Ethiopia Update

So it has been a while since I posted the last entry and much has been happening. I have wanted to post many times before but because of slow internet access, (Blog spot is one of the many websites that are inaccessible) busy days, (with Talo, not with activities) and because Jolene and I are still exhausted every night by the time our little guy falls asleep. At first we contributed the exhaustion to jet lag but now I think it is more health related.

We are still in relatively good health although I think both of us have caught a cold from Talo. It is affecting me the worst but Jolene is starting to have a sore throat as well. It is unfortunate because what would easily be remedied with over the counter medicines in the US, now must be endured until our bodies can take care of it. Talo is doing as well as can be expected. He has a little case of diarrhea and the cold he so graciously shared with us among some other minor things. We have talked with some other families who were here last week and they agree most of these ailments are commonplace with children from the transition home.

On the other side of things, Talo is doing amazing when it comes to adjusting to Jolene and I as parents. After 10 days he is still speaking to us in Amharic but we have a much better understanding of what his words mean. He is also starting to understand what we are saying in English. There is still improvements to be made with regards to his listening to us but then again he is 2. Nighttime and nap time is hard for him we think because of fear that we will not be there when he wakes up. There are a lot of memories we can see he still has and a lot of grief that we are trying to help him work through. On the happy side, he loves all the clothes we brought for him (his shoes especially), he treasures all his cars (ma-tee-nah-s), and the shower is amazing to him. Clean warm water falling from the sky! All in all he is a very good boy who loves to love and be loved. We are so happy that God choose to bless us with him.

Our first few days were quite eventful with trips to the transition home and to the embassy. We also went to see a very old Orthodox Christian temple and museum with many very old artifacts and manuscripts. We also visited the "Post Office" area of the city that had many shops and souvenirs. After the early excitement we have been laying low at the guest house trying to conserve funds and praying that our paperwork will indeed be in by friday for our trip home. There are many details that I have left out but I am going to try and chronicle our time here in some later posts.

Sorry there are no pictures but with internet as it is here I can only post updates via email so I'll see later how this comes out.

Thank you all for you thoughts and prayers. We continue to covet them as we await to see you all again soon!

-Jonathan