Schumacher Family Adoption Journey

Court was SUCCESSFUL!!

2010-08-08T16:51:00.004-05:00

Yes, we had a very pleasant court date. All was smooth sailing and we are now ready to pick up our little babe again!! We will leave August 29th to bring him home!!! YAY!!!!!!

We proudly introduce to you....
Zachariah Tamirat Schumacher!!!

Court Travel

2010-07-30T19:56:00.003-05:00

So Mark and I leave EARLY tomorrow morning for Ethiopia. It's so
crazy to think this day has finally arrived, but we are ready become our family of 6!!

If I am able to locate an internet connection while there I plan to send messages to the blog. Otherwise it'll be in one lump sum when we return next weekend.

Court

2010-07-28T15:32:00.003-05:00

I'm sure many of you know by now, if you are on facebook anyway, that we have a court date!! MOWA's court date was July 22nd and it was positive, so our date is August 4th. Right before the courts close for rainy season, so we lucked out!! As long as all goes well, we will travel back the end of August to bring our little guy home. So many prayers are in store right now!

REFERRAL!!

2010-05-16T20:01:00.002-05:00

Yes, we have received our referral for a beautiful baby boy. And I cannot wait till you can all see this beautiful baby boy!!
We received the call Thursday afternoon, may 13th. Saw the caller id as "unknown" but had a phone number with it, so didn't think it was Mary. Boy was I wrong!!! She called just as I was needing to run to get Trevor from school....thankfully my sis-in-law was able to pick him up for me! :-)

So now we wait for our court date. As many of you are probably aware, Ethiopia closes courts during the rainy season...August thru end of September, roughly. We are hoping to maybe get in before the courts close, but won't know that till we get the call. If we do not have court before August, we will then get into court most likely in October.

So....till the next good news!!!

We are now seeing light at the end of this tunnel!! YAY!!!

We are WAITING!!!

2009-10-13T20:28:00.002-05:00

Nobody would normally sound so excited to be WAITING, but we are now. As of 2 weeks ago (no, didn't post right away) we have been put on the waiting list for our little boy!!! VERY exciting news!! September 25th to be exact....my parents anniversary!

So now, paperwork on our end is finished for now. Now we get to wait till our referral is ready for us. Average wait time is 8-9 months right now....I'm thinking somewhere in the range of 6-9 months we'll get a call. And of course, when that happens, I will be posting for sure!

So, in the mean time, I get to chase my other 3 around and have lots of fun with them till we become a family of 4 children!

hello again....

2009-09-11T22:00:00.001-05:00

Realized I hadn't posted in awhile! Just waiting right now for our last paper before our dossier is finished. We had our USCIS fingerprint appt on the 1st of the month, so we're just waiting for that "official" paper from them now. Hopefully soon. I would take it next week sometime.....that would be good! :-)

YIPPEE!! WOO HOO!!

2009-08-12T17:13:00.002-05:00

We are Gladney approved!!! Received the email when I got home this afternoon....now if we could just get that fingerprint appt in the mail from USCIS we'd be set!! I'm hoping by the end of the week. That's about the same amount of time it took with Addison. If not, I'll probably be making a phone call to see what's up. Just seems to be more good news slowly coming in....

Home Study!!

2009-07-16T11:01:00.001-05:00

We got the home study in the mail today!!! SOOOOOOOOOO excited!!! Everything is about packed up to be right back out the door!!! YIPPEE!!!!!!

Some good news!

2009-07-09T18:39:00.002-05:00

Finally a bit of news....and good news I might add.
Our home study is done!! It's printed, signed, notarized and ready to go!! Spoke with her today and she was packing it up to get ready to send out. Soon, very soon, all we'll be waiting on is USCIS!!! How exciting!!!!!

Earrings

2009-06-20T00:14:00.003-05:00

So my pretty little girl got her very own "pretties" this week. My rule was when she was old enough to make her own decision, she could get her ears pierced. Well, I think she had been telling me for awhile she was old enough to make her own decision. She kept playing with everyone's earrings!
As you are all wondering, I'm sure. Nope, no cries! She flinched when they stuck her ears, but then she saw them in the mirror. 3 mile wide smile. Absolutely priceless!!
Below you'll see my pretty proud babe!!

The tattoo

2009-06-15T16:00:00.003-05:00

After a few months of trying to decide what was JUST RIGHT for me and how to honor the beautiful country of Ethiopia, it had finally come to me. So this past weekend, I got "inked" on the inside of my right ankle to show that honor...

Praise Him!!

2009-06-11T11:09:00.001-05:00

Amazing! Just absolutely amazing!! Congratulations to the Fournet's today! They have passed court!!!!! We know it has been an extremely long year and journey, but the time has come for them to become a new family!!

Just waiting

2009-06-08T17:04:00.005-05:00

Yep, just been waiting on our home study to be finished. Once that is finished we'll send that off to the appropriate places it needs to go. We'll then be SO close to done. I know, I keep saying we are SO close....really we are. Everything just takes time, patience and waiting...

So I got this new tool, if you want to call it, for Addison and her hair. Saw it advertised on tv and the internet and thought I'd check it out. Called the InStyler. Oh my gosh!! The best tool ever!!! LOVE seeing me girl with straight hair!! Well, till the humidity gets ahold of her! :-) Can't believe how long her hair really is though! Doesn't look as long when it's big and poofy :-)

Oh how she LOVES her roasted marshmallows!!!

Caleb LOVES his new little cousin Owen. Does anything to get him to smile!

The 4 boys at Cole's b-day party. Sno-cones were a hit that day!

Caleb loved attempting to push his sister in the stroller while camping.

My 2 boys on the first day of preschool playgroup. It's so hard to think Trevor will be starting kindergarten and Caleb preschool this fall!

What a great weekend ahead of us!

2009-05-22T15:23:00.002-05:00

Yes, how very true for us!! We've started off pretty good. Yesterday we received our Life Insurance letter and today (although a month later!) we have received our Health Insurance letter. I was starting to believe it just was not going to come!! So we now have our last of our information headed to Gladney. The last they will need then is our finalized home study. So again, just one step closer!

We are excited to be heading out camping this weekend. Always love Memorial Day for that extra day out in nature and the beautiful weather! The kids are SO excited; they've been asking all day when we're leaving. When is Grandma Barb gonna call so we can leave!

To all, have a fabulous long weekend!

WOW, what a weekend!

2009-05-16T21:06:00.002-05:00

It's been a crazy weekend! But it started off great when I was able to send the 2nd packet of paperwork out to Kate to have authenticated for us! STILL waiting on our health insurance letter to show up. Hopefully it'll be here this week! We've been waiting a month on that one, so I'm VERY glad I told them about it when I did!! At least that isn't the last thing we're waiting on!!

So my 2 youngest cousins both graduate this weekend. I can remember as if it was yesterday when they were born. Kinda crazy to think of them as seniors now ready to go off to college! But it's been a perfect and beautiful weekend for it!

No other real exciting news right now otherwise. Just in a little bit of a lull time right now waiting for a few things to show up or be finished up to ship off. A needed break, if nothing else. Trevor is out of school now for the summer, but the boys don't start playgroup till next week. I sure hope it's overly nice outside to let them run, or there might be 4 of us pulling our hair our come Friday!!! :-)

Last meeting

2009-05-13T15:39:00.002-05:00

We had our last home study visit today. Great feeling to have just one more item checked off the list! We are getting SO close to being finished up, I can see that light at the end of the tunnel. Just a great feeling to know our little boy is just a little closer each and every day.

So now I'm just needing to get some documents notarized and get packet #2 Fedex'd out to Kate to be authenticated. That'll be my plan for tomorrow!! :-)

I have also decided to go back to school (again) :-) For a few years now I have looked into the medical transcriptionist program thru our little college here in town. I've pondered on and off thru the past few years and as of today, I am signed up for my first class. It'll be something I work on slowly and doing only as much as I can handle at that time, but I am VERY excited!!! I'll get to still be home with my kids, that's the best thing about it!!!!

It's been a busy, yet productive week!

2009-05-07T11:30:00.002-05:00

So yesterday we had our 1st home study. All went well. Being familiar with the situation, it was a pretty simple process :-) But Juli....yes I was cleaning like a mad-woman!!

And I got a shocker today. We received our FBI Clearance this morning!! That went quick, but one more thing to mark off our list of things to do!!

Right now I'm getting ready to finish our dr appt. Gotta go back after having our blood work Tuesday and now get our papers signed. That'll be another thing to check off.

But tonite I'm headed for a good time. Going with some friends to see Wicked and I'm VERY excited.

Preparation

2009-05-05T17:35:00.002-05:00

Haven't had a lot to work on in the past week. Just about everything for me to do has been taken care of. There are a couple documents that need to be redone for Kate, but those are kinda no big deal. And there is plenty of time to get those to her.
Still waiting on our health insurance letter. I don't like it when people think I have all the time in the world. That letter to me is one of those things to where once it's in my hands, I can rest at ease! :) Just a bit frustrating....but it should be here soon. (HOPEFULLY!!)

Tomorrow is our first home study. Ready to get that all started. Once the home study is finished we'll be able to finish up what is not yet done. So we're close, really close. It's a good feeling.

Today's news

2009-04-30T15:44:00.002-05:00

Well, today seemed to have started off ok, till I got out of bed!! :)

We received our paperwork back from USCIS today. Since I sent personal checks instead of money orders or cashiers checks, they sent it all back. I should have known better, but I did what my paperwork said I could do. So tomorrow I'll be off to the bank to get that fixed and resent off. That's a minor detail, I guess.

Today I did get a message from our home study lady, so we have 2 of our 3 visits scheduled. I am very happy about that. Cuz I know once the home study is finished, just about everything else will be able to be finished as well.

Then I had my dr appt today. Most of that is done. That was pretty harmless....well, except Caleb. He decided to get loud and crabby while there! That was a bit embarrassing!! Why is it, kids are always the worst at the worst times?!? Why not freak out at home?!?

Anyway, let's hope my night starts looking up. Have one more stop before my day is done (not related to the adoption process). Hopefully that appt will be successful, but I'm not holding my breath.

More paperwork off....

2009-04-29T12:49:00.002-05:00

I can't believe how fast things seem to be going for us right now! It's quite amazing!! I have sent off our 2nd packet to Gladney today and our first packet to Kate at KBS Dossiers. (she will be taking care of authenticating our documents to go to Ethiopia). So as of right now, I don't have much left to do on my own. It's basically the home study and then sending that to all who needs it! Amazing! Just amazing!!

I have accomplished a TON!!!

2009-04-21T16:19:00.002-05:00

Lots of things done today!! Holy cow, it's like I had a fire lit under me!! :)

So, our fingerprints appt is tomorrow. I was shocked when I called to hear them say there was an opening. I'LL TAKE IT!! Got our dr's appts made. Mine isn't till next week, and Mark's the week after. But we've still got plenty of time and plenty of other things to do in the meantime. Talked to the insurance lady about getting our letter. That's usually a hard thing for me to get, so hopefully that'll go a bit smoother this time! Otherwise, the home study paperwork and Gladney's first packet is ready to be sent off!! This is amazing!!! :)

I'm tellin' ya....it IS so much easier the second time around!!!

One year home

2009-04-21T09:01:00.003-05:00

One year ago, at this very moment I am typing (~10am) we were back on American soil. We had landed in D.C. and starting making our way thru everything to get to our next gate to fly home.
Over the past week(s) I have looked back thru so much over the past 1-2 years. From starting our orientation call to flying to Addis and back with our dear sweet daughter. If God isn't absolutely amazing, I really don't know WHAT you would call it!
So as we pursue adoption #2, it brings back lots of memories.....and speaking of memories....here are a few pics of our return home with our 3rd babe.

And a few more pics after Addison home for a week...

Paperwork has started

2009-04-19T20:56:00.003-05:00

So this afternoon I started on all the paperwork that lies ahead of us. I would say, 5-6 hours, doing as much as I can by myself. I'm very happy with what I accomplished today. I can say, so far, it does seem easier the 2nd time around. We know what we're looking for, kinda what we're doing, what to expect and what we'll need. That helps a ton!!!

So I went paperwork crazy today and have the initial stuff done to ship to USCIS tomorrow!! YAY!! Next to have my full attention is the home study info to get that going. Home study is needed for everything, so the sooner that is finished up, the sooner some of the other items on the list will be able to be checked off!! :)

It's now off to relax a little before starting back up tomorrow. I'm going to bed awfully happy tonite though!!!

Happy "Gotcha Day"!!

2009-04-15T16:29:00.004-05:00

Yes, 1 year ago today Mark and I held our little girl in our arms for the first time. Seems SO crazy!!!

I think back to 1 year ago....she was sitting up, drinking from a bottle, wearing 3-6 month clothes.....today she's RUNNING!, using a sippy cup and wearing 2T!! All I can say is....WHAT a blessing!!!

Here we go again.....

2009-04-11T20:29:00.002-05:00

So yesterday I was surprised to receive the other 2 emails we've been waiting on. ALL the paperwork we will be taking care of in the upcoming months. Got it all sorted thru this afternoon. Ready to get started come next week. Excited to get started, but yet, know what's in store. Lots of writing!! :) But we'll keep that little boy in our thoughts....he is our light at the end of our tunnel!

Paperwork has begun......

2009-04-09T14:49:00.002-05:00

It is now official! As of just a few minutes ago, we have received our beginning information and paperwork for adoption #2. It's been a good day and it's gonna end even better!

Please pray this all goes well and smoothly for us. We are SOOOO excited to have another bundle of joy in our home to join our family!!

some pics from the weekend

2009-04-06T14:19:00.005-05:00

Well, my oldest, Trevor, has now turned 5. I am still in shock!
Caleb, the middle one, is now 3. And completely onry!!
And, believe it or not, Addison is 20 months already!!
WHERE DOES THE TIME GO!?!??!?!

And, as of today, we are filling out the first of our paperwork. It's still the initial information and orientation stuff. After they receive this back, we'll then get the rest of the info and paperwork to dive in to everything we'll be doing again. The paperwork isn't always exciting, but keeping in mind the gift from God in the end is completely worth it!!

Adopting AGAIN!!!!

2009-04-03T09:04:00.003-05:00

Yes, it is true!! We have made the decision we are going to adopt again! We are all so excited about this new venture and journey, once again, to our little child in Ethiopia....

We don't have all the information quite yet....still in the VERY beginning stages of this.....but stay posted.....more info will come as time goes by............

WOW!

2009-03-19T14:07:00.003-05:00

Has it really been 3 months since I wrote on this thing?!?! Holy cow!

Well, I guess lots has happened since that time. Christmas for one. We had a good holiday. Addison knew exactly what to do with those gifts under the tree that were given to her! She even had grandpa wrapped around her finger when it was time to take the toys out of their boxes! :)

We celebrated Ethiopian Christmas January 7th and I made 3 Ethiopian dishes for us and my parents. I was sad that only 1 of them turned out, BUT, it was the one we liked while in Ethiopia, so I couldn't complain! My injera was NOT good....but I would try it again sometime. I've gotta be able to perfect it at some point in my life!! :)

It's hard to believe spring is just around the corner. Trevor has been on spring break this week, so we've had an enjoyable time at home playing with him and doing fun activities inside and out. Him and I were discussing yesterday though, he only has 7 or 8 weeks left of preschool and he'll officially be a kindergartner! TOO CRAZY!! Hard to think he's going to be 5 in just over a week!!

Still working on the potty training with Caleb. Any hints or suggestions?? Throw them my way! He's getting better, but it's also, when he wants to do it, he'll do it. Otherwise, just forget it! I'm still crossing my fingers he's ready by August! He wants to go to "Trevor's school", so I hope he gets it, and SOON!

And Addison has shown us SO much since coming home! A month from Saturday she will have been home with us for 1 entire year already! It's absolutely crazy to think about that! She has grown like a weed and shown us SO much in the past year. Her speech is amazing! Sometimes she'll be playing and talking to herself, Mark thinks she's speaking German! :) But her words (her favorite being SHOES) are so clear! It's fun to sit and have a little conversation with her! She's learned to stand up for herself...well, sometimes. Other times she is the typical "all girl"! But she picks on the boys as much as they pick on her! It's kinda funny to watch sometimes!

Below is a recent picture of us all. This would have been the first weekend in February when we were leaving Phoenix (visiting Mark's mom) to come home.

Officialized!!

2008-12-18T19:17:00.003-06:00

Is that a word?? Don't know....but it's what I mean!! Addison is official! She is now our daughter according to Nebraska, as of today!! It's been a FANTASTIC day and we are just ecstatic!! She is now a US Citizen....she is our little Ethiopian-American babe!! :) Just a great feeling for us all!!

Now we wait for her new birth certificate and then we'll be able to get her Social Security number after that. Little bit left to go, but now is the easy stuff!!

Merry Christmas to all!

just a rambling...

2008-12-12T14:25:00.004-06:00

Wow, I look at my counter and see Christmas is only 13 days away! Is that REALLY possible?? Where did the time go this year?? It seems as if it was just yesterday we were packing to pick up Addison. Or just yesterday when the flood hit over the summer. It was just Halloween! Amazing, just amazing. Again, where does the time go???

All is still going well. Well, not ALL...my external hard drive now decided it was its turn to take a dump, so I have no pictures to post at this time. I am trying my last hope for any survival...it's in the shop being looked at for anything salvagable. Yep, everything from when my computer's hard drive a month ago was on there. Yep, all of my pictures!!! And nope, I didn't have anything backed up! Yep, that was dumb! :) Yes, I've learned my lesson!!

On other (better) news....Addison is a full walker now. She's quite fun to watch "waddle" around. She's got a belly on her, so she tries balancing herself out without falling. Quite fun! She loves to stand up and dance now and she will even walk backwards. That one took me by great surprise a few weeks ago. She proved my point even more when I tell people she's a brilliant child!! :)

I love watching her eyes light up when we go into Walmart. They have their enormous Christmas tree right as you walk in with the HUGE red and green bulbs on it. She looks at me and back at the tree about 10 times before I can walk past it. Unfortunately she wasn't as excited about our's here at home, BUT it's not like 20 feet tall either! I know she's very excited for Christmas to get here. We saw Santa this morning for the first time at the Y (he was there for a school program). Boy, he got a good look from her. She wasn't quite sure what to think of the big man in the red suit with a long white beard. Probably just wondering what we people do here in this strange country! :)

It's been a fun winter, so far, with her also. Loves to watch the snow fall. (good thing, she'll be taking after me on that one!) The funny thing though is, when I go to put her winter coat on, I have to laugh inside....she would definitely NOT be wearing that in Ethiopia!! She has fallen in love with her heavy fleece Pooh hat. If I'd let her, she'd probably wear it all day, everyday. Not quite sure why...it's not Dora.

She's been growing like a weed. When we went in at 16 months (yeah, kinda missed the 15 month mark) she was 70% in height and 55% in weight. That kinda tells you a little on really how big she's getting! Honestly, I think Caleb better watch out. :) He might be passed up if he doesn't hit a good growth spurt pretty soon.

And the boys...better not leave them out. Caleb is constantly asking to go to school. I guess that's a good thing. We gotta get this potty training thing down though. I tell him that everyday, but he's just not getting the concept quite yet, I don't think. Bribes don't seem to help a lot right now either. I trust though, one day soon he'll think wet pants is for the birds...(at least I hope so!)
Trevor is doing fabulous in school! He's learning such a GREAT deal this year! I can tell he's starting to get a bit bored though. His Monday/Tuesday and then Wednesday/Thursday are the same sheets and lessons. And I think just going everyday is wearing him out. I remind him next week he's only got 4 days and then he'll be off for about 3 weeks. I'm hoping that's a good enough break for him. He's just anxious to go to mommy's school next fall.

I suppose it's time to start getting stuff ready for a Christmas party tonite. Again, where does the time go?? Almost 3 in the afternoon. Crazy, just crazy!

Starbucks today!

2008-12-01T13:04:00.002-06:00

Starbucks today is supporting World AIDS Day by donating per cup purchased! Go get a cup, or 2, or for some friends or your office mates!!!

Congratulations, also, to all those that have passed court today and in the past weeks. What a blessing to have your children home in time for the beautiful Christmas season! And those who have not yet passed....know we are all praying right along with you that God will bring you to your children VERY soon!!! They need you as much as you are yearning and needing them!

Black Friday

2008-11-28T07:15:00.002-06:00

Oh, isn't Black Friday so fun!! :) I know, some of you are thinking I'm crazy. Yes, we are all crazy! Especially those people who think pushing carts down aisles you can't even walk thru. Total nuts!!

But I got my stocking stuffers this morning. Most of what I walked out of the store with was for my mother. That's alright. My sister and I have good "quality" time together, if nothing else!! :)

Have a fabulous rest of the holiday weekend!

SO EXCITED to be sponsoring!!!

2008-11-22T10:55:00.002-06:00

At this point, I really don't even remember for sure how I was informed of what was going on. Right now all that matters is we are a part of it!

The Bottomly's have done much work into getting an orphanage chosen for sponsors and it has been successful. They have twice as many sponsors as they have expected so far, and of course there is room for more!! What is even more fantastic about this and why I cried this morning is....the orphanage we are blessed to be sponsoring children, is one of the orphanages Mark and I were able to visit while picking up Addison. Kebebtsehay Children’s Home. I am absolutely elated to be a part of this...especially being there before and seeing all the beautiful children that are and will be affected by this wonderful group of sponsors!!

If anyone else is interested in sponsoring, PLEASE get ahold of Amy on the link above. Just a small, yet enormous, way to help out!

We have a court date!! It's almost official official!!

2008-11-20T14:22:00.002-06:00

We got our call this afternoon regarding Addison's next court date. On December 18th, she will become an official US Citizen and be our official daughter according to the USA! It's a very exciting time right now for us and are happy to finally have that date. Now I need to finish writing my article for my MOPS group!! :-)

As the holidays approach we hope you all out there are blessed this season! Enjoy your moments and time with all your loved ones!

Halloween

2008-11-05T22:52:00.005-06:00

Wow, I just realized it's been a bit since I last posted. Addison is 'almost there' in the walking department. She can walk at least half way across the room before falling down and clapping for herself. It's pretty cute! Caleb has been talking up a storm and so much clearer. That's nice, when I don't have my translator (Trevor) around if for some reason I can't make out what he's saying. :-) And Trevor has utterly impressed me so far in school. It has been a blessing (for more than 1 reason!) for him to be going all 5 days to preschool this year. It does him a great deal of good (and fun) as well as for his mother!! :-)

Anyway, onto the pictures!!!

Addison, my little bee

Caleb my clown
(not the best costume for him since he is kinda clutzy! but he did awesome this night! very proud mama!!)
Trevor my banana
And this is all of us. I was dressed as a hippie/disco dancer...whatever you wanna call me. And Mark, well, at this moment he was a Husker Fan. Earlier in the night (before changing) he was an irrigation salesman. Needless to say, Mark is a party-pooper when it comes to Halloween! :-)

Just some random pics

2008-10-20T21:18:00.003-05:00

As we approach our 6 months home as a family of 5 tomorrow, I reflect back on the past months in awe. To think of where we were a year and a half ago, just starting our adoption journey. To one year ago when our dossier has been in Ethiopia just a few weeks. Then 6 months ago we were holding our new daughter and ready to bring her home! It has been amazing - good and bad - the past 1/2 year, but it all has been completely worth it! I look at the boys, so proud of their baby sister! They always make sure everyone knows her name is Addison and she is their little sister. They are always letting her know (and each other too) they love her so much and kissing her chubby cheeks. It's just beautiful, absolutely beautiful. All 3 of our kids have grown so much in the past 6 months, it's just amazing. Nothing is better than seeing so much innocense, laughter, fun and God thru a child's eyes!

Caleb loves his "new" bike
Trevor's smore
and his marshmallow on his shirt!
Addi in her braids
and her GO BIG RED!
Am I cute, or what?!?

Pumpkin Patch

2008-10-20T20:58:00.004-05:00

We finally made it to the pumpkin patch yesterday. Weather was awesome!!

Trevor
Caleb
Addison's first pony ride!

Mark and the boys on the train ride
Addison was wiped out!!
But she woke up ready to go. Here holding on for dear life as we went thru the corn maze.
Loving the big rocking chair!

I've been Tagged

2008-10-18T19:20:00.003-05:00

I have been Tagged by coffeemom. This is new to me, so we'll see what I can come up with!

1. I am a book fiend!! I love them. All kinds (except romance). Just the best past-time ever imaginable!

2. I am also a computer freak! If I'm not reading, you most likely would find me on the computer. Even just to check my email! :-) My degree is in computers.

3. I was the youngest in my high school class. I just missed the deadline having an October 12 birthday.

4. I am stepping out of my box this coming year and have volunteered to be the Creative Activities director of my MOPS group. Yes, I will be sweating profusely for the 2 minutes I'll be standing in front of my group of ladies explaining what they need to do for their craft.

5. I love the winter so much more than the summer. Although 60-70 degrees is perfect for me!

6. I am a person of VERY bold colors. The brighter the better. My favorite color is lime green.

7. As much as I dislike bugs, spiders, snakes and other things in nature, I LOVE LOVE LOVE to go camping!

8. I'll throw in one more just for good measure....I LOVE photography. I have started taking my own pictures of my kids and family. Not just cheaper, but it is SO fun for me to come up with different backgrounds. Different ways to set a picture. The best job, next to being a mom, in my opinion!

We have a walker!!!

2008-10-18T19:06:00.002-05:00

Well, pretty close anyway! Addison has been taking a couple steps up to 6 or 8 at a time. She will let go of things and stand there for the longest time, till she realizes you are looking at her. Then she smiles, laughs and falls down on purpose!! :-) But she's doing awesome. Plus having the boys encourage her even more, that helps. Then she claps for herself!

Since the last post, Mark and I have also had our birthdays. Not a lot happened, due to some crappy weather here! We were planning to go to the big pumpkin patch last Sunday, on my birthday, but due to the rain that didn't happen. The week just seemed to get worse for me after that. Thursday was Mark's birthday, but since he has basketball and doesn't eat those days cuz of it, we celebrated his Wednesday evening. The kids and I decorated the kitchen lights with balloons and we had his favorite, cherry cheesecake.

So, tomorrow, we are planning to now head to Vala's (pumpkin patch). It's supposed to be decent....I hope so! Hopefully I'll get some great pics of all the kiddos tomorrow. It might be Addison's first time riding a pony if they are there!!! That'll be fun!!!

Also, just wondering.....does anyone know where I could find a good book on the Amhara tribe?? I have looked on amazon, but can't seem to find something that sticks out for me. Maybe I can get some recommendations???

BRAIDS!

2008-10-06T20:23:00.003-05:00

Last week Wednesday I decided to do something a little different with Addison's hair. I didn't know WHAT for sure when she was sitting on my lap, but I wanted something different than all the ponies. So...I went searching on the internet and found a girl with braids and beads in her hair. I was thinking, her hair is just not right yet for cornrows, but I could do braids. Just no beads quite yet. So, below is the result! It turned out pretty cute. It took about 2 hours. We took one break, when Mark got home from work, before he took the boys to swim lessons. Seriously, she made NO peeps the entire time. She sat there in peace and played with 2 ink pens and put her cotton pony holders on her fingers like rings. Yes, for 2 hours!!!

Bless their hearts!!!

2008-10-06T17:13:00.002-05:00

All out there may, or may not, be familiar with one of the families (Farmboy & Buttercup) we travelled with to get Addison. They had some news given to them a few months back that the twins they adopted, have a sibling that will be able to also be adopted. After much much consideration, a few days ago they have noted they WILL be adopting the babe!! If you'd like, please leave them a message congratulating them on their decision!!! You can read their posting thru the link above.

Bad Hair Day?!?

2008-09-25T21:31:00.000-05:00

Not really....nothing an adorable little band can't fix! :-)

Omaha couple

2008-09-25T21:28:00.001-05:00

I had a comment on my blog from a couple whose husband is from Omaha. I wanted to contact you but don't have any way of doing so. Please email me at ashoes2002@gmail.com and I would love to answer your questions!!!

2009 Ethiopia Calendar

2008-09-25T19:18:00.002-05:00

I've been trying to do things (even if they are just little) to bring Ethiopia in our home. So, tonite I went online searching for an Africa calendar. Unfortunately the only thing I could find was animals...not what I was looking for.

I then did a search for Ethiopia and completely by accident (cuz those of you who are familiar, Ethiopia is on a completely different calendar than us, so that is what pulled up when I did my search) I came across something on the Amharic Kids website. I have it listed below in my "Other sites". The calendar is $14.00 to buy one individually...otherwise they have a fundraising thing to get them cheaper. Anyone interested, please check it out!

Just one little way for us to keep Ethiopia in Addison's heart (and our's too!)

Just some ramblings....

2008-09-21T15:27:00.003-05:00

First off, I want to send out a request for a very dear friend of mine. Her dad has been having some issues over time, but overnight was transported from Colorado to Omaha, via his motorhome by family. He is having some cancer issues and the docs are going to take great care of him, while being closer to his 2 daughters. Please follow his story here and shout out a few extra prayers for them!

In other news. We were camping over the weekend and finally got to enjoy our night out to Disney on Ice. Fabulous!!! All 3 kids had a blast (as well as their mother!!) :) I took over 500 pictures that night. Didn't realize that till I went to download them to the computer!! But when I get a chance this week, I hope to post some of those.

In the mean time...enjoy these couple....

YAY Caleb!! It didn't take him long to catch on to bike riding!! He now LOVES riding whenever he gets the chance to do so.
We were making and eating smores at this time. She decided to be the little indian girl though hitting her mouth while making the "Ahhhhhhh" sound.
She LOVES to be "tucked in tight".....actually she thinks it's pretty funny!
I was trying to get a picture of the kids here with one of my new props. Trevor just can't smile nice for anything. Basically can't smile on demand. This is one of the better pics I got (I know, you're probably wondering what the others look like!) I told Mark, Trevor looks like he just got a shot of Botox and his face froze!

Doesn't this just say it all?!? :-)

2008-09-16T10:06:00.002-05:00

This ever so "lovely" bug was hanging out on our mailbox this morning. Honestly, the thing really really creaps me out! Anyone have a clue what it is?? My lovely 2 year old (Caleb) says, "mommy, a butterfly". Nope, not quite!

Sundays at Tiffany's

2008-09-10T11:07:00.002-05:00

A little off subject today, but I felt the urge to write about this. As some of you may know, my favorite "me time" passtime is reading. Love it Love it Love it! Completely relaxing and totally enjoyable.

Anyway, and as some of you also may know, James Patterson is my favorite author. If you've heard of him and have read any of his books, I am assuming you know what I'm talking about. If you haven't heard of him, or have but have not read any of his books, I feel you are missing out.

So, for our anniversary almost a month ago, one of my gifts from Mark was James Patterson's new book called, Sundays at Tiffanys. This isn't a type of book he normally writes. There are 2 others, similar to this style, he has written that I have also read. All 3 are fabulous!! They are all kinda along the lines of a love story type, but they are NOT romance at all. After reading it, it's like watching a movie that completely makes you think and not take things for granted at the end (like PS I Love You---another fantastic thing in my opinion!)

So, for those of you who are dying to read a book, or may just be looking for something to do in your free time (no, I don't really have free time. I just got to reading during naptime and finished the 2nd half of the book yesterday.) I would highly recommend this book. Or ANY of his books. Just a fabulous author!!!

On another note. My household is completely excited for next weekend. We are headed to see Disney on Ice....it's finally coming to Omaha and we are able to go see it!

More pics

2008-09-04T14:13:00.003-05:00

I was playing with Addison's hair last night now that it's getting pretty long. I am hoping to take her 1 year pics this weekend, so I'm just testing some things out. (Yes, I do realize I'm a month past 1 year) :) But here are a couple to share. The ponies in her hair do still overpower a little bit, but at the same time they are SO cute!!! Then her with her scrunched up nose, AGAIN!

I forgot to mention yesterday. She also has 2 molars that have popped thru. That's been kinda nice for her...she now has a couple more to chew with instead of just the 8 in front!

Labor Day weekend

2008-09-03T15:44:00.007-05:00

We went camping for Labor Day weekend, as we normally do. It really turned out to be a pretty nice weekend. A little warm, but not too shabby. It was great to finally have a long weekend as a full family of 5...Mark is starting to finally slow down at work!

The lighting was absolutely beautiful when we arrived to Mahoney State Park Friday afternoon. I took out the camera immediately and had the boys "pose" for me.

These are my 3 and my sister's 2 kids. I LOVE outside pictures, and with the sun thru the trees that weekend, it was hard to pass up some great shots!!
I LOVE this picture!!! Addison was being awfully goofy while being on my shoulders. She would then lean down to lay her head on mine. My sister took this for me.
With her scrunched up nose she's saying "GO BIG RED"!!!
We celebrated Addison's 1st birthday (for the last time) with my sister and her family over the weekend as well. As you can see.....she LOVES her princesses!! (already!!)

Her birthday cake (again!) :-)
Yes, I LOOOOOOVE my cake!!

A few pics (and entertainment)

2008-08-27T21:08:00.003-05:00

How about Don'na' King?!? I know...she's really gonna not like me when she gets older!! :)

This is Addison with one of her new friends, Aubrey, from this past weekend of camping.

It's been awhile....again....

2008-08-26T16:32:00.002-05:00

It's been a busy couple of weeks. Lots of activities and things going on, so I decided to take a minute to blog for once.

Trevor started school last week. He's going everyday this year and loving it just as much as I knew he would. It's such a great feeling to see the big smile on his face when I drop him off and pick him up each day! It's pretty awesome too cuz I can see an improvement from last year. Just little things, like slowing down with coloring for one. But he's doing well with his letters and numbers as well. Next weeks topic is dinosaurs, so he's overly excited about that!

Caleb is doing well, although the potty training has kinda come to a halt again. He did awesome the first week, but started to get UNmotivated again. I tried different things, but nothing seemed to work. So I'm now trying to see what to do next. I can see he's wanting too, but I need something to motivate him that's bigger than what he's doing at the moment to have him try going. Candy isn't even working right now....and for those of you who know Caleb is just like his mommy! Yes, it's VERY strange candy isn't even working!!! :)

And Addison is still growing and learning new things everyday! She loves her princess car more than ever that she got from grandma and grandpa for her birthday. And this past weekend, while camping with some friends, she made a new friend about her age. Her and Aubrey had a fantastic time together and played the princess car together almost all weekend! It was fun to watch them bond and play!

This coming weekend we'll be celebrating her birthday one more time. We'll be camping with my family and celebrating with my sister and her family. We're heading to Build-A-Bear Saturday, so the kids are excited (well, so am I!) :) Lots of animals and outfits to choose from. It's just fun!!!

Not really a whole lot else right now. Except, GO HUSKERS!!!! Finally, game 1 is Saturday!!!! Unbelievable, it's finally here!!! :)

Addison's birthday with Grandma and Grandpa

2008-08-14T16:39:00.003-05:00

After returning home from our anniversary weekend camping, we stopped at my parents to celebrate, a little, with my parents for Addison's birthday. She got some fruit snacks, that she was VERY excited about...some clippies for her hair...and her little princess car she hasn't stopped playing with very much since she opened it. She was SOOOOO excited to get on it and start pushing all the buttons. The boys don't dare touch it cuz she knows it is her's! A couple pics below showing her happy surprise! :)

Way To Go Caleb!!

2008-08-14T16:21:00.002-05:00

I had to brag a little big about Caleb today. I guess brag wouldn't be the right word, but I am just so excited! I'm hoping we are headed for the good side after today.

I've been attempting the whole potty training thing with him for 4-6 months now. It seems if he goes once though, he's then done for the day. Well, today is a whole different story. It's just after 4pm and he has gone 5 times. I am excited beyond belief!! So as I say though, hopefully this will now be a track uphill for this next step in his life.

I also tried posting a couple pics of him the other day after Adventureland, but I was having some issues of them being timed out. So today instead. We got home that Sunday night around 7. Caleb was just totally pooped out. As you can see!! :)

Addison turns 1....and Adventureland

2008-08-11T13:51:00.006-05:00

It's been awhile since I've posted. Lots of things have happened in the past couple weeks. Our baby has turned 1!! I can't believe it! It's been such a fun time. It seems as if we'll be celebrating for the whole month!

The first weekend in August, which was her birthday (the 2nd) we were in Iowa at Adventureland with Mark's sisters and their families. And his mom. We had a great time, but my recommendation...do NOT ride the Outlaw! It's a wooden roller coaster. Yes, it was fun, BUT I had a pinched nerve, or something, with my back for a week! The kids had a blast! Trevor is STILL talking about the pirate ship he got to ride. It's a big ship that swings back and forth. He ended up riding it 2 or 3 times. He's excited to ride it again! He did ride 2 roller coasters as well. The first one was dark, a mine scene. It didn't do much up and down, but had pretend miners and things throughout. He wasn't too keen on that. He then rode the Tornado with me and Mark and Merin behind us. He was excited till we went down the first hill. I think he enjoyed the ride, but it had a LOT of hills, so it was tummy ticklers the whole time. He decided after the 2nd roller coaster he was going to wait till he was 5 to ride more of them.

Caleb had a great time too. I took him and my niece Camryn on the ferris wheel. They had a great time going really high and back "down down down down". He was able to ride a few other rides as well and decided to get attached to the frog that Uncle Joe won. He is now sleeping with it at night!

Addison had a great time too. She as able to ride a little ride with grandma Bonnie while a few of us went on a roller coaster. She rode the teacups with me and had a huge smile the whole time!

That afternoon we went back to the campers for supper and she had her birthday cake. She thought that was the jackpot for the day. Uncle Joe braved it and held her while she ate. As you can see, she was smiling from ear to ear!!

Her theme this weekend was unicorns. Due to traveling, the cake was short it's horn. But it seemed to turn out nicely otherwise.

Here is a picture of all the kids on the Schumacher side. Having 7 of them...it's hard to get them all to look and smile at the same time! :)

And we're off....

2008-08-01T08:09:00.002-05:00

I don't think I've been so excited about something in awhile. Just a weekend to get away....ride some roller coasters. See Mark for 3 days straight with NO interuptions!! I just can't believe it's finally here!

Most of us are feeling better. Yesterday was Addison's first day of not feeling crappy at all! She's definitely back to herself! I still have a cough that hits me more in the evening, but nothing to keep me from enjoying my "loopty-loops" :)

But I gotta finish packing my last minute things so we can get out of here!!! Lots of pics, I hope, when we get back. Tomorrow Addison turns 1!!!!!! I can't believe HOW FAST the past months have gone with her!!! So, it's just an exciting weekend x10!!!!

I just don't get it

2008-07-28T18:02:00.002-05:00

Why is it, that when you are planning for a vacation-no matter how short or long-something always goes wrong? It never fails for us, someone always gets sick! So far, it's 2 of us. Yesterday morning I woke up concerned about my eye--I won't go into the ucky details--but I did get eyedrops this morning to hopefully take care of it. But the other....my poor little Addison.

Yesterday morning Caleb woke her up so we could get ready for church. Mark put her at the table with some cereal. She was awfully fussy, and Mark figured it was cuz she saw the boys had egg sandwiches. Nope, not it....and her pants weren't dirty. I just assumed she was still tired, so I laid her back down. 2 1/2 hours later I went to check on her. She was just burning up...temp, 101.2. Holy cow!! So, she was constantly drinking-which was a good thing!-and rubbing her eyes, so I laid her down again. She then slept another 3-4 hours, till I went to check on her. Still didn't break the fever, it went up instead (even after Motrin) to 102 something. She was up, maybe 30 minutes, and I laid her back down.

Fast forward to this morning...she was completely out of it. NOT herself at all. She whines alot, but in a "I want what I want" type of way. This was not that kind of whine. :) It looked like it actually hurt her to make any noises. Temp, 103.3. Called the dr right away.

Got there, they took her temp and supposedly it was 99.9, or something like that. I don't think I believe that. She was STILL extremely HOT and burning up. I didn't give her anything in that hour from calling the dr till we got to the office. So, I still think their thermometer was just wrong. Anyway, nothing else wrong with her. Funny it was JUST a fever. After doing all the normal checks, they decide to prick her finger and check her bloodcount...result: fine. So then the poor girl had to go thru a catheterization. Yeah, I was just as stunned as you might be! But they wanted to check her white blood cells to be sure they were ok. They were thinking possible urinary tract infection. Result: fine. So this poor little girl went thru kinda hell this morning, with a 103 fever to find out it's just viral, nothing to give her for it, and it should pass in 3-5 days.

Again I say, Holy Cow!!!

Things have started looking up as the day has passed though. She laid down for 3 or so hours after getting home. Her fever has broke from being so high...it's now just over 100. She has still been drinking like crazy, but she has ate 3 or 4 handfuls of cheerios now too. So it's great to see her getting an appetite back.

Why does this always happen when we're ready for vacation....and a MUCH NEEDED one I might add!!?!?

While Travis was home

2008-07-21T22:24:00.006-05:00

My brother was home for about 10 days and over one of my nephew's birthdays. My sister and her husband have a hammock in their backyard, and it's a magnet to the kids and Travis. They enjoyed their swinging time together very much!

This photo speaks for itself....Mark and my brother-in-law, just don't feel like using their own "hot air" to blow up the slip-n-slide.

Caleb was a HUGE fan of the hammock whether he was with them all or by himself. Totally comfortable! I just gotta get ours set up now.

Yes, my brother was in a goofy mood come cake and ice cream time. I'm not quite sure WHAT he was thinking, but Trevor said he looked like the sun. :-)

Yep, Addison has become a true Schumacher....she LOVES her ice cream!

Here are a few pics of Addison hanging out in the grass. One of her favorite places to be!

And AGAIN, the hammock is the place to be!

These last 2 pics were taken the day before he headed back to Texas. Of course, having 3 kids excited to see Uncle Travis...couldn't get them all 3 to cooperate with the camera.

Prayer request

2008-07-21T15:21:00.004-05:00

A week ago in church I heard a friend of mine's name announced in church when praying for the sick. Wasn't sure what was going on. Today I have found out she has a brain aneurism. I ask for all the prayers able for her. She's a great person full of life. Please pray that God will help her thru this extremely tough time.

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=60118610081&ref=mf

1st post placemet AND my boy is famous!

2008-07-14T22:47:00.002-05:00

So we had our first post placement visit for Addison this past week. It went just great. And Addison, of course, ate up the attention she got that day...from Katie, as well as, daddy coming home for lunch! The meeting was nice...it was fun to have an hour to "brag" about our baby girl and just talk about her (even if it was cuz we HAD to!)

Also, for those of you that received, or will be receiving, the Gladney Today magazine, my son, Trevor, is famous! Check out the bottom corner on page 13. That's my boy on the yellow blow-up slide in the I'm the Big Brother t-shirt. You should have SEEN the smile on his face when I told him he was in there and every person in the United States that works with Gladney got this magazine. He's only 4, but he sure acted like he knew what I was talking about! I have to say though....we had such a fabulous time that weekend in Texas. It was a great time with all the activities and people we got to meet!

My nephews b-day party was this past weekend and my brother has been home this past week, so I've got lots of pics. I'm hoping by the end of the week I'll be able to update here with new pics.....

AND!!!

2008-07-02T20:05:00.003-05:00

I decided to surprise my mommy tonite by crawling on all 4's..just a couple steps, but I did it!

Look at me! Look at me!

2008-07-02T17:05:00.003-05:00

I got some pics today of my little stinker standing up. I STILL can't believe she's doing this yet! But it's SO exciting to see!!!

The 2nd two pics are of my lovely son getting caught for time #3! He loves lotion, especially during winter and summer when he gets dry. Well, he, AGAIN, had mistaken the "butt cream" for lotion. And this time he was thinking of his sister too! "Of course, she needs lotion too mommy!" (don't worry...neither ate any!)

The 3rd picture...Addison got a little tired yesterday afternoon. Caleb was sitting by her on the couch so she decided to get comfortable and lay on him for a pillow. As you can tell by her smile, she was enjoying her "pillow".

"Queen" of the room for the day

2008-07-01T16:49:00.002-05:00

That's exactly what her smile said to me this morning! Why you ask?? My little stinker decided she was going to stand up today! Mark was wondering last night if she was going to try standing up next to his chair, but nothing. So this morning by the fireplace she was playing with some toy and used it to stand up TWICE. I honestly couldn't believe it. All she does is army crawl. The only time she's on her knees (or all 4's) is to sit up from being on her belly. Yep, I was quite surprised and excited.....and she thought she was a queen for all the praise she got from me and her 2 brothers!! :)

In the last week, she's also popped the 6th tooth since coming home, which makes #8. She's learned to squeal extremely loud. And has learned to pick on her brothers like they pick on her and each other. She has been known to take toys right out of Caleb's hand!

I don't know if I've ever mentioned this, but she LOVES music!! More my music or commercials on tv. But when she hears it she smiles nice and big and sways back and forth. How fast or slow she sways depends on the song. I'm glad all 3 of my kids follow me in that aspect, instead of their daddy! (Mark enjoys AM radio!)

We're heading out to go camping, finally, again this weekend for the 4th. We're all excited about going...we just gotta get all packed. It'll just be nice to go as a family for a long weekend. Mark has been SO busy at work. He goes in around 4 or 5 in the morning and gets home around 6 at night. So we're all looking forward to this weekend (even if he does have to work Saturday)

Hope everyone out there has a great, but SAFE, 4th of July!!

Mama's girl

2008-06-25T17:28:00.002-05:00

As I look back on the past 2 months since Addison has been home, there are many things that have been fantastic to see unfold with her. Even though she was 8 months old when she arrived home, we have still been able to encounter some of her "firsts" with her.

But something I have come to notice, especially in the past, oh, 2 weeks maybe??, is that she is completely mama's girl!! It doesn't matter where we are...if she can't see me or hear me, she's gonna scream! We're talking, wailing at the top of her lungs (and she definitely has a pair!!) with the biggest tears you can imagine. No, I'm really not joking here! For example, yesterday I stopped by my parents before taking Caleb to swimming. I decided to just change there. I stepped out of the kitchen, where she was, out of her site and if you didn't know better, you'd think she was being tortured!

So, today I drop Caleb and Addison off at Y-Care to get Trevor to swimming and me to my cycling class. Same thing there. I set her on the floor--thinking she'll just go play like she normally does. Nope, she sits there and wails with the biggest tears ever! It has just become unbelievable. Sometimes I think I just don't know what to do.

But I was reminded today by a good friend....remember the tears you cried and the emotions you went thru to get her here. It opened up my eyes to a different side...with ALL of my kids.

There are those days/moments when I think I am just going to pull my hair out. Those days I feel I would just love to send those kids to boot camp to waste away their energy there. Those days I want to just find a hole to hide in.

But then I am reminded of how much I love my kids and thank God everyday for the blessings he has given me. And during their "energetic" times I sit back and laugh. I watch as my 3 laugh at each other. Those giggles are one of the most precious sounds...I can't help but smile.

Pictures!!

2008-06-21T19:53:00.003-05:00

So, as promised (becca) here are some pics of the kids I was able to take today. They turned out better than I thought, so I'm a bit happy. It's not easy getting 3 kids 4 and under to keep looking at the camera and smile nice!! :) I'm hoping to get the whole family tomorrow, if we are fortunate to get that chance!

Addison has learned a new "trick" in the past week. She can now go from being on her belly everywhere army crawling to sitting up on her own. She's also used the boys small stools to get up on her knees like she's sitting up. And I can't believe how long her hair has gotten in the last 2 months either!!! VERY bushy!! :)

Top Ten Ways You Know You Are an Adoptive Parent

2008-06-14T20:53:00.004-05:00

I saw this on another person's blog and felt the urge to post it on mine. How true these statements are...and how much they touch an adoptive parents heart!
************************************************************

10. The fact that there are 143 million children without a parent to kiss them goodnight has made you lose sleep.

9. You can't watch Adoption Stories on TLC without sobbing.

8. You spend free time surfing blogs about families who have experienced the blessing of adoption.

7. You have welcomed a social worker into the most private parts of your life.

6. You had no idea how you would afford to adopt but stepped out in faith anyway, knowing where God calls you, He will provide.

5. You have taken an airplane ride half-way around the world with a child you just met.

4. You know what the word "Dossier" means, and you can actually pronounce it!

3. It drives you crazy when people ask you about your adopted child's "real" parents.

2. You realize DNA has little to do with love and family and that welcoming a child into your heart and family is one of the most important legacies you could ever leave on this earth.

1. You shudder when people say your child is so lucky that you adopted them, knowing full well you are the lucky one to have him or her in your life.

-Author Unknown

We're still here

2008-06-12T19:16:00.004-05:00

I know, I've been a little MIA the past couple weeks. The summer has officially started at the Schumacher house as of last week. My class has started, Addison and Trevor both had swimming lessons (although I must admit they didn't go to EVERY class). Trevor also had VBS last week.

So, we're slowing down a little for next week. I'll have my sisters 2 boys part of Thursday and then Friday, but the week after things will start back up again. Trevor is doing a camp at the Y for a week and will be in swimming lessons again. Then it's Caleb's turn to start a class called Parent & Perch (also swimming) with me. So, I'll be running like a chicken with my head cut off AGAIN!! :) But I have to say, it's fun watching the kids do all their activities and be a part of them when I'm able to.

Addison is doing fantastic! She has been home with us now for almost 2 months. She has learned VERY quickly that she'll be needing to hold her own around her brothers. As much as they love her, and vice versa, they still fight/argue/tease/pick on each other--all of them. They fight over toys and do all those things siblings do. But there are those times when they just love each other. Those are such special times.

Back to Addison....she is growing like crazy. I look at her now and see a girl that has absolutely gotten huge since coming home. She eats like crazy, and a LOT!!! She's also gotten to the point of wanting "real" food, not baby food cuz she likes to feed herself and loves the textures. So, we're down to only 2 or 4 containers of baby food left. Then she'll be done with that stuff.

Also, another amazing thing with Addison....when she arrived home 2 months ago, she had 2 teeth on the bottom. She now has a total of 7....yes 7 teeth!! And I can see there are 2 or 3 more ready to push thru. I really can't say enough how well this little girl has done since coming home. Without weighing her, I'd say she's gained 10 pounds since coming home. I'm sure it hasn't been THAT much, but you pick her up and there is a DEFINITE difference!!!

Ummm, trying to think of anything else......she's been army crawling like crazy for over a month now. In the past couple weeks she's been getting up on her knees. Not moving, but she gets up on all fours and smirks at me. Pretty cute. I know I'll regret saying this (Mark said the same thing last night) but I'm excited for the day she takes her first steps. It's just amazing what these little kids can do. Even to watch the boys and all their firsts, it's amazing what God can do for us!

I guess that's all I've got for now....to touch base on all the flooding around here. Even with all the rain, we're fortunate the roads haven't been closed down again. No more damage has happened in Platte Center, to my knowledge. The fields down in the valley have been flooded numerous times, but nothing besides that. So, we've really been fortunate. It's looking like the rain is gonna quit for a few days, so hopefully it'll dry up a bit.

Above, these pictures were taken at Mark's (and mine) aunt's wedding reception a couple weeks ago. Trevor and Caleb were enjoying their time on aunt Carolyn's swing before all the other kids got there. The other is Addison with aunt Betty, another of our aunts.

Flood clean-up

2008-05-31T14:07:00.004-05:00

I went up to Platte Center yesterday to check things out. Mark called earlier that morning saying the guys said there were 15 inches of water in the warehouse and corn cobs everywhere.

It was better than I was expecting when I got there. There were corn cobs all around outside. The UPS room in the shop was kinda muddy/silty. Nothing better than just staying it stinks! :)
One warehouse, the door has 2 panels at the bottom bent in. The silt in that building is pretty thick.
And behind the shop, some of their pipe ended up in the neighbor's front yard. (Maybe good that it is the parents of Mark's best friend) :)

Some people were fortunate. Mark's friends parents only had water in their garage...but another friend, her grandparents had water all over their basement. The Salvation Army is up there today providing lunch for all the workers and people helping clean up. Thank you to them!!

The highway north and south between Columbus and Norfolk was partially open this morning. But we have heard a lot of the water has now been flowing east, so those towns are now starting to flood and close down roads. We are just hoping the rain that comes in the next 4 days, or so, does not make anything going on now any worse!

The first picture is of Elm Creek, runs right thru the center of Platte Center. This then runs into Shell Creek to overflow into the fields and across the highway as in the 2nd picture. These were taken by a friend of ours yesterday morning.

Just can't sleep right now...flooding waters

2008-05-29T23:57:00.003-05:00

Never realized how much rain a person could actually get till tonite!! Holy cow!!! Mark left a little over an hour ago to head up to Platte Center. For those of you who aren't familiar with that town, it sits down in the valley, so lots of rain, very fast, equals flooding. So, Mark headed up to help one other guy get pc's and stuff up off the floor. He made it in the nick of time! He called about 10-15 minutes after getting there and was walking knee deep in water coming down Main Street.

Last I had heard from him, they were to be having sand bags brought up to them in Platte Center, so people could try protecting their homes and businesses as much as possible.

They just said on the news though, Platte Center is being evacuated, so I guess we'll see what happens.

I'll update more as I know what's going on. Keep the town in your prayers...Right now they can use all they can get!!

A funny for you

2008-05-21T22:35:00.002-05:00

We're having some issues lately that I'm trying to fix. For one, we got Addison's Permanent Resident card in the mail Friday from USCIS. That was great, till I opened it. They have a typo....listed her as a Male instead of Female.

So anyway, to my funny....

While I'm on the phone today trying to get this mess fixed Trevor comes running back into my room telling me to hurry, Caleb got into the lotion. From his panic, I figured it was kinda bad. Expecting lotion all over him and the carpet. When I return to the living room, I see Caleb with butt cream all over him and his shorts. I wasn't upset, just trying to figure out what possessed him to put butt cream on his hands, shorts, shirt.

So I'm cleaning him up, not a huge deal. But I go to lift his shirt to clean off his shorts and see his entire chest and tummy are ALSO full of butt cream. I just busted out laughing. I then realized he had mistaken that for lotion. He was quite the site to be seen, but I don't have any pics. Quite humorous and a very needed laugh at that point.

Not much new

2008-05-12T22:14:00.004-05:00

I guess I haven't posted in almost a week, so I thought I'd say something. But I really don't have a lot.

Addison is still doing just plain awesome! She is scooting faster and more everyday. It's sometimes hard to keep up with her! Changing her pants is starting to become a challenge. She's started to want to roll over and just go....then gets mad when I don't let her. She's very active, which is so great to see in just 3 weeks time!

Oh, she also thinks this is funny....she says "dada" ALL the time!! So I go up to her and say "mama"....she laughs and says "dada". SOMEday she'll say mama. I know she will!!! :)

Hair & Scooting

2008-05-07T11:15:00.003-05:00

Cuz of laying down a lot while in Ethiopia, she has earned herself a bald spot that is now growing back in nicely. Although, not long enough yet to do anything with. But her pretty curls on top, I haven't known what to do with them. Well this morning I started playing with some of the smaller "pretties" I have and put some clips in her hair. I was quite proud of myself, I have to say, for not ever doing anything like this before! Gotta see the pics below!

Also, she's now been home, officially, for 2 weeks and HOLY COW!!! She is scooting ALL OVER!!!! Not quite crawling yet, but she definitely is not far from it! Last night she was in the living room and the next thing we knew, she was under the kitchen table! She's kinda got a backwards army crawl, using her legs and feet more than her arms, but she kicks and pushes herself along with her feet. It's quite entertaining to watch her get around now!

Camping 2008

2008-05-04T22:10:00.002-05:00

We just got back from our first camping trip of the year. Addison did awesome and loved being outside. She still napped her 2 times a day, so I sat inside and snuck a couple movies in. It was just great being out in nature with no worries. Camping is just one of the most relaxing things in the world. To know I'm not at home, in my messy home! To be out in God's world, taking it all in. How fantastic!!

So our next trip is planned for Memorial Day weekend. Trevor is very excited cuz we'll be going with grandma and grandpa next time and we'll be staying longer. That 1 extra day was enough to make his month!! It's so great to see how much our kids LOVE doing these things. It's so great to share those times with them.

I didn't get any pictures of this weekend. Really, it was too cold to be outside part of yesterday, and when we were outside it was last night around the campfire. But we've got the next 6 months of camping to get some pics.....

First Family Photo

2008-04-30T21:37:00.003-05:00

It's not the best photo, but it's all 5 of us as a family. After a long energetic day for the kids, night-time isn't the best time for taking pictures. :)

Pretty Girl

2008-04-29T15:38:00.002-05:00

The 3 kids

2008-04-29T12:09:00.004-05:00

I've tried attempting some pics of the 3 kids today. My oldest just doesn't know how to smile when he needs to smile. I'll have to get more when Mark is around, but here are a few for now to tie you all over....

13 hours?!

2008-04-29T09:40:00.001-05:00

Holy cow! She slept 13 hours last night!! How awesome!!!

I'm attempting some pics today of all 3 kids. I want to get some of all 5 of us too, but have to wait till Mark gets home for that. I'll hopefully be posting those pics today or tomorrow!

A few more pictures from today

2008-04-28T17:03:00.002-05:00

Addison 1 week later

2008-04-28T15:08:00.004-05:00

In between naps and running today, I've gotten to sneak in some picture taking. I'm not done just yet...I want to get the 3 kids together yet for sure, and hopefully a family picture also...but here are 2 that I've gotten today. How adorable is she?!?! The bench she is sitting on in the one picture was from my sister and her family. Her husband does FANTASTIC woodworking...as you can see!!

We're doing well

2008-04-27T16:24:00.002-05:00

We've been home for a week now. Wow! Seems kinda crazy to think that! But all is good. Addison is adjusting to many things very nicely. She's getting acustomed to baby food (which she is completely in love with, no matter what kind it is!), her 2 brothers (now that she's had time with each of them individually, it's not so bad), the time change (there has only been one night during the past week that she woke up around 2, otherwise she's been sleeping thru 10 hours), and other things. She's very happy, most of the time. When you wipe her nose, then it's a different story! It's just a blessing to have her a part of our family--FINALLY!

She has met many new people this week and takes to everyone without crying. She's probably used to having lots of people in and out of her site with families visting the foster care home in Addis. But, it's probably also in her Ethiopian blood to just be happy and friendly anyway!

I plan to post more pics when I get the chance, hopefully this week. I'm also trying to upload pics into a book I'm going to have printed of Addison and our trip, instead of just scrapbooking it myself. I'm trying to beat the sale deadline!! :)

Addison is adjusting well

2008-04-23T16:59:00.004-05:00

We are adjusting well. Today is so much better than yesterday! We let her nap yesterday afternoon about 2-3 hours and woke her up. It was great cuz she slept 10 hours last night. We're hoping with a couple more days like this, she'll adjust to Nebraska time just fine! This afternoon she took about a 2 hour nap and is just as happy as can be! And she's been with the boys separately today. Trevor was at school this morning, so her and Caleb played and "talked" to each other a lot. Then her and Trevor woke up about the same time, so they had some time together. I think she's adjusting to having a couple brothers.
She met quite a few people today too and it went so well. All she did was smile as people adored her. I'm sure she thought it was cool being held and passed to the next person. Then when she spotted me, I get a huge smile!
But all is well on our end. She seems to be doing better today and not feeling as if she needs to be held 24/7. She's been playing on her own while I try getting unpacked and cleaned up around the house. It helps lessen the stress a little!
And we've found out she loves rice cereal, applesauce and took to the peas at lunch today very nicely! I'm guessing she's just loving not having only formula!
Here are a few more pics for today...

This first picture is us with Belay. He is a Gladney rep that has a great input in referrals of the children.

This second picture is us with our driver Anbus. Fantastic man!! There are not enough nice words to say about him! And it's thanks to him on why we got our luggage when we did!

This last photo is of Addison one of the first couple days we had her. This has turned out to be one of her favorite toys!

Injera Table

2008-04-22T11:57:00.004-05:00

This is what we ate the evening of the Traditional Ethiopian Dinner/Dance. It turned out to be pretty good! (I have to say I was a little nervous.)

2008-04-22T11:47:00.002-05:00

Addison and Mark with her main care giver at Gladney's foster care. It is amazingly unbelievable how much these caregivers LOVE these kids. They are the next best people to parents. Extremely touching and emotional experience to meet these fabulous ladies!

Let's start with a few pictures

2008-04-22T11:12:00.004-05:00

Here are some pics from the 10th floor of the Hilton...where we stayed while in Addis.

We are home

2008-04-22T07:37:00.002-05:00

We landed in Omaha last night just before 7pm. My parents and Bonnie brought the boys down to the airport and was so glad they did! I think the boys grew 3 feet!! My sister and her family also came. It was SO great seeing them all!!

Today is going to be a day with us 5 at home to hang out and all get used to being a family of 5. Get her used to living in our home and these new conditions...although I think she's already enjoying herself! She's taking to the boys VERY well!

So....as we now start Chapter 2...

Leaving Addis

2008-04-20T10:03:00.001-05:00

It's 6pm here in Addis right now. So, in about a 1/2 hour our driver
will be here to take us to the airport. We're excited to get home,
but I've gotten some butterflies too. I'm ready to give my boys the
biggest hugs ever!!

Not too much longer now boys!!! Mommy Daddy and Addison are on their
way home!!! We love you!

Almost Home

2008-04-20T07:22:00.001-05:00

Things have been very busy the past couple days. Friday we visited 3
orphanages. Yes, it's sad when you see some of the things you see,
but it really is wonderful to know those kids have a place to go! And
they are schooled, so it's better for them also.

Yesterday we had a busy day. We went to a bizarre, which basically
was a backyard of a church and people set up booths with things to
buy. I think Mark and I had all our souvenirs bought in 15-20
minutes! It was pretty cool and I know he was happy about that! Then
yesterday afternoon we met Addison's birthmom. It was a great
experience and am so completely glad that we did meet her. It was
emotional, but I have no regrets.

And last night we went with Belay to Dreamland for supper, which is a
hotel outside of Addis about an hour. The food was great and the
scenery was absolutely beautiful! Overlooking a lake made by a
volcano. Excellent view. And we had the experience of losing power.
But it was still a little light out till we were finished, so we could
see. But they also lit some candles too.

We are actually leaving today. In a few more hours. We had our
flights changed once again. We decided to avoid the whole German
Embassy and transit visa deal for Addison. So we'll be returning a
couple days early. We are overly excited to return home to our boys.
And I'm sure they are excited to see us too!!

So, this is the last till we return home. Hopefully we will have an
UNeventful trip this time!!

Addison in her dress

2008-04-18T00:13:00.001-05:00

Ethiopian Cultural Dinner & Dance

2008-04-18T00:00:00.001-05:00

We have a little time this morning before pickup for the orphanages
today. I was thinking early, but 9:30 is when they're coming.

Last night was pretty fun! We went to an Ethiopian restaurant where
we had injera with many different sauces and meats. I have to say I
was a bit nervous about going. A couple nights ago we ordered room
service and ordered some injera for Addison. I tasted it that night
and was not too fond of the taste. It's basically like a pancake but
it's got a little bit of a tart taste….it's hard to explain. Everyone
told me though, you've got to have it with something, not plain.
It'll take away that distinct taste it has. They were right. It was
pretty good. There was a bean dip that Mark and I both really liked.
We had a chicken sauce that was spicy. I liked it, but didn't eat a
lot cuz of the spicy. It kinda hung with a person for awhile. There
was a spinach dip which was alright, but not too much of it for me.
Lamb, that was good, but watch out for the bones!  I can't think of
anything else. I've got pictures though, so you'll be able to see
that after we return home.
And the dancing was so awesome! They had a band with drums, a
harp-like instrument, a recorder-type made out of wood, and I think
there was one other guy playing something but I couldn't see what it
was from where I was sitting. They had a man and lady out throughout
the night, separate and together, singing. There were also 2 men and
2 ladies dancing throughout some of the songs. It was just awesome!
We got most of the dances on tape, but the one or two we didn't get, I
did get pictures. Travis was telling one of the guys that they were
going to come over our way to get us to do what they were…I thought he
was kidding…he wasn't! Belay was the first and it was SO fun to watch
him dance with the girl that came our way! He knew what he was doing!
Mark was next. And then I did it. A bit embarrassing when you
aren't sure what you're doing, but it was fun! Zach also danced and
it was fun to watch him. He really got into it! A little later a guy
came our way and got a friend of one of the driver's to dance and
Sharon. It seems to be a lot of head and shoulder movements, just
getting it right.

So today we are going to a little pasty shop all together for
breakfast and then we head to the orphanages. I believe Travis said
we'll be going to the older boys home first. We won't see all of them
since they will be in school, but I'm guessing there will still be a
lot of kids. And then there are 2 other orphanages we'll be going to
this afternoon.

I guess that's about all I've got for now. Since I found out the
other picture DID post, I'm going to try posting the one of Addison in
her dress from her caregiver. She's so beautiful in it! Well, she's
beautiful anyway!! 

Trevor and Caleb, mommy, daddy and Addison will be home in just a few
more days! We miss you so much! And love you so much!! We get to
see you Wednesday!

WE HAVE LUGGAGE!!!

2008-04-17T06:54:00.000-05:00

Yes, you read that right!! For some reason the Delta site, after 5
days now, I told Mark it had to be wrong. Our awesome driver over
here, Anbus, took us to the airport today to have us look in their 2
holding rooms for luggage. By golly, all 4 of them were there! I was
just about in tears with happiness!

So we're all sorted out for H. Aid and Addison's things. It's so nice
to know we have clothes now and can look a bit more presentable than
we have! :-)

That's all for now.....We have the Ethiopian Cultural Dinner and Dance
tonite, so I'll probably post tomorrow evening maybe about that and
the orphanages. We go to the 3 orphanages all day tomorrow. So I'll
probably have quite the post after that.

Trevor and Caleb....mommy and daddy miss you! We love you SO much!
Mommy, Daddy and Addison will be home soon!!

no pics

2008-04-16T10:10:00.001-05:00

I can't get the pics to post right now. I may try again another day,
or else just when we get home. It's high-speed here, but still slower
than at home.

Getting Addison

2008-04-16T10:09:00.000-05:00

What's been going on with us here

2008-04-16T09:57:00.001-05:00

Today was a nice day. Since we missed our flight the other day, we
officially met our blogging buddies today. And the 4th family we knew
would be here also. They are all fantastic and all the babies/kids
are absolutely beautiful!!

Yesterday morning, as you know, we did pick up Addison. We decided to
just hang out at the hotel, rest up, bond with her. She has done so
awesome! By noon, easily, yesterday, it's like she's always been one
of our own!  Trevor and Caleb, you will be excited too! Addison
likes to make dinosaur sounds just like you!!!

Today we visited the Gladney Foster Care homes, met some of the babies
there, and saw their traditional coffee ceremony. That was really
cool to watch and see exactly what they do here. Plus with Ethiopia
being the coffee capital of the world…that's how I see it anyway…it
was really cool! And I tasted it. I think I took a total of 3
sips-it did have sugar in it. It wasn't terrible, for me not liking
coffee, but I did not drink it all.

Then this afternoon we went for our Embassy appointment. It ended up
being pretty harmless and it all went thru fine. So hopefully
Addison's things will be done Friday and then we'll head to the German
Embassy Monday to get her transit visa, since we are going home thru
Frankfurt. Germany just started on March 1st, this thing with needing
a transit visa. We originally were avoiding it, but cuz of all the
flight confusion, we ended up switching flights. But as long as we
can go there Monday, tell them we are leaving the next day for home,
that we really need it, we're hoping they get it done for us and we'll
be smooth sailing. If they don't have it done before we leave that
evening, then things COULD get hairy in Frankfurt. But we've had
enough bad, so we're just hoping for all the good now!

And this afternoon Mark started to have something hit him. I don't
think he's sick, but I don't think something settled with him. At the
US Embassy appointment, he wondered if it was nerves, but it didn't
turn out that lucky. He's napping with Addison right now, so
hopefully he'll be feeling better after napping or a night's rest. I
think right now he's just got a headache (and of course won't take any
Tylenol for it)

Tomorrow is another free day, so we pondered going to Entonto
Mountain. But without our snugly (yep, in the lost luggage) I'm not
super crazy about that idea. We'll see how Mark is feeling. He said
he didn't mind carrying her otherwise. But then tomorrow night we
will be going to an Ethiopian Traditional dinner/dance thing. A
caregiver will be coming to watch Addison from the Gladney home…I'm
kinda hoping it's the lady who was her primary caregiver. Just to
give them one last time together before we leave for home.

I'm looking forward to Saturday. Joanna was telling us of a once a
month thing a church, I believe, does here. You go and they have ALL
kinds of souvenir things, for kids up to adults. Otherwise, we do
have shops here at the Hilton too if we don't find all we'd like
there. I have to say, there is a beautiful Ethiopian dress downstairs
I spotted in the window of a store for Addison……OH, I would LOVE to
get that for her! Just not sure how much it is yet.

Well, that's all I have for now. Enjoy the pics if I can get them to
post! The one of the 3 of us is the morning we had just gotten her.
One is with her yesterday loving her new musical toy. The last is of
her in her Traditional Ethiopian dress her primary caregiver gave her
today. We're planning to have her wear it for her baptism as well.
Isn't she adorable in it?!?

We have Addison!

2008-04-15T03:37:00.001-05:00

We have our baby girl!! It was so sweet seeing some of the babies
this morning. There was one that was really watching us when we got
to Gladney's Foster Care that we thought was her. But we found out
they have 2 infant care homes and she was in the one right across the
street.

But we are here and all is good. Gonna check on the luggage and see
where it's at. Hopefully enroute here via the Ethiopian Air flight to
land tonite. If we're lucky!! The foster care home gave us a bag
with some supplies for today. Thank goodness for that!

So, for now, this is what we know. Today is a "free" day, so we're
just hanging out with Addison and probably gonna nap a bit today.
Slept ok, but still only 6 or so hours last night.

We'll have to try pics another time. It's not sending them too fast.

More soon.....

We are in Addis

2008-04-14T23:41:00.001-05:00

Hello everyone! Mark and I did finally make it to Addis last night,
but I have to admit it was WAY too eventful for me!!

We started in Omaha for Cincinnati. Got there and our flight was
delayed from 4:30 till 5:45. I was worried, but figured we'd wait it
out. 5:45 came and went to a new delay of 6:30. They then decided to
just cancel our flight. Of course I was beside myself and got my
crying out. Then I was just determined. Mark and I walked all over
the airport. Ended up getting a different flight to DC, with
instruction from our travel agent, but was to the other airport there
and still too late for our Ethiopian Air flight. Delta ended up
putting us up in a nice hotel and paid our taxi to get where we needed
to go.

Day 2 we started by trying to figure out what we needed to do now to
get here. Our travel agent gave us a couple options, cuz we took out
travel insurance. It was a great decision if you are ever wondering
if you should or not! Anyway, we could wait till Monday to get the
flight out on Ethiopian or we could cancel that all together and get
on a different airline. Of course that's what we did.

Everything was going well. We made it to Frankfurt Germany after 7-8
hours uneventfully. I had good feelings about yesterday before and
after that flight. I was doing well. We were getting on a bus for
them to take us to our plane for Addis and still all was well. It was
another 8-9 hours to Addis, but I was doing ok with only cap-naps here
and there. We landed in Khartoom Sudan for a refuel and a few
passengers to get off. We were told about 45 minutes and would be
back in the air. Yeah, not so much! 2 hours later, when we were to
be LANDING in Addis, we were just finally taking off. Something about
the fuel in the wings wasn't matching up in the cockpit, so they had
to check things manually.

But we arrived in Addis last night about 10ish...mind you, with NO
bags...but as we expected. Once we were here, we got our Visa and
headed to the baggage claim counter. The man there was so helpful!
He checked the slip we had from Delta and said there are comments to
send the baggage here to Addis....so I do have hopes that it WILL
arrive in the next day or two here. (I'm crossing my fingers!)

Travis and his 2 great kids were at the airport to pick us up last
night. It was nice to see a familiar face...or someone we were to be
finding. We are about to go get Addison in about an hour. I'm set
and ready to go--thankfully we had a set of clothes in our carry-on.
Mark is getting ready as I'm down posting. We have nothing for
her....diapers, formula, clothing, etc....but Travis wasn't too
concerned about that. The only thing he did say was our trip has to
be the worst they've heard of. No baggage took the cake! :-)

But we're here and all is well for now.....just pray for luggage! Post later

2008-04-13T22:55:00.001-05:00

we have made it to frankfurt....we leave in about 4 hours now for
addis. so far so good. we have rain here, but nothing to be
concerned about. by noon on monday, nebraska time, we should be
landing. all for now

crystal and travis....had the german hard rolls on our flight....yummy!!

Not in Addis yet

2008-04-13T12:18:00.001-05:00

Keeping this short....we aren't in Addis yet. Our flight out of Cincinnatti to get us to Dulles in DC last night was cancelled. We fortunately took out travel insurance and are able to get out on a different airline there Monday night instead. Otherwise we wouldn't be getting there till Tuesday night. So, prayers are still all good....hopefully we'll be holding our little Addison Tuesday instead of Monday.....but each plane we get on is one step closer. :-)

Ethiopia, Africa....Here We Come!

2008-04-12T06:17:00.002-05:00

I did sleep well last night. I was in bed about 10 and woke up a little before 6. It was an hour before my alarm was to go off, but I didn't wake up last night at all, so I'm not complaining. There was a reason behind me not sleeping well the night before! God wanted me to get a good rest for today!

Yes, TODAY, we are leaving for Ethiopia. I was telling the girls at MOPS yesterday...when you say, "I'm headed to Ethiopia" I don't think a LOT of it, just cuz I've been saying 'Ethiopia' for a year now. BUT, when I say, "yep, I'm headed to Africa".....THAT gives it a whole new meaning!!!

I spoke to my sister-in-law last night before leaving today (also a tickled-to-death godmother to Addison!) about us leaving. Just like she said, going to Africa is a huge deal! But, going to Africa to get our daughter is a HUGE deal! I don't think she could be any more right!!!

So as our Chapter 1 begins to come to a close, I thank you all as friends, family, and fellow bloggers. You have all helped us get thru our good and bad times. It has now all paid off!

So, keep checking this over the next 11 days. I plan to try posting as much as I'm able to...especially for my boys! Stay tuned for more to come.....

Tomorrow....Already? Finally!

2008-04-11T05:56:00.003-05:00

It's amazing to think we are actually leaving tomorrow. I can tell it's starting to sink in somewhere in my mind. I woke up around 4:00 this morning and could not get back to sleep! And what did I wake up to? A dream checking in at the airport in DC!

I'm hoping for a great day today...and a nap this afternoon! :) But a good morning at MOPS and a nice afternoon with the boys. And hopefully Mark won't get stuck too late at work tonite.

I'm feeling good about everything though. Except leaving my boys for a week and a half, but Trevor's tears the past couple days have been due to Addison not being home yet. He's such a dear! But I explain that mommy and daddy are leaving Saturday to go get her....when we come home she will be with us. Then he's feeling better. I have to say, I'm kinda glad he's crying about Addison not here yet instead of Mark and I being gone. It'll make it much easier on this lady when we go to leave tomorrow!

Almost there baby girl!

Just 3 days to go

2008-04-09T15:03:00.001-05:00

It's been a good day. We are officially packed. I am done at the Y till after we get back and get settled. Lots of things are falling into place nicely. I'm just hoping all goes well at the shop the rest of the week for Mark. They've been QUITE busy, so I can imagine once we get back it'll be ugly for a few days! But we won't think about that now....we're now focusing on bringing home our baby girl to join our family. I just can't wait to hold her! Now that things are coming together and slowing down, I'm finally realizing that in 3 days, we're not just hopping on a plane to go somewhere, we are hopping on a plane to get our daughter!!