memories

We have lived a lot of life these past few months. 

We had a baby.
We experienced the holidays with our family in the States. Oh, how we miss them.
We had...worms, fungus, parasites, bed bugs (in the hair), threat of a serious illness.
We packed 8 suitcases and only lost 1 carry-on. It disappeared somewhere from the last airport to the van that took us home.
We traveled for three days to return to our home in EA.
We (all the boys got haircuts
We hosted 20 people in our city.
We had a big, big party.
We experienced Christmas as a family of seven.

Most of all...we have become family.

We are still daily learning what this means for each one of us, but we are all making great progress.  There are so many lessons we are learning about life, love and contentment.  We are in the trenches. Getting a little dirty but choosing to embrace with a heart of thankfulness all that He has given us. 

I will not be able to post a ton of pictures from the past few months so I will just begin again with pictures from the Christmas season.  These are the memories I will cherish in years to come.




The boys sitting at the table working on a puzzle together





staring at this sweet face and experiencing so many of the
 first that comes with having a newborn





The boys putting together some goodies for our visitors.
They got the assembly line down, except for Nime wanting to eat all the chocolates





Seeing the boys getting to play with their toys they hadn't seen for months.
Does this tell you just a little something about his personality.





Hours and hours of seeing and hearing the boys act out the Christmas story





His fascination with the story of Christmas
If you look closely you can see
Joseph, Mary, baby Jesus and a donkey





Making Christmas cookies together and sharing them with friends





All of us laughing as we see baby girl try to smile





Letting the boys put out my Mammar's nativity



Learning to be OK with a mountain of sprinkles on the cookies





The many friends who stopped by to welcome our newest members of the family





Our traditional Mexican Fiesta on Christmas Eve
We actually had to celebrate it a day early, so technically I guess it was
Christmas Eve Eve





the boys deciding to form a band so that our Christmas carols would be a little more lively





His excitement over receiving His very own Bible



Treasuring those few moments where its just the two of us.



the pregnancy

week 32

What a journey this pregnancy has been in our family's life.  The night we found out we were  pregnant was filled with unspeakable joy, questions and even unbelief that the Lord had granted me a life within. A pregnancy test (actually two) and a Chinese character program on our computer, we experienced a moment we had only dreamed of. We laughed, cried and danced around because of our Maker's wonderful plans.

Week 5: I feel great just in shock.

Week 7:  the constant nausea and occasional sickness begin.  This didn't make full time language study, raising two toddlers and work easy tasks, but as the awareness that a life was growing within me,certainly outweighed any temporary sickness. 

Week 12: We learned that I have placenta previa and was placed on restricted activity. One of the hardest things was during this time was not being able to travel with hubs to meet Tesfaye and Yohannes.

Week 14: Restless leg syndrome in full force, sleeping is no longer a simple task.

Week 17: I had began to feel her movements several weeks before but at this point I could really feel her kicking.
Week 20: We find out we are having a GIRL!!!  Later that week the contractions commence.  Irritable uterus is now my constant companion  That topic deserves its own blog post.  On my son's third birthday I laid by myself in a lonely hospital room late at night pleading with our gracious Lord to protect our sweet baby girl.  A peace only from Him resounded in my heart.  He led me to a passage in His Word that I have claimed countless times these past months.

Week 24: Placed on bed rest.  Within a matter of a few weeks, we would leave our home  twice for another country, so that she would have every advantage if she decided to come too early.  The first time we left was for a matter of days. The second time our doctor instructed us to leave it would be for four months.  In a day we packed our bags for four people knowing that we would be returning a family of seven.  On that same day  we were able to unexpectedly take our language exam.  The next day we were sitting at the airport texting and calling our friends letting them know that we were leaving and wouldn't see them until later in the fall.  Our hearts were torn, yet most of all we felt His peace that it was His plan.  Only about a week before, as I was meeting with the Lord He gave me a word of preparation. 

"I am going to send an angel before you to protect you on the way and bring to the place I have prepared." Exodus 23:20 

Week 28. We find out that after 14 months of waiting for our big boys "Gotcha Day" we get the big email that they can come home.  In order to work on immigration, have support of family, a healthy place to transition and for baby girl, we decide to travel back to the US.  Loving every hiccup and movement in my belly...she is an active little one.

Week 31: Given steroid shots for baby girl in order to help her lungs develop if she happens to come early.  I also find out I have gestational diabetes and must poke myself four times daily and really monitor what I eat.  All those dreams of enjoying Tex Mex, big glasses of lemon aid and bowls of cookies and cream ice cream in America have not been fulfilled...but she is definitely worth it all. :O

Week 32 our big boys come home and we start home school with all four boys.  Well, Ezekiel and Nehemiah get a lot of play time in but when you are two and three school should be fun.

Week 35: Now, here we are trying to patiently wait for baby girl's arrival.  One doctor is thinking we will have a c-section (due to placenta previa) at week 36 and the other is hoping we can make it to week 38. We shall see. 

We are so thankful that the Lord has granted this sweet one to remain safe in the womb.  Through all the travels, bed rest, living in three countries, depending on my husband like never before, pain, two new sons, adjustment...He has surrounded us with  His PEACE and His PRESENCE.  Constantly we are reminded by loved ones of their prayers and even by those that we don't know that have been faithfully praying for our family.

As I think back tonight I see His handiwork in it all and am truly thankful that this sweet one is held by Him. We just can't wait to meet our sweet baby girl!  My heart overflows with joy.


Some photos from a few weeks back.

I think this picture gives you a glimpse into each one of their personalities

My boys

Daddy showing all four boys how to properly roll down the hill

A  picnic on a beautiful fall day

L.I.F.E.

Happy 8th Birthday Tesfaye

home

Moments after we were met.
just look at those sweet brothers 



All four boys love to sing and act out
"The Lord's Army" and "Father Abraham"



We have named T "Slugger"
We are not sure if he has ever been able to practice that swing,
but he sure knows how to hit it out of the park.



Exercise time with Daddy



Movie time
A few moments of quiet for the parents


The past week has been full of some hard moments as well as a lot of really joyous ones.  There is much to process and much I want to capture through writing but the energy and time are just not adequate on this night. 

My heart does want to express my gratitude that the Lord is good...and He has been so good to us.  He is using everything for His good to refine us, to unite us as a family and show us His perfect, everlasting love.
Our family longs to sing and tell of His glory all of our days. 
He is writing our story. 
How the Father chooses to write our story just keeps getting sweeter and a whole lot busier!

We so appreciate all of your prayers on our behalf...words could not express our thankfullness.

In just three days they will be home. 

 Chris has really been enjoying his time with Tesfay and Yohannes. 

 Let me just say that my hubs is

 Super Dad.

They are beginning their days with workouts, filling the day with lots of playing  and ending it with story time.  The boys were laughing when he was singing "Jesus Loves Me" before bed...he was thinking that meant they enjoyed his sweet voice. :) 

 The driver for our agency told Chris that the boys had been asking every time they saw him when their Daddy was coming back. Three months is a long time for us grown ups to wait to be reunited but even more difficult for a seven and five year old to comprehend.

Our hearts are so thankful that the wait is over...we can now begin the journey of learning to be family.

We would be so thankful for your prayers as Chris will be traveling home with the boys.

Pictures to come.

they are coming home!!

September 9th

 

After 14 long months of waiting...I will finally get to meet our sons!

Words simply can't describe my emotions.

I can't wait to kiss this face.

And give him a BIG BIG hug!!

There is so much that I am looking forward to and so many concerns on my heart this night, but since we will be catching a plane in just a few hours, packing seems to be just a little more important.  In the morning we will be on our way to the States to wait for the delivery of our baby girl and to finalize adoption stuff with T & Y.  A few days later Chris will be on a plane to bring our boys home.  The timing is quite unique in that just a little over two years ago, the two of us were leaving our home in Asia to return to America for our sisters wedding. Two days later, we were back on a plane to Ethiopia to bring home E & N.  The double jet lag thing sure adds some excitement those first few days. Now we are in pretty much the same situation, except this time Chris will go alone and the three of us will be waiting at the airport to welcome them home. 

Yes, life is full and unexpected but what grace and joy comes with seeing His works revealed.

What a journey of faith this has been...and will continue to be. 

We covet your prayers during this season.

famine

11 million lives in need. 

Desperate because of

drought and conflict.

A mother who has to walk for weeks

in harsh and dangerous terrain

to rescue her children.



A child in need of a cup of water

I can't stop thinking about this.

My heart is so burdened for these people who are in such dire need.

 I don't want to just be sad.
I want to be broken.

I want to act.

If you haven't read or seen what is going on in Somalia please get informed. 

There is so more loss than we could imagine.

As these precious souls flee their homeland, they are entering places open to the Truth and waiting with provision.

Let us not be silent and passive.

May His name be spread and lives be spared.

pray

take action

give sacrificially



He remains faithful forever, executing justice for the exploited and giving food to the hungry.

The Lord protects foreigners

and helps the fatherless

and the widow

Psalm 146:6,7,9

make a joyful noise...

Since the boys came home, we have sung three songs pretty much every night before bed.  As they have gotten older we have added some more things to the list like: reciting their memory verses, reading a Bible story, prayer needs and prayer.

For quite a while we sang the same three songs...we really wanted them to get these songs in their mind and heart.

Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus (my Mammar's favorite song)

There's Just Something about that Name" (my Nannie's favorite)

Blessed be Your Name (A family favorite)

followed by

Prayers

and then ending with Psalm 121 (for decades Chris grandparents nightly recited this before bed)

Lately we have been singing the 3 oldies as well as letting the boys choose a song they would like to sing.  Occasionally, we will teach them a favorite of ours from the past.  They both love to sing and can quickly pick up the tune and words.  Well, at least most of them, I love how E sings "Blessed Be Your Name", "You give DON'T take away, You give DON'T take away.  I always think how he is saying it in complete innocence yet that is usually my natural heart cry to the Lord.

Just today as Chris was taking the boys to the store he had Nehemiah on his shoulders and he said he just started singing-"Righteousness, Righteousness is what I long for..." 

Melt my heart!

They are truly taking in so much.

Our desire and prayer for our children is that we will be feeding their souls with the good things of the Father...and that they will be vessels that worship His precious name.

Adoption update: We hope to receive an update any day with news on travel plans. Please join with us in praying that Tesfay and Yohannes will soon be home and in our arms! Thanks much!  

2nd Gotcha Day!!

Last week we celebrated 2 years as a family!! It was wonderful getting to spend the day telling the boys about our first time meeting and recalling some wonderful memories over these past two years.  These have been two of the most humbling and rewarding years of our life!  Parenting sure is not an easy task but there is such a joy that comes from raising and watching your children grow and learn what it is to walk in His ways.  We are so thankful to the Lord that we get to be E & N Daddy and Mommy!!

As most of my days recently are spent lying on my side, my time outside is limited, but for this special day I stored up my upright time and requested of my boys that we go outside and take some Gotcha Day pictures.  All three of them were very willing to accommodate!!  We followed with a Mexican fiesta at the request of the boys.  I was certain they would ask for chicken nuggets or pizza but was pleasantly surprised that they asked for the "Mexican Place".  Since we have only been here a few weeks they haven't learned the name of the local Mexican restaurant.:)   After dinner the boys ask if we could go outside and look at the stars and moon; although, we could not find either that night, we did enjoy some yummy cookies and cream ice cream.

what a handsome little man.

Why yes I am three!!

Our last Gotcha day as a family of 4!!

Daddy love

Squeezing my Sugar

Wanting to capture the boys together with their buddy's.

Lulu has been a favorite of our boys since the boys became official US citizens, it was a gift from the court :)

Tigger is a new friend given to them by their best buddy Mason.

26 weeks.
Praising the Lord for each week that passes.



lately.

We are away from home, living in another country and I am currently on bed rest so life for our family of four has been a lot of transition lately.  For the past two weeks, we have all been living in one room and though we enjoy quality time together we are thankful to now be in a very comfortable apartment.  Chris has been doing a fabulous job trying to keep the boys busy although he is having to do a lot of it on his own.  It has been a little more difficult as it is the rainy season around here, so it has meant a lot of indoor time. Here is what the boys have been up to:

Our boys sure do like to travel

Pool time.

I have been impressed by his skills to watch the boys as I could only sit and watch,

wishing I was enjoying some pool time with my boys.

.

Buddy time.

 These are two of the boys new friends.  We have been friends with their parents for five years now.  We just happen to be in the same place waiting for our baby's to be born. I love getting to see our children play together!! We couldn't have planned it better ourselves (except we are missing the Rivers:() to have some of our favorite people here with us during this time. It has been such a joy to spend quality time with them as we haven't had this opportunity in years.

Chill time.



Nehemiah is a little fish these days.

 So fun to see him trying something new.



Below is a series of events that happened within minutes.  This little boy can't get enough of football time with Daddy.  Here is just a taste of some of his mad skills.

Running a pass route

Working his defensive back skills

The Quarterback. 

He just happens to be an incredible QB like his daddy.

Ezekiel often says that Daddy and him are QB's and Nime is a runningback.

Coach Daddy has been working on his follow through

So close.

We immediately commented that he needed to keep his eye on the ball.

I believe he caught the next one!! :)

Snack time.
This little boy keeps us laughing

He has found his nitch in kicking

Cuddle time.

I love how he still will just sit and cuddle with us...our sweet baby boy.

Reading time.
When I saw him sitting him here looking so big I could have cried...

growing up so fast and is truly a three year old in every way.

We are here waiting for Salome to hopefully take her sweet little time to arrive, as well as waiting to hear anyday about going to get Tesfay and Yohannes to bring them "HOME"!! Tomorrow we celebrate two years of being together as a family of four!!  Life is about to change for our family, but we simply can't wait to welcome the next three into our family. 

Praising the Lord for His mighty works...His ways are so much higher and greater than anything we could have ever imagined for ourselves. My heart is resting tonight in the fact that He goes before us and prepares our path for each step in the journey.