Tuesday, May 28, 2013

Kenesa

Well, we are back from Addis Ababa Ethiopia. We had an amazing time! It is hard because we missed our girls so much and wanted to come back home to them, but it was so hard because we didnt want to leave our son Kenesa.

Ethan and I are both filled with so much joy about our little boy Kenesa. He is so beautiful, full of smiles and we instantly fell in love with him. As soon as I picked him up he was full of smiles. We were both able to feed him, snuggle him tons and he fell asleep on the both of us each day we were at the Thomas Center. He is such a happy boy, and I cannot wait for everyone to see his beautful smile and gorgeous huge brown eyes in person. We are beyond blessed to call him our son and cannot wait until Lucy and Madeline get to see their little brother.

We had a great time in Addis Ababa, we had a great driver and guide that took us everywhere we needed to go. We were able to do some sight seeing, eat some good meals and really enjoy the time we got to have with our boy. The plan was to name our son Isaiah Timothy Kenesa Potts. Kenesa was the name that was given to him by his birthmom. After meeting our boy we have decided to keep his Ethiopian name given to him by his birthmom. So his full name will be Kenesa Timothy Potts.

Court went good. All the documents that the judge needed were there, and we must of answered all the questions right cause after our short 4 minute meeting with the judge she told us that Kenesa is now our son! It was so amazing to hear:) Ethan and I were filled with so much joy.

So now is the really hard part. Waiting again:( We are now in the U.S. Embassy stage. There is more paperwork to be fillled out,notarized and sent off. A bunch on our part and on our Agency's part. Once all the paperwork is in place we will be submitted to the U.S. Embassy and within 3 weeks  of submission if they have everything they need then we should be getting our Embassy appointment. From what I understand this can be anywhere from 6 weeks to 4 months.

We are praying for the shortest wait possible and ask that you all will be praying alongside of us.


Thank you so much to our family that was such a huge help with our girls while we were away. Alyssa, Alex both Ethan's Parents and My parents, Jenni, Erin, Breeze and everyone else that offered to help and that I know were praying for us. We love you and appreciate you all so much. Lucy and Madeline were beyond spoiled and had sooooo much fun.

Kenesa- It is so hard to be so far away from you . Although I know you are in good hands, I want you home with us. We are so blessed to call you our son and cannot wait to have you in our arms forever. We continue to pray for you each day. Praying that you stay healthy, sleep well, eat well and smile like you were when we were with you . We will be back as soon as we can to bring you home. I wake up at night thinking about you and probably think about you every 5 minutes during the day. Love you to the moon and back!

Here are a few pictures of our boy. He is almost 4 months old.

God is soooooo Good!

Love,
    Mom











Sorry not good with the computer . I cant rotate the pics. :)

Sunday, May 19, 2013

Ethiopia

We arrived in Addis Ababa yesterday at 2:30 after a long 18 total hours of flying. We had a layover in Dubai on Saturday night and then flewn into Addis on Sunday. By the time Ethan and I arrived at or guest house we were exhausted. Our bodies are having a hard time adjusting to the time change and then add all the jet leg onto that. But Praise God! We arrived safely the flights were great. Emirates airline is AWESOME! Our bags arrived in Addis, we didnt have to wait in line in Addis very long to get our visa, and we got right through immigration. The only little hiccup we had was in Dubai when I got stuck in the security machine for like 10 minutes and they couldnt figure out why the doors werent opening to let me out.

We got picked up at the airport and arrived safely at the Guest House. Our room is comfortable and food downstairs that we had for dinner last night was good. We had pizza:)

It is pretty loud were we are staying , and about 5 times a day there is a call to prayer played on a loud speaker right outside our window. The first one being at 5am.

Today we get to go meet our son! We are so excited!! Our guide/driver is picking us up at 9:30 and then we get to spend time with our boy from 10-12. After our visit we are going to explore some more of Ethiopia. Do some shopping, take lots of pics and see what our guide recommends for food today:)

Thank you so much for your prayers. Please pray that we stay healthy, get good rest , enjoy this beautiful country, enjoy the time with our boy, and that everything goes smoothly for court on wednesday.

Son- Dad and I are finally here! I cant believe that in just 3.5 hours I will get to see you and hold you for thd first time. We are so excited to snuggle you , feed you and just enjoy these 2 days that we do get to have with you. We are excited to explore this beautiful country that you are from.

We talked to the girls and they are so excited too! We have brought a few of their toys that they want us to take a picture of you with:) they love you to the moon and back.

See you in a few!
    -Mom

Thursday, May 2, 2013

Praying for you

Son-
     It has been so hard these last two months as we wait to hear when our court date will be. I cannot wait to get off the plane in Addis Ababa and come to the Thomas Center to meet you . We get monthly pictures of you. We should be getting a new one anyday now and I cannot wait to see your beautiful brown eyes. You are growing so much and are a healthy baby boy. Dad and I have decided on your name, we have your room all ready at the new house and I have been sleeping with your blanket that I will give to you when we see you for the first time.

A family that came to meet their son at the Thomas center a few weeks ago brought a package to you from us and they said you were the happiest little baby. They read you the card from us and showed you the pictures that the girls made for you . Lucy and Madeline are so excited to meet their little brother. Lucy has already decided that she wants to give you her curious george pillow, and she already put it in your crib. Madeline put a Night light in your room for you too:)

Next Wednesday May 8th is your Birthmoms courtdate. If she shows up at court and the judge signs off we will then be assigned our courtdate to come and meet you. If she does not show up then another date will be assigned a few weeks out to see if she can make that date. We are praying for your birthmom and that she is able to make it to court and that all the documents are in order for the judge to be able to assign us our courtdate.

Son, we cannot wait to see you for the first time, to hold you, to sing to you , to rock you , to change your diaper, to pray with you, to feed you and to just have you home with us forever. We think about you all the time, pray for you constantly and are praising God for bringing you into our lives.

Love you to the moon and back!

Love ,
     Mom