Back from Ethiopia

We arrived home Tuesday night after 34 hours of traveling and are finally coming out of the fog of jet lag. It was an emotional and amazing week! We met the kids on Tuesday, November 9th. S. (our son) ran up to me when we got out of the taxi. (The nanny at the orphanage told him that we were coming and didn't realize that M. was our daughter too). Once M. was told, she came over to us and hugged us. They are both so sweet and after a week with them (we were able to spend 2 hours a day at the orphanage) their personalities started to show. S. is very "happy go lucky", energetic and outgoing. He loves to play with his friends and with us. He would frequently run off to play with his friends then a while later come running back to us with his arms wide open to be picked up (it was amazing!) The kid has unbelievable eye hand/eye foot coordination and loves balls. M. is the more quiet, shy one and a little slow to warm up. She likes to sit on your lap and snuggle (it is so sweet). She is also a bit stubborn and likes to do things in her own time and way. She has an amazing smile and the most beautiful face. They both seem to understand that they are now brother and sister and have enjoyed playing together with us.

On Friday, November 12th, we passed the Ethiopian court and are officially S. and M.'s parents!! The judge was a beautiful, soft spoken Ethiopian woman who asked us a few simple questions and the whole thing was over in about two minutes. Later that day, we met S. and M.'s biological families. While this was difficult and very emotional, we are very happy that we had the opportunity to meet and learn about their families. We have decided that we are only going to share their stories with them (when they are older) and they can decide who they would like to share it with.

So the next step is more waiting (imagine that!). We will return to Ethiopia for our US Embassy date (which will hopefully be by January). At that point we (hopefully) will be given visas and passports for both kids and we can finally bring them home!

Leaving them was tough but at the same time I felt like the sooner we left, the sooner we can see them again and bring them home! When we left S. hugged us and then ran off to his friends; M. hugged us and wouldn't let go. We made a picture collage of the four of us (and Tucker) and taped it to the wall near their beds and also left a blanket for each of them. We hope that they find some comfort in this. Until then we have a lot of house projects to do to get ready for them. Hopefully the time will go fast since it is the holiday season.

Happy Thanksgiving to all!! We surely have a lot to be thankful for this year:D