We slept well last night and feel much better today. Still a bit groggy though. After a much needed shower, we ate breakfast: eggs, toast, and coffee. Our driver Ephrium then drove us to Toukoul to see Josanna for the first time. It only took about 10 minutes by car. The driving is crazy–only a few stop signs and mostly just going fast and going in and out of other drivers. As we approached the blue gates of Toukoul, the driver honked and the gate keeper opened the gates. There were kids playing soccer and riding a scooter in the cement court yard. We were taken to a waiting room while the caregivers got Josanna. A woman brought her in and handed her to us. Josanna looked at us and smiled. She is so adorable and looked just like the photos that I have looked at every day for the last three months. She snuggled right in when I held her. She smiled a lot and looked around. Never cried. She thought that Jim was really funny and liked to grab his face and laughed when he played peak-a-boo with her. She seemed to love just being held. Josanna is really small and seemed quite weak, but overall seemed bright eyed and a happy baby. It was surreal being able to finally meet our daughter and hold her. Can’t wait to go tomorrow and see her again. We only got to visit with her for about 1/2 hour before the caregiver came back and took her and told her to say “bye-bye to momma and daddy”. She is so precious. I am so looking forward to bringing Josanna home and making her a part of our family.
We had a big thunder and lightening storm this evening. Jim said it was our 4th of July fireworks. 🙂

Today we saw/met Josanna for the first time. She is a cutie! We were surprised that Josanna didn’t cry at all: in fact, she laughed several times. She seems to like me and enjoyed being entertained by peak-aboo and some tickles. We had a nice 30 minute first visit with her. Breanne cried a little at first. The driving and traffic here is crazy! People walking everywhere – on the sides of streets, in front of cars. No stop lights and very little road rules. We made it back to YGF hotel in the afternoon and just spent the rest of the day relaxing.

We finally made it to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. 22 hours of sitting on a plane, and my knees are aching. It took about an hour to get our visa and go through customs, then we got our luggage and Ephrium met us and drove us to our YGF guest house. Our room is really nice and has two beds, a crib, changing table and our own bathroom. There was a huge spider on the curtains, but Jim fought him and won. We also were going through our bags and cannot find the envelope with $500 in it. I am praying that God will find it for us. Here at the guest house they made dinner for us even though it was midnight. We are ready to go to bed and see what tomorrow brings.

On the flight from Portland to Amsterdam we swatched a lot of movies. Flight took 9 1/2 hrs, but didn’t seem that bad. Had a 2 hr layover. Exchanged 20 USD for about 12 Euros. Tried to buy us coffee in Amsterdam airport but lines were too long. Slept a little on the flight from Amsterdam to Addis. Germany beat Argentina in the World Cup, 4-0. They annouced it on the plane. At the Addis airport we waited a long time to get our VISA and passport stamped. They scanned our bags one last time through the machine. There were a lot of people waiting as we left the airport. Our driver, Efraim, had a sign that said “Smith KL543”. In the parking lot, there were many people waiting around (taxi drivers and such). We lost $500.00 out of Breanne’s backpack (not sure where) :-(.

Well, the day has finally arrived to go and get Josanna. 18 months since the time we first submitted our adoption application. I thought that this day would never come and was so far away, but it came rather quickly. It was so very hard to say goodbye to Mekiah and Abrielle, as I will miss them much. They will have fun with their Auntie Maria and cousins (Echo and Natasha). We are in the PDX airport waiting to board our plane. I am a bit nervous about flying but excited to be starting our adventure.

We leave in 12 days to travel to Ethiopia to bring our daughter home. My husband and myself are traveling and are leaving our two bioilogical children at home with family. This has been about an 18 month process but has been a fun and eye opening experience along the way. I can hardly believe that the time is almost here for us to finally get to see our baby girl and hold her for the first time. Our suitcaes are mostly packed and things are about ready. We are coming to get you Josanna!!!!
We will post pictures as soon as we have physical custody, but for now just know that she is an absolutey beautiful girl with the biggest most gorgeous eyes and an adorable smile!