January 20

 

Lauren woke up this morning and was quite sick (throwing up). Oh, Lord please let it be nothing serious. Darren sent Corbin and I ahead to go shopping and to lunch. If they are feeling better...the driver will pick them up for the transition home. I don't see this happening...she was really not doing well.

Shopping was good. It was so hard having so many kids come up that were begging. Oh, why is there so many street kids? It just breaks me. It's just not right. We did manage to pick up several souvenirs. I purchased 2 Ethiopian key chains for when the boys turn 16. I also purchased 2 metal crosses for the boys weddings one day, a scarf to use as a table runner, a nativity made of wood and a few things for myself. We will be getting an Amharic bible and some coffee before we leave. I was glad for others who traveled before us mentioning making a list of things to buy for the boy's future and for ourselves...it helped a lot.

We went to Lucy's Restaurant for lunch. Surprisingly we found out that Darren and Lauren were coming to lunch. We believe she just had altitude sickness. The food was great and Lauren scarfed down her stir-fry and loved it.

After lunch we were off to the Thome again. Today we did Photo Releases and gave out care packages. It was a highlight to love on others children :) The moments that stand out from this time is one of the Grant boy's repeating after Lauren, “Mommy, Daddy, Sister, Sister, Sister, Sister.” Over and over. And then one other sweet little girl so excited to see photos of her Mommy and Daddy and she was a “wild child”...yelling, “MOMMY, DADDY!” It's so awesome knowing these kids have homes!!! Melts my heart to see their excitement.

D was asleep when we got to the TH and so we hung out with G. It was a good day. We just all wished that our babies would wake up sooner...just not enough time with them. Words G has said, “Mommy, may I please?” “Mommy, will you color with me?” Sister, Brother, Daddy. He is doing quite well. What we have noticed is he seems to loose focus of us...frustrated Lauren a bit, “He's not playing with us.” I had to remind her that this is his turf, his home, his friends...we are new. When he's home it will be very different. He sees a friend or thinks of something he wants to do...and he goes!

Tonight we went to the Ethiopian Traditional Dinner at Habesha 2000 Restaurant. It was so awesome to experience the Traditional Food of Ethiopia and to watch some Traditional dances. It was a late night however and Lauren fell asleep and Corbin was exhausted.