We are going!!!!!

Yeah! Today is one happy day. This morning, we got our approval for the US Embassy and we are going. I tell you, if we hadn't already decided on Noah's name, I might consider naming him after Senator Dodd's aide!

So we leave on Friday night, spend a night in Dubai and then on to Ethopia. If all goes well, by January 4th in the afternoon, we will have that adorable, wonderful Noah in our arms. It's such a strange feeling to be meeting your son for the first time. Even though we have adopted before, I still cannot fully explain it. One of my friends said it's like falling in love instantly.

We are also really excited to visit Africa, as this is our first time. While we are looking forward to seeing the beauty and learning more about the culture of Ethiopia, I am preparing myself to be overwhelmed by the poverty and by the children in need. While I have spent a lot of time in Honduras, which is considered one of the poorest countries on the Western Hemisphere, I have a feeling Ethiopia will be another experience entirely. Part of our trip includes visiting public orphanages, where children have no running water, no bathroom facilities and are in desperate need of basics, like shoes and underwear. We are packing as much as we can to bring to them, but we know it will never be enough.

Well, more later and Happy New Year to all!