The Traveling Three

As I prepare for this trip, I’m not alone. I have my mother in law whom I call daily, sometimes two or three times to go over my lists.  (Yes, she has the patience of Job to deal with all my lists!)  Yes, Matt’s mom, Madeline, is coming to Ethiopia with us. She is meeting us in Houston and making the trip across that BIG OCEAN to see our Desta for the first time.

My journey with Madeline began many, many years ago when I visited Matt’s home in Fl for a spring break. (Matt and I weren’t dating at the time, though since then I’ve learned that he had every intention of wooing me on that trip!).  I lived with Madeline when I was engaged to Matt and she and I planned EVERY DETAIL of our amazing wedding.

Since Caroline has been born, we’ve had the privilege of having her visit us for the long summer weeks.   I have often told her that if my labor and delivery of our two kids went like my pregnancies with them (ie very long and drawn out with lots of drama), she would have made it to the delivery room.  Alas, labor and delivery of said kids happened in 8 hours and 4 hours respectively.  There are no flights from FL that I know of that could make it in that time!  smile

BUT FINALLY, she will be in the delivery room with us!!!  She will be there when Desta is brought out and placed in our arms. She will get to see Desta’s world,  see her nannies and be able to experience this with us.  I am so thankful and grateful that she’s not only taking her vacation time but her resources, her time and her love for this trip!

I can’t wait to post the pictures of all of us in Addis Ababa.  Thank you Madeline!  Here’s to a few more phone calls, a few more frantic list postings on email and finally, a chance to HOLD your new granddaughter halfway across the world!