Day One and Two in Ethiopia

We landed early this morning at 3 AM. We went to sleep around 4 and then we were up at 7:30 because we thought our ride would be here between 8:30 and 9 AM. But around 9 a group of people had to go to court, and then right after that another group of CCI people had to go to their Embassy appointments. So that kind of left us without a driver. Once everything settled down around 12 we were able to have a driver take us to Baby Ben’s orphanage. The day was beautiful!!!! It was about 80 degrees and sunny. When we pulled up to the orphanage the older kids, who ranged from 3-6 years old, were singing Jesus Loves Me and all kinds of precious little kids songs. Then they took us upstairs where they keep all the babies. We took our shoes off and walked in to the baby’s room. And all of the babies were sleeping. We woke up Benjamin and he was still very sleepy. I held him for about 5 minutes and he just stared at me. It was one of the most amazing experiences of my life. He had constant eye contact and my heart melted for this miracle God up into our lives. In the babies room there were 10 to 12 little ones in there it was so heartbreaking. There lay of these tiny little babies who were not being tucked in, sung to and rocked to sleep every night. Don’t get me wrong the nannies who are there adore these children and they get great care. But there is nothing like having a mom or a dad who can give that one on one care. I was then very happy to find out that all of the children at that orphanage have already been placed in to forever families. And their parents will be there with in the next few months to bring them home. After that we spent some time playing with the older children out side on the play ground. There are about 13 -15 older kids there. Again all already placed into a family! J

We then came back to the guest house with Benjamin and he was wide awake laughing and snuggling. HE LOVES HIS DADDY. Wow there is a bond there already! Darin has this amazing demeanor. He has a very low soft spoken voice and Baby Ben just melted into him and Darin held him most of the night. At one point I went to take him from Darin and he turned and snuggled his little face into his daddy. It was so fun to see that bond begin to start.

We were able to Skype for about 15 minutes tonight!! And that was so wonderful We talked to baby Claire and my mom, dad, and Justine were all able to see Benjamin.

You all might be wondering what about Stella. Well we just found out that her orphanage director, the woman who authorizes Stella to leave the orphanage is out of town until Saturday. So we will not even be able to go see her until the 18^th. It is just a bummer for me since our baby girl has really been such a mystery to me these last few months. I can not wait to see how she has grown!! On the 18^th we will go and hopefully be able to have her here at the guest house with us until Tuesday, the day before we go to court. Tomorrow will be very quite. We will just spend time with Ben and relax. My time clock is all off. It is actually 1 AM here, and that makes it 5 PM at home. So I am all off.

Thank you for all of the love and support.