I've been collecting stool samples, trying to find time to sleep, washing clothes 3 times a day, and playing with my new little girl.

The babies have runny, yellow diapers because of the formula the orphanage uses - it must be really close to breast milk. The international doctor I took her to put her on Similac soy formula and that has helped tremendously. In Ethiopia, I was having to bathe her every time she had a dirty diaper because it would be everywhere!

Her hair is still a mystery. Not quite sure how to care for it yet. Need to do some reading.

Sleep is elusive. Sometimes I feel great after 3 hours sleep, other times I feel like I'm going to crash any minute.

She is sleeping better. Napping in the day, and sleeping longer at night. She only wakes once an hour now.

Car rides, trips to the store, and walks in the stroller around the block wear her out.

The guesthouse was a little noisy for my taste. A singer from the nearby Mosque sings at different times each day on the loud speaker. They are doing construction on at least 3 nearby buildings, the floors are wood and sound echoes and carries everywhere.
When there is a Manchester (England) soccer game, its also broadcast play by play via loud speaker. So just picture the Mosque priest and the soccer game announcer trying to be louder than the other. :)

The staff is super nice and will do anything to help, and have. :) Having to stay in a room with a not so quiet infant (so she didn't disturb the neighbors) really was wearing on me. I was looking to leave earlier.

Chloe is an angel. Laughs all the time unless she is tired or hungry.

My favorite night time or nap time CD is Sing Me to Sleep, Mommy. It has beautiful Christian songs. It also helps me remember (as if I needed a reminder) how precious Chloe is and how very blessed I am.

Today is the day!!!!!!!!

I leave today to go get my little girl!!!!!!! God is sooooooo good. He has blessed me abundantly. I'm so excited, nervous, nauseous, and scared (in a good way).

My number one fear is that I will take her and she will be sad looking back at the caregivers, the orphanage - the only life she has ever known. I never want to be the cause of her sadness.

I overpacked I'm sure, but I've never been to Africa before. Her clothes take up almost both suitcases!

I have so many wonderful people who have supported me through this crazy process. I know that God has blessed me with great family and friends. I want Chloe to be surrounded by love always.

I also know they all want to see her, but the more I read on attachment, the more I realize how important it is to safeguard her for a few weeks before exposing her to a lot of people.

I will post pics when we return. Stay tuned...

Passed court today!

My October 1st court date was postponed until today. We passed! A wonderful friend of mine did not pass today. I'm very sad for her and her little girl. I'm hoping and praying her case gets sorted out soon.

I'm planning on going to get my little girl the first week of December.

No court news yet.

Yesterday was my court date but due to circumstances beyond my control, it has been postponed. For how long? I have no idea. It's getting harder and harder to stay patient. God is teaching me a lesson through all this. Now if I could just figure out what it is....

Feeling my age...

As I crawl around the floor at school with my students, and sit for several minutes at a time "criss-cross applesauce," I can't help but feel older or maybe just out of shape. I'm beginning to wonder what I'm going to do when Chloe comes home and I'm spending major amounts of time on the floor.

I've started exercising again and eating better hoping that will help. I am almost 40 (in December), and I don't want to watch her play...I want to play with her. Maybe yoga would help. :)

My court date is two weeks from today!! Think positive thoughts and say a prayer that we pass on the first try.

Pictures

Recently, I've seen pics of my little girl with a new hair do at the orphanage. Her hair is getting long enough to put in pig tails. She is adorable. Knowing that I will see her in less than 2 months and that my entire world will change in less than 2 months gives me lots of nervous energy.

I don't enjoy my job anymore. Don't get me wrong - I still love working with children. What I can do without is all the bureaucracy and office politics of teaching where I am. It seems the more affluent the nieghborhood, the more politics you have to deal with.

I'm definitely moving in the spring of next year, but I just don't know where yet. I want my daughter to live in a supportive, diverse community with other adopted children. I'm looking into Michigan, Minneapolis, Indiana, and Illinois at this point. Cost of living, educational opportunities, diversity, and job growth are some key factors. Please weigh in with your thoughts if you feel like sharing.

Have you heard that song by Daughtry "What about Now?" It is so inspiring. I want to be able to make a difference no matter where I live. I want to inspire my daughter to want to make a difference. Do you feel like you are making a difference?

Do you know anyone like this?

Let me start by saying I like everyone, usually. I never meet a stranger, just ask any of my friends. Well, I have met my achilles heel.

It is a certain TYPE of person that I just can't stand to be around for long periods of time....the know-it-all. In my 39 years I have met two people in the past 4 years that I cannot tolerate for more than a few minutes at a time. One actually does know it all, and the other likes to think she does. Now, I realize that being in the teaching profession the fact that I've only met two people like this in the past few years is remarkable. (Fellow teachers, you know what I'm saying.)

Why can't I like them? They haven't ever really done anything but be nice to me. Is it that I want to be the know-it-all? Do they make me feel insecure for some reason? It really bothers me that I'm having trouble getting past this. I want to be the best example I can be for my daughter, but this type of person is like my cryptonite.

My best friend, Missy, says it is just that they are annoying people. What a good friend, huh? :)

They way I resolve the issue is by avoiding them. They have no idea I don't like them, which is best, I guess. I usually tell people when they are bothering me. (I have tried to be honest about how I feel ever since my divorce.) I have told the one who does know it all I didn't like her attitude before, but I don't work with her anymore (thank God) and the other I never see these days.

Maybe I don't have to tolerate everyone. I'm cordial and courteous to all, but when I meet this type of person, I want to head in the other direction.

Do you know anyone like this?