Day 1 - Our first meeting

We had a great breakfast at our hotel and headed off for our Ethiopian Air flight to Addis Ababa. Janae and I found empty rows in the back which was great for rest and keeping my feet up (too bad I couldn't sleep much - too excited).

We literally put our luggage in our guest house, changed shirts, washed hands and ran off to Toukoul orphanage to meet our children with the other family we were traveling with. Our first meeting was only about 20 minutes and then they whisked them off to eat. We returned after a good lunch and nap (which you can see in the second set of pictures - they are in green). Can you believe the change physically from then until now especially in my little Jeremiah (Abush)? I know he looked scary and funny looking and he was completely unresponsive - but it didn't matter - God had placed that love in my heart for both of them long before I ever set eyes on them or held them.

As soon as we turned down this alley, I recognized the famous blue doors of Toukoul Orphanage

That is my funny face trying not to break down in tears and scare him

All of the next pictures of the boys in green are from later that afternoon. We saw gains with both of them in the afternoon. It helped to spend a couple of hours with them that time so they could warm up to us.

Josiah can walk! His first steps with us :)

His first smile for us

Smiles for Daddy

Javi and his boys