We Love The Blackwells!!!

I haven't heard anything more, but I did hear (by reading one of the comments) that Kelly called her mom and told her that Rae is more beautiful than the pictures could have ever captured! I also read that Kelly said that she is such a funny little girl!

We cannot wait to meet you, Rae!!!!!!

The Blackwells return this weekend! Please pray for safe travels and for a calm and peaceful toddler on the long flights home! Pray that Kevin and Kelly will not be anxious. Pray for Hally and Brady as they will be meeting their little sister! What a huge transition and a fun homecoming!

No News. . .

. . .is good news.

I know that all of you are so anxious for news! ME TOO!!! I've been taking my phone with me EVERYWHERE (literally) so that I don't miss another call.

No news is good news. . .I'm thinking that they cannot get internet access and that they are having too much fun with Rae to bother looking further for easier access. I'm so excited for the Blackwell family! What an amazing life journey they are on! I am so proud of them and so happy for them!

Please continue to pray for their safety and their bonding with Rae! What an adjustment for a girl who is walking and just starting to speak (a different language).

They will be home before we know it! I promise to keep you all posted the SECOND I hear from them!

-Jamie Jo

They Met Rae!!!!

Well, I know that you all are as excited for news as I am and I have some. . .not much, but enough to wet your appetite!

Kevin & Kelly are having problems getting internet access, so I am going to blog for them until they can.

THEY MET RAE TODAY!!!! They got to spend some time with her today and I know they are thrilled. Her message said that they are all great!

She is going to try and call again tonight so that I can pass along more details to you all! Keep praying!

Blessings,
Jamie Jo

We're in Addis!!!

We arrived safe and sound in Addis about 8:30am (Addis time). We had very good flights, connections, and checking in experiences. Airports always intimidate me, so I was very thankful that we didn't have any glitches. We were able to take our two donation bags that were overweight by 10-20 pounds each for free as well (we didn't even have to ask). The plane trip on Ethiopian was fantastic. They had the best food and the attendants were very friendly. It was heartbreaking to make a stop in Rome and not get off!! Arriving in Ethiopia was also great, too. Finding the visa counter was very easy, but we almost missed the bank to exchange currency. Right before we passed the passport security point (last checkpoint before lobby), I asked an official where to exchange and he pointed me in the right direction. I was able to turn back and get the money we needed. The exchange rate right now is about 11 birr for 1 dollar. This is quite a bit more than we were expecting. When we came out into the airport lobby we found a gentleman (not Robel) holding an America World Adoption sign. He helped us with our bags and took us to our hotel. Along the way we got an eye opening tour of Addis. There were so many sights and scenes to take in. I saw policemen wearing camouflage holding big guns, lots and lots of people walking in the streets and sidewalks, vendors selling their goods, children running in and out of people, beautiful babies strapped to their momma's backs, herds of goats in alleys, goat carcases hanging from shop windows, I really could go on and on. We arrived at our hotel and were checked into our rooms quite quickly and with attentive service. By this time it was about 10:00, and Kevin and I were exhausted. We caved into taking a nap, which we said we weren't going to do, and slept for about three hours. At this time, I have to say that I was feeling a little nervous and a bit scared about my environment, but know we need to go and get some water. So with some hesitancy, we chose a driver from a list our agency gave us and asked him to pick us up. Alezar, who was super, arrives 20 minutes later and I asked him if we could look at traditional clothing (might as well while we're out) as well as get some water. Alezar took us to a market, not the mercado, that sells mostly traditional clothing. I had so much fun walking around and smiling and talking to the people. I was surprised that there were so many who could speak english. Everyone brightens up as we walk buy, and they call out "mother, (or sister; I personally liked mother) come in here". I went into everyone's store who asked. I thought it was interesting that they never called out for Kevin to come in :) When it came time to pay, the bidding began. Alezar started me off, but by my last purchase of the day, I was doing my own bidding (my mom would be proud)!! A kid's or toddler's dress costs about $10-15 and a nice scarf costs about $5-10. After that we went to a very small shop that sold fresh produce and bottled water. We bought 6 large waters for about $3 total. We are now back at the hotel and are going to call it a day. Tomorrow we have plans to go to church with Aleazar, as he goes to a evangelical church that has a service in english. We are also hoping to go to a museum or two. Later we are excited as the two other families, Joners and Whitakers, from America World will be here. It is very surreal to be in the same vicinity as Rae. To know she is just maybe a block or two a way doesn't seem real. I cannot wait to meet her, but am waiting patiently for our big day Monday.

It Doesn't Seem Real!!!

After all this time we have been waiting, it doesn't seem like our time to travel and get our daughter has actually arrived. But oh has it ever arrived. We are really enjoying putting the final touches to our travel preparations. We've been filling suitcases, shopping, filling prescriptions, shopping, writing notes and details for our kids, getting hotel reservations, and then packing some more. We received an unexpected bonus of having the last four days off from work due to an ice storm, so we have been able to get all the things we needed to get to with patience and with a bit of joy!!! God has been so good to us! I have been nesting like crazy on these days off. Not only have I been getting ready for our journey, but have been able to complete A LOT of small projects around the house and spend time with the family. One important job was putting the finishing touches in the girls' room. Last summer we began ripping out carpet, painting walls, putting wood down and painting the floors, painting pictures, and buying bedding. It has been a fun project!! Hally drew the pictures of her and Rae, and I did the embellishments. It is amazing that in a few short weeks that Rae will be in the room, too!!!

We are hoping to blog while we are in Ethiopia, so check back with us next week!!! PLEASE keep us in your hearts and prayers that we would have safe traveling, that Rae would transition well to her new family, that we would not get sick or hurt, that our children will be strong and protected while we are gone, and that there wouldn't be any unexpected glitches that we haven't foreseen. Thank you!!!!!

What a Day!!

We were so thankful yesterday to get the news that we passed court and are now the proud parents of Rahel "Rae" Scout Blackwell. That smile was really the inspiration to keep her birth name and to call her Rae as it seems the sun is radiating from her face. We are firming up our travel plans and are leaving the 5th to fly to DC and will be flying to Ethiopia on the 6th. We will be back in Missouri on the 14th with the best Valentine's present our family could ever dream of getting. We have so much to do in the next two weeks, but are thoroughly enjoying every step of planning and preparation for our journey to get Precious Baby Rae!!!

Court Day is Coming Soon!

Next Wednesday, the 21st, a judge will hear our case and decide whether or not Kevin and I can can be R. Scout's mom and dad. Since Ethiopia is 8 hours ahead of us, this could all be occurring in the wee hours of the morning. I am getting very anxious and feeling the need to be diligent in calling out to God to help us in this situation. Families who have recently have had court appointments last week have not passed. This is very sad. My heart hurts for these families who have waited so long to be with their children.

Please also pray for the Semlows and the Kulps as they have court dates on the 20th. They have been told that they specifically, due to the orphanage their children are from, will need a miracle to pass court this Tuesday. I am praying, praying, praying that these families will receive their mircacle and can be united with their children soon.

All in all, I am feeling great and excited to see how our story will unfold. I am so grateful for all the support that Kevin and I have been getting from friends and family. I appreciate your kind words and prayers. They are definately helping us. I can't wait to show you our little girl. Jamie Jo and I worked on her introduction video/slide show last night and it is so cute!!!