They are in Addis

Katy just sent me an email about their arrival in Ethiopia. I have copied it below, but first I did want to give aunts, uncles, grandparents and whoever else might be interested an update on the girls. They are doing fabulous. I have no idea is they are enjoying their time with me, but I am enjoying them tremendously. Bright, sweet, funny girls, who clearly are their parents children. I know that while I am thankful to be here and having a great time, I miss my family. There is just no substitute for one's own family, so I suspect the girls are feeling the same and are anxious to get their parents back home, but they are being real troopers. For the most part they are keeping busy. Samantha has had friends over and we have played many, many, many hands of UNO. Briana went to the movies with a friend and has been running around like all almost 17 year olds do. She and Bella went to a Bon Fire with their church youth group last night and seemed to have a great time. We have yummy dinners and delightful dinner conversations. I love listening to them talk and laugh and I espcially love to see them interact with each other. We had plans to head to the local outdoor zoo, but the weather is not cooperating, so we have not had much outdoor time. In an effort to not feel cooped up, we are going to head to Katy's favorite place...The Mall Of America. In all my visits I have had one whirlwind mad dash through the mall as Katy despises the place. Since the girls and I are in no hurry, we don't really care about the crowds and whatnot, so we will stroll and perhaps get shoved a bit and grab a bite to eat and just enjoy being out and about. Ok, enough of that, onto the real news... Hello from Addis. It is raining here as well, but just this afternoon. It is the rainy season. We had a good flight to Addis, but there was a storm so the last 10 minutes, not so fun. Was thinking Katie was going to be a mom sooner than later. :-) Our bags showed up. Phew! Getting the Visa was super easy. The driver was at the airport and ready to take us to the guest house. Abel is our Bethany guide. He seems very, very nice and knowlegeable. We didn't get to the guest house until 11:30pm. We got to our room and just crashed. I slept very hard, did not hear a thing and they had to wake us up for breakfast. Doug said he didn't sleep as well, barking dogs and pray chants over megaphones kept him awake. Doug is doing stupendously. Thank you for the prayers. Staying the room in Amsterdam was probably the best decision. I think he slept probaby 16 hours. This morning we had pancakes for breatkfast and then went to church. Church was amazing. The singing and the passion were incredible. Didn't understand a darned thing, but could feel the passion and spirit of God through these people. The people are so gracious. Excepting and nice. For lunch we had Doro wat which is a chicken stew. It takes a day and a half to prepare. It is spicy, but very good. They are treating us like kings and queens. There are two families at the guest house and they got their babies yesterday. Ethiopians are literraly a gorgeous people. One more family arrives late tonight. Tomorrow morning we leave at 8am and meet Emma. We will not get much time, like a snatch and run thing according to Abel and we are the only family adopting from Gelegela. Orphaange. We then will accompanying the other families to their orphanges to meet their childen and participate in their farewell ceremony. I am torn about this, as I am sure it will not be a good time for Emma to see all the babies getting special treatment and she gets shoved on a bus. We will try to make it good. We will head to the Bethany office in the afternoon and fill out paperwork and see the nurse. I guess their is a medical check up. We are anxious excited and nervous for tomorrow. Prayers are appreciated. Oh, the elections are today, but nothing exciting happening outside. Thank Goodness! Okay, I had better get off as I might be pushing it. HUGS AND LOVE TO ALL! Katy