Tales from ET

Me, Linsey with our newest little ones

Blake and Ryan at Masuka

Blake and Sof at the Addis Museum
Chris and Meagan hanging at the New Flower
The whole gang at Masuka
Traditional dancing at Fasika

Helena looking like the exotic princess she isMe giving my sweet Sof kisses

Us at the Sheraton ET

Us at the New Flower from our balcony
New soda plant being built
Good times at Cozy place
Jaclyn and Minte

The three of us at the Gion Hotel in ET

An Orthodox Church in ET
Blake, Aiden, Sof and Helena at the New Flower
Our wild night at Fasika
Greg, Blake and I shoppin at the Friendship mall in ET


Where do I begin??? Even though it has been a week since we arrived home, it feels like an eternity already.

Our trip to Ethiopia was so amazing. The people are more beautiful than I have ever seen. So warm and gracious. The land was dry but full of Hope for better days to come. Addis Ababa, which is the capital of Ethiopia means: New Flower. It is the pride of Ethiopia, where all growth is taking place. It was good to see so much under construction, making way for a better economy. The food was a ceremony in instelf, to be used as a place and time of fellowship with friends and family. Not the fast food you see everywhere in the states. The people are all so proud of who they are and not centered on what they aren't or don't have. Such a beautifully simple way of life. Focusing on people and serving one another with joy in all they do, was inspiring to say the least. Then there was the food and dancing. Both a must experience. Served and expressed once again with joy, truly infectious!! We had such a wonderful time there, we only wish we had more time to spend getting deeper into the country and people. Maybe our next trip back will give us that opportunity.

We stayed at a place called the New Flower Guest House. Which was a 2 story house to be shared by fellow adoptive parents and staff. It was in the heart of the city surrounded by concrete walls separating our little world with our new ones from that of the city life around us. The house was enchanting, even on the days without water, electricity, phones, internet, etc, it was simply beautiful. The staff worked around the clock to serve all of us who stayed there. And with all our sick babies, that and hungry families that was a lot.

It was recommended by our agency coordinator as well as the lady who ran the New Flower Guest House not to go out into the city with our children for safety and social reasons, so we obliged. We were able to take them to the Addis Museum, the weaver's market for a little shopping as well as a few recommended restaurants. One of which as a fabulous Italian restaurant which was the best Italian food I have ever had. The kids all behaved wonderfully and so we took them for ice cream at at coffee shop that resembled our Starbucks, but with icecream as well. What a treat, not only the great food but to see the looks on Sofonyas' and Helena's faces were priceless!!!

Both Sofonyas and Helena were sick with tummy issues, pink eye, ear infection, sinus infections, ringworm, giardia, strep throat, so needless to say much of our time was tending to their needs for rest and recooperation.

We couldn't have been held captive with more lovely people. Finally meeting my Hope gal friends, Lisa, Nikko, Theresa, Linsey and Jaclyn as well as meeting some new friends Megan and Ryan and let me not forget Tim. We laughed, we cried and we gave thought and thanks for each day together! I am so grateful for sharing and getting to know everyone. Making memories with friends that will last a lifetime. I will never forget all our frazzled, silly, exhausted, goofy, overwhelmed, nonsensicle moments together!

Blake was a total champ. Rising to each occasion with grace and poise. Never once did we hear the words or attitude "this stinks, when can we go home". I have never been so PROUD of him before! He was gracious and welcoming to his new brother and sister as well as all the other families in the house. He was respectful to all the differences that he saw and experienced, never sounding or looking like a rude american boy. Never uttered the words "I'm bored" even after days of not being able to go anywhere or do anything, but just hang. Our first day out touring the city before we picked up Sof and Helena, we were stopped in traffic and it was hot so Blake rolled down his window. First lesson learned, don't roll down your window in traffic unless you want to be solicited by young hungry children. This little boy who obviously lived on the street and was very hungry went up to Blake's window begging like I have never seen before for food. Pour Blake unprepared, look at me with tears for we had nothing to give him, not even a dollar on us. Needless to say, from that day on when we went into town Blake always had a bag full of granola bars, which he handed out to all those we encountered on the way. Blake said at the end of our trip, "Mom, I will never say we have nothing to eat or there is nothing to play with again. I am sorry that I have taken all that I have for granted". I think he got the big picture as we had hoped.

I think we all learned to appreciate all that we have a little more!!!

It was truly a life changing adventure that we will never forget! And it would not have been possible if not for the assistance of so many friends and family. Thank you dad for blessing us by watching over Caitlin and Reagan while we were gone. They had the best time. In fact while in ET, during one of my conversations with Reagan , he said "Mom when are you all coming home" and I thought he was wondering because he missed us, but he replied " Oh really only two more days with Grandpa, I wish we had more time". Thank you Jesus!!! Even though it slightly hurt my delicate feelings, I was way more happy that he was having such a great time. Thank you to all my friends: Sigrid, Maureen, and Denise for providing play dates for the kids and giving my father his much deserved breaks. Thank you Mamaw, Papaw and Sharon for taking and picking us up and for always being there!! You all made a wonderful welcome home committee!!!

We are so thankful and so blessed!! Each day bringing a new adventure!!

Watch out ET here we come!!!!!

First let me say~ WOOOOHOOOO!!!

Finally our day has come for us to load up our luggage, donations and ourselves on the plane and head out to Ethiopia. I know I have said words cannot described what I am feeling, but I can honestly say I am locked up with excitement, nerves, fear, anticipation, but mostly joy! My heart feels as if it is going to come out of my chest it is beating so strong. I thought I would go for a run, but I don't think I need to at this point. I just want to spend every minute with Caitlin and Reagan until we leave this afternoon.
To think in just 2 days we will get to meet our children for the first time. I can't wait. It's a long trip over there, but I can't complain for we get to stay the night in Dubai so we will be nice and rested up for Sof and Helen on Sunday.
As much as I am excited about going my heart is torn leaving Caitlin and Reagan behind. I know they are in good hands with Grandpa Middlebrook and they will have the time of their lives, but Greg and I have never been away from them and to top it off we are out of the country. I am trying very hard to give both my fear and sadness to God.
I am so thankful everyone who has been there for us; supporting us, encouraging us, informing us, lifting us up in prayer. We would not be here if it weren't for you all!! Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
So I am signing off for now. I will not be posting from Ethiopia for access to a computer and internet is difficult. I will update when I return. Hoping I will have lots of pictures and stories to share.

Father God, I give thanks for this day to finally be upon us. For allowing us such a beautiful opporunity of a lifetime. I am grateful to all those you have placed in our lives, surrounding us with such love, support, friendship and trusted footsteps to follow. I pray that Greg, Blake, Reagan, Caitlin, my father, Sof, Helen and I be filled with the fruits of your spirit during the next 10 days. Give my father, the patience and endurance that he will need to take care of Caitlin and Reagan!!That any sadness, fear, harm be cast away! Father, I pray for a hedge of protection to be placed upon each of us and those around us. Let our hearts be light and our days be filled with joy, laughter and love. Let Sof and Helen meet us with open hearts. That we see this journey through your eyes. Taking each step, situation, and moment with the peace of knowing that you are with us all. That we bring glory and honor to your name to all that we do and say. Father God I lift up all of us and our needs to you!! It is in your precious and holy name I pray. AMEN!!!

Let the Good times Roll!!

So we are down to just 6 days until we head out to ET!!! I am both excited beyond belief and freaking out that I have forgotten to do something really important!! We are pretty much ready to go at this point, packed, money transfered, house ready, kids ready, papers ready, but yet I still feel unsettled. With as much time and energy that I have been putting into getting ready, I have been making sure each day has some element of fun to it and that our days our filled with the friends and family we love!

Like a chicken with my head cut off

Is pretty much how I feel these days!! Wow, since passing court last week, I have been scrambling to get our travel plans locked in, kids ready for school, lining up friends for Caitlin and Reagan to visit to break up the 9 days for my dad, getting donations, making sure I have proper clothing for Sof and Helen now that it's colder and much wetter; I could go on and on. All of this and I am still on cloud nine!!:))))

So our travel plans are we are leaving on August 15 and will return on August 24th at night. Just in time to see the kids off to school on the 25th. Meaning we leave in just 16 days!!!!!! It couldn't be here soon enough for me!

I still don't think it has really hit me for I am still getting to sleep just fine. I am so grateful for all of those who have gone before me and have been so honest in sharing their travel adventures and the realities of the adjustment phase for all members of the family. I know that the real challenge is still ahead of me and that probably when I get home I will look back at the wait as though it was a breeze in comparison to the difficulties that can come when we get home, but I feel at least better prepared to expect a storm!!

I can't wait, I know I will probably have at least 4 months of being in a fog and feeling overwhelmed and wondering "what was I thinking", but the best things in life do not come easily!!

I am Proud to Announce: Helena Karen Mott

Name: Helena Karen Mott

Birthday: July 4, 2006

Birthplace: Shesemene, Ethiopia

I am overcome with joy to be able to announce that Helena is officially ours as we have passed court!!! Our dreams and prayers have come true and I couldn't be happier. What makes this even sweeter, is that all of us in our group passed court together!! Congrats Lisa, Nikko and Theresa!
So I am off to start our travel plans to we can bring them home!!! Looks like we will be traveling the week of August 15- August 24. With the courts closing in just a couple of weeks the airlines are booking up quickly.
Thank you all for your constant support, prayers and encouragement! We are truly so grateful to you all and can't wait to share IN PERSON our newest additions!!

Thank you God for the whisper to Greg and I and the kids to start this journey.

Thank you God for all of those you placed in our path along the way to get us here.

Thank you God for this wonderful gift and honor of these two beautiful children.

Thank you God for the women who loved them enough to carry them and bring them into this world so that we may be privileged to love them and raise them.

Thank you God for giving us the strength and encouragement for this day becoming a reality.

Thank you God for all the friendships that we have made along the way.

Thank you God!!!

Roller Coasters

I think God let me know early yesterday morning, when I opened my bible straight to Job. Unfortunately once again it appears we have been cast aside in court. We still have 2 more weeks to the court closes, so I am not giving up yet! Though greatly dissapointed, I am blown away with the compassion and amazing support from my fellow Hope families!! Last night after so many of us old timers received our bad news, several of our Hope families rallied together for a prayer circle. Prayer in unity is a powerful tool!

Yesterday, I was literally on one of life's roller coasters as I took my kids with Renee Garner and her precious 4 to Six Flags for the day. Thank you Renee for being there when I received the news. I am so thankful to have been in a public place with children all around me when I found out we missed out again! The distraction of the park, kids and fellowship really saved me from wallowing in my disappointment. We came home late last night to see everyone's kind posts and prayer rally!! Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

I don't know why this is happening, I am not sure if God is trying to prepare us and make us stronger for the reality of how difficult it will be when we get home or if Satan has gotten his claws into our situation. Either way, there is nothing I can do to change it and so therefore I have decided to totally lift it up to the only one who can- God. I thought I had after our first setbacks with our China adoption and then when we came on to Hope and our hurdles the last few months, but as of yesterday, I think I finally TOTALLY let go.

As so many have said before, this adoption journey is not for the faint of heart. I believe what does not break me only makes me stronger. I am also a fighter, when someone tells me I can't do something or have something it just makes me fight harder for it!! So I am in this battle, standing firm in my conviction, that Helen as well as Fiori, Hermela and Efrata will be ours!!! I think we still have a chance to make it through before the closer, but if it takes until the fall, so be it!! We will all eventually get our children home and victory will be ours!! Embracing our little ones in the decades to come; these obstacles and this horrendous roller coaster will be a distant memory.

I am truly sorry to those of you who did not pass as well yesterday!! There is still a chance and as we can see in this group, a whole lot of HOPE!! Please know you are all in my prayers as well, including little miss Ava (Rebecca keep me posted) and Lisa-Marie. Keep the faith!!

A bible verse that has been coming to mind as well is 1 Peter 1:7;

These trials are only to test your faith, to show that it is strong and pure. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold- and your faith is far more precious to God than mere gold. And our children will be our finest treasures, they are so worth it!!

Father God today I stand firm in your word, I dress myself in your armor, and sing praises to the heaven for your glory of knowing Helen will be ours!! I give thanks for all that I have and knowing the blessings that are to come. Father, for those who are broken in spirit by these constant setbacks and heart aches, I lift them up to you, may your peace, comfort, hope and the vision of the day we are dancing with our children be upon them. It's in your Holy name I pray, AMEN!!

Looking for a miracle!!!

Unfortunately, all of Hope's court cases including ours for Helena are postponed until next week. It seems as though another large agency's court cases were put on hold a few months ago, while they were being investigated and they have been cleared. Therefore, all their cases are being put through before ours. I am frustrated, confused, angry and saddened by this to say the least. Enough already!!! At this point I think it's going to take a miracle to be able to bring both Sof and Helena home this summer. We will give it another week, but then if we have still not made it through court we will have to make our travel arrangements to just pick up Sof now and then make the second trip in the fall for Helena. Thank you all for your prayers, support, encouragement and friendship!! Nikko, Lisa and Theresa, thank you!!!

On the brighter side, today my friends, blessed me with a wonderful shower. Not only did the warm fellowship with my closest amigas lift my spirits, it also filled my belly full of great food, and blessed us richly with donations and gifts for the orphanage and for Sof and Helena. I am so grateful to have such amazing friends. Thank you Judy for putting it together!!! And thank you all my Fairway Bridge Buddies for coming!!!!
I will be continuing to ask God for a miracle and hope to share good news soon!!!!

POA Problems!! Shim to the Rescue!!

Well it looks as though after another round of failed court cases there is yet another issue, obsticle, in our (and all families with Hope) path. This time it is the Power of Attorney document, but not the families; Hope's POA document.

In order to represent us in court, the attorneys need a power of attorney from the adopting family as well as a power of attorney from the agency's owner, Shimeliss. Shimeliss's PoA expires in July 2008. The court interpreted this as the BEGINNING of July, and Hope interpreted it as the END of July. So the court is requiring a new agency power of attorney (not the adopting family's) before they will sign off on any of Hope's cases.Since providing the court with a new PoA requires that Shimeliss go through the whole authentication process and DHL to Ethiopia (just like each of us did), he doesn't have time to do this or none of us will make it before courts close. Therefore, he is just going to go to Ethiopia and appear in court for each of our cases in person. He is headed to Addis today and will be there until Hope's last court case which takes place on August 4.

I am so thankful to the angels at Hope (Grace, Shim, Rahel) that will stop at nothing to get the job done in order for us to bring our kids home. I am grateful beyond words for their continual sacrafies and committment to us and to the children!! Father God, bless them, keep them safe, sane, healthy and give them the endurance to do your work as you have called them to do!! Put a hedge of protection around them, the children, and all that they do so we may bring our children home!!--Soon, very soon!!!

4th of July Fun!!!

Greg, Mamaw, Aunt Sharon, and Mom at Skip's party Greg and Papaw
Reagan's good side
Reagan and Caitlin having a blast playing in the dirt

Caitlin and Grandma showing off their work of art they painted together.

Grandma, Blake, Reagan and Caitlin hanging out after a week of fun
Reagan and Uncle Skip at Skip's 4th of July party
Reagan and Caitlin poolside fun
Greg, Chris, Blake, Reagan and Caitlin down at the river at Skip's party
Boy was the water low!!!
Blake, Reagan and Caitlin playing games at Skips' party

Blake's slip and slide adventures

Caitlin and cousin Dahna at Skips's party. Unguard!!
Caitlin at our friend Chris Borzych's house speeding down the slip and slide
Fun was had by all that entire 4th of July weekend!! We spent the 4th with our friends the Unsell's and the Borzych's zooming on their slip and slide and hanging out feasting on good food and good fellowship!! Thanks Chris, Sherry, Bryan, Sigrid and family for allowing us to crash the party!!!

The next day was followed by Uncle Skip's 4th of July party out at his ranch. We had a blast from playing in the extremely low and slow moving Guadalope river, catching up with extended family, once again feasting on good food, enjoying music from Dahna and company, running around, playing in dirt and having a grand time. Can't wait for next year when Sof and Helen will be accompaning us. Thanks Uncle Skip and Mary Paz for putting together such a wonderful event!
Thank you Father God for allowing us to live in such a wonderful free country and to be able to enjoy and embrace all the good things in life that you have created for us!!!

"You can call me 9

Reagan has been saying this to just about everyone he meets this last week. I don't think he is excited about being the big "9". I can't believe my sweet little boy is nine today. Good for me he is young at heart still enjoying nothing more than cars, trucks, boats, water and dirt. The more water and dirt the better!! I think he will still like these things when he is 29.

We are so blessed to have so much family in town to celebrate with! We had a grand time with the family celebrating last night. Everyone was here from Grandma Mott, Mamaw, Papaw, Aunt Sharon, Uncle Tye and the rest of our crew. Reagan didn't mind not one little bit that he was going to open his presents a day early since we wanted to celebrate while Grandma was still in town. I think he is enjoying the idea of being able to celebrate on 3 days this week, for we are having his friends over Friday night so they will go and see the movie "Journey to the Center of the Earth".

He has grown up so much both physically and mentally but yet is such a happy go lucky, innocent, tender hearted little boy. I hope he stays like that for a long time. Don't get me wrong, he can also be stubborn, naughty, and defiant. But he gets me every time he giggles or snuggles up and tells me for no reason that he loves me.

Thank you God for blessing me with the miracle of our son Reagan! Everytime he giggles or he showers me with kisses I am reafirmed your presence in our lives. Your light, joy and love shine so brightly through him and I am so grateful. Father God continue to shine upon my dear Reagan and help me to raise this beautiful child of God to be the man you created him to be. It is in your precious and holy name I pray, AMEN!