Today was a big day.  It seems like once you clear one hurdle in Ugandan adoption, you don't have a lot of time to celebrate before the next big challenge happens.  Thankfully things seemed to go well today.    We had some long delays due to technology issues, but the interview went very well.  We met with the head consul, Bridgette. She was very kind to us.  I will find out tomorrow how long it will take to get the visa.  Praying for no glitches:) Thanks for the prayers and support.  This is my 4th week in Uganda and Im ready to come home and I know Shawn is struggling, so I feel pretty down about that, but we are enjoying each other and making the best out of things!

The Women Who I Thought Was Going to Kill Me!

2 of the group in the taxi!

Inside Esther's House During the Rain. It was Pitch Black Inside, But My Flash Lit Things Up!

electricity.  While Joseph was talking I had the distinct
feeling that the rains were a symbol of heaven crying.  Crying for my
boy who has endured more than any child should have to endure.  I
asked the Esther everything I could about his mother and father and
learned a few cute stories about him when he was a boy.  She said his
father was very harsh and he would get in trouble when his dad would
send him to market and he would run off to the football pitch instead.
 After the rains stopped we walked down a muddy road into a clearing
where his mother, father and little brother and sister now rest.  The
graves were not marked and were just a mound of dirt.  We each used
our hands to groom the graves ( a Ugandan tradition).  It was very
humbling to see the dirt where his parents lay and to see the smaller
mounds of Willy and Rosette.  I thought my heart was going to break
for my boy.  His family is buried on land owned by someone else which
means they could be removed at any time.  Oh how I want to buy this

Paying Our Respects

land and give them a proper place to rest!  After that, we started the
walk to the land his family used to live on.  The home is destroyed,
but we were able to look at the space and Joseph recalled several
childhood memories.  We continued walking back to grandma's and
Esther said something in Luganda that my friend Hilda interpreted.
She said, "I can remember Joseph walking this road so many times when
he was a boy.  He lacked food and clothing.  Now, looking at him
walking that same road and seeing him looking so good made her so
happy".  It was a very humbling experience and I am so honored that
God is giving us a chance to be be Joseph's mother and father.  I wish
that his parents were still here, that Willy, Rosette, Fiona and

The Property Where Joseph's Home Once Stood

Geoffrey could be together with them, but, since they can't we can
only try to do our best by them.  After that experience I didn't think
things could get any harder, but little did I know!  After searching
for the better part of a year, we were given a contact where Joseph's
little brother and sister were staying.  We got a number, called and
were told that we could see them if we came.  The build up and
anticipation at seeing them was almost too much!  My best guess is
that it's been about 4 years since Joseph had seen them.  We arrived
at the center (not even knowing anything about it) and were greeted.                               
 Then, it happened.
 The most beautiful, sad, and tragic thing I've ever witnessed.
Joseph was reunited with F and G.  They hugged and Goeffrey
sat on Joseph's lap as they tried to catch up on 4 years of lost time.
 I sat a cried.  I couldn't help myself.  After searching so long and
finally finding them it was indeed sweet.  Fiona has the most
beautiful voice and was so sweet and pretty.  Goeffrey looks just like
Joseph.  I won't share what they talked about, but let's just say
Joseph is a great big brother.  He instructed them as to what they
should do to help one another since they are together.

Together At Last!

Joseph had no picture of his brother and sister.  It then came time to
go.  I cannot even talk about how that went as I still haven't fully
recovered from it.  I cannot stand to see Joseph hurt.  I found out
from Fand G that they have been to the US on tour with the faclities
childrens choir.  I couldn't believe they had been to the US before
their brother.  G told Joseph that when they were older and he got
money, he would build a place and they could all live together.  After
doing some research on the facility I learned that the choir is coming
to the US in September.  My son is the bravest, strongest person I
know.  We are so lucky to have him.
Anyway, that is what's been going on.  We are waiting to go  to the embassy.
Will update when I can.  Thank you for the love and support.  I am not
going to have a very easy time jumping back into American life after
this last month.  I feel like the things we have gone through trump
everything and I just hope people will be understanding if it takes me
awhiled to catch up and be myself.

Telling Joseph The Verdict...
Well, today was a great day!  The judge came and we received our ruling................Joseph waited in the waiting room and I went in alone.  I thought I was going to throw up and was shaking so hard.  I thought about how far we had come.  I thought about the times I lost hope and never thought this day would come, but mostly I thought about how God carried us through this difficult journey.  When the ruling finally came back positive I about fell off my chair.  I walked back into the waiting room where Joseph sat nervously waiting for me.  I think he knew by the smile on my face and we embraced and cried together.  The relief came so fast and quickly that it overwhelmed us.  I'm still not sure this is real!  We then celebrated by going to see a real movie at the very western theater.  Joseph and I had the theater to ourselves!  Shrek 4, his first movie!  So, as we celebrate this day, I can't help to think about all of the dear friends I've made along the way still waiting.  Don't give up, the reward is so worth it.  Now, off to call the embassy in the hopes for a quick appt.  Still waiting for our written ruling, but after that we pray for smooth sailing!

Today was a special day.  We were able to go to Birra and let Joseph say good-bye to Mama Dorothy and the others he lived with.  We took lots of pictures so he will be able to remember everything.  It was so interesting to see him speaking his native language and conversing with the women who has helped care for him for the last 3 years of his life.  Most of what we have ever given him has been stolen so we were able to retrieve what was left of it.  Also, after we got back we were relaxing and Joseph suggested we go down to Sanyu Babies Home to help with the kids.  He was quite a pro and I was so proud of him wanting to go and give of his time to help the orphans there.  Tonight we get to borrow a friends computer and Skype again with the kids.  It was so fun for the kids and Joseph to "meet" for the first time.  Tomorrow is the big day.  Hoping the judge shows up and is kind to us:) Thanks for the prayers!

The rollercoaster never seems to end!  Seriously!  I am so grateful though for the support of friends and family.  Everytime I get a chance to get on the computer and read the messages it brings tears to my eyes to and I feel so strengthened.  This past week was a waiting game. The anticipation of our ruling dashed away my good mood.  I went to my room and spent some time praying and shed a few tears while I was at it.  I think my biggest concerns are that we are going to get stuck here for a long time and how the family back home will cope.  We were so unprepared when I left.  I usually have a full schedule written out and have everything arranged.  This time, not so much.  So, thanks to the help of family and friends everyone is o.k back home, but it is still eating away at me.  This week brought many experiences that were very difficult and hard to deal with.  I went to visit a childrens home that 2 sweet Ugandans have opened. It's their home and they have taken in about 35 children and are raising them.  There was a little boy named Tim.  When I first walked in I could smell him before I saw him.  I'm not sure what is wrong with him, but he was laying in his urine on a bed with flies swarming around him.  He is 4 1/2 and he was about the size of a 6 month old baby.  I'm guessing he is about 15 lbs.  I did not want to take pictures of him as I didn't want to feel like he was getting photographed because he was in such a bad state, but I started showing him photos from my camera and it brought a smile to his face.  I then took a few photos of him and showed him pictures of himself and he was so happy!  I can't get him out of my mind.  We tried to get some diapers for him and are getting them to his caretakers today.  The other kids were so sweet and we spent time playing duck, duck goose and such.  There is one other girl there that especially broke my heart.  Her name is Esther and she has sickle cell anemia.  She would be fine if she lived in a first world country, but because she is in Africa she is now living with this disease as it slowly eats away at her brain functions.  I've also spent some time at  Sanyu Babies Home.  I won't even talk about those experiences.  So, I'm off to get Joseph now and he will be with me through Monday evening.  I can't wait to see him!  Thanks for all the love, support and prayers!~

Today was our court ruling appointment.  Unfortunately the judge would meet with us and told us to come back on Monday.  I am hoping to be able to get Joseph here with me this weekend and the school said I can keep him until Monday night.  So, if we get a positive ruling then I will keep him forever~

So happy I found a new friend!  Yesterday while in the "mall" I saw a group of girls I recognized from the babies home near my guesthouse.  I met a new friend who is here setting up things for her new adoption agency and we hit it off.  She was completely alone and having some trouble so we connected and she is now staying at the guesthouse with me.  She has a wonderful little netbook and I've been able to use WiFi for about an hour and catch up on so much!  I'm so grateful.  Anyway, Monday, we went to do medicals for Joseph.  The embassy is now requiring you to go to IOM.  It was quite the day.  Super long and full of blunders.  Joseph and I are now expert Boda riders, something I swore I would never do!  Hiring a driver is so expensive so we have to ride Boda's once in awhile.
I have been so busy trying to do as much as I can  to stay busy.  I've spent time working in babies homes and orphanages.  Mentally it's been a challenge, but I want to serve as much as I can while I"m here.