Still Waiting

Still waiting at number four...over eight weeks now.

1.5 weeks ago, our agency announced we will be working with two new orphanages. They said it would take a few weeks to start finding families for the children. I'm starting to count the days....how long is a few?

I feel like I'm pregnant and I don't have a clue when the due date is.

In the meantime, Mike's cousin reminded me of something funny.

Ethiopia has a different calendar. Right now it's the year 2002. Does that mean I'm eight years younger when I travel there?? No wonder I'm going twice. I'll be...errr...twenty....errr....something.

If you have a girl, check this out!

My good friend is having a give-away for some adorable Ethiopian hair bows. All you have to do is leave a comment on her blog or post something on yours to be in the drawing. Click here or visit her website at http://texastoethiopia.blogspot.com.

Good luck!

I'm happy today

I saw this picture and thought it would be perfect for this next post!



I just wanted to thank all my good friends and family that regularly check our blog to see if we've moved up on the wait list. You have stayed with us and have been very encouraging. I know, it's been pretty stale for the last seven weeks! But...things might be changing...

Yesterday, our agency announced some incredible news:

-IAN has reached agreements with two new orphanages to place children with families! We hope to begin finding families for these kids in the next few weeks.
-IAN’s care home will be moving in the next few weeks. We have already outgrown our current location, so the new home will have eight rooms, and will house 10-20 more children.

Two new orphanages! The director who is arranging everything returned to the U.S. Friday afternoon after her long trip to Ethiopia. We don't know any details yet except they are working on the paperwork to get the ball rolling.

I'm not sure what this means for the wait list. I'm wondering if other agencies use the orphanages already or they are just opening up to adoption. So, we'll wait and see if it means a faster trickle of referrals or a bunch of children available all at once. I can't wait to find out. I'll keep you posted if I learn anything new!!!

Ethiopia Travel Warning

Today the U.S. posted:

April 13, 2010

The State Department alerts U.S. citizens of the risks of travel to Ethiopia before and after national parliamentary elections scheduled for May 23, 2010, and recommends against all but essential travel to Ethiopia during this period. This Travel Alert expires on July 1, 2010.

Past elections in Ethiopia have featured violence in Addis Ababa and other areas of the country throughout the campaign season, the election, and especially in the days and weeks following the announcement of election results. Election results are scheduled to be announced June 21, 2010.

U.S. citizens should be aware that even peaceful gatherings and demonstrations can turn violent. U.S. citizens residing in or traveling to Ethiopia during this period are reminded to maintain a high level of security awareness at all times and avoid political rallies, demonstrations, and crowds of any kind. U.S. citizens should avoid polling places on election day, and be aware that authorities will strictly enforce specific prohibitions such as photography at polling stations. U.S. citizens are advised to monitor the situation via local media sources and the Internet. Significant traffic congestion, shortages of lodging availability, and large crowds throughout the country, particularly in Addis Ababa, are likely to inconvenience travelers. In addition, telephone services may be disrupted, as occurred during the 2005 elections.

U.S. citizens living or traveling in Ethiopia are encouraged to register with the U.S. Embassy through the State Department's travel registration web site to obtain updated information on travel and security within Ethiopia.

The Name Game

So, I've been batting around a few names for our little girl. I'm not sure when we officially get to name her. Before the two trip rule, her name would be documented when we re-adopt in the US. Now, I'm not sure since we come back on a different visa. Anyway, we are growing a list of possibilities and will see which one sounds best when we hear her Ethiopian name. We would love to make the middle name her Ethiopian name. When she is older, she can choose which name she would like to be called.

As we are looking for names, we would love something that is semi-easy to pronounce and spell. And, I'm not sure how to say this...but we are looking for a name that sounds natural among different nationalities. I would like to find a name that doesn't sound too "white", if you know what I mean :) My true test of a name is to imagine myself yelling it across a playground.

Here is the list that I've started and many are just slight variations of each other. Feel free to comment on the ones you like or let me know if any are evil characters in a movie :) I'd also love any new suggestions! I'll try to keep adding names as I find them.

Emma (the favorite but probably falls under the too "white")
Alia, Aliya
Kayla, Kaylee, Kaya, Keely
Amaya, Amiya, Amira
Raegan, Regan
Selah
Mia, Miya
Abi
Amira, Amara
Kendi
P.S. Still #4, but there was a wonderful referral yesterday of triplets!!

Styling for Easter

"You look cool. I promise"

We had a great Easter day! Our family came over for a good ol' fashioned Easter lunch - Mexican food! We like to spice it up a little :) Then Adrian and her friend hid the eggs for Cole and Isaiah, his...errr...cousin? (my niece's son). And I found out today they will be having another baby in September! Then it was our turn to hide the eggs for the big girls in some tough places. I forgot to count and there are probably a few for the lawnmower to eat :)