Tuesday, June 9, 2009

LAST HALF OF AFRICA

I am posting finally, but it will take two days. This is Last of April and May. Check out older post also cuz there is so much. 

HE'S OURS!!!!


The court date was quick and easy. It was the getting to that point that was crazy. My lawyer was very nice (Above picture.) I wish Paul could have been there, but I had to go alone. Lord only knows why!

If you gotta go....


So anytime you go to a third world country, you have to expect that the restrooms are not ideal, but I never expected this.

At the court house on Yaw's adoption hearing, I had to go so bad. Vivian scoped out the building to find the restrooms and came back and slyly reported that she had found the place, but that she didn't think I would want to use it. 

Wow! I was glad that I had a bottle of water, a bottle of shampoo, hand sanitizer, and kleenex. I was also glad I wore a skirt because I found out that when you pee on cement it splashes. I had to wash my shoes!

I came back giggling and saying "I just peed in a hole." I was so entertained that I kind of forgot that I would be getting a son officially in a little while. 

The funny thing is that that was not the worst place I had to go. The worse was at the birth certificate building (same town) It was an actual room with stalls and toilets, but no water. and the place looked like a storage room with stuff everywhere. To top it of a dead roch was in the place. (I hate those things)

To be fair to Ghana, I did find 3 very nice restrooms in Africa. The Rhapsody restaurant, Captain Hook's Restaurant and my own!

"You White People."



So a lady at church loved to make remarks about "you white people." Oh man I lived for those comments. It was so fun to be the minority and have people judge you, your culture, and your country. I loved the ward I attended. Here I am making myself at home at one of the weddings of a girl in the ward. 

Lake Volta















I had the best time with the Abu family. One weekend we went to a family wedding. I felt bad for the aunts and uncles who thought I was Sonya, Stephen's wife. Poor confused people. I feel bad for Sonya also cuz I was a "White dancing fool" They had good tunes and I couldn't help shaking my bootie. There was a lot of video being taken of me on people's phones. It may creep up on you tube one of these days.

On mother's day we went to Lake Volta for some sight seeing and dinner. Peggy and I just keep dancing. The best part of being with the Abu Family is the humorous stories and much laughter that we shared in the many car rides to here and there. 

It is official. They said I could be part of their family now. I am so glad.

Missionary Friends


I don't know what took me so long to realize that I could be of service to the Lord's servants, but on May 4,  2009 I invited the Missionaries over to the house for some "American food." They were so excited. They get hardly any $$$$ to live on. I feel for them. We had "Grandma's" stew and Vivian made her famous spaghetti

After that Elder White and Elder Fedderson would stop by everyday for food. It was nice to have people help me eat my cooking so I didn't have to eat left overs for 5 meals. 

I keep in touch with Elder White...He is the handsome black missionary. We had good food, good company, and good conversations. 

Chocolate...a world wide favorite.

MAY 11, 2009 Yaw's first time eating chocolate. He loved it.

Yaw baby sleeping


When we were all together in the beginning of our adventure, we all shared this bed. Paul was on the right, then Quincy, me, and Madison on the left. At times I would curl up at the bottom like the family dog.

Once Madison and Paul left, and Quincy started rolling, I had to create barriers with the suitcases and pillows. 

Quincy also had to get use to sleeping on the desk at the office, the seat in the car, and his stroller. There were days we were out of the house from 6 to 10 pm. He was quite a trooper.




African Style


Everyday we would pass shops that had the most beautiful sundresses. I wanted one so bad, but every time I tried on the African Style, oh it was horrible. 

My friends Vivian and Mark finally just bought me a Bubu (boo-boo). I didn't want to result to the style that most of the larger women wear, but that was the one that fit my body type. I was even impressed they picked my favorite colors. Vivian had to teach me how to tie the scarf. I should have learned that in the beginning since I couldn't do my hair while there. 

It is comfortable and I do love the scarf. Thanks my friends.  

American Idol...In Africa?





Life started to pick up in May. We got Cable TV and the power stayed on so we could actually watch TV. I got to watch the final four show to the Winner show. Not a great picture, but it captured one of the moments. I was in SHOCK when Kris won. Adam was the better performer. 

I was glad to have my good friends Mark and Vivian with me. They made life in Africa so good.

Fly the friendly Sky...First Class


We flew home on Yaw's birthday. He got the royal treatment. We flew "business class" from Ghana to JFK. That means we had a seat that reclined to sleeping position, 3 feet of leg room, gourmet meal...ect. Now I know why Paul texts me whining about not being upgraded. That was an amazing experience. We even got to hang out in the lounge before the flight.

From JFK to home, We were also in "first class" I must not have looked like a first class passenger for that one. The flight attendant asked if I was having trouble finding my seat. (at first I did since we loaded in the middle of the plane) When I returned from the back of the plane and told her my seat number she asked "are you sure?"

Coming home was a trip. (slang) To see that visit Paul's blog. There is a video. 

Happy Birthaday to Yaw. A new family, home, and country. All FIRST CLASS.