More for Nathaniel

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!!!

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

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.

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

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

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

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!!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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!

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!!

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

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

One Year Ago today...

Its really neat to look back and reflect. Even though this journey at times feels like it is going in slow motion, in reality life is speeding by at an incredible pace. A year ago today I had my last homestudy visit. My social worker came to the house this day last year, oh what a stressful day. I remember cleaning and organizing...I even washed the outside of the patio doors....which let me tell you does not work that well in the middle of winter :). But once I was done, waiting for her to come I started to panic thinking oh no, its too clean HAHAHA it was too perfect...maybe I needed to make it look more lived in...aww well too late...she was in the driveway.
She came in, took a very very quick tour of the house, came and sat at the kitchen table for the next hour. Then she was done. Wow all that work, all that worry was done, over with. All I had to do was wait for her to write up the report. I remember feeling so happy that the visits were done. It was one more step closer to bringing my baby home. If you had of told me at that time that I woud still be waiting for a referral a year later...I would have scoffed at you...but ahh life makes its on way...and one has little control of destiny. My child is simply not ready yet for me to be aware who he or she is. And I will wait for that!

Louise

Take Food with Antibiotics.....trust me...do this!!!

Okay so I came down with sinus cold, chest cold, and strep throat all roled up into one. Not sure who I made mad in the grand plan of things...but really was this completely necessary. One would of been plenty, thank you very much.
Maybe its just this past year catching up with me. All the emotions, happiness, frustration, tears, excitment, anxiousness, anticipation just catching up. Its so close, and I got enough news to be settled into the rest of the wait. Enough news to know that a match will eventually be made, that I have not been forgotten about, that they have not lost my dossier :). Because I feel this, I have had time to reflect on the past year without feeling totally and utterally anxiety ridden about this wait.
This past year has given me so much joy and has challenged me beyond what I ever could have imagined. I would have never imagined when I started this journey that I would still be waiting for a referral at this point. I would never have thought that the two closest friends that I have made in this journey would still be waiting to pick up their children. There have been many unexpected bumps and road blocks along the way. But along with those came the most unexpected blessings.
These blessings are so many in number. I have met and chatted with countless people....honestly I can't even comprehend how many..that I would have never had the opportunity to connect with before this process. I feel enriched and blessed by their friendship and support. I know that even as I end the journey of the wait to adopt and move onto the journey of motherhood...we will not lose touch, we will celebrate the joys of parenthood, the joys of raising adopted children, the joys of having this connection of having Ethiopian Children, and the joy of just being able to call each other friend.
So even though I feel sick tonight, I feel so blessed by all this journey has given me. And to think 16 months ago, I thought this journey was going to give me the chance of motherhood...my goodness it has given that and sooo much more.
Luv ya all...
Louise

Check out my new additions to the page

I have added a counter and a guest map. SO show me where you are from. I would love to know where people are from that visit my blog.
In other news. We found out that in Addis Ababa...there was a conference on international adoptions. It is great that all the people involved with the process were coming together to discuss this wonderful process. They came to the same thought...they want a fair, legal and ethical process that puts the needs of the children first and foremost.
This is part of the post that our agency director posted on the Canadian International Adopt board
"There were certainly lots of topics of discussion but the main thing that continued to come out was that they want an ethical, legal process to occur. "
This is so true. I truly hope that the work these agencies are doing in Ethiopia continue for years to come. I want to adopt again and when the time comes I want to adopt again from Ethiopia. SO I am all for protecting the process in the future. And as we all know a few people can ruin it for others. SO I hope that all agencies around the world take the time to review what they are doing and make sure they are following the rules that Ethiopia has set out. As she said...We may have different ideas in North America about how we would like things to go and be processed...but it is not our place to question how things in Ethiopia go...that is their call.

Louise

Latest Purchase

Okay so Kristen asked me yesterday what was the latest thing I bought...well I really hadn't bought much last week (since I was at work LOL). Untill today. I got the GREATEST buy yet. I paid a third of the price for this dome play center by preskool. The pic above is what I got for 19.99 (reg 59.99). That is way too good of a buy to pass up and I think it is a great toy! I haven't opened the box because I really don't have the patience to put together a kids toy today (has anyone else been frustrated by incredibly difficult ready to assemble toys??) Fisher price is the worse...but I am sure playskool is no easy task to assemble LOL LOL .

Louise

Excitment

WOW it has been one exciting week. One Maritime family got their probable travel date and another maritime family got their referral for 2 girls (wow 2 little girls. Congrats Lisa and Pierre!!!)
Its so exciting to see other families hit these momentus occasions...provincial approval, dossier to Ethiopia, referrals, court dates, medicals, and travel dates. Each one is so important and exciting in the life of an adoptive family. We don't have the opportunity to see a baby grow in our tummies, appointments with doctors, increasingly larger collections of maternity clothes....but we celebrate these moments in the same way. Each one brings us closer to that ultimate moment...that moment when we are introduced to our children.
It is the strangest feeling to know that I am close to receiving a referral. The fact that it could happen in the next month or two is unreal. Its hard to believe that I am that close. For so long it has always been oh not yet, you know not for a while yet....not till next year. Well now it is not till next month or April. Its crazy....I could see the face of my child in less than 8 weeks. Its hard to believe it will really happen. I am sure it will feel like a dream till someone pinches me. I feel like it is close and I am really feeling the "nesting" urge. I want to get things in order (ofcourse some things I can't do because I need to see if it will be a boy or a girl. But I really want to get the house in order..get things ready.
I wish I would be able to travel this summer...but realistically I know I am probably going to be travelling this fall. It would be nice to have the baby home for atleast part of the summer. It would be nice to have mine, Lisa and Pierre's and Dawn and Gerald's children home for the balloon festival this August but I know that it is probably a long shot...hey but who knows right.
The three of us have been emailing since November 2005, it seems unreal that we will all be home with our kids by the end of the year. A friendship 2 years in the making, and one that will last a lifetime. It has been such a joy to meet and gather with all the families in the Maritimes. To be able to see the kids come home, settle in and grow. I can't imagine how the littlest kids that were home last year have grown since Christmas. Kids grow to fast...that is what I have decided.

Louise

Happy Valentines Day Baby

Wow its Valentine's Day again. This is the 2nd Valentine's Day that I have been in the process of this Adoption. Last year I was in the midst of my homestudy. This year I am anxiously awaiting a referral...Will it be next week, end of this month, next month or will it be another 2 months. I honestly can't imagine that it would be this month....just from updates I have received from the agency. If I get something it would truly be a huge surprise. I know that there are many others who have been waiting longer than me...those whose files arrived even 2 months before mine.
So sometimes I feel bad about complaining about my wait. Its not really the wait that I find hard...its the not knowing when something will happen. I would be fine if I knew that nothing would happen till March...or even April (ok April would be hard...but if I knew that something was coming then...I would be able to focus on that). Its that never ending wondering if I am gonna get that email or that phone call telling me I have been matched. See I could get that email tommorrow...or I could not get it till the middle of March or April. Its the unkown that is the hardest...but I guess that is part of this process.
So Happy Valentines Baby.....I know that next year we will be hanging the hearts and decorating the table together. I am sorry but you won't be getting any chocolate next year...but you will get some very cute red sleepers :). I wonder what you are doing today. Are you in this world...or are you still growing in someone's tummy. My gut tells me that you are in this world already and that you are matched to my heart already....I just don't have any news yet about you. But believe me that you are thought of often by your grandmother, your aunts and uncles, and your great Aunt's. We all can't wait to get you home and celebrate your arrival. Even though I have never seen your face or held you in my arms you are my first thought in the morning and my last thought before I close my eyes at night.

Almost 7 months of official waiting

Well in 11 days I will be at 7 months of waiting. Now I also keep count with weeks....and if you go by the weeks of waiting I am at...30 weeks + of waiting. So if it was a pregnancy I would be rolling into the 3rd trimester. This wait feels like an elephant's gestation, what is that gestation 2 years right.
I am getting anxious to see some referrals coming for those April/May families. I wish things would just get a move on. There may have been referrals for families who don't use the boards/emails/etc...but there have been no referrals or even travel dates given in the last month. Now the agency says things are moving along fine, not to worry...but that is like telling a person who is overdue that nothing is wrong and the baby will come when it will come. Not easy to hear or accept. So I keep telling myself that things will happen when they happen and that I need to stop planning ahead. You know you all do it....if I get my referral by this point then maybe I will travel before this point. See with me I just really want to get through the court before it closes in August. So I keep telling myself if I can just get the referral by March/April then I can get the baby home before the court closes. Aggghhhhh yes I am driving myself crazy I know, I know, I know.
I spent Monday with my godchildren who are too sweet for words. My goddaughter Hannah is 1 and my godson Jacob is going to be 3. They are both growing way to fast. Jacob is getting taller by the minute and looking more and more like a preschooler rather than a toddler anymore. Hannah is starting to look more and more like a toddler...like I said growing way to fast. Hannah is just on the verge of walking...she tries so hard but its hard to balance on those little feet. And really crawling is oh soo much faster. Plus she knows Auntie will pick her up if she really fusses long enough LOL LOL LOL.
Lisa is going to Ethiopai on Friday....you can check out her blog.....http://thegoguenfamily.blogspot.com/
Its hard to believe that it is that time already because it just feels like yesterday that she told me she was going (that was in Novemeber right???) I want everyone to be thinking of Lisa while she is there, and pray for a safe and wonderful trip. I know Lisa that this will be a life changing trip for you. I can only imagine what it will be like. Bring back lots of stories, videos, pictures, etc. We will have to have a gathering just to hear about your trip. LOL
Louise

Ethiopia Reads....

Here is a post about a way that you can donate money to help provide books in Ethiopia...Follow the link..
Take One Book Literacy Campaign for Ethiopia
EthiopiaReads.org in collaboration with Zethiopia is launching a new literacy campaign to coincide with the Millennium Celebration that will take place in Ethiopia during 2007.
Ethiopia Reads, founded in 2003, has a mission to improve literacy and create a culture of reading in Ethiopia, and Ethiopia Reads does this by planting libraries and publishing books in local languages and offering continuing education programs to help educators in Ethiopia nurture a love of reading.
Since Ethiopia Reads opened Ethiopia’s first free children’s library in 2003, thousands of children have experienced the joy of reading, they logged 60,000 visits to the library in 2006. Ethiopia Reads sees first hand the difference that one library, ONE BOOK, and one story can make in the life of a child.
If you or someone you know is traveling to Ethiopia during 2007, Zethiopia and Ethiopia Reads challenge you to TAKE ONE BOOK with you, because we believe that education is hope and books can change lives.
For more information on the TAKE ONE BOOK campaign, please contact Catie Dupont at ethiopiareads@aol.com.
Books can be dropped off at Shola Children’s Library. Shola is located in Beklo-bet, behind the Dashen bank off of Debre Zeit road.
WILL YOU TAKE ONE BOOK?

Various Thoughts

okay....so I got home tonight and on yahoo news...the news is that the government of BC removed parental rights from the parents of the septuplets to give them blood transfusions. Its about time in my opinion. At 25 weeks, prems at that stage will need multiple blood transfusion. Its ofcourse because the babies are septuplets that they are making news because this happens probably more than people think. These babies need these transfusions to survive and if the parent refuses the doctors need to lok out for the best interest of the babies. I guess being a NICU nurse gives me a little more insight on the matter.
So I am entering the 7 th month. IF they don't get moving on referrals I might go insane LOL LOL. I thoughjt it would be better after I got to the 6 month period...but after Christmas it was back to the humdrum of waiting.
Louise

Okay, so its been a while

Well I have let things slide around here and have not posted in a while LOL. 6 months in, although if you are counting weeks....next week is 28 weeks....but who's counting???? ME.
Still waiting very patiently. But I have found another way to pass the time....plan a trip to Disney next December. That is a great way to pass a couple of days.
Our family LOVES Disney (okay maybe love isn't a strong enough word....obsessed might be better). Actually we are obsessed with Disney World. I think it might be the fact that distance makes the heart grow fonder. I have only ben twice. Once when I was 6 and then when I was 26...yup thats right 20 years in between trips. Well after the last trip in 2004 I swore I would not let another 20 years go by without going again. And since then I have been thinking and wanting to go!!!
December is a perfect time to visit Disney....I hate the heat in Florida during the summer...so I would never go in the summer. And in the fall can you say HURRICANES!! SO December is perfect. As a nurse though December is the hardest time of year to get any real time off. Yes you get a day here and there, but to get 2 weeks off during Christmas is basically impossible. In 2004 we flew back on a Tuesday night into Bangor, drove back Wed Morning and I had to work at 330 Wed Afternoon....Vacation over.
So the big news is that we are going this December, the baby will be home (I hope :) ) , and we are going to resort hop. We are doing 5 nights at POP century, and then 5 nights at Old Key West Resort through renting someone's DVC points (that's the scary part). You rent these points...and they make the reservation, you get confirmation from Disney...but scary that they have the reservation in their hands. I guess though its the same as renting a vacation home. You trust that it will be there. And others have done the same...they even have a yahoo group for it.
Well thats all my news for this month. I am just waiting ever so patiently hahaha, hoping to hear by March.
Louise

Maritime Gathering

Well we had another successful maritime gathering this weekend. I am exhausted....2 late nights and early mornings, a drive to Moncton and back, and a weekend full of fun and great times!
We had 8 families attend in total, 5 families from the New Brunswick, 2 families from Nova Scotia, and 1 family from Saskatchewan...who are visiting family in Pictou, NS. There was well over 20 people (including 12 kids (although 3 of them would probably not appreciate being classified as kids LOL). It was really nice to have families join us who are at all different stages in the process.....some are just starting where as others have been home for over a year now.
It was nice to gather in Lisa's house because everyone could mingle, chat and relax. Hair was done, food was eaten, and shaky home video's were watched...and all had a wonderful time.

I wish I had pictures to post...but I forgot my camera Ofcourse!! Next time I promise to bring my camera! It was nice to have the family from out west join us, and give us all a lesson in braiding our children's hair.
I am reaching the 6 month mark, and am feeling really happy that 2006 is coming to a close, can't wait for 2007 to arrive. Hope everyone has a Happy New Year!
Louise

The decision to be EXCITED

Well the last few weeks with all the referrals coming in, especially with the April and May families, I have been trying to keep my excitement and anticipation in check. Well I have decided (with Lisa :) :) ) that we all deserve and have a right at this point to shout to the sky and be excited. My gosh this new year is gonna bring us all our babies home....and we are all gonna be mommies and daddies in the new year. That is reason enough to be excited!!!! So I say lets get excited, lets laugh, cry, shudder with anticipation, and lets get ready, our babies are coming home!
The girls in the unit (where I work), they are all so excited, and talk about it constantly. I can already tell you who will be hosting the shower...she is already talking about it LOL. Everyone asks constantly about the baby, any news, plans, etc. Its nice that everyone is excited. The other great thing is that it is impowering them to make change. This year for Christmas the unit is sending money to africa to provide prenatal and antenatal care to expecting moms and their babies to prevent the transfer of HIV from mom to baby. They could have given their money to a local charity, but this year they chose to do this.....and it touches me so deeply. We also have a book club at work,, and one of the girls really wants to read the "There is no me without you" book for the book club (I have already given it to her to read....and she was so touched and disturbed by the reality that she didn't know). I know that this book has completely changed her outlook on the AIDS epidemic in Africa.
See our children are already making change and having a positive effect in the people around us and they aren't even home yet.....what is that quote..."and a child shall lead them"
Louise

Norwalk Flu really is terrible

Oh my gosh, I hope none of you guys get it. I seem to have been lucky enough to get the Norwalk Flu. I was in Houlton the day before I was sick, so I figure I may have picked it up there. Would figure thats payback for me spending yet more money on baby things LOL LOL.
Well without getting into the gross details let me tell you it is not something I would wish on anyone. Two days later, my muscles still ache so much that it hurts like hell just to cough...ouch. It was so bad I had to take a shot of gravol to control the vomiting....(Thanks to K&P). Luckily I didn't have to be admitted to a hospital which I guess is a possibility with this flu. The only upside to this is I get an extra day at home, as I could not go to work today. Although really, I would prefer to be at work, than experience what I did in the last 2 days.
On a funny note,
I thought on the first day of this flu, that I would not be able to handle morning sickness every morning...I would make a horrible morning sickness sufferer.
Louise

5 Months tommorrow

Can you believe it! tommorrow will mark 5 months that my file left for Ethiopia. Its very encouraging to reach this point. Almost there.
Louise

Stroller

Well I was in the states today, and found a stroller I liked. It was suppose to be marked at 65, but someone marked it at 41.....it was originally 109. So I got it for the $41...a great deal!!!

I got some other baby items as well...Including the brown sweater. (the stroller/carseat bundle, I got from a friend out west...its sooo nice). I also got one of those powder formula holder that has 3 separate areas for premeasured formula. Great idea whoever invented it!

Louise

Robeez

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Sizes 2-3 year and 3-4 year

6-12 months 18-24 months

Robeez

12 to 18 months 0-6 months

Look what I found

Okay so it says 1997, but its a baby's first Christmas, with a black baby in a cradle...I had to have it LOL. I will find a way to get rid of the 1997 somehow LOL.

Dreams

I found this poem...even though its geared toward China Adoptions...it is sooo true.

Dear Sweet Daughter
As a girl I had a common dream, to be a mom someday.
My baby would have eyes of blue and hair the hue of hay.
But now my dreams have been transformed.
New visions fill my head.
Now the tresses that I long to stroke are raven black instead.
And in my dreams those eyes are not so big or blue or round.
Now in my dreams they're almond shaped and colored cocoa brown.
And in my dreams my arms can stretch across enormous seas.
They reach half-way around the world and hold you close to me.
As you grow in your birthmother’s womb, carefully knit together,
you're also growing in my heart, where you will stay forever.
And in my dreams the moment that your birthmother says good-bye,
I'll be right there to comfort you and hold you as you cry.
Our features may not look alike; we're different as can be.
But still I know the Father has created you for me.
And though I've not yet seen your face, or held your tiny hands,
and though we're half a world apart in very different lands,
I'll be right there to get you just as soon as God allows.
But ’til He says the time is right I give to you this vow.
I'll pray for your protection every day on bended knee.
For God to hold you in His arms, until you're here with me

Referrals, Referrals, Referrals

Oh my gosh, the agency is in Refferals Overdrive. There have been soooo many referrals lately it is unbelievable. Its hard to think straight from all the excitment. Very Very good friends of mine (we were doing our homestudies at the same time...they have a quicker province LOL) just received their referrals...and guess what the clothes they had bought are all too small.....thats gonna be my problem I bet you. I have a closet full of 6-9 month items....I hope they will fit the baby..eehhhh I have a feeling I will be doing a lot of switching out when I go shopping. Thankfully I have kept a lot of my receipts lately...but there is a lot of clothing that I have no reciepts for.
I am two months behind this family...so that gives me a lot of excitment and hope. I wonder if I will be getting that call within the next 2 months.....or is this just a catch up, and now we are back to the 9-11 months of waiting....I don't know and that scares me. I don't want to get too excited but gosh I am. I have been saying all along that I just need S &L to get their referral then I know my referral is soon to come....but geez they got their referral much sooner than I expected (and then they expected!).

The End Of November is here already

We have decided that in 2 years we will be going back to Disney, yeeeaaaahhhh. Have I ever mentioned how much I love Disney. We went in December of 2004...and way back when I was 6. I can't wait to go again and this time take my baby too. I think we will plan to go every few years. Its about 2500 or so to go each time...so not tooo bad.

Hard to believe another month has passed. I will be at 19 weeks this Tuesday. I am at the end of my orientation to the Neonatal unit. It has been a very good orientation with lots of experiences. So from here on out, I am a "real" neonatal nurse...the responsibilty weighs heavily but the rewards that I get to see are so great.. Seeing that little infant take their first gulp of air is absolutely amazing!! Its just hard to explain the adrenalin rush I get when I see that baby pink up and start to cry...its overwhelming.
So I am moving into my 5th month here rapidly. I cannot wait to hit the 6 month mark...its sort of a huge date to hit for me. I know that I may still have another 6 months to wait after that....but its crucial for me personally to feel like I have gotten to that 6 month mark. I keep telling myself it will pass by quickly...I am sure it will. In the meantime I will try to be patient. The Christmas holidays are fast approaching and it is hard not having the baby home. I went to the Christmas Parade and could not stop thinking how much fun next year will be. I wonder what he or she will think of the lights, music and animals? Its all very exciting and nerve racking at the same time. As the time gets closer to when I will get my referral...I get more and more anxious about what I am buying. I saw a winter jacket for 50% off yesterday...but I don't know if the baby will be home in the summer/fall or winter so....I put it back. IT was very nice though.
Well thats it for now. I am off to an Usborne book party....gonna get some cute Christmas books I think.
Louise

Wow Its a good day today

Well I am having a very good evening. One of the long time waiters for a referral just heard that a baby girl has been selected for her family. I know so many people were waiting, praying and hoping for her....and having her family get a referral is such a moral booster. It may seem silly..but if she can finally get a referral after all this time...there is hope for the rest of us LOL.

A month and a half to go till our next Maritime Gathering. A family from out west is coming to visit...so we are all gathering at Lisa and Pierre's house in Dieppe. This family is home with their twins from Ethiopia and I for one can't wait to meet them all. It will be so nice to see everyone again. For some of us its only been a few months since we saw each other last, but a few of the families we haven't seen since this past July...so it will be so exciting to see how much the kids have grown.
16 and 1/2 weeks for me (but I'm not counting right LOL). Its coming along slowly..but this new referral has given me the umpphh to push thru another couple of weeks. I hope the referrals keep rolling in especially for the Jan/Feb families. As soon as they get their's the quicker mine and other's will come.
Louise

Its been 15 weeks today

15 weeks (105 days) that my file has been in Ethiopia today. 15 weeks ago I breathed a huge sigh of relief that finally the wait for my baby could begin. I am 15 weeks paper pregnant. If one were physically pregnant this would be the point where I would say ahh past the first trimester, now I can relax a little more knowing the dangerous period is over. I feel sort of the same way at this point in the adoption journey. I know by this point my file is in the hands of the local gov officials...hopefully already done with my file, approved my request to adopt and hopefully by now "H" is looking for my child to be matched with me. I decided I will count down in weeks...because 15 weeks sounds better than 3 1/2 months That extra week counts for a lot LOL LOL.
I was at a Mary Kay party when someone asked if I had kids yet...I said nope not yet, but I have one on the way from Ethiopia. She gave me a confused look....so I chuckled and explained further. Its all very exciting being able to tell people that I am expecting from Ethiopia. I got my shirt ordered from Lisa, so soon I will be able to wear it. I can't wait to see the shirts..How exciting.
So yesterday I got a great buy at Sears. I got two crib dust ruffles...yes I know how many dust ruffles does one need...believe me I have 4 now...I think that is enough :) LOL. Anyways at sears I got this green checkered dust ruffle with a thick blue fleece trim (about 2.5 inches wide)...with animals, leaves, bugs embroidered in the fleece. It was reg 49.99 (just for the dust ruffle...isn't that ridiculous) Picture attached above!!! But I got it for 14.99 (even that price I had to swallow hard). And the 2nd dust ruffle...plain green with a blue and green vertical line down the middle (in a pleat) for 2.49 (that was a great buy)!

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Is anyone else feeling this way

I am trying so hard to feel happy and excited for those receiving their referrals from kids Link in such a short time period (I am talking weeks not months)...but I having sort of a hard time with it. It seems like such a short time compared to the 9-11 months that has been predicted for CAFAC wait..and yet I am soo happy with the agency and am committed to the agency. I would never change agencies as they are an agency that has been doing it for so many years, and Kids Link has yet to actually have anyone travel to get their child. (not to mention the enormous expense involved in changing) But geezz I am feeling a little bit frustrated by it all. I am just gritting my teeth to see yet another referral in under a month for Kids Link. I am Jealous..I can admit it...I don't wish bad or feel anger towards the parents...but why would one agency get referrals so quick and the other have such a long wait. It doesn't seem fair. But ahhh that is it Life is not always fair and I am in this for the long haul. If I messed with fate.....well I know my child is chosen for me and it will all happen when it is suppose to be.
But gosh darn it, its really frustrating.

Louise

Wow I have been really slack on updating this thing....sorry

Okay so its been a while since I posted. I have been in a new position in the Neonatal Unit for almost a month now so I have been kept very busy with reading, learning and doing all kinds of things that are certainly out of my comfort zone. But I am loving every minute of it...so that is a bonus. I think it is such a gift if you have a job or a career that you absolutely love.

On the adoption front...my file landed in Ethiopia 3 months ago...so its still a bit of a wait..but one I am comitted to and will try not to fret to much over how long I am waiting...yeah right I know. But I will try. The last three months seem to have gone by so quickly..so I am hoping the next couple continue to fly by as well.

I had what was hopefully my last Thanksgiving without my child home. It was so nice to think that this time next year I will most likely be home with my little one really truely being thankful for all that the future holds and for all the blessings in the past few years I have received.

Its starting all to feel very real yet so far away. Yesterday I was in Toys R Us and it is so neat to know that in a few months I will have to be registering for all these things I keep looking at and to know someday soon I will have a little one to put into that crib, that stroller. It's all very exciting!

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Trying to add this to my website...trying to see if it works
Louise

PHOTOS

My sweet god daughter on Christening Day (this ofcourse was after her dress was off...she was tooo hot in it.

My house at Christmas time last year. And my god son and my neice having a ball playing together.

Annual Boat Trip

Two poor canoers whose boat took on a bit too much water. LOL One word...wet jeans !!!
I love my god daughter Hannah. She has her cute Pumpkin Hat on here!
And ofcourse Kelly my niece....the red headed wonder. Such a ham she is!!!


Every Labour Day weekend, or sometime around that weekend, my family takes an annual boat ride on the Carleton. It is a Passenger Boat that has a lower and upper deck and it is about an hour cruise on the St John River in Fredericton. My family, My cousin and her family all go together for the evening. This year was no exception, and we all had a great time. 3 kids were there this time, Hannah who is 7 months, Jacob who is 2 1/2 and Kelly who is 3. The kids were perfect and we all had such a nice time. The weather was perfect. It was also fun to think (and we all commented on this) how much fun it will be to add another baby to the trip next year. How fun!
Louise

Its been 7 weeks already