Hey everyone. We’re taking a break from the blogging world for awhile. We need to devote all our time to helping our girls adjust right now. For those of you who are close to us, you’ll be kept in the loop. For those of you who might be far away, or friends I’ve met through our journey – you are welcome to e-mail.
Ethiopia -Day 2 September 29, 2009
Both Dave and I were up super early due to the time change. We had plenty of time to get ready to meet our driver at 9:00. We ate breakfast at our guest house and packed up the girl’s backpacks. We included their new dolls, colouring books and crayons, and more bubbles. We were only expected at the foster home at 11:00, so we went out to buy some groceries to keep at the Weygoss. Our driver asked if we’d be o.k. in the grocery store by ourselves and the four of us took off to explore. It was just a “little” grocery by Canada’s standards (we later realized how big it was for Ethiopia) but we had a blast together choosing juices we thought the kids would like, sorting through an isle of crackers and cookies (the one’s I bought were awful now that I think of it!) and finally found heaven in the chocolate bar section. A bag of mini snickers was my undoing – now I knew I could stay in Ethiopia indefinitely!
The drive to the foster home flew by – we were so excited to see the girls again. The nerves from the first meeting were gone – now we were just eager to get there and to continue to get to know them. We also hoped we’d be allowed to take some pictures and video for some families waiting back home. Our girls came to meet us proudly wearing their new clothes. They especially loved their new shoes and were full of giggles. They were already much less hesitant than the day before. When they saw that we had backpacks for them they immediately started to open them up. The little dolls I found were a huge hit! The dolls lost their clothes within minutes and were being changed into pajamas because they had gone “kaka”. No need to interpret girls – you are very competent little mothers! They really loved all their new things, but the most prized possession came in the form of sun glasses that their friend Mirtalem had given them when our family had visited the Vriend family in summer. Mirtalem had been in the foster home with our girls and had formed a special attachment to Abebech. Those sunglasses went everywhere and only got taken off to sleep!
As our girls settled into colouring we asked about some other special children (well, they are ALL special, but there are some we have connections with) because we knew if we came home without pictures our lives might be in danger! It was slightly chaotic since I had four families and Lisa was seeing five or six! The staff there was amazingly patient and we were allowed to see all the children we had permission to see, take pictures, in some cases trace feet, and take video. For all parents who have children there, rest assured, your kids are in very good hands! The caregivers were so proud of the children and clearly had bonded with them and loved them very much.
Soon it was time to leave and all four of our kids (ours and J&L’s) came very willingly into the van. They were so excited to be coming with “mommy and daddy” or maybe the van was the draw? 
When we were almost ready to go we realized we had a little tag along! Ramona’s little Paulos was at the van ready to get in! He saw people walking and just followed the crowd! So now he has practice Linc and Ramona! He’s ready for his trip in the special blue van!!
We took the kids back to the guest house and rested a bit in our room. I say a “bit” because the girls discovered a whole suitcase with girl clothes in it! They were adorable as they asked (mimed with many amharic words I don’t know) “are these for us?” They definitely understood “yes!” I can not begin to describe the joy on those faces. They were naked before we could blink and trying on everything they could see. A bathing suit top went over a sweatshirt!! What a great girl moment. Daddy looked a bit nervous… it was like a group of shopping crazed women at a 50% off shoe sale or something! Clothes were flying everywhere!! After the euphoria abated we took the girls outside to play soccer in the courtyard with the other kids. They loved the balls and running around with so much personal attention. Four adults for four children was just about right!
Supper was “spinelli” (spaghetti) which they asked for by name, but really didn’t love all that much. Then it was up to bed – we were all exhausted by 7:00 (which is what they were used to at the foster home). Dave and I sat on our bed which was right beside the girl’s bed and visited about the amazing day. Abebu was closest to me and had to have her hand touching me all night long to make sure I didn’t go anywhere.
** Our reflections that night**
Both Dave and I were amazed at how prepared the girls were for the transition. We can not thank the Cafac staff at the foster home enough. The girls called us Mommy and Daddy from the first minute. After checking with our driver (who was really more of a personal translator, tour guide, counsellor, driver, bartering shopper…. you get the idea! Amazing!!) we realized that the girls knew all of the steps of this transition and had obviously gone over it many times. Haregewain (the cafac director of the foster home) had assured us back at the foster home that they knew exactly what was happening too. She mentioned that they had seen some of their friends leave just this way and that there were many children crying in the next room when we left – already missing our girls. That was so sad to us and reminded us of all they have been through, but comforting that the staff was so aware and did so much to help each child prepare for their special day. Dave and I were also so surprised that the girls were calm and eager to sit in our laps, snuggle, and hug us. We had prepared for any reaction and most likely some negative, but that didn’t happen at all. It was still very surreal to look over at the next bed and see two little heads peaking out of the covers!
Ethiopia -Day 1 September 19, 2009
We arrived in Addis on Friday morning, just before lunch. We were so thrilled that we could travel from Toronto through Dubai, and then on to Ethiopia with Jason and Lisa who were also picking up their two children. After the intense heat and humidity in Dubai, Addis felt wonderful at 21 degrees.
Addis Ababa, view from airport
Our driver took us to the guest house, but only after I had convinced him that we needed to see the children today! It turned out that we could go to the foster home, but we needed to show up soon to fit into their scheduel for the day. It meant only a fifteen minute stop at the guest house to dump our bags, get cleaned up, find the kids clothes for the next day, presents and stuff to do at the foster home…. No problem! It’s amazing what you can do when you have a big enough incentive!
The drive to the foster home was a great initiation into Addis traffic and scenery. Even when people tell you ahead of time, it is something else to drive down the streets of a major city and see goats, donkeys, and chickens everywhere. Your mind is racing in so many directions at once! You are trying to take in all the sights and smells, you are trying to visit with the driver, and mostly you are thinking about that first meeting that you have dreamed about for so long that is now minutes away! I have to confess my stomach went from little butterflies to “I think I’m going to be sick” in minutes. But I was smiling the whole way!
Door of the foster home
When we arrived, Lisa and Jason’s sweet children were brought in first so that we could video for them and take pictures. It was so much fun to watch them meet and to see the excitement on their children’s faces. It wasn’t too long before Haregewain brought in our girls. They were quite shy, but very receptive to us. We gave them some bubbles, a beach ball, and some other little things and we went outside to play together. They were very interested in the new picture books we brought and we spent time looking at them with our wonderful driver translating for the girls. Playing with the ball and bubbles gave us something to do while we all became more familiar. It didn’t take long and Abebech was in my lap snuggling. We later learned that she had pretty bad chest congestion and couldn’t play very long without feeling tired and worn out. Abebu was more active and had a blast running all over the yard with Dave. We left them with their outfits for the next day and big hugs. They were very excited about their new clothes and had to try them on before we left!
** I had to come back and add something! I totally forgot until I looked at my notes, but Dave made a grave tactical error this day… he showed the girls his Iphone and let them take pictures with it!!!! They were mesmerized. Instantly hooked. And brilliant enough to do it on their own after being shown twice. I say error because they are techno-crazy now! I do have to admit it was an amazing bonding tool. Daddy became the king of the world for having that fun toy, but then the next day he wasn’t too keen on them running around with it and sharing with everyone they saw!
Driving away from the foster home was much easier than I thought. It was so clear to us that our girls were well taken care of and had made some wonderful friends. We were so glad that they could have one last night to visit and say good-bye. They had seen enough of their friends leave with their parents in just this way, and I think it helps all the children to understand what the process is all about. Dave and I both felt that the girls were very prepared for all the different parts of the transition by the staff at the foster home.
Driving away from the foster home was much easier than I thought. It was so clear to us that our girls were well taken care of and had made some wonderful friends. We were so glad that they could have one last night to visit and say good-bye. They had seen enough of their friends leave with their parents in just this way, and I think it helps all the children to understand what the process is all about. Dave and I both felt that the girls were very prepared for all the different parts of the transition by the staff at the foster home.
We headed back to the guest house where we spent the rest of the day. Mostly unpacking, ordering in supper, visiting with Jason and Lisa, and getting to bed quite early. We knew we’d have a very busy day on Saturday and needed to be well rested! We fell asleep talking about the girls and all the little things we noticed about them.
News flash – Freezie alert! September 18, 2009
The girls tried Freezies today for the first time. Are you aware that freezies are much to cold for mere mortal hands? Life and death situation really. Who knew? But we have conquered the freezie – we wrap a hand towel around it so that we can enjoy the sweet “water” and not perish at the same time!
Sorry I’m not posting the trip – I’m just glad to have distributed all the pictures and video we took for other families this week! I’m also finding it a bit busy around here with four kids…. who could have guessed?
I’m off to decompress – the girls are asleep and friends are bringing over a movie – what a treat!!
Ethiopian Princesses September 14, 2009
These girls are amazing. They are affectionate and so sweet. They love to giggle and dance. They give hugs and kisses and melt into our arms.
We’re home! September 12, 2009
What an amazing trip. I’ll catch my breath before I post more, but here’s a picture of our first day meeting our girls!
The Big Day!!! September 11, 2009
Jenn & Dave and the girls should be somewhere between Dubai and Toronto by now. Yesterday she sounded tired and said the girls were “spastic with energy” so i’m sure the flight will be interesting for them! She said they are communicating better and using a bit of English, Amharic, and sign language to talk.
Attachement sounded like it was going well as Jenn had gone out shopping for a couple hours and when she returned Abebu had come running for her and threw her arms around her. Big steps!
They should be arriving at about 10:30 tonight and I know that Noah & Chelsey are uber excited to see their sisters… they painted a big welcome home sign to bring to the airport! Wish i could see it.
As Jenn will be back – this will be my last post for her 
but i’ve so enjoyed it!
WELCOME HOME ABEBU & ABEBECH!!!
a phone call! September 9, 2009
I was able to talk to Jenn today, and to my surprise – the girls also! It was very sweet, Abebu came on the phone and said “hello Auntie Masha!” and then “bye” and then she apparently ran to the picture book to find my picture and pointed to my daughter Gracie to show that i was her mom. Cute. Then Abebech came on too and said the same. So sweet!
Jenn is sounding tired and ready to come home. Sounded like the visit with the birth family had gone well, but I’ll let her share more about that when she’s home.
They’ll be leaving Ethiopia tomorrow and arriving home Friday night. I’m sure Chelsey and Noah can’t wait any longer for their new sisters and mom and dad to be home. We’ll be praying for safe travels and smooth flights!
quick update… September 8, 2009
a quick update on the girls:
My mom talked to Jenn last night and got a little bit of news. They had the girls at the hospital to get checked out. Abebech’s cough isn’t as bad as they had thought and they have given her meds for that. She does have a parasite called giardia (sp?) and also has medication for that. That was is a bit worse than what most kids have at the home, but something common here too, and comes from drinking contaminated water. They left the hospital with a bunch of medication for various little things and Jenn sounded upbeat.
Last night they will have met with the birth mom. No update on that yet. We’re waiting with baited breath here! They will be leaving E tomorrow morning and I know Jenn wishes they had more time there.
Till next time, Marsha
a new update September 7, 2009
(posted by marsha)
hi family!!
We just got back from our trip to Faya. It was good for the girls to go. They got to say goodbye to some of their caregivers there and we could see they were very well loved. It was a long trip, but worth it.
We are going to have lunch (2:00) and then we’re off to the hospital. Abebech’s cough is very worrisome. You can hear it ripping her little lungs and she’s coughing up a lot of gunk. She also has been having some tummy aches that have her in tears. It lasts for an hour or so and then she’s back to her little happy self. It’s just so hard because I can’t communicate like I’d do with Chelsey or Noah and I don’t know her well enough to know if it is serious. Ketema thinks it’s probably parasites and we’ll see about that too at the hospital. Abebu seems healthier, but has a fungal infection on her head that is itchy. Oh, and Abebech has an area on her scalp that is oozing and crusty! I love being a mom!!
I love being a mom!!The girls are so amazing though. They LOVE singing and dancing – boy do they have dance moves! They are cuddly and are sticking right to us – the attachment couldn’t be going better. Listening is slower in coming…. they really are doing great, but if they leave something behind and remember they will not stop or come back to me when I call. Right now their stuff from their backpack is so important to them and they can’t explain why they are running like the building is on fire when they left their green crayon in Yodit’s room! They do bicker between themselves, but it’s a pretty even score as to who wins the arguements. It’s all cute to us because we have no idea what they are saying and they don’t yell - just jabber in an authoritarian tone!
Abebu is fascinated by the phone! She was so excited to say hello to Grandma and Grandpa today. Both girls talked to Noah and Chelsey and then ran for their photo albums to show me EVERY picture of their Noah and Chelsey! The photo album was a very great idea – we use it all the time.
The photo album was a very great idea – we use it all the time.Sun glasses are very important. We wear them at night or to the bathroom – pretty much all the time execpt to sleep. I lost mine in the airplane from Winnipeg to Toronto and the girls are very very concerned that I don’t have any. They often take theirs off and put them on me so that I can have some too!
They are pretty desperate to get to Canada and ask all the time when we are going. I’m afraid that their expectations are going to be a tad bit too high….! But they’ve heard for months that they are going to Canada and it’s like the holy grail or something!
The coffee here is amazingly good. We have it roasted for us every evening and usually at least once during the day. If you visit somewhere – even a shop – they make it for you! Dave has taken lessons and can’t wait to try it at home.
One funny story and then I have to go for lunch! Yesterday we took them to Makush, a restaurant down the street. When we asked the four kids what they wanted to eat they all yelled “ice cream!” We said after food! We had to ask the server to translate, but it was hard to convince them that ice cream was for after lunch. When we finally got to the ice cream it took us two seconds to realize that all four had NEVER had ice cream before!! I don’t know how they knew to ask, but the faces they made were hilarious!! Every little drop was gone when they were done. Ice cream was a hit.
We miss you all so much (especially Chelsey and Noah). Ethiopia is amazingly beautiful. It is far better than I dreamed – and I’ve wanted to come since forever. (although the smog today and diesel fumes were so bad that I’m popping pills – Noah the breathing was awful!!)
Food is here!!
Jenn for all of us
