Travel Approval

We received our official travel approval today. Now we can get our flights and visas and be ready to fly to Ethiopia on September 24/25th. We will get to see our daughter on the 27th and 28th. Our court appointment is in the morning on the 28th. So sometime around 12-4am in the USA we, as well as Kiera's birth-mom, will be in front of the Ethiopia high court (time is 8 hours ahead of here).

While we are there, when we can't be with Kiera, we hope to get to tour Ethiopia a little. We know that the 2nd trip we will get custody of Kiera and will be unable to travel with her. So, we hope to learn as much about the culture and country as we can in this first trip. We are working with a travel agent to set up all the details.

 We are so excited and cannot wait to meet our daughter. Thank you all for the prayers. They are definitely working.

Blessings!
Joel and Mandy

"Beautiful Dark Hair"

We received another health update on Kiera today. One of the first things they said again was she has "beautiful dark hair." We cannot wait to see all her hair. They keep commenting that she is big for her age and has a "big belly."

According to the staff she continues to grow and lifts and holds up her head, laughing, smiling to her name and copying sounds.

She is also showing attachment to her nannies, such as smiling when they play and crying when they leave the room. This is really great news as she is learning how to love and accept love. The nannies say she is easy to manage, makes a "unique sound" when she needs milk, eats about every 3 hours and has a good pattern of sleep.

We cannot wait to experience and learn about her ourselves.
Blessings!
Joel and Mandy

Baby Shower

Thanks to everyone who planned and came to my baby shower this weekend. Kiera's room is now fully stocked and ready for her. It is such a blessing to have such wonderful family and friends. We love you all and Kiera will too. Please continue to check this site for updates as I try to post after any significant news or updates. Feel free to become a follower or leave comments. I love to read them and see who is reading my blog.

Blessings!
Joel and Mandy

"Angelic Smile"

That's right! That is what our latest update said about our little girl.

We received an update today (no pictures though). Kiera was moved to the Care Center in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, on July 2nd. That day she was evaluated by a doctor, who said she is healthy, with "beautiful dark hair." She has good reflexes and movement of all extremities, good grasp and good sized. She had her basic shots and all reports look good.

The orphanage nurse also wrote part of the update. She said Kiera is  looks big for her age and is reacting appropriately compared to other children in the orphange. When asked about her personality, she said Kiera has "an angelic smile."

What a great update. Now I just wish we could see her. Although in my dreams she is beautiful.

Blessings!
Mandy

Court Date!

Prayer really works! Last night some friends got together to pray of me, for Kiera and our family. They prayed that we would get our court date. And here it is the next day (my birthday), and we receive notification that our court date is scheduled for September 28, 2010. 


Next week we should be getting more details about when we need to be there and travel and get all that set up. We are so excited and thank God for answered prayers (and for all the people praying for us).

God's Blessings!
Mandy

Kiera's Room

The Roller Coaster of Updates.

So, 2 days ago I was having a very impatient day, so I decided to talk to our representative at Holt to find out "what is taking so long."

She told me that no 2 trip families have received their court date yet (roller coaster down) ...

but they are still hoping for that soon (roller coaster up) ...

Later that night I received an email from a friend who is also in the process of adopting from Ethiopia. She had very encouraging words and prayer that we would get our date before the courts close (what? ... the courts close?.. how did I not know this?) It turns out that the courts close for about 2 months during August and September for the rainy season. So if we don't get our court date in July it will probably wait until October for our first trip (telecaster down again)...

That same night we got an official update from Ethiopia stating that many of the 1 trip families that had their trips planned for this week had been cancelled due to the US embassy in Ethiopia slowing down for the summer and only taking 10 appointments a month until further notice. There are 30 families waiting to go pick up their children, so this could take a while (roller coaster further downhill) ...

Then last night we received another email from our representative stating that they just got notice from the Ethiopia high court that all our documents are there and being processed and they will let us know the court date soon (roller coaster back up)..

Then another official update from Holt saying that they have heard the slow down at the embassy may not last as long as they first thought (roller coaster further up)

I am not sure if my heart can take much more of this up and down. I feel like I have been on edge for the past few days and my body does not know what emotion to expect next. Wow this is an different kind of adventure.

Please pray that our court date would be scheduled in July. And pray that my nerves and heart can get through these next few months.

Blessings!
Mandy

Adoption Benefit

June 13, 2010

Our women's group at church put on a wonderful benefit to help pay for our trips to get Kiera. It was a tea and silent auction. There were so many great items to bid on and a lot of people came. Joel and I are overwelmed by the support and prayers we have received from our church family. God's love shines through these people. Through the generosity of all of you, we have enough to pay for the first trip whenever they tell us we can go. We will keep you updated when we know more.

Thanks again everyone. God Bless!

Mandy

Updated Pictures

We just got back from a great relaxing vacation with friends up north and there is an email from our agency with updated pictures of Kiera.   

Looking at her still brings tears of joy to my eyes. I love her so much already, just from 5 pictures and a few medical details. I know it just does not seem possible. I guess this is what it is like to be pregnant.  

But I have better ultrasound pictures :)

Joel & Mandy

It's a girl!

We would like to introduce you to our daughter, Kiera Jo Negatua! Her birthday is April 8, 2010. She was admitted to the orphanage on April 23rd. As of that date (her first documented medical check) she was 4.3kg ~ 9.5 lbs and 56cm ~ 22”

Thank you all for your prayers and we will keep you posted with more information when it comes to us.

Blessings!

Joel & Mandy