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Before we met, I wanted you ... Before I found you, I loved you ... Before I touched your face, I would die for you ... This is the miracle of love.
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Molluscum Contagiosum 9 Feb 2012 12:01 PM (13 years ago)

A couple people have emailed me asking about Mihret's bumps.  While in Ethiopia, I was gifted with an email of information from a friend, who works within the BC health system.  Although I knew what they were, I had some denial while reading the confirmation of what they were simply because in reading things contagious, you get nervous.

 

Mihret has molluscum contagiosum on her face, and one on her chest.  In Ethiopia, we treated some of them through curettage, as noted below, only as they were ready to burst to alleviate the possibility of it spreading further on Mihret, or to the rest of us.  They are highly contagious, in that they spread very easy. Since we have been home, only the one on her chest has needed to be treated, and I again did that through cutterage [partially because she had burst it by accident and it was HUGE].  


Today Mihret had her first doctor's appointment with our family physician.  She doesn't see the pediatrician until the end of the month.  He confirmed the information and treatment of the molluscum.  Through good hygiene [to alleviate further spreading to her and others] and healthy nutrition [to keep the inside of the body clean], they will continue to cycle through and disappear.  This could take up to six months.    

 

What is molluscum contagiosum?

Molluscum contagiosum is a viral infection of the skin caused by a poxvirus. The virus is easily spread but not harmful.

What are the symptoms?

The symptoms can appear anytime from 2 weeks to 6 months after contact with the virus. They begin as tiny painless bumps and grow over several weeks to become small, firm, waxy, pinkish-white, raised lesions, which may have a small crater in the centre of them. The bumps may become swollen and turn red as the body's natural way of fighting the virus.

In children, these symptoms or bumps may appear on the face, body, legs and arms. In adults, these bumps can occur almost anywhere on the body. If the viral infection is sexually transmitted, these symptoms are usually found on the abdomen, groin, external genitals, buttocks or thighs. Molluscum contagiosum is contagious until the bumps are gone.

How does the infection spread?

The infection can spread from one part of the body to another or to other people. The infection is spread by direct skin-to-skin contact, scratching the lesions or bumps, touching objects that have the virus on them, or through sexual contact. In children, the symptoms can be spread to the genital area by scratching.

If you have symptoms, contact your doctor or health care provider. You can also call 811 and speak to a registered nurse.

Who is at risk?

Anyone who has skin-to-skin contact with an infected person is at risk of getting the infection. While molluscum contagiosum is most common among children under 10 years of age, the infection can affect anyone. In young adults, molluscum contagiosum is primarily a sexually transmitted infection (STI). The infection can be more severe among people with a weaker immune system.

Although it is found throughout the world, molluscum contagiosum is more common in places with warm, humid climates.

How is it treated?

In some cases, lesions or bumps may persist for years, but they usually go away without treatment in 2 to 6 months. If these symptoms appear around the eyes, they may be treated to prevent irritation. Treatment of symptoms in the genital area will prevent them from spreading to partners through sexual contact.

Home treatment includes trying not to scratch lesions or bumps and using bandages to cover them.
If the symptoms cause concern, or to stop them from spreading, a doctor may use any of the following treatments:

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There's Hope Still! 3 Feb 2012 2:32 PM (13 years ago)

February 3, 2012

Dear CAFAC families and friends,

We mentioned in our February 1st correspondence to you that CAFAC would be unable to continue provision of services beyond February 3rd. Since then, new information has become available to us. The Board of Directors is holding an emergency meeting tomorrow morning to discuss it. We promise to provide you with as much information as we can as soon as we can. Unfortunately we cannot provide any details at this time.

We are very aware that the recent news concerning CAFAC’s operations has been upsetting for you. It has been very upsetting for the CAFAC staff and board as well. We would like to reiterate, CAFAC’s primary concern remains centered on the children in our care and bringing them home to their parents as soon as possible, and to our clients that eagerly await a child to make their family whole. And we continue to work very hard towards that end.

We want to assure you that our operations in Ethiopia are continuing, the children are being cared for, the files continue to proceed, your funds remain in trust accounts.

We believe that you deserve a voice in this matter. Thank you for your overwhelming show of support this week. We are very grateful and appreciative of it.

Sincerely,

CAFAC Board of Directors

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Heartbreak 1 Feb 2012 2:42 PM (13 years ago)


While in Ethiopia, I had to assist in dealing with some issues that arose. Although it was important at the time, I still had some "awww nuts" selfish attitude because it happened when I was scheduled to go tour the world famous fistula hospital. It was issues that didn't directly affect me, but affected people working in Ethiopia, and families I was living with at the time. However, I was asked to be the mediator and it was an important role.

In doing so, part of the task was helping explain the things to the Canadian families staying with us while attending court and still in the adoption process. They would be returning to Canada to wait out the paperwork until they could bring their children home. What happened resulted in watching heart ache, worry and stress overwhelm families I had come to know. My heart broke for each of them. I saw tears, loss and pain.

Within two days, the HUGE and IMPORTANT miscommunication was over. Thankfully, most people will actually never know what was going on.  Relief and joy was had by all. But I knew there was more yet to come.

With it came, though, true realization that Lyle and I needed to let go. That our family expansion through the amazing country of Ethiopia was ending. [Part of the reason is it now takes 7 to 10 years for an Ethiopian adoption in Canada.] I went through some grief. Even still, I don't know where we are going next or if our family is to be complete just as we are.

And now, today, completely separate from what happened and what the miscommunication was about while I was in Ethiopia, an email of disheartening news arrived. Our agency will be shutting down in two days due to financial loss. The process has become so long that the money for the agency to continue is very slow coming in. This news definitely closes the door to us returning to where our hearts are for the purpose of bringing more children to our home here in Canada.

So I can sit here and be so thankful thy we made it home. That we have our daughter sleeping in her bed, in her room, in our house. That she tangibly gives us hugs and kisses every day. That we can tell her right to her ear, and not just to the air we breathe, that we love her.

But instead I'm sad. I'm feeling broken. Those same families that I shared time, hugs and emotional ups and downs with don't have their children in their arms yet. I saw them go through horrific moments once, and I keep seeing their faces and remembering their names, and watching them smile as they held their kids for the first time. I imagine them going through heartbreak and pain again. What about them?  Will the province finish things for them properly?  Will things speedily finish up?

And what about the families who have invested years and thousands of dollars but haven't received their referral yet?  The money is in trust so that's fine.  But they must be grieving at the loss of their adoption. Their miscarriage. I've miscarried before and I know their pain of a miscarried adoption will be very real and very difficult. And each miscarriage is remembered for life.

So if you know a family in this situation, please understand their loss. Please don't brush it off since they didn't "have a child".  They did.  They do. They always will have a heart filled with some loss. Hug them. Pray for them. And never let them feel that this is easy and should be forgotten.

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January 19 Journal Email 19 Jan 2012 2:37 PM (13 years ago)

Not having any morning plans, I decided to be lazy in the morning. I was unmotivated and took my time showering and getting ready. But this resulted in me not eating breakfast too.

Lyle and I took advantage of our moms and went for a walk without the kids. Grandmas watched the kids, and we've been enjoying seeing them smile and give hugs and kisses to their new grand daughter throughout the week. When we started this a few days prior, it came as a surprise to them. We hadn't set out a date that they could start this, but played the attachment plan by ear. They had been prepared to not hold her or anything the entire trip. Mihret has continued to make incredible strides in her happiness, contentment and attachment that we started to let grandmas give love and snuggles much earlier than planned.

After our walk, we chilled out, ordered in some pizza for lunch then got ready for an afternoon of swimming. We went to the Sheraton hotel, which is one of the top ten hotels in the world. We couldn't remember if it was the number five or number seven. We enjoyed the company of two other moms and their children. It was glorious. We relaxed, we swam in amazingly warm water (32.5C), only warmed by the sun, ate delicious ice cream and got sunburned, again. We are much closer to the sun here!

Mikiyas was a fish, as usual. He swam and swam and loved every minute. Having his new friend that is staying at the guest house (last day today) was a huge bonus for him.

Mihret, having her first time in a swimming pool, couldn't get enough.  She was quite upset when she was taken out the water. When I first took her in, she was a little nervous and clung on. Once I got her enjoy some motions and she saw her little friend playing beside her, she got into it.  By the end, she was going right under the water, splashing and giggling with glee and kicking (not flailing) up a storm. Lyle was even throwing her up in the air and she wasn't scared of the water at all. After almost two hours of constant playing, she came out and relaxed one the side.  

The Sheraton really was an amazing thing to see. Stunning, gorgeous and a world class resort in every way. Door men in tuxes and top hats. Marble and gold. Views, flowers, fountains .... But knowing what was sitting outside the gates - the poverty and distress - almost made you feel guilty for going in. But we let ourselves enjoy the short time of relaxing and comfort. And it truly was a gift to watch both our kids enjoy the water as much as they did. They deserved the treat.
 








 




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January 18 Journal Email 18 Jan 2012 2:21 PM (13 years ago)

Today was rather crazy.  Later in the evening the night before, Lyle and I were called for a confidential meeting.  We discussed things and I began mediating.  Come morning, things were still needing to be tended to and we were have secret discussions.  At the time we were preparing to join others to tour the world famous Fistula Hospital.  On the way there, a call came to a drivers cell and I had to return to the guest house with the kids.  Lyle and the two moms joined the rest of the group in the other van and continued on to the Fistula Hospital. 

While driving to the Fistula Hospital, Lyle recognized the area from our trip five years ago.  The Fistula Hospital is very, very close to the foster home Mikiyas lived in for six months prior to us picking him up.  Ketema was shocked that Lyle was able to quickly recognize the neighborhood as things are constantly changing.

No pictures allowed inside.
Healing women make these and sell.
Regarding the Fistula Hospital, this is my mom's writing:
We visited the Fistula Hospital today - this was quit the experience.  It's a beautifully landscaped (referred to as Garden of Eden and you would never know the place is in a city like Addis) hospital near the river (unnamed river) about 25-30 minutes from where we are staying in Addis.  It is the only hospital like this in the world.  Oprah Winfrey has financed the recovery area for women whose surgery was unsuccessful to some degree and require further assistance for as long as it takes.  The grounds are beautiful, the hospital buildings are all white and everything is spotlessly clean.  We had a tour of the facilities - an opportunity of a lifetime.  So proud of what is being done there for the women.

I returned to the guest house for a brief meeting, important for us and why the call happened. I received the visa for Mihret to travel to Canada!

The rest of the day had continued meetings and talks about things I cannot discuss.  I mediated and worked on explaining things between language barriers and cultures the best I could.  I also went for a couple walks just to air my brain.

During the evening, we went with a bunch of families for delicious Chinese food.  We could have eaten more, but when my mom asked the waiter for another plate of chow mien for us, she was told "one is enough" and he walked away.  During the dinner, things were happening outside the restaurant and what was necessitating all the meetings and talks was fixed.  It was a relief to many many people involved. 
Quite the loaded down van!

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January 17 Journal Email 17 Jan 2012 1:08 PM (13 years ago)

Sweet girl I saw. Couldn't resist a photo.
Today was the long awaited visit to the Compassion project that we support in Akaki. Akaki is a district of Addis, but a much more rural and poor area. It is more what you would see on something like World Vision with the tiny tin shacks with no lights, one bed and maybe a few items inside.  No real roads to places, but you drive anyway.

Lyle and I visited Akaki in May 2007 and enjoyed ourselves a lot.  We've never forgotten the experience, the sites and the amazing visit we had with workers, children and especially our sponsor family. We have come to refer to them as a sponsor family, and not a sponsor child, because it is something in which you really do support the whole family.  Sponsor one child enables the whole family to benefit during food shortages, need for medical care, education and learning about God.

As we got further from the city and into the more rural area, Lyle and I were able to recognize easily where we were and the homes we had previously seen.  We arrived at the project and enjoyed meeting some of the new staff and seeing a couple of the staff we met previously.  Not as much detail was done in going through accounting books and history of things as we had done that before, but they did recognize that both Lyle's and my mom hadn't been there and needed to know things as well. It was during this time that we gave them just over 100 pounds of donations, mostly school supplies and specific curriculum packages they requested. It was a very cool experience and we thank everyone who contributed to this, even in the smallest way.

We were getting ready for a coffee (bunna) ceremony and popcorn (fendisha) which is served only at special occasions when my mom's sponsor child came in. She had the most gorgeous smile and was beaming she was so happy to meet her sponsor. Her mother was with her. Tears of joy were flowing from the two, as well as my mom. There was so much gratitude and happiness.  It was a real neat thing to watch as an outsider, which I had not done before.

The next two sponsor children arrived, together with their moms. One was Lyle's mom's child and the other was one of ours.  Both were older than we expected so they were almost hard to recognize. They were beautiful young teens. Lyle's mom was beaming and you could really see the love shared between her and her child. For us, it was nice to meet a girl (Eskedar) that we had been writing for almost five years. It was also nice to see how she had grown since our only photo of her was still from when we started sponsoring her. Eskedar and Lyle's mom's child are very close friends, which was good for us as I ended up being tied up with Mihret a lot that I could not sit and visit easily with Eskedar all the time.

We enjoyed coke, water and coffee together.  The kids sang traditional songs to us.  Eskedar did a solo song as well and has an amazing voice.  She really enjoys singing and is in the church choir.  You could see her mom watching and filling with pride.

We had a small tour of the grounds and saw the large building (but very small by Canadian standards) used for hosting more than 2,000 people on Sundays for church.  Incredible!  While playing on the playground that would never meet Canadian safety requirements, Yisakor arrived.  It was a true joy and my heart lept when I saw him.  It was different with him because we've sponsored him for so long, and we met him and his family on our last trip.  He had grown so much, but you could still see the same boy in his face.

Although Mikiyas and Yisakor had never previously met, they were attached like two peas in a pod. They played together. They ran together, often with their arms around each others waists. When we had lunch together, they even shared a chair. They were stuck like glue. Yisakor, thankfully, understood some English so they could do some minimal communicating. But their love and respect for each other went much deeper than I can ever describe. It was something you watched in awe.

Before starting the home visits and lunch, Lyle went with our hosts to the market and bought each family 100kgs of teff flour.  Each 100kg bag was carried by one man, one the back of his shoulders/neck area. That was incredible too. Each bag is worth three months of salary but the time it will last depends on the size of the family. We got some cool pictures of kids all sitting together on the bags.

The first home visit was Yisakor's. He lived the furthest from the project and also had the nicest home, but nothing any of us or you would desire to live in.  His was nicer due to inheritance and support from the community as his mom hosts weekly meetings and out of town special visitors when requested. Yisakor's mom was wearing black and in mourning as her brother had recently died. We gave Yisakor his back pack and all his treats from Canada. As we suspected, his soccer ball and his soccer t-shirt were his favorite. Mikiyas and him, always attached, went to his room, which Mikiyas later realized was the only bedroom and was shared by the entire family and the dining table. Mikiyas soon came back out to ask if we could send him toys from Canada as Yisakor had 3 toys. It was eye opening for Mikiyas to say the least.

The visit didn't go too long and we gathered each child and their mothers and headed for lunch at the Crowne Hotel.  Here we had traditional Ethiopian, with no power.  We also were often fed by our sponsor children and their mothers.  To be fed by someone is an honor and is something of deep friendship.  We fed fourteen people food, each having a drink, paid tax and tip, for $60.00 USD.

After lunch we headed back for home visits. First we said good bye to Yisakor and his mother. Tears were shed, pictures were taken and Mikiyas too was quite sad. He loved spending time with Yisakor and wanted to spend the rest of the day with him.  It felt like it was cut too short.

My mom's child was the first home visit after lunch. A tiny house, but clean and tidy.  She enjoyed receiving her new back pack and the gifts my mom brought her. Her home was a traditional home, made of mud and straw, as we saw the others to be too. The girl continued to beam and hold my mom's hand, never letting go. A truly thankful and joyful girl.

We then went to Eskedar's house.  It too was very small, but this time one wall was attached to another home.  It looked like it was a very small back room behind a curtain.  Somehow we fit at least a dozen people into a room smaller than Mikiyas's bedroom.  This room served as their bedroom, dining, living .....  Eskedar had grown so much so some of her items we gave her were a little young for her.  She was so grateful regardless.  But what she didn't know yet was that I had another idea for her before we left.

Finally we went to Lyle's mom's child's home. We had some more laughs there and enjoyed the final round of coffee (having had some at every house) and popcorn. The child's older brother had a lot of fun with Mihret. She really liked playing with him outside and it gave my arms a break. The mother was in black and in mourning as well as her husband (the dad) had died only one month and ten days prior.

It was time to say our goodbyes and drive off. As we left I gave Eskedar my Roots Canada hoodie jacket I had bought for the trip. She was thrilled and had it around her quickly. She had tears, as did I, and we embraced many times. It will be a joy to write her, and the others, when we get home, and send all the kids photos of the visit.





My mom with her sponsor child, and mother.




 


Lyle's mom with her sponsor child and mother.






 


Mikiyas with his "brother" Yisakor. An amazing connection!
















The director in Akaki, who bears an incredible resemblance to this guy from House.
 



Joy was had with the surprise bags of Teff!




 







  
Our sponsor families.



  



Mihret with one of many new friend. He works with there and grew up as a sponsor child.







Lyle's mom's sponsor child and one of ours are best of friends. 

 
  

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January 16 Journal Email 16 Jan 2012 5:23 PM (13 years ago)

We stuck around the guest house, going for a few walks, stopping at a few stores and getting Mikiyas' and Mihret's hair done.

Routines are definitely setting in for my mom, Mikiyas, Mihret and I as we have been here almost a month.  We see certain people regularly.  Certain ones wait for us to give them our change or a birr (their $1.00 but maybe a penny to us).  Others look forward to Mikiyas giving them a refreshing drink on the hot day.  We've definitely become more comfortable in knowing who to give to, how to give to people discretely and when it is appropriate.  We've also come to know short cuts and routes to where we like to go for certain items.  Settling in nicely.

For something people pay hundreds for in Canada, it cost me 2.00 CAD each child to have their hair done.  I watched close enough with both kids that I can potentially do their hair back home.  Haha!  Mikiyas did great during his hair-do and Mihret screamed throughout hers.  It didn't hurt her and we know it wasn't that part making her cry because she had started screaming when she saw the lady coming towards her.

But they did great and both kids looked terrific.  Both were happy and full of smiles when we left the salon.
 



 

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January 15 Journal Email 15 Jan 2012 10:14 AM (13 years ago)

We woke up far too early given the late night before.  But we quickly managed to drag ourselves downstairs for breakfast before the cook had even turned to the stove on.  As it turned out, the driver was late and we left almost two hours later than planned.

We headed out on a two hour drive (which included Mikiyas getting car sick and us figuring he cannot eat eggs when traveling) north of the city to see the Portuguese bridge.  It was built in the 1600's by the Portuguese. It is made of limestone and ostrich eggs.  They mixed the raw eggs with the limestone to make a kind of cement.  The bridge goes over waterfalls that eventually lead to the Nile River.  The rock walls surrounding is home to many baboons.  However, given it is now the dry season, we saw no water falls and no baboons.  It still was incredible to see and stand on it.  It was another steep climb for me carrying a baby!  What a work out I seem to be getting lately.


 

Above the bridge by the resort, the view was amazing.  It was Ethiopia's version of the Grand Canyon. Just amazing.  Now I want to see the Grand Canyon.  

When we returned, we walked to a restaurant close by called Cloud 9 and enjoyed a late lunch / early supper.  Pizza for most, amazing juices for all, and a cheeseburger for Lyle.  The rest of the evening was spent laughing and relaxing while Mihret kept up with her tricks, teases and crazy games.  


Tomorrow our visas should arrive in Ethiopia from Nairobi.  We will also likely enjoy another day of relaxing and walking around here as Tuesday is a full day with Compassion.  As the days fly by and we get used to the glorious weather, we shudder to think we must return to winter in a week. 

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January 14 Journal Email 14 Jan 2012 7:34 PM (13 years ago)

The day for myself was pretty mellow.  I stuck around the guest house for most of the day.  I wanted to spend some time hanging out with Mikiyas (and Mihret) in the morning while the others went to a coffee distributor for some big buys.  Big buys as in quantity, not price. Mikiyas and I enjoyed some down time and he's become a pro at playing UNO now.

I did join the others in a quick noon outing to the grocery store for a few items we like to have around here.

 
After lunch, I put Mihret down for a nap and enjoyed some solitude (but not sleep) as the others went to the anthropological museum.  Apparently it was a terrific outing.  Mikiyas learned a lot about the history of Ethiopia and the culture.  It was great hearing from him different facts and events. Although it was a school type outing, he really seemed to enjoy himself. When they got back I went for a walk with my mom without children.  It was refreshing for me, but mom said I walk way to fast when I don't have them.

 


We had a very late evening, especially for both kids, as we went out with many other people staying here for a 7:30 dinner with entertainment.  It was traditional dinner and dancing.  Dancing was limited to the stage so no, we did not need to participate.  However, they did manage to get two people from our group up dancing at different times.  The food was quite good, and we were able to try a few things we hadn't before, and the entertainment was terrific.  Both Lyle and I did feel that we've had better food before though.  One of the ladies did the head swinging thing so fast you could catch a weird glimpse of her eyes.  She looked alien like she was bobbing so fast. I kept waiting for her head to take off into space.




Getting back so late, we all crashed to bed pretty quickly.  The two grandmas, having never seen entertainment like that, really seemed to have enjoyed themselves.  As we crawled into the guest house, we were told we'd be leaving at 8:00 in the morning for our next adventure.  But just before we fell asleep, Mikiyas lost a tooth!
 

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January 13 Journal Email 13 Jan 2012 7:27 PM (13 years ago)

First thing after breakfast, Mikiyas got to go with our friend Mesfin to go get his shoes shine. He thought this was pretty cool and enjoyed the adventure.  I think he'd like to do it again before we go home.  It costs about .50 cents to have it done.  And his shoes came out looking like new.

We decided that we would stick around close to the guest house today and enjoy some walking and some of the shops near by.  Next week, we have more adventures planned so having some down days is a good thing.  It's funny to be in the neighborhood having people recognize you now and visit with you on the streets, or the store workers knowing what you want to buy and having it ready for you before you even walk in.  A city of millions and I probably "know" more friendly shop owners here than I do back home.

Mikiyas also did his usual walk home from one of the markets, giving sodas to different people we saw on the streets; whether a mom with a small child, a laborer working, or a shoe shine boy waiting for the next customer.  He enjoys doing this and seeing people smile as they receive a treat. 

We also got in a visit with someone special today.  Nothing to really tell about it, but it was just a visit with a lady that told us about her life and how far she's come since she found God.  It was pretty cool to hear how He changed her life and brought her through some hardship. 

At dinner Mihret managed to feed herself about half her meal using her hands.  She eventually grabbed on to the spoon too to feed herself.  Another milestone that can be taken for granted, but is a delayed step for her at this age.  

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January 12 Journal Email Part 2 12 Jan 2012 5:40 PM (13 years ago)

So one random day in February I went to use my camera.  The memory card was full of pictures from Ethiopia.  I decided to check it out before deleting them.  Sure enough, for some strange technological reason, 32 pictures did not transfer to the computer.  They were from our trip to the rock hewn church, and some look fabulous.  So I decided to do a second little post showing some fun pictures.
 

 





The man with the gun finally lulled her to sleep fanning her with leaves and singing a traditional lullaby.

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January 12 Journal Email 12 Jan 2012 1:48 PM (13 years ago)

Had a dark start to the day, having no power.  While we got ready, we had our usual delicious breakfast.  Lyle then headed to the Lufthansa office to see if our flights had any bulk head seats available.  There are none, so we will not have a bassinet for Mihret to rest in.  She will be on laps the entire trip home.  Ugh!

The two grandmas decided to go walking and shopping in the neighborhood as Lyle, Mikiyas, Mihret and I were going on a hike to see a church built in a rock below the ground 1600 years ago.

I will interject here a side story.  There is a boy here from BC that is 8 years old.  He and Mikiyas have hit it off beautifully.  They were playing in our room together as we got ready for hike.  However, the van left without us.  The boy's mother was in the van and didn't have her son.  She had been told we were in a van that left before them and she was mad that her son left without her.  And we were surprised she left without her son.  Thankfully, all was well and they came back to get us.

Anyway ...  We were told it was a 45 minute hike.  We weren't told it was up the side of a mountain and was beyond any average hike.  The entire climb was up.  Some slopes as much as a 45 degree angle, which sucks when you are carrying an extra 25 pounds in the form of a squiggling baby. Lyle, myself and one other man rotated carrying Mihret.  Given her aversion to being held by anyone but me, the only time she wasn't crying was when she was in my arms so I think I got the brunt of the uphill climb.  The elevation is hard in the city here, so we all could really feel it climbing the mountain.  At one point, I felt a little light headed.  We had a guide who does the climb about four times a day.  He is at least 60 years old.  We also had a man in a green suit with a machine gun.  Half way up I asked why the gun, and was informed it was in case of hyenas or lions.

We enjoyed the amazing things to see and learn at the top.  It was incredible what the people carved out of one rock in the ground 1600 years ago.  And then we had a most magnificent view of the entire city.  The journey down was much easier and quicker.  Our armed guard grabbed Mihret at the beginning of the descent.  He ended up taking her the entire trip down.  He had started singing to her to get her to stop crying and she fell asleep.  He put his fancy hat over her head and managed to keep her the entire trip down. I mentioned to them after that all families should be warned not to take small children.  


 
 

We returned to the guest house shortly after lunch, exhausted, sore and suffering from some sun burn.  After a quick bite to eat for the kids, we went shopping at "Churchill", an area of small, hot, crammed full stores full of souvenirs, gift items and traditional type clothing.  We had fun doing a little bartering and getting to know some of the shop owners.  

The night ended with ordering in dinner and having some terrific laughs with Mihret and Mikiyas.  Mihret had some issues waiting for the second part of her meal as it was late coming to her.  She definitely has her issues about needing to eat.  But when it did finally come, I was proud to see her finally grab some of it with her hand and feed herself.  Just a few times, and a little timid doing so, but a good step nonetheless.  

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January 11 Journal Email 11 Jan 2012 8:35 AM (13 years ago)

It was wonderful waking up in the morning and having the family all together.  Mihret was a little unsure of Lyle.  As I laid in bed ignoring life for a brief moment, I smiled with complete happiness and peace.  It helped that the night before as I laid waiting for Lyle, I prayed about Mihret's visa.  I felt peace about it as well and knew that the next day (Jan 11) we would hear that it would be coming.

Mihret wouldn't eat breakfast from Lyle and she really kicked up a fuss going to him if I was around.  After a week and a half of tending to her and carrying her everywhere, I was totally okay to leave the room and let her settle in with him.

It was nice to finally pack a bag for being out for the day.  We got things together and were thrilled to go see some sights and do some exploring of Ethiopia.  For Lyle and I, each place we went to we had been before, but it was nice to see again and have Mikiyas learn a little more about where he was born and his heritage.

We headed up Mount Entoto to see the very first church built in Ethiopia, and where the emperor once lived and is now buried.  It also had a spectacular view over looking the city. There is a small religious museum there, which Mikiyas really enjoyed seeing the swords, shields and crowns.  The shield was made from hippopotamus skin.  Going up and down the mountain was beautiful too.  We saw many donkeys bring wood, grass and leaves down the mountain.  We also, again, saw the older women carrying 70-80 pound bundles of wood on their backs down the mountain.  They will earn less than one USD per day to do this very labour intensive job. 

We then headed to the weavers shop.  This is a place where the retired wood carriers work weaving when they are too old (or physically unable) to carry the wood.  For an amazing price, we were able to purchase beautiful scarves from them.  Although we didn't need quite so many, we bought lots to support these women and what they do.

We then headed to the women's pottery place.  There we purchased a few pottery items requested by friends and family.  I always love looking at the new creations they make, and even purchased a couple items for our home.

Lunch was done at a restaurant called Carnivore.  It did indeed have delicious meat meals. We had a good time getting to know the other people who were out being tourists with us, and staying at the guest house too.  This includes an eight year old boy previously adopted from Ethiopia as well, and now living in Coquitlam.  Mikiyas and this boy hit it off amazingly during breakfast and are almost inseparable now.  It's incredible how well they've taken to each other.

Mihret's second loaded diaper of the day was changed by Lyle!!  Both grandmas had great fun laughing at the escapade.  One even had a camera out.  I was instructing which was was the front of the diaper and how to clean her.  Lyle did really well on his first changing and managed not to gag.

We enjoyed a nice afternoon walk, getting some soccer balls blown up for the kids here to play with.  Mikiyas bought his first treat for himself since being here - a really nice red "Vintage" baseball cap.  He was thrilled with his purchase.

We spent the evening laughing hysterically at Mihret's amazing turn around of laughter and smiles.  She wrestles and is an incredible tease.  She's warmed up to Lyle a lot in one day. He is so lucky he did not have to endure the first week with her!

As an absolutely awesome end to the evening, we received an email from CAFAC letting us know that our visa was issued and sent out of Nairobi today.  It should be in our hands on Monday.  How perfect of a day. 

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January 10 Journal Email 10 Jan 2012 8:30 AM (13 years ago)

Not much to tell.  Did our final day of chilling and walking around before Lyle and Leona arrive.  I had very little sleep as I was just uncomfortable.  They had no bananas at breakfast so Mihret's day was pretty much ruined.  It set the mood for the day - hungry and unsatisfied!  I finally had to go buy some from the market.  However, she has made such a transformation from a screaming, miserable little girl to a bundle of fun, most times.  She is really connecting with Mikiyas, but not with anyone else.  She clings to me whenever someone else touches her or comes near her.

Mikiyas is becoming quite comfortable here, although missing home very much.  Today he bought a pop at one of the markets.  On his way back to the guest house he went up to two teen boys and have them the pop.  They were very grateful.  Mikiyas' amazing love always shines through his crazy, hyper, such-a-boy insanity!

We got quite a lengthy email from our adoption agency.  It had some disheartening news, but thankfully nothing that will affect us currently.  But it does mean that we will not be doing a third adoption from Ethiopia.  As we are here, we will close a certain chapter in our hearts.  We will come back, but just not to extend our family further through this beautiful country.  We will see where a door opens at a later date, if at all.

Mikiyas and I stayed up a little later as we waited for Lyle and Leona's plane to come in.  After we heard it fly over head, he relaxed and miraculously drifted off to sleep.  I stayed awake until they got here.  When I finally heard the horn beep and the gate open, I flew down the stairs for hugs and luggage hauling.  It was so nice to have Lyle come.  We talked a lot and looked through a bit of the luggage he brought.  I finally drifted off to sleep about three hours before Mihret would wake me up....

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January 9 Journal Email 9 Jan 2012 8:24 AM (13 years ago)

It's so lovely waking up to the beautiful sunshine coming the the windows, the feel of hot water in the shower, delicious pancakes and mango juice for breakfast ... And the stench of diapers throughout the building.  There are three of us here right now with little ones in diapers.  It's like the kids talk to each other and plan to unleash their fury.  You go from one floor to the next and a chain reaction is leading the way.   
 
We did three walks today.  We always enjoy the bakery for fresh buns.  We also hit up a little shop close by that has souvenir type things.  I bought one thing as a gift for someone back home.  I'm waiting for the good stores that don't over charge white tourists, aka ferengi's.  Oh last walk was to eat in a restaurant with friends, including a family that leaves tonight.  They were here for almost a month.  They came for court so they will be back in a few months to pick up their two kids they're adopting.  It was nice to eat out instead of order in.  I was surprised at how well behaved Mihret was given her moments of screaming if the spoon doesn't hit her mouth fast enough. She's even bit my hand when it hasn't gone the way she wanted.
 
Mihret has been full of smiles and laughter today.  She's finally back to enjoying her brother, and bugging him!  He did try to give her a spoonful of her lunch and she got quite upset.  Hopefully she is a little more accepting of Lyle feeding her as it'll be nice when I can eat my meal while it's hot and he have a turn at feeding.   
 
Mikiyas has been enjoying making his sister laugh, when she lets him.  Sometimes she gets upset at herself if she sees that we have seen her smile or laugh.  She'll give an awful frown, then an angry look and sometimes even cry.  So we have to hide our own laughter sometimes just so she can continue enjoying herself.  Soon enough, she will come to realize she can have fun and people can have fun with her!   
 
Tomorrow night Lyle and his mom arrive.  It will be nice to have them here with us.  I'm not sure what is first on the list for adventures.  But I just know tomorrow is our last day of sitting and relaxing for a bit!

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January 8 Journal Email 8 Jan 2012 2:23 PM (13 years ago)

Not much in the way of news yet.  Finally got Internet late into the evening, after three days without.  I suggested they just restart it as it probably had gone haywire with a power outage. Sure enough, minutes after the next power outage (last night) it was back up and running.

Yesterday on one of our walks, I saw a woman I've thought about so many times over the years.  When we were here in May 2007 to get Mikiyas, there was a woman with her three boys, the youngest being just a baby.  She would sit at the end of our drive way and ask for money and food and clothes.  Whenever we ate out, we gave her our left over meals.  I took a picture of her family and have often thought of them.  One of our last days she handed me a letter (I'm sure she's used with other families that stayed here) asking me to take her three boys with us to look after them.  It was really heart breaking. 

Yesterday on a walk I looked across the street and saw her face.  I immediately made my way to her and she recognized me too.  Her English is getting better and we hugged and received kisses galore.  I saw her three boys, almost five years bigger now.  Mikiyas bought gum from one of them.  I got an updated photograph of her with the boys.  I also gave her a little money, but not too much that she would get robbed.  Her two oldest boys are in school now, paying by selling gum and tissue.  It was nice to see that the boys were not working for some money hungry man.  They were working for themselves.  I hope to see her again while we are out an about. I'd like to give her a copy of her family picture, and I'm sure Lyle would like to say hi to her too.
Mihret is sure settling into routines here with me, and learning quickly as to what is acceptable.  The screaming at me in anger is diminishing.  She smiles more readily and even has giggled a few times. She doesn't fill her diaper as often, but when she does, it sure is a stench!

The neighbors had a huge Christmas party that started in the afternoon and went late into the night.  Very loud.  The food smelled amazing.  Traditional clothing all so pretty,  The singing voices to traditional music and drums was beautiful.  I did get a little recorded but, of course, blogger won't let me load it.  Here's a photo of them setting up during the day.
 

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January 7 Journal Email 7 Jan 2012 3:21 PM (13 years ago)

Merry Christmas everyone!  Again.  Today is Christmas here in Ethiopia.  A lot of places are closed.  It was the perfect day for us to go for a couple of walks and take some pictures as people weren't working or out on the street to get mad at us, or ask us to pay them for the picture.  We did see two goat (maybe small cows) heads.  One on the side of the road.  One next to a gate keepers little shack of a house.  I took a picture of one of them (morbid, I know) but I won't post it.  May disturb some of you greatly.

Our dining / reception area has long green grass spread all over the floor with the coffee ceremony stuff set out.  It looks neat and smells very fresh. On our walks we saw the few stores and cafes that were open and they have grass on the floors as well.

For the first time today, Mihret sat down with other kids in the reception area and played after breakfast.  She usually screams to be up and away from others.  This was a nice break for me as I was able to visit with other families.

On our second walk, I bought the kids each an Ethiopian bracelet from a poor man that had really made Mikiyas feel sad a few days ago.  Mikiyas had felt so bad for him the first time we saw him that he pleaded the next time we saw him, we buy something to help him.  So we did just that on Christmas day.  I also took lots of pictures during our walk.  
 







Mihret has taken to climbing onto the suitcases today.  I think she's ready to pack up and move to Canada!
I took some pictures of the view from our room today too.  A nice way to remember Christmas in Ethiopia.  
 


(Russell, that's the building where you saw a hole.  And the crane is in our road so we can no longer go that way.  I have better photos on my camera which I'll send you from home.)

Here is a picture of part of our building's roof.  These are hot water tanks.  They are solar powered in a sense that sun heats the water during the day.  Each room section on each floor has a tank.  Four years ago it was much different in that there were only a couple of larger tanks for the whole building.  This is an upgrade!
We ended our Christmas day with our usual dinner in the dining room.  I treated Mikiyas to a Sprice juice.  Mihret ate like a starving horse again.  She is also quickly learning that screaming at me between each bite because I can't get the spoon to her mouth fast enough isn't acceptable. I've come to not worry so much what others think if she is mad at me for a few minutes as I teach her something.  It can be very hard to teach your new child what is acceptable or not here.  In this culture, children are first.  If they cry or whimper, you pick them up and coddle them.  You give in to whatever they want. For instance, one family has an older child that isn't potty trained.  When they asked why, it was because "he didn't like it".  So some families need to continue with the "bad" habits (according to our Canadian standards) until they get home.  I decided since I'd be here almost a month, I didn't want her to think the same things were acceptable with us, or it would be even worse to break the bad habits when we get home.

I had to squeeze the stuff out of two more bumps right below Mihret's eye today.  She did very well.  Cried a little, but not near as bad as she cries when she wants her food!  The bumps were ready to pop on their own and I didn't want the stuff to get on her face or her hands if she rubbed them.  They're looking good now.  When you look at her eyes, you are no longer distracted by the bumps.

Mihret did go to bed amazingly again.  She laid down and drifted to sleep as she watched us do our evening routines before bed.  She is starting to smile more, be sneaky with her tricks, bug her older brother and wander from our room to the bathroom, to the kitchen and to grandma's room.  She is becoming much more comfortable.  Lyle will be here just in time to chase after her!

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January 6 Journal Email 6 Jan 2012 1:26 PM (13 years ago)

Today is Christmas Eve.  We had amazing hot water for showers!!  Things around here closed early, just like home.  But many places still have to work, including tomorrow, just like home.  We need our staff at the guest house, but I'm not sure if it's a lighter staffing load tomorrow.  We have a couple Christmas presents for a few of the ladies in the guest house that we've come to know and love.  It will be nice to see them smile with something extra special.

We skyped for a bit with Lyle again this morning.  Since then, the Internet has been down in the building.  If it's not one thing, it seems like another.  Not sure when I will be able to send this.

Mihret's days are getting better.  She's more willing to play around other people now.  Not with, but near them.  Today was the first day she actually wanted me to put her down!  It's a miracle.  Of course, that was only in the safety of our room.  Outside in the court yard I can put her down too, but she whines for a bit before settling to play with something.  I have now started to put her down in the hallway before we get to our room so she learns that she can walk and not be carried outside our room.  She did good after the first five or six times. Mihret continues to eat a LOT but only filled two diapers today. Trying to get her under control before Lyle comes or I'll never get him participating.  Haha.  She didn't like going down for nap, but was absolutely amazing going to bed.  Although we were still in the same room doing stuff with a light on, she laid down still and just watched us silently until she drifted to sleep.  I've also been blessed in that she sleeps the full eleven-twelve hours through the night.  One mom here is struggling.  Her daughter only sleeps a couple hours at a time.  When Mihret wakes, she doesn't cry, but runs her nails along the playpen to let you know she's awake.

Mikiyas is continuing to spend a lot of time playing outside, which is so nice.  I need a court yard like this at home.  He loves playing basketball, especially with a man named Evan.  He and his wife leave tonight to go home with their newly adopted son. Evan is the brother to a lady that Lyle met here in the Summer and we got to know her and her family more when we visited with them in the fall in Calgary.  Small world keeping us all together. Evan has been great in taking time to play basketball as sometimes Mikiyas is the only kid wanting to play outside, and Lyle's not here and I'm watching Mihret as she naps.  Mikiyas is totally safe, and has done it many times, to play in the courtyard without others there.  But it's always funner to play basketball with someone.  Mikiyas told Evan today that it's too bad he won't meet Lyle and that he'd like him.  Good thing Evan and his family only live 20 minutes away.  They've also invited us to the church he pastors.

My mom and I continue to enjoy our walks with the kids.  Today we hit up a bakery with delicious fresh buns.  The security man there had fun chatting about the kids, thanking me for adopting the kids.  He commented that the kids look alike, which they do.  Then we joked about them looking just like me.

We also went to the grocery store where a man asked me "How does this work? They're black, you are white.". I just looked at him and said "It's a miracle!". He and his friend chuckled and walked away.  At least they weren't insulted.

During our afternoon walk we went to a new Art Gallery in the area.  Beautiful paintings done by a very talented man.  Many of the people staying at the guest house have bought paintings from him.  One family even bought five of the them.  They really are beautiful. Mikiyas picked one out that he really liked but at this time we won't be getting one.  I wouldn't make a decision like that without Lyle's input.  By Ethiopian standards, they're very expensive. By North American standards, they are not.

We saw some wild life (aside from the usual livestock).  We saw some odd looking lizards n our walk.  They sure moved fast as they scaled a cement wall.

As I head to bed I hear the Christmas celebrations begin.  A lot of music.  A lot of people chattering.  Oh - a live goat or sheep being slaughtered.  Sweet dreams now!

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January 5 Journal Email 5 Jan 2012 1:13 PM (13 years ago)

We woke this morning again to no hot water.  Another power outage through the night occurred.  However, they've also mentioned that the maintenance man has yet to come so I'm not sure if the lack of warm water is due to power or not.

Thank goodness for my kettle as I boiled water for washing again.

As I was sitting on my deck this morning I saw and heard an ambulance go by.  I realized we've heard them a few times this trip.  I don't recall hearing any sirens last time I was here. Just another change that has taken place.  A good change.

Speaking of changes, here's a few off the top of my head:
Less horn honking.  It still happens but it's not a constant this time around.  People have learned what signals are for and occasionally use them.
I hear chanting in the morning again, but this time no church bells.
I don't fall asleep to the sound of the blaring pop music as it seems the dance club is no longer running next door.
Sending our laundry out sucks!

Laundry service sucks now.  Last trip I'd send it out and the next day it'd come back white as white and pressed perfectly.  Always smelled clean.  Now the laundry service is with a new place and the laundry comes back smelling of petroleum and the clothes all shrink.  So this trip, I've succumbed to washing laundry by hand.  We're not supposed but a lot of people do anyway.  Because it hangs in our rooms and bathrooms, and it's colder inside than normal, it takes about two days to dry.

I seem to be getting a good routine down here with washing dishes and clothes and general tidying.  Fantanish is my cleaning lady and every day she makes the beds, gives me fresh towels, takes out the garbage, sweeps etc.  She's a sweet lady with very little English.  I managed to get from her that she has one child, a daughter, who is maybe a little older than Mikiyas.

After breakfast today we went outside with lots of other families.  There seems to be a lot of older kids being adopted this time around.  All the older girls try to take the babies from us. They don't understand much English and can get quite aggressive when they're determined to hold a baby.  Again, part of the culture.  Mihret surprised everyone today as she all of a sudden walked, almost ran, to get a Frisbee on the ground.  She kept wandering around for a while, and I was not about to stop her.  I kept having to get people to not pick her up.  She doesn't walk around much or stray from me so it was nice to have her finally doing something that didn't involve crying or clinging, so I didn't want her picked up right away.  After some jaunts around the court yard she took to leaning on Ketema's (one of our drivers) legs.  She stayed planted there for some time.

I'm feeling much better today as the amoxicillin is loosening things up.  Mihret is too, which means she's also becoming more comfortable in our room, grabbing things everywhere, shoving our things under the bed, getting mad at nap time instead of being too scared to make a peep....  Oh Lyle - your daughter will be the one to sneak out the window when she's a teen.  Better beware!  She watches everything, makes a plan, and sneaks a move.

Mom is doing good. Today she ventured out with another lady and her baby.  They got a taxi and went to the grocery store (Bambi's). This means Mikiyas and I got some yummy chocolate cookies after!

Thank you so much for all the emails that have come in.  I have loved reading them and being updated on all the things happening back home.  Some I've emailed back individually, and some questions that have been asked, I'll answer here in case you wonder the same thing:

Is it hard to live here?  Absolutely not.  The weather is hot and gorgeous during the day.  The flowers are in bloom, especially where we are staying.  We have people cook us delicious breakfasts every day.  Someone always cleans our room and makes our bed and gives us fresh towels every day.  Power outages happen everywhere, and ours have been a little more frequents but nothing we cannot bear.  So far they've only been while we sleep.  Hot water has been a little short, but that's not the norm and apparently has been fixed.  The cold at night was out of the norm and unexpected too.  But so was a green / brown Christmas in Calgary this year!

Are we broke yet?  No.  Think of the exchange rate.  For every USD we get 17.2 birr.  Inflation has happened since we were here for Mikiyas, but things are definitely affordable.  Each night we eat out and for $12.00 we order two HUGE meals of delicious food, a bowl of chunky vegetable soup, plus a basket of bread and a medium pizza.

Do we have to worry about Mihret's contagious bumps?  No, we don't.  There are a few near her eyes and two on her forehead.  They are contagious if cut open and the stuff oozes out, you get it all on you and don't wash it off.  They are completely treatable and good hygiene will prevent me from getting any should one break open.  However, after squeezing one, I do know it is difficult to have them open up.  I've been giving Mihret lots of snuggles and kisses and there is no worry for us.

Just how sick was Mihret and I?  We both had colds with congestion, sore throats and a tight cough.  Some amoxicillin is doing the trick for both of us.  Mihret is doing great and her eczema is healing too.  She is far healthier than Mikiyas was when we got him.  She did fill four diapers today though so her body must be getting a good cleaning!

Are we bored here and how do I find time to email these?  Due to jet lag, a lot were written in the middle of the night while the kids slept.  Now I tend to write just before bed, and I often start them during Mihret's nap time.  We aren't bored.  We are enjoying the down time to relax and get Mihret into a settled routine before Lyle and Leona come to do all the tourist fun. 







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January 4 Journal Email 4 Jan 2012 12:59 PM (13 years ago)

Another simple day around the guest house.  We were blessed to be able to Skype with Lyle first in the morning.  Mikiyas was so excited to see Papa, the cat and the dog.  He also asked Lyle to show him his room and the basement.  Seeing all this made him a little homesick.  Pugsly (dog) didn't understand hearing us and sort of seeing a face on the screen, that she cocked her head and it sure made us smile. I was also thrilled to see my old cat Sandi.  Mihret saw Papa on the screen, could hear him and see him move.  So she kept looking behind the iPad screen to see where he was, but he wasn't there. I think she eventually gave up.

Mihret is continuing to grace us with stench in her diapers.  At least she is not constipated.  And I can say that they are not as bad as Mikiyas' were when we got him.  I think Lyle should be able to learn some diaper changing this time around.  She can sure eat.  She is enjoying rice, beef, chicken, cooked veggies, fruit and soup so far.  She won't touch anything with a rough texture.  So no bread, crackers, cookies or toddler type snacks.  Mihret is also finally gracing us with smiles and a couple almost laughs.  Sometimes she will catch her self and turn it into an almost cry.

Mikiyas is doing lots of reading, playing his DSi, basketball and Frisbee.  He likes not having school, but is homesick and looking forward to when papa comes.  He wants to go see things and even used the word "learn" things.

We had no hot water this morning in the building.  Possibly due to the power outage during the night. If we keep getting power outages while we sleep at night, we will be lucky.  A lot of times they happen in the evening when you need to see to eat etc.  I'm lucky I bought a kettle a few days ago for sterilizing water so we are good to wash with hot water.  Just no shower.

We went to the pharmacy across the road.  What happens when a white woman walks in and prescribes herself medication?  She gets it!  I didn't go see a doctor.  I just asked the pharmacist for amoxicillin and lo and behold, I got it.  Twenty pills for 180 birr, so about 7-8.00. A couple hours after my first one I noticed a difference in my chest loosening up.

Mihret still won't go to other people too often, which is good.  What we want right now as we are following our attachment plan.  She's attaching to me well.  It's hard here though as grandma can't hold her but watches as the locals grab her out of my arms and walk away with her.  Mihret cries so I often can get her back quick enough.  After the pharmacy we stopped in a women's fashion store next door. I tried on a dress just for fun and when I put Mihret down in the change room she whimpered a little. So the lady opened my curtain while I'm changing, grabbed Mihret and walked away leaving the curtain open.  Yes, two men work there too but thankfully they had their backs turned.  Mikiyas was quite annoyed with this happening.  So was I!

When in the safety of our room, she's getting better at only crying for a minute or two when I put her down.  So my arms are starting to get a break.  Early to bed as usual.  I am getting used to going to bed at the same time as Mikiyas.  

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January 3 "Life in Ethiopia" 3 Jan 2012 2:45 PM (13 years ago)

Since I'm wide awake at 2:00 am again, I might as well email a little about how things have changed since we were last here, and a little about the life here.

Water: Bottled water is incredibly cheap to buy.  We use it for drinking and brushing our teeth.  If you drink the tap water unboiled, you will end up sick.  We also don't eat raw fruits or vegetables that don't have a thick peel as they are washed in their water.  However, a mom (who is a nurse) from Manitoba is here and she eats salads every day and has had no problem yet.  I'm not so sure I want to take the risk.  Oddly, when mixing formula for the kids, you have to use boiled water, not bottled, or it will give them worse diarrhea than they already have.  Their stomachs are not ready for the drastic change.

Climate: We are very close to the equator.  It doesn't change in weather too much here, except for rainy season or dry season.  We are in the dry season, but not dealing with a drought.  This city doesn't usually deal with drought ever anyway.  It has been colder than usual at night, getting down to about eight degrees.  The day time is in the twenties and we have felt the dry heat.  It is harder on us for sure. Not like 21 degrees back home.  But the nights feel much colder than 8 degrees too.  Our bodies fluctuate in what feels like 30/35 to 1/2 degrees.  No wonder I got sick! There are no heaters, as they are not normally needed.  A lot of the locals have colds as they are not used to it being this cold.  They refer to colds as flu, although its just a cold.

Elevation: I don't recall our elevation here, but it's much higher and you do run out of breath easily. Two flights of stairs is enough to do you in sometimes.  A slight incline as you walk down the road can put you out of breath.  Of course, the pollution doesn't help.  Sunday pollution isn't too bad because, unlike North America, most places, at least 95%, are closed for religious reasons.  So the roads aren't busy with cars.

Driving: In a city of millions (at least 6 million) with huge roads and cars everywhere, they have finally gotten a couple of street lights.  However, they often aren't obeyed or working. People still just beep if someone is changing lanes.  No shoulder checks.  You just start moving into the lane you want and if you are cutting someone off, they'll beep to let you know, or let you in.  If you want to cross traffic, either with a car or as a pedestrian, you just start nosing your way through until you make it.  No speed limits.  Drive how you want, where you want, when you want.  There are now lanes painted on more than just the one main road (Bole Road), but often a two lane road is used as three or one.  They are using a lot of traffic circles in the newer areas now.  No stop signs either.  I have seen some people starting to use signals.

Animals: As part of your daily foot traffic among the streets and sidewalks, you will see herds of goats, sheep and donkeys.  Imagine Robson Street in Vancouver or 16th street in Calgary with no lights, stop signs, double the traffic, pedestrians crawling everywhere, and then your herds of animals.  Dogs everywhere too.  Mikiyas has come to assume that every dog is a wild dog because there's no one walking their dog, and no dogs have collars.  You never know if they are or aren't.

People: If you can afford it, you always dress your best and your hair is always done.  Not us, of course, but the locals.  We would look weird dressing up and it's not expected.  We do have to make sure our hair is done though.  If you can't afford it, you wear your best and cleanest (and probably your only) set of clothes/rags.  Everyone is generally nice and has a "halo" (hello) for you.

Begging: I have seen a handful of it in comparison to what we saw last trip.  Last time, every time your vehicle was stopped, the windows were swarmed with people asking for food or money.  If you walked, you were often followed by children or a woman begging.  You often saw people crawling along the sidewalks with deformities.  And people sleeping on the sides of roads everywhere.  This has changed.  You still see it, but not as much.  Begging along the roads to go up to vehicles has become illegal as there were many accidents and deaths caused.  Drivers will be fined if we give anything out. We have been approached at the vehicle twice now, but we don't do anything except ignore them, which is hard.  A lot of people still sleep along the roads.  When we walk, we have children who follow for a little ways then they stop.  We don't give to them either as they are working.  Their money goes to men who watch not too far away.  Same with women.  Often a man is watching from not too far away.  Kids come up with tissue or gum trays hanging around their necks to sell you things.  But they will come close enough to put the tray against you while they pick pocket you.  You have to push them away.  So who can we give to?  A woman alone with a child or children.  Sick men or women alone. Alone is key or you will be swarmed and that gets unsafe.  So far we've not been in a position to give to anyone.

Mihret to the same clinic as we took Mikiyas, but had to go a different way as so many new things around.  Scaffolding is the same as before, but scary to look at.  Seriously looks unsafe but somehow it works.

Money: When we came for Mikiyas, the exchange was about 8 birr or 1 USD.  This time it is 17.2 birr for 1 USD.  Wages have not really increased at all, with the average monthly wage of 10 birr. Doctors make about 2500 birr a year.  But inflation has definitely increased.  I paid 35 birr for Mikiyas to see the doctor at the clinic four years ago.  It cost 80 for Mihret.  We used to eat dinner for about 50 birr for three of us, now I'm usually paying 200 birr.  When we here for Mikiyas, I remember learning about apples.  It was 27 birr for a pound of apples (3 USD). It would take 3 months to afford apples!  Rich man's food.  I wonder how much they cost now. Our drivers and our agency representative are paid in USD so it appears they make decent wages.

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January 3 Journal Email 3 Jan 2012 10:30 AM (13 years ago)

*Just a note: adding in random photos so you can see where we live and our view. 


We had just another simple day around the guest house.  We were invited out to do the museum tours, but didn't go as we know Lyle and Leona will want to join us.  It wouldn't be something we would want to do twice in about a weeks time, nor pay for.  Paying for the museums isn't expensive, but paying our drivers is, so why pay twice for the same outing.

We are all enjoying the heat during the day.  It is very odd coming inside where it is freezing. When Mikiyas hears someone is going out to play basketball, he's racing out the door faster than you can blink.  Inside, we are playing lots of UNO and Skipbo.  

Mihret made some big changes today.  The first time I caught her with a little smile, she quickly turned it into a forced cry.  Later in the day we heard a couple laughs, and saw more smiles.  She actually played with toys twice during the day without fussing.  But when she's done, she lets you know it.

During one visit outside and her clinging to me, she surprised everyone around by walking a short distance away to a boy and trading her little plastic cup for his cookie.  You must understand, she never leaves me.  I was thrilled to say the least.  She brought the cookie back and stuck it in the dirt.  No intention of eating it.  When she plays, she is so unlike Mikiyas was when we got him.  He never made a mess and hated playing with toys.  She makes a huge mess and plays with everything.  She's also taken up slapping and throwing when she's mad.  Mihret did kiss her dolly today so at least there's one thing she likes.  

Mihret also finally went to the bathroom.  Twice.  Just about rose the roof.  Mom had to leave the room.  I was gagging.  Doors had to be opened to the outside to air the place out.  Nasty.  Man, does that girl stink!  And she definitely is eating now.  The whole "bottle of formula every four hours" is a joke.  She hasn't taken one, and I suppose won't be.  She eats pasta, rice, cooked carrots, chicken.... But she won't eat crunchy stuff yet.  So no toddler treats.  Hopefully she will be on to textured foods before the airplane home.  Less options when on board!
 
Mom has been really enjoying the time with Mikiyas.  She's been able to play a little basketball with him and card games.  She's been helpful to me with washing dishes and helping wash some of our clothes, Running errands down to the front desk etc.  She's also been able to relax with a book and enjoy the down time.  

We are itching to be tourists though.  

As Mihret is getting better, I'm getting worse I think.  Still congested and in the morning it hurts behind my ears so bad.  The cough now is dry in my chest and makes it hard to breathe.  With the elevation change, walking up the two flights of stairs that was once easy, is now now like an old Volkswagen beetle sputtering its last mile.
 
We enjoy receiving emails from you guys.  Actually, it makes us happy so feel free to write us.  But please try to email and not send messages through the Facebook messaging as it uses too much internet time to load through there, and we have to pay for it.  Loading through my email is faster and I can read and write replies to everyone when I'm offline then just log in to send them.  Thanks!  

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January 2 Journal Email 2 Jan 2012 3:43 PM (13 years ago)

So I'm just finishing up my day of Jan 2 while you guys are starting it.  

Mihret slept through the night.  I did too, with a little help from night time Advil.  Mikiyas did some sleep talking that concerned me, but he couldn't remember come morning what it was about.  

Mihret ate breakfast.  Yay!  She and I then headed to the doctors office.  Lil' Mesfin took us and we enjoyed chatting.  He can't wait for Lyle to arrive.  Apparently Lyle is one of his best friends. I was showing him photos of home when we got back from the clinic and he just walked around looking at the one picture of Lyle, excited to know he's returning soon.  Mesfin and I enjoyed some deep conversations.  Christmas is coming (Jan 7) so instead of his original request for Lyle to bring him a new pair of shoes, he asked me to purchase he and his mother a sheep so they could eat it for their Christmas meal.  How can I say no, especially once the exchange rate meant I only spent 60.00 for an entire sheep!  For him, that cost 1,200.00 birr, which can be a years salary, or more, for most people here.  He can now feed his family a terrific Christmas meal.

Speaking of exchange rates, in case people would like to do the math, it is 17 something birr for each US dollar.

Back to the doctor ... Mihret has eczema, as I suspected, on her neck.  Her bumps on her face are from uncleanliness and will go away with good hygiene. I squished one tonight and it was rather gross. She is quite constipated.  She is now on amoxicillin for the chest/sinus cold.  We saw a pediatrician so unfortunately I couldn't get a prescription for myself.  I am very run down but am managing.  I paid 80 birr for the doctor and 182 birr for amoxicillin and cream for the eczema. She is on the mend!

Mihret cries every time she is put down or moved the s
lightest in my arms.  She is definitely power struggling and now is comfortable enough to slap me.  I've been doing some ignoring of her forced cries where she looks to see if I'm watching, and if I am she'll push one out.  Then get louder.  But now I'm making her work for her up time.  She either stops the forced cry or she has to walk to where I am.  In this culture, if a child cries, they are held.  Always.  Every time.  So she has become quite lazy and waits for someone to pick her up.  She caught on by the second time I said come in Amharic and it has gotten better.  

Mikiyas finished his first Archie comic cover to cover today.  It is nice to see him enjoy things not related to a screen.  He did watch Kung Fu Panda 2 on the iPad, but it's nice to see other things being done.  Hopefully his enjoyment of reading can turn more into an addiction.  Tonight he started on a Geronimo Stilton book.  

We didn't really go out today, but did walk up to the shopping complex.  Four floors and each floor is exactly the same.  Each store is basically dollar store quality or a men's suit shop.  What caught me off guard was seeing a mall security guard at the entrance doing a pat down to every single person who walked through the door, except us.  Safety first I suppose.  But when a Caucasian person carries a baby, you get to skip pat downs.

Mihret refused lunch, but did enjoy my pasta at dinner.  Everything comes spicy here, even when mild is requested.  Mom is getting used to that.


Speaking of my mom ... Her new room is great and her shower is absolutely wonderful.  I will be enjoying my showers in her room from now on.  Just like being at home.  


Again, looking forward to starting the touristy things later next week.  Then these emails will get more interesting.  We will see sponsor kids, the landscape, touristy sites, Portuguese bridge, among other things.


Anyhow.  Off for now.  Going to enjoy some reading with Mikiyas and fall fast asleep.  Hopefully tomorrow some of this congestion and feeling run down will go away. 

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January 1 Journal Email 1 Jan 2012 8:17 AM (13 years ago)

Happy New Year!

Yesterday was a bit rougher day, simply because I've caught Mihret's cold.  It's a doozy but is at least letting me know how she's been feeling since she can't really communicate with me.  Her congestion seems to be getting a bit better, as mine gets worse.

We went to bed about 9:00 on New Years Eve.  It was Mihret's first night with us so I wasn't sure how she would sleep through the night.  I felt we shouldn't stay up late and ring in the new year in case she decided she didn't want to sleep through.  But, alas, she slept through and I was awake at 1:00 and I never fell back to sleep.  Out of the first 24 hours I had her, she slept at least 18 of them.

Mihret still hadn't eaten or drank a thing with me so I was hoping her hunger was going to over rule her stubbornness.  We feel that her refusing to eat is not related so much to her cold, but to her needing seem level of power in a new world of confusion.  When she woke, she drank 7 ounces of water!!  I was super happy as I worried about dehydration.

I surprised myself, and was quite proud too, that I was alert and ready to hit the day when both kids were up.  I even had them both showered and getting dressed when Grandma came in.  When it was my turn to shower, there was just enough hot water for me.  I can't bathe/shower the kids at night as it is way too cold here at night with no heat inside and they'll end up sick.  When Lyle arrives, we'll see how we do in all of us using the hot water.

We went down for breakfast and Mihret ate her bowl of porridge, some mashed banana and another bottle, this time of mango juice.  She didn't eat or drink again until dinner time.  She refused the food I had for her, but really enjoyed my spaghetti.  So far, she won't eat or drink the things she apparently ate at the foster home.  I was told she has a bottle of formula every four hours .... She hasn't had one with me!

Mihret likes me to hold her.  And that gets to be a challenge sometimes as I do have Mikiyas and myself to tend to.  She is also okay with Mikiyas holding her, and thankfully he likes too.  However, she's heavy and he can't hold her for too long.  She does know how to walk but doesn't like to.  Mommy has to hold and carry her everywhere.  She gets really upset when the Ethiopian ladies try to pry her from me for cuddles.  Remember, it's a different culture here and children are to go to everyone, stranger or not.

Grandma has been helpful with spending time with Mikiyas when I've been tending to Mihret or too sick too function.  Grandma has also been good at running little errands around the guest house for me.  She has enjoyed the little walks we take outside to corner stores, the bakery or coffee shop.  Her heart is bleeding for the people begging and pleading for help.  But she has been learning how to deal with that.  She is looking forward to Leona and Lyle joining us too so who can do some touristy things, and she can have another grandma to visit. Grandma has been able to move to the room next to us now so we are able to share the outside patio and have the kitchen to ourselves.  She likes this room far better - she has water in it and apparently a really good shower.  I'm going to try hers next.  She says she is really enjoying the people and the Weygoss House.  She's had a couple of nosebleeds, but getting through them.

Mikiyas has been an amazing big brother, as expected. He doesn't like it when Mihret cries when I can't hold her constantly.  He is really enjoying basketball outside, but the kids that were here to play with yesterday have now left for Canada so it'll decrease his playing time I'm sure.  Grandma has scored a few baskets with him, and our drivers / liaisons love playing with him when they are here too.  People who knew Mikiyas 4 1/2 years ago are just loving being able to see him again and how much he's changed.  Mikiyas too is struggling with the beggars.  He's understanding the danger with them coming to vehicle windows and how we can't give to them as they could get run over.  It's also illegal now because it has become so unsafe so our driver would get ticketed if we did give money.  He wants to buy from every street person trying to sell something.  He hasn't yet, but wants to.  The poverty and begging is really pulling at him.

We haven't eaten any traditional food yet.  Pizza, pasta and fries seem to be the thing for us right now.  We did order hamburgers, but couldn't eat them.  They took the word "hamburger" literally and brought us a burger with a slice of ham, which looked more like bologna, on it.  However, the burger wasn't cooked so we passed on that.  Our complimentary breakfasts have been good.  We bought some mayo and bread yesterday so with our breakfast we ordered hard boiled eggs so we could make egg sandwiches for lunch.  Saves eating out constantly.  I bought a kettle to boil water for washing bottles and mixing formula and Mihret's powdered cereal.

We went to a coffee shop and enjoyed some layered juice drink.  It's all concentrated juices, so like what you'd see from a frozen juice can.  It's more warm than cold.  A layer of pineapple, then avocado, then guava (I think) and topped with papaya.  The colors and look are beautiful.  Little strong when you have a sore throat.  I didn't finish mine though because Mihret decided she would cry and not stop because I shifted her in my arms.

I have taken more pictures than I've sent along but they're on my camera and I use the Internet through my iPad so I'm sorry there hasn't been much to show you.  I'm also finding my camera comes out a lot less because I've been here before and already have pictures of goats and donkeys walking down our roads, people sleeping in the middle of the streets, buildings being built with wooden scaffolding WCB would freak about....

Mikiyas made a new years resolution - to run faster and more.  Mine is to eat less chocolate.  So far, so good.

That about sums up our first day of the new year.  Tomorrow Mihret will go to the doctor.  I'm sure that will be an adventure.  Mikiyas doesn't want to come with as he doesn't want to hear her cry there.

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December 31 Journal Email 31 Dec 2011 7:43 AM (13 years ago)

Obviously a lot has changed and happened in the last three days.  I'll try to share some of the interesting points in the adventure.  If you don't care to know just delete and / tell me to stop sending you the emails.  I haven't been able to get on the blog at all so no updates there yet. Maybe not any ever....

Flying from Calgary to Frankfurt was easy.  We did have a shaky landing, which made the meal that Mikiyas and I ate not sit joyously in our stomachs.  We had eaten a lot given that in nine hours we had snack, supper, bedtime, breakfast and lots of opportunities to drink.  Mikiyas felt very close to throwing up but didn't. Another thing he didn't do was sleep at all.

We arrived in Frankfurt early and thus had to disembark on the tarmac and be bussed to the terminal.  We were taken to an area that had three possible options: 1) you leave the airport via passport check and enter Germany 2) you go through security check WITH your boarding pass to catch your next flight 3) you go to the Lufthansa counter to get your boarding pass for your next Lufthansa flight.  We, unfortunately, didn't want to do any of those things.  We needing to get boarding passes for Ethiopian Air.  They don't have their own booth in the airport, especially this location of the airport, and because it was a thirteen hour lay over, Lufthansa couldn't access Ethiopian Air's system to give us boarding passes.  So we went through passport check and left.

We caught the train to Mainze.  It was very neat to see how different it was.  Housing was pretty much all apartment / townhouse style.  Cars are all very small. I did eventually see a van.  It wasn't called a van, but a space wagon.  We didn't see a single truck.  Everything was plain and reminded me a lot of movies based on the war.  Just as we were approaching our stop, Mikiyas hurled.  I made the mom mistake of thinking I could save the floor and catch the puke.

Mainze itself was quaint.  We saw a beautiful church with a fascinating and enormous nativity scene.  The streets were cobblestone.  Many buildings were beautiful, yet simple, with dates from the very early 1900's.  It was like a cool brisk spring morning for us, but they were dressed like it was our -30 weather.  And, no offense to anyone, but no one smiles or shows any sign of happiness or desire to be friendly.  We didn't stay too long.  We were all tired and hoping we could get into some part of the airport for some rest.






















We returned to find out that we couldn't get boarding passes until 195 minutes before the flight.  So here we are in one of the ten biggest airports in the world and we couldn't access it.  We were stuck in the front area of the airport.  Very minimal to do or see.  There was one place to eat and it had a bar so Mikiyas couldn't go.  After 21 hours of not sleeping, he finally settled onto my lap where he slept for five hours.

We eventually caught our flight and were the very first people to board, aside from a lady in a wheel chair.  Mikiyas and I both took gravol given our stomachs hadn't eaten and we both still had a little nausea from the last landing.  We were out for the entire flight pretty much.  We woke long enough to eat some excellent chicken at dinner and some juice (slept through the food part) at breakfast. I also woke to assist my mom as she had quite a nosebleed, caused by a hot plane. I had never been on a plane that was so warm.

We were early landing in Addis so line ups were small.  We were very quick getting visas and luggage.  I had the wonderful joy of heaving six 50 pound bags onto carts, then off the carts through x-ray machines, and back on in less than five minutes.  The security guard said I was stronger than most men and suggested I work there.  Funny enough, when our driver arrived, he couldn't pick up even one bag without needing help or almost falling over.

Exhausted, we arrived at the guest house and were very warmly greeted.  As luck would have it, without any planning on anyone's part, I ended up in the exact same room we had when we got Mikiyas four and a half years ago.  Very cool and Mikiyas really liked it.  We ate breakfast (again) and headed to bed.  Mikiyas, however, was too excited to sleep so he played his DS.

After a few hours nap and a shower, we headed over to the foster home to meet Mihret.  She was dressed in an outfit I sent over and had her hair all done cute.  She cried a little but not too much.  She settled in my arms and didn't like being moved at all once she got comfortable.  We took a couple pictures and I also showed her some on the iPad.  She didn't touch the iPad at all until I got to the picture of her and Lyle from summer.  Out came her hand and she put it on the middle of the picture and just held it there.  It was a wonderful moment.  She remembered her Papa!  Once she fell asleep I handed her over so she could sleep in her bed.

I woke to a very cold shower, having zero hot water. They came to show me how to turn on the tap and that turning it towards red means hot and blue means cold.  Haha. But when she realized I really didn't have hot water she called the manager.  It was fixed but I didn't have time to shower  as it was time to pick up Mihret.  I'm hoping the hot water doesn't disappear again.

I received Mihret and again received only a few tears from her.  Haregewain came to see us and was over the moon excited to see Mikiyas as she last saw him when we picked him up in May of 2007.  Mikiyas enjoyed her excitement and didn't mind all the squishy hugs.  I think he also enjoyed the wonderful attention he got.

Mihret has done well in the few hours we have had her. She is napping now and went down fairly easy.  Hopefully that doesn't change.  Some parents here are really struggling getting kids to sleep at all.  She has bumps on her face which are quite contagious and a bit of a rash on her neck which may just be eczema, but we are unsure.  She also has a cold and is refusing to eat or drink.  Her way of having some control in a confusing situation for her.  Ketema (our driver / liaison ) has suggested we see the dermatologist and is arranging an appointment for Monday to see about the rash and the yucky bumps.  She is quick to cry if you move her once she's content in a position you place her in.

Mikiyas is an amazing brother, as we knew he would be.  There is still novelty there, but he really dotes on her and "likes" her so much.  He is very proud of her.  It's nice to we him dedicated to something more than technology!  He's enjoyed playing basketball outside with the men, but always has to have Mihret and I close by.

My mom is adjusting to the time change, and has realized how much we take water and food for granted.  She also learned just how atrociously expensive it is in European countries.

Things around here have changed a lot since 2007.  I feel a bit lost in a world I once felt comfortable to say I knew well.  But I will save that for another email as this one is getting lengthy for some of you busy readers.  I do wish Lyle were here with us.  I am also looking forward to some touristy things once he and his mom join us.

So meeting day was December 30 (Happy Birthday to my dear friend Miss T.) and Gotchya day is December 31 (Happy New Years Eve to everyone).

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