What's Janissa Been Up To?

Janissa continues to grow like a weed.  She is 3 feet tall and weighs about 32+ pounds.  She keeps me busy!  We have had a very busy couple of months.  We visited my brother Tom and his family in Seattle; we attended my brother Joe's wedding in Albuquerque and we visited my cousin Cheryl in Honolulu.  After the flights to Seattle and Albuquerque I was concerned about the long flight to Honolulu; but thanks to a little portable DVD player, Shrek and Nemo, she was a perfect angel.  

I have posted several pictures to give you an idea of how much fun we've had.

Engagement

Congratulations to my brother Joe who asked Flaget to marry him.  She said yes.  I have no idea how he got so lucky!  We are truly blessed to add her to our family.

Flaget & Janissa

Flaget & Joe

First Annual Toukoul Adoptive Families Reunion

Last weekend was the first ever Toukoul Adoptive Families Reunion in Portland, Oregon.  There were 17 children who all came from Le Toukoul Orphanage in Ethiopia.  There were also numerous siblings present.  Char and Kwali flew up there with Janissa and me and we all stayed with Tania and Sabah.  It was a great time, as you can tell from the photos below.  It was so nice to meet all the people we had chatted with online and blogged with.  A big thank you to Debbie and the other women who arranged a wonderful weekend for all of us.

Warning!  Many, many photos attached!

Janissa on the airplane (photo compliments of Kwali)

Tania and Sabah met us at the airport with enough car seats to go around

Our first stop was Vista House, then Multnomah Falls

That night we met up with the other families for the first time

The kids had a great time running around

The next morning we met for breakfast.  When the kids were about to take the drapes down, we headed for the Zoo.

How adorable are these three little friends?

It was then time for our Ethiopian Dinner

Janissa decided she wanted to dress casual and undressed herself in the corner

Janissa reunited with her friend Weredesh

All the friends together again!

Sunday morning we said goodbye to Char and Kwali and headed to the Rose Gardens

We said good-bye to all the families at the farewell picnic

Janissa and Naomi on a fun, comfy swing

Where is Janissa?

I guess she wanted to stand out in the crowd

I had business in Portland on Monday, so we got to hang out until Tuesday morning.  Janissa and Sabah had a great time together and I enjoyed visiting with Tania and comparing Mommy notes.
Thank you, Tania, for your hospitality and making our stay so enjoyable.

Friends Forever!

Our First Meeting

This video is way past due.  I wanted to post it on June 24, the day I held Janissa for the first time, but working full time while raising a toddler is the equivalent of 2 1/2 full-time jobs!  Here it is - then and now.

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Gotcha Day!

In the world of adoption, the day you first get to wrap your arms around your child is referred to as Gotcha Day!  Exactly one year ago I held Janissa for the very first time.  I remember it like it was yesterday.  The memories of traveling to Ethiopia with my sister-in-law Kathy are etched in my mind and on my heart forever.  June 24 will always be a special day for Janissa and I, one that we will celebrate every year.

Check back in a few days for a video - it's much too late for me to try and finish it on time for this post.

Thank You Christy!

My friend Christy, a very talented woman, made this photo of Janissa for me. It's on canvas covered with Ethiopian newspaper. She was able to capture this image of Janissa from a photograph taken the first time I held her in my arms nearly a year ago. I will treasure this most wonderful gift forever.

If you are interested in having a similar painting of your child, please feel free to get in touch with Christy at christyvk@yahoo.com. I highly recommend you do!

Bonga, Ethiopia

Janissa was born in Bonga, in the Kaffa Region of Ethiopia.  Bonga is located just southwest of Jimma in the Keficho Shekicho Zone of the Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples Region (often abbreviated as SNNPR).  Bonga sits upon a hill in the upper Barta valley, with an elevation of 1714 meters above sea level.  Bonga is the administrative center of the Keficho Shekicho Zone with a population of approximately 20,000.  Its capital is Awassa.

The neighboring area is known for hot springs, caves and waterfalls. There are fourteenth century ruins associated with the former Kingdom of Kaffa.  The city is a center for the buying of honey and cardamom.

Another family and I hired someone to travel there for us and take photos of the orphanage where our girls first stayed, and to collect other information and photos for our daughters when they are older.  I wanted to share some of those photos so you get an idea of where my little girl might have grown up had her life taken another direction.  I hope you enjoy this slideshow.

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