Update from Addis

Its Monday afternoon in Addis Ababa and A LOT has happened since my last posting. Here's a few hurried thoughts since there's 5 other families we've falling in love with waiting to get on line too. Of course, no DSL where we are.

We got into Addis Saturday night about 11pm to see Karen's smiling face on the other side of security. That was a very beautiful thing. A short ride to the guest house and a lot of debriefing and we were lights out. Sunday morning we were on the road to Hosanna to meet Mesfin and Maria's parents.

I'll say more about the whole experience later but you need to know it was powerful. Meeting these two gentle quiet souls and the time we spent learning about each other left us all in tears. Adenech, the mother, said God meant for us all to come together. We promised her that her children would never forget that they have two mothers and two fathers. Again - more later.

This morning I met the kids for the first time. Karen met them Saturday morning. Marie ran directly to her and said "momma" and gave her a big hug. She is nothing like the pictures we got. She is one of the most active, personable, and sharp kids in the Care Center. Mesfin is a boy's boy. Low to the ground, solid, boy. He is a handful. Very energetic. Also very personable and funny. Turns out all the girls love Mesfin. So proud!!! Again - more later.

There's sooooooo much more that we'll send later today or tomorrow. One thing is how amazing it is to be in the guesthouse with 5-6 other adopting families. We can compare experiences, panics, hysterics, kid stories. I found out balloons are a big hit and got some for a dad in Iowa. Very sweet stuff like that. The doctors meeting went great. Both kids are healthy healthy healthy.

Well, that's it for now. The Trip has been extraordinary. Pictures later. Love you all.