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.

Long Time

It has been such a long time since I last updated. I went to Ethiopia, and became AmaraRose's mom on November 28. I still do not know when I get to pick her up. The wait is terrible!



Ethiopia was amazing. It was truly a fabulous experience. I really tried to take t all in, and am only now am able to process what I saw. There was such saddness and joy, poverty and abundance. The people there are able to make do with so little, and I look at my life and the waste I occur and it really is a sin. I tried many different foods there. They actually gave you so much that you had to leave some, which made me feel even worse.,



I traveled East to Awash National Park. It was exactly like what you would expect if you watch National Geographic. I was sitting in the middle of this great land and thought to my self, "Holy Crap, I'm in Africa!" There were beautiful waterfalls, rivers, lakes, mountains, volcanoes and plateaus. Ethiopia is sooo Beautiful!

The drive east shown so many different types of life, from mud huts to fancy marble hotels, cities and small villages. It was truly inspiring to see the vast contrary of life.

The city, Addis, was definitely a city. There was so much poverty amixed with nice hotels, hotels and restaraunts. The driving scared the crap out of me, people were coming every which way. It was crazy how there would be many lanes of traffic, with goats crossing the street and people walkin everywhere. It was soooo big, I only saw a piece of the City, I hope to see more when I go back. I plan to travel to the south, and see the town AmaraRose is from - Assella. I also plan on seeing more animals, ie hippos and primates. I saw a lot of different birds and deer in Awash.



I got to spend a few hours with Amara. She is truly a beautiful gift from God. I didn't know how I would feel about her, but the moment they put her in my arms, I was in love. My first thought was " I would jump in front of a bus for you" She is a very quiet mellow baby. She didn't cry once while I was there. Nothing seems to bother this child. Her nannies said she is a very mellow little girl. I can not wait to get her home as soon as possible and give her all the love I have to give.

This part of the waiting is so unbearable. I feel as thought I left my heart in Africa. I am only a shell, until she comes home I feel like I am only going through the motions right now.

I'm sure I'll write more soon, but this is a start. Sorry it took so long.

Great News

One more week and I Leave for Ethiopia, how absolutely exciting! I also found out that I passed my preliminary hearing yesterday, and to make things so much better my Mowa Letter is already there! Things are moving along so well. I can't believe how unbelievably happy I am.