A housing possibility?

It seems that one of the people we called about a house, who said that they wouldn't rent to Americans, has reconsidered. He called my friend last night, to ask if we could come and check out the house... Oh, and to find out just how much money he could get out of us, because we are Americans. Unbelievable, right?

Because we are in such a pinch... we really want to get moved before the girls come home... we went out to check the place out. Its a little further away from post than we hoped, but in a tiny little village much like the one we are in now. The house looks relatively new on the outside, with a big, fenced back yard, two big balconies, and enough space for a dining room table! (thats HUGE, since we've been eating dinner on the couch for the past 9 years!) It has 5 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, a garage, and a really fabulous mint green living room... what are people thinking??? Oh well, nothing a few coats of paint won't cure!

We have to call him back on Monday, but I guess if we are willing to pay more than the Germans who came to look at the house right after us, we're in the running. CRAZY, right? I guess we will know on Monday... and if not, we will keep looking.

Reeling after the stupid comment I heard yesterday...

People say stupid, ill-informed things all the time... I should be use to it, right? I mean, I hear something along these lines all the time. Yesterdays comment came from a woman that I've know for nearly 10 years... a woman that I worked with for 2 years, and see at least, weekly. Granted, she's Deutsch, and Germans are known for their harshness... but I was really not expecting the comment that came spewing out of her mouth.

She actually had the nerve to say to me in front of Leyton... after asking how we were all doing, and me telling her that we were on our way back to Addis to pick up our newest additions...

" Why would you do that? Don't you think you have enough to do, with the kids you have now? You already adopted one kid, why would you bring home more?"

First of all, Why would it be any of her business??? And think what you want, but why would you say something like that in front of my child? I just can't wrap my mind around what goes on in some peoples heads...

I didn't feel the need to explain... I simply told her to have a good day, and went on my way... Its these types of people who really make me sad...

Tickets... luggage.... and other news.

Well, the tickets are booked! Of course I had to get the most expensive, totally changeable and refundable tickets I could find, just in case... but they are booked! I will be traveling next month in time for our 22 April embassy appointment! And can't wait! I've already started packing, since I've received so many packages for Ivy's shower, that I might have to pay for an extra bag! I've got a lot of stuff to carry! I'm hoping that I will have room to squeeze in my own underwear! We'll see!

We are still house-hunting, and I have to say, that it is soooooo discouraging. Houses are hard to come by, period, here... Most folks live in apartments or multi-family homes. Germany has some very restrictive rules on building and expanding town limits... Its also difficult to find a house with 4+ bedrooms! Most people don't have 4 kids, and their idea of big is much smaller than the typical American idea of big! Aparently, the apartment that we live in now is HUGE! If ony they'd made better use of the space.
To make matters worse in the house-hunting arena... we have a dog... and go figure, we are AMERICAN. We have actually had people tell us over the phone, that they won't rent to us, because we are American... Can that be legal??? In the States, they would have a lawsuit on their hands! Ugggghhhh.... What can you do?
We were really hoping to find a place before the girls arrive.... but it isn't looking good... Our German friend put an add in the paper for us today, so we will see if anything comes of it. Wish us luck!

What to do??

After the great news about our embassy appointment, I'm now a little scared to book tickets. It seems that the US Embassy is now requiring a new TB test (for kids 2 years old and older), before they will issue a visa. For many kids, this won't be a big deal... but for me, now, it seems like it is! If our girls have a positive skin test (which takes 3 days-ish), they will then be required to have a chest x-ray (which could add on additional days)... If the X-ray comes back positive, they will be required to be put on the 6 months of meds, and remain in Ethiopia for 6 months!
I'm waiting to book until I hear back from the director in Addis....
Hoping for some good news on that front.... We just want to bring them home!

Travel dates...

We received our embassy date yesterday.... 22 April! Not as early as I'd hoped, since Jon will be out of town on training for 3 weeks at that time... but still just around the corner! We are working out an alternate plan for the 'littles' since they were to remain with Jon when I headed south to pick up the girls. Jon will see if he can get out of the training, if not, I guess we will have to fly someone over to take care of them... The only other alternative is waiting till mid-May, which is when we could get a new embassy date. ICK! After waiting this long, I'm sure you can tell that the second option is pretty much the last thing I want to do! So... keep us in your thoughts that we can work something out!




We can't wait to bring them home!

I've been waiting a year to say...

WE PASSED!!!!!

Introducing Kalkidan and Tensaye!!! They are finally ours!





Here's hoping to a travel date in the very near future!!! Thanks so much for all the prayers and well wishes!

Hello?!

Okay... so after I posted my note this morning, I realized that our new court date, is actually TOMORROW!!! not Friday... so please send some good vibes our way!

Also, please continue to pray for my family. I learned a few hours ago, that my aunt passed early this afternoon.

The waiting continues...

I'm really sorry for the lapse in posts... After some devastating news 2 weeks ago, I flew home with Ava for 10 days, to visit my aunt, who is in the final stages of her battle with cancer. I am so glad that I was able to make the trip, however short and sad... No matter your religious affiliation (or lack thereof...) please pray for her and her family... She turned 47 while I was home last week, and will be leaving behind a husband and 3 children (ages 24,22, and 12). This is a very difficult time for us all, but for them, most of all.


My aunt Dee, summer 07, with Ava Sidisse.

On the adoption front, it has been a long, quiet wait for our next court date... which happens to be this Friday. We are so hoping that the 3rd time will be our final attempt.... Send some good thoughts our way.... We are also hoping that we will be able to travel in April, to bring the girls home!

Check back next week, for court news... I don't know if I will hear anything before Monday...

In other news... Jon had a briefing last week, and it looks like we might be hanging out in Germany a little bit longer than expected. It seems the stop-loss might get us after all. We are currently looking for a new place to live, since the apartment that we are in now, would work for a short time, but not for 18+ months! Wish us luck!