We met Amara one year ago, on Christmas day.
We arrived in Addis Ababa on Christmas Eve, after spending 5 days in Kenya on an absolutely amazing safari. We were full of anticipation, scared, excited, and well, looking towards our lives being forever altered and not knowing what to expect. We knew were were going to meet her the next day. So, I called the lawyer that night when we got to the guesthouse to ask when we could go to the orphanage. (He is the agency lawyer based in Addis and he needed to escort us the first time.) He said he wouldn't be able to meet us until the afternoon. I agreed and hung up, so disappointed. How would I make it through another morning?!
When I told Sasu, the owner of the guesthouse (who has since become a dear family friend), she pushed me to call him back and, well, insist that we meet in the morning. She had no hesitation. So, I took her Ethiopian advice and did just that. And, well, he agreed without question. Thank you Sasu!
So, the next morning, after a small breakfast and going over our list of things again, we got in our hired car and went to meet pick up the lawyer. He took us to Toukoul orphanage. 
The rest is history. But it is so hard to imagine how different our little girl was that day compared to today. We were all so cautious, taking it all in, moment by moment. And now look at us. We are the happiest parents around and we think our Amara is just as content. Could you find more joy in a child than what you see below? I think not :)
The rest is history. But it is so hard to imagine how different our little girl was that day compared to today. We were all so cautious, taking it all in, moment by moment. And now look at us. We are the happiest parents around and we think our Amara is just as content. Could you find more joy in a child than what you see below? I think not :) Merry Christmas everyone!
