Meeting Micah

They met him!! Here's the email I got this morning. Warning, get the tissues ready:

~Micah is awesome! We walked in the room and he was laying in his bed with his big ole eyes looking around. I picked him up and he was ready with kisses and smiles! He even had a poop waiting for me! We hungout for a few minutes and ate lunch - all the meals are served at the orphange. He fell asleep in my arms. We just gave him a bottle and he did great. He is a super happy, mellow guy so far. He hasn't cried yet since we've met him. He loves to look at his hands. He puts them in front of him and just stares. He has been laughing when Dan tickleshim. He is better than I could have imagined! You guys will LOVE him.

Aimee also mentioned that she's been feeling dizzy since they landed in Dubai. Please pray that she feels better soon.

They are working on uploading pix to www.dropshots.com/micahawate

Guest blogger

I didn't get full permission to write lots of updates, but she did give me the password so I figured I'd share what I know:) I'm Lauren, by the way, Aimee's sister. Here's the email I received from her early this morning (around 2am):

We made it! Our flight was super painless and very relaxing. We had monitors at each seat so we could watch tv shows and movies. The flight was pretty empty so we could also lay out in an entire row to sleep. Also, free drinks!!! There was a crazy guy behind us that literally talked for 12 hours straight. He ended up getting in a fight with the woman who was with him for talking too much! I was going to back her up if needed. We just checked into the hotel.
I feel weird when my arms and feet are showing around here. People will only address Dan - it's crazy. I just got an email that we will meet Awate's family on Tuesday. We will leave Addis at 6am and come back to Addis early Wednesday.
No idea if this is making sense...still very sleep deprived! Love you all and miss you!!!

I can't wait for tomorrow's update! I'm getting teary eyed just thinking about them finally being with Micah.

The comedian awaits....

I have gotten a few emails from a lady who is adopting Awate's cribmate Tadele. It has been great to get some glimpses of his personality before we get there. Here are some tidbits...

~I took another picture of Tadele and Awate together. Awate is a riot. Constantly tugging on Tadele's clothing...as Tadele just sleeps. They are cute.

~Awate and Tadele are crib mates. Tadele is usually sleeping and Awate is Mr. Comedian. He has been awake more than Tadele (I was concerned about how much Tad was sleeping). All the kids have a bit of a stuffy nose/runny nose thing going on...that is the life a baby for you though. Aimee, he is total riot...he is full of smiles and interacts with his nannies and the other people in the room a lot. He was full of giggles the first night we were here. You are going to just eat him up.

Leaving in 36 hours!!

We are on our way!!! Here is what our travels look like:

2/19 6AM Leave Detroit
2/19 8AM Arrive JFK
2/19 10:40AM Leave JFK
2/20 8AM Dubai time - Arrive in Dubai
2/21 8AM Leave Dubai
2/21 11:35AM Arrive Addis Abada - drive straight to Horizon House and meet Mr. Micah Awate Neal

This is how you can be praying for us....

• the trip - health, safety,
• the kids at home - peace, security
• grammy and bubba - sanity!
• Micah - that he won't be scared of the white people taking over his care
• arrival home - adjustment for everyone!
• I am struggling with not wanting to leave my kiddos. Those of you who had the pleasure of being around when I was 11 (or something - I have no memory) and was leaving to go to California with grandma can appreciate my apprehension. I just like to be with my people or have my people with me. I am considering therapy. Let me know your thoughts : )

Thank you!

ONE WEEK!!!

One week from today Dan and I will be on a plane to Dubai for an overnight stay and then on to Ethiopia!! This wait has been so long and I have coped very well with a tactic called DENIAL! It's not serving me so well now that we are leaving in a week!

I am nervous, excited, scared, sad, happy, worried, thrilled, anxious and more nervous. I am worried about leaving my three kids home. But at the same time, excited to get my hands on Micah Awate Neal! I am nervous about our adjustment once we are home.

I know that once I fall in love with those sweet cheeks and baby breath all the rest will fade away! I'm comin' baby....

Official Introductions

We received this email from our agency yesterday:



We are thrilled to be able to share with your family that your case has been approved in court! With the approval from the Ethiopian courts, this means that your adoption is full and final in Ethiopia and you are now the legal parents of your child. This is quite a milestone in your adoption journey. We encourage you to take a moment to celebrate this good news!!



With no further ado....Micah Awate Neal or Micah Awate Daniel Neal....thoughts?

Are those not the most kissable cheeks EVER???

I will be kissing them on Feb. 21st and everyday there after!!!!

Winter

This is what I have been looking out at for weeks now....

Luckily...This is what is on the inside...