Day 6 - Wednesday

This morning we picked up our girls from the orphanage for keeps. They'll be with us all day for now on.

When we arrived at the orphanage there were 30+ kids sitting along the outside of the building in anticipation of our arrival. When the guard opened the gate and they saw our taxi van, a few began chanting "NET-SA-NET, NET-SA-NET". Our feet barely hit the pavement before Neti came running out of the building and greet us with a big hug. Meke wasn't too far behind. They were all smiles and giggles. This all happened before we could arm our cameras.

This begins a new chapter in our lives. Rhonda and I are finding joy in the littlest things. Our first meal together at the Blue Top Restaurant was so much fun. We found out, for instance, that our younger girls can way out-eat our older ones. Neti and Meke began feeding Bethany and Kailey - a sign of love and affection in the Ethiopian culture. Meke isn't as shy as we thought. Neti has the cutest giggle. Kailey has become quite adept at her new role as big sister. Bethany is always responsible as the oldest sister should be. Meke likes to dip her bread in Coca Cola.

I'm finding myself soaking this all in. I'm watching all my girls with new eyes. This whole process of adoption has changed me. I'm noticing things about the people I love that I haven't seen before. I'm living in the moment.