Up, Up, and Away

My mom dropped us off at the hotel last night. Matty was sad, so were we. It was not fun. As predicted, Katie didn't seem so concerned. :) But we were all strong and said our goodbyes and by the time my mom got them home, (with the help of some ice cream), the kids were doing fine.

We made it to PDX! We woke up at 3:30am and taking the advice of our travel agent and the airlines we made sure we as "international travelers arrive at least three hours before departure." Once we got to the ticket agent she looked up our flight info. She then told us to "step aside to let other passengers with earlier flights check-in." What? Are you kidding me? We arrived 2 hours and 55 minutes before the flight, per YOUR instructions, then you tell me to step aside to let people that didn't heed your instructions pass by me? Where's the sense here? If you make me wait too long, you'll have to clear the line for me... After watching her clear out the ENTIRE line, she came back over to us. She must have sensed our frustration at the situation but redeemed herself by giving us "coupons" for headsets or drinks. The total delay was only about 20 minutes, but still!

But all is well and God is good. We made it through security with a breeze. Luckily we didn't have to walk more than 50 feet before stumbling upon a Starbucks (where in America can you walk more than 50 feet without accidently hitting one?). Now it was time for a "Breakfast of Champions!" A white chocolate mocha and maple bar for me, a vanilla frapucino and bran muffin for Shawna, and a passion-something-something lemonady thing and maple bar for Michelle. We will board our flight to St. Paul soon and hopefully make it in time to catch our connection to Amsterdam.

Here we go!

300 Miles Down, 8488 More to Go

We made it to Portland yesterday. We decided to go through Medford because of snow and to say farewell to Gramma Fox. Then it was north to Eugene to have lunch with my little(st) sister, Samantha. She's going to UofO but don't hold that against her, she's young and confused. Being in Eugene was like being behind enemy lines, all the ducks everywhere. I felt like I was on display being an Oregon State kinda guy. I had to shower as soon as we got to Portland, what a gross feeling, all that green and yellow... Go Beavers! :)

Ok, back on track. Man I tend to go off on tangents, huh? Oh well, it's my blog.

We arrived mid afternoon (man I hate city traffic). All is well and the kids are getting settled at Gramma Myron's house. When we put the kids to bed last night (and did the traditional tickle/goodnight kiss routine), Matty started to cry. I asked her to tell me why she was sad and she told me through tears, "I'm just thinking about when you and mommy leave and all the fun that we have when you're here." Oh man, that hit me hard. As long as I can be strong for her (and ME!) until we get into the airport. We know Katie will do fine, that little hippy is so nonchalant about everything. She probably won't even notice we're gone and will probably enjoy having domain over Gramma's house.

Shawna will head off to Michelle's apartment this morning (my other little sister and our Ethiopia travel companion) and help her pack (ie. tell her which clothes NOT to take). Our bags are next to the door, and we are as ready as we can be.

We leave tonight to stay in a hotel next to the airport and we will be on a plane early tomorrow!

300 miles down, 8,488 more to go... here we come Joy!

It's Time, Here We Go

Well it's Monday morning and the time to leave home has arrived. It just hit Shawna and I last night as we packed the last of our stuff that the dynamics of this house will be so much different when we return (We're a little slow sometimes). We will leave this house of four and return with five, a new toddler in tow.

It hit us last night as Matty and Katie were at the counter eating pizza (I let Shawna off easy last night and picked up some pizza. We'll call it an early adoption gift). There's three stools at the kitchen bar and only two of them have been filled as of yet. We looked at the empty stool and... wow. Is there really going to be another child here? Will that bar stool be occupied from now on? We have been wishing to bring Joy home for so long and now the time is here, and the reality that she WILL be here is starting to finally set. As my text-crazy younger sisters say (or rather text), OMG, what a feeling! We have been so wrapped up in the mess of paperwork and politics that we haven't afforded ourselves the opportunity to envision her here. Don't get me wrong, we dream of her being here, all the time. We dream of holding her, of her playing in the yard, stealing our hearts. We dream of her running around the hallway (which not only provides 'circular' access to the kids' rooms but also doubles as a race track). We dream of grocery shopping with her, playing hide and seek, coloring, you know, the simple things that mean so much to a parent. But now this dream is a coming into reality, and I have a feeling that those that have adopted know exactly what I'm talking about.

So, here we go. We're off. Adios Klamath Falls. We will soon return a different family. Or shall I say the same family, just more complete.

There's one more thing weighing on my mind, well, one more thing with multiple parts. One of the elders taught at church yesterday, and it was good. It was really good. He turned what many see as so simple into something so powerful that it got to me somehow. I'm still not sure how, but things are moving. Maybe it was oil in a drying engine, I'm not sure. But I do thank him for it. I think what it boils down to was that I need another vantage point. The second part came at the close. We were called up in front of the congregation to be prayed for. Many came up to be with us during the prayer, whether it was to lend emotional support or to place their hand on us. At the close of the service they held a special offering for us. That was very unexpected and another experience I won't forget and am so very thankful for. I noticed someone that I had never met put something in the tray and leave. I thought, "Who was that?" He didn't see that I noticed him, and he wasn't one bit concerned that I wouldn't know who left that special gift for us. Incredible. Simply incredible. It was him multiplied by many others who gave, mostly anonymously, from their hearts. The total of the offering astounded Shawna and I, what an incredible blessing. The gift will help so very much, more than most realize. To our IBC family: thank you so much. Your offerings (not only of money, but of prayer and support) are humbly accepted here at the Myron Home, which is a home that I will proudly share with all of you. It's amazing to see a church so "little" be so very big. We love you all and can't wait to bring Joy home into our beautiful church family. Thank you and God bless.

Sore Arms, Happy Hearts

We spent yesterday afternoon (and well into the evening!) getting a final checkup and the last rounds of vaccinations. After a four hour visit (don't get me started with the details, ugh) we have the green light to head on out! Poor Shawna (who HATES shots, I mean HATES shots, no... seriously... HATES shots, who HATES shots so much she wondered about the availability of general anesthesia to get the shots) received five more while I snuck away with only two (thanks to the military which has spent the better part of ten years juicing me up full of vaccines). I felt a little crumby today but didn't want to complain too much since Shawna got a few more than I did. Needless to say we have some sore arms (and Shawna has some sore thighs!), but it's all good because it's Saturday night, which means Sunday is tomorrow (final packing day)! That leads us to Monday (drive to Portland day), then on to Tuesday (get the kids settled at my mom's day). Wednesday and Thursday come (Flying, and more flying day). Then.... Friday (JOY DAY!!!). The best part is that we're 11 hours closer already thanks to the time difference!

We are getting so excited. I was lying wide awake this morning around 1am or 2am with my mind running like my old Subaru (refusing to stop) and I sensed Shawna awake. I quietly whispered, "Are you awake?" And without skipping a beat she replied, "Yup!" We talked for a while before managing a couple more hours of sleep. This sweet child is filling our minds, night and day, and we are getting so close to bringing her home.

Tomorrow morning we will head to church, then it's home to finish packing... I can't believe it's almost here!

We'll be there soon Joy!

Testing This Email to Blog...

Due to the very limited access to the internet in Ethiopia, I am setting up a way to blog from email if necessary (might save on some time).  Hope this works!

New Update!!!

We received a new update on Joy today! The report was from February 13. She's a healthy 27 pound little girl. On the scribbled notes which are sometimes hard to read we read that she was treated with meds for pneumonia in January. Our hearts sank briefly for her but rejoiced in knowing that God is (and was) with her and is protecting her! All of her checks were good (mobility, hearing, vision, etc) and as far as this report is concerned, she is doing great and has reached the "expected milestones."

It was hard to decipher, but from the report it sounds that if approached, she is very affectionate. The nurse also wrote on there that she is a "very active and little angel too." Of course another note on there positively identified her as mine. That being, "seems to get more meals than given." Hhhmmmm.... gotta love that food!

The last notes on her made our hearts melt. The nurse wrote that she feels responsible for other children "in their needs." She hands over toys and ensures her friends are happy. Wow. What a sweet little girl. Of course the nurse also wrote that she does not like it very much when others take away her toys. Again, like her daddy.

Getting this medical update was a great treat. A little over a week and we'll be able to hold this sweet angel that God has given us. We are finalizing our travels, getting the last (hopefully) of our vaccines, shopping for the last minute necessities, I even ordered traveler's insurance today. (By the way, if you have access to USAA I HIGHLY recommend it!!! All kinds of things from insurance to credit cards, to home loans, etc. Professional people that truly seem to care about their customers/clients. Also a TON of savings!)

I have also officially worked my last day at the railroad today. I will work a couple of days at the base this weekend (for drill), and after that, it's at least a month off for family time! (Thank you Family Medical Leave Act) I, we, are looking so forward to our trip and better yet, to come back home and learn to bond as a family. We hope that Joy will easily adapt to us and know she will absolutely love her big sisters, they already love her!

God's Gift

Why did we adopt... internationally? The question comes up often. Most people are caring, understanding, and compassionate. When I meet the few people who are not, who compare me to the likes of celebrities who "buy" children for status, I ask: Do country boundary lines on a map make a child less important? Are we not all God's children? Do we limit what children deserve a loving home? My heart is happy, calm and comforted knowing that God gave us the priveledge of caring for our beautiful Joy, and calling her our daughter.