Pics of Jack

Here are few pictures of little man Jack. Little man is awake and making lots of sounds and discovering the house!

The one of Scott and Jack is when they first met- it was very sweet- I cried when I saw this one.

We're home!

It's so good to be home- after over 28 hours traveling it's so good to have our feet on the ground. I think Ella grew an inch while we were gone- she already has the air of a big sister. Our family met us at the airport and Jack was still on Ethiopia time- so he was dead asleep until 10 pm and we was up until about 3:00 am. So the next week is going to be fun getting his littel body clock re-set. He was amazing on our flights- we made him a little nest in his seat with airline blankets and pillows and I made a rope out of Scott's old t-shirts and we tied toys to it- and tied it across his seat so he had toy to play with and if he threw a toy- it stayed put! I have to say both of our children were incredible on their trips home- we know how fortunate we are.

I have pictures I'll post soon- the eariler post was an email to my mom. We couldn't get to our blog- I tried- it was blocked. Thank you for all your sweet thoughts and prayers!

Lost luggage and our incredible son, Jack

I have to say moving to the Hilton was the smartest move we've made- seriously we are so much happier and well rested. Jack has a fever today- I think he has an ear infection. We're going to see the doctor at the orphanage tomorrow. They sell antibiotics over the counter here?? We're spending some serious cash at the Hilton but I can't tell you how miserable we were at the Guest House- no water, no food, roaches and the smell was overwhelming- I felt I was going to throw up half the time. There is so much to tell and so little time to do it. We have a really nice man Yonahs who is driving us around- he took Scott to the airport this morning and we now have 2 sets of our luggage the box is gone. The third piece is to come in tomorrow- it has Jack's diapers and wipes in it.

I've never been so happy to see luggage in my life- I thought i was going to cry.

Our view from the Hilton is lovely- we're across the street from the Presidential Palace- that's why we have water! The view is of the mountains- the altitude doesn't make me sick anymore- the first two days were tough. But there are flowering trees that are purple and they are beautiful. The people are so kind- it's overwhelming sometimes. We have a conceirge Mojes (like Moses) who has been so good to us. They all saw us walk in yesterday in our dirty clothes, and two ziploc bags with clothes and they felt sorry for us- and they took care of us. One other thing that nearly ended me I bumped my head and nearly passed out before we arrived- I have a huge knot on my head. So that on top of being tired, altitude sickness barely eaten a thing, and dirty clothes- and then I conk my head on the van leaving the embassy.

Jack is a sweet boy- most of his mollescum is gone just a couple of spots- and one right on his tear duct. It looks like he may have had the chicken poxs- he has little pox scars all over his face. He is a big snuggler- he loves- loves Scott's whiskers- and he makes Scott mad because he tugs at them. He hates to be bathed and his nose wiped- man he can put up a fight.

I've decided his head on the floor move calms him- it's so funny- he gets upset and goes head on the floor butt in the air. He can clap and he claps all the time and makes lots of baby babble sounds. I'm doing lots of singing and telling him when I'm touching Jack's head, Jack's feet and Jack's belly. We have this one toy- a book that crinkles and if you crinkle it around his ears he just laughs out loud he's so happy.

This morning we saw a coffee ceremony- this young woman has this little charcoal grill that is clay and she has a pan on top- and she roast the raw beans- they go from white to the dark black color of the beans we buy- and the aroma is amazing. She then grinds them w/ a morta and pestle (spelling?). THen drops them in a pot that she cooks over the coals- she burns charcoal insense too so the smell is amazing- then she poured up tiny cups of coffee today. Yum The Ethiopians invented coffee and they were invaded by the Italians long ago so they can make a mean cappacino.

So we have a new lease on life- we have clean clothes, we have our meds, we now have toys. We're going shopping w/ Yonah's tomorrow for keepsakes. And then we're hosting a party at Opportunity House for the workers and children. We orderd a pastry basket from a pastry shop at the Hilton. We're also going to tour Layla house and one of the American staff members wants Scott to tour is computer lab he set up for the kids. Funny. We learn Jack is the first child from O house to be adopted so the ladies all cried when we left. Immanuel the deaf boy I was excited to meet- has a new family too. He is a sweet, sweet boy.

Okay here's the scoop

So it looks like we're not taking our laptop with us. After much consideration it looks like we won't have enough Internet access to even to do email. I don't think I've gone without email for 7 days in the last decade! So we probably won't be posting- my mom might do an update for us. If you want to email us we'll try to check a gmail account: triptoafrica@gmail.com. If we can check it we'll appreciate your messages. We couldn't change our accommodations so it looks like we'll be in the guest house for the week- no American Hotels for us. Oh well! It's all going to be okay- pray for smooth travel and no delays!

Santa came last night- it was so fun. Ella had a great time. We love you all- take care and we'll be in touch soon!

Take care and Merry Christmas!

less than 48 hours and counting

So we're leaving in less than 48 hours and I've already had one major meltdown- the one with the ugly cry...it came after learning the water is off- not just often but quite often at most establishments in Ethiopia and it's too late to reserve a room at a fancy American hotel like the Hilton, oh and the internet rarely works and one more thing yahoo mail doesn't work most of the time!?!?!? I said some choice words and tried to get into my mantra- "pack your patience Angela, pack your patience". My sobbing cry did help me a bit but it just helped in my resolve to remind myself I can do anything- yes ANYTHING for 7 days. So we're going to ask my Mom to help us post to our blog- we probably won't be able to respond to your emails- but send us lots of good mojo, prayers, do dances- whatever it is you do to stir up the spirits and Lords of all that is good and right in the world to lend us a hand. So take care and we'll be in touch. When you hear "Do they know it's Christmas time at all?" Think of us!?!? We'll let you know!
much love to all-
Angela, Scott and Ella Fei- waiting on the boy wonder Jackson Parrish Bedhasa!

Holy Smokes! We've got a 24 pounder!

We are in the throws of packing- it's nuts. There are Ziploc bags everywhere! I'm completely overwhelmed and Scott is his cool as a cucumber self. It's completely irritating to me and it's also why he's my rock. So today we learned Jack is a whopping 24 lbs!! He's a BIG BOY and he's 30 inches long- I think Ella may have broken the 32 inch mark when she was 3 yrs. old.

Well we're beyond excited and anxious- we can't believe this is all falling into place. We appreciate all your kind words and messages. We leave December 23rd and we'll be meeting Jack on Christmas day- what a gift!

Preparing for an early Christmas

We're frantically preparing for our trip and celebrating Christmas early with Ella and our family. So we're shopping like crazy and packing every chance I get. Santa's coming to our house early. Last week Ella and I spent the afternoon with our friend Dannie, the writer. We took him a Christmas tree and decorations. Ella picked everything out- it was quite fun. Saturday we baked Christmas cookies with my mom- we were up to our elbows in sugar dough and frosting! Today we went to see a play- The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. Next week we're seeing Peter Pan! And Scott is in the middle of finals- WHEW!!! We've got a lot going on- but we're having the time of our lives- enjoying our time together and anxious to meet sweet little Jack.

Christmas in Africa

So we just found out we're spending Christmas in Africa! Our embassy appointment is December 26th. Everything is now moving so fast- we're booking our airline tickets, reserving rooms, getting shots, packing....We'll be celebrating the new year with our son here at home with black eyed peas and collards!!! Woohooo!

WE PASSED!!!

Jackson Parrish Bedhasa is our son! We'll find out tomorrow when our embassy date is- but it's usually 20-30 days from passing court. I'm so happy- I can't believe it!?!

less than 72 hours...

Our court date is Friday November 30th- at 8 am on Friday CST it will be 5:00 pm in Ethiopia so things will be wrapped up and we should learn that day if we've passed court. We know that a number of families have more than one court date and don't often pass the first round- but we're hoping that the first time will be the charm for our little family. A year ago I had a dream that wouldn't leave me- I dreamed that we became the parents of a dark haired, dark eyed little boy- in my dream he had on blue overalls and he was all snuggly. The next morning I told Scott about my dream and how real it was and how the little baby boy seemed so real as he snuggled up close to me. A few weeks later- the first week of December we traveled to see my dear cousin Melinda and her family. When we arrived at her home- the first thing she said to me was that she just dreamed that we adopted a little boy- who had dark hair and dark eyes. I told her- she wasn't going to believe it- but I had the same dream. We were both awed by our dream and wondered what it meant. The dark eyed, dark haired boy didn't leave me- and the first time I saw little Bedhasa's face- I thought of the baby from my dream. And tonight as we prepare to end our day- we're keeping that dark haired, dark eyed boy close to our hearts, hoping beyond hope that Friday- the good people of Ethiopia will see fit that Bedhasa will be ours- forever.

Happy Thanksgiving!

We're celebrating Thanksgiving with local friends and family today. It's a big day! We have a new picture of Bedhasa from earlier this month and we're thankful for this little guy and we can't wait to have him home with us. So today he is close to our thoughts and prayers. We're hoping today that he is well cared for and loved by his caregivers at Opportunity House. He is much anticipated in our hearts and lives. We wish you a Happy Thanksgving today too.

No Couch Potato Here!

I love 4! Ella is almost 4 and a half and she is in the midst of this sweet time where she loves princesses and all things sparkly and beautiful. And she loves the Disney Princesses which is a marketing animal. Ella doesn't just "watch" her princess movies, she acts out each scene. As you can see from the picture- Cinderella just lost her slipper. I was walking through the house and found the slipper in the hall and realized what scene she was currently acting out! Scott and I are often asked to pause the movie so she can do costume changes- especially when Ariel is no longer a mermaid and she suddenly has legs. So our Little Princess- isn't whiling away the hours watching movies- she's swimming through the dining room, and running down the hall to beat before the clock strikes midnight! What a fun time- and again- I love 4!

We have a court date!

We learned this week that on November 30th our petition to adopt Jackson Parrish Bedhasa should be heard in Ethiopian Courts- and we'll learn if we pass court on that day. We know that we may be delayed but we also now have a date to look forward to! So sweet Bedhasa is just weeks away from being our son officially! We'll keep folks updated on our travel plans to bring him home!

Christmas in Ethiopia

If you'd like to learn how to make the holidays special for a little one in Adoption Advocate International's care please follow the link below! A $20 donation will give a child a gift bag, a traditional Ethiopian outfit and special treats. Give to the "The Holiday Project".

https://npo.networkforgood.org/AdoptionAdvocates/Default.aspx

Meow, kitty

Ella scored big trick or treating this year. She had a two costume holiday - she was a pink kitty for a Halloween party and then she was the Little Mermaid for trick or treating. I loved the pink kitty- because of her fluffy pink boa tail.

Trip to the Big "D"

This weekend we made our semi-annual trip to Dallas to see Libby! Libby is Ella's friend from China- they were in the orphanage together and we see Libby's family twice a year so the girls can remain close. It's a 4 yr old girl's gone wild weekend- every visit. This trip we went to a petting zoo and the girls caught chickens and milked cows and petted every farm animal known to man. It was a fun time for the girls. It's sweet to see our girls grow to be friends.

Our site name

The minute I met Scott I thought he was the funniest guy- he makes me laugh. And he's not afraid to laugh at himself. I love that about him. When we decided to do a website- Scott said "How about we call it 3 girls and a blind guy?" Well it made me laugh out loud- our three girls are Ella, Tallulah the super beagle and myself. He of course he is the blind guy. When we decided to adopt our little guy Bedhasa- Scott said "We've got to change the name now to 3 girls and 2 blind guys. The blind thing is something we live with everyday in our home. We keep stuff off the floor, I try not to rearrange linen closets anymore without warning and I always threaten Scott "Don't make me mad or I'll hide the remote!" We're now knee deep into reading books on raising a child who is visually impaired. We're excited about adding Bedhasa to our family- we know we have tons of resources here locally- and Scott is going to continue to be seriously the world's greatest dad- and Bedhasa- is going to learn to laugh! This is going to be quite a ride!

Our new blog

We started our original blog on our personal website at http://www.3girlsandablindguy.com/ and you can still go to our site and check out our journey to adopt our daughter Ella or learn how you can help support adoption in Ethiopia.

We believe we are about two months from bringing home our little guy Bedhasa from Ethiopia. Bedhasa is currently 17 months old and he is visually impaired. Ella's class is learning about the "Senses" so she is taking braille magnet alphabet letters, a children's book in braille and pictures of Bedhasa. We took out my grandmother's mobility cane tonight and we showed her how Bedhasa will have to use a cane to find his way around our home and other places.

We're very excited about our little guy!