Well, we're in the Dubai Airport on our way home, and I just thought I'd log on to let you know that we're doing well. Our week in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia was absolutely wonderful, and we said goodbye to some of our new Ethiopian friends with tears in our eyes, a little bit surprised that we had grown so attached to them in such a short time. Once we're home, I'll write more about this amazing country and the time we spent there.
Saying goodbye to our sons was also hard. We cannot wait to get back to them! I hope the next three weeks goes by quickly, because I already miss my baby bears cubs!
We had three visits with these little guys, and they have completely stolen our hearts. We love them so much! Each of our three visits were similar in that Robel would cry and cry until he fell asleep in one of our arms, and Biruk would smile and coo and charm us with his sweetness. We really feel for Robel, as he is old enough to know that something strange is going on, but he doesn't totally understand. He grew a little more used to us each time we visited, and he definitely knows that we are there for HIM. Even though our last visit still involved tears, he seemed to calm down a little bit more quickly, and he was definitely checking us out and sizing us up. On our final visit, his caregivers pointed to Brian and said, this is your "Ababa, Daddy", and he repeated "Ababa, Daddy", but he's only 22 months, and I don't think he quite knows what that means. In any case, we are expecting that our first few days with him (upon our return) will be rough until he begins to trust us and adjust to us.
On our last two visits, his caregivers let me feed him his breakfast, and he was pretty willing to let me feed him, so yea for that! Our agency made it clear that these visits were purposefully short and the point of them wasn't for bonding. Still, this mommy's heart is attached! It is best for the boys, though, not to begin bonding and attaching to us until we return to take placement so that they don't feel abandoned by us during the next few weeks. We understand and agree with that. Still, I miss my babies!
We're looking forward to getting home to do our final preparations, so that we can welcome them to their new home. My current mantra is that the sooner we get home, the sooner we can go back to reunite with them to be a forever family.
God is good, and we are blessed by the miracle of adoption.
17 comments:
So so so happy for you guys! Hoping time goes quickly until you can see them again!
These next few weeks are going to go by so quickly and yet I bet will drag on forever at the same time.
We're so excited for you all. I can't come to your blog without leaving with tears.
Safe travels!
HUGS!
The pictures are BEAUTIFUL! My heart goes out to you in having to leave them! I can't even imagine that... You will have only 3 short weeks to get the final touches on rooms, and new travel plans, so I bet the time will fly...
Praying for you guys,
Laura xox
Absolutely beautiful and heartwarming. We are praying for your safe travels and that the time goes quickly.
Absolutely beautiful and heartwarming. We are praying for your safe travels and that the time goes quickly.
They'll be with you before you know it!!
Does Robel remember his birth family, or has he been in the orphanage for a long time? Do the people at the orphanage recommend maybe bringing pictures of his birth family home with you, to talk to him about some day? Poor guy will have a hard time of it, it must be very confusing. You have so much love to give him, he will be more than fine...he will thrive. But it will be a journey getting there. I'm glad you have a community of other parents who have adopted their children, so there will be people to give you advice and support in traveling these waters.
I can't wait until you're all home, and settled in. And can do some serious bonding. I agree with why they don't want that now...it would be confusing for them to fall in love with you, as you have with them, and then for you to leave. But still. It must be very hard to leave them behind.
Extremely precious! Tracy, thanks for sharing your boy's photos. Matthew and I are over joyed and so happy for you both.
Kia & Matthew
I'll continue to lift all of you up to the Father from here in Dallas, GA. Thank you for letting us be a part of your amazing journey!!
Carol
I hope your next three weeks flies by until you are forever untied with your boys!! Looking forward to hearing about your trip.
Tracy, I was so happy to read your blog today and know how all of you were doing. Your comments about Robel are interesting to me....my brother was adopted at 10 months. While that is much younger, I always wondered how the first few days went with my parents after being so used to the orphanage. Kids are resilient and adjust well....oh boy, those boys. If they only knew how blessed they are to have you both.
Please keep writing! I can't wait to hear from you of how the next few weeks pass quickly by and then your stories of coming home!
Omigosh! I've looked at your recent blogs a few times now and get choked up every time! The picture of the 4 of you is so beautiful - "the dreams that you dare to dream really do come true!"
Hoping the the next few weeks pass quickly and that your beautiful boys are soon on American soil! Then - you're gonna have so much fun!! (my baby by international adoption is now all grown up - I'm speaking from joyous and extremely grateful experience!)
Hi Guys! Hope you arrived home safely. We've loved following your journey and love seeing your photos:) We were wondering if you'd mind taking a care package for us on your next trip? I know you'll hace a ton of your own stuff, but we'd sure appreciate it! We just got our referral for twin 3mo girls! Zoe
Cannot wait for the next chapter to unfold! Hoping these three weeks fly by!
Congratulations on your beautiful boys! We are on the wait list with Gladney and can only imagine what you guys are feeling right now! Thanks for sharing your experiences; it helps us know a little more what to expect! Blessings to you and prayers for the next 3 weeks to fly by for you and those babies to be in your arm at home! Also, praying for Robel's adjustment.
I guess it would have been helpful to leave you my e-mail too! zoescherer at hotmail dot com
What a beautiful family! I'm so happy for all the blessings you have been given.
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