Blog Moved

Our family blog has moved. Actually it moved a long time ago!! When the girls came home we began a blog:

http://www.andthentherewere10.blogspot.com

We then moved onto another one:

www.havefaithwilldream.blogspot.com

Welcome!

New Blogs

If you would like to follow along with our journey it continued on http://www.andthentherewere10.blogspot.com

Thanks for following along!

Day 15 - Flying Home to Canada

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Day 12 - 14 Back to Addis

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Meeting Our Birthmum

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Day 10-12 FAYA Orphanage Video

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Day 8 & 9 - Ethiopia Video

Make an on-line slideshow at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Turn down the audio

Don't forget, before listening to the videos to go to the bottom and turn off the music player.

Justine

Off to Ethiopia - Video 1

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Gotcha Day Video

Make video montages at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Invites

Hello there!

If any of you who asked for an invite have not received one, please resend your request, as I had so many that it is possible yours got lost in the shuffle. Sorry!! I would love to add your name, so please just email me.

mum2boys@telus.net

Thank You

I have been receiving so many wonderful emails from people who want to keep reading my blog. I had no idea how many people were following my writing/story. To all of those who left me questions: I will respond as soon as I am able.

But in the meantime, thank you to all of you who came out of the woodwork and told me who you were and a little about yourself. I truly appreciated that!

The interesting thing is that 90% of the requests were from people I did not even know. So I am going to guess that all the ones I *do* know are *assuming* that I will send them an invite, even if they don't request one! *grin*

I can only sign 100 readers to a Private Blog, so if you want to be included, please send me your email ASAP.

The new blog is up and running. A little unfinished looking, lacking all the goodies, but it is a work in progress.

And PLEASE all you NOW NON-LURKERS *smile* leave me a comment once in a while!!!! I LOVE my comments!! And you all know that from my previous posts. Your comments are my fuel to writing.

My email: mum2boys@telus.net

Blessings, Justine

Oh to Gather Energy...

How sad a title is that! LOL!! But seriously, I am so tired. The days are so very full, and so very positive, but that doesn't stop me from being exhausted by the end of the day. I am determined, though, to get this post written. It will mean a LARGE bowl of icecream to be infused directly into my blood stream to give me a high boost of energy! LOL!!

Okay, so WHERE do I start? Yawn. *smile*

The kids are sleeping. Actually only 3/8 of them are. One big boy is doing schoolwork - still; one is working on his computer; one is cleaning a bathroom; two just knocked at the front door - reminding me that I had sent them out a few hours ago with a so kind friend, who took the poor hibernating children swimming for the evening! I had forgotten all about them. I just kept hearing someONE persistently knocking on my front door. I figured it was an annoying teenager! LOL!! Only to discover my children outside! My poor tired brain. And then of course, I have one small boy and two small girls sound asleep. That SHOULD add up to 8. I hope I haven't lost one!!

And trust me, that could happen!

So, back to the airport. You are going to get a somewhat shortened version. Sadly. The girls were awesome on the airplanes. We landed in Vancouver and headed out right away and down to Immigration. It only took about 30 minutes to get through Immigration.

Leaving the Airplane All Dressed Up

On the Way Down to Immigration

Waiting in Immigration

When we were called up I asked the lady in as submissive a way as I know how *ROFLOL* to please write the girls names on the legal paperwork. I didn't want to make it seem like a big deal or she might think she 'shouldn't' do it. So I just told her that by simply writing it on the paper it would make it easier to get the medical card in that name. She did it. So we then had our girls legal name change done at the airport! No one year wait!! That was wonderful!

When we came home it meant that we were able to order our Medical Cards for them and have their new names on those right away, and then we had a legal thing in our hand (the PHN cards) and that would make everything else legal right from the get go!! Very good! So now when we apply for Citizenship the name has already been changed! No wait and then change later.

When we got through Immigration we went simply out the door and had friends and family waiting for us. It was wonderful to see. I had chatted with the girls before we went out the doors that there would be friends there and to be sure to be happy and smile at everyone and say hello. The girls were already very happy and so excited to be in Canada. As they walked on down the walkway they began chanting: I am happy! I am happy! in unison. It was cute.

Well, Gadisae certainly did not disappoint!! LOL! She bounded into everyone's arms. No shyness there! Simply: oh, I might know you? Then I think I should hug you!

I only have these photos so far, as I am still waiting for copies from other cameras. These came from my son taking pictures, so I am sorry if you were there and you are not in pictures. We are hoping to get other pictures from people.

It was wonderful to see the friends that came out. Sarah, I loved seeing your little ones! Thank you for taking pictures for us. I still have to see if I can get my email box big enough to download them all. One day at a time, right now! LOL!

Susan, I haven't had a chance to talk to you yet - you threw me completely with the new hair do! I didnt' recognize you for a few minutes - I suspect you picked up on something there! I hope you weren't offended! We had only met the one time at the seminar and your hair was long! I love it short. We will have to get together when we come down sometime. My sister is blocks from your house!

Roger and Melania, Jenny and Kids, so glad you all could come! It was such a nice feeling to see you all and have a chance for you to meet the girls before we left!

Meeting Auntie Mandy and Niva and Ahria (cousins) For the First Time

Meeting Wonderful Uncle Dave

Finally Girl Cousins!

Auntie and Her Girls

Yeah! Another Uncle! Gadisae and Uncle Roger

Kind Uncle Dave Traipsed the Girls Everywhere

Old Good Friends

These four young people were born knowing each other. The two on the right are my friend, Jenny's children. We have been friends since we were girls. Since moving to our town the contact between the teens has been cut back to almost nonexistant. It was a real treat for our kids to find out their old friends were at the airport!! A real unexpected surprise for my boys!

After we stood there gabbing for an hour or so, we headed out to the next airplane check in. It was to be our last flight home.

Beautiful flowers from Jenny and her children. On our way to catching our next and final flight home!

We got on the plane and the girls got buckled in. It was to be a 1 hr 8 minute flight.

We were all so terribly tired that within minutes we were fast asleep.

We woke up upon beginning landing in the little airport. The girls were so out of it we could barely wake them. It was wonderful to see the window in the little airport full of all of our friends and family!!

Unfortunately, because the girls had now been up for 48 hours (minus cat naps on the planes) and they had just had a 1 hour nap, they were pretty out of it. They were shy (which is NOT like them; they are just like our boys - very social!) and stuck pretty close to us.

We had tons of people at the airport and that was so wonderful for us!!

Our boys were very calm about the girls but obviously so excited to finally meet their sisters. What to me is a funny thing is an observation I made. My boys, who are known for being string beans, actually looked chubby in the faces!! I think it was from spending so much time with two little girls who are really underweight and have no chubbiness to their faces at all.

After a very short while, Mesai warmed up and began running around the little airport with the boys and my friend Erin's little girl, Julianna. They had a wonderful time and I am sure the airport was glad when we finally left!! LOL!

Shortly after this we packed up in our van and headed for home. The girls had been amazing up to this point - no tantrums, no big tears, no problems of any kind. I loaded them into the backseat of the van, helped them into their carseats, buckled them into their 5 point harnesses (NOT like Africa!) and off we went. Not a peep. Not a complaint or a comment about the straps. Soon the girls were asleep and I zoned out. Sorry, I couldn't be a friendly mother to my boys. I was so incredibly tired that I just had to try to sleep.

We got home about an hour later, climbed out of the van, put the girls and little boys into the tub and then jammies, into their new bedroom, tucked into bed, and then the house was silent! It was as quick and simple as that! Before they went to bed though, the boys had to give them hugs and kisses.

And in answer to your questions regarding the girls and their new bedroom. No comment. Literally. But you have to remember - EVERYTHING from the minute they got to that airport was brand new to their eyes: escalators, elevators, airplanes, audio machines, movies on planes, new faces, new clothes, new toys.

What is one more thing - a new bedroom. One day they may tell me their thoughts that first night. And I hope they do. But in the meantime, it is enough that they are happy. Last night, I asked them if they would prefer to be in Eteeopia (as they call it) or here. Without hesitation, Mesai replied: here! And Gadisae, when it was her turn, replied similarly. They are happy and we are beginning to be a family, and life is good.

It'll Soon Be Time to Move On

Now that our girls are home we will be beginning a new family blog. This blog will stay open, but I would like to take our family stories and transition stories somewhat private. Not the general public reading - just the readers I already have.

I would LOVE my readers to follow us. So please, if you enjoy our family blog, please send me a quick note with your email and please, if you have the time, drop me a note telling me who you are.

My email is mum2boys@telus.net

I am not sure how quickly I am moving the blog, but it will be soon. As soon as I have energy. In the meantime, I am going to be composing my next post - the last two weeks with the girls. That will be a BIG one and you know me - it will be very descriptive and loaded with photos, and full of info, attachment, details, fun, transitions, boys and girls, so please send me your email, so you can stay in touch!!

Blessings, Justine

Sister Chicks

What would I do without my best friend? Sometimes it is so hard having my best friend live thousands of miles away. But God knows best. Maybe He knows that our friendship will be that much sweeter and that we will truly cherish the few times we get to spend together!

It was a hard decision for Denise to not be able to come with us to Africa. Some people didn't understand why I would want an 'outsider' to be there when we met our girls. But they don't know our relationship. Denise is a sister to me. But for reasons beyond our control our trip together wasn't meant to be.

But that did not mean that she was not to be part of our trip. I was blessed by Denise's involvement in my journaling. Thank you, Friend, for being there for me. Only you would know how important that trip was to me - not just for the girls, but for so much more. Thank you for being there *with* me, in spirit!! And I know that one day we *will* take that trip together - a real Sister Chicks trip!!

Love you!!

New Photos

There are new photos on MILK FOR THE BABIES.

Update

There are new photos in a few posts:

the newest: Last minute....

August 31, and Shopping August 29.

I also have edited them all with more info. You might want to glance through to see the changes.

Claire and Tracy, your gifts were given out. Read and see. *Smile*

Blessings, Justine (PS - getting closer to a Canada-side update)

Last Minute Stuff, Leaving Ethiopia & Heading Home

We had a number of things to complete early today, because we wanted to meet up with our good friend Abebe. We wanted to spend some more time together before we left and then take him out for lunch.

Abebe and the Girls

We had our driver take the girls and Ray and I to the German Embassy, while we left the boys back at the guesthouse sleeping.

This is the Weygoss. It may look fancy, but the hospitality and service were no better than at the Oziopia. It was just central.

I dropped Ray off at the embassy and the driver and I headed to find dresses to give as gifts. When this was done we headed back to get Ray and then off to the jewelry shop. I ended up buying myself some silver as I love it and do not really have any jewelry. The silver is Ethiopia and I was able to buy 3 bracelets for myself, 2 for the girls, 1 silver chain, 2 pendants and a ring – all for under $200!

While we were out it was my goal to give Tracy’s two shirts to a deserving child. I didn’t want to give them to just *any* child. It had to be the *right* child. Our driver drove very slowly through the streets and we scanned the children. He was scrutinizing as carefully as we were. He knew what he was looking for. He understood us! A child with decent clothes didn’t need it. A child with a job didn’t need it. It had to be the right one. We saw different children, assessed them, and then moved on.

We saw two little girls walking down the road and I thought that would be good - two girls, two friends, they each get one. But no. It didn't feel right. The driving and scanning continued for about another 15 minutes. Soon, we were driving down a road and suddenly I said, “STOP!!! There’s the girl. Back there. Go, back, back!!”

We had traffic behind us, but our trust driver, Esyas (Weygoss driver) stopped the car, and backed up towards the child. There on the side of the road, pulled back to the brick wall, were a little girl of about 10 years old and her mother. The woman looked old enough to be her grandmother – she was worn down from a hard life. The child was dressed in rags and was sitting strapped in a wheelchair. This was the perfect child. I got out of the car and walked over to her with the shirts in my hand. I unfolded one and lay it on her chest and said, “Konjo!” (beautiful). She beamed. I then took the second shirt and did the same thing. Her face was beautiful. I don’t know if this child ever had anything pretty, but she did today, and she was so happy! I then pressed 50 birr ($5) into her mother’s hand. Her mum bowed her head over my hands and said, Amaseganallo (thank you). I told the little girl she was beautiful again, and then went to get in the car. During this time there was a congestion on the street and I thought we were in trouble for stopping traffic and parking where we did. Our driver told me that no, they were so happy. They just wanted to know what I was doing. Driving away, again my throat was full and my eyes smarted with tears. Sometimes you are fortunate enough to get more than just a child that is hungry – you get an unusual situation that just hits your heart in the softest way.

From here, we headed back to pick up the boys and Abebe. He had had his driver bring him in and we were picking up his driver and leaving ours. We took Abebe to Cloud 9 restaurant for lunch. Out of all the restaurants we went to Cloud 9 was the best!! The desserts are fabulous, and Mr. Smith Steak is really great.

We were hoping to have time to get to the Fistula women’s hospital, but we were given misinformation from Solomon (the airport driver). He had told us it was 3-5 days to get an appointment and it was so very far away. While we were eating lunch, Abebe managed to get us an appointment right away and it was a 35 minute drive! I was very disappointed as I wanted to go there and give them a donation.

If you are going to Ethiopia and have 10 or more days, then I would highly suggest you stay at the Oziopia. The place is small and definitely a guesthouse, but the service is wonderful. I actually preferred it to the Weygoss. The Weygoss did not have their toilet (our toilet) fixed the whole time we were there. And also, they could not do our laundry for two days. So we ended up doing some ourselves and bringing the rest home with us. The Oziopia, on the other hand, did it every time she saw a little pile in our guest room. The food is remarkable and the mother will cook every night for you for $5 per adult head, and $3 per child. Abebe is incredible. Even while eating lunch he was on the phone lining things up for us. You will be dissuaded from staying there by Solomon, the driver, because ‘it is their duty to take care of you’ (his words) – and it is a longer drive for them. But geographically speaking – A = Oziopia B = Weygoss and downtown Addis C= Transition House. You will not be at the Transition House, a lot. The Oziopia Guest House

abeberob2006@yahoo.com - tell them Justine from Canada sent you. *smile*

Eating Dinner and He is Still Organizing Our Plans!!

Amazing Guy!

We have been so impressed with him that we have accepted an open invitation for our oldest son to go to Addis, this coming February and stay with our new friends. He will help them out in return for room and board. If we can line up his graduating year to make it work, it will be an amazing opportunity!!

Once we left Cloud 9, we headed to the Transition House to meet up with the head nurse to discuss our girls medical history. On the way there we took the opportunity to look for all the little girls that we could find. We had a handful of pretty necklaces and we wanted to give them away. Mind you, finding little girls was not nearly as easy as finding little boys!!! Boys were everywhere; girls tended to be noticeably absent.

But on the road up to the Transition House (if you could call it that) we did find many little girls wandering with packages from place to place. It was more of a residential area than a city area. That was fun. We leaned out of opposite windows and put them on their hands and necks and told them how pretty they looked.

The reaction from the girls was good. They were probably mystified when a white girl in a truck is hanging out the window or a guy calls out a door offering them a necklace - a 'konjo'. They came willingly when they saw what we were holding out, and they allowed me to place them aroud their neck. It was neat. I would love to have done the same thing with a bunch of little metal cars!! You have to be in a place where you can easily drive away - NOT in Addis - and just drive casually past the boys. They are all doing something productive, so are not begging. So handing out the cars is possible, without them begging for food.

This little girl was gifted with a special necklace that our 9 year old sent. He wanted me to find a little girl and take a picture for him.

This was actually the first little girl I gave a necklace to. We were driving up our alley near the Weygoss and I suddenly saw this child and called for the driver to stop. I think by the time we were done he was used to my odd ways *smile*. I got out and asked if I could give her a necklace. I held it out and her mother said I could. The little girl just smiled so prettily. And then her mother told her to say thank you.

BACK to the TRANSITION HOUSE STORY

There was a screw-up by the person who was supposed to arrange the meeting and the appointment had not been arranged. This was unfortunate, because now it entailed driving to the baby house to see the nurse. When we got there, she was not there…. So Solomon (the director) graciously arranged for her to come to our guesthouse and bring the files with her so that we could have the meeting.

In the meantime, our girls had fun saying hello to their friends. Miss Social, Gadisae, ran from friend to friend giving them hugs.

MORE FRIEND PICS HERE

Mesai just hung out but was not affected enough to run around. Neither of them showed any upset at coming or relief at going. They were very matter-of-fact.

Rebecca - the Girls' School Teacher and Mesai and Gadisae

The Laundry Staff

They were so sweet - quietly working in the background. When I asked for a photo they appeared a little shy. I told them I would send them a picture; they were pleased.

The Laundry Staff Saying Goodbye to Mesai

Our last stop was the Internet Shop. It was my goal to send out my last post from Ethiopia. Here is our minivan and everyone waiting for me to come back. It was a quick stop today.

Our bags were packed and sitting in the guesthouse lobby since 12:00 pm that day. When we arrived home from all of our running around we didnt' have much to do. The girls and boys sat and watched tv in the lobby and Ray and I waited for our meeting with the nurse. When she arrived it was almost 7:00 pm and we were worried it was not going to happen.

She rushed in the door, full of apologies having been held up at the hospital. We had a nice meeting and it was clear the girls and her had a bond. She is the head nurse and the one that would have taken care of their medical needs.

By the time our meeting was over it was 7:30 pm and we were now just waiting for our ride to the airport.

Last Minute Bag Searching For Oil of Oregano and No Jet Lag

Arriving in the Rain

When we were putting our bags through the security Dane took some video and almost immediately a guy came up and demanded the video camera. I was just imagining him taking the camera with all my 8 hours of video tape!! ACK! I quickly showed him that he had not gotten anything harmful. The man said to be sure not to video near the security - only the bags and girls. Okay, no pro. man!! Whew!!

The most bizarre thing happened at the airport. Our kids were so hoping to see Corrie’s family coming in, but our departure area and there arrival area were in two different places. Well, as we got through security and before they got into the Visa area, Dane suddenly went running up to the glass partition. There they were – right on the other side of a glass wall. We tried to explain to the girls that that was Fikru’s family. I believe this was a God blessing. What chance was there of our few seconds between security and baggage and their few minutes in line to match up that we would be there at the very same moment and have a chance for Dane to say hello to his friend! God knows the things that important to everyone, kids included.

We got through security and into the airport. The funny thing is the AFRICA TIME thing. When we got to the checkin we had no baggage tags. We were told to stand there and fill them out!! Uhhh, in Canada, we would have lost our place in line because people were in such a hurry!!

Filling in Luggage Tags - The Line Behind Us Waits!

Next, when it came to weighing the bags, the first bag was overweight by a couple kg. I pointed this out to the woman and she said it was fine. Then she didn’t even bother weighing the bags; she just had us pile them all up on the scales!! LOL!!

Notice the 70 kg on the Scales!! LOL!

Once on the airplane the girls were great. Mesai said she was excited.

They didn’t like much of their food as they really only like bread, buns, injera, Ethiopian food, and pasta with meat sauce!! *laugh*

Before the flight was over Mesai suddenly got cold and clammy, but she was okay. A little tummy upset and then it was gone.I think it might have been motion sickness because she did the same thing in a car and then puked all over the backseat floor! Lovely. But she was better right away. And I didn't have to clean it up! That is when you call in the men. *grin*

As soon as we got on the plane, Gadisae put her hands to her head to show she was tired. She lay down and was asleep in ten seconds. She has shown us that she has this art down pat!

12:00 pm German time – 3:00 am Canadian time

You are all sound asleep right now. We have arrived in Germany – actually we arrived here 6 hours ago.

Arriving Pics to Follow:

Note the Exileration of Riding an Escalator For the First Time!

We have been killing time waiting for our plane to be ready. It was a 6 hour layover. We had a video to watch, and then sat, and sat, and sat.

All Wired Together

And of course, our girls had to go to the bathroom about 8 times. No lie. What is it with girls??!! Give me a boys bladder anytime I am traveling! Boys can go 6-12 hours, no problem! But at least we have spent enough time in the bathroom for the girls to now know: hands in the air, no touching things, how to wash hands properly etc. LOL!

'Hanging Around Dane'

I Love My Big Brother

The last thing we did to kill time was get something to eat. The restaurants actually had a McDonalds. Usually we stay away from that place, but today I was looking for something familiar. The girls actually liked the French fries, but turned up their noses at the ketchup. I can see that introducing new foods will take time!! LOL!! They love their injera, pasta, and buns. Oh yeah! LOL!

I love this picture with the Lufthansa plane in the background and the girls having Ethiopian hats on. It really gives perspective to being coming home through Germany.

Oh, and as usual, they are perfect children. Perfect travelers, cooperative, pleasant, well behaved. Wonderful!

Does she ever look like a 'typical' Canadian kid!! Got her cell phone and all! (well, not really! LOL!

We are now waiting to board our plane for Vancouver. It is about an 11 or 10 hour flight, but at least there are entertainment systems in each seat! YEAH!!! So we shall see you on the other side!!