13 Hours to Liftoff......

Hey all. We made it safe and sound to DC. I even figured out how to use Wi-Fi from our hotel room! I didn't know it was that easy!!!

We have a few updates: David jammed his right thumb loading the suitcases (all 6 of them!!) into the back of the truck - my "virus" isn't getting any better, so I think I'm going to take those antibiotics the Dr. gave me! The other bad news is that my ex-sister-in-law passed away yesterday from cancer (we haven't told Squeeker).As usual, there are a lot of obstacles in our paths, but we are focused, and READY TO GO!!!

We are going to spend the day in DC today, probably at the Air and Space Museum or maybe the Smithsonian and then head to the airport around 5ish!

Squeeker wanted to call the WMIT, the Christian radio station we listen to at home, to tell them we are on our way to Africa. We contacted them back in August because Carol, one of WMIT morning personalities had a little girl a month after Pickles was born. Our dear friend Cheri called and left us a message on my cell phone letting us know she heard Squeeker on the radio!!! He is so excited about his baby sister!!

Cheri: Girl, you made me cry when I heard your voice mail message this morning!!!!

We love you all, and thanks for your prayers, and your support during this life-changing event!

Happy Halloween!!!!!

Love,
David, Robin and Squeeker

2 Days and Counting...

It seems so hard to imagine that we'll be travelling in less than two days! Our journey will allow us a day in DC to rest prior to embarking on the long, and I'm sure, anxious, 17 hour plane ride to Addis.

I had good intentions to post during the the past week, but time just swept away from us. We had to finalize our wills -- a very daunting task to say the least, finish up last minute shopping, and finally packing. All the packing is done except for the last minute toiletry items. David is an amazing packer, so I graciously (ok, stop laughing) handed this task over to him!!!

We will try and post from Addis if we can get a good internet connection. We've been told there is "high speed" internet at the Hilton Hotel, and plan to use that if the guest house we are staying does not have an internet connection.

Yes, we are anxious, yes, we are nervous, and yes, we are excited. It's almost surreal, like it's happening but not really happening. I'm sure those that have already travelled understand completely what I mean.

I'm signing off for now, I have IPODS to finish loading!!! Can't leave home without the IPODS!!!

New Picture

She's 17 lbs...and is she growing!!!! We can't wait to hug and kiss her!!!

In case any of you were wondering,,,,we haven't started packing yet, just stressing over GETTING packed!!!

9 days to go!!!!!!!!!!!

ITS OFFICIAL --- PICKLES IS OURS!!!

We made through courts today. I can't even begin to tell you the relief we feel, then excitement, then panic (oh my gosh, we have to pack!!!).

Thank you, thank you, thank you all from the bottom of our hearts for your prayers, concerns, support and shoulders to cry on during these long 2 1/2 months!!!! I can't even begin to explain how much ALL of you mean to us!

Our travel dates has been pushed forward two days to October 31st. The Embassy in Addis is now requiring two days after your embassy hearing to prepare the exit documents (Visas, etc.) needed to get our baby girl home!!!!

The courts are now requiring the biological mom and three witnesses to appear in court to validate/confirm that each child has legitimately being relinquished for adoption. As a mom, I can't imagine how difficult that must be to go through that all again. This change also means some of the court dates will have to be rescheduled. We are so thankful that ours got through court. My heart goes out to you that have to wait a little longer. The reward is so great when it finally comes.....we know, we've walked that walk the past 2 1/2 months!

God is SO GOOD!

We love you all!

David & Robin

Benadryl, Lavender Bubble Bath & Chocolate Cake

What do they all have in common????


Hmmm.....must be stress!!! Funny how we all deal with stress differently. When working out at the Y this morning didn't help, the old stand by - chocolate cake comes in to take its place.

We are still waiting,,,not so patiently to hear from Mary T. As soon as I hear something, I will post. Of course, that is, after I call my husband who thinks I would post something before I call him.......

"Being Real"

God has really been working on me this week. I don't know how else to put it. Blunt, I am blunt. That is who I am. I pray for "tact," sometimes it comes, sometimes it doesn't. I'm going to try and be tactful, but I may not be able to in order to share with you what God has done in my life this week. So, here goes.....

"And we, who with unveiled (real, transparent) faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory; which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit."

2 Corinithians 3:18 (NIV)

This was the bible verse from an online devotion that was in my email on Friday. On Wednesday, I wrote this in an email to a friend from church:

"Being vulnerable is one of those things that God has been working on me during the past few months. I'm not good at letting people see how truly vulnerable I am. Most people think I've got it all together, but I hide it well through years of practice. I so desperately want to hide my feelings so that I don't get hurt, and people misunderstand and judge me. yet our wonderful, awesome and loving God wants me to be real, to be transparent, and I'm really struggling with letting go of the control."

I then went on to explain that Squeeker and I played hookie from church because I just couldn't face the questions of what was going on with the adoption and having to explain yet another delay. This was my next paragraph:

God spoke to me last night through Squeeker. We hung out at home, watched a movie in bed (which is a BIG TREAT at our house), ate junk food for dinner (also a big no-no!) and he got to take a bath in "mommy's jacuzzi." We laughed, we cried and we spent time together, just the two of us. I realized how much I was missing "the moment" by worrying about "WHEN" the adoption was going to move foward. It was definitely one of those "ah-ha" moments. But there has been so many "ah-ha" moments these past few months. Our marriage is stronger than ever, we are ministering to a couple in crisis, we are developing friendships with other "adoption blog families," but probably the most important, people got to see the "real" side of David and Robin, the side only God has seen up to this point. No, it hasn't been easy, my heart is breaking to hold her, but somewhere in this journey, there is yet another testimony that God wants us to share with someone, someday."

So friends, I've been trying to "be real" this week. Friday evening I attended a women's conference that I really did not want to go to. I forced myself to go telling myself that I needed to. It's always in these circumstances that I have a "God moment." This evening was no exception. The speaker was a local pastor's wife who grew up "on the wrong side of the tracks." We talked extensively about "being real" and my fears of being judged. She told me, quite bluntly, that I needed to get over it because I was going to be judged NO MATTER what I did. Do I want to be obedient to God and be judged or be judged anyway? Well, when you put it that way, what matters is my obedience to God, not what anyone else thinks about me.

In Sunday School this morning I read part of the devotion that referenced the above bible verse. It went lke this:

"I was sitting in Sunday School listening to prayer requests being mentioned. Prayer needs varied -- someone's neighbors were having marital problems; a co-worker was having problems with her boss; a friend whose child was being rebellious; a family member's health issues. A few were personal requests such as an important decision about work, a scheduled surgery, and safe travels for vacation. All the prayer requests were valid and prayer-worthy, but I started to wonder if we were really being real with one another. Why were we not asking for prayers for our own struggles - our own marriage struggles, our own children, or our own challenges in living a Christ-like life?"

Then I got real with my Sunday School class, and I mean really real. And it opened the floodgates. I won't go into specifics, because I don't believe in sharing details shared in Sunday School, but it was a special moment of sharing our concerns, our pain, and our tears and really feeling the presence of the Lord in our midst.

.

Being real isn't easy; it takes courage. The rewards are great if we are willing to step out on faith. Are you willing?

Court Delay.....

Yes, I'm afraid it's true. Mary T. called a few minutes ago. Ramadan is a Muslim holiday that will be celebrated either this Friday or Saturday. Courts in Ethiopia close for 24 hours after they "see the moon." I wish I could tell you more details about this holiday, but I'm too emotionally spent right now to do the research and find out.

Gladney decided to postpone all court dates scheduled for Friday until next week instead of risking an additional 2 -3 week delay if Romadin falls on Friday. So, our new court date is next Thursday, October 18th.

The good news is we got a new picture and development chart -- she's doing so well!!!!

Beth Moore's Blog

I found this bible verse on Beth Moore's blog tonight. I didn't even know she had a blog!!! What an inspiration this verse is to me tonight.

"So do not throw away your confidence, because it has great reward. For you need endurance in order to do God's will and so receive what is promised."

Hebrews 10:35-36

P.S. After I posted this, I worked through a chapter of one of the Women of Faith bible studies that a group of us have been working on. This bible verse came up again so I know God is trying to tell me something! I'm listening God, I'm perservering........

WE HAVE A NEW COURT DATE!!!!

Mary T. called about 45 minutes ago -- we have a court date for this Friday, October 12th!!!!
Whew.......I'm taking a deeeeeeeeeeep breath.

Because our situation is unique, I am still holding my breath until we get through courts again and have an official adoption contract!!!!

Truthfully, I'm afraid to re-engage in making plans, repacking, etc. again until I know for sure that we made it through courts successfully. I just can not afford another emotional roller coaster ride. As it is, I've been on the verge of crying twice this week. I should just let myself go and cry my eyes outs, but I won't. Gotta be the grown-up. These past few months have been sooooo difficult trying to discern why this happened, knowing that no matter what the answer is, it will never totally satisfy my need to hold her in my arms now, and to mourn the loss of the two + months we lost with her. Maybe it's selfish, I don't know. I wear my emotions on my sleeve, but try to pretend they are not there. But they are real, and my heart aches, just aches to be her mommy.

New Picture & Update on Courts

Just got this new picture of Pickles taken yesterday. She looks so good! And she's growing -- look at the chubby belly!!!! The rash has also gone away, but they will recheck her in a few days to make sure it hasn't come back.

No news from the courts today.....looks like we'll have to wait until Monday. Big sigh..................

New Pictures from the Daileaders

The Daileader's, who live in Connecticut, where I am originally from, posted a comment on my blog letting me know they have some pics of Pickles for us that they took when they went to pick up their little girl, Sophie, at the end of September!!!! Thank you, thank you, thank you Heidi!!!! Their blog is: http://www.daileader.blogspot.com/





Della's on the left. On the right, is baby Zoe, Drew and Carey's newly referred little girl!!! Their blog is: http://web.mac.com/careygrange/DrewCareyShow/Ethiopia,_here_we_come!.html

Still no word from the courts!

"A Walk to Beautiful"

Last evening we had the amazing opportunity to preview an upcoming PBS documentary called "A Walk to Beautiful" about five women in Ethiopia and the Fistula Hospital in Addis. This showing was the only non-film festival showing in the US prior to the release of the movie. We were so honored to be able to see this amazing documentary.

I went to see my OB/GYN last week for my annual appointment -- she spent 2 months working in the Fistula hospital prior to returning to the states and joining her current practice. When I told her about Pickles, she told me about the movie. I am so glad we went!!!

"A Walk to Beautiful" captures the stories of four Ethiopian women from the ages of late teens to a mother of five, age 38. Life in Ethiopia is very hard, especially for the women. Like women in most of the developing world, they tend to do the most difficult, dirty work, yet generally do not have access to the few opportunities that exist for an education and a good job. As early as 2 years of age, they are carrying huge pottery jars of water back and forth to their village. The result of carrying more than they are physically capable, coupled with a negative calorie input, their growth is stunted. Their culture requires many of them to be married off at a young age -- sometimes as young as 10 -- and often start bearing children by their early teens. Fathers marry them off young in order to protect them from being abducted and raped. Childbirth rarely occurs with a qualified attendant, much less at a hospital. Problems during delivery occur from small pelvises from stunted growth which lengthens labor to up to 7 days. The babies often die, are born stillborn or have to be removed physically. One women in the film states the baby had to be "pulled out of her."

A common injury is called an obstetrical fistula, which occurs when the baby tears a hole into the bladder and/or rectum, causing the mother to become permanently incontinent which results in a constant urine smell. One of the women in the film was filmed during her journey to Addis; we witnessed the shame and the shunning of the other passengers on the bus. She was lucky, one woman walked almost 17 hours alone to get to Addis. When a fistula occurs, the husband almost always abandons his wife, she has no choice but to return to her family, often to be rejected again. These women have lives of unspeakable misery. Many are isolated in their villages, shunned and shamed; one didn’t leave her bed, much less her family’s hut, for nine years before making her way to the Fistula Hospital.

The Fistula Hospital in Addis specializes in the relatively simple surgical procedure that repairs the fistulas, allowing the patients to return to normal life and even bear children again. It heals more than 1,000 women annually. The Public Relations person for the Fistula hospital stated last evening that a normal fistula repair surgery is a mere $450.00. Complications are higher, but the services are performed free of charge to all patients.

http://www.fistulafoundation.org/hospital/

I cannot even begin to put into words the impact this film has had on me and my family. I was hesitant to bring Squeeker with us, but was glad I had made the decision. The film was done tastefully, including the surgery scenes which were not overly graphic. The scenes that actually showed the leakage were done with the utmost respect for these women. Yet, you looked into their eyes and felt their shame.

My husband has spent many years travelling internationally, including many months working with orphans in Romania. This morning he commented that in all of his years travelling internationally, he has never witnessed such poverty.

When we look globally at the problem of fistula, it at first seems overwhelming and impossible. This film gives hope, that one person can indeed make a difference. As a family adopting a little girl from Ethiopia, I know that we HAVE to do something to help. Please, watch the film when it comes out next year on PBS, and pray about how you can help.

http://www.walktobeautiful.com/

Another Day Waiting

I don't know about any of you other PAP, but the waiting for the courts this week has been agonizing. I was up until way past 11:30 reading blogs, and doing other research on the internet. When I finally went to bed, I had a hard time falling asleep and tossed and turned ALL night long. Then at 4:00 a.m., the newspaper delivery girl hammered the post for our newspaper box in our front yard and I never fell back to sleep.

I think I'm going to try and get in a few hours now. Tonight in Charlotte is a movie about the Fisika Hospital in Addis. If I can stay awake, all of us are going. We are really looking forward to it!

NEW PICTURE & UPDATE!!!

Attach is the newest picture of Pickles!!!! It is a few weeks old, prior to her getting pneumonia!!! And she had TWO TEETH!!! Wooeeeeeee!!!

Today was Pickle's last shot for her pneumonia!!!!! Time to celebrate!!! She has been moved back with the other children in Gladney's Foster Home!!!! For the past week, she's been isolated and given a dedicated care giver while she had pneumonia!!! Not like being home with momma, but the next best thing!

Courts reopened today, but no word yet. It will probably be end of the week, or maybe as late as next week before we hear anything. Every time my cell phone rings, I jump hoping and praying its Mary T!!!!

David has a seminar from Wed-Friday in beautiful Asheville, NC, but I'm staying home this year!!! Too much to do. Next week, he leaves for Canada for a 5 day business trip too! When it rains, it pours!!! I sure hope he's home when we get the "call" from Mary with news from the courts!

We live in a small southern town, everyone knows almost everyone, or at least David knows just about everyone!!!. That's about to change with the new development plans approved for our area. Rural NC is slowing seeping away from us. Today we went to Subway for lunch and ran into three different people he knew, being a "newbie" of 4.5 years to our town, I only knew one of them!!! In conversation, we were sharing the latest pictures of Pickles and we discovered there is another family in our local area just starting the adoption process for Ethiopia!!!! WOOOOEEEE....that is awesome news! Hopefully we can hook up with them and share experiences!