Celeste Gets a Lesson In Sensitivity

Yes a good old fashion lesson.

For those that have followed my blog all know that I met an ET woman in this really nice grocery store by the name of Beslay.  She is the cashier there and every so often when in the neighborhood I go there to get my favorite sloppy joe corn beef sandwich,which is freshly cooked corn beef , so nice and tender, I put russian dressing on it, american cheese, cole slaw,but  lately I have eaten it like a meat salad b/C I am attempting to stay away from bread.  Well anyway back to the story.......

Well I shared w/Beslay that I was adopting two girls from ET and when promised to show her pics.  Well as I walked in the store Beslay was not there, it was the other girl, who looked like she could be from ET also, but the other thing that was amazing is that she looked just like one of my daughters, so I had not yet made it to the back of the store to order my food, but as I am walking I am turning and turning to look at this woman who was beautiful......

So, ordered my food and pretty much skipped back to the front of the store to make sure I was in her line.  I asked her if Beslay was there and she said not.  I always start the conversation off by saying that is a pretty name, how do you pronounce it, (their name tags are on the shirts) then I heard her accent......so I took the plunge and asked well where are you from...and she said ET...

So now I have this BFG(Big Fat Grin) on my face as I show her pics of my girls and at the same time I am telling her I adopting them.  She looked at the pics and jammed them back in my hands.  So picture that BFG turing into a look of what you do that for?...

So I continued to talk and I had to remove my hat...those I have shared the entire story w/know the reason I removed my hat...anyway, I told her where they were from, and asked what area/region was she from.........she looked at me like I was crazy, and said I am from ET.....it is all the same, w/an attitude.....

So it is clear to me, she either does not want be bothered, or she ain't a happy camper a/b me adopting from ET....

So I payed for my stuff and as I got ready to leave the line, she asked...."what are their names?"  So here comes the BFG again on my face, I told her the names of my girls, then she said. "hmmm"  not a nice fluffy hmmmm, it was more of a hmmm w/some head movement, and some attitude in the facial expression all she needed to complete the scene was some gum chewing and popping.

I guess the moral of the story..........Just don't assume every ET you meet in America loves the idea you are adopting from ET......Be sensitive to the fact, they could be feeling some kind of way!!!!!

More Pics More Pics and More Pics

Just when you need that pick me up.  The boost to keep you going!!!

I got over 24 new pics of my girls.  I can only create a mind movie b/c I can't post.....

 Helina, what can I not say about her....she is  nothing but pure beauty......she is so regal and elegant.  I mean she is sitting in a chair...and most would say, ok.....and wait for the line to come to describe what she is doing in the chair, but it is her body language, the way she positions her hands, and her posture that speaks volumes of how gentle, sincere, mature and innocent she is. I can't wait to wrap my arms around her.

Now El-Shaddi, she looks sweet in her pics, she is smiling up a storm, and I can tell she really enjoys the camera.  In these pics she looks  a bit shy and reserved, but none the less, I can tell she will be momma's baby.....I can't wait to kiss those cheeks of hers......

I am making a book for them, Helina and El-Shaddi both have a photo book which I  will fill with pics label and journal what life was like for me during the wait for their arrival.  I hope they cherish this book as they grow older and search for things that connect them to their birth land.  

It just makes the wait so worth it w/the updates and photos.  This really made my night!!

No News!!!

Well as most know, there is no movement on the adoption front.  MOWA decided to take time to relocate their office.

I have nothing new to report, except I made a new friend by the name of Paula, who has girls from the same region my girls are from and we are exchanging notes and sharing information.  This blogging "world" has opened me up to all types of people.  I really appreciate this vehicle of communication.

I have no time line in mind w/the constant changes as it pertains to me getting my girls, just the thought of them running up and down the stairs, filling this house w/the sounds that only children can make, and doing the things that can make a parent want to scream makes my heart sing w/joy.

I have started to prepare for them, and my mom will be here next month from NC to decorate, and does not want any pics up of the room until she completes her master piece of art, so I have to share pics some time next month w/my blog friends.  My mom has an eye for fashion and decorating, and lots,  and lots of energy... so I am taking my vitamins now, b/c I know we will hit the streets, and shop until we drop when she comes.  I love my mom......and I know she will be reading this post, so here is to you mom xoxoxoxo

Celeste 

Ps the coat that is a few post down on my blog.....the one I was so excited about.......well I got just one of them, I guess when I placed my order the computer showed two in the sizes I needed but I only received one.....the quality is great!!!! and my girls would really be warm in them, but it looks to small already!!! so girlfriend won't be able to wear it next year, and Helina's coat was the one that never came.......so needless to say, the coat is going back!!!! I just have to move quicker next time on the sale items

1 month and counting for.....

A court date...

Today is the one month mark!!! It went by really fast.

Here is to good news to follow

OK, now I can complete my post.

I spoke w/the coordinator yesterday for a long time, and here is the update.

Well I had to ask the infamous questions..........  "Any news on a court date?"

well...... there seems to be a "New" form required from the region where my girls are from, this region signs off on something called a "Proclamation"  then the "proclamation is turned in w/all the papers needed to apply for a court date, The government where my girls are from just put this into effect, and from what I was told the ET staff were there in that region getting the papers signed off on.  I hope to know more on Monday, and then I will get a better time line as far as a court date is concerned.

It seems like the region wants to OK the adoption first then it allowed to get a MOWA recommendation along w/the family court in Addis, from what I am told this proclamation will be acknowledge by the courts and MOWA, so if I understood it right, it seems my girls will have something like two court dates.  

Keep your fingers crossed and we shall see what happens on Monday.

BTW.... a court date has been applied for the girls, the proclamation came about after the filing.  So that is really good news to know the papers are still moving although this little sna-fu came about.

Celeste 

Momma Knows A Bargain When......

she sees one.......I have stalked these coats since I saw them on Angela's blog, and I got them for a steal of a bargain. Helina and Elshaddi's church/special occasion coats. I don't even care they have to wait an entire year to wear them.............My babies will be stepping in style.....

Thanks Angela......

When one is speechless and over joyed.....

allow pictures to speak your peace!!!

YES WE CAN AND YES WE DID!!

**Edit***

I was listening to CNN last night when The President and the First Lady were at the ball where all the younger people were. After they danced he said that is "old School" then it right back to the CNN reporters who were a bit stunned at the words of choice of our new president, there was one african american women who brought up a situation w/the president and a waitress when she wanted to know after he paid for his meal if he needed change, Obama, said no, "we're straight" well that comment landed in the papers and the african women just could not understand why that comment would make the paper. Well as my girlfriend would say I had a big belly wash of laughter. Telling someone that we are straight is just another way of saying we are good, things are fine!!!! So I can't wait to hear him use the words....... "Nah, i'm good" which is just another way of saying no problem, we are straight....:) This is not hidden language, and if you have a young child, and you sit and listen to conversations they may have w/their friends I am sure 8 times out of 10 you will hear some of these words being used. I just thought it was funny to see the faces of the news crew on CNN trying to make sense of the these "unheard" of words that are really common.!!!!! Ijust could not stop laughing as a friend of mine and I started to think of all the words that Mr. President is a/b to open this world up to....it was just a funny moment to me.

update #5 on the girls from ET

Gina is sending me lots of info on the girls and I asked her a/b them being happy/confused/sad.... and this was the report I got........

Elsh is certainly more shy...but appropriately so.  Not in an extreme way and she has an obvious charm.  Her sister seems to look out for her.  While I am sure they are confused...they are also surrounded by loving caregivers and other kids so things could be much worse.  I get the sense it doesn't take much to make her feel safe and connect.  What does seem to be true is she is not willing to fight aggressively for attention.  When we go visit the toddler compound...the kids jump all over you for hugs and attention...that is not a battle she is willing to fight.  On the other hand...when I was shooting short videos of each kid and I waved for her to come...she jumped right up and came running over.  Hope that helps.

Wow!!! this really keeps me going.  I also have sizes for the girls now and will be getting shoe sizes also.  

Update number four!!!! Thank you Gina

I did not think it could get any better from all the updating that Holly did while over in ET on my girls!!! and the wonderful and exciting pics she took, but then there was another group that are there now and here is what I woke to this AM

I am beaming w/a BFG (big fat grin) 

Thank you Gina

I met Helina and Elshiday this morning.  They are both adorable.  I have short video of them.  Will upload it when I get home this weekend.  They both seem to be doing quite well.

Gina

***Edit*** Gina sent another e-mail....

..there will be lots of photos coming as well.

OMG!!!

I can only wish that I could post the recent pics I received of my girls!!!

They are awesome!!!!

I am floating on pure air and maybe 4 hrs of sleep b/c I stayed up for hours just looking at them.

Holly Thank you, Thank you, Thank you

Celeste

Exam!!!!

Well today I sat for a 6 hour exam. For those of you that did not know I am completing my MA in Educational Leadership, I will be done April 09, and we are asked to sit for our exam a semester before we complete all our credits and graduate. Now this exam was unlike any other I have taken before. I had to write the entire time.... 6 hours of writing. My hand is cramping and in pain even as I type this,

There were 4 books, the first two test were 1 hour long each, with ten vignettes in each book, the last two were two hours each, each book containing two questions with stacks and stacks of data that had to be broken down and analysed. While reading the info, organizing your thoughts, all done while being timed. This was a grueling process.

The content was not hard, just when you are writing in an open quesiton format, you just hope your are giving them everything they want. I should know in 2weeks if I passed. I do have to prepare myself b/c I really went blank on the last book and did not write as much as I should have. I think I did well enough in book 1, 2, 3 to pass, but you never know.....

I am so happy it is over!!! I will be more happier if I pass, but either way I can now concentrate on my girls even more and completing my last semester of school.

Update Number # 3 From ET

I am grinning like a hyena. With so much joy!!! I have to find out how Holly's husband did it. It makes me feel so good to know in the midst of Holly bringing her two children home, her and husband are taking the time to spend w/my two girls

Ps....for those of you that have followed my blog I went and found my ET freind again from the grocery store. We exchanged numbers..... I sat w/her on her break......What a wonderful conversation.....I will post a/b it tomorrow.

Update From HOlly on My Girls!!!!

You are so in trouble! My husband has brought Elshday out of her shell. She sat in his lap most of the day. You are very blessed! Those are two great girls and Ethiopian beauty queens on top of that! You are going to melt when you see those dimples and that personality...



holly

We Need Milk.......

I contacted the coordinator for our program after reading on Valerie's blog that there is a milk shortage in ET....Our coordinator confirmed it, not that I did not believe Valerie or anything  like that......and it seems like there is a loud cry for milk donations.  The powder soy formula

Pls. go to Valeries blog.  located on my blog under "Eyes Like Mine" and read a/b the milk shortage and DONATE MILK......

Thank you

 Those of you that are b/t agencies or looking for an agency who visits this blog, pls donate to an agency of your choice,  and find a traveling family and send the milk w/them.  Or you can contact me and I will surely guide you to the right person to speak with.

An United Front Can Move Mountains

Holly Rocks!!! Update Number 2 From ET!!!!!

Celeste:  Elshaday is very 
reserved as I told you before. I think she is probably scared and 
confused. Helina is just a bright child. She will help her little 
sister, so don't worry. These are two beauties! Lock them in the 
closet now!

It does not get any better than this.  Holly is doing a fantastic job updating the waiting families.

You can read her post all the way from ET....I can't insert the link in my post...don't know how!!! but if you look to the right of my blog and locate Holly's name, click on it and it will take you right to her blog.

Celeste

Momma to Helina And Elshaday

Update on the girls all the way from ET!!!!

Spoke W/Holly today for an update on the girls.....

Helina is very out going

They are both darlings

They are good girls!!

Cutie Pies...Well Holly did not say that, but I just thought I would add it... LOL

They are very healthy looking girls

They speak Amharic, so I was told to learn as much as I can

El-Shaday is a bit confused, reserved and quiet

El-Shaday has dimples...yes!! I love dimples

They each opened their packages, Holly helped them put on their heart necklace and braclet, Holly also took loads of pics.

I will keep you guys posted...I am floating on air........