August was packed full of visits from out-of-town friends. We were especially blessed by a visit from some friends we met in Ethiopia two years ago. Erik and Caroline were there to meet their daughter, A, while we were meeting Ashen. The intensity of the week in Ethiopia is hard to parallel, and having others like Erik and Caroline going through similar experiences with us was quite a bonding experience. They are so funny and down to earth. They provided much comic relief during our trip and seeing them two years later was like picking up where we left off. It was incredible to see how much A has grown and to see her spunky personality that has developed. It was also really interesting to see how both A and Ashen have similar mannerisms. Caroline visited us alone last year while here on business, and said she just wanted to give Ashen a bunch of hugs and kisses because he reminded her so much of A, whom she was terribly missing. Now I understand what she was talking about. 
Another fun fact about Erik and Caroline is that they are in the process of adopting a son from Ethiopia. I got in touch with Caroline when we started our second adoption process earlier this year, knowing they were getting their paperwork ready too. In the hopes that we might travel together again (due to all the factors involved it's a fat chance, but girls can wish!) we tried to get our paperwork all done at the same time (difficult task because we were both at the mercy of government agencies and social workers). In an amazing feat, we did turn in our paperwork in on the SAME DAY and are now both waiting for our referrals as of 3/27/09! It is so comforting to have others on the same journey as us--it is difficult to find people who understand the ups and downs of the adoption process. One fun thing we did while they were visiting was a clothing exchange. Caroline brought a ton of A's baby girl clothes (soooo adorable!) and I picked out the cutest baby boy clothes and we swapped. With our referrals so far in the distance...probably another year at least, it was fun to do something tangible to remind us that we're really expecting babies!
Thanks to Facebook, we're also in touch with many of the other couples who were with us in Ethiopia that week. Not only do I really enjoy the friends we met there, but I suspect that someday the connection our kids' have in their roots and time in the same care center will be important to them.
Another fun fact about Erik and Caroline is that they are in the process of adopting a son from Ethiopia. I got in touch with Caroline when we started our second adoption process earlier this year, knowing they were getting their paperwork ready too. In the hopes that we might travel together again (due to all the factors involved it's a fat chance, but girls can wish!) we tried to get our paperwork all done at the same time (difficult task because we were both at the mercy of government agencies and social workers). In an amazing feat, we did turn in our paperwork in on the SAME DAY and are now both waiting for our referrals as of 3/27/09! It is so comforting to have others on the same journey as us--it is difficult to find people who understand the ups and downs of the adoption process. One fun thing we did while they were visiting was a clothing exchange. Caroline brought a ton of A's baby girl clothes (soooo adorable!) and I picked out the cutest baby boy clothes and we swapped. With our referrals so far in the distance...probably another year at least, it was fun to do something tangible to remind us that we're really expecting babies!Thanks to Facebook, we're also in touch with many of the other couples who were with us in Ethiopia that week. Not only do I really enjoy the friends we met there, but I suspect that someday the connection our kids' have in their roots and time in the same care center will be important to them.
1 comment:
as usual, a sweet, compelling story. Wishing I was a fly on your wall. The kids are so huggable, all of em.
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