Ramiah

Ramiah's 1 year home party

2008-09-27T16:07:00.000-07:00

This will be my last post.
What a miracle our Ramiah is and how blessed we are to have her. We are so thankful for all you who supported us through this life changing adventure.
If you would like to keep up to date on our family I will keep up our family blog (coccofamily.blogspot.com) as often as I can.
Thanks again and enjoy the pictures of the Forever Home Party!

Ramiah's birthday!

2008-06-10T09:11:00.000-07:00

We had such a great time at Ramiah's birthday. She really enjoyed her cake. It took her a little while to know it was okay to just dig in and eat all she wanted, but then she did and we ended up cutting her off.
We will all remember the storm we had after cake though. I looked up in the sky and warned everyone to get inside fast. Dad was still putting some chairs away in the garage and had a hard time getting back to the house. The rain and wind hit SO fast. The kids were screaming, the adults were running every which way. Chaos irrupted!
It all turned out fine and we stayed safe, but it did make for a memory.

Ramiah is growing and changing so fast. It is hard for me to believe she is one already. She is now starting to walk and has 6 teeth and working on 2 more. She is now saying more words, and believe it or not getting into more trouble than the other two at this age. I have had to child proof the house for the first time. She is curious how things work and loves making a mess. Outlets, stairs, and under the kitchen sink are a few of her favorites.

Thanks to your continued prayers, Ramiah continues to grow strong and healthy and we are blessed to have her a part of our family forever.

Another post placement

2008-05-23T05:54:00.000-07:00

We are now at that part in the adoption where we have to make post placement reports once a year, on our own. Which also means Ramiah's birthday is right around the corner. It is one week after Hannah's and right on my late Grandfather's birthday the 31st of May. Since she came home to us 4 months old, it does not feel like we should be celebrating a year old birthday. We have had many people ask if we are going to have a big birthday for her, but we have decided to have a home forever party in September, and celebrate the one year of being home with us instead. All are welcome and I will have more information when the time gets closer.

I did just want to update all of you on Ramiah, and how she is.

She now weighs 18lbs, and is 27 inches tall. She is crawling everywhere and is taking a few steps on her own. She loves to explore (or get into everything) depends on how you want to say it. She has 5 teeth and is working on more. She continues to be a blessing to us all. I thank God He placed her in our family, she is a tremendous joy.

It just seems so odd to be celebrating a first birthday already and just how much she has changed in such a short time. Thank you for your prayers throughout this whole process and for your continued prayers, you too are a blessing to our family.

Post placement

2008-03-05T15:34:00.000-08:00

We had our social worker over for our 6 month post placement meeting. It feels weird having a social worker come in and ask how we are doing with our 3rd child, how we are adjusting, and if we have questions. I kinda wish someone would have come in with the first two. I had questions with them, but we didn't have someone here asking us if we needed help. Maybe it was better since each meeting costs us $200.00! I am happy to announce that this was our last meeting and now we just write our own report and send it in every year until Ramiah is 18 years old!

Enjoy the sweet 9 month old. She now weighs 17.4 lbs and is 26 inches long! She is caught up and thriving.

What is happening with Ramiah

2008-02-20T17:01:00.000-08:00

I am so grateful for the amount of support we have had in our adoption process. Many of you were such an encouragement to us through one of the hardest things we have ever done. So thank you to all.

I am thinking about closing this blog and just having our family one, since I have had such hard time keeping up with either right now. My goal is to keep this blog until we are finalized with the last few documents.
Since we have been home we have had to send in for a name change and delayed foreign birth certificate, which I am happy to announce we just got last week. Now we are applying for proof of citizenship, then comes a SS#. Once those two things are done we are done with the paperwork.

We also are responsible for post placement reports until she is 18 years old. But I don't plan on keeping this going that long, unless another adoption happens.... who knows.

much love to you all and many thanks.

First Christmas

2008-01-04T13:27:00.001-08:00

The Cocco side... girl cousins

Hannah and Ramiah in their first matching outfit.....I LOVE IT!!!!!

For those of you still checking this thanks and I hope you enjoyed. I have more pictures up on my family site.
Happy New Year.

cutie pies

2007-12-22T18:30:00.000-08:00

Ramiah is growing so fast. She is now on the charts! She weighs almost 15lbs!!! Her head is in the 75th%! She is just so stinken cute.

We can't wait until Christmas!!!

In the Christmas mood!

2007-12-05T19:50:00.000-08:00

Christmas Spirit

2007-11-30T19:31:00.000-08:00

Ramiah is learning fast the spirit of Christmas.

Blood Draw....

2007-11-28T16:35:00.000-08:00

Today I am recovering from a emotional drain of a day yesterday. Ramiah had to have A LOT of blood work done, and I have been dragging my feet ever since we have been home. The last time I went to the pediatrician's office the Doctor was insistent on getting the blood work done. So I finally did it. I brought her into the hospital for the blood work and the nurses didn't want to take that much from a baby so they sent us to the medical building attached that specializes in such things. So we went there and they to were hesitant to take that much blood. I guess they don't like to draw blood from babies unless it is through their heel, unless they really have to. The nurses kept saying there is no way we can get that much blood from her heel, so they tried finding a vein to work with. They poked her once in the arm and couldn't find the vein so they called a pediatric nurse from the neonatal floor to come down. She too was hesitant to take that much blood, but finally found a vein in her hand that worked. The needle was in for such a long time, at least it felt like a long time. I have never heard Ramiah scream like that before. I had to stay calm because Eli was already crying and the nurse only had me to help. I was the one that had to hold her down and make sure she didn't move to much or the the needle would go through her hand. I tell ya, emotional day! They ended up getting all that they needed, 3 tubes in all.
The blood work needed to be done to just check her out. She is doing fine, but since she was not born in the US they get all freeked out. Whatever.
Glad that is over.

First Rice Cereal....

2007-11-19T19:11:00.000-08:00

READY!
EXCITED...
and just adorable!!
NOT thrilled.

Not haven it...

BUT what a cutie!

We will have to try again another day.

Girls Night!

2007-11-19T19:02:00.000-08:00

Changes!

2007-11-14T18:17:00.000-08:00

Ramiah is changing so much. She went to the Doctor today and weighs 13lbs already! I can no longer put my hard around her thigh.

She said DaDa, which Hannah was so excited I thought she was going to cry. She told her whole class about it at school too! Shannon was a proud Dad, even though Ramiah has no idea what she is saying. He knows it too. She woke up the other night saying Da Da Da Da and I said Shannon Ramiah is calling for you and he rolled over and admitted she had no idea what she was saying! HA.

Ramiah also rolled over Saturday night for the first time too!

What a joy she brings to our life.

Ramiah and her hair...

2007-11-05T17:17:00.000-08:00

Before bath and after bath! I LOVE IT!!!

My first Halloween!

2007-11-02T05:43:00.000-07:00

CANDY!!!!!
My Papa & Grandma at trunk or treat at church, oh and my brother!

BIG Brother!

2007-10-21T17:51:00.001-07:00

Eli is still so much in love with his baby sister. He is so good with Ramiah. Whenever she is upset he asks, "What's wrong with him?" OR "What's wrong with Mia" He calls everyone by the male gender and can't pronounce the R in Ramiah. He is such a cutie with her. Lately he asks, "I hold Mia" When I sit him on the couch with her he tells me, "get the camera, take a picture." He is a proud brother!

BIG Sister!

2007-10-21T17:49:00.000-07:00

Hannah loves spending time with Ramiah. She is so excited when she does something new. She is always reporting her every move to me! Hannah is also really into relaying what Ramiah is thinking. For example Hannah will say in a VERY high pitch voice, "She's like, 'I am going to like eating Mexican food when I get big.'" Or "She's like, 'My brother is SO crazy!'"

She is a great Big Sis!

FACT...

2007-10-18T06:48:00.000-07:00

The fact is Ramiah gets more beautiful each and every day.
Many people have asked how she is doing and how we are attaching. Well I am hear to say she is doing wonderful. She is sleeping through the night, is on a great schedule, is laughing, cooing, gaining weight, eating more, getting stronger, and of course having fun with her siblings.

We have all attached and bonded as if I carried her in my womb for 9 months. Hannah and Eli think the world of her and love to make her smile. I think I can speak for both Shannon and myself and say we feel just as attached to Ramiah as we did the other two. After reading all of the attachment books and listening to others deal with attachment I know it is a difficult issue, and I am thankful and blessed to have had such a wonderful transition.

Happy!

2007-10-14T19:40:00.000-07:00

Ramiah is doing so well.

She is officially sleeping through the night so we are VERY happy.

Mommy likes her sleep!

Our little Pumpkin!

2007-10-11T05:35:00.000-07:00

BIG GIRL

2007-10-09T18:49:00.001-07:00

I am getting big fast!

I weigh 11 lbs. already!!!

FIRST...

2007-10-05T11:07:00.001-07:00

First Laugh! So CUTE! Shannon got her to finally laugh by playing her tummy like the bongo's!

CUTIE!

2007-10-05T10:00:00.000-07:00

I could not have imagined Hannah and Eli loving Ramiah more. They are so good with her and love to be with her. Hannah and Eli have both been sick so I have tried to keep them from toughing Ramiah. Hannah asked me the other day if they could just touch feet, so here is a few pictures I took of them touching feet!

Long Night!

2007-10-02T07:38:00.000-07:00

We rocked, bounced, swayed, stood up, sat down, laid down, drank, burped, pooped, spit up, went downstairs, upstairs, to the bouncy, to the swing, and back to the cradle. We cried and even had a few laughs. It was our longest night yet together, but who would not want to spend a sleepless night with her?

HOME & LOTS OF LOVE

2007-09-29T06:19:00.000-07:00

Day 6&7 in Ethiopia

2007-09-29T05:39:00.000-07:00

Thursday and Friday we spent just loving on Ramiah and getting to know her. Our agency offered a hair class and cooking class that we enjoyed on Friday.

Once again thanks to all who have helped financially and with prayers to get this sweet bundle home to us. As you look through the pictures please see what you have helped accomplish through our great God!

May He receive all the glory for our precious gift of Ramiah!

Plane ride HOME! Oh by the way never cryed once and slept for almost 16 out of the 17 hours!

Day 5 in Ethiopia

2007-09-29T04:38:00.000-07:00

Wednesday was a life changing day in both of our lives. This day we had a going away ceremony at the care center for all of the adoptive families and their children.

We sat all in chairs looking over at the toddlers all trying their hardest to stay still while we waited for the children being adopted to come down the stairs to start the ceremony. I sat anxious waiting for Ramiah to come down and be forever in our care. While I sat I looked at all the toddlers wondering what they must be thinking. When would it be their turn, would they have parents coming soon for them? My heart ached for those little ones that were just spectators that evening.

When the ceremony started those toddlers started singing and clapping for those who would be adopted. It was a sweet moment.

The nannies gave out letters to the parents about the children they took care of. The letter made me fall apart as i understood just how much Ramiah had meant to the nannies that had been taking car of her for the past few months.

It was a touching ceremony and very memorable.

Here are a couple pictures from the ceremony...

Here is one of ramiah's nannies. On the back wall is handprints of all the children who have been adopted in 2007. Ramiah's in one of the little blobs behind me!

Days 3&4 in Ethiopia

2007-09-27T18:04:00.000-07:00

Monday we went to the care center and saw Ramiah for a little while and got to hold her and stare at how beautiful she was once again. She seemed sweeter than the day before!

There were 10 other families from our agency with us while in Ethiopia. Our agency took us to the National Museum for the afternoon. We were able to learn more about the history of Ethiopia and its culture.

Tuesday was our big day out. We went to the care center and got to take Ramiah with us to our Embassy appointment. She was a sweetie and did very good with us for the first time. We all got through the embassy appointments with out any problems. After the embassy we had to go to the Hilton to confirm our flights home and Ramiah again did very well. Shannon spent his time trying to get online, but it was impossible. We were really frustrated with the lack of connection options.
That evening we dropped the kids off at the care center and our agency took us to the Crown Royal Hotel for dinner and traditional dancing. The dancing was fun to watch and hard to contain Shannon from jumping up and joining in.

Since we have been home he is still breaking out in traditional dance!

Days 1&2 in Ethiopia

2007-09-27T17:57:00.000-07:00

Many of you have asked about the trip so here is a start to how it all went.

The hand of the Lord has been upon us.
The flight was very long, but we were surrounded by God’s people the whole way. Our flight starting in Detroit we met 3 men traveling to Africa on a 3 week mission trip, so they traveled all the way to Ethiopia with us. On the Ethiopian Air, we were in awe of the love the Ethiopians have for one another. We met so many wonderful and kind people.
As soon as we landed we came to the guest house and found a room to put our things and minuets later we were off to the main center, were we had an informational meeting. After that we were traveling to see Ramiah. We had not slept for about 30 hours and were still in our same clothes from the flight, but we didn’t care.
Our moment……
As they brought us in the see Ramiah we were so anxious. The moment I laid my eyes on her I wept and thanked God once again for our baby girl. I picked her up and she fit perfectly in my arms. She just stared at us with her gorgeous big eyes trying to figure us out. The nannies said she was a serious baby. Shannon did get her to smile a little.
She is so beautiful! I could not take my eyes off of her. She has a good amount of hair, and is just perfect.
After visiting Ramiah we came back to the guest house and finally crashed.

Sunday as many of you new we had a chance to meet Ramiah’s birth mother. I am pleased to announce God answered our prayer and she was there. We got to talk to her for about 25 minuets. It was so wonderful, everything we got to tell her and she got to tell us was moments in time I will never forget. We then went and had a candle ceremony where she lit a candle and handed it over to us, passing responsibility on to us.

We then said good bye and headed back to the guest house. About two hours into the trip we got into a car accident. We were at a stop waiting for a donkey to get out of the way and the land rover behind us did not stop and hit us going around 45MPH on a BRIDGE! We got whip lash pretty bad, but we all walked away from it. Within minuets the whole village was running down to see what had happened. We had to wait 3 hours before someone could come and take us back. We are now just trying to recover, but God was there and saved everyone involved from serious injury. There was a woman on the bridge that I thought for sure they hit, but missed by inches. The rail was strong enough that the jeep did not fall into the river, and there was no one in front of us besides the donkey. AND YES the donkey was fine. He scooted up to a grassy area and started grazing within minuets.

God has been good and had blessed us with meeting so many great people. Even our woman driving the land rover was a Christian. She got back into the jeep after the accident and put on a praise tape, the song that played was, “Change my Heart oh God”

The prize

2007-09-23T16:38:00.000-07:00

We're home. And there is much to write about the trip, the return home, Ethiopia, and more. But first, the prize.

Many of you have spent months praying, giving, and encouraging. The result is Ramiah is home. So enjoy what is too many pictures from a very proud (and slightly exhausted) Papa.

Proud parents at the guesthouse in Ethiopia

After her first bath

Tummy time

pretty in pink

graceful mommy

Mommy holds on tight

Daddy got some turns too

So far, she's a great sleeper... and maybe the loudest thumb-sucker on earth

Ramiah meets her nanny. Hannah loves her new sister, and does not want to surrender her ever. She's great.

Fashion diva in traditional Ethiopian garb

Ramiah clings to her mommy

one more for good measure.

Thanks for the prayers. Be back soon.

Ramiah Denknesh

2007-09-19T10:25:00.000-07:00

Things are going great and we're doing well!

Ready...... Set....... GO!!!

2007-09-13T12:17:00.000-07:00

We are ready and I think we are all set, but we are definitely ready to GO!

I have those nerves that you get before the first day of school!
But we are thrilled beyond words and just ready to hold our baby!!

Thanks to everyone that has helped make this possible. I pray your life will be blessed through your prayers and financial contributions! I can't wait to have you meet the little bundle!

Cindie

Prayer Requests

2007-09-11T18:50:00.000-07:00

On Sunday I (Shannon)preached from Ezra 8:21-23

There, by the Ahava Canal, I proclaimed a fast, so that we might humble ourselves before our God and ask him for a safe journey for us and our children, with all our possessions. I was ashamed to ask the king for soldiers and horsemen to protect us from enemies on the road, because we had told the king, "The gracious hand of our God is on everyone who looks to him, but his great anger is against all who forsake him." So we fasted and petitioned our God about this, and he answered our prayer.

Ezra was seeking;

1. Humility to fuel his trust.
2. Safety in travel.
3. The Hand of Our God to be on him.

As we approach our journey, we seek the same. This is what we will be praying for. We ask that you pray the same. Even fast if you feel compelled to do so. While we are at it a couple more things we are praying about (all of which would fall under number three really):

A. That we get to meet with Ramiah's birth mother.
B. That God allows us to have more energy and life than our rest will provide.
C. That we have ample opportunities to minister to other people while there.

Just thought I would share!

2007-09-11T18:48:00.000-07:00

Celebrate Enkutatash

This month, Ethiopia celebrates its Millennium. Ethiopia uses the Coptic, or Julian, calendar, which is seven years behind the Gregorian calendar used in the Western world. The new year begins on Meskerem 1 -- or September 11 on our calendar. This year Meskerem 1 will mark the start of the year 2000.

JUST ONE!

2007-09-07T09:55:00.000-07:00

HOLY COW ONE WEEK!!
One week. I thought it would never come and now it is coming at me full speed!
I have yet to even begin to pack, and I am still trying to finish my shopping list and "TO DO" list!

But I have to say whenever I start to get stressed out I think of God's loving child he has chosen for us, that is waiting for us and the stress seems to fade away. The importance of packing everything, shopping, planning, and to do lists, all will get done and soon, VERY soon I will be able to look into Ramiah's eyes and tell her I am her mom.

God has been answering so many prayers! He is continuing to redirect my thoughts toward our child and giving me the peace that each moment requires. My hope is that my actions will reflect God's goodness and faithfulness throughout the rest of this process.

ONE WEEK!!!
I just can't wait to put some pink on her and do up that hair in some bows!

Cindie

My LIST!

2007-09-05T10:38:00.000-07:00

I have been writing a list of things to do since the beginning of the process and now that it is only 9 DAYS AWAY! Yes only 9! I am holding that list like it is attached to my body. It is in arms reach most all of the day. I check it and check it again, trying to find time to do anything on the list to be that much closer to getting it all done in 9 days. We have a to do list, things still to buy list, a borrow list, a what to do with the kids while we are gone list, while we are there list, and on and on. I have not been able to drive because of the medication I am on for pain with my wisdom teeth, so I have been doing the things around the house that need to be done and the things that don't really need to be done, but I somehow find myself doing. WOW! That was all said in one looong breath.

So to make a long story short, I am getting a little anxious and nervous and just plain freaked out to be real honest.

9 days! What am I doing sitting here! I gotta get back to my LIST!

Fundraising

2007-09-03T15:03:00.000-07:00

We have had 3 garage sales and a change drive this past month. We have made a grand total of $700 at the garage sales. We have a total of $310.00 in the change drive. That is what we are doing in this picture, counting all that change!

PRAISE GOD!

Baby Shower Blessings

2007-09-03T14:55:00.000-07:00

Thought I would share some pictures of
the Baby shower at church.

Here are the ladies that put the shower on for us!

Birth Certificate Photo

2007-09-02T15:37:00.001-07:00

Count Down

2007-09-01T18:58:00.000-07:00

HANNAH AND I MADE THE PAPER CHAIN TO COUNT DOWN THE DAYS UNTIL HER SISTER COMES HOME! ELI WANTED TO HOLD IT TOO!!

$$$$

2007-08-29T04:32:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was a over $2,000 day.

We went and got the rest of our shots. Which was a headache. We were scheduled for Monday, but when we went the lady no longer worked there and although the building still said "World Travel Clinic" they refused to offer any help. We only have about 2 weeks before we travel and need these shots! So we went home and started calling places. We found the one we went to yesterday in Troy and ended up paying over $1,000 for the shots!!! We are all set though and are thankful we found a place to do them.

I also went to the oral surgeon for the pain I have been feeling in my face and he said I have to have my wisdom teeth out! AND ON FRIDAY! I hope this is the cause of the pain, but I am a little freaked out to have it done before we leave. And without dental insurance it is costing $2,300!
My brother advised me to fly to Hungary where he got his out for $8. If I was not flying to Ethiopia I would consider it.
Please continue to pray for us. And please remember me in your prayers Friday when I get my wisdom teeth pulled.
thanks, Cindie

Blessing

2007-08-28T06:34:00.000-07:00

My living room is filled with baby clothes, diapers, wipes, baby gear, and more baby stuff!!!
Sunday our wonderful Church family had a shower for Ramiah. We are once again overwhelmed by their generosity and support.

We had a baby bottle change drive and have received a little over $300 so far from that. And at the shower we were blessed with gifts of money that will help with travel expenses. And once again we will be having one last garage sale this Thursday.

We are anxiously waiting to get another picture or update on Ramiah. We should get her birth certificate/passport picture before we leave on the 14th!

Today, after much hassle, we will be getting the rest of our shots for traveling. I will be glad when that is all over.

Please keep me in your prayers as I have had pain on the left side of my face for awhile now. I go for a cat scan Thursday morning, and to the oral surgeon today. I just want the pain to go away so I don't have any problems flying!

Thanks so much to all of you. What an encouragement and blessing you have been to our family!
Cindie

Money, Money, Money

2007-08-15T17:48:00.000-07:00

I thought I would update some on our funds in regards to the adoption.

First of all thank you to everyone that has given so generously to Ramiah and the life changing process that we are going through.

Some things that we have done and that are still going on:
I made about $400- at a garage sale a few weeks ago, and have many baby bottles out there that people are filling with their extra change. Our printer cartridge collection is still out there too.

I hope to have another garage sale before Hannah starts school and a good friend is having a Tastefully Simple party for me and giving us the proceeds from that.

As of August we have around $6,200 still to pay off on our Equity line of credit (thank goodness we have that) and that does not include the flight cost which is going to be around $3,300. We will find out when we get that bill this week.

Other costs that are still there:
Traveling South to meet Ramiah's birth family $350
Other Misc. Costs that are in country things, and general travel cost.

We are very hopeful and are very thankful for how God has been encouraging us with the whole money part of the process.

Where our baby sleeps

2007-08-14T06:42:00.000-07:00

Nursery at the Care Center, where Ramiah is at.

It's all providential

2007-08-13T08:22:00.000-07:00

We were reminded Friday night that things don't just happen by coincidence, that it is all providential by a girl named Mezeker.

Shannon took me to an Ethiopian restaurant Friday to get a taste of the country before we arrive. First I have to say everyone should try it, it was a great experience and very good food. Our waitress was filling in for her Aunt who owned the restaurant and I could not hesitate to tell her we are adopting from Ethiopia. She was very excited for us and began to tell us of her journeys there. She leads mission trips there with Enahpa Ethiopian North American Health Professionals Association. She has family still there and goes a few times a year. Well, after much conversation and learning so much about the country through her in our visit to the restaurant we found out she will be in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia the same time we are!!! Coincidental or providential? Not even a question. God is good.

We have exchanged email and she wants to come and visit us at the care center to see Ramiah. Very cool. Oh and to top it off her husband is a hip hop artist, which she gave us his CD and it is super cool. Visit his site to find out more about their ministry and the way God is moving in their lives. http://www.afroflow.com

Travel Dates!

2007-08-09T18:11:00.000-07:00

WOO HOO! We bought tickets and are official to travel! If any one is curious here is our travel schedule.
We leave Detroit 6am September 14th and go to DC and then straight to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia! We arrive Saturday morning Ethiopia time at 8:14am (our time 4:15pm) so that means we will be traveling for 32 HOURS! Yikes.
Saturday I will be able to hold my little sweetie and tell her mommy and daddy finally arrived to bring her home.

We will be trying to meet with birth family 4-5 hours south on Sunday. Please pray that family will come, we would love to share with them the family that Ramiah is coming home to and how much our life is blessed through their amazing sacrifice.

We return to Detroit Saturday the 22nd around 2pm. Hannah is making a paper chain to count down the days until her sister comes home. We are all just so thrilled beyond words!

She is Growing!

2007-08-07T16:18:00.000-07:00

July 10 when we received our referral for Ramiah she was 6.5lbs and 19.8 inches long at
6 1/2 weeks old!

As of August 1st she weighs 8lbs and is 20 inches long and is 9 weeks old!

We will be arriving in Ethiopia September 14th and our little Ramiah will be 15 weeks old. So almost 4 moths old! I wonder how big she will be then?

Officially Ours

2007-08-06T11:18:00.000-07:00

Today on the other side of the world in an Ethiopian court our daughter was officially named as our baby!

We will be traveling September 14th (tentatively) to pick her up!!!

Praise GOD!!!

Here is our sweet Ramiah Denknesh

Thanks so much for all of the prayers! Soon she will be in our arms and home in her bed!

Please continue to pray for our travels to Ethiopia!

1 of the 73 waiting for their baby to come home

2007-08-02T07:29:00.001-07:00

PROGRAM UPDATE

Ethiopia's Waiting Children (WIC): 12

Awaiting referral: 110 families

Placements in 2007: 209 children to 167 families

With Referral: 73 families (90 children, 24 of whom are WIC)

Emotions?

2007-08-01T21:45:00.000-07:00

As for most of you, by the title you know it is me, Cindie who is writing. Through this whole adoption process one word that has describes it well for me is emotional. Not always bad emotions either. Many times it is good emotions.

My wonderful word picture would be this...
That my emotions are in this basket. Nothing fancy, just a basket that is always with me. Some days my basket all of a sudden just dumps! There is no warning of this and before I realize, I am crying over baby clothes I see in a store, I am laughing at the childlike excitement I have over knowing she will soon be home, or I am having so much anxiety over the responsibility of another little human in my care that I am popping tums every 5 minuets. And then some days they dump as I am feeling overwhelmed, defeated, and alone in it all.

Other days I am like a child skipping along on my merry way swinging my basket full of joy and excitement. I am hopeful and full of enthusiasm as I wait for our little bundle to be home.

Tonight I sit awake and my basket is full. It is full with every kind of emotion.

I got an email that Ramiah may be through court Thursday or Friday. So again I wait with my nerves wound tight and my anxiety sky high. Will we get a call Friday to tell us that Ramiah is officially our little girl? Will we find out when we will travel? My stomach is in knots to know we are that much closer to having her rest in our arms and to feel her little cheeks beneath our lips. Although my emotions are all over the place, I rest assure that my God stands firm.

Psalm 18:1 I love you, O LORD, my strength.
2 The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer;
my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge.
He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

Just so Blessed

2007-07-30T12:17:00.000-07:00

Our church family is awesome!
We found out that we will be having a shower for Ramiah, which to be honest we don't even need that much stuff. They are so on board to be involved that it overwhelms me. We came home from church yesterday with a large garbage bag full of clothing and my friend Amy gave me all of her baby items, which I had already gotten rid of. I guess I thought we were done with babies, but I was wrong. I am so excited to be back into baby mode. All the little things are so adorable!
My other friend, also an Amy is open for me to have a garage sale at her house this weekend, so I am finding all kinds of stuff that I can sell, and other people are bringing items over to sell for me. She also came to church with bottles, sippy cups, and little bowls and handed them out for people to bring back full of change a fundraiser, which is greatly appreciated. God is loving me through these friends and bringing much encouragement to our family.

Ramiah will be a blessed child to know all of these wonderful people.

More Waiting...

2007-07-26T17:50:00.000-07:00

We have a new baby. I am of course so ecstatic, but it is still a waiting process that is agonizing. We have one picture and a few pages of history on our daughter, but that is all we have to hold on to. I eagerly wait to hold and to touch the soft baby that waits for me in Ethiopia.

The next thing we are waiting for is to pass though court. Our Agent at CHSFS says that if not this week then next we should be through court and then Ramiah Denknesh Caroland will officially be our child. Then we get our travel information. We are looking at mid to late September. We have to travel after the Ethiopian Millennium celebration September 12th.

Now What?

2007-07-17T19:58:00.000-07:00

Our next step besides FREAKING OUT, is more paperwork and preparing to be in baby mode again! I am all over the baby thing, but struggling to research and fill more paperwork out.

Traveling to Africa alone is a huge thing to prepare for, let alone packing and preparing to bring your child home! I have to pack for a my child that I have never met and I don't even know what she likes or dislikes!

I have lists for before travel, things I have to get done around home, things I have to buy, paperwork to be done, fees to be payed, and many more that I won't keep boring you all with. Just let me tell you it is good to have all the lists and be preparing! I LOVE IT. It means we are one step closer to Ramiah.

Today we are sending her a picture book of us to show her the family that she is coming home to, that has been praying for her, and that is already madly in love with her!

Thanks for all of the support and encouragement! Please continue to pray for our paperwork, preparation, and for the yet again expense we are facing.

If you want to see where the care center is that our daughter is at go to http://maps.google.com/ and put in coordinates 8.984783333 38.72446944

Feel free to leave comments, we love to hear from you. Cindie

A face to our Ramiah

2007-07-13T10:46:00.000-07:00

SHOCK!!!
I am in complete shock while being on cloud nine and experiencing many emotions!

After waiting 159 days for a referral it came to us on Tuesday, day 160! As many of you know I have been jumping for the phone, running full throttle for the phone, and sometimes stumbling for the phone every time it rang, in hopes to here about our daughter. Well after 159 days of phone calls......
Tuesday July 10th I picked up the phone after an emotional day of not getting, "The Call" to call Shannon. When I went to listen for the dial tone there was none. I simple said a hello just in case and I hear. "Cindie. This is Kristina. I have a referral for you."
God has such the sense of humor, for not letting the phone even ring. The one time I don't have anxiety, can't read the caller ID and have no prior warning, it is THE CALL!

Well, since 3:30 on Tuesday I have been crying, staring at her picture, crying, planning, getting into baby mode once again, and crying some more. This is really here, our daughter will soon be held by her new mommy and be cared for by her family and friends. She will soon find out about the two little red heads that will be her siblings, and about her amazing daddy, that will share the love of Jesus with her in everyday of his life. We are blessed beyond words for our beautiful gift of Ramiah Denknesh Caroland!

IT HAPPENED! Referral

2007-07-10T14:00:00.000-07:00

We got it! We got the referral call today. A baby girl, only about six weeks old. She is tiny and precious. Cindie will certainly be telling you more about this later, but I wanted to get the word out there.

Praise God, the giver of every good and perfect gift who saw fit to bless us with a third child!

Thank you for your prayers.

Tuesday, July 10 10:15 am

2007-07-10T07:12:00.000-07:00

I wanted to write about how the process is making me feel. But my feelings have been so dramatically fickle, that I thought I better time stamp it.

In the last 24 hours 4 more people from the forum received referrals. Three of them are behind us on the list.

So, how does this make me feel? So hopeful we could a referral today, I could sing. So jealous that I want to punch one of these happy new mothers. Just kidding... kinda. So frazzled that my back is more tense than Mid-East peace talks. So desperate to share with anyone who would ask. So annoyed with anyone who would ask. So trusting in the Lord that I know the story He is weaving is one I'll tell with glee for the rest of my days (yes, GLEE). So tired of hearing people tell me that it is in God's timing. So disappointed in my spiritual immaturity that I can't inspire all of you with my unwavering faithfulness and hope.

Well, I'll check in at 10:16 to let you know how I'm feeling then :)

Stark Contrast

2007-07-05T14:53:00.000-07:00

Contrasts between Ethiopia and the US.
Statistics:
Infant morality rate Ethiopia 109 USA 6

GNI per capita (US$) Ethiopia 160 USA 43,740

% under 5 suffering from
stunting, moderate &
severe malnutrition Ethiopia 47 USA 1

Life Expectancy Ethiopia 48 USA 78

Maternal mortality ratio/
lifetime risk of maternal death Ethiopia 1 in 14 USA 1 in 2500

*Statistic from UNICEF

Got Empties? Wanna shop?

2007-06-25T12:03:00.000-07:00

I am getting creative with our fundraising efforts and found a few ways that will earn us some funds. One way is if anyone has empty ink cartridges you can contact us and we will send you envelopes to send them in for us. We get anywhere from .25-$4.00 per cartridge. It is no cost to you. If you know of others you can pass the word to that would be awesome too.

One other way we are raising funds is through Current. This is a catalog selling a variety of items. If you are interested in finding out more, please let us know and we would be happy to fill you in.

Not sure what to even say....

2007-06-19T06:48:00.000-07:00

I wanted to write, but I have no idea what to even say. My emotions are completely shot!

I feel like I have gotten on a roller coaster ride that I wanted to get on, but the turns and the up side down flips and whirls are too much for me, but I am buckled in and the ride has already started. The ride didn't seem like it was to rough before I got on, but now it seems like I can hardly hold on. I feel like the roller coaster is never going to stop.

As most of you know the 15th was suppose to be the cut off date until September, but I talked to our Adoption Agent yesterday and she said we are at the top of the list so if a child comes into the orphanage and the Ethiopian agents think there is enough time still to get through the courts there is still a possibility for us to get in. If we do we would travel in late September. If we do not hear anything in the next week or so she said we would be one of the first to receive a referral in September when they reopen. That means we would be traveling November. Like I said in the beginning, I really don't even know what to say anymore. I feel weak and so emotional I can hardly take it. I just want my baby home.

Cindie

Tell Me How to Feel Right Now

2007-06-16T12:23:00.000-07:00

So the deadline for getting to Ethiopia before fall/winter has officailly past. But word coming down from the agency through the forum is that there MIGHT be a few more referrals next week.

We're both trying to stay really busy to avoid hysterics.

Surge of Hope- tick tick

2007-06-14T15:20:00.000-07:00

After only one June referral being listed on our agency's forum, there have been six in the last two days. We still have but one day, but a bit more hope attached to it.

Unexpected...

2007-06-09T05:58:00.000-07:00

So many things in our Adoption process have been unexpected...

Just when we thought the document we just filled out is done, there are 3 more similar ones that we didn't know we had to fill out. When we thought that was the last meeting with our social worker and it turns out we need just one more. When the time frame is unknown, when every day could be the one that brings news that our beautiful child has arrived. AND the list goes on...

BUT our adoption process also has brought us unexpected blessings too!

Just when we feel defeated with document after document to fill out, someone calls to see how things are going, someone tells us that they are praying for us. Just when we feel like we can't see this process ever coming to the end, someone tells us that God knows our child and is taking care of her and this is all in His time. And when we feel the overwhelming weight of debt, money comes in. God has provided so much encouragement through so many of you at just the right time.

I wanted to share the latest!!
Last night I sat alone after getting the kids in bed finally. Both have been sick all week with high fevers. Hannah had just gotten a cough that sounds horrible and Eli threw up at Applebees, yes on someone else's table! (the joy of being a mom) Shannon is gone for 4 days to St. Louis for his grandmother's funeral. As I sat with my huge stack of girly movies and the phone rang. Feeling exhausted and a bit defeated I answered. It was just what God knew I needed, a blessing from a friend. He said, we just got back from camp and just wanted to let you know you and Shannon's adoption was our mission for the week and the kids earned $213 dollars and .50 cents!

What encouragement that we are being taken care of at ALL times and that even when I didn't know it, children were learning about our adoption and raising their money for our daughter, Ramiah! After I got off the phone I sat and cried and praised the God, who provides all of our needs and knows just what we need and when we need it.

Referrals are slow

2007-06-08T05:24:00.000-07:00

Our agency is not sending out many referrals to anyone, so the likelihood of us getting ours in now even slimmer. We still carry some hope with us to the phone every time it rings, actually as we RUN to the phone when it rings. We will keep you posted on any news!
We ran across an interesting article in the New York times about Ethiopian Adoption and our Agency CHSFS if you have time and would like to read it.

Deep Breaths Are for Sissies

2007-06-03T18:15:00.000-07:00

As we've mentioned before, if we do not get a referral by June 15, we will have to wait until mid-September at the earliest. Click here for an explantion.

That means we have just ten business days to recieve that call. It just does not look likely. We're still hopeful, but the uncertainty is getting to us.

So, while we wait, we jump at every phone ring. We fumble the phone to read the caller ID.

We are both wishing June 15 would come quickly just so that we will not have to keep wondering.

I don't mean to whine. We're good with waiting if we must. The waiting builds patience, patience we'll need later. And we put our hope in the God who knows where she is and what she needs.

While we wait, our stomach knots, grit teeth, greying hair, and short breaths will keep us company.

Agency Update

2007-05-31T14:02:00.000-07:00

Here is the latest information from our agency about the children in Ethiopia waiting and that have already been placed with their forever families.

Children placed in 2007: 141
Families awaiting referral: 103 (We are one of these 103)
Families with referral: 77 families (95 children, 28 of whom are WIC)

SUPPORT

2007-05-18T11:30:00.000-07:00

This as you have read is an emotional and tough process that we have gone through. It has also been a very good learning experience and God has used this as a teaching tool to shape us into more of who he desires us to be. This process has also been an expensive one. We have invested $15,000 thus far as many of you have read, and we anticipate more with our travels to bring Ramiah home. We just wanted to say thank you for those of you that have sent us encouraging cards, called to see how we are, those of you who have given money, and all of you who have been praying for us. God is working! We currently have $10,000 more to raise, but God is still providing through many of you.
My sole purpose in this blog is to thank all of you for what you have done for us in our adoption. We are thankful that you see our vision and are willing to help in the areas you are able. For those of you who have given financially....

Uncle Bill, Sue, Marcia, Joe & Joan, Mom & Dad Caroland, Dave & Linda, Mike & Joan, Mike & Adel, Ryan & Darcie, Kathryn, Mike & Jodi, Jo, Larry & Margaret, Jeff & Gloria, Steve & Becky, Erin & Kelly, Delta Christian Church, Matt & Jana, Aunt Julie, Eric & Andrea, Bob & Carolyn, Brad & Marianna, Mom & Dad Cocco, Jim & Anne.
THANKS SO MUCH! WHAT A BLESSING YOU ARE TO OUR FAMILY!

Why is this wait harder than most others?

2007-05-11T12:39:00.000-07:00

Our agency sent us a letter about the wait and how difficult it is. I thought for those interested in knowing more of how we are feeling I would share a bit of the letter.....

"Time after time we hear from adoptive parents that the hardest part of the adoption process is the waiting. Doing documents, jumping through hoops, making payments, looking over that medical information and saying "yes" to a child referral, then preparing to travel and actually boarding the plane--none of this compares to the difficulty of waiting. WHY?

Dr. Pauline Boss of the University of Minnesota and the author of books about "ambiguous loss" says it is precisely because of the ambiguity in adoption that the wait is so difficult. With many life events, you feel in control of the situation, therefore, able to accurately predict the outcome. With adoption, the unknowns shift that balance that you feel when you are the primary driver of the event.
Think of the difference between waiting for your wedding, a degree in school, or the closing on a new house. In all of these instances there are some unknowns, some ambiguity. But adoption is different. With your wedding, your house, or your graduation, you have a concrete end date and a clearly understood time frame for completion. You knew what was to happen and when.

With adoption, many of our parents tell us there are way too many ambiguities for comfort. If we are in an international program, what if we are forced to re-assess our hopes and dreams because of restrictions, policies and program changes that limit our options or extend our wait in that hoped-for program. Because there are circumstances that are outside the control of CHSFS and expectant parents, adoption is closest to the trauma of a loved one gone missing. There are simply no certainties, no assurances."

So, this is a glimpse into our longing, our ache in our heart, and into our struggle of waiting for our child to be home on our arms.

God's Time

2007-05-08T07:05:00.000-07:00

We recently have been informed that the Ethiopian courts close every year. The closure typically lasts from the end of July or early August, until mid September. During this time the judges have vacation and a new schedule is made for the upcoming year. Due to the closure referrals will not be given after June 15th. Anyone who receives a referral before June 15th is expected to get through the court system before closure. Our agency will resume the referral process approximately September 15th. Our hope and prayer is that we will receive our referral before June 15th, otherwise the earliest we would be able to bring our daughter home would be November or December. Please pray for God's timing and that when they see our daughter come into the Orphanage they will see she belongs to us.
Cindie

Our Agency Update

2007-05-08T06:57:00.000-07:00

Program Impact

Children placed with families so far in 2007: 121 children
Families awaiting referrals: 87 families
Families with referrals: 92 children to 72 families

Tears of Excitement

2007-05-01T11:51:00.000-07:00

Last night I drove our Trail Blazer over to be turned in since our lease was up, I had the music cranked up and I was enjoying my last few moments of coolness before I was to get into our hand-me-down junker that refuses to die! (large white boat looking car... a grand marque...1980's I believe) Anyway as I drove behind my husband and kids I was overwhelmed at God's goodness in my life. I turned off the radio and started talking to God, thanking him for my family and thanking him for the large massive car that we have! I started to drift away from praying and found myself day dreaming (yes while I drove!) about when I will get "THE CALL" saying, we have your daughter in the orphanage in Ethiopia. In all of the scenarios I scream with excitement! I jump up and down and cry. As I drove tears streamed down my cheeks as I longed to here those words. The words that she is waiting for her parents to come and get her, to hug her and bring her home! The tears were of excitement and of joy for that day. I had a peace for whatever happens, I will be grateful and wait.

Ignorance Is The New Black

2007-04-26T06:33:00.000-07:00

Sometimes when people find out we are adopting, they ask us if we were inspired by Angelina Jolie and Madonna. We were not. However, we recognize that there is a perception out there that these celebrities have started a fad.

If that perception reflects reality, I would say that there have certainly been worse fads, even some started by such celebrities as these. But that's just not us.

Now I have just heard that a very trendy store is selling a shirt that says that "Adoption is the New Black".

I get that it is a joke. I make jokes, sometimes inappropriate jokes. So, I won't be trying to start a boycott of their stores. I refuse to play the role of victim to ignorant people. But I grieve on behalf of all adopted children who will read this t-shirt and wonder if they were adopted so their parents could feel cool. Are they equivalent to that aqua IOU sweatshirt mom used to covet?

As always, I can't/don't expect to/won't trust the world to be sensitive to me or my family. Such a trust would leave me constantly disappointed.

We will try to be ready for such shots without being hyper-sensitive or cynical toward people. We will address these wrongs not with whining but by patiently speaking the truth. We will use the adversity to strengthen our family bonds and our faith in God.

So, bring it on.

Shohannah's Hope

2007-04-25T11:39:00.001-07:00

Today is one of those days where you want to stay in bed all day snuggled up in your warm covers while you hear the rain tapping on your window, what a great day for sleeping! But no not today...I have just gotten home from a day at Pre-school, 20 children in a small classroom with so much energy! The day is dreary with rain and I am exhausted! As we pulled up to the house I got out and ran up trying not to soak my clothes. I got the mail and as I flipped through the damp envelopes I saw the last hope of getting a grant there in the stack. I yelled out to Shannon as he was still getting Eli out of the car, "Here it is Shohannah's hope" I was nervous, yet ripped the envelope open and we began to read, I got to the part where it read, "We are pleased to notify you that you have been APPROVED for an adoption assistance grant in the amount of $3,000." I just started screaming, jumping up and down and screaming more! I am thrilled and of course so incredibly thankful. What an encouragement on such a rainy, downcast day! What a great day to not be sleeping, but rejoicing. Thank you to all who have been praying for this. God answers prayer.
So this is where we stand now....
$4,000 from family and friends
$3,000 Shohannah's hope Grant
$8,000 Still owe for agency cost
Plus our travel cost Approx. $6,000
Please continue to support us in pray as we seek out ways to raise this money. May this news be an encouragement to you as it was to our family.
Cindie

Denied again

2007-04-16T10:04:00.000-07:00

Well our third grant just sent a letter stating there are no funds available to help us. I am feeling a bit defeated. I know God has a plan, but I can't help but feel disapointment. Shannon says we are building up the drama and setting the stage for his glory. So I wait and have faith in him who always provides.
Cindie

What God is teaching me

2007-04-12T10:10:00.000-07:00

Shannon and I watched the movie Blood Diamond the other night and my life will be forever changed. This movie moved me in ways that are even hard to explain. I have had a hard time even processing my thoughts with it. For those of you who have not yet seen this movie, it is about the bloody and brutal civil war in Sierra Leone which was funded in large part by illegal diamond trade. The movie follows one man who is separated from his wife and daughters as the flea the rebel army. He is taken as a slave to collect diamonds. And his son (no more than 12 years old) is taken and brain-washed to be a child soldier. The movie was utterly horrifying.

What struck me the hardest was that this was not something that happened years and years ago, this happened in this decade. In the year 2000 when I was worrying about what wedding dress to buy and what our song our first dance would be to. What color the flowers were going to be and if we should indeed take a great job handed right to us at Elizabeth Lake Church. there were no real worries, yet I was concerned and prayed about the silliest things.

I guess I have to back up a week before this movie and tell you what was going on with me (sorry this is a bit all over the place)......

I was feeling alone and depressed with the adoption, with two out of our four grants rejecting us for financial help I was devastated and beginning to wonder and question. It was the week of Easter and I asked Shannon to start praying for God to bring some kind of encouragement into our lives. Ha! Halfway through the week I got to thinking AHH DUH, Cindie what more encouragement do I need than to know God sent his ONLY son to die for you, and that HE LIVES! Here I was selfish and in a rut of self pity and wanted just a little more from God. I began to change my tune and be thankful for his promises and his power. In His time, He makes all things beautiful!

Well, after watching this movie I just kept thinking with all of this disregard for human life, unimaginable poverty, devastating suffering, and heartache happening in the world, how does God put up with my stupid requests and foolish selfishness? How sad he must be with me to have a child so spoiled yet asking for more. How can God care for my request and my long winded prayers about how I can't seem to find enough patience with my children today and how I am tired of washing all these dishes and doing all this laundry? How can He put up with listening to me, how petty am I? He has real issues to deal with. I wept and wept after seeing the movie and kept saying I just don't even know how to pray and ask God for anything anymore. Why was all of this going on and I had no idea about it? Why am I not more educated on what is happening outside my little bubble? And what could I do? I prayed that night asking God to help me understand him, telling Him I am willing to do what he asks of me, and praying for the entire continent of Africa, that they would have seconds of peace, that they could feel the hand of God for a split second to find relief from their pains of sin and sadness.

God has shown me over the past few days that Cindie Caroland in her little world does matter to Him and although he has the world to care for he holds me in his hands and cares enough about my petty requests to answer them beyond what I can imagine. He has answered prayers this week that I have been praying for for many months, He has given me great joy through my children, He has given great adoption news that we are moving up on the list, and he has also blessed us with two individuals that gave $100 each to our baby girl.

My mind can not grasp how large and magnificent he is, but my heart is understanding his love for little ole me every day.

Ethiopia's Country Data

2007-04-12T10:02:00.000-07:00

Thought we would share a little about our daughter's Country with all of you.

Area: 1,133,380 sq.km.

Population: 61,720,000

Annual Per Capita Income: US$100 (2000)

Literate Population: 33.2% (1995)

Religions in % of Population:
Ethiopian Orthodox 46%
Muslim 32%
Protestant 14%
Traditional Beliefs 7%
Roman Catholic 1%

Official Language: Amharic

Disappointment

2007-04-05T17:57:00.000-07:00

In the past two days, we have been turned down by two of the four adoption grants for which we applied. One was a matching grant. One was for an undefined amount of cash.

We did get approved for an interest-free loan for $5,000. Half of it will need to be repaid by June '08, and the other half by June '09. This is a good thing, but it pales in comparison to free money.

About one week ago, we started praying for good news of some kind. Since then, we have gotten the double rejection.

We are grateful for the loan. And we know that God will give us all we need. But it is hard to not be disappointed.

Please, pray about our spirits, and about the remaining two grants. Thank you.

Prepare a reaction

2007-03-23T17:42:00.000-07:00

Recently, Cindie told some people that we would soon be adopting a baby from Ethiopia. I should say that these people were young. Upon hearing this they did what many people do, which is play the “Stream of Consciousness” game.

This is where people try to say something that somehow relates to what they just heard. For instance, if you were told that I have an aunt who is a politician in Utica, MI, you might follow that comment with one of your own about a politician that you know, or something you know about Utica, MI.

I differentiate between the “Stream of Consciousness” game and conversation, because there is very little listening going on. There is no real desire to learn and discover who a person is. It is more a half-hearted attempt to get the attention back to self. (Am I being too cynical? I don't mean to be. I know I have been guilty of it too.)

Back to the story (and the point). Cindie tells these young people that we will be adopting a baby from Ethiopia. Their minds begin to spin, trying to conjure up something to add.

And what do they come up with? Ethiopia jokes. You know the ones. Like when someone pulls on either side of their neck and says, “What am I? I'm an Ethiopian choking a piece of rice.”

Now there a few reactions one could have to this. Self-righteous indignation would be pretty tempting. One of those starving little children is my daughter after all.

However, such indignation nation is hard to drum up, even from someone as self-righteous as me. There are two reasons for this. First, as an adolescent, I think I made the same jokes. The thought of it is so embarrassing that I'm strongly tempted to omit it. But it is almost certainly true, and that makes it too hard to maintain self-righteousness.

The second reason is good old fashioned befuddlement. Thinking of someone, actually a group of about 5 someones, being so ignorant and insensitive shocks me. The shock makes me laugh more than rage. I just can't wrap my head around it.

My main reaction to this is appreciation for what many have been telling me. Not all people will be as enlightened at all times as we might like them to be. I guess we should start preparing.

Process of the waiting list

2007-03-21T17:13:00.000-07:00

I was curious to how the waiting list worked so I got in touch with our adoption agent and she explained it this way....

The way the list works is that you are added once your dossier is completed and reviewed by one of us. You guys officially started waiting on February 1st. When the care center takes in children, they get together the referral documents, do medical screening, get lab results, etc. Our staff in Ethiopia will send us the child's profiles by email. When we receive the profiles we look to our list for the first family open to that child's age/gender/background, etc. For example if we get a referral from Ethiopia of a boy who is 2.5 years old we may have to go towards the end of the list to find a family open to that age range and gender- so things don't always go in perfect order. Once we pair a family with a child we call their social worker, either your social worker or us will then call you with news of a referral and send you all the information by email.

There we have it, so start praying for some sweet little girls to come in so we can get our precious Ramiah home with her family!

Cindie

Nesting

2007-03-06T19:24:00.001-08:00

Cindie writes:
We are still just in the waiting stage of the adoption, but it is like the nesting stage I went through when I was pregnant with the other two kids. I get to that point where I understand there is a new child coming into our life, then I FREAK! Or in other words, I am nesting. This is where I get the house ready for the new child, go on a throwing out bindge, organize most everything, and think of every little thing that needs to be fixed around the house and all the odd jobs just NEED to be done! I have multiple lists going.
I am excited for our life to be changed and our family to grow. Hannah went through all of her toys just the other day when I was organizing her room and wanted to get rid of some things! You gotta love this child. Anyway she was talking about where Ramiah would sleep, what clothes she would wear, and what toys she thought she would like. She is thrilled to have a sister and is anxiously awiting for her to come home as well.

Why Ethiopia?

2007-02-19T06:26:00.000-08:00

Some people have asked us, "Why are you adopting from Ethiopia? Don't we have orphans in the US?"

Yes, of course there are orphans here. And I would like to see them adopted. Every child deserves a family. If I could adopt and adequately care for all 143,000,000 orphans in the world, I would. But I can't. One is a pretty big stretch for us right now.

So, why would we choose one from Ethiopia, rather than here or somewhere else? There are many reasons. Not the least of which is a conviction that this is the place God has chosen for us. We prayed about "the where". He has put this place on our hearts. Circumstances have pointed us in this direction. And godly people have affirmed our selection.

Also, we wanted to adopt from a place with deep need. And there is no comparison between the need in Ethiopia and the US. As bad as the foster care system can be, by and large those kids will be fed, medically attended to, clothed, educated, and cared for. They still live in the most affluent nation in the world, and perhaps the most affluent country in the history of the world.

If they do not get adopted, it will be a sad and terrible thing that they will have to wrestle with emotionally. But they'll live, and they'll be given every chance to succeed.

By comparison, here is a snapshot of the life of an Ethiopian orphan who does not get adopted:

Life expectancy--42 years
Mortality rate for those under five--169 per 1000 live births
Maternal mortality rate--850 per 100,000 live births
Adult HIV prevalence rate (ages 15-49)--4.4%
Percentage population with access to safe drinking water--24%
Adult literacy rate--42%
Life expectancy (at birth)--42 years

Percentage of population living on less than $2 a day--80.7%

Actually, these are the stats for all Ethiopians. I would assume the statistics for the orphans would be worse. Add to this the tension Ethiopia faces as one of the last bastions of Christianity in the region, and the prevelance of harmful superstitions (Many still believe that a man can b cured of AIDS by having sex with a virgin, putting little girls at a terrible risk).

These are just a handful of reasons why my family is becoming part Ethiopian.

Finally Waiting

2007-01-30T19:07:00.000-08:00

Tuesday we sent in our Dossier. A dossier is a collection of documents about our life that will go to Ethiopian government. It required 16 notarizations and three seals of state certification. Now that is in and approved, that puts us on the waiting list (finally). The time we wait for a referral can be anywhere up to six months, maybe more. We hope for sooner. It is the last big chunk of documentation to be prepared by us.

We also want to update you on the financial part of the adoption. With the dossier, we had to send in about $12,000 for various fees. That is a huge amount, obviously. Other than plane tickets, we are unaware of any other BIG bills coming. That puts us at approximately $15,000 spent so far.

So, here are some things for which we would love prayer:

1. Pray that God would ease our worrisome and impatient minds as we wait.

2. Pray for Ramiah, that God would watch over her and see to her care while she waits for us.

3. Pray that money comes in so that we are not crippled by debt at the end of this process.

4 We are applying for some grants (some matching) and interst-free loans. Pray that those would come through.

God of the Process

2007-01-16T13:21:00.000-08:00

If you have been reading this at all, you have learned how frustrating this process has been. I think it was Tom Petty who said, "the waiting is the hardest part."

Well last week, we were reminded of God's role in the process.

We had received a letter from Homeland Security. We need to get clearance from them to bring a child into the country and start the process of citizenship. Part of that process is finger printing. Anyway, the letter said that we should expect to wait another three months before we could get the the fingerprinting. This were heart-fallen over having to postpone the adoption another three months in the name of bureaucracy. But last week, Cindie was pulling into the drive with kids in tow. She saw the mail box had mail and was convinced that the fingerprinting appointment info was in there despite what the earlier letter said.

As she was about to get out of the car, Hannah said, "Mom, look at that giant bird." On the handrail of our rather urban home was some very large bird of prey. I was not there to see it, but Cindie said it took her breath away. She was afraid to get out of the car, it was that big and close. Then the bird took off between our house and the next door house. Cindie says the wingspan on the bird was so impressive that it looked as if it could have touched both houses.

I reminded me of this from Isaiah 40:

28 Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
The LORD is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
and his understanding no one can fathom.

29 He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.

30 Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;

31 but those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.

Waiting

2007-01-04T09:42:00.000-08:00

God gives me what I need when I go to Him and ask.

I was feeling so down and discouraged around Christmas with this adoption process going slower than I expected and I just felt so alone. I was trying so hard to help myself, but kept failing, as I always do when I try to do things on my own. I finally got desperate and told Shannon he better start praying for someone or something to encourage me. I sat at the dinner table weeping with no control and Hannah our 4 year old leaned over and just rubbed my back. At that moment I felt God's hand touch me and comfort me through her. Hannah has always had a special way of ministering to my heart.
The next night our agency told us we were approved and on our way to finishing the next step in the process. We also had an email that 2 people had given money for the adoption. One in the amount of $5.00 and the other in the amount of $1,000.00. I broke down and cried for my lack of faith once again and the faith others have for our ministry in adopting our daughter Ramiah.
I am learning so much about God and His love and patience for HIS Children. Waiting for my child to come home is one of the hardest things I have ever done, but I think of how many times He waited for me!

Cindie

A great source of encouragement.

2006-12-21T11:54:00.000-08:00

I am writing a sermon right now about Mary's visit to Elizabeth. The point I am making is about what an encouragement Elizabeth is to Mary. And I have say I feel a whole lot like Mary here in that, I have been so encouraged by people.

Some people have included Ramiah's name on Christmas cards they sent. A lady at our church expressed how excited she is to have another grandchild. Some have given money. Others have promised to do so. Someone sent five bucks (What a blessing!). Someone else promised to support even though he knows he may not have a job after February. Others have begun to consider adoption as a possibility for their family's. All of this has been so humbling and so encouraging that it has brought us both to tears.

THANK YOU SO MUCH!

Reconciling Race

2006-12-15T07:22:00.000-08:00

One of the biggest concerns that the social workers have had is our readiness to parent an African American child. I know this has been one of their biggest concerns, because they have made fill out a stack of lengthy, oddly-worded, insinuation-filled questionnaires. We also had to spend some time in training and promise to learn as much about the subject as we could.

What problems do you foresee in raising a child of a different race? How will you handle the discrimination you and your child will face? What role does race play in one's identity?

We wrote our answers on eggshells. We are of an age that we have been thoroughly trained in public school against the evils of racism. Public schools instilled in us the feeling that racism is worse than murder. Murder can be forgiven. We have been trained to feel uncomfortable to even make an observation about what race a person is. We have been taught that insinuating that that race is more than skin deep is ignorant, and ignorant is one of the worst things a human being could be. Though I now realize this was overly simplistic, I still embrace the core of it. I believe I have been someone who has worked against the wrongs of racism and toward racial reconciliation.

But still, answering these question on paper for the PC police (our perception of what was happening) was draining and frustrating. The questions felt like a trap. They were so laced with PC code and wild assumptions about us and world we live, that we had to answer many of them "I do not know how to answer this."

I know thee will probably be some challenges. We will have to deal with discrimination issues at some point. But our community is highly populated with racially mixed families. We have no less than four in our small church. When I've asked them about it, the families who live in this community have seen little to no problems.

So this is how I plan to approach it. When Ramiah enters our family she takes on our culture and heritage. She becomes Irish American. Also we take on some of her ethnicity. My whole family becomes a little bit Ethiopian. Already, I am learning about that country and it's culture. That will be a part of our family forever.

EMOTIONS

2006-12-08T18:23:00.000-08:00

WOW! This has been a wild ride already. Actually an emotional ride! I was told by my sister-n-law that the adoption process is much more emotional than being pregnant and now I completely understand what she meant by that statement. It is 10 times harder and 10 times more emotional than being pregnant. For those of you that are reading this and have gone through the process of pregnancy you know what it is to carry a child inside of you for 9 months. The frequent bathroom visits for multiple reasons, the back aches, the extra weight gain, the stretch marks, the hormones that are raging out of control, and the list goes on. You now share your body with a new life. I have experienced that wonderful miracle 2 times and I have to tell you, not having that little life within me, breaks my heart. I can't protect the life of my child, I don't have any control. Not knowing where my child sleeps tonight and not knowing who is holding her while I type this makes me swell up with tears. I long to hold her, to comfort her, to tell her mommy loves her, but I can't. So I wait...

God loves cheerful giving, so do we

2006-12-08T18:19:00.000-08:00

2 Corinthians 9:7-8
Each man should give what he has decided in his heart
to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God
loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make
all grace abound to you, so that in all things
at all times, having all that you need,
you will abound in every good work.

The cost of adopting Ramiah is going to be around $20,000. We are steadfastly refusing to worry about this, even though it is roughly half of what we make annually. We believe God called us to this. We trust that he will work out the details. We are working hard to further restrict our budget, applying for adoption grants, and considering other sources of income. We are even prepared, if need be, to spend the next several years working hard to pay off any debt we may incur. We will do whatever we have to do. Giving a child a home and a chance at life is worth it.

You can help, if you so choose. God is rescuing an orphan, and you can be a part of that work, if you so choose. There is a link at the right that will bring you to a web-site where you can make a tax-deductible donation. If, the tax-deduction is not a concern for you, I'd ask that you contact us directly. That is, if you have decided in your heart to give.

Ramiah

2006-12-08T09:07:00.000-08:00

I wrote this one night after listening to Bob Dylan's "Rolling Stone".

How can I bring you home
When you're all alone?

Out sleeping with no bed,
No place to lay your head.

How can I bring you home
When you're all alone?

Eyes blurred from tears
Fixed on your greatest fears.

How can I bring you home
When you're all alone?

Hurts to imagine how you feel,
Eating just what you steal.

How can I bring you home
When you're all alone?

To make it right
We're gonna need His Light

How can I bring you home
When you're all alone?

Need his arms to hold us tight,
Bring us through the night.

He will bring you home.
We are not alone.

It was kind of free association. I did not know where it was going. I started off thinking of the plight of our nation's homeless. But by the end, it became clear to me that God was speaking to me through my writing about my daughter. It's a poem about adoption.

Before that, Cindie and I, had been talking about adoption. But I was hesitant; paralyzed by selfishness and faithless fear disguised as concern and rationalization. But it was after this experience that I realized this is exactly the sort of thing he would ask me to do. From that moment on, I was sold.

We are now fairly deep into the process. I intend to use this space to talk about it and give updates. I will also give facts about adoption now and again.

Oh, her name will be Ramiah (Yahweh has lifted up...)