Ethiopia Days 2 and 3

Days 2 and 3 in Ethiopia were pretty simple really. On Tuesday morning we met with Tsegey at the House of Hope to go over the meeting we would have with the US Embassy on Thursday. After that, we had the opportunity to see the bed that Yonatan slept in for his last 3 months in Ethiopia.

We also noticed what they had written on the walls in their bedroom...it brought tears to our eyes. The castle below made us chuckle because back home Elijah is obsessed with castles.

Later that afternoon, I stayed back at the Guest Home with Barb and Yonatan. Scott, Vern and Elijah went sight seeing in Addis and also visited the Lion Zoo.

Day 3 was pretty similar. Vern, Barb, Yonatan, and I went sight-seeing and the Lion Zoo while Scott stayed back at the Guest Home with Elijah. He needed a little one on one Daddy time. Since I actually went on this trip I can talk about it. We first stopped at the National Museum of Ethiopia. Looking back, I was so focused on just getting to know and bonding with Yonni, that I honestly didn't pay that much attention to what was going on. One thing I did pay attention to was Lucy, yep Lucy. Its the oldest "human" remains that we have and they were found in Ethiopia and is why many people believe Ethiopia is the birthplace of civilization. I'm a bit skeptical.... but here she is...reconstructed of course.

After the museum we too went to the Lion Museum, which was actually quite sad. Such magnificent animals, and given such small spaces with NO grass to live in. After that we went back to the guest home, hung out and blew bubble. I'll add more pictures from days 2 and 3 to the montage above. Here are the boys blowing bubbles.

Happy Birthday

My sweet, little guy...how have five years gone by already? Why has the time flown so fast? It seems like yesterday that your father was crying next to the operating table saying, "look Fran, you're a mom...he's beautiful." And then not long afterward, we brought you home and begun the best journey of our lives. It has been so awesome watching you grow. Its been great enjoying your gentle spirit that is still so refreshing. Everyday is something different and something new, I love it. Although we sometime miss your baby and toddler days, we are so excited about where you are right now. You amaze me with everything you are learning and comprehending. And although I am sad, I am also so excited that in this 5th year of your life you will be starting kindergarten. What a new chapter in all of our lives. I am also looking forward to seeing your relationship with your new brother blossom. I know it was a rough start and you were just wanting to love on him all the time. But I see the light at the end of the tunnel. I see how excited Yonatan is now when you get off the preschool bus and I can't wait to see that relationship grow. You are a great big brother and I know you will always be looking out for him. Thank you for being so patient, encouraging, loving, and accepting in this whole process. I am SO very proud of you. I love you little guy....nope, I love YOU more.....Yep, I love you as high as the moon and the stars in the sky too!! Happy Birthday!!

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

We are Home!!!

The first time we held Yonatan.

So we are back from Addis! Even though our trip was amazing, we were so glad to be back. My brain is not functioning quite normal yet...hence the 4:30am post. The boys took a "nap" at 4pm yesterday and then I dozed off around 7pm. Well, Yonatan woke up at 1:30am and Elijah at 2am....I think we are about ready to sleep again until 9:30am or so and then hopefully stay up most of the day.

ok, so again, my brain is dead, but over all our trip was awesome. Yonatan has been great for all the changes going on in his life, The staff at the Ethiopia Guest Home were absolutely amazing and we recommend them to anyone heading over! Ephrim was also amazing. Cannot say enough about how he blessed us! For now, here are a few pics and as I post more pics later, we'll reveal more of our trip.

Daddy and Elijah playing futbol with Yonni.

Yonni and Daddy listening to some tunes. Yonatan LOVES music and has a great since of beat already. I thought it was funny because the first song he listened to on my Ipod was "Seed to Sow" by Michael W. Smith. This was not on purpose, but he became addicted to it as the days progressed.

The brothers chilling out at the Guest Home. We brought a portable DVD player, which proved to be very useful!

And We're OFF!!!

So I really meant to post something before actually leaving the country, but our life has been a whirlwind, so now that we have several hours to kill in London, I thought I would catch up. So, for those of you who are reading this that are family...we have made it to London!!! (you probably already figured that out(-: ) Thank goodness we've had an uneventful trip so far. My "plan" was to sleep the whole way from DC to here. Well, that didn't go as planned. Elijah and Grampa Vern slept about half of the trip and Scott, Grama Jo and I tried really hard, but couldn't. When we got here, we were extremely exhausted, so I found an empty row of chairs and slept for a couple hours here. Feeling a little better, I guess. The fact that we will be meeting Yonatan soon still hasn't hit me. I feel like I am in a surreal state right now. After all the waiting, it doesn't seem like it could actually possibly happen. Can't wait!

So, on a side note.....

Last week we went to California for my cousin, Leilani's, wedding. First off, those of you that live there that we were not able to see....I AM SO SORRY! It was a crazy fast trip (because we had to turn around and go to Ethiopia so quickly). Anyway, we really wish we could have seen everyone, but alas....we couldn't. So, because I assume I will be posting many photos of Yonatan and our trip, I thought I'd post these few from good 'ol California now.

My dad with all but 3 grand kids...we were missing Yonatan, Micah, and Rylie

Elijah and his "Teddy bear" (cousin Tamila)

On the way to Santa Maria for the wedding we stopped at the Oxnard State Beach, Elijah love this rock.

I hope you don't mind me posting these Leilani...you were so BEAUTIFUL!!!

"You may kiss your bride...or the other way around"

Yep, that's my bro... no explanation necessary(-:

Next post....either from Addis Ababa or upon our return!!!!!

~Ciao

Happy Birthday Little One

Well, since it is 6:20am in Addis Ababa right, it is YOUR birthday! Happy, Happy Birthday Yonatan. I so wish that we could have been there for this awesome day, but I guess know that 2 weeks from tomorrow I will be on a plane nervous and excited and just wanting to let you know how much I love you. For me, that will have to be enough to get me through the night. I remember when your brother was about to join our lives, we were so excited but had no idea what the journey entailed. As I sit here typing this to you, I feel so much more. It seems like we have been longing to meet you for forever now. Know that since we have started this journey there has not been a day that has gone by that we didn't pray for you. Even more so since we saw your little picture that 28th day of October. My birthday wish for you on this 2nd year of your life is that God blesses you beyond what any of us can fathom. He has already done that for me because through this journey God has humbled me, comforted me, encouraged me and has softened my heart. He has shown me that He is in control of my life, that He is "good to those whose HOPE is in Him, to the one who seek Him." I am so thankful the He has brought you into our lives. I am so thankful that the Holy Spirit has guided us through all the doubts and frustrations and because of that we will be united soon. I so cannot wait until that day. I love you, I love you, I love you little one. Happy Birthday!

18 days and counting

So we were pleasantly surprised today to get some pictures of Yonatan from CHI. It melted our hearts even more. We were so amazed at how different he already looks from his referral photo that was taken in October. Aggh, can't wait to go get him.

Elijah thought he was so cute and wanted to jump into the computer to get him. If only it was that easy. 18 days and counting! (unless something changes yet again...I won't go there)