Highlights (and Heartbreak) of Ethiopia

Rhett finally falling asleep on the plane

landing in Mezmur's birthplace

meeting other CHI families and their babies

seeing the HOH for the first time...mystery solved

waiting to meet our babies for the first time

meeting Mezmur for the first time

being so glad Rhett was with us
Rhett saying, "I love her so much more than her picture"
meeting K.

meeting the women who took care of Mez before we could

hugging Sunamauyta good-bye

a room full of kids at the HOH blowing me kisses

drying laundry

meeting Tsegay and the HOH staff

Rhett calling Mezmur, "Mezzy" in front of Tsegay

a traditional Ethiopian feast at the HOH

Ethiopia Guest House

finally seeing Mezmur smile

middle of the night alarm clocks...wink-wink

prayers at 4:am on speakers

packs of wild dogs

tiny baby alarm clock every 2 hours

Mezmur smiling at her Mama from across the room

reading the first bedtime story to both of our kids for the first time

finishing Mezmur's visa and hearing congratulations

lots of injera

the monkey that grabbed Rhett's hand

seeing the lions at the lion zoo

coffee, coffee, coffee

many coffee ceremonies with popcorn

Julie taking care of Mezmur while we went to the orphanage

the heartbreak of Mezmur's orphanage

watching Rhett give a little boy a soccer ball at the orphanage

getting rammed by a steamroller in the van

no seat belts or car seats...one of Rhett's highlights

one beep/I'm here and two beeps/get out of my way

the smell of exhaust that you get used to

Mezmur in the Ergo

Rhett never wearing shoes

the best coffee EVER

macchiato

finding our painting in the corner on the floor...here

Rhett being teased at the guest house

people of Ethiopia wanting to touch Rhett's hair, pick him up, take him by the arm

the beauty and fresh air of the mountains

the happiness, kindness, and hard working people of Ethiopia

Sophie the giraffe

the gate guard playing with Rhett's Minnie

seeing the carousel full of babies with lollipops

making injera

street workers and their "hot" outfits...a nod to Julie and Brian

Mez the "pooping machine"

coming home

This may be an ongoing list. There were so many highlights, but the biggest is Mezmur and finally being home as a family of four.