Back to life . . .

Wow, what a full two weeks since we've been home! Tons of visits from family and friends, Dermatology & Doctors appointments, Dentist & Eye appointments, first visit to the theater, church, starting school, playdates, Mother's Day, etc! These are just a few of the things that have been keeping me from posting since we've been home. The other big reason is that I just don't have words for any of it. I don't have words to express what my eyes saw and my heart felt in Ethiopia. I don't have words for how much I loved all the other children we got to know and had to leave behind. I don't have words for how wonderful Lydia and Biniam are. I was changed from the inside out and I just don't know how to let everyone know.

Frankly, right now - as passionate as I am, I'm afraid of coming across righteous or judgemental because what I want to say to people I love, friends and even strangers on the street is "COME ON - I KNOW YOU HAVE AN EXTRA BED (and you're supposed to be a Christian)......DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA THAT THERE'S A KID OUT THERE WAITING FOR YOU?" "DO YOU REALLY NEED THAT MERCEDES? WOULDN'T YOU RATHER GIVE A BEAUTIFULLY WONDERFUL, GOD CREATED CHILD A LOVING HOME?" "WAKE UP....SOMEONE NEEDS YOU TO BE THEIR MOM AND DAD!" "KIDS ARE GOING TO DIE IF WE DON'T HELP." It is really something I think about all the time. I recently wrote my family about our adventure and told them that Todd and I are "ruined". They questioned my choice of word as sounding negative. Well, to some extent it is. We are ruined...our idea of life as we knew it is over. Our easy, care free existence is no longer! Now we are scarred forever by what we saw and we are burdened by what we know is truth - there are millions and millions of children who are hurting and desperate for parents like Todd and me. That's hard to think about every day and know I am powerless to do anything about it. The only power I have is my voice and I'm afraid to use it. I'm afraid to push people away with my conviction. This "conviction thing" is something that is new for me and I'm working on how to deal with it gracefully! Friends, family......please bare with me ok!

Now, on to Lydia & Biniam! I don't really think if Todd and I got to hand pick two kids we could have done better! They are so great.....easy going, fun, silly, smart and tender. I have been fearful to post about this too, out of fear that I'm going to "jinx" it! Things really couldn't be more blissful. I just keep reminding myself to remember these days when the hard days come - which I'm sure they will.

The other surprise is that watching Katie and Jack with the kids has made me love them more - I really didn't think that was possible, but it's true! It's brought out the very best in their hearts and souls. I truly believe they are the big winners in this adoption thing. I shutter to think of all the lessons and faithful growing opportunities they would have missed out on without this experience.

I can say hands down that this has already enriched our lives as a family more than our entire life experiences combined.

Amy

We're alive!!!

Whew, has it been a whirlwind!  We arrived in Addis on Tuesday around 1pm (flight was delayed 3 hours) and have not stopped since!  First of all, much of the time since we've been here....we've had NO power....I mean NO power!  No means to call out or use the internet. 

 

Once we got picked up by our driver, he took us to our guest house; we unloaded all our gear, brushed our teeth, grabbed our camera and headed to meet the kids.  As we drove to the orphanage, there was a van load of kids backing out, heading to the computer lab.  As we passed by, we immediately saw Biniam's smiling (and concerned) face...he definately saw us and was pleading with the driver to stop!  Once everyone realized what was going on, the driver pulled back into the drive and Biniam hopped out of the van and ran right to us.....Todd and I (both) broke into tears!  He greeted us with a huge warm hug....he wasn't afraid or shy and he was much smaller and way cuter than we ever imagined.  After our embrace, we walked in to the compound, where word had already gotten to Lydia that we were there and she was heading right for us.  Wow - that's all I can say - WOW!  She hugged us like she'd known us forever and was skinnier and more beautiful than we ever imagined.  I can't even begin to explain how thin she is.....it's almost frightening.  We have a lot of work to do in plumping her up, just so people don't think we're starving her to death....there's a good chance somone could call the authorities on us if they didn't know the circumstances!

 

The kids immediately wanted to leave with us, so we headed back to the guest house.  There are 4 other families staying here, so it's been great that Biniam and Lydia have had lots of other kids to play with.  Everyone here, except one couple is adopting more than 1....one family is actually bringing home 3! 

 

Our accomodations??  Well, I can say they are for sure not what we are used to!!!!  Again, no power...and no hot water.  I have had to boil water both nights we've been here just to be able to clean the kids.  It is very dusty and dirty here, so they have been filthy.  Todd and I have both taken cold showers and I have been lucky to have power to dry my hair.....forget the flat iron and curling iron!!!  The kids of course love the food, but Todd and I have been living on power bars and breakfast bars.  We have not quite acquired the taste for Ethiopian food yet.

 

I have a long line of people behind me, so I can't type too much longer....but I just want everyone to know that the kids are AWESOME!  I really can't tell you how special they are.  Such great senses of humor, fun loving, sweet, affectionate....etc!  I never imagined that Todd would be taken by them like he has, especially Lydia.....he has just clicked with her.  They tease and joke around constantly.  Biniam wants to hold his hand all the time - it's so cute!  You can tell they are so happy to have a family and are doing everything they can to please us.

 

I will write more when I get home....I really want to tell you all about our meeting with the kids foster parents.......it was amazing!

 

We are excited to come home so you all can meet the kids and get to know them.........I promise you will fall in love with them just like we have!

 

Love,

Amy & Todd

On our way . . .

Well, it's Monday and we're sitting in DC waiting for our flight that is now delayed an hour and a half....let's hope this is not a sign of what is to come! We've made the most of our wait here meeting and getting to know two other AAI families who are also going to pick up their kids. It's been fun listening to their stories and hearing about their journey thus far. We've also enjoyed sharing (bragging) info about our special kids as well!

More to come soon!

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Sent from my Verizon Wireless mobile phone

JUST FOUR DAYS TO GO!

Wow...so hard to believe the end (or beginning for that matter) of the road is near! Just another 4 days and we leave for Ethiopia, in 5 days we will finally be with L & B!!!

Just when my nerves get the best of me...just when the "what-if's" really start kicking in...the doubt...the fear...I _ G E T _ T H I S:

Amy,

I have to tell you -- from the bottom of my heart, you have a VERY SPECIAL daughter in Lydia. In all the children I met over the course of the week, she was the one. She is a leader amongst leaders and has a heart the size of Alaska. Her kindness is genuine and her personality is radiant. I could not wait to see her each morning. She was wonderful with _______ -- affectionate and motherly -- just as she is towards Biniam. She is counting down the days until you arrive -- she gave me the countdown every day! I do not have the capacity to understand how a young girl can have such grace, kindness and love under the circumstances, but she does. I am so happy she is coming home. You are going to be floored! Her english is great and she is a wonderful communicator. I can't wait to hear about her homecoming! I didn't spend much time with Biniam, he was always busy! He is quite social and very well-liked!

R

My fear is gone...my doubt is resolved...so-what about the "what-if's"...my nerves are at peace (for today at least)!

I can't wait to love these kids!

Amy