Just a PS to the post on the HIV adoption documentary...

When you go to the homepage of Deca Productions here you can see one clip of the "We Are Still Here" documentary.

However, if you go to the "Reel" link off of the homepage, or click here, and play "We Are Still Here", you will see that it is a different clip, and in this one, you can hear my wonderful husband Josh. :) They look like they are the same, but they are different clips (both awesome in my opinion.)

Make sure you see them both.

Also, if you look under "About Us" you can read about the wonderful... more

I don't have a lot of time to post this morning, as we are headed out to the big city for a doctor appointment (for Marcus actually...the kid has life-threatening allergies).

I documented my day yesterday for "A Day in the Life of Me" posts that I will get up tomorrow. :)

But before we go out the door, I wanted to share with you the link to Deca Productions.

Early on in our adoption process for Belane last year, we agreed to participate in a documentary that was being filmed about adopting kids that are HIV+. We spoke to the crew quite a bit, and when they traveled to Ethiopia in the summer last year, they got film of Belane,... more

Back in January I wrote this post titled "FINALLY-a Black Princess" about the fact that Disney is finally creating a full-length feature animated movie starring a black princess.

Today, USA Today released this article titled "Disney's First Black Princess to Debut in New Orleans."

The article does not have a lot of new information (in fact the links in the first post I wrote had a lot more info about the characters, story line, etc.) however, it confirms that Disney is still working on "The Frog Princess",... more

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Paperwork-

-passports with visas -photocopies of your passports and visas packed separately from originals -tickets with itineraries -photocopies of your tickets and itineraries packed separately from originals -money/travelers checks -Driver's licenses for ID -credit card or two -list of phone numbers for contacts in country and back at home -copy of homestudy and dossier and any other important adoption documents -photocopies of any essential adoption-related documents -hotel or guest house reservation info -list of restaurants and shops -list of email addresses -contact info for travel... more

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Other “stuff” for parents-

-books -travel belt/wallet -deck of cards or travel game -snacks -powdered drinks (great for adding to a bottle of water) -power adapter/converter -travel alarm clock -travel DVD player and DVD’s (it was really nice on the plane and in the hotel room) -lap top -IPOD -gum -anti bacterial wipes -dish soap for washing sippy cups, bottles, etc. -ziplocks (countless uses when traveling) -travel flash light -glasses (if necessary) -journal -pens -photos of family at home to show/share -camera, batteries, memory card (or film)... more

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Medical stuff-

-cold medicine for parents (non-drowsy) -Immodium AD (for traveler’s problems!) -Excedrin/Tylenol/Ibuprophen -Tums or Pepto tablets -travel sized first aid kit (band-aids, Neosporin, gauze, tweezers, thermometer, medical tape, etc.) -anti-fungal cream (for ring worm and other rashes) -Nix or other Lice treatment (can leave at orphanage if unneeded) -Elimite for scabies (can leave at orphanage if unneeded) -lice comb -hydrocortisone -child’s cold medicine -children’s Benadryl -children’s Tylenol/advil for pain and fever -any prescription medicines parents take -any... more

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Toiletries for parents-

-deodorants -shampoo -conditioner -body wash/soap -saline solution -contact case and extra contacts -lotion (it is really, really dry in Addis) -sunblock (the sun is really, really strong in Addis) -feminine products (even if you don't think you'll need them...stress and travel can do a lot to your body!) -face wash and face lotion -brush and comb -tooth brush and paste -Kleenex packets (keep some on you…toilet paper is often a luxury) -Purel -razor and shaving cream

Notes on toiletries- I found that you can find just about anything in Ethiopia and... more

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Clothes for child

-t-shirts -long sleeved shirts -one or two sweat shirts -one piece outfits for younger kids and babies -pants -shorts -warm jacket -hat -socks -underwear -dresses and tights (for girls) -onesies (for babies) -pajamas/sleepers -bathing suit -bibs (I love the disposable ones for traveling) -shoes or booties

Notes on clothing for kids- Knowing how much and of what size can be tough, because often you are not sure what size your child is going to fit in to. I suggest bringing a variety of sizes, and donating the sizes that are too small to the orphanage.... more

Packing, packing, packing.

I believe that being well-organized and well packed for your adoption trip is essential…you want to be well prepared to make things as easy on yourself as possible when you arrive and have your hands full with your new child, and yet you don’t want to over pack or carry the proverbial “kitchen sink” along for the ride.

Here is the packing list I have used for our two recent adoptions from Ethiopia. It is easily modified for the age of child and your personal likes and dislikes. Depending on your destination, you may not need some of these things, and you may need additional things. See my last posts on “Tips for Your Adoption Trip” for help in building... more

Continued from previous posts...

-Know about where you are going. I think this is especially true if you are traveling internationally. Learn about the country you are going to and what to expect. What are some of the cultural “to do’s” and “don’ts?” What is the area like? What sorts of food will there be? What will the weather be like? Is tipping expected? Will there be lots of poverty? Will I be treated poorly for being a white person with a child from that country? Is it safe to be out on my own? What are some good places to eat? What... more