Beach baby

We are spending a week at the beach before daddy/hubby has to go back to Doha. It has been a fun week. Ella G. loves the water and sand! She is a very happy baby! Tonight we went out to eat pizza and she was waving at everyone in the restaurant. When we first met her a few weeks ago, she was so quiet...now, she "talks" all the time. Before we even left Ethiopia, Joan taught her to wave "bye-bye" , now she waves and say's "bye-bye" She says "mama", but not always directed toward me. She plays "peek-a-boo" and claps her hands. If we say pat a cake, she will start clapping. She army crawls on her tummy to get from place to place.

Yes, we think she is amazing!

Life Just Got Busier

We are home and safe and everything is going really, really well. My sister and I had a wonderful trip to Ethiopia. I seriously think it may be one of the best weeks of my life. There were times of intense happiness and other times we would just cry! Joan was the perfect travel companion and took care of us so well. She helped out with every detail and Ella thinks she has two mommies. Hopefully, I can go back and write more details about our time in Ethiopia (amazing!) but for now here are some photos to hold you over. Most of these are the first day we were together.

Leaving in two hours~

We are leaving in two hours to go to Ethiopia. Prayers appreciated!

My big kids were so sweet today. Will is sad to see us go, but he is so happy that Wubeski (Ella) is coming home and understood. He told me over and over how much he loves me and that me would miss me forever. Cole and Abbey have been sweet and affectionate too. Poor Bill has had to work almost all weekend. I am so glad Joan is here to help me get ready and to go with me.

Our driver picks us up at 1am to go to the airport...not the most ideal flight, but anything for her. We arrive in Ethiopia at 11:30 am tomorrow. We will have a layover in Dubai.

Must get a little sleep before we take off~

Joan in Doha

The Old Pearl Diver

Souq Waqif

In front of our villa

At Villagio Mall

Will - the bell hop

Welcome to Doha

Abbey the Receptionist

Waiting

Joan is here

On the Way to pick up Joan

We were soooooo excited to go pick up Joan at the airport. We waited and waited for her to come out the doors. These are pictures of her arrival and checking into the Collins hotel. Abbey was the receptionist and Will the bell hop. The next day we went to the souq (market) and

The first thing Abbey said this morning "This time next week she will be with us forever."

We leave in the wee hours of the morning on Monday to fly to Ethiopia. We arrive in Ethiopia at 11:30am and we will be picked up and driven to the guest house. We will get to see her right away and from that time forward she will be our daughter in every sense.

There really are no words to describe how we are feeling right now.

We love you baby girl!

The Collins Hotel

Last night, my sister arrived in Doha around 7pm after a long flight. She did great! She said she slept on the flight and she was wide awake and ready to go! My kids were so excited to see her. We seriously thought that we would not ever have any visitors here in Doha.

We took her to eat at one of our favorite places, Turkey Central Restaurant, for some great Arabic food.

We drove her around to see the town.

Then we came home and she "checked in" to the Collins hotel. The kids had set up a check in desk and labeled the doors with numbers. Abbey checked her in and Will handled the baggage. She was given a tour of the hotel. Abbey made her a welcome basket with things she might need and some homemade brownies.

They were so cute and it was one of those times....their sweet spirits were shining through.

Cole's 13th Birthday Party

After Abbey's Step Up (below) we celebrated Cole's 13th birthday. I picked up 11 of his friends and we went to Chili's to eat lunch (Tuesday is a half day at ASD) I had to arrange for a driver to help haul all of them around town. The boys were so good at Chili's. Then we came back to our home for swimming! 12 boys can be pretty rowdy in a pool, but we made it with only one bloody nose. After swimming for a couple of hours we came home for cake and a little gaming. It was a fun birthday and I love this age! Happy Birthday to my favorite teenager~

Stepping Up

Abbey's teacher- Mr. Dodge

friends

Crazy mamas

Abbey's class- there were 3 Abbey's in her class.

Sweet girls

Abbey stepped up to middle school at the American School of Doha Step-Up Ceremony. The 5th graders sang "You've Got a Friend" and "I Believe I Can Fly" and there was a terrific slide show. After was a reception with big chocolate chip cookies and coffee for the parents. It was good to be together one more time before everyone heads out this summer. We are so proud of our new middle school girl!

Last week~

It's our last week of school and we are soooo excited! Not a whole lot of work going on these last few days. This morning Will was so tired, I let him play hooky!

Tomorrow his class is going on a field trip to the ice skating rink and tomorrow is Cole's 13th birthday. I can't believe Cole is a teenager and I am the parent of a teenager. We were so happy today to hear that he was accepted into the National Junior Honor Society! Way to go, buddy!

Tuesday is Abbey's step up ceremony. She is leaving elementary school and moving on up to middle school. It is a really special celebration and ASD makes a huge big deal of it for the kids! The 5th graders get all dressed up and it's like a mini-graduation! Yay, Abbey!!!!

Tuesday afternoon (the kids get out at 12:30) we are celebrating Cole's birthday at Chili's restaurant and then coming home for a swim party!!

Wednesday, the whole 5th grade is spending the day at the Intercon Hotel swimming at the pool and beach.

Wednesday, the 7th grade is having an all day Survivor game at school. I am helping out with this. Should be fun!

Thursday...the LAST DAY of SCHOOL! I will be helping out in Will's class this morning with a little goodbye party! The kids get out at 12:30 and SUMMER BEGINS in Doha!

Friday...my sister arrives from the US and she and I will get ready for our trip to Ethiopia to pick up our little peanut! We got a new picture of her today! We also found out her birthday...it's September 3, so she is already 9 months old!

Yay for summer!

The Day They Met

This is the first time Bill and the kids ever laid eyes on Wubeski! They were smitten!