I am Going to Ethiopia

I can not belieive it. After 2+ years, a tumultuous roller coaster of ups and downs, tears and joys, fear and courage I am leaving to bring my little angel HOME! I leave on Valentines Day to bring sweet little AmaraRose home. Our embassy appointment is on the 23rd. Jodi and Shelly are coming with me, and we planned a trip to Awassa and Assela. Assella is where my angel is from, and i want to learn about where she is from. There is also lots of shopping planned!
I am in total disbelief. It still seems surreal. It is amazing. I know this was God's plan all along, and she and I were destined to be a family.

YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Embassy Date

I cleared Nairobi Yesterday. I am so excited, I will be leaving on Valentine's Day to pick up my little Sweetie. Yeah!

My Support Team

So it has been an incredibly difficult week, but with great sadness and struggles also comes unbelievable support and love. I have gathered togather a great support team, through facebook. I have listened to an international lawyer, got the names of some wonderful private investigators if needed, and was given a case worker with congressman Beneshik's office. I am trying to be as pro-active as possible in a situation I have no control over.

Government beurocracy is one of the most frustrating places to be in the midst of. There were so many of us sent to USCIS this past week. I believe that they will be more interested in helping us get our children home than the USE in Addis, but of course it begins another delay, and every minute counts when talking about our children. I am so disgusted that the USE is trying to affirm their own political agenda through our children. These people want to find fraud and terrible stories to force Ethiopia's hand in joining the Hague treaty. I don't understand all of the details about the Hague, but who are we ( the US govt. ) to try to tell other countries how to run their govt.

This country is filled with so much poverty, but they love their children. I think it is admirable that they understand that they can not take care of every orphan, which is in the millions. No one wants to say they can't do it, but by asking for help and giving such a small number of children a chance at a family shows how much they love their children.

Of course there are unscrupulous people that are working within the adoption community. You will find this everywhere. I do not believe that this is the rule but the exception, and to lump every one into one label makes me ill. We do not need to try to find problems, we need to fix the ones we see. I am appalled by the disgusting behavior of the USE. I am disheartened that my child, along with so many other's children are caught in this political mess. My daughter is not a number or an example, and she needs to come home to her family. I will fight for her, like I have never fought before, and trust me, when I get pissed and on a mission, I become like a crazed lunatic. I am still incredibly sad, and miss her with every beat of my heart, but I am using this as my catalyst to fight, and God Help anyone who tries to stand in my way. Do not piss off a mother trying to protect her child. We can lift cars off of our children, and I plan to move mountains if I have to get her in my arms.

Well that was my rant for the day, I feel better now,

Nairobi

UGH! My case was sent to Nairobi Kenya this morning for review from USCIS. I don't even know where to go from here or what is next. I know it just means more beurocratic red tape waiting for Amara to come home, which at this point I have no idea when that will be. I think I am in shock right now.

AmaraRose

I hope this works, it's a link to a video of pics of the baby my god daughter made for me.

Heard some news

So I heard from USE today. First email was to tell me to quit emailing ha ha, 2nd email was to say they needed a few phone numbers. I hope that is all, and that when they get the numbers and call or interview the people they will just clear me. There are so many of us in limbo right now trying to bring our little one's home, I pray that all of us can get fast clearance and bring these angels home. It has been such a stressful couple of weeks. Thank God for good friends and family, and for Gail who has been going through this with me. It helps when people understand, Thanks Gail,
For now this is all. Hopefully more to come soon

Waiting for Embassy

This wait I think is the hardest. I really want my little girl home, and it is so hard for me to be patient and put my daughter's whole wellbeing into the government's hands. I work for a government agency. I am a Social Worker for a County Nursing home. I could never tell family members I can't help them, or I am behind due to the holidays. People's lives are at stake. I am trying to be understanding, but the USE is really pissing me off! Sorry for the language but that is how I feel. This whole thing is just wearing me down. A girl from work is about to have her second baby. She became pregnant when I started the adoption process. I guess I am 102 weeks along - UGH!

Anyway, I am on my pity party today (Actually for the last week). Trust me I know that good things come to those who wait, but when will I have waited long enough. My little girl needs to come home and start becoming part of a family. It is crazy how much I ache for her. I miss her more and love her more than I thought humanly possible. She is such a miracle, and my greatest gift. I know God sent me on this journey, sent me to Ethiopia, to my agency and also to Amara. I know that when we are finally togather God's grace will be abundant.

I can not wait to go back to Ethiopia. I loved it there and I miss it. It is such a wonderful place rich with culture and beauty. The people are amazing and I know that Amara is a lucky little girl to have her roots in such a wonderous place.

Hopefully the next post will be with more news from the embassy, one way or another.

Good Night all.