November 23
Embassy appointment. We were joined by two other families. Right when we got there the Gladney staff told me that the embassy had recently requested more paperwork for Solomon's birthfather and that they might ask me some questions about it..this made me a little nervous. We waited a short time and then the Gladney families were called. I was so nervous because this really is the last major thing to do before we could leave and oh how I wanted to get home. Don't get me wrong I really enjoyed my time in Ethiopia but I was ready to be with Matt and to be in my own home. So when they finally called my name a Gladney staff member went up with me, as is typical. He asked me some questions behind his glass screen and I had to sign some forms. They did mention the paperwork and how they were not happy with the fact that it was late getting to them and how they could have delayed/denied Solomon's visa..what???!!! But he went on and said that he was going to give us his Visa. shew. We were going home!!!!! We then went back to the guesthouse to pack up and relax. There was a Gladney cultural dinner planned but it was canceled as we were the only family who could go and I had already been to a cultural dinner.
November 24
Our last day in Ethiopia...I remember having mixed feelings about leaving.. how sad I was to leave and that I wasn't ready to go..but at the same time I was so ready to get home. This country that I had lived in for 6 weeks was incredible. The day started out with no power which meant no hot water for showers. We left around 9 to finally get to tour the Gladney foster care center. (We had been discouraged to come back after our initial visits when Solomon was living there as it was too confusing for the kids and staff.) We had a coffee ceremony and saw the different foster homes. Solomon received his traditional outfit from his special mother (apparently he had two of them). He had lived in 2 different guesthouses during his 9 month stay with Gladney. His last home was foster care 2. We went to see his old room and someone had already taken over his crib :) and was wearing one of the shirts that he was always wearing when we got pictures. While at the foster care center I ran into Dr. Mykias and had him recheck Solomon's ears to make sure they were healed and that he wouldn't be in pain on the airplane. So glad that Gladney has him and we were able to take advantage of him.
In his special Ethiopian Outfit
We got packed up and our flight left at 11pm that night. We had difficulty on our flight home and got stuck in Germany again....egh. We had to buy new flights home as our travel agency was not helpful at all!! It was very stressful being in Germany and trying to figure out how to get home.
We found a flight to DC and let Matt know through facebook that we would not be arriving in Charlotte and that our plan was to rent a car to drive home. :( After going through customs we found our luggage, it had been placed in the wrong place and took a long time before we collected all of it. As we were heading out to find a place to rent a car, I saw the the most amazing sight. Matt and my dad drove up to DC to meet us and bring us home. I have never been more happy in my life to see these two.
Our first family picture in America in the DC airport on November 25, 2010 ....Thanksgiving Day!!!
