We are Home!

Well, after one cancelled ticket, one missed layover, mechanical plane problems, a new airplane, a broken stroller, and Ruby and I covered in poo, we made it home:) So, so glad to be in the US. It seems like a dream that we are finally home with Ruby and can start to be a "normal" family again:) We started our paperwork for the adoption over 2 years ago... The waiting has been hard, and the process has been frustrating, but she is definitely worth it.

She still really, really likes her mama:) She loves playing with the kids for a little while, will even let daddy give her a bottle after a lot of mussing and crying, but then just wants mama to hold her, standing up and not sitting down, all 27 pounds of her:) Then she snuggles in my neck and holds on tight and plays with my hair, and I don't mind at all... She is a good hugger! Complete with the grunting noises for hard hugs each time! She is really a sweet little baby girl. We're having a hard time with her trying new foods, but found out she loves Mexican:) and banana puffs and jello and anything bread... She loves her bottles still, and we're switching her from the Ethiopian Bebelac formula, which isn't as healthy, to Similac, which has more of what she needs. I'm down to my last can of Bebelac, so should make the switch completely by next week!

She had her first outside play time today and she loved it! The kids are sooo enjoying fighting over her and loving on her. We let them stay home from school Thursday and Friday, it's not every day that you get a new sibling that's 18 months old from Ethiopia:) So, back to school tomorrow. She might be a little bored with just Dennis and I, but she has LOTS of doctors aptmts this week, so we will be running around a lot!

I'm trying to post pics on facebook when I can. I'll try to attach one here:) Thank you to everyone who has been bringing us meals, we soooo appreciate it! I'm still having trouble with my asthma and she's still not sleeping at night, so the meals are perfect and extremely helpful right now, thank you!!!

Announcing...

I posted this on facebook, but forgot to post it here!

‎"She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can

compare with her." Proverbs 3:15

Announcing: Ruby Grace Meheret Reaser

Born: July 8, 2010

Referral: August 26, 2011

Adoption Final: December 12, 2011

Meheret is the name her birth mother gave her, it means Mercy in her tribal language.

Ruby is also Ruby's, Mason's and Grandma Darlene's birthstone, and Grace is Emma's middle name too:)

TShirt Reorder

We are placing another order for our tshirts if anyone wants one! Several of the America World doctors and employees asked about them, so we're hoping to bring some back with us! We are just requesting a $10 donation per shirt, and then $3 more per shirt if we need to mail them! We have to order quick to get them back before we leave, so we are only taking orders until Friday!! Let me know ASAP if you want one and in the comments section of paypal, put what size you would like. Adults and kids sizes available! But, only in the normal T's, not the women's cut... Everyone can wear theirs to our airport party:) Thanks!

We Passed Court!

Yes, we went to court 2 weeks ago, but just got the call Monday morning that we passed court! She is legally and forever ours now!! So, the big question everyone is asking is when does she come home... Well, we are hoping in a few weeks, but it just depends on how fast they "expedite" her Embassy clearance. She has valgas deformity on both legs (her feet go out to the sides, not straight) so she can't stand or walk on her own. She really needed it several months ago when she was diagnosed, but this all takes time... It takes a week and a half to get her passport and medical examination and then the Embassy has to look at her case and clear her. This could take from a couple days (if they truly expedite) or several weeks (if they don't:) So, hopefully around the beginning of January. We will literally get a call one day that says she has been cleared, come and get her. And then we will, as quickly as possible. Our plane tickets will be horrifically expensive I'm sure, but we will pay what they ask, we just want her home!! We're still debating if we should pay the extra money so she can have her own seat (most adoptive families say it was the best thing they did, someplace to lay her down, change her etc.) It could be 22 hours of in air time, plus the layovers... To be honest, the thought of the plane ride is what stresses me out at this point. Just coming home from this trip, crammed in to the seat, hungry, tired, bored, sick, etc, I can't imagine it with a 17 month old 25 lb toddler who isn't walking yet... I just want her home, but wish we could skip the actually transporting her from there to here part:) I'm sure it will be fine, right??? Thank you guys again for all your prayers through this whole adoption, we truly feel like we have the best support system anyone could have! We love you guys! Facebook friend me to see pictures:) Katie Mason Reaser in Olathe, KS...