Journey to Ethiopia

Well, the final lag of our journey to our daughters in Ethiopia will begin very early tomorrow morning when my friend (also Mary) and I board the first plane. The bags are packed and almost overflowing with stuff. The final errands are finished and just the last minute things are left to toss into the last carry-on bag. I'm very excited now and even my nervousness about flying isn't overshadowing my anticipation of seeing the girls for the first time. Our oldest will start kindergarten before I return, and missing that is my only sadness. Good thing my husband will be here to meet with the teacher and take him to school. Hopefully he will take pictures for me. So proud of my son. I have lots of things to do on the plane to help pass the time in case I can't sleep. Although I haven't slept a lot the last several nights, I've slept well so I don't feel too exhausted. I'm sure the trip will take a toll, though, but to hug our girls at the end will make it all worth it. Can't wait!

More Pictures

These are from my friend, Nancy, who spent 7 weeks in Ethiopia!

Five Days and Counting!

Including today, I leave in five days. I only have five days to get everything ready to go. So much to do! My baby shower is tomorrow; I'm looking forward to seeing some of my very dear friends. I leave first thing Thursday morning and return the following Saturday night, very late. At least I won't have as much luggage coming back--it'll be hard enough carrying and juggling the girls! But what precious bundles they will be. Can't wait! The boys both want to go with me--they keep saying that. I wish we could all go--if only it wasn't such a long trip!

Thinking Of You

Kistet is 15 months old today so she's been in my thoughts. I will be able to hold her in one week--well, if she lets me. It may take a few days before she'll warm up to me. I'm trying to fit everything into every bag I'm allowed to take, but it's a lot of organizing, re-organizing, unpacking, packing, taking things out, adding things, etc., etc. One of my friends is giving me a baby shower on Sunday--so nice. I received a ton of great clothes from another friend so I've been going through bags and bags of clothes from 12 months all the way up to 5 years. These girls are going to be in style. It's amazing what choices girls have in style, colors, combinations that boys absolutely lack. My head is spinning after five years of looking at only boys' things. Such a new world! Their room is starting to fill up nicely. The boys are getting ready, too. I heard James tell someone at the doctor's office the other day all about their sisters who were coming from Ethiopia soon. He'll be starting kindergarten right around the time I return so his mind is more occupied with that excitement. They both finished their two weeks of summer swim lessons and did amazingly well.

We passed!!!

Here are our girls! The first five pictures are Grace Mestawot McCormick, 7 months old. The next five are of Kistet Madeleine McCormick, 14 months old.

Aren't they just gorgeous? I'll be able to hold them in about two weeks! What a great day!

Take A Breath, A Slow Breath

Two days until court date. It's hard to keep my focus on anything, but the non-stop vigil by the computer for several weeks has worn me out. My brain's going 90 miles an hour, but my body is exhausted. We had friends visiting for a couple of days, which was great distraction, but also more exhausting. I'm busier this week with other things and not checking the e-mail so often. I'm not sure if that's any easier--my brain still thinks about those girls whether I'm in front of the computer or not. The boys started their summer swimming lessons today. James had a blast, but Tommy decided he was not going to enjoy it and did not like his teacher so he screamed for me for the last ten minutes. Not exactly distracting or relaxing. Hopefully he'll get used to his teacher soon so the next two weeks isn't more stressful. He's done swimming lessons many times before, but it was the first time I didn't have to swim with him and he was alone with the teacher. It was funny that the teacher put up with him screaming, "Leave me alone!" in her ear for ten minutes. If I was her, I would have dumped him off on his mother and advised her to keep him out of the pool for the next ten years. I guess that's why I'm not a teacher and why I take the boys there for swim lessons. James and Tommy's different reactions to new situations definitely show their individual personalities. Did they really have the same parents?