Saturday, May 29, 2010

After a week at home!!



Wow....I can't believe its been a whole week already. Things have been good for Luke with the exception of one bad day. I think that is better than anyone could have expected out of him. He is still in our room so that I can hear every breath he takes. He gets up on average once a night for some yummy American formula. We give him rice cereal (that beats the pureed fish and egg that he got at Toukoul) and bananas. We are loving being parents and a family but we are exhausted!!! Tomorrow all three of us will head to church for the first time as a family.

The days of being in Ethiopia still are with us daily. You don't just come back from a third world country and forget what we have seen. You don't forget what people live like and what they don't have. I can tell you that they do have something that we don't...I can't quite put my finger on what it is but they are happy people. They are bathing in streams and lakes, beating clothes on a board and hanging them to dry in the fuel,trash and smog filled air with smiles on there faces. We almost had to numb ourselves to get through it. You can't take them all home. The young children that came to our car window begging for food or asking us to be there parents will forever haunt us. The poverty is unreal but again they go about life with smiles on their faces. We are missing something here in America, that much we have learned. Like I said before Ethiopia will never leave us.

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

A family at last....


We don't have words to describe what Ethiopia was like..... The 9 days was a roller coaster of emotion. Our son is perfect in every way. He has been through so much in his first few months of life. God is good that is all I can say. He knows what we need and when. Ethiopia has forever changed us.....we will never be the same. As one of our coordinators told us ....we will forever be a part of Ethiopia.

Sunday, May 23, 2010

They are home!

What a beautiful reception from friends and family at the airport on their arrival home. I'll let Dawn tell more about that once things begin to settle down. About Luke...HE IS BEAUTIFUL and definetly worth the wait!

We're so proud of our daughter and son-in-law! Few will ever know what they have gone through these past years but they keep fighting. Every set-back was met with a new determination. They never gave up but simply prayed harder. One thing got them through...their faith in God. Family and friends were always there for them but God has been watching over them and gave them peace to endure. And now a most beautiful reward...Luke.

For all the other people so desperate to be loving parents and give a child a happy and secure home...don't give up, keep fighting, God will bring you through.

Dawn's parents

One more leg of their journey...then HOME!

Their plane has landed in Detroit, actually a little ahead of schedule so they are back in the USA!!! They have not called yet but I'm sure they are currently going through customs and will call ASAP. Their flight from Detroit to St Louis may be landing just a few minutes early, according to the Delta flight tracker, possibly at 1:14PM instead of 1:25PM this afternoon. We'll be there!!! Concourse A at the security gate anxious to see Dawn and Wes and meet LUKE! God is good!

Saturday, May 22, 2010

Flight on schedule...so far!

According to the on-line flight tracker, they left Ethoipia as scheduled for Amsterdam. From Amsterdam they head for Detorit, then St Louis landing at 1:25 PM Sunday afternoon. If you'd like to greet Dawn, Wes and Luke at the airport, we are meeting at the security check-in on Concourse A. They will get off the plane and head in the direction of the security check-in to get to their luggage so we should be able to catch them as soon as they pass through the security area.

If their arrival changes, I will try to post it to her blog ASAP but feel free to call us at 314-308-6912. We pray for their safe return.

Friday, May 21, 2010

Countdown to the flight home

They called today and sounded wonderful! Dawn was sick and Luke is cutting TWO teeth...so previously, Wes was up all night with one or the other but today, they are all fine. As Wes said, they are still homesick but they leave tomorrow afternoon, our time, to come home! Amsterdam is currently open so they should not have a problem with volcanic ash.

Today, Dawn put the phone by Luke and he cooed and giggled, how beautiful is that! But she said he has voiced his opinion with a little temper...maybe the previous Italian influence on Ethiopia...yea familia, I am of Italian descent, it seems appropriate that my grandson could also be! They were so excited today that coming home was so soon. Dawn said Luke has soft curly hair...they are so totally in love!

So far everything is on schedule. Dawn will call when they get to Detroit to let me know if they are still on target for a 1:25 PM landing Sunday in St Louis. As Dawn said in her last blog posting, all are welcome to come to the airport. When I took them to the airport, they left on Concourse A and I assume it will be the same with another Delta flight. Their flight number is Delta 2771 from Detorit. You may be able to actually follow the progress of their their flight on-line once they are in US airspace. If there is a change in the status of their flight, I will try to update the blog ASAP.

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Waiting to come home!!!!

Wes and Dawn can't get an earlier flight home. They are disappointed. They're tired and just ready to come home and get back to normal...and Central Standard time!!!! I think they are just exhausted from the long flight there and eight hour difference in time. They will be so happy to hit that Midwest pavement that leads them home! Phone calls are limited to about a minute and then we seem to lose reception so it's hard to gather much information other than all is well with Luke and they're anxious to be home.

Last night left little sleep for any of them but happily, Luke is with them 24/7 and has his own crib. They have switched him to a slow flow bottle so he is relaxing a little more and not feeling the need to hurry with the bottle. With so many babies to care for, there just wasn't much time for a leisure bottle in the orphanage. He is doing better with the new bottle and starting to take more formula.

Hopefully the ash from the volcano will not disrupt the first leg of their scheduled flight to Amsterdam. If all goes as planned, they will arrive home Sunday afternoon...stay tuned!

Monday, May 17, 2010

Luke is legally theirs!!!!

Wes and Dawn just called...Luke is THEIR baby! Getting the Visa was a long ordeal with 10 other couples crowded into a small room for three hours with babies crying (not Luke!) but they made it and Luke has his Visa to come home with them.

They love being with Luke, "he is amazing"! They said he is so good and just laughs and giggles. If he isn't laughing or giggling, he is sitting with them holding onto one of them! He is just now cutting his first tooth and they gave him his first bath today. They have not heard him cry yet, he just "chills out".

Dawn said they have made life long friends with some of the other couples and they have all been helping each other out. The people there are wonderful and they took pictures of the Nannies today. But now, they are very anxious to come home. Wes is planning on staying up until midnight to contact their travel company in California to see if they can come home sooner.

I'll keep you posted on the progress on their arrival.

Embassy Day!



Today Wes and Dawn go to the Embassy in Ethiopia to officially sign papers and then Luke is THEIRS!!!!!!!!! They will be trying to move up their return flight...they are so ready to come home. His bed is ready, the room is adorable, a basket full of toys...many years of hope and prayer...so soon now! Please pray for their safe return. I'll keep you posted on their return flight

Friday, May 14, 2010

Baby Luke

They got to see Luke today and he is beautiful! Dawn was holding Luke when he crawled over to Wes and fell asleep on his chest...I don't think bonding will be an issue! Dawn said he is very laid back, he's sitting up but still has no teeth. However Dawn didn't get teeth until she was 13 months old so he sounds just like his mother!

They said it was very hard to leave him but they are still really tired and the orphanage prefers they just "meet" the first day. She's hoping tomorrow they will let them keep him for the remainder of their stay. They will be trying to send pictures later today...stay tuned!

Thursday, May 13, 2010

They made it!


3:30 PM St Louis time Dawn called to say they are at the Guest House of the Orphanage and they are exhausted! She said there are other couples at the Guest House and that everything was fine...but they are going to bed! They should see Luke tomorrow, roughly somethime after 3:30 AM our time on Friday morning. What a day that will be!!!!!

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Checking in at the airport

Arrival at the airport

Finally the day has come...they are on their way to their dream, bringing home baby Luke. Despite last minute jitters and do we have this and do we have that...they are headed to Ethiopia for a new beginning!

Off to Ethiopia



Hello Everyone,

We will be leaving for Addis Ababa Ethiopia on Wednesday May 12th around 2:00. This is what we have been waiting for for over 4 years now! We can't express the excitement and peace that we are experiencing. We want to thank you for your years of prayer and devotion to us. You may not know it but your comments, interest in adoption and support has meant the world to us. We would not have made it without all of you, even those of you we just recently met, you all played a role!

We can tell you that 4 years ago we were devastated at the thought of a child not being made up from our own DNA. The thought of our child coming from anywhere from my belly was sickening. As you have watched us on our journey through infertility, endometriosis, a hysterectomy and adoption we hope you can see the path God had us on. I will never, NEVER forget the morning that I woke up after days and nights of prayer, the answer... as clear as day was in my head.....ETHIOPIA.....and it never went away. We had never even considered an Ethiopian adoption!

I guess this just goes to show you that God answers prayers not when or what we want but what we need. We can honestly tell you today we would not change one thing that has happened. We are where God wants us to be and that is where we want to be.

Please pray for a safe trip for us and little Luke. We will return on May 23 and you are more than welcome to meet us at the airport. We will be on flight KL8414 with KLM Royal Dutch Airlines arrival time 1:25 PM......

Please understand that we will not be passing Luke around as he has already been through a lot of stress. I listed a video from the orphanage that we are staying at!!

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/k6xPNbUqmqIfSwfafZ Toukoul Orphanage...Awesome!


Love,

Wes, Dawn and Luke Davidson

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Sunday, May 9, 2010

Happy Mothers day!!


Happy Mothers Day to all my friends and families out there!! You have made my journey to motherhood so much sweeter! We are getting ready and each day gets more exciting! Enjoy your day!

Saturday, May 8, 2010

Four more days!


I am officially on maternity leave for two months and two days! This is becoming real as we scramble for last minuet packing and preparing! Please keep the prayers going. If you want you can pray specifically for the flight because I HATE to fly.....

Friday, May 7, 2010

Meskerem


We went for Ethiopian food last night at Meskerem restaurant. The food was amazing but a little spicy for me. You eat with your right hand only (no utensils) in Ethiopia so that was a challenge. I will be packing a bottle of tums!

Thursday, May 6, 2010

Getting Close


We are getting close...the excitement is building. We are going out for Ethiopian food tonight to see what we will be eating for 11 days. Lets hope its good. Please continue to pray for us we need peace!!

Wednesday, May 5, 2010

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

Count Down


We are counting down the days to take off. The excitement in this house is amazing!

OFF WE GO!


The long awaited day has come. We are leaving for Addis Ababa Ethiopia to meet our son on May 12Th! You can't imagine the joy and peace we are feeling along with the anxiety of the short notice.....God is amazing and he answers prayer, not when or what we want but what we need. Five years ago the thought of having a child from any where but my belly was devastating. I can honestly tell you today WE would NOT have it any other way! God is good............