My Ethiopian Adoption.....Taking This Road for the Second Time!!!

snow stroller

2010-01-06T05:40:00.000-06:00

http://sanki.ca/sanki/
too cool!!

New Gadget on the SideBar

2009-03-25T08:48:00.002-05:00

You will see a new gadget off to the side of the blog...Please click on this..it will take you to another page where you can enter to win an IPOD. There is a family that are adopting 2 beauties from Uganda...but their road to this has been a bumpy and difficult one. They lost two referrals and had to change agencies. Obviously because of the change they lost ALOT of money.
Here is the scoop on the contest that I copied and pasted from the webpage
So here is the scoop:

I have brand new, never been out of the box, 8GB ipod touch I would like to give away to someone. On the side bar of this blog will be a button so that you can donate to help this family bring home their two beautiful children from Africa. For every $15 you donate to their adoption fund, I will place one ticket with your name on it, into the drawing. If you give $15 you get one ticket, $30 two tickets...and so on. I will run this contest until midnight March 31. On April 1, 2009 I will have the drawing to pick the winner of the ipod touch, and announce the total amount raised as well as the winner on this blog. I am not sure how I will do the drawing just yet, but I know it will be in a group setting, so that everyone knows that the drawing was fair. Make sure that your name and email are included in the note when you donate, so that I know who the tickets belong to, and so I can email you for your address should you be the blessed winner of this very cool prize...an ipod touch!!

Here is where I need your help (well I need you donate too), you see that blog button on the top right of your screen(thank you to my eldest for making that for me), it is big on purpose. I am asking you to put that on your blog too. Maybe even write a post about this contest, and send people over to donate to the this family's adoption. The blog badge is integral, because once I post a new post, the old ones rarely get looked at. So in order to keep people giving for the full duration of the contest, we have to get the word out and keep it in the forefront, so that people can continue to give...and get more chances to win this ipod touch. If you link to this contest on your blog, by placing the button at the top of your page, email me your blog, and I will enter your name into a separate drawing for the book "There is No Me Without You." Sorry, no ipod for linking to the contest, only a chance to win a fantastic book.

So one more time here are the rules: For a chance to win an ipod touch

Donate and get 1 ticket in the drawing for every $15 donation

1 winner will be drawn on April 1, 2009

No one who lives in my house is allowed to join in this contest (much to their dismay)

ipod touch will be shipped to the winner on or before April 4, 2009

Include name and email in the note of your donation

Louise

Merry Christmas

2008-12-14T09:23:00.001-06:00

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Unsure

2008-11-21T01:03:00.000-06:00

Over the last few days there have been several agencies in the US limit their single parents to 3-10 applicants per year as a new directive from MOWA. This has me very concerned. My agency says nothing has changed for them...but how is one to really know. I don't know what to do at this point. My gut is saying Woah..hold off a few months and see where this goes????? I don't know!!
Louise

One Year!

2008-11-12T12:21:00.001-06:00

One Month Home

Two Months Home

Three Months Home

Four Months Home

Five Months Home

6 Months Home

7 Months Home

8 Months Home

9 Months Home

10 Months Home

11 Months Home

12 Months Home

A year ago today, Nathaniel and I were welcomed home by a host of family, friends, coworkers, fellow adoptive parents, and Nathaniel's buddies from the CAFAC foster home.

Timing!!

2008-11-10T13:01:00.002-06:00

Well that is pretty cool...Almost a year to the date of when we arrived, my completed dossier arrived at Imagine to be prepared to go to Ethiopia. Neat timing I think! Oh and its stuck there until the province makes a new letter of approval as the 1st letter says I am approved for a female ages 0-12...not 0-12 months...opps..a
bit of deja vu there as that happened last time around too!
Oh and can I make note...no big freakout on my end about being delayed a week!! Again...who is this person.

Who IS THIS PERSON??

2008-10-16T14:33:00.001-05:00

People who know me, remember that I was not exactly patient in the last process...especially during paperchasing time. I had everything into the province in a record 3 weeks...this time it was like 1 1/2 months..
Can you believe I just said to my prov sw, I will drop off that last document needed for my dossier tommorrow..if not Monday......what!!!! Who am I turning into??? HAHAHAHAHA!!!!!
Louise

Out of my Hands :) :)

2008-10-16T12:39:00.000-05:00

Well its official, all the documents are out of my hands, and on their way to Imagine very shortly. They need to make a quick stop to get a letter of approval, and then they will be off to Imagine.
YAY!!! Its very exciting, I keep thinking back to when I was doing this the first time. I was waaayyy more rushed..and wayy more anxious to get it off. I remember thinking each day counts, now its more like a couple of days here or there won't make a difference in the long run...funny how times change!

Wow..time to start shopping pink!!!
Louise

APPROVED!!!!

2008-10-14T18:11:00.000-05:00

YYYAAAYY!! Today at 3pm I heard that I was officially approved by the province. YAY!!!
Next step is to collect all the dossier docs together and send them off to the agency. I am thinking the file should be ready to go by end of November. That is exciting! I can't believe this is all coming together so smoothly!
Louise

Officially Approved by the Province

2008-10-14T18:07:00.002-05:00

OCTOBER 14th

2008-10-05T17:59:00.000-05:00

That is Approval day, there will be a meeting around 130pm....anxiety and excitment all rolled into one for that day!
Louise

Update

2008-09-27T16:10:00.001-05:00

I just heard that my homestudy practitioner should have it written up early next week and will be speaking to the provincial sw to arrange a meeting for the approval!
YAY!!!!
Louise

Homestudy Update

2008-09-17T20:15:00.003-05:00

Today I had my homestudy update with the sw. I also did our 1 yr Post Placement report...the last one the sw has to do. It was really nice to get together with M again as we hadn't seen her since this spring.
So it will probably take 2 weeks to write it up and then it will go off to Provincial Approval. So it should be at Imagine by Mid October.

I think, well realistically I know that I am sort of setting myself up for a court closure referral. Right now the wait time is 6+ months ...some have been waiting 7 m...so I am gonna say 8 months for referral. And that would put me mid July..so no court date before closure. Hopefully that won't happen..but better to prepare for that than not.

Updating my homestudy brought back all the emotions of the first one I did over 2 1/2years ago. I had some stress (well a lot) of stress associated with that first homestudy..so it brought back some of those old emotions tonight. But I feel good about the meeting and hope for a quick provincial approval!

So here it goes...I will keep updating this blog on process number 2!!
Louise

One year of being an Official Family

2008-07-17T16:01:00.001-05:00

One year ago, was the day we all wait for...the day when the courts in Ethiopia made me legally Nathaniel's mommy. I waited 4 days to hear about the results of this day..it was a very long long 4 days...but yay!!!
And on this one year anniversary..I guess I will share the new big news. Nathaniel is going to be a big brother!!! I am starting the paperwork with the province and Imagine Adoption Agency to start another Ethiopian Adoption. It will be a while before my file leaves for Ethiopia but it is a start!!! Wow...its exciting and a bit daunting remembering what all that paperwork and waiting felt like..but it will be great!!
I will be asking for a girl under 24 months..hoping that this wait won't be as long as the last. Again I have lots of paperwork, people to approve this second adoption, and money (yeah thats fun) to pay..so it will be a process..and I hope everything goes smoothly.

Louise

212 days since I left for Ethiopia

2008-05-29T20:22:00.001-05:00

Wow it just hit me..its been 212 days since I left for Ethiopia...wow!!!! That is crazy!!! I can't believe we have been home for sooo long and then in the same breath hasn't Nathaniel just always been here. Its a funny feeling...I know he wasn't but he has grown his way into this home and heart sooo fully that it's hard to remember what we all did before Nathaniel!! (okay well I guess I can remember the 100 times a day email checking!!!)
Louise

A day late..but our final trek home

2008-04-13T13:48:00.001-05:00

November 12, 2007 we woke up in the Sheraton Hotel..so glad to have our first morning in Canada. Nathaniel was wide awake...hillary was still very sick..so Nathaniel and I left her to sleep and we wandered the hotel. The front desk staff fell in love with him...couldn't get over how we had just flown home. We had a nice breakfast and made our way back up to the room. Nathaniel had been given a bib and giraffe at the restaurant. The bib says The Sheraton Loves(heart) me. ITs very cute!!
Before we knew it, it was time to go...my dad met us at the hotel room and we called for the porter. Somehow time got away from us and the porter was a good twenty minutes before arriving to bring us and our bags to the gate. IT was 35 mins before the flight by the time we checked in and I was a little worried that we would miss our flight (or that they wouldn't let us board). Our porter reassured me that we were fine and not to worry...thank goodness for the porter..they come with a great cart and get you all checked in.
We checked in and basically boarded the flight right away. We had a row of three seats to ourselves which was soo nice as Nathaniel was awake that flight. We changed planes in Montreal and boarded a very small prop plane (45 or so seats). We were finally on our way home.
When the captain announced our arrival in to Fredericton, I was in tears...sooo happy to finally be home. We got off the plane and gathered our belongings. I had no idea who would he at the airport but suspected there might be a crowd (as a side note..I always wonder what other passengers think as they walk into the terminal and hear the sighs of dissapointment that its not the family everyone is waiting for..I think it must be very funny!!).
My mom was as close to the door as I suspect the security guard let her come. I could not hug her long enough.. there were sooo many families and friends at the airport that I had tunnel vision..I couldn't even see straight. I know I missed saying hi to some families on the first go around..and then when I looked back and noticed them there..funny! I remember saying to someone where is Lisa G..I couldn't see her..but she was on the other side of the room. It was soo nice that finally we were both home with our kids! What a great day!!! We got everyone and everything loaded into the van and cars..and headed home!

Louise

Almost 5 months Home

2008-04-11T04:56:00.004-05:00

Sporting the I am exhausted look in the Airport on our way home!

Nathaniel slept well on the flight from Addis to Jordan

Home for 5 Months....has he grown or what!

I don't update this very often anymore...but thought I would write a little post today as we are nearing 5 months being home. In fact tonight will be our 5 month landed in Canada anniversary. (bet they don't make a hallmark for that). The end of this month will mark 6 months of being a family as our family day was Oct 31, halloween.
So 5 months ago I boarded a plane at 4 in the morning in Addis...knowing that we were on our way home. As we sat in the airport waiting to depart I couldn't help but all ready miss the city. I also knew that I was taking my son away from all that was familiar..smells, sights, people, language, food...but we were heading home where new memories would be made and old ones would be treasured. Boarding the plane it was a nice surprise to see the air flight attendant was one of the same ones we had on our way to Addis. She wasn't suppose to be working..but there she was. What a gift as she was sooo excited when I told her why I was going to Ethiopia. She brought Nathaniel this sweet little BMI bear...it still sits in his toychest.

5 months ago we waited and waited at the London Airport...waiting to board that last long flight home. Anxious to be done with flying, living out of suitcases, and just wanted to be home. We were greeted in the Immigration department at the Toronto airport by two very proud Great Aunt and Uncle to help us through the Landing process (it sure is nice to have an aunt and uncle who works in the citizenship and immigration of the Pearson International Airport..another blessing). I filled out all the necessary paperwork (with my uncle leading me through it) and my aunt excitedly showed off her new nephew to all of the staff in the department.

5 months ago we arrived into the Sheraton Airport Hotel and by 9 pm were collapsed on the bed exhausted. Hillary (my sister and travel pal) was sick as a dog (later we found that she had strep throat)..she had chills and hot flashes, felt soo sick that she couldn't eat a bite of the overpriced room service..and I was so tired all I managed was a few bites of my sandwhich and some chocolate milk..and a few bites of cheesecake (milk ummmm missed that sooo much in Addis). So our 100 dollars (ouch) worth of roomservice was not well eaten (we had good intentions and felt famished when we ordered..but not so much I guess). A funny little story..when I ordered the room service I asked for a bottle of water to make Nathaniel's bottle. Then I called back and said ohhh geeez I don't need bottled water anymore..I can use tap water hahahaha...the woman must have thought I had lost my mind!

More tommorrow on our final flight home..

Attention

2008-02-24T10:57:00.001-06:00

I don't know who keeps posting these comments..but I would ask you to STOP! They are a waste of time..I certainly have no intention of accepting them nor will I be linking to the site. I keep getting comments like this " see here" or "warning see here"...and there is a link to a site which I will not link to...thinking its probably a virus or something. Has anyone else been getting them? The last one I got was from a user name of "duran".

Louise

Rest of the Trip

2008-02-09T18:06:00.000-06:00

Kids Hope

Kids Hope

Roses

Nathaniel sleeping just before we are ready to go

All my bags are packed, I'm Ready to go!

So the last few days in Addis, we spent shopping on Churchill Road as well as a little shop that Selamneh takes all the families to. The shop has a bit of everything in it. We went twice to here, and on the second time I found a beautiful necklace with round pieces of ebony wood..its two toned, one light wood colour and one black. It is another favourite piece that I brought home. The shop was full of lots of treasures.
On Thursday Hillary went to the Kids Hope in the morning, and in the afternoon we both went to AHOPE. I have no pics of AHOPE, just video, as we signed an agreement that we would not take any still shots of any one child individually. The children (for those who don't know) are all HIV positive. We were at the younger children's AHIPE (There are two separate ones). The youngest was 9 months and the oldest there was about 6 I believe. It was sooo hard to look at all these Children and know what struggles they would face in the Children. They were excited to have visitors, and one little boy showed me his picture and name, and also named off all his friends. Hillary helped feed the 9 month old...to this days she still gets very emotional when she thinks of this tiny little boy and wonders what has become of him. It was so very sad,...and these are the children who are getting help, the ones who are being cared for, treated, and given the medications they need...there are sooo many more who are not.
Saturday was a day we spent finishing up packing, visiting with the other families. We made one last trip to Churchill road as well...Hillary stayed home with Nathaniel that day so I could do some shopping solo....Nathaniel napped and I shopped...good combo hunh! The Weygoss Guesthouse put on a coffee ceremony for us that evening...and the other families were ready to depart by 9 pm that evening. We still had a few extra hours as our flight left at 4 the next morning. We had ordered one last meal from the well loved restaurant Ice Blue. Our waiter had become a friendly familiar face over the last week and we told him that today was our last day. That evening he once again demonstrated how kind and caring the Ethiopian people are. As a thank you he brought us 2 roses...one for each Hillary and I....I was soo touched by this gesture. It was so completely unexpected and so very sweet! We thanked him. Unfortunately because of customs we knew we would not be able to bring this back to Canada...dissapointing. We finished packing, and tried to sleep..unfortunately Nathaniel (aware of something happening) would not settle till 1130 that night and so I got only about 45 mins of sleep before having to start lugging the luggage downstairs. On the way down the stairs some very nice Italian families who had just arrived, helped me bring the bags down the two flights of stairs. Nathaniel slept right till we got to the airport. Selamneh and Berthe drove us to the airport. It was soo sweet of Berthe to stay up late and come along to say goodbye...she has become a friend (she also lives in Fredericton) and I am so happy to have shared our experience of bringing Nathaniel home with her. It was very hard to say goodbye..and we didn't want to leave. We trugged up the incline to the airport and loaded our luggage on the xray machine. The attendant offered to hold Nathaniel (who had woken up). So once all that was done, we went off to check in at the ticket booth, and then stood in line for immigration and passport check. There were about 40 women, children, and some men in line ahead of us. The guard by the diplomat line (which was empty), waved us over. I was confused, but went to him...he ushered us through the diplomat line. Hillary (who is very much into fairness and social justice) was put out that we bumped in line and didn't have to wait like everyone else. I agreed...but at the same time, I wanted to get Nathaniel settled and into the secured area. We waited in the airport restaurant, and then wandered around untill we were given the okay to go through security and into the secure area to wait for our flight. Nathaniel stayed awake the entire time. Once on the plane it didn't take long for him to settle to sleep. We actually met back up with a flight attendant who we had on the way down...so that was really neat to see her again.
Nathaniel did soo well on the flights, he slept 14 out of 18 hrs of flying.....I however only slept about 1 hr out of that same time..mostly because I was holding him and afraid I would drop him if I fell asleep. Hillary was quite sick on the way home...she actually had tonsilitis..but we didn't know. She had the hot flashes, and chills, was exhausted and feeling very unwell most of the way home...so was not able to help me much on the flights.
Arriving finally in Toronto, we were met at the Canadian immigration and customs by my Aunt and Uncle (who both happen to have worked and still work there for the past 25 years). So they were able to walk us right through the process at the special both for employees. It made it sooo easy and it was nice to have them there. We took the "secret way" as my uncle said, and snuck up behind my Dad and step mom to surprise them..that was funny! We all headed over to the Sheraton at the Airport and visited for about an hour, ordered way too much room service (which we did not eat half of...except the cheesecake and chocolate milk haha), and fell into our beds. I have to say that stopping I think is why we did not suffer much from Jet Leg. Nathaniel has slept on Canadian time since we landed in Toronto..So I feel very lucky.

Well that is it...the rest of my trip...I told you I would blog it eventually. In case you didn't know, my one year old can run circles on me...he is GO GO GO every minute of the day. Luckily he hasn't learnt to run yet...watch out!!!
Louise

Buy of the Week

2008-02-09T05:30:00.000-06:00

So I thought I would start telling you about the great buys I sometimes get! I love to shop .....but right now on Parental Leave I don't have very much money...thus I love to shop bargains :) :)
So this week (I know I have barely been home for 2 days from Florida), Nathaniel and I went to Walmart and Zellers.
So in Walmart I got this train table by STEP 2. It is plastic, comes witha little automatic train and a bridge and train station. Nathaniel has become very adept at pulling off the train bridge.( Ahh oh well) It was normally 69.99 and I got it for 30.00 on sale. Good buy hunh!

Louise

Day 8...Wednesday

2008-02-08T17:35:00.000-06:00

In the morning Hillary and some from the group went to Entoto mountain, I had decided to take the morning to just spend with Nathaniel at the guesthouse. Around 10, one of the other moms told me they were heading to the Sheraton to go to the Park there, we decided to join them.
The park really wasn't for Nathaniel's age, so we ended up exploring the Sheraton a bit more, and hung out by the fountains and enjoyed the fresh air. It was nice to have some quiet down time with him by myself. Hillary really enjoyed Entoto mountain and the church they went to.
The afternoon we went to Liga School...this was a highlight of our trip. Once again I found myself very emotional..especially while looking at all the sweet boys in the class thinking that this could have been my son. And these kids are the ones who are getting the help. This school does sooo much with so little. The rooms are litterally made out of corugated Sheet Metal...there are litterally 40 + kids in this tiny room. We brought granola bars and other things to hand out. The kids sang and danced for us. One little girl who was outside most of the time really touched my heart and the hearts of all the moms there. She was sooo sweet. Her name was Minuette. She was about 6 and had the biggest grin! Such a sweetie with I think a mischevious side to her.
Louise

Trying to Finish up the rest of our trip

2008-02-08T17:06:00.000-06:00

Area where the Kechene Women's Pottery is Located

Surroundings

The big ditch

The materials for making the poottery

So I am feeling bad that I never finished Blogging about our trip..I will try to do so now!
Tuesday we went to the Pottery Factory. The other families had gone on Saturday while Hillary was ill, so we had yet to go. Selemnah took us...along the way we saw poverty unlike anything we had seen prior to this point. It was devastating to see what these people survived with. Their shops were smaller than my bathroom..and not only was it their shop..but it was also where they lived. They had soooo little...yet some still had smiles on the face. It really is something..that those who have the least are some of the kindest, happiest, gentle souls I have ever met. AND in comparison those who live in this country...who have everything never seems to be quite happy enough, never seem to have quite enough, always needing the newest, biggest, better thing. On the way to the Pottery Factory, Selamneh had to make a quick side trip to check out an area where Berthe was to go to for a meeting the next day. It was down a very bumpy road with deep ditches on either side. It was fun...untill he had to turn around...I don't know how he managed not to get those back wheels into the ditch..but he did it! Amazing....I am shocked how they get themselves into and out of the smallest or tightest spots. Driving in Addis is not for the light of heart. When we arrived in addis...my sister asked where the seatbelt was. Selamneh overheard her ask me this..and he said "forget Canada" hahaha.
The pottery shop was amazing. Nathaniel was sound asleep..and Selamneh offered to hold him so I could take a look around easily. We had a great time here..and I found my most prized possession from Ethiopia. A handmade Nativiy...it is simple and beautiful..but such a family treasure that will be passed down to Nathaniel when he has his own family someday.

In the afternoon, we took our donations and gifts back to the foster home. I felt quite teary here as I knew it was likely the last time Nathaniel would see the women who took care of him for the last 7 months for a while. Yes we will go back to visit, but when and I don't know if the same caregivers will be there. It was hard because I was taking him from all that was familiar to him, the sights, smells and sounds of the fosterhome and Ethiopia was all he has known. I presented Haregewain with the gift from everyone..and got a big hug from her as well. As we were leaving Sinyet (sp??) came into the hallway and saw Nathaniel...she called his name, and he turned his head. I leaned him into her and she held him for a short period. It was nice that she was able to see him again. Then he reached his arms out for me...which I have to say melted my heart...he really did know me :) :)
We said our goodbyes and were on our way back to the guesthouse.
I will add some pics of the day above.
Louise

Post Adoption Panic

2008-01-06T05:42:00.001-06:00

I think this is a really important topic to discuss...so I am posting it to two blogs!

Post Adoption Panic
Thanks June for kick starting this discussion. If you look on June's blog she has a great post about this.
I like that term...post adoption panic....because I think it describes perfectly what many parents experience in the first few weeks with a newly adopted child. Infant or older, I don't think it matters...everyone (well atleast myself and many others) can honestly say that in the first weeks of being home, there comes a moment (a second in time) where you think "what the hell did I do". I know that in Ethiopia I was extremly sleep deprived the first 4 days that we were there. It all came down to the fact that after flying 30 hrs with very little to no sleep, we arrived at the guesthouse at 3 am, slept till730, and left for the fosterhome at 10am. Can we say sleep deprived to the 100th degree. Was my decision to go to the fosterhome and bring home my son on such little sleep well thought and planned...ummmm NO...but when you get your child in your arms after 2 years of waiting for him and there is the opportunity not to have to leave him for one more night..I am sorry but I am going to take it!!!!
In the world of labour and delivery, Maternity and NICU, where I work we have this little saying...its called day 3 blues. And every single mother that I have worked with goes through it. Its kind of like a moment where you can breathe, and your baby is finally here...and woooowwwww too many emotions all at once. Well my "pregnancy" came to fruition on a Wednesday..and my day 3 blues were Friday night to Saturday morning. My sister being dreadfully ill didn't help either. The fact that we were up from 3 am listening to the most gawd awful retching (that people 2 floors up thought was right beside them) didn't help. But on Saturday morning, I was holding my son on our bed and just bawling...literally crying and sobbing. A release of emotions that needed to happen.
But you know what (not to freak out people who are waiting to get their referrals, waiting to travel or just about to travel). Things got better. That night we got more sleep, the next day we went swimming, things progressed, each day I felt less jet legged, each day Nathaniel became more and more comfortable with us. But its not to say that things weren't tough. I think its only disillusioning people if you say everything was perfect, everything went perfectly smoothly...no problems...Because I don't think you can be in a foreign country with a brand new child and not have those stressed moments.
And when you get home...things are still tough. Nathaniel would wake 3 times a night, be up for 530 in the mornings, and sometimes it would take me 1 1/2 hrs just to get him to sleep...but would I change it for a world, would I not go to Ethiopia, would I trade my son...NOT FOR A MINUTE!!!! HE is perfect for my family. ITs almost crazy how much he is like his other cousins. Loves to be in the center of attention and is so laid back and easy going its not funny! He is a great traveller and is so funny and sweet its amazing!! I love him beyond words and can't imagine life without him now. I find the house much much tooo quiet when he was out with his auntie for the first time Friday. Much to quiet. I kept expecting to hear him wake up from a nap but had to remind myself that he was out.

And after 2 months of being home, those frustrating moments are down to a bare minimum. He is sleeping more through the night (only woke once yesterday night), he is walking so much happier and independent little man, and we have settled into a really great routine (PS Gotta have a routine, he loves it!!!)

This is a little section of a quote I found on Melissa Faye Greene's site (thanks for the link June). It really states it quite well!
I think like June Said You have to prepare for the worst and hope for the best. Reality is it will probably fall somewhere in between and vary day by day!

TWO LITTLE GIRLS: A Memoir of Adoption, [NY: Berkley Books, 2006], Theresa Reid writes of despair after the adoption of a second daughter, Lana, a three-year-old from Ukraine:

“I have no patience for this new child, who gets up two or three times during the night, and never sleeps past five-thirty A.M., who is hungry and desperately needs to eat, who asks for food, and then, when I hopefully, lovingly put food before her—even specially prepared food she has eaten happily before—cries and whines and angrily pushes it away. “Nyet!” she shrieks. “Nyyyyyyyeeeettt!” as she shoves it off her tray, kicking and flailing, then slumps in her seat with her head down and cries.”
Reid phones her adoption agency for help (I did the same in 1999), expecting to be offered support. Instead (as I was), she is met with confusion and bewilderment.

“I may be at my wits’ end,” Reid writes of her thoughts after ending that phone conversation, “but I think I can objectively say that this is NOT okay, to put together extremely challenging family constellations and then walk away. I hang up, abandoned, angry…”

The good news is that, in most cases, these can be the disharmonious opening notes of a love story. An out-of-synch beginning is not predictive of the parent/child relationship.

My tips for getting through a rocky and nauseating depression after the arrival of your child:
(1) Take really good care of yourself; do whatever it takes to get enough sleep, including spending the night at a friend’s, including arranging for naps. Nothing else will work if you’re sleep-deprived.
(2) Make yourself eat and shower and exercise. (I agree there is nothing a good hot shower can't fix...Louise)
(3) Get help. Hire help if you need to. While a babysitter is there, sleep or exercise or read or eat.
(4) Put Feelings on a back-burner. This is not the time for Feelings. If you could express your feelings right now, you’d be saying things like, “Oh my God, I must have lost my mind to think that I can handle this, to think that I wanted a child like this. I’ll never manage to raise this child; I’m way way way way over my head. I’ll never spend time with my spouse or friends again; my older children are going to waste away in profound neglect; my career is finished. I am completely and utterly trapped.” You see? What’s the point of expressing all that right now? Just put Feelings to sleep. Instead, live a material life. Wake, dress, eat, walk. Let your hands and words mother the new child, don’t order Feelings into action.
(5) Pick up something to read that carries you away. I’ve found that reading about Paleolithic art engenders deep calm and a sense of remove. There’s something about studying 40,000 year old cave painting that makes you feel you can survive the sound of your new child’s voice the next morning.
(6) Let yourself off the hook. This is not your fault. You’ve done a grand thing—you’ve gone out into the world in search of a child and, despite every obstacle over tens of thousands of miles, you’ve brought the child home. You’re exhausted. This is all really hard. If it were easy, everyone would do it. You’re doing fine. Just rest up, find something to laugh about, and give Feelings the month off.

Private Blog

2007-12-18T20:49:00.002-06:00

Here is the Addy to my now private blog
www.nathanielmisganaw.blogspot.com/
I will update this one from time to time and continue to finish my trip blogging as time permits.
Louise

How to keep busy with a one year old

2007-12-16T09:57:00.001-06:00

Well how does one keep busy with a one year old who has been since 5 am and apparently only wanted to nap for 45 mins...well I don't reccomend this. Little boys don't really appreciate it! HAHA

Day Six

2007-12-13T07:24:00.000-06:00

Well so here we go trying to update again while Nathaniel is sleeping.
Monday
Today was a quiet day at the guesthouse minus a trip out to the grocery store. We pretty much stayed close to the guesthouse today. Nathaniel had fun playing outside in the courtyard..and enjoyed the guard that was there. The guards and all of the staff are certainly wonderful with the children. Meseret was one of the front desk staff...she would always offer to play with Nathaniel so that we could have a chance to eat our dinner. At first Nathaniel would stay with her..but closer to the end of the trip...he would only stay with them for a few minutes and then wanted back with me. Nice to see the bonding happening.
Monday evening we went out for Chinese food..the best Chinese I am pretty sure I have ever had. It was sooooo good!!! One of the things Lisa G warned me of was that the staff at restaurants in Ethiopia will take the children to play with them and let you eat. Its something that took a bit to get used to...certainly doesn't happen to often in Canada. I joked before we left Ethiopia with Selamneh that I would have to get used to being back in Canada. I would have to open my car door myself and eat at restaurants with Nathaniel on my lap (well in a highchair). He had a great time here..there was a large floor to ceiling fish tank. He and another little girl in our group Meseret enjoyed it alot.

Praying Medicals/Court Dates/Visas for Maritime Families

2007-12-10T18:02:00.000-06:00

Now that Nathaniel is home safe and sound...its easy for me to get caught up in day to day life with him. But there are several families who have referrals but will spend this Christmas without their Children home with them. It is heartbreaking to think of them having to miss their Children over Christmas. They should be home..but they aren't. I am sending positive vibes and prayers your way. I hope in a short time you will be on that 24 hr plane ride to meet your kids for the first time. I hope you don't mind me posting your names but I am praying for you Julie and Trevor (and Mulu), Nora and Andrew (and Bereket & Elsa),Andre and Isabelle (and Lexie), Danielle and Nick (and Zia), Rhonda and Ed (Jeremiah). I hope that all your travel dates come super quick!
In a few months, our gatherings are going to be sooo much fun (and maybe a little loud too).
Louise

Day Four and Five

2007-12-09T05:18:00.001-06:00

So Nathaniel is sleeping in...so trying to update about trip :)
Saturday
As in the previous post...Hillary was sick Early Saturday morning..and basically was in bed for the whole day. She was very exhausted but started to retain liquids by 11 am. Nathaniel and I hung around the guesthouse that day,..so not really much to say. Other than it was a very emotional day for me. I was very worried about Hillary, very sleep deprived (Exhausted might be appropriate word), all the emotions I think hit me. They say that new moms who have delivered get the blues on about day 3 or 4 after delivery...well that would be right! Even for adoptions. I had a few good cries and felt better by the afternoon. IT was just everything all rolled up. But moving into the new room made the biggest difference!

Sunday (day 5)
Wow what a difference a night of some sleep can do for a person. Nathaniel was only up once during the night (which was a big difference from every 3 hrs.
So today was a new day. Some of the families went to Soderie...which had Hillary not been recuperating we might have done as well...but we decided to stick close to home instead.
Hillary went to get her hair braided and I went with Cheryl, Randy and Hennock, and Jacyln, Craig and Judah and we all went to the Sheraton for swimming, For those who have not travelled yet. I think this hotel is probably one of the most majestic fancy hotels I have ever seen even in pictures. It is obscenly gorgeous considering the surroundings that it has. You don't really even feel you are in Ethiopia when you are there. BUT swimming was a nice break and I am really glad I did it. Since we were there on a weekend it was quite pricey 140 birr (14 dollars basically). But it was worth every penny.
After swimming we went to a Italian restaurant that had an outdoor patio (really on the grass) but it was a beautiful place to have lunch. I have garlic cheese bread (which was like a grilled cheese with oil and fresh mozzarella cheese and I also ordered a pizza which I shared with Hillary when she arrived.
That night we just relaxed at the guesthouse..once again Nathaniel was in bed by 7pm.

Louise

Now This is SNOW

2007-12-04T08:11:00.000-06:00

Well Nathaniel had his first experience of New Brunswick winter...25 cm + overnight...and we had a great time playing in it this morning. He enjoyed the sled and didn't seem to mind the cold.
Above are some pics of our time outside.

Going Private

2007-12-04T08:09:00.000-06:00

As expected, now that Nathaniel is home...I will be going to a private blog. If you would like to continue to follow our journey please email me at Weezyreid@yahoo.ca
Thanks....will probably go private sometime next week.
Louise

Attempt at Christmas Tree FAILED!!!

2007-12-03T20:50:00.000-06:00

Well what can I say...the best laid plans right! We got this new tree this year from Canadian tire. We were also excited because it was pre lit...so it would save sooooo much time stringing those lights (not to mention checking the lights, untangling them, connecting them, etc.). Well after an hour of assembling the tree and getting it in the right spot.,...I went to plug it in and only the bottom half lit up !!! Can you believe it!
So no amount of wiggling and playing with the cords helped and apparently even if it was a light bulb burnt out..the rest of the lights would stay lit.....so it has to be a wiring issue. So back to the store with this tree...but not tonight because of the snow storm. Oh Well ....Nathaniel will have to wait a few days more for his first (second) Christmas Tree. I am about ready to go out and get a real one...except last year when we did that the tree ended up being like 4 feet wide in branches!!! Huge Huge Tree......
Louise

1st Birthday

2007-11-29T13:53:00.001-06:00

wow you guys should be sooo proud of me...2 posts in less than 10 minutes hehe
So Nathaniel celebrated his 1st birthday 3 days after getting home. What fun we had! Just my family and my cousin, her mom and her 2 kids. Here are some pics of the day. Nathaniel had a piece of cake but he mostly squished it than anything else.

Trying hard to catch up :)

2007-11-29T13:35:00.000-06:00

Okay so I will blog more on the trip later...but here is a bit of an catch up in blogging :) LOL
Arriving home.....
Well after being away from home for more than 2 weeks..it was sooo nice to know we were almost there. We arrived into Toronto on the 11th at around 7pm. I am lucky to have an Aunt and Uncle who have worked their entire careers in the Immigration dept. at the Toronto Airport. They met us there with open and waving arms. As quick as she could my sweet Aunt was kissing Nathaniel and hugging us, welcoming us home. We went through Immigration without a problem...while my aunt showed off her new Grand Nephew (not proud at all). Then off to meet my dad and Step Mom...we snuck through a "secret" back way...so instead of them greeting us, we were able to sneek up behind them...it was fun. We were then able to head to the Sheraton Hotel (which is actually in the airport). It was so nice not to have to stuff the luggage in and out of a car. Everyone visited for a short while, and then we were ready for something to eat and bed. Being the starving Canadians that we were...I could not wait to have Chocolate milk and Cheese cake...and that's exactly what we ordered lol lol...but by the time it came...I was sooo exhausted I could barely finish it. Nathaniel was also ready for bed...and so a bottle and a diaper change later he was sound asleep.
That next morning he was up bright and early and Hillary was sick...so we left her to sleep and went down for breakfast. If you have never been to the hotel...you don't know how crazy expensive their restaurant is.....23 dollars for Breakfast Buffet (insane!!!). Anyways it was good though...and Nathaniel was given a stuffed toy and a bib that says Sheraton Loves Me...cute!
By 10 we were all packed and ready to go...Our flight left at 11 and we made it to the gate by 10 30...just in time (cutting it a little close I know). PS if you are in the airport Sheraton...get a porter to take your bags..they are GREAT!
A quick flight home (not...a stop over in Montreal and 17 dollars later on Starbucks...another well missed home staple)...and we were landing in Fredericton.

Words cannot even begin to explain the emotions. I was crying before we touched down. Nathaniel was awake and in a good mood...I was sooo ready to get off that plane. We had to get off the plane outside...as we walked towards the terminal I could see my Mom and Barry standing in the hall...I couldn't get to them quick enough. Once I entered the terminal I was SHOCKED...I couldn't focus..there were SOOOOOO Many people there. I will let the pictures do the explaining :)
We Were Home FINALLY!

We Interupt the Reguarly Scheduled Broadcast

2007-11-28T18:36:00.000-06:00

Honestly I don't know if I will find time to finish Blogging about my trip untill after the holidays....Honestly there isn't enough hours in the day...and yes if Dawn had the time to check this blog she would be laughing at how she warned both Lisa and I of this.
So I will interupt this blogging of Ethiopia with some Holiday wishes. Nathaniel and I hope your family has a wonderful Holiday Season. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Day Two and Three

2007-11-19T16:20:00.000-06:00

Since Jill is not getting any work done while she is suppose to be working..I figure I better get this blog updated LOL :) :)
So Thursday....
Nathaniel woke up twice during the first night...but unlike what I had been told, went right back to sleep after his bottle (I had been told he liked to play after waking for a bottle) So we got a bit of sleep that night. Thursday we spent hanging around the guesthouse, just getting to know one another. Nathaniel had his first tub bath. The guesthouse had these pink plastic tubs which were great except the one we had leaked. I didn't know it until I felt my sock and pantleg getting wet. The video was cut short on account of the flood that was taking place on the bathroom floor. The other families that were in our group arrived late Wednesday night, and despite my best efforts to stay up, I was not able to hold out untill they arrived. So the next morning (much to their surprise) Nathaniel and I greeted everyone in the dining room. It was sooo nice to finally meet all the families that we would be spending the next week with. Today was also the day that two of the Kid's Link families were able to bring home their babies. Jada and Judah were great playmates for Nathaniel. It was nice to have a few other babies around for Nathaniel to hang out with.
We discovered the hallways of the guesthouse and the mirrors were great play areas as well as the dining area. Much of our meals were had in the dining room. The only thing missing was a high chair (which would of made my meals much less of a fill your mouth as fast as you can competition while trying to keep little fingers out of the pizza). I do have to say the guesthouse staff was amazing and helpful! They often offered to take Nathaniel so I could eat...although he would only stay with them for a short period of time.
Thursday night we went out for Ethiopian Meal at the Crown Hotel. The show was AMAZING!!! I don't know how they did some of the dancing. One of the women twisted and waved her hair in ways I just can't even explain. All I know is that I wanted to see a chiropractor for her!
Nathaniel was asleep before we arrived, and when he woke..his expression was hillarious. The music was very loud, and he was like "where the heck are we mom!!!"

Friday Morning,
We went to the Sheraton to exchange money. This hotel is ludicrously (sp??) lush and decorated! You even have to go through metal detectors to enter the hotel. Once in, I felt like you didn't even feel you were in Ethiopia. It felt like a totally different place. Once done there, I took Nathaniel to the clinic to see the doctor. He had a very congested cough at times and also had been tugging his ears. The clinic is a private one, but there were tons of people there. Walking through I couldn't help but feel like a great big schmuck! I felt like ( and we probably did) we were bypassing the waiting line to be seen. Once registered we still waited...but I sure felt watched for sure!! The doctor said his ears were fine and chest was clear...so I was relieved. We waited for another mom to have her daughter checked out and we were on our way back home. While waiting outside to see the doctor..Nathaniel wet through his diaper...so there was no place to change him. I ended up changing him on my knee...that was quite a feat!
Once back at the guesthouse, we spent the rest of the day hanging out. That night we all went to bed very early..but at around 10 I woke to a very nice and big wetspot...ala Nathaniel. he had soaked through. So down to the front desk for clean sheets, and a clean boy settled into his "doll" crib. Once the bed was made...Hillary and I spent a good hour laughing out loud at the apparent Band that was playing at the bar across the road from the guesthouse. I thought it was sooo funny because they were singing the cheesiest english songs. "I shot the sherriff", " Macarena", Celine Dion Songs, and the list goes on and on...I actually got the video camera out to record the I shot the sherriff...toooo funny!!
The rest of the night was however not as funny. By 330 my sister was soooooo sick..she couldn't keep anything down..and was not feeling well at all. I was up from about 330 on and by morning was sooo exhausted. I think the last few days of sleep deprivation and all the emotions had caught up to me. After breakfast I had a great big cry in our room...I was worried about my sister as well I guess as she wasn't drinking anything at that point. By 1030 though, she was able to keep liquids down and we were moving rooms into a much brighter and bigger room. Things were looking up :)
Louise
PS yes you do count right...4 changes of clothes for Nathaniel in one day...

DAY ONE

2007-11-14T07:20:00.000-06:00

I left for Ethiopia on October 29th, and arrived there at 2 am on the 31st. The airport is Addis is nice. The Metal Detectors are very old though (I think). Getting through was no problem...except when we were getting our luggage...a man (who had no id) wanted our luggage tags. I had to assume he worked at the airport. We got our luggage and met Selemnah our driver.
On the way to the guesthouse he asked me if I wanted to see Nathaniel that day...ofcourse I did. We were sooooo excited to get to the Guesthouse. Finally I was in Ethiopia. The guard and Selemnah brought our luggage up for us to the 2nd floor and we settled to sleep. 7 am I woke up WIDE AWAKE!!! That was not a great idea...4 hrs of sleep after 24+ hrs of travelling. But we got unpacking and went down for Breakfast. The breakfast at the guesthouse is really quite good. We got orange juice and tea every morning. I had an omlet most mornings and Hillary had the pancakes.
Selemnah came at 10 and said we could leave in 15 mins. I ran up those stairs soooo fast and started packing a bag. I threw in toys, clothes, diapers, bottles...I had no idea what I would need.
Off to the van we went and met Selemnah downstairs.
Soon we were off. I had not seen Addis in the daytime yet and this was quite an eyeopener. So many people, so many disabled men, so many children selling kleenexs. There were women cutting the grass by hand with a small hatchet (no lawn mowers there). Soon we were going down a dirt road and we stopped outside a gate. I asked if we were here,...and we were. The gates opened and one of the caregivers met us. I was already crying. We were ushered into that famous living room with those awesome couches. I have been waiting forever to sit on that couch and see my son come through the doors. Haregewain came in and we hugged for what seemed forever.
Soon Nathaniel was in my arms...I couldn't believe it. He was real and I could hug and kiss him FINALLY!
After about 10 minutes he relaxed a bit and we played. Selemnah then came in and asked if I wanted to take him with me today...OFCOURSE I DID!!! (Not thinking about the 4 hrs of sleep I got). So after getting formula and Diapers we were back at the guesthouse. He had a great day (minus a few crying bouts after his nap). And was in bed by 730. I was soooo happy to have my head hit the pillow with my sweet baby boy sleeping in the little crib next to my bed!
More on Day 2 to come.

WE ARE HOME!!!!

2007-11-14T07:04:00.000-06:00

Oh its soooooo good to be home!!! Ethiopia was amazing, the flights were sooo long, but the time in Ethiopia was so nice!
Nathaniel is amazing, I will be a while trying to get posts done...but will try to get them on here eventually! I have over 600 pics...so that will be some time to get them onto disks, and printed!
I am soooo glad to have him home and to be able to hold him and have him sleep in his own crib. So far no jet leg...we are both onto Canadian time basically. He goes to sleep between 630-730 and wakes up around 6 (gets up once or twice a night still for a bottle.)
Here are some pics

Leaving for Ethiopia Today!!!

2007-10-29T09:42:00.001-05:00

Well today is the day I have been waiting for!! I leave for Ethiopia at 9:05 pm tonight! I woke up this morning, soooo excited!!! Can't believe this day is finally here!!!
Louise

1 more day till I leave Fredericton

2007-10-25T09:00:00.000-05:00

And I won't return to Fredericton again without having my son with me...sooo very neat to think the next time I arrive home, Nathaniel will be in my arms!
I have one more day to go and I am going just a bit nutsy hehe. I went out today and bought a neck money holder, I have one for the waist..but I did not find there was enough room for passports, tickets, money, so I bought the neck one as well. So now I am all set. I went to the bank and got 50 GB pounds for the Heathrow Airport (hopefully I won't spend that all in one place :) :) )
I had a lot of 20 USD bills so I went to the bank and exchanged them for 100 USD bills. I don't know how much cash I should exchange into Birr right away. I am thinking 600 maybe?? What did everyone else do. I have to pay Guesthouse and Selemnah in US money...so really I am not sure how much Birr to have??
I found a great way to bring the Umbrella Stroller. I have put it into the bag that use to carry the canvas chairs that we use for summer camping. It fits great and it gives me a bag and handle to carry it in.

One last post tommorrow..then it will be quiet around here for a while.

Louise

Little Man's Feet

2007-10-23T13:59:00.000-05:00

Since I am not posting pictures of Nathaniel till I take custody of him in Ethipia, I thought I would post a picture of his feet :). In the latest update that I just got, the agency had taken the time to trace his feet for me so that I can kind of choose what size of shoes to bring.
I can't tell you how neat it is to see these. Just another little tidbit on who this little guy is. I am thinking the squiggles on the note pad might be wiggly little feet hehehe
Louise

And She's Off

2007-10-23T07:50:00.000-05:00

Well Part 1 of Expedition Ethiopia is complete. My younger sister as some of you may know is travelling with me. She left this morning for Toronto and will then be off to London a few days ahead of me. She spent a year in Wales last year on an exchange...and since we were making this expensive flight anyways..she decided to do a stopover in London and take a bus up to Swansea Wales for a few days. So next Tuesday I will meet her in London where we will begin the last leg of the Journey to Ethiopia together. Seeing her off this morning was so exciting...it was step ONE!
So yes that is right...I have to make my FIRST long haul transatlantic flight by MYSELF...eeekkk...did I mention I have only ever flown twice in my entire life..both times to Disney! For those of you who have been down that way you know the 4 hr flight is nothing compared to the number of hours you spend on a plane flying across the ocean. Am I a wee bit nervous...maybe...but the excitment I am feeling far outweighs any nervous butterflies!
Ohwell ready or not I make my first flight to Toronto on Friday..and then fly out Monday for Ethiopia.
Something funny at the airport. Hillary had not weighed her suitcases yet...so when we got there...the first one was 50.2 fine. The second one I had drug in from the car...and I could barely lift it. 49.2....geeshh I could have put another .8 lbs of diapers in that hehehe.
Oh and for those of you getting ready to travel. It is only one bag of liquids in carry on per passenger...not per bag...silly sister of mine! Hehehe

Louise

VISA APPROVED!!!`

2007-10-22T12:06:00.001-05:00

Wow what a relief to know this before I travel. I heard today that Nathaniel's visa was approved in Nairobi, now all it has to do is come to Ethiopia by diplomatic pouch. That means it should be here this Friday or Next. YAY!!!
Louise

6 Days to go and I still have a Cold

2007-10-20T13:45:00.000-05:00

What is up with bad timing...I still have this cold and its not going anywhere. I worked a night shift last night and by morning my throat was super sore. I decided to call in sick tonight as working is not helping me get rid of this cold...and I NEED it gone by the time I leave.
BUT Now for the POSITIVE....in 6 days I leave for Ethiopia.
And in less than 2 weeks I will be holding my son for the first time. I keep playing over and over in my head what that moment will feel like...but I don't think anything I imagine will even come close to it!
I have been so blessed by the Friendships I have made over the last two years and can't wait for the years to come to see our children play and develop their own friendships with each other! I am looking forward to future gatherings when I won't have to be the one venting about the process..but the one who can finally say..it really does happen, you really can get through it...and there is a light at the end of this tunnel.
Louise

11 Days till I leave Fredericton

2007-10-15T05:13:00.000-05:00

And the next time I am back in Fredericton I will have Nathaniel with me. So I leave for Toronto to visit family for 3 days on the 26th. Then I leave in the Evening on the 29th for Ethiopia. I will be connecting in London(30th) and arrive in Ethiopia on the 31st at 2 am.
I am still waiting on the itinerary but I know that the planned Gotcha Day is Nov 2nd....so that is sooo exciting!
We leave Ethiopia on the 11th and arrive home in Fredericton on the 12th. We actually arrive in Toronto on the evening of the 11th but will be spending the night in the hotel there are will arrive home at 4 the next day. I am really looking forward to arriving home in Fredericton. I cannot wait for my mom
to meet her grandson...she is soooo very excited about the whole thing...and I am sure she will be crying even before my plane touches down.

THANKSGIVING

2007-10-08T06:39:00.000-05:00

I have sooo much to be thankful for this year. I can't believe that I got this special gift that is so very precious to me. I can't believe that in just a few weeks I will be holding my son for the very first time!

Leaving on a Jet Plane!!!! October 28th!!

2007-10-04T19:38:00.000-05:00

What an awesome, overwhelming, amazing and wonderful day!! I got that email I have been waiting the last 2 years to get :)
The "your travel dates are" soooo amazing!!! I am tentativly leaving October 28, arriving in Addis Ababa very late on the 30th, We will fly back home somewhere around the 9th.
I am sooooo excited!! My feet have not touched the ground all night!
Louise

MEDICAL IS DONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2007-10-04T12:46:00.000-05:00

I heard today that Nathaniel's medical was completed yesterday!! YAYAYAYAY!!!!! Its sooo very exciting!! Will have more details this afternoon!
Louise

So it's been a while!

2007-10-02T09:00:00.000-05:00

AND YES...I AM STILL WAITING...hahaha...seems to be a broken record around here.
I am actually very excited about this week..because I am waiting on confirmation that the medical arrived and will hopefully go back to Nairobi this Friday or Monday?
So I am really thinking I will be able to get Nathaniel the first week of November. Its not too far away..though I am dissapointed he won't be home for Halloween! But wow he will be home for Christmas...I can't wait to see him under that tree and to finally have him home and home forever!
I am thinking about how Nathaniel will adjust coming home in the middle of November...poor thing. It gets pretty cold some days here already...so come November I am sure it will be down right chilly.
Guess I will have to just bundle him up warm and snuggle him close!!
Will post again when I know more...maybe today??
:)
Louise

It's COMING!!!

2007-09-24T12:29:00.000-05:00

The medical is FINALLY coming! It will be here on Friday....I am sooooo excited. Finally it will be here and it will be done!
So what is next.
The medical will be completed and sent off by next Friday.
Then...its a 4 week wait till travel. Counting the weeks that would put the 4 th Friday as November 2nd. I am sooooooo excited...in disbelief, shock that this if finally going to happen, that I will finally have my son home and in my arms. I can't wait!
Louise

Nathaniel's room is finally DONE

2007-09-19T16:12:00.000-05:00

So since I am still waiting..I decided to focus my energy into something more productive. So I completed the organization of Nathaniel's room. Yes it is hard to keep it from becoming a collect-all of things for him..but it is nice to see it done!

The last picture is a painting my sister did of Africa...it hangs with much love and pride on Nathaniel's wall!

Louise

CONGRATS JULIE AND TREVOR!!!!!

2007-09-13T04:15:00.001-05:00

Well another boy is coming to the Maritimes...YAYAYAY!!!! I am sooo very excited for a maritime family. They just received their referral of a very sweet 3 year old little boy named Mulu!!! Congrats!!!!
Louise

Yardsale fun!!!

2007-09-08T11:08:00.000-05:00

Wow...did we ever have fun today. To get me out of my funk (not feeling overly positive after no medical arriving yesterday)..we went yardsaling!!!! IT was fun and did we ever get some steals of a deal!!
I had heard there was a group fundraising for a SIM canada (www.sim.ca) mission trip to Addis Ababa...how cool! So I wanted to go to their yardsale..but didn't realize the entire subdivision was having a yardsale...wow soooo much great stuff.
I gave the group fundraising a bag of sneakers that I know I won't have room to take...they were more than happy to take those for me to the orphanage they will be working at.
But now onto the finds! I got a sandbox (dinosaur with cover) for $20, an easel for $10, one of those red and yellow cars, with the curved roof that the kids ride in for $5, and a little tykes mini kitchen (small little toy for toddlers...not the full size one)...for $1...unbelievable. Awesome buys!!! Those are going to be sooo great for next summer. Can't wait to fill that sandbox!

Will post pics later....
Louise

12 weeks since referral

2007-09-07T16:18:00.000-05:00

And still NO Medical!!! UGGGHHHHH This is sooooo frustrating. Hoping that next week will bring the best news and that my medical will be in and done next week.
I am getting so anxious to go to Ethiopia and bring Nathaniel home. I know that my wait could be so much longer but each day feels like a week...and each week like a month.
So fingers crossed for Next Fridays...I use to love Fridays....now they just seem to bring stress.
Louise

11 Weeks of Waiting

2007-09-03T19:58:00.000-05:00

Okay this wait is starting to drag on!
I am into the 11 week of waiting...and honestly each day is starting to feel like a week! I know I said it wasn't too bad before....Well September has hit and it is BAD. I feel like the closer I get...the more just out of my reach it feels. I know this will happen, it will all come together..but this week has been so hard.
I am sooo hoping my medical will arrive this week to the foster home and Nathaniel can get it done and have everything sent to Nairobi.
Trying to keep positive thinking happening around here. Nathaniel got another package this week from me. Thanks June for taking that to him for me. I sent him another outfit, a cute soft mirror toy and a roll of film. Hoping for some candid shots.
Louise

AHH The Joy of Retail Therapy

2007-08-30T18:06:00.000-05:00

Well what fun I have had in the last 2 days. My cousin, her mom, her kids, my sister and I hit the road on Tuesday and headed for Bangor, ME. This is about 4 hrs away and is the place to be for Retail Therapy.
RETAIL THERAPY...for those of you who have not yet experienced it...you will and let me tell you it is soooo great!
So I actually did go with a mission...to find things for the walls of Nathaniel's room. And I actually did find some things. I found a wall hanging of blue stars and moons at Mardens for the low low price of 4.97 and I found a set of wall hangings (square soft pillow like hangings with Nursery Rhymes on them) and a valance to match at Burlington Coat factory....This store is renamed by yours truely as "New Mom Heaven on Earth". For those of you not familiar this store is the greatest store ever. It has about 50 aisles of baby/kid/decor stuff, clothing, equipment, toys and books. It is amazing and 100 times more fun than toys r us because it is all so super cheap and discounted. I got a outfit that came with pants, shirt and a jacket for 11.97 (how can you beat that).
We also went to Targets...oh oh...bad store. So Okay I got Nathaniel a Halloween Costume. I think we will be home by Halloween and if not we will have Halloween either in Ethiopia or when we get back (thats right I will move the date of Halloween....not...but the kids in our extended family will do Halloween over when Nathaniel arrives). It is a dragon costume, it is made out of this really nice warm fuzzy/furry material that is sooo cute. I am attaching pics of all my goodies.
Once folded it really doesn't look like a lot..but check out the pics of it all laid out on the bed.
Fun was had by all!!!

Week 10 of Waiting is Done! How much longer???

2007-08-27T03:14:00.000-05:00

That is the million dollar question. Who knows! Its getting harder and harder each day to bear this wait for Nathaniel to come home. In the meantime...I have more work to do on his room..although it is certainly slowly coming together which is exciting!
Hopefully just a few more weeks..but its still hard to predict when I will get my travel date. Hopefully Soon!!!!
Louise

Update

2007-08-16T12:44:00.000-05:00

I still can't post Nathaniel's photo so here is another sneek peek....look at the chubby fingers!

Well yesterday I got an update on Nathaniel. Holy Cow my boy is 21 lbs already! Whatever they are feeding him there must be doing him well...he has gained almost 6 lbs since March. Growing like a weed was the description used in this update. His hair is growing as well and he has a full head of soft curls!
The update is sooo nice to get...but I wish he was here marking those milestones at home and growing up at home..but soon! He will be here in not time at all!
No word if the medical was done yet...I assume not quite yet but will find out tommor
row if the medical paperwork arrived yet in Addis Ababa.
Louise

Lisa, Pierre, Marika and Karelle arrive home.

2007-08-10T18:34:00.000-05:00

These are some of my favourite pictures from Lisa and Pierre's arrival home. I am sooo happy I was able to be at the airport to see them arrive home from airport. Something that I will remember for a long time!
Welcome home Goguen Family!!!!
Louise

July 31st...Logged into Immigration

2007-08-08T10:24:00.000-05:00

So on July 31st the immigration department stated on their website that my file was in progress!!! YAY. Apparently most families wait between 2-6 weeks after this for their medical forms to arrive. Once the medical is done it is sent back to Nairobi. From that point it is 4 weeks till travel date!!! So really that means I could potentially (baring any snags) travel in 6-10 weeks...WOW!!!
I am still waiting for a current update on Nathaniel...an agency person just returned from Ethiopia this week...so hopefully an update will be here soon! I can't wait to seen new pics and see how much he has grown again in a month!
August 8th already..hard to believe the summer will be over soon and September will be here. Bring on the fall I say :) I can't wait!
Louise

7 WEEKS WAITING TO BRING YOU HOME

2007-08-03T06:23:00.000-05:00

It's been 7 weeks of waiting for Nathaniel to come home. A lot has happened already. The acceptance papers have gone over to Ethiopia, the court date has been requested, given and approved...Nathaniel became my legal child...and the Immigration process has been started. So everyone asks...when will you travel???That is the million dollar question. I will travel 4 weeks after the medical is done. Most people have been travelling in 5 months...I am hoping it will be 4 months...because we are going to Disney end of November and I want Nathaniel home for a while before that so he can be settled in.
I am hopeful that I will be travelling in the middle of October..but only time will tell!
But beyond that...it is soo very exciting to be almost 2 months into this wait!
Louise

Lisa, Pierre, Marika and Karelle....You are coming HOME!!!!

2007-08-03T06:15:00.000-05:00

Its hard to believe that you will be home in less than 2 days. After all the tears, laughter, screams in frustration, shrieks of joy and kisses sent to our babies over the thousands of miles...it is time for Marika and Karelle to come home!
Tommorrow I am leaving for Moncton to welcome home this family who have become very near and dear to me over the last 2 years. Lisa and Pierre and I were starting the process together at around the same time. We did not know each other until we ended on the CAFAC message board. We were both beyond delighted that there was another family in the Maritimes who were starting the process. Many phone calls and emails ensued and thus started this friendship! I am so grateful and thankful to have met Lisa and her family and cannot wait to have our kids play together on the playground or in the sandbox.
Welcome Home Lisa, Pierre, Marika and Karelle! I cannot wait to see you come in that door at the airport!! It is going to be such a great memory! And I can't wait to finally be able to take a photo of the entire family together!!!!
Louise

Almost 6 weeks of Waiting

2007-07-22T16:43:00.000-05:00

Well this Wednesday will mark the 6th week since I saw my son for the very first time. I have the feeling this weekend of relief...of "I have finally made it". From here on in, its just a matter of waiting for Canadian Immigration to finish their part of the process. It seems that most people receive their medical paperwork for their children at teh 12 week mark after referral (Although unfortunately some have waited longer than that). So if Nathaniel does get his medical done by the 12 week mark, that would be the first week of September. Very exciting!!!
It feels like I am half way there....because after the medical you pretty much know when you are going to travel. I know those 4 weeks will fly by sooo fast I will most likely just be spinning! Its hard to believe that in as little as 2 1/2 months I could be travelling...and bringing my son back home finally!!! I can't be happier about the court date being done...I keep thinking wow I don't have to stress about getting it done before court closures! That stress is GONE. But ofcourse there is still the stress and worry about immigration not being done quickly, files being lost,etc,etc. "POSITIVE THINKING" :) :)
Louise

Officially Nathaniel's Mom!!!

2007-07-21T15:07:00.000-05:00

Well I finally got news about my court date!!! My petition to adopt Nathaniel was approved!!!!!!!! So that means that I am legally and in all meaning of the word Nathaniel's mommy!!!
It is such a relief to have this happen before court closes for the summer. I can't imagine having to wait two months for a court date. It feels so good to know that he is mine and nothing can change that! I can't wait to see more pictures and to hear how the process with Nairobi and immigration is going. I should get some more updated news at the beginning of August. I imagine I won't be travelling until the middle of October. Maybe beginning of Novermber. It all really depends when the medical papers get to Addis, done and is sent back to Nairobi. Once that is done it will be 4 weeks till travel date.

Louise

Waiting waiting waiting

2007-07-17T17:06:00.000-05:00

Well as everyone knows in the process of adoption there is a huge amount of hurry up and wait going on. You wait on paperwork, meetings, appointments, then you wait on government officials, approvals, canada post, and fedex. You wait for your dossier to arrive in Ethiopia, wait for it to be picked up....and then the big wait for referral. After you get that amazing news you go back into hurry up and wait mode once again. Although this part of the wait is like a double edged sword...on one hand you have this beautiful baby to think about, focus on, shop for, prepare for and love....but then you also have no way to touch, feel, smell, hug or kiss this little one. You bond through pictures and each picture is a precious glimpse into who your little one is.
So now what is the wait....well I need to wait to hear how court went on Monday..no news yet...expecting to hear something this week...I am so anxious to hear if it went smoothly!
Then I have to wait on Immigration...how long with that take? That is the million dollar question. It seems most people have gotten their medicals done 12-13 weeks after referral....that puts me the first week of September to have medical completed. After that is done then I should be able to travel 4 weeks after that....so that would be first week of October. Ofcourse there is no timeline written in stone..things can be delayed or it might be quicker....hard to really know when that call will come!

Well in other happenings....I finally installed a gate at the top of my stairs.....what a pain in the rear end!!! It was awful to install but it looks good now.
I got some things at children's place today...all 297 or 397...can't beat that price!

Louise

4 weeks into the wait!!!!!

2007-07-13T11:48:00.000-05:00

Well I am already at 4 weeks into the wait to travel to get my sweet boy! I cannot believe a month has passed by sooo quickly. Not a day goes by that I don't think about my son, about what he is doing, how he is, if he has grown. A mother at the unit in which I work was really upset yesterday because she was being discharged but the baby wasn't yet. And she said something that really spoke to my heart. She was so worried that she wouldn't be there to comfort him if he was upset or crying. Yes she knew that there would be someone there to hold and comfort him...but it wouldn't be her.
I cannot wait to see my sweet boy and hold him in my arms...kiss and hug him. That day...the first meeting is something I think of a lot. Just to finally hold him and really be able to touch and smell him. My son. Its incredible to think that this part of the journey will be over in just a few months and that I will be starting a new journey with my son.

Louise

Baby Shower Fun

2007-07-08T17:13:00.000-05:00

Well what a day, really a weekend I have had. First the Burkes came and spent the weekend with me at my house....yes 6 kids in my house this weekend...what fun we had. They ofcourse were excellently behaved, and so the weekend went well. It was so nice to have Dawn and Gerald up to visit.
Today my family had a baby shower for me...it was sooo nice to have family and friends celebrate Nathaniel and we had a great time playing some very funny shower games. My sister Hillary and Cousin Toni did all the hard work of arranging this shower and it was so beautiful...lots of nice touches noticed. They made the theme nautical...made sugar cookies into the shape of sail boats with Nathaniel's name on it..and a beautiful cake that my aunt made....pics don't do it justice!
Thank you again for all the beautiful gifts..can't wait to use them all with Nathaniel.
Louise

Rest of the week in PEI

2007-07-06T08:01:00.000-05:00

Well I stayed in PEI for another few days after the gathering to extend my vacation there. I had my sister, and friends come up to camp. WE had a great time except for the last night there when the winds really picked up and made the tent trailer very noisy! The winds were really gusty and were pushing at the tent part of the trailer.
Well I had to post what I bought...ofcourse for Nathaniel...don't think I bought one thing there for me Hahaha.
I got a pair of fake crocks at Gateway Village that were bright yellow in size 5...they are so small and cute.
I also got the cutest onesie. It will go great with the hat that I got at Giant tiger which says Canadian cutie.

PEI Camping Gathering

2007-07-06T07:29:00.000-05:00

Wow
What a weekend this was. There were so many families either camping or there to visit it was hard to keep up. It was my first time out with the camper and so this was too much fun. Kristin and Nathan came along and stayed with me in the camper...it was great having some company in the camper.

I won't talk about getting lost too much...apparently I need to take more time to read the directions that I am given before jotting them down on a piece of paper...but lets just say getting lost down a narrow dirt road with a ten foot trailer behind you is not what I would call "fun"....anyways I survived and had a great week in PEI.

Kerry you still owe me a tim hortons...that was tooo funny us four trying to put down your awning with Susan and the wind just lifing up the awning dumping the ice cold rain water on us....shower was quickly had by all to warm up and awning was saved.

The late night campfires were sooo much fun and I for one am glad we mastered the art of smores even if it did result in some burnt fingers ( :) Lisa...hope your fingers have recovered). Lets just say it doesn't take much to make a bunch of girls who love chocolate busy trying to master the art of smores. Especially when the alternative was joining the Brad Paisley Debate of 2007.

August will be here before we know it and then another gathering...can't wait for the next one..these have been such a great time for all that come!

Louise

Godspeed - Dixie Chicks

2007-06-28T15:32:00.001-05:00

This song means sooo much to me...I have loved it for a long time but it means so much more to me today.
I may not be near my dear son...but I send my love to you every second of the day and think of you always. I cannot wait to sing and dance around with you in my arms!
Mommy

Acceptance Papers are Officially in Ethiopia

2007-06-28T12:34:00.000-05:00

They landed this morning just after midnight. This is step one to completing the adoption. The papers go to Ethiopia, are picked up by the POA there in Addis Ababa. Then she can start the process to obtain a court date and start the immigration paperwork. It has been just over 2 weeks since I saw Nathaniel and I miss him terribly. I wish I was there to rock him to sleep, give him his bottles and cover him with a blanket at night. I am still trying to remain hopeful about the possibility about a court date....fingers crossed but realize it will be a long shot to get this done. Trying to remain positive as its all I can do.
Can't wait for the maritime gathering this weekend. Its going to be one big celebrations, with referrals, travel dates, homestudies and dossiers completed. Our group has a lot to celebrate..what a great weekend to do it at.
Louise

I Would Die For That

2007-06-26T15:41:00.001-05:00

I know many of us have had many of bumpy roads to get to this point...the point where we are finally moms! This video again is a tear jerker!
Louise

Shoes are bought, stroller is ready

2007-06-24T16:49:00.000-05:00

Well all I need is Nathaniel home. But the preparations are on and things are getting organized and ready. We went to the states yesterday. I got the cutest photo frames for the wall...it holds 4 4*6 photos, black frame...its an individual frame for each photo hooked together..they are at walmart here for 15 but I got it in the states for 2 dollars a peice. Can't beat that price.
I also went to payless shoes and got the cutest size 4 shoes for him. Not sure if they will fit but Presque Isle is soooo close that I kept the receipt and will return them on our way to Disney when the time comes if they are too small.
So I got the shoes, the stroller, the crib and the clothes :) Now I just need Nathaniel home. 2 weeks and counting!

More for Nathaniel

2007-06-24T16:43:00.000-05:00

I have to say I think I am going to pass this wait in shopping for my son :) Oooohhhh I might have to watch out...and Children's Place better watch out if they put a sale on.
But seriously I love getting things for him....even better are the gifts that have come for him!

Check these out...thanks to Nelleke (my aunt), Toni and Jamie, Hannah and Jacob, Kristin and Nathan and last but not least Sheri and Lyle, Mikiyas.
Your gifts are just lovely and Nathaniel is going to look too cute in each and every thing!
Louise

It's my Birthday!!!

2007-06-24T11:57:00.000-05:00

Well today is my birthday...and I think I got my present a little early. 11 days ago to be exact. I don't want anything for my birthday but a court date in July..thats all I want :) :) :)
I am having family over today for a bbq. My cousin, her husband and her children as well as my Aunt are coming over. We are going to have a big celebration...they haven't seen the updated pics of Nathaniel yet..so I am anxious to show them. His pics are hanging on my wall right now...so I know they will see them when they walk through the door.
I am off on Vacation for 12 days after 2 more night shifts. I am soooo looking forward to my vacation. I am spending 6 days on the island and then 3 days in Mataquac with the Burke's. I am looking forward to spending some time with the group of families in PEI...we are having another gathering. Can't wait to see some new faces.

Louise

I'll Stand By You

2007-06-19T05:06:00.000-05:00

I can't watch this video enough...wow it brings forth such emotion. You need to see this video! I hadn't seen the whole thing.....but found it finally.
Enjoy and let your heart be touched!
Louise

Official Papers Signed.

2007-06-18T17:31:00.000-05:00

Well this is all I can really post in terms of a picture of my little Nathaniel. His sweet little hand. The Ethiopian Government and my agency does not want us posting pictures until Nathaniel is legally mine...so I can't post his picture..but take it from me he is very very cute.
I got the actual referral documents today and sent them off in Priority Mail. Should land at CAFAC by tommorrow. I was so excited to receive this today that I think the mail man was thinking I was stalking him LOL..but I did explain so he did not think I was an insane mad woman. I was shaking so bad when I was signing it...finally I was making the final act to declare that I wanted this baby boy...that he was my son.
I was so grateful that CAFAC had all the immigration forms filled out and all I had to do was sign where the sticky note was...thanks Curtis and Deb.....it was super simple.
Louise

The Referral Experience

2007-06-15T05:55:00.000-05:00

I love to hear about how others have received their referral and the circumstances, etc. So I will share mine.
To start ,,,,,on the 13th of June I was suppose to have worked....but I had traded with Bonnie at work so she could have May 13th (Mother's day) off. So I did not have to work. I went out in the morning...never thinking about the fact that my cell phone was dead....geesh.
So I got back at around 12noon and was on the phone with some family.
While I was on the phone with my sister my sw called and left a message for me to call her and that "this was the call". So I tried to frantically call her back...no answer. So I left 2 messges finally deciding to go to her office and wait for her however long I had to wait. Well at her office secretary informed me that she was out for lunch...be back in half hour. Well I had calmed down enough to check messages again...there was a second one (That was right after the first...but I had slammed the phone down and never checked the 2nd one) from her saying that she would meet me at 2 (it was 130). So I waited outside on the bench....very anxious.
Well she walked up the steps and said " I knew you would be waiting for me" Then she said to the other women with her...this is the lucky mom. The co worker then said "OH my god..your baby is sooooo cute"..
So inside her office area..she decided she needed to introduce me to her supervisor so introductions were made...and yet another person "oh my gosh your baby is tooo cute". LOL...all these women had seen my son before I did LOL LOL.
Saw the pics and I bawled of course. I was shocked at how big he looked...couldn't get over how sweet he was. Went over the documents...and I was able to accept it right away.
Yahh. He is amazing..I am sooo happy.

Louise

Care Package

2007-06-14T15:24:00.000-05:00

Well you will never guess how much you can really fit into a ziploc bag...a lot apparently..because I have stuffed this bag full. Amber who is leaving to get her son at the end of the month is taking a care package over to Nathaniel. It was so nice of her family to offer..and I really appreciate it.

Here is what I put in his package. (This will be the first of two packages as Lisa has also told me she will also take a package for Nathaniel....thanks Lisa and Amber)

Louise

Nathaniel's mommy

Shopping Fun

2007-06-14T15:04:00.000-05:00

Well some people might be inclined to say that there are no cute boys clothes...well I think I proved them wrong today. I have hardly any boys clothes (okay that might be a bit of an exageration...but I certainly don't have enough boys clothes)
So shopping I did for Nathaniel today.

IT'S A BOY!!

2007-06-14T04:23:00.000-05:00

Well after 19 months.......I can say that I have a Son!! He is 7 months old and weighs 17lbs. He is amazing, cute and oh so handsome! He has the cutest lips ever...sweet little hands and I can't wait to hold him and kiss those cheeks of his.

His name is Misganaw and his new full name will be Nathaniel Misganaw Issac Reid. Nathaniel will fit right in and we are all so thrilled to be looking at his picture! I got the call around 1230 but missed it and had to wait for lunch to end (her lunch not mine.....who could eat at such a time) so I could meet my SW. At 2pm yesterday I saw my sweet little boy's face for the first time. Talk about love at first sight. SO I did get some sleep last night but I have to tell you I was up at 530 and couldn't go back to sleep. What a rollercoaster this past year has been. But I am soooo very excited to have my little boy's picture and so very glad to be to the next part of the wait.
I can't post his picture until he is legally mine so my description will have to do. :) :)
Believe me he is sweet!
Louise

Another Yard Sale

2007-06-10T14:23:00.000-05:00

Well another year and another yardsale. I wouldn't have thought last year at this time that I would still be waiting for my referral...but here I am still the same.

SO we had another yardsale this year to raise money for AHOPE with another year of success. It however was a very nice day..perhaps too nice to be yardsaling...so the flow of traffic was not what I expected and not what it was last year. Grand total raised $305 dollars...not bad at all despite the quiet flow of traffic.

Here are some pics

Into June almost

2007-05-22T05:59:00.000-05:00

Wow we are already at the end of May....its crazy but May really did fly by quite quickly....hard to believe June is here in just a week's time.
I am really starting to get stressed about court closure. You see in Ethiopia August and September are considered holiday months for the court system. Therefor the courts actually close from Aug 4 till Sept 30. SOOO I need to
1) get my referral and
2) NEED to have a court date and a successful court hearing prior to Aug 4.

Otherwise I can't have a court hearing till after Sept 30. They say 5-7 weeks after court soooo that puts me into November...acckkkk the end of Nov seems like years away...so I really really need some prayers....I pray that I get my referral soon and that the process to obtain a courtdate is swift. I am very very worried about not getting my court done before Aug 4....but ofcourse worrying about it won't help....so I will pray hard and long about it.

Over the last few weeks I have been thinking alot of my little one. What he or she is doing, is he or she awake, eating, sleeping, being held and loved.....I am sure this will intensify a 100 times over once I know my little one's face and read about him or her.

Louise

Finally found a decent price video camera

2007-05-09T12:16:00.000-05:00

Wow I got quite the deal today. I have been going over and over in my mind if I should buy a DVD video camera for the trip. I have one of the Hi 8's which we got 4 yrs ago...but really they don't make them anymore and it is sooo heavy. It was a hard decision because the dvd cameras I was seeing were all 500+ range in cost. So I went to future shop and staples today. Well I got a Sony DVD video camera for $389....quite the deal. It was the last one in stock...so they took 10% off and I was very happy. It is soooo light and will be so good for the trip. It does take stills...but I have to see what they turn out like. I will still take my digital camera with me. and that should be good.

I will be all ready...my poor child won't know what the heck with all the flashes and cameras LOL....but soon will be a camera addict I'm sure!!!

Louise

Here is a pic of it (from Sony website)

A Summer time purchase

2007-05-08T20:32:00.000-05:00

I got the coolest tent today. I wanted one of the woods EZ UP tent...the one with the poles integrated right into the tent. It is amazing!!! It took me less than 2 mins to set up..incredible! Its going to be so nice for tenting gatherings with the maritime group once the baby arrives because I can put it up and take it down completely by myself!
Louise

May 7 World AIDS Orphan Day

2007-05-07T17:43:00.000-05:00

Today is the day that we recognize the absolute horror that befalls so many children across Africa and the rest of the world. Every 15 seconds a child is orphaned by AIDS. By 2010 there will be over 100 Million AIDS orphans! This is unimaginable, unexplainable, and unacceptable!

Likely my child will be just that a victim of AIDS...his or her mother or father may have had AIDS/HIV or perhaps another family member. Whatever the way his or her life has been affected by the terrible disease that is sweeping across Africa.

So today I am asking that you take a moment to say a prayer for a child who has been orphaned by AIDS.

Louise

Well here we are almost into May

2007-04-29T18:40:00.000-05:00

Wow another month has almost gone by...I can hardly believe May is here...and yet I can hardly believe it is May and I still am referraless! But I am trying to be patient and I know something will come probably when I am least expecting it (which will be hard because each day I think perhaps today is the day?)
This weekend we had yet another fantastic get together of families from across the Maritimes...and this time it was Fredericton. And can you believe it, Erin who was in my homeroom in highschool came with her husband and daughter....they are waiting to start their homestudy......small world.
The gathering was great...as always. Its great that people from all different parts of the maritimes can come together and have such a wonderful time. It was lots of fun having it here in Fredericton. We had a big bar-b-que with lots (well toooo much good) food.
Thanks to all who made the drive to Fredericton...can't wait to see you all in PEI this July. Lots of fun to be had...and hopefully two little girls will be home ( :) :) hint hint Lisa and Pierre).
Louise

When Love Takes You In

2007-04-16T20:21:00.000-05:00

This is such a great song...it really helps after a long day!!!

When Love Takes You In (Steven Curtis Chapman)

I know you’ve heard the stories
But they all sound too good to be true You’ve heard about a place called home
But there doesn’t seem to be one for you
So one more night you cry yourself to sleep
And drift off to a distant dream

Where love takes you in and everything changes
A miracle starts with the beat of a heart
When love takes you home and says you belong here
The loneliness ends and a new life begins
When love takes you in

And somewhere while you’re sleeping
Someone else is dreaming too
Counting down the days until
They hold you close and say I love you
And like the rain that falls into the sea
In a moment what has been is lost in what will be

When love takes you in everything changes
A miracle starts with the beat of a heart
And this love will never let you go
There is nothing that could evercause this love to lose its hold
When love takes you in everything changes
A miracle starts with the beat of a heart
When love takes you home and says you belong here
The loneliness ends and a new life begins
When love takes you in it takes you in for good
When love takes you in

Can you believe it....I chose a name

2007-04-15T07:20:00.000-05:00

Thanks for the help here and on facebook. Oh for anyone who hasn't gotten on facebook. It is very neat. Addictive though, but neat!
Okay so for the big reveal
Olivia Grace Reid
Nathaniel Issac Reid (he will go by Nat or Nate...can't decide which one. Our neighbour son is Nate...so not sure?? Whaddya think. I have also heard Nathaniel is a popular name in Ethiopia and they go by the nick name of Natti. I like that)

Nathaniel Issac means Gift of God and He will Laugh. Think that is very nice!!!
Olivia Grace means Peace and Grace of God I like this too. Funny story the first site I looked for meaning said both Olivia and Oliver (masc form) meant Elf Army. I almost cried...I can't name my child with a name meaning Elf Army. Luckily three other sites all said it meant Peace (of the olive tree).
Ofcourse their Ethiopian name will be in there as well. Not sure if infront or after the second name. Will see what it is !
Can't wait to name my child...come on referral....get a move on!!!

Louise

9 Months Today

2007-04-14T19:46:00.000-05:00

Well my my my..it is 9 months today that I got the news my file (dossier) was heading over to Ethiopia. July 14th, 2006 that was a wonderful day....I was waiting to hear if my file had gotten back from the Embassy and as many of you know...you are usually the last person to know any information. Well I got the news on the 14th...which was a friday...that my file was back finished and ready to head off to Ethiopia. YEEAAHHHH!!!!

9 months is a very long time to wait..though others have waited longer, some not so long. Any part and any length of wait is very frustrating and emotional. All last week I was on the verge of tears at any time of the day. Finally I had one big boohoo in the shower...and I have to say it felt good to release that negative energy. I know that there is something coming for me soon. If that is next week or next month I don't know..but my file is being worked on and that is good. I have heard there are more referrals to come so I truly hope my referral is in that batch. Maybe it is.

I am back to work on Monday for 3-12 hour shifts and so I will be kept busy and distracted. The girls at work are so good not focusing on it and now not constantly asking if I have heard.
I am sick of this wait, I want the next part of this wait to start. I guess I will feel like I am moving forward in the wait!! I just wonder if I will be at work when I hear or if I will be home. If I am at work it should prove very interesting. We have been very quiet and so we have have the bare bones staff on. So I am not sure how it will work if I have to leave. Quite frankly I don't care how they do it. If I get that call I am out of there!!

Louise

Boys Names

2007-04-14T19:35:00.000-05:00

I need some help...some opinions. I have had a girls name for a while. Olivia Grace...but I need some help with the boys name. If I get a boy I am in biggg trouble LOL...no name..thats awful LOL
So here are some that I like...just can't seem to lock in on one.
Owen
Nate
Issac
Kaden
Gage
Gabe
Benjamin
Parker
Mason
Peyton
Nicholas

I know thats a lot of names.....that is my problem!!!!!
Help me, I would love to hear any opinions, etc. Thanks
Louise

Check out this blogger

2007-04-06T19:43:00.000-05:00

I just wanted everyone to check out this blog. http://forneko.blogspot.com/2007/04/you-better-recognize.html ..had a really great post today that brought a smile to my face after a tough week of waiting and a long hard day at work.
Louise

Is it April Already

2007-04-03T12:40:00.002-05:00

Okay so I know its April. It is hard to believe we are already into the 4th month of 2007!!! In 2 weeks I will be at my 9th month of waiting. If I get a referral this month, there is a chance I will be able to travel in August which would be so great!!! I would ideally love to be home by the beginning of September. So fingers and toes crossed and prayers said.....the agency has just gotten back from a trip to Ethiopia yesterday. So maybe something this week....I certainly feel very close to getting to find out who my child is. Its that knowledge of who your child is that is so precious to me. I cannot wait to meet my son or daughter for the first time (even if it is just through a picture!!)
Louise

Time in Halifax

2007-03-30T11:11:00.000-05:00

We had such a great time in Halifax. Hillary, Angela and Emily (who came here for 2 weeks from England) all tried Ethiopian Food for the first time. It was very good and they all seemed to like it. We also had Tim and Thelma and their boys join us for their first try of Ethiopian food. They also enjoyed it but the boys did not like the Injera. Tim and Thelma both said they would be back but would bring pita bread for the boys LOL.

Once again the owners were absolutely the best, they opened the restaurant for our guests. There were about 20 of us in total. The owners are so supportive and we all enjoy seeing them each time we are there.

Thanks Dawn and family for welcoming us into your home. The girls had such a great time going through the baby clothes. If any of them have one in the next year I am personally blaming you and your cute clothes LOL LOL LOL.

Louise

WATOTO CONCERT

2007-03-30T10:51:00.001-05:00

The Watoto Concert...its an African Children's Choir from Uganda! It was absolutely amazing...hard to describe really how it touched me. I felt like finally I could relax in the wait because I know in the end it is all worth it. That these kids are so amazing!
The children are all orphans who parents have either passed away or have abandoned them. They were all living on the streets or in insufficient housing in Uganda. They were taken to the Watoto and live with a foster home. Siblings are kept together. They are given love, nuturing, education, medication, and hope. Hope the most important thing they could be given. They have the belief that they will grow up to be someone!!
Louise

Cleaning House

2007-03-16T19:57:00.001-05:00

So we moved around some rooms today, did some major cleaning, etc today. Fun I know..but productive. In this productivity I was able to start organizing the playroom. I was able to get the toys in there organized. I also put together the dome tent play activity center together. See when I bought it I remember thinking oh yeah this is going to be one of those you want to kill it toy while putting it together. Well it wasn't that bad..but why does fisher price feel the need to make toys that need to be screwed together.....screws and toys..what brainless person thought this up. I don't want to assemble toys...I want to snap them together LOL LOL. I don't ever remember our toys as kids needing to be a complicated in assembly as they are today. Not to mention they are so tightly attached to the box that its like the Fort Knox of Toys.
Anyhow...1/2 hr later it was together (an improvement after my 4 hr marathon rocking chair).
Here are some pics....

Greatest buy ever...at winners yesterday I got the elephant, and the three things on the top shelf of the white tower (except the stacking squares) for only 13 dollars....awesome buy!!!

More pics

2007-03-16T09:06:00.000-05:00

I love this frame...found it at Hallmark...It says For dreams are the voice of your wisdom with in that whispers the way on each path you begin. You can all guess what is going in that frame.

The white dresser...the bookends I got on Ebay as well...gotta love Ebay.

Nursery pics to share

2007-03-16T08:27:00.000-05:00

I have downloaded some pics to share

two of the framed nursery rhyme prints that I got off ebay...there are 6 in total..and I just love them!

This is my very cool hideaway closet...it is waist high, and so I am gonna use it as a changing area. That is if the baby is young enough to need a changing table. I like it because I can close the doors and no one knows what is in there...and then the top of my dresser is clear for the lamp and book ends.

No comments on the diapers needed LOL HEHEHEHE..they were on sale, I got them with shoppers points...and well well well ummm I wanted to buy them. Better to buy them now when I am on full income, than when I am on the laughable 55% income. LOL HAHAHA.

My rocking chair that only took me 4 1/2 hours to put together...but ahh its so nice!

My room is so many different colours in it...white crib, white dresser with wood knobs. Wood armoir (matches handles on dresser) and cherry wood Rocker...oh well...one colour is just boring. LOL LOL

Little things that are exciting!

2007-03-14T18:29:00.000-05:00

It is so interesting to find what things can make an adoptive parent to be excited. Today I went to the pharmacy and picked up a few things. I picked up infant tylenol, tylenol rapid release(for me :) LOL), and nystatin cream for any diaper rash issues. I know that I need to get a few more over the counter items..so I will pick those up as I continue my wait. But after I bought them...I thought...wow I am buying these for my baby..for my trip to Ethiopia! That was exciting to me. Too funny...yes I can laugh at myself over this.
Today is 8 months since my dossier left the country for Ethiopia. I remember just feeling so happy that the next thing I would be doing is getting that referral and signing those papers that would change my life forever!! Now I can hardly stand waiting anymore. I feel like I am driving in my parents car across Canada and asking "ARE WE THERE YET". This has felt like forever..but honestly the last year and a half has zoomed by and here I am on the verge of seeing my child for the first time. That can't come fast enough..but really where has the time gone. Somedays it feels like yesterday that I first contacted Roberta and had a long chat about the Ethiopia program.

So I hope Month 8 is a lucky month. Thank you to everyone who has been encouraging, excited, and await my news. It is such a blessing to be able to share this experience with others who have been there or others who are in the wait just like I am.

Louise

WOOHHOO Dawn and Gerald have a travel date!!

2007-03-09T15:19:00.000-06:00

Wow...it is with great excitment that I can say that a very good friend has a travel date!! Dawn and Gerald in Nova Scotia will be leaving in April to go pick up their babies!!! I am so excited for them. They will be home with their daughter and son just before their Son's first birthday. YAHHH!
Congrats Dawn and Gerald, and family. Its the completion of one journey and the start of your family of 8.....wow that Burke Bus is gonna be full now! Can't wait to see you land and walk out of that arrival gate!
Louise

Packing List

2007-03-09T07:31:00.001-06:00

I found this great packing list on another blog...think it is something that I will be using

Clothes for Parents
-t-shirts
-long light weight pants
-long-sleeved light weight shirts
-one warm jacket
-one nicer outfit
-undergarments
-socks
-pajamas/sleep clothes
-bathing suit
-flip flops for shower/pool areas
-hat
Clothes for child
-t-shirts
-long sleeved shirts
-one or two sweat shirts
-one piece outfits for younger kids and babies
-pants
-shorts
-warm jacket
-hat
-socks
-underwear
-dresses and tights (for girls)
-onesies (for babies)
-pajamas/sleepers
-bathing suit
-bibs (I love the disposable ones for traveling)
-shoes or booties
TOILETRIES
deodorants
-shampoo
-conditioner
-body wash/soap
-saline solution
-contact case and extra contacts
-lotion (it is really dry in Addis
-sunblock (the sun is really strong)
-feminine products
-face wash and face lotion
-brush and comb
-tooth brush and paste
-Kleenex packets (keep some on you)
-Purel
-razor and shaving cream
diapers or pull-ups (if needed)
-wipes (I always have wet wipes handy)
-tooth brush
-soap (I love the disposable Huggies brand washcloths)
-shampoo/conditioner
-lotion
-hair products (such as hair lotion or balm)
-Purel
-sunblock
-comb/brush
-hair accessories (for girls who aren’t bald!)
-diaper rash ointment (if adopting a baby)
Medical Stuff
-cold medicine for parents (non-drowsy)
-Immodium AD (for traveler’s problems!)
-Excedrin/Tylenol/Ibuprophen
-Tums or Pepto tablets
-travel sized first aid kit (band-aids, neosporin, gauze)
-anti-fungal cream (for ring worm and other rashes)
-Nix or other Lice treatment (can leave at orphanage if unneeded)
-Elimite for scabies (can leave at orphanage if unneeded)
-lice comb
-hydrocortisone
-child’s cold medicine
-children’s Benadryl
-children’s Tylenol/advil for pain and fever
-any prescription medicines parents take
-any prescription meds doc prescribes for parents and child for trip
-thermometer
-rubber gloves (good for handling blood if child has any infectious diseases…also smart for changing diapers since children adopted internationally often have parasites
giardia and other icky things).
-multivitamins (if you take them)
-gas drops (if adopting a baby)
-teething gel (for babies)
-bulb aspirator (for babies)
-Q-tips (for lots of things)
-insect repellant (if you will have the need)
-motion sickness meds (if needed)
-any other meds you regularly take and/or might need
tweezer
medical tape
Miscellaneous
books
-travel belt/wallet
-deck of cards or travel game
-snacks
-powdered drinks (great for adding to a bottle of water)
-power adapter/converter
-travel alarm clock
-travel DVD player and DVD’s (it was really nice on the plane and in the hotel room)
-lap top
-IPOD
-gum
-anti bacterial wipes
-dish soap for washing sippy cups, bottles
-ziplocks (countless uses when traveling)
-travel flash light
-glasses (if necessary)
-journal
-pens
-photos of family at home to show/share
-camera, battery, memory card
-video camera and accessories
-travel laundry kit
-baby sling/Snuggli/carrier
-travel book
-phrase book
-dictionary (an Amharic dictionary)
Paperwork-
-passports with visas
-photocopies of your passports and visas packed separately from originals
-tickets with itineraries
-photocopies of your tickets and itineraries packed separately from originals
-money/travelers checks
-Driver's licenses for ID
-credit card or two
-list of phone numbers for contacts in country and back at home
-copy of homestudy and dossier and any other important adoption documents
-photocopies of any essential adoption-related documents
-hotel or guest house reservation info
-list of restaurants and shops
-list of email addresses
-contact info for travel agent