Our travel home AND since we've been home

Travel home:

So, we headed to the airport Friday night and were all so excited it was time to head home and see our two boys who were waiting for us in Colorado. We got to the airport and made our way to the airport entrance with all our luggage when we were stopped and told that our flight was postponed till the next night due to feet of snow in Washington DC. My eyes welled up and I tried to fight the emotions. I was so excited to be headed home and now we had to head back to the Guest House and spend another 24 hours in Addis living out of very unorganized suitcases. It was tough to be optimistic and not just cry and cry. When we got to the GH Judah threw a major fit when bedtime came. The emotions soared and I let it go. . .

The next day we got to go visit Birtukan and Nesibu's boys' home and see the ladies roast the coffee. We also got to see them serve lunch to a ton of little kids. The kids were thrilled to see us and it was quite the experience. It killed a little time but the rest of the day we stayed at the GH counting the hours with Kevin and Lori (the other family staying at the GH). They would be heading to the airport a few hours after us that night.

We went to the airport that night fully aware of the fact that the flight could be delayed again. Luckily, it was on time as scheduled. Getting through security and what not was tiring and very overwhelming and it was good to finally sit down on the plane. 18 hours later we landed in DC. Judah did really well on the whole flight sleeping a good amount of the time but during landing he didn't want his seat belt on and cried and screamed for a long stretch. Nothing we could do since he had to keep the seat belt on. The comforting part was that there were MANY other families on the plane with newly adopted kids and throughout the whole flight there was plenty of crying from other kids.

Once in DC we found out that our flight was canceled because they didn't have a plane since so many other flights hadn't come in with the weather the day before. Again, the tears came fairly quickly when we were told we couldn't get on another flight till Tuesday (two days later). I couldn't help it and could only think of how badly I wanted to see Liam and Gabriel. We called our travel agent who told us that we were actually confirmed on a Monday flight instead. This was a relief although that would mean we'd still have to get a hotel. Our travel agent booked us a hotel and gave us the number to call a shuttle. We waited around on stand by for the next flight to Denver but didn't get on. So, we took off for the hotel.

We had a nice restful time watching the Super Bowl and eating pizza. Judah had fun investigating the room and was a good boy the WHOLE time. He fell asleep on his own and slept most of the night through which was great since he was in such a different time zone. It turned out to be a blessing staying the night cause we got a fresh start to a much shorter day of travel. We didn't fly out until 4:30 so we took our time getting back to the airport.

We had a little hiccup when trying to check in though. They told us only Dave and I were booked on the flight and Judah was on a flight the NEXT day. What in the world? I was not happy. Found out United did it and our travel agent missed it when checking. We tried getting Dave's seat changed to Judah so Dave would stay behind catching the next flight. God worked a miracle and somehow got all three of us on the flight that afternoon which had been totally booked. God is good! I was so thankful.

We got home from there without any problems and were welcomed by many friends and family at the airport. I was a little tearful again just due to lack of sleep and the relief of being home. What a wonderful homecoming for our little boy!

Now that we're home:

Liam and Gabriel weren't too sure about their new brother. I think they were just intimidated which is ok. Gabriel's very hands on which Judah doesn't get. Gabriel gets close and pushy not in a mean way. Liam tries to talk to him a little but seems reserved. They're all going to get along like brothers soon. . .:-) The fighting will be like typical brothers eventually.

Judah's not a fan of bed/nap time so that's been our biggest challenge. He cried for over an hour yesterday when we tried putting him down for a nap. The crying is the usually worst when he's tired so we really felt like he needed the nap. Anyway, he finally fell asleep but went to bed without a fit that night which was good. He woke at 2am and then 3 when I ended up sleeping in his bed with him. He doesn't like being "alone" (although Liam's in the room) so I had to stay with him since he seemed very awake. His little body is figuring out the new 10 hour time difference. We're hopeful that we'll get better sleep soon once he starts sleeping all night again. After that's worked out we'll work on him getting to sleep with out us in the room.

No more delays. . .PRAISE the LORD!!

We found out today that we got the February 2nd embassy date and we will be leaving in a week and a half! It's been quite an emotional day. I couldn't stop crying with excitement over the fact that I will be holding my son in less then two weeks! AHH! I have a hard time describing the emotion I have been feeling today. It's over whelming but in a good way. :-) Dave is in communication with a travel agency and we're working on plane tickets. We will most likely be leaving on the 29th and returning on the 6th. I've been reading "gotcha" stories (when families meet their kids for the first time and forever) on the BCS discussion boards. It's such a beautiful thing and always makes me cry. I know there is so much to get done in the next 10 days but today I am just trying to let it soak in and become a reality.

On it's way. . .

Our photo album was sent off to Ethiopia yesterday. We're told our son should have it by next week sometime. They also said that chances are good he's already been told about us. I wish I could have been a fly on the wall to see his response. It's exciting to know that he will see our faces (in photos) soon. I hope he will recognize us when he sees us in person. It could be sooooo soon. I don't know how to prepare myself for this. It's just overwhelming and so wonderful! What a great Christmas present!

Family Photo Album

So, they mentioned a while back that we could send a photo album to our son and our understanding was that we wouldn't do that until we got approved. We just asked about it and they were surprized we hadn't sent it yet. Hmm . . . oh well. We printed a ton of pictures today and I hope to get it in the mail tomorrow. We mail it to our agency in MI and they send it on. I hope it doesn't take long. We thought it would be nice for them to wait to tell him about us until they could give him the album, but now I don't know how long it will take to get the album there.

Anyway,as I was putting the pictures into the album I was trying to imagine what he would be thinking. Would he be excited? Would he understand what's going on? I hope he recognizes us when he sees us. I can't wait!

He's Gonna be my SON!!

Yesterday was our court date in Ethiopia. We found out today that we were approved. WOOHOO!! We couldn't be happier! They are telling us to except to travel in 4 to 6 weeks. However, we may only have a couple weeks to get our trip planned because we may not know when we're going for a few weeks. So, we could be going mid January but not find that out for 2 more weeks.

Liam asked if his brother is coming home tomorrow. :-) It's so sweet that he's excited but he just doesn't understand the timing of it all. Liam wants to share his toys and his bunch bed. I can't wait until my 3 boys are united!

Please pray for our son. Pray for health and pray that his heart will be ready for the news of a new family. We'll be sending him pictures of our family and that may be when they tell him about us for the first time. it's very exciting to know that he will see our pictures and know we're coming for him.

It's a Boy!!

It's almost over! We are filling out the official paperwork right now for a little boy! Woohoo! Praise the Lord!! We got an email about his last Thursday and asked for more info. We waited (sorta patiently. . .not really) for the whole weekend. They faxed us his paperwork Monday morning (yesterday)and by 3:30 in the afternoon they told us it was a go and that we could pursue him. He is so stinkin' cute and we're thrilled! Lord willing we'll get a court date in December (we don't have to be there for it). This is when a the judge will approve us for this adoption. Once we get that approval they will set an embassy date which is when we have to travel. They are telling us this will most likely be February 2010. That could be less then 4 months!! AHH! We're excited! Please email me if you would like any more info: davenkam@aol.com. Thanks for your love and support.

Life Book & Video Documentary

This is a note from our agency. It's very exciting and I am thrilled they're doing it. It raises our country fees by $1000 but it's worth it.

We reached an agreement with a local partner-agency in Ethiopia that will do life books and video documentaries for the children that we place in our families. The agency does a professional job. They have a large crew of more than 14 professionals including lawyers, social workers and journalist who travel to distant places to investigate the life story and background information for each child. The investigators travel to different regions from where the children come, to find out the circumstances that led to the death of parent/s or relinquishment of the child; hear from the persons who decided to relinquish the child for residential care with orphan centers and other circumstances surrounding the child’s orphan status and origins. When they are satisfied that all the pieces are together, they will then produce a life book and video documentary for the child. The life book and documentary video will be given to the family when the travel to Ethiopia to finalize their adoption process.

A post from Dave...yeah, really

We have been visiting with a lot of friends and family since we have been here in Seattle and often the subject of our adoption comes up in conversation. I feel like I have told our story so many times. But it's great to have so many people interested in our adoption and ask us questions and genuinely want to know whats going on with this part of our life. It's interesting, because there are some standard questions that everyone asks: What made you decide to adopt, why international, why Ethiopia, how much will it cost, what is the time line. Sometimes people will ask more questions which is great, but those are the basics. What I find interesting is the order that people ask questions, and the ones that make people feel most awkward.

One of the questions that I think about a lot is "Why Ethiopia." Not because I question our decision, but because it just seems so natural to me now, that I can't imagine why it wouldn't be Ethiopia. That's where my baby is! We have known that Ethiopia would be where our baby would come from for so long that I think of them and pray for them as an Ethiopian baby. God has called us to adopt from that nation and so how can we not go and bring our baby home?

I know some people don't fully understand the answers to some of the questions they ask. That's ok. Kami and I are not ignorant to the many many struggles that lay ahead of us in this adoption process and then our life as family born on different continents. It's ok if life is hard sometimes. God doesn't always call us to do the easiest thing. He calls us to do what He needs us to do. God knew it wouldn't be easy for Moses (an interracial adoptee) to go to Pharaoh, and it wasn't easy for Paul to stand before Festus, but they where faithful and obeyed God and did the hard thing. I don't want to just live a safe easy life ignoring God's call. Our life might be hard, we may face struggles we haven't even thought of yet, but thats ok. Sometimes it's the hard times that draw us into the closness with God that we desire.

Why Ethiopia? Because there is a beautiful, wonderful, amazing child there, created by God and that He ordained to be our child from the foundations of the earth. We will be coming to get you soon baby!

online training & thinking about my baby

sigh. . . it's a lot of reading. Dave and I have to do the training on separate computers but we're doing it side by side cause they recommend that. We had to print a bunch of articles that we're required to read and it's probably around 100 pages. The hard part is that they assume you know nothing about adoption. Since we've educated ourselves a lot so far most of the training is old news. So, it's a little tedious. I know it's important though so we press on.

I was thinking about our baby today wondering if he or she is born yet. Wondering if he/she is alive today, how are they doing? Are they in a good and safe place? Are they in the orphanage yet? I get so excited when I think about the first moment I lay eyes on God's gift to us! The day our baby is united to his or her forever family! What a glorious moment!!

Loving a person you've never met

I was thinking the other day about being able to love our new child as much and the same way as I love the two boys I carried and gave birth to. It's so hard to know how it will be possible but I know God will give me the love I need to do it. I know without a doubt that this new child will be one of us. An Oldenkamp. This child will be loved and adored. I want to cry with joy every time I think about going to Ethiopia and meeting our little boy or girl for the first time. It makes me over whelmed with emotion. I try to imagine what the first meeting will be like and how old our little one will be. I imagine bringing him or her home to meet the boys and wonder what that will be like.

We have a friend who painted a picture of Liam as a baby and she's now doing one of Gabriel. I asked her if she could paint one of our new baby and she said she's never painted black skin but would love to try. It will be a beautiful painting. I just can't wait to know what this little boy/girl will look like.