Jaden turns 2!!!

So Jaden turned two yesterday! I was so emotional all day yesterday...tears tears and more tears. I am so not the cryer by the way. I think that I was on survival mode for the first few months and then thrown into work and then for the last month everything that I experienced and saw in Ethiopia has finally hit me. Weirdly enough I still can't write about it. I barely talk about it...but it's all coming together. So to know that Jaden was 12 pounds this time last year when he turned on (my boss's 3 month old weighs that) and how he spent a year in the care center...that his uncle and sisters must be missing him terribly... too much emotion to hold in I guess.

Also, it was on Jaden's birthday last year that Jeff and I decided to adopt from Ethiopia and use Gladney!! That in itself is so overwhelming. That God has shown us his plan was for him to be with us and everyone else.....that it was not random!!

He is such an amazing little man who is so healthy and thriving amazingly! Very loving and super smart and funny. However we have hit a ton of tantrums lately welcoming us to his terrible two's I guess but when he's not throwing a fit...he is so charming:)

My driver while there, Henock, was so amazing and one of my greatest people that I will remember there. He shared their culture with me as well as the Ethiopian values! He has recently opened a guest house and I am going to post the website for it. Our family will surly use it when we return and I hope that you all will consider it as well. Please click on:
http://www.bnbguesthouse.com/

Jaden's 1st School Pictures

Jaden is continuing to do really well in school and at home. His new thing is to say I love you and then run and jump on my tummy (like berlly flop onto me) and then put his nose to mine and laugh. Then do that over and over for an hour at a time. To hear I love you all day when he's been with me as little less than 3 months is so mind blowing!! What an amazing transition and we are soooo greatfull to be together as a family. He talks non stop and is definatly even ahead of many of his classmates in language and maturity they tell me:) Jared and Jaden play together really well and haven't had their brotherly fights yet. They just are so happy to be with eachother and thankfully Jared loves to share everything with him at this point. Life is good!

Starting School

I can't believe that it's been two months and I am heading back to work! Here is Jaden visiting his school the other day. Thankfully we did this because sadly the school that Jared went to for 3 years I assumed would be perfect for him but it wasn't. Even though this teacher has taught for 16 years there (I was impressed at first) she is not a love on your child type of person. In fact she was very mechanical about handling the children. I know they are toddlers and need a lot of policing but they need attention, love, and bonding (hugs and kisses a plus). So two days of trying I about had a panic attack yesterday with the realization I work on Monday and he doesn't have a good school. Thankfully I found another place right next to me and she is all of what I was hoping for personality wise. She isn't a certified teacher like the other but at this age I will take love over certifications. Jaden walked over to a African American boy in his class and kissed him on the lips. Then went to the teacher and did the same. SOLD!! Later on we may switch to Jared old school but for now I need him feeling love and security all day every day!
That being said it has been absolutely amazing!! Almost no words to describe how well he has done and how much we all are so in love with him!! He eats everything (except cheeses) sleeps 12 hrs at night and then an hour and a half during the day. His goal is to make you laugh at all times but if he is mad he will make it loud and clear (no not knowing where you stand which is great). The worst part has been that there have been a million Doctors apts..pediatrician...urologist..and dermatologist..each a lot of times and they all know and love him there. He's not been sick at all actually but had parasites..needed circumcised (it was a piece of cake and he was totally fine by 3pm that same day)..and warts all over his head and thighs.
Anyway, I think that's it..praying now that his transition to school will be as great as with our family transition has been:) Glory to God for all of our wonderful blessings!!

Our 1st Family Photos

First Day of Kindergarten

My oldest son started Kindergarten today!! Amazing and so emotional for me... I have been so busy with him at home for the past few weeks but now it's down to one until 3pm so it was much quieter today (although I must say I loved having them both with me all day). Jaden is doing so wonderful it's scary. He is so happy..learns new words everyday..and gives us all kisses all day long!! My two boys love each other so much already it blows me away. And daddy couldn't love him more...truly a beautiful thing. I am so blessed and thankful and couldn't be happier:) Our family is complete!! Now there are days I could just pass out from pure exhaustion but I look at how well we are all doing together and it's not even been a month...absolutly crazy...just crazy!! Praise God...he has blessed us so!

Being Home

Sadly Jaden is scared of our dogs and the computer is in the part of the house we keep our dogs so I haven't been able to really break away to update my blog. Well Ethiopia was way more amazing than I ever expected. The Bejoe house and the girls that worked there were one of the best parts. They taught me the most about their culture...valuses..and I will never forget them! The best way to explain it is that the people there treat every person and child as kind and passionate as we so when we meet a new born baby or puppy. They value life and family so much it made me realize that it was sad that the US has most it's focus in work and "things". They are so happy over there with none of what we have...and don't look down upon the poor...they just help them by giving them food..coffee..or watching their children while the parents work (feed them..bath them..for free). I had a wonderful time at the cultural dinner...it's a must do! I was in tears at the foster care center but not of sadness. It moved me so much that Jaden was so happy there and seeing him laugh and play with the caregivers was really wonderful to see for myself. The orphanages however were much sadder than I thought. Much. I can't really go there mentally...but they really need our help adopting...
The transition was and is amazing. Jaden only fusses when it's time to sleep or if you take a toy (or food bowl) away from him. Truly it's just too good to be true...really. My husband is soo in love with him and my other son tells me how much he loves him all day long:) They are a handful together but Jeff doesn't go back to teaching for another 2 weeks so thankfully he is here to bond with us all. Life is wonderful and our family is finally complete!! We are pretty much on lock down because Jaden is more secure at home but we try to venture out once a day to do something little but it's clear he is a bit overwhelmed...very quite and no smiles. No crying but he is usually a laughing jokester...and smart!!

Recent Pictures

We are home

Still have not had time to get to my photos but search Karen and Jaden Ladrach on u tube and see when we first met!!!

The Love of his caregivers

So I leave next Thursday and thought I'd post a few pictures I have about Jaden Alemayehu's caregiver. He is very attached to her from the updates I get and you can tell from the photos. He isn't too thrilled with the families that I have take his picture for me while I am over there. I see a huge difference with the info and pictures I get of him in his typical environment than I do from the ones the families take for me. Selfishly I love any and all pictures, even if he doesn't look so happy. The last family kindly took a short video and sent it to me and you can see clearly how attached he is to her and that he isn't too happy when strangers go into his room. These pictures are of him being loved on by the caregiver and she helped cheer him up a bit during this time. I am so praying for him to be able to make this transition without being too devastated. I pray for both of them. I am so grateful for the love and care he has received there for the past 7 months. And I will take him being attached to her as a wonderful thing that he has felt loved and secure because of her!!
7 more days and I am on my way!!

His Caregiver

The Countdown!

This is a picture that we sent him in a care package so he could see us holding his picture so he might grasp the idea that we are his family. Not that he will totally get that but at some point he will right:) 19 days until I travel and I can barley wait. I have to say that I am functioning so much better and sleeping well again. I am on super drive during the day getting things ready and preparing to pack. Helps me make the time fly by a bit faster. I am counting the days until I meet him (3 weeks today) and also the time until my husband and son meet him (4 weeks today) since they are not traveling with me. I have no worries..no fears..just utter excitement!!!

Also, I have to say that I am so excited to see referrals coming as quickly as they are..so wonderful and amazing. And watching record breaking numbers pass court is the best part of all!! Gladney is a Godsend and God is amazing!!!

Pictures and Care packages

One of the best parts of this experience was getting photos and actually a short video (which I have watched a thousand times) and I want to return the favor! I am leaving July 16th and will return the 25th. I would love the opportunity to take pictures, care packages, as well as hugs and kisses to your children. Please email me at karenladrach@yahoo.com if you want to take me up on this offer!!

His latest Photo

Here is the latest photo I got from a traveling family.... he takes my breath away! It's amazing to go from total nervous for months to just excited!! For those who are waiting still I am praying for you... and have others pray for you as well...it really works!

Meet Alemayehu! (Al-eh-my-you)

We passed!

I am beside myself!! I herd 4 passed...glory all to God!!

The next 48 hrs!

I am such a bad blogger...but I read others and love it! I have to say that I have been obsessively praying for us and the others this week and last week to pass court that I honestly wake up a half a dozen times in the middle of the night and immediately pray for however it is I know is in court! A bit insane I know. Really how do I know even in a dead sleep? Well because I am racing so much in my sleep...it's ridiculous. I can barley function during the day to get my work done and I have NEVER been so busy! My concentration is shot and I am all over the place in my mind it's crazy. I have started packing to relieve some of that panic...looked at paperwork needed... and just pray and plead to everyone I know to pray as well. We need the uncle to show up and for MOWA to issue a positive opinion with no typo's and the judge to rule in our favor.

I have to say that I am soo anxious to pass to get there and bring him home so that I can stop feeling guilty about being with my son and so stressed that I have to force myself to stay present with him and enjoy him and not let my mind wonder. But I think of our next son every 30 to 60 seconds so that's very hard. I have to say that my husband and I have been spending so much quality time with Jared that it's been wonderful. We went to the Miami Zoo over the weekend which is one of our favorite family things to do. Without Jared I don't know how I would get through this process!! He just had graduation from pre K and is such a big boy all of a sudden it's amazing. He talks about his brother everyday and couldn't be more excited!

I had an amazing update and photo today from a wonderful family that just got back with their child. Can I tell you the tears just started flowing as soon as I saw his beautiful picture. He was so lit up...he has the most amazing smiles in all his pictures....takes my breath away! One family gave me a 4 second video a few weeks ago that I could watch all day. And another gave me a photo of him when he first got to the foster care center. These have meant so much to me I can't even tell you. I am so touched by the others families during this time that I can't wait to return the favor!! So be watching for when we pass Thursday because I want to do the same for as many others as possible!!

Court Date!!!

We got the call on Tuesday June 2nd that we have our court date on June 18th!! I was in prayer about it when our caseworker called...so amazing! I have to say that I was much more overwhelmed that I expected to be. The dizziness...can't concentrate...total excitement...heartpunding...and unable to sleep has started all over again. A few hours after that call we also received an update on him. It was short and only had one picture...but he seems to be healthy again (they didn't mention that he wasn't) and he had the biggest smile. Then late that night I got an amazing gift...a family that traveled the week after our son got there was so kind to check their photos and found one of him (we are 99% sure but I will have his uncle confirm it when we meet him). He was 13 months old and only 12 lbs. But that being said...even though he was soo tiny...he had the same smile and glow about him!! This is one of the most precious gifts ever. This will be his 1st photo of himself..and shows his amazing spirit!! Also, it is a wonderful testimony of how amazing Gladney is...and the transformation he has shown in the 5 months he has been there. He is now a chubby..happy..and bonded to his caregiver...child:)

Please help pray that we all get through court...so many of us are coming up and many for more than the 1st time around. Hopefully the rainy season approaching will help motivate approvals!!

The Aftermath of our referral...

So many emotions have happened since we received our referral a little over a week ago. I went from so excited...barely slept the 1st few days..stared at his picture non stop (getting a little better as the days go by with that)...then tuned to teary a few days later. I have to say that until we got "the call" I was a nervous mess...especially the days just before because I felt it coming...and now a sense of calmness has come over me. I am sooo grateful that I know who he is...what he has been through..and can look at his beautiful face and see the biggest smile in all his pictures! He has had it very very hard..and through all that he inspires me to take nothing for granted. So I am content at this point knowing that one day I will bring him home. I am soo praying it's before rainy season because I can barely let my mind go to the place to even consider that may not happen. But if it doesn't I have to be honest and say that I will be a mess but will find strength in the Lord that he will continue to take care of him as he has until I can get to him.
Until our referral I was so focused on me getting our referral..me..me..me but now I am focusing on the families that tried to make it though court this week. Sadly many weren't able to pass and my prayers are that they get united quickly. I want a court date and so pray for that many times a day. But God has been so so good to our family and our Jaden has shown such strength in his little life already that I feel that I can't obsess over when I get the call for our court date. So many families are waiting on the referrals and would love to be in my position and I know that and am appreciative of where I am in the process.
I have to say to everyone waiting that now that I am here I want to say that everything really is in God's hands and will happen at the perfect time. I want to share what I realized this past week. When trying to get on the wait list I was rushing everything as fast as possible. We did it all in exactly 2 months so that tells you how crazy I was during that process. I felt such a strong need to hit the list as fast as possible. I was overnighting everything FedEx to speed things up and at the very end my social workers agency sent my home study to our dossier company without the certification of their agency and I remember being in tears...completely a mess that now I was going to be stalled a few more days until she could get that and now someone may hit the list before us. And they did. One family asking for a boy in the same age range and God thankfully but this roadblock in the way so that we ended up with our son we were supposed to have. One look at his photo and I knew..my husband knew..and our family..that he was our son we were meant to have...that God created the obstacle to get us on the list exactly where were to be. I see the other children that have been referred and am in awe..touched..and love to read about them. And then we saw our son and you just know to the core of who you are....he is truly the one!!
I am an typical woman with a good life, wonderful family and a great job. I have friends and function in society as most others and am not a person who typically brings up religion much. But this process has changed me forever. I have always believed. Without a doubt and have always had a relationship with God. Always. But never like this...never have I seen him talk to me so clearly and show me in so many ways that he is hearing me and walking beside me always...and for that I am so grateful!!

Referral Day!!!

I am so beside myself.... I have to warn anyone reading that this will be a very religious post. First off my son is 17 months old and is stunningly handsome, smiling in all of his pictures (wish there were more) and we were instantly in love! That being said sadly he was brought to the care center at 12 months old and was only 13 lbs. So sad. He has gained almost 10 pounds since then,Dec 29th, and 2 1/2 inches since then though. He has pneumonia and has had it several times which makes me worry when I let myself go there. Please..please pray for him.
So now for the last few weeks. As you see from my last post I was so excited last Monday when I saw a family just before us on the wait get their referral. I was on a high and stalked my phone like crazy. I have always been religious but though this process I have become closer with God and the more I pray and ask him for signs and help through this the more he does for me. Right at the time Jeff and I decided to adopt in Dec it was when he turned one and then was shortly sent to the center. I have been praying so much since last Monday and then got sad come the weekend and Mother's Day not knowing when this would happen. Then I just had this overwhelming feeling it was our time. I started telling everyone I knew the call was coming and it was going to be any day. Then I get a call yesterday from Gladney and about lost it! BUT it wasn't my case worker, it was Ryan Brown calling people on the wait list to talk about how hard that is and asked me if I had any questions. "Yeah, I do...does this mean that I am not getting my referral today? I really feel this is the day..is this a joke?? Do you know something??" He tells me he doesn't know anything and to expect the worst for a wait and then if it's sooner be excited. No no no. I told him I always hope for the best...put it out there ...and it does come true and so will this. As much as we laughed on the phone an hr later I found myself in tears. Was he trying to tell me it wasn't happening and now I won't get a chance at court before rainy season? I was a mess. Called everyone (they thought I had a referral cuz I told them I knew it was happening) and told them I was scared God was letting me know to brace myself for a long wait.
So I watched my churches service on line last night (love to do that) to see what message he was preaching. When I do this it is always about what I am struggling with. I was having all day prayers with God to please get us our referral quickly and then the next second telling him if it isn't his will then to give me patience to get through the wait. This is over and over and over...day after day after day. I laugh because God must love all the attention i have been giving him!
Back to the sermon. It was about Prayer. And to not give up on prayer. To have that relationship with God and to pray hard and not to give up! That he hears you and in his perfect timing you will get what you want (and although you are asking you will be surprised when he grants you it).
So then I decided that i will pray non stop until the end of May if need be to get our referral so we have a shot at rainy season. So last night unit midnight and then first thing this morning...prayed prayed prayed. The entire time I was working out I prayed non stop. I told my son that today was our day to get info about his brother..I just knew it. Then at 11:40 I am driving by my husbands school where he teaches and wondering if I should surprise him for lunch and my phone rings again from Gladney. I say Hello sooo slowww cuz I want this to be it and not some follow up conversation with Ryan (no offense). And she says yes it our referral!! Are you kidding me?? That's what I kept saying. I am heading to see my husband and its perfect timing because he's about to have his lunch break. He coaches football until 6pm so this has been a worry that we get the call and I can't get to him.
Perfect timing...perfect timing. Now the final part of our perfect timing will be if we bring him home this summer because he is off for 2 months--perks of being a teacher--and it would be wonderful bonding time for all of us because I am taking maternity leave.
God is amazing...he is real...he loves each and everyone and we won't always get what we want but when he does grant us such gifts I want him to get all the credit!!!
I am soo in love my our new son:):)

Timing

This adoption process in regards to the timing is driving me batty. I am person that loves control..planning..and routines. However when we started this process in December they told me that it would be a 3 to 6 month wait for a referral and then about 4 to 6 weeks until you travel. Then 2 months later when we hit the wait list it moved to a 6 to 8 month wait and 3 to 6 months to travel. I was okay with that and mentally was ready to really have to have patience during quite the wait. Then 2 months into waiting they said that its around 4 months for a child over 12 months (we are asking up to 24 months) and then all of a sudden I started to feel a little more impatient. Then last Monday I found out that a family that hit the list 2 days before us got their referral a month ago and it gave me this super high on life feeling. Also I have been watching a few families get their referral in April, pass court and then travel all within a month. So then now I think could that be me and I could be holding my son that soon?? Or am I going to be the one that waits months more and then get stuck in court and not bring home home for almost another year... these are two such drastic scenarios that are perfectly normal in this process. Gladney has been amazing and I so appreciate their updates and wouldn't ever want to be going though this with any other agency. Also, I really believe that it's all in God's perfect timing and I can't will this to move faster. That being said the reality is that it could be in a month (although not likely but defiantly possible) or months and months from now. How does anyone handle this?? Really because I need to know. I haven't shopped much (I did get a crib from a neighbor that was never used) because I don't know how old and I don't want to have everything sitting here for too long. So what was a true high on Monday has turned into complete frustration and disappointment on Saturday. So I have decided to just go back to moving along as if it's going to be awhile before I get the call but then why do I check my cell phone hundreds of times through out the day!

Bush Gardens Spring Break

So Excited

So I have felt this overwhelming feeling over the past few days that we are getting close to receiving our referral even though we are still a week shy of the 3 month mark. The average wait for a child over 12 months is 4 months so I figured that we are at least getting closer. Well yesterday while eating lunch at work I jumped on the Gladney website to see if there were any blogs that weren't on the FBI list that showed speedy referrals and I couldn't believe what I saw! The second one I read was of a family that hit the wait list the Thursday before we did on Monday...they had received their referral on April 6th (which was less than a 2 month wait) for a 21 month old boy (we are asking for up to 24 months). How many families could be between us in the 2 day span and it has been a month since they got their referral! I am so charged that I can hardly concentrate.... just praying, praying and more praying right now.

Revived

I don't know what happened last week that made me feel so impatient. Might be that the referrals have stopped on our unofficial list and I missed that rush. However, the families making it through court has revived my excitement and patience!! I so love reading others blogs and it is so wonderful to see families make it though court and so fast. I have been praying for those who should know today...waiting for more great news!

And oh my son is just the most adorable...sweetest..and cutest little man. I don't know how I could make it though this process if I didn't have him already:) Seems like every year I think is the best year and 5 is defiantly easy to think that way. He was the most adorable guy this weekend. He is just a good kid in general and I am blessed like that, but every once in awhile I have weekends like this where I just watch him in awe and think he is so adorable and I am so lucky!!

Feeling Impatient

I have been feeling very impatient over the past few days and have been watching our church sermons on line to rebuild that piece of mind. It is helping but I am torn with prayers all day of a speedy referral and prayers to stay strong of that isn't God's timing. Visiting others blogs is comforting during this process and I found another inspiring video... I must stay focused on the end result!

http://vimeo.com/4023493?pg=embed&sec=

Why Africa?

I have herd a lot of talk in the media about why adopt from Africa this week with much criticism about Madonna attempting to adopt another Africa child. People typically ask me the same but I have to say I have had an amazingly positive reaction from almost everyone. I found a blog yesterday that had a life book video of a family who just adopted a boy from Ethiopia that touched my husband and I greatly and I believe it shows exactly....Why Africa!

http://journey2babybaker.blogspot.com/

We are at a little over the 7 week mark and there are only 2 other families on the FBI list asking over 12 months old before us.....praying praying praying for news on our little boy! Although I feel so blessed with my current family and life is really good right now, I can't stop thinking about him everyday:)

Gifted Program

We just had Jared tested yesterday with a child psychologist to see if he could get into the gifted program for kindergarten and he passed with flying colors. He had to have an IQ over 130, his was 138, and he had to get a 90% on either the reading or math test and he scored over 99% in both! I knew that little man was smart but I was actually taken back with how well he did. I love that they have the ability to do this so that he doesn't end up getting in trouble out of being bored in school. Plus the school we are zone for is okay but now the one we can send him to with the gifted program is the best in the area. So excited for him!

We had a conference call with Gladney this week and they said that the average wait time for a referral over 13 months is 4 months and that if you get yours by the end of May you have a shot at bringing him home by the time everything closes down for rainy season. That would be at 3 1/2 months on the wait list for us so it's possible but not a given by any chance. I am praying and asking everyone I know to pray that we are lucky enough to have this happen because I know God hears our prayers. However, if it doesn't I know that it's because our child wasn't ready and that it will all work out the way it is supposed to in the end. I have never had this much faith before this experience and have to say that it is so wonderful to have during this time. But I can't stop praying the phone rings sooner than later!

Jared's 1st Wrestling Tournament

Jared had is 1st wrestling tournament yesterday and luckily enough there were two other 5 yr olds that he was able to wrestle. He won two out of three matches and got a metal for 2nd place! Most importantly he had so much fun and a wonderful attitude. He was sad the won he lost and was on the verge of tears (which shows his passion and desire to be the best) but we distracted him enough that he never actually shed a tear. And he was so proud of himself that he place second....it was a wonderful day! I attached the video that Jeff put together. He actually pins the boy in the first minute but the refs were really nice and let them wrestle the full 3 two minute rounds so even though you'll see him pin him a few times they just loved being out there so that's why it keeps going.
On the adoption front...it's been a month on the wait list already!! One down and hopefully not too many more to go:) It's gone by fast and I am watching the families get their older children much faster than the infants so I am hopefully we will be the same....

Wiating to Wait

Being on the wait list brought up emotions that I wasn't expecting. I am a control freak and have been able to control this entire process for the past two months and then all of a sudden I had to surrender that control and just simply wait. I knew that I has to completely surrender to God and let him take over because I know that he is the only one that knows what is going to happen and when. So I was in a weird space for the first few days. I knew I had to surrender..and why...but I didn't feel that I was yet. Then I pulled up the website for my Church and clicked on the sermon that I has missed the past Sunday and would you believe that the sermon was titled "Waiting to Wait"! How amazing that God spoke so directly to me in a such an obvious way. The pastor spoke about how he went to lunch on the way to Church and a friend was waiting on him. That friend waited by just standing there and not doing a thing. Then once the pastor arrived they were seated and then a waitress came over and she waited on them. She waited differently though...by serving them. Getting them water, food, etc. He challenged us to determine that while we are waiting on God to deliver his promise to us how are we going to wait? Are we going to wait by not doing anything or by serving the Lord and ministering? That God will deliver his promise when you are busy serving....so what and how are we going to spend our time during this wait? This gave me a tremendous sense of peace. Knowing that he herd my prayers and is telling me how to spend this precious time!! I believe that there is much I am going to learn and grow from spiritually while we wait for Jaden. I don't imagine it will always be easy but....1 week down!!

Wait List

We are officially on the wait list! We are asking for a boy that's 24 months old or younger at the time of referral. Abbey just confirmed that rainy season is Aug through Oct so this isn't the best timing for us to get a referral and expect to get a court date before then. However I am hopeful that since we are looking for an older child that we move faster than the typical 6.5 month time frame. A girl can always hope....

Approved

We are officially approved from both Gladney and now CIS! Our I 171 H is being sent for authentication and we hope to get on the wait list any day. We started this process two months ago so it's been an intense 60 days but worth it now that we can relax and wait (if that can be relaxing). I have to say that all of the anxiety has lifted and now I find myself at a very peaceful and gracious state of mind. I am now trying to focus on our family of three and enjoy this time together. I pray every day that I stay focused on the now and not miss this time in our lives hoping for what is to come. That being said I do think of him all day long and want to get our referral as soon as possible so that not only will we find out who our son is but that he may be placed at the Gladney facilities to be cared for until we are lucky enough to pick him up. I know that God has already chosen him and that we are now just waiting to find out ourselves who he is!