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