FAQ

Andrew is on his way to go pick up Mira’s visa from the embassy and our bags are mostly packed.  (Can I just interject a big Thank You to the anonymous donor who sent the exact amount of money needed for Mira’s visa?  We will tell her that some kind soul paid the last of her “ransom” so we could bring her home.)  We spent an interesting day meeting some of Mira’s extended family and making sure we had some of her history to bring home with us.  I’ll write more about that when I’ve had time to process.  In the meantime, how about I answer some questions that have been asked frequently.

How do you pronounce Mira’s name? – Mee-rah.  Like how we southerners sometimes talk about looking in the mirror, only we say we looked in the “mee-rah.”  An easier way to put it, it’s Miracle without the “cle.”  Sometime soon I will tell you the very special story behind her name.

What happened to Mira’s hair? – The week before we arrived, she was moved into another family’s care while she recovered from typhoid.  (She was never in a baby’s home, always in foster care.)  They said that when she got there, her hair was all tangled and matted, probably from when she’d been so sick.  So they shaved it off.  Most of it was extensions that I was going to take out anyway.  So we’re starting over from scratch.  I keep her head nice and oiled up!

What have you been eating? – I think I put something on twitter about having Pringles and Twix for dinner and some dear friends who know our granola tendencies checked in to make sure we had enough money to eat.  The answer is, yes, we had enough money for food.  And I brought an entire suitcase full of organic snacks for us.  But the phenomenon we’ve named “Boda Belly,” where it feels like a motorcycle is running through your intestines, has kept us from eating like normal humans.  Plus, the Africans don’t use much salt and we realized we couldn’t stay hydrated without a little salt in our diet.  Hence, the Pringles.  The Twix I cannot account for other than to say that they “spoke to me” from the shelves.

Where have your other kids been? – We had planned for all five children to stay at our house with grandparents, but at the last minute, that’s not how it worked out.  The boys went to Tennessee to Gran and Pops’ house and the girls went to Grampaw’s house where they have been spoiled rotten by my brothers and sisters.  But I couldn’t very well announce to the world at large that our house was empty, so I waited until I knew the boys have returned home to tell you that they are all fine.  They’ve missed each other almost as much as they’ve missed us.  But they skype regularly with each other.  And I hear Willa has carried a picture of our family around with her and named each one of us often so she doesn’t forget.  I think the girls are ready to have us home, and we are more than happy to oblige.  I believe the boys are content to stay with Gran and chew her gum.

When do you get back? – Our plane arrives in Birmingham around 9:30 pm on Friday night.   The JT’s are returning with us, so it will be a grand party at the airport.

How can we pray for you? – Okay, nobody really asked that last question, but I’m going to just pretend someone did.  Obviously, safe and smooth travel is first and foremost.  It would also be nice if Mira would be a good girl and if we would all stay healthy while traveling.  (Andrew had trouble with motion sickness on the way here and I had to drag him through Heathrow airport.  I do not wish to repeat this.)  Our children at home have some adjustments to make since they haven’t really been home, and then we will all have some adjusting to do with this extra little person.  Please pray for good sleep habits for Mira (we’ve come such a long way already!) and that we would be able to find our rhythm as a family of EIGHT.

We will let you know when we are home safe and sound.  Thank you so much for going on this journey with us.  The good news is, I expect the adventure is still ahead of us!