Quick Update

We are home! I have not had much time at all to update, so I want to give a quick update until I can do more of a "play-by-play".

We arrived home Friday night to a great crowd at the airport. We were so thankful to be home, and I wished I could spend more time with everyone who was able to come. But, Isaiah was so tired and ready to see his home, so we had to dash after just a few minutes.

Here are a few pics of our time in Addis. This is right after our embassy appointment. Everything was official. We were ready to head home! Here, Isaiah is cheesing! He has the most playful personality, and it is pretty easy to get him to grin at us!

"Juice mustache" at breakfast!

We are so glad to be home, and I will try to get our trip documented soon!

THE DAY!

UPDATE: THE FLIGHTS ARE ALL ON TIME AND THEY ARE SCHEDULED TO ARRIVE AT 5:27 PM ON UNITED! PRAISE GOD FOR A CHAPTER CLOSED AND A NEW BEGINNING!

Today is the day! This house is a buzz with excitement! And Balloons!!

As far as I know (Melissa) they are still scheduled to arrive in Wichita at 5:30 this evening!

If you would like to bring anything festive (balloons, signs, etc.) feel free! Or you can "just" come and bring your open arms and hearts to welcome them home!

Keep praying as the day comes and goes that Isaiah will feel loved and safe and adjust to his new home quickly! Pray for good sleep-filled nights and for jet-lag to pass quickly for all 3 of them.

The countdown is so on...what's that they say about a watched pot never boils? Oh well! Can't help but watch that clock in anticipation and prayer!

Wednesday Update:

I just talked to Chris and today was a long but pretty good day! They had the opportunity to leave earlier, but chose to keep the time there in order to spend some time loving on some friends' babies and to visit with Levi from Drawn from Water.

The first trip to love on some babies, Chris was able to stay with Isaiah. It seems Isaiah has some pretty impressive tantrums! It seems that he is fine during the day when he is busy and entertained, but when it's time for bed, it begins. The unfamiliarity shakes his certainty and then it seems that the fear and sadness come out as well. I think this is pretty normal, as I remember hearing about similar circumstances with my other nephew when he first came home from China.

Chris was able to visit with Levi and encourage him! Keep praying for that incredible ministry as God is using them to bring light into very dark communities.

They are ready and excited to come home! They will leave Ethiopia tomorrow night to begin their journey and so far, we still anticipate them to arrive in Wichita at 5:30 PM Friday! Come and celebrate at the airport with us as we welcome them all home!

Tuesday Update

They are still doing really well!

Julie's facebook entry:

The embassy appointment went very smoothly, and we already have our visa to bring Isaiah home! Yeah! Thank you for praying for us. We can't wait to get home and introduce him to you!

She also said that while things are going well, they are noticing some of the emotions of Isaiah, and to keep praying for his little heart. Pray that he will understand quickly that though the people around him have changed (again), that he can trust his parents and that he is deeply loved. Pray for a swift bonding time, and for Isaiah's healing from the loss of all he has known.

Tomorrow is their day to visit others with which to love and share. They will be visiting their new friends from Drawn from Water, Levi and Jessie, and also visiting little ones who are awaiting their turn to go home!

Fabulous News!

This is Melissa again, trying to keep you all updated on this final trip to bring Isaiah home!

O.K., now if I can keep from crying happy tears enough to see the keys...:)

I just talked to Julie and they are doing great! When they went to see him, Isaiah toddled up to them with outstretched arms! What a precious moment! This was what she said on Facebook (she couldn't get onto the blog):

We have Isaiah! When he saw us, he came toddling toward us with his arms reaching out for us. Wow--it seems like he really recognizes us. He is a little overwhelmed now that we took him out of the orphanage, but he is still doing great! Tried to upload pics, but it isn't working now. Will try later!

She said they gave him a bath, which he seemed to enjoy, and they were now heading to bed! Their Embassy appointment has been pushed up to 7 AM, so they will have an early start. I think they are ready to have that done and all boxes checked for their return.

Speaking of their return, for those in Wichita or the area who would like to welcome them home, we will expect them to land in the airport at 5:30PM on Friday! You are welcome to come and witness the very special moment of their entire family rejoining! I'm already tearing up. Oh, wait, I have barely held it together since they left! Me and Sydney: we will be the basket-cases!! Super-happy tears!

I'll try to keep any updates going again and share what I know for all of you who have prayed with them and loved them throughout this journey so far. Keep praying for continued blessings of bonding and good rest while they are there. The appetites are not strong, so also pray that they will remain healthy. Pray for the Embassy appointment to be smooth and the paperwork to be perfect. Thank you all for lifting them up during this special time.

Isaiah, Here We Come!

The time has come!

We received a call this morning from CWA: we are cleared for travel! Our tickets are booked, and we leave Saturday morning!!!!! In four days! That is 4! I really cannot believe it. I cannot wait to kiss this little face again. :) We hope to be able to visit the Jessie and Levi from Drawn from Water again. They need 2T boys clothes, if anyone has any they would like us to take (pants and long or short-sleeve shorts). They also mentioned needing socks for sizes 3-7. As usual, the orphanages always need formula and diapers if anyone would like to send any. If so, please let me know asap so that I can leave room in our suitcases. We will be filling one of our suitcases with baby clothes and diapers for our own use! Yes, I feel giddy!

I better get moving. I am feeling so full of gratitude right now. We will get him just 7 weeks after seeing Isaiah the first time. Thank you, Jesus.

Nesting!

With the possibility of traveling to Ethiopia a week away, the nesting phenomenon kicked in! This is how we spent our Saturday:

Setting up the crib. . .

Cleaning out the pantry. . .

Before

During

After!

Painting bins for the boys' room. . .

Cleaning out several closets and cabinets. . .Believe me, this is much better!

Cleaning out the garage. . .
(Ooops! I forgot to get pictures of this. Thanks to Chris, it looks great!)

Helping the girls make two peach pies for supper at my brothers!We are not completely ready, but I feel much better. I better get. More organizing to do!

Friends and Labor Day Fun

Last weekend, we made a quick trip to Oklahoma to see some special friends. We have known Harley and Kerri since our days at Tabor College, and we try to make it a tradition to go see them each fall. We played lots of games of Settlers (of which I won none!), ate some yummy food, watched some football and ventured out to Eskimo Joes. This was my first time at the restaurant, and I was excited to get more cups! I love these cups. :)

We had a great weekend, and we are excited that our kids are becoming friends as well. We did stay up pretty late, so the kids were a little tuckered out on the ride home. Here is a picture of Raegan during Preschool. :)

Girls Only Tea Party

Temporary Scare Leads to Heart Pounding

So, I had assumed that our paperwork would be delivered to the U.S. Embassy yesterday as promised. Today, we learned that only 12 of the 19 cases were delivered because the Embassy would not allow all 19. They took the top 12 and made CWA take the rest back to our agency, waiting until the next appointment in TWO WEEKS to be returned. For about three long minutes, I wondered in which pile of paperwork our case rested. My heart was a-pounding!

Fortunately, Patricia is quick at returning e-mails, and she quickly let us know we had been "delivered". Whew! (Although, I am so sad for the seven who have to wait another two weeks just to be delivered.) So, my heart started to settle down. . . until I realized it is still a real possibility we may get the September 21 date. That would mean we would leave in just over a week. My heart started to pound again!

I can't wait to get a phone call. We should be traveling in the next three weeks for sure! I need to get moving!

T-Shirt Update: Thank you to everyone who supported our fundraising efforts by purchasing a t-shirt! We did order a few extras, so if you still want one, just let me know. I can check to see if we have your size! Here is my friend, Karen, showing her support!

Why are we Waiting?

We received one updated picture on a PDF file the other day; however, I cannot figure out how to copy the picture. Somehow, the computer converted it into the sketch above! I think it is very cool, but I also wanted to get the real thing on here! I'll keep working on it.

For now, I wanted to let you all know on what we are waiting. Next Tuesday, Sept. 7, our paperwork will be submitted to the U.S. Embassy along with 18 other cases. (There are 19 kids from our agency waiting to come home!) The U.S. Embassy will then review the cases. We are all hoping that they review some in time for 10 families to be able to travel by the first embassy appointment available.

The embassy grants each agency 10 appointments every other week; our agency has appointments every other Tuesday. Therefore, the next appointments would be September 21. We would absolutely LOVE to get this date, and we are praying we get to go; however, we have been told it is probably more realistic to expect Oct. 5 or 19. Either way, the time to bring Isaiah home is getting closer and closer!!!!!

The wait is almost over. . .