Off to Ethiopia

XOXO · Post by **XOXO** » Thu Nov 19, 2009 12:14 pm

Congratulations on your addition.

Sometimes the harder we work for something the more we appreciate it. I am sure you are all so grateful!!

Please update us and post pictures!

GG

PA Girl · Post by **PA Girl** » Thu Nov 19, 2009 1:03 pm

Xanax works wonders for flying on my very high strung hubbie so your DIL should be fine but WOW, what a first flight!

Our friends loved their guesthouse experience. I believe there was another couple also staying at the same one. Anyway, they said the hosts couldn't have been more welcoming and arranged for them to have guides and drivers when we went exploring.

From what I gathered, the guesthouse people were either directly or indirectly associated with the orphange. From the pictures I saw, the house looked modern and comfortable.

They mentioned the poverty but didn't say anything about feeling unsafe. That being said, the husband has lived all over the place and the wife is in social services so they be less shocked by certain things than other people may be.

Off to check out their blog! Keep the updates coming!

Also - Our friends ended up having to stay extra days because of a delay at the embassey. Didn't have anything to due with the adoption but something with scheduling and holiday clousures.

deejayjay · Post by **deejayjay** » Sun Nov 22, 2009 5:12 pm

4 more days until off to Ethiopia. 6 days till Ethiopia. Even harder to get there than from Kansas to STJ. Fly KC to Washington DC. Stay overnight. Early next day depart for Addis Ababa via Rome. Leave at 9:30 Fri morning and Get in Addis 7:30 am Sat. That's going to be one long flight.

deejayjay · Post by **deejayjay** » Tue Dec 01, 2009 12:38 pm

They arrived in Ethiopia sat. The driver who was supposed to pick them up didn't. The guest house they had reservations at didn't have rooms, or drinking water. But they got a new driver, found a new place to stay, And got baby Lyra!!. She was healthy, and seemed to be age appropriate for development which is unusual for babies from orphanages. She received very good care there. Now mommy and lyra are both sick. New daddy is getting trial by fire. Good thing grandpa is there to help, and grandma can call thru Skype and give pediatric nurse/ grandma advice.

Chickadee · Post by **Chickadee** » Tue Dec 01, 2009 1:38 pm

Yay! Way to go team Lyra! Wishes for a safe return trip.

PA Girl · Post by **PA Girl** » Tue Dec 01, 2009 2:02 pm

deejayjay wrote:She was healthy, and seemed to be age appropriate for development which is unusual for babies from orphanages.

Thankfully, our friends had the same experience with age appropriate development. Lucky little girls to have been well cared for.

If nothing else, the rocky start (the trip challenges, sickness, trial by fire) will make future challenges pale in comparison (hopefully!)

michele · Post by **michele** » Tue Dec 01, 2009 2:36 pm

Congratulations on your new granddaughter! I have a friend who adopted 2 children from Ethiopia a couple of years ago and they are precious children and have brought so much joy to their new family!! I will be praying for a safe journey for your family and I would love to see pics when they return!

Tracy in WI · Post by **Tracy in WI** » Tue Dec 01, 2009 4:04 pm

Thanks for continuing to share the story of your new granddaughter! What excitement for them all - I really need to get to the blog to read more, but I appreciate your updates! Congratulations!

mindehankins · Post by **mindehankins** » Tue Dec 01, 2009 4:41 pm

I'm so glad your daughter has such resources (her dad and you!) Lyra is beautiful!!! She has so many opportunities now. Bless you all.

XOXO · Post by **XOXO** » Tue Dec 01, 2009 7:53 pm

It sounds like things are going really well. I bet you are so ready for them to get home! How soon before they start making their way back to the US?

Gina

deejayjay · Post by **deejayjay** » Tue Dec 01, 2009 9:55 pm

If all goes well they leave Ethiopia on Sunday and arrive home Monday evening. Mommy and Daddy are both feeling so bad to night that Lyra is having a sleepover with grandpa. Hope they all feel better in the morning

California Girl · Post by **California Girl** » Wed Dec 02, 2009 12:29 am

Hooray for good news! Sorry to hear the mommy & daddy are sick! Flu-like, or "don't drink the water-like"? Good thing grandpa is along to help!! Thanks for the updates!

deejayjay · Post by **deejayjay** » Wed Dec 02, 2009 12:09 pm

Mommy is sick with intestional bug. I'm sure she didn't really drink the water, but the water is so bad that you are advised not to even wash your face with it and if you eat fruit, only eat fruit you can peel, and wash the outside with hand sanitizer before you peel it. So it got her somewhere. Daddy has asthma and is really flaring due to the extreme air pollution and being in an elevation above 8500 ft. Good thing gramps is still healthy..

California Girl · Post by **California Girl** » Wed Dec 02, 2009 10:46 pm

Wow, I thought I knew my geography, but I never realized Ethiopia had such elevations!

Nic in KC · Post by **Nic in KC** » Fri Dec 04, 2009 1:40 pm

I've been following their blog and she is just a gorgeous baby!! I'm sure they are ready to have her home and I'm sure you are dying to meet her. I didn't realize until I saw their blog they are fellow Missourians!!

I hope they can come home soon and that their travel goes well. How wonderful to get her home right before Christmas!!

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Off to Ethiopia