Tired me

4 weeks in Ghana. I was doing fine. The longer I was there the more I missed home and my family and friends, but the more l learned to love Ghana.

So I am home now, less than 24 hours. I woke up twice last night to find myself attempting to navigate my room as if I were still at the guest house in Ghana. I finally had to turn on the light to realize I was in my own bedroom.

As the kids were getting dresses this morning, I did note that two were missing. It does seem as thought the girls should be here now. I've spent so much time with them in the last weeks, it just seems that something is missing for now.

We are feeling hopeful and confident that the girls will be home by the end of July.

They are precious young girls and I am looking forward to us all under one roof!

I am delerious and sleepy today. I may need to rest.

I want to share more about my trip and about the girls, and I will do that as soon as I can.


Also, to those who are interested, we will be taking more donations to Ghana on the next trip: if you have any interest in helping us gather new or gently used Items please let me know.

Updates

All updates are being posted on facebook. No one is getting emails this trip. For our Ethiopia trip I didn't have access to blogger and I wasn't on facebook much. So there you have it... The techie nerd travels to Africa with her blackberry, and communications of the utmost importance land on facebook and blogger.

My mom hasn't even received email updates... Poor woman.

So we are all dping well. This is week 4 for me in Ghana. Trent joined me just a few days ago. It is great to have him here.

The girls were sick, they are doing better now. We are all learning about each other. It has been good. Sylvia did tell Trent he should sleep in another room because she doesn't like his snoring.

So no I600. The chances of an I600 and visa tomorrow is at miracle-likely only. Meaning a miracle is our only possibility of bringimg the girls with us. I have faith that the timing, whenever it is, will be perfect! I am not sad or worried.

I will likely return mid to late July to bring them home.

Thanks for the continued support!

endings and beginnings

This is the end of week 3 in Ghana and the beginning of week 4. I've been stuck in a car in heat most of the day.

Today I am actely aware of how long I have been away. I have a whole new respect for "there's no place like home".

I'd rather be in MN traffic than Ghana traffic. I'd rather get pulled over by a state trooper than a Ghana city council. I wouldn't care if the fine was 200 times more money. I am just saying... Good or bad home is comfortable and familiar. Every second in Ghana is an adventure... I think one should limit the amount of adventure they exposed to in one day and certainly in one month.

Driving in the dark is our current adventure. I gotta go! I hope this adventure is over soon so we can start another!

Notes to myself

Future posts from the heart:
Should I stay or should I go?
There's no place like home.
Ghana hospital
Ghana time
Babies and mommas: limit one per household
A medium for adoptive mothers' love
Fufu and Feminism (a.k.a Girl Power!)

Future post for humor:
Balckberry thumb and other strange illnesses from technology
Memoryfoam mattresses a Ghanaian Luxury
Crocs: when they become a way of life
American Ramen vs. Ghanaian Ramen
Lemonade stands and toilet paper stands. 10 peswas
Tro-tro before you go-go
Dr. Suess medicates the common cold
Sarong: the multipurpose travel companion.
Bathroom sink or washing machine?
Cough medicine or sleeping medicine?
The plight of the bathroom moth
Traffic vs. Bushroads the pros and cons
Obruni, or Bebeni with tan lines?
Exploited by the Brandt travel guide. Why most Ghanaians have my number
Color book or Kalyppo
Duct Tape: How NOT to teach Ghanaian children the uses



If you decided to actaully read this list as substance rather than notes to myself, you should know most of the humor posts are unlikely to become public material. It's views from my personal experience. Any remote possibility for my foriegn-ness to have the remote possibility to reflect negatively on my experience in Ghana will be reserved for conversations where I can assure there are 10 great stories about me experiences in Ghana to one silly foreigner experience. The humor list is longer because they are my reminders of things I will likely never find a way to post.

I love Ghana.

The breath of a child

I don't know how long I've been here in Ghana. I don't care to count. I don't know how much longer I will be here, but counting the days won't change that either.

Right here, right now, in the dark in Ghana my girls are with me. In the coolness of our room at the guesthouse they ate and fell asleep. I hear their rythmic breathing. I see their peaceful faces. I pray their dreams are as peaceful as their resting eyes.

In this moment I am reminded yesterday is gone, tomorrow is to come... Here and now it is only my duty to breathe.

Ghana: Week 1

Angelisa and I have been here a week. I am totally in mommy mode all the time. I haven't felt up to blogging much.

Keeping a blog is very emotional for me. Right now I have to be strong.

We enjoy spending time with the girls. We spend most of our days at Eban, with the children.

It's incredibly hot and we continue to lose power regularly. The biggest "problem" we run into is just that no fans work. So we must find a cool place to sit and hope for a breeze. (Not a cool place, a shady place).

More later...

Passports

We got the missing passport

Passports

We got the missing passport

My Ghana family

I am not a well traveled person. But I can't imagine a more friendly place than Ghana. I am so far from my family and home. Yet, I feel that I am with friends in a strangely familiar place.

My new Sr. Brother, Emmanual,helps me to navigate and get what I need. Translates when I don't understand Ghanaian English and when others do not understand my American English.

My mommy, Amelia, is a strong business woman who seems well respected. She shows us Ghana living. Makes sure we have good water and gives my children candy.

Millicent, my sister, who brings me food and makes accomodations for our American requests for ketchup and bottled drinks. She meets us at the door of the restaurant and gives us a seat near a fan. Monday we will go to take pictures together. She calls my name when she sees me.

I miss America, and my boys. I miss my dogs and all of my friends. But if I must be away, Ghana takes care of me.

excuse one hand typing, i thought I would have a moment to blog... but my child has another plan.

Evelyn is here in my arms. She is supposed to be outside playing with the other children, but she doesn't like being away from me. We spent the day together. All 4 of us. We walked the beach and did some shopping. We ate lunch together. - I guess it sounds like a typical American day with the girls except in Ghana it is nothing like that. I won't take the time to explain it all here. But I can tell you we had a great day.

People in Ghana are so friendly. It is nice here.

Angelisa and I continue to do well. We are healthy. Angelisa has a little prickly heat rash, but plenty of cortizone here and on its way to help. She is being tough about it.

Evelyn and Sylvia are also doing very well. They are very good girls! The three sisters are already sisters and I am very much the "mummy". Well all the children at the orphanage call me ma'am (or what sounds like that) but even more so like mom. Anyway, for now I always know when the children are calling me.

Have to run,
more soon

one quick update

We are doing very well. Everyone is healthy. The girls are doing well. They are perfect.

see facebook for update

Due to techbical difficulties I am very limited in posting here. Facebook is constantly being updated. I will try to blog asap.