Moving Forward
Nine days and counting! So far we have gotten one donation suitcase packed, I think I counted 30 little kid shoes in that one. If I can pack one suitcase a day up until we leave I think we will be okay. Now I have had friends that have said what are you so stressed about just through all the stuff in suitcases and call it good. Well since we are trying to deliver donations to at least two orphanages I am trying to divvy everything up just perfectly while maximizing the space under the weight restrictions, all the while thinking I will need to add 20 more lbs of stuff to each suitcase in DC.
This weekend Saturday and Sunday I am finishing the kids rooms.....I have a couple people in mind that I am going to beg for help( Rachel and Tracy). That's the heads up that you may want to avoid my phone calls.
On other family drama Romans graduation or continuation from eighth grade is this evening......I don't remember anyone being real impressed with that when I was that age, but I guess it is a big achievement now. We are having a little get together for him on Friday. For the ceremony he wanted to wear slippers and a tye dye shirt, and he is still begging to have his hair dreaded, they do it professionally now and so it is not as gross.

Sierra and I went camping (not really roughing it) at Estes park with her girl scout troop last weekend. It was really nice to have that time with her and somehow I got to chaperone four girls by myself the first nite...ugggh. There was a tour guide for our rock and ice class that all the girls fell in love with I even heard one of them ask him "do you have a girlfriend or an ex-girlfriend" (not sierra, one of the older more mature third graders).

That's all for now I will keep everyone posted on my packing endeavors

If you are reading this you are invited
So we are having a "family shower" as it is now called. One of my favorite over achieving friends has decided to throw us a shower. We just don't want gifts, we are hoping to collect donations for the orphanage. As it is now though we have a lot of people that have come through for us last minute and may not have enough room in our luggage. Warrens boss donated two suitcases and filled them with medical supplies...WOW. Anyone that is still wondering what to get I am trying to convince them to sponsor a child or even give a one time donation to one of my favorite charities that I posted in a earlier post. And not to worry Ethiopia will be in our hearts forever and gifts can be given year round to help a child or family in need.
Let me know if you need directions to our shower

Off for the summer
I have some news, good or bad it depends on how you look at it. I have been told by my employer that I should plan on taking my family medical leave all at once and not work part time. This isn't what I was expecting, I was hoping I could work part time and use my 12 weeks of time off intermittently. Flexibility is not their forte here so all and all this is a nice time of year to be off of work. I don't think I have had a summer off since, well, ever since my mom had that rule of work or school in the summer. Sorry Mom I will look at summer classes at Mines since I only need six more credits for my masters.
Financially it will be a little harder on us since we were expecting some money coming in on my side, but we have always planned our finances on just one of our incomes, just not with five kids in the picture also. Back to the days of coupon cutting!

In other news I have been an emotional roller coaster, I have so much I want to get done before we go that my head is spinning. I took all last week off of soccer and I don't think I am any better off than I was before that. The most important thing for me is to finish getting the bedrooms set up and pack our suitcases. Anyone want to help?

HIV Orphanage
The Bead Project
World Wide Orphan Foundation

We got tickets!
Okay our plan so far is to arrive in DC on the 2nd of June and leave for Addis on the 3rd, we wont arrive in Addis until the 4th at 6pm. We have court on the fifth and the kids will legally be ours....yeah. Our Return will be on the 11th with the arrival in Denver on the 12th. Now the time is flying and I can't seem to get ready quick enough. Work is crazy trying to prepare for time off without all my reservoirs being full, I am sure they will figure it out though, Don't worry lakewood you will still have water, I just have some really important things to take care of. I am making sure we are filling our suitcases with everything that the orphanage needs and we don't exceed the weight requirements. Calling all DC friends and family, we are only able to take 8 fifty pound bags to DC but from DC to Addis we are able to up that to seventy lbs, no bones about it I am asking for help to get exactly 70 lbs in each bag so start collecting. Here is the list of suggested items. This list also goes for my friends and family in Denver...we will fit it in no matter what.

DONATIONS NEEDED FOR HORIZON HOUSE AND
OTHER INSTITUTIONS IN ETHIOPIA

Neosporin or antibiotic ointment
Hydrocortisone creams
Infant and child Motrin, Tylenol or other fever reducer
Pedialyte or Kaolyte (preferably powdered form)
Infant and child decongestants
Infant and child vitamins
Milk based infant formula (Similac is preferred)
Sheets for children
Infant clothing
Bactoban ointment
Nystantin (Mycostatin)
Standard bottle nipples
New or like new condition children’s shoes
New or like new condition children’s clothing (infant to 14 years of age)
Developmental toys for children
Baby shampoos
Baby bath soap
Baby oil
Baby powder
Body wipes
Infant toddler and size diapers
Disposable surgical masks and gloves.
School supplies
Books for very young children ( board books and easy readers)


For those so inclined to give $$$$$$$ we will also accept that and make sure it gets to the orphanage. I also have found a few organizations that I really respect for their work that they are doing in Africa. I will post their links and maybe you could just do that. In this process we have realized that the Children of Ethiopia and Africa, are their greatest resource and if we can help at lest a few stay in their native country maybe they will be the ones that solve their next water, war or famine crisis.
Peace
The Large Mitchell Family

As soon as we know you will
I know it is driving everyone crazy wondering when our actual dates to leave to Ethiopia are. We hope we will have definate answers by the end of the day today. I double promise I will post as soon as I know.

Good and Bad News
We are going to Ethiopia the first week of June to get our kids. A few of you may be aware of the latest issues we have been having with immigration. As it turns out although we may be parents in the eyes of Ethiopia our change request for three children has been held up at the immigration offices here in Denver. That being said I may be in Africa for quite awhile this summer and Mitch will meet me out there with the paperwork that allows us to bring our children home. We are in process of contacting senators, congressman and anyone that will listen that has any pull with the Department of Homeland Security. Our last resort, which is right around the corner is the local news stations. Many of you may recall me saying that waiting for our children has been the hardest part of this whole process, knowing that now they are waiting for us is truly the most unimaginable pain that one can comprehend.