Friday, December 25, 2009

We Are Back!

Just a quick post to let you know we made it to Ethiopia and are back with Ava. We are really exhausted and are glad to be home. The trip was the most amazing 3 days!!!!! (we arrived Monday night around midnight and left Ethiopia Thursday night).

I'll post some photos and write more about the trip tomorrow!

Saturday, December 19, 2009

Flight cancelled

We just found out that our flight for tonight has been cancelled. The plane coming into Dulles was diverted to NJ. Not sure what our next step will be. We really need to leave by Monday morning. Please pray that they decide to bring that plane in tomorrow. There is not another scheduled flight out until Monday and it's sold out.


Not a good day for a snow storm

Just wanted to post a quick message. Thanks to everyone who has been calling and emailing! We are getting hit with a huge snow storm today. So far we have about 10 inches of snow and may get 8-10 inches more! Virginia just cannot deal with that amount of snow! Our plane is scheduled to leave tonight. Dulles Airport still has 1 or 2 runways open, but that could change at any moment. If we don't get out tonight, we are waitlisted for a flight on Monday (which is full). Our embassy appointment is on Wednesday and paperwork has to be filled out (by us) and processed before that appointment. I'll post again later this afternoon with another update.

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Love this Poem

A friend sent me this poem and it's perfect timing for our little Ava! Not sure who the author is.


Twas the Night before Christmas--for the parentless............


Twas the night before Christmas and all through the land
there are parentless children, with no toys in hand

No stockings to be hung by the chimney with care
no hopes for a family soon to be there

Their beds are not snug--but cold and quite bare
there are no goodnight kisses--no one to care

While we in our homes, laughing in delight
all settle down for a Merry Christmas Eve night

When in some one's heart--there arises a clatter
there are children in need--who's lives really DO matter!

Away to the computer please go in a flash
to see the sweet face with whom YOU could be matched!

While a child you see--their beautiful face all aglow
could this be MY child--could I already know??

When in the dreams of the orphan--what always appears
is a family to love them, to care and hold dear

As you stare at that child--your heart beats real quick--
for you know in your heart that sweet face will stick

More dreams sweet children have--to call parents by name-
come mama! come daddy! come family to claim!

To the ends of the earth--your heart seems to call
now child--I'm coming--I wish for you ALL!

So on a plane to your child--over rooftops you flew
to hold this dear soul--a wish did come true

And then in a twinkling-I saw through the door
this child of my heart-that was waiting no more

As I got my camera and was turning around-
into my arms did he come with a bound!

He was dressed in many layers from his head to his foot
and into my heart his life was just put

there was no round face--no plump little belly
just sad little eyes, and legs shaking like jelly

In a swirl of a pen, and a stamp and a seal
my world became brighter--like I could suddenly feel!

We spoke not a word--they weren't needed at all
and I knew in this moment where I got this call

God layed his hands on my heart--and to the occasion I rose
and He could do it for you--this question He'll pose.....

It won't be a shout--no not even a whistle
it won't be real clear--but faint like a whisper

Can you make room in your heart--if you try with your might?
And make a difference for one--help them see the light?

I can see you exclaim as you hold your child tight--
Thank you Lord for this gift--you got it EXACTLY right

Thursday, December 3, 2009

New photos



The countdown continues.......16 days until we leave to bring Ava home! Here is the type of stuff I am running around doing as we get ready to get the suitcases packed.
- buying converters and adapters for the electrical outlets
- getting prescription meds from our doctor (in case we get the stomach gunk)
- finish buying donations for the orphanage
- getting Ava's clothes washed, sorted, packed
- getting everything organized for xmas
- getting our phones switched over for international coverage
- checking with insurance for our travel and Ava's coverage
.......the list goes on and on!!!!! Hard to believe in 3 weeks we'll be on a plane flying home with Ava!

Here are some new photos a family took for us last week. I love her smile. She has recovered from the flu and it looks like she is gaining some weight!