Almost Home

Dear Friends and Family-

We apologize for not updating sooner. Wednesday the power was out all day at our guest house (which incidentally also means no water and no internet), and then Thursday the phone lines were down. Now both are up and running for the moment, such is the life in Ethiopia.

Thank you so much for your prayers, both Jeff and I feel as if we have never been so in need of them in our lives!!! Wed. morning we were able to take Luke and Ben to a Pediatric hospital, both were put on Augmentin for ear infections and seem to be doing much better. The rest will have to wait until we get home to the US to take care of. We are grateful that they will not have to have sore ears while on the plane coming home as they have now had a good three days of the meds. One interesting fact is that the boys were weighed while at the hospital and both boys weigh less than they supposedly did in November, so we are pretty sure the info we got back then was not correct. The doctor we saw does not believe they are as old as we have been told (neither do we). Luke weighs 24 pounds and Ben weighs 19-20 lbs.

Wednesday was a good day despite the circumstances. Both boys are really getting to trust and know us. You can almost see it in their faces as they break down some of the walls and begin to trust. Wed. night we had had such a rough few days that some fellow adoptive parents in our guesthouse offered to watch the boys so we could go get dinner. (We had only been eating breakfast every day because it is too difficult to take the boys out to restaurants while sick). Well, we agreed and left, but halfway there ended up asking the driver to take us back. I know it sounds silly, but we just couldn't leave them. We found out that when we had left Luke asked the staff here in perfect Amharic "Is my daddy going away?" Needless to say, we were glad we chose to stay with them, even if we didn't eat!

It is so funny, Luke is mixing English and Amharic words. He will say "Ayou ibabi....doggy!" Translation "Look Daddy, doggy!" It also poured rain on Wednesday and Luke pointed out the window and said "water". He understands every word that is spoken to him in Amharic, which the foster home did not think he did since he was so shy. So it turns out he is breaking out of his shell and showing the world what he does know. His laugh is so precious, his dimples are amazing and he is so loving towards Ben. They must do a wonderful job in the care center because Luke is very protective of Ben. He is also a tattle-tale when he thinks Ben is doing something wrong. Luke is very organized and likes things put away. They make a perfect pair because Ben likes to make a mess!!!!

Ben is an absolute mush. He is just one cuddle bug, but can be very clingy towards Mommy, and gets very jealous when I am playing and holding Luke. Ben is our morning man, he is all smiles in the morning. He has the most beautiful eyes, and will ham it up for anyone that will pay attention. Ben is having a hard time with being able to be comforted by Jeff. We think he has never been held by a man before. Please pray that Jeff would be patient with the process and that Ben would allow someone else to hold him other than just Mom!

Thursday we were able to go back to the care center where the boys have been since November. We were able to meet the care takers, and see the cribs they slept in. We realized once there that Ben was especially spoiled while there. One great blessing was that we have met another family who lives in Virginia Beach near Jeff's family. They adopted a 2 year old son, who shared a crib with Luke! We are so excited to be able to keep that tie. We are not allowed to take pictures of other families children in the care center.....but if I could even begin to describe the picture to you of when we brought the boys back. We had them both in slings, so that they would know we were not leaving them. Well, they were mobbed by all the other children, it was amazing to see how God puts these children together as a family while they wait for their forever families.

That is all the news for now. A driver will be coming in a few hours to pick us up to take us to the airport. Please, please keep praying. We are so overwhelmed to think about such a long flight, but are desperate to be home!!!!! Pray that things would go smooth and that Jeff and I would continue to be strengthened. (Last night we had a record in sleep.....3 straight hours!!!)

We love you, and can't wait to share pictures and more stories once we are home....and rested!!!!
Believing Him,
Jeff, Mer, Luke and Ben