Ethiopia 101

Since I can't complain about pregnancy pains, or even paperwork pains anymore I was thinking that I should do something useful. And thus, the "Ethiopia 101" idea for a series of posts was conceived. I truly enjoy learning about Ethiopia and her people and hope you will join me as I post what I have learned in hopes of becoming better acquainted with the country two of our children call home. So here goes...

Let's start with the basics.

The Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia is located on the eastern side of the African Continent. This area is called the Horn of Africa.

It is a land-locked country (no access to the sea or ocean), bordered by Sudan to the west, Djibouti and Eritrea to the north, Somalia to the east, and Kenya to the south. It's land area is 435071 sq. miles, almost 5 times the size of the State of Michigan.


Take a look at this map... and stay posted for more on this great country.

Still Here

We have been DTE for about a month and a half.

It feels weird to just be waiting. When I was pregnant with Noah and Lydia there were cravings and pains to talk about. There were vitamins to be taken, healthy diets to follow, names to choose and on and on. This time around seems awfully quiet and somewhat surreal.

On that note, I'm off on a date with my hubby. Probably won't be doing that this time next year!

Delivered

Our "Dossier" was delivered in Addis Ababa, ET today at 3:10 pm local time. Next comes translation and a 9-11 month wait for "the phone call." Time to start cleaning and organizing this house. Gotta make room for two more people! And if you know me, you know it will take me about that long to get everything situated "just right." I don't like to be in a hurry! Now if I can just manage not to "freak out" about how the kids are doing while we are waiting to meet them, you will all be amazed. And I will too. Read: WARNING...I'll probably freak out a lot.

The Paper Trail...

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Our package arrived in Dubai, AE 6:17 pm local time today. It's getting closer!

Ah, Paris...

... our beloved Dossier arrived for it's layover in Paris, France at 9:18 am today. How great is that!

In Transit

Our Dossier that we put so much love into is on it's way. It has been notarized, certified and authenticated. Those wonderful FedEx people are taking it to our agency's office in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. It spend yesterday in Herndon, VA and today in Newark, NJ. We will keep you posted on it's whereabouts as I am sure you are dying to know! Perhaps it's flying over the Atlantic as I type this. That thought just thrills me.

State Certification Happiness

Ben is hoping to get "The Dossier" State Certified tomorrow. "What does this mean?," one may ask. This means... the paperwork is done. Those words are music to my ears, and my soul and my brain and my life. This seriously the most relaxed I've felt in months.