Required reading

Started reading Introduction to African Civilizations last night. For the "Introduction" nod in the title, it seems to academic and fairly dense. The first chapter takes the reader through a tightly condensed history of the evolution of man during the past few 10 million years.

The interesting parts, those that I am able to distill keep me turning the pages. The history, geologic record, prehistoric anthropology are quiet interesting. The high points so far: early near-man; totem; and, maternal-lineage.

Tonight's chapter (#2) is Introduction to the History of Ethiopia.

Wednesday morning thoughts

Well, no 171H in the post last evening. Should be soon--we hope.


My mind was bouncing around this morning on the drive in about when Ethiopia fell into our hearts. I remember the day, the answer came as a tiny whisper in my ear, a tiny click in my heart. Our state-side agency did not have an Ethiopian program when we started the process, so Amy and I were bouncing between China and India. When ever the one asked the other which country we like more, it was always a 50/50 split between the two--somedays one would have a 51/49 lead. One day Amy and her mom where working on the computer when Amy wanted to show her mom some photos of available children that our agent (Brenda) had sent us. When she opened her e-mail, there was a notice of the new program--I found out later that Amy had a similar feeling as I did when I saw it.

A few days later, Amy and I were in the office, when she showed me the e-mail from Brenda. That is when I heard the tiny whisper, "that is your answer." The only other time in my life I had ever know something so surely and quickly was when I looked into Amy's eyes for the first time. From the moment when the tears started, we both knew where our baby was/is.

When people ask us, Why Ethiopia?, we are not being flippant when we say, it was no decision at all--it is almost like it was chosen for us.

I-171H?

Amy has a feeling it will be waiting for us in the mailbox after work....let's hope so.

PostSecret

This was one of the cards on PostSecret this week. Stopped me for a minute.

The long weekend

Nothing new to report from this weekend. We are stilling playing the waiting game with BCIS (INS) for our I-171H. Today marks the fourth week since we turned in our initial paperwork.

We watched this weekend's Dateline NBC segment, "From Russia With Love" on Sunday about the couple from New Jersey who adopted twins (boy and girl) from Russia and their initial journey to find more information about Sophia and Joe's birth family. A journey that would double the size of their family. Joe and Sophia had two brothers (twins) and two sisters (twins) who lived scattered periods of time with their mother, but most of their time in separate orphanages. The Dateline story details rest of the story...I won't spoil here, but will on down the page--so stop reading if you want to read what happens.

Link to the story

Their story really tugged at my heart, many times wiping the tears from my cheeks. Not only the kids, on both sides, but for the family and the community that rallied around them to help them bring their other four children home. I was happy for all eight of them...and a bit jealous and impatient.

But, they had to wait as we are. They had even more legal hoops through which to jump on account of the children's ages, so that tempered my initial feelings.

Each day takes us closer to holding her in our arms...

Cliff's Notes

I do not really know where to start the summation of the last two years, or if the past is what this blog is to be. I know my wife and I are are adopting a little one from Ethiopia; we are smack in the middle of the stateside process; each day is a test of the patience people have told I am blessed with more than normal; she seems so far away to be so close to my heart, my mind, and my soul.

Day One

Well, not really.

Take your pick: Year Two; Month 28, Day 750+.

The hopes, dreams, fears, visions, and thoughts of the journey of adoption--to have our plus one.