Thursday, August 21, 2008

Day 13 of 19 … Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2008

Tigist is a tea drinker. The boys and I were betting back home that when she grows up, she would be like her Mama and drink coffee. But for now, she drinks tea. Just like her Daddy. Each day when they have lunch, they all have a cup of tea … how adorable is that?

Today we got to the orphanage early so as not to interrupt Tigist’s and the kids nap times. When we arrived, as usual, the taxi “beep beeps” and Tigist knows there is someone there outside of Sele Enat. This is a big deal of the day when people arrive and cause commotion throughout the place. Tigist usually calls out “Beep Beep? Beep Beep?” It is so adorable. She is expecting something fun to happen or someone she knows to walk thru those big, strong, solid gates when she hears the “Beep Beep!” So we walk through, someone always opens the gate with a beautiful smile. Walk to the place outside of where she sleeps and there she is…the only child not sleeping or in class … she sees us, we yell out her name … “Tigist, Tigist!” and I swear, she couldn't’ have run any faster towards us, right into my arms. It was absolutely precious … couldn’t have better directed that moment if I tried. She is completely comfortable with us, we are so grateful. I hold her for 5 minutes, then hand her over to Daddy (always hard to let her go on both our parts) and within 3 minutes, she is fast asleep in his arms. So comfortable, so completely trusting. She slept in his arms and mine for about an hour and a half. This was only 11:30 am and her nap time is usually 1 or 2, so I think this was her telling us that she was totally on board with us.

1 comment:

Amber said...

That is so wonderful that she completely trusted you both and was so excited to be with you. How cute that she slept in your arms.