July 23

I feel like I was awake all night last night. I’m sure I must have dozed at some point but it didn’t seem like it. Denver was also quite restless and he sounds like he’s stuffed up in his nose. I wouldn’t be surprised if it was from the poor air quality here. The exhaust from the vehicles is horrible. When we go out for the day, I usually come back with a sore throat from breathing in so much dirty air. Plus I already find it harder to breathe here because of the altitude. The first few days here were horrible. My chest felt really heavy and at night I would wake up thinking I was having an anxiety attack (which wouldn’t have been surprising with everything going on!) It was always worse when I was lying down. Going up a few flights of stairs always caused me to be short of breath too – felt like I was really out of shape. Thankfully this is all from the altitude and nothing physically wrong with me. You do get used to it though and it gets better every day.

After breakfast a bunch of us went shopping with Solomon again. Some people had never been to the scarf place so we stopped there first. After that we went to a place to buy some coffee. It took forever because the owner of the store was being audited for his taxes. So we all had our purchased picked out but we had to stand in line until they were done. It was probably just us Canadians that were totally impatient – perhaps we can learn something from these laid back, relaxed Ethiopians. After that we stopped at a place to buy silver. I didn’t get anything there. Then it was time to get back to the Weygoss for some lunch.


At 2:00 Solomon picked J and I up to go to the German Embassy to get our transit visas. We got there at around 2:40 and had to wait for them to open at 3:00. They let us through the big grey gate and through security one at a time. Once through, J and I met in the waiting area. We didn’t know where to sit or what to do. I asked everyone else if we needed a number but they all said no. So we sat and waited. Then one of the officials had some paperwork in his hands and pointed at me and motioned for me to come over. J came with me and he had both of our transit visas ready to go. We had to sign a paper and he handed them over. We both automatically kissed the passports feeling relieved to finally have them in our hands and the man just laughed at us.

Then Solomon took us to do some more shopping. We went to Misrach Handicraft Training and Rehabilitation Centre. They have a shop there were you can buy items that are made by blind people. It was great and I got a whole bunch of note cards, puzzles, a leather hippo for Denver and a little change purse. The stuff was so nice. Then we did some more shopping for souvenirs. I got some African items to hang in our house and some other little things like a little drum for Denver. It was a lot of fun but I was very tired at the end of the day.

I had an interesting conversation with Solomon today. Last week I had asked him if there was a possibility for me to visit Denver’s orphanage. He asked me where he was from and I said Kingdom Vision International. He told me that was in Adama so we would arrange to go there one day. Well because we’ve been busy with paperwork and such, we haven’t gotten around to it. So yesterday I asked him if it was still a possibility – maybe for Friday. He said yes and we set it up to go. Then today he said something else came up for him to do and he wasn’t sure what to say to me. I said don’t worry about – just do what you have to do. So he arranged for the director of the orphanage to come and get me and take me there and back again. It’s an hour and a half drive one way. So I was kind of excited about going there and seeing where Denver spent the first month of his life.

Later in the day today, Solomon told me that I don’t have to go to Adama anymore because Denver’s birth mom is here in Addis. That actually didn’t surprise me because I know that Denver was born in Addis. I asked Solomon why she would have a baby in Addis and then bring him to an orphanage in Adama – 1 ½ hours away. He said, no, no, no – he was at the Kingdom Vision International Orphanage here in Addis. I had no idea there were two. So as it turns out, he is going to pick me up at 10:00 tomorrow morning and bring me to Denver’s orphanage. There’s also a possibility that I may meet his birth mother. Because of the circumstances I didn’t think this would be an option but apparently the orphanage director thinks he can get her to come. I’m feeling kind of nervous but I know that it will be good and a great opportunity to be able to share with Denver more about his life before joining the Carmody family.

I called Mike tonight to let him know about the birth mother and asked him if there was anything he wanted me to ask her. He said he couldn’t think of anything off the top of his head – I think he wasn’t expecting this (nor was I). We talked about it more and came up with some things we would like to ask. I’m hoping the conversation will flow fairly smoothly if I do end up meeting her.

This was the last time I talked to Mike before I'll see him at the Toronto Airport. Just before I hung up, I said, “See you soon!” That’s a great feeling.

One month home

Saturday marked one month since Denver and I landed on Canadian soil. I can't believe it. Where has the time gone? He's been such a joy to have around and despite getting four teeth all at the same time the first week or so of being home, overall he's been a content and happy little guy. Since being home he has learned (with the help of Victoria, Austin and Samara) how to clap, how to wave and now he puts his little arms up in the air when he wants to be picked up. Talk about melting your heart!

Only a couple more days of the Ethiopia journal left to post. It's been a bit of a chore to get it all together with the pictures but I'm happy to do it - it will be a nice keepsake for Denver to read through when he gets older.

July 22

Just as I was getting ready to get into bed last night, mom called from BC. It was so good to hear her voice. The connection was really clear on the phone and we chatted for a bit. I also talked very briefly to David and Christel.

The lawyer came by the guest house again this morning but couldn’t stay too long. He asked me to make the call to Nick Firlotte at the Canadian Embassy at 10:00 this morning. It was tricky to reach him as the phone just rang and rang. I did get an answering machine at one point so I left a message. As I was waiting around by the front desk to call him again, the man in the room beside mine came down. He said there was a phone call for me in his room and I should go take it. He said it’s my husband and that he was having a hard time getting a hold of me. I was really worried as I made my way upstairs wondering why Mike would be calling me – especially in the middle of the night in Canada. Anyway, I picked up the phone and it was Nick Firlotte. He had gotten my message but was having a hard time getting a hold of me. (On days when the power is out, we can call out from here but people have a hard time getting through to the front desk at the Weygoss. If they do get through, it’s often to another room). Anyway, he said he had the package there with the visas and if I could round up the families in the front lobby, I should call him back and we could just confirm whose are there in his hands. So that’s what I did. There were four families that wanted to pick up their visas today. I thanked him again (for about the hundredth time) and said we’d be there at some point today. He said we could just ask for the immigration assistant when we got there but not to come between 12:15 and 1:00 because that was her lunch break. We waited for one of the families (S & J) who had to go get their kids’ passport pictures done first so that we could go to the German Embassy right after we pick up our visas (they’re also traveling through Frankfurt on the way home).

When we arrived at the Canadian Embassy (around 1:30ish), we knocked on the door and asked to see the immigration assistant. We were told she wasn’t there. (I just about had a heart attack). I explained that we were there to pick up our visas for our children and that I had talked to Nick Firlotte and he said we could come at this time. He made a phone call and then let us in. You have to go through a lot of security to get into the Canadian Embassy but we got right through to the immigration assistant who had our packages. As we were signing for them, Nick came out to say hi and wish us all the best. I hugged him and thanked him – again. He was also very gracious to let us have our picture taken with him by the Canadian flag. You are not supposed to take pictures of or in any government buildings in Ethiopia so we made sure there were no buildings in the picture. We said our goodbyes and we were off to the German Embassy to get the transit visas for our kids.

This is me with the envelope that contains the long awaited visa:

When we arrived at the German Embassy they wouldn’t let us in. They said we had to come back the next morning between 9:00 and 12:00. We pleaded with them saying that we didn’t have much time to get this all done because our flight was leaving Friday night (we knew there was a 24 hour turn around to get the transit visas). They still wouldn’t let us in but they did give us the phone number and told us to call. When we got back to the taxi, the driver let us use his phone. It took us a few tries to get through but I finally ended up talking to a woman at the embassy. She explained to me again that we had to come back the next morning and gave me a huge list of everything we needed to bring with us. (I thought for sure I would have to call Mike and get him to email me some of the paperwork which would mean another frustrating visit to the internet café). I still tried to convince her to let us in and she finally said that if I gave her our names, we could come in and just get the paperwork to fill out. We would still have to bring it in the next day and then pick them up on Friday. It was so frustrating because we were leaving Friday night and the timing was way too tight. But anyway, J and I went back and knocked on the gate. When we told them our names they let us in. We met the woman that I had talked to on the phone and she gave us the forms. Then she asked us if we had everything with us so we started sorting through our stacks of paperwork. Miraculously J and I both found everything we needed except the Adoption Agreement. We both didn’t know what this was and couldn’t remember ever seeing it. The woman told us it would have come from our adoption agency and showed us a sample of what it should look like. I think at this point we both wanted to cry but after the week we had, I’m not sure we had any tears left. We explained to the woman that our agency had gone bankrupt and there was probably no way to get that paper anymore. As I was still frantically flipping through all my paperwork, I looked in the envelope we had just picked up from the Canadian Embassy and there it was! The Adoption Agreement had been in Nairobi and now we had it in our hands with the visa and other documents. Hooray!!! Even though we were supposed to bring copies of everything, we gave the woman our originals and she made the copies for us. She let us fill out the three page forms right then and there. I had Denver with me but J was supposed to have her kids with her as well but the woman let that one go too. We were there for at least an hour filling out forms and sorting through paperwork but we got it all done and submitted. (We also had a serious case of the giggles - I think we were nervous and relieved all at once and laughing was all we had left to do). Now we just have to go back tomorrow to pick it up at 3:00 in the afternoon. Thankfully these transit visas are free for minors.
When we got back to the guest house, the lawyer was there again. He knows that Mary Catherine is a friend of mine and so he wanted to tell me some good news about her file. The medical form came in today and so Samuel will have his medical done even before the court date. Also, the court date has been rescheduled for the beginning of August. I called Mike right away to tell him to email Mary Catherine this great news. It’s really neat to be able to be here and find some of these things out for friends back home. When I was talking to Mike he also told me that Steve and Tracy had emailed to say that the MP’s office can’t find a paper trail at all for them and their adoption process for their little girl here in the transition home. I told Mike I would look into it and call him right back. The lawyer was just packing up to head back to his hotel but I was able to ask him about their file. He said he has a note that everything is there in Nairobi and they’re just waiting for their visa to be issued. I told him what the MP found out and he said he would look into it. I called Mike back to let him know and hopefully tomorrow he will give me more good news about their file.

We were going to go shopping still this afternoon but everything took a lot longer than expected at the Embassies and I really didn’t feel like it anymore. I talked to Solomon who said he would take us shopping tomorrow morning. I still want to get some coffee to take home and some t-shirts for the kids. Solomon will also take J and I to the German Embassy again tomorrow afternoon to pick up the transit visas for our kids.

Denver had his first play date today. We went to another adoptive mom's room for cookies and tea. I sat on the floor with him while he played with the blocks. He had a great time and was talking and laughing the whole time. So cute.

We went out for dinner at the Makush again – with another mom and her kids. We said goodbye to another family and thier kids who are heading home to BC. Their flight leaves at 4:00 am. They’re such a great family and it’s been really good hanging out with them and getting to know them. I’m going to miss them.

Off to bed around 9:30.

I had a hard time finding pictures to post for this day. Most of the good ones have people in them that I don't have permission to put on this blog so I don't want to go there. So here are some pictures of a rainy day in Addis:

Very Exciting News!!!

I got a call from my dear friend Catherine this afternoon . . . she's finally a mommy!!! She received "THE CALL" this afternoon with the details about her daughter Hannah - after waiting more than three years! Hannah was born in China, in the province of Hunan and she's only 5 1/2 months old! Unbelievable. Head on over to her blog at Catherine's Chatter to congratulate her.

Congratulations again Catherine. I can't wait to see Hannah's precious little face.

Praise God from whom all blessings flow.

July 21

I fell asleep almost right away last night. I think that’s a first. Denver stirred a few times in the night but I just had to rub his back and he went right back to sleep. I woke up around 4:00 am and then just laid there the rest of the time. Denver got up around 6:15 am.

I had breakfast and then went to the internet café with another adoptive mom. There are only four computers there and they were all taken so we had to wait a bit. When I finally got online, I printed out Denver’s airline ticket for Friday night that Mike had emailed to me. It took forever because it was such a slow connection. I read one email that Mike had sent out to family and friends and copied me on but it was too emotional to read. This other adoptive mom and I were sitting there hugging and crying together. She’s been a good friend – we’re both really homesick – she’s here without her husband too. After that I decided not to read any more emails from Mike. Besides it was so slow and we had to get back to the guest house.

When we got back, Solomon was waiting for us. We headed out with three other families to Entoto Mountain. We drove all the way up to a high point and looked out over Addis Ababa. The view was beautiful. There were lots of goats and donkeys along the way. We also saw many of the women carrying the firewood down the mountain – what a brutal life. At the top of the mountain, there were many kids there and one of the couples handed out McDonald’s treat of the week toys to them. They loved it and were so happy.

We drove halfway down the mountain and stopped at the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church and the Entoto St. Mary Emperor Menelik and Emperess Taitu’s Memorial Museum. It was quite interesting. We had a tour at the museum and then walked around the church grounds. The buildings where the Emperor used to live was really cool.

The kids were all getting hungry at this point so we opted to have lunch before doing some shopping. We ate at the University in Addis.

After lunch we visited the Former Women Wood Carriers Association. These are mostly women that used to carry the firewood up and down the mountain but they’ve now been taught a skill – weaving. We got to see them weaving the scarves and they loved to have their picture taken and then asked to see it on the back of the digital camera. Then we shopped. And boy did we shop. I bought 12 scarves. I couldn’t pick – they were all so beautiful. They'll make nice gifts for people back home.

The next stop was a pottery shop. Again, we got to see the women making the pottery. It was beautiful. I bought a few keepsakes for the kids and for Mike and me.

By this time, the kids had had enough and the adults were also tired. So we headed back to the guest house. Solomon was kind enough to stop at the grocery store we were at the first day I had Denver so that I could buy some more formula. I was almost out of it and I couldn’t find it in any stores around the guest house.

I couldn't resist taking a picture of this computer store for Mike:

When we got back to the Weygoss, the lawyer was there again. He had had a really good day and accomplished a lot more again. He pushed to get more LONO’s, more letters from the MOWA, birth certificates, passports, etc. He’s done so much since he came here and we couldn’t have gotten this far without him. He also arranged to have some more of our stuff brought to the Weygoss from the transition home. So I got Denver’s little journal that was kept under his crib. It’s very interesting to read and I found out a few more things about his short life before we met him. I was chatting with the lawyer for a while about everything and as it turns out, he is going to be on the same flight home on Friday night that I am – through Frankfurt to Toronto. I teased him about maybe babysitting for me but he didn’t go for it. We also talked about Denver’s visa and when it would arrive. The Consul at the Canadian Embassy said if we didn’t hear from him on Tuesday, then he would call us on Wednesday when it arrived. I told the lawyer that if I didn’t hear from the Consul by 12:00 noon, then I would call him. He said if he didn’t hear from him by 10:00 am, he would call him. I see why he’s been able to get so much done since he’s been here!

We just ordered in for dinner and ate in the lobby with some other families.

Denver went to bed around 8:30 . . . here’s hoping it’s a good night with lots of sleep – for him and me!

Another Interview

I got another call last night for a radio interview - a follow up to my initial radio interview when I was in Addis. If you're interested in hearing it, click on the link below. It's at the very beginning of Part 2 on August 18.

http://www.cbc.ca/radioshows/AS_IT_HAPPENS/20090818.shtml

July 20

I dressed Denver in his Passport to Canada shirt and Canada flag Robeez this morning thinking it may be appropriate today. I’m feeling nervous but trying to stay hopeful.

I didn't get a good picture of the shirt but I did get some serious tongue talent!

After breakfast we had another informal meeting with the lawyer from BDO. I called Nick Firlotte at the Canadian Embassy at 8:30 to see if he had received any visas on Friday. He said there was nothing there yet but he would look into it to see if he could find out if they were on their way and when they would arrive. He said he’d call me back in about 10 minutes. I waited well over an hour and then remembered that because it was a power out day, he probably wouldn’t get through. So I called him again (for some reason you can call out) and after many rings he answered. He was just in a meeting with the lawyer and he wanted to know if he could share the information with him (he was worried about privacy). All of our families already decided we were okay to share our file information (i.e. PRV or citizenship, where we were in the wait, etc. – nothing personal). Nick said he was a little worried about privacy but he assumed we all wanted to know whose visas were on their way. I said that none of us would mind if he gave me the list of names. So he did. I found out that there are eight visas on their way and Baheran’s (Denver's) is one of them!!! Also, one of the families that didn’t get an email from Nairobi will be getting their visas, which is great because they were really worried and disappointed not to get the same email some of the rest of us got. So Nick told me they would arrive via DHL at his office either Tuesday afternoon or Wednesday morning. I’m so excited that I will finally have those final documents in my hands. All I have left to do after that is to get over to the German Embassy to get that transit visa for Denver.

Later in the morning we went with two other families to a big bookstore down Bole road. As we were walking there we noticed the military had moved in. There were soldiers everywhere and they were armed – some even had their guns drawn. It was kind of weird and we wondered what was going on – none of the locals seems too distressed about it. We found out later that the prime minister was coming into town and that’s why they were all there.

The bookstore was great. I got quite a few Amharic/English books for the kids and some cd’s and post cards plus a book about Ethiopian food and cooking for Mike. I also saw a really nice book about Ethiopia but it was 630 birr (about $63.00 US) and it would be really heavy to take home in my suitcase too – so I didn’t get it. I’m hoping to still find a nice book on Ethiopia before I go home. I also bought a map of Africa for Mike on the way home from someone on the street.

This afternoon we decided to hire a driver and do a bit of shopping. I’ve been worried about spending money because I didn’t know how long I’d be here for and it would get kind of expensive if my stay ended up being weeks or months. So now that we know the visas are on their way, I feel a bit more relaxed. So I went out and bought some souvenirs. I got some wooden elephants, outfits for the whole family (perhaps to wear at Denver’s baptism), a necklace for myself made of silver and giraffe hair (beautiful!) and two African pictures that were made out of banana leaves. It was a beautiful shop and the owner was very kind and helpful as I tried to find the right size of clothes for the kids. It’s really hard to judge without them right in front of me so I hope they fit.

When we got back, we played in the courtyard for a while with all the kids. It’s such a great place for them all to hang out and Denver loves watching the action too. It’s getting quite busy here at the Weygoss. There are families here from all over. There is one couple here from Denmark. I was talking to them for a little bit at breakfast and she said that she used to work in an orphanage somewhere in Africa and that Denver reminds her very much of one of the little babies there. Her husband chimed in that this little one was one of her favourites. She couldn’t get enough of Denver. I think there are 12 Imagine Adoption families here now. It’s so different from when we were first here and there were only four families. I find there is a lot of anger and bitterness towards the agency. It sounds like there have been some lies and lack of communication but I find it so sad that some people are entering into parenthood (some for the first time) with such a resentment in them. Apparently the director and her partner are still here and the lawyer has been meeting with them as needed. It’s really cool to have so many other families here and there are a few that I really enjoy being with and hang out with more often. We too are disappointed about the agency situation but we can make little jokes about it and don’t have the same bitterness as others. We often refer to things as pre-crisis and post-crisis. We all had planned things so differently for this adoption journey and especially the trip to Ethiopia. But such is life and we make the best of it. And ultimately we’ve all been blessed with these beautiful children.

We went out for dinner – four families all together. It was really nice. We tried a new Italian restaurant – Makush. So, yes, I had pizza again. I had a vegetarian pizza and it was really good. Whenever we have leftovers from any meals we usually give it to the gate man at the Weygoss. He really appreciates it. On the rare occasion we’ve given it to a child on the street. We also shared a bottle of wine at dinner which was really good. I think it helped me relax a little too. We stopped for water on the way home. Power was still out when we got back to our room so I gave Denver his bottle and we headed to bed.

Some pictures from the streets of Addis Ababa: