Get Ready for a BIG surprise!!!

You have all had a chance to marvel at sweet Sara Joy (with her colorful attire and all).  Isn't she just darling?  Her cute little hair-do.... seemingly so managable for this mom who has NO experience with curly hair.  I am about to reveal something BIG.  Something SHOCKING.  Something that made me wonder exactly how I would manage this.....Be afraid... be very afraid (that's what I'm thinking anyway).  This is what I was introduced to on day three in Ethiopia with our Sara Joy.  Are you ready?  (if you are friends with me on Facebook, you have already witnessed this - if not, you are in for a big surprise!)

Sara had just gotten a bath prior to our arrival at the transition home on day three.  Here is what we saw:

Now THAT is some wild, BIG hair.  And look at the little "kissy lips" in the first picture.  Isn't she just a doll!

I didn't even recognize her at first.  I asked where Sara was and Tim said - she's right over there.  I had never seen her with her hair down (and BIG) and it just threw me off.  Isn't she absolutely beautiful?

We had an absolutely amazing time playing with her on this day. She smelled so good (finally)!  I grabbed her and hugged her and just loved on her for as long as I could.  She will tolerate the lovin' for a bit, but then she wants to get down and play.  She is VERY active.  From what I can tell, she only likes to snuggle when she is tired. 

Her hair is very soft.  It is very thick though as well.  And talk about curly.  I have not a curl on my head and Cameron's hair is so short, who knows if there might be a curl in there somewhere... I doubt it though.  Anna's hair... as straight as mine.  I don't think you can find 1/2 inch of Sara's hair that is straight :)  It will be interesting to see how I learn how to take care of it.

While we were there, the nannies put her ponies back in.  Who would have thought there could be such a transformation.  She doesn't even look like the same kid - but honestly, I think she is beautiful with her hair up or down.  She just looks much older with it down (or not in ponies... cause even when it's down, it's pretty much UP!).

Yesterday I spent the day in the hair care section trying to figure out what she needed.  Or actually, what I needed to take care of her hair properly.  I was DYING for someone, anyone to walk by and help me.... no such luck.  I only obtained the help of my husband who sorry to say does not know much about girl's hair care.  When I'm out of town, I think Sara is going to be going to school with the big hair look!  So, any advice is appreciated.  I solicited help from my facebook friends as well... between this blog and facebook, hopefully I can figure out the right way to care for my baby's hair!

I can't even begin to express how ready and excited we are to bring this little girl home!  We CAN'T WAIT!!!  We are so lucky to have been blessed with this little girl.  We are very lucky to be blessed with the wonderful friends we have made along the way on this adoption journey.

13 days and we will be back on a plane to Ethiopia for the trip to bring our daughter home!!

By they way, if you have items you would like to send to Ethiopia for our orphan supply drive, please get them to me quickly.  Thank you to everyone who has already donated so generously!  We truly appreciate your help in being able to bring much needed supplies to the kids in Ethiopia who literally have nothing!  Can you imagine if just ONE sticker made your children happy?  Mine would wonder where the rest of the toys were for them to play with.  I have seen children grin ear to ear for being given just ONE sticker.  I hope the supplies we bring will give them some more joy!  I will need everything to arrive prior to October 28th... so just a little over one more week to get things to me to take over.

Thank you again for all of your help!

In Christ,
Charity