Progress

Progress, a good theme for this week. Obama took the oath of office with a new hope that he can lead this country in a better direction. That this country can make real progress in becoming a leader for peace and human rights.

Here in our little home we have made our own bit of progress - we are making progress in this adoption journey. More contracts have been signed and returned (we still have another to print and sign). The welcome bags have been posted to AAI so that Merrily can take them with her to give the kids when she travels in mid-Feb. to Ethiopia. We had to fit everything into a 1 gal. zip lock bag. They each get a t-shirt, disposable camera, photo album, and a letter. Abate also gets a Transformer toy and a beaded soccer necklace. Fantu gets a little soft toy dog in a carrier and some butterfly hairclips. Alan and I are so excited for them know about us. We should get pictures of them when they get their bags and of them wearing the t-shirts we are sending (see picture). We hope to get a few pictures before then as one of the AAI parents leaves tomorrow (feb.25) for Ethiopia and will be at Kidane Mehret (orphanage) for the next week, she is going to try and get photos of the kids, another parent travels on the 1st and is going to try also. I've asked them to be discreet so as not to let them know before they get the Welcome bags.

Progress has also come to the bathroom remodel. some of the walls are up, some still need to come down but, things are slowly starting to take shape. Still loads to do in there but we will get there eventually.

So, Hope and Change aren't just for the new president, It's something for us all.