Journey Full of Dreams

WOW

2011-03-08T08:35:00.000-08:00

My mind is just churning with idea of going on a Medical Mission Trip to Ethiopia. Helping those in need in the country I love so much! All this while we are in the process of our second adoption! So if anyone still reads my blog, I am just asking you to pray, pray that He will lead me in the right direction. Until next time!!!

Back to School!

2010-09-09T15:55:00.000-07:00

Well today was day 3 of the first day of school for this year. Zach and Sabrina entered 6th grade and Peyton started Kindergarten! Peyton is so excited.....loves school and cannot wait until she can read to her Daddy and me. With the kids going back to school it also means I went back to driving the school bus! Though the first week of school is a bit stressful...getting to know the kids....having the kids sit down in their seats....and all the other fun stuff that goes along with the job....I wouldn't trade it for one single second. Spending the summer at home with my kids was amazing! Still praying for another adoption some time down the line....but for now I am completely in love with the 3 children I have.

not OK

2010-09-02T14:57:00.001-07:00

I couldn't have said it any better than Heather.

Friendship

2010-08-06T18:52:00.000-07:00

Friendship is a wonderful thing isn't it? I mean seriously, without friends where would be sometimes. I know that I will never have to imagine a life without my dear friend Kristin. She has a heart bigger than anyone that I have ever met and I am humbled when I am with her. Her generosity is amazing. Please take a moment to stop over to her blog Irishopian and get to know a little bit about her and her amazing family. While you're there, please consider entering her raffle to not only have a chance of winning some authentic items, but also to assist them in bringing home their 2 sweet boys from Ethiopia. This will be her 7th and 8th child. Now do you understand when I say she has a big heart?

Thanks for reading, supporting and donating to my dear friend.

Jenni

Busy praying!

2010-07-21T16:54:00.001-07:00

That is what I have been doing lately. So many people, friends, family members all needing prayers. Whether they are prayers of encouragement, direction, healing etc......every free moment I have I am saying a prayer for someone. At the same time, I sometimes almost forget to pray for myself and our issues. Most importantly, our desire to adopt again. We have not a clue how we can even imagine affording a second adoption at this point, but I feel so strongly that THIS is what I am being called to do. My heart aches for all children without parents, without a home, that just simply want to be loved. My heart is being drawn to Ethiopia because I have seen, first-hand, the faces of the children both in and out of the orphanage. If God wants us to adopt, surely he'll help us find a way to. I just need to remember to pray.....for us!

Decisions, Prayer and Decisions

2010-06-29T18:46:00.000-07:00

Well, if anyone still reads my blog that I never tend to, I am going to change my ways! I am so thankful for so many wonderful things and want to share them with the world! We are also contemplating a second adoption and I am really praying on this one. We just moved into a new larger home (2 weeks ago) and it has been a year since bringing Peyton Birtukan home, I've changed jobs and we've changed churches. I know in our hearts we have the room, now I need to pray for a way to finance this adoption. I no longer work for the awesome company that has adoption assistance, but I do work for an awesome company that allows me home with my kiddos which is where I most want to be. I just came home from a trip to my dear sweet friend's home where I find myself so inspired to follow my heart and lead the Christian life I want to lead and help the people of beloved Ethiopia. My dream is to be in Ethiopia with her one day....together in a country we love so much. So for now, I will continue to pray, update my blog and post pictures!!!

Oh Happy Easter

2010-04-12T02:22:00.000-07:00

Readoption Day

2010-02-14T19:49:00.001-08:00

Readoption Day in PA!!!

Long Time No Blog

2010-02-11T12:52:00.000-08:00

Well I am so sorry it has been so long since I have blogged. Life with Birtukan whom we now call Peyton Birtukan has been wonderful! So many changes have happenned since she came home! I quit my wonderful full-time job to be home for all of my children more and other than when Peyton is in preschool, she gets to spend her days with me! I now drive a school bus for Zach and Sabrina's school district. Peyton rides with me and I am off of work the same days as my kids! I don't have much time to post since we are also selling our house and buying a larger house.......I had thet most awesome conversation with a good friend today about Ethiopia and I do hope that a trip to Ethiopia will be in my future!!!!!!!

Bye Bye Cavities!!!!!!!!!!!!

2009-07-01T07:10:00.000-07:00

Busy Busy Busy

2009-06-27T19:10:00.001-07:00

As you can imagine, our house has been so crazy busy since we returned from Ethiopia three weeks ago today! I still can't believe how quick those 3 weeks have gone. Well we have been going along great. Birtukan has had 2 of her cavities filled already and you would have thought she'd been going to the dentist forever. No problems or complaints, she just sat in the chair and did with the nice ladies asked her to do. She came down with a nasty virus of some sort with a high fever of 103 and vomiting and diarrhea to go with it. I ended up taking her to the doctor since she can't "tell" me what is wrong or what hurts and she ended up with an ear infection on top of it all. But the good news is all her blood work and stool samples have come back perfectly fine!!! woo hoo! I am going to attach some pictures from the past 3 weeks and will try not to make it so long in between posts!!!

She is HOME!!!!!!!

2009-06-12T07:16:00.000-07:00

We Passed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2009-05-18T14:50:00.000-07:00

We passed court and little Birtukan is ours! We have been so busy lately I haven't updated my blog. We leave May 28th and return June 6th!!!!!!!!! I am still floating on cloud 9.

Still waiting........................

2009-04-29T03:53:00.000-07:00

Well we are still awaiting travel news. It has been almost 4 weeks since any court passings have been announced in our agency. In the meantime, we had to submit a home study addendum to USCIS. I received a call from a gal in Pittsburgh that received my information addressed to her with our last name spelled wrong, stating that they needed additional information. Luckily this woman was so nice and is awaiting travel news to pick up a boy from China and she sent the letter via email to my home study agency. My SW at our h.s. agency says everything is going to work out just fine and she is working to straighten things out with USCIS. In the meantime, I am on pins and needles.

On the edge of my seat

2009-04-04T12:08:00.000-07:00

Well that sums it up! 9 travel emails went out this week. Not mine, but we are definately getting close! So, today we went shopping for travel supplies and I shopped by the what to pack list I got from my bloglist that other travelers have prepared! I was very grateful for it because as I walked in to the store, my mind went a bit blank!!!!!

Now we are back home to take care of my poor little man, Zach. He has not eaten since Thursday lunch which did not stay down! He did have a piece of toast today but he still has a fever that comes right before the Tylenol wears off!

Sabrina is almost completely recovered from the tonsillectomy and does not want to get this "bug" that he has so we've been out of the house pretty much as much as we can! Off to my friend Julie's tonight for a BBQ!!! Should be fun. Pictures next time!

They're gone. . . . .

2009-03-21T00:24:00.000-07:00

The tonsils that is! Sabrina had her tonsils removed yesterday. My oh my what a quick procedure it is now. Even though she goes home the same day, it is still considered major surgery, which is part of the reason I am up right now. She is eating a popcicle and having a glass of ice cold tea. The more fluids you drink the faster you heal. This is going to be a long 10-14 days. At least the hard part is over and now we can focus on her healing. On another note, there were no travel groups announced for my agency this week. I was so bummed as I am sure the other waiting parents were. The way I figure it there are about 28 families in front of us to travel so the sooner they get dates . . . . .you got it - the sooner I get one!!!!!! Off to take care of Sabrina - good night!

Hanging on.....

2009-03-11T03:07:00.000-07:00

Well I am still hanging on during the "wait to travel". I did receive 2 new pictures of "B" from our agency, along with measurements. During her first month at the Ab home, she gained 4 pounds!!! Each day I look at her pictures and tell her soon I will be there to bring you home. My agency had 15 referrals last week so hopefully we'll hear some good news for folks waiting to travel in front of us. I'm still holding on to the hope that I can be in Ethiopia in May and hold my new daughter in my arms for the first time.

Crossing My Fingers

2009-03-01T11:25:00.000-08:00

I am crossing my fingers today for some new pictures and/or updates of any kind with regard to our little princess waiting for us so many miles away. Our case manager returns to the office tomorrow after a week in Ethio. So if you don't mine, cross your fingers with me for some wonderful good news!!!!!!!!!

Tonsils are Coming Out

2009-02-19T02:02:00.000-08:00

Well, Sabrina is having her tonsils out on March 20th so, this will be something to pass our wait to travel, though NOT what I would have planned. My poor little girl has been so sick with strep throat over the past 3 years and after two back-to-back bouts of strep in December and January, I met with an E.N.T. on Tuesday and he recommended that she was definately a "candidate". The good thing is, two weeks after surgery she will be considered completely healed and so she will have no problem traveling to Ethiopia! Speaking of which, we got new pictures of our Princess waiting for us and I can't WAIT to show all of you one day hopefully very soon. I just can't wait to travel but while I'm home with Sabrina while she is recovering, we are going to start packing and organizing our donations to take with us so that will definately be fun!

Surviving the Wait to Travel

2009-02-07T05:51:00.000-08:00

Well, this is definately the 'hardest part' so far for me during the adoption process. Waiting for the paperwork....not too bad. Waiting for the referral (probably because it was only 3 months) was definately not bad. But now, having this beautiful little face to look at every day, wondering what she's doing, worrying about everything she does in a day, and just praying to travel is definately something that could take a toll on someone. We got some surprise pictures in our email the other day and she has a gorgeous smile on her face! Which is so great to see. Last night we did some shopping for clothes for our little Ethiopian princess which was so fun! A couple of weeks ago we met about 30 other parents that have or are adopting from Ethiopia. We had such a wonderful time connecting with other local families to talk one on one about their experiences. The owner of the restaurant himself was an amazing man! We can't wait for the next get-together!!

T H E C A L L!!!!!!!

2009-01-13T17:29:00.000-08:00

We have received our referral!!!!! We are beyond excited. When people told me the day will come, they were right! We have a beautiful 4 year old girl waiting for us and we can't wait to bring her home!!!

Pneumonia

2008-12-05T19:02:00.000-08:00

Yes, that is what has hit our home, or at least my beautiful daughter. She started with a fever Thanksgiving night and after being diagnosed with strep throat, two days later an ear infection, and the final diagnosis of pneumonia on Wednesday after a night of erratic breathing patterns. I have taken a leave from work in order to be with her since she cannot go to school and is on round the clock breathing treatments. Today is the first day since Thanksgiving that she has had a little "pep in her step"! Let's pray she's on the mend. She and Zach turn 10 on Tuesday, we've postponed their birthday (swimming pool) party originally scheduled for this Sunday until next Sunday. Luckily I am done birthday shopping and nearly done Christmas shopping. I've been finishing up my shopping online which has been convenient!!!! Until next time -------Thank you for listening/reading. Jenni

Officially Waiting

2008-11-07T19:32:00.000-08:00

We received an email today that our dossier has been officially accepted into the Ethiopia Program by WHFC. The email said our official wait-date is 10/17/08. I still can't believe it. Off to get the passports and immunizations and wait. . . . and I'm okay with waiting, at least for now! wink wink

Trick or Treat!

2008-11-02T05:21:00.000-08:00

The kids had so much fun trick or treating this year. In our annual tradition we trick or treat with our friends and their daughter as we are the only people on our street with children. Sabrina was dressed as Sharpay from HSM2 and Zachary was the character Halo - Master Chief from the video game Halo!!!!! They received enough candy to open their own candy store!!!!

Waiting for Authentication.......

2008-10-25T20:06:00.001-07:00

Well we are waiting to hear that our dossier has been authenticated. It has been 5 business days since they have had it and we were advised it would be 7-10. I just can't wait until we are officially waiting. Although, we are waiting, it's just a different kind, right? Well I started shopping for birthdays and Christmas today and that was fun! Zach and Sabrina will turn 10 on December 9th! I cannot believe my little peanuts are going to be 10! Boy does time fly. The way their life started out as premies in the NICU.....I am so blessed they are happy, healthy kiddos today!!!

Dossier.........

2008-10-15T16:03:00.000-07:00

Well after all the collecting of documents, notarized, witnessed or otherwise, our Dossier is now in the hands of FED EX!!!!! I can't beleive how hard it was to hand over the package to the man behind the counter. Now I was be tracking it like a maniac until it's delivered!!!! Will keep you posted.....

USCIS APPROVAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2008-10-11T12:53:00.000-07:00

It's here, it's here!!!!!!!! I still can't believe it! We received our approval to adopt one child! I am so excited. My throat hurts from running around the house screaming!!!!! Today has been one of those weird days....I was checking all the stuff to be sure our dossier was complete, wearing my "Excepting from Ethiopia" t-shirt around the house and my girlfriend sent me some pics of her friend's daughter she adopted last year from Ethiopia, Aida is 2 and adorable!!!! My son walked in the living room and said "only bills in the mail Mom". So I took the mail and low and behold I saw the return address from USCIS in Pittsburgh, PA and threw everything else on the floor! I could not wait to call my Mom and a few friends to share the good news!

We don't look sick ---- or do we?

2008-09-22T08:09:00.000-07:00

Well they sure are! Both have strep throat today! So we are all home - praying that Mom doesn't get it from either one of them!!! Washing bedding, getting meds and buying new tooth brushes!!! Fun Fun Fun! Oh and did I mention -- watching movies!!!!

Now We Wait - 171H

2008-09-10T15:25:00.000-07:00

September 4th we had our fingerprints taken!!!! I can't believe we are this close to having our dossier completed! This is the last document we are waiting for!!!! So exciting. I also met (on-line) a couple that lives less than 5 miles from us that is currently waiting for a baby from Ethiopia!!! We can't wait to get together with them and to know another family so close to us is so awesome!!!

Home Study -- Approved

2008-08-29T15:07:00.001-07:00

Our Home Study has been approved by WHFC!!! Another step forward. We are now awaiting CIS approval and a State Certified document for our Dossier and then it is complete!!!!! I can't believe how smoothly things are going right now. Zach and Sabrina just started 4th grade!!!!! Their teacher is very nice and they are both excited for this year. Here's a pic of the first day of 4th grade.

Fingerprinting!!!!!!

2008-08-26T02:50:00.001-07:00

We have confirmation that our I600A is being reviewed and we have our fingerprinting appointment on Thursday, September 4th at 9am!!! I am so excited we are getting so close to finishing our Dossier and so close to bringing our new little one home with us!!!!

Pictures

2008-08-03T08:20:00.001-07:00

I keep saying I'll post pictures so here we go:

This is a pic of us at the American Idols concert the other night!!!!

FINAL HOME STUDY

2008-08-03T08:16:00.000-07:00

We received the official final copies of our home study on Friday the 1st!!!!! I was so excited to pick up my "certified mail" that day at the posts office. Now we are getting ready to send in for USCIS approval. Last night was my birthday and my loving hubby took us all to the Ethiopian Restaurant in Pittsburgh, Abay for dinner! We had so much fun. The kids did not like the food extremely well, but they tried everything!!!! So this has been such a special weekend. The closer we get to finishing the Dossier the more excited we all get!!!!!!!

Home Study

2008-06-22T07:52:00.000-07:00

Well we had our home study yesterday!!!!! The SW was amazingly nice! He was here 3 1/2 hours total. I was so completely nervous and take it from me.....there was no reason to be. I am so grateful that he was sent to our house for this study. I am also glad that it is over!! Now we wait for his report to preview/proofread for errors.....then they send it on to WHFC for review. Now I am getting ready to mail our USCIS application this week. Progression -- I love it!!!!

SUMMER IS HERE

2008-06-07T05:24:00.000-07:00

Summer is finally here in Western PA! The pool is up and it's the weekend. We will be in it all weekend. On the adoption front, we are sending in payment for our Home Study and scheduling it (hopefully) for sometime during the 10 days that we are all off on vacation together. We plan to stay home this year and go to Kennywood, an outdoor concert and work on the very much needed spare bathroom!!!! We originally planned a trip to Niagara Falls but couldn't bare spending so much money on gas when it could be spent here at home doing fun things!!! Out to clean the pool --- will post pics next time.

My Beloved Chessie

2008-05-20T14:36:00.001-07:00

I haven't posted in a while, but I do need to write that my beloved dog, Chessie, passed away in her sleep on the 18th of May. She was my beautiful sweet girl for five years. I rescued her from the Chesapeake Bay Retirever Relief and Rescue organization. At the time, she was believed to be about 6 years old and had been contained in a cage for several years used only for breeding. We gave her so much love and she gave us memories that will last a lifetime.

Waiting and Longing.....

2008-02-07T04:27:00.000-08:00

Waiting and LONGING.....
I hold you in my heartand touch you in my dreams. You are here each day with me,at least that's how it seems.I know you wonder where we are...What's taking us so long. But remember child, I love you so and God will keep you strong. Now go outside and feel the breeze and let it touch your skin...Because tonight, just as always,I blow kisses in the wind. May God hold you in His hand until I can be with you. I promise you, my darling, I'm doing all that I can do. Very soon you'll have a family for real, not just pretend. But for tonight, just as always, I blow you kisses in the wind. May God wrap you in His arms and hold you very tight. And let the angels bring the kisses that I send to you each night.
Author- unknown

Mailed Home Study App

2008-01-16T09:34:00.001-08:00

Today I mailed our application to begin our home study! I also received a call from our case worker/social worker from WHFC that has been assigned to assist us with our adoption. Today my husband and my daughter are home with a stomach bug!!! Luckily my son doesn't have it and was able to go to school. Since today is my day off....not much getting done except playing nurse....which of course I don't mind. Keeping it short today since I have so much to do.

First Blog!

2008-01-10T11:15:00.001-08:00

Well today is my first day at "blogging". I have spent so much time setting up the blog and figuring out how to edit things that I am now just about out of time! I have to go pick up my daughter at school. My son is sick at home for the third day in a row with me. A little bit about myself before I sign off........my husband Bill and I have been married for 13 1/2 years. Nine years ago I delivered quadruplets after many years of infertility. Our children were born in the following order: Zachary, Sabrina, Brett and Lucy. Our kids were teeny tiny and 13 weeks premature. Though the doctors did all they could, two of our children, Lucy and then Brett passed away. Our surviving quads, Zach and Sabrina are happy healthy 9 year olds with minimal health problems. We have recently signed with WHFC to begin the adoption of a toddler from Ethiopia to add to our awesome family! Until next time...........