Ethiopia and we are in Group L

"For he issued his decree to Jacob; he gave his law to Israel. He commanded our ancestors to teach them to their children, so the next generation might know them-even the children not yet born-that they in turn might teach their children. So each generation can set its hope anew on God, remembering his glorious miracles and obeying his commands." Psalm 78:5-7


This passage rings so true. It is God's promise to Abraham, Issac, Jacob, and Joseph that we will be blessed through them. Each generation is to teach their children so they will know the awesome power and love of our Lord. We are to rest daily in His arms for strength and mercy. I feel so blessed to know He is on my side. He knows what will happen. He knew from the beginning these children I am to raise. He knew how hard it would be to give up our will for His in adoption. He knows these children need homes. It is so hard to remember seeing all their faces - wishing for a home. What about the children left behind with no new mommy and daddy. Do they deserve less? I pray constantly for them. Ethiopia is so special. I can't believe I was priveledged enough to go there. Here are some pictures of our journey. I can't wait to travel again soon! I wrote below our good news. Pray for these parents, the children, and for continued grace for all of us!

We got word today we are in Group L. This means that we are being petitioned before the courts for a court date. So hopefully in 10 days we will have a court date! Then this is where the waiting begins. After court we won't be travelling for at least 4 months. It will be hard because she will be ours but we have to wait so long! I just know our Lord is faithful and will protect her and us as we wait for her homecoming. So please pray we hear soon of our court date and that the next four months will go by quickly!

Dossiers, Hockey, and a cutie

"Love the Lord your God with all your heart".

What a great weekend this is going to be! We just found out tonight our Dossier will be off to Ethiopia tomorrow. Now it needs to be translated, go to different agencies and then on the list for a court date. George and I went in yesterday with Kevy to get our fingerprints. Always fun with INS. I hope I don't have to go back. Being a mom to 6 has dried out my hands. Pray I don't have to!

We also have my parents and grandma coming in from Montana for Giovanni's 7th birthday. We are frantically getting ready. Well, I am typing and my awesome husband is super cleaning the bathroom. Leave it to him to be my rock once again and keep this family together.

We also have Nick's championship Hockey weekend. Here are some pictures from last years games. The first one is Nick and the second is Kevin. I am going to miss watching them!































Other than that, like is still crazy and chaotic. We got medical about our sweet one and she is still sick, but they are taking care of her. Now we just need to get her home and safe and loved. It is hard because she has a new scar on her face. I feel so bad because I am not there to scoop her up and wipe away the tears. Soon, Lord, soon.




Here is our precious little girl eating her first popcicle. It was way too fun for her!













This is one of her 1 yr old presents - a Strawberry Shortcake outfit. Isn't she just so cute! And yes, she fully walks.














May God bless your weekend.

Changes...

So, we have been home for almost 8 months. It has been crazy, but such a blessing from God. I want to show you how far we have come.

This is Giovanni's referral picture. We know now he had never sat on a toilet, ate bread, potatoes and corn every day. He hearded goats, picked coffee, carried water and went to the market. He spoke his regional language Wolaittan. He came home with giardia, scalp problems and malnurishment.

This is Giovanni last December. He speaks English really well, can write letters, is learning shapes, colors, language, writing, and small words. He love to draw and color. He has such a gentle and imaginative spirit. He is my little smartie. His birthday is March 17th so that makes him an Ethiopian, Irish, Italian American.

Here is our little spitfire Caleb. He has changed SO much. He was supposed to 3 1/2, but is 5 going on 7. :) When we brought him home he had never seen a toilet, was whipped by his mom, only had eaten potatoes, had never held a pen or silverware, was full of giardia and bacteria, and was severely malnourished. He was a size 3.

Here is he today. He has grown 6 inches, gained 7 pounds, speaks english very well, Is learning shapes, colors, numbers, letters, words, etc. He is a very competitive and strives to be the best. He is very active and has tons of energy. He is going to be trouble.

Here are the boys 2 weeks after home. We went to Bozeman to visit family. I face painted their face with Spongue Bob and the Ethiopian flag. Look how much smaller Caleb was, now he is taller!

I couldn't get Sophia's referral picture to post, but here is a picture of her being held by her big brother, Malcom. Note no hair and she is wearing 3/6 month clothes. She was on formula, baby cereal, she could sit with help but was very active. She was 5 months when we go her and weighed 16 pounds.

Here she is with Great-Grandma Mabel 2 weeks after coming home.

Here is our baby girl at 12 months. She now ways 22 pounds and is in 12 month size clothes. She is a hoot to play with. She says so many words and has such a personality. Watch out, cuz her teenage years are going to hard!

It just amazes me at what a little food, love, and medicines can do. I look back at pictures of our trip and realize how far they have come. I just can't believe what they can do.

Language: They have lost most of their native toungue. They are doing so well with their Enlish. They love school and to learn. They are starting to recognize words.

Health: Other than colds, both boys are extremely healthy. We are still fighting ear infections with Sophia.

Ethiopia: It is such a love in my heart. I cannot wait to go back to wait for our new little one. The boys are excited to visit soon. I hope to travel to the birth area of the boys when I go. I will be doing a lot fundraising for the adoption, so stay tuned!

Activities: The boys get along so well. It is quite amazing. They are great kids. Sophia is walking everywhere now. It is hard to control her.

Well, I just pray we continue to have growth from thm. They are such a blessing!

A new forever family

I had the priveledge of visiting the airport tonight to welcome home our friends with their two new Ethiopian children. Just seeing them I remembered how hard the trip home was and how exhausted you are. So please pray for this family. Pray for their daughter they had to leave behind in Ethiopia. They don't have a Visa yet for her and so they have to go back again. Pray for their safety as they drive 2 hours home tonight. Praise God for their children and that they are home!