A few pics from our trip...

Ava, asleep in a make-shift bassinet, while Mimi (another volunteer) and I wrap gifts for the Christmas Celebration...



At the Christmas Celebration, Ava and Hickma...




A retake with Santa...




Christmas Babies...



Coffee Ceremony put on by the older girls...



Leyton's favorite guards...



Eschetu


Asrat

The Kindergarten kids.... It doesn't get much cuter than that!



We had the pleasure of meeting Ava's Uncle Dereje while we were in Addis this time around. It was a great, and humbling experience. I'm so glad that we had this opportunity.





Leyton and his favorite baby... If I couldn't find him, I knew to check the baby room... he just loved her.



Leyton after a long day at Layla.... and our guard cat.




Babies and little kids are so well loved in Ethiopia... One of the older boys, doting on Ava...



Reading a book with Immanuel at Opportunity House.




Another favorite baby...



My favorite part of each of our trips, is being able to see the kids that we sponsor to stay in Ethiopia and go to school. The kids are doing so well in school, I am so very proud of them. This is Leyton and Yeninesh, After her and her brothers chased our car for 1/2 mile, she was left behind.... Leyton went to walk her to the house.



Inside their small home, Yeninesh and Million.



A group shot.... Tefera, Million, Yeninesh and Tilahun.




Leyton and his entourage on our last day, at Layla.




Its very hard to say goodbye...

We're Home...

After two great, but busy weeks, we are home again! I'm glad to see that my email post worked out okay. I wasn't able to log onto the blog from Addis at all. The kids were great on the flights down and back. We spent a lot of time at Layla, and really had a great time. I took a ton of pics, that I will be downsizing and posting over the next few days... I am already planning our next visit.

A Quick Hi From Addis!

Well, we are in Addis, and having a great time. I'm so glad that we decided to make the trip. It has been a lot of work, but a lot of fun, too! I was hoping to be able to post more often, but the internet connection here is shaky, at best. This is the first time, that I have really been able to get on, and stay on. I'm sending this from my email, so hopefully it will post okay.
I've taken a ton of pics, as usual... and I can't wait to get home, and get them downloaded.
Christmas was a great success... and it was worth all the effort that went into it! Thank you all so much for your contributions to the project!
 
The kids and I are scheduled to return home on Sunday. Though it has been a great trip, it would have been nice to have Jon here with us. We are looking forward to getting home, and being able to chat with him online!
 
More to come when we get home!
 
Love,
Mandie, Leyton & Ava
in Addis Ababa for a few more days!

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Merry Christmas!

Well, Christmas day has come and is now on its way out... but I thought I would post a few pics from today... More to come tomorrow.

Our tiny tree, right after Santa left...



Ava, really getting into the whole present thing...





Leyton, enjoying his new jersey! For someone who has never actually seen the Steeler's, and probably doesn't even know what sport they play, He LOVES them!

New Glasses...

We went today to pick up Ava's glasses. There really aren't a lot of options over here for infant/toddler frames, but I think the ones we picked are pretty cute. Here she is, showing them off.... Now lets just see if we can get her to keep them on!

The Birthday BOY! WOW.... 5!!!!!

His big day started out with a special cinnamon roll breakfast, before heading off to school where the day belonged to him! He took Pirate (skull/crossbones) brownies to share with his class, and had a great time getting to pick a special story/game. After school, he had his last soccer practice before winter break. And then we headed out to the 'soup castle' for cheese wine soup. When we returned home, he was anxious to dig into his presents, and have a little cake.

Christmas... Breakfast with Santa...

Our battalion, hosted a Breakfast with Santa this past weekend.... Here are a few pics... and of course a pic of our (very pathetic) tiny Christmas Tree.... I just can't haul the big one, and all our holiday decorations up 4 flights of stairs by myself! After Breakfast, we hung out with the Richter-Williams' for a bit... the rest of the pics are from there.

Some Random Pics From the Past Few Weeks...

I'm a Schmuck... and catching up.

I just finished complaining that one of my favorite bloggers hasn't posted anything new in over a week... and then I opened this one, to see that I haven't posted anything in more than two! Sorry, for those of you that are following along!

The last two weeks have been busy, to say the least. Trying to squeeze in as many appointments, etc that I can in the few weeks before the holidays (and we head out)...

(Its official, the kids and I will be headed to Addis on the 29th for two weeks to help out with the Holiday Gift Project that our agency sponsors.... And a Really BIG Thank You, to those of you, who contributed to the fund! You don't know how much it means to me! Your gift will go a long way down there!)

The past two weeks, we have had something going on every single day. I feel like a mother of teenagers, who are into every sport/activity.... and my kids are both under 5... okay, so Leyton turned 5 today...

Anyway... Last week, Ava had an appointment at the Pediatric eye clinic, to have her eyes checked out... The doctor has recommended 'therapy' glasses, to strengthen the muscles... We have to go back in 8 weeks.... Hopefully they will help!

She also had an appointment at the Consulate, to get her US Passport! Whoo hoo! They really came through for us this time! We got it back in less than a week, and this means that we will not need to drive to Berlin (6+ hours away) to get a visa to change planes in Amsterdam!

By the way, her walking is steadily improving.... She walks everywhere... room to room... picks things up, and carries it from one place to another... its so cute. And she really is proud of herself! Its so funny to see her walking all around...

Leyton has been in Heaven for the past two weeks, as gifts have been arriving for his big day... Hard to believe that he is 5!
Tuesdays are our long days, with work, school & soccer...but after it was all over, we headed out to Colmberg Castle for his special birthday dinner... cheese and wine soup (and Coke... he declared on the ride there, that since he was 5 now, he should be allowed to have soda.... And not just any soda, Cola, like mine. Wow, He's 5.). After, we came home to open presents...

I have pics that I will post tomorrow...

And She's Off!

My sweet girl has been gaining more confidence everyday, in the walking department... In the last two days, she has simply 'taken off'... She is so proud of herself, when she finally ends up where she wants to be! Its so cute! Here are a few pics for your viewing enjoyment! (Don't mind the mess!)

The newest little citizen!

Well, after much anticipation, its official! We received Ava's Certificate of Citizenship in the mail yesterday!

The new face of Deutsch Fussball!

Leyton is so very excited about joining a German Soccer team. Its nice, because his American soccer ended in October, and we were looking at a long, cold, dark winter here in Bavaria! This will be a great way to get him out of the house, and doing something! Its also nice, that they practice and play indoors! The Deutsch are a little more 'INTO' soccer than Americans are, and they spend a lot more time, running drills, and really getting into the rules of the game. Leyton loves it!

Here are a few photos from tonight's practice!

The coach has a couple of older kids come to help out. Leyton really enjoys when the younger ones scrimmage against the older ones, and somehow, win every time... They are a great help, and really show the little ones, what they are supposed to be doing.



This is from one of the drills, where the blue mat is 'wasser' or 'water'. The coach names off 4 places in the gym, with fire, water, earth and air, and assigns each place with a task... and then yells of one of the names and the kids have to run to it and perform the task... in this case jumping on the mat.



This is from a drill, where the kids dribble a ball to the mat, kick it to the left, to one of the older kids, roll across the mat, and then jump up and kick the ball into the goal. Talk about tired at the end of the day.... Leyton was asleep and in bed, by 8:15.... That never happens!



And of course, anyone who follows Leyton's soccer career, knows that he can't just kick the ball... he has to do the sliding kick.... this is why we don't have any decent pants....

Flying South...

Sometimes I wish I was a bird, who could just fly south, when winter comes bursting in.... It has been so cold here the past few weeks, I have had to sleep in flannel pajamas.... between flannel sheets, and under a heavy comforter! ITS FRIDGID!

Last week, I took Ava in for her appointment with 'the Specialist', The German Neurologist that we have been waiting to see for months now.... It was a good appointment, I guess... if no news, is good news.... He pretty much told me that every case was different, and to watch for anything abnormal.... and sent me on my way. He also recommended Botox injections in Ava's right hand to help loosen up her thumb muscle... So, now I'm off to see if the Military clinic will authorize this new procedure... and then I guess we wait again for the months that it takes to get an appointment.

To top the weekend off, I food-poisoned myself yesterday.... Yep... Questionable turkey... and its not even Thanksgiving. I just knew it, about 5 hours later, when I felt sick... and then all night long, when I was up with my head in a bucket.... I know, too much information... sorry.

It really is days like these, when I wish I could just 'fly south'!

Friday night was the annual Lanternfest in our town. Children and adults of all ages, make lanterns, and bring them to the town square, where there is singing, and then a parade. Leyton made his lantern in his Kindergarten class, and his class led the singing. After a few songs, the streets are blocked off by the fire department, and everyone walks through town carrying thier lanterns to the Kindergarten, where they are ready with refreshments, and snacks. This year, a note was sent out that kids should bring a battery-powered light for thier lanterns... For 100's of years, the townsfolk have been participating in this festival, and they have always used candles... I guess this year, they didn't want to deal with the inevitable flaming lantern, because some kid was swinging it around and the candle came loose....

Leyton proudly displaying his lantern...



The singing of the lantern songs...





Leyton and Julian, ready for the parade...



And I know you were wondering where Ava was during all of this.... Snug in her stroller, admiring all the pretty lanterns...

Ahhhhh.... Citizenship!

Sorry I don't have a pic to attach, I'm using a new computer, and I don't have my photo software uploaded yet! But, soon!

It is a good day, when I wake up, and check my mail and have a note such as this in my inbox....


"Mrs. Doak,

I just wanted to inform you that your certificate has been printed and NY is ready to send it to you."

God Bless our contact at USCIS! This citizenship process has been a nightmare from the beginning. And after 7 long months, we should have Ava's Certificate of Citizenship in a week or two!

Hopefully this will mean that we can bypass the visa to travel through the Netherlands next month... Now on to email the Dutch consulate, and see what he can do!

Addis bound....

So, I think that the kids and I are headed to Addis for the Ethiopian Christmas celebration in January. I'm very excited to go and volunteer at Layla house, in preparation of the party, and maybe even get a chance to see some of the countryside when the parties happen for Nazret and Mukatore.

I went to reserve tickets today, and it looks like we would be leaving Germany on the 29th of December and staying in Addis until the 12th of January. I'm still working on the obvious child care issues while we are there, and a place to stay... As I'm sure they won't be too excited about having a couple kids running around the volunteer house.

I'm so excited to go back. I can't beleive that it has been a year since Ava entered care at Sele Enat Orphanage. In just a few short months, it will be a year since we saw her sweet face for the first time.

I'm so grateful that we have had the opportunity to visit Ethiopia, and take it all in. We were only there a few short weeks, but I really feel like a piece of me was left behind. Isn't it strange how a place can do that to a person? How the view of a city from the backseat of a cab, can pull you in, call to you? Isn't it amazing how looking into the eyes of a child on the street can make your heart cry?
I wish I had the means to do so much more...

I love KIVA...

You all know that I can't find enough good things to say about KIVA... I love the concept.... I love getting to pick out who I want to loan my money to.... I love receiving updates on the entreprenuers that I have chosen to support in my inbox... and I love going to my lender page and seeing that they are paying back... In a few short months, I will have KIVA credit, and can withdrawl it, or invest it in another business....

Hmmmm... I'll definitely re-invest.... I just love KIVA!

Making the Holidays Brighter...

Hi, As you  know, I am the coordinator for fundraising for our Adoption Agency's (Adoption Advocates International) Holiday Gift Project. I have just been given this flyer to use in our campaign to collect funds.

 

This year we are hoping to raise enough money to provide for around 500 Ethiopian and Ghananian Orphans and thier caregivers.

 

As we all get ready for the holidays, and shell out the big bucks for that 'must-have' gift, I hope that you will take a moment to think about the millions of Orphans around the world, who will not be visited by 'Santa' this year. $20 Goes a long way in Africa.

 

I am hoping to make the trip to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia this year, to spend my holidays with some of those children (If you would like to contribute to our travel fund, that would be fine too! 3 Round trip tickets are going to be pricey!). 

 

Thank you for reading this note!

 

And Happy Holidays!

Mandie, Leyton and Ava

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adoptionadvocates.org

AAI's Holiday Gift Project Needs Your Help! November 2007 Greetings! Adoption Advocates International (AAI) has helped and continues to help countless orphans and many families with their adoption journeys in Ethiopia. Ethiopia is a country of great need, with more than 4 million children who have been orphaned because of HIV/AIDS and other causes.  The Holiday Project is designed to help more than 500 orphan children with presents and parties. A donation of $20 will sponsor a child or a staff person in Ethiopia or Ghana.  The orphan children living in orphanages will receive a new traditional Ethiopian outfit, a small gift bag of toys, and special food treats, wrapped and ready to open. Staff members will receive a gift certificate at a local supermarket which will enable them to afford special treats for their own families during the holidays.  Additionally, we are gathering funds to provide a holiday party in the towns of Nazret and Mukatore  where AAI assists orphan children through our Orphan Student Education Fund which allows them to remain in school and living with relatives or neighbors .  We will provide a holiday party (and small gifts) for these children and their caretakers.   Help Make A Child's Holiday Brighter! The children dressed in the holiday outfits that previous donor funds purchased.     Thank you so much for any assistance you can provide so that we can brighten the holidays for the children in our care and the staff who lovingly care for them.  To donate, please send a check to the office or  on-line through our secure on-line donations service  -- CLICK HERE TO DONATE NOW Sincerely,   Rita Radostitz Director of Fundraising & Communication Adoption Advocates International

I have no idea how to make this show up without having to scroll... Hopefully you can get the gist!

Trick or Treat...

I meant to post these last night, but I was having some problems with my mouse.... and finally just gave up. All is well, today, though... so here they are. We spent Halloween with our friends the Richter- Williams' and as usual, had a lot of fun!
Costumes, Candy, a walk in the fridgid October weather we have had, followed by Hot Chocolate... life is good.

Best Friends, Ava and Parker...





Big Brother will show you the ropes!





Trick or Treat...





Time for some Hot Chocolate.... Leyton and Jack