We are so happy to welcome both Atnatiyos and Samuel home! It was a long journey getting them here and we are so grateful to finally have them home with us! The pictures are in reverse chronological order (somewhat). It took forever to download these so I'm not redoing it!
Hudson loves his new baby brother Sammy!
Gracie wants to share her blanket with her new brother Sammy, what a sweetheart!
Emma was the first one to hold her baby brother, Sammy!
We were a little sad Atnatiyos could not wake up to meet his new brother and sisters. Emma was so cute, she kept talking to, kissing and hugging her new brother even though he was fast asleep.
We were a little sad Atnatiyos could not wake up to meet his new brother and sisters. Emma was so cute, she kept talking to, kissing and hugging her new brother even though he was fast asleep.
Grammy and Grandpa were there to welcome their newest grandkids. Thanks for all your help while we are gone, you guys are the bomb!!
Sammy remembers his Papa. He smiles and coos for almost everyone, what a happy boy!
Sammy loves his Mommy!
Boyd and I were so happy to see a Fuddrucker's at the Dulles airport! Atnatiyos tried his first french fries, hamburger and drank from a straw for the first time. When Boyd got the straws he thought it was a glow bracelet. He'd never seen a straw, but he sure liked it!
On the last day we were there in Ethiopia, Atnatiyos' Grandmother came to see him for one last time. We were delighted and surprised to see her. It was heart wrenching and overwhelming but we are so grateful for her decision to give him a better life.
She told us she was going to be dying soon and could live well knowing he was in a family that would love and care for him.
Sammy's nannies. We will always be grateful for their love and care for our little "Sammy".
Some of the children at the Thomas Center. Boyd and Atnatiyos enjoyed handing out the last of the dum-dums.
We went to Entoto Hill (the original capital of Ethiopia). It was a the top of a mountain. We were impressed with these women that were carrying these huge piles of sticks down the hill. We felt kinda bad snapping pictures while we coasted up the hill in our minibus.
The Ethiopians love injerra. We ate it at the Thomas Center EVERY DAY! By the last day, I could not choke down another bite. Poor Boyd had to eat enough for two so we would not offend them too much. I really don't know how they eat it everyday, it was absolutely terrible.
We visited a school for a few hours on Wed. morning. We had some hygiene kits and underwear for the children at the Happy Valley school. We were surprised when they greeted us with flowers, songs and a private tour of their school. This was life changing. We felt so much hope and love from the children and staff. What a wonderful program.
Boyd and the principal. You could feel how much he cares for his students and wants them to succeed.
A few of the teachers who spoke wonderful English. They are so passionate about their students.
The preschool class. They were so darling.
These are the girls who are "sponsored" by people in the U.S. You can sponsor a child for only $180. a year, these children would otherwise receive no education.
They were absolutely thrilled with they hygiene kits. One of the girls told me, I will love you forever, thank you. I wanted to cry.
Sammy loves to suck his right hand index finger.
We finally got to our luggage on Sunday night, and I was so happy to get Sammy in something other than pink. I think he was happy too, what do you think?
As we would drive down the street we would see people playing ping pong and foosball. It was so strange. Think of people doing that on the side of the freeway, yeah, it was crazy.
Our happy boy Sammy!
It's amazing how easily Atnatiyos is entertained. He loved this ball we brought from home although it was a little tough trying to explain why he couldn't kick it in the hotel room.
Atnatiyos' first bath was COLD! But he didn't even mind, he just got right to business. There was so much dirt that came out of his hair it turned the water brown.
Atnatiyos was so entertained by the sheet of stickers, he came up with lots of things to do with them. He put them on his face, hands, us, his cars, the walls. Man, he can be entertained by anything!
Boyd handing out glow bracelets at the Thomas Center. The kids thought he had a magic bag. They all started calling him Daddy and just adored him. Atnatiyos was so nice to help hand out the things we had brought.
We were on the right track in finding the LDS branch. Unfortunately, either no one was there on time, or we were in the wrong place. It was Easter Sunday there (which is a HUGE holiday in Ethiopia). The man we talked to said the meeting was canceled but I guess we'll never know. That was a real bummer. However, we were able to get the suitcase of donations to the missionaries we had been talking with. You can't see it in this picture, but right underneath the sign there is a water faucet where several boys were "washing up" right there on the street, strange.
Atnatiyos taking a nap with Daddy.
We were able to buy a few toys for Atntatiyos. He LOVES Makinas (cars) and these six cars entertained him the entire week. What a lifesaver!
This is Abdissa. He runs the Thomas Center. He gave us a tour the first day there. This is the baby room. It's a very tiny room lined with 14 cribs. Yep, there were three nannies and 17 babies, figure that one out.
Some of Atnatiyos' friends at the Thomas Center, happy and sad to see their friend go.
My little Sammy dressed in a pink and gray outfit. The Ethiopians think boys look so good in pink, they dress them in it every chance they get. There are no gender specific colors there.
Our first day together!
Leaving for the airport! Little did we know the adventure that awaited us!
I was lucky enough to sit by a lady who lives in North Dakota but is from Ethiopia. She was returning home with her 4 year old son for a wedding. It really made me so excited to meet Atnatiyos sitting by this little guy, he was darling.
Our formal greeting at the Thomas Center.
This is where Atnatiyos slept with his friend. There were two boys that slept on the bottom bunk as well. No pillow. I'm not sure if they had blankets or not, I didn't see any.
