After thirty one hours of travel (from
the time we left our house) we were SO tired. Lufthansa was awesome, but be the
end we started feeling ill. In Frankfurt we had a special "that is so cool" surprise.
We left from the same gate that we left for Moscow to adopt Max from, to come to Ethiopia. It
was just cool and God giving us encouragement when we could barely lift our heads (literally, I could barely wake up TC on
the airport bench) before we started our last 8 hour and 45 minute flight. Half
way to Addis Ababa we did have to stop for refueling...guess
where? The Sudan! Actually another woman in our group had the same thing happen to them and they stopped in Beirut!
It was raining when we arrived and very
dark so we didn't see much of anything on the way to the guest house. After we
arrived we walked about...hmmmmm....10 steps to Ayane's room to meet her. She
was asleep and VERY mad to at us for waking us up. Though that didn't bode well,
the next day she at least would smile at us. She actually came to TC before she came to me! He will never let me forget that!
LOL...I eventually took her to the guest house where she cuddled and fell asleep on my shoulder. We took her up to our room and proceeded to completely conk out with her.
Ok, well TC listened to his MP3 player....but close enough (smile).
That seemed to be somewhat of a break through
with Ayane. She will come to me willingly now, but she IS very attached to her
wonderful Nannies. I don't think we will have her really attach to us until we
take full custody and are feeding, bathing, and changing her...only us. It's
wonderful and tiring at the same time. We are so in love with her, but remind
ourselves that she is only beginning to know us.
We went to the Hilton today to swim
(at least TC) with the older Horizon House Kids (older orphanage). We passed
a highly armed guard as we saw a BEAUTIFUL hotel. Erica (our Wide Horizon's Social
Worker) paid for the kids to go swimming.
I ran into one of the Hilton shops and found TC a swim suit so he could swim with the kids. Ayane conked out on me, but I really got to enjoy watching my oldest.
He has been and was wonderful! The water was about chest high for him
and he (almost the whole time) pulled, was rode, and hugged children back and forth across the pool until his feet literally
bled. It was one of those times as a mom that your heart just swells with thankfulness
and love for your child.
I told Thomas that he was lucky today. I met an adorable 12 year old little girl that was very spiritual and loving. She had suffered from Polio in her childhood.
She has a family waiting for her (though she doesn't know it yet). I'm
telling you though....if she didn't I would be begging, pleading, and especially praying to adopt her. TC and her hit it off really well too.
Well, it's 8:00 or so and TC is very sunburned
(awful bad mommy) and his feet are hurting. Ayane is doesn't want to leave the
nannies, but will let me kiss on her and hold her. She's fine accept for the
parting with the nanny part.
Tomorrow we go and meet the birth family
(the day had been changed) and we get to leave at around 6:00, so.....I'm gonna run....attempt to sleep, and go hug my older
and wonderful son. Have a wonderful day...night...whatever it is...I am So confused...lol
Well
we've met her birth father and we've taken custody, but Ayane is on my lap so
I'll try and write more later.
