Meeting Selamnesh's Birth Mother

Today we left at 6am. It was a 3 1/2 hours drive to Hossanna. This country is called the green famine. The hills and mountains are green and beautiful. We saw a few waterfalls, but most creek beds were dry. It was a long drive. We went to the drop off site and waited for the private meetings. I of course was the second to last meeting. Her birth mother and I came into the room at the same time. I had seen a DVD of her yesterday, and I recognized her right away. We hugged about 20 times and each shed a lot of tears. I told her about me, my faith, my life, and how much I love her. I told her about our faith and she shared that she knows Jesus. What a comfort to know that she will be in heaven with us. She told me about her life and how she came to this decision. She wants Selamnesh to have an education and a better life than she could give her. She knows that there is a huge difference between our lives. It was so sad, and she humbled me so much!!! She asked if I would let Selamnesh come to visit when she is grown. I reassured her that we would be back. I knew most of her history ahead of time, so it wasn't a surprise. A few things shocked me. She is a beautiful woman of 25. She has a nose like my mom. Her ears and eyes are just like Selamnesh's. Tristan took some video and we got pictures of us as a family and a few with just her and I. I will frame them and put them in her bedroom. They lit candles and gave them to us, to symbolize giving us the trust of the children. We both cried and cried. And hugged and hugged!!!!!!!!! The people generally kiss three times on the cheek. I think we did 50 times.

Today was so wonderful. I praise God for our meeting. Please pray for her mother's health and life.

A very full day.

This morning I met with Salamnesh's Dr., Social worker, Nanny,and the journalist. The thing that makes this Adoption Agency different from every other is that they give you so much valuable information about her history. A journalist of the agency goes to the birth family home, films the home, the family, and where she was born. They ask the mother questions about the birth, the day she was born. And any message she wants to tell Salamnesh. I watched this 20 minute interview with her mother along with the other professionals. And then spent as long as I wanted with them asking them questions. It was a very emotional time.

Later we went shopping. I felt so rushed!!!!!!!! We had one hour at one market. Thirty minutes at another and then stopped at their version of Starbucks so everyone could by the most popular brand of Ethiopian coffee. It was amazing how much you could by for so little. There was a lot that I didn't get that I had wanted. I'm hoping that we will be able to go for a little longer tomorrow or Wednesday.

Because of Rashashana we might visit the birth families tomorrow or Wednesday. The holiday ends either day depending on the moon and the Muslin leader. It's a last minute decision.

Well, more tomorrow.............

OK. Power is back on

Seeing these kids was really great!!

We had our first laugh also. She doesn't really smile much. We also had our first bath tonight. And she didn't whimper or cry at all!!! Huge, huge!!! We also had a Vaseline massage. She loved it!!! Then we went out to the outdoor lawn swing and cuddled before putting her down and she went right to sleep. She is such an angel......

Our first day together

Today I picked up Sahara-Salamnesh at 9 am. We spent the entire day together. It went really well!!! She started out apprehensive as before. But she warmed up great!!! We ate lunch together, She ate injera and wat. The wat was really spicy, and the injera is a spongy tortilla and has a sour taste. I can't stand it!! She ate a ton of it!!! We went into the city to visit a friend's children. It was really neat to see the other side of the city. We drove through some nicer parts of Addis. We aren't suppose to take the children out in public but we went to their home and were with Ethiopians the whole time. We are having a power outage so gatta go.

More later

Being Real

Let's be real. This getting to know you process is difficult. Salamnesh went from a year of a loving caring mother to an orphanage unlike other orphanages you have heard so much about. She loves her nannies so much!!! When I peek into her room she is laughing and bobbing up and down to the nanny singing. She says little things, babble and a few words. But the entire time we spend with her she is either crying or ready too. She is SO timid!! She doesn't make eye contact. Although she is starting too. She is very serious. But we have only spent a total of 15 hours together. Today we pick them up at 9 and return them tomorrow morning. I'm hoping we have some breakthrough's today.

I knew she was little. She is very tiny. She looks like a little porcelain doll. Beautiful girl, she has the most beautiful features, on this little body. She's long, but skinny. She doesn't have good muscle tone in her legs. She sits well, but she doesn't exactly crawl, or pull her self up well. They say she can, I just haven't seen it. Despite the issues with crying, looking at me, and the physical she is the most cuddly baby!!! She loves the Ergo!! She loves to be held tight!! Yeah!! We love her so much!!! Lauren tries to take over. What a great little mama!! And Tristan is just so in Love with her. They just want to pick her up today and go home!!!

Tristan got a little queasy on the plane and going through customs. It's not good when you are waiting to be approved and you go running!!!!!!! It gets their attention.............

Lauren got sick last night. She thinks it was a combination of tired and spicy food. We eat a lot from our food suitcase. The staff here is great!!!! The meals are wonderful if you aren't the pickiest people in the world. And we are!!!!!!!!! We are staying with some vegetarians, so we are craving meat!!!!!!!! Someone get me a steak for the day we get home!!! Thick and rare!!!!!!!!

Pray for our day together. We love her so much!!!

Muskul Holiday

Good morning from Ethiopia!!

Last night we went to the Muskul Holiday Celebration. Wow!! Muskul Holiday is an Orthodox Christian holiday when St. Helen found the True Cross. So every year at this time they have a big celebration where they don't work or have school. They gather at the center of the city at the Muskul park. When you enter the park, the National "army" gives each person a pat down. They give you a trac and a candle. We walked up to the amphitheater. They have a very large tree shaped pile of sticks and branches. The celebration starts in the afternoon, they chant and sing and have people speak. The Orthodox Christian "pope" shall we say, gives a speech and message. It's long and drawn out when you have no idea what they are saying. The momentum builds as it gets dark. Then the candle lighting and then they light the tree. Families also have small fires made in front of their houses. They have a tree sticking out of the top of a pile of sticks and they decorate it with the Muskul flower that only blooms after the rainy season.

Today we spend most of the day with the babies!!! I am about to bust!!!

She is so Beautiful and shy!!

We went to the care center at 8am. We were called in one family at a time. We were 4th. When we walked into the room the camera guy was running the camera. Her nanny had her standing in the middle of the room. We were told that she is extremely shy, doesn't like to meet new people, doesn't like eye contact, and doesn't like change. She looked at us, and didn't cry. That was great!! The nanny held her for a few minutes, then handed her over to me. She is very shy!!! She looked down most of the first 10 minutes. Then she laid her head down on my shoulder. I fell so in love!!! Lauren and Tristan held her for quite a while. She never cried when we took turns holding her. Her favorite new toy is musical. Thanks Mom!!! She didn't want to let it go or let you take it away. We spent 2 hours with her and she is so sweet but so shy it's painful!!! Her leg muscles are so weak that she can't walk or even stand. We will need to work on that. She is so beautiful!!! Soft ringlet curls, big doe eyes, full lips, and the tiniest nose. She is light as a feather and long. Picture to follow as soon as I can...........

Tomorrow we will meet with her for 3 hours in the morning, come back to the guest house for lunch then go back to pick her up for the day.

TTYL