(Pictures in reverse order)
Our time in Ethiopia ended on Thursday evening as we prepared to leave the hotel and head to the airport around 7:30 p.m. We spent most of the afternoon packing all of our things and saying good bye to many very special people. There were only 4 families able to leave this day, others were forced to take later flights home due to the continuing volcanic ash situation.
I loved this picture of A.J. and Jody looking out our hotel room window. Each afternoon we had watched young boys playing soccer, cattle and donkeys roaming, and people walking through a huge field across the street. On this particular afternoon it was raining as they gazed out that window for the last time.
The second picture (from the bottom) shows Jody and A.J. taking our huge load of luggage into the airport. A.J. was, and continues to be, a hard worker that loves to carry through on tough jobs. The airport was extremely crowded. The lines to check in were long. There was a brief moment in time that I thought we might miss our flight. I wanted to come home so badly by this point, I think I would have rented a boat and rowed us across that Atlantic Ocean.
A.J. and Sydney did WONDERFUL on the flight home (thanks to a little Benedryl)!! They slept from Addis to Amsterdam and most of the way to Detroit. Unfortunately, no drugs were strong enough for Jody and I!?! Thankfully we had some good snacks and movies to watch to pass the time. I can't even begin to tell you how pumped I was to be on that final leg from Detroit to Nashville. Jody and I were both on the verge of tears when the plane hit the landing. I remember looking right into his eyes and knowing exactly what he was feeling and thinking.....you just know after 15 years......
Next, our airport homecoming!! Praise the Lord, we were all together again!!!
We spent the 4th of July weekend with a wonderful family, the Walters, that we met on our trip to Ethiopia. They were there adopting their son, Micah. We have kept in touch since we have gotten home and were so glad they could make the trip from Lexington for the weekend. The kids had a great time being together, swimming, watching fireworks, and playing in the yard. A.J. was so happy to see Micah, who he called by his Ethiopian name all weekend. They are a beautiful family with 2 adorable boys who are very close in age. We are already planning another get together in October.
Fireworks at my in-laws.
Happy 4th of July from Harper!!
