hmmmm......Words so fitting for all the emotions I have going on as we approach the reopening of the courts in ET!!!!

By the Way Lizz Wright

I love her!!! OMG what a great vocalist.

Just feel like...

I need to be posting for the girls!!  Not that I have any spectacular news to post about! but I know as long as I can keep this blog up and running I am going to keep on posting!

Well, I think 1/5 weeks the Courts reopen, some say they reopen on the 28th of September, some say Oct. 1, 2009, but at this point, I have learned to never ink any dates in my planner, and give wiggle room when it comes to this stuff.  I see some on other boards have court dates as early as the 5th of Oct, not sure if that is the case w/my agency.

I have been shopping, I know!!! Can't help myself, outside of my faith, that is the only thing that keeps me moving! I do warn any one against it!!! Don't shop until you have passed court.  A good part of the morning was spent packing down the summer clothes!  I am safe though, the stuff would have been way to big this summer for the girls, so next summer all I need are sandals  :)

I have not gone over board (hmmm.....yes I have) but nothing like the summer stuff I brought for them. As I packed it down, I had to ask myself what were you thinking to buy all this stuff.....I now know the meaning in therapy shopping!!!! It ain't good for ya!

While over in ET, there just happened to be pics of their closet in some of the shots they saw of their room, the closet door was open in some of the shots, and the look on the girls' faces as they tried to figure out what belonged to who, was funny and exciting to watch!

My lina is a girly girl! Loves jewelry, and loves the camera! Shaddi has not figured it out yet! She just likes to fill the room w/laughter and play non-stop!

I miss them! I really do!  I am excited that a new court season is upon us, so that all those waiting parents w/my agency and other agencies can get court dates and bring their kids home, but I am mostly excited for me and the girls b/c I know that soon and very soon they be home!!! Forever!!!

ps

Angi thanks for the little piece of advice on the Halloween Costumes, I have spotted a few for dress-up when they go on sale!!!  

Did Not Take Much To Twist My Arm......

when I was called to book my vacation for 2010!

The girls are going to Disney in July!!!!

Progress!!!!

My heart is filled today!!!!

A great hurdle in this process has been accomplished.  Yes!!! 

Next....

Enkutatash......Happy New Year.........

'Enkutatash' - Ethiopian New Year

The Ethiopian New Year falls in September at the end of the big rains. The sun comes out to shine all day long creating an atmosphere of dazzling clarity and fresh clean air. The highlands turn to gold as the Meskel daisies burst out in all their splendour. Ethiopian children clad in brand new clothes dance through the villages giving bouquets of flowers and painted pictures to each household.

September 11th is both New Year's Day and the Feast of St. John the Baptist. The day is called Enkutatash meaning the "gift of jewels." When the famous Queen of Sheba returned from her expensive jaunt to visit King Solomon in Jerusalem, her chiefs welcomed her back by replenishing her treasury with enku or jewels. The spring festival has been celebrated since these early times and as the rains come to their abrupt end, dancing and singing can be heard at every village in the green countryside. After dark on New Year's Eve people light fires outside their houses.

The main religious celebration takes place at the 14th-century Kostete Yohannes church in the city of Gaynt within the Gondar Region. Three days of prayers, psalms, and hymns, sermons, and massive colourful processions mark the advent of the New Year. Closer to Addis Ababa, the Raguel Church, on top of the Entoto Mountain north of the city, has the largest and most spectacular religious celebration. But Enkutatash is not exclusively a religious holiday, and the little girls singing and dancing in pretty new dresses among the flowers in the fields convey the message of springtime and renewed life. Today's Enkutatash is also the season for exchanging formal New Year greetings and cards among the urban sophisticated in lieu of the traditional bouquet of flowers.


PS........ ET is 7 years behind the USA, They are celebrating the year 2002 today!!!

One Month Ago........

Well around this time last month I was getting off of a plane in Ethiopia to meet my daughters for the first time.

There was so much anticipation, and excitement on this day.

Arrived in Ethiopia (ET) @ 12noon from Dubai

Made our way through the visa process, exchanged money and got our bags

Headed out to meet the driver in the airport

Left Bole Rock Airport

Headed to the baby house which is where the office is

After  being at the baby house for a hour, we made our way to the big house, where Helina and El-Shaday were

I recall driving up to the big black gate waiting for the door to be opened

Once there, I was asked whose "mom" are you?

Sat in another office for a good 30 mins waiting 

Eventually someone came to the office, motioned for me to come and lead me to the room where Helina was in her bed taking her nap

I looked in the room, and said OMG (O My Goodness) there she is!!!!!! 

I hugged kissed and hugged her some more

Looked and Looked, and looked some more for El-Shaday

She was not there I kept getting big hugs and kisses from Helina 

Looked around after a few seconds and there was El-Shaday

OMG....look at her...

kissed and hugged El-Shaday, she was shy, and just did not know what the heck was going on

Awkwardness lasted for a good 5 mins

El Shaday had an apt. and had to leave, so all my afternoon was spent w/Helina

We looked at each other, took pictures, hugged, and looked at each some more w/loads of smiles on our faces!!!!

I could not stop hugging her, and she could not stop watching and imitating my every move

Much later as we were leaving El-Shaday returns, and I sit to love on her before leaving 

she is smiling, happy, and sucking on her candy like I have never seen or heard anyone do before, it was funny and cute!!! I watched Helina as she spoke in their language explaining all the things we had done while she was gone, I could not understand what they were saying but I could hear the different reflections in their voice and see the excitement on their faces.

Well on the 5th of August it was time for me to go!!! Knowing I would be returning the next day, I left w/so much excitement hoping like I did as a kid on x-mas eve, to hurry sleep so tomorrow could come!

I love those girls so much!!!!!