Home Sweet Home

Sun.

We got back from Ethiopia w/Yonas Sat. evening. We have been busy adjusting, trying to catch up on sleep, and Tim and I have been trying to get over what our doctor calls "Montezuma's revenge"! I am going to try to post some pics from our trip and a little about our experience. It may take me a few days to catch up, so please be patient!

We arrived in ET about 11ish Sun. eve. We were picked up by T and David, both are great guys! We exchanged our $ at the airport, there was no line while we were there so thought it would be easiest. We didn't have any major issues, the visa processing went w/o any probs. The trip was long and tiring but pretty uneventful. We had more trouble figuring out where we needed to go in the airport at Dulles then in Ethiopia. When we arrived at the Guest house, we unpacked a little, took showers and went to bed. Our room was on the 4th floor and by the end of our trip I really hated those steps! The room was very nice w/a living room area, kitchenette, and 2 bedrooms w/baths. We did not have to share a room. I don't know how we swung this b/c all the other families did.

Mon.

We met the other families at breakfast then went with T to the Hilton to do our paperwork and have lunch. We met Duni there and got packets with information about our children's routines, medical information, vaccinations, etc. We then went to the Transition Home to meet our children. All up us were very nervous and excited. We were the first family and we moved up to the front of the line to get our son and they then said that Yonas was at the dr's and would be back soon. We were disappointed and began to move back while the Farris family moved to the front. A nanny brought out a little boy that looked like Yonas w/o hair. Both our families stopped and looked around b/c he looked like our son but they were telling us it wasn't him and they thought that it didn't look like their son, but they were telling them it was! Finally the nanny said that it was Yonas. Yonas was very upset. He has been at the TH since he was 4 mo's old and is very attached to his nanny's and his surroundings there. Tim and I tried everything to comfort him but he would not stop crying. We finally ended up taking Yonas back to his room and staying in their w/him. Yonas calmed down immediately and fell asleep in my arms. We spent the whole afternoon there w/him. It was great! We also met w/the TH doctor. After that the women went to the spa for some pampering and then we went all went out for a traditional Ethiopian meal w/singing and dancing. They had great food and entertainment.

We are coming Yonas!!

We just got the call this morning, totally unexpectedly. We were cleared by the embassy to travel to ET and pick up Yonas!! We will be leaving Sat. morning!! Talk about crazy! I just can't wait to hold my baby boy!!

All Thumbs!

My Poor Baby! Yonas was playing with a friend the other day and accidentally got his hand slammed in a door. The poor little guy had his first trip to the ER! Yonas got stitches in his thumb! They took this picture when he got back to the TH (transition home). They also took an X-ray to make sure he doesn't have any broken bones. I wish I was there and could kiss his little thumb and make it all better :( This being thousands of miles a part just isn't working for me anymore.....

Nesting

I think that I am nesting...yesterday I made a hearty crock pot meal, Ethiopian honey bread (it's now a house necessity!), home made granola, and I started washing all my cloth diapers for the baby! Hopefully, this means we will travel soon! Yonas, we are ready to bring you home, we are just waiting for the word go!! We love you, you precious baby boy. Eh wed eh hallo, ye ney leej!! I know that is not how you spell it and I'm sure I didn't get the sentence structure right but it is supposed to say I love you, my son, in Amharic!

Ethiopian Honey Bread

I made this bread the other day and it was amazing! Our friends, A & S, say that the typical Ethiopian Honey Bread is a little denser, has more spices, and no milk or eggs. However, they said it was very close and tasted even better than what they have made or had before. So, I am gonna stick with my recipe!

Ethiopian Honey Bread
Ingredients
1 Tbsp active dry yeast -1 packet
1/4 C warm water
3Tbsp egg white
1/3 C honey ( I used whipped honey b/c it is what I had on hand and it was so good I will keep using it!)
1 1/2 tsp ground coriander
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground cloves
1 tsp sea salt
1 C warm milk ( I used 1%)
6 Tbsp melted light margarine
5 C white whole wheat flour (I just used regular all purpose flour)

Directions
In a small bowl, sprinkle yeast over warm water. Let stand 3 min. then stir to dissolve.

Set in a warm place 5 min, should double in volume. If it doesn't, repeat procedure (mine sat for about 10 min).

Combine egg whites, honey, coriander, cinnamon, cloves and salt in a deep bowl, mixing until smooth.

Add yeast mixture, milk, and 5 Tbsp melted margarine. Beat until well blended (I just mixed w/a spoon). Stir in 4 -4 1/2 c flour (1/2 c at a time), until it is too stiff to stir. (You may not need all of the flour- I didn't).

On a lightly floured surface, knead daugh. Add remaining flour as necessary to prevent sticking. Knead about 5 min.

Place in a large, greased bowl. Cover w/a damp cloth and let sit in warm place for 90 min.

Grease baking sheet w/ 1 Tbsp margerine (I used shortening).

Punch down dough and knead again for 3 min.

Shape into a round (I braided mine), and place on baking sheet.

Preheat oven to 325.

Let dough rise 10 min while oven preheats.

Bake 1 hour until top is crusty and light golden brown.

New Pics!

Thank you Connelly Family for delivering our care package and loving on our little man!

We witness a miracle every time a child enters into life.
But those who make their journey home across time and miles,
growing within the hearts of those who wait to love them,
are carried on the wings of destiny and place among us
by God's very own hands.
---Kristi Larson