Today is San Esteban

Today is San Esteban! In Barcelona they celebrate this day almost as elaborately as Christmas. So as we were gathered around the table (not in Barcelona), and Fernando said to Celeste: " This is your first San Esteban with us." This very simple phrase, made me so sentimental that Marina and I began to look back at this little blog. I know I am not very consistent in updating this little online journal, and I make no excuse about it. It just seems that I am not good at managing my time. I am at work 45 hours a week and then I rush to begin my true daily life (when you read the following, think of Cinderella's step mother when the old hag is giving her the list of things she must do around the house): taking Marina to swim practice-daily! Cello lessons at home-once a week. Waldorf sewing circle-weekly, Making dinner-nightly. Writing reports at home-nightly. Baths, stories, diapers and more-every night. This all does not include the amount of mediating I do and all the hugs and kisses and cuddles that rejuvenate me in order to keep going. By the time I find a little time to write this I am in bed trying to read something that will keep me in the literary loop, or fast asleep.

Making dolls

I made this doll last year (along with a whole bunch of other dolls). I love these dolls so much, and they do fetch a pretty penny (this one went for $150) for Marina's school. What I don't like is "doll season." Not because I don't enjoy the process, but because I don't enjoy the rush. The fair is scheduled for the Saturday before Thanks Giving, and the doll frenzy has begun. I hold doll workshops at my home on Tuesday nights, and although I am so tired once I finally get to go to bed, there is something to be said about spending 2 hours with bright, funny, creative women that choose to do something amazing for the sake of their children's school and community.

Encouraged

This was taken in NY this summer. We had such a good time! But not so much this day because it was so terribly hot. We did have fun on the way home because we got lost and went around and around in an air conditioned comfortable car.

On a different note, I would like to ask everyone out there to send their positive thoughts to my friend Sarah. She underwent a double mastectomy yesterday and will begin chemotherapy soon. She has a very supportive husband and a lovely 16 month old baby girl. Shara is scared, but is dealing with all of this so incredibly well. I have knows Sarah since we moved in together our freshmen year at Pitzer College in Claremont, and although I can't say that we have remained close, I can say that I love her and that every time we talk or see each other its as if we had gone back in time.

Sick but somehow rejuvinated

I don't know, It must have been seeing my lovely girls up on the blog or something, but I think I'm back. Most of you out there are not reading about us anymore, and you probably don't even care about our silly goings on, but I'm going to give it a good effort, if only for our family history's sake. I'm going to blow my nose, I have a combination of illness and allergies, whatever it is is kicking me right on my behind.
Just as a catch up sort of a post. Since we returned Marina finished 1st grade. We had a good summer at home (we usually take off for Barcelona to Fernando's family). We are slowly finding our rhythm. Celeste began walking and is now unstoppable. Marina is in 2nd grade. Fernando got a book published. I am frantically making dolls for the Elves' Fair (Pasadena Waldorf School's largest event), and planning my mother's 60th birthday bash. Oh! and I forgot, working full time as a school psychologist.
I have been such a bad blogger that the cycle of non blogging just kept getting more and more dysfunctional. the more time passed the guiltier I felt, and the guiltier I felt, the less I wanted to show my face in blog world, but now that Monica has opened the flood gates, let the blogging begin.
These are the latest Celeste words: Agua? mmmmm, abre? ten, mama, papa, papi, mami, yaya, yayo, hola? tita, and in English: ball. Funny thing that occurred today: Marina's friend came over and was upset and crying with her mother when they had to go. Celeste went over to her and patted and petted her on the head. She looked worried.
Marina is a fantastic big sister. She includes Celeste in every game and makes sure that the other kids are letting her participate. Marina is also on the brink to jump into the swim team, so she is working very hard in the pool. At school, she was in the Michaelmas play. She played the part of fire with three other girls and they rocked it!
Overall we are doing very well, and hoping that we get to see the blog unioners again soon.

May 7th??

(Monica here... rogue blogger)
I am not sure if anyone out there in blogland checks dear Samantha's blog anymore. She is a bad blogger (I have told her so) I read adoption blogs as she started blogging. My favorite time to read is the travel.. and return home. My darling friend dropped off just when I would have been the most interested. Fortunate for me, I talk to her often and see her, Fernando, and her kiddos ... so I knew/know what was going on. For the rest of you.. who may only know her only in Blogland... here is a little glimpse into the goings on with Samantha, Fernando, Marina, and Celeste... They are a beautiful and happy little family. Enjoy!

a glorious day at the beach... for little Zoe's birthday
Marina


Celeste


a summer Monday in the village. Coffee and water play. perfection





blog union. oh yes, they were there. (and me too)


i love this picture!


Our lovely Fair tradition (the kids were less than pleased with the petting zoo. Marina looks forward to this. She talked about it constantly, but she did not love the goats. neither did Celeste. sisters)





Hope if there is anyone out there... this made you smile.
;) Monica

A good night's rest

Hi there, I finally opened my lap top today!
Here is a quick run down of our trip and home coming.
-Saturday at 11:50 pm I left CA on JetBlue and arrived at JFK at 8:00am Sun.
-Sunday at 11:30 pm my brother and I took off for Dubai on Emirates Air, and arrived at 8:30 pm Monday. We had a chance to look around the old part of the city and have a great dinner. We spent the night in the Meridian Hotel.
-Tuesday at 8:00am, we left Dubai and landed in Addis Ababa at 11:30 am.
After we arrived we had a quick bite to eat and went to meet Celeste and took her back to the hotel (Hilton).
-Wednesday we had our embassy appointment at 3:00pm, but we were not seen until 5:00 pm
-Thursday we went to the coffee ceremony at the babie's home.
-Friday we went on a tour of beautiful lakes and were able to leave the city and enjoy the countryside. In the evening we received Celeste's visa and other paperwork.
-Saturday we went shopping in the morning and at 7:00 pm we took off on Emirates Air for Dubai.
-Sunday morning 12:45am we arrived in Dubai and took our next flight at 2:00am to JFK.
-Sunday morning at 8:00am we arrived in NYC and went to my brother's home.
-Sunday at 8:00pm Celeste and I boarded a JetBlue flight to CA.
-Sunday at 11:45pm arrived in LA

travel news...

Samantha and Celeste met on Tuesday... they have since had their embassy appointment and all is well. They are falling in love more and more every moment. (hope Samantha is OK with my semantics)
short and sweet...
and I know (as a blog reader) that all posts are better with a picture. So, since I do not have any pics from Samantha in Ethiopia, I will give you one taken last September. Samantha, Marina, and I on our annual trip to the LA county fair. We always have sooo much fun. We go into the petting zoo and have lovely adventures. Celeste will surely be in this year's picture.

On her way...

Greetings. I am Monica... one of Samantha's friends. I will be your blog operator until Samantha gets back from Ethiopia. Last night Fernando and Marina dropped her off at the airport for a red eye flight to New York (to meet with her brother). They'll leave tonight for Dubai, and then Ethiopia!! She is uber excited, as am I. I will post something as soon as I hear from her.

Here is the first or our bags

Pay not attention to the mess in our garage. It is an ongoing project that never ends. Any way, a dear colleague of mine donated 7 boxes of kids clothes, so this is where all those clothes are now. I guess I'll put the rest of the humanitarian aide elsewhere. This weekend I need to start taking the malaria medication. I am still debating weather or not this is truly necessary, but my brother keeps insisting that we should.

Something in Common

We finally received the report on Fenit’s biological family. I am happy to report that our little “beauty queen” (soon to be re-labeled “smart, talented imaginative, creative youngest princess”) has two mothers that like to play in the kitchen. That makes me very happy.
On another front, I’ve been packing up a storm. We purchased an army duffel bag at our local Army Navy store. The bag was only about $25 and is the biggest thing I’ve ever seen. I know I’ll not be able to lift it, but who needs to lift when you can drag. I take a picture of it once it is all filled up.
I will be meeting my brother in NY and we will travel together to Ethiopia. For all of those soon to be parents out there, please know that I will be happy to take pictures or any little keepsake you want to send to your little loves, just e-mail me and we will make arrangements.
The work of art posted is one of Marina’s homage to her fish, Chiquitina. She was a female Beta that who died while Marina was in Barcelona with her father. Here she is waiting for Marina to feed her. The other picture is the real place where Chiquitina used to reside.
Oh! I almost forgot, we had been told that Fenit’s birthday was the 4th of July, 2007. It turns out that it is actually the 31st of May 2007. Regardless of her birthday, she will not begin school until she has turned 6 years old so that means she will be more developmentally ready for the rigors of social and academic life.

I figured it out! ...sort of

Free MySpace slideshows, photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

I also want to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has supported us through this, very difficult, journey; and to invite those of you who are still waiting, to email us with your babe's information if you would like for us to take pictures or send them a little something on your behalf. Fernando and I sent mem cards to other traveling parents while we waited, and it seems that those precious images helped us get through the rough spots.

We are complete

Here she is... our little love. If you have been in this adoption rollercoaster, you know how we feel. We are so elated. At 6:30 am we received a call from Jessica B at Gladney telling us the good news. It is nice to know that Gladney will let you know as soon as they know. It made the news so much better because it was what woke me. We've booked our flights and our hotel. It seems that it is all going according to plan. I hope I'm not jinxing myself. I will post more pictures later, when I figure out how to do a slide show. In the mean time; enjoy this one. We are bursting at the seams. I was just telling one of our friends how this whole experience makes you feel so bipolar; with its high peaks and its low valleys. Well, boy are we on a tall peak today!

Negative

Well, unbelievably the judge said that our file was incomplete. Have you ever seen a great white shark while it bites into its pray? Have you noticed how their eyes roll back with their fury? Just think of me like the shark. I am beside myself. This had happened before and when Gladney went to MOWA it seemed that it all was straightened out. Well, it was not, and part of me just wants to go there myself and check that our file is perfect. Any way, we are rescheduled for April 10th.

Semantics

I'm about to breech a topic that I have been avoiding for quite some time now. I don't know how people are going to take this, but I need to, once and for all, get this off my chest. Over the past year I have read my fair share of blog entries, and I must say that I find the phrase "love on..." extremely jarring. I am open to every one's beliefs, reasoning for adoption, plans a, b, c, political views and so on, but I cannot understand the need to use the phrase "love on..." What is so difficult about saying something to the effect of "please give my babe all the love I send to them," or "I cant wait to cuddle with our baby," why "love on...?" I did not learn formal English until my family moved to Southern California, so it could just be me, and I thought that for some time now, but I have a few friends whom I've sucked into this blog reading business, and they find it just as awkward. Obviously there aren't very many of you out there that agree with me, because otherwise, you would not be perpetuating this semantic oddity.
PS You must know how much refrain I have shown!
PPS When you've been postponed for as long as we have and for the inane reasons we have experienced you too will focus on the silliest things.

Tune in tomorrow.

Well, the judge decided to take the day off today. The cases scheduled to be heard today will be heard tomorrow. We're sad..

Thank you all!

Almost very year Fernando, Marina and I, have the opportunity to stroll up and down this beautiful avenue in Barcelona. It is called Paseo de Gracia. The trees are still there, and although, sadly, the fashion has changed there are still tons of people that walk up and down along with us. The architecture is amazing and the conversations you overhear are in every language imaginable. I didn't intend to write about this as you can tell by the title of this post, but as I was searching for a photo to post on this entry, I started making connections with the words thank you, gracias, gracia, etc.
Any way, I just want to thank every one who is sending us all of your wonderful thoughts and positive vibes. We really do appreciate it. We are on pins and needles, and can't wait to stroll up and down el Paseo de Gracia with our two beautiful babe, Celeste Fenit.
This wait is just so difficult!

Is this permited?

It's been a long time

So I received a call from Mary T. today. As I understand it, MOWA is supposed to send an opinion to the courts before cases are heard by the judges. MOWA's opinion was that our file was "incomplete." After much work by our Gladney in-country staff it seems that there was some sort of misfiling of records and so once that was cleared a new court date was petitioned for the next couple of days. The courts declined the petition to expedite our case, so our new court date is set for the 26th of this month. On another and more positive note, our little one's mother was able to relinquish our babe today. The courts accepted her decision, which means that things should go smoother for her case to be accepted and approved.

I am very frustrated, but I feel very confident that we have the most competent people working and doing everything in their power to bring our girl home.

New Court Date

Our new court date is set for March 19th, 2008. If it all goes well, we could be traveling by April 5th, 2008. Interestingly enough (and I hope I'm not jinxing myself) that is the week of my spring break! If the stars align properly I will not be using any of my sick leave during travel, which will leave me with more than enough days with Fenit to finish the school year and get me through until summer. Please keep us in mind and send us your good thoughts on March 19th.

Gladney is amazing!

I have never said anything about Fenit's life or how she came to live in the Gladney home because this is a deeply personal story, but after Mary's call today, Fenit's story has changed. Originally the authorities did not know how to locate her mother. This week, Gladney found her! I am truly happy and thankful for this. If Fenit's mother will agree to meet with us I only want to ask one thing: "what would you like me to tell Fenit about you, your life and her?" Mary said that she will call us again on Tuesday to let us know for when our next court date is scheduled. So again; we wait.

Really?!

At 9:15 this morning I received a call from "unknown" aka Mary T. She was very kind to call me early and not let me suffer all day. She basically said that the court heard our case, but they needed more information about the whereabouts of our babe's mother. So Gladney hit the pavement and is doing everything in their power to supply the information necessary to get things moving again. Mary said that she will be calling us again on Friday, February 22 to let us know if and for when our next court date is scheduled. For now, we continue to wait.

Tagged again!

So, I'm one of those people who typically rebels against anything chain; as in chain letters, chain e-mails, chain forwards or anything that requires more energy in the little spare time that I have. However, it seems that Carey is hell-bent on having me share a little more about myself.

So here are my lists for the crazy 8's:

8 things I’m passionate about:

1. family
2. Google

3. environment

4. traveling

5. cooking

6. laughing

7. education

8. reading

8 things I want to do before I die:

1. bring Celeste Fenit home

2. enjoy exercising

3. win a spelling bee (ha, ha, ha)

4. retire in the coast of Spain
5. change legislation (any legislation)

6. get rid of our television

7. become a voice over artist

8. have my parents move in with us

8 songs I never tire of listening to

1. I will survive (Gloria Gaynor)
2. Hey Jude (The Beatles)

3. Amante Bandido (Miguel Bosé)

4. Limón y Sal (Julieta Venegas)
5. Manu Chao

6. Antonio Flores
7. My father signing flamenco
8. Edith Piaf

8 things that attract me to my friends

1. Good looks (hee, hee, hee)

2. Intelligence
3. Honesty

4. Funny

5. Willing to be total dorks

6. Obsessive Compulsive (about anything)
7. Self awareness

8. Independent

8 things I learned in 2007:
1. Patience, patience, patience

2. The world will may not come to a screeching halt – and I may not I lose friends – if my house is messy, but although all who see our mess will say its ok, they will talk about it among themselves.

3. "it's only one disposable diaper." is the biggest lie. The first disposable diaper is still in existence today.

4. Adoption is an environmentally friendlier option of increasing family.

5. It isn't what happens to you, it is how you choose to react to those challenges.

6. While traveling on leisure, leave electronic devices behind.

7. Work can and will go on without you; really, it can and will!
8. The truth cannot be held against you

8 things I say often:

1. You know, in California, kindergarten is not a required grade

2. Ugly words I cannot write here

3. Dorkasaurious rex

4. te adoro

5. fantastic
7. que?
8. when do you want to schedule that?

8 TV shows I recently watched:

1. Boston Legal

2. Grey's Anatomy

3. Mystery Diagnosis

4. New Adventures of Old Christine

5. Late show with David Letterman

6. Anything animal planet
7. Anything Discovery

8. Anything documentary

And for an added bonus round…

8 new parenting tips I’ve discovered for myself
1. water evaporates, so don't get upset if it spills
2. our children are the MOST important thing
3. our only job as parents is to keep our children safe (this applies to anything)
4. 2 choices are more than enough
5. our children don't get a choice about EVERYTHING
6. bring our children to sleep with us, because when they get older they won't want to
7. get caught boasting about them
8. tell them you may not like their actions but you love them no mater what

Court date; Check!

A pot-luck was scheduled today in my office. I remembered to bring my enchiladas, tablecloth, sponge to wash the dishes and a serving spoon. I forgot my laptop and I almost forgot my mobile phone. As I went back to get my cell phone I thought to my self; "really it doesn't matter if I forget the phone because no one will call me today." I stuck it in my pocket and forgot about it. While I was in my office using the "common" computer, little celestial chimes sounded off in my red coat pocket. I pulled out the phone without much thought, opened it and saw the code word "unknown" on the minuscule screen. I thought "we're one step closer." Then I answered "this is Samantha" just in case it was work related...and it wasn't. Instead I heard Mary T's lovely voice. She said our court date has been set for February 19th. I wanted to get excited but then I came down to earth thinking about the possible delays and what-nots. This process is so high-and-low, up-and-down. I am so happy that we are so close to becoming parents again, frustrated it's not happening sooner, afraid the court session will go awry, and fliustered about getting all our preparations done.

400+ e-mails

A while back I joined two Yahoo groups about Ethiopian adoptions. Well, since then I forgot all about them and basically got my fill of information through the blog community. After reading Jocelyn's blog about the use of pictures on our blogs I got a little paranoid (if you know me, please don't laugh; I know the use of "little" is quite the understatement since I am already paranoid to begin with). So I decided to check my yahoo groups. Wouldn't you know it I had about 400+ e-mails about all sorts of adoptions things dating back to early summer 2007. I cannot just delete e-mail without at least taking a quick look at the content. I'm finally done, and after all that reading I've decided that we cannot take a chance with posting pictures of our babes before they are actually legally ours. It is with a very heavy heart that I tell you that you will have to wait until after we have a successful court date before we show you our little Ethiopian beauty. In the mean time I will be posting pictures of our beautiful little girl who is home with us.

We're missing the milestones!

We received an update from Mary T.; "Fenit – Beautiful! Calm and comfortable with so much beauty is powerful. There is so Much of Fenit to appreciate, and apparently muscle lies beneath the plush exterior! From her stomach, Fenit can easily do as many “baby push-ups” as she wants. She rocks back on her knees frequently. She is quite active! In her picture she is saying – “Hi, Mom and Dad. " Current Weight – 18.52 pounds"

I am so grateful for these updates; and yet so mournful that we are missing all the fun little milestones, like almost crawling. We can't wait to have her home!

Lovely souls that come through just in time.

Thank you to the Runnions for sending us pictures of our babe. One can never have enough of these!

Waiting again.

I get quite discouraged and unmotivated to write when all there is to say is that we are still waiting. We have been waiting for a court date for 3 weeks now, and it doesn't seem like it is going to happen any time soon. I hope Mary calls me right after I post this; to prove me wrong.

Any way, on Wednesday, Marina had tryouts at 3:30 P.M. for the swim pre-team and ...SHE MADE IT! She was very good in the tryouts, and Fernando said that the coach seemed pleased. So starting in February, she will be training with the team.

That same day I had my appointment to get all my shots. I was inoculated twice in each arm. Wow, my arms were a little sore for a couple of days. My brother, in NY, received his shots the week before and apparently he didn't feel very well afterwords.

Now all we are doing is waiting. I feel sort of lonely just waiting. We don't have a court date and we haven't received new pictures of our babe.

The festive season

Jamie sent me this beautiful picture of our Celeste Fenit. I need her home so badly. I know that this process has it's reasons, but when you are waiting to hold your little love, it is very difficult to have patience. I friend of mine sent me this article to help me put waiting into perspective.

Our family from NY came to visit this Christmas. Marina had so much fun with her cousins that when they left she was devastated. That night, in bed, she buried her face in her pillow and said "I'm in the depths of despair." Can you tell we've been reading the Anne of Green Gables series? It's funny, because sometimes I feel like she's not listening while I'm reading and then she comes out with something totally appropriate, from the books, to state her feelings.

It occurred to me that I have not posted any details about Celeste. Here are a few facts that might be interesting to my one reader: Celeste's birthday was stated as July 4th, 2007 (she'll get fireworks every year on her birthday). She weighs almost 18lb.! She is 25" long. And she has a big sister that can't wait to get cozy lozy with her.

Lastly, my congratulations to all those families out there that are getting their children, got a court date and/or had a successful day at court. We hope to be within your ranks soon!