A Little Bit of Africa

Today was a fun day!  Three more AWAA families showed up yesterday to pick up their kiddos.  Out of the 5 families that are here, we are the only court family.  The rest of the families are on round 2, which has been nice to able to ask advice and get their opinions on things since they have been here before.  We spent the morning at the Transition Home visiting with little man!  We also got to take some donations and take pics for families that are waiting to get their kiddos! 

Little man is beginning to show a little bit more of himself each time we see him.  He is such a ham and LOVES to show off.  When he wants our attention he yells "Dada" and "Mama" which I LOVE!  He is doling out hugs and kisses willingly to all of us, including the kids!  He seemed a little grumpy and tired today, but to be expected from a 5 year old!  We got a chance to talk with the doctor about how little man is doing health wise.  We were pleased to hear that he is doing great and is very healthy.  She is a very sweet lady and it is so nice to know that the kiddos are so well taken care of.

While at the transition home, Leah got a little taste of Africa...



The older girls at the TH are amazingly sweet and are SO good with hair!  They did it in no time too!  Leah did a great job sitting still and gave them big hugs afterward!  She has for sure won over all the girls there!  We hardly see her when we are there - she is off with all the big girls!

After visiting with little man, we went to lunch and then headed to do some shopping!  It was quite the experience.  There were lots of kids selling stuff and begging outside the shops.  Our kids were excited to see all the cool Ethiopian stuff and we came away with some pretty cool reminders of our time in Africa!

After shopping we headed out for dinner.  Josh and I took the kids to a restaurant just a couple blocks from our guest house.  We walked there, along a busy road filled with lot of little shops!  Ethiopia is so incredibly safe and I've never felt fearful walking the streets with the kids.  Tonight was interesting to say the least - it was as if Josh and I were walking with a movie star!  People were pointing and smiling, walking up and saying hello - - - to who you ask....that sweet little red head, in braids, and a traditional Ethiopian dress!!!!  Leah was the star of the show!!!  I guess it isn't every day that people around here see a red headed 5 year old with cornrows walking down the street! 

Once we got to the restaurant there were 2 ladies sitting at a table beside us that came over and asked Leah her name and introduced themselves to her and told her how cute she was.  When they left, one of them even asked if they could give her a kiss on the cheek.  As we were finishing dinner, our waitress (who had been smiling and talking to Leah all night) grabbed Leah's hand and said "Come".  She took her down the hallway and out of sight.  We trusted her, the people here are so sweet, but we sent Jarod to spy from a distance.  He found her down the hallway in a staff only office with a bunch of the staff around ooing and aahing over her.  They had their phones out taking pics of her hair and her in her dress.  I gave it a few minutes, then went and rescued my red headed princess.  She was glad to see me!! 

Leah has been on cloud nine and she loves the people here just as much as they love her!  She sits by the window everyday when we drive anywhere so she can stick her little red head out the window and say "Selam" and wave to EVERYONE that we drive past.  It doesn't matter to her what types of clothes that they are wearing, what their income is (if any), how old they are, or what color their skin!  She loves them all and enjoys seeing the smiles on their faces as we drive past.  I love the experience that my children are getting on this trip and I know that we are all changing and growing and will take a little bit of Africa back with us!