July Update Pics

Highly Likely

I received word yesterday that it is highly likely that Dad and I will travel to Ethiopia on 8/8/09 thru 8/14/09 to get my daughter, Saraia Genet. If that happens, then Metcha Day will be on my birthday (8/10), which means that I will meet my daughter that day, resulting in Gotcha Day being the day after, which is the day that I will actually pick up my daughter for keeps. What an awesome Happy Birthday to Me!

Happy...

...17 month birthday today, Saraia Genet. I'm looking forward to coming to get you soon!!!

Love,
Mommy

New Pics - July 2009

Engaged!!!

Yep, that's right. Finalizing an adoption and getting engaged at the same time. Traveling in August to pick up baby girl. And, getting married on November 21, 2009, at 1pm in Oklahoma City. And, finally, moving to New Haven/Hamden, Connecticut, after that. Wow! What a year 2009 will have been when it's all said and done.

Chris and I got engagement photos taken a couple days ago. Here are a few samples. More will be forthcoming within the next few weeks.

June Update Photos from AWAA

Photos from Another Family in June

May Update Photos from AWAA

The Hallmark Card Photos

Here's another set of pics of Saraia Genet. I sent over a recordable Hallmark card at the end of May with photos pasted inside the card. The family who took it said that they would close it, she would reopen it, and just look at it and wouldn't let it go. At bath time, the nannies tried to take it from her and she wouldn't let it go. Ah!!!

Introducing Saraia Genet Bartley

Well, today is the day! She is officially, legally my daughter, my Ethiopian Princess. And here is the meaning of her name - Saraia means Princess, Genet means Heaven, Eden, Paradise. So, she not only is my Ethiopian Princess, but she is my Heavenly Princess. Hurray!

Here is how I was introduced to her:





And, here are a few pics taken a couple weeks later by a family who went to pick up their child (more pics to come later):