March 15th, 2012....hard, hard day.

The day we all dreaded. it was time. time to kiss & hug our girl with all of our might. promising we would be back. it was one of those times when you just need to get it over with. i could hardly stand the thought of saying "goodbye." If our two youngest would have been with us, I would've just stayed. That thought played over & over in my mind. it was a wish. not happening. so, we made our last trip to the orphanage gate...spent time with her for a few hours. we played & played. Finally, I just had to hold her. We sat on the step, her arms wrapped around mine. I can still remember her gazing at me that morning, and I couldn't imagine this day coming to a close. As the time came to leave, we had Yared explain to her that we would be leaving for awhile to America & we WOULD be back, hopefully very soon. She stood close to me, we hugged with tears in our eyes & the flood gates opened. As we said good-bye to her, I felt like I was drowning in my tears. Kate & Grant were so sad. Leaving that day was the hardest thing I've ever had to do. Backing away from the orphanage, I glanced back at her & there she was...standing there wiping those big, beautiful brown eyes of her & blowing us a kiss. Soon, precious Ariyat, Soon!!!

The ride back to our hotel was miserable. And, I cannot even begin to imagine what her little heart was feeling. We spent the rest of our day packing, eating, driving through the city that held my daughter. longing to go back just one more time. what an emotional day. That evening around 8:00, we said our good-byes to our new friends at the hotel. The kids had such a hard time leaving..they begged to stay. We hauled all of our luggage to the van & off we went to the airport. Our flight left at 11:30. We were wiped.

                                                   Until next time Ethiopia!!!!

                                                                    "sisters forever"