Thoughts on our trip

Wow. That's all I can say at first... this was an experience like no other. Awesome in the way that giving birth is, but different in so many ways because the experience of adopting these children is also wrapped up in the experience of being in a country where the people are so poor and have so little compared to us, and yet they are so cheerful, loving and rich in spirit. So many strangers went out of their way to be kind to us. We met several Ethiopian people on our short trip that we now consider friends.

Meeting the twins the first day, Sunday, was a little scary. They were very shy at first. By the second day, I could tell that they understood we were their family. We didn't take them back to the guest house with us until Tuesday, and on Monday they cried when we left. I felt like dirt. But I guess the up side is that when we came back on Tuesday, they were thrilled to see us. I thought they would be sad to leave their friends, but after running around for a final good-bye to some friends and the nannies, they jumped right into the van and were ready to go. No looking back for them!

The trip home went almost ridiculously smoothly. We spent about 20 hours traveling home, and the twins only cried a little toward the very end. At the airport in Washington, DC some nice Ethiopian-American lady thought they were so cute she gave them each a balloon. (Which we then got to drag through security through both DC Dulles, Chicago O'Hare and the Omaha airports. Yes, they do make you put helium balloons through the x-ray machine.) We haven't had any major food issues, and sleeping has gone great... although today the twins decided that one toddler size bunk works out well for two kids. It looks a little crowded to me, but what do I know? The rest of us are all very glad to be back in our comfy beds. And quiet bedrooms. It was kind of noisy at night around the guest house.

So now we are all getting used to each other. Boy, can these girls pout if they aren't getting their own way! I'm hoping that as our communication improves, we can reduce these pout fests. I know that they don't always understand why I'm saying no. But I have to admit that this pouting grates on my nerves in a big way. Lord, give me strength! And patience... lots of it! Overall, we are lucky. I think we got two children with a lot of love to give who really want to be with a family who loves them back.

More tomorrow. :)

Oh, and I forgot to mention that today is the 23rd anniversary of my marriage to my wonderful husband, Tom. Also, it was one year ago this past week that I suggested adopting from Ethiopia to this same wonderful husband right after attending martini tasting on our Mexican Disney cruise. I think Candace Selam and Sarah Fikir are pretty sweet anniversary gifts.