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Happy Homecoming….

What a trip….Theo had a good trip….. eat, nap, people-watch, eat, nap, people-watch….you get the idea Needless to say, I feel safe getting back on a plane with Theo in the future…. In the Dulles airport at approximately 9 am on September 24^th Theo became a US Citizen exactly one year from the day I said YES to Ethiopia- The trek was long and filled with lots of memorable events and exhaustion…..

We were greeted in Cincinnati by family and everyone is happy to have the newest Kopf home! I appreciated the amazing cards and decorations left by the students at St Susanna School, the Facebook messages from friends far and near… it has been just the best!

Theo had his very first Kopf-Kunkel family gathering on Sunday night… it was overwhelming ….he crashed early… but it was great to share that sweet smile with the people who have waiting so long to meet him. Welcome home son!

Our Last Day in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

It is bittersweet to leave this beautiful place….

I know someday we will return but it will not be for a long while.

I am excited to get home and experience many firsts with Theo… including the meeting of ‘neediest dog of all’ and sweet Theo…. hmmm.…could be very interesting….. the first night I may have a canine up all night instead of a little boy! Last night was the first night Theo enjoyed 10 straight hours of sleep…. I am hoping for a trend, as it would be so nice for him to snooze through a majority of our flight this evening… It is quite the task to pack a carry on for a single child for 24 hours worth of airtime and quite amazing that in his short life Theo will fly more hours than some fly in a lifetime…. Would love a smooth travel day I look forward to introducing Theo in person rather than photos….

See you soon!

Embassy Day

Today was the next to last step in the trek…. Of course the final trek is a very long flight home….it is best not to think about that yet.... We headed to the US Embassy for our 1pm appointment. The car ride alone is entertainment for Theo- so much to see…. The lack of traffic lights, stop signs, and speed limits makes each trip much like a carnival ride… The US Embassy was huge – the largest US Embassy in Africa…. After a short wait we were called to the window and asked a few questions, again nothing fancy just extremely important to both Theo and myself, it was the first time it seemed real and luckily my mom was there because after the agent said approved and flashed his passport I cried…. FINALLY FINISHED… FINALLY APPROVED! On the drive back to the hotel I learned a new mom thing…short car naps can destroy the afternoon and evening…

Thanks for all the emails- many people have asked how it is going and I believe it is going well…. He eats and sleeps like a champ…. Thank goodness for bibs and towels… two naps a day, and about twelve hours of sleep each night…. He usually wakes up half way through the night, maybe for a bottle or a diaper change… this morning he was up – very happy, smiling, talking and playing with his stuff elephant in his crib … what a wonderful way for us both to start the day.

Thank you to my awesome friends who have donated clothing to me…. You may see a few things you recognize if you look close enough…He is the best-dressed kid around here and I must admit it is still a bit of a thrill to choose an outfit in the morning…. I learned from the best to dress Theo like the little man he is (thanks Amy!)

This evening we had a celebration at Alemu’s home with the other adoptive families… We wore traditional Ethiopian outfits for the coffee ceremony. Although Theo slept through most of the evening it was a very special way to round out our BIG DAY.

Gotcha!

Today was the day I walked sweet Theo out of the orphanage and got into a car and drove away. To be honest, I have visualized it my mind a million times. It was without pomp and circumstance, it was to tears of the nannies and nurse that have cared for him so well for so long. It was …as I was told …the way it is suppose to be.

The nannies and nurse were elated to have the pictures we brought with us and they shared others that have been given. Most of the children we met in the summer at Enat Alem have transferred to their forever families and some are waiting anxiously for the day they too will leave. It was both more and less emotional than I thought it would be…. Theo was literally spellbound staring out the windows on the way to the hotel….he is such a sweet boy- I will acknowledge that he is very fond of being held …this however, has not been a problem :)

September 24

No worries buddy- we have loads of boy clothes waiting for you

Reservations are confirmed, tickets are purchased, and Gemechu Theodore will become the newest little US citizen on the 24th…. The irony is one year ago on September 24, 2010 I said YES to Ethiopia and YES to boy or girl…. I remember where I was … I remember who I was with…. And now this date will hold another kind of special memory…. I can not wait!

Introducing....

T H E O

Gemechu Theodore

January 8, 2011

Today was very good day!

I received word that my MOWYCA letter has been submitted and court documents and birth certificate have been generated. This is the Ethiopian government’s approval of the adoption. I hope that this paperwork will be submitted to the US Embassy next week, and then I will wait for the Embassy’s approval and an invitation to travel back to Ethiopia to take custody and bring Theo to the United States.

It has been 2 years since I told my family I was planning to adopt.... The trek did not go exactly the way I mapped it out..... but I could not imagined a more perfect ending.....

Sunday

In the clouds.

Today was our last day in Ethiopia, until I receive US Embassy clearance to bring Gemechu to the United States. We left the northern mountainous region around 9:15 and drove thru the clouds to the Monastery. It was a beautiful and very holy place; we witnessed both a funeral and wedding ceremony during our 2-hour visit. We took a tour with a well-spoken guide. Before we were allowed entry, we had to review the lists of requirements to the actual monastery and cave… no menstruating women, no intercourse for either a man or woman in the last 48 hours, no photography. Then we were allowed to enter sans shoes and view the interior, it was beautiful, well preserved and obviously a prize possession to the Ethiopians. Men and women were separated inside and a curtain was placed to block the woman’s view of the altar.

Monastery

We then trekked up a very rocky and steep incline to view the cave. The elevation was so high it was difficult to climb. Many people were making this trek to the top….an ill man was partially carried to the cave to bath in the holy waters at the peak. Inside a small cave at the top, a monk prayed and holy water flowed. Many Ethiopians collected the holy water and carried back down the incline….indeed a treacherous task.

Rocky Climb

We left the monastery and heading to a traditional lunch in a restaurant with a beautiful view. Along the way we saw a honey farm, which was also home to hundreds of monkeys. Ethiopians have a very potent drink made from fermented honey called Taj- we tried Taj and we referred to it as the ‘crazy orange drink’, because it could sneak up and get ya really quick.

Bees & Monkeys

Addis Ababa from the mountain.

We then headed back to Addis, a beautiful drive with gorgeous views of the city. Since the new family had not yet met their son, we were lucky enough to tag along for an additional orphanage visit. I must state that it is a true privilege to witness this first meeting between parent and child. We were so fortunate to witness all the families first meetings and it was a gift. It is a comfort to know how much the caregivers love these children. When we arrive, some of the caregivers stop in to witness the family visit and to share in the happiness. I gave and received many hugs and kisses today. As I was playing with my little guy today, he was batting at my face…. the caregiver in the room looked right at Gemechu and said “oh no no no Gemechu no hit mama’s face”… then she proceeded to make him giggle aloud….leaving is tough, I cried all the way back to the hotel, but I know he could not be in better hands, unless they were mine.

Gemechu