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Overwhelmed girls but relieved and happy mommy
Thank goodness! It sure is nice to be back.
I just want to start by thanking everyone who was so kind and helped us out during the difficult time - from my mom jumping on a plane with 6 hours notice, to my sister posting this stuff up, to my friend T helping me pack, to C mowing our lawn, to M booking our flights… etc! and to the innumerable well-wishers and friends routing for us.. it’s all so appreciated.
My email inbox has over 500 new messages that Jrock hadn’t dealt with - so please, know that I appreciate all your messages and will reply as I find the time.
Here are a couple of pictures of us arriving at the airport yesterday. The girls did awesome on the trip - I was a wreck (never again am I traveling with 2 three year olds be myself internationally!) We were met at the airport by a wonderful host of our friends… thanks so much to the whole crowd. Unfortunately, tghe girls were pretty taken back by the balloons and excitement, so they just cried and wouldn’t say hi. But as soon as they hit the car and jumped into their carseats - well, they were as happy as clams!  Â
Part of the gang - thanks so much to everyone who came!
Coming down the ramp - this is when they started to cry!
Yesterday we went out for curry (they like it hot) and today went to the park and bought bike helmets. Eventually we’ll get around to unpacking and the other stuff. In the meanwhile, we’re just trying to gradually get them used to the dogs and cats (the kitty they will pet - the dogs they scream when they see them - seriously scream in terror - ) and get the house in shape. Tonight Jrock is putting a lock on the medicine cabinet (only a foot off the floor) and other essentials.
I’ll post up more pics and stories soon… We have thousands of pictures… litterally.Â
Warm appreciation! and thanks to all!!!
Nicky
Additional thanks from the traveling Gramma (my Mum):
“I realize that they won’t probably all read this posting but I want to extend my personal thanks,in no particular order,to all our many friends in Ethiopia and Canada, both Ethiopian and Canadian. Sentyue, a friend I met near the end of our stay who is a true example of the Good Samaritan. The Weygoss and Kids Link staff who went more than the extra mile for us. Countless Ethiopians who stopped us in the street, at the internet cafe and at each and every eating establishment we ate at, to exclaim over ‘our’ beautiful twins and thank us for caring for their children. (Thank you to them for their loving attitude to their children and their gifts of encouragement and acceptance of our newly expanded family.) Of course I can’t forget each adopting family and other hotel guests (including our friend from Saudi Arabia!) who responded with smiles, encouragement and suggestions to our stumbling through the first hours and days with Sugar and Spice.
Mostly, however, I want to thank you, J and Grandpa. Nicky, for inviting me to participate in this miracle - bringing two beautiful children home to their family. J and Grandpa B for supporting my traveling with you while they took the difficult road and stayed at home. I will always remember this special time was a loving gift from the three of you. God bless you.”
August 28th, 2009 at 6:49 pm
So happy you, J and my grandchildren are now safely at home. I can’t wait to renew my relationship with them. I wonder how they’ll react to Grandpa and Uncle B? Nona and the Calgary crew can’t wait to meet them too however I know they’ll respect your need for bonding time.
I realize that they won’t probably all read this posting but I want to extend my personal thanks,in no particular order,to all our many friends in Ethiopia and Canada, both Ethiopian and Canadian. Sentyue, a friend I met near the end of our stay who is a true example of the Good Samaritan. The Weygoss and Kids Link staff who went more than the extra mile for us. Countless Ethiopians who stopped us in the street, at the internet cafe and at each and every eating establishment we ate at, to exclaim over ‘our’ beautiful twins and thank us for caring for their children. (Thank you to them for their loving attitude to their children and their gifts of encouragement and acceptance of our newly expanded family.) Of course I can’t forget each adopting family and other hotel guests (including our friend from Saudi Arabia!) who responded with smiles, encouragement and suggestions to our stumbling through the first hours and days with Sugar and Spice.
Mostly, however, I want to thank you, J and Grandpa. Nicky, for inviting me to participate in this miracle - bringing two beautiful children home to their family. J and Grandpa B for supporting my traveling with you while they took the difficult road and stayed at home. I will always remember this special time was a loving gift from the three of you. God bless you.
Mum
August 28th, 2009 at 6:51 pm
Forgot to ask - did you do the girls’ hair? How long did it take?
August 28th, 2009 at 6:53 pm
Welcome home! I am so happy you made it safely home. We are travelling out to Kelowna for Thanksgiving with our little man, maybe we could arranage a playdate.
August 28th, 2009 at 6:54 pm
YAY your home safely, congratulations!!! Can’t wait to hear all the stories and see all the pics. The girls are adorable as ever, and you two look soooo happy, it makes me yearn for our children even more. I hope to one day be as lucky!!
Enjoy every minute!!!
hugs Lyndsey
ps I would love to hear more about your trips around Ethiopia as we start to plan our adventure!!!
August 28th, 2009 at 6:58 pm
It’s great to see you all home safely and together! I have enjoyed hearing about your travels so far and cant wait to hear more in the coming weeks. Enjoy settling in to home life and congratulations on having the girls home.
Kendra
August 28th, 2009 at 7:14 pm
Your arms must be built like steel by now!
Welcome home. So good to see you made a safe arrival. The girls are so beautiful.
August 28th, 2009 at 7:23 pm
Welcome home, weary travellers!! So happy to see this post and to know that a trip that started off under such frightening circumstances has finished with two beautiful little girls at home with their Mommy and Daddy.
August 28th, 2009 at 8:06 pm
What an adventure. Welcome home! Enjoy every second with your precious girls.
Laura
August 28th, 2009 at 8:14 pm
Welcome home!!
John, Lorie and Xavier
August 28th, 2009 at 8:54 pm
Hooray!!! You are all home, so exciting!–still gives me some hope ;o)
August 28th, 2009 at 9:01 pm
CONGRATULATIONS ON FINALLY ARRIVING HOME WITH THOSE BEAUTIFUL GIRLS!!!!!!
August 28th, 2009 at 9:26 pm
So happy you guys are home!! I can’t wait to show the photos to Eskedar and Bereket tomorrow.
I hope the dog situation gets better. Eskedar took about 4 days and now she loves our dog and is pretty fine around other dogs. I hope it happens quickly for you too!
August 28th, 2009 at 9:59 pm
Awwwww… tears of joy for you all!!!! Congratulations again, and all the best in your new journey as a family of four (plus the animals, lol). Can’t wait to see how they settle in!
August 28th, 2009 at 11:46 pm
You are amazing, Nicky! I thought traveling with a husband, 6 yr old and 3 yr old was hard internationally, but you survived two 3 yr olds on your own! You are Supermom!
So glad you are home!!!
Claire
August 29th, 2009 at 6:14 am
Congratulations! How wonderful to see you all together again, with your girls safely home. What an adventure you have had! Hope you get some much needed rest, relaxation and special bonding time together as a family at home.
August 29th, 2009 at 10:00 am
Okay, and your Mum’s message has me in tears! That’s SO sweet!
August 29th, 2009 at 12:43 pm
So glad you are home! Congratulations and we’ll see you at the next Okanagan Wine Festival!!
Emily and Steve
August 29th, 2009 at 3:42 pm
Welcome home - your family tree is finally complete!
August 29th, 2009 at 4:34 pm
Glad to see you guys home safe and sound. Good job on surviving the solo travel home.
T screamed at the dog at first too, we used a babygate for some segregation and he got over it very quickly. Hopefully the girls will come around soon and enjoy the furballs!
August 29th, 2009 at 5:17 pm
Yay! Glad to see you all home safe and sound! What a journey you have been on. Now for a new journey to begin!
August 29th, 2009 at 6:50 pm
Welcome home! It seems so long ago that we were in Addis, I’m so happy that you are finally home too!! It sounds like the girls are doing great, and I’m sure they are going to love all of the crafts and clothes you made for them. I hope they aren’t too jetlagged, and settle in quickly.
All the best!
Carolyn
August 29th, 2009 at 7:26 pm
Welcome home to all of you!!! So glad to hear you’re safe and sound. I know how hard the flight was for me and I only had ONE baby.
You’re a trooper and I totally admire everything you’ve done to get your girls home. I was honoured to get to know you - first meeting you (and your mom) at the Frankfurt airport and then spending time at the Weygoss and sharing our special moments on Gotcha Day. I’ll also always remember the many tears we shared (crying and hugging at the internet cafe when reading emails from our husbands back home). Special times I’ll never forget.
I’m looking forward to continuing to follow your journey now that you’re all home and finally together - just as it was meant to be.
(((hugs))) Miss you!
Karen
August 29th, 2009 at 8:08 pm
We’re so excited for you guys!!! I can’t wait to hear more about the girls and how they liked their cool new room, etc…..
Sarah,Alex,& Roary
August 29th, 2009 at 8:50 pm
Yeah yeah yeah!!! So glad that you’re all home safe and sound and now enjoying life as a family in your own home. How did the girls like their beautiful room?
August 29th, 2009 at 9:47 pm
Em - we can’t wait to see you too!!!!
Karen - it was solovely to spend time with you…
Michelle - looking forawrd to seeing you again. I have some more info on your kids you might be interested in…
Thanks to all for your welcoming words…
Nicky
August 29th, 2009 at 10:34 pm
Welcome home!!!
August 30th, 2009 at 9:07 am
Welcome home Nicky!!!! I haven’t been commenting much, as I knew you wouldn’t be seeing it, but I have been checking all the time for updates. I am so happy that your family is together atlast and wish you the best during your transition time.
Natasha
August 30th, 2009 at 1:55 pm
So happy for you to be home with your girls! From our first meeting for coffee when we were both starting out with our adoptions, it’s finally come full circle! Elsha will be thrilled to have 2 more girls her age about at our next get together. Sorry we weren’t able to make it to the airport, I really wanted to be there, but congrats surviving the flight home… I can only imagine. Hugs to you all!
August 30th, 2009 at 4:06 pm
Welcome home family! Hope you are enjoying your first few weeks together at home as a family.