I Have Another Son!

Yes, it's true .... this morning confirmed what's already been in my heart. When we traveled to Ethiopia to bring home our daughter we gained a SON as well. While he may never experience sitting around our dinner table here in our home .... we plan to love and support and encourage him from afar in every way the Lord allows us to.

While visiting the Kolfe boys orphanage, I was on a mission to deliver a package for the Mestas family. My heart was also open and ready for whoever the Lord might allow us to visit there. It wasn't long before we were touring the complex and we stepped into a room where a couple of young men were studying. I will never forget seeing Getahun for the first time ... tall, dark and handsome he was. He took a break from his studies (Physics I should add!) to meet us and talk with us awhile. We learned that his parents along with his sister are no longer living. Our time there was much too short. Now looking back there are so many things I'd love to have sat down with him and visited about. He has plans to become an engineer. He is not hindered by his circumstances and is working hard in his studies to prepare for his future.

We gave him our contact information and while I've thought of him MANY times since our return home, I hadn't written him yet. This last week I was able to be in contact with Ryan to inquire about this young man who stole some of my heart. We were SO excited to learn that Ryan is working on a sponsorship program for these amazing boys at Kolfe. I'm sure there will be more news in the future about this.

Anyway, so you can maybe imagine how thrilled I was this morning to receive an email from this most amazing boy across the world. He called me mom, so I guess the feeling is mutual. :)

Seizure + Urinary Infection = NO fun!

Well, quick post here.  I've been trying for a few days now to organize my thoughts to share more about our trip.  But today we took a detour instead to the hospital.  Arsema woke this afternoon from her nap with a seizure.  Since I knew her birthmother had some of these episodes it definitely caused concern.  My mind raced a hundred directions.  She couldn't cry, she just looked through me with those eyes of hers and shook.  Long story short, we made some calls and made the hour trek to the Urgent Care.  We received loving and compassionate care by every staff member (this is truly a miracle - some of our friends might even chuckle as they know all too well my past experiences with some of this staff! - Ha!).  FYI, we ended up traveling "Ethiopian style" .... babe on my lap in the back of the van as she was just limp and lifeless and at times would wake throwing up.  She acquired a fever .... We ruled out ears, etc. and the doctor said we maybe should do a culture to see about urinary infection.  Sure enough, it came back significantly elevated.  So THIS is why my girly has been a bit whiney the last couple days.  

We got our follow up X-ray taken care of for her previous TB as well.  Yeah, one more thing marked off the list.  

Sorry for the rambling post, but I wanted to just put a word of encouragement out there for our fellow Gladney families in waiting.  Friends .... the staff at Gladney love these children SO very much!  We had put a call in quick to the staff in TX, as I really hoped they could phone Belay and double-check her history, as I did not think there was any history of this, but knew there was with her birthmother.  Sure enough, they quickly phoned him and called us back soon after (it was nearly 11 pm his time!).  Our caseworker was out, but it didn't matter, Jessica took over for us and was so full of compassion and support.  I know how difficult the wait can be.  You feel sometimes forgotten as you wait and wait not knowing the details of what's going on behind the scenes.  Rest assured though that this staff CARES!  Even once you get home!  We are even more grateful for all they do.

So now we're home with an antibiotic and instructions of what to do and watch for about any further seizures.  All I could think of on the long way to the hospital was thank goodness this didn't happen while on one of those LONG flights!  We'd appreciate your prayers for our sweetie while she fights off this infection.  

I promise more photos and more posts about our trip soon!!!

Good Morning!

It's hard to even express how good it is to be HOME! We have much more to share about our time in Ethiopia, but right now we're trying to just settle in. We were thrilled to get back in time for Nathaniel's birthday! How can it be we have TWO teenagers now? We feel so incredibly blessed!

We had a good first night home. Arsema woke at 4:00 AM scared and hungry. Poor babe ... I never even thought to leave a small light on so she could see where we were. But she quieted quickly and we snuggled and rocked with a bottle. Aahhh .... a rocking chair! ... felt so good. Since I realized she's slept a lot of hours on the plane and in Ethiopia it was afternoon, I decided to just let her stay up til about 6:00 AM. So she lazed around on my lap and had a snack and we checked in on some of you waiting families' blogs. All I can say to you is KEEP HANGING ON!!! Your children are waiting and you must not lose hope or give up on this rigorous journey. You WILL get there! The staff in Ethiopia is working tirelessly on your behalf. They want to get you united to your children. They maintain a very high level of professionalism and care in each case. Don't ever think you are forgotten. You are not. So hang in there!

It was such a joy this morning to sit in a daze in the recliner and watch the girls crawl around the house playing and giggling. Eventually the boys woke and got in on the fun too. Naomi was so happy to come to our room and see that sister had just woken up. David let her climb in for a picture. Yes, Naomi has BIG hair in the mornings!!! Then I was thrilled to capture some photos of my main man with his two daughters. What a sight to behold ... no more tears! I think Arsema is finally melting and realizing just how amazing her Daddy is.

Nathaniel wanted Arsema on his lap for birthday breakfast photos, I see now that pic is not loaded here yet. Anyway, she liked the pancakes very much! She hasn't been too open to eating much except her bottle time since we arrived, but she's getting there.

Thank you so much for all your prayers along this journey. Without them we likely would have given up and never gotten to where we are. Adoption is a crazy, rigorous, I don't even have the proper words to describe kind of journey!!! But here we are finally all together. I have so much to share with you. Things we saw, experiences, so many children waiting that you will be hearing about. But for now I must go. Many more pics to come. We have no idea when our families will come to see us ..... hint, hint trying to lay on a guilt trip!!! ..... so you'll have to bear with us for us posting many pics on here right now.

Aahhhh ..... it's good to be home!

Just a quick post to let you all know we made it home safe and sound tonight after three LONGGGGGG flights. We had to do some switching around to get out of the storms in Chicago and we're just so grateful to be off the planes and on US soil again.

Will share more in the coming days. We so appreciate all your prayers and love. It feels so great to finally all be together.

Gladney families, I have lots of photos for you. I hear there are many referrals going on now and more soon, so be in touch when you get yours so I can see if I have pics for you.

Hoping to get some sleep now soon, as I feel I've had the longest aerobic workout of my life! Babe traveled wonderfully considering all it entailed. Momma is wiped out, but nothing a little sleep can't cure.

Oh, and Josiah was completely thrilled with Maleah leaped into his arms. It didn't go that way for Nathaniel, which Dad piped up and said "join the club". Ha. In the meantime, Josiah is up on cloud about eleven.

It's a Whole New World Baby!!

Note:  Just editing to add the crawling pics we couldn't send before.

We got home from supper tonight and since Arsema is getting a bit more comfortable in her surroundings, I thought maybe some playing on the floor time was in order. We put some toys out and she would crawl like 3 "steps" and then pivot back to sitting and turn and do this over and over again. Then she's stop and play with the texture of the rug. You could just see her mind working. I began to wonder when it would occur to her there are NO limits! .... That she could crawl much further. She would go just a bit further and then it's like a big light bulb came on and the whole new world opened up. She began huffing and puffing SO excitedly and just cracking up laughing crawling back and forth, round and round. She could not believe what she was doing. Each direction going a bit further. It was hysterical. Colton caught it on video.

I've really been struggling with tomorrow approaching, going to see the government run orphanages. I know that it will tear at my heart, especially seeing where Arsema was for those long nine months when she was ill. As I put my newly hyper girl to bed tonight, the tears just came as I felt God's abundant grace on her life. It was as if He was saying to me ..... "Hello!, I'm right here .... Look at this child ... Look what I have done in her life. Isn't it beautiful?".

It's been such an intense week. While my heart is so heavy for the needs of these children ... To have a home and a place to experience the natural milestones in life, such as crawling ..... I am also encouraged tonight as I see this precious child continue to grow and thrive.

Perhaps in the morning, the sadness won't last as long for her and the laughter will come a bit easier. Each day seems like another step in the right direction.

Gladney Older Baby Care Center

"This is the Gladney Older Baby Care Center that Arsema was in. This is one of her main caregivers who was closest to her. She ran out to see us before we left ... That is before Travis tried to shoo her away. He tries to keep the "meeting day" just for the parents so they can bond with the children, but I was so glad she ran out because it felt perfect to see her on this memorable day. We hugged and hugged and she was so happy to see Arsema with her momma and daddy, but will miss her so much. We will go back to visit her again .... I promised her as Travis moved her on. :) This is one of the caregivers I'd made that picture book for.

We will forever be grateful to the caregivers for all they have done to help our precious girl thrive and grow. We will never forget. Their memory will always be honored."

Friday

Friday:

Today we visited three government run orphanages. We'd seen many pictures of other traveling families, so we knew some of what to expect. That had definitely helped to prepare us. Countless times I had wondered where the room was our daughter spent her first nine months of life at Kebebetsehay orphanage. While the conditions were hard to see, what was so beautiful was the love in the women who cared for our precious Arsema. I had taken a picture of her when she went to Gladney because we didn't think they'd recognize her. All we had to say was her name and the smiles came ... And the joy in seeing her so healthy and strong now. They showed us the crib that was hers during her stay there. It was surreal ...... To just be there and to be holding this big heavy, healthy baby in my arms.

After pictures with her caregivers, we stepped outside and were greeted by the director there. She right away was calling for Arsema. This woman was the one who worked with Arsema's birthmother during her time of need. She told us the story in her own words and we soaked up every bit of information. She told us how she looks exactly like her mother. We anticipate meeting her tomorrow. We are grateful for this opportunity and are trusting in God's grace to help us through it.

We'll write at another time about the rest of this day. At this point we are just weary and tired, but grateful for our time here. Eileen, if you're reading this, we got the package to Solomon and have photos for you when we return.




Arsema's crib is in the far back right corner. In the photo are our new dear friends Angie & Anil. They have been sharing the Ayat House with us. We will never forget our time with them. Angie's companionship was such a blessing today as we stood and looked at the room that was our daughter's. Not many words were needed ..... Some times there just are not words to express what this journey entails. But when I looked into her eyes, I knew she knew .... And that was enough.




Another long day traveling around the city. Arsema caught a short nap between stops.



While so much of this trip has been exhausting, both physically and emotionally ...... We cannot help but smile when we look at this sweet face!!! There is hope. There are so many children that are just waiting for a family. Arsema was so weak and ill ... But look at this precious child ... As humble as the conditions are in some of these places, these children are truly loved. Their caregivers hope for families to rise up and help these children. Arsema is so bright and we will never forget the people who loved her and nurtured her during her first year of life. None of us can change everything, but many of us can make a difference in the life of at least one child. It comes in many forms. There is so much that can be done.

Oh, I should add that the latest bit of progress today was that Arsema enjoyed helping Daddy eat his omelet this morning. This is a big deal!, for her to actually take food from him. The longer we are here, the more attached she becomes and she is quite good at giving nearly everyone the cold shoulder. I'm thinking once we get home and she has to share my lap with Naomi, she may realize Daddy is quite a great guy after all! Ha. It is so fun to see her blossom and show her personality. As determined as she is, she is also very tender-hearted. We feel so blessed to have her in our family.

This is "Sister", the Gladney nurse. Arsema couldn't figure out who she wanted most, me or her .... It was SO much fun seeing her squeal with excitement with all her caregivers around and then wanting to come back to her momma. She is making the transition .... It is a difficult one, but we see progress each day.

Hi Everyone,

Well, today was quite the day! It started off a bit later than planned with a little mixup on pick up time .... Then we gathered with two other couples and Travis and Johanna (in-country Gladney workers) at Kaldi's for breakfast. Kaldi's is the "Ethiopian Starbucks". We enjoyed the infamous "machiattos" and croissant sandwiches. We all enjoyed a nice visit, but were also eager to finish up so that we could meet our children.

I (Shelly) was very torn about what this moment would be like. I knew that with Arsema's age this could be a very interesting first visit. We had been warned numerous times before in updates of Arsema's less than thrilled acceptance of strangers. It's a peculiar thing, to spend a year working on paperwork, fund-raising, traveling across the world to meet a little person who has no idea who you are. The visit was soon upon us and went much as I'd expected. Arsema had been woken up for our visit and changed into an outfit we had sent for her. Very sweet .... Her caregiver was quick to be sure the clothes were indeed changed before they brought her down. She was very reserved during our meeting and you could just see her little mind trying to figure everything out. It broke my heart to see her scared. We were able to take her outside awhile and just did a lot of looking at each other. I think most of all, I was just relieved to begin this process. It is going to take time and it just felt good to spend today working on our relationship.

We then got to come back over to our guest house and spend another hour or so before it was time to go to lunch. Arsema just looked at us and it was as if she wanted to cry, but just didn't even know about doing that. She finally just laid her head down on me and drifted off to sleep. So we just spent the next hour snuggling on the couch with her getting a nap. Then it was off to lunch to meet Belay at his wife. It was wonderful at lunch because Belay's wife held her and got to chatter about with her and she'd show some expression and then be quick to hide it again for fear we might just see her smile! Ha. It was pretty funny. Since we'd had some video of her, we knew what she was like in her familiar surroundings so it was interesting seeing her reaction to everything.

Then it was time to head back to the guest house for awhile again. I finally got her to take a bottle then which is a big step from pulling in her lips before. If you could only see her THIGHS you would see that she has not missed many meals! Oh my. Then it was time to fall asleep for another little nap before heading out to supper. Those of you know that we were sleep deprived for two years of Naomi's life will understand how strange it is to us to have this child just fall asleep on us with no effort. What a fun gift from God!

It is going to be a joy watching her build trust and show us her personality. Right now she is extremely guarded and quite afraid we might make her laugh when we play and we might actually see her smile. It's funny.

We've had some precious moments today and many somber ones. This precious babe just looks at us wondering why in the world her little life has turned upside down again. Tomorrow we work to expand her horizons into Daddy's arms. She was stretched to her limit today, so she spent the day in my arms ... All 22 lbs of her. Thankfully I had been working up some muscle for this girly.

Okay ... This is just too funny. She was sitting here next to me on the couch playing with a toy and her blankey and just nodded off to sleep. Our family reading this is probably laughing out loud right now in comparison to getting Naomi to sleep! David, Colton and I are just cracking up! Maybe she's worn out from hiding in those smiles all day. I have a feeling tomorrow will be harder for her to keep them hidden inside.

That's it for today ..... Time to try and get some rest.

~Shelly

Meeting Baby

Mom and Dad are in Ethiopia now. Here is a picture of Mom holding Maleah. Mom says she is kind of chubby! We can hardly wait to hold her ourselves!

Stay tuned because we'll be posting more pictures as we get them!

A Packing We Have Gone!

Hello, fellow adoptive families! Several of you have emailed questions and I thought I'd just combine them all here on this post. I don't feel I have any expert things to share about the packing really, so you should check out other families that have traveled through Gladney as there were several wonderful posts!!! I'm too tired to find all the links, but just go search on all the past families and you'll find tons of great info! We did use Rubbermaid Roughneck totes for 4 humanitarian aid pieces of "luggage". The rest are our bags, as well as our children's bags for their trip. Yes, it did add up to a trailer load.

Where are you staying, did you get the house you were hoping for?

We are staying at the Ayat House. Several families have done reviews on it and we're thrilled this option worked out for our family. We'll be sharing it with Angie/Anil (Almost Mom blog) and we're excited about that. Our oldest son will be traveling with us.

Are you all packed?

I think so ... we'll have the bathroom stuff in the morning for everyone, but the trailer full of luggage sitting in our garage shows we are filled to overflowing! Some of the things I'm most excited about are care-packages we have the absolute privilege of delivering to some amazingly wonderful children! We will never forget the families that did this for us along our journey and we could not be happier to pass on that blessing!

What are you taking for gifts for caretakers, Belay, etc?

As many of you know we had a special project going on to help cover the needs associated with our adoption. So ... I have packets of hand-made cards for the caregivers as well as the In-country staff for their gifts. Many of you have been coming up with some wonderful ideas yourselves! For us, this just seemed the appropriate gift as these cards represent our journey to Ethiopia to bring home our daughter. In all the pictures we have of Arsema, there are two main caregivers that keep showing up. :) No doubt these special women have played a huge role in her attaching and thriving there at the Gladney Center for the last five months. For them I printed up pictures of them with Arsema as well as a picture of our family. I just put them in a simple photo book. Nothing fancy, but I think they will enjoy not only pictures of Arsema but also pictures of themselves with her as well.

We anticipate the opportunity to meet Arsema's birthmother also. For her we purchased a Bible in her own language. We have a quilted totebag purse type thing to put it in as well as some lotions. We also have a small photo book of pictures of Arsema and a family photo.

How long are your flights?

We have two flights to get us from North Dakota to DC. We end up with a long layover going at DC. Once we're on that flight it's 16 or 17 hrs. to Ethiopia. I forget exactly ...... just LONG! :)

How long will you be gone?

Not exactly sure! :) If we're able to come home early as some families have done (if paperwork goes through smoothly and there is an available flight back) we'll take it! If not, at least we'll all be home before Mother's Day, of which I'm thrilled about.

Are you excited?

I don't really know how to answer this. If you're asking if I'm full of anticipation to meet my daughter finally .... well of course YES! Am I excited that she now has to be moved from her caregivers .. the people she's grown to trust and love and feel safe with? .... no. There is loss with adoption. It's not always popular to talk about ... sometimes it makes people feel uncomfortable. But there is ... and I'm feeling it. It's been a very reflective time for me ... as have the last 12 months. There is a portion of my daughter's life that I don't know a lot about. I know that someday that will will matter to her. So I prepare to go to her birth country with great anticipation. I hope to find bits and pieces of her story from those who have loved her and cared for her. I long for any nugget that I can journal for her that she may have one day. I know these things will be something she'll treasure.

I don't think anything can quite prepare you for this journey. We're going with eyes wide open, hearts exposed .... ready for God to teach us, mold us, change us. We have climbed literal mountains to get to this part .... we have experienced God's faithfulness in ways we could never have imagined. HE alone is the one who has made all this happen. He has worked through so many people ..... yet if it wasn't for Him ... this would never have come to be.

We can hardly wait to smooch on these big cheeks of this precious child. What I have learned along this journey is that you can be over the moon with joy and yet be grieving at the same time. It's so strange, but it's true. I grief for Arsema's birthmother ... I long to see her ... Lord willing, we'll get that opportunity. I grieve for a people who are so loving, yet because of circumstances out of their control are left with pieces that cannot be put together. Above all else .... we rejoice. We rejoice in the One who called us on this journey of faith. We rejoice in what He's done both in our lives and in this precious little one's life. We give Him all praise.

What a gift today to receive yet a few more photos from a traveling family. Thank you Sharon!!! I just love her sleepy eyes waking up. :)

Haven't I Waited Long Enough???

This photo that Becca took cracked us up!  She's kinda lookin' like I feel a lot of days .... haven't we waited long enough?  You'd think these last days would be flying by.  They don't seem to be.  Oh well ..... we're almost there now!  I think I need to carry Naomi around between now and when we leave though to build up my arm muscles for this girly!  Naomi has always been SO tiny and petite ... it looks like Arsema has some very fun cheeks to smooch on!  :)  

We're Happy!

Aawwwww ...... nothing could make a momma happier while she waits than a new pic of her babe! Especially when someone was able to capture a BIG SMILE! Thanks Becca!!!! Wow .... less than a week and we can see these smiles in person! Now THAT makes me even happier!  What a long, long journey.  We can finally see the end in sight!

Suppose we ought to get back to packing!

Pretty in Pink

What a pleasant surprise to receive this pic today!  It's kind of ironic when a friend that I've never met in person has met my daughter in person before I have!  What a blessing to have other adoptive families on this journey.  Our boys haven't been so fond of how many pics we get of their sister in blue "boys clothes".  Ha!  So when Becca offered to tuck in something to our sweetie, we couldn't resist to send a little pink.  Our littlest miss is weighing in just 4 pounds under her big sister now!  Oh my, that could be interesting!  Thanks so much Zach for sending this on to us!!

Tickets - Check!

Funny ... you wait and you wait and you wait ... then it's finally time to spring into action and do all the travel arrangements.  The insanity is quite lovely and much more treasured than the insanity of the wait!  :)  Anyway, we purchased some crazy expensive flights (perhaps a benefit of living where we do?) and are working on a place to stay.  We have packed our humanitarian aid and since it is SNOWING again here!!! ..... I decided I could go ahead and pack my clothes, since I have no use for them here at the moment (spring clothes that is) - yes, it's true, we're in long sleeves and sweaters here!

That's about it.  Just counting down the days!!!

Amazing . . .

The most precious gifts since our referral have been traveling families that have taken photos for us.  They give us a peek into our daughter's life, her personality, her journey.  We hope to return the favor to other families as we travel.  So to you waiting families! ... please just email us and we'll be happy to make arrangements.  It is truly AMAZING what the Lord has done on this journey ... both for Arsema, in giving her life .... then joining our lives together.  We wil never get over this miracle.  So enjoy the pics!, I've been saving them for this splendid day.  (note: the first pic is of her at nine months old, when she went from the orphanage into the Gladney care center)

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Oh HAPPY Day!!!

Yes, Ladies & Gentlemen~

It is official!!! ... court went well and this part of the long journey is finally over!  So we introduce to you .... Maleah Faith Arsema Roberts!  We will be united with her near her 14 mo. birthday!  :)  Will share more photos later ... for now I  have FLIGHTS to book!  Praise be to God for getting us to today.

It's Almost Time! . . .

While our court date is "April 9th", with the time difference, it will all really be happening the night of the 8th.  Would appreciate your prayers that all the paperwork will be clearly presented and that the judge would grant our adoption to be official!

We received the most incredible little gift in the mail today ... a short video clip from a recently traveled family.  Thanks Waltons!!!  It was of our babe playing with the doll we sent her.  How fun it was to see her in action as her caregiver was trying to get her to give the dolly kisses.  We are ready to see it all in person!

At Turtle Speed ... so it seems

So this is how the wait for the court appointment feels. I hope I don't discourage some ... I know there are those who have waited longer for even a court date. I think this whole thing is just catching up with this momma's heart. I watched the pics of our babe turn from baby-baby into baby-toddler wondering what on earth is going on in her life. And I've about had all the waiting I can deal with. This turtle image cracked me up ... it's how I feel ... get up and RUN turtle!! Ha.

Our babe should be finishing her TB treatments now and is getting so much stronger and healthy. We are thrilled. She is not fond of those she doesn't know ... hint, prayer request for when we meet her!!! She is especially attached to two of her caregivers and for that we are so grateful! This will mean a better transition and further attachment for her.

This week we had the most incredible gift as two families sent us pictures!! We even got two short video clips of our sweetie in action and one more is on the way I'm told, from another family. BLESSED!!!! ... wow, we've been blessed this week by those.

What are we doing while we wait? Cleaning and organizing and DOWN-sizing. Nothing makes me happier at the moment than to clear out clutter and have a home more manageable.

We hope next week brings news of a successful court date and that travel plans will be underway. Would very much appreciate your prayers on that.