Email from Kevin and Katie

Hey everyone. We just received an email from Kevin and Katie updating us on their journey so far. This will be the last time they can email us. Enjoy this update from them. What a blessing to hear what is happening in their words! And an extra bonus: pictures!! Aunt Kristy

From the words of Kevin and Katie:

Wednesday 3-10-2-10 to Thursday 3-11-2010

Where to begin? We left Cincinnati at 2:15pm on Wednesday in what can only be described as a closet with wings. We arrived in Dulles airport Washington D.C. 55 min later and began our 4 hour layover. It was such a blessing to meet Lee and Lindsay Andrews for the first time. They are also adopting through Gladney (our adoption agency) and are staying in the same guest house that we are. They will be bringing home two of the most beautiful kids. Ruta (6yrs) and Alazar (2) are staying in the foster center next to Abadi and Hailekiros. Though we are not near each other on the plane we look forward to sharing the beginning of our new families together. The scene when they announced the boarding of our flight was straight out of a movie…you would have thought U2 was having a concert at our gate. People were pushing, arguing with gate workers and not paying attention to zone’s for boarding, it was chaos. However, it was an amazing experience in international flying. Now on the plane, a decade later, it is smooth sailing…all we can think about is that in less than 24 hours we will be holding our boys in our arms!

The first leg of this flight has been long we’ve been in the air for about 5 hours with 4 to go. We’ve been able to pass the time by sleeping, dreaming about meeting the boys and marveling at the 15 month, 18 month and 5 ½ month old boys in our row. They only make us more excited to hold our boys! After the longest 6 hour flight from Rome we arrive in Ethiopia. When we landed I wasn’t sure if I should be excited or mortified that everyone was clapping that we arrived safely but then I realized they were just showing a gesture to the captain. Although long, getting our visa and entering the country was a breeze. We were disoriented and feeling a little alone and vulnerable when we had a chance encounter with Alexis! Alexis is on staff with Younglife in Tanzania. He saw our YL shirts and came up to welcome us and say hi. He probably, unless he reads this post, will never know what a needed blessing and comfort it was to meet him at that time. What a blessing running into a brother in Christ halfway across the world! It is now Thursday March 2, 7:30 pm in Ethiopia (Thursday March 11, 11:30 am in the United States) and we have arrived. Only 17 hours until we hold them!

The Ayat house was lovely and we were looking forward to putting our heads on a nice pillow…but Katie and I might have slept 2 hours! All night we kept reminding each other that this was the last night without the boys.


Friday 3-12-2010

We woke up this morning at 8am. Probably should have slept a little longer but our excitement and joy could not be contained. It was a beautiful Ethiopian morning and we hurriedly showered and dressed in our best clothes. Travis, our in-country worker, is scheduled to meet us and the Andrews at 11am.

We have met with Travis who shared the itinerary to us and Lee and Lindsay. They will be heading to meet the sweet boy named Kaleb that they have been sponsoring for the past year. Katie and I are now awaiting the arrival of Travis who will be bringing the boys to meet us.

Meeting the Boys!!
After 1 year, mountains of paperwork, government hurdles, over 21 hours and 4,700 miles covering 3 continents, the fulfillment of God’s purpose, the desires of our hearts was now in our doorway. Travis stood before us with a huge smile and the two most beautiful boys we have ever seen. Katie said it all we she gushed, “They are so much cuter and sweeter than I could have ever imagined. Hailekiros (whom Katie held) was just one BIG smile while Abadi (whom I was holding) was a little more skittish or maybe intuitive. They are so much more than we could have ever dreamed for! We are holding them in the entry way to our guest house while Travis films our first meeting. Words cannot express the feelings we are feeling right now. All I can think of is that we serve an amazing and wonderfully faithful God. I think we have been holding them now for hours not wanting to let them go for anything. They are so much smaller than we had pictured in our minds, even though Hailekiros is still quite heavy. This post is not long enough to explain all that we are feeling right now.

We played all day…there was tummy time, daddy time, story time with mommy and later that night bath time. By the end of the day Mr. skittish (Abadi) was smiling and Hailekiros was laughing heartily. At the end of the day all of the playing, diaper changing, bottle feeding and rocking, left us all exhausted yet thankful that God had given us these wonderful gifts. We definitely missed Nana (Katie’s mom) and Mamaw (Kevin’s mom).

Saturday 3-13-2010
The boys had to share a crib Friday night but seemed used to the situation. Abadi kept kicking Hailekiros through the night and Hailekiros kept rolling into Abadi but slept great. We didn’t sleep a wink (huge mistake) while we lie awake most of the night listening to them breath. The sound of them breathing was a wonderful melody even if Haile’s occasional snoring sounded like a freight train. Poor buddy has a cold.

Saturday was full of tummy time, story time, going to doctor and lots of falling asleep in mommy and daddy’s arms. By the end of the day the once skittish Abadi was belly laughing and having a blast. Haile, as what is now usual for us, was laid back, smiling and laughing. It was so fun to see their little personalities already formed. One of the highlights was watching them stare at each other cooing and holding hands. The night ended with bath time (mommy and daddy definitely need practice…Hailekiros’ cheeks were wobbling he was so cold [we need to work on the temp thing]…Abadi, though small, can hang on to the edge of tub with a vice like grip).

Sunday 3-14-2010
It’s 8:30pm and Katie and I are hunkered down whispering as we write this blog as the steady sound of twins breathing echoes in the background. What a day! Still no sleep for Kevin and Haile’s cold is showing mild improvement. (As I write this Abadi is having his usual sleep conversation with himself). Today was a full day…there was tummy time, story time, nap time (Kevin needed this) and we actually took them outside for a little sun and fun. Katie and I are definitely still missing Mamaw and Nana. Our Embassy date is tomorrow and we might come home early…but got to run before my typing wakes up the boys!!

Monday 3-15-2010
What a great night! The boys were in bed by 7pm and slept through night…only waking when we got them up at 2:30am for a quick diaper change and feeding. They awoke this morning at 6am and both were nothing but smiles. Our embassy date is scheduled for 12:45pm but we were just informed by Lindsay that both families have doctor’s appts before. This will be the second trip to the doctor at the orphanage. We took Haile because of his congestion and trouble breathing…he’s getting better. We are taking Abadi because he hasn’t had a bowel movement since we’ve had them.

Doctor’s was good. He said Abadi is fine and he will eventually give us a nice treat. While Katie and I were waiting to see the doctor we had one of those moments that make your heart break and melt at the same time. We were waiting in the tiny entry to the doctor’s office when suddenly one of the orphanage room’s doors opened and 15 toddlers were staring at us. They looked at us for a minute and then simultaneously erupted into Hi over and over again…it was so sweet and yet my heart aches as I write about it. Then just as quickly they all said Ciao (goodbye) and we were alone. What a moment! The boys just woke from there nap, and hour too early, and mom is saying I need to grab Haile…

Embassy
As of 2:30pm we officially have visas for the boys!! We waited in the smoldering heat at the Embassy but it was worth it. The drive to and from the embassy was eye-opening. We saw things we’ve never seen before and got to experience a little of the culture. One thing I will say is that I could not drive here…I can’t thank Yasu our driver enough for keeping us safe. The boys were champs and slept the whole time…on a side note we have come up with nicknames for them. Abadi we are calling squirrelly bear and Hailekiros drooly bug. You can probably guess why…but if you can’t its because Abadi is quite the character, always squirming, squealing (happily) and just plain funny. As I write this Abadi just threw up on my new jeans…way to go squirelly. Hailekiros on the other hand is happy, funny, laid-back but the kid drools non-stop. We should probably buy the Ayat house a new comforter because of all of his drool. We are having so much fun the boys but can’t wait to get home and have everyone meet them.

Also, please pray that we might get to come home early. We will probably find out tomorrow.

This might be the last time I’m able to update before we come home, so we will update on the rest of the trip when we get back to the states…Abadi and Hailekiros say hi and can’t wait to meet everyone…and Abadi just threw up on my jeans again!!