Update #3 from Addis (a little late)

May 19 -
Today was a pretty relaxing day. Before we went to bed last night Woudenah gave us some forms to fill out - it is slightly overwhelming to be faced with crucial forms with no room for error. I had to officially name my children - their names are Natenael Evan and Mulatu Taye. I got the forms filled out this morning and feel confident in that. I found out where they were born. Nate was born in Dawro and Mulatu was born in Wolaita.
We spent the morning driving to the mountain - it has a beautiful view of the city and the air was nice and clean. We toured an old Orthodox church that also had a museum with various historical artifacts. We also saw part of a monastary and an old palace. We spend the rest of the afternoon hanging out at the guest house. Dad wasn't feeling do hot so it was probably best that we were able to rest. Tomorrow is court. It seems to be going well for other members in my group and I hope it is the same for me. I'm trying to have faith and not worry but I'm finding it pretty hard. I'm going to be glad when tomorrow has come and gone. I'm ready to know that my boys will be mine forever.

May 20th -
Today I'm officially a mother!!! I passed court and I'm currently riding in the van on the way back from court. We anticipated being in and out very quickly but we got there about 8:40 and were called in at 10:50. It was a long and stress filled wait but I tried to remain at peace. Lyrics from various praise songs kept playing over and over in my head that reminded me to put my fath in God. One small note about court - at one one point I looked up and there was a woman in a butterfly filled dress. I couldn't help but smile.
The boys moved to the transition home this afternoon so after a quick jaunt to the airport to pick up another family we just came back to the guest house for the rest of the day. I was able to play soccer a little bit with them before they went to eat lunch. Then I went and got them and we played inside for a while. They seemed to catch on to things very quickly. We flew paper airplanes, played with dominoes, match cards, silly bands, and hungry hungry hippos. They listened to the musical cards that mom sent for them and seemed to really enjoy them. They came and got them for supper so I went upstairs and took a nap. I awoke to the sound of children playing outside my window. I decided to go outside to play with them and took down a football with me. We also played some soccer - It was great! I couldn't have imagined the day going any better. They are both so much fun and so sweet. I hate it that I have to leave them here - now that court is official I've allowed my heart to fall fully in love with these two little boys. When I left court it was very hard to not break down - the relief I felt and the joy was something that was extremely emotional for me. Tomorrow we are sleeping in and then spending the day hanging out with the kids before heading to the airport at 6. In some ways I can't believe that time has gone by so quickly and in other ways it feels like I've been here forever.

May 21 -
I'm packing up and getting ready to go to the airport. In many ways I'll be glad to get home but I know that the next 2 months that I have to wait to get my sons home will last forever. I'm ready to start our life together. I love them so much already and I'm sure that will just continue to grow. I'm so grateful for this time that I've got to spend with them. We have hung out quite a bit today and got to play with some more of their toys this morning. I also spent some time outside with them pushing them both on the swing set. They are sharing a room at the transitional home for the next couple months. I'm so glad they will be together through this. I hope they learn to love one another. I've grown spiritually through this trip relying on God more and more to get me through each day. I know that this is just the beginning of our lives together and there are times that the responsibilities can seem overwhelming but I know that I'm not in this alone. God is with me every step of the way in addition to my parents and family and friends. There is a lot to do in the next two months until they come home so I'm going to be getting ready and waiting for the email that calls me back here to the arms of my children.

Little addendum - On the way to the airport I looked out of the van window to see a beautiful rainbow. It was a reminder that God keeps His promises and that He will continue to look after my boys until we are together again.