At Lucy Restaurant for a drink before heading to the museum...we said a "Cheers!" for Aunt Sa's birthday and then spent the rest of the time making awesome belches from super fizzy pop!!!! We know how to party!

Teaching Eshuto the fine art of playing "Go Fish"

DELICIOUS food at Yode Abyssinia...the kids ate everything, including "Kitfo" which is raw beef. Their favorite dish is now Tibs, goat meat.

 My third time seeing this--never gets old!!

 Way to go, Natan!! Enjoying his culture!!!!

 Hot and a little tired...

 Vinny never tires--danced through the whole evening!

Vinny turned four in ET--we had a little celebration!!

Entoto Mountain--the first capital city of Ethiopia, before Addis.

 Heading up the mountain--more eucalyptus growing

 Sheep, not goats!

 View from atop the mountain

 Dining room in the palace of King Menlik I

 Where the monks live

 Door to the jewelry room of Queen Menelik I

 Cave where communion is prepared--700 years old...

 700 year old church

Family of 7!!

Checking out the silk worms at Sabahar silk factory--the kids watched people spinning silk!! Cool!

Driving around, taking it all in...

Eucalyptus, used fro LOTS of things!

Hair salon

Our second home, Addis Ababa!

View from the balcony at our guest house

On the road behind the guest house--Mimi was very happy!!

The kids with their new friend, Eshuto, who provided HOURS of entertainment! 

Mimi checking out all the beautiful flowers in the courtyard

 Cheese!!!

Many hours spent shooting hoops, just like in GA!

As promised...

The Beginning...

 Atlanta Airport, waiting to go in and start the adventure! Vinny digging out one last booger!

 Ready to leave DC hotel and start the next leg!

 We are READY! On board ET Airlines...only 13 more hours!

"The Hand-off"...the moment we've all been waiting. Yes, I cried!

So much to say!
I wrote, in my head, tons of blog posts while we were away. Didn't write anything down, so now I have no idea where to start!
How about a summary?

• The kids ROCKED international travel and I can't remember when I have been more proud! They traveled well, ate all the national food since we requested NO American food, they made friends with everyone they met, and they LOVE Lovie! Saw my family fall in love with Ethiopia, as I have, and that makes me happy. They didn't want to leave and already have plans to return.
• The kids planned the next adoption before we had even left...China. 
• Tihtina is the most beautiful thing I have even laid eyes on! She will have many challenges in her life, and this family is READY to take them on! Already found a pediatric neurologist whom I will call today! 
• Got to meet up with cousins in DC--short but good visit! Saw the MLK Jr monument and we all loved it. Again, impressed with the reverence shown by the kids at this awesome man.
• Home now with a crazy busy 2 weeks. BUT, came home to some nice surprises! Meals, treats, gift cards, cards for Lovie, and  certain chocolate cake that I barely allow anyone to touch! It is very special to have your fifth child celebrated...and when you've waited as long a s we did to bring her home, the celebration is even more fun!
• Locals reading: Mark your calendars for the Tussahaw Young Singers concert, May 22, 7:00 pm. These girls rock! 
• I'll post pictures in the next post.

Today in a nutshell:

1. Called travel agent to book flights. Found out Jason had told her my name was hyphenated, which it is not. She had to cancel ALL tickets and re-book. We are now still leaving Saturday but have to spend an afternoon and night in DC (hardship, right?! Kids are super excited!). We now arrive home at midnight Sunday...Jason has to go in to work early Monday. 
2. Had a plan: go to library to return our books so we wouldn't have to pay late fees (we checkout about 35 every two weeks!). Had lots of time, enough to get back and teach piano and let "Dryer Guy" in to fix the dryer. Car battery dead. Called neighbor down the street and lovely Betty came up and I jumped off the big white van. 
3. Baked cookies for some of my choir and piano kids to take to them--they had their school talent show. 
4. Discovered car battery dead again when we tried to leave for talent show.
5. Attended talent show without said cookies which I left home on the counter. After talent show, got in van. Car battery dead.

Plan for tomorrow, slightly altered: 

1. Take big white van to car place first thing to fix the battery!
2. Pack.
3. Clean.
4. Pack.
5. Pack.
6. Dance for Vinny at 6:00.
7. Girl Scouts for Mimi at 7:00.
8. Boy Scouts for George at 7:00.
9. Come and finish packing.
10. Breathe...we're coming Lovie!!!!!!

This is what I woke up to find this morning at 5:00 a.m.:

Dear Montague Family,

We have check the files that we receive from NVC and we don’t see the update  for your family. We have sent an email to NVC Adoption Unit to request a reload of your case. We will contact you as soon as we receive the updated visa 37.

Good afternoon

 BUT...

THIS is what I found at 8:30 a.m. this morning:

Please be informed that the interview is confirmed on Wednesday, May 9,2012 at 09:00am.

Regards,

Adoption Unit

For Sara: "Ethiopia, Baby!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"