Rain, Rain Go Away

So I'm thinking that flood preparation was NOT on my list of things to do this week! We THINK our house will not be affected by the river, but have taken precautions to ensure we remain high and dry.

I've gotten all the donations packed!! With all the infant & toddler clothing, shoes, cloth diapers, disposable diapers, bottles, nipples, receiving blankets, & the beautiful blankets my church lady friends made - we were able to fill 4 - 50 lb bags!!! We will be traveling with 3 of the bags and my friend and her husband will take the other bag when they travel to Ethiopia in May to bring home their children. Thank you Beret!! And a HUGE THANKS to all of YOU who have such giving spirits!! The children will benefit greatly!!

I've got most everything that I need and that Ana will need in a suitcase as well. And of course as I said earlier, Kyle will throw in his 5 things and we'll be off!!

We fly out of Fargo Friday evening. We will fly from Fargo to Chicago - Chicago to Istanbul - Istanbul to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. I believe Kyle told me the Chicago/Istanbul flight is 11 hours and the Istanbul/Addis flight is 4 or 5 hours. We arrive in Addis at 3:30am on Sunday, March 29th. We will try to rest for a few hours and get cleaned up and then Ana will be brought to our guest house. We'll be able to visit with Ana's nanny Hiwot and learn her schedule and ask any other questions we have.

Monday is a free day. Tuesday we have our embassy appointment in the afternoon. Wednesday is free as well and Thursday we will receive her Visa. We fly out of Addis at 1am Friday, April 3rd. We will get back to Fargo at 10:13pm that night. Grandma Melinda & the kids will pick us up at the airport. Can't wait to see how the kids & Ana react to eachother!!

So our trip will be fast & furious! I plan to enjoy every moment in Ethiopia and pray Ana bonds well with us. Can't even imagine what she is going to be thinking. I just hope she feels our love for her immediately and that it is not too difficult for her to see her nanny leave her with us.

I will post again once we get home! Can't wait for you all to meet her!!

10 Days & Counting

Well, I can't tell if I'm making any progress or not. Ana's room is FULL of donations of clothing, diapers, bottles, etc. from our wonderful friends!! The children from the orphanage are going to benefit greatly!! I am waiting until Monday to start packing it all up, to see if any other donations come in. I've got Ana's bag packed!! I think I'll work on getting my stuff together tomorrow. Kyle's on his own!! But you know those men - he'll pack his 5 things and call it good!

I just know this week and next are going to fly by! And I KNOW that next Friday I'm going to be a basket-case, running around like a crazy woman!! Crazier I should say huh?

More later...

Ready, Set, Go!

We are making plans to leave Fargo the evening of March 27th to head to a far away place called Addis Ababa, Ethiopia!! We are so ready to have Ana home with us, but I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed with planning and packing and stressing that I'm going to forget something important. Like a document we need for our embassy appointment or something that will cause us problems in bringing Ana home. But I have two wonderful friends that have traveled recently to bring their beautiful children home and they are emailing me lists and giving advice. So greatful!!
I picked up the last of our meds that we either need to take ahead of time or have along for those "just in case" instances - like the diarrhea medication. Oh boy, like I don't have enough to worry about!!
We will be home April 3rd - my birthday!! And I couldn't ask for a better birthday gift!! This years birthday is going to be very memorable that's for sure!!

Introductions

Now that we've passed court and Ana is 100% OURS, I can put her picture out here!!

This is little Miss Ana!! This is one of the very first pictures we received of her via email on September 18th. I began to cry the moment I looked at those dark brown eyes and wonderful smile. I knew she was meant to be in our family. God had chosen her just for us!!

We have been told by all who have met her that Ana is very loving. She laughs and giggles often and is very ticklish. She loves jewelry and purses and the baby dolls that we sent her.

I can't wait to pick her up and hug her!! I will probably spend the entire time on the plane ride home just staring at her!!

Still don't know when we can travel. Have been told they are making some changes in how the embassy dates are scheduled. Have no idea what that means right now. Will keep everyone posted.

WE PASSSED!! WE PASSED!! WE PASSED!!

If you didn't already hear...we passed court today!!! Our emotions are flying high!! Praise God!! Oh my gosh I don't even know what to write...we are working with a travel agent to see what our options are for flights. We are looking at traveling March 20th...possibly. Will know more in a few days. So much to do...so much to think about...and feel unbelievably blessed!! Thank you for all your prayers and thoughts and support!!
I will write more later as I have to go pick up Tina from preschool. Would be really bad if I forgot her there...which could happen as my mind is racing!!
Ok, gotta go!

Keep on, keeping on...

We have recently discoverd that Ana's birth father is deceased. The reason our case was postponed to March 5th is because they needed to locate his death certificate. Good news is, they have the certificate and hopefully our file will be complete and the judges will pass our case. WHEN we pass court on the 5th, we should be able to travel by early April. Keep praying until we hear those wonderful words, "You've passed court"!!

Andy turns 7 years old on Friday the 13th!! Hahaha! So we've decided not to chance it and have his party with friends on Saturday!! About 10 boys will be coming to our house for pizza, sledding and bouncing off the walls!! Can't wait!! Later that afternoon we are having Grandma & Grandpa Freier, Great-Aunt Laurie and Cousin Katelyn, Great-Aunt Joanie and who ever else doesn't already have Valentine's Day plans with their sweetheart, over for dinner. And I suppose a few more presents will be opened!!

At the end of the month we will be traveling to New Ulm for our niece's baptism. We always look forward to spending time with Kyle's brother and wife and cousin Luke and Avery!!

So the month will be busy and that is good!! Before we know it March 5th will be here. I believe once we pass court, I will be able to post pictures of our little Ana. So be sure you check back for the BIG REVEAL!! We are so proud of her and think she is just the most beautiful little girl we've ever seen!!

Hope you enjoy the new blog background. I've had so much fun playing around with this!!

Not yet you say??

That's right... unfortunately our case was not passed this week. Looks as though we are needing yet another document. Sooo ... our next court date is March 5th and with God's help we'll be going to get Ana by the end of March.

Yesterday was not a good day for either Kyle or I. I probably took it the worst as Kyle has his work to occupy his mind. Me, however, I ONLY have kid stuff to occupy my mind!! So I had a pity party for myself and told myself to enjoy it while it lasts because tomorrow is a new day! So I did - I cried like there was no tomorrow - filled the garbage with tissues - ate absolutely nothing (hard to believe I know) - and went to bed early (well I was already lying in bed, but I mean I went to sleep early). When I woke up this morning I thanked God for what he has given me - three beautiful children - a wonderful husband - a Mom who comes to my house to watch my pity party - and a Mother-in-law who takes care of my children so that I can have a pity party without being disturbed by "Mom, can you get me a drink?.

I appreciate all the calls, texts, & emails I've gotten sharing your concern and well wishes. I am so blessed to have so many friends and family that are just as excited to meet Ana as I am!
I will let you know of any other glitches, but I am praying that this is it and we'll be given the green light come March. We would really appreciate it if you would continue to pray, not only for us to be able to go in March, but for Ana and her caregivers as well.
Thanks and love to all,
Kathy