Happy "Birth" Day

Today we celebrate our sweet baby girl's birthday - she is 7 months old today! Happy Birthday Evy. I am so looking forward to holding her in a few weeks!

We are also excited and anticipating the birth of Baby Jack - our good friend Amanda and Dennis' baby. I know it's been a long wait for them, and they're super excited to meet their baby boy. We are thinking and praying for you guys throughout today!

Growing so Fast!

I still can't believe that my little Ean is 2. I can still remember when he was born and how tiny he was holding him there in NICU. What a sweet blessing you are in our lives Ean. We are so thankful for your smile, your sense of humor, your energy, your stubbornness, and most of all your heart. We know that God has a special call on your life, and we are so priveleged to be your mommy and daddy. Indeed, "God is gracious."

Ean: meaning, "God is Gracious"

Waiting for Directions

I realized this morning that indeed our family is headed somewhere...I just don't know where yet. We have really been trying to let go of everything and let Him direct our steps. Some days it's very freeing other days it's down right scary.

Carlos sent me a link about a story of a young girl who took what I would consider to be a pretty radical step in her life. She was 18. Her parents dropped her at the airport with a backpack where she then headed for a remote village in Nepal (I can't imagine doing this with Ean!). Along the way, she meet a group of orphans and was so touched by their hardships that she took $5,000 she saved from babysitting to buy a piece of land to help given them a home. You can read her amazing story here: www.sapanasansar.com/2010/03/do-something-award-winner-maggie-doyne.html. The award she won was the "Do Something Award" which I thought was so appropriately titled. Aren't we ALL called to do something? But, what is something?

This week someone also shared with me David Platt's new book called Radical. Just reading the back cover I realized, hmm, God is doing something. It states: "It's easy for American Christians to forget how Jesus said his followers would actually live, what their new lifestyle would actually look like. They would, he said, leave behind security, money, convenience, and even family for him."

I'm not sure what the something is in our family, but I do know He's leading us somewhere.

The story of God putting His family back together...

We have this "tagline" (as I would call it with my "marketing hat" on) at our church..."we're about being a community of people helping each other as we experience the story of God putting His family back together." I've heard that week after week, until last Friday, it took a deeper meaning for me.

On Friday, we received the official relinquishment papers for our baby girl in Ethiopia. I was heart broken to read the accounts and details of her relinquishment to the orphanage. I was broken for her. I was broken for her mom. And, I questioned if I would be equipped to someday answer her tough questions for me about her parents.

As Carlos and I prayed throughout the weekend, and spent time with our friends from Ethiopia on Sunday - God revealed His bigger plan. That is, that He has chosen our family to help restore our daughter's family and to truly bring His together as One. What a powerful image.

It was very clear after our dinner last night. We asked our friends, Wegi and Tsion, to pray with us about a couple of specific needs as we prepare to bring our daughter home. It is, after all, His vision for us and His provision. Carlos asked them to pray in their native tongue. It was the most remarkable experience. As we held hands and they prayed over us, I could just sense us becoming One family. God has blessed us so much by bringing into our lives people from the very country we're adopting.

I have no idea what is ahead for us, but I know that He is doing mighty things, and He has a plan for our baby girl. I look forward to telling her "her story" and how God brought her to her new family....I just know He's going to use her testimony in mighty ways.

Relinquishment

We received the official relingquishment papers for our baby girl today. I didn't realize how emotional it would be. I ache for her birth mom and all that she has endured.

Lord, we pray that you will give Evy a heart for the weak and defenseless. We pray that she will grow strong in Your Word and in Your heart for the orphans in this world. Thank you for choosing us to be her parents. We know You have plans for her, to give her hope and a future.

He's Home!

Ean has been away for 2 nights testing his "sleepover" skills before the big trip in December. He did great. Apparently he didn't miss us much since he didn't even ask for us. I super proud of him, and I'm feeling more confident that he'll be fine when we're in Ethiopia.

We enjoyed the two days, but I must admit the house was too quiet. And, although I had two nights to enjoy sleep, I didn't get as much as I wanted. I guess parents adapt - that is to little sleep and an ear to the wall listening for our kids.

I can't wait to see him when I get home. Love you BE!

48 Days and Counting...

Wow, it's really starting to sink in - we're going to Ethiopia! I still can't believe it. We have our tickets booked, I spoke to the international pediatrician this morning, and I'm already starting our packing/to-do list (yes, for those that know me I'm overly organized)!

We also have another milestone this week - Ean is spending 2 whole nights away from us! It's, in part, a test to see how he will manage our first trip since he's never been away from us for more than one night.

It started off great - he was so excited about going to be with Kristin and Justin. I was helping him pack his bag and he kept rolling it around say "go Kristin's, see Justin, see Eli" (who is their dog). Then, I rushed home yesterday to say bye before he left and he was SOOO excited! He ran to their truck, climbed in the carseat and told Carlos and I to go "back inside." Ha, so much for the tearful good-bye:) I think he's going to be just fine!

I also sent our VISA applications today so that's another huge milestone...now, I have to resist starting to pack our bags!

50 Days and Counting!!!!

I'm so super excited about our travel group and that we're all on the same flight out of Frankfut - plenty of time to bond!

Today is also a big day for our family - Ean is having a two night sleepover to "test" how he'll do when he stays behind for our first trip! He's super excited. He was rolling around his bag last night saying he's ready to go see Kristin! Now, if mommy and daddy can just relax:)

Leavin' on a Jet Plane

We're so excited to finally have our court date. Now, it all seems real! We'll be travling to Ethiopia on November 30th and meeting our baby girl on November 2nd for the first time! We have to stay a little longer than I'd like (to be away from Ean), but I know that Lord has a plan. In fact, Wegi and Tsion (our friends from Ethiopia) have already promised their uncle to help show us around the city. I'm really excited to have a personal connection with someone there, and as it turns out, the extra day to spend time with him.

Now, we're in the midst of booking tickets, figuring out all of the logistics for Ean staying behind (sniff, sniff), and of course buying a pink things along the way! I can't believe in a few short months we'll be a family of 4! God is so good, and as always His timing is perfect (even when I'm impatient).