No, I have no grief with the Embassy ... That went great - well, except the fact that going into the building and through security made our boy a little uneasy. I am thinking his initial response to change is a sad cry and withdrawing .. I mean literally moving away. The plane rides, Ethiopian airport, customs and more sound like joy to come. Thank you for prayers for his heart to be calm.
No, embassy interview is complete and we should have a Visa by Wednesday. That was the easy of the day.
We headed up Entoto mountain today for an afternoon excursion after lunch. Once you get up the mountain it overlooks all of Addis. Quite beautiful - and maybe more so if they had exhaust regulations for smog control here. Dear USA ... You have done some things so right ... Zebene fell asleep on the way up the mountain, in my arms, and that was some sweet cuddles. He also loves to look out the window in the van and so the way home was spent watching him stare out the window and listening to all his sweet Amharic words as he told me what he saw!
This afternoon and evening began the hard. We are beginning to see some trials and moments ahead that could be fun. Like I mentioned before, moving away when he doesn't want to do something is his immediate reaction to not liking or wanting to do something ... Anything. Yesterday bedtime jammies etc. was fun and he actually enjoyed it. Tonight - yeah, not so much. Lots of tears. And seriously - grief - probably good grief. He has to do this ... but again, it's hard. We saw some pure grief moments tonight where he just broke out into tears. Those are the moments when you stop what you are trying to accomplish and just hold, cuddle and assure. Those are the moments when it hits you again ... My son was an orphan two days ago ... An orphan that while not with a family, was comfortable in the only life he knew and while not done the way we might ... he was loved by the Nanny's and definitely the other kids. This joy is not yet his! Fortunately, he does allow for those embraces during those moments - at least so far.
Some other things we have noticed
1. Potty training is spotty. Looks like we will be doing Zebene laundry and praying the whole way home - with our extra clothes in tow.
2. If you don't like something ... You just throw it on the floor. I noticed some others his age doing the same today at the transitional home. Ya Know, spaghetti noodles, quesadillas that might taste weird, markers you are done with, wrappers etc. - the floor is the emptying spot.
3.grief is beginning and his reality began to sink in tonight. Bedtime was hard. Tears.
4. He loves books!
5. He loves music!
6. Not a fan of the second pair of shoes I brought ... Shoulder shrug and a point to the Chucks said so! 7. He is very cautious in large crowds and new places. If you are coming to the airport ... Don't expect to see his gorgeous smile just yet.
8. He is bright!!! I am totally impressed with what the transitional home has taught him-at what he knows in English - names of some animals, can point to many letters and even write some! He can count in English - not sure how far ... But he sure gets stared ... 1,2,3,4,5,6,7
9. I love his little Amharic words. I sure wish I knew what he was saying with those big expressive words and eyes! I have a few words down, but not enough. I do think one day that I will miss those sweet words!
10. I am exhausted with just two days. I will need your ongoing prayers for endurance for sure! This journey has only begun - now is prayer time warriors! Zebene has been claimed in the flesh ... now, we have to claim his heart!
2 comments:
Praying for his heart! Undivided, whole heart! Love you!
I think you were on the same flight as my husband!! Praying for you as you begin to bond. Praying also for the trip home :)
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