Anxious in Addis

We arrived in Addis Ababa late Monday night after a 6-hour flight from Rome.   We purposefully planned a couple days in Rome to do some sight-seeing with Jackson and Avery and try to get a head start on working through the time change.  By going to Rome we were able to adjust to 6 of the 7 hour difference that we have in Ethiopia.  It was a good idea as I definitely feel more energized than the last time when we flew straight through the night to Addis.   

I feel like an old pro at the airport in Addis having been to Ethiopia 3 times in the last 7 months.  Staci, Avery, Jackson and I whipped through customs, got the kid’s visas, changed our dollars to birr, grabbed our bags and headed off to meet our driver in a very orderly fashion.  Danni, our driver, greeted us in the parking lot.  He remembered us and was very excited to see that we brought Avery and Jackson with us.  He asked about Sofani and I told him that he would be with us very shortly.   Sofani was a favorite amongst the staff at the hotel last time.  They’re all looking forward to another appearance.

After checking in and having some “juice” (smoothies) we headed to our apartment around midnight.  We have plenty of space – 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms along with a large common area and a kitchenette. 

We didn’t sleep much on Monday night.  We had good intentions but it didn’t work out that way.  All of us are probably “too excited” to head to Jane’s House and meet Sofani. 

I spoke with Alemu (our contact in Addis with our adoption agency) after we had breakfast this morning and he said that we’ll be heading to get him at 2 PM. 

We had coffee this morning with Linda Schrenk and her daughter from the Fort Wayne area.  Their family is adopting Muskarem and Hawi.  They have gotten to be great friends at Jane’s House because they’re so uniquely older than most of the children there.  Muskarem and Hawi will make 10 children (6 adopted) for the Schrenk family.  We know that we’ll be in contact with them for years because of the bond that Sofani had with the two sisters at Jane’s House. 

We’re all so anxious.  I know Sofani is, too.  We will take plenty of pictures.  We will be celebrating tonight.  We’re going to have a really good meal and – if we’re lucky – some ice cream!