The Longest Labor In The WORLD!!!

I have to vent about this because, well, it's just insanity.
If the process of adoption is called a "paper pregnancy", then the time between referral and travel should be "labor" right? Well, let me tell you- I have had just about enough of these labor pains! I want my children now!!!!! I am going crazy!!! Don't get me wrong, I would go through this process a million times over to bring our girls home, but four months seems like an eternity.
Every day is filled with attempts at distracting myself from watching the clock as it moves as slowly as possible through each hour. I am a jumbled ball of emotions that keep me from locating any sense of reason or logic about pretty much anything.
Garrett is patiently dealing with my lack of sanity and is hanging in there pretty well. It takes a lot to deal with a crazy woman while trying to adjust to the new standards medical school imparts on it's students. The school already has him at Walter Reed sitting in with doctors there as they work with patients through various aspects of treatment. They are also expected to assist in home visits within the next week or so.

Garrett's books for the year and the box of human bones he was issued. Pretty cool!

Needless to say, Garrett has jumped in with both feet. It really is pretty amazing what these students get to do. He comes home tired, but the look of satisfaction on his face shows the confidence he feels. He is doing what he was made to do, and I am proud.
The house is pretty much unpacked. There are only two or three boxes left in the basement, but with 6 weeks left until travel, I hate to tear into them for fear of having a REALLY bad day and needing something to work on. So for now, I continue to delve into worlds of rearranged furniture, recipe experimentation and the every day household chores.
I swear the clock is ticking slower than normal....

Obama!!!!

My Dearest Girls,

I dream of you all the time now. The closer we get to meeting the stronger our red thread gets. I know that the weeks we have left to wait feel like an eternity, but I am coming. I promise you.

To my Macie,
I know that your little eyes have seen more pain and heartache than I can imagine. You have a strength that reaches out of this photograph I have been staring at for the last 2 and a half months and I am so proud of you.
We are calling you Sara Macie so that you have the name given to you and a new name to be called by, that embodies the heart that we see in you. Macie, means enduring and that is what you have done in your short life so far. It is a strong name that should give you pride, as it has us, in the proven ability you have to survive and to fight for your place in this world and in our family. You will fit in well, my love.
I hope that the wounds that have been inflicted on your precious spirit are healing. I know you are being loved and held and adored by the arms of those that care for you. I long to do the same so that I can help those scars heal and watch you become the woman God wants you to be.
Even in a picture I can see the twinkle of mischief behind that little grin of yours and I long to live out all sorts of adventures with you as we navigate the start of our life together. All that you have seen and been through, the curiosity that you have and the immense emotion you have felt, has brought you to this place, at this time, for a reason that neither of us are all together certain of, but trusting in.
We were always meant to be little Macie. We are already connected and I can't wait to hold you in my arms.

My darling Ella,
I know that there is a lot going on and that all the different faces and places and hands that have held you have made life a little confusing. I can see in your face an uncertainty and a longing for people that are familiar. You are learning so much and discovering the world on two wobbly legs that are still struggling to be sure of their stance.
It is all so much to take in and you are being so brave! I know that it helps to have your sister with you. It has brought me so much comfort to know that she is there, but I also know that you ache for a Mommy to run to when the world just doesn't make sense and things get overwhelming.
I am so proud of you for hanging in there and waiting with me. It is hard for me too! I wish I could get on a plane RIGHT NOW!!!! I would scoop you up in my arms and never let you go.
We have named you Ella Birtukan. Birtukan, to keep your given name and Ella, to be called by. Ella means light or torch. We can already see that you have such a brightness within your eyes and we know that your presence will bring light into a room when you enter it.

My girls, there is no river wide enough, no shadow dark enough, no mountain tall enough and no path lost enough to keep me from either of you. Without even holding your precious faces in my hands or hearing your beautiful voices resound from those little mouths, I would give my life for you both.
Your new family can't wait to embrace you and welcome you home. We love you already and are coming soon. I can hardly wait!!!

Mamma

Funny med school ad

While military life definitely takes some adjusting to, it is nice to be reminded of all the perks that come with Garrett attending this school.
So far, I have met some pretty interesting people and some families that I think we will connect with really well. There is even a family in his class that has adopted two toddlers from Guatemala! How cool is that?!?!?

Ethiopia Food Crisis

I realize that sometimes these videos are hard to watch, but it is critical that we remain aware and educate one another on the needs of others around the world.
The food crisis is leaving a devastating imprint on the families and children in Ethiopia. Hundreds of thousands of children are going with out food every day due to the increased costs and lack of water.
We are bringing two home with us, but there are millions of children that we will leave behind. They will remain hungry, homeless and desperate for help and love.
Please help where you can.

We Have a Travel Date!!!!!

The third week in October! I am so excited. I can barely contain myself! I have some time to prepare a pretty good packing list and get things sorted long before we board our flight.
The date is a tentative one due to some court paperwork errors, but our agency is fairly certain that it will work out in the weeks prior to our departure. I am learning more and more that these "glitches" have a way of working themselves out.
Regardless, the complications would only delay travel for another week, so we are still looking in the same month.
I am awaiting new pictures of the girls and will post them when they come, but I had to share our news!
Here's to confirmed travel dates, safe flights, and bringing those girls home!

99 Balloons

Shopping Woes of the First Time Mom.

Like many other first time mothers, I am afraid I have forgotten to purchase something vital in my preparations for motherhood. That is not to say I have not gotten enough. I am a shopping maniac, so I am fairly sure I have gotten all that I can to this point, but the fear is there just the same. There is inevitably, always something that gets forgotten.
It has been hard putting this house together and preparing for the girls without family here to help out. Don't get me wrong, Garrett is a huge help and we work well as a team, but there is something about having extra hands on deck that lifts the burden and brings out even more joy in the situation.
There is so much wisdom and guidance found in the minds and hearts of experienced mothers too. I am becoming hugely aware of my own ignorance in so many areas of this new role I am taking on. I am more and more grateful that I will have two experienced mothers with me as I travel and pick up the girls.
Looking ahead, I am also thankful for the time that I will have with my mother prior to leaving for Ethiopia. She will be with me on the trip itself and out the week before to pack. I imagine there will be many last minute preparations and she will be a much wanted and needed help.
Both my mother and my sister-in-law, Marcy, will be traveling with me to Africa. We aren't yet sure if Garrett will be able to go, as school will be in session, but if he gains approval (which we won't know until the week prior to the trip), there will be a total of four of us traveling.
While that may seem like 2 too many to some of you, picture the luggage, the girls themselves, and the processes throughout the trip (Ethiopian Embassy, customs, airports, etc). When you look at all that, a 2-1 ratio actually seems like pretty good odds of successful travel.
As the trip gets closer and the packing list begins to build, so does the anticipation of holding those girls! Regardless of the little things forgotten or the number of people that get to travel, I have no doubt that once those girls are with me, all of those things won't matter one bit next to the little lives that are in my arms.
I love this whole getting excited part! It's starting to feel real!