Nov
21
2010
Day One {meeting Daniel}
It has been a long, exhausting journey to Ethiopia but it was completely worth it today when we got to hold Daniel in our arms for the first time!!
Our journey started in Nebraska as we dropped off the kids with Mimi and Baboo. Friday morning we drove to Omaha for our first flight…from Omaha to Frankfurt…and then on to Addis Ababa. We spent several hours at the airport getting our Visas and didn’t make it to the hotel until about midnight Sat. night ET time. To say we were exhausted would be an understatement. While in line for our Visas we were being crowded and pushed by an aggressive group of French tourists. Mr. P kept telling me to “find my happy spot” as I was being pushed and pressed up against. But frankly…my happy spot was LONG gone at that point! We got to the hotel, tried to connect to the internet (to no avail) and fell right into bed. I woke at 4am thinking of Daniel and had a hard time falling back asleep.
We met our driver at 9:30am today to head to Hannah’s Hope. I can’t even begin to describe our feeling as we drove down the alley towards the orphanage. Danny led us inside to meet our baby boy as soon as we unloaded from the van. We walked up the long flight of stairs into one of the baby rooms and one of the special mothers turned and said, “this is Danny boy” as she held up the MOST BEAUTIFUL baby boy I have ever seen…a chunky little baby with dark dark skin, big brown eyes, and tiny soft curls on top of his head. My heart instantly melted…but I just stood there looking at him…totally unsure of what my next move was supposed to be. I finally asked to hold him. Everyone cleared out of the room and we found ourselves completely alone with our new son. After awhile we went down to the babies play room and just watched him coo and smile for us. Then we met up with some traveling buddies who are adopting a sibling set of 3 precious children. We played with the bigger kids for awhile…passed out some silly bands and took their pictures and then Daniel fell asleep in my arms.
We held him throughout his nap time which was pure heaven. One of the special mothers came and got him from me once he fell asleep in my hands. But when I realized she was just going to lay him down for his nap I went right back into the building and grabbed him back up 
Once if was time to leave Hannah’s Hope for the day we reluctantly handed Daniel back to the special mothers. We grabbed some lunch and then headed out with our driver Solomon for a tour of the city and a coffee ceremony at his house. More on this to come….
I would love to be able to explain what is happening in our hearts tonight but wouldn’t do it justice. We are in love with this tiny baby boy and can’t believe God has allowed us to be his parents. We can’t believe we are on the other side of the world visiting him and loving him. God is SO good!
{we would love to show off the hundred of photos of our beautiful boy that we took today but can’t show his face just yet….hopefully these will tide you over!!}
Awww, how long was your layover in Frankfurt? I live like TWENTY MINUTES from the airport!!!
Congrats, Jenn & Paul…He’s adorable!
LOVE!!!!!
Those may just be the sweetest baby piggies I’ve ever seen!!! CONGRATS!!!
My heart is filled with JOY for you!
My heart is so full as I read your words. That first meeting…so beautiful. I am so thankful it went well for you. Love you!
Congrats! This is so amazing! He is adorable! So glad you shared those curls!
Look at those sweet lil’ piggies and curly hair…LOVE IT!!!
Oh!!!
I’m so happy for you!!
I’ve been waiting for this post for days…praying for safe travels, my friend (& can’t wait to see more).
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the curls and the sweet baby toes and chubby legs. Enjoy every moment soaking in everything about your beautiful baby boy! What a blessing! Congrats! Thinking of you guys. – Kass
jenn. i love him. i love you all. i am so happy for you all. weeping tears of joy. praying all the way!
Love those chubby little legs. Crying tears of happiness for you both.
Joy upon joy to see those beautiful lil’ curls and sweet baby toes!!! Congratulations and enjoy all those snuggles!!
i’m crying right now out of pure happiness for you all. what a wonderful and life changing moment! can’t wait to hear more!
This brought tears to my eyes, tears of joy of course. You are amazing people and he is one lucky little baby to have you to love him. Hopefully we get to meet him someday:)
YAY!!!! Such beautiful pictures, and I can tell your mommy heart is happy!! Give love to our sweet girl. Tell her mommy and daddy will be there soon!
I’m overjoyed for you and your family and we will continue to pray as you pass through court and travel back home. We pray that you will have Daniel home soon! Can’t wait to see pictures of his sweet little face!
WOW!!!!! How incredible!!! He is just an absolute doll!!!!!
oh my… tears! YAY! i’m so so happy for you!!!! his little curls are just PRECIOUS!
So glad to see little man finally in your arms!!
What beautiful pics!…love is little toes! So precious!!
I’ve been following your adoption adventure. Congrats on your beautiful precious little boy.!!
WOW! He is so tiny! And I love the curls! Our little one was bald in her referral pic, I can’t wait to see those curls coming in! And you look adorable! Do you always look so cute when you travel! (:
So excited for you, soak up every minute!
Blessings!
Betsy
oh my goodness! SO SO happy for you!!!!! I love this post! How old is he now??
When you’re back in the baby room find my little man (”M”) who turned 8 weeks old today and give him a big hug and kiss for me please!!
:)
I’m so happy for you and Paul and glad the journey is going well. What a wonderful time for your family!
YEAH GOD! Praying for your trip and time together! Praying for you as you travel home without him in your arms. Praying for the time until he is home forever to go very quickly!
Hugs and love,
Jill
PS you and your husband are adorabel together!
YEAH YEAH YEAH!
Awwww, can’t wait to see you in person and hear all about it … Praying for you!!!
Wonderful, just wonderful, so very pleased for you! He looks adorable from the pics we can see!! x
Seeing the Lord work a miracle through adoption never fails to bring tears to my eyes. Those are some mighty adorable toes and curls! Congratulations on holding your sweet boy for the first time. Precious!
God is so good!