adjusting beautifully

After reading the story about "Baby Moses", Nime goes and immediately gets this basket (from Ethiopia) and sets his Lil buddy in the basket, then proceeds to put him under the couch, instructing all of us to "shhhh". I love his protective and tender heart.  Brought tears to my eyes remembering a tiny baby boy, who just two years ago was miraculously watched over by the Almighty  in such a remarkable way.



I can only say that I believe I have the most precious children...this face!!!!I was able to take Zeke on his first "date" this past weekend. We had a blast walking the street, running a errand, eating jaozi and then coming home and cuddling while reading a ton of books. I believe quality time is at the top of the list as I was showered with hugs and kisses at the end.  I love my sugar dumpling.  He is so creative and full of life. 



Walking around the neighborhood.

These ladies were very intrigued by our little guys. 
We can not leave our house without a handful of folks asking if they are twins. 

settling in...

Thanksgiving day.



meeting a neighbor. this woman truly amazed us with her English skills.

the boys room.  they are enjoying their space.
their room is now rearranged (dresser in front of window)due to the fact that Nime
was able to open the window during nap time.  We live on the TENTH floor!!
Someone is coming tomorrow to fix this, or these two parents will never have a good nights rest AGAIN!

the boys just playing, sporting their football jerseys.

 We are so thankful to be in our new home and getting into a schedule with work and class.  Thank you for your support and prayers as we continue on in this wonderful journey.

2+2+2=6

Next year our family will hopefully add two more. We have 2 sweet boy's waiting for us in Ethiopia. The Lord has moved in a mighty way, thus we are following His leading. More to come on this later, once we have Internet again!

The Lord looks down from heaven and see's all the son's of man.
Ps 33:13

because they are just this cute

This is what we found one night on our long drive home.
 He had reached for his helmet just before falling asleep...
guessing it makes for good dreams for our little football star.



Their reading spot (sitting under the desk)
Z learning his colors and N studying the Word.



Oh, the emotions of a 20 month old.  I really shouldn't encourage his pretend cries by laughing...
he is just too adorable.

Z brought me a Ranger's hat the other day to put on him.  When I asked if he was a baseball player, he quickly responded, "No, football".  Guess we should give him some time before we inform him that he will be playing a different different version of football in Asia.

I so enjoy being their Momma!!

everything fall

They enjoy everything outside.
Leaves. football games. slides. sticks. swings. walks in the stroller
They can sit outside and play for hours with buckets and balls.
This age is such a blast!!

 

Getting ready for the game
just like their Daddy

My baby sure is growing up.  This kid is so much fun!!

We returned to our college campus...the place we met and fell in love. One of our spots on campus...this was one of the stops during my proposal scavenger hunt. Such a Romantic and creative guy!

Cuties

When Hubs and I were getting to know each other...this was the place I came to pray one evening. Moments later we would run into each other, and we have been together ever since.

BROTHERS
Their relationship fills my heart with praises. 
The Lord has truly united their hearts.

He is liking football just a little too much.
Ever since we went to our first game this season he is always finding whatever, object to be a helmet, picks up a ball is ready to go.  Just about whenever we get in the car he asks if we are going to a game. 

Recently, Zeke had a bad fall.  He broke off his front two teeth and messed up his gums. Thankfully, he hasn't been too sensitive to cold/hot, so we decided to give them
 a special treat to make him feel better. This boy is so tough.

SHOTS
These boy's have had to endure way too many shots lately. This day we had to wake them up from nap time and head out for shots in a downpour. I just think they are so adorable in their jackets.

We have a new Ethiopian friend. 
What a blessing he has been to our lives. 
 He has such a heart for the Lord and is full of wisdom and information about our beloved Ethiopia.

Spending an afternoon with my Granddad

The boy's with Pops and Mimi

This picture is too much for me...mostly because they did this on their own.
Not staged by their mother.

This is the cutest 4 tooth smile ever!

A memory for sure
Their first time to climb a tree!

This fella loves jackets. 
He got 3 on at a time.  He makes me laugh so hard multiple times a day!

I LOVE CBL!!
He took me away for a night for my 31st birthday
He is my favorite person on earth.  The one who draws me to Christ and leads our family to choose Christ above all else.  He is my humble, loving, wise, hilarious, servanthearted strong man! And a REMARKABLE Dad!!
It was so good to have quality time with him and of course sleep in!!
In the past year I haven't left the boy's hardly at all so to leave them overnight was tough,
 but they were in good hands...it was definitely needed

Ahhh!! That face
I wish he would let me cuddle him all day.  He is changing so fast.
Everyday he is picking up new words and skills.  One of his favorite things to do is sing. 
It is the sweetest thing when he sings the "B-I-B-L-E.

Our first "Gotcha Day" celebration was filled with several of our favorite activities: kiddy pool time, dinner out, ice cream, playing at the park, lot's and lot's of hugs and kisses and many prayers of thanksgiving for the year we have had together as a family.  It was so fun being able to look at pictures and share the story with the boy's how the Lord united us as a family.

trying to take a family photo

We LOVE family time
They also seem to be enjoying the salsa

Park time

ice cream messiness 

just being cool

 can you tell he was just a little excited?

Recently, we have been able to enjoy some time with some new friends.  Knowing that we have been craving real authentic Chinese food they have been gracious to cook us some real treats

Yummy.

a precious family

the boy's sure did enjoy picking some tomatoes in our friends' garden
Our friends were impressed that the boy's did not pick the green one's after being told just to pick the red one's...that's our brilliant boy's.

GOTCHA DAY...thinking back

This time last year we were returning from Ethiopia to bring our son's home to the US. These were days of rejocing, pain, newness, friendship, sleepless nights, sickness and life. The Lord had promised me years before that He would allow me to be a joyful mother of children (ps113) and on Aug. 3, 2009-i truly became that mother. The first few moments with our boy's were unlike any other moment in our lives. The sweet presence of the Lord was near and His mercies reached to the deepest parts of our souls.

The daily scene outside our guesthouse.

Moments before leaving to get our babies

I

was

PUMPED

Holding one of my gift's from the Lord...

a compassionate, loving, strong and active little one.

The first smile from our baby boy.

This one is a deep thinker,so loving, has such a joy for life and our little cuddle bug.

Finally Daddy arrived
Hubs was on a later flight, his first moments with his little ones.


Sugars from Daddy

P.R.E.C.I.O.U.S

US

Peacefully sleeping...meeting your family at 14 months can be pretty overwhelming

love this face

Mimi praising the Lord that our babies were finally -HOME


Pops was beaming

This pretty much sums up our time in Ethiopia-we were all four sick and adjusting to life as a family of four was very tiring, but of course...WONDERFUL

Seeing how it was going to work carrying two little one's. I love being their mommy!!

I love this.

My husband's heart for this land is inspiring. He loves the people, grieves over their heartache and longs for their restoration.

The Lord has poured out His tender mercies in abundance by giving us our two son's. I have learned so much about myself, the Lord's perfect love and of His eternal promises through the lives of our children. They are such example's to me of how to live in the strong arms of our Heavenly Father. We will never stop proclaiming His praises and goodness. His plans are truly beyond our comprehension.