I haven't really had the heart to write this post, but I figured that I need to document all that I can, so here goes!
We got up and packed everything...big fat sadface :(...
We got to go see our little girl for a couple of hours in the morning. That day she loved those little things that you scratch off the black part and there is color underneath...you know what I am talking about? I have no idea what they are called! She also liked blocks and coloring. She started getting protective over the things that we brought for her (and all of the other kids!) to play with. Even if she didn't want to play with them, she didn't want other kids having them!
We made matching bracelets which someone recommended to help make connections that she is a part of our family. Brian and I both had one on, and we showed her that we had ones that were just alike. We put hers on her and showed her that they were all the same. We kept saying "Mommy's and Daddy's and ____(N)____'s," to try to make the connection. She liked them. I still have mine on, and the other kiddos will have one, too, when she comes home.
She had a GREAT time painting fingernails, too! She loves the doll that we brought for her, and she even painted the doll's nails! Ha! Olivia keeps saying, "Mom, did "N" REALLY paint these nails in Ethiopia!?!"
We made a photo album to leave with her with all of our pictures in it. It was really neat, because it had 5 different buttons you could push (one for each page), so we each got to leave her a "message" that corresponded to our picture. One of the pictures I put in there had a picture of our whole family, and we were holding a big picture of her. We wanted her to connect that she is a part of our family and that the kids in the album are her brother and sisters.
...
Then, back to the hotel for lunch and back for our final afternoon with our little girl. It was tough. She had just gotten some shots, so she weren't feeling so hot, but we had a pretty good afternoon anyway! She looked at her album some more and seemed really interested in it. We pointed to everyone and said their name and played what they said to her. She sat on Daddy's lap for a long time and even let me hold her for a few minutes! That was the only time all week! :) (it's the little things!!!!)
When someone came in to tell us that it was time to go, she was not happy at the moment (from something else that happened, but I can't remember!), so she didn't get into telling us good-bye. It was sad for me, and the bus ride home with all the other families (who had also just said good-bye to their little ones) was silent. I wish we had more time. But, I was glad that she wasn't torn up about saying good-bye to us. She is SO happy there and I am VERY thankful she is so connected to the special mommies and so very loved where she is. I had envisioned it being HORRIBLE to leave her...that she would be devastated...and it just was not like that. I am so glad because the thing that I was most torn up about is all of the pain and loss she has suffered in her little life...I didn't know how she would know that we are COMING BACK. I just thought that she would think we were leaving her, too. So, it was sad for me, but I am so glad that it wasn't sad for her. We just left like we did every other day we were there.
...
The flight home...I felt like my heart was literally ripped in two and part of it was in the US with the other kids and part of it was in Ethiopia with "N." It was terrible. Still is. We miss her so much. Trusting in God's timing. Trusting in His provision. Trusting that He is taking care of her and us. Begging Him to be supernaturally knitting her heart to ours in our time apart.
I can't wait to be back on a plane headed to bring her to her forever home.
Here are some pictures of some people who have been so influential in "N's" life:
We got up and packed everything...big fat sadface :(...
We got to go see our little girl for a couple of hours in the morning. That day she loved those little things that you scratch off the black part and there is color underneath...you know what I am talking about? I have no idea what they are called! She also liked blocks and coloring. She started getting protective over the things that we brought for her (and all of the other kids!) to play with. Even if she didn't want to play with them, she didn't want other kids having them!
We made matching bracelets which someone recommended to help make connections that she is a part of our family. Brian and I both had one on, and we showed her that we had ones that were just alike. We put hers on her and showed her that they were all the same. We kept saying "Mommy's and Daddy's and ____(N)____'s," to try to make the connection. She liked them. I still have mine on, and the other kiddos will have one, too, when she comes home.
She had a GREAT time painting fingernails, too! She loves the doll that we brought for her, and she even painted the doll's nails! Ha! Olivia keeps saying, "Mom, did "N" REALLY paint these nails in Ethiopia!?!"
We made a photo album to leave with her with all of our pictures in it. It was really neat, because it had 5 different buttons you could push (one for each page), so we each got to leave her a "message" that corresponded to our picture. One of the pictures I put in there had a picture of our whole family, and we were holding a big picture of her. We wanted her to connect that she is a part of our family and that the kids in the album are her brother and sisters.
...
Then, back to the hotel for lunch and back for our final afternoon with our little girl. It was tough. She had just gotten some shots, so she weren't feeling so hot, but we had a pretty good afternoon anyway! She looked at her album some more and seemed really interested in it. We pointed to everyone and said their name and played what they said to her. She sat on Daddy's lap for a long time and even let me hold her for a few minutes! That was the only time all week! :) (it's the little things!!!!)
When someone came in to tell us that it was time to go, she was not happy at the moment (from something else that happened, but I can't remember!), so she didn't get into telling us good-bye. It was sad for me, and the bus ride home with all the other families (who had also just said good-bye to their little ones) was silent. I wish we had more time. But, I was glad that she wasn't torn up about saying good-bye to us. She is SO happy there and I am VERY thankful she is so connected to the special mommies and so very loved where she is. I had envisioned it being HORRIBLE to leave her...that she would be devastated...and it just was not like that. I am so glad because the thing that I was most torn up about is all of the pain and loss she has suffered in her little life...I didn't know how she would know that we are COMING BACK. I just thought that she would think we were leaving her, too. So, it was sad for me, but I am so glad that it wasn't sad for her. We just left like we did every other day we were there.
...
The flight home...I felt like my heart was literally ripped in two and part of it was in the US with the other kids and part of it was in Ethiopia with "N." It was terrible. Still is. We miss her so much. Trusting in God's timing. Trusting in His provision. Trusting that He is taking care of her and us. Begging Him to be supernaturally knitting her heart to ours in our time apart.
I can't wait to be back on a plane headed to bring her to her forever home.
Here are some pictures of some people who have been so influential in "N's" life:
This is "T." I NEVER learned how to pronounce her name correctly, so she said I could just call her "T." She is wonderful! She was the expert on our little girl's file/history, and she was SO HELPFUL!!!
This is Was. Everyone LOVES Was! He is our driver, speaks English really well, knows a lot about everything going on, and he is all the kids FAVORITE playmate!!
And...this is the amazing and famous Almaz. OHHH, Almaz!!!!! I heard incredible things about her and couldn't wait to meet her and she truly is so amazing. She loves these children and advocates for them SO well! She is from Ethiopia, but was in the states for many years and felt the Lord leading her back to Ethiopia. She followed Him, and He has done amazing things through her! I am so thankful for this woman!
Addis Ababa Time
3 comments:
I am praying for you guys and for sweet "N". What an amazing journey and sweet time with your daughter!!! I know God will be preparing everyone just as he has been doing since day one. I love you so much and can't wait to talk to you soon!
Wow Erin, I can't even imagine! What an amazing story it's been to follow all the happenings leading up to this point. Any idea of when you can actually take her home?!?! Your family in it's entirety is in my prayers.
Sweet E, I'm in tears. I hate the waiting and your beautiful torn heartache. Can't wait to hear its over! I love you more than you know :) you're a hero and a favorite to me!!!!
Post a Comment