hurdles and this journey has come to the climax. We are actually going to get to finalize our plane tickets in just a day or 2. This is very exciting. Cannot wait to hold our angel and just love her. This is the fun part, I must admit. I still cannot imagine getting on the plane and being on our way.

Now the Fun Begins :)

2009-08-26T20:50:00.002-05:00

We got an email today that says we have a scheduled conference call with our agency for Monday morning, along with the rest of the families in our travel group for Sep 17. This call will go over how we are supposed to fill out all the immigration and visa appt paperwork. Its good to know the agency is there to help us with this. Its kinda like income tax papers. AHHH! But, we have made it through the entire dossier, so this should be manageable. So, for those yet to pass court, or receive a referral, do not stress when you get these papers. Supposedly help is a phone call away. This is still not the official OK to travel, but it is the last thing to do before we get the OK to travel! YAY! I am actually getting very excited, nervous that we will forget something very important, nervous about leaving our son behind, already nervous about us making sure our 6 year old will continue to receive the attention he needs and thrives on. Tomorrow we are going shopping for much needed travel items, HOH donation items and blinds for Annsleighs room.....because..........in 3 weeks........SHE WILL BE IN HER ROOM!!!!!!!!!!!!! IN OUR HOME!!!!!!!!!!!!! WITH US FOREVER!!!!!!!!!!!CAN YOU TELL I AM EXCITED?????

We Got Teased Today!

2009-08-25T18:09:00.003-05:00

Today, we got an email from our agency that said we may indeed get to travel 1 week earlier than anticipated, meaning we would leave a week from this Saturday!!!! There are so many families scheduled to travel the 17th that the country is willing to open up another visa appt date, which usually are only on the 1st and 3rd Thurs of every month. Yikes!!! You talk about excited! But, then the agency emailed back and said that we probably wouldnt travel early because in order to do that, they needed enough families willing to change their plans from the 17th of Sep up to the 10th of Sep and supposedly not enough families were "willling to travel early and change their plans"?!?!?!? What in the world?!?!!? Who in their right mind would say, "Oh, we have waited too long to bring our child home, but thats ok, we will just leave at the later date!!!!??!?!?" I dont get it. If we were told we could leave NOW, we would. I am still hoping we can leave at the earlier date. We are ready to go, but they do not want to open up a new visa appt date with just 1 or 2 families willing to change. Lord help me! This was just a tease!!! But, I've got to admit, I was a nervous wreck inside in a tizz of excitement about getting the packing done! But, it was a fun nervous. A good nervous. Anyway, maybe by some miracle, we can still travel early. Either way, we are pretty much set for the Sep 17 date and got all of our travel documents today!

We have an update

2009-08-21T01:52:00.002-05:00

I dont know what we would do without computers/internet in the adoption world. It would be a very long lonely journey. We have "met" many wonderful supportive families going through all the things we are. And some have been fortunate enough to have their new little ones at home already. Through the adoption blogging world and the adoption yahoo group I stalk regularly, one lovely family, Joe and Kay Heikes, just returned home from Ethiopia with there precious little Lulit. She is an absolute doll. Anyway, by Kay reading my posts and blog, she recognized Annsleighs Ethiopian name, Tihune. And, she met Tihune. It clicked for her when she saw our Annsleighs pictures on the blog. And, we learned a little about our little lady Annsleigh. Here is what Kay said. "I just realized I spent some time with your daughter at HOH at the end of July when we were there. You used her Ethiopian name in a recent post (Tihune) and I recognized it. I looked at your blog and her pics and there she was! I am sure others have given you info on her but she is such a doll. She has SO much personality. There is never a doubt about how she feels! She has the most expressive face and lets everyone know just how she feels. She lights up a room with her smile and breaks your heart with her pouty face :) She is a hoot....She really stood out in my mind when we picked up our little Lulit."
Well, I just want to say a great big thank you to Joe and Kay. Even amidst their excitement in uniting with their new baby girl in Ethiopia, they took the time to take it all in and notice others much loved babies still waiting. It means so much to me. Now, I feel so much better that she really is not as sad as she looks in most all her pictures. Thank you Lord!

Annsleigh is ours!!!!!

2009-08-10T11:34:00.003-05:00

Thank you God! Annsleigh is officially ours today! We could not be more proud, thrilled, relieved. Unfortunately we have to wait until a Sept 17 embassy appointment to bring her home, but that just doesnt seem so bad anymore. At least the court issues are over. And, our agency announced that they are no longer affiliated with the orphanage Annsleigh came from because the orphanage director was incompetent with the paperwork. With that all behind us....I cannot stop looking at my new favorite picture of our daughter, Annsleigh......

Court Date Tomorrow

2009-08-09T11:38:00.002-05:00

Well, tomorrow is the very very long awaited day. This month has gone by extremely slow for us, despite us trying to get out and do things to take our mind off our problems. But, it would not be normal to be able to go on with life with one of your children being missed sooooo intensely. We got an updated video of Annsleigh in the mail the other day from our agency. I wish I could say it made me feel good. It did not. She once again just looks so so sad and not stimulated, kind of with a flat affect. That really worries me. She is looking like "this is taking entirely toooo long. My mommy and daddy are sure taking a long time to come get me :( Breaks my heart. She needs to be home and thats all there is to it. She is very very chubby, though. So physically she is thriving, but emotionally she looks very blank in the face. Maybe she was just tired, but all her pics, she looks like this. I cant understand why my good Lord would have allowed it to take this long because it just isnt what my mortal eyes can see. I know He knows, but I would never want any of my children to suffer "because its part of His plan". I struggle with this. I have in the past too. Anyway, I will now thank my good Lord in advance for seeing to it that everything tomorrow has gone well and that we have reason to celebrate.

She is NOT OURS again!

2009-07-13T11:33:00.003-05:00

UNBELIEVEABLE!!!!! JUST GOT A CALL FROM THE AGENCY THAT ANNSLEIGH IS NOT OURS (once again). The judge all of a sudden had a memory lapse and did not remember the birth mother showing up back on June 5! So, the birth mother has to make the emotional journey once again to show up in court on Aug 10 and go thru this AGAIN!!!!! This is torture. Just pure ridiculous torture. Like waving candy in a childs face, handing it to him and then snatching it away. It is awful that you literally cannot enjoy the adoption process towards the bitter end. "They" toy with your emotions as often as the wind changes. Outrageous. The agency said to keep pictures up that are out there, but dont post no more. Whatever!

This Little One Is What Kept Us Going

2009-07-08T22:45:00.001-05:00

Introducing Our Daughter Annsleigh Lynn Tihune Hoagland!

2009-07-08T10:44:00.007-05:00

God plans adoptions from Heaven,

and He searches the world...you see,

for people who long to be parents,

people like Daddy and me.

Then, in his own time, he answers,

the prayer thry've been praying so long,

and he finds a child who is waiting,

to fill their lives with a song!

You are THE child who we prayed for,

so special, so precious, so sweet!

The one who we'll cherish forever,

the one who makes our life complete!

Bad News About Court....AGAIN!

2009-06-30T11:10:00.003-05:00

It is very difficult to put into words (that are not obscene) how I feel right now. Feels like Im on the sinking titanic waving goodbye to loved ones who are going to "make it". Because of one orpnanage director (from Holy Savior....look out if thats where your child is from ) that just doesnt seem to get it, Annsleigh sits and waits. SOME MORE! This guy shows up to court AGAIN without signatures on important paperwork. Signatures that require his leg work to get done. He needs to be fired! Our agency is frustrated with this guy also, and is considering not using this orphanage anymore because of him. An in country agency staff person is literally going to take him by the hand and get these signatures done, but we dont know when. The judge did not even set another court date, just told him to GET IT DONE! and bring it to her. Sounds like she will approve it as soon as she gets it, but now we have NO DATE to plan on. I did hear from the agency today that if it does get done this week, we will still be able to get Annsleigh by the end of July. She sounded real positive in that manner. But, if not....we are looking at August. I give all the families all the respect in the world that go thru this process, and turn around after their baby is home and start it all over again for another child. I know I could not live thru something like this again. I am getting too old for all this. And remember, none of us can be on any antidepressants or nerve pills during this process, or we are deemed bad people. Guess I 'll just have to go eat a gallon of ice cream chased by a pound of raw cookie dough with a side of fries.

No News

2009-06-29T16:28:00.005-05:00

I cannot sugar coat this message at all at this point, for all the families in the process. This blog is about our adoption journey, all the good and all the bad. Will leave out the cuss words because one day my sweet angel will read this. And I am not an impatient person. But this has been THE MOST agonizing part of the entire process. Knowing you are #1 top of the waiting for a referral list and not getting a call used to be my most agonizing part. But, at least we could some how go and do things and try to not think about it, and just feel peace that it is in Gods hands. Now, we have a little face that we have been staring at for months. Her little face in plastered all over the house and on my dash. Looking at me like" momma, where are you?" Brought to tears at this point. Its not fair to any baby/child to have to wait any longer than necessary. So, at this point, I am like, "Why God? Why couldnt our case pass last Friday? For that matter, why couldnt ours pass the first go around like so many others did? Why wasnt our case the first to be seen last Friday, before power went out, especially because we have unfinished court business from June 5? Why should Annsleigh have to wait any longer?" Im just sick of it and cannot function anymore. Today, we heard no news because our agency tried all day to get through to Ethiopia but due to power outtages there, they were unsuccessful. So, tomorrow, they say, tomorrow. Hopefully tomorrow is good news and not bad because I have a feeling if we do not pass court this week, we will not get to bring her home until August.

Forgot to Pray the Power Stayed On!!!

2009-06-26T11:18:00.003-05:00

Note to self.....Dont forget to also pray the power stays on long enough in Ethiopia for them to see your case!!! ARGGGGHHHHHH!!!! Our case goes to court again on Monday to try to #1 Be seen with power on. And #2 Make sure all paperwork is in order. By the way, power outages are at least a daily event there.

Court Date Tomorrow = No Sleep, No Nails Left, No Hair Left, Just 1 Frayed Nerve Sticking Straight Up

2009-06-25T10:49:00.003-05:00

Yesterday we finished all of our immunizations with the yellow fever vaccine. Bradley went along with us. He was all concerned that his daddy was going to get hurt with the shot, but not me!?! Whats up with that? Well, I just love that little fella. I have posted before about the prayers he says every night. Every night since we started this adoption journey, he has prayed for Annsleigh so we can bring her home one day. Last night, his prayer was "....and bless Annsleigh and we hope we can bring her home real soon...cuz my parents got their shots now." Too cute! Tomorrow is our second and, God willing, final court date. Please pray that all the papers are in order tomorrow. I feel I must get more specific with my prayers at this point. Then, not to be pessimistic, but if it doesnt pass tomorrow, pray that I dont go psycho and snap!

We Got An Update!

2009-06-24T03:55:00.002-05:00

Yay! We got an update about our baby from the adoption agency. She now weighs 17 1/2 pounds and is 26" long . Thats 4 pounds up from when we got our referral call, and 2 inches taller. We are expecting pictures also maybe next week. Just in time to pass court and post pics! I have peace knowing she is thriving and growing. And also that she is rooming with several friends whose mommas I've come to know through the adoption world. All of them are about the same age and have been together f0r some time now. Its good to know there is some stability in her life at least for a time.

Happy 8 month birthday Annsleigh!

2009-06-17T22:13:00.002-05:00

Yesterday our angel turned 8 months old. She will probably turn 9 months old too before we bring her home. Hopefully not 10 though. All of it is out of our hands, so we wait, impatiently I might add. Anyway, not much else to post here. Just counting the days, sparing you all the 10 day "countdown" again.

Be Careful What You Pray For!

2009-06-11T17:34:00.003-05:00

Okay, now I take back my words about time going by fast. This last week has really been slow moving for me. I guess its just because I am a little down about waiting for another court date. I dont mean to belittle those poor families who have it so much worse than us. There are many families that on their court date got a phone call that was so much worse than ours. They were all told that their babies/childrens court cases just werent seen at all and that no one knew when they would be seen. This was because their children were all abandoned in the capital city of Addis Ababa, and on that day, the judge found an agency unethically putting many babies/children through the adoption process. They were bought, sold, bribed for, etc. I cannot imagine EVER taking ANY amount of money for any of my kids. And none of us in the adoption process would ever want to receive a baby in this way. It is awful. Our adoption agency was not at fault, but because this was found, ALL abandoned cases from that city were put onhold indefinitely. Well, these poor families are going on week 4 of not knowing ANYTHING. So, 1 week for me to wait for a court date already set seems like I am wallering in self pity. I dont mean to and I dont see it as that. I just miss my baby soooooo much. Again, I asked Brad the other day how can we miss her and she has never even been here? No one would understand, unless they were in the adoption process. I felt her as mine before we ever saw her face. And I am longing for her. Its just such a strong emotion or feeling hard to describe. But it has made it IMPOSSIBLE to get her off my mind, no matter what I do. Its a sadness. Emptiness. And I remember praying for patience so many times throughout my life. Including patience with my children. Do you think when you pray for patience God waves his magic wand over you and blesses you with this amazing attribute? NOT! He puts you in situations where you have to be patient. Or you could choose not to be and be miserable. Just trying to focus on June 26. But this go around, the time is slow moving.

Bad News About Court

2009-06-05T10:51:00.002-05:00

Well we got the call this morning, but it wasn't the call we wanted. We found out today that we didn't pass court. It's all about the paper work that wasn't there. They resheduled our court date for June 26th. So i guess we got three more weeks to go. Fran and I are kinda sad now was hoping to travel before the fourth of July. Hope everyone else got good news today. Prayers and love to everyone else out there. And thanks for keeping us in your prayers. Hopefully next time will be better.

Just a little sneek peek!

2009-06-04T18:59:00.002-05:00

Here is a picture of our little girl's hand. Stefany snapped this picture when she visited Annsleigh for us and took some pictures for us. She said she told Annsleigh her momma, daddy and Bradley love her very much and were coming to get her very very soon. She said she had a strong strong grip and did not want to let go! I asked Stefany, "You did not wash your hand off did you?!?" To just think someone I know touched and held my baby's hand... Awesome....soon it will be us.

1 DAY UNTIL COURT!

2009-06-04T04:10:00.002-05:00

I cannot believe I can finally post this. TOMORROW IS OUR COURT DAY!!!!! Can you tell I am excited, yet nervous and anxious. We got more pictures of our sweet girl yesterday from 2 couples that travelled and returned home with their little ones. Thank you to the Thorntons and the Heads. They told us a little about our angel. She is sitting up now, and has a very strong grip. She wouldnt let go of Stefany's hand. They also said she has chubby cheeks and puckered up butterfly lips. I cannot wait to hold her and kiss her. She is one to not smile for the camera much. And this go around, she just looks so sad. It breaks my heart. She just needs to come home. Although, she did crack a smile only after the camera was put away, either Stefany or Sherry said. I cannot wait until she smiles for us all the time. She is also wearing the same outfit she had on 1 month ago and is still playing with the same toy. Needless to say, we are planning on taking a care package to the HOH full of infant toys. Toys that these babies in cribs can get stimulated with. Colorful toys that rattle that can be chewed on and cleaned. These last set of pictures has meant so much to me, and it has just enforced in my heart that court just has to pass tomorrow. Please please please pray for this for us tonight. And hopefully her pictures will be posted right here tomorrow!

2 days to court

2009-06-03T12:21:00.015-05:00

Here are the rest of the pics from Annsleigh's room! Her ants....
Her grasshopper....

Her bumble bees......

One of her inch worms....

One of her ladybugs...

One of her dragonflys... And....all of her butterflys....

3 Days! Just 3 Days!

2009-06-02T20:29:00.016-05:00

I thought I would finally post the final results of a group effort at finishing Annsleigh's room. I will post some today and some tomorrow. Brad painted the pink, I painted the fence and my sister in law Terri is the talented one who painted all the details. Couldnt think of any better posts I could possibly have done before we introduce you to her in just 3 days. Wow! I cannot believe it. It is finally feeling real. I have got to say that the most agonizing part of our adoption process (so far...fingers crossed) has been the wait for the referral. Now, if court doesnt pass the first time around, I may change my mind. But, since our referral phone call, time has gone by very fast. And at least we have had her pictures of her sweet face to look at and dream about. Well, at last, here is ANNSLEIGH'S GARDEN.......

Her kitty cat...

Her frog

Her bunny....

Her snail...

Bradley's finishing touch on the room...

Her turtle...

Her birdbath...

She needs more clothes!

4...

2009-06-01T17:37:00.001-05:00

5....

2009-05-31T09:46:00.001-05:00

6!

2009-05-30T13:16:00.000-05:00

Bear with me and the count down, but we are hoping this is the last count down we have.

7 Days!

2009-05-29T16:17:00.002-05:00

Starting to get nervous now! Keep praying and thanks for all the support!

8 DAYS AND COUNTING.....

2009-05-28T12:29:00.002-05:00

9 DAYS UNTIL COURT!

2009-05-27T16:08:00.001-05:00

10 Days to Court!!!!

2009-05-26T08:12:00.002-05:00

Well, I cannot believe it is actually only 10 days to court! That means that on that Friday afternoon, we will get a phone call from CHI, our adoption agency, that Annsleigh is officially and legally ours! Of course sometimes court doesnt go through the first time around for various reasons all of which are usually worked out by the next month, or sometimes sooner. It would be another delay, but not the end of the world. In other words, just because court doesnt pass the first time around doesnt mean Annsleighs adoption is in jeopardy. It always works out sooner or later. But, I pray it goes thru the first time around. This has been the focus of my prayers, especially this last month which I might add has gone by very fast. Keep praying!

7 Months Old Today

2009-05-16T10:20:00.002-05:00

Our sweet baby is 7 months old today. We are wearing out the video and pics here. Longing to hold her. Cannot wait to get the go ahead to travel. Hopefully when I post she is 8 months old, I can say we already passed court and packing up, getting ready to go. Come on June 5!!!!!

We have a video!

2009-05-06T14:00:00.006-05:00

Bradley kissing Annsleigh :)

Thanks to the Carley family who just got back from bringing their precious son home, we received an adorable video today of our precious Annsleigh! She is in her crib getting tummy time (with a cute little naked booty airing out!). And she looks fabulous! She has grown (a little.....dont grow up too fast Annsleigh!) and looks incredibly healthy. Big bright eyes. No runny nose. And the nannies got her to smile. Poor Angie. She just wouldnt smile for her. Thanks for trying so hard Angie! She is so beautiful..........hhhhmmmm. Contentment. Pure contentment watching that video. There is so much peace of mind and heart knowing she is healthy and thriving so well! In less than a month we have our court date and hopefully we will be able to post her pics and the videos then.

WE HAVE A COURT DATE!!!!!

2009-04-27T21:01:00.002-05:00

We are so excited here to announce today we received a court date for June 5! This court takes place in Ethiopia without our presence. And, come June 5, if all goes well, Annsleigh will LEGALLY BE OURS!!!! That is THE day we can post her pics here. If all goes well on June 5, we have a tentative VISA date on June 25. That means that we have to be present in Ethiopia, with baby in arms, to bring her home!!!!! We are thrilled because this is sooner than we set ourselves up for. Although we are well aware that for various reasons sometimes court does not pass first time around and then may be delayed a month. But, we can actually now start calling around for ideas on how much air fare will be and we can also call around and plan where to stay. It is actually feeling like it is really going to happen now. I can see a small light at the end of the tunnel!

Whats In Her Name

2009-04-21T15:49:00.002-05:00

Hello,
This is Brad, Frans husband. What is in a name? When we came up with her name it had alot to do with our family. The Ann part as you all know is named after my lovely wife Francine Ann Hoagland. The Leigh part is named after my sister Terri Leigh Neely. Her middle name Lynn is named after to very very special people. One would have been my step daughter Amanda Lynn Merritt, i never got to meet her i wished i would have she was a very beautiful young lady. The other very special person she is named after is my oldest sister Tracy Lynn Hoagland, She was very special to me she did alot of thing for me. She was killed in a car accident when i was 16 years old it crushed me. I told myself if i ever had a daughter her name would be part of my daughters name. Annsleigh Lynn Hoagland is very special to Fran and I, shes part of my step daughter and my wife, and sisters. She is going to be very special to me.

6 Months Old Today!

2009-04-16T21:28:00.002-05:00

Today, our baby is 6 months old! Oh how I wish I had her here with us. In reality, we may not have her until July. I apologize for those who read along and arent familiar with the adoption process. We are not allowed to post pictures of her until it passes court in Ethiopia. After that, she is legally ours and you better believe you will see her sweet face right here! Unfortunately, it takes several months to get this accomplished, so again we play a waiting game. But, at least during this wait we have a picture to look at. Once court passes, we travel to bring her home within another 2 weeks to a month.

Good Friday Tornado

2009-04-13T19:06:00.003-05:00

This is what came through our city of Murfreesboro on Good Friday, 2009. It was devestating! Very frightening. Many many families lost their homes, and one young mother and her 9 week old baby lost their lives as they fled for safety. We are fine. We are very grateful and thank God for that. I was at work at the hospital when this was going on. We had always practiced what to do when an outside disaster strikes, but really never thought it would happen. What happened that day was sickening. Grown men crying on strechers. Entire families battered and bleeding, their children skinned from head to toe with their clothes hanging off of them. The loss of life. When I got home that night, I just hugged my child and husband and didnt want to let go. To beat all, it wasnt even 1 1/2 weeks earlier that we already had a smaller tornado rip through one street in town wiping out a movie theater and strip mall. Today I drove through one of the hardest hit neighborhoods, a house I lived in 3 years ago. The subdivision looks like a bomb, no, several bombs went off. Words cannot describe what is left, and what is simply gone. There are so many displaced families. It will take forever to rebuild and replace. Now, as I type this, thunder is rumbling again, and I cannot help but get skiddish when storms come around. And, I live in a subdivision that was destroyed by a tornado 10 years ago. We do not have basements here. Most people dont. And, the homes lost were not just mobile homes. They were even brick. So, I hope we can invest in a storm shelter. In the meantime, just please pray for all these displaced families. It will be a long time before they can get back to any normalcy of life.

Referral Day Details

2009-04-02T16:10:00.005-05:00

Okay, think I can finally pull myself away from her picture long enough just to type this. We have seriously been in a trance over her precious face. But, it has been a few days and feel it is now time to share the details of our referral day. WARNING: This has potential to be long. Now, before I get into the details of this day, I must go back to the day before, March 29. March 29 has always been a precious day in my heart because it is my first daughter Amanda's birthday. She would be 20 now. (WOW!) She died when she was 8 of a degenerative brain disease. In fact, Annsleigh is named partly after her....they both share the middle name Lynn. On Amanda's birthday, I was unable to go to the cemetary and let off balloons in memory of her as we always do because I had to work. The next day, I left the house jokingly telling Brad I'll have my cell phone on because I expect a referral call today! (eyes rolling) Well, I was off to take some things to the cemetary for Amanda. But, first, I had to stop by Bradley's pediatrician office to pick up some x-rays for a MD appt he had later that day. There I was in the basement of the clinic building where my cell phone always dies when I was missing my referral calls. Toni at the adoption agency called Brad at home and both of them repeatedly tried to call me. I was getting ansy waiting 30 min for x-ray copies because we had 7 newborn puppies that needed to be at the vet by then, that I just knew Brad would be trying to get a hold of me. So, finally, when I left the clinic and as soon as I got signal back on the phone, I called Brad to figure out when we were going to get 7 puppies to the vet. Well, when he answered he just said where are you? You just need to come home now! I asked him if something was wrong? He didnt want to tell me cuz either he wanted to surprise me and/or was afraid I would wreck coming home, but he finally said the adoption agency had been trying and trying to call me! We got the referral! So I asked him WHAT?!?!?!!?!?? Well, how old is she? He said Toni would not give him any info until she could get us both on the phone. AAAHHHHHHH! You talk about driving like a maniac! I was excited, and crying and driving irradically, of course getting stopped at EVERY stoplight. I looked in the passenger seat and saw all the cemetary birthday stuff for Amanda and lost it! I felt this was just a precious precious timing of God. And I felt Amanda was okay with all of this. That somehow, she was there. It was as close to being Amandas birthday as possible. Almost wrecked I dont know how many times. Finally got home Toni called and I dont remember much about the conversation!!! I wrote some things down, and then, we saw the picture! That was all she wrote! Kiss smudges all over the computer screen! Her little face is plastered all over the house and even in our cars on the dash! Cannot sleep, or concentrate on anything. We quickly printed off the pics and left to run over to a friends house to show her off, but we locked ourselves out of the house! No keys, cant get in, cant go to friends. What in the world? Well, I'll proudly take the credit for being able to break into our door successfully with my insurance card! And Brad was driving stopping a greenlights and going on red lights. Of course, we eagerly awaited her paperwork the next day, got it, read it, signed it, sent it, sealed, delivered, ACCEPTED!!!! And we love the name her birthmom gave her because it means " its okay" . We are going to incorporate it into her name. Sorry, this was long, but it is just too much to explain in a sentence or 2.

TODAY IS OUR DAY!

2009-03-30T18:22:00.002-05:00

We got our referral call today for our Annsleigh and she is an absolute doll! Precious! She is 5 1/2 months old, and has the chubbiest cheeks and the most kissable little lips ever! Oh, and rolls on her thighs! We are soooooooo in love!!!!! Will post details of this memorable day later!

Nope, It Was Not Us....

2009-03-24T18:01:00.002-05:00

6 (I think) very lucky families got a referral call yesterday. All were toddler and older and sibling groups and boys too, except there was one 3 month old baby girl. I really am happy for all these families, but very confused as to if and when this will happen. Trying to do better about not starring at the phone and not even jumping when the phone rings an outside line at work. Its really strange to feel in limbo. Just when you think we should be so excited to be at the top of the list, we are downright frustrated. Feel like we arent supposed to question if they still have our file. And know full and well that it just is not our specially selected baby's turn. Anyway, I just dont want this to get into a possible court date when the rainy season comes in August and everything comes to a screeching halt.

42 ____________'in WEEKS NOW!#@*^#/!

2009-03-23T10:28:00.003-05:00

You fill in the blank!.......Thats all I can say!

40 weeks!

2009-03-10T22:40:00.003-05:00

Well, we have just finished hitting our waiting of 40 weeks now. Sorry this blog is just so boring, but it is our adoption blog and there just is not anything going on. I could post about random goings ons in our lives that have nothing to do with getting Annsleigh, but that is not the purpose of this blog. So, I will just leave it at that. Just a post about a whole lotta nothin. I cannot even verbalize the irritation already in everyday that passes without a call. When someone asks me if we heard yet, I smile and say on no, just waiting. Still waiting! When all the while I just dont even want to talk about it anymore. I guess that explains the lack of any blogging. I dont even want to talk about how nothing is happening. I do know full and well that God is doing a whole lot behind the scenes, but I just cant help but know that my sweet baby is just laying around in a crib in a dismal orphanage probably crying hungry and is maybe third or fourth down the row to be fed. Or, worse, having a bottle propped in her mouth while she sweetly lays there with no warm mother holding her up against her. No mother's hand in hers as she eats. No mother nuzzling the sweet little rolls under her chin when she is burped. Burped! Forget that, she probably is just having to lay there and burp herself and spit up all over her already soiled clothes. Okay, I just gotta hold her. My patience is gone. Lord, give me patience and peace of mind to know that You have it all under control! AMEN!

We Got the Call! ( In Brads Dreams!)

2009-03-04T15:12:00.003-06:00

This is kinda funny. We have been so obsessed with getting the referral call, that it is even in our dreams. Last night Brad dreamt that Toni from CHI called us with the referral and when she told us she was getting ready to e-mail the pics, I told her "NoNoNO! Dont do that! We want to be surprised when we go to Ethiopia to pick her up"!!! WTF!?!?!?!? Now that would be insanity! Thats what we are living for now, that picture. 1 picture, just 1 picture that we will cling to for months. I thought that was too funny!

Waiting 38 Weeks!

2009-03-03T15:27:00.002-06:00

Here we are at the 38 week mark of our wait! Still waiting. Then we will get the call and impatiently wait for our courtdate! Then impatiently wait to travel! Its all about hurrying up to wait wait wait and wait some more! But, still smiling here! Everyday is one more day closer. There were 4 children referred today! A sibling group and an 18 month old boy and a 2 month old girl. So, God is definitely at work!

Still Waiting Here

2009-02-27T21:45:00.003-06:00

Well, we have come to the end of another week with no referrals. I have come to absolutely hate Fridays, especially Friday afternoons, cuz chances are there will be no referral phone call. And I for the first time in my life get excited about Mondays, because the office is open again. And today I found out that the CHI worker that would be calling us is taking a week off the second week of March. So I wonder if that means no referrals during that week? Or what? Hopefully we would have gotten our call by then. We have passed the 36 week mark. In fact, I think we are now waiting 37 weeks. I cannot believe I am losing track of what week we are on when at one point, I focused on it. I know very well that each day that passes is one day closer to referral day. We are now working on redoing our fingerprints because they will expire before we get to travel. Fingerprints are good for 15 months, and ours expires in May. I cannot believe we probably will not even be bringing her home until summer possibly! I hope to God it will not run into August when courts close. Now, that would be agonizing. Lord please let this happen soon!

Sadness

2009-02-17T20:59:00.003-06:00

I am very sorry to post such a thing, but there is devestating news. There is a particular family that needs our prayers. Carrie and Martin received a referral for their baby girl. They have never even had an opportunity to hold their precious angel. She passed away this weekend. This is devestating to me, having lost a daughter myself. At least I was able to hold and comfort mine. In fact, she died in my arms. This family is feeling a terrible loss. It is a loss that NO ONE can replace. It will forever change their lives and it will leave a permanent scar on their hearts. It is a horrible gaping wound now, but with time, the wound heals and a scar remains. One thing about this scar, it will not hurt so bad with time, but it will always be there to remind them. I am praying they find comfort in knowing their precious angel is in heaven, sitting on Jesus lap right now. And they will see her there one day, to be with her for eternity.

No News

2009-02-13T21:24:00.002-06:00

Im sorry to say that there has been no news to report as far as our phone ringing from St Louis. I even contacted the agency to make sure they have all our correct phone numbers. However, this week 1 family did receive their referral for 2 1/2 mo old twin boys! That is such a blessing. I am very excited for them. At the same time, I am feeling very impatient, ansy, and down because it is another Friday evening. No calls expected til Monday. Then Mondays come and go and still, no call, It is really driving me crazy. I am trying to keep busy to keep my mind off of it, but that is impossible anymore. I pray every day that it will be the day, but the weeks just keep passing. I just do not like not being in any situation where all you can do is wait. I am not doing very well at it. AAAAHHHHHHHH!!!! Just wanna scream!!!!!1

I THINK WE ARE #1 ON THE LIST!!!!!!!

2009-01-27T20:40:00.003-06:00

To the best of my calculations, and I have been very conservative in guessing our number on the list, I think we are #1 for a baby girl 0 - 6 months old!!!!! I am so excited I really could not concentrate at work today! There were a total of 11!!!!!! referrals yesterday & today. 6 of them were girls. I know 1 of them was older than 6 months, the rest were not. We will be near a phone at all times until we get the call. She is all I can think about!!!! Oh and a very very special thanks for everyone who takes the time to check on Annsleighs blog, make the encouraging comments you do and keep me going. I could not make it without all of you.

Number 4 on the list!

2009-01-26T15:05:00.002-06:00

There have been a couple more referrals today! Finally! Both are very young infant girls. That moves us up to at least #4! (Maybe #3 if any of the infant boys referred last week effected us!) I am feeling alot more optimistic. I am expecting our call anytime the phone rings during the day now! Its becoming real now. Lets hope its in the next couple of weeks!

Waiting 32 weeks Now = 8 months!

2009-01-14T21:02:00.004-06:00

Well, I really am starting to feel down having to post another 4 weeks have passed and still no referral. And to beat all, the adoption agency today announced that once we see her face, we now are looking at waiting 4 months or longer to bring her home. Now that puts us into June, July, August, who knows when, we travel to bring her home. Brad is unemployed now with benefits and 80% pay. That still makes us ok for adoption. He will have a new job by then, (God willing) and I am sure will not be able to just leave for a week to do this.. or, if he doesnt have these benefits or 80%pay by then, we cannot get baby at all. So.....that adds to my depression. Every night since we started this process, Bradley has prayed for Annsleigh that "We can bring her home soon." Last night, he prayed and prayed. "We HAVE to bring her home now! We have been praying and praying and how much longer?!?" And then he was so cute and kept going.."God we just have to have her home...I just cant stop praying, I just cant cuz its been too long! I just cant stop." He looked at me with big brown eyes, shaking his head and rubbing his brow, and said,"Man, I just cant stop praying..." Today, I shut the door to her finished room and dont want to open it until we get the call.

How can you miss someone you've never met?

2009-01-10T09:51:00.002-06:00

I have not posted in a while because there just simply is no new news on the adoption. The agency was closed for the holidays and opened back up this Monday. I knew for sure that on Monday morning they would have a list of families to call with new referrals, but there were none. And then there were no new referrals all week. So, we still wait. And as Bradley said the other day "Imiss her. From that first day we went to that building to order her, I've missed her."

We are getting soooooooooooo close!

2008-12-22T18:24:00.002-06:00

We got an e-mail from Tony at CHI (adoption agency) stating that we had an urgent matter to be taken care of "since we were sooooooooo close to getting a referral", she didnt want to have anything detain us. She said that when families start getting close to receiving a referral, they have staff in Ethiopia check all the paperwork and see to it that everything is in order. Well, they did not see that our Visa-37 cable ever got there. That means that if we were there to bring her home, she would not be able to get her visa to travel here. So, we have to start back to USCIS (immigration services) resubmitting our adoption approval (they already sent it once back in May) to the NVC(National Visa Center) so they in turn can submit everything (again) to the Ethiopian Embassy. I got an e-mail today from immigrations stating they did send it today to the visa center, so everything is getting taken care of. It just felt good to hear those words out of Tony "we were soooooooo close to a referral!" that it really sugercoated the stressful news learning the paperwork got lost somewhere! None of this delays us receiving and accepting a referral, but it needs to be done way before we travel to get her:)

28 weeks now = 7 months

2008-12-17T19:38:00.003-06:00

We have been waiting 28 weeks now, which in my book is 7 months. (being a NICU nurse, 28 weeks is 7 months along). Last month I got some folks stirred up by declaring my 24 weeks as official 6 months. We sent our dossier in June 3. I count by weeks. Like when you are pregnant. If you just say the months like a lay person, it would seem we arent 7 months until Jan 3. But, I cannot help the way my mind works and the way when I work in the NICU, time is counted in weeks. Oh well, never mean to confuse anyone or stir up anything, but I am excited about this and cannot wait until we wont be obsessing about "now do you mean weeks/where are you in line/how many days/months/etc." In a couple of months none of this will matter. As a matter of fact, there were 8 referraks in the last 2 days!!!! We are so excited for all the families. Then, the obsessing begins with getting the referral packet and the courtdate and travel and packing. They say that this post referral wait is the worst. The agony of wait after you've seen the precious face. Cannot wait to see the precious face. In all the 8 referrals, there was only 1 baby girl, so we only move up a smidge. I guess we are #14ish maybe.

AAARRRGGGHHH!

2008-12-12T18:35:00.003-06:00

Been a little down lately. First of all, the very good thing is that there was a sibling referral yesterday for the Zubers for twin 4 year old girls. I am so happy for them .They have been waiting quite a while. And today another family got a sibling referral also. But, up til then, there has been a long dry spell again for referrals. GIRL referrals especially. We were hoping for a referral between Thanksgiving and Christmas and now that Christmas is approaching, and nothing has been going on, we are probably looking at a Feb referral, which means an April court date, which means going to get her in May!?!? Everything is just taking so long. I did find out we are #15 on the list!

WOW!

2008-11-20T18:29:00.001-06:00

Wait just a minute! There were 5 more referrals yesterday, not just one! All these referrals have got my head spinning and I dont even know how many thats been in just this month. Either way, we are getting very close to our turn!

YAY!

2008-11-19T19:24:00.001-06:00

Another referral today for a 2 month old baby girl! Congratulations to the Fine Family! They waited just over 7 months.

This Is Hoaglandville

2008-11-18T09:51:00.005-06:00

Its my Christmas Snow Village! It took a good 2 days to put up and I find it very relaxing to just sit there and look at it and enjoy being in my own perfect little world!

6 Months Waiting!

2008-11-18T09:43:00.002-06:00

I just realized we didnt even post celebrating waiting 5 months, and now it is 6 months already! That means we have been incredibly tied up with taking care of all the pups. We still have 7 of them and at 6 weeks of age, they are a handful (and a mess xs 7)! We sold Tiny Tim, the one I had to bottle feed. He has his new forever family. It really cannot be that much longer for us to get our referral. For a baby girl, I think the longest wait has been 7 months. Wish I knew if she was born yet, because I want to buy all the 2008 babys first Christmas stuff. Wont be able to buy 2008 stuff next year. And, there was another referral yesterday for a 2 month old baby boy! Lucky family!

WOW! 4 more referrals!

2008-11-12T20:49:00.002-06:00

This has been a very exciting month so far for referrals. 4 more families got their referral call today! All boys ages raging from a few months to 19 months. I just cannot imagine the experience of getting THAT phone call. I cannot wait. Hopefully wont be too much longer. I mean, Annsleigh's room has been ready for so long that its already gotten to be kind of a junk collecting room......again.

A BIG Refereral Yesterday!!!!

2008-11-11T08:50:00.002-06:00

No, its not ours, but I am honestly just as excited for this family as if we got the call. The Kerrigans have been waiting for siblings for over 11 months. And who would have guessed that their little sibling group would be TWIN INFANT BOYS! They are not even 3 months old yet. That is the most wonderful news I could have heard today (second to our own referral call, but I think that is still a couple of months away).

Another Referral!

2008-11-04T19:29:00.002-06:00

Yay! Another referral today for one family waiting for a year now. They received a 4 year old and 18 month old siblings. The wait time for siblings is much longer. We dont get sibling referrals too often. And I know this family has got to be over the moon. Very happy for them!

YAY!

2008-11-03T19:11:00.002-06:00

Just a quick post to announce another referral today for a 5 1/2 month old baby girl! YAY! I have no idea anymore what number in line we are, but I am beginning to prepare myself for receiving a referral in Jan, instead of by Christmas. That would be 7 months waiting then. Anyway, hopefully not. But congratulations to the family of this little girl!

6 Referrals This Week!

2008-10-29T20:24:00.002-05:00

Congratulations to all the lucky families! The ages of the children ranges from 6 months to 6 years. The wait time has been 3-7 months. Soon, all this mental calculating will come to an end and we will get our call!

The Pups are 2 1/2 weeks old!

2008-10-25T21:43:00.005-05:00

Snickers

Bear

Tiny Tim

Smokey

Bella

Ginger

Cocoa

Her-She

Since there is no adoption news recently, I am going to update our puppy pics here. They are available for "adoption" to contribute to our adoption airfare fund. Will ship to any state. Wow! By the time they are with their new forever families, we may have our referral! That would be wonderful. I need her home with me BAD. I have been having to supplement Tiny Tim with bottle feeds, and I have taken him into Annseigh's room, wrapped snuggly in a towel and sat in her rocker and feed him. That is ridiculous! ....And no I have not put him in her crib..........yet....

Week 20!

2008-10-21T19:07:00.002-05:00

Its been 20 weeks since waiting for a referral. It has gone by fast. Typically the families in our agency have been waiting for 6 - 6 1/2 months for a baby girl referral, so it should not be much longer before we get our call. We are very ready, except for getting our immunizations. We have been putting that off. But, we cant put it off much longer. So we will be doing that very soon. Luckily, my work requires a booser DTaP and flu shot, so I got those free. Anyway, not much else to post on the adoption. There has been another little lull in the referrals again. Hopefully this week we will hear of some more blessed families!

8 Pups = Ethiopian Airfare!

2008-10-14T13:08:00.006-05:00

Tiny Tim
Smokey
Cocoa

Bella
Ginger
Bear
Snickers
Her-She
We have 8 Chinese Shar-Pei pups for sale! The money will cover the cost of our airfare to travel and bring Annsleigh home. They are 1 week old now and adorable. Taking care of them and momma Cheyenne sure is passing the time waiting for a referral. We are already at week 19! And another family received their referral last week. Congrats to them! (Look for more pics to come, as these pups grow. )

We Have 8 Babies!

2008-10-08T14:21:00.004-05:00

Our sweet Shar-Pei, Cheyenne had her pups last night. Poor thing had 8 babies! And they are gorgeous. I am sure we will have many more pics to show as they grow. It was a long night for all of us, but she did all the work. We are exhausted today, and all just taking it easy. Anyone interested in a pup, just let me know! (PS another referral today moves us up the list! A 15 month old boy got referred today!)

Another Referral Today!

2008-10-07T13:36:00.002-05:00

There has been another referral today! A 6-month old baby girl will soon meet her forever family! They have been waiting 6 months. So, we have probably a couple more months waiting, but the excitement when another family receives their referral is contagious! We move up to #50ish now. Congratulations to the lucky family! I cannot wait to post that we have our referral.

More Referrals!

2008-10-03T14:09:00.002-05:00

This has been a very exiting week for us waiting families. There have been 5 referrals in the last 2 days! And most of them were teeny tiny 1-2 month olds. For any waiting family, this creates a wave of exicitement and hope because we know it will one day be our turn. We are now moved up to about #51 on the list.

Waiting 16 weeks Now!

2008-09-24T19:31:00.003-05:00

I cannot believe we have been waiting 4 monrhs now. And very soon, courts in Ethiopia which have been closed for the rainy season will reopen and I feel that referrals will come quicker. I still anticipate to get our referral ( which is when we first get our call about our baby girl and see her for the first time in an e-mail pic) at about Christmas time and travel to bring her home the first of the year. Maybe we will be pleasantly surprised though and hear sooner. Anyway, I have been doing a little bit of nesting and spent today in her room getting her crib put together. And as soon as Bradley got home from school, he noticed it and climbed in. He fits in there pretty good and wants to sleep with Annsleigh. I thought that was sweet. In the meantime, her first doll "Anna" is patiently waiting there for her.

Random Pictures Having Fun!

2008-09-17T20:46:00.003-05:00

A hole in 1 for Bradley!

You might be a redneck if you fish with a BB gun!
The Stones River is literally a stones throw from our house.

JesusPainter.com

2008-09-14T20:24:00.002-05:00

Mike Lewis, better known as The Jesus Painter came to our church today and what we saw him do was truly moving. It is as if Jesus uses Mikes hands arms and fingers to move them in such a way to give us a glimpse of Jesus in a portrait. He has worked with Steven Curtis Chapman, Michael W. Smith and at the Dove awards. What a blessing for him to visit our church , and he will visit yours too. Just go to JesusPainter.com and have your church book him. He will paint the most amazing portraits of Jesus in about 10 miin using big paint brushes and coarse strokes. He splatters red paint at the portrait to put the blood of Jesus on it. It is something you have got to see and if you go to http://www.jesuspainter.com/ you can watch videos of it. His paintings are also for sale. Take a moment to check this out. God definitely is using this young mans talent to convey messages and meaning. It left the entire congregation speechless.

Threee More Referrals Yesterday!

2008-09-13T12:15:00.002-05:00

So happy for all the families! Another 9 month old boy (unless it is the same one as the day before, but I like to think not!), a 6 month old boy, and a 6 year old girl all got forever families yesterday. That moves us up up up the list! And things should really keep moving as October nears and the rainy season comes to an end. I feel like I want to work on Annsleigh's room, but I am waiting for my sister in law to finish painting a "garden" in her room before we get the crib together. It would feel more real if it was all done. But, I have learned that it is very true that good things do indeed come to those that wait. ( We are about # 53 now in line for Annsleigh!)

Happy Ethiopian New Year!

2008-09-11T19:41:00.002-05:00

Today is New Years Day in Ethiopia, the year 2001. And I am sorry to say I really cant explain yet why it is only year 2001 for them, other than they follow a different calendar year than we do. They have 13 months and the 13th month is like only 6 days long, etc etc. and there are other different days and numbers to months too. Anyway, I cant think of a better way to celebrate the Ehtiopian New Year than with a referral. And no, not ours yet, but one family did get a phone call today for a referral for a 9 month old boy! Moving up to number 56ish now! Keep 'em coming!

More Referrals!

2008-09-08T21:43:00.004-05:00

Finally, after 2 long months, our agency has called 2 families today with news of referrals! What lucky families they are! Both babies are boys. One is 9 months old and the other is only 6 weeks old. How precious is that? For those not familiar with what this means, it means these families are called that they have a baby picked our for them. These families are e-mailed their first glimpses of their baby by e-mail along with any info on the infant/or infants birth family. The families have to contemplate accepting the referral. ( I think as soon as I see the pic, it's a done deal for me). All this really means that we move up the list to about #57ish. But, not all the waiting families are waiting for a less than 6 month old baby girl as we are. Some are waiting for boys, older baby girls, or siblings. So I realize that this number is bogus. But, trying to keep track of it helps me focus on any movement closer to us getting our referral call about Annsleigh. Hope there are more referrals soon!

Great Granny "Fish"

2008-08-29T16:38:00.003-05:00

Annsleigh's great granny has gone to be with the Lord today. She will be missed terribly, yet she lived a long and very full life. We were blessed with her presence in our lives. She was the best mother, grandmother and greatgrandmother. She has taught us all the value of family and traditions and she is now where we all hope to be someday. I only wish Annsleigh could have met her. However, great granny already finished knitting a precious blanket for Annsleigh. One day, I will post a picture of Annsleigh cuddled up in it, as if to hug her great granny. Please pray for great Pa as he will be lost without her. They were married over 65 years. By the way, they are great Granny and great Pa "Fish" because they own the Nutcave Trout Farm in Wartrace, TN. And the restaurant there is called "Granny Fish's". They have the best fried trout and endless hushpuppies ever.

3 months Waiting!

2008-08-28T14:04:00.002-05:00

We have reached the 12 week mark in waiting for Annsleigh. I've got to admit that it has not gone by that fast. With no new referrals all month, it has really actually made me focus on it even more. We have also been very worried about Granny "Fish", Annsleighs great granny. She has been in the hospital for about 6 weeks now with many complications following a kidney infection. She is not expected to recover. So, we have been kind of down around here lately. That with the long absence of referrals has kind of made for a long long month. I have cleaned out Annsleighs closet, but havent been able to work on her room much other than that. Maybe I am also bummed because I was supposed to announce that I lost maybe 8 pounds in the last month, and instead must admit I really have lost nothing:( But, I am still exercising. Maybe its all that muscle I am building up, and not the spoonfuls of peanutbutter Ive been eating as my comfort food! Come on month 4!!!! Come on referrals!!!!

Our Baby's First Day of Kindergarten

2008-08-18T21:00:00.004-05:00

Seems like he was just in diapers and learning to walk. Now look at him. This is a bittersweet day. He is such a big boy now, going to school. And I do want to see him grow up, just not this quickly! And I didnt even cry today. He didnt either. In fact, he didnt really seem to miss us at all. That made it much easier. It was only a 3 hour day. And, lets see, in that three hours, they had recess and lunch..... hhhmmmmm. He did say that all he did was play. I guess that would be about right! And, by the way, he is growing his hair out, or else we would have a new school hair cut. And.... he picked out his clothes.... No striped button shirts for this boy!

HAPPY 7TH ANNIVERSARY!

2008-08-13T12:14:00.008-05:00

Seven years ago I married the love of my life. We met on the internet in a chat room. Imagine that. Soon after we met, we got married, and here we are now 7 years together. And, we have the most beautiful little boy in the world, Bradley. We have had many many failed pregnancies to try to have Bradley a sibling. I was completely happy with where we were and what we had, or at least I thought I was. I was fooling myself. I had a change of heart sometime last year. I no longer felt that I was the one needing to carry the pregnancy in order to have our child. The Lord opened my heart up to adoption and here we are. I've got to say the I married my best friend, my soulmate and Brad and I are so looking forward to bringing our little girl home. We celebrated our anniversary by having dinner and a movie; thanks Rich and Cindy for keeping Bradley for us! We had a great quiet evening together.

First Things First

2008-08-09T15:42:00.003-05:00

Before we went any further with Annsleighs room, I really needed to finish Bradleys room. We have been in our home for over 2 years now, so I really think it was time to get his room together. So, here it is. Bradleys Batman bedroom! It was fun to do and he loves it. It has helped getting him to sleep in his own bed. Now, on to cleaning out what is to be Annsleigh's closet!

Two Months Down Waiting!!!

2008-07-30T18:22:00.002-05:00

Well, it has been another month passed since waiting for a referral and I am very happy that it has gone by very fast. We have had a very busy month helping our friends move to Tennessee from Chicago and getting settled into their home. This included me getting hurt and requiring 15 stitches in my left hand helping them move a refrigerator. Oh!!! The things you do for the people you love. The next month I hope stays busy with getting Bradley into kindergarten and used to school, and going to bed early. I have to admit, I have been very layed back and not really giving him a bedtime, but I am trying to work on this now, so when school starts he might be more used to it. I also actually started to "work-out" today! Brad & I joined the local athletic club in an effort to make ourselves healthier. I hate exercising, so this is a major accomplishment for me. I also started weight watchers (again). I've gotta get some of this weight off! Hopefully, when I post that we are waiting 3 months, I can report that I have lost at least 8-10 pounds! We shall see....