This is from Jill as of 1:15pm CST. I think they are already on the plane by now though...
What a wonderful last day in Ethiopia! We had a relaxing visit to Debre Zeit and meaningful visit with the orphanage director’s husband. We’ve been packing away while the kids sleep and plan to leave for the airport in about 45 minutes. I cannot wait for the day God calls us back to this place – whether it be to vacation or to adopt or to do projects. Can’t wait to see everyone soon with BOTH of my kiddos.
Jill
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Thursday Update
Today we went to the German Embassy early and came back to the Guest Home as the main roads were closed for 3 hours due to a famous singer's funeral (so no shopping).
Ellie Tsion has been much more friendly with both Kenny and Garrett - and Garrett has been so gentle with her. Of course he is jealous at times, but not once has he been aggressive with her. He's been so great about verbalizing his emotions, too. There is also no electricity right now.
Tomorrow's plan is to pick up Ellie's German travel visa, have lunch with her birthmother, and shop. Kenny will go back to the Baby Home to get some things and take pictures, and we'll go to an old Ethiopian coffee shop.
Ellie Tsion has been much more friendly with both Kenny and Garrett - and Garrett has been so gentle with her. Of course he is jealous at times, but not once has he been aggressive with her. He's been so great about verbalizing his emotions, too. There is also no electricity right now.
Tomorrow's plan is to pick up Ellie's German travel visa, have lunch with her birthmother, and shop. Kenny will go back to the Baby Home to get some things and take pictures, and we'll go to an old Ethiopian coffee shop.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Wednesday Update
We spent today at "home" with the family, then went to a going away party at the Baby Home, but the electricity was out by the time we got there. Tsion was fussy because she kept seeing her favorite caregiver. We got stock on a rocky road and the car battery went dead. After all that, we had a fabulous time at a cultural dinner! Tomorrow we plan to go to the German Embassy and then shop (some of us). Tsion has been so friendly today!!! Progress!
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Tuesday Update
Great day today! Embassy appointment was successful and Ellie Tsion is now staying with us full time!
Monday, April 20, 2009
Monday Update
Today was a MUCH better day!
We all got good sleep last night with the exception of Garrett waking us up at 4 a.m. wanting water and a snack - but we gave in since, bless his heart, he isn't stopping much to eat (too many new things to see) and is quite picky. We are so glad we brought so many snacks for him!
This morning we went to the Baby Home to spend some time with Tsion and go over our paperwork for the Embassy tomorrow with the attorney. Tsion was immediately in a much better mood in her own environment - laughing, "talking" and generally happy. She let me hold her but wouldn't let me feed her b/c her favorite caregiver was in sight. After her nap I took her out of the baby room and while she fussed at first, she calmed down pretty quickly.
Tsion is still not so sure of Kenny. I am primarily holding her and caring for her. She doesn't scream at him or anything but just isn't so sure of a man (since she really hasn't seen many of them). Kenny has been so wonderful and gentle with her and given her the space she needs.
Garrett hasn't sat down to play with her much but he hasn't been overly jealous or anything. No agression or regression on his part. PRAISE GOD!! It has really been a lifesaver to have Heather here with him - there have been so many times Kenny and I needed to be alone with Tsion or to do paperwork, etc.
Tomorrow we plan to go to our Embassy appointment in the morning, go to lunch with the orphanage director and Tsion, drop Tsion back off at the Baby Home, come back to the Guest Home to pick up Heather and Garrett and THEN go out to a village called Bantu where Buckner ministries (school, vocational education, etc) are taking place. As of right now, we have several things planned for Wednesday that we need to do BEFORE Tsion comes back home with us to the Guest Home. The plan is for Tsion to come back to the Guest Home with us Thursday (lunch-ish)!!
Alrighty, all for now!
Jill (for us all)
We all got good sleep last night with the exception of Garrett waking us up at 4 a.m. wanting water and a snack - but we gave in since, bless his heart, he isn't stopping much to eat (too many new things to see) and is quite picky. We are so glad we brought so many snacks for him!
This morning we went to the Baby Home to spend some time with Tsion and go over our paperwork for the Embassy tomorrow with the attorney. Tsion was immediately in a much better mood in her own environment - laughing, "talking" and generally happy. She let me hold her but wouldn't let me feed her b/c her favorite caregiver was in sight. After her nap I took her out of the baby room and while she fussed at first, she calmed down pretty quickly.
Tsion is still not so sure of Kenny. I am primarily holding her and caring for her. She doesn't scream at him or anything but just isn't so sure of a man (since she really hasn't seen many of them). Kenny has been so wonderful and gentle with her and given her the space she needs.
Garrett hasn't sat down to play with her much but he hasn't been overly jealous or anything. No agression or regression on his part. PRAISE GOD!! It has really been a lifesaver to have Heather here with him - there have been so many times Kenny and I needed to be alone with Tsion or to do paperwork, etc.
Tomorrow we plan to go to our Embassy appointment in the morning, go to lunch with the orphanage director and Tsion, drop Tsion back off at the Baby Home, come back to the Guest Home to pick up Heather and Garrett and THEN go out to a village called Bantu where Buckner ministries (school, vocational education, etc) are taking place. As of right now, we have several things planned for Wednesday that we need to do BEFORE Tsion comes back home with us to the Guest Home. The plan is for Tsion to come back to the Guest Home with us Thursday (lunch-ish)!!
Alrighty, all for now!
Jill (for us all)
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Easter in Ethiopia
We have had a wonderfully smooth trip so far! Garrett was an absolute doll on the plane - slept on and off but didn't eat much other than his snacks. Heather and I had quite the upset tummies but felt much better the next day.
Our first day here we spent at the baby home with Tsion....as we walked up the stairs she greeted us! She was walking down the hallway all on her own. It was a chaotic meeting and entire day because the older boys were home from school and were quite excited. Garrett got very overwhelmed by them but still did great with Tsion.
Today is Easter here and last night there were celebrations all through the night - singing, parades, prayers blasted over the loud speakers throughout the city, etc. We were all up from about 11pm-4:30am and then up again at 5am.
We called Tegist (the orphanage director) and changed our plans for today (Sunday) so that we could nap this afternoon. She offered to bring Tsion to the Guest Home we are staying at along with a caregiver so we could still spend some time with her (and allow Garrett to nap/not be overwhelmed by the big boys).
When they arrived today Tsion was sleeping. We had a chance to ask lots of questions about her schedule, preferences, etc. When she woke up, she was very overwhelmed and confused as to where she was. Poor little girl... Eventually the caregivers left the room and Kenny and I spent about 1 1/2 hours with her. She was extremely shy and probably scared - SO not like the little girl I met in January. Stranger danger/separation anxiety has definitely kicked in for her.
Tomorrow we plan to spend the bulk of the day at the baby home with Tsion in her own environment. Please pray she opens up and feels more relaxed with us. We really want this process to be as smooth as possible for her. It is breaking our hearts to see her scared. As far as food goes, we are loving the pasta and pizza! Garrett loves the strawberry/banana smoothies they make here, too. Luckily, we are all in good health (thanks to probiotics and preventative Pepto!).
All for now.... Jill
Our first day here we spent at the baby home with Tsion....as we walked up the stairs she greeted us! She was walking down the hallway all on her own. It was a chaotic meeting and entire day because the older boys were home from school and were quite excited. Garrett got very overwhelmed by them but still did great with Tsion.
Today is Easter here and last night there were celebrations all through the night - singing, parades, prayers blasted over the loud speakers throughout the city, etc. We were all up from about 11pm-4:30am and then up again at 5am.
We called Tegist (the orphanage director) and changed our plans for today (Sunday) so that we could nap this afternoon. She offered to bring Tsion to the Guest Home we are staying at along with a caregiver so we could still spend some time with her (and allow Garrett to nap/not be overwhelmed by the big boys).
When they arrived today Tsion was sleeping. We had a chance to ask lots of questions about her schedule, preferences, etc. When she woke up, she was very overwhelmed and confused as to where she was. Poor little girl... Eventually the caregivers left the room and Kenny and I spent about 1 1/2 hours with her. She was extremely shy and probably scared - SO not like the little girl I met in January. Stranger danger/separation anxiety has definitely kicked in for her.
Tomorrow we plan to spend the bulk of the day at the baby home with Tsion in her own environment. Please pray she opens up and feels more relaxed with us. We really want this process to be as smooth as possible for her. It is breaking our hearts to see her scared. As far as food goes, we are loving the pasta and pizza! Garrett loves the strawberry/banana smoothies they make here, too. Luckily, we are all in good health (thanks to probiotics and preventative Pepto!).
All for now.... Jill
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Twitter Updates
While we are gone you can follow our journey on Twitter by using this link http://twitter.com/kwade99 (you can click on it without joining).
We hope to update here on our blog but internet connections in Ethiopia are few and far between!
We hope to update here on our blog but internet connections in Ethiopia are few and far between!
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