Sweet Sentayehu and Julie are Home

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YIPPEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

Inspiration

The Budde Family Well / charity: water / Ethiopia from charity: water on Vimeo.

Choose to connect through serving.

Mimi Loves Liv

I received a couple new pics of Liv this morning (thanks Brianna).  Whopeeeeee.

We all know how important these updates are during the waiting process - not only do I look and stare but so does our magical friend MIMI.  Watch Mimi giving Love to Liv.

For those of you who don't know - here's a picture of our beloved and very happy Mimi.

I can't wait to unite all our little ones.  Julie and Sentayehu come home tomorrow and I got word this morning that they are doing wonderful.  Countdown - tick tock!

Thank God for

BROTHERS & Dogs... but especially my brother Andy.  I took these this morning as we were enjoying the sunshine.  In just several days of his visit he's cleaned up the backyard, painted LT's closet and completely organized my garage (all without me asking).  He's also introduced me to Ethiopian incense and Ethio Soul Singer Aster Aweke (so great).  Can you say life saver or what?!?!?  Plus, he's just a wonderfully great person who I enjoy spending time with.  Lucky me and lucky Bluebird and Rocky -   who like that he's around too (as you can tell).   Love you Bro.

We Rise

Prinzeono, a 6-year-old poet, recites Maya Angelou's poem Still I Rise.

Monday with Brother and Friends

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Someone Like You

To Baby LT,

It's a new dawn, it's a new day - click here to read the article that made my heart hopeful when I read it tonight.

"We should be proud of our differences and what we have in common, and we should celebrate them."


Happy Valentines Baby Girl.

Thanks to Jami for this sweet picture.

And THANKS to BFF Mimi for the most wonderful hand made Valentine.  We love you Mimi.

And big long prayer to Aunt Julie who travels in the morning to unite with special Sentayehu.

It's a very special love day and any time we feel alone just remember there's always someone like you.

Happy Love Day

to all the special people in my life and LT's life. 

The Best Book Report in the World

As you may remember I received my referral right before Christmas. I decided to save my news and present LT as a present to my family. For my niece and nephews I knew that it's a rather big concept understanding that my daughter is already born and will come from a far away country. I decided that I would glue LT's pictures on the front of the famous Ethiopians children's book called "A Perfect Orange." That way they could pull is out in their own timing and look at LT if they wanted.

About the Book
This fable is common throughout Ethiopia, Eritrea and surrounding countries and the author choose this Ethiopian version to write. The wonderful images along with simple beautiful text which includes some Ethiopian words is just lovely.

It tells the story of a orphan girl Tshai, her selfless gift to the countries ruler and the dastardly thinking of the wicked Jib. The telling is enhanced by the legend of Ethiopian pronunciations and all round is a lovely addition your library if like me you have an Ethiopian child in your home.

Pan to already a very special -  Inauguration Day, and as I was leaving my friend J-Lo's neighborhood party. I checked my messages to hear my niece saying the following in her sweet voice:

"Aunt Amy I talked about LT and the book and Africa and my teacher asked when is she coming and I don't know so can you call me and tell me."

Ava did a book report in class on The Perfect Orange and talked about LT and also talked about her own experience and she is adopted as well. I can't tell you how proud I am to have LT welcomed into this environment where she can connect with the other important children in my life and I am so happy that Ava and her can have a positive dialogue about adoption and they can share about their cultures and Ava will be a big sister to her in so many ways. Ava continues to steal my heart with how special she is. Here's a pic that my special sister Kristeen sent me showing Ava with her book project. She drew a picture of the main character Tshai that she's holding with my cute nephew Stone.

Does is get better than this?  Children are amazing.  Kisses to Stone, Landon and Ava.

Thank you Ava from Aunt Amy and LT.

Heart Support (EDITED) Yippee

To the waiting families this week whose cases have been delayed please know that we are here to offer:

We are all in this together and send support. 

And to my dear friend Julie O.  (INSERT NEW IMAGE, ENTITLED CELEBRATION)

CONGRATS MOM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And to your daughter, we can't wait for precious, wise, beautiful, sweet, sweet Sentayehu!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(whose name means, I've seen many things - could you just melt)

Original Image

What a Roller Coaster of a week.

LT's footprint

I haven't been feeling too swift the last few days and I can't tell you how happy I was to open this little package.  Thank you, thank you, thank you to Natanya and Gabi!  Gabi took this precious footprint of LT (dated 1/9/09) when he was in Ethiopia picking up their beautiful daughter Sarah.  Don't be fooled the picture is misleading, it's actually quite a petite little stamp. Such a thoughtful gesture that means so much to me and brings a tear of thanks and love.

 I have been praying so hard for all of the waiting families with court dates this week.  I can't imagine how you all must be feeling.  Special love to my dear friend Julie O.  I'm here for you.

Beautiful, Like a Rainbow

I received a nice surprise today - pictures of LT with the care package I sent to her through a traveling family. Thank you so much to Britlee and Christy for sending me pics while they traveled to pick up their loves. I can't tell you how much I appreciate the updates. And speaking of updates, let me review...

-Got the CALL right before Christmas

-Got her first update on Ethiopian Christmas

-Received word about her court date on MLK weekend

-Got pics of her with her first care package on Inauguration Day

-Her Bday is the day before St. Patricks Day

-Her Court Date, March 31, is a day before my Bday April Fools Day

-And with fingers and toes crossed, I will be traveling to pick her up around Easter. Plus her name means to make clean and Easter is all about washing away sins.


OK, I'm just saying................................it's all feeling so very special.

I'm not allowed to post her pics or name until I pass court but I can offer you this song lyric, which has been in mind all day as I view her beautiful little face.

I see your true colors 

and that's why I love you 

so don't be afraid to let them show 

your true colors 

true colors are beautiful 

like a rainbow

I Pledge to live with the mindset WE not ME!

MySpace Celebrity and Katalyst present The Presidential Pledge

A message of hope and love to LT

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COURT DATE

3/31 is our magical day. Send good energy.