Happy New Year!

This was the start of a new day and now we celebrate a new year.


















[Me and Gedaye, Orphanage Director at HFAA. We are standing in the lobby of the Dimitri Hotel after church]


This has been a really long year. I've done things I said I'd never do, I've been places I never thought I'd go, and I've made friends that I'm so blessed to have. The last week has in some way made the rest of the year worthwhile.

To my waiting mommy crew I thank you for your prayers, the laughs, and all of the support that you have given me over these last few weeks. I feel blessed to have you all as apart of this incredible story.

I wish you all great blessings and the happiest new year!

Soul Christmas Rewind

From my Christmas 2007 post:

This is the time of the year that we celebrate the birth of Christ. Some say that Christmas has become too commercialized and that too many have taken Christ out of Christmas. I would never do that. Christmas is also a time for family and friends to celebrate life with one another.

If you need to smile just imagine Don Cornelius announcing Christmas with love, peace, and SOOOOUUUL!

Here is my top 15 list! Listen and enjoy and as my mother used to say, "Have a Happy, Happy and a Merry, Merry!"

1. This Christmas - Donnie Hathaway
   This Christmas - The Whispers (The only one that can top the original)
   
   
2. The Christmas Song - Jeffery Osborne
   
   
3. Santa Clause is A Black Man - John Waters (Kimmy)
   
   
4. Christmas Just Ain't Christmas - O'Jays
   
   
5. Merry Christmas Baby - Otis Redding
   
   
6. Give Love on Christmas - The Jackson 5
   Give Love on Christmas - Johnny Gill (Just love this version too)
   
   
7. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas - Luther Vandross
   
   
8. Merry Christmas Baby - Otis Redding
   Merry Christmas Baby - Charles Brown original
   
   
9. At Christmas Time - Luther Vandross
   
   
10. Santa Clause Go Straight to the Ghetto - James Brown
    
    
11. I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Clause - The Jackson 5
    
    
12. Silent Night - The Temptations
    
    
13. Little Drummer Boy - The Jackson 5 (The pictures will take you back)
    
    
14. What Do the Lonely Do At Christmas - The Emotions
    
    
15. Let It Snow - Boyz II Men & Bryan McKnight

It's A New Day!

If you need a little pick me up, here is a video pick me up from the DJ. Enjoy and be blessed.

Riddles, Revelations, and Referrals!

If you remember I started the countdown 12 weeks ago with a riddle. Here is a bit more of the story. Unraveling the riddle goes something like this.

In August when I wrote the rhyme I already had the referrals for my children, a son 4 and a daughter 6. I was matched with my children on June 4 when I switched agencies. I sent in my revised dossier and it was received in Ethiopia on or about July 10. There were some paperwork issues that needed to be handled and they could not be resolved prior to the court closing. On August 6, I received all the profile and medical work for my son but not my daughter.

I knew that the referral for my daughter was a little tenuous as her papers were impacted by changing requirements on the Ethiopian end. Still, I decided to wait and exhaust every possibility to get the issues resolved by the times the courts opened the first week of October. When were not able to do that I had to make a very tough decision and that is primarily why I've remained quiet about what has been going on. Through the weeks of waiting and uncertainty my agency was in constant communication with updates and eventually I had to make one final decision.

I decided to let go of my baby girl and was referred a new four-year old girl (I think she is six) one week ago Friday. No decision was going to be an easy one and while I don't think that children are interchangeable, I do believe that somehow we are led to the children meant for us. So with that I am thrilled about both of my babies and I'm ready for them to come home.

In August the best hope was that we would file for a court date as soon as the courts opened and that my date would be this week #12 or the first week of November. Well, I do have a COURT DATE! That is the big news.

The case was filed in court last Monday, October 20. and the adoptions will be final on December 8, 2008. I had hoped that they would be home by then but at least I can see the end. Let's have an all blog cheer for the court date! The best hope is that their visas and passports are ready on December 18, 2008 -- that would be the soonest they would come home. That is what I am working towards.

But of course that can't possibly be the end of the story.

As is the world of international adoption there are a few more rings of fire to jump through. My homestudy expires on December 7 or November 27 depending on how you read it, so now I have the added pleasure of getting all of my documents updated, getting fingerprints, letters, medical clearances, and having another homestudy visit on Saturday. Isn't that exciting? In Illinois all homestudies must then go to a central office in Springfield, Illinois for review and approval. Mmmmm....I do have an October 8 court date let's not forget.

Let's all join in a blog exclamation of, "Are you serious?" Yes. I'm afraid I am. Oh and there is one more thing for giggles. On October 15 it seems that Illinois changed some law or process requiring my placement agency to complete some type of registration to place children in Illinois. So, my agency is now having to complete that process as well and be approved before the court date.. You've gotta love it!

In the interim, my father and I are planning to travel and see the kids the last week of November. I have to meet my IR-3 visa requirement of seeing them first.

Well, that's the news and not yet the end of the story. Hope you all have a good day!

Important News on the Horizon

I have changed the look of the blog to correspond to changes that are going on with the adoption. More news this week! Check in Wednesday for the full update.

Week #12

See Weeks 1-11

Alright my good people. It is week number #12 and there is much to tell. Of course none of you are interested in hearing adoption news updates so here are the 12-week pictures. Look them over more news is on the way. I promise it is well worth the wait.

What is there really to say about these? I was twelve and not all that happy about it. I wish I had a good explanation but I think a lot of the change in my expression has to do with the fact that I got braces that really pushed my lips out and I spent those two-years in a considerable amount of pain.

Robbin I can hear you laughing and it is alright. I can take it.

I am pretty sure this is the day I graduated from sixth grade and so I might be 13 on this one. What you can't see is the corked wedge heals that I know I'm wearing. That front-door thing is funny and tragic. We actually did move freely throughout our home and spent most of our time outside.

Prayers for a Family

I am so saddened to hear about the tragedy that has affected the family of Jennifer Hudson. The thought of losing three generations of a family in one horrible incident is overwhelming. To take the life of an innocent seven-year old child makes no sense.


In my post last week I mentioned working with children in Chicago who saw violence as a common occurrence, the children lived in this very same neighborhood. Working with the children just a five blocks from the murders, it was difficult and sad to look into the eyes of children who worried if they would ever live to see adulthood.

No child should have to wake up in the morning and wonder whether or not the will live until the end of the day. It is too much. We look to Ethiopia with compassion and understanding and too often look at communities like Englewood with suspicion and contempt. Children are children no matter where they are, no matter who their parents are, and no matter their socio-economic circumstances.

Please pray for this family.

Their story is a reminder of how life can change in an instant. Make the most of every moment and hug your children a little bit tighter. Tell someone you are sorry and make sure to tell those important to you just how much you love them.