I'm outta' here!

Sorry I didn't get the Birthday or Christmas pics posted, it has been a mad house here, and I've been sick. I will do it when I get back... and will try, if I have internet access, to send a quick note to the blog. We'll see!
I fly in about 6 hours, so I need to get to sleep! And wish us luck tomorrow... Court day for the girls... wouldn't it be great to get there and hear that they passed!?!?

London Baby!

Here are the pics from London.... We had a great time, though short.... One day, just isn't enough! Guess that means we have to go back!

Which way do we go?


Tower of London...





Look kids, Parliment... and Big Ben...





The London Bridge...




The London Eye...


The new car is covered in salt and crud from the snow we had this week, so pics will have to wait!

I know I'm a slacker....

Sorry for the delay in posts... I know there are a few of you out there wondering if we fell off the face of the Earth....

I have just been so busy with the Holiday Project, International Bazaar-where I was selling my jewelry over the weekend... and just life in general!

We received news last week, that I may, after all, be able to bring the girls home with me, if I extend my trip in Addis. This would be great, and also a hardship for Jon and the 'littles'.... since he will be home alone with them for that extra time. We won't know anything for sure, until I arrive in Addis... but we are preparing for it, just in case! We thought we would have 2 more months, to get things in order before the girls arrive, so we haven't even begun to get thier room together,etc...

Think of us!

I took a fun trip to London the day before Thanksgiving, and when I get home tonight, I will try to post some pics... It was a quick day of shopping, and riding the Tube...

In other news, Jon took the train to Bremerhaven (clear in the north of Germany) to pick up our new car yesterday... after leaving the house at 6am, he arrived home last night at around 9pm... Now, we won't have to take two cars everywhere when the girls arrive. It is a lovely Black Cherry (not our first choice in color... but what can you do, when you need it now, and its the only one on the boat!) Mazda CX-9. Seats 7.... Who ever knew that we would need a car that seats 7.... Crazy.

Pics to come, later... sorry again, for the delay!

I doubted him... but here's the proof!

Leyton is on the nice list!

A Court Date!!!!

I awoke this morning to a message that we recieved a court date! 30 December, here we come! Not only is this the day our girls (will hopefully) become legally ours... but it is also the day that I am flying to Ethiopia to volunteer for the Holiday Project! I'm so excited, I can hardly wait! Think happy thoughts, that we will make it through court on the first try!

Some pics... since Its been ages!

When we were in Ethiopia in September, Kathy at Sabahar silk factory, told Leyton that he could bring home a 'lazy' silk worm, since it wasn't spinning its cocoon yet. This is Lazy on the day we visited the factory.... sorry its so small... I'll try to find a bigger version.

That night,at our hotel, Lazy spent hours spinning his cocoon, and Leyton had to bring him home to Germany with him.
About 25 days later, Lazy broke free from his cocoon of silk, and out into the lovely bug house Leyton had prepared for him....





These pics are from Leyton's last soccer game.




A few pics from the soccer party at the local pizzeria, Franco's....
All the kids got to go in the kitchen and make their own pizzas... followed by Coach Irvin passing out trophys.







Leyton was invited to a birthday party over the weekend, at MEGAPLAY... a giant indoor playground/soccer field/go cart track/trampoline area... The kids had hours of fun...




A powdered doughnut moment...


And one trick or treat pic... I'm not sure why I didn't get a better shot than this, and I didn't get a pic of Ava at all??? I'm going to have to get them dressed up and take a pic tonight when Leyton gets home from school...

CALLING ALL MY TEACHER FRIENDS/ FRIENDS WITH KIDS!!!

Hey guys... you know who you are!
As you know, I am still fundraising for our adoption agency's Holiday Project... The project gives a little extra something to more than 500 orphans and caregivers in Ethiopia and Ghana for the holidays... A portion of each donation will also go towards humanitarian needs in both countries. We have more than $10,000 to collect and less than 50 days till Christmas.
To raise funds, and get the kids involved, I was really hoping to do a "Penny/Coin Harvest" at Leyton's school this year, leading up to Thanksgiving. Unfortunately, since he goes to a Department of Defense school, and it is a US Government entity, they are not allowed to do any type of fundraising. I wanted to put jars in each classroom to collect spare change, with a little poster about AAI, the Holiday Project, and their other humanitarian aid efforts. The class to collect the most money for the project, was going to win a pizza party, donated by our local pizza shop. I think it is a great way to get kids involved and to let them know how great it is to give, especially during this time of year. Let me know if you need any info/pics... I would love it, if you would be willing to participate! Come on... you know you want to....

Not moving as planned...

Well, it's official. We are not moving to Kaiserslautern as planned, in a few short weeks. We called to give up our great house, and to cancel the movers, who were due to be here on Wednesday. Its sad news for us, but apparently, the Army isn't going to budge on this one. We are still trying to either get to stay and deploy from here next year, or get someplace other than Kansas when we do leave. We will keep you posted.

Still no word on our court date, but I have purchased my tickets for December/January... and I am sooooo looking forward to the trip! I can't wait to see my girls!

Okay... a tiny piece of good news...

I was informed this morning, that Group C was filed in court yesterday! It still means roughly 4-6 week for an actual court date... I hope I know when that is, soon!

No word...

Still no word on what's going on with our orders. We do have someone working on it for us, and he says its no big deal... however, that is easier said than believed, when it comes to the Army...

We also, haven't received any great news regarding the girls... Actually, the opposite. Since the courts have reopened in Addis, cases have been slow-going... We were really expecting an early November court date (and we are in group C), but have just been told that Group A received their date, and it isn't until December 4th! This means that I likely won't be able to pick up the girls when I am there for the holidays. Would appreciate some prayers there, too... Its going to be pricey, taking two trips so close together!

Will let you all know as soon as we know more! Thanks for thinking of us!

CRAPPY NEWS.... PLEASE PRAY.

Just a quick note, as I'm running out the door to pick up Leyton from school...
We just received crappy (for lack of a better word) news from the Department of the Army.... Jon's orders to Ktown have been canceled, and we are now on curtailment (which means they are keeping us at our current station - and another deployment next fall!) until 2010, and then off to Ft. Riley, Kansas.... Jon is trying to find a way to undo the cancellation, and get us back on track for Ktown, but it isn't looking good... Would love some extra prayers, as this new assignment will likely wreak havoc on our emotional and financial stability...

Group C... Group C... Group C!!!!!

Just found out that Kalkidan's file is complete, and we will be submitted to court with Group C! I believe that will be next week... or possibly the week after... Either way, its nice to know that we have a group assignment, and will be headed to court in the near future! I just hope now, that the timing works out, and I will be able to bring the girls home in January, when I return from my trip! Keep us in your thoughts/prayers!

A Busy Two Weeks...

It has really been a whirlwind since Jon came home... We have been busy preparing for the upcoming move.... Ava has had a slew of quarterly appointments, and add in work and school... its been crazy!
We have been house hunting in the Ktown area, and are so happy to have found a place. We signed the lease on Wednesday, and are excited to get moved in! We won't actually be relocating until the first of December, but it is a huge relief, to know that there will be a place ready and waiting for us, when we get there.... It was a huge fear of mine, that we wouldn't find anything before we left, and would either end up on post in the attic of some stairwell... or in temporary housing for months!
Our new place is about 15 minutes drive from Jon's new base, Leyton's school, and whatever else we might need... It is located in a quiet little village in the country, and we are thrilled that we won't be in a place that has American's stacked on top of each other... It has a two car attached garage (which is nearly unheard of here!) and a huge balcony... perfect for entertaining... The first BBQ will be as soon as the snow melts!







I only have outside pics for now... but will post more, when we get moved in!

We have also been car shopping... We knew that we would need a bigger car, when Tensaye got here, but now that we have added Kalkidan, it needs to happen sooner rather than later! Its not as easy to shop for the perfect car from here. There are only so many options for us as Americans.... since we will need our new auto to be US Spec.... And, not only that, but they just don't keep the number of cars on the US sales lots over here, that they do in the States. Most cars purchased from here (including our current Audi...) have to be ordered. We can't wait the 6 months to order a new one, so we are going with one that is already loaded on a ship and on its way here... We've decided on the Mazda CX-9... and with any luck, it will be here by mid November.

On the adoption front...
I received a quick note from our agency contact last night about the girls upcoming court date. They are missing 1 paper for Kalkidan's file, and rather than send it to court incomplete, and have a delay, they are working to get everything in order. We should have some news on group assignment in the next few weeks....

Some news....

I have hesitated posting this, though it was eating away at me for the past week.... because we weren't sure that we would go through with it... but we have decided to do it... so Here's the scoop!

When we went to visit Tensaye a few weeks ago, we spent a lot of time with her and her friends at the orphanage. It really was great to see her interact with them, and we fell in love with her best friend, Kalkidan. They came together from Sele Enat, the orphanage that Ava Sidisse started at... and they are very close, they even call each other sister. By the end of our visit, she was also calling us mom and dad, and when we said good bye, she cried along with Tensaye.... We just can't bare the thought of leaving her behind, so we inquired about her when we returned... She is sweet, and beautiful, athletic, and smart... she is almost painfully shy, respectful, and a joy to be around...

We are excited and a little nervous about being the parents of two 12 year old girls, but we are really looking forward to it!
I think that they will be great for each other, and will make the transition easier for all of us. Our case was supposed to be submitted to court on Monday, but because we had to wait a whole week for a report from the Social worker in Addis, I don't know if that will still be the case. With any luck, we will have a court date in early November... and will be able to bring them both home as scheduled in January, when I'm there for the Holiday Project.

Keep us in your thoughts and prayers! I'm sure as the new parents of two near-teenage girls, we will need them!
I can't wait to post pics!

Ethiopian Holiday Gift Project!

Hi Everyone! I just wanted to send out a 'Heads Up!' on the Holiday
Gift Project for this year...
I have been organizing and keeping track of the Holiday Project donations for the past 2 years. This year, I will also be purchasing and transporting the gifts (with
the help of a small Holiday Project team!)to Layla House in Ethiopia, for the holidays.

In the past two years, we have been able to expand the program from
$8000 serving 400 children and staff... to last year more than
$10,000 and more than 500 children and staff.

This year, the project will be a bit different. With the news of
famine and inflation in Ethiopia at the moment... Children are
starving and families are unable to buy food, or fuel to keep thier
homes warm...We are asking for a minimum donation of $25. $10 of
every donation will go towards AAI's many Humanitarian Aid Efforts.
So, this year, not only will you be making the holidays a little bit
brighter for a child or caregiver, you will also be contributing to
Aid Relief in Ethiopia.

Our AAI Family and Friends, have always been great supporters of this
project, and I hope that this year will be no different! With the
increased donation, and additional children/staff, the program has
grown once again... This years Goal amount is $14,880, and I know
that we can do it! Your generousity and support are much appreciated!
This is also a great time of year to get extended family and friends
involved...We have received many donations in the past in honor of a
family or child that is home. Feel free to forward to friends and
family, or post this info on your blog with a link for AAI.

This year, the project will encompass the following programs, with a
portion of each donation going towards Humanitarian Aid...
(A $25 donation will provide for one child or caregiver)

Children at Layla, Wanna and Opportunity Houses will receive A New
Traditional Outfit, Small wrapped gift and Candy. (A portion of the
donation will also go towards the Holiday Party.)

Caregivers at Layla, Wanna and Opportunity Houses will receive a gift
certificate to a local department store, where they can purchase
holiday foods, and other items for their families.

Children in Kidane Mihret (KM) (which receive very little funding)
will receive small gifts and a party.

Children in the Nazret and Mukatore Sponsorship Programs will be
treated to a Holiday Party.

Children in the Orphaned Student Project (OSP) will receive a gift
certificate to a local department store, where they can purchase
holiday foods, and other items for their families.

Children at Eban House in Ghana, will receive A New Traditional
Outfit, Small wrapped gift and Candy. (A portion of the donation will
also go towards the Holiday Party.)

Staff at Eban House in Ghana, will receive an appropriate gift, or
gift certificate for a local department store, where they can
purchase holiday foods and other items for their families.

The breakdown looks like this...
GROUP (# of kids/donations) TOTAL NEEDED

Layla, Wanna and OH kids (180) $4500
Layla, Wanna, and OH staff (152) $3800
OSP (122 kids) $3050
Nazret party $750
Mukatore party $225
KM Party $750
Ghana kids $840
Ghana Staff $980

Total: $14880
Of this total, more than $5,000 will go towards humanitarian aid.


For families who would like their donation to go to a certain child
or program, I would be happy to receive those requests!

Since I am in charge of keeping it all straight, Once you have made
your donation via mail or online, please send me an email with your
name, donation amount, and where you would like the money spent.
Once we begin receiving donations, And I return from 10 days visiting
with my daughter at Layla House, I will post weekly updates to let
you all know where we are, and what we still need!

Donations can be made by check or money order and sent (with a note
specifying "HOLIDAY GIFT PROJECT" and your preferences) directly to
AAI at the address below....

Adoption Advocates International
709 South Peabody Street
Port Angeles, Washington 98362

Donations can also be made conveniently at the AAI website, by
clicking the "DONATE NOW" button, click on "Holiday project" and type
what portion of the project you would like your donation to go to,
in the Donation Designation Field.

www.adoptionadvocates.org

PLEASE DON'T FORGET TO EMAIL ME WITH YOUR DONATION DETAILS! And feel
free to email me with any questions! If I don't know the answer, I
will find someone who does!

mandie.doak@gmail.com

We're Back!

Okay... so I typed up this big, long post about our trip, and somehow it disappeared...
So sorry for those of you 'stalkers' out there, that have emailed to let me know that you can't wait for some pics...
Here's a quick post and some pics for your viewing enjoyment!

We had a great time on our trip... though, as usual, it was way too short!

Tensaye is beautiful, though we already knew that, and sweet. She fit right in with our family. We spent a lot of time at Layla House, since she was not allowed to leave the compound, and it was great to watch her interact with friends and caregivers.

The kids at Layla house as always, were smiling and happy, and longing for families!
This was our first trip during the rainy season. And I'm glad that the next trip will be in winter! It rained nearly every day of our stay in Addis, at some point... Usually for only a few hours a day, but the rain brought cooler temperatures, so it was good to wear layers!

Without further ado.... Some shots from the trip!

1st Day at the "BIG" School!

Leyton went to his first day of American Kindergarten on Tuesday.... I didn't have the bittersweet feeling that I anticipated having... it was great to see him with the other kids, and know that he will do fine after all the preparation that he has had in his German Kindergarten class.




That night, we had our final year-end Thank You dinner for his German teachers. They were all at the Kindergarten for an after school meeting... so we hauled the grill up to the courtyard, and Jon BBQ'd ribs and burgers. They can eat some BBQ! We started this year end tradition 3 years ago, when Leyton completed his first year there. It was sad for me to hear from Heide, the director, that in her 32 years teaching there, she had never had a family Thank the teachers as a group. They were very appreciative, and we decided to do it every fall...




I totally forgot to post pics from our little mid-week mountain vacation... We headed down to Garmisch to take advantage of the great deal that Edelweiss lodge is offering returning servicemen and women. We didn't do much, just hung out and walked around town... Jon and the kids spent every spare moment in the pool... We had fun.







We are now looking forward to the next big trip.... Just 6 more days till we head off to Ethiopia!