Journey to you

(This kind man was trying to get you to smile for the camera, Little T. Looks like you are either on the verge of smiling or crying.)

Tomorrow we are supposed to get confirmed travel dates from our travel helper at America World. In the mean time I looked for flights because I heard they were getting booked.  Originally we thought that our journey to you would be a good time to stop through Paris and visit several dear friends. I mentioned this to the first two travel agents, then on the third, fourth, and fifth agents I called I dropped the Paris idea because I knew we just had to get to Ethiopia! I had two flights on hold that did not include Paris, but at the very end of the day one of the first agents emailed me with a great itinerary that included Paris. AND it was several hundred dollars cheaper than the other flights only to ET and back. That itinerary is leaving KC Dec 27 for Paris. Paris to Ethiopia on Jan 1. We either fly home Jan 9 or 12, still tbd. He said it was the cheapest option and that there were not many options to pick from. 

Tegegne, I think we may be traveling with several great families that are most likely adopting your friends/wrestle buddies. Our agency sends us in groups, and our group so far has 3 other families with darling children. Can't wait to meet up with the Roots, Rices, and Warrens in Addis! 

Love you,

Mom

P.S. Timothee, Agnes, Justine, Stephan...we are most likely coming to Paris to see you! I should know for certain tomorrow. We cannot wait to spend time with you! I will apologize in advance that you will not get to meet our little guy. 

A Walk to Beautiful

Dear Reader,

I got a comment from Natalya on behalf of Engel Entertainment, who produced A Walk to Beautiful. I thought I'd give it another shout out and let you know that you can purchase the full DVD on their website, www.walktobeautiful.com, or by calling, 212-413-9200. It's a great film. Check it out!

a flight...please?

Lord,

Will you please save a spot on a plane to Ethiopia so we can get Tegegne? Like around Dec 31-Jan9?

Amen.

TENTATIVE Travel Dates

Dear Michael and Kristyn,

Your family's tentative date of departure to Ethiopia is January 2, 2010. You will be in Ethiopia for approximately 5 days and will return to the US on January 9, 2010. Please keep in mind that this is a tentative date that is subject to change depending on the timeframe of completion of your child(ren)'s post court paperwork. The timeframe of processing post court paperwork is case specific and may differ for each family. We will do all we can to get you off to Ethiopia as soon as possible and will let you know by the end of this week if you will be able to travel on these dates.

Please note the consulate in Addis limits the number of families we can submit at each weekly appointment. This is also a factor as we determine the earliest possible date your family can travel. Within 7-10 days of passing court we will notify your family of your concrete travel dates.

Tegegne's Announcement

Tegegne,

Ethiopians tell us that your name means "I have been found" or "chosen". Well, your dad and I along with a lot of great people are so glad that you have been found and placed into our family. I have been thinking a lot about our meeting day. Although you are young and will be sad to leave your kind nannies with whom you have bonded, I pray that there is a part of you that will feel peace when they place you in our arms. May you feel warmly loved and cared for from the moment our eyes meet. In the mean time I will work on learning some key Amharic words. I think I will also try to learn some Amharic songs.

We are your mom and dad officially today, but really God new that we were your forever mom and dad even before you were born.

Mom

Meet our son - Tegegne Dena Jones!

We officially passed court today and are the parents of Tegegne! God is good. I am so happy I can hardly type straight!

Make video montages at www.OneTrueMedia.com

A Walk To Beautiful

I watched this film this weekend, A Walk To Beautiful. It is a documentary on Ethiopian women who live in rural areas outside of Addis Ababa and what they go through with health complications in childbirth. I have been thinking about these women often and my heart goes out to them. You can watch it on PBS online.

I think I will look for a few more documentaries on your country before we travel.

I was packing your things tonight. They suggest 5 outfits for you while we are there. I need to buy a few more items to make your outfits complete. Also need some cozy pjs that will fit you and a onsie that is extremely cozy for the long trek home. Your dad can hardly stand looking at your little clothes right now because he's so ready for you to be in them!

Tis the season of Advent where we prepare for Christ's coming into the world! We are being watchful and aware of what God has going on in and around us. Tomorrow night we will pray for the Judge as he reviews our papers (9 hours difference in ET so Dec 8 happens there before it happens here). I'll let you know on Tuesday when I hear from America World.

Love you dear.

Mom

Checking In

Hey cutie pie. How are you? Your dad is out visiting with a friend, and your big dog and I are snuggled up by the fire. I'm reading adoption blogs and thinking of you. It is so good to read the blogs with Ethiopian kids recently home. It is good to hear that it is not always an easy transition home. You will grieve your loss and deal with the major changes in your routine. I just wonder when and how you will show it. I am taking a free course on how to make you a Life Book. I have gotten started on yours, but look forward to working on it more. Your life book will entail anything and everything about your life before us, and with us. While in Ethiopia, these are the things I need to remember to get for your life book:

• Any additional information about your birth family.
• A note to you from your nanny written in Amharic.
• A leaf from a tree outside the Transition Home.
• Photos of your homeland and people of all ages.
• Traditions on holidays. (I read that ET celebrates Christmas Jan 7, and I would love to be there to see what it is like.)
• We look forward to taking in as much culture as possible. The music, the people, the smells. The coffee ceremony, the arts and crafts.

Your dad brought home a cd tonight called "The Children of Uganda." It's beautiful African music by orphaned children that live around Uganda. He filled the house with the music and we danced around for a bit! We like to have fun and laugh. We look forward to dancing around the house with you in the African way!

Get your dancin' shoes ready Little T.

Mom

Quick Note from the Mama

It's true, our papers were locked up in a box and our Ministry of Women's and Children's Affairs representative was gone and he had the key. This occurred to several other families in our agency today and we are all getting a second chance next Tuesday! 

We are doing well and know that our son will be home before we know it. This is not an easy process, but the outcome is pretty fabulous so I'd say it's worth the bumpy ride. Thank you for your prayers and thoughtfulness. 

Kristyn

No Dice Today

Little Guy - 

So we just got word that the guy that has your paper work was not at work today, and he took the keys.  No one could get to your file, so the Judge couldn't see your case.  He did, however, see some parts of your case that were very important.  This helps you a lot.  

He gave you another court date for Dec. 8th.  Since we got a lot of information out of the way for you today, the Judge needs only to see your file.  Apparently it looks much more hopeful on Dec. 8th that we will be able to legally call you our son.  

That is what I, (pops), understand.  Your mother will probably update the details.  Hold in a little while longer, we're coming. 

Sleep well and wrestle somebody!