HE IS OURS!!!

HE IS OURS!!!!!

So when I posted last we were told one hour, because he was at the embassy getting his bloodwork done. We busied ourselves for an hour or so, then the guesthouse manager told us it might be another two... We did some puzzles, cleaned the room, etc. I watched out the window. Every noise I would jump. Beti, our cook, called us down for lunch and told us after lunch we could have him...

I made matt eat my lunch too... just so we could go, I was too excited!! SO FINALLY after lunch we took a bumpy ride to the care center, it isn't far. We walked in and I saw some of the other babies. I saw Simera.. (So cute Holly) and Miss Jimmiti was CRAWLING!

Then they took us into the room with Gadissa, there he was, I noticed him right away. I started crying because his nannies were crying. I didn't want to scare him as I was so different but the emotion was so overwhelming. He was scared to leave his nannies. They are so so so good to him.

We talked with the head nanny, signed him out and took him back to the care center. There he was understandable scared and crying.. I just talked and sang to him until he fell asleep on me, when he woke an hour or so later, he was a little more comfortable and we are now beginning the bonding process.

He is soo cute, I would LOVE to show you all some pictures, but as it turns out it is Ethiopia, I am using an internet cafe AND.. well.. there isn't a USB port on these computers. Maybe we will try to go to the Hilton later.

Waiting mamas, today we are going to the care center to see all the kids, play with them all. deliver care packages and take pictures.

As for kenny, he is amazing, cuter than any picture, still tiny. He wears 3-6 month cloths comfortably, has a little bit of hair and has already figured out that if he cries in the least bit mama comes a runnin'. We love it. He loves to eat! He actually prefers falling asleep with a bottle in his mouth...

We love you all, we are homesick terrible and miss Abby so much!

We Have Arrived

Hi All,

We arrived in Ethiopia late last night, noon your time, and had dinner, got some sleep and unpacked a little. Gadissa is out this morning getting his embassy physical so in a short time we will take custody of him! YEAH!! I can't wait! I barely slept at all last night.

More coming after we meet him, thanks for everyones thoughts and prayers, keep them coming. Love to you all!

Ethiopia is AMAZING!

Matt, Ann and baby Kenny (SOON HOPEFULLY)

As my mom always says, we are off "like a big assed bird"

EXACTLY!!! 250 pounds of suitcases and carry ones.

We made it to DC... but there is a delay, so I figured what better opportunity then to try and keep this updated.

Here we are with our luggage... (excuse the fact that I look like a disaster... I had been crying for 2 hours over having to leave Abby)

okay well the pictures won't work which might be God saving you from seeing the disaster that I was in the picture

well our chariot is awaiting.. more soon!!!

Keep praying!

395 days has come down to today....

Finally, after 15 months, 395 days, today I can finally say we are LEAVING! I can't thank every one who has helped us through this journey enough. It is finally time because last night at bed time Abby said to me "I think I am finally ready to share my mommy."

To be reflective for a moment, this journey has been much different than our journey to Abby. That journey, was short, concise and she was home at 10 days old. It was a seemingly, perfect adoption, and I believe that still. We were spoiled. Kenny's adoption, while originally thought to be less emotionally draining then domestic adoption has proven itself otherwise. But it doesn't matter, we are finally here and we are grateful.

I know that this journey has had Divine interventions, the power of prayer is apparent at every turn, and we are humbled at the continuous outpouring of love and support from our family and friends. I thank God every moment for our heath, livelihood and stronghold to navigate through these adoptions, without Him, we wouldn't have made it this far.

These 15 months haven't been easy, I have lost a good friend to a battle against cancer ((but I know she is still at my side, watching over and caring for us and baby Kenny) and I have also gained so many more by throwing my heart and soul into this adoption. Good or bad I have been 100% invested from the beginning. Which brings us to today. For me it is exciting and sad all wrapped up into one. I am going to get my baby, but I am leaving my baby. Thank you to Meghann, Amy and Nana for taking care of her and giving her the love and support that she may need while I am gone.

So we are humbly asking you continue to pray for our journey, pray for the pilots and the crew flying and inspecting our plane, pray for Agitu our agencies director who works tirelessly to unite this children with their forever families, pray that the embassy hears our case in a timely manner, pray that our little man begins bonding to us and knows our love for him, pray for his birthmom, who knows that her son is finally going to be leaving for America to have the life she has hopefully dreamed of for him... and pray for Matt as he has to ride next to me, nervous, anxious and sad on an airplane for 20 hours. I might complain about the man, but he might be up for sainthood after this... AS LONG AS HE DOESN'T CROWD MY SEAT.

So I leave you with this.. two more pictures.. of my babies.





And a final thought:

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Jeremiah 29:11

Thanks to my friend Susie!!!

She jazzed this blog up for me.. ok, translation... she made the whole thing, set it all up and sent me my sign in LOL..

Thanks Susie, it is AWESOME!

Three Days to go..

So in three short days we will be leaving for baby brother land. Finally, 16 months into our journey we are four days from holding our little man, a little hard to believe, isn't it?

It is a little bitter sweet because I have to leave my first baby, which is scary, really scary. She will be well cared for, but I will miss her like crazy.

Our hot date night included a trip to Target for the final items that we needed, that totaled 205.00.. awesome. Hopefully some of it can be returned.

More coming, we are getting closer my friends!!!