Adoption Adventures of a Country Doc

Gingerbread Houses

2011-12-18T18:19:00.000-07:00

It must be Christmas. The girls decorated gingerbread houses for the first time today. We put them together yesterday. (They are super-easy kits from Bountiful Baskets with organic gingerbread and meringue powder included) Today, with the help of Dr. Ashley they got to decorate to their heart's content. Yes, there are a lot of pictures of the same thing but I had to make sure you saw them from almost every possible angle.

Two proud craftswomen

Meskerem (looking way to old) and her gingerbread house

Kidist (yes those are Swedish-inspired pjs) and her house

Even the backs got decorated

Going to bed has been a little tough tonight. I think they ate more and licked their fingers more than I realized. But then, I probably did too.

Library Christmas Party

2011-12-18T18:13:00.000-07:00

This last Wednesday was the Libray Christmas party. Santa Claus came and read a story and all the kids got their pictures taken with him. Then we all stuffed our faces with the goodies everyone brought. If I haven't said it before, I love our library children's program.

Kidist and Brody

Meskerem and Santa

Kidist and Santa

Both girls with Santa

Incidentally, I got berated by Santa because one of my children complained to him that there weren't any Barbie dolls under the Christmas tree last year. I told him he ought to know my feelings on Barbies by now. Besides my kids usually understand that Santa isn't real.

Family Photos

2011-11-10T21:23:00.001-07:00

I had a friend from church come down and take pictures of me and the girls about a month ago. I am so pleased with how they turned out. You can check out Kerry's other work at her Blog and at the Tracy Moore Photography website. So here are a few for the rest of you to see. These were all taken at our local county museum. It was so nice to have a photographer come to us and take pictures where we were comfortable. It was also nice to get an outsider's perspective on me and my kids. My dad has taken some wonderful photos, but he is just a little biased.

The three of us.

Mommy and Kidist

I really like this one of just our legs together.

My tattoo with the reasons for it.

Meskerem and Mommy

Halloween 2011

2011-10-31T22:23:00.000-06:00

I couldn't not post photos of our Halloween. The girls came to the office and we went straight from there to downtown where several businesses had their doors open and were generously handing out candy. The Chamber of Commerce even had hot chocolate and hot cider which were quite welcome given the dreary drippy skies we were experiencing. After we had hit most of the businesses, we stopped at the local pizza/sandwhich shop for a burger and pizza. That's when the skies opened and it rained pretty hard. Once we were done, it had stopped raining and we headed out again. It was quite nice to take them trick-or-treating in all the same places I went as a child. Some things in a small town really never change.

Happy princesses. Our pumpkins turned out pretty well too.

Dancing in the dark.

I was playing with my camera on a tripod and took this photo without a flash. The girls are sort of ghostly as they weren't sitting still while I took the picture.

Kidist's Birthday

2011-10-31T22:17:00.000-06:00

So I have a lot of blogging to catch up on. Here are some photos from Kidist's birthday a few weeks ago. I was completely crazy and invited a whole passel of kids. They all had a blast playing outside, dropping clothespins into jars, pinning the tail on the donkey, and bobbing for apples. Kidist wanted a Mickey Mouse theme for her party so both boys and girls would feel comfortable at her party. Luckily I had several grown-ups who stayed to help. It all turned out well as you can see by the photos below.

Table full of children.

Playing "Pin the Tail on the Donkey." We used my mom's circa 1947 donkey.

Bobbing for apples.

Kidist with "Lizzie" from Papa and Ayat and wearing new hats from Dr. Ashley.

Happy mom and daughter and one cool Mickey Mouse cake (pretty proud of that one).

I have the best kids in the world!

2011-09-22T21:15:00.000-06:00

I have to tell you all about what happened this evening so when my kids are driving me nuts you can remind me just how good they can be.
We had a long day yesterday. I started at 3AM with going to the hospital for an OB patient. She delivered and I was home by about 7:30. I tried to sleep, but that didn't happen. Then by 10 we were off for the day. We had library story hour; I had a CPT meeting; we went to Billings for shopping and out to dinner with friends. We got home so late, I put the girls to bed in their clothes (luckily they have comfy Lands' End dresses). Today, we were all recovering from a long day yesterday and not enough sleep. I felt completely wiped when I got home and the girls could tell. Meskerem said, "You're tired, Mommy. You go rest a little bit before you make supper. We're not hungry yet anyway." "Really?" I said. Kidist responded with, "Yes Mommy. You rest. Meskerem and I play together." So I went and laid down. Meskerem even came in to see if I needed her to take Dot out of the room. I aasked them to come get me when the clock said 6:30 or if my phone rang. At 6:45 I woke up. The girls were having so much fun playing together they didn't realize the time.
How many other moms have kids that will push their mom into her room and tell her to rest for a little bit? I know my kids are far from perfect, but tonight God reminded me just what a blessing they are.

What have you done with your life?

2011-08-28T22:38:00.000-06:00

Earlier today I was talking with a friend about all the things she wants to do in the next few years. She is applying for the FBI and she's already a lawyer, but she is also working on Theology classes and wants to get an associates in auto mechanics. I laughingly said, "Gee, all I did was go to med school. What have I done with my life?" Then we looked over at the table where the girls were eating breakfast. They were holding hands and praying over their meal and thanking God for what He had given them. My friend said, "That is what you have done with your life and you should be incredibly proud." It just reminded me that I need to re-assess my definition of success. The speaker at church Saturday night said the same thing. I may only have two degrees (yes, I realize many have none), I may not always work enough to get a bonus; but hopefully my children will be able to remember having dinner together most evenings, cuddling in bed on Saturday and Sunday mornings andd having a mom present when she was needed most. I also hope that my patients will know that I truly care and that I will take the time I need to take care of them.
So success in my life can't be measured by my bank account, my house, my car or any other material things. Success will be when I stand before God and He says, "Well done. Thank you for caring for my children."

Silly Photos

2011-08-18T20:18:00.000-06:00

A few nights ago, I came home from work, tired and frustrated. God used my kids to remind me that I have so much more to be thankful for than I have to complain about. We all ended up in the big chair together and played with Meskerem's camera.


Here are the three of us. Not the most flattering photo, but a happy one.

We moved into the office and played with more pictures. The girls each wanted their picture taken with me. And then, Meskerem wanted them all printed out for her to look at whenever she wanted.

Mommy and Kidist

Mommy and Meskerem

We have been a family for almost 18 months and I can't believe how the time has flown. A couple of nights ago Meskerem needed to talk. She sat on my lap on the couch and talked and then we sat in the rocking chair and talked more. It wasn't all profound, but I just about lost it when she said, "I like my new life Mommy." Then as she crawled into bed, she said, "I love you Mommy. You a good mommy, Mommy." What more could a mom ask for than that? Those words play over and over in my head whenever I start to get frustrated or wonder why God called me to walk this road. Once again, I pray that I will be a worthy mother to these two little (but growing every bigger) gifts on loan from God.

Father figures

2011-06-22T23:41:00.000-06:00

My brother asked me to email him some photos of him and the girls. I had so much fun going through all the photos that I had to share a few here. I also thought these would be good in honor Fathers' Day recently. My girls may not have a dad, but they do have some wonderful male role models and father figures in their lives. My father is a wonderful, though spoiling, grandfather to the girls. It is so much fun to see them soak up his love and attention. Like flowers soaking up water, they stand taller and happier after they have been with Papa. The same thing happens when Uncle Peter comes to visit. I am sort of sad that they can say their 'P's now. It was so cute when they called him "Uncle Pfeter." Anyway, they love to talk to him and do things with him. Meskerem has already asked him to take her on a "date" to Sonic when he is here next month. Peter, of course, said he would be happy to.

So, here are some of my favorite pictures of the girls and their father figures. I hope other single moms have guys like these in their lives to show their children who men are supposed to be.

Kidist snuggling with Uncle Peter on Christmas Morning

Kidist and Papa making faces

Uncle Peter reading Meskerem her bedtime story

Mobile Blogging

2011-06-08T22:14:00.002-06:00

My first post from my Droid! Hopefully this helps me blog more often like I would like to. Here is a photo of the girls roasting marshmallows with their great-aunt on our recent trip to Minnesota. It was a great trip. They got to meet their crazy first-cousin-once-removed and experience American consumerism at its best at IKEA and the Mall of America. I have lots more photos to share from our trip to California in March, dance recital in early May, T-ball and everything else summer will have to offer this year. Feel free to ask questions in the comments or tell me something that you would like to have me post on. I need to make this more interactive. If I know you all are reading, I am more likely to feel guilty about not posting and post more often. =) Who wants to keep me accountable?

Conversations

2011-04-27T21:40:00.004-06:00

This is Meskerem while we were in Disneyland. The last few days she and I have been having some very deep conversations. I am not sure what all she is processing right now, but what she is talking to me about is big stuff. She seems to be struggling with what being adopted really means. She is very worried about her birth-mother and the other evening told me that she wished her birth-mother would come here or else go to Heaven where she would be safe. What sort of life must her mother have been living for her to wish that? She has been saying, "Mommy, you not my real mommy" off an on, but never in a defiant or mean way. She just seems to be working through what it means that she was sent to a new country and a new life without really having any say in it. This evening I told her that I chose to have her and Kidist come be my children, but that I understand that it was hard for her to not have any choice in the matter.

All of that is pretty big, but was even bigger was that happy silly child in the picture up there was sitting in my lap crying her eyes out because there were people in her world that didn't know and love God. On Easter, she got upset that I bought them presents and gave them Easter baskets. She wanted to make sure that the day was all about God and what Jesus did for us by dying on the cross and rising again. When she found out that there were people who didn't believe in the resurrection, she said, "But we need tell them." I told her that most of my friends have heard a lot more about God since I started the adoption process. She can't seem to fathom that God is using their presence here as evidence of His power and love. Heck, I can hardly fathom all that God has done in the last two years.

This Easter was also the 1st Anniversary of us coming home as a family. The growth and development that has happened in all of us in that period of time continues to boggle my imagination. I will do my best to get some more updated photos and such up here at some point. We have a couple of crazy weeks coming up and then hopefully we can calm down for a little bit.

Thank You

2011-04-03T21:37:00.004-06:00

Thanks to all of you who posted encouraging comments, gave me hugs, gave me a shoulder to cry on and prayed for me over the last few weeks. It has all helped more than any of you can know. Parenting is a tough job, but I am a much better mother thanks to all of the people I have to support me.
This week has been professionally difficult. Thank God the tough family stuff has been better this week. I don't know how I would handle it if they happened at the same time.
This is another short post, but I wanted you all to know that I am doing okay and so are the kids. I will leave you with a couple of photos of my girls with "Crazy Chris" (he and his wife, Emily, brought dinner down to us last night and it was just the therapy I needed.

I'm tired

2011-03-22T21:32:00.007-06:00

So no pictures tonight. I feel a need to vent and didn't think a Facebook status was the best way to do it. I am having one of those nights when I am not sure I want to be a mom anymore. Now, I know deep in my heart that I really don't want to go back to my life before the girls were in it. But sometimes the hard work and the mistakes that I make seem like too much to handle.
Tonight I put the girls to bed and thought I would try a new tactic. They like to get up a lot after they have gone to bed so I told them that I would check on them in a little bit and whoever went to sleep first got the last cinnamon roll. I figured if they were both out, I would make more (have frozen ones in the freezer). A half-hour later, it looked like Meskerem was asleep and Kidist was still squirming around in her bed. "Great," I thought, "the reward system might work." Not so fast, I suppose. Another half-hour later, Meskerem comes to get me to tell me that Kidist is crying. I go check on her and Kidist tells me that she bumped her knee on her bed when she got up to go to the bathroom. I kiss it and tuck her back in. Everything is quiet again, for a few minutes. Then Kidist gets up and comes to tell me that Meskerem pinched her. So I go back in, Meskerem doesn't deny it. When asked why she did it, she doesn't answer and shrugs, then laughs. That causes her to get a spanking. Then all the drama lets loose and she is screaming and crying. So I take her out of the room that she shares with Kidist and take her to the office bed and tell her she will stay there until she is done crying. All through this I have repeated that I love her, but that she is just not allowed to pinch her sister. She is still crying as I type this. I have checked on her a couple of times and she is not interested in stopping crying or talking to me. Every time I check on her, I kiss her and hug her and tell her I love her.
My mood is better, but I am so tired that I just don't feel like I have the strength to keep being the mom they need. I guess God is breaking me in new ways every day. I don't like spanking the kids. Mostly because I have a hard time not doing it out of anger. I have been better lately, but tonight I allowed myself to be pushed over the edge. That makes me mad at myself, makes me feel guilty and makes me feel like I am a failure as a mom.
If you read this far, thanks. I don't usually feel like this, but if this is going to be an honest web journal, there are going to be some messy emotions and not every post is going to be full of sweetness and light. I feel a little better putting it all out there. Not sure why I feel the need to share. Maybe another mom will find this and realize that she isn't alone in the feelings she is having. I just hope God can use it to help someone.
Just as a reminder to me of how far we have come, here is a photo of all of the adoptive families that were at the guest house with us in Addis Ababa when I got the girls. As you can see the girls have grown a ton.

Meskerem's Birthday

2011-03-16T21:15:00.005-06:00

I know I have gotten behind on blog posts. I am going to try and catch up in the next few days/weeks. A lot has been going on and I want you all to know about it. So for our first post in March, we are going to go back to February 21. That is the day Meskerem turned 7. It was a great party attended by good friends and family. I have learned that the best way to get good presents for your kids is to only invite grown-ups to their parties. =) The girls don't really know about kids' birthday parties yet and I think I am going to wait until next year before I try to attack that challenge. So here are a few pictures from her birthday.

Here is the family all together. As you can see, it was a princess party.

I let each of the girls choose what kind of cake they want. Meskerem wanted a DQ Princess cake. Cinderella even lit up.

Kidist loves her sister.

Grandma gave her a great rolling bag full of doll clothes.

Here's the whole haul. Her favorite was a camera from Papa & Ayat.

Here is one photo that Meskerem took with her new camera. She has a great "eye" and is going to develop into quite the photographer.

After it was all over, we were pooped. Even Dot was exhausted by all the attention.

Random recent photos

2011-02-17T20:36:00.004-07:00

Here are a few photos from recent days. We are all still alive and doing well.

You know you are a mom when you get tissue paper flowers for Valentine's Day. Best flowers I have gotten in a long time.

Sunset on Valentine's Day

Meskerem with her "snow baby." There wasn't enough snow for a snowman so she created this.

Snow Baby detail

Kidist showing off the words she knows how to write. If you can't read them, they are: my, me, hi, to and Kidist. She was pretty proud of herself.

So much for New Years' Resolutions

2011-02-05T20:58:00.002-07:00

So I was going to try to write at least one post a month this year. I have already missed January. I have lots of pictures to share and a lot of information to share, but I just haven't gotten it up. We have been so busy making memories, that I haven't taken the time to share them with all of you. It also doesn't help that I have been dealing with some depression/stress issues lately. Before you worry, I am doing much better. Quite honestly, medication is making me a better mom right now. I realized that I need to put that out there for some of you. Admitting you have depression and getting help--be it counseling, medication, prayer, exercise, whatever--does not make you a failure. I am so thankful for the good friends that have helped me see that I did/do need help and need to admit it (often). I am also incredibly blessed by the same friends providing the help I need. Having friends who will talk with you and cry with you (and prescribe you medication if needed) is an incredible blessing. So I want to say thank you to all of you, you know who you are, for being there when I needed you most. I hope I can be such a friend to you.
So, now that I am getting back into exercising and sleeping better and overall becoming a healthier person, my plan is to get back to sharing the fun of our lives with all of you. But, for anyone out there thinking about adoption/single-parenting, etc., please be kind to yourself and cut yourself some slack. It's tough, but you don't have to be alone.

Christmas

2010-12-26T07:51:00.009-07:00

We have had a wonderful Christmas this year. Papa and Ayat (my dad and stepmom) were here for all of the festivities. My father contributed significantly to the spoiling of my children. But I can't say much as I did too. Here are a few photos of the days. I have more, I just have to finish editing them.

My best friend from college sent the girls fairy wings and wands and Mr. Sketch scented markers. They were thrilled to pieces and they made good use of the wings and wands immediately.

The big gift this year for the girls was bikes. They have both wanted them since we came home from Ethiopia and this seemed like a good time. We opened all of the presents and then cleaned up the garbage. When we took the garbage out to the garage, Papa and I "found" two more presents. Here is Meskerem realizing just what is inside the big red bag.

Here is Kidist, very thrilled with her new pink bike with streamers. So far they are doing well riding them with the training wheels. Since it is cold and snowy outside, they have been riding in the garage which seems to be about the right size corral for them right now (especially since they don't have helmets yet).
Here they are showing off several of their Christmas presents. My brother got them each Carhartt overalls and my stepmom got them new tutus. Put all that together with fairy wings and bikes and you have Montana fairy princesses. They are ready for anything.
I hope you all have had a wonderful Christmas. My dad and stepmom leave tomorrow and then I get to do the "grandparent deprogramming" on the kids. The next week will be fun, but VERY low-key after all of this excitement. Now we get to plan for our trip to California in March (bought the plane tickets today).

2010-12-14T20:14:00.003-07:00

Okay, it has been a really long time since I have posted. I started this post about two weeks ago, but life got in the way of me finishing it. However, since I have sent out a Christmas card with a link to my blog, I figured I better get on here and get some things updated. We have had a fantastic Christmas (photos to come in the next few weeks), but here are a few other things we have done so far this winter.

The girls learned how to make a snowman. They loved the snow at first, but they are ready for it to go away now.

On the Sunday afternoon after Thanksgiving, my mom and I took the girls to see the Nutcracker ballet. It was a wonderful experience and the girls loved having a reason to get all dressed up in their fancy dresses.
So, there are a few things we have done. I have lots of pictures, but I have to get them out of the camera. I also have lots of video and got some new software for Christmas so I should be getting that sort of stuff posted soon too.
I hope you have all had a very wonderful Christmas and I hope you were as spoiled as we were. Please check back in the next few weeks as I do plan to get more photos and video up here for you.

No, I am not Madonna

2010-11-16T21:49:00.004-07:00

I was asked a question today that I thought deserved more of an answer than I was able to give at the time. I was discussing my adoption with a visitor at my clinic today and he said, "So you're doing the Madonna and Angelina thing huh?" My answer was, "Not really, I choose to see it as following the call God put on my life." I am afraid I embarrassed the poor man. Now I don't mind people asking me about Madonna and Angelina Jolie. They have made adoption popular and more mainstream. I would love to have the funds and help they have (I could adopt a few more), but I think comparing my adoption to them minimizes the reality of adoption. It isn't something that just celebrities can do. It is real people following a real calling and doing real hard work. Not that Madonna and Angelina don't work hard to be parents, I don't know what kind of parents they are. However, I can't say that I am looking to them for examples. I have much better examples closer to home. My own mother for one. Being a single mom is tough, but I am learning to love it (no, I don't love it all the time). I have learned more and grown more in the last six months than I ever thought possible. I have also learned more about the depths of my own depravity than I ever thought possible. It is true as one friend told me, "parenting is the fast-track to sanctification." I hope Madonna and Angelina Jolie are getting the same lessons through their adoption.
How do you think I should have responded to that question? I am curious what you all think.

Halloween

2010-10-31T21:22:00.004-06:00

The girls have had a week full of activities, not the least of which was all of the fun Halloween stuff. On Wednesday, we went to the library for story-time and all the kids were dressed up and they all had their pictures taken in front of the pumpkins and giant spider.
This afternoon, they got to draw their own pumpkins that came from the pile at the library. We had one larger pumpkin that had grown in our garden and they helped me carve that one. They thought it was pretty cool to see it all lit up. Here they are with all the pumpkins including their pumpkin candy buckets. As you can see, they are really into the princess thing.
Then we drove up to Billings to spend some time with friends and trick-or-treat in a nice quiet neighborhood that was very friendly and not scary. My girls really don't like anything scary and I can't blame them at all.
Here they are at one of the first houses. It didn't take them long to catch on to what to do.
It started to rain and the wind was blowing so we didn't stay out very long, but they had a blast. After we were done, we went back to my friends' for chili and soup and lots of fun.

This display was at one of the last houses we stopped at before we went back for dinner. I couldn't resist getting a photo of the "pumpkin bear." I wish I was talented enough to come up with something like this.
I hope you all have had a fun and safe Halloween this year. Now, we can get on to Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Kidist's Birthday

2010-10-14T21:15:00.002-06:00

Kidist turned 4 today (at least according to the Ethiopian court). Since she has never really had a birthday party we decided to keep it small with just 7 of us. That's 5 grown-ups and two little girls. There were enough presents for several kids, but she handled it quite well. I didn't get a lot of great shots, but I am proud of myself for remembering to get out the real camera rather than just using my phone. The girls had a blast experiencing opening presents for the first time. I had a couple for Meskerem so she would not feel completely left out and I think it helped her handle everything else better. It also helps that most of the gifts were things that are much more fun when shared.
Enough about all that. Here are some shots from the party.

Opening the first present.

What was in the first present.

Meskerem getting excited about the present she picked out for Kidist.

Percussion instruments from Papa and Ayat.

Cake. Kidist had her own little horse cake and the rest of us had a big horse to share. It was almond cake from my Aunt Carole's recipe. I am so glad it is what Kidist requested. Kidist also loved being sung to. The basket next to her has all of the new presents in it.

We are finalized!!!!

2010-09-26T12:29:00.004-06:00

Last night we had the adoption finalization ceremony at church. The church became a court room for a few minutes. We have a wonderful lawyer who does the paperwork pro bono and the family court judge is a Christian and happy to come to Harvest to perform the ceremony. My girls are now officially Meskerem Rebekah Eyob Morissette and Kidist Elisabeth Eyob Morissette. And I changed Meskerem's birthday so she can turn 7 and not share her birthday with Kidist. I also had my mom, dad and stepmom there to be a part of it. The girls did really well. Meskerem burst into tears when she realized just where we were going to be and how many people would be looking at her. She stopped before we went on stage, but wouldn't look at anyone. Luckily we took a few pictures before hand when she was smiling. Here are a few of the photos.

L-R: Tim Weidlich (pastor), Doug James (lawyer), Judge Russell Fagg, me (holding Kidist) and Meskerem.

One of the few photos where Meskerem was looking at the camera.

Me, giving a brief summary of my adoption journey.

The girls will now be issued Montana birth certificates and I can get them passports and social security cards. They aren't citizens yet, but I have until they turn 18 to get that done. I am done with paperwork for this year. ;-)

Water babies

2010-08-16T19:23:00.006-06:00

Here are a few shots of the girls enjoying the summer tradition of running through the sprinkler. Funny thing is, you don't have to teach kids how to do this. I borrowed one of my mom's sprinklers that shoots up in the air really high and goes back and forth from left to right and the girls loved it. I was hoping Mom still had the clown sprinkler thing that we played with as kids, but somehow it managed to die and get thrown away. Oh well, a plain sprinkler was just as good.

Kidist running full bore toward the water.

Meskerem enjoying the water.

After running through the water for a little while, they lay on their towels to "warm up" and dry off.

Kidist pondering the world from her beach towel.

Meskerem has found the good life.

Surprise Photos

2010-08-15T18:19:00.008-06:00

One of the most fun things to do after I get home from work is to look at the camera and see what the girls have been doing that day. I am so glad that my mom and the nanny both make sure to grab the camera and take pictures. Here is a selection of the "surprise" photos found in my camera.

Here the girls are all duded out in their new painting smocks so they can paint pictures in the garage.

Here they are having fun with their new sand buckets (photo edited by my dad).

Flying their kite in the backyard.

The girls built a fort under the piano. Here is Kidist peeking out.

Meskerem peeking out.

Outside their fort.

1st Annual Backyard Field Day

2010-08-08T10:08:00.004-06:00

On July 24, my friends Emily and Chris planned a backyard "field day" for the girls and some other kids. No other kids were able to make it, so we "grown-ups" filled in and had a blast. There were relay races, balloon toss, sack races and killer duck-duck-goose. It was one of the best days we have had in awhile. To top it all off Uncle Peter was here for the festivities as well. Here are a few shots from the day. Some are less sharp than I would like, but that just shows you how fast we were all moving. :-)

Kidist and Meskerem racing in the beach ball relay.

The first event of the day (the girls even got to pick their own teams).

We all had to re-learn duck-duck-goose. Even Dot got into the mix.

This was Kidist's favorite game by far.

As you can see, she was REALLY into it.

Meskerem wasn't so thrilled with the cut-throat action so she stayed at the side and my friend Kalah got this photo of her.

It almost always ended with someone carrying Kidist.

The sack races were hysterical. The girls were the only ones that really fit in the pillow-cases, but Peter still managed to win.

We're doing well

2010-07-23T21:21:00.010-06:00

I realized I better put up a new post or you all are going to be wondering if we are doing okay after the last post.
We are doing REALLY well.

Just like this rose (which the girls helped plant), we are blossoming.

I am back at work (loving it and not feeling guilty about that at all); the girls are doing great with the nanny; and we are done with our first post-adoption report. The social worker said he was impressed at how well we were doing and couldn't believe we had only been home two and a half months. Tomorrow marks our three month anniversary of coming home. The time has flown. Oh, we still have a long way to go to completely meld our family, but much progress has been made.
I know you are all wanting some new pictures. Below are a couple from 4th of July. Sorry to my Facebook friends: these are duplicates of ones I posted there. I will get some exclusives up here in a few days after I get them out of the cameras.

Here they are showing off their 4th of July finery:

Here are all my "girls:"

And if you were wondering, Dot is doing great with the girls. Once she got over the initial stress, she accepted them as her kids. I had to stay the night in Billings one night in June and my mom stayed with the girls. She got worried when she couldn't find Dot and found her sleeping on Meskerem's bed. Every morning after we get up she sits outside the girls' bedroom door and waits for them to get up. When they do, she greets them with happy barks and lots of licks.
Thanks for all the prayers during the tough times. I appreciate them. We will have more tough times, but right now I am going to praise God for and enjoy the progress we have made thus far.

"Nobody loves"

2010-07-10T21:25:00.003-06:00

That's what I heard this afternoon during rest time. All morning M had been moody and tearful. She threw a fit at lunch when she didn't get as many chips for her third helping as she thought she needed. I sent her to her room and K went a little later after she finished her lunch. There were some power struggles during rest time and more tears. Later, it was really quiet so I went to check on the girls. When I opened the door, I found M in tears and she said, "Nobody loves." Meaning "nobody loves me." She pointed and me and said "God loves" and then pointed at herself and said, "God no loves." Well, now I sort of knew why she had been moody all morning. Who knows how long this had been brewing. I gathered her in my arms and said, "Yes, God loves Meskerem and Mommy loves Meskerem. Meskerem is loved by lots of people." She said no again and I told her again how she much God loves her and how much Mommy, Grandma, Papa and Ayat all love her. Then she said, "I want to go home." I have sort of been wondering when that was going to come out. I don't blame her for wanting to go "home" and I told her so. She is in a strange country with strange people and a strange language and strange food. Why wouldn't she want to go back to everything she knew and was comfortable with. After we talked about that, I rocked her until she stopped crying and she was fine the rest of the afternoon.
Well, I better close for now. A big storm is brewing out my office window and I want to post this before the power goes out. Please pray that Meskerem and Kidist, but especially M, would know in their hearts just how much they are loved, not only by me, but by their Creator.

Two more pictures

2010-06-16T19:27:00.002-06:00

My dad did a sort of photo shoot while he was here visiting. Here are two of the pictures that he took. We are all wearing dresses that I bought in Ethiopia.

Finally...an update with pictures

2010-06-15T21:20:00.006-06:00

So, it has been awhile since I last posted pictures. A lot has happened in that period of time. So here are some pictures of what we have been doing for the last 6 weeks or so.

I took them to the high school pow-wow and they were very intrigued by these little girls.

Kidist at the pow-wow:

Meskerem at the pow-wow:

They played outside in their winter hats in 70-degree weather.

Papa (my dad) and Ayat (Amharic for grandma, my step-mom) came to visit and a great time was had by all.

Napping with Papa:

They got new twin beds and got to ride the new mattress in Costco:

Papa also built a REALLY cool swing-set/fort:

We went to the Country Fun Day at the museum where:

Meskerem had her first popsicle:

And rode a tractor for the first time:

They have been to the pool a few times (getting ready for our up-coming trip to Chico Hot Springs).

The girls with my good friend Kalah (I just got a new waterproof digital camera):

Kidist under water:

Meskerem under water:

They have "borrowed" mommy's scarves to carry their "babies" around. This is traditionally how children are carried. I think it is great that they do it too:

There is a lot more to share, but I think that is enough for now. If you are still reading, Thanks. I will try to post more pictures when we are home from Chico next week. I go back to work on July 8 so don't expect much after that until we get into our new routine.

I'm Still Here

2010-06-14T22:05:00.002-06:00

I know, it has been awhile since I posted anything. I will soon, I promise. In the meantime, things are going fairly well. I hope to get some pictures uploaded tomorrow afternoon. My dad took some gorgeous ones of the girls and I have some fun ones too. Anyway, I know several of you were wondering what was going on so figured I better let you know I am alive.

A few photos

2010-05-12T20:42:00.005-06:00

I know I need to get some more photos up here. The girls are sleeping early tonight. They saw the doctor today and got four shots and a blood draw each. They did great with all of that, but I think they were ready for bed when I put them down at 7:30 (didn't sleep until 8, but that is better than 9). Of course the Tylenol and Benadryl might be helping too. =)
So since they are sleeping and I have a few minutes, I will get a few pictures uploaded from our first days together in Ethiopia.

Here are the four of us together just minutes after we met. Their photobook seems to have been a sort of security blanket for them. It was so well-worn that I bought two new ones when we got home so they could each have one.

This is me and the girls with Sheka, the social-worker for CWA Ethiopia. She is a wonderful woman who the girls just adored.

Here are Kidist and Meskerem with two other girls who came from the same orphanage and were in the same room with them at the care center in Addis. The four of them got to talk on the phone this afternoon for the first time since leaving Ethiopia. It was so much fun to listen to them talk so excitedly in Amharic. I am hoping mine weren't complaining about me too much. I also got to have a long talk with the mother of these girls (we were all at the same guest house too) which was just as wonderful since we are going through a lot of the same stuff.

Looking at these, I can see that the girls have changed a ton just in the last few weeks. They have filled out and their hair has grown a ton.
Now, since they are still sleeping, I think I am going to go escape into a little television. Have a great evening.

First Snow

2010-05-06T14:57:00.004-06:00

So it snowed last night. The girls didn't even register that something was different until I told them to look out the window. They didn't seem to know what to think. So I suited them up in the winter coats I had for next year (read: too big) and let them out in it after breakfast. They didn't seem to mind it too much. Of course it wasn't as cold as it will be next winter so this was sort of a nice introduction.

Here's Meskerem:

and Kidist:

On another note, we went to the dentist for the first time today. The office was great with the girls and they were very cooperative in getting their x-rays done and teeth cleaned. Between them there are about a dozen cavities and we will start working on those in June. The dentist says that Meskerem is probably at least 6 1/2 and Kidist is 3 1/2, if not 4, based on their teeth.

Rocking Chair

2010-05-04T22:30:00.005-06:00

This may not look like much, but it is the BEST rocking chair in the world. It is solidly built and probably over 100 years old. My great-grandmother rocked my grandmother in it. She, in turn, rocked my father and his siblings and then she rocked her grandchildren in it. It hasn't been used much in the last 20 years, but I am making up for that now.
The last week or so has not been the easiest. But you probably guessed that by the lack of posts here. I do still plan to get more pictures of our Ethiopia adventure up here, but this seemed more important right now. I have been butting heads with both girls, but especially Meskerem since we got home. On an hourly basis I have to remind myself that loving these children is a choice I have to make and something I have to DO. It has NOTHING to do with what I may feel.
Today was another difficult day. I had several fights with Meskerem over probably stupid stuff (I can't remember what now), but after one of them she let me sit next to her and talk about what has happened to her in the last few weeks. Later this evening she got up to put something in her bed and then crawled back in my lap, put her arm around me neck and settled in for me to rock her to sleep. Sleep has been a tough issue the last few days. Meskerem usually just crawls in bed, pulls the covers over her head, and goes to sleep. Kidist wants to be rocked and rocked, all night long if possible. Tonight I got to have both girls comfortably in my lap. Thank goodness we have a sturdy rocking chair. I think more happened today than even I am aware of. I pray that God will continue to give me the wisdom to parent these children as He would have me do. I am so thankful for all the prayer and emotional support I am being given by all of you out there. There is no way I would be doing this if it wasn't for all of you.
One other thing, could you please pray for my dog (I know some of you may think that is silly, but she is important to me). I think she is a little more stressed out than I realized. She has been licking her nose and her mouth so much that both are chapped and peeling. If you know anything to help her with this transition, I am open to advice. Thanks again.

A few Ethiopia pics

2010-04-29T15:46:00.006-06:00

Here are a few pics from the trip to Ethiopia to get the girls.

The airplane that took us there.

Views from the balcony of our room in the guest house. It is located in a more middle-class neighborhood. Many of the people living here had cars. Every house was more like a compound with big metal gates that had to be opened before you could come or go.

The interior of our room. We had a queen bed, a twin and a set of bunks.

The exterior of the guest house (that you can see above the wall).
Our room was on the 3rd floor (the one with the sliding door open).

Entryway into the guest house. As you can see, not a lot of space between the house and the wall. Note the razor wire on top of the wall. And this was a relatively safe neighborhood.

The yard at the guest house. Lots of bubbles were blown here and lots of jump-roping was done. The little building at the back corner is where the guard would sleep.

That is enough for one post. When I have time again (i.e. when the girls are sleeping), I will post some of the pictures from the area around the guest house as well as the markets and things like that. Then I will have another post with pictures and video from the day we got the girls.

We're Home

2010-04-26T13:42:00.002-06:00

Here is one picture of us coming home to the Billings airport. We got home Saturday evening and were greeted by a large number of friends. The girls were so tired they didn't know what to think at the time. I think they are still wondering what has happened. Right now they are napping and I should be working on laundry and unpacking and all that sort of stuff, but I know there are a few of you that have been looking for an update. When I have a little more time I will go through my pictures and video and see what else I can share here. Needless to say it was an amazing and emotional trip. I am still not sure if I have really come to grips with instant motherhood, but it has happened whether I can come to grips or not. I am very thankful that I don't have to go back to work until July 8. I am going to need every bit of that time to get settled in with the girls and settled in as a mother. Please keep praying for patience, grace and wisdom since I am feeling pretty short of all three.

We're Here

2010-04-19T00:16:00.001-06:00

I don't have pictures that I can post yet, but my mom and I arrived safely in Ethiopia on Saturday morning. We have been taking it easy the last couple of days. Yesterday we walked to an Orthodox church and one of the Deacons was willing to show us around and let us in the church. I will have pictures of that when I get home. We were with another adoptive family and a group from Canada. We also had one young boy who was acting as tour guide and then several of his friends joined him on our walk. It was quite a parade to see all the white folks with a bunch of young Ethiopian boys walking down the street.
This morning (in about an hour or so) we will go get the girls. I could have gone yesterday, but I just wasn't ready. My brain had Monday as the day and it wasn't going to change. It was also helpful to have another day to get over jet-lag and relax. Okay, this will have to be enough for now. The internet has been better than I ever expected. But once I have the girls, I don't think I will have time for much posting. =)

Bags are packed

2010-04-14T22:03:00.002-06:00

My bags are packed and in the back of the truck. The car seats are installed and ready to go. I think I am as ready as any parent can be physically and stuff-wise. Emotionally I am not so sure. I am praying that God will take the knots out of my stomach and allow me to sleep well tonight and wake rested and ready to go. I am looking forward to having dinner with both my parents tomorrow night and then plan on sleeping as much as I can on the way to Ethiopia. I hope to post at least once while I am there, but I make no promises. If I can't, I will post as soon as I can when I get back.
Thanks for all the prayers and support. It all means the world to me.

Some things to think about while I am gone

2010-04-13T21:29:00.005-06:00

I borrowed some of this from a web-board that I am on and adapted it for my situation. Everything in it is true. I just want you all to have some idea of the things I will be working on when we get home. I think this will also help you understand why I am not going to be out and about and as social as some might want me to be. I hope to post some more information tomorrow night as well.

Thanks so much!!

Prayer Requests

Here are some ways that you can pray for me and my girls. Parts of this might sound pessimistic and scary, but I don't feel that. Yes, my brain is terrified, but my heart knows this is right. I am excited about getting my kids, but I understand that the next year will probably be a very difficult one for us. No matter how difficult it turns out to be, I am certain that this is God’s plan and that He has called me to parent these kids, and I am honored by that. Having said that, there are going to be incredible adjustments we will all be going through. Here are specific areas we are asking for prayer in:

Emotional: The addition of 2 older children will be very disruptive to my previously fairly carefree lifestyle.
· As a parent, I will be trying to find balance and strength to parent 2 children with very special needs. The adoption process is such a “high” with excitement and anticipation and then the reality of returning and making all these adjustments causes most adoptive families I’ve talked with, especially moms, to go through a post adoption depression, very similar to post-partum depression. I am happy to know before-hand that this is “normal” and that it is only for a time and that there is a light at the end as I trust God to reshape us.

· It’s also crazy to think about the fact that I am choosing to love 2 children that I’ve never met, cannot communicate with, already have their set personalities and are having their own life crisis. We may not “feel” love instantly but I pray that God will develop a love for each child regardless of the struggles.

Kidist and Meskerem: One comment well-meaning people say to adopted kids is “I bet this is so much better than where you are from” or “aren’t you lucky you have a new family”. Well, for them, they may not feel so lucky. Yes, we realize they are from an area and situation where they didn’t have much hope of a future or family, but it was the only life they knew. It was home to them. Most of the time, kids don’t even understand what was “wrong with” their previous life. All they know is that they left everything: friends, community, language and culture, to live with people that look nothing like them, they can’t communicate with and they may never return to their “world” again. Because parents are lacking in Ethiopia, the village raises the family. Kids pretty much take care of themselves and come and go as they please. They are not used to household "rules". It will take awhile for them to trust us and understand that we are not going to leave them and for us to teach them what it is like to be a part of a Christian American family. Meskerem will probably struggle with having someone in authority over her. My guess is that she has been "mom" to Kidist for the last few years. Kidist will probably have trouble seeing me as mom rather than her older sister.
These children have gone through a major trauma and it will take a long time for us to work through all of it.

Physical: Please pray for health.
Coming back from Ethiopia, we will be jet-lagged, possibly having stomach “issues” and thrown back into the business of everyday life but with some major changes. We will need physical strength and rest to deal with the emotional “stuff”. The kids are in overall good health but we will be dealing with malnutrition, parasites and deficiencies. All fixable but can be taxing (especially the parasites!). Kidist has a yeast infection on her scalp, but that shouldn't be too bad. Meskerem definitely has parasites and one of the more difficult ones to treat. I am blessed that God has given me the knowledge to take care of these sorts of things. Please pray, though, that I leave the "doctor" hat at work and only take the "mommy" hat to Ethiopia with me.

Anyway- This may seem like doom and gloom to you but it’s not to me. I have been preparing for these difficulties knowing that “all things work together for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose”. Families say it takes a full year to feel like there is any “normalcy” again and a new family emerges. Just know that if I seem tired or discouraged at times that it is OK. Just continue to pray for us.

Again- remember… I have a peace even though I am nervous. I am very excited! I can’t wait to get back and start the adjustments so the new family can begin!

Quilts

2010-04-08T20:39:00.004-06:00

I thought I would prove that I do have some home-ec abilities. I made two rag quilts (the only kind of quilting I can do) for the girls. They are small, but I think they will work perfectly on the plane and as transitional-type objects for them. The front is green and yellow calico-type fabric and the back is red flannel. Those are the colors of the Ethiopian flag and I hope that will help them have more meaning for the girls.
I can hardly believe that I leave in less than a week. One week from right now I will be in Washington DC having dinner with both my mom and dad. I am hoping to get everything packed up this weekend except for the few things that I need out up until then.
Sometime this weekend I plan to post some information on how my life is going to look when I get home. I think it will be helpful for all of you, my friends and family, understand what the reality of international adoption is and what sort of work I need to do with the kids for us to be a cohesive family. So stay tuned for that. Let me know if there is something specific that you would like to know about this process. Or if you have advice, I am happy to "hear" that too.

Plane Tickets

2010-04-03T13:35:00.004-06:00

These are probably the most expensive pieces of paper I have ever had. Our tickets are e-tickets, but the travel agent sends these with the itinerary and receipts.

Our itinerary takes us from Billings to Denver to Washington Dulles on the 15th. We will stay the night in DC on Thursday night and, as an added bonus, have dinner with my dad. Then on Friday we will fly straight from DC to Addis Ababa with a stop in Rome, for fuel I presume. Coming home is pretty much the same except that we leave Addis late on the 24th and arrive in DC on the morning of the 25th. Mom will leave us there and fly to Texas to see my brother and the girls and I will fly on to Billings via Denver.

Got a date!

2010-03-29T12:45:00.002-06:00

Just a quick post to tell you all that I have an embassy date again. I will be at the US Embassy in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on April 20. I plan to fly out on the 15th and return on the 24th. I am very excited and panicked again all at once. Please pray that I will get everything done that I need to and that I won't completely lose my mind in the next couple of weeks.

Dot photos

2010-03-25T12:54:00.007-06:00

Dot had a playmate last weekend. A friend's foster-daughter brought her Australian shepherd mix over to play and he and Dot had a great time together. He was much better at fetch than she was.

Dot just got a haircut yesterday. Prior to that her last haircut was before Christmas. According to the folks at the vet office she was starting to look like a Portuguese water dog. Here are before and after photos and you can see what I mean.

Before:

After: she has her model legs back and foofy bows in her hair.
The bows came out tonight.

We need jewelry

2010-03-24T17:14:00.003-06:00

Here is something that is actually sort of related to my life as a family doc. Below is a plea from one of my partners. She tells the whole story better than I can so I will just cut and paste her plea and please feel free to pass it on to others.

It all started with a fateful call from the nursing home. "We need you to come take care of Ernie's jewelry!" Despite being more than 40 years my senior, Ernie was a great friend, and we'd both been dismayed when she had to move from assisted living into the nursing home. She'd been there a while, with me as her physician, and this was a new development.

Ernie had traveled extensively, loved beauty and being surrounded with beautiful things. When she moved to Heritage Acres she took an oriental trunk with her. It was reported to be filled with gold and jewels (her words), but I'd never been privy to the contents. Now her body was failing and, with decreased oxygen to her brain, her thought processes had changed. Rather than remaining her secretive stubborn self, she was talking to everyone about the contents of her magic box, and the nursing home administrator was becoming concerned about the liability of the facility. So Natasha (her lawyer), Ernie, and I spent some incredible hours cataloging her treasures. There were small bars of solid gold, gold nuggets from a mine, yogo sapphires, and a treasure trove of costume jewelry that we all wanted to play with. When Ernie died a few days later, all her beauties disappeared with her daughter, never to be seen again. We all hope that at one time or another her daughter had heard the stories that made Ernie's eyes shine with delight over a pair of gaudy earrings, made her laugh with joy over a simple bracelet, and made her cry over her infirmities that made her unable to dance around in her finery.

Soon thereafter my Cousin Tommy's wife Donna died of metastatic breast cancer. It hadn't been long after her "5 year cancer free" milestone was reached that the tumors recurred rapidly, stealing her health and her joy and their hope.

At about the same time my recycling efforts were being thwarted because I couldn't find any place locally to recycle glass or plastic.

Our clinic had been involved with the Relay for Life portion of the American Cancer Society for years and had had bake sales at the IGA (grocery store), rummage sales at the Clinic, raffles, etc. I was struggling to find a way to raise money without having to sit at a table at the grocery store or to haul out white elephants into the clinic parking lot (and to convince someone that they really needed to buy them). I thought of Donna, of Ernie, of all the people in Big Horn County who were broke but loved beautiful things - and said to myself “recycled jewelry will work!"

Since then we have had 5 "New to You" jewelry sales and have raised more than $24,000 for the ACS. Most of our sales are 50 cents or a dollar, since most donations are "outdated costume jewelry" that just isn't the thing any more. But we've been amazed by the overwhelming generosity of people who can't afford a monetary donation but can clean out their jewelry box or their junk drawer or their deceased great aunt's boxes. One woman dropped off a 5 gallon bucket of earrings (all loose) that weighted over 32 pounds and contained clip-on plastic skateboard earrings and glow in the dark skeleton earrings and phenomenally beautiful rhinestone earrings by Weiss. Another unidentified woman dropped off a sandwich bag that contained 6 genuine diamond rings. A welfare patient removed his necklace because it was the only jewelry the family had and he wanted to contribute. We've had donations of jewelry made of gold, silver, garnet, crystal, agate, plastic, wood; we've had things made of feathers and beads and uranium that glows in the dark; earrings that have been beaded and tatted and crocheted and carved from antlers...

Our Hardin Clinic Relay for Life team has requested donations form everyone we can think of, including friends, family, patients, pharmaceutical reps, our surrounding clinics/hospitals. We've visited all the local (within 50 miles) pawn shops and jewelry stores and thrift stores looking for donations - including boxes or bags to put jewelry in, "necks" to display necklaces on, advertising, as well as things to sell including jewelry, jewelry boxes, watches, etc.. The response has been overwhelmingly positive, except for a few instances (like the diamond merchant who couldn't think of any way he could help us, because then he'd have to help anyone that stopped by his office...). We’ve been fortunate that the local media, including the Original Briefs, the Big Horn County News, and the Billings Gazette, as well as several local radio stations, have been willing to give us free advertising. The Goldsmith Gallery in Billings has really supported our efforts, donating a tourmaline cross, a diamond for a ring that wasn't complete, and emerald earrings and a necklace.

Unfortunately, the people in our area of Eastern Montana have exhausted the supply of jewelry that they can part with, and we have to look further afield. We thought that if we could get a small mention in newspapers across the United States, we might be able to reach our goal ($100,000!); we can sell it if we can get it! We're getting really good at repairing jewelry, cleaning and polishing, and creative uses. Clip-on earrings and screw-in earrings can be used as pins, on chains as necklaces, as ornaments on wineglasses or hairclips or purses...You can hang bracelets on your towel racks or doorknobs or on your gearshift of your car. We can find a new home for almost any jewelry. Something one person hates may be someone else's hearts desire.

So we are hoping to send this to people across the country, believing that people will be willing to open up their hearts, and their jewelry boxes, for an incredibly good cause. 100% of our proceeds go directly to the American Cancer Society! I'm hoping to send this plea out as an email; you can't believe what I've spent on stamps so far!!! Unfortunately, I don't know where to send it.

If you, or your friends or anyone else would like to donate something, it can be sent to the Hardin Clinic Relay for Life team at the Hardin Clinic, 16 N. Miles, Hardin, Montana 59034. We are a clinic with 5 providers, 6 nurses, 6 business office people, and one custodian; we live in a town of about 2500 people. We have all been very involved in the fundraising efforts. Actually, by now almost everyone in town has been involved in one way or another - donating jewelry, providing advertising or space to have our sales, working at the sales, etc. Our next sale is planned for the end of June if we can find enough to sell. Please give us a thought next time you are cleaning the house, getting dressed up to go out, or trying to streamline your possessions.

My brother has always said "If you are going to think, think big". We would like to expand out of our little area. We would be thrilled if there were some way to get donations from each county in Montana, or better yet, from every state in our great country. So far we've raised almost $1000 per person in Hardin; if we could get each person who reads this to ask their mother and their brother and their great aunt to put a ring or a pair of earrings or a necklace into an envelope and mail it to the Hardin Clinic we could really raise a lot of money for the American Cancer Society! We'd really appreciate the help, wherever we could get it. It is definitely a win-win situation!

Thanks so much! Please email this to all your friends, acquaintances, jewelry lovers, rich people who are feeling generous, etc!!!

I'm still here

2010-03-22T13:22:00.003-06:00

I know I haven't posted in awhile. Need to get some stuff up from my dad's birthday party. But I thought I would let you know that I am still here and still waiting to hear when the US Embassy will allow me to come get my girls. They are there waiting for me and I am here waiting for them. In God's time we will be together. In the meantime please keep praying for patience and forbearance for me.

Update

2010-03-04T21:05:00.003-07:00

So I am still waiting to hear when I will be able to travel to get my girls. I wish I had more information to share with you all, but I don't. Right now I am just trusting that God is taking care of them and has a reason for this delay. I am canceling plane tickets (or at least putting them on hold) and placing my guest house reservation on hold as well. I found out from my case manager at CWA that we might not hear anything until April. This has worked out well for a few of my OB patients that are hoping that I will still be able to deliver them. However, it means several others for whom I will have to make other arrangements. This saddens me since I get very attached to my obstetric patients and LOVE delivering babies and hate to miss a single one. But I know God will take care of them too.
On a brighter note, I am headed to California tomorrow evening to help celebrate my dad's 60th birthday. I am taking my new HD video camera so hopefully I will be able to post some video here. I am looking forward to seeing my dad and step-mom and my brother and sister. Will try to post while I am there, but I don't make any promises. ;-)

Finally...a hiccup

2010-02-23T19:49:00.003-07:00

Some people are surprised when I say I "finally" have a hiccup. So far this process has gone so smoothly that it almost worried me. Don't get me wrong, I am very happy that my adoption has been drama-free so far. However, I always get worried when things seem to be going too easily. Well, after today I don't have to worry about that. I got an email this afternoon informing me that I might have to change my travel plans. Evidently the Embassy is making some changes and they want to make sure that there are 8 weeks between when paperwork is submitted and when families have their Embassy appointment. I will be right about there, but still not sure if my travel plans will be changed. If I get to travel for my April 6 Embassy date, my friend Susan and her family (faithenoughfor9) may not travel with me. They passed court on the 18th so wouldn't have 8 weeks in by April 6. I know God is still sovereign in this and that His timing is perfect, but I was really hoping to travel with another family. So please pray that the Embassy's plans will be clarified and that we will all be able to travel together and that our children will be okay if they have to wait a few more weeks before we travel.

40 days

2010-02-17T19:11:00.010-07:00

In 40 days I will have my girls in my arms.

That statement is almost too much for me to fathom. Lent started today and when it is Easter here in Montana it will be Monday, April 5 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and I will get to meet and hold my girls for the first time. Lent is usually thought of as a time of deprivation in honor of the time Jesus spent being tested in the wilderness before He started His ministry here on Earth. I think it is more a time of preparation. I am definitely seeing it that way this year. I won't be giving anything up like television or chocolate or caffeine (though I am cutting back on all of those things). This year I will be preparing to give up the life I know for a life that will be much more difficult, but infinitely more rewarding than the life I have been living. People keep asking if I am excited. I never know quite how to respond. I am excited, but I have a lot of trepidation as there are so many unknowns in this process. I am so thankful that God is bigger than all of this and He will provide the wisdom and strength I need, when I need it. So if I don't seem as excited as you think I should be, forgive me, I just have a lot of things to think about.

Below is the video that prefaced the church service that started this whole process. I thought it might help others understand why I am doing this.

They got my photobook

2010-02-11T20:54:00.003-07:00

So the girls know who I am now. They have a book in their hands that I made for them that shows me and my dog and my family. In the first few pictures they looked a little worried. This was the last picture and by far my favorite. Finally we all sort of know each other. I will be there to meet them in just a few short weeks. This picture just makes it all more real.
Thanks for all the prayers and support. I really appreciate it.

Interesting calculation

2010-02-05T21:59:00.003-07:00

So my mom told me that from the day I heard about my girls until the day I get to meet them is right at about 9 months. I actually just did an OB Wheel (what we use to figure out due dates and how far along a pregnancy is) calculation and if you use my embassy date of April 6 you get a last period (what we use for figuring out due dates) of June 30, 2008. That is right about when the girls' bio-mom brought them to the orphanage in Soddo. So I may never have a natural pregnancy (I'm fine with that by the way), but I have had a true "pregnancy of the heart." Don't know if this is interesting to anyone else but me, but though I would share.
I am blessed that this adoption process has gone as fast as it has. God really has made sure I knew it was Him doing it. There is no other way this would work. Please pray that I continue to follow His lead and not let myself get ahead of Him.

More photos.

2010-02-02T19:30:00.004-07:00

The girls have been moved to the care center in Addis Ababa. They are looking pretty healthy and happy. They have bands on their wrists that have their first name and my last name written on them. Those bands were placed on their wrists after court on the 28th. They will stay on until I pick them up in April.

I just can't get over their smiles and how good they look. I know there will still be health issues, but right now they look great.

At some point in the next few weeks they will get a photo book that I put together for them. I should get a picture of them looking at it and I will post that too. It is so much fun to be able to share all of these photos now after so many months of not being able to share them.

Above is Kidest (or Kidist, not sure how it will be spelled until I see the birth certificate) and this is Meskerem. The broad smiles are unusual since Ethiopians don't usually smile for photos. The difference between these girls and the first photo I received is incredible. Actually, I will add that photo below as well. That way you can see just how far they have come.

Two of the saddest little girls I have ever seen. Can you believe they are the same kids?

Meet Meskerem and Kidest

2010-01-28T11:57:00.004-07:00

This will be a short post since I am home at lunch and need to get back to work. But I wanted all of you to know that I am a Mama! I got a phone call that I passed court this morning. Now I can share photos of my beautiful girls. Their names are Kidest (age 4ish) and Meskerem (age 6ish). "Kidest" means "blessed" in Amharic and "Meskerem" means "spring or September." I don't think I am going to change their names, but I may add American middle names.
I am planning on traveling for an Embassy date on April 6. It is so nice to actually make firm plans now.
I will have more to say later once I have processed all this, but here they are. Thanks to everyone who has been praying. Please don't stop, the real work starts now.

Less than 24 hours

2010-01-27T18:34:00.003-07:00

As I type, it is about 4:30AM in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (ten hours later than Montana). The courts will open in a few hours and at some point the case of my girls will be heard. Their mother will have to tell a judge that she is willing to have some person she has never met take her children to a far away country and raise them. Lots of paper will be looked over, including the dossier that I sent down there in November (see earlier post). If the judge likes the way it all looks and the mom shows up and all the local paperwork is there, I will pass and legally be the parent of two little girls. The number of things that could go wrong is incredible. However, I am at peace no matter what happens over night. I am not in control of this process, God is (those of you who know me, feel free to laugh, I am a control freak, but I am learning to let go). His timing is perfect and even if I have to go through this process several times before those girls are mine, I will be okay and so will they. Today was busy and tomorrow will be as well since I am on call. I will post about the court's decision as soon as I can, but please be patient as my patients will have to come first tomorrow.

Blessings

2010-01-15T23:10:00.003-07:00

I found out today that an anonymous donor made a large donation to my adoption fund at Harvest Church. I am absolutely humbled that someone sees my adoption as that important. My family and some friends, yes, but someone who doesn't even want me to know them is amazing to me. If you are reading this, whoever you are, I pray that God blesses you as much as you have blessed me. I have been having all sorts of last minute jitters sorts of thoughts as the court date gets nearer. I have been praying that God would continue to remind me that this is exactly what I am supposed to be doing. He did it in a big way with this donation.
In less than two weeks I could legally be a mom. That thought fills me with joy, fear, anxiety, and yes, a little panic. I know God is going to provide everything I need. He has already, but all of these thoughts are still there. Then I remember that God calls me to "Be still, and know that I am God." Psalm 46 goes on to say "I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." That is what I want; I want God to be exalted in my adoption. I just get to sit still and watch Him work out the details. And then, the stories that I will tell my children about how God made us a family will be wonderful.
Tune in on January 29th to see how the next step turns out.

Court date

2010-01-06T08:40:00.003-07:00

I got a court date. It is January 28th. That means I should be traveling to go get the girls sometime in March. I am hoping mid-late March so I have some time to warn my OB patients and partners. This is really becoming a reality. Presuming I pass, I will be able to post pictures of the girls later that day so stay tuned.

This was great news for my mom who just had her knee replaced yesterday and is just starting to rehab. It gives her a good goal to be rehabbed in time to travel with me.

Documents submitted

2010-01-01T22:42:00.002-07:00

I have been asked to write an update on the adoption progress. When I have a chance, I will put up photos from the wonderful shower that my friend Michelle put on last Sunday. In the meantime here is a little update. All of my documents and the required local documents have been submitted to the court in Addis. CWA has gotten court dates through January 20th so mine will be sometime at the end of January or early February. I don't have to be there for that (I signed a Power of Attorney for CWA for exactly this purpose). When I pass court the girls are legally mine and I can share their photos here. If I pass court on the first try (not a foregone conclusion), then I would travel to get the girls for the Embassy date at the end of March or early April. I have asked CWA to give me at least 4 weeks' warning before I have to travel so my Embassy date might get pushed back a little bit. But I see that as a small price to pay so that I can give my partners and patients (especially the pregnant ones) some warning that I am going to be gone for 12 weeks. I am blessed that my employer not only gives the mandated 12 weeks of FMLA leave, but they continue my base salary during that entire time as well. Please keep praying that everything would go well and that God will provide all the funds I need when it is time to travel. Happy New Year and God Bless!!!!!

Re-imagining "The Night Before Christmas"

2009-12-10T15:38:00.005-07:00

The following poem was posted on one the web-boards where I am a member. It made me cry as I think of my girls during this season. Perhaps it will help you understand a little better where I am coming from. And, perhaps, someone out there needs this nudge to help them over the edge in making a decision to adopt.

Twas the Night before Christmas--for the parentless............

Twas the night before Christmas and all through the land
there are parentless children, with no toys in hand

No stockings to be hung by the chimney with care
no hopes for a family soon to be there

Their beds are not snug--but cold and quite bare
there are no goodnight kisses--no one to care

While we in our homes, laughing in delight
all settle down for a Merry Christmas Eve night

When in some one's heart--there arises a clatter
there are children in need--who's lives really DO matter!

Away to the computer please go in a flash
to see the sweet face with whom YOU could be matched!

While a child you see--their beautiful face all aglow
could this be MY child--could I already know??

When in the dreams of the orphan--what always appears
is a family to love them, to care and hold dear

As you stare at that child--your heart beats real quick--
for you know in your heart that sweet face will stick

More dreams sweet children have--to call parents by name-
come mama! come daddy! come family to claim!

To the ends of the earth--your heart seems to call
now child--I'm coming--I wish for you ALL!

So on a plane to your child--over rooftops you flew
to hold this dear soul--a wish did come true

And then in a twinkling-I saw through the door
this child of my heart-that was waiting no more

As I got my camera and was turning around-
into my arms did he come with a bound!

He was dressed in many layers from his head to his foot
and into my heart his life was just put

there was no round face--no plump little belly
just sad little eyes, and legs shaking like jelly

In a swirl of a pen, and a stamp and a seal
my world became brighter--like I could suddenly feel!

We spoke not a word--they weren't needed at all
and I knew in this moment where I got this call

God layed his hands on my heart--and to the occasion I rose
and He could do it for you--this question He'll pose.....

It won't be a shout--no not even a whistle
it won't be real clear--but faint like a whisper

Can you make room in your heart--if you try with your might?
And make a difference for one--help them see the light?

I can see you exclaim as you hold your child tight--
Thank you Lord for this gift--you got it EXACTLY right!

Christmas

2009-12-06T20:31:00.003-07:00

Just got the Christmas tree decorated. Had a friend help which was really nice. We are having our clinic Christmas party here next weekend (while I am on call, thank goodness for good mid-levels). I am enjoying planning Christmas stuff. I keep seeing things as my girls might see them. I can't wait to have them here helping decorate the house and the tree.
It looks like they might be here sooner than I thought. I got second medicals on the older one last week and should get them on the younger one in the next week or so. Once I have approved those and my dossier is translated everything will be submitted to court for a date. That court date could be in January or February. That means I could travel in March or April. Nothing is certain by any means, but I am starting to fret over the timing and such. Please pray that I would trust God that His timing is perfect.
In the meantime, I am going to enjoy this Christmas season. Above is a photo I took of my tree this evening. I have been playing with using the tripod and the self-timer so I can get crisper photos.

Fun with Google Earth

2009-11-21T20:39:00.004-07:00

I created this image in Google Earth and then edited it in Picasa to crop out the Google Earth verbiage and add my own. It is sort of amazing to see just how far these girls are going to have to travel to get to Montana. As the crow flies, it is more than 8000 miles. Talk about some disorientation. I made several maps including this one. I thought it would be good to show them where we all are geographically. It was sort of fun to make the images of the US and Europe and part of Africa (since it is so big). I am sure there is a better way of doing this and if you know it, please tell me.

Fingerprints approved

2009-11-19T19:01:00.004-07:00

It doesn't look like much, but this is a VERY important piece of paper. It says that the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS formerly INS) has approved my fingerprints. The actual language is below.

I have faxed this to the adoption agency and now I wait. I found out today that the second medicals have been done; they are just having trouble transmitting them from Ethiopia to North Carolina so the agency can send them to me. Once I have those, I will pass them on to a pediatrician-friend to review (figured I needed an unbiased bare of eyes). Once I approve those, everything will be submitted for a court date. I could have a court date sometime in January. AAAACK!!! Am I really ready for that? I guess I will have to be. :-) I just pray that God will work things out so that I don't have to work much while taking time off to help the girls adjust. Well, as I have said before I will keep you posted as things progress.

Dossier Sent

2009-11-11T19:04:00.002-07:00

This is my dossier. It is a collection of documents required by the Ethiopian government for me to adopt from their country. It includes a home study, photos of me and my family, statements from my bank, employer, and local sheriff. I am also required to submit 3 years of tax statements, 3 letters of reference, a letter requesting adoption and a couple of other pieces of paper from my agency. The first two pages had to be authenticated by the State of Montana. Now the whole thing has been sent to a courier (The Assistant Stork) in Washington DC so that it can all be authenticated by the US Secretary of State's office and the Ethiopian embassy.
I am nearing the end of the paperwork portion of the adoption. On Friday I go to get by fingerprints taken as soon as I am cleared by USCIS (immigration) to adopt, I send another piece of paper to my agency and then I sit and wait. My adoption agency will send everything to Ethiopia where it will all get translated and submitted to court. I am also waiting to get the second (more detailed) medical reports. A court date won't be issued until after all of my paperwork is accepted, I accept the second medicals, and all of the paperwork done on the Ethiopian side is submitted. Sort of nerve-wracking to have all of this out of my hands. But Someone much stronger and wiser is taking care of it all for me. I am trusting that God will take care of everything so that the timing all works out perfectly. I will continue to keep you posted as to my progress.

Meet Buttercup

2009-11-05T21:52:00.006-07:00

I finally got my new truck this past Wednesday. This evening with some help from my dad and stepmom, I came up with a name. It is so luxurious that I thought it would have to be called "The Princess Mobile." Then I realized its name had to be Buttercup. You need to watch The Princess Bride if you don't know the significance of the name Buttercup.

Here's Buttercup in the garage. Thanks to the back-up camera, I can tell when I am in far enough and still have enough room to get around the front.

Interior from the driver's side.

Photo of the FABULOUS navigation system/radio/bluetooth.
Wouldn't be my truck without this sticker. It is a little smaller than the old one.

Front grill. Very intimidating.

Once I have a couple of Ethiopian princesses and a prissy standard poodle in the back seat, this will really be a PRINCESS-mobile.

Adoption Fundraiser

2009-10-26T07:10:00.007-06:00

I have a new way to raise funds for my adoption. I have all the fees for the adoption agency raised and paid in, however, I still need to raise money for travel expenses. Just click on Just Love Coffee and order some great fair trade coffee. About $5 of every bag of coffee will come to me. I also get a portion of all other purchases (T-shirts, coffee scoops, etc.). To those of you who have already donated to my adoption: THANK YOU!!!! I am completely humbled by the generosity of my family, friends, and people I hardly know. Hopefully it will only be about 6 more months before my girls come home.

Reunion Weekend

2009-10-18T18:10:00.004-06:00

I spent this last weekend in Santa Barbara for my 10-year college reunion at Westmont College. Here are a few pictures from the weekend.

My hotel room at the Montecito Inn.

The prayer chapel on Westmont's campus.

Birds of Paradise are everywhere on campus.
East Beach on Saturday morning.

Totaled

2009-10-11T21:19:00.003-06:00

Well, Babe the Blue Ox is totaled. I am turning over the title, etc. on Tuesday night before I leave for California. I am going to miss that truck. The first I ever bought for myself and paid off early. Now I am in the process of finding a new truck. Yes, I am going to get a newer version of what I had. I am looking at 2009 and 2010 F150 SuperCrews. The fun part is that now I can get all the bells and whistles that I couldn't afford as a resident. State Farm is paying me more than I ever thought they would for my truck and I am thankful to God for that. It makes buying a new truck much easier. I actually will have something for a down payment.
I am still quite grateful to be alive. I have driven over that bridge a few times since the accident and I still shudder slightly. It is sort of weird to see a pile of glass and know that it once was my front passenger window. I am much more cautious now. I hope it will last for awhile. I was definitely getting too reckless. Well, I am off to bed. Have a great week!

P.S. Once I have my new truck I will post pictures and I will probably need help coming up with a name so stay tuned for that.

Wear your seat belt!

2009-10-06T19:15:00.004-06:00

I am grateful to be alive today. This morning I was driving to Billings to work for the residency. I hit a patch of black ice and lost control of my truck. According to a snowplow driver who saw some of it, my truck did something like a 360 and then went off the right side of the road. It then went down on the passenger side and then set back up again. I was wearing my seat belt, and because of that, I can write this post this evening. I know God had His hand on me as well. There are so many other things that could have gone wrong or been worse. I have a few bruises and a small bump on my head, but I was able to climb out of my truck and take some pictures. So if you ever think you don't need your seat belt take a look at these pictures.

This is the driver's side. Doesn't look too bad.

Front passenger window is out.

Both passenger-side tires are totally destroyed. The inside doesn't look too bad.

As I said, I am grateful to be alive. God definitely had His hand on me. Since I am okay, I am hoping that my truck won't be totaled. I am not ready to give up on Babe the Blue Ox yet. It is the first car I have ever bought on my own, and it is completely paid off. But all of that is just stuff. And as I am reminded frequently, people are more important than stuff and if I have to get a new truck I will deal with that. So be safe out there and wear your seat belt no matter where you are going or how short your trip will be.

Photos from North Carolina

2009-09-28T20:31:00.005-06:00

I just got back from the Christian Medical/Dental Association national meeting near Asheville, North Carolina. It was a really good conference. I learned a ton and met a bunch of new people and renewed friendships with others. I also skipped a couple of the lectures so I could go see some of the sites and take some pictures. Unfortunately the day I did that it was raining pretty hard, but I think some turned out okay.

Here is a view out over the Blue Ridge Mountains from the Biltmore Estate.

Pretty flowers at the Ridgecrest Conference Center.

A stream and pond outside my hotel at the conference center.

The Biltmore Estate. Home of the Vanderbilts and supposedly the biggest house in America. It was incredibly opulent inside. The only room I would have liked was the library complete with winding stairs and TONS of books.

I could only take pictures of the exterior so here are a couple of details of the exterior.

Two lions like this guarded the front door.Just below the house was this wonderful loggia.

Here are a few of the flowers in the garden. It was full on raining at this point so the color is a little washed out

So there they are. I have lots more, but these are the best. I am now glad to be home, but not sure I am ready to go to work tomorrow morning.

Progress

2009-09-25T19:43:00.003-06:00

I am currently in North Carolina for the Christian Medical/Dental Association National meeting. The cool thing about this (other than the fabulous meeting and all the cool people I have met, but more on that later) is that my adoption agency, Christian World Adoption, has their headquarters just about a half hour away (just south of Asheville). This afternoon I skipped one lecture section to go see the CWA headquarters and meet with my document case manager. It was really nice to see where all the work is done to make so many adoptions happen. It was also nice to put a face and voice with someone I have only met over email and webinars. I had mailed my dossier paperwork a week or so ago and Michael (the document case manager) told me today that it was approved and gave me the last piece of paperwork that I need to finish the dossier. Now I get to start the authentication process and then get my dossier down to Ethiopia. I also have to go through USCIS (immigration) clearance, but that shouldn't take long. Once I get all of that done and the rest of the money raised, my dossier will go to Ethiopia and then I will wait for a court date. It is pretty exciting. I was going to take pictures today of their offices, but I didn't get a chance to. If it isn't raining too hard, I will go back and get a picture and add it to this post. Tomorrow, I am also hoping to go see the Biltmore Estate and get some cool pictures there. I think it could look cool even if it is raining. So more pictures to come.

Contentment

2009-09-20T18:58:00.004-06:00

Sorry I haven't posted in awhile. Life has been a little busy lately. I have delivered a few more babies, my step-mom turned 50, and I finished my dossier for my adoption. I have also discovered that I am in a really good place in my life. I am contented. I spent some time at my dad's house and spent a little time in the new house a friend just moved into and for the first time in my life, I didn't wish I lived somewhere different. I am content with my house, my life and my job. I have family and friends that love me, a wonderful church and before too long (6-12 months at this point) I will have two beautiful children. What more could one person want? I don't really have anything else to say so I will share a few pictures from my trip to California for my step-mom's birthday party.

Here is a photo of the gorgeous cake my dad ordered. It has several of her favorite things on it.

A comfy spot with a view to enjoy the party.

One gratuitous picture of my dog (who desperately needs a haircut).

Video

2009-08-22T19:15:00.004-06:00

I received a DVD in the mail today that had about 10 minutes of video of my girls. It was so cool to see them smiling, giggling, acting shy and doing normal things kids do. But best of all they sang. The little one (who, after watching her, I think is more like 4yrs old) sang for about 3 minutes straight. Something caught her attention while she was singing and she just lit up with the most BEAUTIFUL smile and kept right on singing. The older one was much more shy and I think she still feels that she needs to be "mom" to her little sister. I hope I am able to help her understand very early in our relationship that she can be a kid and I will take care of all the mothering that needs to be done.
One thing I am learning in this process is just how much God loves each of us. The Bible talks about us being adopted as heirs to the kingdom when we believe in Christ. The work I am putting into making these girls my heirs is nothing to what Christ did for me in making me an heir to His eternal kingdom. I hear this talked about a lot on the adoption webboards and stuff, but it is starting to come home for me. If I am willing to lay down my life for two little girls I have never met, how much more does it mean that Christ laid down His life for me who He knows intimately (sin nature and all)? If you can explain that, you are better than I am. All I can do is sit in complete wonder that God saved me and now has called me to be a parent and representative of the Kingdom to these little girls. And by the way, if you are wondering why I do this at all, there is your answer: I am answering the calling God has put on my life at this time.

Crow Fair Pics

2009-08-18T19:24:00.019-06:00

Last Sunday I was invited to spend the day with a family I know that was camping at Crow Fair. I have never gotten to experience it that way. I have seen the dancing and watched the parades and eaten fry-bread. But hanging out at the camp was a fabulous way to experience the "Tee-Pee Capitol of the World." Here are some pictures I took while I was there.

This is Miss Crow Nation, the daughter of a friend of a friend.

I thought this woman was incredibly beautiful. I call this "calm in the chaos." She stands so straight and tall in the midst of everyone else running around.

A full pageant of color. This doesn't even begin to show what the full grand entry looks like.

This is a view of the tee-pees across from us as we watched the parade on Sunday morning.

There were tons of adorable small children in the grand entry and parade. There were even a few I delivered (no pictures of those though since it would be a HIPAA violation). I loved this mother-child pair.

It Hit Me

2009-08-15T23:16:00.002-06:00

So during worship tonight at church it hit me that I really am going to be a mom. I have been working on this adoption thing for a few months (thinking about it for years), but tonight something hit me. Maybe it just suddenly felt more real. I have a hard time pulling up people's faces in my mind, but not these girls. Their features seem to be burned in my memory. I can't wait to see them grow, take them to the mountains, take them sledding, do things as a family. The fact that God is calling me to raise these two girls and influence their lives is almost more than I can bear. Thank God I don't have to. I remind myself that God never calls us to anything He isn't going to give us the strength to do. All of these thoughts hit me during the singing portion of the service and I just dissolved into tears (I know, I cry at almost anything and everything). I am tearing up again just thinking about it.
There really isn't any other news here, just thought I would share my thoughts with you. That is what a blog is for isn't it? Tomorrow I am headed out to Crow Fair. I am hoping to get some good pictures so I will post those when I have a chance. Hope the rest of your weekend is as blessed as mine has been so far.

It's Official!

2009-08-11T22:54:00.003-06:00

I just signed the paperwork officially accepting the referral of two girls from Ethiopia. The paperwork says they are 3 and 5, but I am betting they are more likely 5 and 7. They are beautiful and in need of love, food and more love. Unfortunately, I can't post their pictures here until they are legally mine (after I have passed court in Ethiopia). Right now I have lots more paperwork to do and a bit more money to raise. I was able to raise more than $400 at my garage/bake sale last weekend. That was really amazing. Every quarter put in the pot made me smile.
This is an experience that is stretching my faith more than anything ever has, and I don't think I am anywhere close to the hard part yet. The whole process so far has moved faster than I ever thought it would. In early April, I didn't think I would even be able to apply to adopt until September or October (due to a limitation on the number of single moms allowed to adopt from Ethiopia). Here it is August and I have had the social worker come down for my home study and I have done a lot of the paperwork and I have pictures of my kids (that is really weird to say) on my mirror in the bathroom and on the wall by my computer at work. I figure God wants to make sure that I understand that He is doing this, NOT me. He is even raising the money faster than I thought. I am down to needing only about $4-5000 (out of $16,000) for the next step. I can't believe all the support I have been given. Well, I can because God is behind it. I can't wait to see what a blessing my girls will be in the lives of everyone who has helped them get here. Well, it is late and have lots to do tomorrow. I will keep everyone posted. If you would like to see pictures, send me your email address.

BAKE SALE!!!!!!!!!!!!

2009-08-07T23:15:00.006-06:00

I am having a bake sale tomorrow. I am hoping to raise some money for my adoption that way. It has also given me an outlet for my need to cook. I have had more fun today making things. I don't think my oven has worked this hard in a really long time. In the picture are kringla (Norwegian "figure of 8" cakes/cookies), raspberry pie, strawberry pie, almond cake, banana bread, chocolate chip cookies and a rosemary-tomato-mozzarella tart. While I was taking these pictures there was also a raspberry-nectarine crisp in the oven. I can't tell you how good the house smells.

This is the tomato tart. Someone really needs to figure out how to transmit smells through computers. This is the single best smelling thing I have cooked. The combination of the rosemary, garlic, tomatoes and melting mozzarella almost caused me to keep this for myself rather than take it to the sale. Then I remembered that I can make another one. :-) I have never made it before and got the recipe from the internet on a really great site. Here is the link through Tasty Kitchen. Check out the site. I also found recipes for raspberry-honey-lavender freezer jam that also tastes AMAZING and a really easy raspberry pie. Are you figuring out my favorite fruit yet?
Well, now that I have gotten all of you hungry, I am going to go to bed now. Oh and by the way, I had my home study today and I think it went well. I am now going to formally accept the referral of the two little girls. Their pictures are all over the house already. I think they are supposed to come live here. Unfortunately, I can't post any pictures until they are legally mine. But if you want to see them, email me and I can send you the pictures I have.

My Dog-a great distraction

2009-07-25T22:46:00.012-06:00

I need to keep my mind off adoption ruminations for a little while so I thought I would post some pictures of the best furry friend a girl could have. She follows me around the house and tries to chew on my butter spreaders, but I love her anyway. I picked her up in March of 2008 about a month after my grandmother, Dorothy, passed away. My brother went with me to pick her up. The breeder was calling her Jade, but after we got in the truck he informed me that the dog's name was Dot, and "her AKC name can be Dorothy Elizabeth" (Elizabeth is part of my maternal grandmother's name as well). And so it stuck. She is Dot and she has even grown a couple of spots of gray to go with her name. Anyway, here are a few pictures to entertain you and keep my mind off thinking about small children in Ethiopia.

Here she is the day I got her. She was small and scared and had REALLY long fur.

Here she is a few months older and has had a haircut.

She has gotten quite fast and loves racing around the yard now that I have a fence and grass.

So this is pretty much what she looks like right now. Running around the yard with her tongue hanging out, stopping periodically to nip at the grass.

Well, I hope you have enjoyed this diversion as much as I have. Now I am going to bed so I can get up early and start reading. Got a lot to get done before my home study is done on 8/7.

God's Timing

2009-07-24T15:39:00.005-06:00

God's timing is definitely different from mine. And He may have very different ideas as to how my adoption should progress. I received this email earlier today:

I wanted to let you know that we have just had a pair of sisters come available for adoption, and I wanted to see if you would be interested in considering them? I see that you prefer just one child, but are open to two. If you truly wish to adopt just one child, that is definitely no problem—please just let me know. Otherwise, if you would like to take a look at this information for these sisters, you could consider them and then let me know. The paperwork says their ages are 3 and 5 or 6, but I think they could be older—maybe 4 or 5, and 7 years old.

I am really not sure what to think. I know I can't think about much until I see more information. I did email the gal and say that I would definitely prayerfully consider the girls. As I told others on another web board, I had just started thinking that I really only wanted one and really wanted one that was younger. Now I am rethinking that. God is really funny. Just when I think I have things figured out, He goes and does something like this. I am not sure I am the right parent for these girls, but I am hoping He shows me clearly one way or another. This would definitely push my timeline a little closer and faster than I thought. That might make life a little tougher at our clinic, but I know that God has that figured out for me too. And to top it off, I had a message from the social worker this afternoon that they want to set up a time to do my homestudy. This is starting to feel really real now.

I don't know what else to say. Please feel free to share your thoughts and prayers. I welcome them all.

One other thing this may do is cause me to need to do a lot more fundraising. I was hoping to be able to do this without it, but if God is going to move things faster He is going to need to raise some money for me. I know some are called to contribute to adoptions. If that is you, here is a link to Christian World Foundation where you can donate directly to my adoption (Donation Form). If that isn't you, please don't feel obligated. Just send your prayers my way and I will be thrilled.

PhotoWalk Submissions

2009-07-19T21:28:00.008-06:00

Here are two pictures I took on the 18th as part of the Worldwide PhotoWalk. I can submit two for the competition and I think these are the two. You can see the rest of the pictures I took through the link in the previous post. Curious to see what anyone thinks. Thanks to my dad for helping me with editing.

2009 Worldwide PhotoWalk

2009-07-18T19:50:00.004-06:00

2009_07_18 PhotoWalk

I participated in the Worldwide PhotoWalk today. I can submit two of the pictures that I took to the local competition and then the best one from the Billings group will be forwarded on to the international competition. The problem I have is that I am not sure which ones I should submit. I have linked to my Picasa Web album (just click on the picture of the geraniums) and I am hoping that my readers might help me decide which to submit. Just leave a comment regarding your two favorite pictures and I will see what the consensus is. FYI, I have not editted any of these pictures. This is how they came out of the camera. I am curious to see what you all think. Thanks in advance for your input.

What Does Love Make You Do?

2009-07-15T20:52:00.005-06:00

I have a T-shirt that asks that question on the back. Someone at work wondered if there was an interesting answer to the question. My answer is: Adoption. The shirt is in support of the Ethiopia:Hope projects started by my church. I used to say that I would adopt if I was 40, established and still single. After my church rolled out their decision to start pouring into the country of Ethiopia and explained the HUGE number of orphans there (4 million and growing), I decided that I didn't really need to wait. I am still single, God has provided me with a great home and a good-paying job. What more could I want? The answer God gave me is a child or two from Ethiopia. I am in the process of applying and hope to have everything done in the next month or so. If you really want to know what all is involved, let me know and I will add more information later. Suffice it to say for now that there is a lot of paperwork and even more reading and education. I don't know yet whether I will adopt a boy or a girl or how old the child will be. I also don't know when it will all happen.
Check out Christian World Adoption for information on my adoption agency and be sure to watch their video that asks the same question. I look forward to sharing this journey with you all.

Mountain Escape

2009-07-13T20:29:00.012-06:00

After a couple of long weeks (did 4 deliveries and helped with a c-section all in the space of 10 days) I took a day off and ran away to the mountains. Visited some of my favorite places on earth. Here are a few photos.

Looking down the valley from Vista Point on the Beartooth Highway.

At Vista Point there was a big contingent of Germans on Harleys. Had to take this picture for my sister.
My dog, Dot, enjoying some time out of the truck. This is just before the Montana-Wyoming border where we went for a walk and got really wet in melted snow.

The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone.

A bald eagle, presumably feeding its young, near the road in Yellowstone.

I could upload all sorts of other pictures, but this is plenty for now. I don't have pictures of the fabulous dinner I had last night at Chico Hot Springs; nor can pictures convey the relaxation of just getting away, even if it is for only 36 hours.

Freedom

2009-07-05T21:03:00.004-06:00

What does freedom mean to you? I tried to come up with an answer to this as I tried to explain the importance of July 4th to my friend's 7y/o foster-daughter. It is more than the freedom to set off fireworks (which is what she thought it was all about). It is even more than the freedom that we have in this country that has been hard won. As a Christian, I realize that, as Paul says, slavery to Christ is the greatest freedom I will ever have. My church (Harvest Church) shows this to the community by putting on a huge carnival and fireworks show every year. I think people outside the church need to see that Christians really do know how to have fun and be free. Too often we act as though the Christian life is all about what you can't do. Remember that Christ "came that (we) might have life and have it abundantly." (John 10:10). That means fireworks too.

The moon just after the clouds cleared.Children living the abundant life with glow in the dark toys.

Small Town Life

2009-06-27T22:05:00.004-06:00

So for only the second time in my life I actually won something today. Little Big Horn Days is going on here ("celebration" of Custer's Last Stand) and one of the staple events is the bed races (more on that in a minute). Prior to the bed races there was a trivia contest where the M.C. called out questions and the first person to shout out the answers won a gift certificate to a local business. The first question was "what is the motto on the Montana state flag?" The answer is "Oro y Plata" meaning gold and silver. I shouted it out and was actually the first. The embarassing thing was that I had to go out in the middle of the street and give my name and pronouce the motto again. There I was in front of hundreds of people (several of whom are patients) trying not to embarass myself. I did fairly well and walked away with a gift card to Pamida. Kinda cool. Not really something that happens in bigger cities.
The best part of the evening was the bed races. I don't know how they got started or if it is something that is done anywhere else, but it is a heap of fun. The rules are that you have a bed on wheels, one person rides and two push the bed down the block turn around and come back. The beds are usually decorated and the pushers and riders dress up. The winner this year was from the local nursing home. Last year the boys pushing had a hard time because the scrub pants they were wearing kept falling down while they were trying to run. This year they only wore the scrubs for the "best in show" judging then stripped back down to their shorts and t-shirts in order to run. It worked much better that way. I highly recommend coming to visit out here just to see such silly small town entertainment. We have other things too, but this is one of my favorites. Photo credits to my cousin's husband.

Big Horn Canyon Adventure

2009-06-26T15:55:00.006-06:00

Here are some photos of the Big Horn Canyon. Like I said, nothing will really do it justice. I highly recommend you see it for yourself if you have not. Also for anyone interested in geology this is better than the Grand Canyon because you can get right up close and personal with the rocks.This is a photo looking towards Yellowtail Dam. I think it is the third largest concrete hydroelectric dam in the country (I could be wrong, but that is what my brother told me). The water is quite high right now (5ft. above full).
This sort of gives you an idea of the geology.Here some cool spires on top of the canyon rim. It also looks cool in black and white. Still you need to see this in real life. It will knock your socks off.

Smoking

2009-06-26T12:21:00.003-06:00

It is a cool lazy Friday morning. I have the day off and my brother is smoking a beef brisket and pork butt (that's actually the shoulder of the pig). I wish I could convey smells through computers. I just can't describe the sweet, smoky, peppery smell of MEAT roasting. I am drooling already and it is still several hours from done. Here is how it looks inside the smoker. From left to right is pork butt, brisket tip, brisket flat. It looks even better when it comes out.
I am glad it is cool today since we all spent too much time in the sun yesterday. We (my mom, brother, friends, aunt, uncle, cousin and her husband and kids) spent the hottest day this week (>90) on a pontoon boat on the lake at Big Horn Canyon. I will post some photos later (after I touch them up a little), but they don't do it justice. Every time I am there I am amazed at God's handiwork. It doesn't matter how He did it or how long it took, it is still an amazing creation.

Getting started

2009-06-23T11:55:00.002-06:00

So, it has been a slowish day on what my partner calls "Wild Child Day." It is actually "Well Child Day, " the day I see mostly well kids and give shots. Anyway, since I have everything done and signed off, I thought I might try starting this blog thing. I am not sure what I will post here. Probably not much about medicine since I can't share much. I live in a small town and even if I changed names and circumstances someone would still figure out who I was talking about. So even though this is titled "Adventures of a Country Doc," it will probably be more about my life outside of medicine. But, it is probably good for the rest of the world to realize that doctors do have lives that extend beyond their offices and their patients' lives. (I know that may be a surprise to some.) So stay tuned for further updates. I make no promises as to how often I will post, but I will try to make sure it stays interesting.