Ethiopia July Court Trip – Day 5

Hailey Day 5:
Today we went to court and then once we were done with court the girls got to stay with us for a while, which was really nice.  But when they stayed with us, we first went to their care center and saw what it was like.  We played there for a while and it was lunch time and we ate lunch there.  Lunch was injera and wot.  But the wot was really spicy and I really didn’t like injera, but I ate it anyway and gave the rest to Mom.  Then after we ate lunch I felt a little sick because i forgot to use hand sanitizer and used their water to wash my hands and I licked my fingers.  So then we went back to the hotel with the girls and watched a little bot of Rio and then played a game that we made up.  It is a mixture of volleyball and basketball.  Then once we tried to play the game we were playing, we made up some ways to make the ball go.  Then we pretended that we had try outs and threw the ball to one another.  Then we went to the movie theater and watched Mr Popper’s Penguins.  Then we went back to the hotel and watched a show and then I felt real sick and fell asleep and the girls went back to the care center while I was sleeping.  And I did not eat any dinner because I didn’t feel so good and then I went to bed with Dad.

Bridget Day 5:
We all slept very well last nite–as we got in late (9:30pm) from Adama–had some Chicken Hut (their version of KFC?  the only place open!) and then it was morning!  You know Mark–nervous that we would be late—so I hopped out of bed as quickly as possible to shower and be ready for court.  Hailey was so tired, it took some help to get her going.  We were picked up by our driver and dropped off at court.  Well, it was a tall building and we walked up the stairs, looking for our director or some other Americans–and on the 3rd floor up, we found it.  It is nothing like an American court–it was more of a social services waiting room.  Chairs are lined up against the walls and the rest of the room was standing only.  The entire room was packed with people.  And our girls were not there yet.  We called and they were on their way.  Finally they arrived and we were not called in yet, so we were ok.  Children that are ten and older appear in court to speak with the judge themselves.  After waiting for a couple of hours and Hailey asking “can we play tag in the hall?”  –we got called in.  The judge asked us a couple of questions and then the girls came in and they asked them some questions as well.  The judge was very nice and sort of laughed as she told us once this adoption is final–it is final–but we already knew that since we already had one adoptive child at home with us!  She also laughed to say that we have a big family. Next we went to pick up some things at the guesthouse to take to the care center.  We arrived at the care center, the girls each had a little bag with their things in it–mainly gifts from us that they had stuffed in there. They did not have any clothes with them.  As we were visiting the kids, playing with play-dough, taking pcitures for other families–the girls looked upset.  We had a person there translate for us and they said that Adama was better–they wanted to be back there.  As we got them talking more–we found out that they thought they were coming to court and then going back to their orphanage.  They understood they were not coming home with us–but did not think they were suppose to stay there, either.  They probably did not say good-bye as they would have if they knew they were not coming back–perhaps brought more things?  Who knows–but it was hard to watch.  We stayed for a bit longer, had lunch there (well, after I was playing with babies–I walked upstairs to see Mark and the girls in the room eating lunch with everybody!) and then left.  By the way–we were very proud of Hailey for eating the food that she was served–she did not eat much–but she was politely eating it.  Of course, that is probably why she is currently having tummy issues right now.  I hope the medicine that I have for her works and clears it all up!  She is already feeling better from hours before, though–so we are praying that by tomorrow she will be ok and we don’t have to sit home.  Anyways—we were looking for things to do–and while playing with a ball in the very small courtyard is fun–not an all afternoon event.  We saw that there is a movie theater down the road–so we went to see Mr Poppper’s Penguins.  The popcorn was even good!!  I think it was probably the girls’ 1st movie?  Oh the things we will find out once we can communicate better with them!  They are so sweet–very quiet most the time.  When I was done with my popcorn, I was quickly offered popcorn from one of them, as Hailey was offered from the other.  And they always have to carry our backpacks for us when we go anywhere.  At this point, Hailey was not feeling great, so we hung out in our room for a bit and then I went with the driver to take them back.  Mark could not stand the thought of them being upset when we left them there–who ever knew that I would be the one to say “they’ll be fine”.  We asked our agency if there is any way they can go back to their orphanage while they wait for us to come back for Embassy–and they are looking into it for us.  It is not that we do not like the care center–the nannies were all very nice and looked loving towards the children there—but it is not what they are familiar with–there are 2 other older girls and their embassy date is in less than 2 weeks.  The positive was that they saw that one of the babies was from their orphanage–so they were playing with him–and it was like he knew I was then ok–so then he wouldn’t let me put him down and was all smiles!  And even better–he will be in Wisconsin too!!  I have met his mother and she is so sweet–cannot wait to share that news with her!!  Our world continues to get smaller and smaller!  Who meets people in Korah that you have mutual friends on facebook, therefore, I totally knew who he was??  small, small world.  Hailey says her tummy is already feeling better as I finish typing here.  Thank you for Zithro!!  We will see what we do tomorrow–Look Development office, perhaps Jimmy Gross and maybe the zoo??  We have never been to the zoo before!  Have to figure out our driver again, I think.  There are other families that we must share with now!!  Our IAG driver is very nice–explained much to me about Orthodox and Pentecostal Christians here—and says that our girls are Orthodox…good thing they have Catholic Godparents and Aunt and Uncle to fill in any gaps for us when we are home!  It sounds very similar to Catholicism.  Such good girls we have–we are feeling blessed.  Their Daddy is about to set up shop here and stick it out until they have their Embassy appointment, if they are not happy when we leave them, though!!  Pray for peace for the 3 of them, especially.  I am sure my time with come when I will feel bad, too—but for once, I am being optimistic that it will all go quickly and they will be home in no time at all.  I am wanting some miracles here–that MOWYA letter to be here before court closing and the Embassy not to request any further documents and get that travel date ASAP!!!  These girls have gone through enough–they need to be home already!!  Miss seeing our little ones—could not imagine having them here, though!!