Well today was our first court date, and unfortunately MOWA (Ministry of Woman's Affairs) didn't show up. They claim to have been at a workshop all day Friday and today. For an organization that has so many training sessions and workshops, you would think they would have their "stuff" together!
So, we are looking at Wednesday, May 19th for our second court date. Please keep us in your thoughts!
On another really great note, I had my first baby shower today at work! My co-workers and friends went above and beyond. Again, I am so blessed to work at ESC! A big huge thank you to Stephanie for putting so much work into the lunch. Especially after just getting back from vacation on Saturday! You are an amazing friend!!!
I will keep everyone posted on our second court date! Thanks again for all of your support!
Sunday May 9, 2010
Happy Mother's Day! Today my family went to brunch to celebrate, it's funny how I never used to think about not being a mom on days like this. I focused on my mom and sisters and played with Marin and Grayson.
Now, I just miss Mebrate and want her home! My sisters were great and gave me my first Mothers Day cards. We then met up with Jason's family for lunch. It's been a good day.
Tomorrow is our court date. I feel really good about everything right now. No reason to feel otherwise, like everything throughout this process, it's really out of my control. I just hope to hear something tomorrow, and would like to celebrate tomorrow night with Julie and Brian eating sushi! :)
Now, I just miss Mebrate and want her home! My sisters were great and gave me my first Mothers Day cards. We then met up with Jason's family for lunch. It's been a good day.
Tomorrow is our court date. I feel really good about everything right now. No reason to feel otherwise, like everything throughout this process, it's really out of my control. I just hope to hear something tomorrow, and would like to celebrate tomorrow night with Julie and Brian eating sushi! :)
Sunday May 2, 2010
So I felt motivated today to be even more prepared for our pick up trip to Ethiopia. With our court date on May 10th, only one week away, I am trying to be proactive and finish up house projects. Today I finally finished cleaning the basement, updated my travel list (which is now a full 3 pages- typed!!!) and began picking up items from that travel list.
Who knew I would be going back to Africa again so soon, and now with my sisters! For those of you who REALLY know the Meinken sisters--- you know this is going to be interesting! My goal is to have each sister have a responsibility, it should cut down on silliness! :)
I feel very protective and want to make sure they have the trip of a life time, stay safe and of course healthy! So many things to think of and we have a maximum of 6 suitcases for up to 10 days of travel. Almost everyone I have talked to has lost at least 1 or 2 of their suitcases. So we will be mixing up everyone's stuff. Packing for an infant that I don't know her sizes or how much she eats, on top of visiting a country that is very unfamiliar to me!
I am thrilled, scared and so excited! Kim got her passport earlier this week, we all have our vaccines... now we just have to pass court! I know many of you are putting positive thoughts out in the Universe that we pass and I very much appreciate it! I will keep you posted!
Who knew I would be going back to Africa again so soon, and now with my sisters! For those of you who REALLY know the Meinken sisters--- you know this is going to be interesting! My goal is to have each sister have a responsibility, it should cut down on silliness! :)
I feel very protective and want to make sure they have the trip of a life time, stay safe and of course healthy! So many things to think of and we have a maximum of 6 suitcases for up to 10 days of travel. Almost everyone I have talked to has lost at least 1 or 2 of their suitcases. So we will be mixing up everyone's stuff. Packing for an infant that I don't know her sizes or how much she eats, on top of visiting a country that is very unfamiliar to me!
I am thrilled, scared and so excited! Kim got her passport earlier this week, we all have our vaccines... now we just have to pass court! I know many of you are putting positive thoughts out in the Universe that we pass and I very much appreciate it! I will keep you posted!
Tuesday, April 20 2010
A friend of mine shared this with me today! It really hit home and wanted to share. Thanks Lee!
"Pay attention to episodes in nature that kindle an inner spark of awe and admiration. You don't have to discuss it with another being. If it has meaning to you, it's valid. Listen to the wind, the critters, the rain, and the ocean. Listen to it all."
- Dr. Wayne Dyer
"Pay attention to episodes in nature that kindle an inner spark of awe and admiration. You don't have to discuss it with another being. If it has meaning to you, it's valid. Listen to the wind, the critters, the rain, and the ocean. Listen to it all."
- Dr. Wayne Dyer
Thursday, April 15 2010
Great news tonight!!! Mebrate and I officially have a court date of May 10th- three weeks away! What a great day that will be when we pass court and I have my first baby shower at work! I am so excited and nervous, please send positive thoughts our way for passing on the first round!
On another great note, it appears that I will also be getting an updated assessment and photos sometime in the next two weeks. When Mebrate is moved from Awassa to Addis, the social worker will do a complete new assessment and send it my direction. After getting some concerning news of Mebrate spending the night in the hospital last weekend due to a stomach flu, I am ready to get more information, see new photos and see how she is doing.
On another great note, it appears that I will also be getting an updated assessment and photos sometime in the next two weeks. When Mebrate is moved from Awassa to Addis, the social worker will do a complete new assessment and send it my direction. After getting some concerning news of Mebrate spending the night in the hospital last weekend due to a stomach flu, I am ready to get more information, see new photos and see how she is doing.
Tuesday, April 13 2010
It has been almost 5 weeks since I received my referral information for Mebrate. I am trying to stay busy with house work, but continue to hope for more information. I am planning on purchasing Mebrate's crib in the next few weeks, but hesitate because it makes me a bit sad not having her home to sleep in it.
My family has been amazing through this process, I know I couldn't have done this without their support, but I need to reach out and thank someone today who has literally been my rock, has listened to me when I am scared, has been excited with me when I get good news (as much as he gets excited) and has basically just stood by this crazy journey since it began. Jason... thank you! You have no idea how much it means to me to have your support and love.
My family has been amazing through this process, I know I couldn't have done this without their support, but I need to reach out and thank someone today who has literally been my rock, has listened to me when I am scared, has been excited with me when I get good news (as much as he gets excited) and has basically just stood by this crazy journey since it began. Jason... thank you! You have no idea how much it means to me to have your support and love.
Monday, April 5 2010
Once again we seem to have the universe on our side. I received notice from Amanda today that my paperwork was submitted to the Ethiopian Courts on Friday. That means I will only need to travel once and I am one step closer to bringing Mebrate home.
Although it would have been amazing to meet Mebrate early, I would have hated every minute of handing her back for 6-8 weeks. So for now, we are hoping for May for a court date and early July for travel... for those of you not familiar with the adoption process, court is the step where a representative for me and a representative for Mebrate go before a judge. Any living relatives are contacted and required to attend. When we officially "pass" court, Mebrate will legally become my daughter! After that, we wait about 6-8 weeks for her birth certificate to make it to the U.S. Embassy for Mebrate's visa interview.
We are getting so close!
Although it would have been amazing to meet Mebrate early, I would have hated every minute of handing her back for 6-8 weeks. So for now, we are hoping for May for a court date and early July for travel... for those of you not familiar with the adoption process, court is the step where a representative for me and a representative for Mebrate go before a judge. Any living relatives are contacted and required to attend. When we officially "pass" court, Mebrate will legally become my daughter! After that, we wait about 6-8 weeks for her birth certificate to make it to the U.S. Embassy for Mebrate's visa interview.
We are getting so close!
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