April 16, 2009 Today was a very busy day. Dale went to the U.S. Embassy today to pick up the boys' visas. We are all set and ready to go home. He said the traffic was horrible, so I was glad that I stayed home with the boys. I talked to Barukatan while she made lunch and the kids played outside. She also took me around town. She has lived here all her life, so she knew everyone on the street and in the stores. It was really fun to meet so many friends. I had a few more things I wanted to buy, so she was helping me get them before we took off. Then we went to Bethany services for a coffee ceremony and to say good- bye to the families. It was very nice, and we enjoyed spending the time just talking with everyone. The last thing we did was go to the transition house so the boys could say goodbye to their friends and Nannies. We had bread and the traditional coffee ceremony. It was very good to spend the time with the nannies and director of the orphanage. In fact, his wife had come up all the way from Awassa to say good bye to the children. We made sure to thank all the nannies. They sent them all home with traditional Ethiopian clothes. They looked adorable! Of course, I was crying and hugging all the nannies as they cried. Wow, what an experience. The traffic was really horrible today. It took us forever to get anywhere. We are all tired of riding in the van for hours to get from one place to another. The boys are very, very excited to go to America. It is quite funny though, when we were in the van for awhile, they asked if we were almost to America. The staff laughed and told them they have to go on a long plane ride to get there. Our friends left before us to the airport, so it has been difficult for them to wait. They are having a difficult evening. They are both acting naughty, which is very uncommon for Daigm (not so much for Mintestnot!) They are both emotional stressed I am sure. Diagm is so sweet that it wasn't long and he was okay. Mintesnot is more difficult to console. He likes to pout and be more naughty so we give him time. The boys are fighting among themselves as well. Sure hope the long plane ride goes well! Hey Trevor, Diagm keeps talking about you. He mentions your name a lot. He loves to go through the pictures and name all your kids over and over. They are so excited and confused that it will be good when we are finally home and in a routine. Well, we are getting ready to go to the airport, so talk again soon.   Roasting coffee beans for ceremony     Acklers, O'Connor's, Bethany staff at goodbye coffee ceremony   Shalom transition house goodbye ceremony- nanny and children     Nannys, Dagim, and Mintesnot.           This page hosted by