In His Hands

OOOOPs...

2012-02-08T07:58:00.001-08:00

I meant to post these for each birthday month (when I actually asked them the questions), but I guess it's better late than never! These are recorded word for word. :)

Sam July 10th

** maybe he'll be old enough to answer the questions next year! :)

Max August 11th

How old are you? 6

What makes you happy? when people be nice to me and give me presents

What is your favorite animal? snake

What is your favorite thing to eat? tootsie pop

What is your least favorite thing to eat? grass

What is your favorite thing to do? pray to God

What is your favorite TV show? Tom and Jerry

What are you really good at? baseball

What is your favorite movie? The Santa Clause 2

What is your favorite color? green

What is your favorite song? Sweet Little Jesus Boy, Born in a Manger

Who is your best friend? Jonathan or God...hmmmmmmm

What do you and your mom do together? go on dates

What do you and your Dad do together? play

What is your favorite sport? this is gonna be tricky...soccer

Where is your favorite place to go? Chuck E. Cheezits

What is your favorite book? books about trains

What do you want to be when you grow up? a train conductor

Abby Sept 19th

How old are you? 8

What makes you happy? when I get Jesus into my heart forever

What is your favorite animal? lots...dogs, horses, hampsters, sheep, fish ponies

What is your favorite thing to eat? cake, ice cream, pizza, nachos

What is your least favorite thing to eat? peppers

What is your favorite thing to do? ride horses

What is your favorite TV show? Ant Farm, Good Luck Charlie

What are you really good at? gymnastics

What is your favorite movie? Tarzan

What is your favorite color? rainbow colors, turquoise

What is your favorite song? Christian songs

Who is your best friend? Camryn (her cousin)

What do you and your mom do together? girls night out at the tea room

What do you and your Dad do together? play

What is your favorite sport? gymnastics

Where is your favorite place to go? skating rink and to ride horses

What is your favorite book? Bible

What do you want to be when you grow up? a mother

Madison January 3rd

How old are you? 12

What makes you happy? hanging out with family

What is your favorite animal? dog

What is your favorite thing to eat? chicken pot pie, pizza, mac-n-cheese

What is your least favorite thing to eat? celery

What is your favorite thing to do? read and play games

What is your favorite TV show? Wizards of Waverly Place

What are you really good at? being compassionate

What is your favorite movie? Meet the Robinsons

What is your favorite color? blue (turquoise)

What is your favorite song? Christian songs...I like them all

Who is your best friend? Emma

What do you and your mom do together? mommy/daughter dates

What do you and your Dad do together? play Wii

What is your favorite sport? swimming

Where is your favorite place to go? Disney World

What is your favorite book? that is hard...Nancy Drew series, 39 clues series, I like mysteries

What do you want to be when you grow up? a missionary

How Can This Be?????

2011-08-17T12:50:00.000-07:00

Max is six years old! Six?!?! That takes two hands to show and is, to me, a big change from little boy to big boy.

Here are six things I love about my precious son...

1. You love life. You are a silly, willy, nilly little boy who loves to laugh and have fun.

2. You have a gentle heart. You cannot walk past Sam without giving him a hug (even when he doesn't really want one). Your nature is to bring comfort when you see a need.

3. You are quick to forgive. You never carry a grudge long, even when you were wronged and you know it. You would rather accept the apology and make the other sibling feel better after they had to apologize to you.

4. You adore your Daddy. Although there are a few jealous strings to this one I can truly say it warms my heart to know how much you look up to your Daddy. This relationship your Daddy has with you is going to be the foundation of how much you understand how much your heavenly Father adores you.

5. You are a little engineer. You can figure out some of the most difficult puzzles. You are always trying to figure out how something works and you love explaining it to us.

6. You have an amazing smile. Your happiness and smile are contagious. Your joy is so authentic that it rubs off on others. I love you and am so blessed that God allowed me to be your mommy!!

I Saw What I Saw and I Can't Forget It...

2011-07-31T19:32:00.000-07:00

The title is pulled from the lyrics of one of my most favorite songs. It is by Sara Groves.

I have wanted to put into words what I saw with my eyes and my heart while we were on our mission trip to Ethiopia a few weeks ago, but I hesitate because I know words could not even scratch the surface.

Going on a mission trip to a third world country where there is so much need presents a great temptation to view yourself as a savior of sorts. Our team met several times before we left and we were reminded that God calls us to be irrelevant. In the book "In the Name of Jesus" Henri Nouwen writes...

I am deeply convinced that the Christian leader of the future is called to be completely irrelevant and to stand in this world with nothing to offer but his or her own vulnerable self. That is the way Jesus came to reveal God's love. The great message that we have to carry, as ministers of God's Word and followers of Jesus, is that God loves us not because of what we do or accomplish, but because God has created and redeemed us in love and has chosen us to proclaim that love as the true source of all human life.

So I went allowing myself to be vulnerable, resisting the urge to "do" anything for God and expecting Him instead to work in and through me at His will. Can I say that being vulnerable doesn't come easy for me. My tendency is to accomplish, work hard, succeed and conquer, a tendency to be relevant. But, God is gracious, and He showed me the joy, the untethered worship and the peace that comes with a life of dependence on Him through the beautiful people of Ethiopia. People who trust Him for everything, knowing that He is the source of their joy and that He is their sustenance and that He is their savior.

I think a big revelation for me since coming home is that I have been seeking to find joy and peace and sustenance in my hard work and accomplishments! Oh, how much I miss when I believe that lie. When I wake up each morning and I carry the false burden of being "in charge" I think I barrel right past God's blessings for my day, not stopping to notice Him until I accomplish all that I think needs to be done. Why do I make myself so big and God so small, especially when I know better! While we were in Ethiopia, I saw hunger, sickness and extreme poverty but that was not what I saw in the hearts of the people. Their hearts were spilling over with love and joy and it showed most to me in the way that they interacted with each other. Instead of feeling like they each had their own tasks to accomplish, they live life caring for and encouraging each other.

To be honest, for me it isn't easy to keep the truth in clear sight in our busy. success-oriented American culture. I still have the tendency to accomplish, sometimes even calling it "for God". I am so thankful that God showed me so tangibly what it means to know that I am dependent on Him and pray that He continues to break my heart for the things that break His and that I would quit wasting time "accomplishing" things and instead fully trust in Him to show His love in mighty ways through my life.

Two and Terrific

2011-07-28T13:42:00.000-07:00

Sam's second birthday snuck up on me. How is my baby already two years old?

Sam...I am so proud to be your mommy and grateful that God entrusted Daddy and I to raise you. It is never far from my mind that God has a big story to tell through your life. Your birthplace is rich with love and beauty and is a huge part of who God created you to be. I pray that you always feel a deep connection to Ethiopia and your birth family and that we can share in that connection with you. I know that God has a perfect purpose and a plan for everyone, but He has allowed me to truly see it being lived out in your life already and, as a result, in my life too. What a gift! Always lean in to that plan and be expectant for the great things He will do in and through you!!

I love you deeply!!

~ Mommy

Just a Few of the Words That Currently Describe You...

2011-03-30T12:17:00.000-07:00

Madison: compassionate, calm, happy, giving, helpful, selfless, smart, beautiful!

Abby: joyful, fun, giving, loving, affectionate, spirited, energetic, beautiful!

Max: silly, sweet, loving, funny, adorable, kind-hearted, energetic, handsome!

Sam: fun, boisterous, silly, endearing, happy, smart, persistent, handsome!

Love, Mommy...

2011-02-22T07:07:00.000-08:00

Madison
A couple of weeks ago they held a meeting for upcoming Jr. High. I couldn't make it and I'm glad because I need to do everything I can to remain in denial until the big day. Actually, although I selfishly want to keep you under my wing forever, I am so proud of the amazing person you are! You truly are an example to me continuously of selflessness and kindness. It truly amazes me how you, by instinct, care for others above yourself! Just this morning we were sitting in the cold car and realized we hadn't remembered to bring Sam's jacket or blanket. Without a moment's hesitation you took off your jacket and laid it over him. And not because you thought you should, but because you really and truly wanted to.
I love you so much and I am thankful for each moment I am privileged to spend with you.!

Abby
Oh, my life-loving little girl. There is always a smile on your face, even if it is disguised by a frown. Deep down you are enjoying every moment, even when you are playing a part. Your love for others is filled with energy and intention. You are constantly giving cards or your toys to friends (even adults) as you can't have an interaction without giving a gift. It is your nature. You are filled with spirit that at times is hard to keep up with, but I know God intentionally gave you that spirit for His purposes! I so can't wait to see what wonderful things you do for His glory!
You are an on the go girl. You ask every day, often multiple times a day where we are going and what we are doing. Sitting still is not your thing! You are excelling in school, especially in your reading, handwriting and spelling. I love and admire your love for life.
I love you with all my heart and am grateful for the gift of YOU!

Max
My little man full of giggles and silliness! Your dimple has a permanent home on your cheek because you are (almost) always smiling. You are filled with enthusiasm and innocence. I so enjoy being with you because your happiness is contagious. You freely give hugs and kisses. You love your family and are just happy to be with us. Being a train conductor some day consumes your thoughts. You are also amazing with your recall. Especially when we're driving around. Your understanding of where things are and how to get to different places is amazing, especially for this directionally challenged momma.
I love you and your giggles more than words can describe!

Sam
One year together! What a year of blessing it has been. Your sweet little voice and giant and gorgeous smile are my constant companions. You are so very inquisitive and smart! You study things constantly and your vocabulary and understanding amaze me. I still stand in awe of a God who chose to redeem your life for His purposes. You have grown our understanding of God's love ten-fold and His heart! I am so privileged to be your mommy!
I love you and your beautiful brown skin, envy-inducing curls and priceless hugs so very much!

One Year Ago Today...

2011-02-13T13:38:00.001-08:00

...I met my son Samuel Yacob Koceich for the first time. You can read my words about that moment and see pictures here.

A year ago my heart grew. A year ago my understanding of God's desperate love for me, His adopted child, grew. I will never be the same and I am oh so grateful!
When they put him in my arms the weight of the last 18 months of paperwork, uncertainty, fear, anticipation and longing were lifted. It was like I hadn't truly taken a breath for a year and half. Tears of relief and joy poured out, so much so that I scared my precious baby with my sobs (who, I'm sure, thought I was the craziest lady he'd been around).

I am so grateful for the fact that God called us to international adoption. It has been an indescribable gift to our family.

Why Ethiopia?

2011-02-05T09:31:00.000-08:00

I will not leave you as orphans. I will come to you.
John 14:18

2010...A Year in Review

2011-01-17T13:11:00.000-08:00

Well, it's already the middle of January and I wanted to get this posted sooner, but life happens...and that's a good thing.

2010 was an amazing year for our family! We adopted precious Sam, making us a family of six, and Matt's book was published. Our trip to pick up Sam in Ethiopia changed us. It's realigned our priorities and helped us to see that our time here on Earth is NOT about us! It's about allowing God's spirit to lead us in the plans He has for us. Plans to be a light to the world of His amazing love.

2010 was also an amazing year for Selah Studios Photography. I feel like God uses photographs as little love letters to us. Reminding us of all the things He's given us to bless our lives. Helping us to stop a moment in time and savor it's gift. Something we often forget to do in our face-paced American society.

I am so grateful for the precious families God has brought to Selah Studios Photography. I have been touched by each one of you and feel so privileged to have been a part of your precious memories!

Here is a glimpse of each session we had this year! Thank you and I'm looking forward to 2011 and all that God has planned!!

Your Pain Has Changed Me...

2011-01-16T12:25:00.000-08:00

A precious little girl that God has used to teach me so much about Him!

Your pain has changed me

Your dream inspires

Your face a memory

Your hope a fire

Your courage asks me

what I'm afraid of

And what I know of love

And what I know of God

(lyrics by Sara Groves)

New Year's Eve...

2011-01-13T11:12:00.000-08:00

FRIENDS, FOOD, FIREWORKS, WARM FIRE, SMORES & MICHAEL JACKSON Wii Dance = a perfect night!!

Christmas Day...

2011-01-12T19:19:00.000-08:00

Christmas day, to be honest, was quite the blur. I hosted over 20 people Christmas Eve, Christmas morning and Christmas Night. I am glad I did and it went well, but it went by quickly too!

Christmas morning we walked the girls over to the boys room while covering their eyes so they wouldn't see what Santa had left (of course we've gotten oh so smart in our old age and covered the Santa gifts and stockings with a sheet...we've learned we have a couple cheaters in the family). Then Mom, Susie and Darel, Casey and Jimmy, Jaxon, Jayce, Joey and Xio came over (I think around 7:30). Once the mishap with the cinnamon rolls was fixed I let the kids eat a little breakfast. Of course being the practical mom that I am I couldn't have a bunch of overexcited kids eating sticky cinnamon rolls on the carpeted bedroom floor and leaving trails of sticky goodness all over everything, so where did we put them all? The bathroom of course. Ewww...I know, sounds unsanitary, but I promise it was cleaner than the boys room! After breakfast it was time for the kids to come out youngest to oldest and behold their Santa gifts. Once the Santa gifts are done it's kinda a free-for-all in our family. Everyone is up handing out and opening gifts, paper is flying, oooohs and aaaahs are being spoken and lots of hugs and "I love yous" are doled out. I guess with that many people that's the only way to do it, but I think next year we may try to open our family gifts before we do the big family gathering. I am a sucker for watching the excitement of my kids opening their gifts and enjoying the moment.

Then it was on to our traditional breakfast burritos. YUM!!! We definitely have that down to a science! You won't see any pictures of this and from here on out I was pretty much on the go so I didn't get many pictures. :( But, trust me that it was a wonderful time of delicious food and family...oh, and a little Wii Just Dance II.

Christmas Eve...

2011-01-12T19:15:00.000-08:00

We got to attend our church's Family Friendly Christmas Eve service this year. A couple of our CG kids were in it and it was so adorable! Besides almost losing an angel off of the bleachers and Mary not wanting to touch baby Jesus, it went off without a hitch. We "lit" glow sticks instead of candles...too fun!!

Cookie Decorating...

2011-01-12T19:01:00.000-08:00

More fun with the Koehlers. Each year we also invite our sweet friends to come and decorate cookies. We've almost gotten it down to a science, but it's still a work in progress. This year we were rushed for time because we got the opportunity to deliver some presents to a Christmas Wish Family. It was so worth rushing through the cookies to see the looks on the faces of the sweet family who was a part of KLTY's Christmas Wish! So many people had stepped up to help turn a terrible situation into a blessing!! So love how God does that!

Madison's masterpieces

Prairie Lights...

2011-01-12T13:58:00.000-08:00

For the last couple of years we have enjoyed driving through the "Prairie Lights" in Grand Prairie. They are light displays along the road at a campsite that you drive through. The last couple of years we have made it a tradition with our close friends, the Koehlers. At the end of the lights is a mini carnival with a carousel on speed. It is seriously so fast and a spinning ride called "Dizzy Dragons". Amber took Sam on the carousel and he LOVED it! Every time he came around he had this giant smile on his face. I was worried it was going to scare him, but no way...he is going to be my little dare devil! No pictures because they all came out blurry...I told you it was fast!
Amber was the only one brave, or crazy, enough to ride the Dizzy Dragons ride. It's kinda like the tea cups at Disney Land to which I would also never grace my presence.

Ethiopian Family...

2011-01-12T13:29:00.000-08:00

We are so very blessed to have a few close friends in the area who are also Ethiopian/American families. What a wonderful Christmas celebration with our fellow America World Families. Two of the girls I have grown very close with and two more are brand new friends and I am so happy to get to add them as friends and fellow adoptive mommies! When I look at this picture I see God's beauty in the children He so dearly LOVES!!!

Snowman Donuts...

2011-01-12T13:26:00.000-08:00

This was one of the cutest little Christmas creations we made this year. They are so easy and make breakfast so much more fun!

A Visit From Santa...

2011-01-12T13:02:00.001-08:00

We are lucky enough to have get a personal visit from Santa Claus every year at Paw Paw's Christmas party! The kids expect it now and wait excitedly for the doorbell to ring. I LOVED Max's response this year. He was so happy to see Santa and couldn't stop smiling or get close enough to him! Sam, on the other hand, was fine with Santa, as long as he was at least five feet away! Mean ole mommy made him sit in Santa's lap and even made him stay there for a picture...I think I heard her laughing too!

Polar Express...

2011-01-12T12:44:00.000-08:00

Another tradition is watching Polar Express as the first Christmas movie of the season. We started the evening at the Mansfield Christmas tree lighting. Well, actually my family hung with our homegroup while Madison and I stood in line for about an hour (or so) so we could order over-priced, cold ham sandwiches and then head home...but I'm not bitter or anything!
But, we were able to salvage the evening with some yummy hot chocolate and Polar Express. That movie is so magical...one of my favorites!! The kids made a pallet and were mesmerized! Even Charlie wanted in on the fun!

And the Countdown Begins...

2011-01-12T12:22:00.000-08:00

I'm going to attempt to catch up on our Christmas fun!

Our first Christmas as a family of six! Ahhh...how magical and exciting!

I love decorating the tree. Each year we break out the new Christmas pjs (I'm way too practical to wait until Christmas Eve) make the kids hot chocolate, turn on the Christmas music and I hand out the ornaments to Daddy and the kids to hang. You'd be so proud of me, I didn't rearrange a single ornament this year! Go mommy!!

I was a bit worried about Sam and the Christmas tree. I even considered not putting one up this year knowing how curious my precious baby is. What was I thinking? I'm so glad sense returned and up the tree went. I bought one of those handy, organized, easy to use (or so I dreamed) tree bags on wheels to make it easy to take the tree down and store it in the attic. Ha...we actually broke the tree last year trying to get it in the bag. But a little creativity and some clay and it was fixed and ready to decorate. I just loved seeing Sam's reaction to the tree. He said, "What's that" about 50,000 times in the month of December. We were smart and only hung soft, non-breakable ornaments down low. But, funny enough, he only touched a couple of them. He loved the tree but was a little nervous to touch even the branches. There was one ornament with a bell on it though and by the end of December he was ringing that bell several times a day...too cute!!

Max brought home a count down chain from school at the beginning of December so we decided it would be fun if Madison and Abby made one too so they could each tear a chain as the days got closer! It was fun seeing the chains getting shorter and shorter!

We also started a new tradition this month. We ate dinner by candle light (you'll probably remember that was Jingle's idea...smart elf!). We plan to continue candle light dinners often!!

Koceich Kids 2010

2011-01-10T19:33:00.000-08:00

I Can't Believe She's Eleven...

2011-01-04T07:23:00.000-08:00

I've always known my kids would grow up, but the selfish part of me imagined they would always be in a stage of life where they would need me more than they relied on themselves. I know...really, really selfish. Because I love them so much, I do rejoice in their growing independence and I trust God, their ultimate father, creator and the One who loves them more than I could even imagine.

Madison, you are more than I have words to describe. God has gifted you with a selfless compassion. You have a wise old soul that I learn from daily. Your calm demeanor and desire not to just please others, but to love them, is an inspiration to me! I can not believe God has chosen to bless me so in having you as my daughter, but I am grateful!! You and your sister and brothers and daddy are priceless gifts!

Where is Jingle...Part 2

2011-01-03T08:22:00.000-08:00

A few more of Jingle's hiding places in the days before Christmas. We really miss our elf friend!!

Where's Jingle

2010-12-15T11:46:00.000-08:00

No Good Deed Goes Unpunished...

2010-12-09T13:05:00.000-08:00

...poor Jingle. He was trying to help us with our lights (the top 1/3 of our tree is out...ugh!). But, the giant tree proved to be too big of a task! Love you for trying Jingle!

Tonight's task...dinner by candlelight and decorate the tree! Can't wait!!

Old Habits Die Hard...

2010-12-08T19:36:00.001-08:00

We found Jingle sitting in a basket of toys this morning. Apparently, one of his main jobs at the North Pole is to inspect the toys...he just couldn't help himself!

One Horse Open Sleigh...

2010-12-07T10:01:00.000-08:00

I think Jingle might be missing home just a bit. We found him this morning in one of our sleigh decorations. That seemed to cheer him up pretending to ride through the snow. In today's letter Jingle (Santa's favorite elf, apparently) told the kids he would have a surprise word search waiting for them. He made a special one for each of them. Max's uses Thomas the Train words, Abby's is princesses and Madison's is Harry Potter. All things they are each currently "in to".

A Present From Jingle...

2010-12-06T17:17:00.000-08:00

This morning we found Jingle sitting on a present under the Christmas tree. His letter told us to wait to open the present until after school, but some naughty children couldn't wait and opened the present before reading the letter all the way though. He understood their excitement though and promised not to tell Santa.

We had a fun little Jenga party today. It seems like Jingle knows just what we need to get the Christmas excitement going in our house!

Fitting Right In...

2010-12-05T20:27:00.000-08:00

Jingle has already made some new friends. We found him this morning just chatting away with all our Christmas toys. They had some stories to swap I'm sure! I probably should warn them to sleep with one eye open though, I hear Santa's elves can be a bit mischievous.

Our activity for today was to make some yummy s'mores at Paw Paw's fire pit. I won't tell you what Jingle told us marsh mellows really were...but maybe you can guess! Being from the North pole and all, he would know!

That Silly Jingle...

2010-12-04T12:00:00.000-08:00

We woke up this morning to find poor Jingle stuck in a box of cereal. He said he just wanted some breakfast but couldn't quite figure out how to get the cereal out of the box. I bet he thinks twice before doing that again! :)

Today, Jingle wanted us to decorate our house. He said it just doesn't feel like home to him without Christmas decorations everywhere. So, we got down the boxes (about 12 or so) of decorations, turned up the music and had ourselves a house decorating party! It isn't completely finished, but it looks oh so much better! Thank you Jingle for getting us going!

Jingle the Elf...

2010-12-03T13:40:00.000-08:00

We had a visitor last night. His name is Jingle the Elf. He was hiding in our house. Apparently Santa thought we might need a little elf making sure we really should be on the nice list. He left us a letter to read this morning telling us he's got some fun stuff planned for our family until Christmas, when he has to go back with Santa to the North Pole. When the kids woke up this morning they found him on the rocking horse. He said as soon as he found out Santa was sending him to Texas he knew he would have to ride in on a horse. I haven't figured out his personality yet, but I think he might be a little mischievous. I can tell he has a good heart though! In his letter he told us our first activity is for each Koceich kid to make a paper chain with 22 links to count down the days until Christmas. So, we are on it!! Sooo excited to have Jingle here! We'll be sure to let you know what he's up to!

Thanksgiving Memories...

2010-12-03T13:09:00.000-08:00

Wow...Thanksgiving came and went like a flash! I think I am so consumed with work as it is nearing the end of my busy season (I'm almost there!!) that life speeds by from October-December! I did slow down for a couple days to enjoy time with family! Wednesday we had my dad's famous lasagna (oh so good) and Thursday back to Dad's for a big traditional Thanksgiving turkey meal. This year the Thurmans and Vincents (James' family) were there which meant lots of cousins time. Friday night was my turn. We hosted about 20 people for a delicious ham dinner. Everyone brought a dish and I added some Ethiopian tibs(kind of like a beef fajita dish) with a little too much Berbere(an Ethiopian spice we brought back) and injera (an Ethiopian flat bread), mashed potatoes, cornbread stuffing and two caramel apple pies. I love cooking for everyone for Thanksgiving. We have oh so many blessing to be thankful for!! Our evening ended with some awesome Uncle Joey time! He's the best uncle ever!!

** I wish I had taken more people pictures but I went into hostess mode as soon as everyone showed up and forgot to snap pictures!

Referralversary....

2010-11-10T07:51:00.000-08:00

One year ago today, I was sitting at my computer editing pictures and the phone rang. I almost didn't answer it because it was a long distance number I didn't recognize. We had received our "on deck" email just 2 1/2 weeks before and were expecting to wait 1-3 months before receiving a referral so I was trying to stay busy and not be too anxious every time the phone ring. I don't know what made me answer the phone because I really wasn't thinking it would be the referral, but I did and sweet Terra's voice (our agency representative) was on the other end. As soon as she told me who it was I knew and I was one crazy emotional lady. After a brief panic about what to do since Matt and the kids were all at school I asked Terra if I could gather them all and call her back. We had talked about all being there to see his face for the first time but hadn't actually made a plan.
After getting off the phone I jumped in the car to start gathering kids. I called Matt and told him to find a way to come home and to pick up Abby on his way. I wonder if I was even coherent when I picked up Max and Madison? I don't think my heart stopped pounding for the hour or two between Terra's phone call and the time I would actually see my son's face for the first time.
We got home and set up the video camera so we could video our reactions to seeing him for the first time. We wanted to show him some day just how much we longed for him and how overjoyed we were knowing that the little boy we were seeing for the first time would be ours...a gift from God.
We were all situated and we called Terra back and it went to her voicemail...ahhhh.
So we left a message and waiting maybe 30 minutes or so. She called back with all the details she knew about our precious boy. He was four months old at the time. The rest of the story is his to tell.
During the phone call Terra sent the email with his picture. I am so grateful that I video taped it. I was so emotional seeing his face for the first time I wasn't even aware of the rest of the family. Going back and seeing the video later was so emotional. Especially sweet Abby was overjoyed and overcome with emotion. I must figure out how to post it...check back!

After that referral day we would be assigned a court date for December 24th. We passed court on the first try (more about that day on the anniversary) and traveled to pick up our precious boy in February.

Here is the blog post Matt wrote on this day last year...

Sweet Sam,

I can't describe to you how much you have changed our lives for the better. You have brought us to a deeper level of understanding God's amazing love for us and the lengths He goes through to bring us home!! You have given us a perspective on the world and opened our eyes to realities that have been hard to see, but at the same time have given us a compassion for others and a purpose. You are so loved and adored and make us smile every day!

I love you so much. I get the giggles just watching you walk around and explore and study everything. I can already tell at this young age that you want to understand everything around you. You are a communicator and you love making everyone smile and laugh. I am grateful for you and so exciting to see what God's plans are for your life...I know they will be amazing!!

Love,
Mommy

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

2010-10-31T13:37:00.000-07:00

...from the most adorable reggae musician, rock star, hippie and T-Bird you've ever seen!!! :)

The Blessings of a Broken Heart...

2010-10-27T11:39:00.000-07:00

God is teaching me to be obedient when it doesn't make sense. I am a slow-learner and extremely task-oriented and logical so this doesn't compute easily with me, but He is persistent. I am in the middle of my busy season, and by busy I mean REALLY busy (which is a blessing by the way). So, I shrugged off God's tug to write this post, but he keeps tugging and I finally listened. I don't think this post is about me telling you something you should understand, know, do, think or feel. That's between you and God. It's about me recognizing and focusing on what He is saying to me.

Since we began the process of adoption from Ethiopia, God has been opening my eyes outside of my own little world. With the process came a network of friends who have a heart for orphans. Friends who have traveled to Ethiopia and have a global reality, who have seen face to face people who are starving or sick or who have no access to clean water. People who have nothing yet would give you their last bit of food to show you hospitality if they could. God had me read "The Whole in our Gospel" and "Radical", books that gave me eyes to see the world as God must see it. Many of his children living in excess, spoiled with their toys and mindlessly whining about their problems with no grasp that their fellow human beings and brothers and sisters in Christ are going days without food, water or suffering from preventable, curable and treatable illnesses with no hope because they don't have access to a doctor or medicine.

I am that spoiled, whining child. God has shown me so clearly how wrapped up in me I am. He has broken my heart over this and I am so grateful. My heart needed breaking. I want it to continue breaking. Because with a broken heart I must rely on Jesus.

He came into this broken world and through His death He brought healing. Because of Him one day I won't live in a broken place anymore. But, that's not the only reason He came. The gospel isn't just about Him saving me, it's about Him using my life to love and care for others. His plan isn't for sickness, starvation and hopelessness. His plan is for His people to be His hands and feet.

What exactly does that look like for me? I don't know but I pray that He continues to break my heart for the things that break his and that He teaches me to listen and be obedient even when it doesn't make sense.

The State Fair of Texas

2010-10-10T12:48:00.000-07:00

Going to the State Fair of Texas has become a tradition! We are becoming pros at finagling our way through the crowds to hit our usual route. We did great this year except for missing the dog show. They closed the doors early because it was full! It was beautiful weather and a fun and delicious day!!

*** perfectionist photographer's disclaimer...these are not fully edited! :)

Sam's first State Fair...he wasn't so sure about all these people everywhere!

First stop...the giant indoor sandbox. Sam didn't like how the sand felt on his feet so he observed just outside the box.

Now that's some Texas Sized cotton candy!

Our favorite stop is the Little Farmers Farm. They get to pick fruit, plant seeds, milk a cow, ride a tractor out to the fields to feed the cattle and more. At the end they turn in eggs, milk, corn, wool and more to get paid for their labors and buy a treat at the store! Really a well run exhibit!!

onto the rides. They each got to pick one ride with our tickets and Nani took them on a ride with her. Max couldn't resist the first BIG CAR he came too!

and Abby, of course, made a fast friend on her airplane ride.

Madison picked the loud music ride. No idea what it is called, but boy was it loud!

Max needed a little carry/snuggle time with daddy by the end of the day!

That is one tired baby!

But, we still must go out with a bang. Funnle cake complete with powdered sugar and chocolate syrup! Can you say tummy ache???

A tuckered out kid is the best judge of what a fabulous day we had!!

Sweet and Sassy...

2010-09-29T11:14:00.000-07:00

Poor Abby's birthday falls right at the beginning of my busy season. I totally forgot to blog about my sweet, precious girl!!!

Abbylicious,

At seven this phrase "Sweet and Sassy" fits you perfectly! You are all things glamour and fashion. You love clothes, jewelry, lip glass, hair clips etc., etc. etc. Paw Paw took you shopping for your birthday. You hadn't seen the inside of the mall since you were a baby and he said the gasp you let out when you saw Dillard's was telling!! You will be an unapologetic fashionista, I am sure of it! You definitely have lots of Sassy to go with that Sweet. You are working hard on your behavior, but sometimes that urge to just "do" whatever it is your not supposed to do wins. I am sure God gave you that spunk for a specific purpose. It will accomplish good and further God's kingdom in some awesome way!!

I love you sweet, seven-year-old sassy girl!! You are my JOY!!!!

Love,
Mommy

Koceich Happenings...

2010-09-06T11:44:00.000-07:00

Time for a Koceich Kiddos Update...

Madison:
You are really enjoying 6th grade and your teachers this year! We've only had two weeks of school but so far so good!
You are still enjoying swim and have a meet (your second so far) coming up at the end of this month. You're nervous about that, but I think with each meet you'll get more and more comfortable. You've moved up to the Bronze level of swimming. I think this is now your third level since you started swim about a year ago.
You and Sam are developing a special bond. I knew you would. You are so loving and a natural nurturer and he's young enough to not really get on your nerves. LOL
You are really searching and wondering about the TRUTHS of God. I think you worry that your supposed to understand it all, but we've talked alot about just asking God to reveal who He is to you and taking the time to listen, pray and read and understand His word. I love that you don't just accept what you're told, but need to know and understand for yourself! I pray for a peaceful heart and a greater knowledge of and love for God than you could ever imagine!!

Abby:
You are sugar and spice and everything nice FOR SURE! You love your 1st grade teacher, you love school, you love clothes and accessories, you love life!! Your spunk still gets you in trouble often, but it's what makes you the you that we all love so much!! You are still in gymnastics and really enjoying it. You've talked about trying something new, but we're having you stick with gymnastics for a least a little while longer. We were able to convince you that if you stuck with it you could possibly be like the Olympic gymnasts. When you remembered they were on TV for all the world to see you were convinced it was a good idea! Oh, I just know you will make quite a mark on the world!!!

Max:
Cute as a button, sweet as honey! You were blessed to get the awesome kindergarten teacher that Abby had last year. I was certain she would be so impressed with how well-behaved you are...well...two weeks and two squiggly faces later...
Actually, you are so wonderfully well behaved and when you've gotten the squiggly faces you've felt awful about it, but it turns out you just LOVE to talk, talk, talk! You don't have one spiteful bone in your body so we'll work on the talking but at the same time count our blessings for what a sweetie pie you are!!
You are still as enamored by trains as ever! Thomas the train is a topic of conversation most days. It's so cute to see how excited you get about anything to do with trains!

Sam:
Sweet, funny Sam. Your little personality is flourishing! When your brothers and sisters are home you are just giddy. You spent most of this morning bouncing on your knees or doing a little spin maneuver we call "break-dancing" and just being in general loud and happy! You still mean business when it comes to food. If you see anyone eating then you MUST eat too! You have the thighs to prove it. You are getting better at giving us the hungry sign instead of just screaming. We're working on portion control and you're much better at stopping when you're full! I'm sure it takes a while to retrain thoughts. I'm sure you began life having feelings of true starvation and those memories are strong and hard to forget! We are so thankful to have you in our family! You keep us smiling and thankful!!

I Saw What I Saw...

2010-09-01T12:24:00.000-07:00

This song by Sara Groves brings me to tears EVERY time I hear it. Behind each of the faces I captured in Ethiopia is a courageous and beautiful soul. I, thankfully, will never be the same since our trip to get Sam and I hope to go back one day to learn from the amazing strength of the people in Ethiopia.

Another First Day...

2010-08-24T11:26:00.001-07:00

We've been doing "first day of school" for six years now and I still get that lump in my throat feeling. It takes some adjustment for me to go from seeing my kids 24/7 to maybe 4 hours a day during the week. And these hours are now filled with gymnastics, swim, getting ready for school and bed, homework, chores etc. But, truthfully, I also really enjoy the time I have to get things done when they are gone during the day. I am not a multi-tasker, so I don't think well unless I have quiet! Crazy for a mom of four, I know but necessary during my busy season!

I just know that I am going to blink and we'll be sending Madison to high school, or Sam will be heading to Kindergarten. I know there is a season for everything, but I really love this season with my kids. We have our normal sibling rivalry and crazy behavior days, but I still have them under my wing and I can hug and kiss them all I want! So, I will do my best to savor the time I have with these four precious little ones!! Here's to another year of the life God has planned for you! I pray your lights will shine for Him and your hearts will be full of His love and grace for others!!

My at home buddy...

Fabulously Five...

2010-08-11T07:37:00.000-07:00

My sweet, precious, funny and most adorable Max! I can't believe you are five! It has been five years of blessings and joy!! Here are five special things about you!!

1. You approach everything with a positive, can do attitude.

2. You like to be silly and make others laugh at your silliness.

3. You hold Sam's hand almost every time we're in the car. I think you reach for his hand without even thinking...it is just a part of an inner need to care for him.

4. You have a very special bond with your daddy. Your world is not right if you have to miss out on your nightly read, tickle and race to the bed routine.

5. You are definitely a rambunctious boy, but you have a very strong sensitive and nurturing side. You don't just hug me goodnight, you plop down in my lap and hold my hand and often kiss me over and over.

Update on the Crew...

2010-07-20T12:49:00.001-07:00

It's been WAY TOO LONG for a kiddos update!!! I'd list all of the reasons, but that would be long and boring...LOL!! Here goes...

Madison...
Wow...you are going into 6th grade next year. You are so big and I'm having a hard time admitting that to myself!! You are so funny! This is not a trait that I saw coming. You have always been kind, compassionate and loving, but funny is a new one. You really find humor in just about everything and you are very fun loving! I think you get a lot of that from your dad!! You are also becoming so mature. You still have issues with your little sister. I guess sibling rivalry will probably last until you're both grown and have kids of your own! You do love each other and, in fact, when you went to Disney World with Nani this year I think Abby went into a bit of a depression!! She cried for you a couple times and talked about you incessantly!
I have to be honest that this age is really hard for me! You are getting older and are a bit more reserved with your thoughts and feelings! You do share things with me, but I have to ask and be available! I pray that I will always be the one you know you can come to with anything!!
Funny story that you probably won't appreciate me sharing until your much older, but I have to anyway. I had a talk with you recently about starting your period. I told you after that talk that you could never embarrass me with any question! I told you that you could ask me ANYTHING and I would talk with you about it and that no question was off limits. I wanted you to ask me anything that you were thinking about. So, that night after I prayed with you and your sister you said you had a question to ask me in the morning. Figuring it was too private to ask in front of your sister I said okay and my mind raced all night, preparing answers to all sorts of things I thought it could be. The next morning you said, "Can I ask my question." Thump, thump, thump went my heart. I said sure and you asked me, "How come other Gods in the bible had names, why didn't God have another name." ...........................................silence and then a small sigh of relief as I realized just what kinds of things were important to you!!! You are awesome!!! You still have no interest in boys, gossip and famous people/musicians. You don't care about clothes or how you look, you are the most laid back person I know. You do however really want to figure out the bigger things of this world! God is preparing you for great things!! I am sooo proud!!! I love you angel!

Abby...
The summer before 1st grade. You've lost four teeth (the top two within a week and a half of each other) and look sooo super cute! You are all things fashion. You have really begun to understand how to pick out things that match and you love to accessorize. You also decided you needed a new hairstyle so you preceded to cut your bangs on a diagonal...ooops! What can I say, you know what you want and you go for it! You are a perfect mixture of spitfire and joyful/loving heart. You make pictures/art for everyone we see/visit whether you know them or not. If you know we are going to someone's home, you always prepare by making your picture and usually writing "I love you" on it...and you mean it! You love life, so much so that you get yourself in trouble often! You really do want to be able to control yourself better, but you have such a sense of adventure you often just can't help yourself. You have gone to bed before your brother and sister most nights this summer as a consequence and you truly hate that...you just don't remember you're going to hate it so much when you're misbehaving! Oh, how I love your spunk! We had a long talk last night about how God gave you that spunk and it was important to use it for Him and less for your own enjoyment. You are endearing to everyone you meet. You are also Sam's BIGGEST fan. You love him dearly and will do just about anything to make him laugh. You love him so much so that we've had to make a rule that you can't pick him up and carry him around without permission. You forget that one a lot too!! I love you precious girl!!

Max...
My little comedian! You are almost always happy...well, that is unless you're hungry or sleepy. You are very agreeable and easy going. You love Sam almost all the time, but one time when we were heading home and Sam was exhausted and hungry and was crying very loudly in his car seat, you said, "I want to take that baby back." You didn't really mean it though...LOL. The next day you were loving on him as usual and telling us how much you love Sam! You are still a lover of all things trains and we even got to take you on a vintage train ride out of the stockyards this summer. You loved every second! We just had our first Max and Mommy date night a couple nights ago. We went and got frozen yogurt and you got to pick three toppings (one more than usual) then we headed to Target so you could pick out a small toy...guess what you picked? A train of course! We've also spent lots of time at Hawaiian Falls this summer. It is great because you are exactly tall enough to ride the big rides and you love them! You were a bit pensive at first, but once you experiences them you were sold! It makes me realize you aren't so much my little baby boy anymore. My heart aches as I realize I will be sending you off to Kindergarten this year. I will so miss our Mommy and Max days and I am very jealous of the Kindergarten teacher who will be so blessed to have you in her class! You are the cutest, sweetest, most lovable little boy around!! I wish I could bottle up your adorable four-year-oldness forever, but I know that God has great plans for you too!! I love you Maxaroni!!

Sam...
Wow...have you only been home for five months? It feels like you've been a part of our lives since day 1. You have fit seamlessly into our family and I am so grateful! You are a very happy and easy baby. You sleep just about any time we put you in the crib and usually we have to check on you to see if you're awake because you won't cry for us to come and get you. This breaks my heart a little as I think this is because a crib was your home in the orphanage for several months. We are still working a bit on your attachment to us. I know you are attaching because you don't always go easily to strangers. You sometimes cling tightly to me. But you really don't like to make eye contact to whomever is holding you. We're working on this with lots of holding and games like peek-a-boo. Sometimes you cry because it makes you so uncomfortable to have that kind of intimacy, but we love you enough to retrain those thoughts in your head to know that it's safe and okay to love and be loved! We're getting there! You certainly are loved beyond measure by everyone in our family and our friends too! You just had your first birthday and were surrounded by so many people who prayed you home! How blessed our we!
You are pulling up and standing while holding on and you now traditional crawl as much as you army crawl You love to play with your toys and copy things we do like put a toy inside another toy, clap and nod. You say lots of things like mamamama, dadadadada, but the only word that I think you actually associate with it's object is doggy, well, when you say it it's more like da-eeee. You are almost done with formula and finally have lost your gag reflex and can handle some solids. We also had to put you on TB medicine as you had a positive skin test. 9 months of medication is no fun, but much better to be cautious! I love you precious Yacob!

And He's Already One...

2010-07-18T14:41:00.001-07:00

I am grateful we got to celebrate Sam's 1st birthday! Every day I am reminded of the amazing gift he is and how blessed we are to have him. As always, a BIG piece of my heart aches for his birth mom. I can only imagine what she must be feeling, thinking, wondering about her precious baby boy! I grieve with her and pray that she can somehow know in her heart that he is safe, healthy, cared for and loved. She is never far from my mind!

On to happier things...

We celebrated Samuel Yacob's first birthday with a safari themed swim party! We were rained out for the original party date, but quickly rescheduled and it worked out great!!

To my precious son! I am honored that God chose me to be your mom and to love and care for you. You have brought an abundance of love and laughter to our family. You are truly a gift and a blessing and I can't wait to see the further fulfillment of God's awesome plan for your life! I love you more than words can say!!

** pictures from the party totally and completely out of order because I'm too lazy to rearrange them! :)

his first cheeto...

delicious cookies made by my amazing and generous friend Candy.
And, after I recounted the guestlist and had a minor panic attack another amazingly generous friend made more! :)

* cupcakes decorated by myself and my very talented and patient friends...Jenny, Tasha, Amber and Heather!

* jungle mix = peanuts for the elephants, cheetos for the cheetas and banana chips for the monkies...

he really wanted NOTHING to do with that monkey cupcake! I think the eyes kinda freeked him out. I mean food shouldn't have eyes...right?

These two have been best friends since they were one and still love to be around each other! Awesome!

The safari themed napkins...

* I think it's love at first sight...

* a gaggle of giggly girls...

* that's one handsome little dude!

* the handsome boys are everywhere at this party!

*chillaxin'

* my precious, precious "B"...I am hearing her sweet giggle as I look at this picture!

* Big sister LOVES and cares for her little sister and brother who are from Ethiopia as well!

* the Ethiopian beauties

Day 10...Africa (Our Journey Home)

2010-06-24T14:39:00.000-07:00

AKA, the day that never ends! :)

Saturday, February 20th, would be our last day in Ethiopia and it would be a LONG one!

We were up for our normal breakfast. I sure would miss the awesome pancake and omelet breakfast we were spoiled with every day! After breakfast we went out for a final round of shopping at the shopping area they call "The Post Office". We had a goal to get a gift for each of Sam's 18 birthdays and his wedding. We didn't get it all, but were able to get most of it. Just another reason to go back!! After shopping we went to metro pizza for lunch (we had been told to go and we weren't disappointed) and a macchiato from the coffee shop next door. Yum! After we got home it was time to finish packing. It sure went faster than the original packing that took me about a month, but was still no easy task! After we were packed and ready to go we had time for a dinner before heading to the airport. Matt, Madison and I went to the Zebra grill and left Nani with Yacob to babysit. Along the way we stopped at a couple silver shops and bought the girls each a silver cross necklace to someday celebrate their baptism.

A few images from the roof of our guest house...

We were so happy to be traveling home with the Wells, for at least the first leg of our trip! We loaded up the vans (I think at this point it was maybe nine o'clock at night) and headed to the airport. Our guide "T" and driver David, whom we had grown to love, couldn't go even across the street to the airport with us and we had to say our goodbyes in the parking lot! It was extremely stressful being on our own and going through security twice and dealing with the pushy and unfair airport people. After about two hours later we were finally on our way home. Our flight left around midnight and we had about 20 hours of travel left ahead of us. The first flight was pretty cramped but we were grateful that Yacob slept most of that flight to Khartoum where our plane landed for about an hour. Then it was off to Amsterdam. I can't remember for sure, but I think this was about a 10 hour flight. I probably slept off and on for about 2-3 of those hours. Yacob was doing well, with minimal fussing! When we got off the flight Paw Paw and Mamaw were waiting to meet Yacob.

After a quick in airport breakfast we made the trek across the airport to catch our flight on to DFW. I purchased a couple water bottles for the flight and realized they costs me $10 when it was too late. Going through the line to get on the plane the costly bottles were confiscated, Yacob peed through his outfit and in the process of boarding Matt and I got separated and he had the diaper bag with the change of clothes etc. By the time I found our seats and we got situated it was too late to change Yacob's diaper/clothes so I got to take off with a soaked baby strapped to me. And, during take-off Matt said while he was boarding the plane two security guards were escorting a man off the plane. That was a fun plane change...let me tell ya! :) But we got situated and the sweet, sweet stewardesses moved Matt and I from our cramped seats to a center row of three seats at the back of the plane...PERFECT!!! The final leg of our journey had begun! Yacob did a great job with lots of sleeping and minimal fussing! We were getting oh-so-tired, but knowing we were so close to introducing Yacob to our family and friends was exciting!

When we landed we had to go through customs at the airport. I was a little anxious because I knew lots of friends and family (probably 40-50 people) were waiting for us) but once we got through all of that and got our luggage and headed through the doors the cheers of so many people that we loved dearly melted away all the anxiety from the trip! What a welcome home. I am still so completely humbled at all of the people there to celebrate Yacob coming home. Each of the people had supported us in this journey in so many ways and were a huge part of bringing him home and I will never forget!!!

* this little guys was SOOOO relieved to see his daddy again...the feeling was mutual!

My best friend from high school surprised me with a trip all the way from Austin. Well, actually I think she was at a family reunion maybe even farther away and drove straight there to see him and followed us home, helped us settle in and picked up dinner! I think she has loved Yacob from before we even had a picture!!! How did I ever deserve such a friend???

When we got home Abby didn't want to leave Yacob's side. Actually all she wanted to do was hold him and love him. She has always loved babies, but I had no idea that she truly felt like he would be her baby. We are still having to set boundaries for how much she can hold him...LOL! I was amazed at how well Yacob did at the airport with all of the people holding him and all of the noise, but he did amazing. I just knew we were due for a breakdown so when he began to fuss and Abby begged to hold him I thought it would last about a minute. Well, she climbed on the bed, turned him backwards on her tummy so he was facing out and could see, and began to rub his cheek and quietly sing to him. It was the most precious thing ever! And, wouldn't you know it, Yacob was asleep within a minute or two! She was so proud...such a GOD moment!!!

As I ponder my parting words, I feel a sadness that it's over! A big part of my heart is still there and always will be! I hope and pray that God brings us back in some capacity...still not exactly sure His plan there, but can't wait to find out! I do know that both Matt and I love the people and feel the pull!!! This was an amazing blessing and we are so grateful that God allowed us to be a part!!

Day 9...Africa

2010-06-22T12:25:00.000-07:00

Once Yacob fell asleep, he was out for the night...Yay!! I slept much better. So grateful my throat pain was much more bearable! We were up at our usual 8:45 for 9:30 breakfast. It was a low key morning with some packing and visiting. I did have a minor breakdown though. I hadn't gotten to Skype or call my kids hardly at all because the connection was not working well and because of the time zone. But, I remembered it would just be a couple more days until I would have them in my arms.

It's funny, when I read the journal entry for this day I didn't have anything written down about the coffee factory tour. I must have been so tired that night that I forgot to journal it. I do remember that it was a really neat tour!! Coffee originates from Ethiopia. Soooo cool!! They can make a mean macchiato (sp?) too!!! It was really neat seeing all of the beautiful Ethiopian women hand sorting the coffee beans. What patience!! And, the aroma...Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!

We got Yacob's visa and said goodbye to about half of the families who headed out that afternoon for the airport.

Later that afternoon the Johnsons picked us up for dinner to celebrate Tracey and Andrea's birthday at a restaurant called "The Family Restaurant". We even stopped at a real grocery store on the way.
Crazy enough, the restaurant was Tex_Mex food. I even got a real, yummilicious margarita! We ended the evening with Mezeret's homemade chocolate birthday cake! It was DELICIOUS!!
We got to take a few pictures and say our thank yous and goodbyes to the Johnsons.

This night Yacob fell asleep easily! I took some great advice from one of the mom's and gave him the last bit of his bottle in the bed. He was out for another "all nighter" of sleep, that is! :)

Day 8...Africa

2010-06-18T06:20:00.000-07:00

A little explanation is in order. My last post was about a month and a half ago. Life got busy and then my external hard drive crashed. I had all of my client images backed up but every picture I had ever taken of Sam, including all 1100 (or so actually) Africa pictures, were gone. I went into denial for a bit, just ignoring the problem completely. But, I had a sweet friend who offered her husband to look at it for me and he eventually sent it off to a clean lab to be dismantled and they were able to save almost all of my pictures. Praising God for that!
So, my precious images are back and it's on to Day 8.

This is going to be an emotional post for me. It was the most heart-warming and heart-breaking day all mixed together! I have learned that life is like that. I used to avoid the things that were hard to see and hear in the world, but this trip and a few books (i.e. "The Hole in Our Gospel", "Radical" and "Crazy Love") have opened my eyes that when we allow God to break our heart for the things that break His, we are drawn closer to Him and grasp His love so much more deeply! I would encourage anyone feeling the tug of the spirit to move towards a ministry or mission or situation in life that is hard to take to jump in with abandon and trust God to catch you and bless you in the process!

Okay...onto the day.
Because I was in such pain (sores on my throat) we decided to let me sleep in, in the morning and fore go the trip to the orphanage. We had planned a day of rest. Well, God's plans were oh so much better. I woke up about 9:00 and went downstairs for breakfast and found out they weren't leaving for the orphanage (Kingdom Kids) until 10:00. I decided that it was meant to be and ran upstairs to get ready. Nani stayed back and Matt, Madison, Sam and I were on the vans ready to go by 10:00 (and I was rested and feeling better...thank you God!!) We thought our donations for the orphanages were supposed to be turned in with our donations for the transition home so all I had to bring were some granola bars. When we got there I gave them to Madison to pass out to the children and there were EXACTLY ENOUGH FOR EVERY CHILD!!!! Loaves and fish!

Madison handing out granola bars...

oh...those eyes!!!

the kids LOVED to see the pictures we took of them on the backs of our cameras...

I spent the first few minutes watching Madison with the kids. She is a natural servant. Her heart is full of compassion and she is naturally comfortable, non judgemental and giving! It was humbling and inspiring! After passing out the granola bars, she mingled with the kids (focused completely on them) and then she noticed that there were granola bar wrappers everywhere so she took the bag we brought the bars in and began picking up the wrappers. Almost immediately several of the kids joined her and it was an instant bond. Common oral language not required. My heart full of joy, I began wondering around the orphanage grounds. There were so many precious children and my heart broke for them. Not because they looked sad, but because they didn't (and many will never) have a family. Then my heart broke for myself and all of us who take what we have for granted and, even worse, complain that we don't have enough. Oh, I so wanted to soak this reality in. I knew that heading back to the USA I would again be desensitized to the reality of a majority of the world, but I so don't want to. I want to have this perspective and I want my heart to be broken for the things that break His heart. I don't want to lament over not having a bigger house, or nicer clothes or more free time, I want to have a passion for serving and loving others!! The people (adults and children alike) of Ethiopia have such kind hearts. It's because they have perspective. They know what is important and they aren't distracted by all of the junk that we are in America. Okay...I am rambling now, back to the story!

a sweet driver loving on Sam so we could mingle with the kids...

a bond...

BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!!

They love each other...

Madison began playing pat-a-cake with the kids and several of the adults joined in the fun. Then the nannies held a coffee ceremony for us served with popcorn and Duni's mom (who founded the orphanage) talked to us a bit about the orphanage and how they raise money. Next it was on to an restaurant for lunch.

pat-a-cake

coffee ceremony...

does my heart good...

oh so precious!!

I left lunch early with one of the families to get back to the guest house so they could meet the birth mother of their child. I wanted to capture these images for them, especially their son. What a gift to be a part of this moment! The birth mom was so young, only 15. In order to relinquish her child she had to lie and say she was 20. My heart broke for her(as it would and will continue to break for Sam's mom)and I have such a desire to go back and be a part of strengthening the communities there so that more families can keep their children!

back out the guest house...

We had a short rest before heading to a second orphanage, Gelgela. This is where Sam stayed for a short time before going to the transition home. When we got to the second orphanage there was a little girl that struck me immediately. Her name was Ricket (I think...unless I didn't hear right). She and an older little girl came up to us. She looked sad and looked down at the ground, not wanting to look into my eyes, but somehow wanting to be close. Her friend ran off to play, but she didn't move. I tried talking to her and kneeling down, but she was quiet and looked away. Matt had Sam and he was standing by the van window showing Sam his reflection. Ricket seemed interested in this so I held out my arms to see if she wanted to look and in she went. She didn't leave my side until we left a couple hours later, and she hasn't left my heart since!!

when I first met her...

in love...

makes me cry...

After some play time with the kids, Matt, Madison, Sam, Ricket and I headed upstairs to see the room where Sam stayed. The nannies were sooooo kind and gentle. There were several babies in this small dark room. I don't think there was any electricity or hear or air conditioning. We didn't have an interpreter with us, but we found the nannie who cared for Sam. She showed us the crib he shared with another baby and held him and played with him for a few minutes. Such a precious time. We are so grateful to know he was so loved during his time there!!

Sam's bed...

Sam's angel...

Later, Ricket and I headed upstairs to photograph another family who was able to meet their birth mom. While we were waiting for picture time Ricket and I played hide-and-seek and she learned how to take a picture with my camera (no easy task). She turned from this still, quiet, sad angel into this spunky ball of energy! PRECIOUS!

when it was time to take pictures of the birth mom and the family Ricket sat and waited patiently for me. The pictures were so touching as the birth mom put her arm around one of the families older boys. She also kissed each of the older boys (her little girls new big brothers). I know her heart was breaking and full of gratitude at the same time. She had a big smile and lots of hugs for them, but she had a hard time saying goodbye to her little girl. Her strength inspires me!!

and her personality begins to immerge...

okay, you can't pose something this precious!

a lesson in true joy...

I love how kids don't need a common language to bond...

That night we took one of our guides, Robel, to the Zebra (a popular restaurant near the guest house) where he told us his story about working with the UN and how it led him to start a street ministry for boys on the street. Again, a person who has given his life away to serve God! He teaches these homeless boys a craft where they sell things in order to make an income. He has also found a way for them to go to school. In Ethiopia, if you don't have parents to enroll you, you don't go to school. He also has learned to give them candy if they tell on their friends for not going to school...smart man! He has even bigger plans for this ministry. You can find out more about it and how you can help here

After a long, emotional, thought-filled day it was time to get some rest. Poor Yacob was over-tired and beginning to grieve for his nannies and cried for over an hour before finally going to sleep. Oh, precious son how we love you!!!

Sooooooooooooooooooooo sleepy!!!

Day 7...Africa

2010-05-02T11:50:00.000-07:00

It was a God thing...

I asked for a 7:45 wake up call this morning after debating between 7:45-8:00. I also got everything ready for our full day of embassy, lunch and shopping and had just gotten out of the shower when there was a knock at the door. We were told our schedule was wrong and we'd have to leave in seven minutes (an hour earlier than expected). Thank goodness I had gotten what we'd need together because I can get dressed in a rush much better than I can think about what we might need for the day in a rush.
After throwing some clothes on and rushing downstairs and grabbing a banana and yogurt to eat in the van we were ready to go. Or so we thought. Somehow we realized that mom and Madison didn't have their passports and would need them to get into the embassy with us. Otherwise they would have been stuck outside in the vans waiting the 2-3 hours it took us to get through the embassy appointments. Poor mom ran up the five flights of stairs (it's even hard to walk slowly up the stairs in this altitude) and back down.
When we got to the embassy it was a little intimidating. There aren't many smiles going around. Once we got through a couple security checkpoints we found ourselves in a waiting room with probably 30 other people. After waiting maybe 30-45 minutes they started calling people from our group from the youngest adopted child/children to the oldest. We were all excited/nervous for each other as we had heard stories of people not passing their embassy appointments for reasons beyond their control and either having to go home without their children to wait for things to get worked out, or staying in Ethiopia longer. When it was our turn Tilahun took us upstairs to the window of our officer. He, Jeff, was very nice and asked us some basic questions which T was able to help us answer! WE PASSED! We headed back downstairs to wait for the rest of our group to have their appointments and, praise God, everyone passed!! We had reason to celebrate!!!
Today, we ate lunch at a restaurant called Lucy's. It's next door to the museum that houses "Lucy" the second oldest skeletal remains discovered. It is estimated she lived over 3.2 million years ago. It was a beautiful place to eat and a nice day! It was so fun to see everyone interacting with their children and to see all of these new families just beginning their journeys together!

I love all of the flowers hidden here and there in Ethiopia. If all you saw were the streets of Ethiopia, you would never believe these hidden treasures were nearby!

After lunch we headed out to shop in a different area. We didn't stay too long, but I was able to get a couple Ethiopia soccer jerseys and a fun wall hanging. We also bought a soccer ball for Robel's kids. Robel runs a street ministry in Ethiopia. He helps boys living on the streets to get things to sell to make money so they won't have to beg or steal for food. He also gets them enrolled in school and makes sure they attend. He is making a huge impact on these kids and we hope to some day go back and help! In the meantime a family has set up a Facebook page for this ministry called Into the Street of Ethiopia. You should check it out!

We saw several businesses called Sami's. I'm thinking that is what we will be calling Sam as he gets older.

Oh, how I long to go back to capture more images when I can focus on my photography. The colors and textures in Ethiopia are amazing and the people are beautiful!!

This is Robel! He gives everything he has to God!

One of the views from our guest house.

After shopping we went back to the guest house and had about an hour to rest before we left for Dave and Christy's. We had quite the ride to Dave and Christy's. We definitely were learning to trust David, our driver!! Once we arrived at Bingham we headed to the gym where Christy was supposed to be overseeing a playoff basketball game. It was eventually canceled because the Italian team failed to show up which meant more time to hang out. We had another fabulous meal of spaghetti. By this time my sore throat pain was turning severe. I was getting to the point where I couldn't think about anything else. Christy graciously gave me a disolvable codeine pill and I headed strait to bed when we got home. The codeine did wonders so I was able to get a good night's rest. And, guess who else slept all night too! Go Yacob!!!

This makes me excited for these kiddos. They have twin neices in Ethiopia that their aunt and uncle are in the process of adopting!

Day 6...Africa

2010-04-23T11:31:00.000-07:00

I promise we will get all of these days journaled! I guess my lack of completing our Africa journaling speaks volumes for how busy life is with four kiddos and a business. But, I couldn't feel more blessed or be happier!!!

Today, Tuesday February 16th will forever be etched in my heart! It is our official "Gotcha Day." Samuel Yacob Koceich will be a physical part of our family from today on and we couldn't be more excited!! We woke up this morning around 8am and meandered downstairs for another yummy breakfast! Soon, mom and Madison arrived. They were picked up at the airport by the America World staff and after an all night flight and a bit of a stressful morning at the airport were happy to get settled! It felt so good to see them and made our anticipation for the "gotcha" moment (and mom and Madison's metcha moments) to nearly overtake us!!! But, first it was time for some shopping. We had planned to buy Sam 18 gifts for each of his first 18 birthdays and also a wedding gift so we had a plan! We went back to the Makato (sp?)shopping area and were able to find several gifts...we still don't have them all, but we'll be back for the rest I'm sure! Matt was determined to find a traditional Ethiopian shirt...David (one of the AW staff guys) worked hard to help Matt find the perfect shirt!

After our shopping spree it was time to head back to the transition house for lunch. While everyone stayed to eat, Matt and I went with Tilahun and Famey to retrieve our lost bin and to pick up a couple more America World families. They both had already made an initial trip and weren't able to bring home their second children until this trip. It was really lots of fun (as usual) hanging out with the America World staff. Tilahun told us he learned English (which is flawless...btw) from watching American movies. They have a new theatre with movies in English there. His favorite movie is Avatar! By this time in our trip Matt was ready to move to Ethiopia. I would have been right there with him, but I'm the planner and, of course, all of the details keep getting in the way of adventure for me! Since I've been home God has brought several books and studies to me like, "The Hole in our Gospel.", "Don't Waste Your Life" and the Beth Moore study on John. What do you think is the recurrent theme??? Um, not sitting comfortable with where you are in life, but allowing God to take you on an adventure. Also, alot of recurrent things of getting up and doing something about the injustice in the world...not just thinking about it! I'm getting there...

Anyway, back to the adventure at hand.

Once we were back at the Transition home we needed to quickly get our donations together and eat. When we got to the transition home we started by giving care packages to the families who were still home waiting for court dates and travel dates. We were blessed enough to get to give care packages to two families. First, we met a GORGEOUS little girl and boy. I so wish I could post their pictures...you would melt!! They were so sweet and very careful to make sure they were understanding what we were trying to communicate. They wouldn't open the gifts until they were sure that's what we were wanting and they stopped to pose for pictures anytime my camera went up to my eye...poor things...they didn't know I'm a photographer and the camera practically lives there!! I so wished their forever families lived closer because I would have loved to have gotten to know them more!! Absolutely precious. When it was time for them to go the little boy gave me a giant, squeeze the breath right out of you hug...I'll tell you why later. I kissed and kissed on him and after his nannies told him he could kiss me, he gave me the longest most precious kiss ever!!! Totally made me want to go back and adopt an older child!
Next came a precious little baby boy!! His eyes were so big and beautiful. He was a cuddler and I can't wait for his momma to get to hold and cuddle him for the first time! Seriously, capturing these moments on camera would be a dream job for me! Seeing families united for the first time and looking into the eyes of children as they are beginning to have hope again...it is truly indescribable!!!

After these precious moments it was time to see Yacob again and for Madison and Nani (my mom) to get to meet him for the first time. You know I was so nervous for how he would do after our last two times together. When they brought him out we could tell they had to wake him up. He was sleepy and very calm. One of the sweet dad's came over and took pictures for us and I am so grateful!!! I know it was hard to tear himself away from his new family to do something so selfless for us! After the nannies brought him out I watched Madison's eyes...she was in love right away! She is my thinker and the most resistant of all of my kiddos to change so I know she was anxious for this moment, and I could just see all of that anxiety melt away as she saw her new brother for the first time! She was mesmerized. Once he fully woke up he did begin crying, but this time it only lasted a few minutes. Once we gave him a toy he calmed down and just stared very intently at everyone. We wanted to get a picture of his nannies and his bed so we took him inside. It is so obvious that the nannies adore these children. It was a hard, but happy goodbye. They are angels!!

On the way home we stopped at a small grocery store and the guys went in to buy formula, diapers and wine...LOL! I happen to think those three items go together nicely! Then we headed back to the transition home to rest. I tried resting for a few minutes and the Adrenalin was pumping and I just couldn't do it so I gave up. Sam on the other hand slept nicely in Daddy's arms while he read a book (fittingly, "The Whole in our Gospel" which in my opinion is a must read).

Soon it was time for dinner. They served Tibs, which wasn't quite as awesome as the other places we'd had it so far, then visited for a while and headed back upstairs. I wanted to give him a bath, but he was so tired I just couldn't do that to him so I just gave him a bottle and put him in the bed around 11ish. I couldn't sleep much at all because I had an ulcer on my throat and had some pretty bad throat pain, but little man slept ALL NIGHT!!! It was quite the day for all of us!!

Day 5

2010-04-06T14:26:00.000-07:00

This morning I was up and on the computer by 7:30am and our wake-up call wasn't even until 8:00. Although we saw John and Angela and met one more family (Ben and Leah) the night before briefly, while we were checking in, I was so excited to meet everyone! There is a special bond that you share with other adoptive families. Knowing that God had called each family to specifically adopt from Ethiopia and He brought our particular group together had me very excited! I was not a bit disappointed as each and every family was wonderful!! I wish they all lived close by, but location could never diminish the bonds we felt on this trip! I would soon find out that would also include the America World staff in Ethiopia!! Each and every person working for America World was kind, humble and helpful!!

We met downstairs and I had my first guest house breakfast...another delicious meal. The chef made these amazing cheese omelets (which I had every day thereafter) and I also enjoyed some mango yogurt and a pancake sort of thing which was cut into pie shaped wedges! I have to say, I definitely missed my peppermint mocha creamer so I got into the terrible habit of drinking a Pepsi at breakfast. Oh well, I'm sure I burned the extra calories walking up and down those stairs!!

After breakfast, we headed for the Hilton hotel for our paperwork party. You feel like you are in a completely different place at the Hilton. They had a gorgeous giant outdoor pool which must have been heated because there were many enjoying it and absolutely beautiful landscaping!! It felt like a stateside five star hotel! We sat at a long table all together under a canopy and listened to Duni as she began preparing us for the emotions and excitement the week would bring! She had wonderful advice and it was obvious she was passionate about these precious children!! I had a few minutes to talk to her before we began and her story is fascinating. She moved to the states (from Ethiopia) at 16. Her mom started the Kid's Care orphanage in Ethiopia. To begin, Duni didn't think she wanted to follow in her mom's footsteps and do social work, but the Lord brought her to work at America World (located in Virginia) and now she and her husband (who is also from Ethiopia) have moved back to Ethiopia and work in country. She was an inspiration to me to someday live in Ethiopia. Not sure when, or for how long, but Matt and I definitely have short term missions (thinking every other summer) on our hearts right now. We are praying for guidance on this!!!

David, Robel and T (our driver and guides...whom we came to love dearly!)

Next began the fun-filled time called the paperwork party. If you've gone through an international adoption or know someone who has, you know this last statement is filled with sarcasm. The word paperwork gives me hives (kinda kidding, but not really). :) Matt was VERY gracious to offer to fill out these papers since I had done 90% of the paperwork over the last 17 months.

Can't you tell how much fun everyone is having filling out the paperwork?

I learned to trust this man quickly with my life. If you ever get a chance to ride in a car/van on the streets of Addis Ababa, you'll see what I mean!! He was an awesome driver!!

Once the paperwork was complete, we stayed for lunch. Matt ordered tibs and I wished I had! But, I did have two awesome machiatos (sp?) and a yummy roll that tasted like a pretzel.

Soon we noticed Duni had pulled away one of the families and their conversation looked very serious. We found out one of the children's recent x-rays had shown a spot and it was possible Lymphoma. I think in that moment the compassion our group felt for that couple and the way our hearts hurt for them was a time of bonding! We all stopped and prayed for them and their little girl. (good news coming later in the day).

While we were finishing up lunch Robel,one of the in country guides, sat by Matt and I. We were able to visit with him quite a bit and had a taste of the how the Ethiopian culture values relationships. From Robel, and honestly everyone there, we felt a sense that our stories were important to them and their time with us was meaningful.. There is no rush and no barriers to friendship...just genuine interest! Very much a sense of community! We also asked Robel about Yacob. He looked at the paperwork showing where the police station was located (where he was taken when he was found abandoned). He said it would be an 8-10 hour trip, but that maybe there would be more information in the report. We will definitely be going the next time we are in Ethiopia.

Next it was time to get to the Transition Home. Although I was excited to see Yacob again, I was so very excited to get to experience the other families meeting their children for the first time! What a gift that God allowed me to see Yacob (not once but twice) beforehand so that I was able to fully focus on capturing images for the other families and really feel their emotions!! It was an experience I'll never forget! I would love to post some of those images, but will refrain for privacy of the families.

The families adopting babies went first because this transition home was where the babies were. The big kids (I think 2 and over) lived at a different home close by and they were being brought by van).

After all of the babies and older kids were introduced to their families they brought Yacob to us. I was very nervous about what his reaction would be. They handed him to me and he was good for about 2 minutes (I think he had been asleep) and then the recognition came and so did the screams. He again screamed for about 30 minutes until he wore himself out and fell asleep! Poor, precious baby! While I was walking around with him asleep in my arms the mom who had heard about the x-ray of her daughter came to tell me the test was negative for Lymphoma or TB, she was totally fine!! Oh, I can't even describe the joy in my heart and in her eyes!!! After a few more minutes it was our turn to talk to the doctor. He said he wanted to see how he was doing when he woke up. He seemed surprised and a bit concerned that he screamed and cried for three days with us that severely! When Yacob woke up I had a bottle ready (smart nannies) and in his mouth it went before he could cry. By the end of the bottle I think he realized I wasn't going to hurt him and maybe we were okay. He didn't like to make eye contact with me or Matt (although he would look at Matt more by the end and even reached for his glasses twice). The doctor said he was a very smart baby and that the crying was probably because he was so very aware of the emotions etc. He also said that him showing the emotions was a great sign for our future bonding. I think some children just get immune to emotions. They have so much grief and suffering that they become desensitized and that they then have a very hard time bonding. Breaks my heart!! The doctor was definitely right that Yacob would be able to bond. After that day we have been best buds and he has been an extremely happy little baby boy!! Oh, the blessings continue!!

exausted from all that crying!

precious little hands!!

I took this one with my heavy camera in one hand and Yacob in the other! Sooo happy I captured one of his first smiles for us!
The oh-so-astute staff at America World planned a spa day for the ladies. Leaving our babies behind (especially for those that had just met them for the first time) was super hard so they put us in a van and sent us straight to the spa. The spa is amazing!! Christy met us there and we both were able to get hour long massages and pedicures. Everyone did end up having to wait on us, but they were super patient and didn't mind (I'm telling you, impatience and uptightness go out the window in Ethiopia...it is wonderful!!!).

That bottle of oil was full when she began my massage!

After the spa we headed back to pick up the guys and headed out for a traditional Ethiopian dinner. The restaurant had dancers that performed many traditional dances. The moves they could make were amazing! We had some kind of try it all plate. Many different sauces and meats to eat with the injera. It was great having Christy there to decipher some of it!

Very fun and entertaining dinner!!

washing our hands before the meal...

This was the first time I had seen a dark and light injera...both were yummy!!

After dinner it was back to the guest house. I tried to Skype but the Internet was not cooperating! I did get through by Skype phone (never video) to Madison who told me they had talked to Abby and Max and Max was very sad. He is my precious sensitive little one. He still, two months later, tells Matt and I all the time, I miss you when you are gone!!

This would be my last night to have the bonus of taking Ambien and what I thought would be my last night of a full night's sleep for a while...I would be happily very wrong!!
I wrote in my journal tonight that I wonder what the next 2-3 months will be like for our family! I couldn't have dreamt that things would be so wonderful!!

Day 4 (Part II)

2010-04-03T14:20:00.001-07:00

Here we are at only the second half of day 4 and I remember Matt and I kept saying, "wow, it just keeps getting better and better." Besides not being able to talk to my kids any time I wanted to (because of time change and Internet issues) our trip was more amazingly wonderful than we could have imagined! After our time with Yallewo's family and shopping at the market, we headed back to Dave and Christy's to freshen up and pack. After getting everything together we had another wonderful meal of pizza and smoothies made with bananas, mango and pineapples. Then it was on to church! The church Dave and Christy attend is beautiful! I saw this amazing tree on the grounds that looked like a tree with mini poinsettias on the limbs...just gorgeous! We met some really wonderful people all there to serve the people of Ethiopia.

After church we had another adventurous journey to the transition home but we found it. We were on the fourth floor (which is really the fifth floor because the ground floor is not called the first floor there). And, the really fun part...no elevators. Remember, this is 8000 feet elevation. The guards ran (and I mean ran) our luggage upstairs...AMAZING!!! We were all sucking wing by the time we got to our room, well, except the kids who seem enthralled by the place. They took no elevator as a challenge and decide to run up and down the stairs. They were having fun, but the rooms were all right off the stairs and the stairwell echoed terribly so we they had to come in. We ordered cheese pizzas from the kitchen downstairs for everyone and after settling in a bit played a game called Scum. After dinner Dave, Christy and the kids had to get home. I decided to try the Internet to see if it worked better at the TH and I was able to get through to Sue although it was a bad connection. Max and Abby were doing great and had loved the snow! Then I was able to get through to Dad and I found out Madison had been sick with a fever...achy mommy heart ensued!! I also had a chance to log into my email account and had almost 200 emails...oh, did I NOT miss that!!! When I was finally ready to sleep it was way too late to take Ambien because I didn't want to be impossible to wake in the morning, so I tossed and turned all night anxious and excited for our official time to begin!!

Day 4 (Part I)...

2010-03-31T13:56:00.000-07:00

I was so grateful to sleep until 10:30 this morning. I think I needed the rest!! We had another awesome breakfast of scrambled eggs, yogurt, fruit and homemade English muffins...and coffee too, of course! We were soooo spoiled with amazing food for our entire trip!!
After breakfast, we went to walk the market just outside of the Bingham compound. The market is apparently usually packed, but because it was Sunday it wasn't too extremely busy.

I LOVE all of the bright colors everywhere!!

This was one of several sewing shops we saw.

As we began to walk around we ran into Yallewo. He is a young man who is a part of the Bingham outreach program. I had seen him on the compound helping to coach a soccer game earlier but hadn't put two and two together yet. I don't know what his plans were for the day but after seeing Dave and Christy he dropped them and invited us to go to his house for coffee. I know I won't be able to do justice the time we spent with he and his brothers and sisters. They live in a mud a straw home with a tin roof(two rooms about 10x15ft each and a covered area with an injera stove). I didn't see any running water or plumbing of any kind and the floors were dirt except ares where they laid down pieces of old linoleum. Yallewo lived with two other guys in one room (that he call his brothers but I don't think they are all blood related) and three girls who live in the other room (he calls them his sisters). I can't be certain of their ages, but they all seemed like teenagers, and maybe even a pre teen. One of the girls was so overcome by emotions with us being there she kept hiding around the corner and crying. I'm not sure if she was painfully shy or just was feeling a lot of emotions at having visitors. They were all extremely humble and sweet. When we got there they were watching the Jungle book with Amharic subtitles. They quickly found a tape of traditional Ethiopian dance and music. It was obvious that they don't have much. They have a Mickey Mouse blanket hanging on the wall for decoration and a small strand of fake ivy with a small Ethiopian flag hanging on it (think of the kind of US flags we give kids to wave at 4th of July). There were two couches and a foam mat on the floor for them to sleep on, a small cabinet for their clothes and the TV/DVD player. That was it. The room was lit by a single light bulb hanging from the ceiling. Yallewo gave one of the girls some birr to go buy us some bread and coffee. Sadly, I didn't realize my camera battery was low (hence the out of focus pictures...my auto focus wouldn't work) and Matt and Dave had to walk all the way back to the house to get my spare battery! Christy, Andrea (Dave and Christy's oldest daughter) and I stayed and Christy spoke some Amharic to communicate with them. Soon, one of girls came back with the bread, coffee beans and some kind of long grass and the oldest girl began a traditional Ethiopia coffee ceremony. We watched intently as she laid the grass on the ground to make a sort of mat then hand washed the coffee beans and using a little coal stove began to roast them. She also burned incense for us while the beans were roasting. After the beans were dark roasted she put them in a mortar and pestle and ground them by hand. It was so amazing to watch her perform this act of friendship for us, I could tell she had done this many times before. After the beans were ground, she put them into a jebena (Ethiopian coffee pot) that she set on the hot coals to brew. She had a smile on her face the entire time and I could tell she was happy we were there and that she could do this for us!! (what a lesson there...HUH!!!). Once the coffee was ready she poured a cup for Matt and I, Dave and Christy and Yallewo and one of the other boys who was there. She also passed out the bread. She and the other girls didn't have any for themselves.

walking down the alleyway towards Yallewo's house

These children live next door to Yallewo and his family. I love this shot...which really irritates me that my camera battery was dying and the auto focus wasn't working! I could never focus manually...my eyes must be worse than I thought...LOL

Inside the door of Yallewo's home...

This is the door to tohe room where the boys sleep.

The kitchen...again forgive the blur.

the small stove they used to roast the beans and brew the coffee...

raw coffee beans...and our beautiful hostess...

washing the beans...

ready to roast...

ah...can't you just smell the aroma...

the jebena where the water is beginning to boil...

grinding the roasted beans...

into the jebena they go...

the incense...

hot coals...

I'm not sure of the significance of the grass laid out on the floor...

Now that is a FRESH cup of coffee...

After the coffee ceremony I asked them if I could take a picture of their family and send it to them. I also took a few pictures of the dog Yallewo rescued. He had even built him a little dog house. Apparently, most Ethiopians don't consider dogs pets, most dogs are just on their own on the streets so I think it was unusual for Yallewo to be caring for this precious puppy! He was so proud of him and the doghouse he had made!

sweet puppy...

Precious family...Yallewo's throwing the "hang ten"

I will never forget the love and humility this precious family showed us! They have such giving hearts and were so generous even though they didn't have much!! It was a truly humbling experience and I hope to allow God to use our time with them to remind me to be more like them!!
After we had spent a couple hours with them, we headed out for more shopping. Yallewo came with us for company. We were able to buy a very popular Ethiopian spice called Berbere and some raw coffee beans for Yallewo's family. Our last stop was to pick up some fresh fruit for smoothies! Yallewo walked us back to the compound and we gave our hugs and said our goodbyes! God brings them to mind often! I pray that in my abundance I have just an ounce of their giving spirits!!

back to the market...found a kitty among the spices...

more spices...

Day Three (Part II)...

2010-03-25T16:03:00.001-07:00

After we got home I called Duni to check on Sam again and she said we could come and see him again. This was truly a God thing as I think we needed to get past our first meeting and begin to bond slowly. Looking back seeing him on three occasions before we took him back to the hotel allowed him to begin to trust us and made our time with him at the hotel a happy and peaceful experience. I so love how God orchestrates the littlest details!!So, after a quick freshening up (and a little Wii tennis) Dave and Christy graciously took us back to the transition home. It was so funny that we had another adventurous drive trying to find it again. There is no way I would ever be able to find anything in Ethiopia! My sense of direction is terrible and that is a must there!!When we got to the transition home this time, the guard hadn't gotten the message and didn't want to let us in. Thankfully Dave could speak with him in Amharic and it was soon figured out. I was really grateful that they are so careful about letting people into the compounds!!The first lady we met was such a sweet, sweet Nannie. They were all happy and helpful. This nannie had on nurses scrubs and I'm guessing had some medical education. She also spoke some English. She took us in his room, we took off our shoes at the door...a requirement, and he was playing happily with a toy in a bumbo seat. Christy sat in front of him and he looked content so she picked him up. I tried to stay out of sight for a little bit to see what would happen. He seemed calm with Christy so she handed him to me and lo and behold he got a good look at me and the screaming began. I wonder what the nurses were thinking. Now that he is home I know what a happy and content little boy he is ALL THE TIME so it must have been a shock for them to see him react to me this way again. They either realized that I scared him with my emotions and kisses the day before, or they were maybe thinking, oh, no we can't let this lady take our precious Sam. If they were thinking the latter they didn't let on! The sweet nurse told me to walk around with him. When I walked away from the room without my shoes she even took off her own shoes and gave them to me to wear. She said, "don't worry, walk around and he'll stop crying in 10 minutes." Well, about 10 minutes later I could see the worried looks on their faces that I was feeling in my heart. The sweet Nannie (I so wish I knew her name) told me to walk outside with him, so outside we went. I was feeling lots of emotions. Outside we walked and walked, the sweet guard tried to calm him by snapping and showing him his phone lighting up in the dark (sooo cute), I sang songs to him, I cried with him and my heart broke, but I knew that God had placed this beautiful baby boy in my life and the tears were from the amazing love that He gave me for Samuel Yacob. It was going to be okay.He continued crying for probably 20 minutes so I took him back inside hoping maybe the nannies could help me calm him. They first gave me a bottle to try and after that didn't work the nurse nannie took me into the room where they keep the sick babies (on IVs and Oxygen). She introduced me to one of Sam's nannies who was gently patting the back of one of the sick babies. She left Sam in my arms but tried to clap and snap to help him calm down. I asked her to show me how she calmed him so she showed me how she rocked him side to side and began shushing a sort of song/chant to him. I could tell she loved him alot. I copied her and he soon started to calm and put his head on my shoulder and tears began rolling down her cheeks. My heart broke for her heart. In that moment I could just feel the aches she must feel for the babies she loves and has to let go. What a ministry of selflessness!!! I too, of course, was crying and the sweet nurse nannie got a Kleenix and wiped away my tears! If we could just love others the way the Ethiopian people do, with no barriers of insecurity. It is truly amazing!I gave her a giant hug that I hope conveyed some measure of my gratefulness to her!Soon Christy came in to check on us and then Matt came in. I was worried the crying might start up again, but I hesitantly gave him to Matt. He was calm for a short while and then began crying again. All three nannies (Sam's nannie, the nurse nannie and one other nannie) all began singing and dancing for him and soon his crying turned into smiles and even a small giggle.We decided to leave quickly while he was happy and I gave lots more hugs and assurances that he would be loved!! This was truly one of the most amazingly real experiences of my life.

After our time at the transition home we decided we wanted to eat a traditional Ethiopian meal at a non-touristy restaurant. So Dave and Christy took us to Cafe D'Afrique. It was awesome!! We had some very fun conversations about "moving furniture" that are probably better left unblogged...LOL! But, by the look on one of the boy's faces (not sure if this is Travis or Isaac) it was funny!!!When we got home there was no Internet, after such an emotional evening I so wanted to hear how my kids were doing, but it was a good lesson in patience. I took a nice HOT SHOWER and collapsed in bed!!!

Day Three (Part I)...

2010-03-25T11:01:00.000-07:00

and it only gets better and better...

I slept much better last night, thanks to Ambien, ear plugs, eye cover and a sound machine, although I don't know how Christy (a light sleeper like me) maintains her sanity with the barking dogs. Actually, they don't bark, they make the indescribable sounds as if they are being eaten alive. Yay, it's that bad and it's all night!
This morning we had the treat of pancakes with peanut butter, syrup and bananas...Oh my, sooo good! Did I already mention that the fruits and vegetables taste SOOO much better in Ethiopia? I think they said it's because they are not re harvested, or who knows, but they are fresh and sweet and oh so good!!
The plan for today was to go to the Portuguese Bridge. It was about a two hour drive and we had another family (from Bingham) coming with us. After we picked up Malcolm and Becca and their PRECIOUS kiddos Emily and Noah (I believe they were from New Zeland) we hit the road. My favorite part was listening to Emily and Noah talk. Their accents are sooo cute!! Somehow all twelve of us fit in the van. Christy and the kids were troopers and took the bumpy back! I am so thankful for this trip as it really allowed us to see the beauty of Ethiopia! We saw the mountains, drove through several villages and saw many beautiful people along the way! As we left the city we saw the women carrying Eucalyptus leaves down the mountain. It was amazing the giant loads they were carrying. As we got farther away we saw many shepherd boys. Some of them looked very young, maybe 4-5 years old. We saw herds of cows, horses, sheep, goats everywhere. One of the funniest things we saw several places in Ethiopia were signs that said "well come" for welcome. It was funny that it was pretty common.
As we got closer we stopped at a lookout overlooking a beautiful valley. Several children from the nearby village came to us selling soapstone crosses and small woven baskets. It breaks your heart because you want to buy from every one of them!

Loved the see saws in Ethiopian colors on the Bingham compound...

gorgeous ms. Emily again...

disclaimer on this (and subsequent photos)...these were taken out the window of a moving van driving on bumpy roads :)

I wish I could know his/her story...

carvings out of the side of the mountain...

a load of eucalyptus being carried down the mountain...

I would never run out of interesting locations if I could do photography in Ethiopia (maybe some day!!!)

sifting the grain used to make injera...

many more grass roof huts the farther out from the city we drove...

beautiful shepherd boy...

not sure if this is some sort of religious building???

completely captivated by those gorgeous eyes...

I wonder what he's thinking?

the many sweet spirited children selling crosses and baskets...

a little boy Matt just loved...

When we got to the Portuguese bridge we hiked down, across the bridge carved out of a giant rock and took in some amazing views. There was even a cave like area in the side of the mountain where the baboon live. We hoped to see them, but they must have been staying away from us. After some time enjoying the views we hiked back up to the top and ate our picnic lunches. It was a beautiful day and soooo very relaxing, until the birds appeared. There were several large birds (hawks maybe) that swooped down to steal our food. I can't remember who was attacked, but the birds were amazingly fast and precise, stealing the food right out of hands and off of plates. We learned to stay under the eave of the hut and keep our eyes peeled! Too funny!!

what a view...

the Portuguese Bridge

the crew...

I LOVE the perspective all of the little people give this shot! :)

King of the mountain??

looking up towards the bridge...

Beautiful water...

catching minnows

he's got personality...

now that's the way to travel!!

Ahhhhh.refreshing!

duck!!! (no, not duck quack, duck and cover)

How cool is this basket...

After a relaxing and leisurely lunch (minus the dive bombing, of course) we headed home. We hadn't driven for long with the skies got dark and we were soon being pelted by hail and seeing lots of lightning. The sound in that van was pretty intense and my heart rate went up slightly. At one point the river was washing over the road. We made it through, but my guess is a few more minutes and the water would have been too high. I was worried about the shepherd boys out in the middle of the fields far away from shelter, but one of our guides later in the week told us he was a shepherd boy and that when it rains/hails the herd bundles up in a circle and the boys just lye underneath the animals legs. He said they don't get hurt, but just wait for the storm to pass. Amazing!!

lots and lots of hail!!!

this is the washed out road...

and the storm lifted...

still one of my very favorite shots from the trip!!

precious family!!! We enjoyed our day with them so much!

Day Two...

2010-03-20T15:46:00.000-07:00

Our first full day has begun.

We woke up this morning (or had to be waken up I should say) to home made English muffins and delicious Ethiopian coffee. Dave and Christy have a lady who comes and does much of their cleaning and cooking. Her name is Meseret (sp?) and she is an amazing cook! After breakfast we got ready to go shopping. It was our first time to see Ethiopia in the daytime and we were so impressed with the beautiful compound Dave and Christy and their kids live on. Lots of flowers and plants everywhere! We even met one of the tortoises who live on the compound...he was giant!

Meseret made these awesome bagels from scratch that we got to enjoy the next day!

the kids have given him a name...I wish I could remember what it was...

view from Dave and Christy's yard up toward their house...

these flags show all of the countries represented at Bingham Academy...

I told Matt I dared him to go down the kids slide.

He so shouldn't have listened to me because he threw his back out on the landing...ouch!!

one of the many beautiful flowers on the compound...

some fun wall art on the compound walls

precious Emily...you'll meet her on day 3...

women were bringing water bottles to these men who were washing their feet. There were probably 100 men. We figured they were doing some sort of cleansing ceremony before going to the mosque...

Dave and Christy took us to a popular shopping area where we were able to purchase some gifts for family and friends and for Sam's birthdays. We had a plan to get him a gift for each of his first 18 birthdays and I think we were able to find about 15. So, we will just have to go back for the rest (YAY!!!). After shopping we tried a restaurant that Dave and Christy had never been to for lunch (called Ricos). It was DELICIOUS!! We, of course, had tibs...YUM!! When we got there I called Duni to see if I could get an update on Sam since we had found out he had his second bout with pneumonia just a couple days before we left. Matt, Dave and Christy said I should just ask if we could see him since we were so close, but I had asked before we left if I would be able to see him early since we would be in country several days early. I was told I would have to wait until the scheduled metcha day (Monday) so I wasn't expecting Duni's words. When she said, "Do you want to come and see him?" I nearly fell out of my seat! I truly don't remember much of the rest of lunch.

I shot this out of the window of a moving van! I so wish I could have captured how high it went. I don't think I even even got a good look myself! We saw many people carrying heavy/large loads on their heads!!

This restaurant makes me smile...this is where I found out I would get to meet my son a few days early...

Yummmmmmm....tibs!!

It took us a while to find the transition home. Dave and Christy had been there a few times before (once to visit Sam for us) but there are no street signs so it's pretty much just a guess the street based on the landmarks. And the streets are full of potholes and taxi's. After venturing down many alleyway type streets we finally found the transition home. My heart was POUNDING!!! I don't think we were out of the van for even 5 minutes when they brought him out to us. I know that my emotions were crazy as I wasn't really prepared to meet him Friday and I'm sure I was a little bit of a crazy crying lady when they put him in my arms!! From the pictures I can tell we scared him right off the bat, but I think the full out crying didn't start for probably 10-15 smothering kisses later! Bless his heart...I would be crying too! I finally decided it was best to let the nannies calm him down and to try a different approach the next time I saw him!!
The funniest thing about this meeting was at one point Matt said to him, "Hi Yacob, I'm Matt." I had to remind him he was actually Daddy...he was nervous too!!

these tin or mud/straw homes were everywhere...

this home was at the dead end of an alley we tried when searching for the transition home. Look at the sweet smile on her face. What a kind people...

The sign that gave me butterflies...we were HERE!!!!

waiting...

seeing him for the FIRST time...

he's not quite awake here...

and the emotions hit me...

I can't even describe the emotions!!!

his daddy loves him sooo much!!!

I think he's finally awake now enough to realize these crazy people won't stop kissing him and crying...

see the tears coming...

now he's really getting worried...

and he let us know all about it!! I hope my precious one sees the humor in this photo some day!!! :)

We left the transition home and headed back to Bingham to catch the end of Tracey's soccer game! This night we were able to talk to everyone (mom, dad, Sarah, Madison and the kids). We found out Dallas had gotten over a foot of snow and school was canceled for Friday! We were sooo grateful we left when we did!! Max didn't want to talk (at this point I don't think he really realized how long we were going to be gone) and Abby was so sweet making sure to thank both Matt and I for the gifts that we left for them. We left both Max and Abby a small gift and note for each day that we were gone.
That night we enjoyed a delicious burrito dinner and Wii bowling and tennis with the Johnsons!

look at Tracey beating all of those boys to the ball!!!

another AMAZING dinner...

We probably didn't need it, but we took Pepto every day just as a precaution. :)

To Never Forget...

2010-03-19T14:58:00.000-07:00

That's a lot of stuff...

Madison was a little anxious about our journey...

our view of Paw Paw and Mamaw for the first flight

Madison and Nani...

now that's a mini pretzel...

saying goodbye as Matt and I get ready to board from Amsterdam to Addis Ababa...

we each had our own personal tv screens where you could track your location or watch movies or tv or play games...really cool!!

Daddy's getting excited to hold our precious boy!!!

seeing the clouds from above is a really cool experience...

we made it!!!

I took a journal on our trip to Ethiopia because I knew before I left that I would experience things I would never want to forget. Honestly, I was selfishly wanting to make some memories of a really cool trip! God had other plans! He planned to break my heart for these people as His is broken, to see the extreme poverty up close and personal and to be humbled by the gentleness, love and joy these amazing people display. I see their poverty, they see God's grace and provision. What a lesson that teaches me. In a country of such extreme wealth we have such a more, more, more mentality. Give me more toys so I'll be happy and my friends can be impressed. I know we don't think in those words, but if we're honest, we do take comfort in things much more than we should!! I know I need to take this time to journal these thoughts, because it is too easy to just take my place back in American culture and become numb to the hunger, disease, homelessness and loss of family of the Ethiopian culture. May my heart stay broken!

February 10th...DAY 1

Wow...is it really time to zip up these suitcases that have lived in my living room for a few weeks slowly being filled to overflowing? Somehow looking at all of the things that had to go in our four giant suitcases and two Rubbermaid bins I thought we would never make it all fit, but not only did it fit, each suitcase was within 2 lbs of 50lb weight limit! What a cool God thing!
Shockingly, even to me, I had a very peaceful heart this morning. We had decided to leave early to take the kids out for breakfast. It was a great plan to get to spend some relaxed time with them before leaving Abby and Max for 10 days. From the restaurant Matt took Max to school and I dropped Abby off. Then it was back home for a final inspection and loading up Lester's car for the ride to the airport.
I had gone to the airport a few days earlier to find out if we could ship the bins free (since they were filled with donations). I had been told on the phone that I could, but that I had to go early to talk to a manager to confirm it. Well, after being told no way and that there was no manager there for me to talk to (lovely) I stood my ground and asked to use the phone to get through to customer service, which was a busy line for about 20 minutes. I think I exasperated the Delta guy enough for him to realize I wasn't going anywhere without an answer. He finally said, "Well, maybe there is a manager back there, let me check." Mmmmm Hmmmm!
Said manager was able to authorize the bins to travel free (which saved us $100 bucks). Totally worth it!
Anyway, we met Paw Paw, Mamaw and Nani at the airport and after checking in made our way to the terminal. It looked like our flight was scheduled to leave on time and since we were about 2 hours early we had planned to have a leisurely breakfast at the airport. While hanging at the gate for a few minutes before breakfast, Dad happened to talk to the ticket guy about his air miles. At that exact time the ticket guy said he heard there was a problem with our plane and that even though it hadn't posted yet, it would be delayed and we would miss our connecting flight in Atlanta. But, there happen to be a plane leaving right at that moment at the same gate and we could get on that one and be fine. Go God!! How awesome was that! So sans breakfast we boarded the plane!
We made it to Atlanta in time for a quick lunch at Qudoba and off to Amsterdam. That 10 hour flight wasn't too bad. Matt and I had a bulk head seat and had plenty of leg room. I don't think we appreciated that leg room as much as we should have, as I would realize on later flights!!!
In Amsterdam Matt and I had to quickly find out gate and say our goodbyes to Dad, Sarah, Mom and Madison. When we got in line another couple from our agency also going to adopt recognized me! How fun! Another about 9 hour flight with an hour layover in Sudan and we were in Addis Ababa Ethiopia. I had kept my emotions in check until we stepped off the plane. The reality that we were in the same city as our son hit and the tears began to flow!
It was great to be able to go through the Visa line with Angela and John.
Then it was time for luggage. We had been warned about the relentless bag guys. We grabbed a luggage cart and piled our own luggage on. We had everything but one missing bin. I went to an empty line to report my missing bin and had my first experience with the laid back Ethiopian culture. It was about an hour later (maybe I'm exaggerating a little bit) that we had a claim number to call and pick up my bin if it came the next day) and it was out to the terminal to find Dave. It was such a relief to see Dave and know that he would be with us the rest of the way!
I think it was something close to midnight Ethiopia time and about 24 hours after we began our journey, but we were there and were so excited to be taking it all in!
When we got to Bingham academy (where Dave and Christy work and live) Christy greeted us with banana bread and cookies...YUM!!!!!) Seeing Dave and Christy again was like we had never been apart. If we weren't so exhausted we could have talked and hung out all night!!!! LOVE THEM!!!
After all that travel I had to take a hot shower and the plan was to take an Ambien to help me sleep. Even though we were exhausted my body felt like it was the middle of the day (because of the time change). It didn't help that I had accidentally taken a Tylenol (which I thought was my Ambien). I went to bed at 2:30am and tossed and turned until about 6-7am before finally crashing. Christy woke us up at 10:30 am so that we could begin to get our bodies adjusted to the new time change.

And a Few More...

2010-02-26T05:28:00.001-08:00

who knew you could get a real margarita in Ethiopia...it was good too!

A Few For Now...

2010-02-25T12:11:00.001-08:00

We are home and adjusting well!! I will admit it is hard for me to not be going 100 miles per hour, but through jet lag, nine hour time change,the adjustment of having a new baby in the house, and the adjustment of the new baby in the house to us, God is showing me I MUST slow down! So, I am trying to listen and soak in every precious moment with our new son! He is absolutely, wonderfully perfect!!! He is our little brown sugar (his Aunt Susie's name for him...which I LOVE)!!

I have over 1000 pictures from our trip to pick up Samuel (Yacob) Jacob Koceich! I plan on doing a daily journal entry for each day of our trip, but for now, I just couldn't wait any longer to share some of my favorites. You will probably see these again in later posts. Just a few for today...more to come!!!

one of the many shepherd boys we saw on our day trip out of the city

sorting grain
one of the many PRECIOUS children we saw over the week and a half we were there

gorgeous green water at the "Portuguese Bridge"

refreshing...

loads of eucalyptus branches are carried down the mountain by these amazing women

one of my favorite shots from the whole trip!

coffee beans being roasted at a traditional coffee ceremony

incense being burned at the coffee ceremony

My Sweet Baby Boy...

2010-02-03T11:53:00.000-08:00

Samuel Jacob Koceich (baby Yacob)...

We are getting so excited to meet you. We have studied your photographs, listened to others who have visited you for us tell about your mannerisms, and dreamed about you. From what we've heard you are a content little one. You are contemplative and quietly take in everything around you. I'm sure that spending two months with your Ethiopian mommy, then two in an orphanage and the three in a guest house would make you wonder where home is. You won't have to wonder much longer precious boy. We are coming to bring you home, where God intended you to be all along. You are loved more than you could know. Your sisters and brother talk about you all the time. They talk about what it will be like to play with you, to hear your voice and who gets to sit next to you at the dinner table. Just hang on a few more days...we're coming!!

Love,
Mommy

Oh My...Is She Really Double Digits???

2010-01-14T15:45:00.000-08:00

My oldest is ten! TEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
That is a decade!!!! And so unbelievable to me!!!
I have put off this post for a while as I am still in denial, but it's true!! :)

For her 10th party we did Dr. Seuss. It was a great party! I made cakeballs (my newest love) and of course green (deviled) eggs and ham. We bought each girl a Cat in the Hat hat and they looked so cute!! We played telephone using phrases from "There's a Wocket in my Pocket", then watched "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" and broke into teams to answer questions from the movie. Finally, we played a game where the girls had to balance things on their teammates heads (like the cat does in "Cat in the Hat").

I wanted to share 10 things I love about my 10 year old...

1. Her sweet and gentle spirit. She is kind to EVERYONE she encounters ALL THE TIME!!!

2. Her humor. She likes to laugh and be silly.

3. Her patience. She never seems to get irritated and will sit and help her sister with reading or her brother with trains with no complaints.

4. Her loving heart. She always hugs with purpose.

5. Her intelligence. She grasps new concepts with ease and retains everything she hears.

6. Her humility. She doesn't care that she is beautiful and smart.

7. Her smile. She has a pure and true smile.

8. Her eyes. The most gorgeous eyes you can imagine.

9. Her concern for others. She truly sees the hurting in the world and has compassion on them.

10. Her wisdom. She is wise beyond her years!!

I love you angel!!

Travel Dates

2010-01-13T11:59:00.000-08:00

We just got our confirmed travel dates. We will be "officially" in Ethiopia for the adoption Feb. 14th-19th. Matt and I will probably go on the 10th to visit with the Johnsons and to photograph the area.

I'll be honest, although it is great to know the dates, my heart just broke when I opened the email!! I know I am being selfish and not trusting and I promise to return to that, but I am sad that we won't be going this month like we expected. I am certain God is teaching me to trust, let go of control and know that His ways are not my ways...they are better!!! So my head knows that and soon my heart will follow!!

Precious Sam, we are so close to holding you in our arms. My desire to begin pouring love into your life is so great I can hardly contain it! I want you to know security, consistency and the love of a family that is all your own!! I want you to be cherished and given the time, love and attention that you deserve. I am so grateful for the precious people who have loved and taken care of you while I couldn't and know that they gave you all they could, but it's time now. Time for you to know your mommy and daddy and brother and sisters and all of the family and friends who love you here already!! We will make a red, yellow and green paper chain and we'll tear one off every day until you are home. What a day of rejoicing that will be!!!

Wow...I think I just heard God's longing for a personal, "at home" relationship with His children. He truly has given me an even greater understanding of the deep love He has for me through this adoption process!!

2010-01-06T11:10:00.000-08:00

***I've been keeping a monthly journal on a website called www.aboutmybaby.com. Well, they are closing after this year, so I thought I need to just keep up with my entries on this blog instead. Here is what I posted today!

Madison:
Ten...is it true? My oldest has been here a full decade????? It can't be!!! You are a beautiful, kind, loving, smart and compassionate young lady! You make the world brighter and positively effect everyone you come in contact with! God gave you so many wonderful gifts and it is such an amazing experience to watch you use them to love others!!
As we begin the second semester of Madison's 5th grade year, she is still in swimming, but we may be switching to gymnastics soon...we'll see!
Madison is getting excited/nervous to travel with us to Ethiopia to get her brother, Sam, hopefully at the end of this month. I know it will be an amazing experience for her! She is making tie blankets (fleece squares you tie together) to take the the orphanage and transition home to donate! She loves to give and it inspires me! I don't think I've ever met a more selfless person!

Abby:
You are more joyful by the day. You also have a very tender heart. You might get in trouble often because your little adventurous heart just HAS to try new and exciting things, but your sincere and joyful spirit reins in your life! I just love you to pieces. You keep life exciting and fun!!!
Abby is thriving in gymnastics. She just moved up a level and is soooo limber. I find her sleeping in all sorts of contortions at night. She is the most excited about bringing her baby brother home. She is a little mommy for sure and I know will be a huge help!!

Max:
You hold the key to my giggle box. Oh, how you make me laugh! You are so silly and so very laid back. Life is just a bowl of cherries for you and you keep our home light and cheerful! You still talk with a lisp and it is the cutest thing ever!!! You LOVE spiderman and trains and happily play alone or with others!!! I need to take lessons on how to just relax and enjoy life from you! I love you so much my precious little man.
Max is loving his preK class at St. John. He frequently forgets his classmates names but boy does he love them. He yells with excitement any time he sees them outside of class, even in the parking lot on the way home when he's just been with them all day. He is loved by his teacher and, of course, anyone he comes in contact with. How could you not just eat those dimples up!

Sam:
Sweet, sweet baby. We are so close to holding you in our arms, to smelling your sweet baby smell and hearing your sweet little voice. Getting new pictures of you brings a flurry of excitement to our home. Oh, how we long to have you home!!! We feel very disjointed and unsettled knowing a part of our family is on another continent! But, we trust in God's perfect timing and know that you will soon be home where you belong!!! We love you precious little one!!!

Introducing SAMUEL JACOB KOCEICH...

2009-12-24T13:20:00.003-08:00

What an amazingly wonderful, emotional and perfect day!!!
We received an email around 10:30 this morning (I didn't see it until about 1:30...but that's another story...LOL) that we passed court and Samuel Jacob is officially a Koceich!!!!
Praising God from whom all blessings flow!!!

Year End Tax Deductable Donation Opportunity...

2009-12-20T10:37:00.001-08:00

Just in case I missed someone in the email I sent, here it is...

Hi Friends,

To start, Matt and I can't tell you enough how blessed we feel to have each of you walking beside us in encouragement, prayer and financially on this journey to Sam. You are more of a treasure to us than you will ever know!!!

Although I hesitate to share this because of my prideful self, I know I should.

There is a fund with our agency that we have qualified for called the Eternal Family Fund. It is a tax-deductable donation and I know some of you may be looking to meet a certain amount of donations before the end of the year. We have qualified to receive up to $6000 through this fund for all donations sent before our court date (which is Thursday, December 24th) Any donations sent after that date will not go towards our adoption (unless we do not pass court, if that happens I will find out if they extend the deadline for donations)

You can donate online by following the link below or you can mail a check (if you would like the address to mail the check just let me know, but those would have to be mailed by Monday to have a chance of making it on time)

Eternal Family Donation - Adoption, International Adoption, Christian Adoption Agency

Please do not feel pressured in any way to donate if you are not led to do so!! God has a perfect and wonderful plan for our family and He will provide for our every need!

Again, thank you so much for all you each have done for us!! There WILL BE one less orphan in the world because of the love, encouragement, prayer and/or financial support from you!!!

Love,
The Koceich Family

p.s. Also, if you haven't heard about our awesome adoption t-shirt fundraiser visit out adoption blog at
www.tosuchasthese.blogspot.com

THEY ARE HERE, THEY ARE HERE, THEY ARE HERE...

2009-12-19T08:39:00.000-08:00

I am sooo excited about our adoption t-shirts. They were designed by the owner of a t-shirt design company who graciously gave us cost and allowed us to use his awesome design!! I LOVE these shirts!!!! What a great way to support an adoption from someone you know and promote adoption at the same time. There are over 147 million orphans in the world and you could be a part of decreasing that number!

We have a limited amount, but plan to buy more as needed. I have set up a Paypal button to the right if you would like to purchase through Paypal, or you can send a check and we will get a shirt to you as soon as possible. Be sure to let us know the size(s) you need.

The shirts come in men's and women's fits and we can even get child sizes.

The cost is $20 per shirt with all proceeds going towards our adoption!!

Thank you so much for helping bring baby Sam home!!!
And, check back on Christmas Eve...if we pass court (only 50% do on the first try) we will post his picture!!! He is so very perfect and wonderful!!!

Love you all!!!

A Taste of Culture...

2009-12-14T19:39:00.000-08:00

We had a great night out with a sweet family who is also adopting from Ethiopia. As a matter of fact they received a referral for a beautiful baby boy just less than a month after we did! I am so excited to share this process with this family and to have them (and, joyfully, others as well)in our lives to walk this path and to share in the experiences of international adoption.

This past weekend we took our families to an Ethiopian restaurant in Dallas.
It was a great experience! The restaurant was pretty empty when we walked in and I was a bit nervous, but we had been told by a trustworthy source that the food was delicious, and indeed it was!! We ordered two different dishes. One was called Kereje kitfo and was like a spicy ground beef with greens and cottage cheese (but the cheese looked more like a feta cheese to me). The second dish was called yebere sega tibs and was like a cross between fajitas and barbeque. However, both dishes were WAY spicy!!!! I drank two Sprites to get through it and ate more injera than meat, but honestly, I LOVED the taste!!! The injera is a bread that they serve the meat over and they give you lots of extra injera to use as a utensil. So fun!! The kids were pretty hungry still when we got home...LOL!

I also got a second care package together for Sam. Another wonderful family from our group has volunteered to take it for us and we are so grateful. These images are only of the little outfit and toy, but are also adding a recordable greeting card that we each said "I Love You Y****") (well, I said, "Mommy loves you Y**** and Matt said Daddy and so on so that he would hear a name with a voice. I hope they play it for him often, but at least I know the wonderful Root family will play it for him! His Nani is also sending him a soft Christmas toy.

I am sure Christmas will be tough knowing that he is not here. I am sad to not get to experience his first Christmas with him, but I know he is being well taken care of and that God has surrounded him with His angels. I pray that he sleeps peacefully each night and that he knows in his heart his forever family is coming soon!!

We love you precious Sam and can't wait to hold you in our arms!!!

Poem...

2009-12-08T07:36:00.001-08:00

I read this on another families adoption blog! I LOVE IT!!!

Twas the Night before Christmas--for the parentless............

Twas the night before Christmas and all through the land
there are parentless children, with no toys in hand

No stockings to be hung by the chimney with care
no hopes for a family soon to be there

Their beds are not snug--but cold and quite bare
there are no goodnight kisses--no one to care

While we in our homes, laughing in delight
all settle down for a Merry Christmas Eve night

When in some one's heart--there arises a clatter
there are children in need--who's lives really DO matter!

Away to the computer please go in a flash
to see the sweet face with whom YOU could be matched!

While a child you see--their beautiful face all aglow
could this be MY child--could I already know??

When in the dreams of the orphan--what always appears
is a family to love them, to care and hold dear

As you stare at that child--your heart beats real quick--
for you know in your heart that sweet face will stick

More dreams sweet children have--to call parents by name-
come mama! come daddy! come family to claim!

To the ends of the earth--your heart seems to call
now child--I'm coming--I wish for you ALL!

So on a plane to your child--over rooftops you flew
to hold this dear soul--a wish did come true

And then in a twinkling-I saw through the door
this child of my heart-that was waiting no more

As I got my camera and was turning around-
into my arms did he come with a bound!

He was dressed in many layers from his head to his foot
and into my heart his life was just put

there was no round face--no plump little belly
just sad little eyes, and legs shaking like jelly

In a swirl of a pen, and a stamp and a seal
my world became brighter--like I could suddenly feel!

We spoke not a word--they weren't needed at all
and I knew in this moment where I got this call

God layed his hands on my heart--and to the occasion I rose
and He could do it for you--this question He'll pose.....

It won't be a shout--no not even a whistle
it won't be real clear--but faint like a whisper

Can you make room in your heart--if you try with your might?
And make a difference for one--help them see the light?

I can see you exclaim as you hold your child tight--
Thank you Lord for this gift--you got it EXACTLY right

COURT DATE

2009-11-30T17:12:00.000-08:00

We received our court date today of December 24th
CHRISTMAS EVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
We are beside ourselves with excitement!!
Precious baby Sam, we are coming sweet one!!!!

Adoption Fundraisers...

2009-11-16T19:23:00.000-08:00

clickable links
coffee store
Mary Kay
Pampered Chef

Care Package #1

2009-11-14T20:48:00.000-08:00

Samuel Jacob,

Wow...I still feel like I'm dreaming!! I've stared into your eyes, wondered what your thoughts are, prayed for you to be healthy and to feel at peace and loved, and dreamed of the moment I will be with you to hug, kiss and love on you! You are so precious to me and to be able to see you now is such a gift!!! I feel this sense of urgency to protect you and watch over you, but I need to trust in your heavenly Father who has not for a moment left your side these past four months! I so wonder what it has a been like for you, what you have felt and experienced and I have to trust that God has protected your heart and given you the security and comfort and love at this time of your life when you need it so desperately!
So, with no other options but to trust in Him, I wait and pray, cry and smile at your sweet little face and store up all of the love I have for you and bottle it up until I can just let it flow!! I love you precious Sam!!

And, here is a surprise coming just for you! A gracious family is blessing us by bringing this care package to you as they travel to pick up their little boy!!
I hope you can sense that we are coming and soon you will be in the arms of your forever family!!!

I love you,
Mommy

BABY SAM!!!!!!!!!

2009-11-10T14:40:00.000-08:00

We saw your precious face around three this afternoon. By God's almighty grace we have seen your big beautiful brown eyes and sweet olive skin. You are a miracle. God reminded us today of an amazing verse in Genesis: "I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you." Gen. 28:15

Samuel Jacob you are loved more than anything in this world. Your life is a rich story filled with meaning and purpose. Our family is forever blessed because we now have a sacred gift from Father God--the chance to call you brother and son. Praise God in heaven!

I NEED AFRICA MORE THAN AFRICA NEEDS ME!!!

2009-11-08T06:23:00.000-08:00

Grab a Kleenix...

2009-11-06T20:16:00.000-08:00

I came across this poem on another adoptive family's blog.
I read it and sobbed!!
I hope I can convey to Sam one day how grateful I am to his birth mother and how courageous and unselfish she must be!!!

LEGACY OF AN ADOPTED CHILD

Once there were two women who never knew each other

One you do not remember, the other you call Mother

Two different lives shaped to make you one

One became your guiding star, the other became your sun.

The first one gave you life, and the second taught you to live it

The first gave you a need for love, the second was there to give it

One gave you a nationality, the other gave you a name

One gave you a talent, the other gave you aim

One gave you emotions, the other calmed your fears

One saw your first sweet smile, the other dried you tears

One made an adoption plan, that was all that she could do

The other prayed for a child, and God led her straight to you.

Now, which of these two women, Are you the product of?

Both, my darling, Both, Just two different types of love.

---- Unknown

Adoption Fundraiser...

2009-10-26T17:52:00.000-07:00

We are excited to launch one of our adoption fundraisers!
We now have an online coffee store (partnering with One Love Coffee).
please check it out and pass it on!! Coffee Shop

As many of you know International Adoption is expensive! We have trusted that God will provide from the beginning and feel this coffee shop is one of the ways He will fund the adoption and bring baby Sam home.

Here is a link to the cost breakdown of adoption!
If you are considering adoption, don't let the numbers scare you!
Everything on this Earth belongs to God and we all know His heart for widows and orphans (James 1:27)! If He is calling you to adoption, He will provide the way!!

On-Deck Email!!!

2009-10-23T14:33:00.000-07:00

Praise the Lord, he is holy! We just received our "on-deck email" which means we're getting closer! Our agency says that we could get a referral anywhere from 1 to 3 months, but nothing is set in stone. We read that one family received their referral 1 week after getting the on deck email! Isaiah 25:1 says: "Oh Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done marvelous things, things planned long ago." Thank you Jesus for letting this adoption journey be part our your plan for our family. We love you!

3 months...

2009-10-23T09:28:00.000-07:00

We've been waiting three months since our dossier arrived in Ethiopia.

If the timeline continues we will probably get a referral sometime in December! What an awesome Christmas gift!! That would put us traveling maybe sometime in March!

The courts have just opened up in the last couple of weeks and court cases are being heard! Just as AW has said, about 60% of the families who have had court dates have passed! My heart hurts for the families who didn't pass but I have been encouraged by their understanding that God's timing is perfect!

We are #9 on the unofficial waiting list for our agency. However, because of the courts closing for rainy seasons there aren't many families traveling right now which means the transition home isn't going to have room for new children for a while. The next travel group that I know of leaves in mid November!

We continue to pray for the orphans, orphanages and the loving Nannies and AW staff! We also daily lift up baby Sam's family! Praying that they know how much God loves them!!

Hoping to have news soon!! Until then thank you so much for the prayers and support!!!

Love you all!!

Sweet Baby Sam...

2009-10-19T10:10:00.000-07:00

We've been on this adoption journey for over a year now. It's been a year of mostly ups so far, but as we get closer we are experiencing some of the "pains" of adoption pregnancy. The roller coaster ride of not really knowing a timeline, but thinking I might sorta have one figured out, to okay, maybe I don't have it figured out, has been, well, a ride!! :) But this last couple of weeks, for the first time, I've really felt that Sam has probably been born and the reality of what he and his parents/family might be going through right now has been weighing heavily on my heart. Having three children already, I know that immense love that exists from before your children are even born. Knowing that his mom is feeling that love for him and at the same time experiencing some severe issue that will cause her to have to let him go just breaks my heart! I am so grateful for a God who has a perfect plan for Sam and his life and for knowing that He loves and has a perfect plan for his mother as well brings me peace. But I know that doesn't mean that she won't have to experience the pain of losing a child. I pray for her daily. I pray for strength and I pray that God has put an understanding deep in her soul that the family who will adopt her little baby boy will love and cherish Him and raise Him to know the Lord and to know that his mom sacrificed out of love for him.

Hannah's Prayer - 1 Samuel 2:1-2

2009-09-25T20:17:00.000-07:00

"My heart rejoices in the LORD; in the LORD my horn is lifted high. My mouth boasts over my enemies, for I delight in your deliverance. There is no one holy like the LORD; there is no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God."

We rejoice! We praise God for the blessings He has given and those yet to come.

Two Months and Counting...

2009-09-23T12:14:00.000-07:00

Today marks two months since we became DTE (dossier to Ethiopia). We are getting more excited each day with the realization that we will have our baby home with us soon! Of course with international adoption you really can't predict a time table and I know, from the experience of others, not to have my heart set on a certain time frame...but guess what, I have my heart set on a certain time frame! It really is okay though because above all else God's timing is perfect and He has chosen our son from the beginning of time for our family! His blessings abound!!

Speaking of blessings (excuse me while a ramble just a bit)I was thinking today about the icing on the cake, and the sprinkles and the cherry on top. I was counting my blessings this morning which I do frequently because I know that I can't be grateful and anxious at the same time (did you know that is a proven fact). I had a realization that His perfect gift of salvation is enough...the cake, so to speak, but He doesn't stop there! He lavishes us daily with blessings. So many times I overlook or just take for granted the blessings, but He continues to give them not desiring recognition but instead just to LOVE me! Even, or especially, through the times in my life where I have grieved, God brought about the "cherry on top" through my suffering! I know that He is close to the broken-hearted (Psalm 34:18) and my prayer is for the hurting in the world to feel that LOVE! To know that He is waiting to be your personal cake-decorator!!!

One Year Ago...

2009-09-11T13:04:00.000-07:00

Well, I missed it yesterday, but still had to post! One year ago (and a day) we submitted our application to America World to adopt a baby boy from Ethiopia. I can't believe it's been a full year! In that year we have filled out countless pieces of paper, gone through the home study process, had a million things notarized and re notarized (or so it seemed), given our fingerprints, gotten passports, read books, prayer-prayed-prayed, laughed, cried, dreamed, feared, and celebrated each and every step! We feel so blessed and grateful that God has chosen us to walk this journey and that He will so abundantly bless us with the care of one of His precious children! We love you so much baby Sam. We are getting so close to holding you in our arms!! Praying that you are being surrounded by His angels and that you are loved, warm, fed and that you feel safe and secure until we are united as a family!!

What a Blessing...

2009-08-27T10:59:00.000-07:00

We have been abundantly blessed in so many ways, and this group of people is just another undeserved blessing God has showered on our lives! Each of these families lives nearby and they have all adopted and/or are in the process of adopting from Ethiopia! This is a great group of Christian families that we will be able to surround ourselves with who share such a wonderful bond through Ethiopian adoption and faith. Our children will have friends who are sharing the same experiences they are and whose families love the Lord! It doesn't get any better than that!! We are soooo grateful for these families!!!

One Month Waiting...

2009-08-23T12:39:00.000-07:00

Today marks our first full month waiting for our referral of baby Sam!!
We now have bunk beds assembled and in Max's room and I even bought our little man some shorts. One pair is the bright red color of the Ethiopian flag and the other pair is the bright green color (no yellow in stock)and they were on clearance...how could I pass that up?

We are getting sooo excited to meet him!!

We ask anyone reading this blog to please join us in prayer as God leads you for all of the orphans in Ethiopia and the families that will have to give up their children for so many reasons. Also, please pray for the workers in the orphanages and transition homes to have energy and wisdom as they work hard to care for these precious children and that the adoption programs in Ethiopia would continue to run smoothly and be supported by the Ethiopian people.

Sorry for the snap-shoty picture. I had to rush in there before Max fell asleep for nap so I didn't grab my wide angle lens or bother to pick up the comforter sitting on the bottom bunk...but you get the idea! Max's comforter is red, but it's in the wash right now. They both have fun animals on them, many you might find in Africa. We got them at IKEA...love, love, love IKEA!!

Our Dossier is in Paris, France

2009-07-24T15:00:00.000-07:00

Just for fun...we are tracking our Dossier on its way to Ethiopia. It went from VA to NJ and on to Paris! Lucky Dossier.

Dossier To Ethiopia (DTE)

2009-07-23T05:55:00.000-07:00

Our agency let us know that our dossier was starting its FED EX journey to Ethiopia today. They also gave us a tracking number so we can see where it is.

God's Grace 1.2

2009-07-21T12:17:00.000-07:00

Yesterday we were unexpectedly blessed with Cindi's business doing better than planned! Yesterday was also the day we had to pay our mid-payment fees. To God be the glory!

Austin, Texas!

2009-07-17T17:40:00.000-07:00

Greetings! Today was a milestone for us as we finally reached the top of Paperwork Mountain. We hit the road around 8:45am and drove our dossier to Austin so that it could be certified.

**this is Cindi hijacking the blog (Matt has been the author so far) but you know me...gotta share the pictures! I am kicking myself for not remembering my camera for our trip to Austin, but thank goodness for the iphone camera...not so bad!! Here are a few fun shots from our trip and thoughts I want to remember!

The first shot of the day! Matt suggested I take a photo of the sign and when I noticed the reflections I knew what a cool shot that would be!! So fun!

These shots took us about 10 minutes. It isn't easy taking a picture of yourself with an iphone. We had fun in spite of (or maybe even because of) the looks of the people around us wondering what in the world we were doing. I so love that Max was totally oblivious to the stares and just having fun being silly with us!

After our trip to the state secretary it was off to the nearest Kinkos to get everything copied and mailed off. That took longer than expected and we had to bribe Max with Reese's Pieces to get through it. It was pretty much lunch/nap time for him and he was letting us know this was not his favorite thing to be doing!

Can you see the state capitol on the mirror!! Love this shot!

One of the best things about this trip was getting to visit with my best friend and her family! We celebrated getting our dossier certified with a bueno lunch at a restaurant in Austin called "Trudy's". I highly recommend them!! Then Jennifer's husband Shannon took us to the highest spot in Austin with the most amazing view of the city and a lake/river (I'm not so good with details) ;) But, it was beautiful!
It was hot and here are the sweaty kids to prove it!

On the way home Shannon and Jennifer told us to visit the Baylor Bears (they are Baylor alumni). Max (and Matt) LOVED it! There were two bears and they were sooo cute. Max deserved to do something fun for him after being so patient the whole day!

Last of the Dossier Project

2009-07-16T17:30:00.000-07:00

We are going to Austin tomorrow, so today is our last day to complete the Dossier. We frantically made the rounds and got reference letters retyped and notarized. It took trips to two different banks to get the last of our dossier documents notarized. Then we faxed all of the Dossier documents to our Family Coordinator, Terra B., so she could check them and give the final okay.

God's Grace 1.1

2009-07-13T13:12:00.000-07:00

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do,and he will show you which path to take.” Proverbs 3:5-6 (NLT)

That's the beautiful thing about our Father. He's not up in the sky, hiding behind a cloud, keeping secrets. He has written us a love letter made up of 66 parts, commonly called the Bible. In one place He reminds us that His ways are not our ways. The huge cost of an adoption makes no "common sense." I heard someone say, "they should be paying you to adopt a baby!" I'm glad it doesn't work that way. There's no trust involved in getting. Now giving, that's another story.

Remember, our $8,000 mountain from last post. Ok,I think we can agree that that's a God-sized trust issue. Since the last post, we received an email from our adoption agency about a free fundraising opportunity. It's cool. Check it out at www.onelovecoffees.com

God's Grace 1.0

2009-07-11T08:51:00.000-07:00

But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." 2 Corinthians 12:9

I want to write a few posts on God's grace. I'm hoping they serve two purposes. For those of you who aren't quite certain that your heavenly Father loves and cares for you, I want you to witness his amazing provision. These "grace" posts can become the "seeing is believing" guideposts, because they are things that only Almighty God can accomplish. Or maybe, you're a believer and are in a 'desert place' and need a faith boost. Either way, God's grace is all we need!

Here's the task: In a few short weeks, we need to come up with $8,000 to pay for our next round of adoption expenses. We don't have that kind of money. There are alot of problems like this in life that only God can solve. We applied for a grant through Stephen Curtis Champan's (SCC) Show Hope foundation. I can't wait to watch how God will pour out his grace over our adoption, for Baby Sam's sake. To quote a SCC song, God does "make all things new."

I-171H came today!

2009-07-08T15:56:00.000-07:00

Today was a great day. We've been waiting on a form called the I-171H to arrive. It came in today's mail! Praise God. This is a form that you apply for that let's you adopt a child internationally. We are tying up some loose ends and then we will be able to drive to Austin to get our dossier certified.

Big Day-Fingerprints & Garage Sale Part 3

2009-05-22T14:32:00.000-07:00

This morning we were finally able to get our fingerprints made for our I-600! Then we came back and had part 1 of our second garage sale. This made upfor our rain delay during our first sale. Today we took in a little over $300, praise the Good Lord!

Fundraiser Thermometer

2009-05-03T15:14:00.000-07:00

Our dear friends Bob & Jan asked us how much we still needed to raise. We told them about seven thousand. They took it upon themselves to draw a fundraiser thermometer on the whiteboard of our Community Group class and asked everyone to rally around us to help raise the money. They are angels.

Garage Sale Fundraiser- Part 2

2009-05-02T15:10:00.000-07:00

We sold some more big items today. The rain finally came around 1pm which forced us to shut down earlier than planned. To God's glory we made a little over $2,000!

Garage Sale Fundraiser Part 1

2009-05-01T15:06:00.000-07:00

Today we had our first garage sale to help fund our adoption of Baby Sam. God was so good to us. Many friends donated fine items for us to sell. Matt tacked up signs letting people know that all money made would go to getting Baby Sam. One kind soul named James was in the neighborhood house shopping, stopped and got out. He handed Matt $40 and said he just wanted to help. The weather was overcast which made the day even more perfect.

Criminal Background Check & Fingerprints

2009-03-18T13:48:00.000-07:00

We went to the Mansfield Public Safety office and paid to get our background checks. The lady said it would take a few days and then we can go back and pick up our paperwork. That was the easy part.

Next, we drove to Fort Worth to get our fingerprints made. We got to the Immigration office and two security guards acted like we were interupting an important video game. One was kind to take our paperwork that proved we already paid to get fingerprinted. A minute later, a very intimidating man appeared. He asked what we wanted and then told us we couldn't get our fingerprints done without an appointment. We told him that there is no phone number or email to make an appointment. He took our number and said he'd look into it for us.

Final Home Study Visit

2009-03-16T05:09:00.000-07:00

"God is love." -1 John 4:8

Matt drove up to meet with our social worker for his one-on-one meeting. This completed our part of the Home Study. Adela said that she should have all of the report finished by the end of the month. Then we submit a copy to USCIS and wait on our I-171 form!

Here's what we have left (errand wise) to wrap up our Dossier: fingerprints, 'no criminal record' check, and 2 passport photos.

Home Study, Parts 2 & 3

2009-03-11T04:29:00.000-07:00

"Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God." Matthew 4:4

Our social worker, Adela, is a saint. She offered to combine two of our sessions which saves us some time. Go Adela! Today she interviews Cindi and then me and Cindi. Adela asked us about how we discipline the children. She also reminded us about the special needs children who need forever families. Another question was why we wanted to adopt a boy. Next Monday is our final Home Study visit!

Home Study Part 1

2009-02-25T17:50:00.000-08:00

"Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you." -2 Thessalonians 3:16

Finally, we have made some progress. Our passports arrived a couple weeks after last post! Tonight, our social worker, Adela, came and asked us some questions about why we want to adopt from Ethiopia. The visit went great. She stayed for dinner and we set up times to complete the remaining three visits. If all goes well, we should wrap up the Home Study by the end of March.

Passports

2008-12-29T07:06:00.000-08:00

"Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere." -Psalm 84:10

We went to the local post office to get our passports made. A simple task turned into something straight out of a Stephen King novel. We had an appointment and got there at 11:05. We didn't leave until 12:15! We even filled out the applications online in hopes of expediting the process.

It took 30 minutes for the lady to come and meet us. She started to fall asleep at the table (picture someone who has had too much to drink). We had our three kids in tow which added to the fun. We had to get the manager twice. The first time the guy came out, he said, "Kathy, are you okay?" She came out of the stupor long enough to tell the guy she was fine and off he went. Kathy went back to our application, and tried writing a zero. She made a few "air" zeros and then dozed off again. We went for the manager a second time. He pulled Kathy to the backroom for a few minutes. She returned and was upset that we told on her. "So, you told them that I was falling asleep? I wasn't sleeping. You'd know it if I was sleeping!"

We hope Kathy mails our checks and forms to the government and doesn't pitch them in the trash because we told on her.

Adoption Journey-Day 105

2008-12-24T05:01:00.001-08:00

"The virgin will be with child and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel"--which means, "God with us." -Matthew 1:23

We had our final piece of paper notarized which completed our Home Study application pack. A friend of ours from church had a great suggestion about hand delivering the paperwork. Our coordinator lives almost 40 miles north of Mansfield, but it was a blessing to know the forms got there. We put a bow and a To/From sticker on the manilla envelope to keep the Christmas spirit.

Dear Father, thank you for Jesus. Your precious holy Son. You are with us and we praise you now and forever!

Bible Journey- Adam & Eve

2008-12-22T05:04:00.000-08:00

"the LORD God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and man became a living being." -Genesis 2:7

When our heavenly Father grants me the grace to experience His word, my life is forever changed. Pastor Daniels gave a sermon about the wise men doing whatever it took to reach Jesus. That got me thinking about how the entire Bible is really a series of journeys taken by people who were in need of a relationship with their Creator. The adoption journey is a mirror that reflects God's larger plan of calling His children to a life that they could never have or make on their own.

The first journey was given to Adam and it took him from dust to life on the breath of the Father. Can you imagine? No cars, airplanes, buses,etc. Adam arrived in Eden by the breath of God. He saw beautiful trees grow and a river run. Adam was put in charge of taking care of paradise. As he obeyed, the Father gave him more responsiblity. Adam had been given the task of naming all the living creatures. He followed instructions. God wasn't finished with Adam.

The second Bible journey was given to Eve and it took her from one Adam's ribs to life, once more on the breath of God. The Father escorted her to Adam and the first travelers were loved by their Creator and each other. What I learn from this passage is that God is not only the Author of life but also the Author of Journeys. His timing. For His will to be done. Today is a gift. We are right where we need to be.