Shower Numero Dos

So, we truly have the most amazing people supporting us and loving on us!  Some of our most dearest friends are from our hometown and unfortunately we don't get to see them as much as we would like to.  In thinking about how long we have all been friends, it has atleast been twelve years, some friendships are over twenty years old.  These are some special ladies. 

So, as unconvential as it may be, my mom, sister and dear friend hosted this shower for us in our hometown, and let me tell you, we had a blast!  Robel is coming home to a room full of goodies...Abby is convinced that he is a little too spoiled already! I hate to tell her,  Sara felt the same when she came along! 

So, here are pictures to remember this fun day!

The two grandmas!

My sweet, sweet friend!

The haul!!!

These are the crazy friends!

My sweet family...I love them all so much!

The best cake EVER...Whole Foods if you must know!  I am not a big fan of food pictures, but this cake is so good it deserves it's place in the line-up.  My sister knows how to become my favorite, for sure.  (and I only have one sister...)

 

Ethiopia - Part 5 (Finally!!!)

Wednesday - We had a free day.  There were several things we wanted to do and this seemed to be the perfect day!  We started our day with some shopping!  The girls had been looking forward to this.  We hit the Post Office Market and got the girls some traditional clothing, necklaces, some wood-carved coasters, and puzzles.  We then ventured over to Tamoca Coffee Shop.  I think I have mentioned the macchiatos already...but let me just say again, "YUM!"  At Tamoca you can buy bags of coffee and so we loaded up to give as gifts when we came home.
We had some lunch then headed to the Former Women Fuel Wood Carriers Association Project (Connected In Hope).  This project helps women who make their living carrying eucalyptus trees down Mt. Entoto to sell as firewood. We were able to tour the Project's compound, see the women making scarves, and buy a few for ourselves scarves.  You can also support their efforts by visiting their website where they have a full line of scarves for sale. 

We then drove up Mt. Entoto and got to look down on Addis Ababa!  It was beautiful!

Thursday -  I was dreading this day!  It was our last visit with Robel!  I am not much of a crier but I had packed my make-up in my bag because I felt the tears before we even left the guest house.  When we showed up, Robel was familiar with our faces.  When it was time to say goodbye, I lost it.  Poor baby was probably wondering what in the world was wrong with these people.  I knew I would have a hard time.  What I didn't expect was that my littlest girl would feel the sadness as well.  She and I stood at the gate losing it.  I am sure it was quite the picture.  Thankfully, I had the cameras and no one could take our picture!

Fortunately, we had a tour planned that afternoon of the Holy Trinity Church in Addis (what a history lesson that was)!  I was not sure they were going to do this tour anymore.  Let's just say we did a little begging and Belay was so gracious in taking us on this tour!  We are so grateful that he took his time to do this for us.  It was amazing.  He does an amazing job!  So, thank you Belay!!!

Friday - Our trip was quickly coming to a close.  Our final day in Addis, Bob decided to hang close to the guesthouse to get things put together.  I talked Kathleen into going out with me.  So, she, Beza, and myself headed out on the town!!!  We headed back out to do some last minute shopping.  Of course we headed to Tamoco to get one more macchiato and then she took me to a bookstore just a couple doors down where I was able to buy some really neat Ethipiopian books (children's books and cookbook). 

I felt my heart getting heavy.  It was time to go!  We said our goodbyes to the ladies at BJoes, our new (very special) friends, the Politzers, and we were headed to the airport.  Again, the tears began.  I am pretty sure I cried all the  way to Dubai!  I was a mess.  The magnitude of leaving my baby, MY BABY, was monumental and probably one of the hardest things I had done.  But, with all the sadness, I knew that he was being well taken care of and loved on, I knew that God was in charge and He would bring us back soon to bring him home! 

I Hate Cancer!

I tell my kids all the time not to say hate because it is such a strong word.  However, there really are no other words that can express my feelings for this disease.  I have known so many people who have battled cancer and some were fortunate to win the battle while others were not!

Our family is waging it's own war on this enemy and I am tired of it!  16 years ago my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer.  She endured surgery and treatment and we thought all was fine.  We knew that at the 5 year mark, if it did not appear again, she could officially be labeled cancer free.  Low and behold, 4 years after finishing her first treatment, they found cancer on her bone.  That was 2002.  My mom has been battling ever since.  She has endured chemo for ten consistent years, had bouts of radiation, and countless tests, hospital visits, MRIs, and CT Scans. 

Every six months they run extensive tests to make sure there is no sign of cancer anywhere else in her body.  For ten years we have heard good news.  She is a fighter.  Last month, however, we received the dreaded news....it had spread to her liver.  And if that weren't bad enough, we found out yesterday that it is now on her lungs. 

I am sad.  I am mad.  And I am in awe of this amazing woman who keeps fighting!  God has used her in amazing ways.  Even though I don't understand why He would choose to plague my mom with such a painful and hard battle, I know He has a plan. 

When she found out that her cancer had spread ten years ago, at that point she had only two grandkids.  She told my dad that she had asked God to grant her the opportunity to meet all her grandkids before it was time for her to go home.  Well, I think I can confidently say that they are all here except for one and I can't wait for Robel to meet her.  Of course, as with all the other kids, he is going to be (Abby says he already is) spoiled beyond belief. 

We all love her more than words can say and I just hope and pray that we get to spend many more years with her.  I know that through God, all things are possible!  I am just honored to say that this amazing, courageous, tough woman is my mama!!!

Update!

So, I kind of stink at the whole blogging thing!  I think I have about 3 or 4 entries saved but never published! So, I decided it was time to show a few things that we have been up to these last few weeks! 

Several weeks ago my sweet, sweet friends threw a shower for us!  It was absolutely perfect.  Lots of blue, and more blue and camo!  It really was such a blessing to see people celebrating with us the soon-arrival of Robel!  My sweet, sweet friends who threw the shower seemed to be camera shy so I don't even have pictures of us together, but we did got lots of other shots!

Me and the girls...They were so excited!

Cute decorations!  Pictures of Robel...What could be any cuter?

Julie and Lynette ( hostesses) playing the game!  We all hate games but this was pretty fun! 

Sara and Nana

Friends

Robel's 3 mama's...poor boy! The girls were opening gifts faster than I could keep track. It was so fun watching them celebrate with all of us!

And last, but not least, Bob's favorite gift!  GI Joe and True Heroes Ranger Michaels...That's Daddy Soldier and Robel Soldier! 

On February 23rd, our file was submitted to the Embassy!  This is the final step in the adoption process.  More waiting ensues but we had passed that hurdle and now we are officially awaiting news from the Embassy to be cleared so that "our dude" can come home!  In the wake of that news, Bob became quite motivated!  He painted Roby's room, put the furniture together, hung curtains, and began playing with toys.  Yes, you heard that correctly.  The picture will explain...

Disclaimer:  More pictures to come.  This is NOT the final look!

February turned out to be a pretty great month.  Even through all the waiting, which really stinks, we have had fun as a family, we got involved in a small-group from church, the kids are doing great and we are getting ready for our baby to come home!