A couple of weeks of new beginnings!

This has been a very exciting couple of weeks in the Burke household.  

It is our first time as a family of 7!

The highlight for the first day home for Miss "M^" was a drive around town.  We took her and showed her the sites.  All the parks in town, the schools, the church, the library . . . and of course the giant hamburger statue :)  We had to stop and play for a while though!

That afternoon the 4 younger girls and I had Vacation Bible School to go to.  We headed off to church.  While we were busy exploring "Wilderness Escape" and learning about Moses, Kevin and "M^" headed to the grocery store.  From what I heard they had a great time.  "M^" enjoyed looking at all of the different things available.  It was a good first day in America!

It has been really great watching all of the girls interact!  All four of the younger girls are super happy to have "M^" home.  They all find ways of interacting with her.  "K" especially enjoyed getting out "M^"s favorite games to play.  "K" will also get out books so "K" can read to her as well!  Super cute!

Kevin and I have been really happy to see our 4 younger girlies as well!  A month away from them was so very difficult!  We needed to give lots of hugs to make up for lost time!

Games, games and more games!

During the first week "M^" had a doctor appointment.  The first one here in the US.  A general check up and a serious look at her particular issues.  A massive vaccine update was needed so that was 4 different injections!  Of course they wanted blood work done too!  The doctor also decided to go ahead and do a biopsy so there was some pain involved with that as well.  "M^" is amazing.  She watched the blood draw the entire time.  During the biopsy she flinched, but watched them during the last half!  I was about to pass out, but she was fine!  The pediatrician decided to refer "M^" to an orthopedist to further look into things.  So, more doctors.  There may be lots more doctors.

In these first few weeks I have found out what awesome youth we have at our congregation and in our community.  Several of the youth brought over some clothes for "M^".  She is now very stylish!  Another awesome youth came over and played games and watched movies with her.  The youth at our congregation has been very gracious and included her in youth group activities.  In addition one of the girls that will be in 7th grade with her offered to show her around school and volunteered to attend the back to school sessions with her.  What a great group of youth that are surrounding "M^"!!!  As a parent I feel so very blessed by these youth and their families!  I have heard from others that friendships is one of the hardest things for newly internationally adopted teenagers.  I think we have at least a good start! 

It was a fun filled week!  Tours of town, VBS, new friends, grocery shopping, "school work," registering for school, and doctors appointments.  It was all topped off with the Hamburger festival (yes, our sweet little town has a full blown tribute to the hamburger!)  We spent Friday night at the balloon rally.  All the girls really enjoyed seeing the balloons inflate and take off!

Saturday started off with another tradition . . . the hamburger parade.  The 4 younger girls and I walked in the parade with the church float.  It was really nice to wave at people and get to toss candy at all the children!

A big highlight for the week was all going to worship together at our congregation.  It was so nice for Kevin and I to be there with all 5 of our girls.  Our congregation is so gracious towards us.  We feel so loved and so blessed to be a part of the body of Christ there!

It has been a busy time!  However, it has been an absolutely wonderful time!  "M^" has handled each new situation with grace and flexibility.  I can't even imagine how different life is for her now.  While some aspects may be better, there is still so much loss in her life.  I admire her for the courage it takes to totally enter a new family, home, culture and language.  She is obviously a person of great courage and strength.  I pray that Kevin and I can be the parents that she needs to support her through life and journey with her on whatever path God has for laid out. 

As the Ethiopian portion of our journey has come to an end, the life journey is just beginning for us.  Right now "M^" is preparing for school and more doctor appointments.  Please continue to pray for "M^" and our family!  I look forward to posting more updates as the months go on.  God's blessings to you and your family.

And . . . we're home! . . . Ethiopia Round 3, Day 34

30 hours of traveling . . . 

We slept on the plane, ate dinner and watched movies.  There was a brief stopover in Rome for refueling.  We saw the sunrise from the plane.  Beautiful!

 "M^" was very eager to see out the window.  We watched the clouds go by.

We were able to see the coast of France as we flew over.  Pretty cool!

Finally we approached Washington DC.  Here is a view from the plane.  "M" was excited to watch our landing from the window!

We landed!  As soon as we were on US soil "M^" became a US citizen.

We deplaned and headed into the airport.  First stop was immigration.  Passports . . . check.  Landing card . . . check.  Huge mysterious packet of paperwork on "M^"s adoption that I was told not to open at all and hand to the immigration officer . . . ugh . . . check!  We went through the immigration lines and the officer had us head to the immigration office.  Hmmmm . . . different than with bringing "T" home, but okay!

We received our baggage and headed to the immigration office.  The officers in there were very nice and struck up conversation.  They welcomed "M^" and stamped some papers and we were directed toward customs with our bags.  Very nice immigration officers!  There was a line so we witnessed how the American customs officers were working with others entering our country. 

I must say I was very embarrassed that these people were some of the first Americans that visitors and immigrants encountered.  There were two African families in line in front of us.  The first family with two parents and a small baby.  The second family was a mom and two children.  The officer at the counter was rude to these folks from the beginning of conversation.  They rattled off the list of questions so fast I could barely hear what they were asking.  They scanned their bags and started going through them.  There were a few issues with what they were bringing into the country . . . yes.  They had some food products there were not allowed, some meat.  Nothing highly dangerous, nothing that will cause immediate harm.  Just some food that they shouldn't bring into the US that could simply be thrown away be the officers.  However, instead of simply explaining that it wasn't allowed, they are extremely rude to the family.  Practically yelling at them and mocking them.  They accuse them of trying to smuggle things into the US in chicken bones.  One of the officers tells the mom with the children "Just me straight with me!"  Well, someone who doesn't know the slang of American lingo would have no idea what that man said.  He accused this woman of lying to him when she didn't have any clue what he was asking her!  Before the family even headed out after the customs check the officers were already laughing about them amongst themselves. 

So, then we approach the counter.  By this time I'm rattled.  I have mentally preparing myself to completely empty our bags and explain every little thing we are bringing back from Ethiopia.  Kevin and I approach the counter.  The officer greets us and asks us where we are coming from.  We answer and show them our passports.  They ask "Do you have any raw meat with you?"  We reply, no.  The officer nicely comes around the desk, opens up the line dividers, guides us to the security check, thanks us, and sends us on our way.  Ugh . . . wait . . . what just happened.  Really, what just happened here!!!  The officers interrogated and mocked the previous two families here.  Yet, they just pass us through.  I think I would have been less angry if they treated us the same way!  There is no reason to treat people in that manner!  I thought we lived in a place where people were supposed to be treated equally!  Hmmmmm . . . .

We rechecked our bags and headed through one more security check. 

After the situation we witnessed, my faith in humanity was restored by the amazing TSA agent at the security check.  One of the families we saw from customs was going through security.  Once again their stuff was spread all over the stainless steel tables.  They were confused and frustrated.  However, the American security officer that was talking with them was kind.  She was considerate.  She was patient.  She was treating them like human beings.  I watched her as she explained things to the couple 2, sometimes 3, times.  She walked alongside them the entire time helping them understand exactly what they were being asked to do.  All the while, she did all of this in a gentle way and with a smile on her face.  I'm sure it wasn't easy working with this family and many other families for that matter.  I wish that I had the opportunity to tell her how starkly different her attitude and behavior was from the customs agent.  Maybe someday this TSA agent will be recognized for her kindness and gentleness.  May God bless her!

In the midst of all the customs, immigration and security excitement we also found out another interesting bit.  Kevin and my tickets had been cancelled.  Yes, you read that right.  Upon arriving in Washington DC we discovered the 2 return flight tickets from DC to home were gone.  "M^"s were still booked, but ours were gone!  There was a great ticket agent that did their very best to make things work for us, but the flights we were supposed to be on were full.  So, we were put on standby and we waited!

While waiting to discover the fate of our return home we had some lunch.  "M^" enjoyed a sandwich and a chocolate milkshake.  I think she'd still prefer Ethiopian food, but no complaints!

We were so incredibly lucky!  Kevin and I both got seats on the plane.  At our next stopover we walked right from one plane to another.  Not even a 15 minute time lapse.  Wow!  The rest of the flight and travel went very well.  We arrived and waited at the airport for a bit.  Of course by then it was time to pull out the technology.  Here's "M^" with her shades, mp3 player and playing on Kevin's phone!

Our friend picked us up from the airport and took us home.  It was a nice drive and talk with him.  However, I couldn't help but watch the clock as well.  We were all so ready to be home and be with the other 4 girls.  We pulled into the drive way and I already had tears in my eyes.  It was so great to be almost knocked over with 4 little people running to give us the biggest hug ever!

The girls were all very excited to "M^" as well.  They all ran to her as well and grabbed hands and immediately wanted to show her around the house and yard.  We had a good evening together.  Snacks and getting ready for bed were about all that would be done.  Although, just being together was more than enough. That night Kevin and I slept peacefully and contently knowing that finally all 5 of our children were here together with us.  God is good!

We're leaving on a jet plane . . . Ethiopia Round 3, Day 33

Friday morning we headed to have Miss "M^"s hair done.  We invited our friend Zebene's daughter to come along.  The girls and I all got our hair done!  It was a fun morning!

Afterward we headed to get some take away pizza for lunch!  We meet up with Zebene and the other kids at the guest house.  We had a good afternoon of packing, talking, and playing. 

We finally received "M^"s visa and were ready to head to the airport.  First we had to take some last minute pictures with our friends. 

We had to tell all of these people goodbye for now.  It was hard for all of us.  We don't know exactly when we'll be back to see them again.  We headed to the airport.  Everything went well with check in and security.  We waited until a little after 10 pm and flew out to Washington DC.

While we will all miss Ethiopia and our friends very much we were also very excited to head to the United States.  We were up for a 14 hour plane ride.  It was going to be fun!

Dancing in the rain . . . Ethiopia Round 3, Day 32

Our last full day in Ethiopia . . . wow!  Day 32 of this journey and it's our last full day here.  This comes with so many mixed emotions.  I am unbelievably ready to see my other 4 daughters, our family and friends, our church family, my church kids and my kitty cat!  However, I am also sad to leave this amazing place.  Each time Kevin and I come to Ethiopia we are stretched in our faith and in our lives.  The experiences we've had have shaped and molded how we view the world, how we view relationships with others, and how we view generosity (just to name a few things!!!)  We are blessed beyond measure by our experiences here and the people we know and love here!

I could go on and on about that . . . but instead I'll tell you more about our last full day in Ethiopia!

It started off with our daughter Ethiopian friends laughing at us . . . a lot!  Since it was our last night at the guest house we were having a party!  An Ethiopian Barbeque!  That meant we needed a sheep.  In Ethiopia you don't really go to a grocery store to buy meat.  You go to a butcher and buy it . . . or you buy a live animal and slaughter it yourself.  Nati, Josiah and Laterra assumed that we'd want to be a part of the slaughter or a least watch.  Uhhhhhh . . . for those of you who know me well I was a vegetarian for 7 years due to matters such as this!!!  The guys went and bought a sheep (a live one) and brought it to the guest house.  I could hear a few baa-aa-aas from the courtyard.  I kept diligently writing my blog from the day before and ignoring the fact that we had a sheep in the compound.  Nati came through . . . "Don't you want to come and watch us slice the sheep?"  "Uh, no thank you."  Queasy look on my face.  Nati just laughs at me.  Laterra comes though the living room.  "We're going to cut the animal, come watch!"  "Laterra, I just can't."  We had to explain to them that many Americans do not and do not know how to butcher animals.  We tried to be as polite as we could about it.  However, that's one part of Ethiopian culture I may never be able to participate in.  "M^" got many good laughs at me too!  She was back there for the whole thing.  I think she helped too!

In the afternoon we were able to go to the American Embassy for the last step of our adoption process . . . visa interview.  Our awesome driver took us and waited for us.  Because there was a computer glitch last week there were many families waiting for their visa interview.  We were next to last.  It wasn't bad though.  The American Embassy provided excellent people watching and we had some great conversation with the folks waiting as well.  Our interview came up.  We answered the questions the officer had.  He stamped our paperwork, told us the visa would be ready at 10 am on Friday and away we went!  Easy as that!  "M^" is coming home!

When we arrived back from the embassy our friends were in full swing getting ready for the party and BBQ.  Tables and chairs were moved into the courtyard.  A fire was built.

The meat was ready!!!

All of the "kids" played ball while it cooked!  And tried really hard to keep the ball out of the fire!!!

Our friends from the guest house were there . . . Nati, Laterra, Josiah.  Our friends Zebene, Hiwot and their children were there.  Our friend and taxi driver, Buggadu, made it as well.  Our friend and in-country representative Dereje came too!  It was a wonderful crowd of people we care so very much about!!!

 

We ate injera . . . 

We ate meat . . . until we couldn't eat anymore!  A wonderful meal!

We had a great time talking, being silly, and having fun!

 

And then the music was turned up and the dancing began!  Our group of friends are all very involved in their faith so the music was all Christian and all about praising God!  We danced and sang and together at the party we worshiped!

We danced . . . 

and sang . . . 

and danced some more!

We fueled up the fire and danced some more!

It has been a long time since Kevin and I have danced, sang, and laughed so much.  My face hurt from smiling and laughing.  What an amazing night.  We danced and sang until it was dark and raining.  And then the night ended just like it began . . . with prayer.  Dereje and Kevin prayed for the group.   We all stood in the dark, in the rain holding hands and praying.  What a perfect way to end the evening together.