August 1, 2010
I am in Dubai. I arrived last night and the airlines provided a hotel. Tami and I took a cab around town and saw the tallest building in the world and a few other sights, it was after 9pm once we were here, I think both of us were really interested in sleeping but wanted to make sure we made the most of our stopover. I have slept about 7 hours since I left home Saturday but I feel pretty good. I had a hard time staying asleep this morning so you get an email! I woke up at 4 and tried to go back to sleep that lasted for another 30 min. Do you think I might be exited that I will get to meet my daughter today. (cant find the question mark on this keyboard)
The flight over was about 15 hours long and other than being very difficult to get comfortable to catch some sleep in the isle seat, it was really nice. United Emirates is a fancy airlines!
I feel good and excited and I am looking forward to being in Ethiopia. Its funny how Dubai is so similar to the US and drastically different at the same time.
I will email as soon as I have time from Ethiopia. I am safe and happy.
August 3, 2010
Hi,
I am in Ethiopia and I have met my amazing, sweet, pretty, little, Izzie Tizita. It was so wonderful words can not explain. I think it was the best moment of my life, meeting her. The orphanage has a rule that I can only see Izzie 3 times during my visit so not to start the bonding process before I leave her for 6-8 weeks. I will see her again tomorrow morning and again on Friday before I leave for home. Tami filmed our first meeting and I will capture many pictures and a few more videos of her so that I can play them over and over while I am away from her. I can tell you right now it is going to be REALLY really hard to leave her. Today, I am just focusing on the time that I have with her, she smells so good, feels wonderful and today she was really mellow and sweet I even have a picture of her cute feet! She even "talked" a little to me and giggled and smiled and objected when I moved her picture book away from her. Her soft pink hippo is almost as big as her and she seemed to really like it. The people that work at the guest house are wonderful the people taking care of Tizita are warm. I haven't met all of the families that are here with me yet, only one family from AZ I will meet 5 other families while I am here. I am looking back on this email and it is sort of random but I want to share everything that is going on it is hard in an email. I will be excited to share my pictures and stories when I get home. The internet cafe is just down the way so it will be easy to read and send more emails.
Sheila
Wow!!! I so can't even believe it's real!!! Are you just bursting at the seams or what? I'm paid today and will purchase a phone card on my break to call you. Your sweet dad left all the particulars of what times are best to reach you. I am so excited for your journey to begin...it's been a long time in the making.
Love Always,
Sheila
Lisa Cline
How exciting! Thank you for the update Kelly – I am so happy for you!!
How wonderful, Kelly! So amazing!
Love,
Krystal
Wow, I can really sense your amazement and happiness. Thank you for including me in your journey through email. I can't wait to see you and your pictures. I know (believe me) how hard the journey is, but once she is home with you it will all come together. In the meantime, it is so special to have a few memories to hold on to while you go through the agonizing wait! I remember that the smell of Gigi was one of the first things that I remember...
Love,
Dulcey
PS Considering your emotions, I am thrilled that you can even write an email!
I am SO SO happy for you and Izzie!
xo—Kimberly
I am happy you have finally met your baby! I'm sure it is incredible. She will be home soon. Just be careful over there
Love you Kristi
Hi Kelly,
I am so happy to read your emails and know that everything is going well so far. What joy you must feel in being with your daughter. I know it will probably be the hardest thing you'll ever have to do when you leave her. I pray for your comfort as you go through that. I truly believe you are going through a labor of the heart, which is in many ways more difficult than the physical labor of a mother who gives birth.
I can't wait to see the pictures and videos and of course to meet her when she comes home! Blessings to you.
That is so great! Cant wait to see pics, you're going to love being a mom, its pretty awesome. xo
Kristen
Kelly,
Wow! I am beside myself with joy for you! Your life has officially changed. How much did you cry? Or was it just too overwhelming to cry? I was away on my yearly family camping trip with my side of the family all weekend. I thought about you and Izzie almost constantly. I kept the girls updated on where I thought you were. They are just as excited as me. I cannot wait to see video and pictures!!! Have an amazing time, don't sweat the court hearing.
Love, Mindy
AHHH Kelly this email is so wonderful :)!! I'm super excited that you finally got to meet her and everything seems to be going so well!! Miss ya here, but I'm sure you're having the time of your life :). Cannot WAIT to see pictures!!
Mackenzie
Aw...how sweet. Can't wait to see pictures. Amy
Vicki
I don't know if you're going to receive this, but thank you for the update! It sounds like your meeting with Izzie went very well. That's so awesome!!! You sound strong and happy. It'll definitely be tough to leave her, but knowing it's part of the process to bring her home for good, you'll be able to get through it with grace.
Best for your date with the court; we're all pulling for you!
Love,
V.
Sweet Kelly,
How incredibly sweet it is to hear from you. I love the time you have taken to capture all of the details of your new precious baby girl. Everything from her scent to her cute little feet! You are born to be her mother.
Thank you for the updates. Savor every moment my friend.
Xoxox Greer
Hello,
We are just so excited for you. I got goose bumps and tears reading about you meeting her. We can not wait to see pictures and video of her. I am so glad I am still off work for your shower. It will be so fun to already know of who the baby is and not like most showers.
See you soon,
Tonia
Sweetest Kelly!
You and Izzy are in our prayers. We are surrounding you in the purest, whitest light. Blessings for you and your sweet little girl. I can't wait to hear all about it. Call me when you return so we can arrange a time to get together. I will be out of town Friday, August 6-Sunday August 8.
Love, Greer
Hi Kel-- I have been trying to call guest house this afternoon and can't get through. I thought it would be easy to get over to you today. However, it is not as easy as I thought. Tonight we have a mandatory dinner for new staff that begins at 4:30 and so I am wondering if I can meet up with you tomorrow and meet Izzie? Do you mind if my whole family comes with me? This is where Malachi is from so they wanted to be able to go back, but will not interfere with getting to know your sweet girl. i am so proud of you and know today is such a special day.
I will talk with you soon.
Kimberly
Keep these updates coming. I was about to call your Dad and find out where you were. OMG – I am so exciting for you- a new baby to love!! Much love to you, Gail
Can't wait to hear more! Can you send pictures via email or not??? I don't know that I will call because I'm so lame at figuring this all out. I'm going to have UG try to help me. Can't wait for more info and pics.
Love,
AT
Yay! So excited for you... glad your trip has been good so far, and can't wait to hear about your little girl :) travel safe to ethiopia! Love you and thinking about you xoxo Jasmine
How exciting Kelly. Keep me posted. Be safe and have fun...mommy :-)
Amy
August 5, 2010
“She is yours” is what the Judge said to me today! Izla Tizita Cahill is my little girl! I managed to answer the questions she asked me. "Why did you choose Ethiopia?" "I knew that I wanted to learn more about Ethiopia and I could share that with my daughter" "Does your family know that you are adopting from Ethiopia? How do they feel?" "They are so excited, My Mom, Dad and Aunt Tammy all called me excited to hear about her while I was here." "Do you know any other families that have adopted from Ethiopia?" "Yes I have a whole group of girlfriends that their husbands and themselves have adopted from Ethiopia"
"She is Yours."
I thanked her and went out side the door and burst out in tears. The other families waiting hugged me handed me a tissue and shared in my joy.
I hope to hear in about 2 weeks when I get to come back to Ethiopia to bring my sweet girl home. She is beautiful and sweet and I can't wait until you get to meet her.
Best email EVER!!! What a great day.
Who was your judge?
xoxoxoxo
Krista
Love,
Mindy
Much, much love to you -
gwenn
what a moment kelly.... it brings back a flood of memories. i'm SO happy for you and can't wait to meet her!!
AndreaLorimor
CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Greer
Kely,
Oh my gosh! this is soooooo exciting. It is becoming very real. We can not wait to see you and heat all about it and then to meet Izzy. Have a safe trip home.
Tonia and Jerry
Kelly Im so so happy! I love you and am so so so so happy! Cant wait to see you! Jennifer
Congratulations!!! I am Sooo happy for you! Just shed a few happy tears reading your email... I can't wait to hear all about it! Congratulations again... your a mommy :) wish I could hug you right now! Xoxo Jasmine
YIPPEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!! Lisa
August 6, 2010
Hi Everyone,
Last night we went to a traditional Ethiopian dinner. It was amazing they had a band and 6 dancers that preformed nonstop for 4 hours AMAZING!! Today I will go dress shopping and a special market (yes K gonna get a couple for you). Then off to see Tizu (the Doctors nickname for Tizita) at 3:00 then sadly off to the airport ...Mackenzie.. you do have a broom and a dust pan to pick me up from the airport right?
This was such an amazing trip. We took a day trip to the Portguese Bridge and to a village and took a Church tour. Really getting out of Addis is where it is at! I have tons of pictures that I can't wait to share, and of course video footage of my beautiful daughter. She has this smirk that she gives when she is happy or going for something she wants that I can't wait until you all see.
Thank you for all of your quick emails I am so thankful to have dear friends and a wonderful family to share this with.
See you soon!
Hi Kelly, Both Mom & Dad Have been keeping me informed of your amazing journey to bring your girl home. I will be in Portland for a wedding the weekend of the 20th the boys have plans all weekend with Ryan’s Family & I was hoping to spend a couple of hours just the two of us on Sunday the 22nd? Might be the last vest we have together & be both kid free:) Can I come and see your pictures & visit with you?
I have been thinking of you & sending my love, Stacy~ P.S.
I am not good about email so if you can call me
when you get settled in back home.
Sweetest Kelly!
I can't wait to hear all about your adventure once you return. Thank you for sharing your journey with me. You are a beautiful spirit and I honored to have this space to get to know you better.
Blessings,
Greer
thank you for sharing your emotion, excitement and enthusiasm! i'm so happy for you that the trip has gone so well and i'm so looking forward to meeting Izzie Tizita.
happy travels home. best wishes and hugs,
erin
Hi mama,
That is now one of your names so I thought I’d try it out. Wishing you safe travels and a hassle free trip home. I’m looking forward to seeing your pics, your videos and hearing all the stories. Lisa
August 6, 2010
Well in Dubai again this time without a hotel and a 7 ½ hour layover. I paid $42.00 to stay at the business lounge at the airport and crashed on the couch for about 4 hours. I am pretty sure I haven’t slept more that 4 or 5 hours in a row since I left home.
I left Izzie today. The past two visits she didn’t cry at all and during the last visit no crying until I left and as I handed her to the nurse she started bawling….of course so did I. I knew this would be hard, and I also know this is what I must do to bring my sweet girl home. I am thankful to have seen a tiny bit of Ethiopia, to have seen my daughter weeks before most families have in this process in the past, and to have met the other families that are adopting at the same time as me. I met a family from Bend that is bringing their son home this trip and we got along well right away. I look forward to keeping in contact with them. I have tons of pictures and video and friends and family to keep me going the next few weeks. I have a fence to mend, last minute chores around the house, a classroom to set up and a baby shower to attend to keep me busy.
I talked to the hotel and guide group and they said a trip to see where Izzie Tizu is from should be no problem the next trip. I think it is so important that I learn as much about her background before our lives together so that I will have answers for her in the future
Just can’t wait to share my pictures and video!
What a wonderful adventure. I really look forward to seeing you once you return.
Love,
Greer
Vicki
Thank you so much for keeping us up to date; it's just been great to read your emails and to share your stories with others! I can not wait to see the pictures!!!
As for the shower, are there 2 showers, or just the one at your Aunt's home in Wilsonville? John is supposed to be leaving for his sabatical on the 15th, so I'm not sure I can make it!
It's the final SYTYCD shows this week, Wed 8-10 and the finale on Thur 8-10. If you're interested, you're welcome to come over; perhaps Kelly can come, too. I've got the makings for Sangria!
Welcome home!
V.
Kelly!!
OMG you have a BABY!!!! And she's ALL YOURS!!!!!! That's amazing :) And beautiful and the way it should be! I'm glad Ethiopia treated you well and I'm so glad that you have all of these new experiences and it all led to Izzie! I cannot wait to meet her!
I'm so ready for you to be back so I can see your pictures and video and hang out with you just a little longer before I have to leave!!!! Sheila will be picking you up from the airport this evening. Might want to give her a call to confirm times. I cannot wait to see you!!! I'll be back Sunday afternoon :)
Hope you're actually sleeping on that long flight of yours. See you soon!!
Mackenzie
I am so happy for you! I can't wait for you to bring your little precious home. But I'm glad you are on your way home. This time will be over before you know it and you'll be bringing her home forever. Love U! Kristi Richards
