Preparing...

As we prepare for the next coming months of bringing E home we have been asked by friends and family how they can support us during the transition. I wanted to share a blog post I found that pretty much sums up how to "be the village" adoptive families need during the first months home.

It is kind of long, but has some good key points. Read it here.

I have been keeping pretty busy between work, conference calls, and life so time has been flying by. I know that we will be on the plane to Ethiopia before we know it. My whole life I have dreamed of going to Africa to serve and work with orphaned children. It is hard to believe I will be flying there in a couple of weeks meeting my daughter for the very first time. The anticipation and excitement I feel is hard to describe!

I am so thankful that Nate and I get to be on this journey together. I am already in awe of how he talks about "his little girl," and I think it is funny how preoccupied he is planning for E's arrival. Nate is in full on nesting mode (he finally agreed on the perfect bedspread for her room) and is harassing me to pick out a paint color. Chilax Daddy, we need something to concentrate on while we wait on Embassy.

Oliver loves looking at E's picture and asking about his "baby sister." He keeps asking when she will come to stay the night....I'm not sure he grasps that she will be staying indefinitely! He also really wants to fly to Ethiopia with us. Can you imagine a 24 hour flight with a toddler?! I'll save that adventure for when we bring our girl home. Lord help me.

Speaking of flights, we will now need to buy an additional ticket since E will not be a lap child. I am thinking of doing another photography mini-session fundraiser this spring (between trips). Hopefully this Oregon weather will clear up soon.

Lastly, we hope to bring some donations with us to Hannah's Hope, the transition center E currently resides at. Hannah's Hope is a wonderful facility that relies largely on donations. There is always a need for items. If you feel led to donate let us know! We will be collecting over the next week.

Hannah's Hope is always in need of:

Diapers (cloth; all sizes including preemie sizes)

Baby wipes

Shampoo, conditioner, and lotion for older children

Hand sanitizer

Formula (including soy)

Men's and woman's deodorant

Toothbrushes/toothpaste

Vitamins

Children's ibuprofen

Children's Tylenol

Croc shoes (child and adult sizes)