To my precious baby girl

I realize that I have not written a lot about how I feel during this whole adoption process. After all isn't that what a blog is for? Maybe I feel that I would be to vulnerable if I did write my true feelings. But I also feel that it is important for Annalyn to know how much my heart aches for her everyday. There is not one day that goes by without me praying or wondering what she is doing. Everyday I ask is she loved? Is she happy? Is she even born? At least when a baby is conceived and growing in her mommy's belly the family knows that she is safe and well cared for. I just have to trust that God is holding you in His arms loving and protecting my baby girl as I would. So as we continue to wait and wait, and wait I have to trust that this is in His perfect timing. Everyday I fight the feelings of bitterness, resentment, and try not to be angry with God for keeping us apart but then I remember that through this time I also am being chastened, refined and learning the art of patience.

So to my precious Annalyn: Your forever family loves you so much. Even though you may not exists in this world yet, you live in our hearts. Our family is not complete with out you with us. You are treasured and special and we are waiting with open arms longing for you to come home.

and we wait. . . . .

Statement on the Pending Reduction of Intercountry Adoption in Ethiopia

Last week the Ethiopian Ministry of Women’s, Children’s and Youth Affairs announced their

intention to reduce intercountry adoptions by 90% beginning March 10, 2011. The Ministry’s

plan for a dramatic reduction is apparently based on two primary issues; 1) the assumption that

corruption in intercountry adoption is systemic and rampant and 2) the Ministry’s resources

should be focused on the children for whom intercountry adoption is not an option. Without

further announcements by the Government of Ethiopia, it is our understanding that the Ministry’s

plan will be initiated this week.

The Ministry’s plan is a tragic, unnecessary and disproportionate reaction to concerns of isolated

abuses in the adoption process and fails to reflect the overwhelmingly positive, ethical and legal

services provided to children and families through intercountry adoption. Rather than eliminate

the right of Ethiopian children to a permanent family, we encourage the Ministry to accept the

partnerships offered by governments, NGOs, and foundations. Such partnerships could increase

the Ministry’s capacity to regulate service providers and further ensure ethical adoptions.

The Ministry’s plan which calls for the processing of only five adoption cases per work day, will

result not only in systemic and lasting damage to a large sector of social services, but will have

an immediate impact on the lives and futures of children. Moving from over 4,000 adoptions per

year to less than 500 will result in thousands of children languishing in under-regulated and

poorly resourced institutions for years. For those children who are currently institutionalized and

legally available for adoption, the Ministry’s plan will increase their time languishing in

institutions for up to 7-years.

Joint Council respectfully urges the Ministry of Women’s, Children’s and Youth Affairs to

reconsider their plan and to partner with governments, NGOs and foundations to achieve their

goals and avoid the coming tragedy for children and families.

I love Germany!

We went to Garmisch, Germany to go skiing. I don't know if I have ever seenmountains so beautiful. I mean REALLY incredible. Reid went to ski school during the day and "kids night out" in the evenings so Andy and I ran around like college kids. We stayed in an American military run resort called Edelweiss. It was a little slice of heaven for us. American beds, American pools, American workout facilities and Starbucks coffee. Sigh. . . truly a vacation. Yes, we will be going back for ski week next year. . . definitely!

Diaper duty

So my beautiful 5 year-old is officially day and nighttime potty trained!! Funny thing is that he has been for some time now and I had not even realized it. Yes, I am a not a perfect parent but this makes me seem down right negligent!

About 6 months ago we tried to go a few nights without pull ups. The first night success, the next, not so much. So I decided that I would rather spend the 15 euro on pulls ups than constantly wash dirty sheets. After that I kind of forgot about it.

A few weeks ago it occurred to me "my boy is almost 5 now he should not be wearing pull ups!". Reid and I sat down and had the mother/son chat about being a big boy and getting up in the middle of the night to go potty etc. etc. He looks up at me with those big brown eyes and says "Mommy I do get up in the night to go potty. My pull ups don't have pee pees in them." Ah!" I thought, "no way!" I didn't believe him.

We have been monitoring for the past 3 weeks and not a pee pee in sight. My son was telling the truth after all. Last night was the first "big boy pants" night and everything came out dry. I think back to all those wasted pull ups and wonder how long has Reid not needed them. But am I proud to say that the Anderson family is officially diaper free! well, at least for a few months :)