Playtime......

Mason's personality is beginning to really come out. He is such a ham and a bit of a stinker. I'm telling ya, his facial expressions are hysterical. He's very flirty. He can have an atitude as well. He will bat our hands away if we tell him no. He has learned the sign for "more", can blow kisses, say "up" and "night night". He loves the bottle and bathtime. Here are just a few pics from our playtime together as a family. We had a picnic yesterday at the playground. Madalyn was very excited to show us how she can flip over the bar now. She and Kenz had a secret hiding place somewhere within the play area.

The People and the Culture of Ethiopia

The thing we enjoyed most about our two trips to China was the people. The same is true for Ethiopia. The people are kind, curious, reserved. There is joy on the kids' faces in spite of their circumstances. The women are cautious, conservative. I think of Daniel across the street from our hotel. He is bright, a survivor, knows how to get stuff for his family. He is mannerly, respectful. Then there is the man without the use of his arms or hands who builds benches with his feet. He is petitioning the government to give him a real workshop rather than the front room of his "house". Most of us have no frame of reference for real hardship and I know I take a lot of things for granted. My life is rich beyond imagination for them. They won't ever know what it means to take things for granted. The culture is rich in tradition and ceremony. The presence of Christ is obvious. We went to a church service while we were there and the message was about bringing our burdens to Christ for His yoke is light. I wondered how do these people do that. But many of them know what it means to be dependent on others and in that way, are far more freer than most of us.

Most people walk to where they need to go

These boys were herding the animals you see in the background

Most babies are carried this way

The traditional coffee ceremony set up

Coffee is always served with popcorn at the end of the meal. Most people put a lot of sugar in their coffee

This is hand washing taking place before eating

This is injera and is served with every meal. It is like a rolled up crepe, a bit tart, room temperature. You tear pieces off and use it to scoop up your food. No utensils.

Food with a lot of flavor, some spicy, very good. Most of it is cooked down, stew like.

Traditional dance

She has finished rosting the coffee beans and then brings them around for everyone to smell

Loved seeing themselves on the camera

We bought one of his benches for 40 birr or $4. Notice the detail on the legs to the left, also done with his feet

His daughter

Life in Ethiopia

We continue to do well. We are all sleeping through the night so no complaints there. Mason doesn't like to be put down much so he's spoiled already. He is eating just about anything except eggs........like daddy, he doesn't care for them. I was telling Matt yesterday how they say you have to introduce a food 10 times before they can really determine whether they like it or not. Madalyn overheard us talking and she says, "ok, Mason, these are eggs. Eggs, this is Mason" and proceeded to work her way up to 10..........we cracked up! Concrete thinking.........

I promise to post more pics of us but I wanted to share some of the country with you all. These are just some random pics of the several hundred we took. I want to also show you the people but I'll do that in a little bit.

Home and Happy

After almost 30 hours of travel, we arrived home on the 13th. Felt so good. We are all doing well and slept great the first night home. Mason slept from 8-8. Now, this morning he has been up since 4:30am but no biggie. We were beyond excited to see the girls. Mackenzie was all over Mason mothering him already, wiping slobber of his chin. Madalyn was so happy to see us, she started crying. When I asked her if she was ok, she said, "I'm happy". Sweet thing. The girls did really well with our friends who we will be forever grateful to for caring for them so well. They are very excited to have Mason home. Madalyn keeps saying, "I can't believe I have a brother now".

The plane rides home were uneventful and we all did fairly well. Mason did great in the car seat much to our surprise, no tears. Now maybe that is because he was so exhausted he didn't have the energy to cry so we'll see but it was a pleasant ride home. The only things he has not liked is our Golden Retriever, Jacob and the high chair. He was initially petrified of the dog but is slowly coming around. I think it is the first time he has ever seen a dog. In ET, dogs are solely for guarding and aren't considered pets or treated very well. We'll see what happens with the high chair. He is eating well and drinking a ton. He sees the doctor on Tuesday.

I'll share more details later but here are some random pics of our trip:

Our first introductions.........




Random cute pics:









More to come later as promised..............

One more day....

It is Wednesday night here.  Well, I don't think I can get pics to post here.  I'll try to email some of you directly.  Don't worry, in about 3 days, there will be more pics than you can stand.

Today was emotional.  There was a good-bye ceremony at the care center which was really beautiful.  We were all  in tears when the nannies said goodbye.  It is very hard for them.  They care for the babies so well and some of them have been there for a while and they are attached.  We know Mason was very much loved.  They seem to pour themselves into the kids.  They genuinly consider them their own.

We did a lot of shopping today and bought a lot of fun stuff.  We've eaten dinner in the hotel every night.  I've ordered onion soup several times and it has come out different every time.  It's kinda funny.  They say that you can order something several times in a row and it will come out different every time. Last night, grilled chicken  was boneless skinless.  Tonight, it was two chicken thighs.  Go with the flow I guess. 

Mason continues to do great.  He sleeps well.  He is working us already.....he cries as soon as we put him down.  Of course we pick him right back up.  We don't mind :o)  His favorite place to be is right on own laps playing with a stacking cup and a spoon.  Last night he fell asleep with the spoon in his hand.  He cracks us up with his expressions and how he moves those eyes.  He is quite the charmer.  You'll see.  I think he'll do great on the plane.  All; the babies have a wet cough and some are having blow outs a few times a day but overall, they're all doing great.  He's not exploring too much yet but I'm sure that will change once we are home.  We are so lucky.  I'm sad his birth mom will miss out on knowing him. 

It will be a bit sad to leave tomorrow night but we are anxious to get home.  We are craving clean air, a softer bed (I think a firm bed but this is plywood with a sheet on it), salad, and Diet Coke....not necessarily in that order.  We are very excited to see the girls. 

No Pics....

Ok, so I hear there were no pics.  I'll try again later.

Oh, and did you know that donkeys know their way home? 

let's try again!

Let's try this again.......