First Meeting

Tuesday, April 24th 

After breakfast we hopped in the van with two other couples and rode to the Holt Office. During the half hour ride we were able to enjoy our first sights and sounds of Addis Ababa in the daylight. After an office tour and orientation for the care center we all climbed back into the van to head to the care center to see our children. The ride over was filled with excitement. As we climbed out of the van and into the entrance I can tell you that I don't think my heart has ever beat so hard. 

Ally to the Care Center

Here it is!

We sat down in front room of the care center and we waited for them to bring out our children. We watched the other two families get their children and when the nanny rounded the door way with our son it took our breath away. He was so beautiful! The nanny held onto him a little longer, said a few words in his ear and kissed him, and I finally felt my son in my arms for the first time. We spent the first half hour just admiring him. We couldn't believe how big he had gotten. He just stared as we oohed and cooed at him. Eventually we made our way outside and after I gave him a few twirls and tosses we got to see him smile for the first time!

Here he comes....

 We were blessed to have Mike and Mandy Fiechtner (also adopting from Ethiopia) join us to take pictures and video of our first meeting.

One of the highlights of our first day was getting to feed our son, mostly because he loves to eat. He was grabbing and diving towards his bowl, and we couldn't spoon it in fast enough. After he ate he fell asleep in Jon's arms and suddenly it was time to go.

I can't tell you how many times I have re-watched the videos and looked at the pictures we had taken on that first meeting. It was a surreal day. Two years of praying for this baby and finally he was in our arms!

A few other pictures from the first day....

 Holt Office

Mandy and Mike Fiechtner

The Lucy Land Guesthouse (where we stayed thru Thursday)

Driving through Addis Ababa

 The street where we went shopping

 View from the top of our guesthouse

 Another view

 Construction was everywhere in the city

 We ended up the night meeting up with Rich and Becky Metcalfe who were also in Ethiopia for their court date to adopt their son.

to be continued...