Drum Roll Please !!!!!!!

Introducing our newest daughter:

Dorcas Linda Kirabo
6 1/2 years old
Extremely shy a lot of the time, but around us - as smiley and giggly and goofy as any Britton child could be!

Wednesday, many of you were praying for our Court date. It was a fantastic experience...much better than anything we could have hoped for. We sat in court for about 2 hours before it was our turn. After some questions, the Judge stated that he would have his official (written) ruling for us on Friday. Today is Friday! So we went to the court house once again to obtain the ruling. (This is what officially grants us Legal Guardianship of our girl!) He called us into his chambers first thing in the morning and read us his positive ruling granting us guardianship. After he said all his legal, official words - he turned to us unexpectedly and offered up some incredibly kind and encouraging words about what we are doing in adopting this child from His country. The honor is all ours!


Now that we have the ruling in hand, we were able to drive back to Kampala to finish up the paperwork needed with the Embassy (we have been 5 hours away in Dorcas's town - Fort Portal - since coming to Uganda). Aaron and Provi are going back to Colorado on Sunday night. We will miss them, for sure. Especially Dorcas. She has attached to Provi in such a beautiful way. I'm afraid she will grow very bored with just mom. Please pray for the remainder or our time to go swiftly so we can all be together SOON.

We are so blessed. We are in awe of this sweet child, and enjoying getting to know her. More to come now that details can be shared! But for now.....

Enough of my blabbering - here's what you really are interested in:

First greetings! (Kids here are taught to shake hands and bow upon meeting an adult.)

But shaking hands just wasn't gonna be enough. She graciously offered us a hug!!!

Meeting big sister, Provi, for the first time. She went straight for the hug!

Dorcas showed us to her room and began to pack her bag.

Daddy won her over by being silly!

Right at home! Playing play-do with Provi

A walk in the gardens!

Goofs!

SWIM!!!!

Court...waiting for our ruling.

***URGENT*** Home needed

If ever you linked to my blog, tweet my posts, or do what my posts tell you to - now is the time.

We've had the honor to meet a sweet, sweet school aged boy in our Uganda Sweetie's home. He is in DESPERATE need of a family .... like yesterday. He does have some "special needs" but nothing that you can't handle. Promise.

Please help me spread the word. Because by desperate, I mean desperate. No. Really. Desperate.

Anyone who wants more info can leave a comment w/ their contact info and I will be in touch regarding details.

Thanks. Ready, set, FORWARD!

Boredom and stuff.

I don't have much to report today. Twas a slow day. In fact, we are getting a little bored. It rained a lot. And by a lot .... I mean monsoon a lot. Our hotel room is on the second floor of our building, and the rain was blowing straight onto our little balcony. I thought we were in danger of flooding even on the top floor. (It didn't...but that is really how hard it was raining.) We ran some errands in town in between "gully-washers" (as Aaron likes to call them). The girls got a bit of swim time in along with chasing the Lizards. But with all the rain, it is down right COLD here. The chattering of the teeth told us it was time to be done once again. We spent the majority of the day curled up in our little "home" just playing. It seems to be a very secure place for Little Miss, though. We see the brightest side of her when it is just us at "home". Outside these 4 walls, a look of concern and uncertainty will quickly well up on her sweet little face. So we are happy to stay in. Besides that, it's been a long time since we've had the opportunity to just be bored.

So since there isn't much news from the day, I think I will just state some random facts for the sake of memory, and possibly some good laughs.

- Little Miss has an amazing sense of direction. Our driver is not from the town we are in, and he gets lost....often. Aaron has even remembered turns before he has. It's actually kind of funny, considering he's a "professional driver". The other day, we were on the outskirts of town, and the driver made it clear that he wasn't sure how to get back. Well....Little Miss did. She would point every now and then telling us to go in a certain direction. And wouldn't you know it? She landed us right back at the hotel! As the director of her orphanage says, "They're Village kids ... they have to know their way around the village."

-Her manners are unbelievably good. I asked Aaron what we are doing wrong at home. This Sweet Child throws away even the tiniest piece of trash. She pushes her chair in. She flushes the toilet. She wipes her hands with a napkin. She falls to her knees to greet adults (cultural thing .... but still .... I can't even get my kids to look an adult in the eyes). She eats whatever food you give her, and totally clears her plate - she'll even eat the chicken down to the bone. (This one is understandable considering the amount of food she is used to eating...but still! I'm used to complete opposite at meal times.) She dresses herself promptly after waking up, puts her dirty clothes in the right spot, makes her bed, and washes her hands at appropriate times WITHOUT being told. My favorite was possibly tonight as I observed her brushing her teeth. She squeezed the tube FROM.THE.BOTTOM, folks. I can't even get Aaron to do that! (Totally teasing. Let's be honest - I don't do that either.) I'm wondering if all of this will last. All of these things are the little challenges in parenting...and the more kids you have, the easier (I guess) it becomes to overlook some of these manners. Maybe I shouldn't have been overlooking them! (Please don't hear me bashing my kids here, or their manners. No, that's not it. Instead, I've noticed the fantastic work of the care givers in teaching so many kids these small details that I can't even manage to instruct my 4 in. Fail.)

- She will school you at UNO. We're trying to get her to tell us where she learned it. Little card shark, that one.

- She can make a play-do sculpture like no-one's business. She takes one look at the side of the box, and crafts her mini replica.

- When we drive over bumps (of which there are many), she likes to chant "bumpbumpbumpbumpbump" until it is smooth again. Very cute.

- Every time we see a random dog, I will say - "DOG! GUNTHER" in a funny voice. (Gunther is the name of our dog at home.) She cracks up every time.

- The 4 foot vulture that I mentioned the other day is in fact a stork. Our director got a good laugh at our lack of bird knowledge. Whatever the thing is ... it is unnatural looking to say the least. It looks like a creature from Avatar.

This picture really doesn't do this thing justice. I was standing really far away. Up close, the thing is seriously as big as Provi.

- We had a lizard in our bathroom. We tried to chase it away, but it darted behind the bathroom mirror, never to be seen again. I think it was magical. Maybe it jumped down the toilet, went into the sewage area and got eaten by the giant Avatar Stork. (Provi is hopeful that it jumped in her suitcase. She wants to take one home.)

- There are nasty, huge, black wasps here. If you've been around me at all - you know my feelings about these awful creatures. So needless to say, when I saw one, I wasn't happy. Apparently, they are unlike our Amercanized wasps that are mean and hunt humans. These ones really do leave you alone. But they are still freaky.

Well, enough randomness for today. For not having much to report, this has turned into a really long post. Sorry about that. It's a big week for us...so hopefully you'll be hearing more soon!

CHURCH and a lazy Sunday afternoon

Today we visited church here in Uganda. And by Church, I mean CHURCH ! Oh yeah. Hands clapping. Feet moving. Voices singing LOUD. They clapped for Jesus, they sang for Jesus, they jumped for Jesus, they raised their hands for Jesus, they strutted for Jesus, they waved for Jesus. (No, really - those were the words to the song, and they made the motions with each one. Strutting was perhaps my favorite. I think I'm going to strut for Jesus from here on out in church service.)

The service ran for 2 hours. Yes, 2. (And we hear that is short for this area!) There was a lot of music. All the children were invited up front for a Children's blessing. Our little Ugandan Sweetie marched right on up with the rest of the children, as the Minister prayed a special blessing over the children and their parents. I'm up for this one being added to the American service!

Next, all the visitors were asked to stand. Us Muzungu's (white people) stood out just a tad, but now we got to actually stand. Oh boy! They also recognized the woman who we were with. They called her the "Grandmother to all Children", and told about the amazing ministry she runs here. Then they recognized all the Americans who were there. (All 4 of us.) Everyone clapped.

Then came time for the offering. It took place during the music with everyone still standing and singing and dancing. Very joyful giving. It's hard to not have joy when you are moving to a beat and singing praises to the one we are giving to. Then we sat, and they asked for Thanksgivings. Apparently this is another offering for those who are thankful for something from the past week. They go up front to give thanks and offer more money in response to all they are thankful for. I thought this was fantastic. We should do this in America! Gives a whole new meaning to counting your blessings. :)

Next it was time for the Preacher (Bishop). He stood up and said that today he was more of a teacher than a preacher. He spoke about the pillars of His denomination and made it clear what they believe and don't believe, and how to live in response. It was no nonsense, there was no fear of offending anyone, and he was clear and to the point. (Very different than many American churches.)

The next part, I must admit, made me giggle a bit (just because of how different it was to me). Toward the end of the service, they had an auction. Someone had brought in a bunch (and by bunch, I mean probably 100) of Matooke (green bananas) to sell to the highest bidder. The money would go to the church. I believe the highest bid came in at about $35 US dollars. (More than double what they worth. And also quite a bit of money for this area.) Yet another thing I think they should do in America! Next week, what will you offer for the auction??? :) It was fantastic. There was more singing, communion, and we were dismissed.

What an experience. Oh....perhaps one of my favorite things here - when one is finished praying, and you say "Amen", you clap. Why would we NOT clap at the end of prayer? Makes sense to me.

We came back to our hotel after church and laid around for a bit. Aaron took a nap while I went down for some YUMMY coffee and watched Providence and little Miss UG Sweetie run and play in the Gardens. I read a bit, but mostly kept looking up to see the sweetness of these 2 girls blowing bubbles and laughing and chasing. She loves Providence so much already. (I'm actually a bit concerned about how she will be when Provi has to go home. But we'll deal with that later.)

View from the porch.

 Next it was time to swim! We know our UG Sweetie has swam/swum/swimmed (whatever that should be...Angie???) once before - but from the expression on her face, you'd think this was her first time ever being in water. She couldn't get enough of it. Even when it began to rain, the girls wouldn't get out. They just stayed in splashing and jumping and shivering ... it was COLD! Finally, seeing the girls shiver and shake - we told them enough for today. We promised to go again tomorrow.

We're back in our room now, and the girls are playing cards. Sweet, sweet times. The joy on this new child's face can't be explained in words. We had been told in the past that she hardly ever laughs. However, we are seeing just the opposite. She laughs often, and makes the funniest noises in response to our gestures. Her huge grin appears quickly at our slightest attempts. Seeing her joy brings us great joy - and for this we are so very thankful.

Until tomorrow.....

Home

Y'all are still asleep, and I've posted a blog post, did what we had planned for the day, and am now posting again. You people are lazy! Get up! (Of course, I'm kidding.)

We just got back from visiting our UG Sweetie's old home. We saw where she lived, met neighbors, and heard much of her history. To be honest, it was really hard. Seeing the life that is lived here, the tragedy, the heartbreaks. I suppose tragedy and sorrow are everywhere .... but the stories we just heard, and how deep the pain runs is more than most I know will ever experience - myself included.

We are so grateful to have these glimpse of "Sweetie's" history. We want to honor the life she came from and help her to never forget it. We've been afraid of her being afraid. (That sounds funny.) But at every turn, she clings to our hands and pulls us back to the car. She certainly understands what is happening, and seems as if it isn't coming fast enough for her. A good friend emailed me this morning and encouraged me that no matter how hard these days may be, I should savor every moment. The moments this afternoon were certainly savored....and will never be forgotten.

(I know that I'm being really vague still on my blog still. Please remember that pictures and details can come only if and when the Judge honors us the great privilege of guardianship of this sweet little one.)

In other news, we moved hotel today. (For the 3rd time since landing.) Living out of a suitcase is not my specialty. We stepped into our new hotel and decided it was home for a while...so I unpacked some. I was pulling out some of our Uganda Sweetie's new dresses, and she would squeal in delight.

Now, if only my kids would wake up in America so we can Skype, I'd appreciate it!

Strange and Beautiful

We are having a wonderful time here in this beautiful Country. We've been spending time just playing and giggling. Our Ugandan Sweetie has the most beautiful smile, and the sweetest little laugh. She's very soft spoken, but we're thinking that will change easily upon entering our loud home. She is smart beyond words. She has captured our hearts.

Today we are off to see where she is from, and gain as much knowledge of her history as possible. We are excited and nervous about this time.

Strange and interesting sights - 4 foot vultures outside our window. Baboons in the street (although that was very fun to see!) Black wasps. Ugh. (Although, unlike American wasps, they really do leave you alone!)

Beautiful sights - The mountains! The lush, green grass. The amazing gardens. The rainfall while still sunny. Our Ugandan Sweetie.

The journey has just begun!

The Eagle Has landed!

First of all, let me just say that I know some of you are getting our updates on Twitter, Facebook, blogging, and private emails. If that is you - I'm sorry for the over-kill. There are a handful of people that are only following our journey in any one of those ways. That, and I'm over-the-top excited to be at this part of the journey. So over-kill is my way of shouting it to the moon how over-joyed I am. ;)

We made it to our hotel around 1:00 am Uganda time. After a shower and getting everything settled, we got a call on Skype from back home. What a sweet welcoming to see our 3 kids back home! I'm so thankful for an internet connection that held long enough for us to see them and talk for a few moments.

Sleep never felt better! As I laid there closing my eyes, I was tempted to not sleep as I was taking in all the sounds of outside. It brought me back to our time in Ethiopia. The wild dogs, the loud music, the chanting. I was trying to figure out if the sounds I was hearing here in Uganda were similar. The music, while not the same as Ethiopian music, was just as loud into all hours of the morning. I loved it!

We awoke this morning and as we were able to finally see this land in daylight .... it took our breath away. Provi's expression was priceless! We haven't even left our hotel yet, and I'm in love! We sat outside with our breakfast .... and yes, some of the most fantastic coffee on the planet. Oh how I love Africa! Aaron and Provi went to scout out the hotel that we'll be at today while I sat savoring my coffee and listening to some Eva Cassady playing overhead. (Thought of you PJ!!) I read a few chapters from Isaiah, and rested in knowing that God's story of redemption has been written all along. The reason we are here is heartbreaking, but His plans of joy and hope are nothing short of amazing. (Maybe even epic.)

Well .... off we go. Today we run errands. Scout out lodging. Meet with the attorney. Find water. (And if Provi gets her way, swim. :) )

Thanks for following along. You earn 3 bonus points if you are following along in every method possible.