Happy Valentine's Day, Buddy!

There's nothing sweeter than this boy...my snugglebug.  Lover of all things Toy Story and leader of the marching band.  Tender-hearted, pure silliness, spontaneous.  He's just delicious.  Eat him up!

He's been concerned about our trip to "Eepiopia" and doesn't understand why he can't come.  He told us one night on the way home from church that, "I'll just stay right here in my car seat and Daddy's gonna drive real, real, real fast and we'll all go to Eepiopia!"  That was a hard conversation.  He just doesn't comprehend.  Thankfully, he trusts us.  We told him he'd be staying a few days with Nana and then a few days with Granny and Pa.  He thinks he's going on his own 'trip' while we go on ours.  He can't wait!

He's decided that he loves Valentine's Day.  We bought Toy Story 3 valentines...shocker...and he's ready to pass them out!  For a while, he's been looking forward to Valentine's Day because he knows Justin and I will get to be with 'baby brudder' then.  It was a sad day when he realized we weren't going to bring him home.  Cooper is a lot like me in that he likes to have something to look forward to so I had an idea to hopefully keep him interested in his trip and not miss us too much.  I made him a Valentine Bag.  It has a small valentine gift to open each day that we'll be away from him.  It's cheapo stuff like a coloring book and piece of candy, for instance.  He's seen this bag around the house and I can't believe he hasn't asked about it.  He's going to be so excited when he realizes it's for him!

Between his 'trip' and his Valentine Bag, we're hoping he has a great time while we're away!

Sweetness:
Kissing girls (one at a time) has been a hot topic at our house lately.  Oh, goodness.  One day I asked him what love meant.  His answer?  "Balentimes!"  Later on that day, I asked him what you did when you loved someone.  He said, "Give 'em Balentimes!"

More snow!

So, we got that ridiculous amount of snow (almost 8" at our place) that was predicted and it's been a pretty productive day!  Our bags are pretty much packed, Cooper is packed for his 'trip' and I checked of a ton of stuff from my to-do list.

School has already been called off for tomorrow and the email we received from the school district says that Friday doesn't look promising.  They'll be driving the streets tomorrow afternoon to see if the buses can make it through all of the hills we have around here.  I just want to be able to make it out of town on Friday evening.  Surely, by then, the roads will be good.  For now, Arkansas is at a total standstill.

This here is Sheriff Woody with his trusty steed, Bullseye, and his lasso rope...in dinosaur pj's.  :)

Here's our largest suitcase filled with donations for the House of Hope!  Column one is bags of medicine, vitamins, toiletries, etc.  Column two is about 30 cloth diapers.  Column three is a ton of girlie clothes.

If you contributed to this amazing gift, THANK YOU!!!  They're going to be so appreciative of all this wonderful stuff!

These are the things we're taking to Baby Coco.  The book is a picture book of our family and baby to give to his birth mother when we meet her.  I had to turn it around backwards because the front of it is his beautiful face.  I hate that I can't show you the better picture I took!!  

I feel good about the things we chose to take to leave with him while we're away from him.  They're things he can get attached to and then bring back into our house with us.  Four more days and I can snuggle with him and that blanket.

Isn't Toby a pretty boy?  He loved the snow!

You're really going to Africa?

So we're (the weathermen...that means who knows!) expecting a ridiculous amount of snow tomorrow-two days before we get on a plane out of here.  I was telling another teacher today that if we're out of school tomorrow, I'll be thankful because it will give me a whole extra day for laundry/packing/cleaning before we leave.  This teacher was asking when we'd get home from Africa, etc. when I notice my students were listening to this conversation.

Student:  You're really going to Africa?
Me:  Yes
Student:  You're going to AFRICA.
Me:  Yes, I'm going to Africa.  You've had me for 2 years and heard all about this.  You knew this.
Student:  You're going to Africa..........where are you going to sleep?  In the grass?
Me:  (Thinking:  Yep, in the grass with the lions!)  Ummm, no.  We're staying at a place like a home.  You'd be surprised.  Oh, and guess what?  (getting sarcastic)  They have electricity and running water!  (grin)
Student:  Hmmm.

I still don't think he believed me!

Well, they've already called off school for tomorrow and ready for my day to get everything else done.  Here's a look at the not-so-primitive place where we'll be staying, House of Hope Guest House.

This is where Coco is right now!

There are actually no signs on the walls.

To Do List-Update!

The room:
Get closet set up/organized
Get down baby toys from my closet
Buy lamp and wall shelves
Redo chair cushion
Wall art
Sew bumper pad
Sew bed skirt
Sew quilt/blanket
Finish name hanging for above crib
Sew book slings
Hang wall art (Justin job)
Make toy shelving (Justin job)
Make fabric garland for above closet
Finish rag rug

Misc:
Gather donations for the House of Hope
Write packing lists for us and for Cooper...then get it all bought and packed!
Prepare a stack of clothing to be sold in consignment sale (NOT GONNA HAPPEN THIS TIME!)
Go wedding dress shopping with my sweet friend, Katie!
Make a Valentine box for Cooper (I'll explain later)
Update puzzle information
Finish sending out fundraising 'thank you' letters
Make a photo album for the birthmom, maybe a small gift
Embroider baby's name in his lovey to leave with him
CLEAN MY HOUSE!!! (I LOVE MY HONEY!!)


You can tell we've been busy the past two weeks!  As of now, if we get nothing else done this week before we leave except for packing, I'll be just fine.  Those last few items on that list are small and I can get them done when we return.  I'd like the house to be cleaned once more before we leave as we pack.  Other than that, let's do this!  I'm so ready to go...but return quickly home to our big man!

The nursery

I love the way his room has turned out!  So many personal touches, handmade items, and lots of love have been put into this special nursery.  Planning a nursery for a 9-month-old is a little different than starting as a newborn.  We have to start out thinking more about toys than middle of the night feedings and serenity.

Decorating the nursery cheaply was one of my biggest concerns.  We were able to get it all done very cheap or free.  Sewing got tiring but I knew it was worth it.

I finished the bedding.  Most of the fabric came from $.99 pillow cases from Savers or scraps I already had.  Such a fun project!

I want the room to be calm and not too visually stimulating.  The bed's nice with Cooper's teeth marks, huh?  Adds character.

Mamaw's chair got a cushion re-do.  I just HAD to have that pillow.  It's just missing photos on the shelves and his name above the crib.  Both of which are to come shortly!

Once the puzzle is ready, it will go on the wall left of the window.

My sweet friend, Tami, hand painted and shaded these fabulous boards.  

I think this is one of the coolest parts of the room!

My mirror from my nursery as a baby.  

It has been in my bedroom in every place we've lived until I got married.  I love it!

Toy area!  I made the book slings, painted milk crates, and electrical tied them together.  So far, we have a few books stolen from Coop's room in there...shhh! don't tell him!  And a few left over baby toys.

We will be able to leave a few items with him next week when we see him for court.  Along with his giraffe lovey, we'll leave him this blanket to snuggle with.  I made it from some super soft brown fabric and a sweet forest animal flannel.  I hope he likes it!

Now that the room's done, the packing has begun!  

We'll be on a plane from DC to Addis one week from today!

Jesus touches the lepers

Mark 1:40-42

Jesus Heals a Man With Leprosy ⁴⁰ A man with leprosy came to him and begged him on his knees, “If you are willing, you can make me clean.” ⁴¹ Jesus was indignant. He reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” ⁴²Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cleansed.

Below is a video that has touched me deeply.  It's about a man named Samuel (Sammy) and Korah in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.  I found this video a while back when I searched information about Ethiopia that would relate to a unit my students were working on about child labor around the world.  We read an article about children who work in garbage dumps and I wanted to make it a little more relevant to my students.  At the time, I had no idea who Samuel Liben was or even where Korah was but I knew in my heart that someday I hoped to meet this man and experience this area of the city.  Last night, I found out that Sammy is now a guide working for the Ethiopia Guest Home, where we intend to stay for our second trip to Ethiopia.  We will get to meet him and have him take us into Korah.  We will be with so many of the lepers, AIDS victims, widows, and orphans.  The outcasts.  Sammy is also a part of the Great Hope Church, which serves those of the Korah as well.  Jesus is in Korah.  Jesus is still touching the lepers.  I just wonder how He may use us in this area.

Korah Facts-

In Amharic, the word Korah means "cursed"

If you have leprosy, HIV/AIDS or are a widow or orphan (poor) , you are sent here to live

There are 100,000+ living in this area

The leper colony was started over 75 years ago

Leprosy is a curable (antibiotics) skin disease and there is a hospital serving these people

Even when treated, they are unable to return to their communities because of the stigma

Most of the available food comes from the trash dump

Their huts are made of mud and trash from the dump

You would expect to see only despair in the faces of the people.  While, yes, that's very apparent, what's striking about the video is the hope in their eyes.  Especially the children.

Give me Your love for humanity...

Won't You Be My Love?

Do Not Worry

Our Small Group Bible Study discussion Sunday night was about living like the church of the first century.  The questions were posed:  Why don't we give up our possessions and take care of each other like they did back then?  Is it because of our culture or society?  What keeps us from doing that?  The discussion that followed was the best I think we've had in a while...and well, it kind of evolved a little as most great discussions do.  Here's the gist.

Bottom line:  We like our stuff.

We are too attached to our things and our money to give it up.  We spend and spend and if there is extra, we store it away for later in life.  We like to be self-sufficient and 'take care of our own.'  We feel like we're weak if we can't provide what we would like for our family or need help.  We keep up with 'The Jones'.

Satan has us fooled into believing "The American Way."  I wholeheartedly believe that this way is not the way of the Lord.  Greed.  Envy.  Selfishness.  We don't get it.

God says if we give up our possessions and follow Him, He will show us the way and we have nothing to worry about.  Why is that so hard for us?  Why can't we use what God has given us to help others and shine His light on the world instead of storing up our treasures here on Earth?

Let's freely give...without worrying whether we will have enough for ourselves.
Let's seek out others who may be in need and give.
Let's not worry about retirement or the newest electronics or where we live or if we've tried the finest cuisine at the newest restaurant in town.

This adoption journey has been so wonderful in teaching us to trust in God.  It's certainly been a roller coaster of a journey!  Some of the lowest points have been when we weren't sure how to pay for the ever growing list of fees.  This is the verse I have hung on to for so many months...just so happens that a friend brought it up during our discussion.

Luke 12

22 Then Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. 23 For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. 24 Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! 25 Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? 26 Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest? 

27 “Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 28 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you—you of little faith! 29 And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. 30 For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. 31 But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.

32 “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. 33 Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. 34 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Why have I worried?  He's provided exactly the amount of money we needed.  Why do I worry about our little guy?  We've received updated pictures of our beautiful baby who is growing strong, happy, and healthy.  Why did I worry?  We were able to provide a wonderful Christmas for our family.  Why do I not get it sometimes?

I have worked hard at trusting God for everything we have needed while working towards the adoption, yet I have failed at times.

Am I afraid that I'm not going to get what I want?

Oh, me of little faith.

It's not about me.

For the children

Donation Information for House of Hope or Bethzatha Children’s Home

House of Hope is the transition home run by our agency (Children’s Hope Int.) where our little guy is currently living.

Bethzatha Children’s Home is the rural orphanage where he was first placed before HOH.

Children’s Hope has given us the option of donating items to either the HOH or his specific orphanage if we would like.  We will gradually be gathering a few of these items to take with us.  If you would like to get a few as well, we can pack a full, extra suitcase of donations.  Please, do not feel obligated.  This is what we have been given as guidelines/ideas of what they may need.  If we find out any specific needs, we will pass along that information as well.

Here is a list of the kinds of items you might consider:

• Medical items (for children and staff accepted) - surgical masks, chewable and Polyvisol drop multivitamins, Neosporin ointment, band aids, Tylenol, thermometers, skin creams, toothbrushes, toothpaste, baby soaps and lotions, deodorant etc.       
• The donation of formula for infants and older children is always needed, as are diapers (cloth). Both diapers and formula can be easily purchased in Addis, so if you’d like to cut down on luggage weight, purchase these in country to donate to the House of Hope or your child’s orphanage. Since it is highly recommended to keep the children on the same formula that they are used to, this is another reason to purchase formula in country; also it helps to boost the Ethiopian economy.
• Developmental toys – picture or board games, books, wooden blocks, rattles, mobiles, coloring books and large crayons for older children, puzzles, jump ropes, etc. Shoes, either new or gently used, for the children at the House of Hope are welcomed and appreciated. Gender specific toys.  
• Other baby care items needed for donations may include diaper pins, new nipples (in all sizes – not nuk/pacifier shaped) and bottles, baby wipes, teeth rings, high-quality clothes (all sizes and seasons!). Coats, sweaters, jackets, pajamas. All clothes should be clean, comfortable and if used, gently worn. Bottles, such as the Playtex brand system work well; see that the nipple has only one hole so that the flow is not too fast; additional holes can be added if necessary, using a clean pin. Underwear for toddlers and older children. 

So far, we have gotten together some cloth diapers and clothing!

So much to do

Three weeks from tomorrow we leave for court!!  There are so many things I would like to have finished before we leave.  When we come home, we will have a few weeks for buying final things, making travel plans, and packing.  I won't have any time to get any of this done when we return from court.

The room:
Get closet set up/organized
Get down baby toys from my closet
Buy lamp and wall shelves
Redo chair cushion
Wall art
Sew bumper pad
Sew bed skirt
Sew quilt/blanket
Finish name hanging for above crib
Sew book slings
Hang wall art (Justin job)
Make toy shelving (Justin job)
Make fabric garland for above closet
Finish rag rug

Misc:
Gather donations for the House of Hope
Write packing lists for us and for Cooper...then get it all bought and packed!
Prepare a stack of clothing to be sold in consignment sale
Go wedding dress shopping with my sweet friend, Katie!
Make a Valentine box for Cooper (I'll explain later)
Update puzzle information
Finish sending out fundraising 'thank you' letters
Make a photo album for the birthmom, maybe a small gift
Embroider baby's name in his lovey to leave with him
CLEAN MY HOUSE!!!

Think this can all get done in three weeks?

Snow!

Cooper woke up from his nap yesterday afternoon to SNOW!!  We waited until after dinner to get outside and play so that there would be some accumulation to actually play in.

And he's ready!

He hasn't ever seen snow like this!

Getting a snowball lesson from Daddy.

Nice warm blanket to keep cozy!

We'd eaten chili for dinner, so what makes a snow day even better?  Homemade cookies!

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip 

We woke up this morning to a lot more!  Five or six inches, I think.

And of course, Mr. Potato Head had to follow us outside.

I could snuggle with that sweet face all day long.

We don't have a hill or a sled...so Coop and Daddy made a 'racetrack' in the backyard...read:  laundry basket and rope!

We're out of school again tomorrow so we'll see how much snow is left to play in!

Who dries his tears?

Last night, about 10:20, we heard Cooper SCREAMING from his bedroom.  I ran in there expecting to comfort a bad dream but there was something different about the cry...it was seriously a scream.  Weird.  When I opened the door, my heart stopped.  He had half-way fallen out of bed!  He was face down with his head between the night stand and the little stool he uses to get up in bed, butt up, and his legs still under the covers.  I tried to lift him up and let him catch his breath.  He was holding his face as I tried to calm him so I assume he smacked his face on his night stand on the way down.  After Justin gave him some Tylenol (we were afraid he'd wake up later with a huge hedache or bruised face/black eye), I wrapped him in a blanket and we rocked.  Slowly, his body relaxed as I sang to him and he fell back asleep.

This morning he's fine.  Redness on his cheek but no bruising.  No headache--he's running around, pumped that there's SO MUCH snow outside!  Seeing him face down like that, half-way out of the bed is a vision I will never forget, though.  I was literally nauseous for a few minutes because I was so shaken up.

As we rocked, I couldn't help but think about the baby.  Who comforts him when he hurts?  Does anybody dry his tears or sing to him?  Does anybody kiss it and make it better?

Happy New Year!

We spent the first day of 2011 celebrating the first day of what?  NO more paper route!  Yes, that's right.  Justin quit his paper route.  We are finally nearing the end of our money saving and he decided it was time to be done with it.  Sleep deprivation and exhaustion have caused him to not really be here mentally for awhile...I can't imagine how hard it is to wake up in the middle of the night and do a somewhat physically demanding job, come home, and go back to work at another physically demanding job all day, only to come home to a family who needs you.  It's been a rough year and we're so thankful for it to be over, yet even more thankful to have had the opportunity of the extra job.

We bought the baby a carseat and got $80 off.  Wooo hooo!  Another great part of the day!

By the way, the nesting instinct that is SO strong in most pregnant women is also present in adoptive parents.  I've been craving to organize and prepare the baby's room but there's been junk in there and it's been frustrating me.  This evening, we got our little helper involved and cleaned out and organized the baby's room!  We got the furniture in its place, baby belongings in their general area, and all ideas for the walls drawn on paper.  I feel so much better!  We have a long way to go but at least there's a good plan now.

It's so nice to have my honey with us tonight.  I'm not saying he's not usually at home, because he is.  I'm saying that we were able to work on a household project together without him being afraid it may 'bite him in the butt' the next morning for being too tired, and then we were able to snack and watch TV together after Cooper went to bed rather than him rushing off to get to sleep so he can wake back up in a few hours.  We actually had a chance to talk and be with each other today.  Hasn't happened in a while.

Like I said, 2010 was a very difficult year for our family.  We are reminded that there is an ending to every season and we're transitioning into the next one...it feels good.  We enjoyed our day of celebrating this and we are thrilled to see what 2011 has in store for us.

He's a happy guy

A friend (Anna) of a friend (Jamie) is in Ethiopia right now picking up her little boy.  We sent a photo authorization letter to Anna before she left in case if she got a chance to take a few pictures of our little guy for us.  This afternoon, I received the sweetest email from her!  She and her husband were able to pick up their son today and she checked on Baby Coco.  Here is an excerpt of her email, minus some identifying information I can't post.

"He is SO BEAUTIFUL!  When we walked in one of the nannies was holding him, he was so alert and smiley and just so pleasant and cheerful, he was even laughing for a bit!  I wanted you to know that he is happy and looks so healthy!!!!  He's adorable!!!!!  Hope that brings a smile to your face!"

We couldn't have received any better news!

Can't help but notice someone's missing...

Merry Christmas Baby Coco!

(scroll down and pause the music)

White Christmas

Will we have one?  Ha!  This is Arkansas...probably not.  They say there may be a slight chance this year.  I doubt it.

Watching the movie, White Chrismtas, is one thing Justin and I have to do every year.  I think we took it from my mom's house the first Christmas we were married because we didn't want to spend money renting a movie and wanted something to do.  Neither of us had ever seen it.  Well, it's been a 'must' every year since.  I love the humor, the story line, the music, the actors.....  Gotta love some Bing Crosby!

We have it playing tonight and this song really says it all.  It's been hard for me to fall asleep with so much on my mind with planning and logistics and getting things ready....oh, and it's Christmas, right?  Don't have enough to do for that!  :)  I usually fall asleep lately thinking of that sweet little face, how thankful I am for him, and for the journey that has gotten us here.  SO thankful!

When I'm worried and I can't sleep
I count my blessings instead of sheep
And I fall asleep counting my blessings
When my bankroll is getting small
I think of when I had none at all
And I fall asleep counting my blessings

I think about a nursery and I picture curly heads
And one by one I count them as they slumber in their beds
If you're worried and you can't sleep
Just count your blessings instead of sheep
And you'll fall asleep counting your blessings

I got my Christmas wish

As a CHI family, we are a part of a Yahoo group and are able to discuss a wide range of topics with other families who are also using the same agency and adopting from Ethiopia.  Several weeks ago, a sweet lady offered to take pictures of others' children when she and her husband went to ET for their court trip.  I quickly took her up on her offer and sent my authorization letter.

Well, yesterday morning I opened my email to see an inbox full of the most beautiful pictures of Baby Coco!  He's growing!  It made my day and Cooper is so proud of the pictures.  We printed them and took them to church last night for all to see.

It gets even better though!  Today, when we got back from running errands, I checked my email to see a sweet video of him!  He didn't really make any sounds but those expressions and the light in his eyes were fabulous.  I keep watching it over and over and not getting the Christmas stuff done that I need to!

As soon as we get back from our court trip in February, I'll be sure to post pictures of him.

Best Christmas present ever!

Court Date

We finally have a court date!  It's February 15th!

Since there have been so many questions that I haven't been able to answer over the past month, I'll try to put out as much information as I'm allowed at the moment.

Baby info:  Because the Ethiopian government does not recognize him as our child until after court, we aren't allowed to send his picture electronically in any form or put out any type of identifying information.  I can say he's now 6 months old and he has minor special needs but nothing other than that.  Oh, and I think he's absolutely beautiful!  In person, I can tell you all about him, though...except for his personal history which will be his story to tell someday.  As soon as we pass court in February we will have all legal rights to him and will share his picture here!

Tentative plans:  Our court trip is the first one and we have to appear in the Ethiopian court to gain legal custody of him.  We plan on leaving the weekend of February 11, arrive in ET on Sunday the 13th, meet him on Valentine's Day!!! and then go to court on Tuesday the 15th.  We will probably leave that evening and travel all day Wednesday to get back home.  It's a short trip and the jetlag will definitely be a beast when we go back to work on Thursday but SO worth it.

We get to meet our little guy on Valentine's Day...the day of love.

After we get home, we will await an Embassy date.  We will have to do a Visa interview at the Embassy about a month after court (so sometime in March) and by then his visa papers will be filed and his passport will be ready.  Hopefully, we will be able to have a meeting with the birthfamily at this time and tour the country some, etc.  I think the second trip will be so much fun!

Also, there is a family from our agency who is leaving tomorrow to get their little one and they have offered to take more pictures of him!  When they get back home, they will email us pictures and I will have them printed and with me so if you see me anytime after Christmas, I'll have updated pictures!  The two we have right now are outdated, as babies change so quickly.  I can't wait to see how he's growing!

I've been so behind on this blog...I started an 'October' post ummmm back in October?  Yeah, it's not even finished yet.  I think I may catch up by doing a quick photo update on the past few months soon.  I have updates on where we stand with money, etc. but tonight, court is the most important information so that's what got posted.

**Please pray for our baby's little body...pray he grows big and strong.  I will be able to disclose more information about this after court.  He's already gained 4# in the past 6 weeks!  We're so proud of him.

**Please pray for Cooper to be accepting and understanding of the family transition that will be taking place very soon.

**Please pray for birthmom...that she finds comfort.  We pray that she is willing to meet us when that time comes and have an open conversation.  We don't want her to be intimidated, or ashamed.

The Big Brother

One of the common questions I've gotten today is what Cooper thinks about it all.

In the car on the way home from church tonight, I hear, "There's poopoo in that baby's diaper right now!  Shoowee!"  I looked in the back seat and he is holding the picture of Baby Coco and talking to it.
Me:  Did you know that baby gets to come live with us soon?  We get to hold him, and love him, and kiss him and rock him.
C:  Yeah...and swords,  and soldiers...and teach him to run with Toby!  I'm gonna teach him all the stuff!

So far, I'm guessing he has a pretty healthy outlook on it.  One minute he doesn't want anything to do with the thought, the next minute he's jumping with joy.  That's probably the best we can expect from a 3-year-old who really can't comprehend what's going on.  Pretty sweet.

Something Beautiful

I can't believe it!  We got our referral call today for a 5 month old baby BOY!  And he's certainly the something beautiful we have been praying and waiting for.  He's absolutely gorgeous!

I'll have more to say about it when I have a chance to clear my head...for tonight, I think I'll just hang out on Cloud 9.