Monday, April 26, 2010

Home At Last!

Hi All! Thanks for the huge outpouring of prayers and support!

We are doing well.  We have two bundles of spoiled rotten sweetness!  I wish I could tell you how sweet they are!  Pictures don't do them justice!  The girls had two pretty decent nights of sleep and good naps yesterday.  This is the most consistent we have seen them, even though their night and day totally flip-flopped because of the time change. This morning, one girl or the other was up since 2:00 am.  They just went down for a nap, but Adia decided she would rather sit on Mama's lap right now, so we will see how long we last!

I was hoping for a good nap this morning (for me and the girls) as we go to the doctor this afternoon!

My sister, Kristen, helped us on Saturday night after we got home and my Mom is here today and will be here during the days, most of the week, super helpful.

We had some family visit yesterday, so fun!  Pictures to come!

Jon went back to work this morning and I have lost my cell phone, possibly still in Ethiopia, so maybe call Jon and not me or e-mail!

Here is a little what we have been doing...



I am going to break the trip posts up in chunks, so I can remember more...

Day 1, 2 & 3

Days 1 and 2 looked a lot like this...

We flew Lufthansa and loved it! 

We had a long layover in Chicago and Germany.  The German airport was surprising sparse and we ended up eating McDonald's in Germany! I know, I was hoping for a big sausage with saurkraut.  Apparently a stereotype I had...However, we did find great, huge, soft pretzels!

On Day 3, Kevin and Erica Kipfer, Missionaries with Loving Shepherd Ministries came and picked us up to show us the sights around Addis Ababa.  We had so much fun!

Jon's first taste of Ethiopian coffee...It is like syrup!
We went up a mountain near the city and watched women bring down huge bundles of Eucalyptus on their backs. It looked incredibly painful.

This woman used to carry down the large bundles of wood, but a ministry was started to help give women other enterprises and we visited where they had looms to make beautiful scarves to sell.  Scarves are everywhere in Ethiopia, men, woman and children  wear them in so many creative ways. 
We went to visit LSM's Home of Hope for Aids Orphans and had the first of many coffee ceremonies.

It was so fun to meet the kids in person!

The kids sang for us and had a prayer, so special!

This is going to have to be it for now!  Jada decided she didn't need a nap either!  My mom is at Walmart getting groceries, so more later!

Love,
Amy

12 comments:

Amber said...

Amy- So glad to hear you made it home safe and with your sanity in tact! I pray God will bless you with patience during these early days of little sleep. They are SO worth it, but I'm guessing you've already figured that out! I can't wait until the day we can squeeze your little bundles. We'll be keeping you in our prayers! Love, Am

Mindy said...

Welcome home!! I love hearing about your trip - can't wait for more posts and pictures!! Hope you can get a nap in today... :)

Sandra said...

Love love hearing your updates, but don't feel like you have to do it today or even tomorrow...we ALL understand if a NAP is way more important. I was actually shocked to see an update....get your rest:). A momma is way better of a momma with proper sleep. So glad you have family to help. Talked with Steph and Phil....sure said they enjoyed seeing the sweetness you brought home:)

The Lehman's said...

So glad you are home safe and you are starting to settle in. Thankful that your mom is there to help you. Thanks for taking the time to update us. Take care of yourself too. julie :)

bri said...

Welcome home and congratulaions! Thanks for your updates! You've been in our thoughts and prayers!

Kristen said...

glad to hear that the girls slept okay last night! i was a little worried for you. great job capturing a smile from jada for the side bar!

Jane said...

So happy you are home safe. We'll get Whitney's pictures to you as quick as we can :-)

Wee said...

Loving the updates!

Peggy said...

The girls are just gorgeous! I can't wait to see them in person! Congratulations!

Anonymous said...

Welcome home! You were sure in our prayers! We hope that you and the girls get on a good schedule soon :)

Jill said...

Welcome back!! What sweet souviners you brought back :-) So THRILLED for you! The girls could not be more precious.

Susan H. said...

Continuing to pray for you as you adjust to the "new normal" :-)!! Enjoy the journey. It's certainly not always easy, but it is amazing and filled with blessings.