Right now James is in Ethiopia picking up our son! Earlier this month we made the, very difficult, decision that it would be best for only one of us to travel on this trip. It is hard for me to not be there with him. I guess now I know how my mom felt on our last trip. I run in to check facebook about every 5 minutes!
First thing this morning I pulled up msnbc.com to make sure there weren't any major headlines about a downed jetliner. Shew! There wasn't! Then it was off to facebook for some kind of update.
He posted that he got into Addis last night around midnight, our time (Ethiopia is 8 hrs ahead of us). He has already visited with Phin for the first time and this was his facebook post:
"Today was amazing with Phin. He started tough, but while he was drinking his bottle on my lap he began to play.I'll post a longer note about the day. In short, if I felt I was in any shape to bring him home I would have. 3-4 hrs of sleep the past 48 hrs don't equal a great first night together...so i kissed him. HE kissed me and I told him daddy would be back to bring him home tomorrow!"
Stay tuned for more updates!!!!!
Monday, January 03, 2011
James is in Ethiopia!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wednesday, December 08, 2010
Monday, November 01, 2010
En route to ETHIOPIA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It has been a long, but GREAT day. After a wonderful four days in Rome, we flew out around 5.50pm last night. We were in the air most of the night, and landed in Cairo, Egypt around 2.30am. Cairo airport was intense, to say the least. Two separate times our passports were taken from us with no comment other than, "You Sit".
So, to make the best of a bad situation, we (in true Smith fashion), struck up a conversation with the only two other people in our terminal: a young man from the UK (Aidan) and a nice guy from Russia (named Roman). We spent the next few hours chatting it up and exchanging money. Roman didn't speak much English, but gave us a rubel and showed us video of his family back in Russia. He was headed to Zambia to see his father in law. The wife and baby had stayed at home. (This much we determined by using mostly hand signals). I have him a bag of planters peanuts and he handed me a Russian chocolate bar. :) It was actually pretty awesome.
Aidan, the brit, was headed to Mumbassa to head up a backpacking program he does every year. He was a stand up guy and we shared a lot of laughs. The poor guy had missed his flight to Kenya by minutes, only because he had been held up by the Cairo airport officials for nearly 2 hours at the wrong terminal. When he finally got to OUR terminal (the correct one), he was told he couldn't board because he hadn't gotten there soon enough. All in all, he had a pretty great attitude. I have been known to cry in less stressful situations than that.
After a couple hours of talking and laughing, we were all given back our passports and told we could board our plane in an hour. All in all, Cairo (though intense), turned out to be one of our favorite memories of our trip. Our plane, unbeknownst to me (and my flight itinerary), was also making a stop in Khartoum, Sudan. Lucklily, we did not deboard and merely picked up more passengers. This, however, made us about an hour late for our MEETCHA DAY in Ethiopia. I spent an hour on the Khartoum tarmac chewing my nails, wondering if we were, in fact, going to miss our "meetcha day" entirely.
Finally, our plane took off, and we arrived in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia around 9:00 am, Monday morning. We rushed around, retrieved our luggage, and met our America World coordinators in the airport lobby. From there we headed to the Yebsabi Guest house where we dropped off our luggage, changed clothes, and jumped back in the van to go and meet OUR SON!!!!!!!!!! Within about an hour of landing in Addis, we were meeting Phin for the very first time . . . . More of that in the next post!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It has been a long, but GREAT day. After a wonderful four days in Rome, we flew out around 5.50pm last night. We were in the air most of the night, and landed in Cairo, Egypt around 2.30am. Cairo airport was intense, to say the least. Two separate times our passports were taken from us with no comment other than, "You Sit".
So, to make the best of a bad situation, we (in true Smith fashion), struck up a conversation with the only two other people in our terminal: a young man from the UK (Aidan) and a nice guy from Russia (named Roman). We spent the next few hours chatting it up and exchanging money. Roman didn't speak much English, but gave us a rubel and showed us video of his family back in Russia. He was headed to Zambia to see his father in law. The wife and baby had stayed at home. (This much we determined by using mostly hand signals). I have him a bag of planters peanuts and he handed me a Russian chocolate bar. :) It was actually pretty awesome.
Aidan, the brit, was headed to Mumbassa to head up a backpacking program he does every year. He was a stand up guy and we shared a lot of laughs. The poor guy had missed his flight to Kenya by minutes, only because he had been held up by the Cairo airport officials for nearly 2 hours at the wrong terminal. When he finally got to OUR terminal (the correct one), he was told he couldn't board because he hadn't gotten there soon enough. All in all, he had a pretty great attitude. I have been known to cry in less stressful situations than that.
After a couple hours of talking and laughing, we were all given back our passports and told we could board our plane in an hour. All in all, Cairo (though intense), turned out to be one of our favorite memories of our trip. Our plane, unbeknownst to me (and my flight itinerary), was also making a stop in Khartoum, Sudan. Lucklily, we did not deboard and merely picked up more passengers. This, however, made us about an hour late for our MEETCHA DAY in Ethiopia. I spent an hour on the Khartoum tarmac chewing my nails, wondering if we were, in fact, going to miss our "meetcha day" entirely.
Finally, our plane took off, and we arrived in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia around 9:00 am, Monday morning. We rushed around, retrieved our luggage, and met our America World coordinators in the airport lobby. From there we headed to the Yebsabi Guest house where we dropped off our luggage, changed clothes, and jumped back in the van to go and meet OUR SON!!!!!!!!!! Within about an hour of landing in Addis, we were meeting Phin for the very first time . . . . More of that in the next post!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Monday, October 25, 2010
"Go Time" (ALMOST)
So, in less than 48 hours James and I will be on a plane to Ethiopia (via Rome, Italy). There are about a million things I should be doing right now. But when there are lots of things I need to be doing, more often than not, I find "other" things to do. I hem curtains. I rake leaves. I watch a movie. I make new blog entries. :) I don't know what's wrong with me.
More than anything, I want to try to capture at least a piece of the emotions I am experiencing right now. So many people have said to me lately, "Wow. Time really FLEW. This adoption thing was FAST!" I, on the hand, have had a quite different experience than that. Still, it is shocking to me that the process we have been so focused on, for so long, is drawing to an end. It's hard for me to wrap my mind around the fact that, one week from today, I will have held my newest son for the first time. He will have looked into my eyes, and I will have looked into his. And we will be a family.
I have been looking forward to this for so long. From the moment we sat across from two America World employees in Findlay, Ohio (days after burying our son) and began to wonder if this was really a possibility for our family. And here we are, suitcases "mostly" packed, tickets purchased, and me about to take my first real "big girl" international trip. Buckle your seat belt Kelly.
In the spirit of honesty and transparency, I have to admit there is a good deal of anxiety floating around inside of me right now. Most of it, I suppose, reflects on my insecurities in general. There is a part of me that is genuinely nervous that Phin won't like me. Won't want me. I am trying to prepare my heart for that moment, that long anticipated moment when we finally meet. I am trying to remember, that I am a stranger to this child. And I will be trying to take him away from a nanny he loves. That being said . . . nobody wants their kid to cry when they reach for them. =) I am trying my very best to have realistic expectations and to in no way "set myself up" for feeling like a failure.
I am certain, though, that God's hand has been in this entire process. He stirred the desire to adopt in our hearts. He chose Ethiopia for us (even though we thought Rwanda was where we were headed). He provided every dollar along every step of the way (through the faithfulness of many of you). And he had his hand on Phin's life and chose him for our family before one of his days came to be.
So, more than anything else, I am feeling so incredibly grateful and humbled. Thank you God, and Here. We. GO!
So, in less than 48 hours James and I will be on a plane to Ethiopia (via Rome, Italy). There are about a million things I should be doing right now. But when there are lots of things I need to be doing, more often than not, I find "other" things to do. I hem curtains. I rake leaves. I watch a movie. I make new blog entries. :) I don't know what's wrong with me.
More than anything, I want to try to capture at least a piece of the emotions I am experiencing right now. So many people have said to me lately, "Wow. Time really FLEW. This adoption thing was FAST!" I, on the hand, have had a quite different experience than that. Still, it is shocking to me that the process we have been so focused on, for so long, is drawing to an end. It's hard for me to wrap my mind around the fact that, one week from today, I will have held my newest son for the first time. He will have looked into my eyes, and I will have looked into his. And we will be a family.
I have been looking forward to this for so long. From the moment we sat across from two America World employees in Findlay, Ohio (days after burying our son) and began to wonder if this was really a possibility for our family. And here we are, suitcases "mostly" packed, tickets purchased, and me about to take my first real "big girl" international trip. Buckle your seat belt Kelly.
In the spirit of honesty and transparency, I have to admit there is a good deal of anxiety floating around inside of me right now. Most of it, I suppose, reflects on my insecurities in general. There is a part of me that is genuinely nervous that Phin won't like me. Won't want me. I am trying to prepare my heart for that moment, that long anticipated moment when we finally meet. I am trying to remember, that I am a stranger to this child. And I will be trying to take him away from a nanny he loves. That being said . . . nobody wants their kid to cry when they reach for them. =) I am trying my very best to have realistic expectations and to in no way "set myself up" for feeling like a failure.
I am certain, though, that God's hand has been in this entire process. He stirred the desire to adopt in our hearts. He chose Ethiopia for us (even though we thought Rwanda was where we were headed). He provided every dollar along every step of the way (through the faithfulness of many of you). And he had his hand on Phin's life and chose him for our family before one of his days came to be.
So, more than anything else, I am feeling so incredibly grateful and humbled. Thank you God, and Here. We. GO!
Monday, October 18, 2010
It is October 18th again.
Seven years ago I delivered my first born. A son. Elijah Mark.
He never took a breath.
I spent the entire day today thinking that it was October 17th, and that I needed to prepare for tomorrow (as it is notoriously a bad day). My mother called a little bit ago to ask how I had handled the day. "What do you mean?", I asked. "Today's the 17th". "Ummm, nooooo, today's the 18th"... she said.
What kind of mother am I anyway? The birth of my first born was unmentioned and unnoticed today by all, except my mother. Even I somehow missed it.
Maybe I shouldn't feel guilty about that. Maybe that's part of moving on. I'm not sure. But there are parts of me that haven't moved on. I will never again be who I was before Elijah and Jeremiah.
Seven years ago I delivered my first born. A son. Elijah Mark.
He never took a breath.
I spent the entire day today thinking that it was October 17th, and that I needed to prepare for tomorrow (as it is notoriously a bad day). My mother called a little bit ago to ask how I had handled the day. "What do you mean?", I asked. "Today's the 17th". "Ummm, nooooo, today's the 18th"... she said.
What kind of mother am I anyway? The birth of my first born was unmentioned and unnoticed today by all, except my mother. Even I somehow missed it.
Maybe I shouldn't feel guilty about that. Maybe that's part of moving on. I'm not sure. But there are parts of me that haven't moved on. I will never again be who I was before Elijah and Jeremiah.
Friday, October 08, 2010
WE HAVE A COURT DATE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! BAAAHHH!!!
After much waiting, anticipation and many tears- we finally have a court date- November 4th!
The travel coordinator, Kristen, called me this morning while I was on a walk with the kiddos on the Kokosing Gap Trail. We were a half mile in when we got the call! Needless to say, I couldn't get outta there fast enough. There were a million people to call and plane tickets to book!
Right now- this is what we know. Our court date is on Thursday, November 4th (which also happens to be my father in law's birthday). We need to arrive in Ethiopia no later than the evening of Monday, November 1st, in order to have 2 full days with Phin prior to our court appointment. We are free to leave (without Phin- woe is me) that same evening .
If all goes well and we pass court, we can expect our embassy appt to be scheduled for anywhere between 4-10 wks later. We're praying for 4!!!! We would, of course, love to travel and be back WELL before the Christmas holiday. But what an amazing Christmas present!!! Our son WILL BE HOME!!!!!!!!!!!!! ACK!!!!!!!!!
It's amazing to me that I have spent the better part of the last 3 months twiddling my thumbs and counting down the days until court opened. Now, I am in a million directions all at once! So much to do. So much to plan. One thing I know for sure . . ,
WE'RE COMIN' PHIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
After much waiting, anticipation and many tears- we finally have a court date- November 4th!
The travel coordinator, Kristen, called me this morning while I was on a walk with the kiddos on the Kokosing Gap Trail. We were a half mile in when we got the call! Needless to say, I couldn't get outta there fast enough. There were a million people to call and plane tickets to book!
Right now- this is what we know. Our court date is on Thursday, November 4th (which also happens to be my father in law's birthday). We need to arrive in Ethiopia no later than the evening of Monday, November 1st, in order to have 2 full days with Phin prior to our court appointment. We are free to leave (without Phin- woe is me) that same evening .
If all goes well and we pass court, we can expect our embassy appt to be scheduled for anywhere between 4-10 wks later. We're praying for 4!!!! We would, of course, love to travel and be back WELL before the Christmas holiday. But what an amazing Christmas present!!! Our son WILL BE HOME!!!!!!!!!!!!! ACK!!!!!!!!!
It's amazing to me that I have spent the better part of the last 3 months twiddling my thumbs and counting down the days until court opened. Now, I am in a million directions all at once! So much to do. So much to plan. One thing I know for sure . . ,
WE'RE COMIN' PHIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hey Mount Vernon peeps!!! WNZR is hosting the Veggie Tales movie, "It's a Meaningful Life" this Saturday at 6pm in the RR Hodges Chapel. The story features Steven Curtis Chapman's daughter, Stevie Joy, as the adopted daughter of the main character. WNZR has invited our family as guests! We will be sharing our adoption story and will have a table set up for you to order our Show Hope shirts.
To see the trailer for the movie and the music video for Steven Curtis Chapman's song, "Meant to Be" which is featured in the movie, follow this link:
http://www.mvnu.edu/wnzr/home/banners/itsameaningful.php
Hope to see you all there tomorrow!
Thanks WNZR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
To see the trailer for the movie and the music video for Steven Curtis Chapman's song, "Meant to Be" which is featured in the movie, follow this link:
http://www.mvnu.edu/wnzr/home/banners/itsameaningful.php
Hope to see you all there tomorrow!
Thanks WNZR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Monday, October 04, 2010
Today the Ethiopian court issued it's first batch of court dates since re-opening on Sep 28th. As the second in line with a referral and waiting on a court date, I had fully expected to be a part of the first group. It wasn't to be.
After many excited texts from my adoption buddies who had received their court date call today, I began to wonder why my phone wasn't ringing. Finally, around 2pm, I called the travel coordinator to double check. "Unfortunately, we do not have a court date for your family at this time."
Apparently, the court is pretty random and jumps all over when assigning court dates. They don't necessarily go "in order". So, as of right now, we are not travelling with the first group for the October 29th court date. They said they anticipate the next group of court dates to be in either early or mid November.
This is a blow, to say the least. I had thought it would only be a couple more weeks until we held our son for the first time. Now it appears it will at least be a month. I am heartbroken and confused. I know it may only end up being a difference of a couple of weeks, but it still seems like a slap in the face somehow. I can't seem to make sense of why God would want to keep us from our son longer. My heart is extra heavy today and I have cried all the tears I am able. Praying for some type of understanding or peace tonight.
After many excited texts from my adoption buddies who had received their court date call today, I began to wonder why my phone wasn't ringing. Finally, around 2pm, I called the travel coordinator to double check. "Unfortunately, we do not have a court date for your family at this time."
Apparently, the court is pretty random and jumps all over when assigning court dates. They don't necessarily go "in order". So, as of right now, we are not travelling with the first group for the October 29th court date. They said they anticipate the next group of court dates to be in either early or mid November.
This is a blow, to say the least. I had thought it would only be a couple more weeks until we held our son for the first time. Now it appears it will at least be a month. I am heartbroken and confused. I know it may only end up being a difference of a couple of weeks, but it still seems like a slap in the face somehow. I can't seem to make sense of why God would want to keep us from our son longer. My heart is extra heavy today and I have cried all the tears I am able. Praying for some type of understanding or peace tonight.
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