Take-off

In a few short hours, we'll be on taking-off from Cedar Rapids. I'm so thankful for a long layover in Amsterdam so my tushie can get a break from all that sitting. Even so, it's an 8-hour flight and I don't sit still very well. Pray for me will ya? I'm going to miss my kiddos but am looking forward to a few days with my hubby and a few other adoptive parents in Amsterdam before flying into Addis Ababa Ethiopia.

Baseball and Adoption

Recognize this baseball player? The number on his jersey is the number of days until we meet Judah! We're baseball fans in our house. Ryan is definitely more of a fan. Sunday afternoon "rests" are sometimes filled with a baseball game on the local channel. The bible says "this is the day the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it." Easy to do when you're a baseball fan watching a game. Not so easy for me to do when I'm about to leave on a trip.

What if I don't wake up in time? What if I forget my passport?

I tend to get a little anxious when it comes to travelling. Oh, I love to travel, but it still gets to me. On this trip, I have lots of details and items to remember. In 5 days well be meeting Judah for the first time so I thought it would be fun to share a list of 5 things I won't leave home without:

1. Passport
2. Adoption paperwork
3. Bible and journal
4. Camera
5. Cash

Will you join me in praying for a good night of rest since I tend to have sleepless nights right before travel? Thanks friends.

Scott and Bethany

more days until we meet Judah!

more days until we leave.

This is our last weekend as a family of 4. I'm so thankful that Ryan is off work this weekend so we can hang out as a family. I'm glad that Scott and Bethany are looking forward to hanging out with friends while we're gone. I will miss my not-so-little babies! They are a huge source of joy in my life.

Who knows what we'll do this weekend... besides packing of course. We have a few things going on at church but maybe we'll skip out on some of it so we can focus on Scott and Bethany for the day. Maybe a fishing trip if the weather permits...

My random thoughts...

Last Saturday I sat in the floor staring at Judah's clothes, wondering if the updated measurements were right. I picked up a hand full of 3t clothes. Will these fit I wondered. What about those cute little jammies I bought him that are 2t? What about that cute little tshirt I bought him that says "daddy is my hero" that is also 2t? Did I waste my money?

Okay, really, does it matter? I mean, we're about to go get our son. Who really cares if he gets to wear the clothes I bought or not! For real, what matters is that we're going to get him.

So, I picked back up the 3t clothes that I've decided to pack. Wow. I have no 3t pants that were Scott's. Where did they go? Good thing I bought some for Judah on my last shopping trip. Should I bring a couple pair of 2t just in case? I can always give them away?

Tshirts are easy. They can be a little sloppy and it will be fine. Pants, they kinda need to stay up. I had made up my mind that we'd take 3t and cinch them up good. Well, since the new pants I bought aren't the cinh up type, I'm not sure how this will all work.

My goal is to pack light. Do you think I'll accomplish that?

Questions

I have for those who know our son whom we'll meet in 10 days:

1. What was his favorite thing to do at home?
2. What makes him smile?
3. How does he like to be comforted?
4. Does he enjoy playing with other children?
5. What are his sleeping patterns like?
6. What are his eating habits like?
7. Does he seem to be afraid of anything?
8. Who has he bonded with the most in Addis?
9. Who has he bonded with the most in Wolyta?
10. Who are his friends so we can keep them connected?

I do have lots more questions. Some for the nannies and care providers. Some for his living birth family. I'm sure I'll come up with more.

For those who've travelled, would you be willing to email me with the questions you asked the birth family or specific things you did with them? One parent just shared with me that they traced the mother's hand and I thought that was so cool. I'd never think of that on my own so I'd love your ideas.

Thinking of You little guy

more days until we meet Judah!

Today I'm wondering if Judah has any idea what's about to happen in his life? Do you think the nannies talk to him about being adopted? Having been transferred to the Addis care center approximately 6 weeks ago, do you think he's getting used to living there? I wonder if he's feeling at home there and we're about to rock his world again. I know it's for the best, but my heart aches for the grief that he's endured and will continue to endure in his young life.

Oh Father, would you see fit to give Judah dreams of the hope and plans You have for him?

Delta Airlines

more days until we leave

more days until we meet Judah

I was just checking Delta Airlines policies for baggage. Here's what I found out:

• Normal 50 lb limit
• Bag #1 free
• Bag #2 free to Africa
• Bag #3 costs $200
• Overweight bags (51-70 lbs) cost $150

What I still don't know:

• Is our 2nd bag really free? Bag #2 is free going to Africa but not free going to Europe. Since we're staying two nights in Europe, do we go by Europe rules or Africa rules?
• Since we have 3 tickets coming home, is there any way to come up with another piece of "luggage" so we can bring stuff home from Ethiopia?