2009 Heritage and Culture Camp

This weekend we attended the Ethiopian Heritage and Culture Camp at Massanetta Springs Camp in Virginia. We had a ball, and learned so much. The organizers will be doing it again next year, so if you didn't get a chance to come out this year, make sure to come out next year. 

It was primarily organized by a wonderful woman named Mekdes Bekele, with the help of 4 adoptive parents. Mekdes met one of the parents at a water park in Virginia, and from that simple meeting, they came up with this grand idea!  The camp was dedicated to bringing together all families who are raising Ethiopian-American children.  

There were workshops on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. We arrived Friday night after a 2 and a half hour drive. My favorite sessions were "How We Define Family" and the traditional Ethiopian Banquet and Party. The first session highlighted an adoptive mom and her daughter. They shared their families story, and let me tell you, this mom was awesome! She has really figured this whole thing out. She appeared to be s supportive and loving to her kids ( all 4 were adopted), and you could just see the love and admiration in her daughter's eyes. She shared the story of how she helped her daughter to re-unite with her birth family in Ethiopia just last year. The family actually adopted twin girls from Ethiopia in 1994. One of the girls was interested in re-uniting with her birth family. The other was not. The mother supported both of their decisions wholeheartedly. It was truly a remarkable story.

 I also finally had the chance to wear my "Ethiopian Gear" acquired during my travels to Ethiopia over 10 years ago. There was good food, live music and dancing, as well as great company. I met some wonderful families as well; one being my blog buddy Brenda and her beautiful daughter! 

We had a great time! Hopefully we will see you all there next year, and hopefully our daughter will be there as well. Here are some photos of the weekend!

Our home away from home for the weekend and the Welcome sign! BTW, the weather was wonderful!

During the outdoor coffee ceremony! There were moon bounces for the kids, popcorn, cotton candy and ice cream! Oh, and coffee for the adults. There were also a few vendors selling items at the Gebeya (or market)!

The geese and ducks near the lake on site. We had the chance to do some canoeing on the lake, but I didn't get to take any photos. I was afraid I'd drop my camera in the water.

Mr. B and I on arrival! My DH was on travel this past weekend so he missed it all, but we filled him in.
Mr. B being silly!

Dance lessons were also given for those who wanted to learn. There were also cooking and language classes.

Ducks swarming us on the lake as well as a swan! There was also fishing available. There were huge fish in that lake! But you had to catch and release.

Mr. B was so excited by the animals (skunks, deer and ducks) as well as the swimming pool.
Me in my traditional dress for the PARTAY!! Who hoo!!
Brenda and I!  It was so nice to meet her. She was great, and her daughter was so beautiful. I have some photos of other families, but I didn't want to post close up pics of kids without their parents permission. 
Traditional Musician. This one man band played like 2-3 hours straight. He was awesome. I love live music!
Mr. B and I after dinner.
Let the dancing begin!  There was a professional dancer, and she taught us so many traditional dances.  She was like Beyonce, (lots of dress changes and boody shaking..LOL) I loved it! It was so much fun. It was really a work-out, and we all broke a sweat. 
Mekdes, the awesome woman who planned this camp!

A final picture of all the kids! There were more than this, but this was the best picture I could get. In addition, we all took a professional group photo, and boy was it a hard to organize all those folks, but we did it. 

It's been a loong time!!

I know, I know! It's been a looong time. I'm still here! Just enjoying the fun that is summer...my absolute favorite time of year! The summer has been filled with family (about 8 folks in my house all at once for 2 weeks..what a fun time we had, but boy was it loud). I'm still recovering as they all just left on Sunday. My baby boy turned 9, and had a sleepover with 15 other 8 and 9 year old boys (whew..what was I thinking?!) Let me tell you, I will NEVER do that again. At least not that big. They had a ball, but those jokers stayed up the ENTIRE night (OMG). I mean they didn't sleep!! I felt like I was being hazed!!! We took them to play laser tag, and then to the movies. We didn't get home til after midnight, but they refused to sleep. We had 5 adults supervising, but they all turned in (around 2am) and left me alone with all those boys! Nonetheless, Mr. B had a ball, and I guess that's all that counts. The next day, most of them were NOT trying to leave, but the party had to end!! I'll have to post pictures as soon as I get back into blogging, and have a chance to upload all the photos I've taken.

I've been sick too...boo hoo. Asthma, bronchitis, and acute sinusitis! I really need to take a week off and get it together, but it's just been way too busy! I know I'm wearing myself out, but I'll count down until my California vacation in August (I can't wait!!) Maybe God will just force me to slow down and take care of myself, since I'm always taking care of others!

On the adoption front, we have been officially waiting for 6 months! I can hardly believe time has flown so quickly. I want to get excited really I do, but I don't want to jinx anything! I'm one of those wait til the baby is born to decorate the room type of folks! It's not that I don't want to go out and go crazy; it's just that I never want to count my eggs before they hatch. Maybe I'll wait for our referral, then I'll allow myself to do one of my favorite things..shop!!

I have had the chance to declutter an extra room in our house. In preparation for family and the sleepover, I literally cleaned the entire junk room in 3 days (with the help of DH and my baby boy of course). It's clean now, and I 'm trying to figure out which room I should start for the baby. One is big and pink, the other is smaller, and blue. Hmm...I don't know yet, but I'll post some pics when we decide and decorate!

As we get closer to referral, I find myself getting a little nervous. I'm excited, but I'm like hey am I ready to start all over? Will she like us? Will it be love at first sight? Will we be a perfect match? Will she keep me up all night? Man, this means I need a diaper bag, stroller, car seat..oh my!! I have a 9 year old, what was I thinking? I am so far removed from baby/toddlerdom. How will I remember what to do? This thing is becoming real! Hey! Wait! (Anybody else feeling this way?) I looked at our agency's unofficial list, and we are like #10. Almost in the single digits! (Lions and Tigers and Bears..Oh My!!) I guess these feelings are all normal, and despite them I am totally EXCITED!! That is a bit schizophrenic right? (LOL)

Anyhoo, it's great to be back. I'll try not to stay away so long next time..besides I really missed you guys! And congrats to everyone who has made waitlist, received a referral, got a court date, passed a court date, or brought their babies home!! (Did I leave anyone out?..LOL)

Until we meet again....