What's his name?

Yep - my dear husband - I love him so much.  I love that once we make a decision he works so hard to MAKE ME STICK to it.  Tells me - the choice has been made - that's it - whether its what place to eat, what to wear or what name for Sami.

Well I kept saying his name is Sami and that's easy to make Sam or Samuel here!  NOPE honey we picked Curtis and we are sticking to it.  I asked ONE Last time as I filled out all the paper work for Embassy!  So guess what?  Craig wants to call the baby Sam!  After all that HE changed his mind.  However Nate likes Curt and its grown on me - so ugh!  I want to just scream and love using this to tease him after all of this.  And i can even do it here.

So we'll see.  Regardless he'll have Samuel in his name - first or middle. Or we call him by his middle name?  It will really be his choice when he grows up anyhow.

So that said - I finally got more pictures downloaded fro the other camera disk - and found some friends sent.  So here are a few more.  Enjoy the beauty - and like I tell others - pictures just can't do it justice.
gail

GREENLAND  - VIEW FROM ABOVE

VIEWS FROM THE PORTUGUESE BRIDGE - YES WE STARTED AT THE TOP ON THE LEFT - ITS GORGEOUS

STILL AT THE PORTUGUESE PLACE - BUT SEE THE MONKEY ON THE LEFT NEAR THE BUSH (LEFT AND CENTER)

A WOMAN WALKING IN TOWN - PICTURE TAKEN WHILE DRIVING

CHURCH WE STOPPED AT FOR A TOUR 

ST GABRIEL - TAKEN FOR OUR LITTLE FRIEND GABE

NOT A SAINT - BUT A NATHANIEL FROM THE BIBLE - OR SOMETHING

PICTURES OF ART WORK IN THE CHURCH - 100'S OF YEARS OLD

PEOPLE HANGING OUT AROUND THE CHURCH GROUNDS - SOME SLEEPING AND MAYBE LIVING OUTSIDE

A LOOK OUT OUR DRIVER STOPPED OUT FOR PICTURES

A HERD OF ABOUT 20 MONKEYS RAN IN FRONT OF THE VAN - IN THE MIDDLE OF THE PIC YOU SEE A MONKEY - HIDING IN THE BUSHES

DADDY AND CURTIS SAMUEL

MOMMY AND CURTIS SAMUEL

TRADITIONAL FOOD AT THE RESTAURANT WE WENT TO - DANCE, MUSIC, COFFEE CEREMONY AND ENTERTAINMENT -IT WAS COOL

CRAIG AND RICK DANCING AND OTHER STUFF

ME TRYING HONEY WINE

VIEW OF THE OUTSIDE OF THE ORPHANAGE ENGIDA

SIGN FOR THE ORPHANAGE ENGIDA

SCHOOL ACROSS THE STREET FROM THE ORPHANGE - AND YES TELLY TUBBIES ON THE WALL

INSIDE THE ORPHANGE - MAIN FLOOR THE PLAY/EATING AREA FOR THE BIG KIDS

THE STAIRS LEADING UP TO THE SLEEPING AREAS OF THE BABIES

SAMI'S ROOM WAS THE FIRST OF TWO AT THE TOP AND HE WAS JUST TO THE RIGHT AS YOU ENTERED THE ROOM - HERE HE IS!  WAITING TO GET OUT.

PLAY TIME WITH MOMMY & DADDY

Passport and birthcerticate

Wow - all the paper work is completed and ready to submit to the USE (US Embassy for long version) next week.  I am pretty sure agency have a specific day to submit - and ours is Thursday.  So this will be submitted on 12/15 - and then we figure out how long we will wait.

Anyhow - just the cutest stinking pictures on these documents.  The name is Sami Craig Backus to start - and we will change it later to Curt.  However Craig is waivering - but Nate and I are hanging tough.

Just exciting.  I wish I could copy these pics - so adorable!  Can't wait.

A good day today - now we need our son home.  Not sure how I'll do with a long wait.  UGH - but pray for a normal speed.

Another family picked their child up this week adn just had their court in November - so a quick turn around- we can pray for that with our files too.

Happy Friday evening.
Gail

Happy 8 month birthday Curt

Today would be our son's 8 month birthday.  Here in the US - the first year - every month is a big deal.  It brings now "things" a child is able to do and amazing to watch.  We're not there but know our son is in good hands and well loved.  I just can't wait to see him again and celebrate EVERY DAY with him like we do his big brother.  My boys are my pride and joy and the loves of my life.  That includes the big one, Craig as well.  And my father and brother.  And now I have some sister in laws to include in this bunch of "boys".

But Curt - we will be coming to get you as soon as we can.  We are so blessed to have become your parents, that God found YOU for US.  You don't even know the joy you have already brought our family by expanding us to a family of 4.  There are so many plans for us when you finally can come home.  We look forward to showing you the snow, pools, grass and even carpet!  We can't wait.  Today you would have been excited we think to see the snow!  

Hugs and love - along with many prayers.

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Curt's book

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Pictures - Introducing Curtis Samuel Backus

Ok - I'll try to post some pictures
Mommy and Sami (or Curtis Samuel)

Daddy and Sami

Views to the Blue Nile Gorge

Mud / Stick Hut - many people live in these throughout the country - its the most common homes.  This is more of a shack - they sides are typically more "mud"

 View near the gorge

 Blue Nile Gorge and the bridge - Craig and I

 More traditional huts

Our traditional lunch in a little village

 Craig eating the lunch

 view from lunch - see how the donkey's do a LOT of the work - sometimes the loads are on people.  These are pretty SMALL loads

 Random view from teh van window - to show the farm land

 Views from the Portuguese place - its beautiful -

 The bridge is about 500 years old - at the Portuguese place

Ethiopian Flag - meanings

Ok - during our tour of the University Museum the other day our guide was so awesome!  He told us about the flag and it was amazing.
so here is what he told us:

RED = blood shed for all the fighting in the history
YELLOW = light and brightness - the future of the country
GREEN= fertility of the country, the land and all of that.

The star is the diversity of the country, the acceptance of the religions, tribes, languages, etc - how everything is welcomed and accepted.

anyhow - I felt this was pretty dang cool and wanted to share - I may not have it perfect - but its close.

Wednesday - last day in Addis

Seeing Curt one more time was so hard!  He's such a doll and I personally noticed how he smiled ore when he first saw me and then Craig!  Those eyes just brightened up - melted my heart!  We had fun playing with him and the two older kids.  They are sweet.  I did hear they are all referred to a family, these kids are going to Spain and France.  Yes LOTS of Europeans were there adopting as well. so its so great to know they are all being loved!

So Wednesday - our last day in Addis - I was able to go shopping!  That was an experience - they took us "near the post office" - not sure what that means, but it was good.  I only went to a few stores and figured I needed to see what I had and go back on trip #2 - I wasn't good at bargaining at all - but got some awesome art work, baskets, and other little gadgets for the boys, us and hopefully a few Christmas gifts in there  But a LOT of people approaching us and wanting us to give them something, take their kids - you name it - just hard to see that I don't think I would take Nate there!>

But it was fun hanging out with Sarah and her mom and Meg and George too!  Awooka - our driver - he was  so sweet - watching out for me as I was going ahead of Meg and George a bit - Sarah and her mom had been the day before and went farther ahead too!  But overall a great time - the people are just so kind!  I met an old man in one store - he was so sweet and I went back for more.  We also found a coffee place to buy roasted coffee beans to take home!  I know people will like it - heck I didn't mind it - and I do NOT like coffee. Granted I put their sugar and stuff in it - I did like the Machioto a LOT better.

That afternoon - our last visit with Sami - but like I said above -he was recognizing us.  I heard the care takers talking to him when we got there - "Sami - momma!  Papa!" - I noticed our picture book too!  WE had time to talk to his nurse - Sister Sala - wow - this woman is so nice and beautiful too.  She let us take pictures of his records, to track his immunizations,etc.  WE weighed him and Barahket (Meg - sorry I KNOW I spelt his name wrong) - Curt is at 8.2 kg - or 18.1 pounds - and I saw he was wearing 6 months - but those were a little tight.  I wasn't sure if that was a US size - but we'll see.  I know some things were shrunk on kids too - just worn over and over.  It was funny to see boys in girl clothes.  Sami ended up in some skort!  Ha -

Anyhow -a gain time to feed him - this time spaghetti and tomato sauce.  He loved that.  I can't wait to get him home and eating some baby food - just fun to remember all these stages.

Then we went back and packed -

dinner we had Yummy Pizza again - that is the BEST place to eat in Addis - we could get a pizza and two pops for maybe $4-5 US!  Yep - the two of us had a great meal for that  price.  And the pizza was awesome - the mozzarella I realized as soft and chunks - I will try this here!  And then hung out with the gang until we left - I have to say - we traveled with an awesome group.  Sarah, Shelly & Michael and then Connie and Rick!  Meg and George joined us later in the trip - but they were great too!  

So we left the hotel at 8 pm for our 11:55 pm flight.  I"m so happy Sue told us to leave early - unfortunately we couldn't reach the others to warn them - they MUST get there early.  The airport I have to say was the worst of it all!  we counted 5 different check in points - and two of those we had to get scanned!   People were just really rude - we couldn't even get into the building 10 feet with out being scanned.  Then stood in line to check in and check luggage.  The funny part - stood right behind the family we were in line behind when we arrived.  They were nice -brought two boys and had a successful court for their 2nd adoption!  The one boy - same age as Nate was tired and fell asleep on the luggage - it was cute.

So through that, and some man was helping people (even if we didn't need it) - lifting luggag3e  So as we were waiting for Rick and Connie - he walked by me and said TIP - and kept walking, came back and had his hand out!  I tipped him what we were told - and then he came back and said MORE!  I told him this was for MY family -just the two of us and that I had no more money - we walked away.  Then it was the line - 3rd point in all of this madness - this time for the passport/visa check out!  So there were a TON of people we think going to the Hajj - that was interesting to see - many appeared to us as from the villages we saw - so their first big trip.  so as we stood in this line - people decided to just walk past us - and take cuts - LOTS of them - about 20 girls.  we were not happy - but not going to say anything.  (ok - Craig said the Hajj was before - so not what they were attending) - so no idea.

After we made it through this point - we were upher's swiped by the "nice" person behind her!  Ha - some people.

anyhow - it was nice to get through and to the gate.  The flight was pretty packed - but it was good to be on the plane.

Lufthansa is a good airline - very efficient - and constantly wanting us to eat!  WE had DINNER at like 1:30 am!  And then breakfast before we landed the day before.  I wasn't hungry - but they still give you food and everything.  Ha!  At least I slept.

Once we landed in Frankfort - it was now December 1st - and 5 am in Frankfort - and then we had to wait 8 hours till our next flight!  UGH - we went to our terminal - it had very little shopping but all of us were just tired.  We finally found the stores open at 6 am for coffee and drinks.  This flight was another long one - landed about 40 minutes late - due to some winds, we flew over Iceland and Greenland - that was pretty cool to see!  I could see the coast lines of Ireland and England - it was pretty neat!

anyhow - getting home and through customs was pretty easy - just nice to be home!  WE were just so tired and I was starving - oh dinner was a "hotdog" - ha - I guess in German the hot god is some sausage thing stuffed with some "brown goo" - I couldn't eat it - grossed me out - craig said it wasn't bad!  Ha.  

Seeing Nate and my dad was great - so happy to be home - but miss Curt so bad!  Just want him home!

Alright - so that's about it - I forgot that on Tuesday night we had the traditional dinner - that was really great!  Seeing the song, dance, food, coffee and even Honey Wine!  Craig and Rick were on stage for dancing and some food.  Craig didn't feel good earlier in the day and poor rick - both somehow got sick that night!  And we all convinced them to start antibiotics to be on the safe side!  I think it helped.  But man this restaurant we went to - I don't know the name - it was really nice!  I'm still getting used to the food - I have a few things I do like.  I do NOT like the berbee seasoning very much - but its something I have to deal with.

Thanks for following our story - I feel like this is a crazy hodge podge of things today - but hang in there.

Gail

Tuesday - the 29th - COURT

Another PERFECT Day (well almost - Craig's not feeling well ) -

Today was court - we passed and were finalized before we left.  We arrived and were one of the first families there - and more and more just kept coming.  We had Sami our driver and the social worker with us.  So many families - a LOT of people from Europe!  and then the Ethiopian families that were there for the first court where they talk about giving up their parental rights.  So it was bitter sweet seeing them - but most looked "happy" for all of us adoptive families so that the kid still have a chance at life.  After seeing and learning more - its amazing how much poverty there is throughout the country, starving people.  Today Shelly and I had some ladies begging us to take their children.  It was sad.

Anyhow - at court - we were told before we came here that AAI families typically are in and out - well   it was 2 hours - and we were probably in the middle of the pack.  Which is fine - but long and hot in there.  The judge asked a few questions - people were in and out in under 5 minutes.  She asked the following (to the best of my memory)

1 - do you have other children at home
2 - does this child know about the adoption and how does he feel about it.
3 - do you know about the Ethiopian history?  How will you teach your child about his culture.  She then went on to explain that the kids will need to learn as they will have questions about their identity in the future.
4 - Do you understand that after this the adoption is finalized and can NOT be reversed.

That was about it - and she said I declare this finalized!  So we left in just a few minutes.

After that - we went to visit the University Museum - Lucy is NOT here - she is normally at the National Museum - but we were told she's on tour in the US.  We only went to the university museum and had a tour guide - he was great!  We learned so much more than most people.  It was truly a great learning experience.  We learned about folklore that parents tell the kids, I can't wait to find those to keep.  we saw art work, learned about the politics and rulers - it was just great!  and a lot about the Christian history here.  We again spent this time with Shelly and Michael - a LOT of fun.  After this we rushed back to find lunch - went to Yummy pizza - and man it is GREAT pizza!  I realized they use soft mozzarella cheese in chunks - NOT the stuff I buy in a bag at the store.  MUST try this at home. l

Then we met everyone at the hotel - Sadula Lodge - and we went to the orphanages.  Another family Meg and George arrived early this morning and have a son at Engida where Sami is at - so we got to meet them and share their first meeting with their beautiful son!  It was amazing.  Sami is just so beautiful - smiles so  much.  The one care taker told Craig that he remembered us (not sure -but we did leave the picture book Sunday) -but she said that he smiled even more when he saw us coming!  So that's good.  I think we were tested - I had to change his diaper (he doesn't like that) - and then we fed him later.  That was challenging - it should have been "cereal" - but it was a liquid we fed him via a spoon!  Ha.  So Sami is TOTALLY the perfect child for us -
first - spit up on me
second - as he was dong tummy time on my lap - TOOTED in my face  - and we have it on video - Nate should be proud of his little brother
third - the boy LOVES to eat!  and burp in my face as well.

For those that know the "Backus" boys - this will be perfect - and he loves music and TV.

So it was a great day - he cried when we left him - so that was sad, but good to know he likes being with us and playing with us.  OH and he likes to bang like a drummer!  YEAH FOR ME!

Tonight the 4 families all went with Alemu to a traditional Ethiopian dinner and dance.  It was beautiful.  Craig wasn't feeling well later in the day - I made him start the antibiotics JUST in-case.  So he was the excuse for people to go home early - everyone is just so tired.

Tomorrow is SHOPPING for me - and two families will go to court!  We also start the flights home tomorrow - leaving at 11:30 pm (so 3:30 pm Detroit time) and will arrive at 4 pm on Thursday.  I just pray we have a quick turn around with the Embassy like another family.  They just passed court 3 weeks ago - and  passed Embassy today!  just amazing it was so fast.

Anyhow - we are truly blessed.  This is a great experience.  We have a great child.  Its just funny how every child seems perfect for each family!  Everyone is going to be great --

Ok - its late - almost 11:30 - and we are busy tomorrow. packing and going to pack and GO HOME>  I miss my other son - Nate -the first perfect child - now we have two.

Thanks for following this -- I can't wait to share more.
Gail