Ethiopian Dinner

Today Annaliese introduced her Great Grandma Mae, Grandpa Dan, Grandma Gloria, Uncle Brian, and Aunt Sarah (and cousin Keeley) to Ethiopian food. Thanks to all of you for joining us for lunch in Indy : )

Court Date

We finally have a court date for Annaliese!

This is just something we do as a formality to legally change her name, but she is already a legal US citizen and legally our daughter. She is thrilled, though, to be able to go to the doctor’s office without being called back as Birtukan (which is generally mispronounced) Jonathan DeNeal. She always says, “NOT Jonathan, I’m Annaliese!”

So, on the morning of August 20^th, we will have this all legally changed. It is the final step in the adoption process!!

Family Coordinator Assigned

After sending in our initial paperwork and fees, we have been assigned a new family coordinator with AWAA to assist us on this second journey. Unfortunately, the lady that we worked with for Annaliese’s adoption is no longer with AWAA, but we are sure this lady will be just as wonderful to work with!

Please continue to pray for our family and Elise (FC) as we proceed.

Day #5

Today was our last full day here.

After bumming around this morning, we ate lunch and then walked downtown to check out a bookstore and a candy store. I always love to find, and stock up on, used Mary Higgins Clark books. Annaliese also picked out a new “little critter” book.

We then went on a trolley ride and Annaliese got to ride in the back. Before bed she reported that this was her favorite part of the day : )

 

After changing clothes, we then headed to the beach for the last time. The waves were the perfect size for Annaliese to jump into on her own. She also discovered that she likes to try to dive under them and have daddy throw her into them : )

 

 

 

 

We have had a great time here in Michigan, but are excited to head home tomorrow! Hope you have enjoyed the journey with us : )

Day #4

We got to spend more time at the beach today. It was perfect weather - much less windy and no rain. Annaliese got to finish her first full sand castle before the tide came in and washed it away.

She also let daddy bury her in the sand…

I promise the picture is not photo-shopped, she really is under all that sand!

We ended the day with supper on the grill, eating outside and going down to the river for a community worship time.

 

She informed us today that she would like to move here - I assured her our family would be very sad it we lived so far away - but she still seemed interested. Then she realized she would not see Ms. Jenkins, her friend Jenna (from school), or Ms. Kim (from church) again and changed her mind : )

Day #3

This morning, Annaliese got to take her first train ride. It was on a train and tracks that were used as long ago as 1916. It was pretty neat. Unfortunately, the train was taken over by robbers and we had to give them all of our money & jewelery before the sheriff took them off to jail! It was pretty fun to see her reaction to all this commotion : )

 

 

 

 

Next, we headed to the city for a dinner at The Melting Pot. This is Jonathan and I’s favorite restaurant, but I must say that the ambience changes a little with a five year old : )

 

Finally, we ended the evening by going to the Musical Fountain show. Annaliese was not quite as impressed as we were, but she did enjoy some dancing : ) Not sure what kind of music we introduced her to, but she had fun.

 

 

 

Tomorrow we are headed back to the beach for a lazy day in the sun…

Day #2

We had another nice day together as a family!

Our initial stop was kind of a letdown, but we knew there was a chance of that, so we came back to the condo for lunch and then got dressed and ready to head to the beach. Annaliese was practically running circles around us - she was so excited : )

The waves were really big today since there were high winds and a chance of thunderstorms. We were all tired after trying to keep our heads above water at times!

 

* Sorry if this video makes you a bit sea sick - I was having a hard time staying upright! *

 



She loved building in the sand too : )

 

 

…and burying daddy.

After supper we headed to a large playground close to the condo.

I think she will sleep well tonight : )