This week....

Randy was in Cotonou for several days getting car repairs, renewing our vehicle registration, meeting with the Consular at the US Embassy in regard to Lael’s adoption, and much more.  One of the unfortunate and sad things that happened while we were apart was that our dog Sparkle, who was to have puppies this week, died.   We still are not sure exactly what happened, but we were all very sad to lose her.  She had been a very good dog and we were all looking forward to the puppy experience.  Randy had taken her to Cotonou with him and had taken her to the vet (we had sensed she was having difficulty with this, her first litter).  The vet checked her out and said that she was okay.  Between the times of 1:00am and 5am early Thursday morning, when Randy checked on her, she died.  When he returned on Thursday night, we buried Sparkle near our house.  We’re thankful even more for our other dachshund, Booker, who has been with us for 6 years!  It’s obvious he misses Sparkle, too!

As we said earlier in the week, we finally got Ega’s birth certificate (Lael’s birth father).  We are thrilled to be entering the Adoption process. This week we have gained lots of new information and we are diving in.  We intend to fully adopt Lael under Benin law.  The American government will recognize her adoption. However, there will be a few extra things that we have to do to satisfy the requirements of US Immigration.  For the next few (hopefully) months we will be very busy getting these things done!!  Lael will not be able to travel until the adoption is finalized which could likely be into next year.  She will be given an immigrant visa into the US, where she will then be granted the full rights and privileges of all American citizens once her little feet touch American soil.  However, since the visa will be an immigrant visa, this means that she cannot travel to the USA until we are returning permanently (as opposed to a tourist visa).  We had hoped to be able to travel with her before next May to give our family and friends the opportunity to know this precious baby girl in person.  It does not appear that will be happening.  At the moment we are investigating some opportunities of coming home in shifts, sometime in the fall.  Randy and I would take turns going to America and staying here with Lael. We’ll see what unfolds….Speaking of Lael, she is walking everywhere now!

We are getting ready for school to start. At the moment the plan is to start next Thursday.  Today Randy gave me a day of in-service.  I spent the better part of the day cleaning, and reorganizing the school room, going over curriculum and just thinking about second grade! I need at least 2 more days to get things ready for my student!  I am anticipating a good year; however, I am also aware of several interruptions that will come into our schedule: probable trip to America, potential visitors coming to Benin to see us, and an early end to the year as around mid-March we will have to wind things up in order to begin our packing and to say our goodbyes.   It will easily be a year that will be memorable, impressionable and one we will never forget.

This week we also celebrated Laurance’s birthday on August 10.  She turned 29.  Thursday morning before she arrived for work, we made her some chocolate cookies because she loves chocolate.  Tori had the idea to draw her a picture with all of the kids’ hands on it.  This gift was greatly appreciated.  Laurance is here in our home 4 days a week and we all love her so much. The kids greet her with hugs when she comes in the morning and give her hugs again when she leaves at night.  I cannot even begin to imagine how much we are all going to miss her.

Have a blessed weekend!
Kelly