Forever Together

PICTURES ADDED - Down below

First thing I have to say – I am sick because we lost so many photos we took!! I had taken the most incredible shots of so many kids – about 88 shots in all!! Then my camera told me it did not recognize those shots!!! I felt ill; I still do!! I was feeling so proud of myself – but pride goes before a fall!! I am sorry. I have done my best to get all the kids that I knew mummies for, but the ones I had before, I lost them – just believe me, they were great! I do know that you are all picking up your children in the next couple weeks and so hopefully that soothes the wound a little. This morning we had a driver pick us up at 12:00 pm. We were intending to meet Solomon in town in front of his church. While we were sitting there a woman approached the van asking for food. Ray gave her two granola bars – 4 slabs, since she had children with her. She would not go away. It was quite different from the suburbs where we are staying. Though our area is a drive away from the transition house, I am *very* happy that we stayed there. By being in our area we have seen the other side of Ethiopia. There is still the main town, plus the rural to see. We will spend our last three nights in Addis, so that we are right in the heart of things, but truly, I don’t think I will like it nearly as much as I have here! I will miss the wonderful family we have stayed with. They are kind, helpful, and have become good friends of ours. I will be sad to say goodbye! Solomon met us and got in our van and then we headed out to the baby house. He wanted us to say goodbye to the babies and the staff. This we did and then we were on our way to our girls. When we arrived, Gadisae saw Dane before she saw us, and she leapt into his arms. We had a wonderful visit with the children. It was during this time that I took so many pictures. Thankfully I realized this problem before I left and I was able to redo many of the shots. But again later I had the same problem. I lost the group shot I took of the staff with our girls, and the group shot of the kids with our girls. So hopefully I can redo that one when we go back to see the nurse. We gave out balloons and stickers, and bubbles. The kids loved them. While we were there the bathroom door got locked by mistake. Dane took Fikre around to the backyard and helped him through the window. Fikre saved the day by opening the door from the inside. Fikru With Gifts We Brought From His Parents Dane Playing Soccer With Fikru. Mesai, Fikru, Gadisae, Abu The Trusty Day Guard Playing With Dane Friendly Staff The funny thing is we visited an orphanage and their guard did not wear a suit and he carried an AK47 as a weapon. Apparently in Ethiopia a lot of people carry AK47s to 'scare' people away. They will shoot it in the air in the hopes of getting rid of a problem. They don't necessarily want to shoot a person. Finally, when it was time to leave, the girls were more than ready. God had truly prepared their hearts! I have heard stories of children crying and not being able to go back to the transition house before they left because of the great upset at leaving. We are so thankful – our girls were raring to go. Solomon said they were waiting to be ‘set free’. When we left, they went around and kissed all their friends goodbye and then up into our arms and out we walked. They were ready for their future. Saying Goodbye to the Staff Saying Goodbye to Everyone Later, when we were in the van, I asked them if they were happy and they each replied, Yes. They quietly observed the roads as we drove away. At one point, as we were driving down the lane from the transition house, two little boys on the street saw us. They saw the white people in the van, and the little black girls by the windows. They ran beside the van for a while holding up two fingers and calling out with smiles. Solomon said they knew two children had been adopted. From here we headed for lunch. It was now 4:00! We had been at the Transition House for 3 hours. When we got to the restaurant our driver stayed in the car. He told us they spoke English in the restaurant. He was pretty much wrong. *smile* We walked upstairs and found a table for six. We sat down and a waitress appeared and gave us menus. I looked at the items and then asked Mesai, “Pizza?” No, she said. Pasta? I asked next. No, she said Okay, so what do I feed her? I thought to myself. I looked around and saw the waitress. I gestured that I needed to know what this child wanted to eat. Amharic? she asked. Yes! I answered. She then turned to Mesai and asked her questions. Mesai answered and then she asked Gadisae. “They want spaghetti with meat sauce and orange juice.” Before we ate Ray asked me who would pray. I turned to Mesai and put my hands together and asked her to pray. She shut her eyes and Gadisae covered her eyes with her hands, and Mesai began, “Father God, we love you. You are good. In Jesus Name, Amen.” As she said each sentence she would pause and Gadisae would repeat after her. It was priceless and as I said to Ray, we will keep it. We will do this. It is a piece of our girls’ life and we will incorporate it into our meal time prayers. Our order came soon after, and the girls dove in. They can certainly eat for being so tiny!! Gadisae is a hoot!! She knew she was entertaining us, I am sure! Later on, when her plate was almost empty, she began using her bun to wipe her plate. She totally ignored us, but chattered away to herself, while wiping and biting and looking very busy. We were busting a gut laughing!! I am certain she did it for the laughs! The three people at the table near us were watching (as I noticed after I finished filming Gadisae’s little act) and they were smiling. I told Ray that it was clear that we were smitten and I am sure that makes Ethiopians happy! Mesai is very witty!! So smart!!! Something happened between her and Dane with his water glass. I think she wanted his water and he said no, so she picked up Colt’s water glass and drank the last little bit out of it. He then laughed heartily at her antics. He laughed a real HA HA HA type laugh. You would have thought someone put a recording device in this child. She then looked at Colt, made a mocking face at him (in fun) and repeated in *totally* his tone and strength of voice, HA HA HA. Again, we about died laughing. If you could hear her voice and laugh usually – very musical and delicate. That laughter was not her own laughter. She was so good at imitation! When the food came, I had the girls put their napkins in their collars. I tucked Gadisae’s in and she obediently let me. When I went to do Mesai’s collar, she wagged her finger at me, shook her head and said something. I put the napkin back on the table, turned to Ray and said, “I will pick my battles.” *grin* A few minutes later she spilled on her dress and as I then tucked the napkin into her collar she obediently let me. It is quite fascinating learning to parent older children. At one point during the meal, both girls said something to me. It was like one said it, "Issy ben (wrong words), Mummy” and then the other repeated it. I have no idea what they were saying. So then I figured I should go for the important one. “Shinty?” I asked Gadisae. “Yes,” she replied. I turned to Mesai, “Shinty?” and she too replied, Yes. Boy, I am glad I decided to try that word. What might have happened if I had not asked, I dread to think! So off to the bathroom we went. Ray called out, Are you okay? Uh, yes. We will work through this one! *smile* I got to the bathroom and the mother in me who has her kids cover the toilet seats had to leave and pretend she was elsewhere. And in came the mother who didn’t care about germs! *laugh* First of all, Mesai sat right down on the porcelain, because at her orphanage there is not a plastic seat on the bowl – simply the porcelain bowl. So she plunked right down on that public toilet bowl and held on to the sides. ICK. She was pretty quick and then it was Gadisae’s turn. Oh, but, no she was not quick and simple. She had to initiate me to bottom wiping 101 in Africa!! *laugh* Thankfully, she did not object. I have no idea what they do in the transition home, I just know that my little ones get help until they are *very* capable and clean about it!! We then washed up and used our Purell as well, and headed back to the table. Mummy Issue Number One conquered. Okay, so when we get home they will certainly have a bath!! From here, we left and headed to the internet café to drop my latest post. As the car pulled up and we began to get out the girls asked us, “Canada?” “No,” we told them, “Not yet.” The girls were very well behaved, while I was posting. The girls in the café were delighted to see the girls, because they were expecting them from the last time we were visiting. They chatted with the girl and even let the computer screen log in screen come up, so the girls thought they were making things happen on the computer. At one time Mesai said something to Gadisae and her tone of voice did not change. They seem to speak the same way the whole time – light, musical and sing song gentle. Well, I really wanted to know what the exchange was so I asked the internet lady.. She covered her mouth with her hands laughing and said, “She insulted her sister.” She could not translate it to me, so I have no idea what was said, but I can only guess that as the English comes through, so will the insults – in English, so I can address them! *smile* While I was there I met an American couple. Very interesting situation. He looked like an Orthodox Jew, but her hair was short back and sides. Turns out they are just finishing three months in Ethiopia. They have been living in Djibouti – I had never even heard of such a place before, as missionaries. If the Muslim girls in the internet shop heard who they were – Assemblies of God Pentacostals – they would be in serious trouble. They were originally from Tennessee, and you could certainly hear the accent! The guys beard was a cover! He used to be a biker and God brought him right around to serving God, and so the beard makes people think he is a wise man there. As we were leaving the Internet Café, we passed a bakery, and said, “Ciao,” (goodbye in Ethiopian) as we passed. Gadisae said, “Ciao,” also and the woman came out and began to talk to us. She asked the girls their names and the funny thing is they replied in English, “My name is Gadisae” “My name is Mesai.” The woman said to me, “Their mother is dead?” I put my hand to my chest and said, “I am their mother.” The lady looked at me and her face just shone and she said, “Ethiopia thanks you. So good. Thank you, thank you, thank you.” She then reached forward and pulled me to her and hugged and kissed me, and then began to tell me her thanks over and over again. Her gratitude was so incredible! We told her that we were the fortunate ones, but I can see her side of it. Here were two perfect little Ethiopian girls with beautiful dresses and head dresses on, not little rags and hungry faces, and they were going to a life with a positive future. For her it meant that Ethiopia lives on. Her response was so heartwarming to us. Once we got back to our guest house, the girls again asked, “Canada?” – Not yet. Our guesthouse lady had made a very special dinner – lasagna, French fries, potatoes and veggie mix (Ethiopian), special bread, and other dishes. After this she had chocolate dipped strawberries and cookies for dessert. What a wonderful family we are staying with! The girls were not hungry, as they had eaten 2 hours earlier. The boys and we ate more. I asked the girls if they were tired and they were, so we headed upstairs to run a bath. I put a little lavender baby bath in the water and got it nice and warm. It was so cute. I tried to say in Ethiopian – It is time to take a bath. But, apparently, it did not come out like that because Mesai looked at me with a look that I am learning. She is definitely first born! So I led her to the tub and as soon as she saw the tub she began to take off her shoes. Because we are attachment parenting, we are doing everything for them. The more we do for their basic needs, the more they will realize we are indispensable. So I began to undress her and I was pleased to see she let me. Gadisae entered the bathroom and immediately began to undress. That little one has a pudgy little belly, but skinny legs, so we shall see when we get home why that is so. Mesai is a little bean stalk – tall and slim.. I popped them both in the tub, but not before Gadisae made sure that Mesai went first! *laugh* I do not think they have ever had a bath before. In the transition house there is a bathroom with a sink and they wash there, but I am not sure about full emersion baths. I will ask the nurse when I am there next week. In the meantime, they have certainly never had bubbles before!!! That was very apparent by their delight – squeals and laughter. And they are certainly little African children because as Mesai was splashing water and singing, Gadisae was drumming the water in time! Too neat. I let them soak for a while and play and then it was into clean pajamas. They got their new toothbrushes and I began to brush Gadisae’s teeth, while Mesai brushed hers. Since we can’t drink the tap water, I had to give them a swig of bottled water. While I was trying to sort that out Gadisae went to the garbage can and spit out her mouthful of toothpaste foam! I have no idea where that idea came from!! *laugh* She then took her swig of water and proceeded to do the same thing. I was too amused to redirect her!! Mesai seemed to know what to do and used the sink! *laugh* From here it was into their new beds. Before they got into their beds Mesai found a sippy cup that I had bought for them. Gadisae quickly found hers and asked me for, “ooo – ha” – We headed off downstairs for some water. Gadisae asked for “Juice” and I said, “No, ooha”. She agreed cheerfully enough and headed back up with her special cup. When they sat on their beds, I asked them if they wanted to sleep in one bed or separate beds. Mesai pointed to her bed after I pointed to her. I asked Gadisae if she agreed. She did. I pointed to where we would be sleeping and they were good with that. That was interesting because up to now they have been sleeping in one bunk bed together. We shall see how this continues. I told them that it was time to put their toys away. Mesai looked at me and shook her head. She was pleasant but trying her boundaries.. I took her crayon from her hand and said, “Yes, Mummy,” and she obediently replied, “Yes, Mummy.” I find that our little girls are incredibly, incredibly well mannered! Their dinner plates are always neat as they eat, they hold their cutlery properly, they say: please, thank you, you’re welcome, - all without prompting, and they get up and offer their seat when an adult doesn’t have a chair!!! That is just the beginning of their remarkableness. Stay tuned for more!! *grin* As well as this, Mesai is incredibly smart!!! Ray and I believe she is about Cooper’s age. When she was drawing on her little Magnadoodle, she drew a car and wrote: CAR above it. She then drew a cat and said, “Cat” to me, in English. I gestured to her to write it down. She put her pen in her hand, and her face became very thoughtful and her mouth began sounding it out. She couldn’t remember, so I wrote it for her, but she was clearly trying to remember the sounds and how they spelled. When we were in the restaurant, Colt pointed to letters on a wall sign and she got one wrong!! Later, on her little notepad she wrote: God is good. Mesay Adugna (her name) I have not yet met an Ethiopian child who is educated who is not smart! There must be something to it! Speaking of which, Corrie your little boy is one bright cookie!! And he is definitely near 8! Dane and Colt figure he is only 9, and I tend to agree very much! And as to the math he was doing: I saw Grade 2 kids doing Algebra!!!!! So if he is doing Algebra and he is in Grade 3 – he is pretty typical! When I say Algebra, I simply mean: 25 divided by sign x = 5 x = ? That is NOT Grade 2 math! Back to my girls. *smile* When we had done tucking into bed, Gadisae said something to me and I had no idea what she said. I turned to Mesai and said, “Do you know what she said?” She replied something in Amharic, but pointed to the light. So she understood me. Gadisae wanted the light left on when she went to sleep. I asked them if they wanted me to pray or if they wanted to pray. They wanted me to pray. I prayed for them and when I was done, my polite little girls responded with, Thank you. I tucked them in and said, “I love you,” in Amharic to Mesai and she repeated it back to me. Gadisae did not. Saying it to me does not mean anything right now, as I know. We are in the so early stages of attachment. But it was a nice end to the night. I could not have asked for a nicer transition! Our girls were ready to go. God is amazing. We knew that we wanted to go to our girls’ hometown to visit. But, we also knew that our orphanage did not recommend it as other adoptive families have had problems with mobbing when doing that. So, the plan was for us to meet our birthmother in the Transition House. But, this plan was not to be. On this trip, Solomon told us that he has made a trip to Adama, where our girls are from and he has tracked down a pastor that knows the birthmum. Through him we have learned more facts about her and we have contacts who can help us find her, and we will be going to where she has been staying to try to find her. Please pray that God will direct our paths, as He has done thus far. Without giving you our girls’ history, just believe me when I tell you that their mum needs hope, and there is a *very* good chance that we can help her indirectly. God knew this was always our desire. This is not a typical situation and it is one that we believe God knew we could work into. I do not believe it was an accident that we had planned to be in Adama, our girls’ hometown for three days (to help FAYA) – the very place where their mum is located. I believe God knew that that was the only way for us to meet her. It is most normal for the birth parent to come to the TH. God knew this was not to be possible, so He has us preplanned to go to *her*!! I will not be sharing our girls’ story as I think that that is something that they can tell people if, and when, they want to. It is very difficult when well-meaning friends ask us about their history and when you have no facts it is easy to share; it becomes harder when there is a story to be told. I hope you understand.