NO CROCS!! :0)

Our friends, Christen and Javier are in Ethiopia right now getting ready to bring their 8 year old daughter home! We were able to talk to them on the phone today and received a huge update on Girma!! First of all, he made a point of telling them he name is pronounced "Geerma". Christen's account of Girma at the orphanage was this:

Girma is wonderful! He is soft spoken (like his Mommy!) but not shy. He loved sitting on Christen's lap for as long as possible. Girma loved to give hugs and kisses. He told her, in english, he wants shoes!! He also stated in clear english, "No Crocs!" He brought them over to another boy to point out the type of shoes he wants. Our child knows what he wants! They will measure his feet for us so that we can come prepared with his request. :0)

Christen mentioned when she went to find him, he was in class and he was the only one at his table sitting and listening to the teacher. We are so proud of him!! Apparently, Girma has a very good appetite and loves to eat rice. They said he is just wonderful, sweet, patient and offered to adopt him themselves. Steve and Javier will fight it out later. Put your money on Steve!

Our great friends went through our photo album with Girma and he called me "Momma" and Steve "Babba" which is daddy in Amharic! We are completely in love and so blessed. Girma also spoke in English and pointed out Carly and said "dog" and pointed out the cats and said "no cats". He'll have to get to know Elsie and Aspen, then he'll warm up to them! His native language is Sidamo, but he is speaking both Amharic and English, so we might have an easier time communicating with him at first that we thought. Plus, amazingly, Christen and Javier's daughter Selamawit understands some Sidamo. Once again, things are falling into place for us. God is so good. Girma was truly meant to be our son, and we are so lucky to have the means to welcome him into our hearts and home. This is the most wonderful news yet, and our hearts our bursting with love, joy and pride.