Gotcha Day and Birthdays

Wow - what a CRAZY day.  Wake up as a 42 year old in Addis, Ababa, Ethiopia - to a rooster and some dude singing at a local church at 5:30 am!  UGH - so all you back in the states that was 10:30 at night there.  But we did sleep good.

Today we went to the National Ethiopian Museum - this is where Lucy is!  She is the oldest skeleton in the world!  MILLIONS of years old.  And come to find out - she looked half like us today and half ape!  Really - and then we saw the skull of a baby that's even older than Lucy!  Pretty cool.

Then I took Nate and Craig shopping - they survived.  I think it was better  - I had warned them what to expect - honestly not too many people out.  But I think we did good.  I gave away a lot of things I bought was gifts last time - so this time was for us.

So at about 2 pm today - GOTCHA day a day that will forever go in the Backus books we took custody of Curt.  He did ok, and was amazed as we drove around.  Then fell asleep - and was woken from a sound sleep at the Yeka Lodge when we got back and realized - WHOA these are the ladies that have loved and took care of me for the last 9 months of my life - since I was 2 months old!  He's doing well - really intrigued by his big brother.  crying a little bit, been fed and now we think just so tired. 

We're trying to get the Internet when we can - definitely NO wifi that they said they had - so ONE computer in the lobby everyone triest to use.  It alright.  Our laptop charger is having issues - when here last time it got fried and didn't work - better it then the laptop!  So its having issues.  We found ONE plug that was working -

Anyhow Yeka is a great hotel - so many families here from Holland and Denmark with there kids and a family we met from Alabama.  They are all here a lot longer than  us.  But it is cool - you eat together,  hang out in the outside area - its pretty  nice.  We enjoyed meeting people at dinner last night. 

Right now we are hanging in this little room - Curt, daddy and I - Nate wanted to watch TV and they have the one Boomerang channel - all cartoons - so him and the other older siblings are loving that.

I know we will be good - no tears in a while.  But just love how he has attached - i didn't mention how the one lady that was so happy but sad to see him leave - she followed our van waving.  She was crying, I was crying - just to know he was so loved by them all!  I took her pictures of the two of them.  And i so hope she enjoys it!  I know she will. 

Now Craig and Curt are playing on the computer next to me - it does NOT get Internet - ha.

Tomorrow is Embassy we probably won't do much - chill out in the morning and then go there.  We still need to buy coffee - we'll adventure out later in the week!

Thanks for following us.

I know tomorrow is a new day - we keep trying to tell Nate - its like someone just taking him away from us, moving him here and NO ONE speaking English!  YEAH - the smiles are showing up!  we love those smiles.  Anyhow - for Curt - he's never been out of the orphanage - never really seen trees and definitely not grass until today.  he's seeing the world e - and right now trying to eat the mouse - ha!  Its all good.  He's so beautiful.  And we got to keep his outfit -

OH yeah - he's wearing 18 months - a little big - so hopefully we have those.  I think the 12 months will fit - we shall see. 

That's it till tomorrow.
We'll try and post every day.

Love you all that follow - and thanks for the prayers
Gail, Craig, Nate and Sami Curt for a few more days.

GOT it

Ok - got in via blogger itself - so hopefully this will work on other days.

Exhausted now - but have dinner at 7 at the hotel - should be interesting NOT hungry at all! 

But I hear the food is better - free bottled water and coffee all the time  Craig is happy.

We arrived - take 2

Well accessing the internet from the Yeka Guest house is VERY difficult - the TV sometimes works  - but they actually have a good selection of English stations.  In the main hotel room or gathering room they have Boomerang for the kids.  Amazing how many families here are adopting!  Just a lot of families hanging out.  We lucked out and are down on the first floor - where we have a small room that looks out over the garden and can walk right outside.  It will sure be nice with Curt with us starting tomorrow afternoon.  It will be nice.  There is a little merry-go-round for the kids, some toy bowling things and just beautiful gardens.

The rooms not as nice as the Sadula Lodge - but the outside area is awesome.

The airport journey was a LOT easier today - we had one person in line to pay for Visas!  Got in and out!  found the driver - expecting a van with 4 large pieces of luggage, a small suitcase and 5 bags!  Ha -and he had this little tiny Toyota!  I do plan on packing one of the duffel bags on the way back - but it will be interesting.


So today - I awoke on the plane to see the best sunrise EVER - so early the horizon was just turning purple - and over the Sahara - it was perfect!  Our flight was a little longer than expected - we were booked for 12 hours - and it was more like 13.5!  Oh well - we survived.  Guess what on the way back - its 17  hours ! Yikes - but we did get some sleep.  it was hard because it was 6 pm in MI and we were trying to sleep.  The way home we leave at night - so that should really help getting the kids to sleep.  I only watched ONE movie but found an audio book was interesting.  They even have games on the tv screen that Nate enjoyed playing.  He was amazing - didn't eat much - but did good.  Very glad that I had brought snacks and had some food from the hotel!  And today glad I packed some instant mac and cheese at the last minute!  That helped - not the best without a microwave, but good.

Our dear friend Alemu - the AAI head guy over here met us at 3 and took us to the Lion Zoo and then for a drive up Mt. Entoto and into the country side.  Craig and I had been on this drive but it was nice to show Nate.  Poor thing - so tired - he was not too interested.  WE even got pizza and its NOT like Hungry Howies, but good.  Just glad I had snacks.

Tomorrow - we will probably go to the National Museum where Lucy - the oldest skeleton remains is - not sure if she's on tour or not - but it will be nice.  I am hoping to do a little shopping too - but we'll see.  The option was to drop me off by myself - not sure I'm ready for that right now.  So we'll figure it out.  I know what I want and last time only went to a few stores - so its not a big deal. 

After lunch tomorrow - we take custody of Sami - aka Curt!  Can't wait!  Should be a LOT of fun. 

Anyhow - hope everyone is doing well.  We'll try and post when we can - hopefully tomorrow we can get something to enhance the internet connection.

Gail

wow - a few more days

Wow - can NOT believe after all this blogging - we will have our son in our arms FOREVER next Monday!  And to top it off - its my birthday - what an awesome gift!  All my boys together with me on the same day!  I love them so much!  All of them.

I'm excited for Nate to go and experience Africa - and he will someday be able to share with his little brother what it was like.  We will have some great family memories - even getting a chance to see the Lion Zoo!  I'm just so excited!  It will all be perfect.

yesterday we were able to get the nursery decorated - a little ways to go - but man I'll take it!  My friend Paula was amazing to come help me!  Thanks a ton my dear friend!

So yes - I"m emotional this week for many obvious reasons - and just so happy we will soon be a family of 4!  My childhood dreams are coming true - even the imaginary white picket fence is there.

So thanks everyone - you shall also get updates while we are gone.  We are staying at a new location that has some outdoor space - so that will be good.  we will NOT be in walking distance to Yummy Pizza - which is a bummer, but the outdoor space will be so nice for all of us to just get out for a little bit!  have some fresh air!

In the mean time - my new job is still amazing and I'm just happy as a clam there. I feel bad leaving for a few weeks, but also know its where I"m supposed to be right now!  So its great.

Now we just go and enjoy our lives.

I've got a LOT of stuff to do this week -
Gail

TWO MORE WEEKS!

Can I just scream OMG!  OMG!  OMG! over and over again!  We are leaving in less then 2 weeks.  WE have ONE More weekend to get the house ready, room and clothes all done - and not really there.  I realized I do not have many 12 month clothes - so I need to find a mom2mom sale or hit an outlet mall REALLY SOON!  Ha - its all good.  As Craig said - even Nate - our house doesn't have to be perfect - but we will get it done.  I'm glad we have the major things.

I've had fun registering for my upcoming baby shower - can't wait.  I'm blessed to have some good friends.  I can't invite everyone, so please understand - I don't want to feel like people need to give us gifts.  But I did register at Amazon.com, Baby's R Us and Target today!  Should be fun.  I did realize a lot of the little things we don't have, and Amazon has the books and things we REALLY want to give to Curt.

So I've been at my new job for 2 weeks too.  I'm loving it a lot!  It is funny - I've worked all weekend, but its all worth it!  Weird huh?  Just getting things done and moving forward - working on the reports for submittal this week.  Luckily people have been so nice in helping me and understanding.  I'm just wanting to document it all so that in the future, its not all this data entry.  It would be nice to put into a database - I'll figure that out.

Anyhow - life is good.  I feel blessed.
Thanks everyone.
Gail

Getting ready - lots to do

Yep - SO much to do and very little time - but it seems like we are making progress.  We will be bringing our son home soon!  And just can't wait - I keep hearing about more and more families clearing USE and USCIS - its GREAT news!  So many forever families are being made!

We will soon be one of them.  With all the plans finalized this week its been awesome.  If anyone needs a travel agency - please consider Travel Intrigue, in the Grand Rapids, MI area.  They were amazing and have some great pricing!  They found us the best flights to get to and from!  Thrilled.

So a little update - yes I left my job of 7 years this week and it seems like a while ago, and started as the Director of EHS at Diversified Chemical Technologies.  Its been an amazing week.  SO much to do, I am doing things that MUST get done, but have certainly missed being in a manufacturing atmosphere.  Its great to be back in one.  Monday I will move into my office - some great people are finishing things this weekend and moving the last few things in there for me!  So that will definitely be nice.  I can't wait.  But just will get it done!

On top - planning a to get the nursery set up this weekend, and just continue to get things done.  Life is just amazing right now.  Nate's doing great and so is Craig!  We are preparing to make a good life.

Guess I should run - and GET STARTED.
Thanks for all the support all - we can't wait for everyone to meet Curt in the near future.
Gail

Embassy appointment date - SET

Well we finally have an appointment for the Visa on 3/13/12 - now we just have to hope we don't need more paper work before we go due to the new job. If we can just take something with us - we are all a-go this week! So very excited to get this started.  If we are on this time - Gotcha day is my birthday - how cool is that (and my sister in-law and mother-inlaw's as well) -

IF not - our finger prints expire on 3/16 - and we'll probably be pretty delayed - so praying for this to all finalize tomorrow.

Just a LOT going on - a new job/career and a new baby - both things have been in my dreams for so long I just can't wait to start them both.  So Tuesday is my first day at the job and excited to get that moving - it will be great!  I can't wait to just be at a level to perform and really do great things for a company -

Alright - back to the grind - I should be organizing nursery/Nate's room or house - at least laundry is going!
Gail

CLEARED - USCIS Nairobi cleared us~

Wow - can I just say that God has a good sense of humor?  He really does - we have said all along - God has a plan - the delays are on purpose because he knows things must have to happen. We have so many things in our lives - they need to align  - he wants things just right for the perfect time.  Yes its been hard  - I do NOT LIKE WAITING well more I do not like NOT KNOWING - that's more accurate.  So here it goes:

The last 48 hours have been crazy!  So now I can divulge something I've been having to keep quiet for many months - I've got a new job - a DREAM job and a great company!  I have been working with them since October - a really great interview process - very in-depth and I respect them more for it - we really got to know each other!  And I like that.  So they finally were able to make an offer - Monday!  Yes - this past Monday!  And due to deadlines of reports - I will start on Valentines day!  Pretty cool - one week notice - not perfect - but they didn't fight to keep  me longer - so I'm moving on.  NO break between either.  So I"m going to be the new Director of Environmental, Health and Safety at this place!  Still hesitant to announce the name till Tuesday - but commute is cut in half, location so much easier for school and no plants far away - so no big travels!  Can you say PERFECT for this new family

Then Craig and I were joking - wouldn't it be funny if we cleared.  I had been seeing families clear Nairobi in a week!  But kept saying the last batch was 2-3 weeks.  So as usual Tuesday morning I checked my email - nothing!  Yeah sighted bummed - but that's alright - valentines day would be cool for passing.  Then at about 8:30 am my friend Sarah emailed me she cleared!  Oh I was so happy - I told Craig to check email (I can't till lunch and not easily) - he said WE Cleared!  Wow - we are on cloud nine.

So as of now - we have a tentative Embassy Visa appointment for March 13, 2012 - my step sisters birthday - but guess what - my birthday will probably end up as Gotcha Day!  How awesome - what can a mom say is the BEST birthday gift?  Plus this is Craig's MOM AND SISTER's birthday as well - so we will have an honor for Nonnie on this day!  Just very excited.

A few things can still go wrong - the new job throws some possible issues in - but we doubt it -our finger prints expire on 3/16 - so we MUST GO BEFORE - if not I'd wait till my Best friend Shannon is traveling - but we can't -so bummed - I was praying we'd meet there.

So now two of the 3 things I've eluded to have come true!  Now we await one more event in our lives.  It would be such a blessing to have it all come true

But right now - honestly we are blessed - we have a new son coming home and already have a great one here!  Our family is good and friends amazing.

So thanks for the prayers everyone - many of you know the "3rd item" so keep praying.

In the mean time many of my new friends - I no longer consider them just "adoption friends" - you are MY FRIENDS - they are traveling soon or now or already there - for various steps - keep all these families in your prayers.

Thanks all - this is such an exciting time
Gail

USCIS - we have arrived

It only took 1 week exactly and we found out this morning that the USCIS in Nairobi, Kenya received our file!  So that's good.  Somewhere I had in my mind it could take 2-4 weeks to receive our files.  So yeah!  I just have a good feeling.  They said we will know something in 30 days - good or bad.  And flights - well we're getting there.

Lots of people are praying and we really appreciate it - the power of prayer helps.  These kids and all the other families need this help!

Hopefully soon we will be getting some pictures of our little guy and some updates - I just can't wait!  It will sure be nice.  A lot of families are traveling and bringing their babies home - so they are lucky!

We keep moving forward.
Gail

FRUSTRATING - sent to USCIS

Well one of our nightmares came true today - we received the dreaded email from the USE that we are "not clearly approvable' and sent to USCIS (who's African office is in Nairobi, Kenya.  I guess its at least 1 week to get our files there.  2 other families from AAI were also sent.

So reading the groups and FB group - it sounds like a TON of families received this email - very much similar to all the crap with USCIS and USE last fall!  From some research from people it sounds like there were complaints to DC's head adoption guy and he called the Addis offices.  Instead of fixing the problem and getting work done - they just sent ALL these cases and dumped them on USCIS - get rid of the work to another agency!  We were all stuck in the mess.  Things are now delayed in my mind 6-10 weeks before we clear - if not longer!  The hope is that the majority will pass immediately upon review.  however, they could issue what is called an RFE - Request for Evidence - again where more crap hits the fan.  A full investigation is done  but YOU as the parent need to do it.  It can be done by your agency, yourself (yes flying and doing an investigation) or hiring an investigator over there!  Just crazy.  We can't afford all this.  Many people are doing this now before they even get sent anywhere.  Not sure if that's good or not - I just can't afford it.

So between that and all the other personal stuff going on - we are dealing with 3 different issues all at the same time!   I"m handling the stress pretty well - and meeting more families.

Good news - at least one family we traveled with cleared today  amen and congrats to Shelly and Michael!  we assume Connie and Rick passed as well - yeah!  Also my other friend Shannon and Mark got bad news from the ET judge - why are things SO hard.  And Sue - they had a referral and were waiting (and waiting) to hear about their son and the birth mom may have come back to get him?  just crazy.

So if you pray - please pray for the kids first -they deserve a safe home with food, and the basics.  Many are starving and struggling.  Then pray for all the families that love them so much! We all need prayers and positive thoughts.

Thanks for letting me ramble!
Gail

Waiting - still

Still no word from USE but they did request ONE piece of information to review our file.  So that was submitted the next day and now we wait!  Its been over a week that they received a phone number.  Hopefully that call went well and we can hear something soon.  We emailed Thursday night only to find out there is another Holiday yesterday and the offices were closed.  So hopefully some news on Monday.

Two of the families we traveled with had birth family interviews this past week and we are praying that went well and they can soon go bring their kiddos home forever!  And start the family they've dreamed of!

Meeting more families as well.  This process is draining, but its nice getting to know more people.  I'm thankful for my friends and family during all of this.  It seems like our lives are just crazy.

On other notes - still waiting on a few other pieces of our lives to make changes.  Just not the right time yet. But we'll get that.  One day we can share so much news with everyone it will be wonderful.

Nate - he's doing awesome with his reading.  The tutor has been amazing.  He was able to zip through two sets of flash cards with sight words and he did that in 10 minutes!  A few months ago it took 10 minutes to do just a few of the cards - it was such a struggle.  But not anymore.

Today we are having a reception with all family and friends to celebrate my brother Marcus and his wife Stacey!  They had a beautiful, private wedding in the fall and now celebrating with everyone 80's style tonight!  Should be entertaining!  I've got my outfit ready - yeah!.

So as we continue our wait - some days are better than others we just continue to move forward in our lives.  Try and remind Nate that being a big brother is a cool thing and important!  And that even though life will change - he will be still getting important private time!   And we will protect those toys of his!  ha.

Enjoy the day -
Gail

USE reqesting some tidbits of info

anyone seeing me this morning trying to get out of the house ON TIME (my goal is to leave close to 6:30 am every day - I rarely get there) would have laughed.  Anyhow - with so  many things going on - I try to glance at the email before I leave as I can't check till lunch time.  anyhow - at 6 am, nothing, any how by 6:15 - a request for more info!  They are looking for a phone number for the police officer that took Sami's case.  So hopefully that is it.   However, sounds like they can then set up an appointment to do a phone interview, still have more interviews with key people and then decide NOT ENOUGH?  Or they could say - OK - cleared?  Wow - it could be either way and we just don't know.

Anyhow - this morning as the email came up I didn't realize it till after I hit the button to reboot.  Then scrambled to stop - ended up crashing the computer - and I finally got the tablet out!  All trying to get ready. And I left two things for my day - protein drink and fruit at home - OUT!  Luckily Craig put them back and i can have it tomorrow.  I was just off for a while.

But its good -we just need to wait!  We'll get our son home soon!

And all the other things happening in our lives are moving forward as well.

Please pray for all the families in limbo.  Pray for my friend Shannon and her family that they get a court date assigned soon.  Pray for all the families that we traveled with - that we all get info soon?  I'm thankful for all the families we are meeting through this process.  I know our kids will have lots of friends!  and people all over the country.

So its January and I'm sitting here typing and hear it RAINING outside.  Really - crazy.

Alright - we are making progress.  I'm tired and ready to just move forward with life.
Gail

File under review (finally)

Yes - at about 7:58 am - today we received an email from the USE stating they have our file and its under review.  That's about it - they ask we don't email for 5 days.  So next week we should get more details - do they need more, will we be referred to USCIS in Nairobi (yes I heard that's where we go - NOT Rome that was for a special situation last fall) - or we should pass soon.  So we'll see.  

Yes - this was a test of patience for me.  I would think I didn't do very well, if you ask Craig - he'd say yeah she was going crazy.  But I did it - I only emailed a few days early last night.  Ha.  But its still a LOT more waiting to go.  We of course fell into the holiday backup - and I was not prepared for that.  So it was about 2+ weeks delayed response due to all of that.  Lucky for me Craig is very logical when it comes to this type of stuff and keeps me more grounded.  I'm blessed to have a wonderful husband!  And a great kid.

Anyhow - yesterday was the 9th - a BIG day for the Backus family that went unnoticed.  Nate officially is 7.5 years old!  And Curt turned 9 months!  Yeah - both boys hit a big mark in the year.  We'll have to see if Nate can do a Half birthday celebration later this week or just wait till the end of the year?  He didn't ask and didn't even realize it happened.  He was just excited to go to a friends house after school.  He's loving this new routine on Mondays  - so thanks to Rebekah and Jason for taking him on with the chaos they have with 4 kids and everything else.

Alright - I can relax a lot more now - and in the next 5 days I can start to go crazy.  At least in my mind I've planned for a long wait - so that should help keep me grounded.  Its just hard when I have dreams I'm in Addis with my boys!

Have a good day
Gail This is an e-mail from General Dynamics Land Systems. It is for the intended recipient only and may contain confidential and privileged information. No one else may read, print, store, copy, forward or act in reliance on it or its attachments. If you are not the intended recipient, please return this message to the sender and delete the message and any attachments from your computer. Your cooperation is appreciated.

Happy 2012 - gonna be the year of Curtis Samuel Backus

Finally a NEW YEAR - its gotta be a good one!  I anticipate LOTS of good things on the horizon  - changes in our life and a new son!  Just can't wait!  Hopefully some good news on part of that in the next few days -

Hope everyone had a wonderful and safe New Year's eve.  We had a good family night at the local town - Northville at their family event and then came home to watch the new I-Carly and the Smurfs.  Gotta love it.  Can't wait to have Curtis Samuel home to go next year - he'll be the perfect age - can't wait to see him on some of the bounce stuff!

Here's looking at a great new year!
Leap year and election year as well - ha
enjoy a few pics from our New Year's Eve adventure!  Home Depot had one station set up to build stuff - Nate did the "fire boat" with daddy.  He and I build a tool box a few months ago at a local store.  The kids had fun.  Nate wasn't too fond of pictures and wanted silly faces.  He had a good time.

Gail

                                             MOM INTERRUPTING THE BUILDING

                                             SILLY FACE - JUST NOT GOING TO SMILE

                                          PROUD FINISHED PRODUCT

No word from USE yet

So our paper work was submitted to the USE last Thursday - we all were expecting an email Wednesday or Thursday saying they received our files for a VISA and will start working on it.  However, not to contact them for 5 days.  So far - NO email has arrived.  I know they all took Monday off for a holiday and next Monday as well.  I can just assume that they are short handed with the US holiday and then the Ethiopian Christmas is either the 6th or 7th of January.  Needless to say - I'm sure people are short handed.

So we will ring in the new year without any more info - oh well.

Making progress at the storage unit today and hopefully tomorrow - and then we'll be able to start working on Curtis Samuel's room.  I did find the crib and TONS of toys today - all will be good.

Even bought the black eyed peas for Sunday -

On another note - there are a LOT of people struggling as the year comes to an end.  Specifically my brother - he'll be fine - but just some added prayers would sure be nice for him.  I know he'll make it through and be better than before - always seems to be -but he needs a hug.

If I don't email before Sunday - everyone have a very happy and safe New Year's Eve tomorrow!  The Backus gang is spending it as a family.  Dinner out and a movie maybe?  And we have some special snacks for later - our own individual Edy's Shakes!  Yummy!  Sounds like fun!  Don't think we have a bottle of bubbly - but maybe I can find some sparkling juice tomorrow?

Hopefully we'll make more progress on the storage unit tomorrow!  That's a good plan.
Hugs to all as 2011 comes to a close and 2012 begins anew!  Can't wait - praying for some great things in the Backus lives!
Gail, Craig, Nate and Curtis Samuel (still not sure what we'll call him - ha)