Peeling my eyes open

So, I've been a mother of a newborn before and I know what that tired is like when you've been up every night for 4, 5, 6 months and are beyond dead tired. I call it the new mommy tired. Well, I have it. After all we've had to do the last two days to get everything for the trip, I am thoroughly exhuasted. I can't function...which is partly from uncontrollable, insane excitement, and new mommy tired. I could sleep for hours if I had that luxury. I have been on the internet and phone non-stop. I talked to I.'s mom for an hour yesterday morning after we got the news in order to book our flights for NH. I did laundry. finished all of our packing, read luggage speculations, weighed the bags, loaded movies and audio books for amusement on the flight, etc. I let everyone know our news. I talked off and on all day with our adoption travel agent. Today, I set our house up to be left for three weeks, finished last minute packing, loaded the car, drove to Denver, and talked to our travel agent on the way. Again, I talked on and off with our travel agent, and I.'s mom. I discussed and scheduled meeting our sponsored child in Ethiopia with Compassion International (SO COOL!). And I finally booked our flights to Africa 45 minutes ago. We still have a lot to do but hope to have a day or two recuperation with nothing to do before we leave for ET. I will have to write about all of I.'s tasks while at work during one of the busiest times of the year...later. Must go take a short break to eat (if I can stuff something down; it's almost impossible to eat right now), and then get back to the grind. Forgive any typos please. *SNORING*

So long, farewell

Our call to travel came this morning...just when we thought it wouldn't come! God likes to do that to me. It sure strengthens and matures me, let me tell ya. So after much anticipation and anxiety, we are off. Our Embassy date (the date we must be there in order to get all the legal stuff taken care of) is June 3rd. But, we first have to take Z to his Mima and Papa's and then we plan on going early to do some sight-seeing. So we leave for NH this Saturday, the 24th. We can't get out to Ethiopia until the 29th which is later than we wanted but, we'll take it. So, a very hectic two days await us as we try to get everything in order. Thank you all for your prayers and support through all of this. We have been abundantly blessed. Please pray for our safe travel, for Z as he has many days without his Mommy and Daddy, and for God to be in each and every detail of the trip. We expect to be back sometime on June 12th. We can't wait to introduce you all to K.

Success

We passed our court date on April 29th with success. We were so scared that it wouldn't pass the first time around so praise God! It feels wonderful to be know that the little boy we were hoping for is officially ours. We now are just waiting for the birth certificate to come in. Once it does, we will receive our travel date. We are thinking we will leave around May 24th but anything could happen at this point.

We are busy gathering all that we will need for another baby, packing for Ethiopia, and tying up loose ends. The baby's room is covered in things to take and lots of suitcases. It is crazy but exhilarating! We also must pack for Z as he will be staying in New Hampshire with Mima. And...we are getting ready to move so we are also packing up the house. Packing, packing, and more packing. We are getting really good at this.

Big brother

We found out last week that I am officially a new brother. My baby brother will be coming home in the next month or two. I am very excited! I don't understand why I have to wait so long though, we've been talking about this for over a year. I am more than ready.

My Mommy and Daddy tell me that I have to do certain things correctly so that I can teach my brother to do them. I'm not sure that's completely fair. Sometimes I would prefer to regress. I may have a little trouble in the beginning accepting the fact that I have to share some attention. I'm used to being the only child, and until very recently, the only grandchild. What's up with that? But, thankfully, I learn quickly and will graciously give up my post after a short struggle.

My parents and I are taking advantage of this time to spend some good time together, just the three of us before life changes dramatically. Mommy took me swimming last week. I was a little nervous as I hadn't gone in a while but soon picked up where I had left off. We had a fun time. We also got to use the McDonald's Dollars I got for Easter from Mima and Papa for a special lunch. And Sunday, the three of us went to Cave of the Winds. It was my first cave visit and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Mommy and Daddy were impressed that I always knew if we had traversed a specific junction already. They didn't even know! It was a great adventure.

Mommy and Daddy are packing things up for their trip to Africa, and I am packing my things for New Hampshire. I will get to stay with my Mima. We have lots of fun planned and I am excited. I hope she spoils me rotten, won't that be a great homecoming gift for my parents?

Letter from Mommy

My dearest son-

We are in the final weeks of your adoption. You are soon to come join our family and we couldn't be more excited. As I wait for you, I am reminded of the journey this last year in finding you. It hasn't been an easy time, but it has all been worth it, just like my pregnancy with Z was. The waiting, paper chasing, and setbacks were difficult because they delayed our meeting with you. We didn't want to miss out on one day with you. But God knows well what He does, and His timing is perfect. In just a few weeks we will travel to meet you. We never thought we would actually get to this point. It just seemed too good to be true. When we received the call telling us you were waiting for us and we got those first few pictures of you, we were speechless. Could God really be blessing us with you? You were beautiful and precious. As I looked into your big brown eyes for the first time, I felt an immediate connection. This was meant to be and we are so grateful to God for allowing it to happen for us.

We are aware that at times, your life and your past will include pain. While we know that we can't fix it all and we can't fully understand, we are here for you one hundred percent. We hope to share that pain with you and support you in the difficulties and the joys of your life. You are forever a part of us no matter what your journey may bring. We love you dearly. Thank you for coming into our lives!

Love Mommy