I finally found the meaning of Mebrate's name!
Mebrate means "A Light" and Simret means "Accomplished".
In Amharic Mebrate is written as መብራቴ. Beautiful!
On another great note, today the Ethiopian government pushed back the double travel requirement for families adopting from Ethiopia to May 9th. This is great news for my journey, my paperwork was sent to Ethiopia on Friday, so I am hopeful it is there and already being put into the process.
Thursday, March 25 2010
So my paperwork has been submitted and all I do now again is wait! I am now waiting to hear whether or not I will travel twice before bringing Mebrate home! The Ethiopian government is now requiring all families to represent themselves at the official court hearing. We have been told, they are doing so because families have decided on their final pick up visit that the child they have been matched up with or are adopting, are not what they want. How you say??? I really have no idea!!!
So many of the US agencies are asking the Ethiopian government to hold off until their summer holiday. Let the current referrals through on one round of travel and then switch. We shall see, I have come to the realization that I really don't care as long as it brings me closer to meeting my daughter! The part that will kill me, is handing her back to the Nannies and returning to the US without her!
I keep telling myself how lucky I have been so far during my journey... that this is just one more step!
Mebrate was 12 weeks old on Wednesday! I am already impatient for updated photos and information, but I know I have to wait!
So many of the US agencies are asking the Ethiopian government to hold off until their summer holiday. Let the current referrals through on one round of travel and then switch. We shall see, I have come to the realization that I really don't care as long as it brings me closer to meeting my daughter! The part that will kill me, is handing her back to the Nannies and returning to the US without her!
I keep telling myself how lucky I have been so far during my journey... that this is just one more step!
Mebrate was 12 weeks old on Wednesday! I am already impatient for updated photos and information, but I know I have to wait!
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Today I sent in my acceptance paperwork for adopting Mebrate. I am so excited! I hope that my agency will be able to get a quick court date and hope to travel by the end of June.
The photo above is the only photo I am allowed by the Ethiopian government to post of Mebrate. They are very strict about posting photos of Ethiopian children that have not passed court.
This photo has an interesting story. Gretchen, another adopting parent from my FTIA group traveled to Ethiopia almost a month ago to pick up her daughter Yohanna. She didn't know at the time that Mebrate would soon become my daughter, but Gretchen took two photos of her. This one I am sharing. She is my little angel.
Saturday, March 13, 2010
So I need to explain in more detail how our referral call effected my emotions and the remainder of my Expo West (Natural Foods Trade Show) experience.
I received the call from Amanda at 5:45 pm on Thursday, March 11th 2010. The call would change my life! I took in eventually everything that Amanda said to me that day. Mebrate was a tiny but healthy looking baby girl, that she was 5.5 pounds and 18.5 inches long as well as many other details that over the past few days I have lost.
I was standing in the Anaheim Convention Center- booth 4052 setting up my companies booth, as I hung up the phone I looked at Patty and Stephanie and said "I just got my call, that was my call." Just then my other co-workers, Wayne, Curt and Troy walked up. They all just stopped because I stood there frozen just looking at them. And I said again, "That was my call!" Everyone just looked at me like I was crazy... "My call, for my little girl, I have a little girl!"
Everyone started to run and hug me all at once, they screamed and I started to get emotional. I was dying to run back to my hotel room, I wanted privacy! I wanted to see my baby girls face and read all about her, but I couldn't. I had to put my emotions aside and finish my work... but all I could think of was running!
The past two days have been a blur. Steph and Patty have been very supportive with my emotional up and down highs. Thank you!
I really just want to be home- with Jason and his calm support. With my family who have been so amazing through all of this. My sisters who are dealing with my constant phone calls since my referral.
To a certain extent, I feel like my referral call was passed over because I haven't been able to focus on it. On the other hand I will always have the memories and support of my friends.
Be well and strong baby girl! Your biological mother is looking down on you and will forever be your guardian angle. I will never be able to fill that void, but I will be the best mommy I know how and promise to love you forever!
I received the call from Amanda at 5:45 pm on Thursday, March 11th 2010. The call would change my life! I took in eventually everything that Amanda said to me that day. Mebrate was a tiny but healthy looking baby girl, that she was 5.5 pounds and 18.5 inches long as well as many other details that over the past few days I have lost.
I was standing in the Anaheim Convention Center- booth 4052 setting up my companies booth, as I hung up the phone I looked at Patty and Stephanie and said "I just got my call, that was my call." Just then my other co-workers, Wayne, Curt and Troy walked up. They all just stopped because I stood there frozen just looking at them. And I said again, "That was my call!" Everyone just looked at me like I was crazy... "My call, for my little girl, I have a little girl!"
Everyone started to run and hug me all at once, they screamed and I started to get emotional. I was dying to run back to my hotel room, I wanted privacy! I wanted to see my baby girls face and read all about her, but I couldn't. I had to put my emotions aside and finish my work... but all I could think of was running!
The past two days have been a blur. Steph and Patty have been very supportive with my emotional up and down highs. Thank you!
I really just want to be home- with Jason and his calm support. With my family who have been so amazing through all of this. My sisters who are dealing with my constant phone calls since my referral.
To a certain extent, I feel like my referral call was passed over because I haven't been able to focus on it. On the other hand I will always have the memories and support of my friends.
Be well and strong baby girl! Your biological mother is looking down on you and will forever be your guardian angle. I will never be able to fill that void, but I will be the best mommy I know how and promise to love you forever!
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Today is a day that I will never forget!!! I received my referral! A beautiful tiny little 5.5 pound/ 18.5 inches long little girl named Mebrate. She was born on January 6th. I am so excited and exhausted all at the same time! Of course, I am out of town at a Natural Foods Expo in California for my company, and will try hard to focus on business for the next 4 days.
I received my referral call at 5:25 pm and I believe it took Amanda 3 times to explain to me that she was calling with information about my referral. I kept asking her to repeat herself. In fact the conversation started a bit like this.
Amanda- "Hi Kelly, how are you? I am calling with a referral for you."
Kelly- "I'm sorry?"
Amanda- "I am calling with information about your little girl."
Kelly- "I'm sorry Amanda, but can you say that one more time?"
Amanda- "Your little baby girl, your referral... I have information."
Kelly- "Really....... blah, blah, blah"
Can't remember a thing after that! My little one has the most amazing big brown eyes, I can't stop looking at her photo. I love them already and can't wait to share photos soon!
I received my referral call at 5:25 pm and I believe it took Amanda 3 times to explain to me that she was calling with information about my referral. I kept asking her to repeat herself. In fact the conversation started a bit like this.
Amanda- "Hi Kelly, how are you? I am calling with a referral for you."
Kelly- "I'm sorry?"
Amanda- "I am calling with information about your little girl."
Kelly- "I'm sorry Amanda, but can you say that one more time?"
Amanda- "Your little baby girl, your referral... I have information."
Kelly- "Really....... blah, blah, blah"
Can't remember a thing after that! My little one has the most amazing big brown eyes, I can't stop looking at her photo. I love them already and can't wait to share photos soon!
Saturday, March 6, 2010
So I managed to get a lot done in February! Number one item...I have decided on a name!!! If my daughters given Ethiopian name isn't easily pronounced, I will use it as her middle name and call her Simret! I love it and am happy I made that decision.
I also registered for most of the baby items/ stuff I will need when I bring my daughter home, still need to finish. Man was that a project! Thanks to both my sisters and mom for being very patient through that process.
I also got a great start on the nursery. Jason and I finally painted, I love the color! I also re-organized the closet... man have I got to stop shopping! Stephanie (a great friend) is making all of the bedding for me, and that is progressing nicely. It's going to be a beautiful room that my daughter can grow up in--- now I just need to get her crib.
Friday, February 5, 2010
I can't believe it's already February! Time is passing so quickly, I thought this past weekend of everything I need to do before I bring my daughter home. Money is tight right now because of adoption costs, but I really have two major projects I need to finish. The nursery and my hall bathroom remodel. I also need to register and find day care.
Wow!!!
Wow!!!
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
I officially finished our paperwork this month. I was so excited to ship everything off to FTIA. It was then sent to Ethiopia and translated. I also found out that singles are officially no longer accepted into our program. The Ethiopian government has shut the doors and will now only allow married couples to adopt. I literally am the last single to be allowed to adopt through my program and this only happened because my paperwork was already in Ethiopia. I truly feel the universe pushing/ allowing me to do this. I feel so blessed and think of the other singles in my program who now have to start over.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
I have been on an emotional high this week! Work has been extremely hard but on Monday, I received news that made me giddy all afternoon!
Since December and the extension of referral times, I honestly and emotionally was prepared for a referral and travel in early 2011 because I thought I was at least 10th on the list.
On Monday, I found out that I was #3 on the referral list for little girls and that the wait times went back to normal.
I was shocked, nervous, emotional and excited all at the same time. Adoption is such a roller coaster and ever changing. But this means there is a chance that I will hold my daughter in my arms by this summer.
Since December and the extension of referral times, I honestly and emotionally was prepared for a referral and travel in early 2011 because I thought I was at least 10th on the list.
On Monday, I found out that I was #3 on the referral list for little girls and that the wait times went back to normal.
I was shocked, nervous, emotional and excited all at the same time. Adoption is such a roller coaster and ever changing. But this means there is a chance that I will hold my daughter in my arms by this summer.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Waiting time- 4 and 1/2 months
Today was a weird day, another in a long rough week. I felt very overwhelmed with the adoption, house refinance, kitchen remodel and waiting. I then came home to two more referrals for other families. On an interesting note, had I been adopting a little boy, one of the referrals that come today would have been my child.
The new struck me as sad and relieved at the same time- does that make sense? It took me a bit to unravel my feelings... I know now, they were because I know I am making the right decision waiting.
I missed my daughter today and want her in my life. The waiting is good for me and I know I don't know her yet... but I love you punkin!
Today was a weird day, another in a long rough week. I felt very overwhelmed with the adoption, house refinance, kitchen remodel and waiting. I then came home to two more referrals for other families. On an interesting note, had I been adopting a little boy, one of the referrals that come today would have been my child.
The new struck me as sad and relieved at the same time- does that make sense? It took me a bit to unravel my feelings... I know now, they were because I know I am making the right decision waiting.
I missed my daughter today and want her in my life. The waiting is good for me and I know I don't know her yet... but I love you punkin!
Saturday, December 12, 2009
I received sad news yesterday--- our referral times have slowed down. We are now having 9-12 month waits for little girls. I have the choice to switch to a little boy, but I am torn because I feel like I shouldn't be asking or being so specific. I wonder if I should just let fate take my adoption journey where it needs to, but something is telling me April 2010. Something tells me a little girl.
I am scared, I doubt what I am doing everyday. I can't help but miss you at childrens birthday parties and keep imagining who you will be.
I am scared, I doubt what I am doing everyday. I can't help but miss you at childrens birthday parties and keep imagining who you will be.
Friday, November 20, 2009
I think of my daughter often and envision her face. I imagine how my life is going to change once I meet her and bring her home. I am filled with excitement and fear and love! All of these emotions keep me going! I catch myself buying small outfits in different sized and can see her beautiful face in them. This seems to be the one thing I have that makes everything feel real! I don't have the standard 9 month pregnancy like most Mommies, so this is just one thing I do for us.
All of our paperwork was finished up on September 1st, 2009. The adoption agency said a referral would come in about 6-8 months, so I still have many months before I see my daughters face and hear all about her. Then will have another 4 months before travel to Ethiopia. I hope to travel before the end of summer 2010. Laura and Kim are traveling with me, so we need to travel before Kim goes back to school.
Be well.
All of our paperwork was finished up on September 1st, 2009. The adoption agency said a referral would come in about 6-8 months, so I still have many months before I see my daughters face and hear all about her. Then will have another 4 months before travel to Ethiopia. I hope to travel before the end of summer 2010. Laura and Kim are traveling with me, so we need to travel before Kim goes back to school.
Be well.
Saturday, June 27, 2009
I keep telling myself that I need to track/log my adoption journey, that when I look back I will forget the tiny details that my daughter will want to know and I will want to remember.
Today was a good day! My moms side of the family (The Eiseles) had a family reunion/ birthday party for my moms 60th, Judy's 65th and Alfie's 70th. Everyone brought food and we swam... had a wonderful time. The older second cousins (Maggie, Jake and Hannah) played most of the afternoon with Grayson (19 months) and Marin (18 months).
The news of my choosing adoption slowly spread around the family. Everyone was extremely supportive and excited for me, asking many questions.
I left feeling very blessed and loved by my extended family. Thank you universe for the support!!!
Today was a good day! My moms side of the family (The Eiseles) had a family reunion/ birthday party for my moms 60th, Judy's 65th and Alfie's 70th. Everyone brought food and we swam... had a wonderful time. The older second cousins (Maggie, Jake and Hannah) played most of the afternoon with Grayson (19 months) and Marin (18 months).
The news of my choosing adoption slowly spread around the family. Everyone was extremely supportive and excited for me, asking many questions.
I left feeling very blessed and loved by my extended family. Thank you universe for the support!!!
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