AAA - The Awesome Adoption Adventure

Well, we've been home a little over 7 weeks from Africa, and things with Fasika couldn't be better. She is such a bright, happy, fun girl. We all don't know what we did for entertainment before she came home to us! When we were in Ethiopia, we were a little concerned because she wanted very little to do with us. She would wake up from naps, look at us, and cry. She also seemed very shy. Well...not any more!! She has bonded with our family so well. She just seems so happy and content. She's very bright and is already picking up some English words and words in Sign Language. She loves playing with her 6 year old brother, who no longer cares that he's the only boy...he loves Fasika so much. Our older girls are like little mommies and help mom with all the chores around the house. They are already asking when we can adopt again. :) Thank you for continuing to pray for our transition home. It's been better than we ever imagined. We finally finished a video on our adoption adventure and will be burning copies to send to friends and family soon.

Please continue to pray about how God can use you to help orphans. You'll be blessed beyond your imagination!

Some New Pics!

Don't Read This If You Get Grossed Out!

Everyone I run into at the store or church wants to know how Fasika is adjusting. She's really doing great! She's "warming up" more and more to our extended family (grandparents, etc.) and Haley, Talia and Elias can't get enough of her... she REALLY makes Elias crack up with her playful gibberish.

We are, however, dealing with some unwelcome visitors... parasites! Fasika has something called Giardia.. which I hear is pretty common in some of these adoption situations from third world countries. She's not in any obvious pain from it and doesn't really seem to notice it. She's on medication to get her "cleaned out".

To be honest... it's kinda gross! When she was diagnosed and we were told that she has parasites in her system... we were all thinking, "microscopic little bugs". That theory pretty much ended when Kristen changed Fasika's diaper and found an 8 inch roundworm! Aauugh! We didn't sign up for free pets when we decided to adopt! :)

Anyway.. as you pray for Fasika and us... here's a little more info courtesy of the CDC:

What is giardiasis?

Giardiasis (GEE-are-DYE-uh-sis) is a diarrheal illness caused by a microscopic parasite, Giardia intestinalis (also known as Giardia lamblia or Giardia duodenalis). Once a person or animal has been infected with Giardia, the parasite lives in the intestine and is passed in feces. Because the parasite is protected by an outer shell, it can survive outside the body and in the environment for long periods of time (i.e., months).
During the past 2 decades, Giardia infection has become recognized as a common cause of waterborne disease in humans in the United States. Giardia can be found worldwide and within every region of the United States.

How do you get giardiasis and how is it spread?

The Giardia parasite lives in the intestine of infected humans or animals (e.g., cats, dogs, cattle, deer, and beavers). Millions of germs can be released in a bowel movement of an infected human or animal. Giardia is found on surfaces or in soil, food, or water that has been contaminated with the feces from infected humans or animals. You can become infected after accidentally swallowing the parasite; you cannot become infected through contact with blood. Giardia can be spread by:

• Accidentally swallowing Giardia picked up from surfaces (such as bathroom fixtures, changing tables, diaper pails, or toys) contaminated with feces from an infected person or animal.
• Drinking water or using ice made from contaminated sources (e.g., lakes, streams, shallow [less than 50 feet] or poorly monitored or maintained wells).
  
• Swallowing recreational water contaminated with Giardia. Recreational water includes water in swimming pools, water parks, hot tubs or spas, fountains, lakes, rivers, springs, ponds, or streams that can be contaminated with feces or sewage from humans or animals.
  
• Eating uncooked food contaminated with Giardia.
  
• Having contact with someone who is ill with giardiasis.
  
• Traveling to countries where giardiasis is common and being exposed to the parasite as described in the bullets above.

What are the symptoms of giardiasis?

Giardia infection can cause a variety of intestinal signs or symptoms, which include
Diarrhea
Gas or flatulence
Greasy stools that tend to float
Stomach or abdominal cramps
Upset stomach or nausea
These symptoms may lead to weight loss and dehydration. Some people with Giardia infection have no symptoms at all.

For more info visit: http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dpd/parasites/Giardiasis/factsht_giardia.htm#what

posted by Dave

A Few New Pics

And I thought getting just 3 kids to smile at the same time was hard....

She's doing great!

Well, we've been home for one whole week and things are going great. As some of you know, the first few days were a bit rocky and discouraging. Fasika was not keen on strangers...especially 2 Americans who wanted to hold and kiss her all the time. Every time she woke up, she'd look at us and cry. Obviously this is not the ideal encounter for adoptive parents...or small orphan children. :) On the trip home from Africa she started really wanting mommy and has been a mommy girl since. But, the last couple days she has opened up to the whole family and is doing so great. She sleeps AWESOME, eats great, and loves to play...what more could we ask for?! She's even waving at strangers! There's hope for this shy girl yet!! (If you know our family, you know shyness is not one of our strengths.)

David is trying to go through all our pictures and get organized, so we'll be posting pictures again soon. He's also trying to put together a video to give out that hopefully will encourage others to consider adoption or help others financially adopt. We want this experience to be used for more than just blessing our family. We hope it becomes a blessing to many others...especially the millions of orphans who have no one to speak up for them. May God continue to nudge you to help orphans in some way!

We're Home!

Well, after a few flight delays we finally made it home around 6 last night (which was actually somewhere in the middle of the night to our bodies which are still on Ethiopian time. Thought you'd like to see a few pics. :)

Heading Home!

Hi everyone! Dave here in the Ethiopian airport. It's almost midnight here and our flight leaves at around 1:35 AM. What an amazing time it's been here in Addis Ababa! Fasika has warmed up to us us over the past couple of days and is doing GREAT! Happy and healthy... she's quite a cuddler too! And she really likes sticking out her tongue (which is actually pretty long). She's so adorable!

We were without power at out hotel for at least 80% of the time and the email almost never worked. I'm not complaining.. it's just a different world here. It did become pretty frustrating when I learned that my father (who live in the same city that we do in Oregon) had some serious health problems (a stroke and minor heart attack). It was hard to get updated info... last report he's stable and improving.

We'll share pics and thoughts upon our return... we have a lot to process. But I want to thank you all again for your prayers and support. There are so many wonderful kids looking for parents here in Ethiopia. Please pray for them!

God bless!!!