Our travel home AND since we've been home

Travel home:

So, we headed to the airport Friday night and were all so excited it was time to head home and see our two boys who were waiting for us in Colorado. We got to the airport and made our way to the airport entrance with all our luggage when we were stopped and told that our flight was postponed till the next night due to feet of snow in Washington DC. My eyes welled up and I tried to fight the emotions. I was so excited to be headed home and now we had to head back to the Guest House and spend another 24 hours in Addis living out of very unorganized suitcases. It was tough to be optimistic and not just cry and cry. When we got to the GH Judah threw a major fit when bedtime came. The emotions soared and I let it go. . .

The next day we got to go visit Birtukan and Nesibu's boys' home and see the ladies roast the coffee. We also got to see them serve lunch to a ton of little kids. The kids were thrilled to see us and it was quite the experience. It killed a little time but the rest of the day we stayed at the GH counting the hours with Kevin and Lori (the other family staying at the GH). They would be heading to the airport a few hours after us that night.

We went to the airport that night fully aware of the fact that the flight could be delayed again. Luckily, it was on time as scheduled. Getting through security and what not was tiring and very overwhelming and it was good to finally sit down on the plane. 18 hours later we landed in DC. Judah did really well on the whole flight sleeping a good amount of the time but during landing he didn't want his seat belt on and cried and screamed for a long stretch. Nothing we could do since he had to keep the seat belt on. The comforting part was that there were MANY other families on the plane with newly adopted kids and throughout the whole flight there was plenty of crying from other kids.

Once in DC we found out that our flight was canceled because they didn't have a plane since so many other flights hadn't come in with the weather the day before. Again, the tears came fairly quickly when we were told we couldn't get on another flight till Tuesday (two days later). I couldn't help it and could only think of how badly I wanted to see Liam and Gabriel. We called our travel agent who told us that we were actually confirmed on a Monday flight instead. This was a relief although that would mean we'd still have to get a hotel. Our travel agent booked us a hotel and gave us the number to call a shuttle. We waited around on stand by for the next flight to Denver but didn't get on. So, we took off for the hotel.

We had a nice restful time watching the Super Bowl and eating pizza. Judah had fun investigating the room and was a good boy the WHOLE time. He fell asleep on his own and slept most of the night through which was great since he was in such a different time zone. It turned out to be a blessing staying the night cause we got a fresh start to a much shorter day of travel. We didn't fly out until 4:30 so we took our time getting back to the airport.

We had a little hiccup when trying to check in though. They told us only Dave and I were booked on the flight and Judah was on a flight the NEXT day. What in the world? I was not happy. Found out United did it and our travel agent missed it when checking. We tried getting Dave's seat changed to Judah so Dave would stay behind catching the next flight. God worked a miracle and somehow got all three of us on the flight that afternoon which had been totally booked. God is good! I was so thankful.

We got home from there without any problems and were welcomed by many friends and family at the airport. I was a little tearful again just due to lack of sleep and the relief of being home. What a wonderful homecoming for our little boy!

Now that we're home:

Liam and Gabriel weren't too sure about their new brother. I think they were just intimidated which is ok. Gabriel's very hands on which Judah doesn't get. Gabriel gets close and pushy not in a mean way. Liam tries to talk to him a little but seems reserved. They're all going to get along like brothers soon. . .:-) The fighting will be like typical brothers eventually.

Judah's not a fan of bed/nap time so that's been our biggest challenge. He cried for over an hour yesterday when we tried putting him down for a nap. The crying is the usually worst when he's tired so we really felt like he needed the nap. Anyway, he finally fell asleep but went to bed without a fit that night which was good. He woke at 2am and then 3 when I ended up sleeping in his bed with him. He doesn't like being "alone" (although Liam's in the room) so I had to stay with him since he seemed very awake. His little body is figuring out the new 10 hour time difference. We're hopeful that we'll get better sleep soon once he starts sleeping all night again. After that's worked out we'll work on him getting to sleep with out us in the room.

He's Gonna be my SON!!

Yesterday was our court date in Ethiopia. We found out today that we were approved. WOOHOO!! We couldn't be happier! They are telling us to except to travel in 4 to 6 weeks. However, we may only have a couple weeks to get our trip planned because we may not know when we're going for a few weeks. So, we could be going mid January but not find that out for 2 more weeks.

Liam asked if his brother is coming home tomorrow. :-) It's so sweet that he's excited but he just doesn't understand the timing of it all. Liam wants to share his toys and his bunch bed. I can't wait until my 3 boys are united!

Please pray for our son. Pray for health and pray that his heart will be ready for the news of a new family. We'll be sending him pictures of our family and that may be when they tell him about us for the first time. it's very exciting to know that he will see our pictures and know we're coming for him.

Traveling to Ethiopia

No, we're not planning the trip yet. Bummer, huh? We've been thinking and talking a lot about when it's time to go. We always just planned on leaving the boys here with someone and just Dave and I would go. But we've come to realize that it could be very tough on the boys, especially Liam who's old enough to get it, to be away from us for 2 weeks.

When we went to Seattle for 2.5 weeks Liam said numerous times that he wanted to go home and that he missed his home and his dog. I just wonder how much he'll miss us?

For a time we discussed Dave staying with the boys and me going to Ethiopia with a friend. This makes my heart sink. I can't imagine the moments I wouldn't get to share with my husband! AHH! This might end up being a reality though so I have to prepare my heart.

However, we talked today about how even though there may be days when Liam cries himself to sleep at night cause he misses us, he most likely won't remember this, he WILL be safe and with people he loves and who love him. It might just be something he has to go through. On the other hand, this too breaks my heart. To think of my babies being without mommy and daddy for so long and REALLY missing us and not understanding time and when we'll be back. THEN, when we do come back, we bring with us a new baby.

We talk to Liam A LOT about Ethiopia and how some day his mom and dad will have go there to get his baby. He gets excited and wants to meet his new sibling. He loves talking about it and praying for the baby. We pray that all the talk will start to make sense for him and that when it's time for us to leave he is happy about it and excited that we're bringing our baby home to him.

We have some people to talk to about keeping the boys while we're gone. We won't make any for sure decisions about any of this until we hear some responses. Taking 2 kids for 2 weeks is a big under taking and a lot to ask of anyone.

Liam is starting to understand

So, I've been talking with Liam a lot about different colors of skin. We got a bunch of books from the library like The Colors of Us and Please, Baby, Please. Liam loves these books. We asked him if he wanted a new brother or sister and he said 'yes'. I asked him if he wanted a brown baby and again he said, 'yes'. So yesterday we had a couple from church over for dinner. They didn't know yet we were adopting and Dave asked Liam, "Do you want a new brother or sister?" And he responded with a huge smile and said, "A brown Baby!" He ran and found his Please, Baby, Please book and showed the couple the baby on the cover and said, "That's a brown baby!"

It was so cute! I think he's really understanding and excited! He can quote the whole book and we've only had it a couple days.
My camera died so I couldn't get him reading the whole book but you can catch him saying, "Not on your head", "Keep off the wall", "Share that ball" "Don't be so slow"