Day 1

Day 1 is done and on the whole, I think we are doing well. We tried to relax yesterday as everyone was tired from the midnight trip to the airport (and the girls got up at 7:30am). The boys tried new activities, but we not so anxious to try new food. Some of that could be from still not feeling 100% though. It is an interesting experience to invite 2 strangers into your home and try to incorporate them into your family. Grandma and Grandpa K and Aunt Buffy brought lunch for everyone and showed some love on the kids as well. Not sure we would have survived the day without Buffy's gift of L*go sets. They were a great ice breaker.

New things Mommy learned

• Michael is actually a size 3 shoe and Amsalu is a size 2 (Matt texted this correctly, but I got the text at 2am and didn't check it later).
• Michael is pronounced Meecall in Ethiopia therefore Mikey really likes to be called Mickey (again, Matt had texted this but I thought he just misspelled Mikey).
• "way" means "come" (learned this after Michael rode his bike right out into the middle of the street and crashed it.)

The bicycle club

sidenote-while Amsalu did try the big bike, he has no concept of riding a bike or balance. He ended up on Chloe's bike with training wheels and did ok. He has very little leg strength, just like the girls when they first came.

Micheal opening gifts from Aunt Buffy. The L*go sets were a big hit and a great activity to work on with Matt and I. I recommend this for new adoptive families because the children need your help in following instructions-a great bonding activity.

Chloe's new shirt from Aunt Buffy-the girls got Minnie shirts and the boys got Mickey shirt that also say Chicago on them. I find this ironic since Aunt Buffy just got a job back here in KY and will be moving down next weekend.

Amsalu's new shirt from Aunt Buffy

Essie's new shirt from Aunt Buffy

Chloe and Grandma play whack-a-mouse-sorry you can't see their faces very well, but they were having a great time.

Mommy and Micheal work on a L*go aeroplan (airplane)

Ababa and Amsalu working on a L*go car

Essie's face just cracks me up in the pic-she is such a poser for pictures.

The finished machina (car)

Essie and Michael

Amsalu with the ball

Essie & Michael

Relaxing with "The Jungle Book" which the boys have apparently seen before because Amsalu was singing "Bare Necessities" as soon as the movie started.

Some of you will remember the swing video we posted of the girls first time on a swing so I couldn't resist post one of the boys first time as well. They actually knew what it was, but not sure they'd spent much time on one before.

Meeting Caesar is always a new challenge for our kids. Day 2 has gone much better with the dog.

Ethiopia Trip, Part Two: Picking up the Boys

After getting a few hours sleep on Wednesday morning, several families went over to the transition house to pick up our children.

The first word from Michael's mouth was "Where's mommy?"

Amsalu, Dad, and Michael

Michael shows me the room where they stayed.

Our boys' bed

A goodbye pose with some of the ladies who work at the transition house. It was very difficult for Michael to say goodbye, as he had been there for several weeks.

Ethiopia Trip, Part One: Cairo Layover

My travel itinerary on Egypt Air featured an 11-hour layover on the way over, which provided time for a quick tour of the pyramids and the national museum.

The Meridas were traveling on the same itinerary to pick up their son Eyasu, who is from the same orphanage as our kids. Tony is an eastern Kentucky boy like myself, and we had a great time together.

You ever wonder what the Great Sphinx stares at all day long? Why, a KFC/Pizza Hut, of course!

Demonstrating turning papyrus into paper

We also went to the national museum, but you are not allowed to take photos there. The coolest thing at the museum was the King Tut collection. Having been a history teacher and seen lots of pictures of all the artifacts that were buried in King Tut's tomb, it was very awesome to see them up close and in person.

They are home!

Boys are still asleep, but wanted to post some photos.

Girls had fallen asleep on the way to the airport, plus they got a little shy when they saw their new brothers coming down the escalator

Can't believe we got everyone smiling

Saturday Update

Talk to Matt while he was at JFK. Michael was sick most the way home. Both boys are also grieving very hard. It was a difficult trip on everyone. We are coveting your prayers. I just got done working over 10 hours so basically am exhausted and keyed up to see my boys. We are looking at a rough transition time but will update as we can.

Friday's update

I spoke with Matt briefly on the phone this morning. Michael has been sick since yesterday-headache and stomachache. He is thinking its just motion sickness because he only throws up when in a car (which apparently was quite often today). No fever so we're pretty sure its not malaria. Amsalu is apparently just going with the flow of things, but what else can the poor kids do when he doesn't speak English? Well, I guess he could throw tantrums (which I've seen other kids do) so I guess he's doing well. They leave for the airport at 6pm our time (1am in ET) for a very long day of traveling. They fly into LEX at 11:50pm tomorrow. Everyone knows its no fun traveling with a sick kid, especially across the Atlantic, with 4 layovers, so please pray Michael starts getting better soon.

The poor bus monitor had to practically drag the girls off the bus today due to exhaustion. Essie had me carry her half way to the house. But then she ask why they couldn't go to school tomorrow. The big news of the day was they got candy out of the treasure chest for having good behavior all week. They also got to see their friends Jenna and Ellie, but Ellie was apparently too busy looking at something else in the hallway and didn't see them waiving at her, to their great disappointment. The girls are now enjoying a movie (b/c they definitely need some downtime) while Mommy is scrambling to get work that I get paid for done and get the boys room put in order. I have 5 home visits scheduled tomorrow in Northern KY so will have very little time to accomplish anything before the boys arrive tomorrow night. We'll post photos as soon as we can (hopefully on Sunday).

Essie got caught

Essie came home today with a big sticker on her chest saying she got caught being a good listener and helper today. Apparently she cleaned up a big mess under her work table today. She was so proud I thought her chest was going to burst so I of course had to take a picture! Mommy is very proud too!

Matt texted me at 2:22am, forgetting about the time change. He said Michael wanted to tell me that he loved me and thanks for the gifts (good sign!). He also gave me the boys sizes, which I thought I'd better post as many of you have been asking. Michael is wearing size 10 and shoe size 3. Amsalu is wearing size 7 and shoe size 2. You will note that I referred to Micah by his Ethiopian name because we are not sure what to do about names now. Amsalu says he's open to a new name, but Michael doesn't like Micah because its too similar to his name. So we are taking some time to think about it. All their documents still have their Ethiopian first names listed so there's no rush (other than I don't know what to write on the "welcome home" banner). I believe the Jewish custom is not to name a child until the 8th day so Mazel tov! Will keep you posted.