Our Time in Ethiopia Part Two

Here is a pic from our visit to the orphanage the day before we took custody...

After the farewell ceremony that Monday we were able to return to the Guesthouse with Samara. It was so great to finally have her with us 24/7.

That Tuesday was our Embassy Appointment. It was very quick and very painless. And after that, our Samara was officially ours according to both the Ethiopian Government and the US Government!! Oh happy day!!!!

The next few days and nights at the Guesthouse were a very big mix of wonderful and challenging. We had moments like this, where Samara wanted to play and smile and have a good time...

And then we had many, many challenging times. See the orphanage is the only place Samara has ever known. The nannies at the orphanage are the only caregivers she has ever known. There is a lot of grieving that takes place when you pull an almost 19 month old from the only place and people she has known. Let alone that she has never ridden in a car before. Had never really left the walls of the orphanage before we came and snatched her out. There was a lot of both fear and grieving since we left. And, unfortunately, it's not over...