WE HAVE A COURT DATE

Oh, I have been waiting to type those words for so long.  I can't believe it is true.  I have a court appointment for Friday morning along with two other families.  It will most likely be another week after that for me to get the ruling.  Then from there, I will get an appointment at the US Embassy to get Mercy's visa.  So many hoops to jump through, but I am grateful to be here and for things to be moving along.

Beth and I visited one of the babies' homes today.  It is a great facility where they take wonderful care of the children.  It was neat to see first hand many of the children that I've heard about online through Ugandan adoption circles.  Even had a baby puke on me!  =)

I also took Mercy to the doctor today.  She's had a low fever and still seemed a bit sick and not sleeping well.  It's so hard not knowing that is normal behavior for her or not.  I've been questioning my maternal instinct.  The doctor did a  blood test and she still has malaria.  He says some strains are more resisitant than others.  So I am starting her on new medication tonight.  Pray for healing and for her to take her medicine well.

After the doctor Beth and I went to lunch and a grocery store with another adoptive mom.  The store had an ice cream counter, so I had to get some and give Mercy her first taste of ice cream.  She was not so sure about it being so cold, but she finally enjoyed a few bites.  It was more like pineapple sherbet.

And I made one more step towards becoming a Ugandan today.  I rode on a boda (motorcycle taxi) with Mercy.  Sorry Mom!  But it really is about the cheapest and fastest transportation.  I forgot to get a pic.  I'll have Beth take one next time.

Fun Times

I am having a blast with Mercy. We really are having a great time and bonding well. I know it’s in large part to all of your prayers, so please keep them coming. Yesterday she took a 3 hour nap and then last night she slept the best ever. So we are making progress. She even wakes up laughing and smiling. I just love it! Beth says she seems much more content with me here… just another reason I am so relieved to be here.

And look at these eyelashes! That is just so unfair to have lashes that long and curled perfectly… I had to show you a picture of them. Precious!

Yesterday afternoon Mason and I worked on teaching Mercy to give high fives. She’s pretty good at it, but like any Busby girl, she’ll only do it when she feels like it. =) Then I noticed a few times she would pick up small objects or her hand and put it to her ear and say something. Then I listened more closely and realized she was saying, “Hi! So she already knows about cell phones for sure. Here’s another pic to prove it.

We are also working on learning to brush our teeth. She really thinks you should just gnaw on it and she doesn’t like to open her mouth for me very much. But she’s got 10, going on 12, teeth! Pretty impressive for 15 months.

In other fun firsts... Mercy stood for a few seconds all by herself.  I've never seen it before, so it may be a first.  She was quite proud of herself and then fell over from laughing too hard.  She also leaned in and gave me big kisses with no prompting and she called me "Mama". Now as far as I know that could mean chicken in her language, but it gives me warm fuzzies so I'm going with it.

I spoke to our lawyer this morning. He said that he should hear from our judge on Monday. My court date may even be Monday. I’m not holding my breath, but it sure would be awesome! So my prayer request is that the judge will find time in this next week for our case. There are several families assigned to him for full adoptions. We’ve all been waiting a long time or have a child with a medical need. So please pray we can go to court soon.

And a big thank you to all of the wonderful people making sure my family at home is fed, my kids picked up from school, and giving them lots of extra love. I got to wake up Emma and Avery with Skype this morning. Cody carried his laptop into their rooms. It was so fun, but it took my lazyheaded girls a bit to actually respond to me. Ha! I should have known.

And the Howards have been wonderful hosts. Love the kids and getting to play with them and it is such a blessing to be here with people I already know and love. And they are spoiling me… I’ve had pancakes, pizza, burritos, and crockpot chicken and potatoes. Yummy! I even got a Diet Coke today and it didn’t cost a fortune. God is good! =)

Great First Day

Well, last night Mercy did wake up several times, but it was ok. My sleep schedule was already messed up anyway. She let me pick her up and cuddle with her. She would fall asleep in my arms, let me lie her down for a bit, and then wake up again a couple of hours later. I sat there holding her just thinking to myself how grateful I am to be here with her.

Beth and I left this morning to go visit my lawyer. We decided to take Mercy with us for bonding and also to give everyone else a break, as Jeremy and the college student staying with them for a few months were sick. Mercy let me carry her around and hold her in the car in the sling. She was very quiet and just looked at me. We had to sit for quite a while at the lawyer’s office. Thankfully, another adoptive couple I’d read about online was there as well. So it was nice to visit with them and hear more of their story. The whole time Mercy was pretty quiet. After a while, the lawyer called just me into his office for a minute. I brought Mercy with me and then as I walked out she just looked up at me and gave me the biggest smile. It was awesome! From then on, she’s been smiling and giggling a lot. She has the cutest smile where she scrunches up her whole face. It’s seriously adorable!

As far as court stuff goes… the lawyer took me and the other couple to the registrar’s office. We met with the assistant registrar. She said she was working hard for us to have a court date soon. She was a very nice woman and really seemed to have a heart for the children and their best interests. At one point we thought we might get a date tomorrow, but then we found out the judge they want us to see has to finish another big case tomorrow. So she said we might know our date tomorrow, but it should be Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday. We left very encouraged. So keep those prayers coming. The lawyer says after we actually get a court date he doesn’t think we’ll have any problems and things should move smoothly.

Mercy is a good eater. She likes to feed herself. She let me give her some of her dinner tonight and then she took a long time finishing it off by herself. She also loves to look at her own pictures. We laid on the bed tonight snapping photos and she was cracking herself up. It’s moments like these that I’m treasuring.

It’s funny to see all of the looks that I get as a mzungu carrying around an African child. Several people stopped and asked me if I stole her from someone. I understand their curiosity and do my best to explain it all. Most everyone is nice about it and thanks me for caring for her. I know these stares will continue once we get home, but I’m just going to take it as my chance to let people know of the orphan crisis in the world and how they can help to give a child a home.

Well I bit get off of here. Mercy is digging through her suitcase and pulling out all of her clothes. Some things are universal with toddlers!  Here are a few pics of our fun today.

Don't you love those squishy cheeks!?

I'm here!

Just a quick note to let you know that I made it Kampala.  It was a long 24 hours of travelling, but I made it and that's all that matters.  Beth, and Herb & Ellen (missionary friends) picked me up at the airport.  When I got to their house (it's about a 45 minutes drive) everyone came outside to welcome me and they were all snapping pictures of my red-eyed zombie self. =)  I got to hold Mercy right away.  I expected her to start crying, but she just stared at me.  Then I sat with her for a few minutes on the couch just checking her out.  Then she started rubbing her eyes.  One of Beth's girls brought me some milk and within about 2 minutes she was knocked out and she hasn't really made a peep since.  I held her and stared at her for a while, but then practical side of me decided I needed to eat and get a shower.  So, I just tucked her into her bed under the mosquito net.  We'll see how long she sleeps.  Beth says she likes to wake up a lot, but tonight I don't mind at all.  =)

Pray for a court date very soon.  I go in the morning (while you are sleeping!) to meet with our attorney.  I'll keep you updated.

Showered with Love

(written yesterday in the Wichita airport)

Right now I am sitting in the airport after just saying goodbye to my family. My emotions are running high right now. I am so excited to be going and to get to see Mercy and make her officially part of our family, but it sure is hard to leave my family here. I think it’s especially hard because I’ve heard and read too many stories the past few months of people who thought they were just leaving for a few weeks to be stranded for months in Uganda. The thought of being away from my family that long makes me a bit sick to my stomach, but I know I need to take this step of faith and trust God’s timing and plan for all of this. Emma and Avery are being real troopers, but I know the next few weeks will be difficult. Yesterday when Cody drove Avery to school she told him that she felt like crying. He asked her if she was sad. She said, “Yes, I’m sad that Mommy is leaving, but that’s what she has to do to bring Mercy home.” Then she said, “I feel like my whole life is about to change. I’m not going to just be a little sister anymore. I’m going to have to be a big sister and a little sister.” Even a five year old understands the gravity of what will happen to our family in the next few weeks. Last night as I tucked Emma in bed, I told her she needed to be good for Daddy and for Grandma while I was gone. She said, “Maybe that’s why I’ve been in trouble the last few days… I was getting it out of my system.” Oh, I hope so! Pray for my girls (all three of them).

Last time as a Family of 4!

We have literally been showered with love and prayers the past few days. I can’t begin to tell you about all of the phone calls, texts, emails, facebook messages, and hugs. Thank you so much. My heart is so full right now. Cody may not have to cook the whole time I’m gone. I found out Sunday that Mercy is only wearing about 6 month size clothing. I didn’t have anything that I thought would fit. I wondered what to do. I asked a few friends with babies around that age for a few hand-me-downs. Last night when I packed, I had too many clothes to choose from and they were all adorable. Amazing! Then when I thought I couldn’t cry anymore or feel more loved, my precious friends, Beth, Melissa, and Robin stopped by. A couple of months ago they asked about throwing us a baby shower, but I told them that I would rather wait until Mercy gets home, so we’ll know her age and size. So they told me that since they didn’t have a shower, they decided to throw us a “Prayer Shower”. They asked our church family, friends, and other family to send us cards and letters of their prayers on our behalf for this adoption. Then they told me that I messed stuff up by leaving today because they set the submission deadline for this Saturday. Ha! So they delivered what they had so far for the book. Oh.my.word! Can you say tears? Cody looked at the book first last night while I was finishing packing. He came into me all red and puffy-eyed and said, “You cannot read this tonight! It will be way too emotional for you.” I told him that I had to read it because it was too heavy to pack and I could not stand the idea of not looking at it until I returned. So I sat down and Cody brought me some Kleenex. Ok, I started crying on the first page! It was like each one that I read was more confirmation to me that we are doing God’s will. I felt like God was giving me a giant hug and telling me that I do not know the schedule of this trip or the whole outcome, but that He is with me all along the way and always has been. The past few weeks I’ve felt like I’ve been under attack… questioning my sanity at doing this, questioning our finances, and so many other things. But last night, I felt God telling me that I needed to take a deep breath and just trust in Him. I went to bed and slept like a baby.

Wow!!

I am blown away by the amount of love and support we've received in the past 24 hours.  I've gotten so many emails, Facebook posts, texts and calls.  Then this morning I get to church and got countless hugs, well wishes, and offers for help.  Then I looked around and I noticed at least 25 people wearing their "Love Mercy" shirts.  For real people, you are killing me!  Cody says it must stop because he keeps crying. ha! We both about lost it during the service.  We really do appreciate it and are overwhelmed by everyone's love and kindness.  Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.  Little Mercy is such a blessed little girl to have so many people in love with her already.

Three Generations of Mercy Shirts!  Love it!

By the way, if you would like a "Love Mercy" t-shirt get them while you can because once I board that plane on Tuesday you'll have to wait awhile!  Seriously, I have a few to mail on Monday, so if you'd like to be included please let me know ASAP.  Go here for all of the info. on the shirts (meaning, cost, payment options, etc.).  I have Youth XS, med, and large,  and Adult small-XXL.  Quantities are limited.

Also last call on helping with the first round of Mama Kits and more mosquito nets.  You can go here and here for more information on these projects.  Above is a picture of some of the mosquito nets being passed out last month in Uganda.  Thank you so much to those that helped give towards this cause.  Not everyone in this village got a net, so if you are interested in this I'd be happy to pick up some more and pass them out.  While I'm over there I plan to scope out all of the supplies for the Mama Kits and put together the first sets to distribute.  I hope this turns into an ongoing project that Beth and Jeremy will help me to continue.  It still blows my mind that so many women die each day giving birth.  This simple and inexpensive kit can save a mama's life and keep one more child from turning into an orphan.  Just click on the Donate link in the upper right side of this page to give towards these causes.  A gift of $5-$10 can change a child's life.

And I also want to ask you to visit Beth and Jeremy's blog... you can read about their family's adventures in Africa.  They also have a place where you can help support their ministry (click on "Help").  And they have very cool paper bead jewelry and baskets for sale to help pay for children's school fees.  All great causes to support.

I'm leaving...

Wow, the past few days have just been filled with blessings.  I can't even begin to describe all of the emotions and feelings I'm having right now.  This week has been a major roller coaster, and I'm so glad that we are ending it on a high! 

Yesterday, Beth finally got a hold of our attorney. He told her that he was talking with a judge yesterday afternoon trying to get her to take our case and soon. Beth told him she would call back this morning and she wanted a report and some good news.

Last night Cody and I received another generous donation towards our adoption.  We are truly humbled and blown away by people's generosity.  As we were going to bed, I told him, "Maybe receiving this money means that I'll be going very soon.  I feel like God is just setting it all up."

So this morning, I woke up a bit early and looked at my phone.  This is my "new normal" since most of the business hours in Uganda are while we are sleeping, I check my phone first thing for any updates.  I had a missed call from Beth, a voicemail, and email.  I didn't know which to check first.  I listened to the voicemail and it was Beth.  She talked to our lawyer this morning and he told her that I needed to book a ticket.  She said she asked him three times to make sure she understood that I really needed to go.  She did not want this news "lost in translation".  He told her that he'll know for sure on Monday, but I should have a court date late next week or early the next.  No matter what, he thought it was time for me to travel. 

I was on Cloud 9 and I had the weirdest feeling.  It actually reminded me of many moons ago when I peed on a stick and saw two lines telling me I was pregnant with Emma.  I remember that night sitting in the bathroom staring at that pregnancy test for a few minutes trying to process it all before telling Cody.  So, I jumped back in bed with a big smile on my face and told Cody I am going to Africa! 

I was way too excited to go back to sleep, so I immediately got up, grabbed my laptop and started researching airfare.  In case I have court on Friday, I found that I needed to leave on Tuesday.  This will get me into Uganda on Wednesday night.  Then I'll have Thursday to bond a bit with Mercy, meet with the lawyer, and hopefully, get some rest.  I remembered several of the other adoptive moms mentioned buying their tickets with a company called "Golden Rule".  They specialize in adoption and missionary travel needs. I googled them and gave them a call.  The man I talked to was so nice and very helpful.  I bought my ticket from them this afternoon and it's my cheapest airfare to Uganda ever.  How amazing is God!

This evening I've been doing inventory on everything I'm bringing, trying to figure out the last minute stuff I still need to get.  I've been making lists for Cody and trying to figure out schedules.. trying to not have a panic attack. Then just a few minutes ago, some more dear friends dropped off another love gift.  Others have offered all day long to help in any way possible.  And as I type this I just got an email from a friend (she's already offered to take on one of my to-do lists) offering any more help we may need and sending me the most encouraging words.  I am at a loss for words.  It is so humbling to accept so many gifts and so much help from people, but I know they do it out of love and they have a heart for the orphans of this world.  They are living examples to me of Micah 6:8... act justly, love Mercy, and walk humbly.

Blessings

I'll admit... I've had a hard time the past few weeks.  Things are not necessarily going as I would like or in my timing.  Knowing Mercy is very ill and half way around the world from me is tough.  Not getting any word from our attorney or the courts is very discouraging.  Sending Emma and Avery back to school with no Mercy at home to keep me company is difficult.  Calculating all of the costs of this or any adoption is mind-boggling.

Today, God has reminded me of my many blessings.  Mercy is sick, but God placed her this week in a great home where they are doing all they can to get her the best care.  She may be sick but unlike thousands of children in Uganda every day, my baby girl has medicine, clean water, and lots of food to eat.  Her medicine makes her not want to eat very much, but today Beth gave her a bit of pizza and french fries and she loved it.  She's an All-American girl.

Munching on French Fries

How amazing is it that God gave one of my childhood friends the same heart for adoption and orphans... gave her the same heart for Uganda... gave her a husband who supports her and loves her... and moved her to Uganda and enabled her to care for my child just when she needed her most.  If Cody and I can't care for her, I can not think of someone else that I would rather have than the Howards.

Mercy and Jeremy

Amazed by technology and the fact that I can talk to Beth in Uganda for free.  Now, the connection may not always be super clear, and the video locks up, but still it's pretty amazing.  More amazing (and hilarious!) ... listening to Cody sing "Close to You" by the Carpenters via Skype to Mercy and Beth reporting that Mercy was laughing and dancing the whole time.

And then I checked the mail today.  I got this in the mail...

Remember the new adoption fund for Southern Baptist Ministers.  They sent us this today.

Yep, that's a check for $1000.  Wow!!  God is good.  I opened the letter, felt tears forming in my eyes, and called Cody to tell him the good news.  This may not cover all of our expenses, but it will help tremendously.  And more than anything today it served as a great reminder to me that God is in control.

Update on Mercy's Big Move

Well, yesterday afternoon I got to Skype with Beth and Mercy.  Isn't technology amazing!  We only got to see video for a little while because their internet connection is too slow.  But we got to talk for quite a while.  It was great to see Mercy.  She was getting ready for bed.  She smiled and kept looking at me.  She also kept hitting buttons on the computer, especially mute.  Don't you love toddlers!?  She seemed quite content and happy... as long as she is getting her way.  She must be a Busby girl!

Beth says she is eating well and taking formula and her vitamins.  She's getting along with the other kids and enjoying playing with them.  They all just love her.  She does not like riding in the car because it requires sitting still.  Oh how I can't wait to put her in a car seat for the first time!  That will be an adventure.                 

Mercy is still sick.  Beth took her to a doctor today.  Coincidentally, it was the same doctor that helped to save Cody's Aunty Trudy when she almost died from malaria on her first trip to Uganda.  He said that Mercy has malaria and a stomach infection.  We knew she had malaria last month.  Not sure if this is still the same thing lingering or a new infection.  But they got her some new medicine.  It took three tries, but she finally took it. I love a girl with spunk... as long as I'm not the one that she's spitting medicine at.  She also has not been sleeping well, waking up at least three times a night.  So please pray for her to take her medicine well, to get some rest, for Beth and Jeremy to get some rest, and for Mercy to feel better soon.  Beth said she really is in a good mood and you can't really tell she's sick from the way she is playing.  So that's a good sign.

No word from the judges or the courts.  I'll keep you posted.

The Big Move

Well,  Mercy officially moved in with the Howards on Sunday.  I was waiting to blog about it until I got more details, but I decided I wouldn't keep you waiting any more.  Here's what I know... Beth picked up Mercy on Sunday and she said it all went well and that our baby girl is precious (of course!).  Beth reports that when she got home her three year old, Jemma, said "Thank you for my baby, Mom."  Beth says Jemma is in love with Mercy and that the other kids are having lots of fun with her too.  Beth's helper, Medias, made Mercy matoke (steamed banana dish, national dish of Uganda) and beans for her welcome home meal.  She loved it.  I hope Medias doesn't make me matoke for my welcome meal, ha!!  OK, I'll eat it, but I don't have to like it, do I?  Beth says she's done remarkably well and that she has a good appetite.  Beth spent all of yesterday in bed sick.  Poor thing!  But thanks to lots of prayers and rest she is doing better today, so I should get to Skype with Mercy later today.  Here a few pictures.

Mercy and Medias

Mercy and Beth getting to know each other

I love this picture!  Both of their faces say so much. =)

Beth called this one "Hi Mom!"  Look at all of those teeth!

Moving on Up!

Well, the big news on Mercy from this week... she is moving!  Next weekend she will be moving in with Beth and Jeremy.  For those of you thinking... "Really Melissa, you asked your friends that just moved across the world with 7 children to look after yours too??"  I say, "They offered, begged (ok, maybe not begged), and continually assure me they want to and are looking forward to it."  Seriously, Cody and I both told them that we really wanted them to pray about this and consult all of the family.  They promise us that they are all on board.  I think this will be a really great move for Mercy.  This is where I will be staying when I get there, so it will mean one less "home" transition for her.  She will hear more English.  It will help her get used to mzungus (white people) and an American family.  For a child coming from the village, our every day life seems like we are from another planet, so she will have many new things to learn and experience.  And we can rest assured that she will get plenty of food, care and love.  I'm also very excited that I will get to Skype with my baby girl and see her live and in action.   Pray for Beth as she travels next weekend to pick up Mercy.  And please pray for Mercy to make an easy transition to their home. 

I also highly encourage you to check out Beth and Jeremy's website/blog.  I love reading all about their new life and the wonderful ways God is already using them.   I also love their brutal honesty. One great story... one of the babies' homes (orphanges) that several US families are adopting from is not too far from their house.  Beth told me she planned to go check it out and that she'd be willing to get pictures/video of any of the kids for their adoptive parents.  I posted her offer on an online Uganda Adoption Group that I belong to.  She made some mamas very happy. =)  One of the little girls had a birthday this week.  So, The Howard Clan went to the party, took pics, and then set-up a laptop so that through Skype this little girl's family in the US could talk to her, sing to her, and experience her party.  How awesome is that?!  Beth says this orphanage is amazing and really works hard to love all of the children.  They look forward to working with them more in the future.

In other news... we were told we needed to wait, yet again, to file our adoption paperwork for a court date.  It seems that during this recess some of the judges are being reassigned and moved around between divisions.  The registrar (person who assigns you your judge) said we needed to wait until he knew which judges will be in the Family Division.  The good thing is that this hopefully means there will be more judges hearing these cases.  So, please pray for more judges, for them to be assigned soon, and for us to get a judge and court date soon.  I feel like everytime we take a step forward in this process we hit another delay.  But I really pray our time is coming.  I have had two people tell me in the past week that they really feel we are close.  I pray that they are right and I'll get to love on my girl very soon.

More videos!!!

Mercy laughing!

Oh how I love this video!  Cody and I have watched it over and over again.  I can't wait to hear this little squeal around our house soon.  So precious!  More video to come.

A few new pictures

I got a few new pictures from Trudy's travels and one from Dr. Craig Daniel with MercyTrips.  More should be coming tomorrow... plus video.  Woo hoo!

Mercy and "Big Deb" (ha!!, love you Deb!), on 7/3/10

Mercy at her home in Village wondering why Aunt Trudy

keeps messing with her. =)  7/24/10

Mercy eating her breakfast

         Bath Time!              

                      

Mercy with her caregiver. The tears in her eyes

are from meeting scary Dr. Craig in his surgical scrubs and hat.