Daddy's big adventure

Based on us finding out that the document our agency had been waiting for was finally in their hands and en route to the US Embassy in Addis Ababa (hopefully real soon), we decided that one of us should go ahead to Ethiopia and spend time with our boys.  Since Jim has the most flexible schedule right now (the benefits of being your own boss and also the slow season), we booked him a ticket to leave this weekend.  He has literally been dying to go see "his" boys for weeks now anyway.  :)  I will join him when we have a confirmed Embassy date.  Taking time off now from work for me would mean less time off and less pay when we do bring the boys home.

On Sunday, Daddy's big adventure will begin as he boards a direct 13 hour flight to Ethiopia from Washington DC.    The male bonding will start on Monday and I can't wait to hear the stories!

Quite a change from the guy I vaguely remember telling me many years ago that when we had kids there was "NO WAY, he was changing diapers."  We are talking about the guy that would gag at the sight of dog puke.  Well, well, well..... look who's going to be the first one to change diapers!!!!   This is going to be VERY interesting and also very special that Daddy will get to spend some quality time with the boys.  I know he is super excited.  :)

Please pray for Jim as he makes the trip over to Ethiopia that he arrives safely and that his reunion with Jayson and Jordan be perfect!  Also, that our paperwork be expedited through the Embassy with no further issues so we can bring our munchkins home real soon. 

Our goal:  Be back home with our boys before Feb 10th, which is our 15th wedding anniversary.  How about that for a great anniversary present....



Mommy's aching heart.....



"But the things I plan won't happen right away.  Slowly, steadily, surely, the time approaches when the vision will be fulfilled.  If it seems slow, be patient!  For it will surely take place.  It will not be late by a single day."  Habakkuk 2:3

I remind myself that God's promises are all true.  He loves us no matter what, has a plan for our lives and everything he does is always on time....but I still wonder why God is making us wait so long?  Did we do something wrong?  Is there something we didn't do... and he is telling us to do it before he reunites us with Jayson and Jordan?  All these questions that I ponder while I wait....meanwhile my heart is aching for the day we see our kids again. 

We continue to experience delays with the latest one being caused because the "one" person in Awassa (our boys home town in Ethiopia) that can supply the document needed for the US Embassy, has been sick for 2 weeks and has not been able to work.  Remember, we are dealing with a 3rd world country here.  It's not like the US where if you call in sick someone fills in for you....  

Our adoption agency and the orphanage director are working to get the paperwork, so I pray that this "one sick officer" be well enough this week to go to work on the day that our adoption agency staff and the orphanage director goes to Awassa to pick up the document.   I also pray that Jim and I continue to find more patience within ourselves....as the waiting keeps getting harder with each week that goes by. 

We thought it was hard waiting for the referral, we thought it was hard waiting for the 1st trip to meet the boys but this is definitely the hardest.....the process seems cruel in a way.  You meet your children and you leave them, only for them to wait for you to return.....all the while you have those little faces engraved in your mind and heart wondering will they remember us when we come back?  Do they think we left them too?   Do they know we love them and will be there soon......

Frustration Station...



Last week I told you about all my trips on the Emotional Express.  Well, this week the Emotional Express did not leave Frustration Station.....  No updates, no news, just more waiting!

And the US Embassy in Addis is closed on Monday in remembrance of MLK day and will be closed on Wednesday for Ethiopian Epiphany.

Somebody get me some chocolate and comfort food.  Please!!   

All Aboard the Emotional Express....



I boarded the Emotional Express this week and made quite a few stops.  The majority of them were stops to Frustration Station..................  

Frustration Station-  Many of you already know that we are currently experiencing yet another hurdle in our adoption process.  The US Embassy in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia is requiring more detailed reports before we will be allowed to travel back to pick up our kids.  A last minute policy change of course.....urghhh!!!  So we're currently sitting at Frustration Station waiting for an update could be 1 week, could be 2 weeks.

I also make daily stops to Prayer Place- the majority are in the morning on my way to work.   My favorite Prayer Place...the top of the Bayside Bridge as I cross Tampa Bay.  You see, my reasoning is I'm up higher than flat road thus being closer to God where he can hear me better as I pray for strength and patience both of which I'm running low on these days....

We mix things up by stopping at Flexibility Field-  here is where I keep reminding myself that this entire process is about having flexibility and knowing that there are many things out of my control so I just need to sit back and go with the flow, in the end everything will be alright.  By the end of our adoption process I will look like Gumby!

I guess as long as there are no stops to Crazy Town, I will be OK.  ;)