Friday, February 27, 2009

Ethiopia - Day 1

So, I've been receiving quite a few hints that I need to post pictures....so I am finally starting to get to it. Its been a rough week in the William's home. Elijah and I have had sinus infections, and poor Yonatan is probably just wondering...wow, these people are so not fun! Anyway, I'm stealing this format from an awesome girl we met in Addis (Gretchen, you know who you are(-: ). On her blog she posted pictures according to the day while in Addis...so I am doing the same.
OK, so I had already posted about our trip as far as London. So after leaving Great Britain, we boarded a plane that we would be on for the next 9 hours. After a fuel stop in Damascas, Syria, we landed a little late in Addis at 2:30am. At this point, we were met by Akie from our guest home, and he already had me in tears. He was carrying a little bouquet of flowers for the new mom. So at this point we pile into the van, oh yeah, this is funny... Elijah was in the front seat with the driver and Akie. As we started to drive away he said, "WAIT A SECOND EVERYONE, where are the seat belts?!" We all had to laugh and explain, "When in Rome..."
OK, so we made it to the guest home and tried to sleep for a few hours. We woke up excited and ready to go, but we then found out the House Of Hope van wouldn't pick us up until 10am. When the van finally arrived, we piled in the van along with the other families that were heading over to the HOH. Along the way, we were told to get ready because there was no formal introduction, Yonatan could be just standing in the driveway. So we threw the video camera on Vern and the camera to Barb and said, "Get ready!" We arrived and we got out of the van and did not see Yonatan right away, and then we noticed a little girl helping a little boy down the stairs and at that point I think we lost it. Elijah almost immediately ran up the stairs and gave him a hug and tried to give him a bear. Yonatan didn't like that so much and kept walking down the stairs. He then passed me and then passed Scott and we were like, "uh, ok". Then all of a sudden he turned around, and went to Scott. Everyone in the courtyard at that point cheered and we were all crying. At this point we all got acquainted, ate lunch, headed back to the guest home and had our first night as a family of four. So, I am sure you are all tired of reading and ready to see pics of that great day, so, here they are...

I'll post more day one pictures in the picture reel at the top of the page. Hopefully, I'll get to day 2 soon(-:

~Ciao

6 comments:

Marnie said...

So neat to get to read this! Love the pictures.

Christy. said...

I found your blog recently. We are also adopting with CHI and requesting a boy 1-2 years old. I am especially interested in how your son's adjustment is going. He is ADORABLE!!! Also, how long was your referral wait?

meg said...

hooray!!
(and darn your story for ruining my eye makeup! :)
ahh...these paper pregnant hormones make me cry about everything! :)

Kimmie said...

Congratulations on your new enlarged family! God is so amazingly good...I am rejoicing with you. Soak up all of His blessings in your life and keep your eyes on Him...He has more for you!

Kimmie
mama to 7
one homemade and 6 adopted

Annie said...

love it...no, i'm not tired of reading, but i do love the photos, too.

hope you are feeling better today. we missed seeing you at meg and george's today.

Jeremy and Sheila said...

Ahhh, he's even more adorbale!! I am so excited for you and glad you are home with your new little guy!! Can't wait to be able to meet him. Missed you all at lunch yesterday, hope you can make the next gathering!!