Just had supper. I ate Ramen Noodles (not like our Ramen Noodles). Kate had crepes which were really good(I'll have that tomorrow). Nick ate Ethiopian tonight so we'll see if we need tape worm treatments when we get home.
Can't wait to go back to Hanna's Hope tomorrow to see our "Y" and the rest of the kids. We all had a great day today but we are also all ready for bed. Miss the kids at home.
Oh yeah! Go Pack Go!!!!
Kelly
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Meet Ya Day - Sunday January 23rd, 2011
Just got done visiting our son and a bunch of kids at the orphange - the kiddos were awesome. They just got done giving "Y" a bath when we arrived. The "special mom" brought him out and he ran up and gave us a big hug (our hearts complete melted). We sat for a while and then Kelly gave him his "family" book - an assortment of pictures of the Breidenbach's, his new home, and even some pictures we got of him. He looked through them and then would point to the pictures and say "mom," "dad," and "kitelyn" (melted hearts got soupy). We played with a football, sunglasses, Nick's watch, said the ABCs and numbers. Then we did pony rides for "Y" and a few other kids. What a joy! Spent some time outside with the rest of the "older" kids (would have packed 'em all up and brought them home if they let us....and I'm not exaggerating). After we played frisbee for a while Kelly brought out her IPOD and pretty soon she had 10 kiddos swarming around her....to top this off she pulled out a box of teddy grahams and really became Miss Popular. What fun. They made us (and I do mean made) leave after about 2 and 1/2 hours. Kelly (whose heart is soupy already) got soggy and away we went. After giving us hugs (sniff, sniff) all the older kids stood on the stairs and waved us good bye.
I should also say that Kate was a big hit. She was sitting on the floor video taping us and the little girls and boys would come up and just hug her and not let go. She was in 2nd heaven.
Toured Addis a bit this morning. Kate and Kelly had a bunch of suckers and pretty soon little kids starting coming out of the woodwork (should say mudwork). I'd say they gave out 50 lollypops. Walked through the market about a mile down the road. Dirty, dirty, dirty but the people were very nice. Kelly and Kate thought it was cool that the people would all come and shake the hand of the big, bald, fat guy...and boy do I look big here. In the market they had small shops less than 60 square feet built out of sticks and mud or sticks and sheeting. They sold all kinds of stuff but most of it looked used. The people would walk around with branches and some kind of fruit that looked like a grape (maybe a cumquat?). Also there was three shops selling meat - I think a thin beef cow but could have been a big goat. It was up to about 80 degrees outside and the meat had been sitting there for hours in the open. People would come up and they'd shave some off the carcass and away they'd go... you could smell the meat shops before you could see them. Anyway, that's about it for now.
Nick
I should also say that Kate was a big hit. She was sitting on the floor video taping us and the little girls and boys would come up and just hug her and not let go. She was in 2nd heaven.
Toured Addis a bit this morning. Kate and Kelly had a bunch of suckers and pretty soon little kids starting coming out of the woodwork (should say mudwork). I'd say they gave out 50 lollypops. Walked through the market about a mile down the road. Dirty, dirty, dirty but the people were very nice. Kelly and Kate thought it was cool that the people would all come and shake the hand of the big, bald, fat guy...and boy do I look big here. In the market they had small shops less than 60 square feet built out of sticks and mud or sticks and sheeting. They sold all kinds of stuff but most of it looked used. The people would walk around with branches and some kind of fruit that looked like a grape (maybe a cumquat?). Also there was three shops selling meat - I think a thin beef cow but could have been a big goat. It was up to about 80 degrees outside and the meat had been sitting there for hours in the open. People would come up and they'd shave some off the carcass and away they'd go... you could smell the meat shops before you could see them. Anyway, that's about it for now.
Nick
Made it to Addis Ababa - Sunday January 23rd, 2011
Made it to Addis Ababa. What a long flight. Everyone is safe and healthy (maybe a little crabby from not sleeping since yesterday at 3M). We get to go visit our little guy tomorrow afternoon. We'll find a church in the am and check out Addis a little bit before that. On the way to the hotel did see a goat. Well its 1:45am here and we're shot so going to be.
Kelly
Kelly
Friday, January 21, 2011
We are off!
Our morning started at 3 am. Couldn't sleep. Nick and I went to adoration and spent some time with Jesus. We are going in His strength knowing so many good people are storming the heavens with prayer. It was tough to leave the 3 little girls and Cole, but we are so thankful that grandpa and grandma are there to spoil them. We will update as we go.
Love,
Kelly, Nick, and Kaitlyn
Love,
Kelly, Nick, and Kaitlyn
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Two more sleeps!!!!!!!!!!
Can't believe we will see our little boy in just a few days! Nick, Kaitlyn, and I will fly out of Bismarck Friday January 21st. We arrive in Addis, Ababa Saturday January 22nd at 10:20 pm. Our suitcases are finally packed and I believe we are ready to go. We have 5 suitcases packed with donations for the children in Ethiopia. Grandpa Jerry is already here and Grandma Judi flies in tomorrow evening to take care of the other kids here at home. Kelsie and Kylie, the two youngest, already took grandpa in the office to discuss plans while we are gone. I think I heard them mention the White Maid (our version of the DQ) more than once. They were really working grandpa. For those who know my dad, it doesn't take much to get him to go for ice cream.
We got word today that little "Y" knows he has a family and that we are coming soon. We are soooo excited. Two more sleeps before we leave and I sure hope I get sleep both nights. There is another family from Bismarck on the same flights with us to see their little girl. With only two families that we know of from North Dakota currently working with our agency, it was an act of God that we both got referrals out of order on the same date and now get to travel together to see our kids. It will be so nice to have another family nearby.
Prayer requests: Safe travels for us and that we don't pick up any funny bugs. That the other kids have a good safe time with grandpa and grandma while we are gone. That little "Y" is ready to meet us and become a part of our family. Thank you for sharing this journey with us.
We got word today that little "Y" knows he has a family and that we are coming soon. We are soooo excited. Two more sleeps before we leave and I sure hope I get sleep both nights. There is another family from Bismarck on the same flights with us to see their little girl. With only two families that we know of from North Dakota currently working with our agency, it was an act of God that we both got referrals out of order on the same date and now get to travel together to see our kids. It will be so nice to have another family nearby.
Prayer requests: Safe travels for us and that we don't pick up any funny bugs. That the other kids have a good safe time with grandpa and grandma while we are gone. That little "Y" is ready to meet us and become a part of our family. Thank you for sharing this journey with us.
Friday, November 26, 2010
WE HAVE OUR TICKETS!!!!!!
Our case manager called with great news on Wednesday. She had court dates for us to go see our little boy. Nick, Kaitlyn, and I will be somewhere between Bismarck, ND and Amsterdam 8 Fridays from today. We will get into Addis Ababa, Ethiopia late Saturday evening. We will have Sunday to rest and find a Church. Monday January 23rd we will get to go to Hannah's Hope to see our little boy for the first time. We are beside ourselves with excitement. We already had so much to be thankful for with Thanksgiving coming the next day, but know we had even more to Thank God for.
Nick and I are all done with all our shots. Kaitlyn has two to go in late December. She wanted to wait for basketball season to be over in case she got sick from these last two.
We are in the process of remodeling "Y's" room. We tore down all the old plaster and insulated the walls. We still have sheet rocking, taping, texturing, painting, and putting in new flooring to finish. We have lots to get done. Yikes! Good thing we have finished off the basements in our last two homes. It is much easier finishing off new construction than demolishing old work and then redoing the rooms, however.
Nick and I are all done with all our shots. Kaitlyn has two to go in late December. She wanted to wait for basketball season to be over in case she got sick from these last two.
We are in the process of remodeling "Y's" room. We tore down all the old plaster and insulated the walls. We still have sheet rocking, taping, texturing, painting, and putting in new flooring to finish. We have lots to get done. Yikes! Good thing we have finished off the basements in our last two homes. It is much easier finishing off new construction than demolishing old work and then redoing the rooms, however.
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Busy Days
Since accepting our referral for little "Y" we have been busy with phone calls, our transition plan, more paper work, shots, and now more waiting. We have done everything we can do and now we must wait for the Ethiopian Government to give us a court date. It could take anywhere up to 6 weeks, but typically it has been taking 2 - 3 weeks. We are hoping to hear possibly this week or next. Than we will be able to book plane tickets and start counting down the days until Nick, Kaitlyn, and I get to go see our little boy. That trip will last about 6 days. We will get to finally meet and play with little "Y" and go to court and declare that we do indeed want him to be our son. We will have to return home without him at that time and hopefully turn around in 4 weeks to pick him up and bring him home for good.
We are trying to keep busy and spend time focusing on our other kids as they will get a little less attention when we first get "Y" home. Friday we celebrated Kelsie's 8th birthday (actual day is Monday Nov. 15th) with pizza, pop, presents, and a delicious cake made and decorated by Kaitlyn. Saturday, Kaitlyn, Kassie, and Kelsie competed in the Federation Piano Festival. They all did so well. We are very proud parents. Today we have church and CCD for the three youngest and adult ed for Nick and I. The Packers have a bye so no football game today. Tonight Nick and I have bible study and Kaitlyn has the final practice for the school play tomorrow and Tuesday. This is the first year of drama for our school in awhile. They are very excited.
Kelly
We are trying to keep busy and spend time focusing on our other kids as they will get a little less attention when we first get "Y" home. Friday we celebrated Kelsie's 8th birthday (actual day is Monday Nov. 15th) with pizza, pop, presents, and a delicious cake made and decorated by Kaitlyn. Saturday, Kaitlyn, Kassie, and Kelsie competed in the Federation Piano Festival. They all did so well. We are very proud parents. Today we have church and CCD for the three youngest and adult ed for Nick and I. The Packers have a bye so no football game today. Tonight Nick and I have bible study and Kaitlyn has the final practice for the school play tomorrow and Tuesday. This is the first year of drama for our school in awhile. They are very excited.
Kelly
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