Tuesday, December 30, 2008

More Ethiopia pics...

Remember to click on the picture to make it bigger!

View from our guest house


Another view from the guest house


Cow crossing


Construction


Big Mak Cafe - Burgers, Coffee & Tea, Wedding Cakes. Interesting combinations.

Saturday, December 27, 2008

Merry Christmas (a little late...)

Putting lights on the tree....

That's a lot of work. Time for a nap (with my boots on, of course!)

My first Christmas Present (I wasn't really sure what was going on!)

A Bears Jersey!! I love this box!

ROCKSTAR!!

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Hello Everyone

Well, we finally have internet access!  It's been strange not checking emails every day.So much to catch you up on, so we'll hit the highlights. The 17 plus hour flight was awful. I somehow manged to be sick throughout the entire flight & it continued even once we were on solid ground. Then Rocky had it Monday night & all day Tuesday. Steph has been lucky, she didn't get it, but it could be because of the 'special' medicine she took. We went to Z's orphanage on Monday, it was amazing to finally meet him. It brings tears to my eyes just typing it. We walked into the gated compound & were immediately surrounded by about 30 little kids. They all want to shake your hand, be picked up, and hugged. They just want to be loved. The Sisters that run K.M. (Z's orphanage) are amazing people. They know everything about each kid there. There are about 170 kids there total this week, from the new baby brought the day we were there, to the older kids 11,12,13. They are all awaiting their forever families. Such hope, and still so heartbreaking.
We've been all over town, it's quite a city.Cows walking through the streets, along with cars & buses. People chatting on cellphones, walking past homeless people who literally have nothing. The Sheraton hotel that charges $335 per night & is one of the most extravagant hotels in the world down the street from tin shacks. Amazing contrasts.
We went to the US Embassy today to start our paperwork. Now it's a waiting and praying game that our paperwork gets done expeditiously.
Z is amazing.He is very quiet, content to play today with a cracker. He LOVES Stephanie. She is definitely his favorite, and she won't let him go.
He and Rocky seem to get along well, but it's hard to tell as Steph monopolizes him. We miss you all and will try to write soon!