HOPE

Happy 1st "Gotcha Day"!!!

2009-11-04T09:07:00.004-06:00

Exactly 1 year ago today we were picking up our beautiful daughter from ISRC in Kolkata India. She had spent over three years waiting for a family and we arrived today. She was frightened beyond belief and sooo sad to leave her only home that she knew. It was a change for our family that couldn't be predicted or explained. How can someone else that has nothing give you more than you give them when you have everything? She is a little miracle.
Here is a small update for all who prayed for her to find a family and knew of her medical needs. Her left side weakness has improved and she has great flexibility on that side. She is still testing comparable with her peers. Her only deficiency is no speech. Schizencephaly is considered a terminal condition because the seizures will eventually become uncontrollable and they will take their life-guess what? Not one seizure. Praise God!!

Bringing her in the office to meet us....she was a frightened little girl.

After screaming uncontrollably (her, not me-even though I was close to it) on the way to get our visa we are calmed walking to the embassy because we think there is a chance of us returning home. Not home-so we cried so hard at the embassy they asked us to wait outside. :)

Now were home. Posing on our front step this fall.

Jumping in the jumpy with the boys.

Swimming in the back yard with her adoring brother. She finally warmed up to the cold water, at first swimming was not an option. Too Cold!!!

Waiting to walk Jonathan down to the bus stop early one sunny morning.

Loving one of her many "babies"

Sweet little trick or treater!!

2009-11-02T11:01:00.004-06:00

Her last "first" because we are nearing her homecoming-her first time trick or treating. If you think about it Halloween is a strange activity for someone that has never experienced it. We stuck her in a costume, dragged her out in the dark, there were strangers roaming the neighborhood-some in not so friendly costumes and then people give you candy. Did she love it? Of course!! She word Allie's costume that she wore when she was 3-that was 17 years ago. Kyle's mom sewed it for her right before she passed away from cancer. So, it had special meaning to us. The bonus of Halloween for Amisha is that she LOVES chocolate-I think she could live off of it.

She likes the guts!

2009-11-01T19:10:00.002-06:00

Nearly a year ago Amisha came home to us and just missed carving a pumpkin. So-as with everything she does-she loved every minute of it. She especially liked playing with the innards.

Adoption finalization!!!!

2009-10-29T11:49:00.003-05:00

Arriving at the courthouse and filing at the probate window.

Today we finalized Amisha's adoption. She is now legally ours!!

All paperwork is in order and we head down to the courtroom.

We sit and wait for the judge to be ready for us.

2009-10-29T11:45:00.004-05:00

We waited and waited....

and waited some more...

and then we were in the court room listening to the judge.

everything was in order

And it was final!!!!!

Amisha's First Birthday....with a family

2009-10-11T17:15:00.009-05:00

There was something so important about giving Amisha her "first birthday". It may be because she was alone on her first three or to know that she may not spend as many with us as we would like, but with all that said, it was important. I wanted to share some pictures with all of you who have shared her amazing journey so far. You are all so important to us. It marks almost a year since she made the journey home. She has changed so much. The blessings she has brought to everyone around her are enumerable. Happy 4th Birthday Amisha

The first Fathers Day with 5....(yes, late I know)

2009-06-26T13:10:00.002-05:00

Update for summer....

2009-06-18T22:31:00.003-05:00

Looking so pretty

Getting up close to the dolphins at the zoo

Dressing up for prom with our sister

Swinging at the park

In our arms for 6 months today!

2009-05-06T23:11:00.003-05:00

November 7th we arrived after an exhausting flight 1/2 way around the world with one very scared little girl. In this short time she has blossomed in so many ways. What a blessing she is to our lives.

'For I know the plans that I have for you' declares the Lord

2009-05-01T22:58:00.008-05:00

How could one ever imagine that 2 orphaned children born more than 1 year apart in different areas of India would end up here together? And with me as their mother of all people!! They are very rarely separated from each other. They LOVE each other. Jonathan is learning determination and compassion from her and she is learning to be loud and that it sometimes takes force to get what you want. (Ha Ha) As I ride in the car and look back in my mirror and these two I just have to chuckle. Over 15 years ago I had a 3 and 4 year old. I wiped noses, put on band aids, woke up during the night and here I am again doing all these things over again. I let them both have a huge bottle of Gatorade (blue & red) in the car and they both were thrilled. Would I have done it 10 years ago? No way. It's fun to do it all over again. Jonathan will sometimes sing that "he was born to be wild" as I drive. Is it my driving or his personality? I hope the latter, but have to consider how God changes you through the years. So, as you are reflecting on your life or thinking about your future remember that.... Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. James 4:14a
(I didn't know that included drinks that stain on beige car interior)

Wild jumpy girl!!

2009-04-28T22:51:00.002-05:00

Wild laundry girl

2009-04-28T22:49:00.002-05:00

Family Weekend

2009-04-27T10:09:00.003-05:00

My sister Cathy teaching her how to fish.

Our cute little face after our first taste of Cheetos

Dancing in our cousins room.

Allie was having her "punch" Jonathan in the face and they thought it was hilarious.

Finally being able to enjoy a warm Minnesota day!

My sister was here from Seattle for my neices confirmation and we were able to spend a nice relaxing weekend with extended family. My dear friend & neighbor had come by on Friday and mentioned how it was on her heart that orphaned children will not only grow up alone, but who would they invite to their wedding or see on their birthday. It was such a timely message for me to appreciate being with family and being able to share it with Amisha.

First visit to the farm.

2009-04-24T21:14:00.004-05:00

It was already so cold when Amisha came home in November that we did not ever make it out to enjoy Grandma and Grandpas farm. On Thursday the boys had DDS appointments so I let everyone miss school to go out to the farm because the weather was supposed to be our first day of 80 degrees in MN. When we arrived the wind gusts were up to 40 mph. You can tell from her hair it was a wild day to be outside. We were only there a short while and mom had enough. She will have to wait out the ugly MN spring and we can try again to pet the kitties and chase chickens.

Which is the victor? Parental wisdom or 3 year old spunk...

2009-04-10T15:08:00.008-05:00

Our transition to 5 children from 4 was so smooth. Those who know Jonathan (#4) know he is "fully loaded" from the minute he wakes until he falls asleep. He is giving the U of M adoption clinic a lot of funding still. (Ha Ha) So, this time around it was nice not to be challenged at every step.

With that in mind I had to post these pictures of me dear sweet princess that is soooo independent. She does everything, I mean everything her self. All day long. I used to be able to slyly pick out her clothes and lay them out in her room, but no more. The 2nd picture down is her dressed in the outfit she wanted for preschool and I was ummm....distressed so she is sucking her thumb. The top one is her thinking I am warming up to the outfit. (Yes, I messed up and downloaded the pictures wrong to blogger!)

I sometimes have to stop myself and think of which battles I am going to choose with this little special needs tiger who has already three years somewhere I would of despaired in the entire time.

In ending I have to confess I knew I had the ace in the hole because she hadn't eaten lunch and I knew she would cover it in food, no way will she wear a bib, and be upset she was dirty and change once again. So.....sweet mama hid all other clothes and won with my outfit and got to ditch the goggles because they didn't match.

Who says there aren't simple pleasures in winning? Even if it is with a 3 year old....

She is full of joy

2009-03-01T23:05:00.006-06:00

Our first trip to Chuck E. Cheese......I think the smile says it all.

The past month...

2009-02-18T19:18:00.000-06:00

Valentines breakfast...the more sugar the better! It only took one long bath to get all the syrup and sugar out of her hair.

mmmm....more sugar

After shopping for new shirts we could stain while we eat we came home and put on four shirts, 3 pajama tops and one pair of pants. Something I had never thought of...wearing all your new clothes at once. Hey, if you like them why not?

Since little Amisha has been home she has experienced Thanksgiving, multiple Christmas gatherings, Kelsey's birthday, Matthew's birthday (8+ autistic children & some typical development at a huge play/sports place-pass the tranquilizers to mom) and finally Valentines Day. To each celebration she has brought so much sweet joy!! She is always teaching us kindness, to enjoy the smallest details and unselfish love. She helped Matthew and Kelsey open their presents. Matthew has a little soft spot for her and lets her do whatever she wants, even if that is opening all his birthday gifts and then drooling on them. We can't wait for her to have her very first birthday party! Kyle is already giving me the "don't go overboard" look. Who me?

She is fitted with her AFO (leg brace) is going to OT & PT and is starting special ed preschool in March. So, she is a busy little girl. They asked me if she needed bus service and the look on my face must of answered their question. No Way!! My sweet little baby on the bus! She had her 3 month follow up at the U today and she is doing great. Growing in all the right areas.

We were so blessed to be able to meet a dear friend for lunch yesterday at an Indian restaurant. She has 2 beautiful daughters from Jonathan's children's home. If you are in the Bloomington, MN area and are looking for a good restaurant we really love Tandoor. Any of you sweet blog checkers are going through town let me know and lunch is on us!

Bored and tired of winter? Try this out to pass time.

2009-01-22T14:56:00.000-06:00

Paint your cute little toe nails...

Kiss all your babies...

Put hair binders on your legs instead of pants....

Stick your snack in your toes....

Or just lounge in the ball pit!!

Medical Milestones

2009-01-14T17:54:00.000-06:00

Amisha getting ready for her MRI...yes, mom even thinks I am cute in a hospital gown!

Amisha has been a busy girl conquering all her Dr. appointments. We were a little slow in getting started with Thanksgiving and Christmas coming shortly after getting home, but we are on a roll now. Monday she was evaluated by the school district, she completed the tests that both Matthew and Jonathan completed so I knew what was covered and I was ecstatic for her how well she did. I am not just saying this because I am her mother...she is so smart!!!! She tested out for a typical 34 mos. old. She is 39 mos. old. How can that be?!! She did better on some areas than the boys did and she is younger for the test. Mom is going to kick some serious lazy boy butts into gear.
On Tuesday we met the Physiatrist that the neurologist referred us to and she talked to us at length about schizencephaly and cerebral palsy. She was really happy to find all the neurological messages that are going to her left arm and leg, she thought she would really make gains with therapy. Then we went through the same OT testing she did at the school and she did even better there. She completes tasks such as drawing a circle, opening a bottle, putting a string through tiny beads etc. She only has the right hand!!! Not only that, but how does she understand what you ask her when she has only been learning MN english for 2 months!! Even the OT person was really impressed. Then she had her hips x-rayed, a cast for a leg brace for the left leg to help her left leg have a normal gait, and was scheduled for botox injections in the left arm during her MRI today. The botox we loosen up her left arm muscles to use the left hand more. Eventually they will cast the right arm so she can't use it, mom will be put under for that. (ha ha) We managed to fit in a post placement visit before we left for the MRI. The MRI went great. I was apprehensive with her not being able to eat and having to be put under. She didn't complain once about not eating and when they administered the anesthesia with the mask she just sat and smiled at me, even the nurses couldn't believe how sweet she was.
Her speech is even coming along. She has a small list of words she uses now, my favorite is of course, "ma".
So, we still have to conquer the PT eval, speech eval, hearing test, vision test, fit the leg brace, MRI follow-up......and the list goes on.
The dear sweet girl could not be a better patient. Blessings to all who are praying for her.

Happy New Year!!

2009-01-01T19:43:00.000-06:00

Taking on the boys.

Staying warm.

Our first time in a pool....we love the swimsuit and hate the pool.

So cute.
As we look back at the past year that held excitement, big decisions, and A LOT of paperwork we are so thankful for everything the Lord has done through us and for us. I don't think Kyle and I could express what a blessing adoption is. Amisha is doing really well. She is eating well, growing and becoming more trusting of us every day. She is doing amazing well with her motor skills with her left side weakness. There is only a few things she can't do to keep up with her typical peers it just takes a little longer. She has taken some nasty spills while running and has numerous split lips and eggs on the forehead. She has fabulous receptive speech and can say a few words now. She points and gestures to tell you everything she needs. The extent of her brain abnormality seems to be mainly effecting her speech as well as a developmental delay aka mild mental retardation. She hasn't had any sign of seizures yet and for that we praise the Lord. She has an MRI, vision, hearing and more cognitive testing coming in the next few months. As anyone that has adopted, I would do it again in a heartbeat. Is there anyone out there that can turn back the aging process and give me $25,000 dollars? Ha Ha!!!
If anyone is considering adopting and maybe even a sweetheart with special needs I would grab your hand and run with you every step of the way and tell you at the end you couldn't imagine how happy and in love you will be....

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us...Eph 3:20
(that's you...if you let God work through you He will do more than you ask or could even imagine)

The blessings during a cold and snowy winter...

2009-01-01T09:30:00.000-06:00

Jonathan and Amisha both love the snow. Kyle and I buried them during 1 of our many driveway snow removals this winter.

Posing in front of the manger after Jonathan's Christmas program at preschool.

Getting ready for Grandma and Grandpa to come over..we get to open our first Christmas present.

Christmas morning!! Can anyone have a bigger smile than that!!

After a flurry of opening our little mama is taking care of one of her babies.

Amisha creating her first gingerbread cookie

2008-12-17T22:34:00.001-06:00

Winter fun!

2008-12-14T20:46:00.000-06:00

Kyle, Jonathan and Amisha all fell fast asleep after a family sledding outing. There is a great hill by our house and we spent a good part of Saturday afternoon sledding. It was 35 degrees and sunny. Jonathan and Amisha both scream the entire time down. It was great exercise for all.
Amisha is being a sweet dear and helping me pick out some music for a Christmas present.
Bath pictures are always so cute aren't they? Of course we need a pink kitty towel to dry off.
Kyle is always making us laugh. He has two of his biggest fans on his lap. Family time is such a blessing. I hope everyone has time to be together during this busy time.

How can you love someone more than you ever think possible?

2008-12-03T06:49:00.000-06:00

I lovingly call her my "ma zombie" because she walks around the house saying "ma, ma, ma, ma, ma..." in a monotone voice, but last night when I was holding her she pointed at herself and said nothing and pointed at me and said "MA!". Oh, that is one moment I will never forget.
Pics are of Jonathan and her being there own snowman since we have no snow and her out shopping for our Christmas tree.

What I am thankful for...

2008-11-28T23:17:00.000-06:00

The 24 days I have been able to spend with my new daughter.
Matthew participated in a school concert for the first time and did great.
Provision during a tough economy.
Spending time with Kyle.
My family.
All this food!!!!

Amisha absolutely loved Thanksgiving. She loved the company and the food. She spent at least 45 minutes eating. You can see if she doesn't like something she will hold it out on her tongue until you can remove it for her. When she is full she loves to play with her food. After dinner we went out in the cold and dark and played ball. She loves outside and was the last one to come in after I had to drag her in. She is the light of our lives right now.
It couldn't of been a more blessed Thanksgiving.

We are all girl.

2008-11-22T16:01:00.000-06:00

Yesterday, Friday, we had our appt. at the International Adoption Clinic. The first appt. is just a general check over and developmental testing. Nothing to report right now because labs won't be back for a while. She is all over healthy and the physical therapist was really impressed by what she is able to do. Amisha had an uncooperative attitude understandably. They had Kyle and I, 2 therapists and the interpreter-an Indian interpreter for her appt.....she looked at him as if he was nuts and so did I. Oh, I hope I don't have to pay above insurance for that-all in a small room. They were asking her to stack blocks, sort items etc. Every time they would ask her to complete a task, she would just stare at them and then pause and push it back at them. I knew she could do everything she was asked but didn't want to. I say good for her.
She is so determined. She wants to put all of her own clothes on. She can put on her pants, socks, and shoes and even her coat. With one hand...seriously I don't know if I can and we have set the bar high for our older brothers. It was so sweet when we got home because she was so happy to be here. She just kept on hugging Kyle and I. She has a serious sassy attitude when she wants to. Yesterday when she went potty and wiped she threw the tissue and it hit my face. Oh, we're so cute. There is a definite femine side to her. You'll notice in the pictures that she is sleeping with her purse. We don't go anywhere without it. When the boys leave a mess she stops and picks it up and puts it in her purse and moves on. She was brushing her teeth today and I saw her look at herself in the mirror and she stopped and fixed her hair and then kept on brushing. OK, we could not be any more adorable!!

Mom is just so proud of me!!!!

2008-11-15T16:27:00.000-06:00

Amisha's little sad heart is slowly healing. She only cries briefly now when I have to take her from Kyle. When he is not around she is actually borderline happy. I decided on Wednesday I needed to switch her clock around because I could not get up at 1 or 2 a.m. for the day anymore. So where do you go when it is freezing out...the mall. She loves the mall and the stroller. We have spent the last three days staying awake at the mall. Today we even made our first trip to the Mall of America. I don't recommend it on a Saturday- she, of course, loved it. She even ate a whole dish of ice cream which will hold her for the entire day I think. She slept until 4:30 a.m. last night and it was so nice. I can stop watching the clock and telling myself it is an OK time to start making coffee. She wants to do everything the boys do. Her left side is weak and she can barely grasp with the left hand but she figured out how to hold the stick horse with her right hand and run around. She was thrilled and mom was even more thrilled!! She also loves to color, not necessarily on paper, so I am going to post a picture of that also. Can she smile big or what? When she is happy, she is happy. Life will never be the same here. I just want to thank everyone again who has commented on the blog, emailed, called or stopped by. I can't put into words how much it has meant to Kyle and I.

Don't let the smile fool you.........

2008-11-12T13:17:00.000-06:00

We are slowly finding out all the beautiful talents that Amisha has: she can laugh, cry, scream (very loudly), tease, open bottles, run, is potty trained, smile a lot, climb stairs, feed herself, has fantastic motor skills with her right hand (already colored all over a phone) and has a decided sense of fashion. The poor little dear is really homesick. When she is awake all she does is cry. Seeing that her days and nights are mixed up the crying starts around 2 a.m. and just ended at 1:15 p.m. She does rest when Kyle is holding her though I am still the evil culprit who snatched her from her home. With all that said, she is sooooo perfect. All I want to do is hug and kiss her, but won't let me!!! Little does she know I love a fight!

Our first day home!!

2008-11-09T00:21:00.000-06:00

After an incredibly long series of flights we arrived home with some sanity and a ton of excitement. Our trip was one that will not ever be forgotten. I couldn't of imagined so much poverty and depravity in one spot.
Amisha has her days and nights confused for now, but was still thrilled to meet her brothers in the morning before sleeping all day. We went in for a quick Dr. visit and we don't have anything but jet lag and longing for home bothering us now. When we got home we did a lice treatment on all of us since we discovered on the way home she was carrying the little critters. She is a little bitter toward Allie and I for abducting her, so for now she is glued to Kyle. She slept with Kelsey for a while last night. Thank goodness for siblings. She can't wait to meet everyone.
Abundant appreciation is to be passed along to everyone who supported our family through prayer and in many other ways throughout this trip. I can't wait to see you in person and give you a great big hug and introduce you to our precious daughter.

We're coming home!

2008-11-06T07:33:00.000-06:00

After a very, very exciting week, we are on our way home!!

Amisha's warmed up to us again, so we're hoping her good mood lasts at least for part of the flight :)

We can't even put in words how excited we are to see all of your lovely faces again!! I can sincerely say that I've never missed home as much as I do now, and I hope that this new attitude of being thankful for everything I have (as cliche as that sounds, it's true--you don't really ever feel it until you are completely separated from it), and I hope that at least part of it stays with me over time.

We're going to sleep soon, so we're at least a little fresh for London...Britain, here we come!

Love to you all,
Allie and Mom

Our last day in India...

2008-11-06T02:53:00.000-06:00

Our view outside our window...that's smog, not smoke, by the way!

We are so, so excited to come home and see all of you.

My mom and I both woke up today with "Delhi Belly"--for those of you that don't know what that means, Google should explain it to you :) Amisha also has a small fever and is very likely to have scabies, a contagious parasite that lives just under the skin, so we're anticipating American medical care all too much. And American food!! I haven't had a fresh fruit or vegetable for what seems like forever...I have to walk by at every meal and look at the locals' plates brimming with whatever they want...and look at my own pitiful plate of a donut and toast. Well, their donuts here are excellent, on the positive side!

Amisha has been very restless today; we were friends last night, but friends no more. We're back to being her abuductors :) It's really hard watching how many ways she tries to tell us to take her back--she'll point to the door, point out our window, pull on our legs to get us to stand up, and make noises--but she seems to understand that we aren't swayed, so she's just been sobbing. She's slowly breaking down, as her episodes are less violent and she's more distracted by toys for longer periods of time, but we're looking forward to being on a plane so there is nothing to remind her of the orphanage. It's kind of cute seeing how she's dealing with this like a little girl: "It's my way, or the highway". She'll break this facade sometimes if my mom or I do something funny, but she'll catch herself smiling and quickly scrunch up her face and howl. She's definitely attaching to Mom, as a plus. I offered my hand to her this morning when we took a walk (which I'll tell any of you about in animated detail when we get back, it was probably the most epic culture shock ever) to give her additional support to my Mom's grip and she shoved it away. Well, at least she likes someone!

Mom and I have most of our things packed, and are getting ready for tonight. We'll fly into London sometime during the night, and be on our way back to the good 'ol USA!

I don't have time for pictures right now, so I'll try later...sorry! Internet's been spotty :(

Love you all <3
Allie and Mom

First group of pictures

2008-11-05T07:48:00.000-06:00

Here's our first short slideshow, from our flight from MSP at 7 am to most of our first day and a half in India :) We'll add more later!

A last visit to the orphanage

2008-11-05T02:48:00.000-06:00

Mom and Amisha with some of the resident dogs

Hey all!

Things haven't slowed down at all here in India.

Amisha woke up after a long night's sleep to be greeted by my groggy face looking at her from another bed. Understandably, she wasn't very happy. We think she's opened up a little from yesterday, though, because she was bold enough to let my mom know that the dress she had in mind wasn't to her taste, and she'd like another one instead (and she picked a different one!). She loves putting on baby powder (a version of getting a bath over here, and making yourself presentable) because it means we're going out. She usually likes to look at herself in the mirror when we get the oppurtunity, so I think we have a true little lady on our hands! I think Kelsey and I are going to have fun indulging in girly activities with her :)

We ate at the breakfast buffet downstairs with Kristi and Amanda and their two kids, Shaili and Prasun. She was fussy on and off, so Amisha and I took a short journey to the bathroom. She looked a little doubtful that someone other than Mom was taking her to the toilet, but any suspicious feelings were settled when I showed her how to splash in the sink, crunch up as many paper towels as you want, and put it in the wastebasket. I got my very first smile and laugh out of her when I dunked her hands underneath the faucet, so now if Mom needs help it's my #1 back-up strategy to make a beeline for the ladies' room and let her explore the sink. Hey, every girl likes hanging out in the bathroom, right? :)

After breakfast we relaxed in the room a bit until we left, for the second time, for the orphanage to take pictures--this time with Amanda, Kristi, Prasun, and Shaili in tow as well. It's muggier and smoggier today (my mom compared it to sticking your face in front of an exhaust pipe, and I don't think I can put it any more appropriately). We went to the special needs building today, different than the one that we picked up Amisha at, and saw where she has lived for the past 3 years. Words can't describe what that sad little building was like. The orphanage is much smaller than Jonathan's orphanage, with probably around 30 kids total in both buildings; I have a new respect for the Internet that we were able to connect with this tiny place thousands of miles away in a city this big and with the orphanage with as little resources as they had. Seeing those poor kids was the most heartwrenching thing I've ever seen. Some kids there were healthy, and some of them were so sick....the thing to remember here, though, is these kids are only a handful of the blessed kids that actually have a place to wait. Many more don't, or grow up begging in the streets, only to die. Please keep those kids in your prayers, that they'd find a home.

We've been trying out some of the Bengali words that Anju, the orphanage director, gave us to make a little contact with Amisha (ones we've used so far are "Jal", water, and "Tumi ghummabi", go to sleep). She reacted to both, even with our questionable pronunciation, so it's comforting to know that we've breached at least a little of our communication boundary.

Mom just put her down for a nap, so we're going to seize the oppurtunity and rest up. A very loud (and very LONG) wedding procession last night made sleeping hard, so we're resting up...and glad that tonight is our last full night here already. We're going to lay low tomorrow, I think....gather our wits a bit.

Again, thank you for your prayers and care! We appreciate each one of you! :)

We're going to try to do a huge picture post later if we have time--until then <3
Allie

Now we are a family of 7!!

2008-11-04T07:50:00.001-06:00

This morning we woke up and moved over to the Peerless to be near Amanda, Kristi and Jason. Our hotel room in the Kenilworth was in the older part (if there is one) and our room was overlooking the road. The windows had wooden frames that didn't close all the way and the street pollution and the street vendors fires all vented into our room. To make it even more comfortable there was no A/C in our room. I don't want to discourage anyone who is planning on staying there because besides the room the staff bent over backwards for us, the cost of everything was substantially lower than anywhere else and it is right next to the consulate. When we left the Intercontinental in Delhi they charged us 2225 rupees for the taxi. The taxi from the Kenilworth to here was only 50 rupees. Enough about accomodations...

We were able to visit with Jason, Kristi and Amanda. They are all doing great. Tonight Prasun even smiled at us.

We had trouble with the phones and couldn't get through to Ms. Roy or the consulate until after noon today. We were supposed to talk to her at 9 a.m. When we got a hold of her she told us to be there at 1:30 and our consulate appt. was at 2:30. We thought we would be spending half a day at ISRC at then doing the consulate the next day. We were late getting there because our driver had to ask 5 or 6 people where it was located. When we got in we caught a glimpse of Amisha walking around. We were taken in the office and Ms. Roy received three phone calls while we were in there and then we signed 2 things, held Amisha shortly and had to run out to make our consulate appt. We didn't get to see where she has lived or much more than the office. Ms. Roy said she would catch up with us at the hotel. We went out to the car climbed in the back and they put Amisha on my lap and shut the door. She was scared to death. She cried so hard that our driver pulled her into the front seat, stopped at a roadside vendor and got her a ice cream and then gave her a little stuffed animal that was in his car. We had trouble getting the US Consulate our driver insisted we get out at the British Embassy at we refused. He didn't understand any english, but finally after a few calls to our hotel we arrived at the US Consulate. We were brought right in and found out they were not at all happy with us because our paperwork was all done in Kyle's name. After talking to a few people they were OK with it and let us proceed. Amisha was crying so hard they had us wait outside the building. We left with packet in hand so we are ready to travel home!!

Day 2

2008-11-03T11:27:00.000-06:00

After a splotchy night of sleep, we've already charged into Day 2!

To make up for lost ground yesterday, our journey to India was a very smooth one. My mom and I arrived at the MSP airport at 5 am (nasty stuff) and were on a mission: check bags, Starbucks, plane.

New York came into view pretty soon--we were both

really excited to be off, after months of anticipation. As we dipped below the cloudline in New York, we were even able to catch a glimpse of the Statue of Liberty (we agreed it made the trip for both of us). After we got settled at the JFK airport, there wasn't much to see or do, so we did what we could...wandering, snacking, and shopping (got your postcards, Katie! :))

Our flight to India was a pleasant surprise--it was a very new plane, and each seat had its own personal TV and we were given complimentary ear plugs (tactful), a blanket, socks, pillows, and breakfast and dinner. Mom and I gave the American movie selection a workout, and then tried to sleep. We failed.

We arrived in New Delhi with immense relief to stretch our legs after a grueling 14 hour flight. New Delhi was an old face to my mom, but was a culture shock for me as soon as we hit the airport bathroom. A woman was lying on a cardboard box waiting for someone to enter; when we did, she showed us which stalls were available and then politely handed us paper towels when we had washed up. We didn't have any rupees yet, so we couldn't give her anything; she was still very nice. Not exactly something you see every day in America, and I stayed extra close to Mom after my first encounter with Indian culture.

We absolutely loved our hotel: "The Intercontinental: The Grand New Delhi". We were able to shower up, put on green tea lotion, lounge on the huge puffy beds, and eat down at the restaurant (the black coffee got an A+ from my mom :)); in the morning, we could choose from anything from honey dripping off the honeycomb to bacon to donuts (freshly made) to muffins, which we ate with gusto. This was in retrospect, smart; I don't think we'll be eating familiar food again for a few days...

Our rickshaw driver, Kuldeep, picked us up bright and early, and brought us to the Embassy. He was very sweet, and told us about his American friends "Mistah Paul" and "Mistah Jason" (who he described as 'veery funny mahn. Nevah serious!'). We got to the Embassy at around 9, and I was grabbed by an Indian policeman (with a GUN) because I had my camera out. Photographing or videotaping the Embassy is a serious thing, apparently, and he wouldn't leave me alone until I scrolled through my pictures to show him I hadn't taken one of the Embassy (yikes). The rest of our visit there was nice, and we were even able to chat with some other couples that were completing their adoption process as well.

After a day of shopping and sightseeing, Kuldeep dropped us off at the hotel and said goodbye. We took the hotel taxi to the airport, and took off for Kolkata at 5. And so began a brand new adventure.

Kolkata is...a class of city all in and of itself. Looking at traffic is like looking at a school of metal fish that can honk at each other: weaving, stopping, honking. About halfway to the hotel from our cab our driver told us a bus had "already" flipped in front of us, so apparently that's a common thing...

We're at the Kenilworth now, and we're preparing for the big meet tomorrow!! We may have the option of leaving for home as soon as Thursday...please keep this in your prayers!

We can't wait to see you all again, and thanks again from the bottom of our hearts for praying for us and keeping us in your thoughts. Until tomorrow :)

Allie

India at last!!

2008-11-02T10:05:00.001-06:00

Hey everyone!!

I've tried to compose a post two times already, and it keeps crashing--be patient, we'll try to post stuff ASAP.

We're here, we're alive, we're well. Thanks for all your support and prayers! :)

Details to come!
Allie

Amisha'a passport has been issued!!!

2008-10-24T11:26:00.000-05:00

We received word this morning that her passport has been issued and that the Childrens home should receive it tomorrow. Nothing can stop us now!! As an added blessing we received a photo of our little girl from someone that was traveling through Calcutta in September. Here it is.....
Oh, she looks tired to me....so sad! Three years is long enough there, it is time to get on the plane.

Tickets are purchased!!!

2008-10-20T19:11:00.000-05:00

Allie and I will be leaving on Saturday, November !st. We still don't have Amisha's passport but we are praying it will be here soon.

2008-10-10T16:42:00.000-05:00

HAPPY 3RD BIRTHDAY AMISHA! Today, yesterday in India, is her third birthday. I can't help but feel sad she had to have another birthday without a family. It will be her last one thankfully. Our paperwork is back here in the U.S. and her passport has been applied for and ICPC applied for. The Kolkata passport office is closed for various holidays during the month of October so we won't be able to check on anything until after October 18th. ICPC is done here between MN and OK so, it is a little easier to track. We are on target to travel Oct. 25th or Nov. 1st.

1st Post

2008-10-04T20:01:00.000-05:00

We started our adoption journey back in January 2008. It was a long and refining process for both Kyle and I. Our hearts stopped at one disabled girl all the way on the other side of the world. We wrestled for months with this life changing decision...I know it is a lot for everyone to understand with our house already being a little chaotic. It was Kyle's final word: he just wanted to give someone a home that wouldn't have one. So, we started the long journey to bring Amisha home. With the courts slowing and adoption tightening up, we were surprised to have received guardianship approval, almost the final hoop on the long process on September 24th. The paperwork was received in the United States on Friday, October 3rd. Our estimated plans to travel are November 1st. Allie and I will be going this time. There are 2 other families from the US that will be traveling around then and picking up their children form the same home. More updates soon....