Embassy Day

Finally we have internet at the guesthouse. Yesterday (Monday) was our district's scheduled "no power day" and before that the phone was out for several days. We are having a great time here in Ethiopia with the other BCS families. We're all staying at the same guesthouse and - as I type this - all the families are discussing how great it is to have each other. We put all the kids to bed and sit and chat and unwind.   Today was embassy day for all of us. It was uneventful (in a good way).. We all passed and high-tailed it out of there. I did see "Lis from Boulder" at the Embassy, which was very cool. We'd never met before, but hooked up via email before we left and found out we had the same embassy day. Anyway, after the embassy, the guys dropped off the women and children and went to the merkato. We couldn't have chosen better couples to travel with - Marc and Scott (of "the Johnsons") are two peas in a pod.   Tonight we went to a local restaurant with the Mellits family. There happened to be a traditional Ethiopian wedding reception there and it was such a great experience. Everyone was dressed to the nines and the music was amazing. I'm so glad that we experienced that with the kids.   And speaking of the kids...... :)  I'm sure that's what you mostly want to know about??  Sorry, I forgot that it's been a few days since I've blogged.   So we picked up the kids on Saturday. Misgana is *very* much like Fletcher - strong willed and big personality. You can tell she hasn't been told "no" very much thus far, but "no no no no" (complete with finger shaking) was the first English phrase that she has learned.   Fikreab is cracking everyone up, us included. He looks like a mini 80 year old man instead of an 18 month old and its amazing to watch some of the things he can do. He puts his socks, shoes and all his clothes on by himself. He does have the 2 year old temper tantrum thing down, but we're working on that.   All of the kids here are really blossoming more each day. It's so neat to watch. They are more alive, have more personality and seem stronger every day.   Anyway....I will try to get back online tomorrow and share more. Maybe even some photos. But I need to pass the laptop on to the next family.   {Love to my Fletchy}

hello from Addis!

Greetings from Addis Ababa!   We arrived safely on the 21st and have been journaling a lot, but haven't quite had time to find internet access as of yet. i promise full details of our trip when we return, but the Cliff's notes for now.   upon our arrival in Addis we visited the bethany offices and met with milkiyas and his staff - they are our reps here in Ethiopia. milkiyas felt it was okay for us to visit Awassa where the kids are from and he arranged it with our driver. He gave us three warnings - no spicy food, no tap water, and don't contact the kids' parents. We followed all but the spicy food thing.   So on Wednesday morning we left for awassa. it was a full 5 hour drive and we were wondering why we did it....until we got there. We stayed at an old run down place right on lake Awassa, but the atmosphere more than made up for it. We spent several hours over the next two days gazing out at the lake and unwinding while the monkeys ran around under foot.   on Thursday morning, the two reps from Shalom orphanage came by to pick us up - Solomon & Abreham. We spent the day touring their office and the orphanage. I was a bit surprised because there are only infants there right now - all newborns up 4 months old or so. And adorable. Wow, so sweet that i momentarily thought about trying to hide a few in my backpack. We had a great day seeing the city, the hospital where both kids were born, and having a coffee ceremony with their nannies. marc video taped it all so we can show the kids later.   this morning we left and arrived back to Addis in the afternoon. i think several other Bethany families should be here by now. i know that the johnsons made their way down to Awassa this morning as well. i hope that they are as happy they made the trip as we are. it was long but well worth it. We were the first people to visit Shalom. Ever. i think they took more pictures of us than we did of everything we saw.   oh, marc says i forgot about the bike. We ended up buying a bike at the market for the nannies there, so that they can get around quickly when they need to go to the market or pick up supplies. I think they were happy with it.   Anyway... Tomorrow morning we go to the transition house to meet the children. We can't wait. Will update more when i can...   love, kellie and marc

Safe and sound in D.C.

Thank goodness for sunshine! We managed to get out of the house this morning. Marc had to use the sled to transport our suitcases up the driveway. It was pretty funny and I have a photo I'll be sure to share later.

We are safe and sound in DC and looking forward to leaving for Ethiopia in the morning.

I miss my boy already. Someone give him hugs and smooches for me!

Travel Day!

We woke up this morning to blue skies and sunshine and I see water dripping off the trees already. Hopefully some of the snow will melt down in the next hour so that we're able to get the truck out. We don't have to be at the airport until 1:30 pm but, in typical Brown fashion, we have a few things we need to pick up before we leave - a gift for our rep in Ethiopia, money, etc.

I can't believe that our travel day is finally here. Fletch crawled in bed with us in the middle of the night and the first thing he said this morning when he woke up was "Brother and sister. Go get my brother and sister today." I'm going to miss him so much.

Well......if you don't hear from me again today, that means we managed to escape the snow!

1 Day....I hope?

Snow is still falling here in cold Evergreen, CO. The highway was closed by the time we were heading home yesterday afternoon. We ended up taking a back road like the rest of the tough local mountaineers. We both got stuck at the top of the driveway, so our cars are still sitting there.

We decided we might as well enjoy the snow since cursing it doesn't help very much. Marc and Fletcher went out sledding and I tried snowboarding, but the snow was just too deep and I kept getting stuck. Fletch is about 42 inches tall now and this was all you could see of him in the snow. (He's the little blob in the middle of the photo!)

No snow plows have come through yet. Let's hope it stops snowing soon.

To do:

• Pack done!
• Get gift for our rep in Ethiopia (On the way to the airport I guess?)
• Get cash
• Learn to speak Amharic (HAAAhahahahahaha)

I did finish all of the laundry and the tote bags for the nannies.

The day that wouldn't end.

So, as previously mentioned, today was supposed to be a busy day. Funeral in the morning, work, cover a shift for another person as well, get my HepB shot, and so on.

I had to forgo the funeral, although Marc was able to sneak out of school for an hour to attend. Around 9:30 our power went out. Great. I decide to go into Denver, find somewhere with WiFi and sit there for several hours until its time for my appointment at the travel clinic.

I walk out the door and immediately sink into two feet of snow. Ugh. This is going to be a long trip. I slowly make it down the dirt road in our neighborhood to the main road and realize I've forgotten my wallet. I drive back to get it, get my immunization appointment rescheduled for earlier and head back out. There had to be 20 accidents between Evergreen and Denver complete with ambulances, a zillion police, firetrucks, every tow truck in the city, and THREE jack-knifed semi trucks. It was a looooooooooooong drive to say the least, but there was no option, I had to get that shot.

So here I am several hours later, sitting at McDonald's using their free WiFi. I really have to pee, but I don't want to pack all this stuff up to go to the bathroom. (Did you need to know that?) Marc's planning to pick me up after he's done at school this afternoon so that we can leave one car down here.

Just what I need today, right?

2 days, what could happen?

How about a good ol' Colorado springtime snowstorm??? Yes folks, this is what it looks like outside right now...

That's what 18" of snow looks like. And its not supposed to stop until tomorrow evening.

This makes it difficult to work (and I'm supposed to be doing my job and covering for someone else today) since my internet connection is spotty. I'm missing a funeral for a dear friend's father. And I'm supposed to be getting my 2nd HepB shot today, which has to be done on a schedule since I'm on the "fast track' (aka procrastinator's) schedule.

I'm sure by Sunday afternoon we'll be able to get to the airport, but its more a question of flights being backed up and/or cancelled because of the snow. So, I'm trying not to freak out....because freaking out certainly won't change the weather, right?

To do:

• HepB shot
• pack - why am I putting this off??
• finish tote bags for nannies - almost done!
• get preschool direx to grandma
• get a gift for our agency rep in Ethiopia
• install carseats
• grocery shop
• get DVD from another family to bring to their child in ET
  

3 Days...

THREE days! Every time I stop and think about that my stomach feels queasy. Not only will we be going to AFRICA, but we'll be meeting the newest members of our family. We'll be parents to THREE children. Not to brag, but I think I look pretty good for having three kids. ha-ha

To do...

• Pack - everything is picked out, I washed the kids' clothes today.
• Finish making tote bags - About 2 more hours worth of work and these will be done!
• Break out the Amharic cd & book.
• 2nd HepB shot on Friday.
• Make copies of passports & print out forms we need to bring
• Find a gift for our agency's liaison in Ethiopia
• Install additional car seats

Edited to say: We just got our travel docs in the mail from Susan Parr travel, whom I highly recommend. We never use a travel agent anymore as it's easy enough to find your own good deals online these days. But I didn't realize quite how much you have to think about when it comes to a trip like this.

Travel dates can change if there's a snag in the visa paperwork. With most airlines you can't change the tickets, or you have to pay a large fee. Susan has contracts in place that allow her not only the best deals, but she's also able to change out flights if needed. She deals with everything you don't even want to think about - like which country you should travel through to avoid having to get additional visas. And if you find yourself stuck on a runway somewhere, you call her and she makes everything better. In this long crazy process it's nice to be able to give a piece of the stress and responsibility to her, so that you don't have to deal with it.

4 Days & Happy Birthday to Macy!

Today is our little girl's birthday. When we got our referral in December we thought she'd be home by now. Happy 5th Birthday Macy!

To do...

• Get a haircut Wow, turned out a lot shorter than I asked for. Maybe I'll bring a tape measure next time.
• Dig suitcase out of the basement
• Pack - everything is picked out, waiting to be packed!
• Finish making tote bags for the nannies - half way done!
• Break out the Amharic cd & book - it's been located, need to listen to the cd
• 2nd HepB shot on Friday
• Make copies of passports
• Print out all the forms we need to bring with us
• Find a gift for our agency's liaison in Ethiopia

5 Days...

Why isn't my list getting any shorter?

• Get a haircut
• Marc a haircut
• Dig suitcase out of the basement
• Pack - We have our clothes and Macy's picked out. Need to pick out Felix' clothes still.
• Finish making tote bags for the nannies - 2 done!
• Make a list of doctor's numbers / locations for Grandma
• Get the kids on my health insurance
• Break out the Amharic cd & book
• 2nd HepB shot on Friday
• Make copies of passports
• Print out all the forms we need to bring with us
• Post office - send necklaces & cards
• Find a gift for our agency's liaison in Ethiopia

6 Days...

aka: "Panic Sets In"

I've wracked my brain trying to come up with some sort of gifts for the nannies at the transition house. Others have brought little gift sets with soap and lotion, or manicure sets and stuff like that. I don't think it needs to be anything over-the-top, but I did want it to at least be thoughtful. I did hear someone else mention the nannies coming and going carrying lots of stuff, so I settled on tote bags (and it helps that that's the one thing that I can sew pretty well). So here's the first one. Whaddaya think?




They fold up nice and flat too.

Still to do:

• Pay Fletcher's school for the next 2 weeks
• Get out of jury duty for next week
• Send itinerary to social worker
• Get a haircut
• Give Marc a haircut
• Get work stuff arranged for my fill-ins
• Dig suitcase out of the basement
• Pack
• Finish making tote bags for the nannies
• Drop a boat load of stuff off at Goodwill - MIL offered to do this for me!
• Make a list of doctor's numbers / locations for Grandma
• Get the kids on my health insurance
• Break out the Amharic cd & book
• 2nd HepB shot on Friday
• Make copies of passports
• Print out all the forms we need to bring with us

7 Days...

Happy Easter!

I thought this time would move at a snail's pace, but it seems to be flying by instead. We confirmed our hotel today. We're staying at the New Flower Guesthouse along with the other two Bethany families that will be in Ethiopia at the same time.

Still to do:

• Get a haircut
• Get all of my work stuff arranged so that my fill-ins don't have to do a lot
• Pack - Marc picked out all of his clothes today, mine are set aside as well
• Make gifts for the nannies - 1 tote down!
• Drop a boat load of stuff off at Goodwill
• Make a list of doctor's numbers / locations for Grandma
• Get the kids on my health insurance
• Break out the Amharic cd & book
• 2nd HepB shot on Friday
• Make copies of passports

Hmmm...seems I add things every time I check something off.

8 Days...

I did what I hope will be my last shopping trip today. Picked up all the last minute things - earplugs for the plane, bug spray...that kind of stuff.

Still to do:

• Get a haircut
• Get all of my work stuff arranged so that my fill-ins don't have to do a lot
• Pack (I don't have the suitcase out yet, but am piling everything up in one place)
• Find / make gifts for the nannies (Bought fabric to make tote bags for them)
• Drop a boat load of stuff off at Goodwill
• Make a list of doctor's numbers / locations for Grandma
• Get the kids on my health insurance
• Break out the Amharic cd & book

We spent this morning dying Easter eggs, then planting lots and lots of vegetable seeds. I ran some errands in the afternoon, then we went to the Colorado Rockies game with Marc's elementary school. We only made it through the 4th inning, but Fletch said it was "really awesome". I think he enjoyed the shuttle bus even more than the baseball game. It's been kind of odd (in a good way) the past few days thinking "This is the last time we'll do XYZ as a family of three."

Well, the babe is in bed and I'm off to do Easter Bunny duty. Hippity hoppity...

9 Days

It's a good thing we had to do a CPR certification course for this adoption because Marc just about needed mouth-to-mouth when booking our airline tickets. $5300. Ouch.

And the only thing hurting worse than my wallet right now is my left arm. Just got back from getting my shots:

1. Yellow Fever - Since we're planning to go to Awassa, a "danger zone".
2. Polio Booster - You don't really need to get this in the US since Polio is not an issue here anymore, but you do need it going into other affected areas since it has evolved a bit over the years.
3. Meningitis
4. HepB - In our past travels we've been told "Eh, unless you're planning on having sex with the locals or shooting up, you probably don't need it." What I've come to learn is that HepB is a very "hearty" virus that makes it easily transmittable. I think it's a good thing to have "in this day and age". (Did I just say that? I'm so old!)

I also got a perscription for Malaria meds which I don't think I'm going to fill. I really can't afford the extra $100, as all those shots cost a total of $425. We'll be sure to wear our bug spray instead. Did I mention I have to go back for the 2nd HepB shot next Friday and the 3rd one in 21 days? At least I will be imune for life. That kinda makes me feel like a superhero.

So...what to do:

• Go back to the travel clinic for more shots
• Get a haircut
• Get all of my work stuff arranged so that my fill-ins don't have to do a lot
• Pack
• Find / make gifts for the nannies
• Drop a boat load of stuff off at Goodwill
• Go grocery shopping
• Get the crib sold on Craigslist so that it's out of Macy's room It's been listed and have someone coming to look at it tomorrow.
• Make a list of doctor's numbers / locations for Grandma
• Get the kids on my health insurance
• Break out the Amharic cd & book - uh yeah, better late than never I guess

T minus 10 Days

Tickets are booked. We'll be gone 4/19 - 5/1. But, um, don't try to come and rob us now that I've said that. There will be burly men with guns and dogs here. Okay, well the dog looks like this...

...with slightly more hair. But he is ferocious! And I think a little crazy too...shh...don't tell him I said that.

Anyway...

We have lots of friends and family who have volunteered to come and wrangle Fletcher while we're gone. I know that he will be okay but I can't let myself even think about it for a minute or I get all teary-eyed. Two weeks away from him. Sniff...

So our tickets are booked. I'm conversing with a woman at the guest house we're planning to stay at, and she's trying to hook us up with a driver so that we can see some of the country (which is why we are getting there a week before our embassy date).

I still need to:

• Go back to the travel clinic for more shots
• Get a haircut
• Get all of my work stuff arranged so that my fill-ins don't have to do a lot
• Pack
• Find / make gifts for the nannies
• Drop a boat load of stuff off at Goodwill
• Get the crib sold on Craigslist so that it's out of Macy's room
• Make a list of doctor's numbers / locations for Grandma
• Get the kids on my health insurance
• Break out the Amharic cd & book - uh yeah, better late than never I guess

Posting to Blogger from your email while in Ethiopia

I've been told that, for many, Blogger is blocked in Ethiopia. Some of the girls on the BCS forum helped me to figure this out, so I thought I'd post it here for anyone interested.

• Go to your blog (this is for Blogger/Blogspot only).
• Sign in
• Go to Customize
• Settings
• Email
• Under "email posting address" enter your secret word
• This generates an email address for you

Then you will be able to compose a blog in your email and send it to that address. That will automatically post it on your blog. Ta-dah!

Testing...

Just testing to make sure I can post to Blogger when we're in Africa. ~Kellie We're going green... Our Etsy store...

Ethiopia Here We Come!

We're heading to Ethiopia!

After feeling sorry for myself and the kids last week, I finally emailed my social worker on Friday, sounding all pathetic. She told me she'd get an update for us and let us know something by Monday.

I think I checked email every 8 seconds yesterday in anticipation. I knew we wouldn't be getting a travel email, but I was hoping at least for a "the kids are scheduled for their TB tests" email.

Well, lo and behold, the phone rang and social worker was on the other end telling us to pack our bags. Our embassy date is 4/28, so we have to be there by the 26th, but we're actually trying to arrive a few days early to allow for some travel before we pick up the kids.

Is that a light I see at the end of the tunnel?