I would fly around the world for you!

Dear Grace Yeabsira (so good to write your whole name)

Last week you gave us so many wonderful memories we will never forget but I want you to have them too.  I will start with our travel because as crazy and entertaining as it was we would do it all again in a heartbeat for you!!

We left Syracuse Friday night to fly down to Dullus.  As you will soon see Syracuse is a tiny airport, Dullus is not!  When we arrived I turned on my phone to call the hotel we were here so they could send the shuttle.  The hotel said great, they would come in a half hour.  I was surprised they felt it would take that long.  Silly me it took even longer to get down to luggage and then out to the shuttle.  (We did stop for Starbucks)  After waiting even longer we did find our shuttle and went to the hotel.

We headed back to Dullus bright and early to check in for the next flight.  Just a couple more people on this flight  We checked luggage (all under 50 pounds -- this is a huge accomplishment for your family), went through security and found our gate.  I was so excited, you Dad was so excited he could sit down.  

We loaded and found our seats for the next thirteen hours.  Pretty easy flight.  We took the mandatory shot of our flight route and deplaned ahead of schedule.  We exchanged money -- which made us look like millionaires, immigration went smoothly, customs only questioned on bag.  As soon as the word orphanage was used we were all set.  Things were moving along great.  

 Then it it got a little stressful, Grace Yeabsira remember how last year Kari Gibson made it possible for Mommy to see your beautiful country.  An experience I will never forget with new friends who have added so much to this journey.  Well anyways when I cam last year, everyone waited in the lobby for you.  When we walked in to the lobby this year it was empty.  I got very nervous very fast.  First someone I can't even tell you who offered to call our guest house for us.  Well the number was out of service.  Another person suggested we go look in the parking lot.  So we did.  After coming down the first hill with nothing or no one looking like they wanted to take Bowens with them.  I waited with your  Mimzy and the luggage and your brave Daddy went to look more. He came back with the thumbs up!! Good step until we got to the car and saw the smallest honda civic.  So three people + 1 driver + 6 bags was not working.  It was finally decided the driver would take the ladies and most of the luggage and we would leave Dan.  So remember that millionaire statement -- all of that is in my purse as is Daddy's passport.   So Daddy had his  New York State license 20 bucks and donation bags of socks and mesh shorts.  It was a stressful half hour as we went to the guest house and then had to wait nervously for the driver to return with Daddy.

(I was able to take this right as we drove away).  

Of course everything turned out fine it was as Ethiopian say "no problem"  and what fun is it if you don't have a good story.  

The best was yet to come because as soon as we got the guest house they said that we could go visit you at ten am.  It was 9:30am. When Daddy got to the house it was 9:50.  No sitting, no food -- just heading straight to you and our metcha day.   Who would fly around the world for this face!!

Love you baby girl
Love Mommy and Daddy