Blog
What's Next?
6/29/2012
You may be wondering......what happens next? We just received our cour decree which basically puts in writing the finalization of our adoption. Next, birth certificates and passports are processed. Then, Alganesh, Goteytom, and Teame (I love being able to write their whole name, now that it's official!!) will move down to the care center in Addis Ababa which is the capital of Ethiopia. While there, a medical evaluation will be performed to verify their ages, etc.
After that, our case will be submitted to the Embassy and then we will travel to pick them up!! Most likely, a process of a couple months.
Momma
Meredith :)
(8 comments)
Court Decree Issued
6/28/2012
A copy of the official court decree was e-mailed to us by our adoption coordinator today. In order for a decree to be issued, several things needs to present-parent interview, MOWA letter, and court appearance with adoptive parents. It's all written in Amharic (the official language of Ethiopia). Next, the birth certificates for our children will be processed. After that, the passports are processed and then a medical evaluation are conducted. Then, we are submitted to Embassy. The times is drawing nearer!!
Meredith :)
P.S. The court decree is in the native language of Amharic, good luck figuring out what it says!
(15 comments)
Welcome To Our Family
6/25/2012
Introducing Alganesh, Goteytom, and Teame to the "Libbey" family. We are thrilled to announce that we are now officially a family of six (including Kathryn)!! We can't wait to bring you home.
Momma and Bobba.
Meredith and Jim :)
(0 comments)
Court Final or Not?
6/25/2012
Upon arriving to court just before 2 pm, we were informed that our names had been crossed off the list and placed on Wednesday's appearances for the judge. Uuugh!! At this point, you may be thinking "not AGAIN"!! We were too. Jim and I prayed fervantly. Our adoption coordinator spoke with the person who coordinates court appointments and persuaded her to put us on today's list. It worked.
After waiting in a large room with more than a dozen adoptive families, we were able to see the judge. She mostly asked us questions related to maintaining our children's culture, training that we had received, and whether or not we knew that our adoption was permanent. The court appointment itself occured in a small office with the judge. It took approximately 5 minutes. We are HAPPY to announce that Alganesh, Goteytom, and Teame are officially our children and their adoption is finalized. Praise God!!
Meredith and Jim :)
(4 comments)
In Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
6/24/2012
Yesterday, we spent some final time with "A", "G", and "T". Meredith cried as she gave the girls hugs upon leaving. We have grown so attached to our kids. We are thankful for all the wonderful experiences and people that have shown their love to our children at the care center. The nannies and support staff are wonderful!!
Today, we have court in Addis Ababa at 2 pm. We are heading to the market this morning to buy some souveniers. There is a mixture of Muslim and Christianity influence here. The muslim prayer time echoed throughout the city at 4 am. Talk about a wake up call!!
Next stop, Washington D.C.
Meredith and Jim
(5 comments)
Girls Visit Our Hotel
6/23/2012
Tonight, we are planning to go to an Ethiopian restaurant and show with our driver/interpreter. The girls came to our hotel with us early afternoon since the restaurant is close to our hotel. We were not sure how "T" would do so he remained at the care center. This time, it would be just us and the girls. No interpreter!! Oh me, oh my.
The girls are getting pretty accustom at using gestures or showing us things when we do not understand. We also learned the word for "what is it" in Tingriya which is pronounced phonetically "tie-i-ba-hall". Easy, don't you think!! The girls had already eaten lunch so we had a snack although it was really more like lunch. It was kabobs and chicken tempura. "A" ate like a champ and tried most everything. "G" was a bit more reserved and said that she was full. But both girls drank their orange soda.
The roof of the hotel was our next visit. We climbed the five flights of stairs and entered the roof area of the building where we could see much of Mekelle. "A" was a bit adventurous and was steps ahead us. "G" was a bit reserved and wanted to hold Meredith's hand. Later on, the interpreter indicated that "G" missed her brother "T". We're not sure if "A" and "G" were told whether they were coming back to the care center that night.
Later, our interpreter came and took us to an Ethiopian restaurant. The food was delicious!! We had different types of "beef tips, a popular dish here in Mekelle. The tips are served on a iron skillet/stove and kept warm over wood coals. Next, the we were entertained by Ethiopian singers and dancers. It was a neat cultural experience for the girls.
Proud Parents.
Meredith and Jim
(4 comments)
Coffee Anyone (cont..)?
6/23/2012
This morning, one of the helpers at the care center, showed the entire process of making coffee. First, she roasted the coffee beans in a iron skillet over warm coals until they turned black. The beans started out green. Next. the beans were roasted.
The mixture was poured into coffee pot (not like the ones in America. remember, we are in Ethiopia) along with water and cooked over warm coals. When thethick mixture started bubbling out of the spout, she poured some out and poured some more water in the mixture. Eventually, the mixture was the consistency of coffee. It was delicious (and that is coming from someone that does not like coffee)!!
Yummy!!
Meredith :)
(4 comments)
A Herd of Camels
6/23/2012
A herd, yes a herd of camels, (at least 100 or more) was traveling down the road as we were going to the care center to visit the kids. The camels were in bunches of 20 and a man was at the head of each. It was fascinating to see. I wish that my camera was with me. It was a cool sight. Our driver indicated that the camels were headed to a desert area where salt is located. Pretty interesting!!
It was an amazing sight!!
Meredith
(2 comments)
The Teff Flour Mill
6/22/2012
We had the coolest experience today!! Meredith went to a nearby market (not a grocery store or farmer's market) to buy some oil seed for our grill that we use to make injera bread. While there, we asked about teff flour to make injera bread. The price for teff flour is approximately one dollar whereas in America the cost is between two to eight dollars. Considerably less.
The nurse and helper that work at the care center came with me asked if I wanted to buy some. In reality, I wanted to buy some but I told them that I needed to ask my husband (mostly because I forgot my camera and wanted to document the experience). The market portrayed the life of people in the local area. There were farmers selling their crop, basket weavers, coal makers, and log splitters. It gave us a bigger picture of the life here in the Mekelle area.
The second time, Jim came with us. We went to the mill where the teff flour was sifted. The people were so excited to see Americans. He welcomed and eagerly gave us an "inside" tour of the mill. We saw how teff is sifted many times to remove all extraneous particles and then it is put through several grinders to crush into flour.
Many workers work in very "dusty" conditions during this entire process. All very happy and friendly. It was difficult for us to remain in the factory while our flour was made.
Meredith and Jim
P.S. It's all about JIM!!
(4 comments)
Braids In The Hair
6/22/2012
I REALLY wanted to learn how to braid the girl's hair (not that I will have the time to do it). It's more complicated than I thought and I may need LOTS of practice. One of the ladies demonstrated how to braid the girl's hair into corn rows. I think that it is similar to french braids. She did a couple of rows and then I attempted to place one strand of hair behind the other and then another strand of hair behind another. The hair didn't all stay together.
After a couple attempts, I turned the reigns over the the expert. It took her 30 minutes to braid each of the girl's hair. It would take me at least 5 hours and I'm not sure the rows or braids would be presentable to the public!! The girls would need to wear a hat. I told the lady that she could move to Wisconsin with the girls. She smiled and laughed!! At least, I have the videotape to try to emmulate what I learned. :)
The next day, she put braids in my hair. We are planning to go to an Ethiopian restaurant and show in the evening.
Styling in Ethiopia!!
Momma Meredith
(6 comments)