We are home!

Yes we made it and I just want to say I love Ethiopia! What a gift to go to this country. Demot is doing great she loves me and the kids and is warming up to Shane. I will post more tomorrow finding spare time is hard with a baby and I forgot that! I am loving every minute of it, except the lack of sleep. Thanks to Morgan for posting while I was gone, I love ya girly girl. Pictures tomorrow.

Updates from Ethiopia.... By Morgan

Hi Everyone!

This is Morgan, Ambers Daughter. My mom is super busy with Demot so I am writing in her place. We just got off the phone with my mom and we all think it is the best thing in the world to say goodnight when she says good morning because of the time change. As we spoke with her, we could hear Grace singing in the background. My mom set her down for a second and she was just screaming on the phone! She is just so cute already and I haven't seen her in person. A week and a half and I will be able to hold her in my arms.

My mom wanted me to update on a few things that have gone on the past couple of days. She told me she went to go get a TV with sister Almaz (sorry for the spelling). They got the TV, but needed a VCR/DVD player so they could play videos. They were going to be charged $300 for one and that just was too much. You can get them here in the U.S. for like $30. My grandma and mom, also, have been extremely emotional (sorry guys for any added info I wasn't supposed to add). The whole experience has been humbling. With all the poverty and people on the streets, I don't blame her for crying. Amber is extremely grateful to have her mother, Marilyn, by her side through the whole adventure. She has been super supportive and so kind and loving in everything. Well, that's all for now!

Mom in Ethiopia Entry #1

Ok Morgan and I are going to attempt a blog post from Ethiopia! Here goes Morgan.

The flight was not as long as I thought, actually I think Mom and I survived it quite well. Finding our luggage was a hoot and talk about chaos. We found our driver who was holding a sign that said "Amber McMillan" Yebsabi Guest House. He had been waiting for 3 hours for us. Would that happen in the states? NO! Our room at Yebsabi wonderful. Yes, dogs bark and roosters crow and people party all night but its clean and big and we have our own bathroom!

After we got cleaned up yesterday we were picked up to go to the care center to get Demot. what a day that was and I will post more when I get home but for now just know that she is AMAZING beyond belief. I love her so much. After we left the care center Demot cried very hard for about 1.5 hours, I felt so bad for her, I could tell she was terrified and her little heart was breaking. All she has known for 9 months is that care center and now here she is with two women she does not even know. I also think she is getting a bad cold. Sister Almaz said she is getting a bad flu... hmmm great. She ate rice cereal and had 2 bottles I think she was starving. She is awake now sitting on Nonny's lap - well now she is snoring so I guess she likes to be held (good yipeeeeee). That is all for now I am journaling in a notebook and will write it all down when I get home, I don't want to forget one second of this trip.

We are off!

Well not quite yet. I will go to bed soon and hopefully sleep (ya right). Get up at 5:00 am and leave for Salt Lake International Airport at 6:30. I honestly and really excited and nervous. I have checked and rechecked every list possible and have gotten weather reports on Atlanta, Washignton DC, Rome and Addis Ababa....All is clear. I will post as I go!

Here we come Grace Demot!

Two Days

Thursday (today, right now!) and Friday (tomorrow). Only two days until I leave for Ethiopia. I have only one simple request. If you are reading this (the 4 or 5 that do:)) PLEASE pray for us. Pray for my family back home, I am worried about leaving my precious 3 for two weeks, I know it's vain of me to think that they can't survive without me. I spent two hours yesterday making a calendar and typing up a "agenda bible" for my husband and the other people assisting me with my kids. Don't get me wrong my wonderful husband is fully capable of taking care of this home, our children and his job but a part of me thinks I am the only one who can do it, I know I am crazy but at least honest. Pray for my Mother and I and Shane that we have a safe and healthy trip. Please pray that all goes well with Demot - I have heard so much about bonding and attachment problems in the last few weeks I feel a bit nervous that she won't love me as much as I love her. I know, I know, I know there will be an adjustment but I pray it is a gentle one for both her and I. I believe in miracles, Shane said the most beautiful thing to me last night, he said "I have butterflies in my stomach because only 3 days until your reunion with Grace Demot". Re-union - get it? I know we have met before, I know we have made promises before and I know she is meant to be with this family now at this time. I bless her birth Mother and pray for her every day, I thank her for the gift and bless her aching heart, I promise many things to her and to God for this special child. Any and all prayers are so much appreciated and have been felt along this entire journey - Thank-you, thank-you, thank-you.

Tick Tock....

Tick Tock, Tick Tock, Tick Tock...The days to departure are coming soooo slowly. I know it is because I am so excited. I have a ton to do and feel a bit stuck but I know I will get it all done. I got a little information on Demot yesterday: She was sitting in the playpen with another baby playing with lots of toys. She is so beautiful and smiles when talked to, very happy. I can't even wait, seriously I have never in my 38 years been more excited for anything. Nervous? Yes! But nervous is the same thing as excited... Only 2.75 days left until my Mom and I leave for Ethiopia. I have a deep feeling that I am in for a life changing experience.

Making lists and checking them twice...

So a few years from now I do not want to forget any of this process. The "Making A List And Checking It Twice" is a BIG, HUGE accomplishment and event in this process so I will fill you in a bit on what this all entails. Returning families have supplied their 3-4 page packing/shopping lists for others traveling and that has helped a lot. I now have 5 different lists on my office desk. The travel plans list, food list, packing list, child's names list, contact information list and to do list (that is the biggest one). Today my Mom and I went to Wal Mart (yah hoo Wal Mart) and did our food shopping, medicine shopping and a few last minute baby items shopping, 2 hours later we were done! I still have to go over the to do list and make sure I have not forgotten anything and then the big work begins. I get to pack!!!! I hope I can get over my over packing sickness that has plagued me for my whole life. I have to just keep telling myself "keep it simple". I have our 3 huge donation bags packed and weighed and have Grace Demot's stuff laid out (of coarse I have WAY too much), I pray I can fit everything I need to take in one suitcase (ya right!!). I will type up all of my kids agenda's for people and organize babysitters, rides etc...this week. I will get my final Hep A/ Hep B shot Tuesday, last day of work on Wednesday, I will post more about that later :( Exchange money, figure out my video camera. I feel like I have a handle on things which is good for my type A OCD personality. 7 days from today I will be on an airplane to get my baby girl, HOLY COW! Unbelievable....