Missing Addis

Well...many of you already know that we made it home from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia last Saturday evening after over 24 hours of traveling...phew. It was a REMARKABLE trip! I mean, in part, I knew it would be. Nathan and I had been anticipating meeting our little guy since our referral mid-May 2010, and had been anticipating meeting "someone" since we started our adoption paperwork back in July 2009.

(Note: Yes, he is ABSOLUTELY adorable, and yes, we have MANY photos, but we are not at liberty to post any of his photos on-line until after he comes home to the U.S.)

So, yes, I was looking forward to this trip for the purpose of meeting our baby boy. What I did NOT anticipate were all of the other AMAZING parts of our time in Ethiopia - the other people, and the multitude of experiences. And that is what I am missing today.

I am missing waking up and looking outside my window to see hundreds of people walking in brightly colored clothes and wondering where they are going.

I am missing watching the farmers plow with crude "farm equipment" and oxen.

I am missing smiling to myself every time I see the little water heater on our bathroom ceiling.

I am missing being greeted by a bunch of Ethiopians as I sit down for breakfast.

I am missing being served every meal by beautiful, dark-skinned people who treat me like a treasured being.

I am missing buying everything with birr, trying to convert everything 13:1 in my head.

I am missing watching the hotel security people patting down those who are coming into the hotel.

I am missing the smell of strong coffee, and injera and meat cooking.

I am missing the sight of half-constructed buildings, wooden scaffolding stories and stories up in the air, people hard at work up top.

I am missing watching the donkeys, cows, and dogs on roadways, sidewalks, and overpasses.

I am missing the sound of the Amharic language, in particular their "Amasaganlo" - their "Thank you!"

I am missing the cool temperatures, in the 60s and 70s Fahrenheit during the day.

I am missing watching the multitude of blue taxis and mini buses, crammed with Ethiopian people, going politely to and from...somewhere.

I am missing drinking Coke, real Coke, from a bottle.

I am even missing the smell of smog. :)

I am missing the people...

I am missing Solomon, always waiting near his tiny, yellow cab in front of the hotel, ready to give us a ride anytime, anywhere. And his thankful, happy heart, ready to share in a coffee ceremony with us, despite what he lacks.

I am missing Was, always ready with a hilarious story and a huge laugh.

I am missing Johannes, quiet and solemn, but with an appreciative sparkle in his eyes.

I am missing Almaz, one of the most BEAUTIFUL and TENDER-HEARTED women I have ever met; how greatly I respect her and the work she does for those children.

I am missing Mekedesh, one of our little man's "special mothers" at Hannah's Hope, who was so patient in trying to teach me some Amharic, and whose love for our baby boy is 100% evident.

I am missing the seven other American couples who were in Addis with us, meeting their children for the first time with us, attending court in an unfamiliar setting with us, eating nearly every meal with us, one even flying with us to and from the U.S. - dear friends for life!

And, yes, I am missing most of all our precious baby boy who legally became ours on July 28, 2010 when the Ethiopian judge said, "He's all yours!" :) And, because that part is all official, we've decided to share his name with you all.

Abraham John Abera LeFeber

Abraham from the Bible, John as in Nathan's middle name and Nathan's father's first name, Abera from his birth father, meaning "He brings light" and LeFeber, of course as he is now forever a member of this family. :)

I did some journaling each day we were in Ethiopia, and hope to post some of my thoughts and some of our photos soon.