Pictures To Share

Here are some pictures of Bonnie and the kids from Ethiopia. Enjoy!

http://picasaweb.google.com/sagroverco/Ethiopia2010#

Home Safe and Sound

Bonnie and Alemtsehay are home safe and sound. Alemtsehay is beautiful
and extremely sweet. We had quite the welcoming committee at the
airport. She enjoyed meeting her siblings and gave them all hugs. When
we put her to bed she was asleep in about 2 minutes. She was one
tired, beautiful pumpkin.

Thank you Lord for my tears of joy as I held this gift for the first
time. Thank you for this incredible blessing on our family.

Scott

In Houston

Well after a short 17 hour flight, Bonnie and Alemtsehay are in Houston. The great news is that they are at the gate for Colorado Springs! Immigration was a breeze, and while Bonnie was dragging a tired little girl through the airport, they got to the gate with plenty of time. With enough time to spare for an ice cream for Alemtsehay. We are excited that the whole family will be at the airport and we will have a dear friend videotaping. We will post pictures soon. Thank you all again for walking this journey with us, and we look forward to you joining us for Estifanos' journey.





Blessings,


Scott

On Their Way Soon

Well we are in the final stretch. Bonnie and Alemtsehay will be boarding their flight in the morning. We are so excited to have them coming home. I am so thankful that the trip has gone so smoothly and cant wait our new daughter to be home. Thank you all for your prayers and uplifiting comments.

Scott

More Great News

Embassy visit was today and it went great. Alemtsehay's visa is in process!

Bonnie had dinner with both kids and had a great time...Chinese Italian was a big hit!

Estifanos handled going back to AHOPE very easily which was a huge answer to prayer.

Thank you Jesus for your provision, protection, and grace for our family!

Scott

Special Day #2

Today Bonnie got to spend time with both kids. They are both very sweet. Estifanos was a bit nervous at first but warmed up as the day when by. We are so thankful that they both seem to be doing so well.

She is taking them other to dinner at the Chinese restaurant that apparently serves Italian food (only in Addis!) then will be saying goodbye to Estifanos.

Please pray with us that this goes well and that he understands that I will be there in a few weeks to bring him home for good. Also please pray that everything is in order for the embassy visit.

Thank you all for sharing this adventure with us!

Scott

WooHoo x 2

Today is a special day in the Grover family. Bonnie met our latest beautiful daughter for the first time and is sharing big hugs with her. She is a very sweet and shy little girl and seems to be enjoying time with her new mom.

Additionally, Bonnie was able to be at court today for Estifanos' case and was there to see the case pass! We are so excited that his adoption is finally moving forward. Bonnie will get visit with him tonight and we are hoping praying that it will go well.

Please join us today in offering special praises to our Lord for His goodness and faithfulness in blessing our family!


Scott

In Addis

Bonnie made it to Addis. She is settled in at the guest house and is waiting to hear when she can see the kids.

For those of you who are praying with us please pray over the following:

That Bonnie will get good rest tonight and will be at her emotional best to meet the kids and attend court.

That Estifanos will handle that Bonnie is only bringing Alemtsehay this week and that he will understand that I will be there as soon as I can.

That Alemtsehay will bond quickly and that she is ready for a new family.

That court is succesful tomorrow (tonight in the us). That all barriers will be moved and that there will be no reason that the case will not be passed.

Thanks,

Scott

Into the wild blue yonder

WooHoo off to Africa she goes! Bonnie is in the air and about a quarter the way to Dubai. As much as I thought I was prepared for her to go, my heart already aches wishing I was with her and that I would get to meet our kids on Monday with her. Wow this is going to be tougher than I imagined.

Next stop Ethiopia

WoooHooo the day has finally arrived! In a very short time I will be able to give our new kids big hugs. Wow - it is hard to believe.....

I'm nervous and excited and happy and sad all rolled up into one - wow I think it will be an emotional morning saying good bye to the kids will be hard - especially the little girls. The last week has been so frantic and busy that I imagine I will get on the plane and go right to sleep!!!

So off I go on the next step of this adventure.

days

7 days until Estifaons's 9th court try
6 days until I meet Alemtsehaye for the very first time
5 days until I am overnighting it in Dubai
4 days until I am on a plane taking off!! (YIKES how did that get soooo close)
3 days until the last packing frenzy
2 days until the last shopping trip
1 day until my mom gets here

Seems like the next week is going to be waaayyyy full!

lots to do

So I'm leaving in just a week to go get our girl!!! BUT the last thing I needed was 4 puking kids for a whole week. I've pretty much lost a week of prep time to sick kids. AHHHHH my poor mom - I'm so not going to be as prepared for her arrival as I would like to be!!!

Nerves.....

Boy of boy do I have a case of the nerves - it is a bit nerve wracking to think that in 2 weeks I will be leaving to meet our newest kids.

When we went to get Becca I was nervous too - but it centerend more around going back to parent a 2 year old again and remembering all the needs that babies have (cause 2 is just a baby). And I was way nervous about meeting her - the idea that she might run screaming away from us - well it was a real possiblility and not one I wanted to encounter. She didn't - she was quite happy to have a large group of people to play with and follow her every move (smart girl!) I also figured that she was still so young that she would adapt well and we would adapt well too - and we all did. There were some ups and downs of course but mostly ups.

This time - wow the nerves are way higher. These kids have fully developed personalities and interestes and are probably way nervous about it all too. I have read until my brain is ready to explode so I think I am as prepared as can be for the good and the bad - but imagining meeting them - well I can't sleep at night wondering how it is going to go. Will they want a hug? will they be shy or demanding? Will they talk nonstop or not talk at all. Will be able to find common ground - soccer, jumprope, books .... Will she understand that we are leaving ET forever... will he understand that we will be back for him as soon as possible (and that one really makes me worried).

It is soooo exciting and nervewracking at the same time - and in 14 short days I will be on a plane.

Tickets purchased

Wooohooo we actually got to purchase tickets to go get our girl!!! Alemtsehaye - we can hardly wait to see you! I will be on my way in just over 2 weeks - it is going to take 2 days to get there - LOL. I'm flying Emirates - which was wonderful last year, and will be staying a night in Dubai. Which really works out well as you get to sleep a few hours then shower and feel refreshed and land in Ethiopia around 1130 in the morning and then go get our girl!!!

Nope, failed again

Well I know that you are all waiting to hear - but we failed again. This time apparently the uncle showed up and so did the orphanage person, but the judge wants a background piece of paper updated. The new court date is Jan 25. What a nightmare.

Currently the plan is for me to travel to bring home Alemtsehaye the week of Jan 25 - so hopefully there will be good news while I am there and then Scott will travel to bring him home - but sadly it won't be until March - ugh.

Try again tuesday

At first they told us they would try court again on Monday - but it seems the Uncle will be unavailable as he is out of town, so they are going to try and get the judge to hear it on Tues - hopefully.

Nope , failed again

Nope we failed again. There are no words, except I think we hired a bunch of totally incompetant people to get our kids home, now mind you we had no choice in the matter really and we have had alot - alot of grace for the situation but when we should be there right now getting him and she should have been home for a month.