BabyB....here we come!: December 2010

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Happy Gotcha Day dear Helen!!!

It is hard to believe that one year ago today we met Helen for the first time in Ethiopia. We cannot imagine our life without her. She has blessed us in so many ways. Thanks to everyone who supported us through the adoption process and over the last year. Happy Gotcha Day sweet baby girl.

Ethiopian Facts

*There are approximately 5 million orphans in a country less than twice the size of the state of Texas.
*Between 60-150 million kids live on the streets
*One in six children die before their fifth birthday.
*One in ten children die before their first birthday.
*Half the children in Ethiopia will never attend school; 88% will never attend secondary school
*In the 1980's one million Ethiopians died of starvation
*Some areas still practice female circumcision
*82% of the population survives on less than 1 dollar a day
*Only 24% of households have access to safe drinking water
*Ethiopia’s doctor to children ratio is 1 to 24,000
*Children and family are honored above all else
*1 in 3 people are HIV+, the average life expectancy is 37

Adoption timeline

December 15, 2009-Home together as a family of five.
December 7, 2009-Met Helen for the first time!
November 13, 2009-Passed Court
August 11, 2009-REFERAL
March 27, 2009-WAITLIST
March 18, 2009-I 171H Received
Feb. 11, 2009-Gladney Approved
Dec. 29, 2008-Last Home Study
Dec. 19, 2008-First Home Study
Nov. 20, 2008-Sent off Dossier to KBS
Nov. 14, 2008-Sent off part 3 of application
Nov. 8, 2008-Received passports
Nov. 7, 2008-Sent off part 1 and 2 of application
Oct. 29, 2008-Made passports
Oct. 28, 2008-Sent off CIS Clearance
Oct. 15, 2008-Phone orientation with our adoption agency
Sept. 11, 2008-Contacted our adoption agency

Friday, December 24, 2010

Merry Christmas

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Happy Gotcha Day dear Helen!!!