My grandmother recently met a valet parking attendant at her doctor’s office building in Atlanta. She could tell from his accent he wasn’t from the deep south and so she asked him where he was born. He said proudly, “Ethiopia.” She then replied (and you must read this in the most beautiful southern drawl you can imagine,) “You don’t mean it! My granddaughter and her family are adopting a little boy named Wogene from Ethiopia!” The parking attendant then became very excited, calling all the other attendants to meet her. Turns out they were all from Ethiopia and wanted to meet the Southern Belle whose future grandson’s life started in their motherland. They excitedly exclaimed as they heard the story, “Wogene! Wogene coming to America!”
Why am I choosing to write about this story tonight? Because dear friends, Wogene IS in fact coming to America!!! We received clearance for his visa from US Customs and Immigration today!
We are doing our damnedest to leave this upcoming Wednesday and to take full custody of him from his transitional home on March 25th, his 5th birthday. It seems fitting for his new life to begin on the anniversary of his birth. I think his mother and father would like that. Above all, I hope they would be happy with the family that chose to raise their beloved son when life became too cruel to allow them to do it themselves. We will continue to honor them and the rest of his family as they are now part of our own family.
A million thanks to everyone reading this who has supported us, prayed for us, and simply loved us. You have carried us through and we simply can’t wait for you to meet our son. Soon, very soon….
P.S. My grandmother has since returned to this same parking deck to say hello to her new Ethiopian friends. They immediately recognized her and asked her if Wogene was in America yet! 🙂
The cheers are VERY loud here in College Park — wahoooooooooooooo!! Looking forward to meeting you soon, Wogene!
– Noel
p.s. awesome crown – for a boy I know will be a little prince!
– Noel
I can definitely hear that southern accent…love her. And I love all the excitement from all around the world that Wogene is coming home. What a glorious day! A long awaited day that we give thanks for…and I cannot wait to see him in that precious crown. This is going to be a wonderful birthday…happy 6th to Wogene! When, he, Paige, and Eva are together, we will have to call them the Triplets! 🙂
Love you guys and jumping up and down with you today!
Theresa & Jon
LOVE love LOVE the Crown. Very Fitting!!!! Excited beyond words for your family!!!!! (all 5 of you!)
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*and love that crown! felt rules!
Our family is so happy for your family! Kate shared your link with us! Congratulations, safe travels and Happy Birthday Wogene!! Buddy, Carla and Addie Melton
I didn't post here the other day, but our family, dare I say an extended family to Wogene, is so so happy that your boy is finally coming home. Truman was so excited when I told him! Enjoy that trip back to ET, we miss it! (And maybe you won't have…15(?) People stuffed in one van?)~~Brooke and family.
I didn't post here the other day, but our family, dare I say an extended family to Wogene, is so so happy that your boy is finally coming home. Truman was so excited when I told him! Enjoy that trip back to ET, we miss it! (And maybe you won't have…15(?) People stuffed in one van?)~~Brooke and family.