A couple more things

Tariku is tiny. They had told us he was 33lbs and 40 inches tall in our social report and there is absolutely no way this is true. He feels about as heavy as Dailah (somewhere around 25lbs) and much shorter. He is still tall and lanky compared to other boys here but much smaller than we had thought. He also looks a lot younger in person than his pictures. He definitely looks closer to 3 than he does to 4 or 5 even in his pictures. He is just a little angel.
 
Every morning around 6am there is a call to prayer for both the muslims and orthodox christians of the city. At night it seems they are almost competing with each other over the loudspeakers so it sounds more like a shout. In the mornings it's very calm, humming of some sort. I obviously have no idea what they are saying but it is beautiful. As Leslie said in her blog, my kids arise early with their mom so I enjoy a little background music to my blogging and reading while my dear husband puts a pillow over his ears and wishes for the comfort of silence.
 
It is 6:45am here and I am about to get in our shower. As Chandra wrote, the shower in room 204 is quite interesting in that the shower curtain doesn't go down to the floor entirely alas the entire bathroom was flooded yesterday. I was also the first to rise and shower yesterday (imagine that) so was met with the coldest shower in history. It was one of those where you tried not to let the water touch any part of your body until absolutely necessary. Zach thought he was quite funny when he was up last (imagine that) and had to turn the water WAAAAY down as it was scalding him. I, somehow, missed the humor. He must not be as funny in Ethiopia. :)
 
The cooks are beginning to start dinner. I am pleased to announce the other travelers have learned there is very little that can keep me in the way of our scheduled meals so they are nice enough to let me first in the line. On that note, I better go hit what will undoubtedly be a cold shower and then get in that line for the amazing food they cook here. One quick note, Zach asked last night what I planned on wearing today. I told him something that I would still look good in after I cried. :) This is because we will be watching the DVD of Tariku's life before he came to the care center (they go and tape kids upon hearing they are wanting to be relinquished so the adoptive parents will have a good idea of their background). Should be a doozy. You will here all about it. :)

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Pictures!

There is literally no way I can tell you how very awesome it was to have our son run into our arms this morning. There is NO WAY I can tell you how good that felt.

 

So it began with some awesome pancakes made by the beautiful, talented cooks here at the guest house. Then it was time to go to the office to sign a waver saying it was okay to take pictures of us. Then the words, "You can go meet your children now". The 4 sets of us adopting older kids loaded into the van. I started getting chocked up, tapping my legs, chewing my lips.

 

When we got to the school where they were, we were told to go in a room. One at a time they called us to meet our kids. Guess what…we were last. But it was priceless, Tariku's social worker told us to come meet him.

 

So we went through the garden, the play yard and into the first school room. We just peaked in and saw him right away. Once he saw us he got the BIGGEST smile and came RUNNING into Zach's arms (because he was kneeling). I started crying, and Zach stood up so I could get a good look. Tariku took his other arm and brought me into a big family hug. He did not let go the entire 2 hours we were there. He kept touching our faces and our arms. He would have us sit  down so he could sit on our lap. When he wanted to move he would get up then put his arms up. Once we said "up" he caught on and ended up telling us "up" by the end of our time. At one point I had taken him to snack area. Zach went to talk with another family. Tariku turned and noticed Zach wasn't there and started yelling, "Daddy, daddy". So we quick went to find him and Tariku was much better.

 

Then a few minutes later I had to go to the bathroom (turns out my bladder must be smaller in Ethiopia). So I went in to do that, Zach comes soon after saying Tariku was yelling for me.

 

In our short time together he had learned mommy, daddy, up, thank you, please. We had learned machinet (car), Tariku (pronounced tar-ee-koo but roll the r, memorize that, because that is how we will be calling him now). J So we're already learning from each other.

 

He was such a joy. Always loving, gave us lots of hugs, lots of kisses and we got quite a few belly laughs out of him. He's a Klipsch, loves when daddy throws him in the air. He also loves to play with mom's hair and chest (for some reason he enjoys rubbing it, but that's cool). When it was time for us to go, he started to cry until his social worker translated that we are coming back today. After that he gave us LOTS of hugs, kisses, waves and blowing kisses.

 

So we're very hopeful today. He is very possessive of the car we brought him and he quickly took over our water bottle and proceeded to down the entire thing and then keep refilling it. Though he was quite nice and shared the water with his friends.

 

I'm not going to lie to you, the first meeting exceeded my expectations. The pictures do not do him justice, he is far too adorable. He has HUGE dimples, beautiful white teeth, a beautiful smile. The curliest, light hair. His eyelashes are looong and curly and his lips are perfect for smooches!

 

So we just had lunch which was AMAZING and are now waiting to head to the office again so we can do some paperwork business. After that, we'll get to spend some more time with Tariku which obviously I'm so excited for.

 

I probably won't be able to post this until tonight as there's just one internet connection for all of the centers at CHS and it turns out 3:30 in the morning is best time to get on.

 

Ok, so we're back. It's now 5:30 our time. We just got done seeing Tariku for the second time. He got excited when we came again and came running into my arms (that will doubtfully ever get old). It seems attaching is going well as he would leave us for a bit more knowing we were still going to be there when he turned around. Still wouldn't go too far, but it was good seeing he understood we're here for him.

 

The kid loves THINGS. He hoardes them like it's his business and let's out a little squeal if someone tries to take things from him. Another cute thing he does is, instead of answering yes, he just nods (kind of like people do when they're saying something akin to "what's up?"). It's soooo precious.

 

We went through the photo album with him. He had obviously seen it many times. He can say "TT" and "Dailah" and knows who they were as he would point at them in every picture. Zach and I are attempting many Amharic words to help ease the transition. So far the only one we're real good at is "Shinte" which is basically asking him if he has to go to the bathroom. Can you tell what we consider important in this family? J

 

We're in the guest house for the rest of the night. We were able to take a bit of a walk to the office today. The city is amazing in the dichotomy of it all. Big buildings with squatters outside. Gold brushed buildings with cows and goats randomly walking by. It really is amazing.

 

One of my favorite parts of the day was when the kids were getting ready for a snack. One of the couples here are adopting a 6 and 7 year old and the 7-year-old led the group in a prayer. All the kids folded their hands to pray. I swear, I could literally see God smile.

So it's 4:15am here in Addis. The Tyelenol PM worked great...for 4 hours. At 3:15 I was up and ready to go. I thought, surely it's close to 7, I'll get up and start getting ready. Checked the clock, not so much. So I had some awesome moments with God this morning, staring out over the city. I tell you, it's not a bad way to wake up. I've heard people complain of the stray dogs barking at night, but seeings I live out at camp, we're used to Coyotes, various bird and land species as well as the occasional steam engine. So we're good as far as that goes. :)
 
As I said, the plane rides really weren't bad. The last 2 landings were hard on this ole body and I had Zach fanning me while I was haunched over the complimentary upchuck bags. But other than that, it wasn't bad at all. The flight was surprisingly full so that was interesting. I've watched more movies in the last 24 hours than I have in a very long time.
 
We got here last night at about 10 PM. We were greeted by the fantastic CHS staff at the guest house. The guest house is beautiful! Zach and I have a double bed in our room with a little toddler bed that will house the magnificent Tariku in a few short days. We also have a bathroom attached, though I went to relieve myself yesterday and found the toilet was not quite nailed to the floor so well (room 204, for you CHS people). But other than that, it's perfect. We stayed up for about another hour catching up with the other residents of the guest house. 3 of us are here to pick up our 3-year-olds, 1 couple is picking up a baby, 1 other couple is picking up a 6 and 7-year-old. There's another family at the other guesthouse picking up a baby and another couple at a hotel picking up a baby. That's all I've met so far, but there might be more today.
 
So today breakfast will be served at 8am. We will be meeting at the CHS offices at 9am to go over the weeks schedule. At about 9:45, we will meet the one and only Tariku Asamo Xavier Klipsch. We are 8 hours ahead of you all in Middle America so think of us as you slumber around 2amish. :) I'm sure I won't be able to contain my excitement and you'll "hear" all about it next blog.
 
Well, I must be off, I don't want to wake anyone else with my incessant typing. Though secretly it wouldn't be so bad if someone else found themselves unable to fall back asleep on this exciting of all exciting days. I don't forsee me falling asleep, what with my belly telling me I missed dinner and my head telling me the moment I've been waiting for for over a year now is about to come to fruition.
 
So until then, let me say "thank you" to Leslie for keeping great care of the kiddos. And thanks for reading! I have my comments emailed to me so I can read them all. Thanks for checking in! Much love,
TL
 

We're here!!!!!!!!!! We made it. I can't believe it. I'm starting to get my land legs again and it feels wonderful. Just a quick post tonight and then me and my Tyelenol PM are hitting the sack (seeings I only slept 1 hour in over 24 hours). Anywho, I'll leave you with the fact that we are already astonished at how beautiful the people are here. There are absolutely no words. Well there are, but I'll try not to say them all yet. :) Thanks so much for your prayers, we guided over this beautiful land on angels wings. :) More tomorrow AFTER WE MEET OUR SON!!!!!!!!!

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And We Shall Call Him Poops McGee

All Our Bags Are Packed

We're ready to go...

Kinda bittersweet. It was hard putting the kids down for bed knowing it would be awhile (probably) before we're able to calmly put down the kids. I know how much life changes instantly when a child enters your life, I am so very excited and on the other hand I just want to remember what it was like with just the two of them.

I'm going to miss the pair of them more than words can say.

I get to hold my son for whom my arms have been aching in just a few days.

Life...is brillant, it really is.

And don't try to get rid of me too soon. We plan on updating at least every day while we're over there. Remember, Addis is 8 hours ahead of us here, so keep that in mind as well. But I get much too mad at travelers who don't blog during travels. I would never do that to you, dearest blog readers. :)

On that note, I must go to bed so I can wake up to a brand new day that I've been dreaming about for so long. Please pray for us. Pray for our flights, that they are safe and on time. Pray for us to be able to sleep. Pray for our health, as I'm no fun when I've had no sleep and have the squirts from either end (sorry, too much info, I know, but whatever). Pray for Tariku, that he feels comfortable enough with us that he can begin to start attaching while we're there. Pray for our time in Ethiopia, so that we remember every bit of it and see what God has obviously put us there for at this time. Just pray for us. I've felt all of your prayers throughout this entire process and there are no words. When I think of you all (some known, some not known) bowing on your knees praying for little ole' "us", it humbles me more than I can say. Thank you, so very much for that.

Also, the kids will be with my amazing sister-in-law (and brother-in-law) tomorrow through Sunday. You can check out her blog, it's the "Farm Raised" one at the side, if you'd like to check in on Trysten and Dailah. Then my parents will have them Sunday through Friday. Look for a brand spankin' new Klipsch family picture sometime the weekend of the 12th!

Much love to you all. "See" you in Ethiopia!

Tomorrow, Tomorrow

Holy buckets, tomorrow. It's tomorrow.

Today is reserved for teaching a class, going to the bank to get documents notarized and money, money, money. Oh, and then there's the cleaning issue.

But most importantly, today is about watching my kids eat their Chocolate Lucky Charms and not yell at them for spilling one or two on the floor.

What Do You Do...

when you leave for Ethiopia in a matter of hours?

You watch The Bachelor. Because it's hilarious and because it's an ounce of normalcy that has not come your way in at least 2 days. (But seriously, they just attempted to play rugby, and it was a sad representation of women in athletics, but whatever).

So we're packed. Turns out 50lbs is heavier than I thought...meaning you can get A LOT of luggage stuffed into 50lbs. If it weren't for the immense amount of donations we got, we'd be left with very little luggage. I'm highly impressed with the two of us (but mostly just me, because this is rare for me).

I'm on our computer, which is a great sign. It looks different and doesn't remember my favorite websites which is sad. At least it's something.

I just had to say good bye to my puppy. I probably won't see him for 2 weeks as we'll give Tariku a few days before we sic the 115lb lab on him. Makes me miss him already.

It's happening isn't it? Commercial is over. I'm out. :)

jdf;aljdfoadhgl;iajdoahid

That's the sound a computer makes when the hard drive crashes. I know this, because it happend to our laptop just a few short hours ago. Which laptop you ask? Oh that'd be our laptop we were planning on taking to Ethiopia. Are you staying calm Tesi, you may ask? Hells to the no, is what I would answer, should anyone ask me this.

So yeah computer is down. Zach went to Best Buy and they were "nice" enough to install a new hard drive for us (they were nice, but it was EXPENSIVE). Good news is we'll have something for Ethiopia. Bad news is, nothing is backed up because we are not good computer users. So we're praying there is a computer genius out there who can fix it for us.

And my hair appointment was rescheduled.

Could it get any worse? :)

Other than that, we're hanging in over here. I'm packed, Tariku is packed. Trysten and Dailah are packed. Zach is still holding out for clean clothes. :)

My mom's friends sure do know how to rally around a good cause. We've got donations raining around us like it's our business. There are no words for how much we appreciate the support!

And we have one and half days. And I must get to Wal Mart soon, I was told just today that Tariku likes sunglasses...a lot. So I need to go buy all they have apparently. He must like me, and everyone knows a mom without sunglasses to give to her new son is no mom at all.

2 Days

So yesterday we went to church, to small group and then met my parents at an outlet mall to do a little retail therapy. Church was great. It solidified the fact that Zach and I are the perfect couple, ahem, which is always nice. Small group was wonderful as we were met with many well wishers and people promising to pray for us, which is always comforting. Not to mention Cassie brought heaping bags of donations for the care center, which is much appreciated as well. Shopping with my parents felt wonderful. You should be proud of me to hear I only cried a few minutes once I left them. It makes me wonder if there's a 12 step program for adoption? I think I've been at the "cry it out" stage for awhile. Or perhaps I'm at the second "cry it out" stage. Who knows. Either way, whew! Last night I "encouraged" Zach to start packing. We're getting there, we're getting there.

So 2 more days. I mean, I don't even know what to say about it except it's becoming quite real now. I'll do a final cleaning tomorrow and then we'll move Tariku's bed up by ours so we're right there for him in case he has nightmares. I'm doing laundry for the final time. I'll go get groceries that will surely cost a small fortune tonight so I won't have to do it for at least a week after we get home.

When you start a journey like this you can never really imagine what it will feel like in the next part of the process. You daydream about the referral call, and the court date call and the travel call. You have it built up in your mind a certain way. All of the realities have been different than my daydreams on each one of these. So has the waiting to travel period. I cannot believe how quickly these 2 weeks have gone by. I cannot believe on Wednesday we'll leave this house and when we come back so much will have changed.

This is just awesome. I am honestly loving every minute of this. To think we'll be bringing this boy I've been praying about home, is just beyond words. The excitement is growing in this house. This morning Trysten pledged to share even his underwear with his little brother. Dailah has mastered the art of saying Tariku, though it sounds more like "TQ" which is kinda cute. I've only had moments of "madwoman" status, like last night when I "encouraged" Zach to pack even though none of his undies, socks, shirts or pants were clean. He "obliged" and laid aside a pair of shoes and a hat. How sweet!

So today is all about relaxing with the kids in the morning, getting my hair did this afternoon (that doubles as a chance to see a friend before we leave, that's my excuse, I'm sticking to it) stopping by another friends' house to say "see you later" and then hitting up Wal Mart where I'll make even Sam Walton himself shudder with how big the bill will surely be. That will hopefully give me at least another hour of QT with the kids before they hit the pillow and I soon follow.

How Are You Feeling?

That's what someone asked me today. And since I like talking about my feelings so much...

I think I've literally felt everything these last 24 hours. Physically, I'm still not over my sinus crap and it seems to have gotten worse again today? Emotionally I'm crying again. I thought we were done here, but apparently not. I made the mistake of opening the mail and seeing a very nice card and money from one of my parents' good friends. They have been such great people and I was just so humbled by it.

Then it was this, and that. And it all leads to me crying. I think the main emotion I've been feeling today is sadness. It was the first time really that it's hit me that I'll be leaving Trysten and Dailah for so long. And in case that video didn't show you I've got some really sweet kids on my hands (I mean, how cute is Trysten, seriously? That was all him too by the way). Wednesday-Friday is a long time. Zach took Tman to daddy/tman night tonight. Dailah and I got some quality time as well. Dailah cried whenever she thought of Zach and Trysten being gone. It could be a long week for her.

But overall, I'm feeling fairly calm still. 4 days. 4 days sounds remarkably shorter than 5 days (I realize it's shorter, but it just sounds A LOT shorter). So I commenced to packing some of Trysten and Dailah's things. Once Dailah goes down I'll start trying on long skirts of mine that I haven't worn since I quit work in August. Should be interesting. Then I'll throw a few things of mine in as well.

I'm at the point today where I want to hold on to every moment like these because it's our last time as a family of 4. I just keep thinking to myself, "Remember this, Tesi, remember this."

So that's why I blogged, so that I'd remember (or at least try to) what I was thinking and feeling one of the last times we were a family of 4.

When Dad and Trysten get Bored

BIG Update!

We got a HUGE update on Tariku. Here are some of my favorite pics of my son I'll get to see in less than one week!

Also

I just had to do the whole, "Don't 'mom' me" thing. Wow. I think that was one of those things I swore I'd never say to my kids. I also used to tell myself I would never make them do any chores, but I can hear Trysten making his bed as we speak (hear, because I encourage my kids to sing and dance as they clean up).

Also, they are presently chasing each other around in their respective undies. I'm tired just looking at them. Next thing you know I'll have the "mom" cut and jeans and people will know I'm a mom when I walk by them in the street.

Support

I mean really. I was talking to my dear friend, Rene, about all the support through this adoption. It's overwhelming when I sit and think about it. In the last week alone people have been sending money, donations, prayers, emails and much, much more. It is very humbling to think so many people are thinking of us when there is so much other stuff going on in their lives. We thank you so very much for this. There are absolutely no words.

So God is still showing off through this thing. He has recently hooked me up (through various routes) with this woman who was originally from the QC. Her daughter and brother-in-law are presently in Addis Ababa at the AHOPE center volunteering. We're going to take a package to them from their mom. How interesting, we'll go all the way across the world to meet people from our area!

I also just "randomly" got an email from someone who is linked to the Campus Crusade for Christ in Addis. I am hopeful we'll get to go meet the missionaries while we're there and check out the organization.

So this has been great. 5 days. I mean, really. In less than one week (Addis is 8 hours ahead of CST, so it's less than a week) from now I'll have Tariku in my arms. Can you even believe it? I got up at 5am today thinking of nothing else. It seems so close and yet....you know the rest. Ahh, it's driving me crazy. I'm so excited.

On another note, my dearest Aristotle (our 110 lb chocolate lab) got injured somehow yesterday. Poor guy is limping like crazy. I had to baby him a bit yesterday. Took him to the vet and they put him on some sort of miracle pill that knocks him out. It's cute but dangerous. He has no idea how heavy he is so he just lays down on the closest person to him. Poor thing.

Anyway, 5 days. That's the moral to this story.

6 Days

I got so much paperwork done yesterday it's not even funny. We really just need our dearest notarizer, Nathan, to notarize the two documents and we are done. Finished. Smooth sailing from here on our, right?

It's crazy weird how I vacillitate between numb with excitement and numb with fear. I was like this with the other two as well. With T, he was my first, so there's always those feelings of losing the life you've come to know, etc, etc. With your second, you're always wondering how in the world you could love this one as much as the first or if you had enough love for the two of them. With the third, it's a combination of those two and realizing we're outnumbered. No longer can it be a "you take one, I'll take the other" conversation. It's a little intimidating to think about.

Though as my last two experiences have taught me, no matter how hesitant I am to believe this child will be loved as much as it deserves and as much as I can possibly have, I know it will be true. I know I'll continue to love them all equally regardless. I know Zach and I will get used to working in a zone defense and continue to give each one some one-on-one time.

All that said, it still just about gave me a coronary when I was RSVPing to a wedding in May and wrote "5" as the number we would be bringing. Isn't "5" only reserved for my parents and their kids? Oh how quickly I've become my mother. :)

Did You Know?

That we're going to be leaving for Ethiopia in less than a week (it's past 11am, so now it's less than a week)? That's AMAZING. I'm super excited and *starting* to get a little crazed. I'm going through all the paperwork we need (more paperwork, you ask? Yes, there's always more in adoption). I'm getting uuber nervous that we'll forget something and be screwed. But what can you do? I must trust the 8 lists I have (honestly) to get all things under control.

So how can you help? Well, any number of ways. One of them is donate stuff! We are going to have at least 1, but probably 2, bags that will be able to contain donations for both our care center (the one Tariku is in) and AHOPE (houses children infected with HIV). We have 1/2 a bag filled with stuff we've bought thus far. I'm adding a list of some of the stuff our care center has mentioned they need. Let me know if you have any questions or need a way to get it to us.

--Digital Scale
--Measurement Meter
--Length Board
--Disposable gloves
--Cotton applicator
--NG tube No 5., No. 6, No.8
--Vitamin D injection
--Soy formula
--Ibuprofren syrup
--Ibuprofen drop
--Iron drops
--Pampers
--Wipes
--Masks
--Antibiotic cream
--Clotrimazol Cream
--Foban cream
--anti-pain tablet
--anti-acid tablet

Thanks in advance. :)

Things To Come?

Today Jody and 2 of her boys came over for some lunch. The boys went crazy in this warm weather, running outside in a matter of seconds. We have horses out here at camp, that are about 1/2 a mile from our house, all on our property, far away from roads and whatnot. I've never told Trysten specifically NOT to go there, because it's so dang far I never thought it a possibility. But apparently it is. The Three Blondes decided it sounded like a good idea.

I've been picking up (nesting) and finding toys in the most random places (in my bed, anyone?) Can't help but laugh every time I do it.

I think I've had it fairly easy with one little boy. I can have an eye on him all the time, he doesn't get away with much (especially with a sister so good at tattling). In just a few short weeks, I'll be outnumbered BIG TIME. It only scares me a little, it excites me so very much.

It's Called "Nesting" Folks...

and that's exactly what is going on right now with me! If Zach so much as misplaces his finger I might just throw it out. Everything has it's place, right? I don't remember nesting when I was pregnant, probably because I was too big to move. I primarily sat on the edge of my bed and made the noises that we beached whales make. So this is all new for me. I kinda dig it, I'm not going to lie. This place has never looked better (and it has NOTHING to do with the fact that we just moved in to most of it a few days ago). Now if only I could get myself to nest about myself...i.e. new hair color, new cut, you know those kinds of things.

So today I was depositing money in the bank (thanks to my cousins Kelsie and Neil and mom and dad for giving us some money toward the trip, we love you!) I was making small talk with the banker who I know a bit because he was our notary for our dossier documents. I also try to make it a habit to get to know the people who know how much money we have in our bank account (not much FYI) so that they start to feel bad if they laugh at us once the car pulls away. Anywho, he asks how our Easter was. I say it was great, how was yours? Trysten from the peanut gallery says,

"Mom, tell him that Jesus rose from the dead."
"He knows, Trysten."
"How does he know, mommy?"
"Because I've talked to him about it before." (That's a lie)
"You have?"
"Yes" (No)
"Ok, well what if he forgot?"
"He didn't."
"How do you know, mom?"
"Because you haven't forgotten, so he hasn't either."
"That makes sense mom, it's hard to forget that a guy rose from the dead, it's kind of gross."
"Yeah kind of gross in a beautiful way honey, quiet time now."

Cue the "Bringing Sexy Back."

Whew, I know I always wanted children to challenge me in all kinds of ways but seriously. I know all the other Christians are hating on me because I didn't take this moment to evangelize but I'm hoping he can see I'm a Jesus lover by my bank account. I'm trying to get as close to the poor as I can here. :)

P.S. 9 MORE DAYS!!!!!