We have accepted the referral from the agency and we are so excited to tell you about our new kids!
Solomon is 6 years old. According to the reports from the social worker at the orphanage, he is sweet and smart. He is reading very well, better than kids older than him. He loves to sing and eat ice cream (doesn't that sound like he belongs in this family?) He is tiny, about 5 inches shorter and 20 lb lighter than Meredith. We intend to feed him lots of cheeseburgers!
Tinsaye is 8 years old. She is a very protective older sister to Solomon. Her teacher says she is a very good student and her best subject in school at the orphanage is English. She has made many friends and likes to be with girls her own age. She likes to eat spaghetti and wear short skirts (not too worried... they are only short by Ethiopian standards!). She is a couple inches taller than Meredith and 10 lbs lighter.
The kids lost their dad about a year ago and their mother brought them to the orphanage in November, the same week we turned in our application (crazy "coincidence"?). They are both healthy, other than being underweight, but have a genetic condition that exhibits in their eyes. Their vision is normal but the whites of their eyes have blueish areas. We've talked about this with our ophthalmologist and pediatrician and they don't feel that it presents a very significant issue. We will monitor it closely because there is a risk of glaucoma, but even that is treatable. We are impressed that they've already received good care, including an ophthalmologic evaluation in Ethiopia. We were really struggling with making a decision about the kids and then somehow we both, separately, came to have just a clear sense of peace. For me, it was a distinct sense that there was no decision for me to make, these kids were chosen for us.
They are beautiful children and I'd love to plaster the blog with photos for everyone to admire, but we can't post any photos on the web until they are our legal children. You'll have to just trust us!
Now we just kind of hang out and wait for all our documents to go through the Ethiopian courts. We're hoping to travel this summer. This entire experience continues to be a true blessing.
This is all so exciting, and I am so happy for the children who will be blessed to be a part of your family! And that means they will be related to me, too. Lucky me! Your blogs make me laugh and also bring tears to my eyes, all at the same time. God is so wonderfully present in your current situation. I look forward to reading updates as they come. And of course we will keep you in our prayers.
ReplyDeleteLove, Connie
Praise God for this awesome answer to your prayers over the years. I just read this blog and feel so proud and excited for your family. God has certainly blessed your family in so many ways and will continue to do so as you journey down this path. May you continue to allow the Holy Spirit to direct that path. I wish I could give you a real hug. Looking forward to your next post.
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