General Life

November is National Adoption Month.

I wish each good family that had even the possibility of making room in their home would open their eyes to the world of the orphan. I wish I could shake people and make them see what I and so many others have seen in orphanages. I wish they could feel the yanks on their heart strings (trust me, it’s more than a slight...

November 2, 2011
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Halloween…Again.

It seems like we have one of these every year! So why do I seem to get more tired every year when it’s over? 🙂 We had fun last night. The boys were all pirates (all, yes, even the husband). Gabby was such a stealthy ninja people didn’t even recognize she was a ninja and got only 3 pieces of candy. Next year she...

November 1, 2011
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Remembering 9-11, 2001.

Ten years ago, I woke up to news on my alarm clock (I absolutely hate the beep-beep-beep alarms).  I heard the tower had fallen. I was confused, thinking Salt Lake (where I was living) had taken down an old building and wondered why there was so much horror involved in a demolition. So I went downstairs and turned on the tv. I was absolutely...

September 11, 2011
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Things we Bought in Addis Ababa.

Before we traveled, I read up about places to visit in Ethiopia. One was the Merkato, a giant market. Sounded like it was right up my alley, so when we were asked where we’d like to go, I did not hesitate to ask! Some of the Merkato was under a single roof. There were narrow places to walk, and on every side was a...

December 30, 2010
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Orphanages in Ethiopia.

The first day we arrived in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, was gorgeous. Honestly, every day was gorgeous, 70 degree weather. Much better than the 30 degree weather we left in. We got out of the airport and our driver took us to the guest house run by the adoption agency. I was surprised that everything is behind fences and gates. Everything private or semi-private anyway....

December 29, 2010
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Just a Few Days to Go!

Today is Tuesday; we leave for Ethiopia on Friday morning. It’s hard to imagine we’ll be leaving in just a few days. Very surreal; I can’t picture something I’ve never experienced. I’m so excited to meet our new baby! Paul’s excited for the whole trip; he’s very adventurous as far as going to a country and just being at home and walking around. So...

December 14, 2010
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Thanks for donations!

I have been amazed and humbled by the orphanage donations we’ve been given by our friends. We have a big stack of clothes, books, toothpaste, toothbrushes and toys.  We have a nice chunk of money. I can’t wait to take it to those little kids!! Today after church, I picked up a bunch of stuff from the Relief Society room and took it to...

October 31, 2010
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Possible Timeline.

I emailed our agency today with a few questions, one of which was a possible time line. She promptly wrote back (as she always does…love her!) and said the wait time is about 2 months! Then another couple months to the first travel dates and another 2 to the final/pick up date. Of course, all this is approximate and subject to change…either sooner (if...

July 27, 2010
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Dossier Guide

We decided to send for our dossier guide…the paperwork that goes to Ethiopia for the government’s approval. Wanna see how fun it is? Surprisingly enough, it’s less than we had for the home study. We are accepting volunteers to do this for us 🙂 letter indicating why we want to adopt (done) birth certificates for both parents (done) marriage certificate (done) “good conduct” clearance...

April 12, 2010
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Vertigo….Not Just for Hitchcock.

A week ago, Paul was feeling really dizzy….long story short, the doctor said it’s vertigo.  Dizziness for no reason, basically, with no real time line to when it should get better. I’m really surprised how many people have this from time to time. About half the people I talk to have this or their spouse does. For something that’s so common, I’m wondering why...

April 11, 2010
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