Saturday, November 26, 2011

Our Cousin's story


I thought I would send a link to Scott's cousin's blog. She is an amazing writer...her blog entries have been an inspiration to me. Her latest entry describes the story that unfolded while we were waiting in the Embassy for our final visa appointment. God really has intertwined our families in an amazing way. Hope you enjoy!

http://teamnilsen.wordpress.com/2011/11/26/through-the-looking-glass/

Also...here is a pic my friend took of Hadi. Too cute!



Friday, November 25, 2011

His Mercies Are New Every Morning!



Just checking in! We (meaning me) are feeling a little bit more normal. Hadi is doing lovely...she is truly a happy baby. We are thankful for this precious girl. Thank you all again for your meals, calls, texts and support. As the saying goes, "It takes a village." Here are a few pics in her new home.

Her brothers are ALL over her. They are enthralled with our african beauty.

Bath time is the best. She could stay in there all day.

She is on the move.

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

We are home...we are surviving!




We are home! Yes, we are tired. Yes, this is all a LOT of change. Hadi is doing great with bonding which is our first prayer with her. She is having a little trouble at night with sleeping but other than that, she has adjusted pretty well so far. As for the rest of us, we are taking it day by day. It has been A LOT all at once and we are all expressing it in our own way.

I'm...well, I'm a train wreck. I figure being honest about it will be the best! My boys are dealing with me gently. Today I looked over at Luke through my tear stained eyes and with the innocence of a 3 year old (and a little nudge from God) he said, "Mom, you'll be okay. You're a good mom." I smiled and thanked God for that precious moment.

Thank you so much for all of your faithful prayers and support. We have been overwhelmed by everyone helping and loving us. Thank you! We will keep you updated.
We are finding our way into this new normal with "Hadi girl".

We also have a praise...Scott's cousins were cleared today to travel. They will probably leave next week. We are so excited for them and grateful we are in this adoption journey together.

Here is some pics of Hadi's arriving at the airport. We will update with more pics and videos soon. Just not quite there yet.



P.S. She is a little cutie with a great smile. She has had many "firsts" in the last week with us, including her top two front teeth and a double ear infection...always an adventure!

Sunday, November 20, 2011

Coming to America!!!!

Jill, Scott and Hadi have departed Frankfurt and are enroute to America (Atlanta arriving at 4:30 PM ET!!! At this time, all their flights are on schedule and should arrive Panama City at 7:52 PM CT. The boys, Scott's parents and myself will all be at the airport ready for a "grand Hadi homecoming." If you are able, please join us at the airport tonight. I will update any changes in their flight arrival time.

I thank you for the tremendous blessing of your love and support to all of us, especially Jill and Scott during this beautiful family journey of bringing Hadi home!

God Bless,
Diane (Jill's mom)


Friday, November 18, 2011

Leaving tomorrow...I'm ready!

We have one more night here until we get to go home. Last time we were here I wasn't homesick but it has set in this time. I'm ready to be in our home and start this journey together. I miss our boys like crazy too. But...we are making the best of it and enjoying the last few adventures before we board the plane.

We had another good night last night. She woke up once but slept pretty well. She is a very happy baby. She only really gets crabby when she is tired. We have started a little bond together. She notices when i enter a room and prefers me to hold her. This is ALL good.

The people here call her "Conjo"...meaning beautiful. I love it. She really is a beauty. Hopefully I can keep up with her curls...I've got some hairstyle learning to do! We have been having dinner with the other couples here picking up their kiddos which has been wonderful. We are all in this together.

Thank you for your prayers. We continue to appreciate them...keep it up. Can't wait to see you all soon.

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Happy Birthday Jon Jon!

Feeling bittersweet today as we are missing our sweet 5 year old's birthday. Makes my heart hurt to know I can't give him a hug today. We love you Jon Jon and will call you in a little while.

We had our first night with Hadi. Kind of feel like we are first parents again!! Crazy! She actually did really well...going to bed at 9 or 10pm and waking up at 6:30 this morning. Not too bad for usually being fed throughout the night. In the care center all the babies go to sleep with bottles in their mouths. I know...my American mommy instincts are kicking in saying NOOOO! But, really this isn't a big deal in the scheme of things. This is what she knows, this is her comfort. She has taken a few naps for us too. We are grateful as we are still pretty tired. Thank goodness we are in the land of coffee.

She also has a little cold like ALL the other children in the care center. Can't wait to get her to a doctor to get some medicines to help her get rid of all the congestion. Overall, she is doing good. She grips onto me and peers at us with with her big brown eyes when we go anywhere. She has seen more in the last day than she has ever seen.

Today we have Embassy at 1:00pm. Should be a quick process and pretty uneventful. Please also keep our cousin's family in your prayers as their birth mother interview is today. The Embassy has the power at that point to pass them. Pray it is TODAY!

We thank you again for your prayers. I find myself longing to be home in my space with my precious little boys and their new sister. It just isn't the same here. We have felt your prayers though more than ever...they are carrying us through.

Love you all and Happy Birthday sweet Jon Jon...

We have arrived...she is in our arms!

Hi everyone -
For so long I have pictured what it was going to be like to walk out of the care center with her in our arms. No fireworks went off. We said goodbye and just walked out with her in our arms. She came with just the clothes she had on. Surreal.

She is precious as can be. Her huge eyes looked up at us as we got in the van to go back to the hotel. She looked apprehensive and held on tight...then fell asleep in my arms.

Tomorrow we have our Embassy appointment. We will be there the same time as our cousin's birth parent interview. We will praying over that Embassy like crazy! Please continue to pray for rest and no sickness. Good so far! We now begin the journey of bonding with sweet Hadi. We will probably spend the rest of the time doing a little shopping and going to the care center one last time to say goodbye.

We love you all. We also miss our boys like crazy. Trevor, Jon and Luke....you will LOVE Hadi!

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Arriving in Addis in 5 1/2 hours!

Jill and Scott departed Frankfurt and will arrive in Addis Abba around 12:30 CT! They plan to contact us upon their arrival there. Thank you for your continued prayers for their safe travel and hopefully some rest! The boys are doing very well at home with Meme. Not much longer until they hold Miss Hadi in their arms forever!!

Monday, November 14, 2011

Off we go!

We are in Atlanta with an 8 layover (perks of leaving last minute...booked flights). We are counting this as our last alone time together before we have another baby! We are currently sitting in the USO, enjoying the perks of being military! (on a side note: USO is such a worthy organization...if your looking for something to support).

We leave tonight on a 6:30pm flight to Frankfurt. We have a 3 hour layover and then fly to Addis. We get to go straight to bed when we get there to recover a little. Wednesday will be the first day we see Hadi. Hopefully we will get a chance to update in Frankfurt but if not, we will update from Addis.

Thank you again for your prayers. Pray for smooth flights, lots of sleep and no travel sickness (if you know me well , you know I don't fly well!)

Until we update again!!

Friday, November 11, 2011

Travel Dates Set

We leave Monday morning out of Panama City and will return on November 20th at 7:52pm! We will keep you updated daily (hopefully) on our blog. If we can't do it, my mom will update the blog. Also, there is an open invitation to anyone wanting to come celebrate Hadi when we arrive at the airport. We would love to have you! My mom will update the blog with any changes to arrival time. (For those in PC, Kristen Molander will be in the know as well.) We feel your prayers. Thank you God for sustaining us through this crazy Pilgrimage to sweet Hadi. Now....the REAL adventure begins....

Thursday, November 10, 2011

Embassy Date - November 17th!!!

We don't have travel plans yet but we most likely will leave Monday night or Tuesday early to be in Addis for our Embassy appointment on November 17th. Craziness all around! We will update with our travel plans for prayers and airport arrival. So excited!
This is also our Jon Jon's 5th birthday! A day to remember for sure! (Can you sense the excitement with all the exclamation points?!?!!!!!)

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

CLEARED!!!!

Praise God from whom ALL blessings flow! We got the email this morning that we are cleared to pick up Hadi. The tears of stress and waiting just flew out of me! We don't know any specifics yet on travel but hopefully soon. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your prayers and support. The road is still a long one but at least she will be with us for it. We will keep you all posted. Thank you God!

Friday, November 4, 2011

Pray for November 9th


We are still scheduled for a birth parent interview on November 9th (at either 1:30 am or 7 am CST). Pray for him to get there safely and that our agency will not be late! Pray for the interviewer to be kind and courteous to his decision to give up his daughter. Pray for our case to be cleared that day (there has really not been a pattern on when they approve the case after the interview). Thank you all...oh and pray for our patience and anxious hearts.

Here are a few pics I got of Hadi. I love the face!