Ethiopia Day 9 (Saturday)

Day 9 in Ethiopia was dedicated to hanging out with our brothers. We had brought along swimsuits in a hope to take them swimming on Saturday but when we woke up it was cloudy and chilly. The morning started off with breakfast at the CCI house. We had the usual for them which was Chai (tea) and 1 birr bread (the name describes it perfectly). It was a decent breakfast and I was actually kind of excited that as boring as tea and a mini-loaf of bread are, we were actually having a typical Ethiopian breakfast for the first time.

Next we headed to Dawn's house (from Bingham). She lived in a nice neighborhood and had a very nice typical Western ranch style house. We were shocked when we pulled up. The yard was gorgeous. In her shed out back were clothes, toys, books and other items she had used for her 3 boys who grew up on the mission field. Dawn let us look through her stuff and set aside things for Elias for when we moved over there. After visiting for a while we decided to head to the New Flower Guest House to check in as we were going to be staying there for our last leg of our trip.

At the New Flower we met Helen the proprieter and Kaleb her employee. They were both very nice and super excited for us to be there. I would highly recommend staying at New Flower. After getting settled in we decided to go to the movies. There are 2 movie theaters in Addis Ababa, one of which shows movies in English so it was a pretty easy decision on where to go.

We took Emily on an errand to pick up some paperwork for some of the children at CCI then headed to the movies. We went to Edna Mall, saw the movies and showtimes then realized we had some time to kill. We went to lunch at Wabe Berehe which turned out to be a really nice restaurant with great food. I think Alemu, Israel and Elias were the only Ethiopians dining in there for the majority of the time. The boys were both really well behaved and loved their meals.

At one point Israel had to go to the bathroom. Brian showed him where it was and left him alone. 10 minutes later we were all wondering about Israel. Brian went in to check on him and found him playing with the automatic water dispensor on the sink. Israel could not believe that you could wave your hands and the water would automatically pour out. He came back to the table and excitedly told Almeu all about. Not shockingly Alemu then had to use the restroom for a very long time.

Next we went to an indoor arcade and playland. We bought the boys tickets to play in a playland which was kind of like a massive McDonalds playland. They got horribly sweaty (right before we all sat next to eachother at the movies). They had such a good time they were both upset at me for making them leave. I tried to explain we were leaving to go do something else fun and go to the movies but I don't think they understood what I meant by "go to the movies." Israel actually had an attitude with me for quite a while...I think until he realized what we were doing when we walked in and saw the HUGE movie screen.

There was only one children's movie playing at the English speaking theater so it was an easy choice. We saw Bedtime Stories with Adam Sandler. It actually turned out to be a very cute movie. We took the stairs up to the very top level of the building where the theater was. We then found out we had to do a level down to purchase the tickets then come back up to see the movie. We took the elevator down. Not a big deal, right? Wrong! The boys thought the elevator was the coolest thing EVER. It was even one of those elevators that had glass and looked outside onto the city. They were all giggles and smiles.

After purchasing tickets (30 birr/just under $3 per person) we walked into the theater. We ignored the signs posted everywhere saying you can't take cameras in and that you had to leave them at the ticket booth. We stocked up at concessions with popcorn, sodas, and fruit smoothies (yes I got a fresh fruit smoothie in Africa on purpose and lived to tell about it :) ). Everyone was getting stopped to have their bags checked at the door of the theater. This time the security kind of pretended to check our bags but didn't really. They didn't notice our massive camera. As I watched the Ethiopian women have their purses thoroughly searched I once again realized that we were being treated as superiors because of our skin color. Although we were being treated BETTER than everyone else I kept feeling like it was unfair, injust, and ridiculous. I hated being treated differently because I was white. It was a very odd feeling knowing that people would look at me and judge me by my appearance to a level where they actually treated me differently. Ethiopia was the first place I experienced this in my life. Knowing how uncomfortable it made me feel I can only imagine what strong feelings I would have if I was being discriminated against and being treated WORSE instead of better because of my skin color.

Once we sat down the boys were super excited. Alemu literally sat on the edge of his seat the ENTIRE movie. We were thrilled to be having this "first" experience with them! Elias did better than I thought with the movie. As we were waiting for the movie to start a preview for Clint Eastwood's Gran Torino came on. When the gunshots sounded Elias started crying really hard. He was in the Moby so I walked out and bounced him to sleep in the lobby. He slept for about half the movie. When he woke up he was still in the Moby and would turn his whole body around to see the screen. It was super cute!

After the movie we walked back to New Flower from Edna Mall. We walked by a bunch of construction and crossed a really busy road. It was a little long for the boys but they held it together.

When we got back to the New Flower we hung out for a while. The boys loved helping me with Elias and begged to help change him. They have so much fun being uncles! I don't remember why but Israel started acting up. Emily threatened to take them home and he continued so she had to follow through. We were all bummed but it had been a fun day.

Ethiopia Day 8 (Friday)

Day 8 in Ethiopia was jammed packed with schedules, plans and meetings. We started off by heading to Bingham Academy. Although it wasn't too far from the Union Hotel by U.S. standards, it takes a long time to get anywhere in Addis. We called a driver who said he knew were to go. It turns out he didn't. Luckily Emily had been there before as one of her missionary friends sends her children to this school. Between asking people on the side of the road and Emily's memory of which alley looked familiar we made it to Bingham on time.

The drive there was interesting. We listened to Christian music since Heptamu the driver knew we were Christians which was made laugh. It was a tape of some old school Christian Southern gospel music. I don't know who excatly but think along the lines of the Gaithers. It was about a 40 minute drive :). Now mind you my guess would be we are talking a distance of 10 miles. Ethiopia is a whole mess of roundabouts. We were on the "highway" but probably never topped 30mph. It was early in the morning so the traffic wasn't too bad. The only people who were out were those who had government jobs. The smog and pollution was so bad by the time we got to Bingham I had a raging headache. Black boogers are commonplace in Ethiopia. Gross, I know. I really enjoyed checking out the city on our drive. To get to Bingham we went through a very poor muslim neighborhood. We passed large building, outdoor markets, second hand clothing shopping centers, and churches. We drove on the highway, roundabouts, and back alleys. We experienced paved roads and dry dirt roads. We got to experience a new part of Addis Ababa.

When we pulled up to the gate at Bingham the guards let us in with little trouble. Even though they didn't know we had a meeting we were white...which means you can get in anywhere in Ethiopia. Our schedule was packed full of meetings. Brian and I went to chapel with the kids and then went separate ways. I met with some ladies who talked to me about life in Ethiopia, life at Bingham, raising kids in Addis Ababa, and volunteering off campus. Meanwhile Brian visited classrooms, talked cirriculum and work visas, and met the kids. We then had lunch at the headmaster's house. We loved everyone we met at Bingham and were very excited to picture ourselves there. Emily was drooling over lunch because it involved butter and cheese...two things she hadn't had since living in Addis. Murray, the headmaster loved Elias and asked to hold him for me while I enjoyed lunch. Then, Dawn, my personal tour guide bounced Elias to sleep once Murray had to get back to work. Our experience at Bingham just felt right. Everyone was so loving, kind and excited for us. After lunch we all toured the campus. We loved learning the history of Bingham. We had a little bit of time to kill so we headed to the teacher's lounge which was equipped with "cable" and cold sodas. We then had a meeting at "our house" to see where we would be living. The house was part of a tri-plex and one of the few with a small yard. There was a vegetable garden, BBQ, picnic tables and laundry room just outside the door. The house was about the same size as our condo here and was the same 2 bedrooms, 1 bath. The bathroom was way nicer than I had expected.

We left Bingham very excited to see what the Lord had planned for us and with plans to meet up at Dawn's house Saturday morning. We then headed back to the CCI transition house to play with the kids. I took hundreds of pictures but unfortunately can only post the ones of Brian, Elias and Alemu.

We took all the "big kids" (toddler and older) down the street to an open "field" to play. It was more like a grazing pasture for the horses. There was lots of garbage, animal poop and some barbed wire fences but the kids didn't know any different. They were just happy to be running around outside. Brian, Emily and I took the kids and gave the rest of the nannies about an hour long break away from the big kids. We had a lot of fun playing soccer and having races.

I took some photos of Alemu for my parents. Now he knows me well enough to tell me "no" but in Ethiopia he was still unsure of me so he always smiled for the camera whenever I asked him to.

This was one end of the field which bumped up to the neighborhood.

I don't have any photos of Israel because he didn't come. On our way to the field he started banging on all the neighbor's doors and got scolded by Emily. He then through a tantrum in the middle of the street (luckily no one in that neighborhood had cars so although he was laying the middle of the road there was no real danger. After Emily, Alemu, Brian and myself all tried to get him to get up and come play he wouldn't move. Finally one of the other nannies came and got him and he got "punishment." It's crazy for me to think back to this day and Israel's behavior. In just a few short months he is already turning into a different little boy. Although he can still have his pouting and stubborn moments he can have days worth of no flare ups and when he does they are never close to the level they were in Ethiopia. I guess a lot of love, a little discipline and a really big family :) can make all the difference in the world...even in a few short months. The best part is we are the ones who are blessed to have these three boys in our lives!

love.

San Diego Zoo

On May 9th we went to the San Diego Zoo. Brian's work was participating in a liver walk so for a very small donation we participated in a good cause and got into the zoo for the day. We all had a great time.The boys loved the gorillas, both the fake and the real.

Alemu

Israel

Both Alemu and Israel loved to take photos of the animals. The first half of the day was Alemu's turn and the second half was Israel's turn. When it was Israel's turn Alemu had to check every single photo to make sure Israel got a good one. Just like a true older brother. :)

Elias decided to skip his morning nap. He didn't want to be in the stroller so within the first 1/4 mile we transitioned to the Moby. He was super good and very content just hanging around with his Mom.

Anthony and Jen hung out with us despite the fact that our 5K walk probably took about 3 hours after all the distractions and detours. We were glad they joined us in setting the record for the slowest 5K ever.

The Padres Friar was at the entrance to cheer everyone on. Alemu got his ear flicked by the Friar and now hates the mascot. Whenever he sees the Friar on t.v. he tells everyone "he went like this" (while making the motion of getting his ear flicked)..." I no like."

We had a fun time at the zoo. We got to learn a lot about the boy's life in Ethiopia because of this event. There was a really large spotted pheasant that they claimed they ate in E-T-opia (as they say) and sure enough when we looked at the info this bird was from Ethiopia. They also pointed out the bamboo by the panda exhibit and said, "In Kamash (their orphanage) punishment!" Israel also told us there was drinkable water inside the bamboo. I have no idea if there is or isn't but it sounded good. There's water inside of cactus, right? Why not bamboo?

I love these boys and it was a lot of fun watching them run from animal to animal in complete excitement :)

A Box of Goodies

Elias received a box of goodies not too long ago. Uncle Roger and Aunt Patty sent him all sorts of fun gifts that they had been collecting for quite a while. Brian really liked all the Padres gear. I really liked his cute new shoes. Elias loved his presents but more than anything he LOVED the box they came in :)Elias worked really hard to fold in all the flaps around him. He was successful with 3 out of 4. I think he wanted to be mailed to New Hampshire to thank his Great Uncle and Aunt in person :)

The box and tissue paper alone kept Elias entertained for well over an hour. Thank you Roger and Patty!

An Emotional Task

Well, it's been four months. Four months! Brian thinks it has gone by fast. I think it feels like we've had Elias all 10 months of his little life. He fits in so well. We are very much in love. Today I wrote a letter. It was a letter to Elias' birthmother. It wasn't as emotional as the first one. I actually wrote this one without crying. I also included a page of questions that I wanted to ask during our meeting but didn't have the heart to due to the high emotion of the event.

I also included a second photo album for her. I just can't imagine wondering and I didn't want her to be in that position. When she first met us the very first thing she asked is if she could have our address because she wanted us to write. I hope that means she will be excited to receive my letter and photos, that she will be receptive to continuing to keep communication and that she will answer the questions I have about Elias' history.

I thought I could just send off this package and wait patiently. I find myself wondering if I will ever hear back from her. Will she get it? Will HH be able to find her? Will she care enough to pick it up? Will I ever know? Will she write back? Will she answer the questions? If I never hear from her should I send more photos and another letter?

I thought it would be different. I thought I would put the package in the mail and more or less forget about it. I haven't forgotten. I've been in a state of pondering and questioning all day.

I feel vulnerable. I am setting myself up for a huge disappointment. What are the chances that I can actually maintain contact with Elias' birthmother for years and be able to offer him the opportunity as a young man to meet her? If I am being honest about my expectations and the desires of my heart that is what I hope for. Why am I letting myself go there? She doesn't have a mailing address or even a street address. They don't exist in Ethiopia. I know her name, her city and her phone number. Chances are she'll move at some point and who knows if the phone number I have will work. What if she changes her mind and never wants to talk to us again? I want to protect my son but I also hope for him that he has the opportunity to make the choice about whether or not he wants to speak with her or meet her. I just don't want life circumstances to choose for him.

I am feeling so emotionally charged. I feel nervous, anxious, excited, hopeful, and very vulnerable. All these emotions have led to another place of pondering... if I feel this way, so hopeful and vulnerable, how is Elias going to feel?

I hope I get a letter back...

I Have the BEST Babysitters

Emily got back from Ethiopia on Thursday night!! Normally Monday is my Dad's day with Elias but today he is taking Israel to the dentist (in Mexico) because the poor guy's teeth are rotting and therefore hurting. Emily is watching Elias. I was telling her how hard it is to be away from him so I got presents :) First came this

Then came this...

Brian now thinks my Dad's usual picture text needs to become a video. I'm just glad we have babysitters who send me presents to help me get through the day!

Disclaimer: Although it is noon PST, Emily is suffering from a severe case of jet lag...thus the no make-up. (Actually she is adjusting really well, just no need to impress a 10 month old).

Thanks, Emily! And thanks for letting me post a video that has you with no make-up and morning hair. Don't worry everyone is looking at Elias anyway :)