Adjusting...

As you can see, the kids are starting to adjust to life in the Warners household. Bathtime and playing in the snow are two favorites...

SLEDDING IN THE WOODS!!

I am being reminded in so many ways that we have lived in a very different world than our new Ethiopian children. Ben and I just took Temamen and Tessa out sledding. I'm thinking they're gonna love Provin Trails since it's in the woods and we can pull them around on the sled. Wrong. Tem was fine with going down the hill and loved that part but as we started going into the woods, he looked scared to death and said, "Anbesa!! Anbesa!!" (my Amharic spelling is terrible I'm sure:) Abnesa means "lion." Then I realized that in Ethiopia, you don't just go out for a walk in the woods. There are wild animals. The kind that can eat you. Does this mean that our children will never be backpackers?? Hope not. Eventually they will learn that a walk in the woods in America is very different than a walk in the woods in Africa.
Another big adventure is trying to figure out what they like to eat. Almost everything I put in front of Tessa she wrinkles up her nose and pushes it away.......except eggs, bananas, and french fries. Somehow we have to convince them to drink milk too. Until then, lots of Flintstones chewables:) Tem is a little more adventurous in the eating department, but his taste in food must be very differenet than mine. I gave him some apple pie this morning and he took one taste and looked like he was going to puke!! We'll figure this out eventually and probably hit the Ethiopian restaurants once a week or so........

Home!

Hello! We arrived home last night after some long delays in Detroit. Thank you so much for everyone who showed up at the airport and waited for such a long time to welcome us home. It was seriously one of the best moments in life. We love you all and thank you for all the support.

Also, our apologies for not writing from Ethiopia. Our internet connection didn't allow us to update the blog and we were busier than we realized with two kids and a lot of adventures in Addis Ababa. This morning the kids woke up early (must be the jet lag and the excitement) and they are exploring the house, helping Abby scrape the snow off her car, and talking nonstop to each other in Amharic. Its so fun :)

We will update more later...There are so many highlights of the week; some include...
1. a great appointment at the U.S. Embassy (we got through with no problems, while some of the other families ran into various issues with paperwork...)
2. watching Valentine's Day at the movie theater in Ethiopia with our guide, Abel, and our driver.
3. going to the shadiest lion zoo that we have ever seen (we were within feet of very hungry-looking lions)
4. eating at Top View restaurant with Hannah, an Ethiopian social worker for Bethany, and looking out over Addis Ababa
5. meeting Trey and Tessa (Temamen and Tigest) and watching their excitement over new clothes, brushing teeth, and having a "Mama" and "Papa."
6. coming home to GR and being welcomed by a huge crowd of people we love!

Hello from Ethiopia!

We have arrived after 30+ hours of traveling (which is super exhausting), stops in Detroit, Amsterdam, an unexpected stop in Khartoum, Sudan (just to refuel and drop off some people) and finally Addis Ababa, Ethiopia!
We slept for over 12 hours last night after arriving at our amazing guest house. The guest house has been such a huge blessing and we have an amazing hostess who gave us Ethiopian coffee, toast, and omelettes when we woke up.
As usual, traveling in a new country is such an adventure. We have spent the morning sitting on our balcony, eating chick peas from the neighbor boy, and taking much needed showers. Tomorrow morning (Monday) we meet Trey and Tessa. There are five other families here with Bethany this week and we will meet them tomorrow too. We are eight hours ahead of Michigan time so it is currently Sunday afternoon here. We can't wait to see you all in a week!

-Phil, Connie, and Kate

The time has FINALLY come!

We are leaving for Ethiopia on February 12!



Last week, we received word that we are expected at the U.S. Embassy in Addis Ababa on February 16. We will be meeting the kids on February 14, the best Valentine's Day we could have ever imagined.

Currently, we are scrambling to finish all the travel details. Its kinda difficult to plan an overseas trip in less than two weeks! Phil, Connie, and Kate will be traveling together and will be staying at a guesthouse in Addis Ababa, the capital city of Ethiopia. Once we get the kids on February 14, they will be with us the remainder of the time. We aren't sure what we will be doing each day, but the mystery of it all is exciting. Please keep praying for us during this unique step of the journey...

We are planning on returning to the Grand Rapids airport on Sunday, February 21! If anyone is interested in coming to the airport, we would LOVE it! Let us know if you want to be contacted (Abby will be letting people know of any flight changes, etc. - anw223@gmail.com or facebook her) And then a new journey of adjustments, language, laughter, new experiences, new clothes, new people, new toys, and a new family begins...

Thanks for your prayers, encouragement, support, and love!