Blog
The Gift
10/4/2012
Today is our final day in Addis. This evening, we will be flying back to America with our kiddos. The girls are so excited to come. Each day they wake up and tell Jim and I how many days until we leave. Yesterday, we went shopping......an activity the girls love!! We found some Ethiopian dresses for the girls and a chair for Teame.
The girls have been practicing greeting others in America. They delight in using their newly learned phrase with adults and children everywhere we go.
In our hotel room, there is a kitchen. Teame has made himself comfortable and has been opening cupboards and drawers. When at restaurants, he is more comfortable with leaving Jim and I and explores the area near our table area. We are so proud of him!!
God has blessed us with the precious gift of FAMILY. We are very THANKFUL to HIM for his gift of love. The Libbey family looks forward to seeing you soon in America or as the girls would say "today, America"!!
Love,
Meredith
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Each Day
10/4/2012
Each day is easier for Solomon Teame. When he first came to the hotel with us, it was a bit of a transition. He cried for almost 2 hours......he really missed the nannies who have loved him so much!! Initially, he only wanted to be held by Jim and I. The next day, we were able to get a few smiles and found his "tickle" spots. Yesterday, while in the hotel, he babbled, said the girl's names, laughed, and walked around.
Rest time did not happen.....all he wanted to do was talk and laugh. It even seemed that Teame was singing a song at times. He kept mom up with his teasing nature.
It's been a JOY to see him grow in his security with Jim and I. It's very similar to God's love for each of us. As we grow in our understanding and relationship of HIM, we can rest in HIS peace and provision.
Love,
Meredith
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Dreaming
10/3/2012
Well everyone, including Mom is fast asleep. Solomon is laughing in his sleep about something he is dreaming about, which happened to wake me out of my thoughts of the abc song and Jesus loves me running through my head.
It is quiet here in the hotel, something I looked forward to this afternoon as three children went in different directions here in the mid afternoon "Napless, quietless time" we did not plan on having with the entire family.
I have a better understand how Custer felt on his last stand, but we will live for another adventure packed day that can only be had here in Ethopia.
We made new friends on our trip to the Entoto mountains high above Addis Abba, enjoyed fellowship with others from America and Ethopia, we where blessed with diaper wipes, after discovering we left them behind at the hotel, a Pastor from Florida came to our rescue and saved us all from a long smelly hot ride back from the tour site.
It is such a privilege to be here, We have meet so many amazing people, and so many others are around to help as we are in need. We praise GOD for each one of you that have made this possible!
The people are so loving, caring and beautiful in this place, it has left a new completely different view of Ethopia and the land that gave us these three beautiful children. I can see why so many people, we have talked to in the past, have fell in love with the country, its people and struggles.
Good Night from Ethiopia
LOVE
JIM
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Embassy
10/2/2012
Today was a very special day in the "Libbey" family history. All five of us went for a visa interview with at the United States Embassy in Addis, Ethiopia.
Just before we left, I thought Jim had my passport. After looking through all the luggage and having only 20 minutes before we needed to arrive for our interview, we decided to take a copy of my passport that we had in the hope that security would allow us through the Embassy doors. Just when we arrived, Jim said would your passport be in your carrier around my neck. Yes!! That would be it. Thank goodness, we found it!!
The Embassy approved our case and provided us with the official birth certificates for Alganesh, Goteytom, and Teame. On Thursday, we will receive the approved Ethiopian passports and Visas for our kids and we are ready to return to America. Two days and counting!! Our girls are very excited to come to America. It's all about the adventure.
Meredith :)
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All About Braids
10/2/2012
Hannah and Rebecca started off their day having their hair braided. It's amazing to see the dexterity and how quickly the hairdressers braided the girl's hair. When they returned to our hotel, the girls practiced braiding on their dolls. :) It was cute. I promised the lady at the beauty shop a picture on our blog....enjoy!!
Meredith
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THE BATHROOM!!
10/1/2012
Well, I have to admit that I expected a few minor changes in our lifestyle. As all of us adjust to a new life that includes others people in unique and unforseen ways. But bathroom time now needs to be a new scheduled event in the lives our new family. A simple lets wash our hands before going out for dinner is a fifteen minute event, bathroom potty breaks can easily eclipse thirty minutes and Solomon and I are not included in that time as he has in own changing station and I' ll just have to learn how to wait my time out.
The other thing is as we got ready to go to dinner I had forgtten that before you can think about putting your shoes and socks, on lotion must be slatherred on to your legs and feet even as Mom and Solomon are down all four flights of stairs in the hotels lobby waiting for us.
Oh do not read the above wrong, as I would not want to miss a minute of any of this! It has given me the opportunity to blog this little rant.
Love
Jim
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A Greater Purpose
10/1/2012
Along the way, we have been blessed to meet many people that have been adopted, adopted children, or are in the process of adopting children. On the plane ride over as well as in our hotel, we met several people that were coming over for their Embassy or court appointments. Each family has an amazing story to tell about how God lead them to adoption and their journey. Some journeys have been short and others long (two plus years). But each has a story that has deepened their understanding with unique twists and turns that Glorify God and show Him to be Sovereign.
We have journeyed a little over one year for seen God work in mighty ways to bring Hannah Goteytom, Rebecca Alganesh, and Solomon Teame into our lives. There were times when the journey seemed long and "tough" but we are glad, no grateful that God brought us on this journey. HE has helped us understand his GREATER plan of adopting us into HIS family.
Blessed,
Meredith and Jim
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No Thank You
10/1/2012
Solomon Teame has this "cute" gesture he uses when he doesn't want any more food. He holds up his hand and waves it back and forth. sometimes, he shakes his head too. Solomon typically uses this gesture when he is full, thirsty, or isn't finished chewing. It must be something that he learned at the care center. The little ones are fed in groups of 3 or 4 from one piling plate of food. He is a good eater!!
Meredith :)
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Love Backpacks
10/1/2012
We bought Hannah Goteytom, Rebecca Alganesh, and Solomon Teame a backpack with toys for the trip. Our girls have responded with gratitude to both Jim and I for everything that has been given and done. Each time they receive something, they think it needs to go in their backpack. Needless to say, we are running out of room in the backpacks. If they were allowed to, they would carry their backpacks all arround Addis!!
Meredith
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We Are Together
10/1/2012
Our plane arrived in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia early this morning at 7 am. By the time, we exchanged cash into birr, picked up our luggage, paid for our visas, stopped by our hotel, and made it to the the care center where Hannah Goteytom, Rebecca Alganesh, and Solomon Teame have lived, it was 10 am. The girls greeted us with hugs and called us "Mommy" and "Daddy". How precious!! Solomon Teame was slower to respond. We spent a little time with their friends and then left about noon.
Before we knew it, the girls had packed their few belongings (an outfit, photo books, etc.) in our backpacks. They were ready to leave!!Solomon was not too sure about the whole experience!! He cried the majority of the van ride over to a hotel and it took him a bit to settle down. Now, he only wants to be held. We LOVE, LOVE our kids!! God has BLESSED us with precious gifts from above.
Love,
Meredith and Jim :)
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