And then there were none!

When we passed court on April 15, our happiness was dampened by the knowledge that four of the eleven families in our court travel group still hadn't passed. Last week, two of them passed after many agonizing weeks of wait. Today, the final two got word that they too had passed and their children are legally theirs! Finally! No more families waiting for court! It makes me so happy. Now we just have to pray the five families waiting for embassy clearance home through the last hurdle.

The joy of firsts

One of the fun things about adopting an older international child is watching them enjoy their first time doing so many different things. A few things we have enjoyed with Thomas are: escalators, elevators, airplanes, riding a bike, riding a scooter, listening to an iPod, swimming, Wii, riding the jet ski and today, riding in our boat. Here are some pictures from our boat ride this evening, during which Thomas exuberantly exclaimed "I love boat!"

Sarah, Thomas and Candace

Captain Thomas gets an assist from Daddy

Like a hot potato

Dropped...
One thing I have noticed after two international adoptions... and this is a caveat for those of you contemplating undertaking this journey or in the early stages... is how quickly the agency/client relationship diminishes after you walk through your front door with your new child. You have developed a relationship with the agency, a very needy one that involves anxious emails and phone calls and the writing of large checks. Maybe a large part of your week revolved around when you would hear some news, any news, from the people at the agency, the people who seemed to almost control your future. And then, you're home and... nothing. No emails, no phone calls... you are done. Complete. Maybe you get a "welcome home" packet detailing how your post-placement reports should be filed, with a list of "resources" for you in case of problems. I don't know... even though I was expecting it this time, it still just feels so abrupt. Like, "Hey, I just added a whole kid here to the family... and you're just leaving me to my own devices? What's up with that?"

Fortunately, we are having an easy transition this time around. So far. So I guess we learned some things the first time. But I wouldn't turn down a friendly "how's it going?" phone call or email from the agency people.

Edited: I just want to add that I feel that in general this is something that agencies can improve on... I'm not picking on specific people. It's much like sending moms and newborns home from the hospital with a wave and a "good luck!" , which is pretty much what happens. However, this is my blog, and I should be able to post about my feelings regardless. And my feeling, whether truly warranted or not, is the panicky feeling of suddenly being on my own.

Adoption announcement

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Modern greeting cards and party invitations by Shutterfly.

View the entire collection of cards.

This is the announcement I made to mail out to family. I think it turned out pretty cute!

One week

We have been a family of eight for one week now. Thomas seems to be adjusting beautifully. The twins are doing much better than I expected... jealousy issues have been at a minimum. Daddy is thrilled with his new son and the feeling is mutual. Big siblings are so relieved to have us home that to them anything else is a bonus.

I feel... weird. Unexpectedly down. Slightly panicky. I've also been sick almost all week. I'm feeling impatient and out of sorts. Not like a thrilled new mommy should feel... sigh.

Independence Day

Our new little American citizen, Feyissa Thomas,
experienced his first Independence Day today,
complete with some traditional fun July 4th activities.

First, some swimming with Candace and Sarah:

Followed by some fireworks provided by big sisters
Anna and Emily.

Tonight we'll watch the professional display here in our neighborhood, followed by bedtime. :)

Home!

He's almost here!

All this room needs to make it complete is one little boy. Tomorrow, we're on our way to bring him home.

Some summer fun

Things have gone all crazy around here as we get ready to leave for Ethiopia in just a few days, but we are still managing to get in some summer fun. Midweek, Tom and I surprised the twins by waking them up for a "secret adventure". They didn't know where we were going until we pulled into the parking area at Worlds of Fun amusement park in Kansas City.

Relaxing in the Shade at Planet Snoopy

Girls like monster trucks, too.

Yesterday I bought the girls their very own Barbie Princess fishing rods. They have already learned how to cast from their Daddy, so they were ready to start reeling them in. They can't wait to get Thomas started with his Spiderman rod.

Sarah

Candace

Embassy appointment!

We have our appointment! June 28! In just eleven days, we will be looking at our little Thomas' face, and he will greet us as his parents. Can't wait. :)

June weddings

June is the traditional month for weddings, and we just got to enjoy one! I traveled to Indianapolis with oldest daughter Emily for my niece Shawna's wedding to longtime boyfriend Kyle.


It seems like only yesterday, but also during this past week, this happy couple celebrated 25 years of marriage...

I hope Shawna and Kyle are as lucky in their marriage as we have been in ours!

p.s. ADOPTION UPDATE: Our case has been submitted to the Embassy, and they requested the correction of a discrepancy of the birth father's name which appeared in the documents. We are still waiting to hear if this has been resolved... very, very impatiently.

And the winner is...

Emily!!!

I used a random line picker application to choose the winner. Emily, email me your address and I will send the book to you ASAP! You are going to love it!

My first ever blog GIVE-AWAY!

I started this blog in September of 2008 as we were paper-chasing for our first adoption. Two years later, in August of 2010, I finally discovered the blog hit counter... slow on the uptake, I know. Anyway, in honor of my 10,000th page view (since 8/30/10), I am having a book give-away.

The book is Melissa Fay Greene's No Biking in the House Without a Helmet. Anyone will find it highly readable and fun, but parents of internationally adopted children will find that it resonates even more. I loved it.

To win, leave a comment on this post. I will post the winner this Friday.

School's out for the summer!

Their faces say it all...

Exuberant Candace jitterbugged up the driveway, looking forward to playing, less restrictive bedtimes, beach time, swimming and all the fun of summer.

While a thoughtful Sarah announced with a melancholy air that she was going to miss her friends.

New friends!

On Sunday we attended a picnic in Lincoln for Ethiopian adoptive families. We were thrilled to meet the Druckenmillers' new sons, and also to meet several new families and their children from Ethiopia... strangely, all boys. Candace and Sarah were the only Ethiopian girls in attendance! It was fun for all of us.