We need your help!

Have you ever wondered how you can help some of the many Orphans in Africa? Or worried that your donation is not going to make it into the proper hands? Well here is your chance to help with the surety that your donation will go directly to the children who need it most. When Shawn and I travel to Ethiopia we have reserved two of our suitcases to transport supplies that are needed both by our orphanage and AHOPE orphanage that is up the street from our son's. AHOPE is a wonderful orphanage that houses only HIV positive children. More information can be found at http://www.ahopeforchildren.org/ Both have contacted us with their needs. If you would be willing to donate any of these supplies we would greatly appreciate your help in filling our suitcases. Drop the donation by our home anytime and we'll make sure it gets packed into our bags. In addition, we have contacted a relief organization here in SLC who has offered to sell us many of the supplies at a fraction of what they can be purchased for at the store. So, if you are the type that prefers to write a check we would be happy to take care of the rest for you. Please let Shawn and I thank you ahead of time.

1.Garason ear dropBetamethasone sodium and Gentemycine sulphate eye/ear dropEach ml contains Gentemycine sulphate equaivalent to 3 mg and Gentemycine equaivalent 1 mg Betamethasone and Betamethasone sodium Phosphate

2.Hydrocortisone ointment

3.Antibiotic ointment(First Aid antibiotic ointment/neomycin and polymyxin B.Sulphate and bacitracin Zink)

4.EUCERIN(calming creme) -Itchy and dry skin Therapy

5.Myconazole Nitrate % creme


MEDICAL NEEDS (most urgent noted in bold and with *)
- *Rocephine (ceftriaxone) IV
- *Ceftraxon-injection IV and IM
- Zinc oxide cream
- Amoxycilline syrup
- Multivitamin syrup
- Tetracycline eye oint
- *Augumentin syrup
- Metoclopramide (antiemetic0 drops and syrup
- Hydrocortisone cream
- Clotrimazole cream, imidazole cream
- Ketoconazole shampoo
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin D
- Calcium gluconate, tablet or syrup
- Metronidazole syrup
- F-75 and F-100 (Formulas for severe malnutrition)
- ReSOMAL
- Iron Sulphate syrup, Iron folate
- Mebendazole syrup
- Salbutamol syrup and salbutamol inhaler
- Cotrimoxazole (septrn) syrup
- Varcomycine IV
- Ceftrazidime/imiperum IV
- Ticarcilline IV
- Cloxacilline IV
- Vitamin D injection
- Miconazole oral gel
- Vancomycin IV
- Kanamycin IV
- Ceftraxone injection, (IM or IV)
- Contrimoxazole syrup
- Ventolin syrup
- Antibiotic cream
ADDITIONAL MEDICAL EQUIPMENT/ITEMS NEEDED
- Pediatric Ophthalmoscope and Otoscope
- *No 6 and No 8 Nasogastric tube
- *Vaseline
- Spatula (Tongue depressor)
- Digital thermometers
- Dressing set (forceps, scissor, needle holder)
- Pediatric Urethral catheter

- Cotton applicator
- Pediatrics BP apparatus
- Drop monitors
- Oxygen administrations
- *IV canula, Infant, Gage 22 and 24
- *Surgical gloves and masks
- Adhesive tape (roll)

OTHER ITEMS NEEDED

-Little Tikes small plastic toys (New only)

-Toys (Mobiles) for the babies to lay under(New only)

-New sweaters, sweatshirts and jackets for infant to age 8

The Drive to Sodo, Ethiopia

No News is not necessarily good news!

Well Friday came and went with no news AGAIN! So we have maintained the top family on our adoption agencies list now for more than one month. With the exception of the court closures in Ethiopia I believe that is a record. Wouldn't you know it, it would have to be us. However, on the flip side my new found friend from the Chicago area (Sue) who is also adopting from Ethiopia emailed me on Friday (thanks Sue!) and told me that her case worker told her there was going to be a lot of news this next week. Apparently the head of the Ethiopian Dept. has been in Ethiopia for the past 10 days and they have not been able to make any referrals until she returns. So Shawn, Me and especially the children are still waiting for "THE CALL". As the wait continues it allows me to read more and learn more about this amazing country. I am so blessed that we have followed our heart and allowed God's hand to direct us on this amazing journey. As I was searching for more information tonight I came across this neat video clip. Another family captured there journey traveling from outside of Addis Ababa to the village where their children are from. It is very interesting. This is a trip I am so thankful that our agency provides. When we arrive in Addis they will make arrangements for a driver and interpreter to take us on the journey south to possibly meet with birth family (if known) and to see and experience where our son is from. Shawn is having reservations about this trip as he enjoys his Western comforts. However, he has come to see the light on the importance of this journey. He keeps reassuring me that he will be fine with the 3rd world bathroom accommodations. I will have to let you know how that goes. So "Good night" and happy viewing.

Scriptures for the day!

On the internet adoption support group that we belong to someone started a thread entitled, "Bible verse if feeling overwhelmed". She started this thread because she said that many days she wakes up and says to herself, "what am I doing?". I have to admit that this is something I have caught myself saying as well. The thought is fleeting and usually all if takes is for me to look around and see the wonderful life that I have been blessed with. In doing so I am usually overtaken by the feelings of gratitiude to our Savior and the reassuring feeling that God has a plan for each of us. He has blessed our family with so much and in return we are able to turn and help another. The amazing thing about this process is that it goes in a full circle, as we have walked down this road I marvel how much our lives are being blessed with the knowledge and understanding of others needs. I would like to share a few of my forum friends thoughts with you.

First thought:Ran across this as I was searching for some comfort during a "What are we doing?!?" moment. From Psalms: ...and whenI cried out, You answered me, And made me bold with strength in my soul.


2nd thought:Thanks for posting that, Heather. A verse Cindy N. shared with me is: Joshua 1:9 "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."

Scripture can be such a source of comfort,strength, and encouragement
These verses helped me get through yesterday and are helping me today. I can only imagine that I'm not the only one who has ever felt this way.

Colossians 1:29 To this end I labor, struggling with all His energy, which so powerfully works in me.

Isaiah 41:10 So do not fear, for I am with you;do not be dismayed, for I am your God.I will strengthen you and help you;I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

3rd thought: What a great verse!When I am feeling overwhelmed and like I am am going to burst from the wait, I remember this verse:Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. I find comfort in the fact that GOD is in control and I can relax again. Even though I don't know who my baby is yet, God knows

As for me (Jill Frasier)I am most moved by song, so today I will leave you with my favorite Sunday hymn!


Because I have been given much, I too must give; Because of thy great bounty, Lord, each day I live.I shall divide my gifts from thee With every brother that I seeWho has the need of help from me.

Because I have been sheltered, fed by thy good care,I cannot see another's lack and I not shareMy glowing fire, my loaf of bread, My roof's safe shelter over-head, That he too may be comforted.

Because I have been blessed by thy great love, dear Lord,I'll share thy love again according to thy word.I shall give love to those in need; I'll show that love by word and deed:Thus shall my thanks be thanks indeed!

The Face of Aids in Ethiopia

We will just have to keep waiting.

Well the work week has officially ended and no call this week. (again) I have to say that the waiting is about to kill all of us. It is the most ask question. "Mom, have we got our referral yet?" I guess the blessing of this is that it has bumped "Mom, what's for dinner" off the top question spot, which I am eternally grateful about. Hopefully next week will bring news. We are the top family waiting for an infant boy so I know that the call will come soon. I have to comment that I am thrilled for our great friends the Sheltons. They will be traveling to Ethiopia on Tuesday to pick up their adorable daughters. You can see her cuties on her blog http://all-in-a-day-mommy.blogspot.com/ . Good Luck Taundra I will be thinking about you during your stay. Especially that your little Liya will not have difficulty attaching.

Since I do not have anything to report I am leaving you with another movie clip. Enjoy your weekend!

Shawn, Jill and the kids!

Memorable moment brought to you by Olivia

I have to share the sweet thing that Olivia said the other day. She was sitting on my lap viewing this blog. She wanted to view a couple of the videos that are below. After watching them she turned to me and said "Mom, do you think if I lived in an orphanage that someone would pick me to adopt?" WOW what wisdom from such a small child! With a tear in my eye I told her absolutely! At the same time it really made me think. How many mothers are watching their children from heaven saying "pick my child". As a mother our most instinctive response is to protect our children. When Olivia said this to me it really made me ponder the complexity of the problem in Africa with so many children saying "Pick Me!"

Where are the children in Ethiopia?

I have repurposed a couple of pictures of the Heitritters Family Blog. (With their permission of course, Thanks Steve and Laura) They just returned before Christmas from Ethiopia. They were there picking up two sisters. They took some great pictures that will better explain where the children come from and where they stay while they are waiting for their families to pick them up.

This picture is the Hosanna Drop off center. Hosanna is the name of the town which is located approx 6 hours south of the Capital of Ethiopia, Addis Ababa. This is the place to where the children are brought when they are found. There are several different ways that children come to be here. Perhaps there parents have passed away and extended family cannot take care of them. Sometimes parents themselves will bring the children in when they are unable to care for them any longer. Sometimes the police will bring children here when they have been abandoned. Abandonment is the most common for infants whereas relenquishment is more common for toddlers and children.

Next time you complain about doing the dishes, remember at least you are not washing in a bucket with the garden hose.

Here is a picture of the kitchen at the drop-off center.

Here is a sign pointing the way to the drop off center.

The children only stay at the Hosanna center for a short period of time before they are transfered to the main care center in the Captial of Addis Ababa. Here is a picture of the outside of the care center where the families stay when they are in Ethiopia. All of the families that we talk with tell us how impressed they are at the care the children recieve at the care center. The ratio for child to caretaker is 2:1 for infants and 3:1 for toddlers and children. Children are tested for HIV and other basic illnesses prior to being referred to a family. The children receive excellent care under the supervision of CHSFS Ethiopian staff which includes a full-time pediatrician, full-time nurses and an English teacher.

These two pictures are of the CHSFS compound.

This is a picture of inside the school at the CHSFS compound.

Here is a picture of the nursery at the care center.

Thanks to our Parents!

Having our parents' support has been such a blessing for us. We weren't sure how they'd react to our decision and we're so grateful that they've been very positive. We acknowledge that such optimism about international adoption isn't always the case, as the topics, "Bad Reactions" and "Hurtful Comments" are popular topics on the Internet discussion forum which our adoption agency sponsors. We count our parents' love, support and encouragement as one of our biggest blessings.


When I (Jill) told my Dad his response was, "Wait a minute let's go sit down. I thought you were going to tell me something else." (Probably like, "Hey dad, could you watch Audrey- our baby- while we run to the store?) Then he said, "Well this is big! Where did this come from?" He thought for a minute smiled and then said, "Now are you asking for my opinion or merely telling me of your plans?" I replied, "What did you do when you told your parents 25 years ago you were going to adopt? He said, "We told them we were going to do this and we were hoping for their blessing." I replied, "Well there's your answer." He smiled knowingly. The kind of smile my whole life I have wondered, I wish I knew what you're thinking. We talked some about the pros and cons of our decision and then in my father's style as he's done my whole life, he wished us well and said, " Well of course you have my blessing!" I have always appreciated the way my dad let's us make our own decisions and then sits back and watches. Smiling when we succeed and smiling when we fall on our faces. However, always supporting us. Thanks Dad you have always been MY HERO!


When I (Jill) told my mother, Phyllis, she was cleaning out her large salt-water fish tank. (Surprise! Those slimy creatures from the blue lagoon are the only thing that Phyllis likes better than her own children.) She said, "That is wonderful!" I was shocked! I guess Shawn and I underestimated my parents. She said, "I always hoped that one of my children would follow in our footsteps." My mom was the last parent we told. We had sworn my dad to secrecy one month prior as I was not sure how my Mom would react. Every time my dad would call he would say "You're secrets still safe ....When are you going to tell your Mom?" Had I known her eventual response I would have told her and my Dad at the same time. Thanks Mom! You're the greatest!

When Shawn told his mother Joyce, once again our fears were quickly allayed. She said, "I think that is the most wonderful thing I've ever heard." Shawn replied, "Are you sure you are okay with our decision?" In a way that Joyce often does, she looked at him and said, "Shawn, of course I am okay with it. I'm a social worker!" Joyce has been such a constant in our children's lives (she lives right next door) we pleased that she reacted so positively about welcoming a new grandchild. Joyce, we would be at a loss without you!

Shawn's dad passed away 7 years ago. We draw strength in knowing that he is watching over his new little grandson from heaven.

Family support, love and respect have been so important to us through this process and we wish to thank all of our friends and family that have chosen to support us!

There is no such thing as luck....except if you play the lottery!

Shawn and I have felt blessed in our lives with great friends,family, and especially our four wonderful children. They are the light of our lives. Parenting has been a joy for us. Our hearts ache for the many childen that need loving homes. We know also that the journey to expand to a transracial family will have its challenges. However, we can't deny the fact that we've been blessed and want to share these blessings with others. The need in Africa is so great. So many friends have commented about how "lucky" our new son will be. Quite frankly, we can say that luck has played no part in this process. Luck, I feel, is something that happens when you hit a homerun, or win the lottery. This decision to adopt has been devinely inspired, we feel, and although we realize our new son will live a life with us that he might never have envisioned. We realize now that our family will be the greatest benefactor in this process, as we embark on this challenging-- and at times-- frightening journey. A journey that will enable us to help another and make our own lives more rich and full.

See the below video clip.

Glimpses of Hope

What does an Ethiopian adoption cost?

Cost is always a popular question we field. Although we sense that most want to ask, a few actually do. So, here is the answer. With International adoptions each country has its own fee structure and some can be quite expensive while others are more reasonable. Another factor is the agency you chose to facilitate the adoption. Agency costs can also vary widely.

I have copied and pasted the following from our agency's brochure.


Part I: Adoption Study Fees. This is the fee for the homestudy. This can range from $600- $2,000 in the state of Utah depending on the social worker used.
Application Fee: $250
Processing Fee: $4,000
Dossier-associated fees: $350 (approx.)
Homeland Security government fees for I-600A: $545, fingerprints: $70person.

Part II: Ethiopia Country Program Fees.
The Ethiopia program fee is $7,100 and covers:
Child identification expenses
Medical expenses
Translation of documents
Child identification expenses
Medical expenses
Translation of documents
Registration fees
Childcare and associated supplies such as diapers, formula, food, etc.
Representative and his staff, including caregiver salaries
Legal fees and document processing
Humanitarian aid and program development
Child’s medical exam required for U.S. visa
Child’s U.S. visa

In addition is a required in-country expense charge of $600 which includes:
Lodging at our CHSFS Guest House
Family style meals
Transporation by care center staff
Child’s Life Book

Part III: Travel to Ethiopia. Travel and stay: $2000 - $5400 (Approximate. Low range based on single parent adopting single child and high range based on family of 4 with two kids over the age of 2.)

In addition to these above fees you need to also consider fees for shots. We have been fortunate to have all of our shots covered by insurance with the exception of Yellow Fever and Typhoid. Those shots were about $300.00 for Shawn and I.

It goes without saying you need to have a valid US passport.

If you have contemplated international adoption and you are finding these fees staggering, please keep in mind several things. The year in which your adoption is finalized you may qualify for a $10,000 tax credit. This is not a deduction but a credit. Check with your health insurance company and your employer, they may offer financial help for adoption. For us, we were shocked when we called our health insurance company to check on pre-existing conditions with our new son and the insurance company said...."Do you know your health insurance plan offers a $4,000 adoption benefit?"

In addition, there are several websites that offer grants to qualified families.

For Shawn and I, we decided this was what we were supposed to do and it has been amazing the doors God has opened. It reminds me of a quote on the signature of our friend in the forum.

"God does not call the qualified, He qualifies the called."

Meet Our Family

Meet our Family!

Shawn and Jill

Summer 2006

Bear Lake, Utah

Marissa, age 11 Audrey, age 3 & Olivia, age 7

Wyatt, age 13

It's been so exciting to watch my children's excitement grow. Every day for the last month the kids come home from school asking, "Mom have we gotten our referral yet?" Finally, today I told them, "Don't you think I will tell you as soon as I know something." It is funny that they think Shawn and I will learn something and not tell them.

Melissa Greene - Africa, AIDS, and Adoption

This excerpt gives some detail regarding the pandemic that's besieging Africa.

Why Ethiopia?

Another frequent question we're asked is, "Why Ethiopia?" The true answer to this questions is simply ...We didn't find Ethiopia, it found us! As we started this journey we looked at domestic adoption and almost every possible foreign country. However, we feel that God has lead us to Ethiopia for a purpose. As we've travelled down this road we must confess that the experience and the learning have been life-altering. We are forever changed.

Let us share with you a bit of what we have learned and why we think we've been guided to Ethiopia. Start with viewing the short film located above this post by a wonderful author, Melissa Fay-Green. You may visit her website and find excerpts from a fascinating book I've read regarding the HIV/AIDS orphan crisis in Ethiopia. I strongly recommend it to you. It gives an incredible overview of why the African continent and it's children are facing this daunting challenge.

You can visit her website by clicking on this link.

http://www.thereisnomewithoutyou.com

The Chicago Tribune named this the best book of 2006.

Some of the things we have learned reading her book are:
* Nearly two thirds of school-age children are not in school in Ethiopia, nearly the worst record in the world, and only 41 percent of adults can read.
*81% of Ethiopia's people live on less than two dollars a day, and 26 percent live on less than a dollar a day, the marker for absolute poverty in the world.
*up to 25% of the country's sixty-five million people are not able to eat even once a day.
*Decent sanitation facilities elude 90% of Ethiopians.
*75% lacked access to clean water.
*90% of laboring mother gave birth without any medical assistance (compare to 66%in the rest of Africa south of the Sahara)

Last week the New York Times published an interesting article about the effects of Malnutrition on children in Ethiopia. Click on the link to read this interesting article. You will have to register if not a member of the NYTimes online. Right after you register(which is free) The article will pop up.

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/12/28/world/africa/28malnutrition.html?ex=157680000&en=beb0b8beb87d451a&ei=5124&partner=permalink&exprod=permalink

How we got started

Many have asked, "How do you go about adopting a child from Africa?" So, we thought we would share with you the steps we've taken thus far.

First, we had to chose an agency to work with. We looked at several agency websites, talked with people that had adopted and then participated in a video conference call with the agency that we picked, Children's Home Society and Family Services of Minnesota. There are only 7 US agencies licensed to adopt from Ethiopia and CHSFS is one of the oldest and most reputable.

Secondly, we applied with CHSFS. Below are listed our agency's requirements for Ethiopian adoption, for those interested.

*Married couples and single women only.
*Age 25-50 for consideration for adopting an infant.
*Must be in good health.
*Must be able to show sufficient income to parent the child.
*Ethiopia will not allow the adoption of a child by a gay or lesbian person.
*Couples must be married a minimum of one year at the time the dossier is sent to Ethiopia.
*First time parents must be open to gender.

Thirdly, we needed a Social Worker with international adoption licensture to do a Home-Study for our family. We called a friend who recently adopted and asked who she had used. As luck would have it, she had used, "Families for Children" Located in Salt Lake City and run by Suzanne Stott. I smiled when she said her name. I have known Suzanne for years. She had 10 adopted children herself and was a member of the same support group that my parents belonged to when my brothers and sister were adopted from Korea. We were so fortunate to have found her. She charged significantly less than other social work agencies in our area and in my humble opinion I think she's worth twice what anyone else could provide.

What is a home-study? The home study reviews all aspects of the adoptive parent's lives including familial relationship, home, financial, health, legal, criminal background check and much more. The adoptive parents must provide an agency or a certified social worker with documentation from their doctor regarding their health in addition to tax returns and other financial documents, reports from law enforcement showing no criminal history, and more. In addition, the social worker or agency representative will visit the adoptive parents' home to determine if it is appropriate for raising children and that the family has room for a child. The process can take anywhere from two to six months to complete.

Fourth Step. While waiting for the social worker to finish our home study we worked on our Transracial Parenting Plan and Cultural Worksheets as well as completing, "With Eyes Wide Open and Below the Surface", a self-study program about adopting a child from another country. These were all required by our agency.

Fifth Step. We filed our I600-a immigration forms with US Homeland Security. This step required us to be fingerprinted at our local US Immigration offices. We filed this in June 2006 and received our I-171H approval in September.

Sixth Step. We were able to start working on our voluminous Dossier.

What is a Dossier, you may ask? Most foreign countries that allow children to be adopted abroad require the applicants for adoption to submit various documents that, when put together, is referred to as a “dossier.” The Ethiopian dossier consists of documents that verify certain factors of the applicant’s life, i.e., birth and marriage certificates, a short written letter addressed to the ministry of Labor and Social Affairs (MOLSA) stating why you are interested in adopting from Ethiopia, statements regarding the applicant’s health signed by your personal physician, employment and criminal record, tax records and several other documents. In addition our adoption study recommending our family for adoption of a child from Ethiopia is also required.

Seventh Step. Once all this paperwork is completed (and yes, in case your wondering, it is a lot.) We delivered this raft of documents to our Lieutenant Governor's office and had all of our paperwork "certified". Once this was done we sent all the paperwork to our Agency and they take care of the rest, including delivering the documents to the Ethiopian embassy.

Eighth Step. Once our agency in Minnesota has the paperwork they forward it to the Ethiopian Embassy for Authentication. Then the Embassy forwards it to the Ethiopian representative in Addis Ababa who has the dossier translated and prepared for court.

Ninth Step. This is where the waiting begins, and currently where we are today (January 7th) in the process. We have officially been waiting since September 14th 2006. With our agency, CHSFS, the wait times are: Approximately 4-9 months from submitting completed dossier. Parents who request a boy or are open to gender wait 4-6 months to referral, while families requesting a girl will wait approximately 6-9 months

Tenth Step. We hope to receive "THE CALL" any day now. This will be the call notifying us of our referral. The referral packet-- delivered during the call via email-- will contain a photo, any known family background, place of birth-- if known, medical history, blood work and developmental progress. We'll have one week to decide if we will accept the referral that is given to us.

Eleventh Step. Paperwork is then submitted to the Ethiopian courts. A court order is issued and subsequently, a birth certificate. We will then file for the I-600a visa approval. Once this is done we may travel to Addis Ababa to pick up our new son. Referral to travel time can be between 6-12 weeks.

Africa's AIDS Orphans

Click above to view an informative video about AIDS orphans in Africa.

Welcome to our Blog

Welcome to all of our friends and family. We have created this blog to share our adoption journey with you. Many of you have have questions and we thought this web-based log, or blog, would be a great way to share what we've learned.

Our adoption journey began late spring of 2006. Shawn and I both felt prompted that there was another child for our family. After much prayer and inspirational guidance we knew that we wanted to expand our family through international adoption, specifically from Ethiopia.

From the Official Ethiopian Government website: The Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia is located in the north-eastern part of Africa commonly known as the Horn of Africa. Neighboring countries include Djibouti and Somalia in the east, Kenya in the south, Sudan in the west and south-west and Eritrea in the north and north-east. The country covers 1,112,000 square kilometres (472,000 sq. miles) making it roughly five times the size of the UK.