Today I shipped off the adoption reimbursement documents and forms for Caleb's work. (It ONLY took months of Caleb constantly contacting HR to get the forms!) And yesterday, I shipped off the certificate of citizenship documents and forms. Yeah, another step completed!
I know, we've been home with Dene for nearly 7 months now and I'm just now getting this in the mail?! Well, we did have to go through the re-adoption process first. (Not to mention a certain little boys' 1st birthday, and the begining of Kindergarten and Preschool for the other kidO's!) After the re-adoption we got Dene's birth certificate in the mail and it listed his birth country as GUATEMALA! I had to fill out an affidavit for correction and get that sent in. Finally a fully correct birth certificate came. Then I could begin the N-600 certificate of citizenship forms and collect the correct documents.
In the mean time, I also began the process to get Dene (and all the kids) passports. Since we can't even go to Canada without them anymore! As well as the forms to request a social security number. Want to know something pretty crazy? If a passport application is filled out without a social number you could get a $500 fine by the IRS. But to get a "citizen" social security number you need to show proof of citizenship. Document quote: "such as your passport."
Think I will just wait for that certificate of citizenship!
03 October 2008
26 July 2008
American Citizenship!
We officially re-adopted Denekew in Washington State on July 18th and now Dene is an American Citizen!
Going to court with all three kids was kinda crazy, but fun. We were accompanied by Caleb's parents and my best friend, Becky. Dene liked the judges bald head! We celebrated afterwards with some ice cream at B&R, Dene slept through the fun!
09 April 2008
First Post-Placement Home Visit
We just had our first post placement home visit this past Saturday.
It went well. It felt more like having our good friend Diane over for a visit, join us for a cup of coffee and chit-chat, than a home visit by our social worker. Never mind that the entire time Jag was bringing Diane another baby doll to trade with her and help take care of! In fact when Diane first arrived Denekew was asleep and she asked to see "your baby." Jaguar happily brought her on tip toe into her bedroom where all of her dolls were lined up in her bed, tucked in taking a nap! It was a pleasure to have our family life look and feel like a healthy functioning unit.
We also received all the information we will need to begin to work on re-adopting Denekew in the State of Washington.
It went well. It felt more like having our good friend Diane over for a visit, join us for a cup of coffee and chit-chat, than a home visit by our social worker. Never mind that the entire time Jag was bringing Diane another baby doll to trade with her and help take care of! In fact when Diane first arrived Denekew was asleep and she asked to see "your baby." Jaguar happily brought her on tip toe into her bedroom where all of her dolls were lined up in her bed, tucked in taking a nap! It was a pleasure to have our family life look and feel like a healthy functioning unit.
We also received all the information we will need to begin to work on re-adopting Denekew in the State of Washington.
11 March 2008
Serious Discussion
This morning Ocean (my 5 year old biological son) came into our bedroom at the first sound of Denekew awake, like every morning since we've come home with him. While playing, Denekew had a serious look on his face and Ocean claimed he was thinking about why we (Ocean & Denekew) have different skin colors. I ask him if he knew why. He answered: "Cause we're from different countries." So I thought I'd ask him some other questions about skin color and here is how our discussion went.
Mom: Is one skin color better than the other?
Ocean looks totally confused and finally slowly answers "Yes?" watching me to see if it's the right answer.
Mom: No, no skin color is better than another. They are just different.
Ocean quick and confident: Oh, Yeah! (He knew this all along.)
Mom: Is one skin color prettier than the other?
Ocean: Yeah! Denekew's skin is so pretty cause it's darker.
I just laugh - cause this is not the answer experts say kids answer!
Mom: Some people don't like people just because they have dark skin.
Ocean interrupting and lunging to hug to Denekew: And some people do like them!
End of discussion. We all toppled over on the bed!
Mom: Is one skin color better than the other?
Ocean looks totally confused and finally slowly answers "Yes?" watching me to see if it's the right answer.
Mom: No, no skin color is better than another. They are just different.
Ocean quick and confident: Oh, Yeah! (He knew this all along.)
Mom: Is one skin color prettier than the other?
Ocean: Yeah! Denekew's skin is so pretty cause it's darker.
I just laugh - cause this is not the answer experts say kids answer!
Mom: Some people don't like people just because they have dark skin.
Ocean interrupting and lunging to hug to Denekew: And some people do like them!
End of discussion. We all toppled over on the bed!
05 March 2008
Daddy Love
Monday was Caleb's first day back to the office since we went to Ethiopia to get Denekew. He took two weeks off just like he did at the births of Ocean and Jaguar.
I was making dinner and Denekew was just hanging out in his favorite spot; sitting in the johnny jump up in the door frame in the front hall (it's really a wide hall way so he has lots of room to jump and not hit any walls!) Caleb came home and walked in through the front door and instantly Denekew was jumping like crazy and squealing and laughing! Caleb got such a kick out of it. Me too! Denekew definitely knew who Daddy was and was so excited to see him home!
I was making dinner and Denekew was just hanging out in his favorite spot; sitting in the johnny jump up in the door frame in the front hall (it's really a wide hall way so he has lots of room to jump and not hit any walls!) Caleb came home and walked in through the front door and instantly Denekew was jumping like crazy and squealing and laughing! Caleb got such a kick out of it. Me too! Denekew definitely knew who Daddy was and was so excited to see him home!
03 March 2008
Pictures!
I finally located where Caleb hid all of our Ethiopia photographs on the computer! (Ok, he didn't really hide them. I just had trouble locating them!)
Here we are getting to see and hold and have Denekew for the very first time in person! It is Monday Feb 18 at about 10am we are inside the Hannah's Hope Orphanage Compound.
I got to hold Denekew first!
Caleb was the first to get him to laugh. But we found out soon enough that he laughs and smiles easily and often! 
Here he is fast asleep in the tummy carrier!
--------------The building on the left has all the nurseries. The open building on the right is where all the babies sun bathe each day!
--------------Here we are outside the compound gate. These are the other two families that we traveled with to all bring home our children!
Here is Denekew fast asleep in the moses basket that the orphanage let us use while we stayed in Ethiopia. As you can see both the pajama and the basket is a bit small for him! Poor guy!
--------------Here is the crib that was Denekew's bed. Above is the cute painting that was on the wall opposite his crib.
We have so many more pictures and stories to share. For now I hope you enjoyed seeing a glimpse of our first day in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
29 February 2008
Arrival of Denekew Lewis Oglesby
We have now been home for one week. I feel bad that I haven't yet blogged. But we are still adjusting to a 11 hour time difference (as well as waking up and caring for a baby in the middle of the night)!
Denekew is AMAZING! From the time we picked him up on Monday Feb 18th at Hannah's Hope in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia he has been nothing but smiles! He breaks into a grin just from getting a grin. He full on laughs at little silly things! He did NOT cry a single time for the 29 hours of flights and layovers, traveling home from Ethiopia! He laughed, we played, he slept, we slept! It was unbelievable!
We think that he is adjusting to us and the sights and smells of America well. He is always checking everything out! He is sleeping good (besides the time difference thing). He eats GREAT! He rolls over, although not often. He is almost sitting up on his own. And he LOVES the johnny-jump up (he gets himself laughing in that)!
We took him to the doctors this week to start getting his regular appointments going. He weighs 17 lbs 12 oz and is 26 3/4 inches long! He was in the 50-75% for weight and 75- 90% for length! And those statistics are made based on American born babies! Overall the doctor was really impressed! And we are too! We couldn't have asked for a happier, funner baby.
As far as Ocean and Jag go: They are ecstatic! At our home airport as Caleb, Denekew and I came up the escalator to baggage claim the first thing we could see was Ocean and Jag squealing and jumping up and down! Then one of the first things Ocean said was "Denekew likes Ocean better than Jaguar." Oh, the sibling rivalry, but this I did not expect! I couldn't help but laugh. If I can figure out how to get a video clip from our new video camera up here, you have got to see the kids when they first meet Denekew! And even now the thrill of a new sibling has not worn off (as I thought it might).
Thank you everyone for your prayers; I know this transition would not be this smooth if it had not been for you!
Denekew is AMAZING! From the time we picked him up on Monday Feb 18th at Hannah's Hope in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia he has been nothing but smiles! He breaks into a grin just from getting a grin. He full on laughs at little silly things! He did NOT cry a single time for the 29 hours of flights and layovers, traveling home from Ethiopia! He laughed, we played, he slept, we slept! It was unbelievable!
We think that he is adjusting to us and the sights and smells of America well. He is always checking everything out! He is sleeping good (besides the time difference thing). He eats GREAT! He rolls over, although not often. He is almost sitting up on his own. And he LOVES the johnny-jump up (he gets himself laughing in that)!
We took him to the doctors this week to start getting his regular appointments going. He weighs 17 lbs 12 oz and is 26 3/4 inches long! He was in the 50-75% for weight and 75- 90% for length! And those statistics are made based on American born babies! Overall the doctor was really impressed! And we are too! We couldn't have asked for a happier, funner baby.
As far as Ocean and Jag go: They are ecstatic! At our home airport as Caleb, Denekew and I came up the escalator to baggage claim the first thing we could see was Ocean and Jag squealing and jumping up and down! Then one of the first things Ocean said was "Denekew likes Ocean better than Jaguar." Oh, the sibling rivalry, but this I did not expect! I couldn't help but laugh. If I can figure out how to get a video clip from our new video camera up here, you have got to see the kids when they first meet Denekew! And even now the thrill of a new sibling has not worn off (as I thought it might).
Thank you everyone for your prayers; I know this transition would not be this smooth if it had not been for you!
16 February 2008
Take Off!
Bright and early this morning (it's 4:30am and I've never been so awake!) we take off for Ethiopia! Our trip begins at SeaTac airport with a 7:40am flight. Please be praying with us for traveling mercies.
In an unusual twist of events, last night my Ethiopian friend called me to tell me that her friend is also traveling to Ethiopia today! We are on the same flights! She has arranged for us to meet each other. Her friend is going to be there in Addis Ababa and may also be able to spend some time with us while in Ethiopia! If nothing else, I have someone to chat with for the 24 hours of flying time!
What a sense of humor our God has!
Next blog post we will be home!!!!!!!!
In an unusual twist of events, last night my Ethiopian friend called me to tell me that her friend is also traveling to Ethiopia today! We are on the same flights! She has arranged for us to meet each other. Her friend is going to be there in Addis Ababa and may also be able to spend some time with us while in Ethiopia! If nothing else, I have someone to chat with for the 24 hours of flying time!
What a sense of humor our God has!
Next blog post we will be home!!!!!!!!
11 February 2008
Amazing Blessing!
Caleb and I have discussed the situation three carseats (and children) in the backseat of our Subaru Outback (Station wagon) will have on us all. How long will that work for us? In Caleb's ideal world there would be a Porsche that would fit us all! In Jen's ideal world there would be a wind-powered Suburban for all of us, plus some! When will we break down and buy a minivan or SUV? (And with what money?)
Amazingly, we don't even need to worry about it! Today we were GIVEN a 1995 Ford Windstar minivan!
Thank you, Don & Sharon Clifton! You have answered our prayer and blessed our family!
(I didn't think I'd ever get tears in my eyes over a minivan or hear Caleb (aka sport car maniac) so excited!)
Amazingly, we don't even need to worry about it! Today we were GIVEN a 1995 Ford Windstar minivan!
Thank you, Don & Sharon Clifton! You have answered our prayer and blessed our family!
(I didn't think I'd ever get tears in my eyes over a minivan or hear Caleb (aka sport car maniac) so excited!)
30 January 2008
Ethiopia, here we come!
More like: Denekew, here we come!
I'm so excited; our trip is finally scheduled.
We leave Seattle Feb 16 and return with our son Feb 22!
One week in Ethiopia and our family will be changed forever!
Here is a little update on Denekew: He is currently 4 and a half months old and 15 pounds and 23 inches long. He is wearing clothing size 3-6 months and diaper size 2 (12-18 lbs). He is drinking 6-8 8oz bottles a day!
Right now his legal name is Denekew Caleb Oglesby!
Totally our son!
I'm so excited; our trip is finally scheduled.
We leave Seattle Feb 16 and return with our son Feb 22!
One week in Ethiopia and our family will be changed forever!
Here is a little update on Denekew: He is currently 4 and a half months old and 15 pounds and 23 inches long. He is wearing clothing size 3-6 months and diaper size 2 (12-18 lbs). He is drinking 6-8 8oz bottles a day!
Right now his legal name is Denekew Caleb Oglesby!
Totally our son!
28 January 2008
Travel Call!
WOooo HOooo! We finally got our travel call. I am so excited. Some final details are being put in place but it looks like our trip will be Feb 17- 22nd. We will have this confirmed tomorrow. I spent the day calling our moms and telling them and getting quotes from travel agents!
Thank you to everyone keeping us in prayer.
Caleb and I went to Portland for the weekend and attended my aunt Marilyn's 50th birthday open house. There we met many of her friends, all of whom responded to us "Oh, you are the people adopting! We have been praying for you!" How refreshing!
Thank you to everyone keeping us in prayer.
Caleb and I went to Portland for the weekend and attended my aunt Marilyn's 50th birthday open house. There we met many of her friends, all of whom responded to us "Oh, you are the people adopting! We have been praying for you!" How refreshing!
22 January 2008
Nursing our son
This is a personal choice, but I wanted to share that I am planning on nursing Denekew. The few people I have told were shocked that this is even possible. I thought maybe if I shared a little about it now from my blog, I could head off some surprised looks and questions later!
Yes, adoptive breastfeeding is possible! There is actually an amazing amount of information out there (internet as well as published books). I have inserted some links at the bottom that I have found helpful. I am planning on using the Lact-Aid supplemental nursing system, where the baby nurses and can get breastmilk (if you have it) and/or gets milk from a supplemental bag. The device was actually invented by a couple that adopted in 1969 and wanted to breastfeed their child! Here is there story:
http://www.lact-aid.com/lastory.htm.
The system is designed to help your milk come in by inducing lactation. But even if it never comes in you can have the close bonding experience associated with nursing while your child gets their formula from the supplemental bag!
I am still trying to locate an adoptive mother actually doing this! So far I haven't heard back from anyone with the La Leche League. If you are or know of someone nursing an adopted child, I would love to hear from you!
http://www.lact-aid.com/
http://www.llli.org/NB/NBadoptive.html
http://breast-feeding.adoption.com/nursing/preparation-for-adoptive-nursing.html
Yes, adoptive breastfeeding is possible! There is actually an amazing amount of information out there (internet as well as published books). I have inserted some links at the bottom that I have found helpful. I am planning on using the Lact-Aid supplemental nursing system, where the baby nurses and can get breastmilk (if you have it) and/or gets milk from a supplemental bag. The device was actually invented by a couple that adopted in 1969 and wanted to breastfeed their child! Here is there story:
http://www.lact-aid.com/lastory.htm.
The system is designed to help your milk come in by inducing lactation. But even if it never comes in you can have the close bonding experience associated with nursing while your child gets their formula from the supplemental bag!
I am still trying to locate an adoptive mother actually doing this! So far I haven't heard back from anyone with the La Leche League. If you are or know of someone nursing an adopted child, I would love to hear from you!
http://www.lact-aid.com/
http://www.llli.org/NB/NBadoptive.html
http://breast-feeding.adoption.com/nursing/preparation-for-adoptive-nursing.html
11 January 2008
Prayer Please
Caleb and I feel we are under direct attack. We could really use your prayer. Here is a run down of our week... so far.
*A rock came through Jen's car sunroof
*Caleb's car wouldn't start this morning
*Both kids have pink eye
*Caleb and Jen both have bad colds (Caleb's is probably a sinus infection)
*Under the kitchen sink sprung a leak overnight and covered the floor in water & even down in the basement!
And lastly today we received notice that we will NOT be traveling with this next travel group. Our travel will most likely be middle February.
We are confident that God is in control. We don't know his plans for us, but we know that they are for the best.
Hallelujah that we are following the Lord and worthy of attack from the enemy!
*A rock came through Jen's car sunroof
*Caleb's car wouldn't start this morning
*Both kids have pink eye
*Caleb and Jen both have bad colds (Caleb's is probably a sinus infection)
*Under the kitchen sink sprung a leak overnight and covered the floor in water & even down in the basement!
And lastly today we received notice that we will NOT be traveling with this next travel group. Our travel will most likely be middle February.
We are confident that God is in control. We don't know his plans for us, but we know that they are for the best.
Hallelujah that we are following the Lord and worthy of attack from the enemy!
10 January 2008
Almost Travel Call
Today I received an "almost travel call" from our adoption agency.
We are supposed to be in the next group of adoptive families to travel to Ethiopia and bring home our children all together. We were #3 on the "waiting to travel" list. However, our papers have not yet cleared the courts and a travel group of 4 families is being put together. Meaning that 2 families sets of papers came out of court out of order, before ours!
Take heart, we may still be in this group if our papers come out this week or next. We will have less time to buy our airline tickets and prepare than ordinary. We are receiving our travel packet along with the other families preparing to travel so that if in fact we do travel with this next group we are up to speed and know everything ahead of time. If we don't travel with this group we will definitely be in the following group and they are tentatively scheduled a month out.
I don't care if we only get a weeks notice till we fly, I want to bring home my son!
Please be praying with us that our papers clear court.
We are supposed to be in the next group of adoptive families to travel to Ethiopia and bring home our children all together. We were #3 on the "waiting to travel" list. However, our papers have not yet cleared the courts and a travel group of 4 families is being put together. Meaning that 2 families sets of papers came out of court out of order, before ours!
Take heart, we may still be in this group if our papers come out this week or next. We will have less time to buy our airline tickets and prepare than ordinary. We are receiving our travel packet along with the other families preparing to travel so that if in fact we do travel with this next group we are up to speed and know everything ahead of time. If we don't travel with this group we will definitely be in the following group and they are tentatively scheduled a month out.
I don't care if we only get a weeks notice till we fly, I want to bring home my son!
Please be praying with us that our papers clear court.
09 January 2008
Amazing Soap Sales!
Here is an update on our adoption fundraiser:
Soap sales have raised over $1700 towards bringing home our son!
Thank you everyone for your purchases and generous donations!
We are truly blessed to have such a wonderful, caring network of friends and family. Special thanks to my aunts Connie and Betty for distributing our fundraiser letter amongst their coworkers and collecting sales! And special thanks to Pastor Peter for his idea of the bulletin insert and selling soap in the church foyer.
Our fundraiser is not over! You can still order soap. I know the Christmas rush has died, but don't think we stopped making soap! Actually, we have been making soap on a regular basis for the past 4 years and don't see that changing. Contact us for more info or look on blog post titled Yekemeum Shai: Ethiopian Soap
Soap sales have raised over $1700 towards bringing home our son!
Thank you everyone for your purchases and generous donations!
We are truly blessed to have such a wonderful, caring network of friends and family. Special thanks to my aunts Connie and Betty for distributing our fundraiser letter amongst their coworkers and collecting sales! And special thanks to Pastor Peter for his idea of the bulletin insert and selling soap in the church foyer.
Our fundraiser is not over! You can still order soap. I know the Christmas rush has died, but don't think we stopped making soap! Actually, we have been making soap on a regular basis for the past 4 years and don't see that changing. Contact us for more info or look on blog post titled Yekemeum Shai: Ethiopian Soap
P.S. About Christmas
Just a note to tell you what a save it was to have Ethiopian Christmas earlier this week.
Santa was able to correct his error. A terrible mistake occurred at the December 25th Christmas when Santa didn't fill a stocking for Denekew. Ocean and Jaguar (mostly Ocean) were in an uproar when it was noticed, halfway through opening their own stockings, that Santa had not filled one for Denekew! Thank goodness that's been remedied!
Santa was able to correct his error. A terrible mistake occurred at the December 25th Christmas when Santa didn't fill a stocking for Denekew. Ocean and Jaguar (mostly Ocean) were in an uproar when it was noticed, halfway through opening their own stockings, that Santa had not filled one for Denekew! Thank goodness that's been remedied!
07 January 2008
Merry Christmas!
Today, Jan 7th 2008, is the Ethiopian Christmas!
Caleb & I went to an evening Christmas service last night at St. Gebriel Ethiopian Orthodox Church in Seattle. It was an amazing experience and VERY long! The service went from 7pm until midnight. Unfortunately we had to leave after only 4 hours and didn't make it to the end of the service.
Everyone was very nice to us. I found I was more anxious about doing something wrong (like sitting on the wrong side of the sanctuary or sitting down or leaving to use the bathroom) than about language or race. When we first arrived we noticed the gender segregated seating; only men were sitting on the left, while only women were sitting on the right. As we took off our shoes we discussed what to do. Just then someone came up to us and ask if we had found seats yet. Then he ushered us to seats on the left side and I ask him if it was OK that we sat together and he assured us it was fine. After awhile I was no longer the only female on the left side of the church. As the service progressed more and more people came. The pews were completely packed elbow to elbow and then all the standing room up the aisle and across the back and even the foyer area.
I felt bad leaving early, the end must be the best part of the service, cause we did get some strange looks. But I was so tired from standing nearly the whole 4 hours (Caleb stood the whole time! While other women sat for short times, the men never sat down!) and the incense was overpowering, the room became hazy from it all. The woman who ended up sitting right next to me was very kind. Her name was Azeb and we got a chance to chat slightly between parts of the service when there was a lull (it was also the only time everyone sat down).
I think the whole experience could only have been better if my friend Addis (who told me about the service and goes to the chruch regularly) had been there. She told me that she had guests and that the service was too late for her children (that should have been a clue to how long the service would be, me already knowing that the Sunday service is 3 1/2 hours long!)
Merry Christmas!
Caleb & I went to an evening Christmas service last night at St. Gebriel Ethiopian Orthodox Church in Seattle. It was an amazing experience and VERY long! The service went from 7pm until midnight. Unfortunately we had to leave after only 4 hours and didn't make it to the end of the service.
Everyone was very nice to us. I found I was more anxious about doing something wrong (like sitting on the wrong side of the sanctuary or sitting down or leaving to use the bathroom) than about language or race. When we first arrived we noticed the gender segregated seating; only men were sitting on the left, while only women were sitting on the right. As we took off our shoes we discussed what to do. Just then someone came up to us and ask if we had found seats yet. Then he ushered us to seats on the left side and I ask him if it was OK that we sat together and he assured us it was fine. After awhile I was no longer the only female on the left side of the church. As the service progressed more and more people came. The pews were completely packed elbow to elbow and then all the standing room up the aisle and across the back and even the foyer area.
I felt bad leaving early, the end must be the best part of the service, cause we did get some strange looks. But I was so tired from standing nearly the whole 4 hours (Caleb stood the whole time! While other women sat for short times, the men never sat down!) and the incense was overpowering, the room became hazy from it all. The woman who ended up sitting right next to me was very kind. Her name was Azeb and we got a chance to chat slightly between parts of the service when there was a lull (it was also the only time everyone sat down).
I think the whole experience could only have been better if my friend Addis (who told me about the service and goes to the chruch regularly) had been there. She told me that she had guests and that the service was too late for her children (that should have been a clue to how long the service would be, me already knowing that the Sunday service is 3 1/2 hours long!)
Merry Christmas!
02 January 2008
Travel Recomondations
We are still waiting for the call to fly and bring home Denekew. It should come soon and when it does we need to be ready to go in about 3 weeks. So I am anxiously preparing. In preparation for our upcoming trip Caleb and I got a bunch of recommended travel immunizations . That's how we spent New Years Eve! Hope you spent yours in a much more fun way! Happy New Year!
This year I resolve to bring home my son!
This year I resolve to bring home my son!