tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67176252963015113862023-11-16T07:53:58.140-05:00filling the nestAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12093589459459734561noreply@blogger.comBlogger45125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6717625296301511386.post-64503152426274566972012-06-04T16:29:00.000-04:002012-06-04T16:29:17.403-04:00Filling the Nest Furlough<br />
200 days....or 6 months 18 days.... Either way you put it, that's how long we've been a family of three, and bashfully that's about the same amount of time it has been since I last posted. My goodness how life has changed! Taking a break from blogging was partially intended, yet I quickly learned that it was also partially unavoidable. It has been a whirl wind of an experience in becoming parents and welcoming our daughter into our lives. She has lit up our mornings...from what used to be sleeping in until 11:00am on any given weekend to now having a giggling little girl play hide and seek with us with the comforter at 7:15am. Our back yard used to be a wasteland for our dog, Brie; it's now a sea full of adventure and splashing as we play in the kiddie pool, explore what's around us and swing underneath the tree [and for those of you who can't stop thinking about the dog poop comment...don't worry, we are much more diligent about picking up poo these days ;)]. Elmo has become an honorary guest at dinner time, car rides, tea parties, bath time, bedtime, walks around the neighborhood, trips to Home Depot or the grocery store and dates at the zoo. Jewelery is fun for any girl, now matter what the age; yogurt makes a delicious meal AND hair mask (who knew Neutrogena?!); and dance parties with the music cranked up can cure some of the most tearful and crabby <strike>mommies</strike> daughters I know. Bible stories before bed have not only become a favorite time for our daughter, but also a time when this mommy can reconnect in a busy day with the One who graciously welcomes me back to His Word...now matter how exhausted and stumbled I arrive at the end of a long day. We are finding this new chapter of life to be full of goodness, amidst the focused attention we give to raising our toddler.<br />
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Natalie is doing really well. She is healthy and has only been to the ER once, had surgery once, and made multiple car payments for her doctors in medical bills, but hey--we're sharing the love!? She is talking <i>a lot </i>and mimicking almost anything we say or do which is super fun at times :) And the attachment that has built between Justin and I and Natalie is downright incredible. It has been amazing to watch how God is knitting us together. In His remarkable way, God has shepherded Natalie Degeme to open her heart to trust us as her parents and I cannot type the right words out here to express to you how thankful I am that she is <i>home</i> and <i>our daughter</i>.<br />
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This nest is filling, one child at a time, and we are delighting ourselves in how Jesus Christ is growing our family. Through the ups and downs of our first adoption, we know without a doubt we will be doing this again. We don't have details yet, but God is stirring within us the desire to multiple our love through adoption again. We are thrilled and know that in His timing, everything will fall into place! If you noticed at the top of the page that there are a couple of new page tabs, titled "Our Family Signs" and "Our Partners". We were given a beautiful Amharic family sign shortly after bringing Natalie home, and after much consideration and help from close friends, we decided to offer them to other adoptive families in the hopes that this will also be a way to help support our growing family. We're excited to see what God has planned!<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12093589459459734561noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6717625296301511386.post-51421725240037141722011-11-21T15:01:00.001-05:002011-11-21T15:03:10.307-05:00Our family of three :)We're together!! We are having such a great time learning our daughter, discovering our new roles as a mom and dad (both as parents and as husband and wife), and just soaking up all our time together with our friends here in Addis. We have been incredibly blessed to have traveled with some fantastic adoptive families who have become very special to us. We have also LOVED our time as a family of 3 with our Ethiopian brothers and sisters. Oh my goodness part of me just doesn't want that to end! If it weren't for the reality of Heaven, I might just get on the plane kicking and screaming ;) But honestly, there is an amazing family we are coming home to and we cannot wait to introduce our daughter to you all! <br />
<div><br />
</div><div>If we could describe this time here in Addis, I think bliss might fit it well. We have had such a sweet reunion with our daughter and her personality melts us both!!! We've also been broken in with the pee, poop and puke, so we're not totally oblivious to the reality of having an 11 month old. <i>For this child we prayed</i>, and as we begin to unwrap this little gift, we are seeing how God was very clearly preparing our hearts for this newness in life. From my transition from a wonderful career as an RN to my new role as a stay at home mom, to the numerous books and classes we took, to the advice and words of wisdom that came at just the right moments, we are loving every moment with her. Waking up in the morning and looking over at the pack n play FULL is the best feeling <3 Pinch me!</div><div><br />
</div><div>I know by this point every single last one of you reading this is here to see pictures (yep, been on your blogs for that same reason too!!), so here's what daily life with Natalie Degeme is lookin' like at "home" and with her nannies .... </div><div><br />
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</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12093589459459734561noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6717625296301511386.post-42808380763994851762011-11-15T00:23:00.000-05:002011-11-15T00:23:10.087-05:00So close you can almost taste that freshly roasted coffee<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD4Is9LUedlAxYAmiWSF3GUI1H1gX6R_e9qOlg_ImqfnTJK1fTHu9wuw9qPdhazJfTGQV-qJu5fSuJCIp4QnN2fNGHUBaUxIkwpsujd5YrPHFkAssVWVEZikdOVVVAthzxGwXlcg2ayQ-T/s1600/swiss-village-steeple-455x304.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD4Is9LUedlAxYAmiWSF3GUI1H1gX6R_e9qOlg_ImqfnTJK1fTHu9wuw9qPdhazJfTGQV-qJu5fSuJCIp4QnN2fNGHUBaUxIkwpsujd5YrPHFkAssVWVEZikdOVVVAthzxGwXlcg2ayQ-T/s320/swiss-village-steeple-455x304.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Its almost go time. I can't believe it. Degeme's bag is done. Our bag filled with clothing to donate is done. We have to pack ourselves tomorrow and then that'll be it. We'll drop Brie (our laid back black lab that we adore) off at my parent's place. We'll cross off the last few things on our list or just realize we didn't even need them on there in the first place. We'll attempt to get some sleep, and then in the wee hours of the morning, my husband's parents will graciously come load us up and drive us to the airport. I cannot believe we're really, really going to be on a plane and headed over to begin our family of 3. It's <b>amazing</b>. Sitting here on the couch in a quiet home, the dog is snoring and my husband is fast asleep upstairs while my mind runs a mile a minute. It's not even all important stuff, some of it's just random stuff. Exactly like that book <i>Men are like Waffles, Women are like Spaghetti</i>. I'm doing the spaghetti part like.a.pro. :)</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">We are really looking forward to this trip for so many reasons. One of them is because I have been so drawn to spend time at Korah. We met an remarkable man of God on our first trip. His name is Bisrat, and I long for each and every single one of you reading these words to hear his story. It will bring tears to your eyes. It has the power to change your life. He has lived in Korah and comes to serve us as our translator while we stay in Addis Ababa. Even more, he serves our souls. Watch this linked video below. Although it doesn't feature any of the friends we've met yet, it shares the story of Korah and of <a href="http://missionethiopia.com/home/">Mission Ethiopia</a> (an organization we'll hopefully get to visit). My goal is to simply show Love to every person I am priveldged to meet. One of the things Mission Ethiopia does is make necklaces. I brought one home in June and it is just beautiful. It's handmade, from the Earth, and it's character speaks to the woman's hands who made it. I absolutely love it and hope to be able to bring some home with us. (To watch the video, you can pause the music below if you scroll to the bottom of our blog)</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Finally, (I know you're thinking I ought to wrap it up about now)....there is a blogger woman named Jen Hatmaker. Some of you may be familiar with her name because she is well known among the adoptive community. Just this past week, Jen posted a fantastic message titled "How to be the Village". Please, please, please, take some time and read this. I found myself laughing out loud at her hilarious, but oh so true comments about the life families like Justin and I have chosen. Thank you for being our village!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Click here to read her blog: <a href="http://jenhatmaker.com/blog/2011/11/02/how-to-be-the-village#.TrH3-Z7PbLI.facebook">http://jenhatmaker.com/blog/2011/11/02/how-to-be-the-village#.TrH3-Z7PbLI.facebook</a></span><br />
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</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12093589459459734561noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6717625296301511386.post-90184327470225133842011-11-11T05:03:00.001-05:002011-11-11T06:01:29.135-05:00Red light....GREEN LIGHT!!!!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwuWk3dbfnc_CG1CCUJeR6qMq9khAfglN1ksqSUbM1yMo_UNSTie26Ai67buyIaBkOCW7N3L-6GlNHqoAOHAHeJgsnafF1Bz4xY6l1z87Gxe3zKU1IO6bYQp7GMvKYFkIgnbfzoNSMKzV3/s1600/Green-Light-732415.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwuWk3dbfnc_CG1CCUJeR6qMq9khAfglN1ksqSUbM1yMo_UNSTie26Ai67buyIaBkOCW7N3L-6GlNHqoAOHAHeJgsnafF1Bz4xY6l1z87Gxe3zKU1IO6bYQp7GMvKYFkIgnbfzoNSMKzV3/s320/Green-Light-732415.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Justin and I are <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">ecstatic</span>, <b>giggling</b>, <i>crying </i>and <i><b>praising </b></i>God at 2:21 in the morning: We received the news that our daughter's paperwork has been cleared by US Immigrations!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We'll await news from the US Embassy for a visa appointment and when we can travel (hoping next week!). Thank you, everyone, for the numerous times you've prayed, texted, called, encouraged and put a hand on our shoulders as we went through this long process! God is amazing! Thank you Jesus, for sustaining us and allowing us to experience Your heart's desire for adoption. To say we're overwhelmed is an understatement! </span><br />
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<blockquote class="tr_bq"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Baby girl: may your heart be filled with this life giving Joy that is from Christ alone. You have a forever family and we cannot wait to have you in our arms again!!!! I've waited since June 23 to say this: SEE YOU SOON!!!!!!!!!! We love you, xoxoxox!!!</span></blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2xOa3Yr6xbSMLQ61ZeFuEI1inlxTamE0qcE7EQ9VEu5UAMvZPce-yjDEdj3FTn4FEcHrbO7PYn40qTx2xHJ0ncNhC7o_f5Fi0iYKRnKjUQtUwunjtx74cKEOs2eTH4J9wYYRMpRsTyI_Q/s1600/DSC03958+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2xOa3Yr6xbSMLQ61ZeFuEI1inlxTamE0qcE7EQ9VEu5UAMvZPce-yjDEdj3FTn4FEcHrbO7PYn40qTx2xHJ0ncNhC7o_f5Fi0iYKRnKjUQtUwunjtx74cKEOs2eTH4J9wYYRMpRsTyI_Q/s320/DSC03958+%25282%2529.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><strong style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-weight: bold; line-height: 21px;">Psalm 9:1</strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #444444; line-height: 21px;"> “I will praise You, O LORD, with my whole heart; I will tell of all Your marvelous works.” </span></span></i>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12093589459459734561noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6717625296301511386.post-19708579623175717402011-11-08T20:56:00.000-05:002011-11-08T20:56:43.545-05:00"A good friend is a connection to life - a tie to the past, a road to the future, the key to sanity in a totally insane world. ~Lois WyseThis past weekend was a blast! Let me back up a bit and mention that from November 7-18, this home is full of hope and anticipation. A month ago, we were told that our daughter's paperwork was insufficient and would be forwarded to Nairobi, Kenya. At that time, they told us it would take 1 to 2 months for our file to travel the African terrain before anyone in Kenya looked at it. We were devastated (just read the post below and you'll have a fully picture of that). Then something amazing happened. In our sorrow, God revealed that <i>He would provide a nation</i>, a group of now 60+ families who would sadly receive the same email. Feel the same grief. Email the same dozens upon dozens of Senators, Congressmen, and many other government entities. And come together to support, guide and love one another. We formed a group and began "meeting" other AP mom's and dad's from many different agencies. We shared funny stories, scripture and virtual shoulders to hoist one another up as we waited. Then we learned that US Immigrations caught wind of the growing number of families stuck in this process and they decided to go to Ethiopia themselves. Files would be held and not sent to Kenya. Instead, Nairobi was moving into Addis. The dates: November 7th thru 18th. <br />
And so here we are. And boy is the anticipation building in our home. What we know is that US Immigrations will either review our family's file and state that we have cleared (oh was a JOY that would be!) or we will receive an email that says we are being investigated further by the Nairobi team. Regardless of the outcome, we are prepared to hear sometime before Thanksgiving. This is what has been communicated to us by multiple government entities and so we wait. Trying throughout the day to surrender any anxiety back to the God who restores, gives strength, and who allows me to come back time after time and soothes my soul best.<br />
In preparation for this week, a group of 5 of us "Waiting Momma's" went on a random adventure, drove/flew into Baltimore this past weekend, and shared 36 hours of wonderful, joyful time together! Random?? Totally! Worth it?? Absolutely! Some of us had meet in Ethiopia on our first trip to court, but all of us have formed an incredible community of support and friendship during this process. Here are a few pictures from our weekend of "therapy" :) It was a blast! Now we're ready to hear about our case and all the other waiting families!!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSJTBI402azxKkRmZW7nPYllGqHlV3xFmurA4jAKv5KQedqig0ymYVi-ikGyFyLlOt1dzpiKRjdY2TTpyMQiyk4fHvvsbcFRz3XeUES67N6iJz3uT1yL4ch9aHNU7CHFsobecSHL7UMcKE/s1600/IMG_7242.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSJTBI402azxKkRmZW7nPYllGqHlV3xFmurA4jAKv5KQedqig0ymYVi-ikGyFyLlOt1dzpiKRjdY2TTpyMQiyk4fHvvsbcFRz3XeUES67N6iJz3uT1yL4ch9aHNU7CHFsobecSHL7UMcKE/s320/IMG_7242.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12093589459459734561noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6717625296301511386.post-1529559964797125422011-10-20T12:52:00.000-04:002011-10-20T12:52:41.511-04:00Update on our delay<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">First and foremost, thank you all for the amazing ways you came along side Justin and I to encourage us two weeks ago. The first 24 hours were filled with tears, frustration and fear; yet over the first two days following that dreaded email and in the week and a half following, we have gained the deepest sense of community and confidence. Even greater, we have felt the Lord draw us in ever so close, and as we navigate this stage of the process, He is making it clearer than ever that we can confidently trust that He is bigger. We are not alone in this delay, we have connected with dozens of other families who daily are getting word that their case is being held as well. As the numbers add up, a community is birthed. It's amazing how so many people are rallying around this little community. You guys are awesome! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">On the adoption front....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The biggest development is that we received an email from Immigrations stating that they are coming in to help the U.S. Embassy in Addis and anticipate that we will hear something sooner than 2 months. (YES!) We have spoken with our agency several times and they continue to advocate and provided us with important information. We have also contacted people in Washington D.C. who have greater access and are signing on with us with passion to bring our daughter and all the other children home. With caution, we share our stories, and each day we learn that someone else is hearing about our experience and they are ready to help in big ways. These children are going to come home. We are so thankful for what these leaders are doing.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">On the mommy front....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It has been a humbling reminder to me that throughout this, I am not alone. I know that I realized that in my head, but my heart just wasn't getting that memo. Insert: incredible friends & family :) Let me just say, these girls have sent updated pictures of Natalie Degeme, come over, called, taken me out for girls nights out or just time with their families, sent notes, even gifts, all to say that they are here with us as we wait for Natalie to come home. They have let me cry, reminded me that its ok to feel frustrated and to want to do whatever it takes get this baby girl home. There have been some down right hilarious nights of laughter and fun, and it has been the most awesome time of growing closer to the women God has placed in my life. How important friendships are :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">During all of this, God is deepening my relationship with Him. He is amazing. He is honest in His Word. And He loves our daughter in a more profound way than I could ever experience. And He is showing me that all this love we have for our daughter, these plans, dreams and incredible longings we have for her.......those are what He has for us. As I drove through town, looking goofy to the drivers around me as I blared a new song from the duo Shane Bernard and Shane Everette, I began to sense that this song wasn't just written for a daughter from her dad, but for us daughters from their Dad. I love music [thanks Mom :)] and I couldn't wait to share it with Justin. These words are beautiful and I know that my dad had these words woven throughout my childhood as his little girl, and that my husband desires for our daughter to hear the same message... So listen to it, girl friend, and realize that this song is as much for you as it is for little Natalie. :) :) :) </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">GNO- photo scavenger hunt: try and squeez to fit us all in something....</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">GNO--everyone has to drink from the same glass</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Yslp70hW7lCRLvRx3zZ-Yd9H6LqsLWDAqjMZTbaQTGYDWiVJsDVaQU1WGc_3szKLpMBMuv7e_mLhMwf6SNYrH-vyaKTBawNMrJP-tz7JXZWudzHoaSpi4ARzGF_Gg7Z2EFG8gmduZX5D/s1600/IMG_4031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Yslp70hW7lCRLvRx3zZ-Yd9H6LqsLWDAqjMZTbaQTGYDWiVJsDVaQU1WGc_3szKLpMBMuv7e_mLhMwf6SNYrH-vyaKTBawNMrJP-tz7JXZWudzHoaSpi4ARzGF_Gg7Z2EFG8gmduZX5D/s320/IMG_4031.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She's growing so fast!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijH9xy0fsNKMe7wjf9YXjuWoWGRsDDf0rKJJvqWJNRWCIYImFBkTEoX4FRu7NiRuJRRsWPEkccK791oOoQXSpVGNPmKwVe3gxHGcziOH5OfrV9m2R1ZUUhFZ2mfM3JKuBOEaUNw4f09CVJ/s1600/IMG_4032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijH9xy0fsNKMe7wjf9YXjuWoWGRsDDf0rKJJvqWJNRWCIYImFBkTEoX4FRu7NiRuJRRsWPEkccK791oOoQXSpVGNPmKwVe3gxHGcziOH5OfrV9m2R1ZUUhFZ2mfM3JKuBOEaUNw4f09CVJ/s320/IMG_4032.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We love our daughter and can't wait to see this little face again!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja1H2Dpv9SqQJ-FpqzxkMOHxDEikzB6HA39FNG73cslIwzXLt-mxTAPtgQhE5uyX58z4Hpq800hw51D9MTXuZ4XJVUIrtPNB6aoLMRRMRzpFhJyE1L2Tk5_zaCcVvgRtGHelTqQ4Pw0qFQ/s1600/IMG_4039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja1H2Dpv9SqQJ-FpqzxkMOHxDEikzB6HA39FNG73cslIwzXLt-mxTAPtgQhE5uyX58z4Hpq800hw51D9MTXuZ4XJVUIrtPNB6aoLMRRMRzpFhJyE1L2Tk5_zaCcVvgRtGHelTqQ4Pw0qFQ/s320/IMG_4039.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Playing with a special little guy who will be a forever friend. She's fascinated by his picture book that his mommy and daddy sent him....and even tried to take it from him!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGSnGjeI52zpJhV2ZDv08hd_bbP60n2iwJCFBDv8DhIYIcnqwKscFwer4wBH-P0XDMvgm3AOMHBWz2VIoA_bOUVRbF4GhBKMNjAQ9cpUt-356TBc-21fBIMa3AO5aDBnKYCwYqWj3xo4sj/s1600/17_19.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGSnGjeI52zpJhV2ZDv08hd_bbP60n2iwJCFBDv8DhIYIcnqwKscFwer4wBH-P0XDMvgm3AOMHBWz2VIoA_bOUVRbF4GhBKMNjAQ9cpUt-356TBc-21fBIMa3AO5aDBnKYCwYqWj3xo4sj/s320/17_19.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My dad and I on my wedding day. I love this picture :) </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKlg3BfvQL7jM6MrnmFcB1hjTAJ1x_4GSczxA30o94jLujGCJtu6hYHKphstmBiRNDwGapc4p1m7S1Wo4Eq4Eu1wZQFw21TaLqcbSD1kkQcZZiXGebvkkFsG2v9liDqIciAUdjhe27tCue/s1600/IMG_5427.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKlg3BfvQL7jM6MrnmFcB1hjTAJ1x_4GSczxA30o94jLujGCJtu6hYHKphstmBiRNDwGapc4p1m7S1Wo4Eq4Eu1wZQFw21TaLqcbSD1kkQcZZiXGebvkkFsG2v9liDqIciAUdjhe27tCue/s320/IMG_5427.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The most beautiful picture of our daughter and her daddy.</td></tr>
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</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12093589459459734561noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6717625296301511386.post-85807835390503185912011-10-07T07:16:00.000-04:002011-10-07T07:16:27.184-04:00I wish we didn't have to write this...<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Below is an email that was sent out to our family and friends. We felt the need to share it our our blog because we know just how incredibly supportive people have been through this whole proces. Thank you for coming besides us, every step of the way. We believe Degeme will be home in God's timing....</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Dear Family & Friends,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">This morning Justin and I received some very difficult news that we feel we need to update you on. Our case has been determind as having insufficient evidence to allow us to bring our Degeme home at this time. [Please do not ask us to go into details. Thank you for respecting our family's and our daughter's privacy with this.] We have learned that the US Embassy is now forwarding our case to another government entity and we were told that, in about 1-2 months they will notify us that our case has been reviewed and what additional paperwork they want. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">We have no idea what this all means. We don't know why our government is making this so difficult, however we recognize that this battle to bring her home goes beyond men's hands. God is true to His word, and we are reminded that He is in controll of all the uncontrollables in our lives. Hopefully, this morning we will be able to talk with our agency to gain a better understanding of what comes next. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Right now, we ask that you would be covering our family in prayer. Please, understand that we appriciate your concern, but it has become incredibly weary to explain what is happening over and over or going into specific details. We know you care, but we need you to support us without all the details. Believe us that we will update you as we feel we can--we very much appriciate your encouragement and prayers. It's the fuel that keeps us going. Thank you for coming alongside us each step of this process. We see God in the details of this network of support He has given us. He is unmistakable. We have amazing family, friends, dear freinds in Ethiopia and a new extended family of other adoptive parents whom we could not do this without. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">We have dedicated ourselves to His calling to build our family through adoption and we love this little girl beyond words. Thanks for taking the time to pray for our little family.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Because of Christ,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Kati & Justin</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12093589459459734561noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6717625296301511386.post-61634638819567431852011-09-21T10:46:00.000-04:002011-09-21T10:46:07.819-04:00Pinterst is my one of my happy places!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">If you haven't checked out <a href="http://pinterest.com/">Pinterest </a>yet, break yourself away from this post and go have fun! This website has become a great outlet for me to gather up ideas and put my mind to work on getting crafty! It's a place to put all your "favorites" into one place, that you can <i>visually </i>keep organized. I just love it! </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Want to be inspired by a quote? See it on Pinterest. Want to know how to make a wreath for the season? Find it on Pinterest. Need inspiration in the kitchen or taking a meal to a friend? Check out Pinterest. Need vacation to a beautiful place, but not able to hop on a plane? You'll be able to get away on Pinterest. Over the past month of discovering this website, I've been spending lots more time in the Mom Cave :) VERY best thing about it is that I am finding ways to <b>use what we have</b> around the house and/or finding things that are <b>free </b>on Craigslist <strike>or in the trash</strike> [enter a former post] or <b>spending very little</b> to create some great stuff! Using my passions and being mindful of our budget are two things that equal success. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Here's my how-to from yesterday's Pinterest :</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Salted Caramel Chocolate Cupcakes</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">inspired from this picture:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img alt="salted caramel frosting" src="http://d30opm7hsgivgh.cloudfront.net/upload/214758018_0ZoQo5LZ_b.jpg" /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">That's homemade Salted Caramel Frosting...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">So then I got to thinking, "I really like that. It sounds like a drink at Starbucks. Starbucks is an expensive habit. Wonder how I could make something like that at home?" So I got on Google and wah-lah, look what came up:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://d30opm7hsgivgh.cloudfront.net/upload/214291789_3Nmcs4t5_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://d30opm7hsgivgh.cloudfront.net/upload/214291789_3Nmcs4t5_c.jpg" /></a></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Without hesitation I began looking through our pantry, and luckily we had all but 2 of the ingredients. Score! All credit goes to the talented baker Kate over at <a href="http://grinandbakeit.com/salted-caramel-chocolate-cupcakes-proof-that-opposites-do-attract">Grin and Bake It</a>--she has got some delicious ideas! Here's how my cooking went :)...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguZ_EEardGALHy5YJkijCPOBNY92lpQAl2QP2UIU-M9uyeaSmU-2DYFpSUTlWgWThSZ6t-n1B1zETk75mDo1NBaz4RnxMskS6QKSoj9f2AvgmDtMV55rGEeuY4Nfjda8ycju5397YobO8h/s1600/IMG_6857.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguZ_EEardGALHy5YJkijCPOBNY92lpQAl2QP2UIU-M9uyeaSmU-2DYFpSUTlWgWThSZ6t-n1B1zETk75mDo1NBaz4RnxMskS6QKSoj9f2AvgmDtMV55rGEeuY4Nfjda8ycju5397YobO8h/s320/IMG_6857.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gathering up and taking inventory.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbk2HnSl70BCxRIHVWz5kLTp404wrhlZpQW4v85h0IF6Ubfi9OZnjuDdbb7nkhYX2qBFfMrQyk4VYlWzNpQ24RcN506lpztxDrkj0KEa5nd5ApwpsxXg-9JWrZUZQZeUG3D5puyCmHVuip/s1600/IMG_6860.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbk2HnSl70BCxRIHVWz5kLTp404wrhlZpQW4v85h0IF6Ubfi9OZnjuDdbb7nkhYX2qBFfMrQyk4VYlWzNpQ24RcN506lpztxDrkj0KEa5nd5ApwpsxXg-9JWrZUZQZeUG3D5puyCmHVuip/s320/IMG_6860.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Used Chatfield Coco Powder from Mustard Seed Market</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSKqbMC39P5-ZcgYLYa8QNamh07GRqewneAKameNny9gF0PnwglBJJoOau_ow0CAHI1GF3k1qdKk3FXuPF6nI9JOajEibIk-c5FsTKVAkDF0-UZ9zuCCS0rYhmjuatFuIwJWQIWOevYvPx/s320/IMG_6862.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="198" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">French pressed Godiva coffee...that just so happened to be on sale last week, so I got it for my man....and then the recipe called for it. Sweet :)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSKqbMC39P5-ZcgYLYa8QNamh07GRqewneAKameNny9gF0PnwglBJJoOau_ow0CAHI1GF3k1qdKk3FXuPF6nI9JOajEibIk-c5FsTKVAkDF0-UZ9zuCCS0rYhmjuatFuIwJWQIWOevYvPx/s1600/IMG_6862.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhePp0tiYTBK0yqdlRTA_BCPECWsrxskd9QdZMe9YphjWVJ8iosU2fUKOhntsdBrnJY4ZHqcR4rF6zl0AlXGw-b0Lk_WtKdty25FuaZNdhJP-mujetWjJw7KSui-r4mioPa4dn3czshyphenhyphenPvu/s1600/IMG_6863.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhePp0tiYTBK0yqdlRTA_BCPECWsrxskd9QdZMe9YphjWVJ8iosU2fUKOhntsdBrnJY4ZHqcR4rF6zl0AlXGw-b0Lk_WtKdty25FuaZNdhJP-mujetWjJw7KSui-r4mioPa4dn3czshyphenhyphenPvu/s320/IMG_6863.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">mixing things up.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ2aFhMJ2cMOtysuACHewCaJkZBD5hDWflmQWrsQHJd-WJPulfvOge64gcHmTivWic01bJOQc2R9Tn3nD0moFpYenCkBrvYTEZmU7n4wJfrHOZlo1nGGdalOnaj7HlwFVBT5O4HOOw0PlY/s1600/IMG_6865.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ2aFhMJ2cMOtysuACHewCaJkZBD5hDWflmQWrsQHJd-WJPulfvOge64gcHmTivWic01bJOQc2R9Tn3nD0moFpYenCkBrvYTEZmU7n4wJfrHOZlo1nGGdalOnaj7HlwFVBT5O4HOOw0PlY/s320/IMG_6865.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">use a wooden spoon</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKuWZ9JbAGharhh6cL9BkL4oaxkurESaWDEFbGbbZ3wAVSDQiukOaeLwfsCf2KlQerZLJOH8wmqij0U_YKtOrosVd0wFnlEHZWPIThha0YjWSXEzLVPTO9foMcIj2fVgyIExxTbeo7v6w7/s1600/IMG_6866.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKuWZ9JbAGharhh6cL9BkL4oaxkurESaWDEFbGbbZ3wAVSDQiukOaeLwfsCf2KlQerZLJOH8wmqij0U_YKtOrosVd0wFnlEHZWPIThha0YjWSXEzLVPTO9foMcIj2fVgyIExxTbeo7v6w7/s320/IMG_6866.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">my secret must have---makes measuring for cookies, cupcakes, muffins, etc a breeze</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8FGRwhx0z_J1drbimAlMWnFZbpbiE_ky0NMq-8Pct5A6wrWDjGFYSohjlynXZV-E1m4fR31ytBDZv8kaOaH7uKozMd79HKneZGfyaQhbj8tKiZihcv884aAloqJ725IvsQ2o2wSi2GSXD/s1600/IMG_6870.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8FGRwhx0z_J1drbimAlMWnFZbpbiE_ky0NMq-8Pct5A6wrWDjGFYSohjlynXZV-E1m4fR31ytBDZv8kaOaH7uKozMd79HKneZGfyaQhbj8tKiZihcv884aAloqJ725IvsQ2o2wSi2GSXD/s320/IMG_6870.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the batter was already a little thin, adding the coffee got me doubting...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhruI5kIip3fDYKIdmxcI8oaeFBDUNwWlGb0K4Rlq2-FP47TtYs73H0bn1NdOcVrEMGkM4Gy9GPDv-kF9u8xoOUCObbRAgxCZeoAGfrpNw_YhfPR74z-6Y60SJ4RFQbwIRVDzUU2Qcyvqsj/s1600/IMG_6872.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhruI5kIip3fDYKIdmxcI8oaeFBDUNwWlGb0K4Rlq2-FP47TtYs73H0bn1NdOcVrEMGkM4Gy9GPDv-kF9u8xoOUCObbRAgxCZeoAGfrpNw_YhfPR74z-6Y60SJ4RFQbwIRVDzUU2Qcyvqsj/s320/IMG_6872.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Happy to have nonstick.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxWNTDjfEqQ5uYfC7Z0QrRLctX9zRuirk32bisoLwLRHsnCdGLca5ifYT5cTCn2vQjXIHDRGUxpfp8S2jekmlRt8Ux71JqwI04anRdMtA57wNKQ_FKPbEhI1uHeGZdsrxTVBlzwXtPmBV9/s1600/IMG_6877.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxWNTDjfEqQ5uYfC7Z0QrRLctX9zRuirk32bisoLwLRHsnCdGLca5ifYT5cTCn2vQjXIHDRGUxpfp8S2jekmlRt8Ux71JqwI04anRdMtA57wNKQ_FKPbEhI1uHeGZdsrxTVBlzwXtPmBV9/s320/IMG_6877.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"wow, they set up just right!"</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvKxfIcSXCbFxwzmqrD1yD28ttCzJ-Il5iweYu0QNCNJpSfEuui6svjSzdDlttX2uh0cpl5zmfT2t2dwHk4l3ieLoZZ6gRkY4fbTGZZyIrAdGHUFYpID4M0_ESufTgIuv4F0xCuC1wEv4l/s1600/IMG_6893.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvKxfIcSXCbFxwzmqrD1yD28ttCzJ-Il5iweYu0QNCNJpSfEuui6svjSzdDlttX2uh0cpl5zmfT2t2dwHk4l3ieLoZZ6gRkY4fbTGZZyIrAdGHUFYpID4M0_ESufTgIuv4F0xCuC1wEv4l/s320/IMG_6893.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">lets cool off.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivqvXeDDG0h0Q05Luuq3sWv_tyGmYn_bzNqRx8m-iJ3d4j7hqdkFzXFZsr9xbgYS251HqZqIsvSnMQzonvCRdIxJ-KCiQMMLCwtRCe9Htr0-_G5wxZg7c23ZT2hrWue4yQLbwnBoJngNCe/s1600/IMG_6879.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivqvXeDDG0h0Q05Luuq3sWv_tyGmYn_bzNqRx8m-iJ3d4j7hqdkFzXFZsr9xbgYS251HqZqIsvSnMQzonvCRdIxJ-KCiQMMLCwtRCe9Htr0-_G5wxZg7c23ZT2hrWue4yQLbwnBoJngNCe/s320/IMG_6879.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">meanwhile, make the homemade caramel. don't worry, you totally have this girlfriend! briefly stir the sugar and water together...and then let.it.be.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitW1tipLucEp_xfeFvs0yoVmjkm_QLLWcXPljWYN2LWi9K1L12noPznPtQRBUOjrfbQqJLT0tPlYn7Yc25RKp-mRxCyWRWHELKfhyXghyphenhyphengfInMdso_VCEC9x427tUu6tdfPyLUYTziHdVR/s1600/IMG_6884.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitW1tipLucEp_xfeFvs0yoVmjkm_QLLWcXPljWYN2LWi9K1L12noPznPtQRBUOjrfbQqJLT0tPlYn7Yc25RKp-mRxCyWRWHELKfhyXghyphenhyphengfInMdso_VCEC9x427tUu6tdfPyLUYTziHdVR/s320/IMG_6884.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">it starts to bubble....and then after about 5 minutes on medium-high heat it starts to loose the bright white color</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi28PW-KRXU_clJ31lMuDtD450_hyphenhypheni9NFcax1FKLAl2lkztMsBNC8YMdRRcUlU5EUE_1J4vEoT9Zal7SeazCVZm4awqy2_WwCyMwS4rHNvFv0tlmE617Lc3QmjhiTp9t1Z_iEGPbUx8_NAc/s1600/IMG_6886.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi28PW-KRXU_clJ31lMuDtD450_hyphenhypheni9NFcax1FKLAl2lkztMsBNC8YMdRRcUlU5EUE_1J4vEoT9Zal7SeazCVZm4awqy2_WwCyMwS4rHNvFv0tlmE617Lc3QmjhiTp9t1Z_iEGPbUx8_NAc/s320/IMG_6886.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ooh here comes some caramel color!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzoi0YX6nmyt_MHyhU6VLpstZ7YZrqlzTDb3BdxEsxxw6sj0bSpqfkfkcQ_lNT-9jtWzHcAJPU2AdVQtfYMnmqQSng7UyQwS9zACz9a4wa8MaTE-7PFgz2iHPdj4eBAgBhK-XkqGL7m8h-/s1600/IMG_6888.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzoi0YX6nmyt_MHyhU6VLpstZ7YZrqlzTDb3BdxEsxxw6sj0bSpqfkfkcQ_lNT-9jtWzHcAJPU2AdVQtfYMnmqQSng7UyQwS9zACz9a4wa8MaTE-7PFgz2iHPdj4eBAgBhK-XkqGL7m8h-/s320/IMG_6888.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">look--it totally turned out :) remember: do not stir while it's on the flames.<br />
<br />
<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijcevQduHWf91w9NB5IhmssL2-FbekVwxZIDk3Cef6J6W3p8vxTga-OSCIaQWTGrAWlmPmmuBYrOG6T_1viqSP_IH6qMa7NBGs5I1IYmRyksSvzB0bdp8L87mtmyNx7fp9mHLLOH1-J1W7/s320/IMG_6882.JPG" /></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">I put the cream and the vanilla together in a measuring cup and then spoon-by-spoon slowly added it to the hot caramel while stirring frequently.</span></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsuGoaUnGhCsOvAPqn0q4ZNAj0S10nMwU-u_-ujgRTWykBVUZBvvuSJ6oH5q1etIoMVf5ncEsm0AxAziFs1BWfjSzsflSih8YshBDaANK4bmtPf-XuMJqjKgoZs-7xjAWzATREbKDCqWN2/s1600/IMG_6895.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsuGoaUnGhCsOvAPqn0q4ZNAj0S10nMwU-u_-ujgRTWykBVUZBvvuSJ6oH5q1etIoMVf5ncEsm0AxAziFs1BWfjSzsflSih8YshBDaANK4bmtPf-XuMJqjKgoZs-7xjAWzATREbKDCqWN2/s320/IMG_6895.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">pouring the cooled off caramel into the butter cream frosting</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYaOqlMb0BqQUsLBtgQZWYg0gc0OObBBGDB0fIrdK2ESCCNmyW2isDWlfgeQYWY2JjHaIwrTbOYjZyoqxT0m7q2j5AyGFix8JJMLP0Pm5BiOAAfLlspLdADCIAwJSzZDdr-32XlxAnCdbP/s1600/IMG_6917.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYaOqlMb0BqQUsLBtgQZWYg0gc0OObBBGDB0fIrdK2ESCCNmyW2isDWlfgeQYWY2JjHaIwrTbOYjZyoqxT0m7q2j5AyGFix8JJMLP0Pm5BiOAAfLlspLdADCIAwJSzZDdr-32XlxAnCdbP/s320/IMG_6917.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">this smell really good!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_C0nin326kNStpSZHwMlZHcOoDUy7T2bct99lTR_z3Zz757MvGR0a-1Tj3-xiCYpZ7GHkJd3LPaZ-GukFnh-rhB-JMiuXoVMjteeQEF3ffqTWOPETmrOQu8FjwDyB3BQCsd6jbRS48BOx/s1600/IMG_6919.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_C0nin326kNStpSZHwMlZHcOoDUy7T2bct99lTR_z3Zz757MvGR0a-1Tj3-xiCYpZ7GHkJd3LPaZ-GukFnh-rhB-JMiuXoVMjteeQEF3ffqTWOPETmrOQu8FjwDyB3BQCsd6jbRS48BOx/s320/IMG_6919.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">used a piping bag, snipped off the tip, inserted #5, and with the help from Kristin at <a href="http://decoratethis.blogspot.com/2011/03/cupcake-decorating-tutorial.html">Decorate This</a> I was able to create...</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGS6loQ3x8Zd7jqKrizLvbn7vRq6qq1Cz_7W5iuorpk6qZxfiw6uLK2VkZtEd2tblCN5j56kgxQTw9tHhBkx2Z8CFLafdjGPqUgzZTsbGABu6Fo1_a8NZIuyQSK4MNjCVirCalc26g3QUC/s1600/IMG_6930.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="313" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGS6loQ3x8Zd7jqKrizLvbn7vRq6qq1Cz_7W5iuorpk6qZxfiw6uLK2VkZtEd2tblCN5j56kgxQTw9tHhBkx2Z8CFLafdjGPqUgzZTsbGABu6Fo1_a8NZIuyQSK4MNjCVirCalc26g3QUC/s320/IMG_6930.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">topped off with gold colored sugar crystals from JoAnn's. </td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> So that's it! Tonight is <i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">Girls Night</span></i>, and I think I'll top these cute cupcakes with some drizzled caramel deliciousness. Now, go find your apron, spatula, turn on some great music, and get baking!! I'm always inspired by others, so share your fun baking too :)</span><br />
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</span></div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12093589459459734561noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6717625296301511386.post-55640452772247949242011-09-17T22:12:00.001-04:002011-09-18T05:47:00.583-04:00Happy 9 Month Birthday!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkxWZK8ukQcZMhx7Ot4mQDiaWqirvxFn8aQyrZEiqj0a0cYbRc3iwst8EftgDUn1cxUa39WHwXrD0P4MdRNw8VNhzL0tucUfYYMHaInPoXF9PUbXD-cdEcaHeiecyVilS6Z9XW2XuByBvy/s1600/IMG_6268.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkxWZK8ukQcZMhx7Ot4mQDiaWqirvxFn8aQyrZEiqj0a0cYbRc3iwst8EftgDUn1cxUa39WHwXrD0P4MdRNw8VNhzL0tucUfYYMHaInPoXF9PUbXD-cdEcaHeiecyVilS6Z9XW2XuByBvy/s320/IMG_6268.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Natalie Degeme,<br />
<br />
Beautiful Baby Girl, we love you dearly! Today you turn 9 months old and we are amazing blessed by your precious life! From 7280 miles away we're celebrating <u>you</u>!! It is awesome to see your personality coming through in the picture updates we get. We cannot wait to hold you in your arms and love on you like we're so ready to! God has made you in such a special way, there is no other girl like you and you have a way of warming people's hearts even at nine months old! We miss you and can't wait to celebrate with you home!! See you soon!<br />
<br />
Love,<br />
Daddy and Mommy<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>xoxoxoAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12093589459459734561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6717625296301511386.post-34004982984853654122011-09-15T09:53:00.000-04:002011-09-15T09:53:49.095-04:00Word from the U.S. Embassy <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a 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" 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</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Well, we are finally in the last stages of this adoption! We have heard back from the U.S. Embassy in Ethiopia and they are, consistent to their new practice, requesting more paperwork on Natalie's case. As frustrating as this was to read, we have finally come to a place where we can see the whole picture. Yes, it really is difficult to swallow any more "waiting"; this has been one of the toughest moments yet. However, as we've wept, argued, stressed, and felt numb, in the midst of it, our Savior has drawn us into His truth. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://therealkenpatterson.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/mustard-seed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://therealkenpatterson.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/mustard-seed.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In the Bible, Jesus tells me that there will be moments when my ability to trust will look like this. He goes on to tell me that when I focus my attention on what He can do, growth will happen, my faith will come forth and my roots will deepen. That is what happens when you plant yourself in the most nourishing of soils, when you surround yourself with all things pure. So, as Tuesday's news came and went, wouldn't you believe that He never lets go? As my morning began and my heart sank so deeply as I read the email that we'd need to wait even longer for Degeme to be back in our arms, God didn't give up on me. As I spoke with our agency, and our caseworker confirmed that there really is no finite deadline, but that it won't be too long, God let me weep and he held me close. I called my husband and he listened, he supported, and he allowed me to vent. How blessed I am to have his friendship a midst the deep love we have for one another. I am so thankful that I have Justin as my partner, that he's right there beside me, that he leads with a purpose that is based on who he is as a man of God. We are a team. Then God used a blog post by a women I dearly admire, named Pasty Clairmont, to remind me of who I am called to be. May I suggest you check it out <a href="http://patsyclairmontblog.com/listen-in/">here</a>. I trust her, even greater, I trust Him, and it was clear as an autumn sky that I needed to read those words and allow them to penetrate down to the aching. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As the day turned into noon, and noon turned into night, I picked up my purse, grabbed the keys and headed out to spend an evening with girlfriends. It was my first Moms Together event at our church, since you know, I <i>am a mom</i> :), and that night was set aside for being creative with other women. I had, with giddiness, reluctantly signed up for this 2 weeks ago wondering, hoping, that I wouldn't make it because we'd be on the other side of the globe. I'm so glad I didn't back down. That I didn't completely put life on hold. As my close girlfriend pointed out, I truly needed that night to <u>relinquish my stress</u>. To focus on something new, and being that I absolutely love to create, it's as though this night was my parachute from a fearful fall. God caught wind of my decent and allowed me to slowly, gently, come down and admire all that was beautiful and good around me. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So, with a room full of women, we created. We got our craft on. And we laughed. Oh how good that was! Our front door now has a beautiful new wreath to welcome this new season of fall. I even learned how to make those neat tissue paper balls that are everywhere these days. It was delightful and I realized, <i>Kati, its just a matter of a few weeks before you enter this new chapter of life.</i> It won't be long. I can endure it. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">On the ride home late that night, two songs came on the radio that sealed the deal for me. This is what I drove home and heard... </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/yNkdzdttw5Y" width="560"></iframe></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
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</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He uses his people to comfort his people. How true is that! This adoption is it's own unique labor of love. My daughter has grown in my heart and continues to. In a matter of weeks, maybe a little longer, my incredible husband and I will fly together and find ourselves at the beginning of forever with her. We can't wait. But we will patiently wait :) We are so close to the finish line and this is where we get our second wind. We regroup. We hear the support from the sidelines and we give our very best for the last sprint. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This has been in the works since that brisk Saturday in January, 2010 when we stepped out, trusted, and believed without turning back that our family was going to grow through adoption. We chased and chased paperwork, we got parking tickets for being 25 cents too late on meters, we received the most wonderful congratulations for postal workers, bankers, strangers in the airport, cherished friends, family and coworkers. We introduced ourselves to Injera, Tibs, and freshly roasted coffee. And we did this all with the knowledge that our first born was coming home. We know....it'll be just a little bit longer.... :)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12093589459459734561noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6717625296301511386.post-21965349166667460232011-09-07T23:37:00.000-04:002011-09-07T23:37:17.517-04:00Natalie's Nursery!The room is ready, the clothes have been washed, books have been explored and the suitcase is filled for our little beauty. Our daughter's nursery was done with a lot of frugality and patience. My dear husband allowed me to really run with ideas, but it was neat because he had his input to add and together I think we've created a space that is soothing and ready for many memories to be made. Enjoy the pictures. I'm hoping to add this to <a href="http://projectnursery.com/">Project Nursery</a> where I got oh so many inspirations for this room! I'll be able to tag what we've gotten and do a whole lot more. But, it's late, and I'm just excited to share :) <div><br />
</div><div>Oh, one more thing. I went dumpster diving today and it was AWESOME! Totally not ashamed of it...ok so maybe there was a moment of bashfulness when the <b>homeowner walked up with her dog</b> to ask if she could <i>"help"</i> me...I responded, "may I <i>please </i>take these cornices from your trash??". (Mom always instilled <i>please </i>and<i> thank you</i> in us kids :) ). She looked at me sorta puzzled [guess this is a little odd in suburbia...but I've still got my roots from our days in Cleveland Heights--no shame lady], and then preceded to explain how to hang them and <i>apologized </i>for how dusty they were. Ha! Bless your heart. Maybe I'll take Natalie on a walk some time and thank her for this treasure. They turned out great and add something cute to the wood blinds.</div><div><br />
</div><div>Anyway, this may sound silly, but I'm a new mom and I don't know better yet: I am eager to have those 2am moments with our daughter, even if it involves awful smelling human waste..... It won't be much longer :)</div><div><br />
</div><div>Without further ado....here's the transformation of room in house and how it became our daughter's space...</div><div><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;">BEFORE</span></u></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwXiiK_sxd6BYuNeSMNUteVsJ8eOFWTUoJifv3xnJ0Nai3WlLWQYoX5TsLdkkZyPMlcZNwCQ5cXobELBBwx7ccDQ55VNps3jd9646-9xjY0kUBy2j9Em9KD3vCXlpQI2uSHyvYNBmrBgUh/s1600/100_6019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwXiiK_sxd6BYuNeSMNUteVsJ8eOFWTUoJifv3xnJ0Nai3WlLWQYoX5TsLdkkZyPMlcZNwCQ5cXobELBBwx7ccDQ55VNps3jd9646-9xjY0kUBy2j9Em9KD3vCXlpQI2uSHyvYNBmrBgUh/s320/100_6019.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We love this space and are so appreciative to my in laws for helping me learn how to wall paper--yes WALLPAPER!! Thanks guys! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12093589459459734561noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6717625296301511386.post-46114770523812803462011-09-06T19:32:00.000-04:002011-09-06T19:32:20.994-04:00Blessed by the lensLook who showed up in my in box this morning (via my dear friend Allyson and her husband who are there in ET bringing their son home).....<br />
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These pictures are just what this waiting mommy and daddy needed!!!!!! Thank you so much you guys! Natalie Degeme, you are cherished, you are special, and we love you so very much! Cannot wait to have you in our arms!! It won't be much longer!<br />
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Please stay tuned, the <strike>adoption anxiety </strike>writers block has lifted have lifted and I am ready to post some great summer updates on what we've been doing these past couple of months.:)<br />
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To bring every one up to date, we're currently waiting to hear back from the U. S. Embassy in Addis Ababa. (This is the last stage before we return to Ethiopia!!) They have our family's paperwork and we are awaiting to hear back from them in regards to <i>if</i> there is extra information they want on mom & dad, or baby girl. What we long to hear is, <i>we have what we need, your case is complete, come get your daughter!! </i>We have an incredible network of family and friends praying us through this. There are people out there who are having faith in our footprints when it seems like we're weak and loosing sight of the end that is very near. Thank you to everyone--we love that Jesus gives us community like you!!!!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12093589459459734561noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6717625296301511386.post-72343002689147691532011-08-10T16:02:00.000-04:002011-08-10T16:02:28.744-04:00Picture PerfectWe got a few new pictures from two different families who recently went to Ethiopia--one bringing home their precious son and the other meeting their beautify baby girl fro the first time. It was awesome to get their emails and updates on Natalie, CHI and what's happening in Addis. Right now it's the rainy season in the capital of Ethiopia, so many people focus in on doing projects in doors. Keeping with this seasonal tradition, the painting was done by some families and Natalie is now in a cute, freshly painted and decorated room! Lucky girl :) Looks like they had a lot of fun, check out this link (<a href="http://www.blog.helpanorphan.org/">http://www.blog.helpanorphan.org/</a>) if you want to see more. Have a great Wednesday.<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12093589459459734561noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6717625296301511386.post-29925068813351105862011-08-04T20:02:00.000-04:002011-08-04T20:02:23.403-04:00We're Hers!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The phone call came last week and what a <i>relief </i>and INCREDIBLE <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">JOY </span></b>it was to hear "she's yours!!!! Friends & family, we can finally share our beautiful little girl with you because we have officially passed court, and are legally the parents of...</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>Natalie Degeme Foster</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">(I know I already let it be known on Facebook right away, oh well, we couldn't wait!). So without further ado, Justin and I are <b><i>thrilled </i></b>to introduce you to our adorable little girl. She is incredible and one of the <b>biggest gifts</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> from God. That He would set us aside to be her parents, and her, our first born. We're overwhelmed and abundantly blessed! Look what Love can do....</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Natalie</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Her chosen name, meaning "Gift from God" and "born on Christmas Day"</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Degeme</span><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Her given name. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Kembati, an African tribal language, meaning "be famous"</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEzoQ108f7X2f1KfHyuNPI0eYO9pFe0Yf5l21l7yk6VQOb8cO01ZafdymNSynd4etUHV5-HIJzMw45Bh3Zol44Lr2IaOPTMImTQHt7MXcFkcTBbUbqkuKZ_Foebe2g1m1aUCJ56UKb7wWY/s1600/Degeme+Simon+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEzoQ108f7X2f1KfHyuNPI0eYO9pFe0Yf5l21l7yk6VQOb8cO01ZafdymNSynd4etUHV5-HIJzMw45Bh3Zol44Lr2IaOPTMImTQHt7MXcFkcTBbUbqkuKZ_Foebe2g1m1aUCJ56UKb7wWY/s320/Degeme+Simon+1.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The first time we laid eyes on you!! Our little girl at 3 1/2 months old!</td></tr>
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</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>Updates along the way help us watch you grow from miles away! It is so good to have adoptive family friends who get the "wait" and bring you gifts of new pictures!! Here she is during the weeks before we met her...</b></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxaKvCcR-j3XduUu-gjkjB_zmrjC3GYX2hB2a6ksUAyDjdQ90ou7PQjOCNEoKO7ptBmBwOST5MtMUAegkipaGqfd_dT2kWsWksi46mLUcNYXpUQsuyn6JGZAjC0-m0AGiDBkYOL2sXZVn9/s1600/100_3457.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxaKvCcR-j3XduUu-gjkjB_zmrjC3GYX2hB2a6ksUAyDjdQ90ou7PQjOCNEoKO7ptBmBwOST5MtMUAegkipaGqfd_dT2kWsWksi46mLUcNYXpUQsuyn6JGZAjC0-m0AGiDBkYOL2sXZVn9/s320/100_3457.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">4 months old</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCtHd62qwn9hgWWBIsU6o0VcstjedCk7UBwufIDWQfBChIPBi6ZS-Gz7Tu9GgqyRqGmOwzP-S54A-_oyz8hp10J7H5avjEXQCHEXg9_lQZwxvC4XchM5X3WEeN9boacRBzCHQuyuWVzHYo/s1600/IMG_1901.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCtHd62qwn9hgWWBIsU6o0VcstjedCk7UBwufIDWQfBChIPBi6ZS-Gz7Tu9GgqyRqGmOwzP-S54A-_oyz8hp10J7H5avjEXQCHEXg9_lQZwxvC4XchM5X3WEeN9boacRBzCHQuyuWVzHYo/s320/IMG_1901.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Very thankful that these women follow their calling to work with orphans....she loves our daughter in endless ways</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgky7jcNML-0DqnGmY3OYvplJsx0iJbjJVbIg6_Zo382eXTQ0w9glQfi_mAwcrTAE3fRXnSiMCmdiCt581RsU44yMTGoD62kUjfbCqwBrE2woWfRSnEGhlEClmyoKRowfHrNBmG7HvTl_6q/s1600/IMG_7549.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgky7jcNML-0DqnGmY3OYvplJsx0iJbjJVbIg6_Zo382eXTQ0w9glQfi_mAwcrTAE3fRXnSiMCmdiCt581RsU44yMTGoD62kUjfbCqwBrE2woWfRSnEGhlEClmyoKRowfHrNBmG7HvTl_6q/s320/IMG_7549.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">blury, but she's getting in some sweet tummy time!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpSuxTLTqXyf7cNDe3wIIPw1F7CJxfOpxZI5ifRxAnSFswl1KTVM-NmLUrro1fjRjSOT_i9ymPgrukpIqXHZl96UQyXtGn31oUwBny5p7b3T2bkuIvYn8GbqSR-CyKiO3VUOPsj7x0P8q7/s1600/IMG_5342-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpSuxTLTqXyf7cNDe3wIIPw1F7CJxfOpxZI5ifRxAnSFswl1KTVM-NmLUrro1fjRjSOT_i9ymPgrukpIqXHZl96UQyXtGn31oUwBny5p7b3T2bkuIvYn8GbqSR-CyKiO3VUOPsj7x0P8q7/s320/IMG_5342-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You are too sweet for words Natalie Degeme! Rock that hat girl!</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Finally getting to meet you for the </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">first time.....</span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">........completely in love......</span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPfBuIILr-iyU_BnImQPZ_mCefgqAFnqXuD_SBbDjwJ9DJVk-_fCFXwVL0hGLq-EQ05_RVSLGAMrhv7SZ41HwHePDZdL5Ap2kABgLoSv5ePO_vdN3KBpnyaTix4rSJ2tJKTK_qynI9Mh03/s1600/IMG_5415.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPfBuIILr-iyU_BnImQPZ_mCefgqAFnqXuD_SBbDjwJ9DJVk-_fCFXwVL0hGLq-EQ05_RVSLGAMrhv7SZ41HwHePDZdL5Ap2kABgLoSv5ePO_vdN3KBpnyaTix4rSJ2tJKTK_qynI9Mh03/s320/IMG_5415.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oh how I have longed for this moment! The first time I held you, and you leaned your face right into mine.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeJbAYedeQYmslrTPrxmz0FpllPFfLrMUOUvnUwooHEgsNhMaHO0TVw1BgI3LGHVPBvx0YJV1hFRsaP0rD54f8r6atLTCjK8IAVdLFP-2SXifAFhYyMqj-kQqMbAmJMLP8CItS0t6O4VHI/s1600/IMG_5427.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeJbAYedeQYmslrTPrxmz0FpllPFfLrMUOUvnUwooHEgsNhMaHO0TVw1BgI3LGHVPBvx0YJV1hFRsaP0rD54f8r6atLTCjK8IAVdLFP-2SXifAFhYyMqj-kQqMbAmJMLP8CItS0t6O4VHI/s320/IMG_5427.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The first time you saw your Daddy..... this picture is my most favorite!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEeORAAGPJx6ZobE5ZLyLGEVpaxYoFYfwy5gTutCsml_4gtv8OOuDudN_3QiUt2tOB-vrJg3jSjn1nc6WmCu0FTMbgpQfABDaybkCYe5GT4QO58wGknXdldsbvWvlO4OYH0D0Qm8E8adXv/s320/IMG_5469.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="213" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A look we learned oh.so.quickly. ;) That's our sassy girl ;)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4YVp8geJO5EjoBq58hF1JkHAl34I5lI1m7g3W3HXUevW0XDkQY70Q_GEaaSAicZU4621kv6LdLx2Fno4dz04u_5KYFAlpWqSB11VHCHSm15xSk5Nd7axNhEWvFysDMKIiGRrYTAyV9wnG/s1600/IMG_5484.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4YVp8geJO5EjoBq58hF1JkHAl34I5lI1m7g3W3HXUevW0XDkQY70Q_GEaaSAicZU4621kv6LdLx2Fno4dz04u_5KYFAlpWqSB11VHCHSm15xSk5Nd7axNhEWvFysDMKIiGRrYTAyV9wnG/s320/IMG_5484.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our growing girl</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiwXc5De5D_n5n_fjPzIs6fNckA6QJm-IItOf1CzdPKBVkhEQyq0XAHFh30-oy0_9WviNGCi0MqKdvWJoZUqsFwPhSvDsPF2oBJz4KRGw2LV5smOtlUI4A429qdONXQ2yAIK63CHSOuvqC/s1600/IMG_5506.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiwXc5De5D_n5n_fjPzIs6fNckA6QJm-IItOf1CzdPKBVkhEQyq0XAHFh30-oy0_9WviNGCi0MqKdvWJoZUqsFwPhSvDsPF2oBJz4KRGw2LV5smOtlUI4A429qdONXQ2yAIK63CHSOuvqC/s320/IMG_5506.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Best of friends---so neat how God brings families together! This little guy is there with Natalie and will be just 10 minutes away when they both come home!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQQEDN6SPeHCoQFfrrhtOmUekG3SGYqkYYqQq4GCBfLKZ0pdFQzvTYTPiizvmYSa_wBelbv8zfHUu0EbDeBK-xOr291AqePERgbzr3-iT6mk1Wpg6WX9w_2q3oUgKsV4OjokJq9E_2vl3k/s1600/IMG_5518.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQQEDN6SPeHCoQFfrrhtOmUekG3SGYqkYYqQq4GCBfLKZ0pdFQzvTYTPiizvmYSa_wBelbv8zfHUu0EbDeBK-xOr291AqePERgbzr3-iT6mk1Wpg6WX9w_2q3oUgKsV4OjokJq9E_2vl3k/s320/IMG_5518.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Her nannies accessorized---so fun!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikRsRngVqghH_9bRJ8NpCProJvyzL1K0-c5jHnL0K7GEA5kOiDKP5WIYlUNk1aan_FLkISxhuEWfmd2VFYEaxRv-_G0DApP7sj2ktH_hq08onfO12bDLS-_IDL49hNqQSjn6veSzXXnJaL/s1600/IMG_5525.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikRsRngVqghH_9bRJ8NpCProJvyzL1K0-c5jHnL0K7GEA5kOiDKP5WIYlUNk1aan_FLkISxhuEWfmd2VFYEaxRv-_G0DApP7sj2ktH_hq08onfO12bDLS-_IDL49hNqQSjn6veSzXXnJaL/s320/IMG_5525.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First family photo</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisanVOlDRMx5aJx7CuWXeajZ9QEGOGCcdXVqN3Qsc63RS9I7KBQ5FsFD5viOJ7dUPiiloCXTZo05BAdfdwyT1J9R93GyN4YCBCHwb94OUgAWn9xeIHlp0INbeJmWt1fyFoDfPAnQRRhs6H/s1600/IMG_5539.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisanVOlDRMx5aJx7CuWXeajZ9QEGOGCcdXVqN3Qsc63RS9I7KBQ5FsFD5viOJ7dUPiiloCXTZo05BAdfdwyT1J9R93GyN4YCBCHwb94OUgAWn9xeIHlp0INbeJmWt1fyFoDfPAnQRRhs6H/s320/IMG_5539.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rest my sweet little girl. </td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-5RZEKNbMpok-BHlVd8ojRpoC37hbvAeNruUBVZYof_qj9PlghHMVq_t3OBiC3A8EAYLieAaAIxFZqiTa4ZYjNOXPl-CWrBmiYjUHeYPz0h5tf9wS_KiZhix01OT3Xap47Xwj5U6gxYWJ/s1600/IMG_5640.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-5RZEKNbMpok-BHlVd8ojRpoC37hbvAeNruUBVZYof_qj9PlghHMVq_t3OBiC3A8EAYLieAaAIxFZqiTa4ZYjNOXPl-CWrBmiYjUHeYPz0h5tf9wS_KiZhix01OT3Xap47Xwj5U6gxYWJ/s320/IMG_5640.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sharon (our adoption consultant) bringing our daughter to us one morning :) Amazing that we got to met her while in ET. </td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidDS7wSNBfTIqA-ds3oz0KQ_8zEOHPmfZr-plsyebIiIGI1A_zboCNO3tJI5ztr-SAFMkWgs6cQJ-_vucnTF7JVjqkUNr-ryCtq81deWPhvMxTIYu3QilfKFaMgVldNmYBP8dRfcchtJnO/s1600/IMG_5754.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidDS7wSNBfTIqA-ds3oz0KQ_8zEOHPmfZr-plsyebIiIGI1A_zboCNO3tJI5ztr-SAFMkWgs6cQJ-_vucnTF7JVjqkUNr-ryCtq81deWPhvMxTIYu3QilfKFaMgVldNmYBP8dRfcchtJnO/s320/IMG_5754.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Get ready--she will <b>melt your heart <3</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK9nH2O1NNtL1Udhdvw5qWe4agg8_VqWc0Psp1jrEDgN-_9phJCq_xTOWLN12q4WFGt6HVL5tBaCz0IdcKmloaUocMiq4QuhJkL9V8MZ08cbox16KvHazH9lINVf05CLmOxskL7K0YAecG/s1600/IMG_5866.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK9nH2O1NNtL1Udhdvw5qWe4agg8_VqWc0Psp1jrEDgN-_9phJCq_xTOWLN12q4WFGt6HVL5tBaCz0IdcKmloaUocMiq4QuhJkL9V8MZ08cbox16KvHazH9lINVf05CLmOxskL7K0YAecG/s320/IMG_5866.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">love this!....she peed on her DaDdY</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYRBmtO155pAtLLFjNOemCcQQ5NBQK-a-0bjabd37_fcglzMZhpEGMznUqYpJD8XDeP_0L_Y0l6ExLRSnHeGaT40KfH6Gp0VIgjPavSEYjKD_xyriBT_pu55P_yzWEzrPIkwA3TjsR1pzJ/s1600/IMG_1276.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYRBmtO155pAtLLFjNOemCcQQ5NBQK-a-0bjabd37_fcglzMZhpEGMznUqYpJD8XDeP_0L_Y0l6ExLRSnHeGaT40KfH6Gp0VIgjPavSEYjKD_xyriBT_pu55P_yzWEzrPIkwA3TjsR1pzJ/s320/IMG_1276.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2 GREAT new Dads!! Little M with her Daddy and Justin with Natalie!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWIAxjcpfz0YO5F3lusZ6tdagUtJLpw6V2TicjoFa9KbTw0V-L3RbFW7qM-bDytuym4k5G2tz7yMu2zaOHYahilZx-PcEULJGNzD2aDVxqogwi3vugX0qxfKLg4a3dVtQn5WyNgInDswuO/s1600/IMG_5478.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWIAxjcpfz0YO5F3lusZ6tdagUtJLpw6V2TicjoFa9KbTw0V-L3RbFW7qM-bDytuym4k5G2tz7yMu2zaOHYahilZx-PcEULJGNzD2aDVxqogwi3vugX0qxfKLg4a3dVtQn5WyNgInDswuO/s320/IMG_5478.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Daddy-daughter time :) He stepped up to this role instantly and a new element of attractiveness overcame me...wow, God, you're amazing! </td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYkoJaV9OWzW4vQ-yp2znjU15asrjPpaHrysaFo1wVzcOmsTrryxwW4mS1J9Ao9sfcmfoqOdbR6DAFSF8njThcU_fIJ0nc9r2qmuc2jMZ2j46MX4IIzFaNO9wopmIIGWPSghbEHbzQiHq_/s1600/IMG_5529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYkoJaV9OWzW4vQ-yp2znjU15asrjPpaHrysaFo1wVzcOmsTrryxwW4mS1J9Ao9sfcmfoqOdbR6DAFSF8njThcU_fIJ0nc9r2qmuc2jMZ2j46MX4IIzFaNO9wopmIIGWPSghbEHbzQiHq_/s320/IMG_5529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Moose = love. Our teething beauty ;)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTh1aZjyTE2JAUrY84Dexlk02x1Hjj04bN2PWEgmoIkbI3XGZz6hKQnePobxNrMb2_jFK3HS160wKkKbkTFvBeebkeYEhh7DBtV6cd61vTos3DWa_UQdj7ikGzbBPvzLBdgO3ldIYVernU/s1600/IMG_5649.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTh1aZjyTE2JAUrY84Dexlk02x1Hjj04bN2PWEgmoIkbI3XGZz6hKQnePobxNrMb2_jFK3HS160wKkKbkTFvBeebkeYEhh7DBtV6cd61vTos3DWa_UQdj7ikGzbBPvzLBdgO3ldIYVernU/s320/IMG_5649.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two cuties!! A sweet, sweet little girl whose parents have become cherished adoptive family friends of ours.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBU2bGSEV28wJU5Mr4vcAN53oZRaboDCriynE6ga9nH4wp8qG8z_2EuSS-m_cbhPPsNex-v0oPAaLzKVIhuCmlJJmiadWhA0doEfTt1c8bxM51bDYaOIQMEScQOc98Z_SeFQQbCM20lhxM/s1600/IMG_5670.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBU2bGSEV28wJU5Mr4vcAN53oZRaboDCriynE6ga9nH4wp8qG8z_2EuSS-m_cbhPPsNex-v0oPAaLzKVIhuCmlJJmiadWhA0doEfTt1c8bxM51bDYaOIQMEScQOc98Z_SeFQQbCM20lhxM/s320/IMG_5670.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nanny love!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiD7I2sMqmy7PbGa2wrlswKvc3hSWQ4aCmYj0tEkVtP_U0BgOl_rZeJJJkFwCznrNzSiKQ5DRXmqmV6Gm8GSQ1p7erFfHOLceroKrGE7D_BiSVMRWadMeQeuRMrvoqgtj4cTPGaOzChwGp/s1600/IMG_5744.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiD7I2sMqmy7PbGa2wrlswKvc3hSWQ4aCmYj0tEkVtP_U0BgOl_rZeJJJkFwCznrNzSiKQ5DRXmqmV6Gm8GSQ1p7erFfHOLceroKrGE7D_BiSVMRWadMeQeuRMrvoqgtj4cTPGaOzChwGp/s320/IMG_5744.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Giggles just abound!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGv8w6_ENI63Nu__jSJG3H-EpNDJ87Nj9aSWeTt9I18Ne_xHJ4HebYn3ULaZWykFvUwDqbngSRw_WhBsA81tNXcRED88-RLUCIHmASAyBi20qXFl6kSvzNRA3Rz30PKrt0Ed9X_WCkHA3K/s1600/IMG_5766.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGv8w6_ENI63Nu__jSJG3H-EpNDJ87Nj9aSWeTt9I18Ne_xHJ4HebYn3ULaZWykFvUwDqbngSRw_WhBsA81tNXcRED88-RLUCIHmASAyBi20qXFl6kSvzNRA3Rz30PKrt0Ed9X_WCkHA3K/s320/IMG_5766.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Love this too!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZDgFRVl0ApCp-Adx-L7hMWZ7ZvvTxe_0ewEf-mntZ69iOymNNoq07Tg2ltnIvVWWcyml6DF0IYXECLG0GxFjRr8M2xtk6Z6SdNOiJogN208mwLJUYkp3alEErmGWBSbEa1N820cq-4onU/s1600/IMG_5880.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZDgFRVl0ApCp-Adx-L7hMWZ7ZvvTxe_0ewEf-mntZ69iOymNNoq07Tg2ltnIvVWWcyml6DF0IYXECLG0GxFjRr8M2xtk6Z6SdNOiJogN208mwLJUYkp3alEErmGWBSbEa1N820cq-4onU/s320/IMG_5880.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So you're my daddy....that's <i>cool </i>:)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCqjqHmtNGMyul6ZbSs6U3cdvvw1pBd0fNqEaXLTPHOGO9QFL30n4wkMVQssap6L_Z7YThasv7MLXs5Xin48TDuU1WGuhyDGGjH2jErfqlYlN7T3YRd48PHPu-MpcBSSns7JCc8FuG_9F4/s1600/IMG_5952.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCqjqHmtNGMyul6ZbSs6U3cdvvw1pBd0fNqEaXLTPHOGO9QFL30n4wkMVQssap6L_Z7YThasv7MLXs5Xin48TDuU1WGuhyDGGjH2jErfqlYlN7T3YRd48PHPu-MpcBSSns7JCc8FuG_9F4/s320/IMG_5952.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bring the lovin' on sweet cheeks!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6fPcMLS8AwBPNq7WvnF2vQBGvJPGxAa59mFBh-6bLVyhqR3wefeypah-QVhYscTsf1Z2dcDzlVD5MTeCDsl4o8GXlyrKfpjOQtSuQkRCcIEXIIetk81rYvnWquakuMzK34FLWtPZ3Y7nU/s1600/IMG_5879.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6fPcMLS8AwBPNq7WvnF2vQBGvJPGxAa59mFBh-6bLVyhqR3wefeypah-QVhYscTsf1Z2dcDzlVD5MTeCDsl4o8GXlyrKfpjOQtSuQkRCcIEXIIetk81rYvnWquakuMzK34FLWtPZ3Y7nU/s320/IMG_5879.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One friend let me borrow it, the other gave me a last minute 101. Can't wait to have you close to us Natalie <3</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9uwtATNutf5fmifVakwhxYao6sa_OLpyB237JUoOzv-CULdgnpVNXDVRve2rCGUzaypHwl5uF9KW-4PqAcI6hPRlZu6UY8wReYONQcQAEbREp_QQ4NmFfkNC9ftpEPvqXY6HxiJb3_3kz/s1600/IMG_5905.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9uwtATNutf5fmifVakwhxYao6sa_OLpyB237JUoOzv-CULdgnpVNXDVRve2rCGUzaypHwl5uF9KW-4PqAcI6hPRlZu6UY8wReYONQcQAEbREp_QQ4NmFfkNC9ftpEPvqXY6HxiJb3_3kz/s320/IMG_5905.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What happens when Mommy and Daddy go shopping in town....you're so cute sweet heart :)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And, here's a video (a little on the longer side...) of us discovering her contagiousness giggle and beautiful smile! Enjoy and giggle yourself away! Have a wonderful TGIF!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><iframe frameborder="0" height="300" src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/27312633?title=0&byline=0&portrait=0" width="400"></iframe></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://vimeo.com/27312633">Degeme Smiles :)</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user7607329">Kati Foster</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.</span><br />
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</span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12093589459459734561noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6717625296301511386.post-10527317402842480192011-06-18T12:46:00.003-04:002011-06-28T20:08:31.913-04:00Brown Eyed Girl<div style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial;"><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-size: x-small;"><b><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">Today we got to meet Little D for the very first time!!!</span></u></b> Oh my goodness, it was a beautiful moment that Justin nor I will ever forget. We called early this morning, and they said "we've been waiting for your call! When can we come pick you up?". Driving to the House of Hope took such little time, but I was being emotional and tearing up here and there. We arrived, took care of some minor details and then were lead upstairs to the <i>family meeting room. </i>When we walked in there was already one family there with their son. We began chatting with them and before we even noticed, Mamaw, D's Nanny came walking in with her!! No digital cameras / SLR's and video cameras all ready like the paparazzi or how we anticipated it would be, just a mommy and daddy shocked and elated all at the same time! Mamaw spoke to Little D in Amharic and then handed her over to me. It was</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"> </span><b style="background-color: white;">amazing. </b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;">There weren't any tears shed---not D's or mommy's :)-- and she was ever inquisitive by this new room that she was in. For the 2 hours we were able to spend with her, our hearts expanded more than we ever new possible. This new love is tangible, and it's real, and I cannot believe that the God of eternity saved this for us, and more importantly us for this! She is one precious, precious little girl and Justin and I are learning this whole parenting thing step by step :) Thank goodness we're not alone; there were 6 other families there, some first time parents like us and others who can teach us the ropes! We were able to get her to giggle and laugh this morning, she fell asleep in her Daddy's arms and then her nanny took her off to get a bath and she came back smelling oh-so-good. We've already seen her debut 2 cute little blue dresses and a headband to add that extra cuteness factor. We left for lunch and then returned this afternoon to spend more time with her. She is the sweetest and she loves to touch and be held! Something super awesome for Justin and I as we have learned that she loves to lean into us and have our faces touch cheek to cheek ;) It's surreal and yet it feels like it couldn't have been any other child or any other way. I just don't know how God does it, but you know, I completely trust Him and He's already shown us that our hearts can be knit together in a matter of moments. She follows our every move, and although she is very interested in the other babies and other parents and nannies around her, she consistently wants to know where Justin and I are at. She gazes into his eyes and I think she loves the newness of Justin's deeper voice (since all the nannies are women at the House of Hope). If Daddy is holding her, she looks to see where Mommy is, and if Mommy has her, she peers over my shoulder or wiggles around to find her Daddy. :) Just as it was nearing time to say goodbye for this visit, Little D feel asleep in my arms and it was better than I could have ever hoped for. Both of us now know that she is beginning to feel trust towards us and that warm feeling of your snuggling little baby in your arms has confirmed that this was meant to be. We cannot wait to show you her sweet little toothless smile or her one-sided little smirk or her precious big brown eyes and our first picture as a family of three! Until we </span><i style="background-color: white;">pass court, </i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;">we cannot share those, and with the limited/slower i</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;">nternet connection here in Ethiopia, it's proving impossible for us to be able to upload the images to blogger, or even access the internet at times. We'll post when we get back to the states!!</span></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Thank you so much to all the close family and friends, even those we haven't met yet, who are blanketing this time for us in prayer. God has shown us that He this was very much the plan for our lives and we are rejoicing in every moment of it! The prayers of being heard by Him and being known by us. We'll keep you all posted as we're able with this new family of three! This was a great way to spend Little D's 6 month birthday, huh?!! ;)</span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUWBp6P26uKPO5kxERUMQrtscpl9o-UwMndOPF6WNUR1NtcI-X59Zet6YPA9fVJE1cMLJakWzN1FiFWmhbkoC7wVv1V3XRtn_rcHNSZ2MLug8W_EYnudOLgfSW09DoJGGgqjFEEN6jVB6o/s1600/IMG_5430.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUWBp6P26uKPO5kxERUMQrtscpl9o-UwMndOPF6WNUR1NtcI-X59Zet6YPA9fVJE1cMLJakWzN1FiFWmhbkoC7wVv1V3XRtn_rcHNSZ2MLug8W_EYnudOLgfSW09DoJGGgqjFEEN6jVB6o/s320/IMG_5430.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="background-color: white;"><br />
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</span></div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12093589459459734561noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6717625296301511386.post-53902287656100126592011-06-15T00:43:00.000-04:002011-06-15T00:43:07.980-04:00Here we come!!!Well, the bags are <strike>packed</strike> almost completely packed, our adorable dog Brie is off to spend the week with my sweet in laws, my hair has been freshly cut and colored (because everyone knows that our 6 month old will have a fit if her momma's roots are showing.....right ;) ), library books have been checked out, and I am sitting here in our hallway on the floor blogging away. I cannot believe this trip is finally here?! Neither Justin nor I can sleep, we're exhausted physically from a busy weekend, however our adrenaline is pumping and we're wide awake. But that's exactly what can be accomplished during a 17 hour flight. <br />
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It is <b>astounding </b>to pause and just bask in the peace of God and that reality that He has brought us here. The adoption of our first born is something that has evolved from years of stirrings in our hearts---from teenagers who felt the longing for love from orphans in Romania and The Dominican Republic to a young married couple who believed God was calling them to adoption <i>someday</i>, to January 2010 being the first time we clicked on various adoption agency websites to begin researching international opportunities, to here, at 12:21 AM on June 15: we are finally, finally packing up and boarding a plane to go meet her. It is amazing. <br />
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We are going to use this blog as our main resource of communication while we're away, but at the same time, we just want to unplug and soak up every opportunity that we can while we're there! Even though this isn't the trip that we get to bring her home on, we are filled with joy and anticipation over this stage of the adoption process! Please keep us all in your prayers and go on our behalf before our Savior. We are praying Psalm 16:6 over Little D and all the other children that are awaiting their forever families. We can't wait to share the stories from our trip and photos of our family once this stage is finalized in court. Thanks for coming along with us and being the many, many moments of encouragement that you all have been! We'll keep you posted on the good news!!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12093589459459734561noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6717625296301511386.post-53169994413385111152011-05-26T13:22:00.001-04:002011-05-26T14:01:00.625-04:00Some pretty rad things, and a family that needs some help!!<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">There are so many neat ways that friends and families can be apart of the adoption adventure, even if it doesn't physically mean bringing home a child yourself. Not everyone is called to do that, but if you've got the bug to be involved, let me share these wonderful links with you!! Its something I've wanted to do for a long time and I thought it was time to share :) .........</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span><br />
<div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>First, this is big and it might just be the day for you to help! The <a href="http://delightinweaknesses.blogspot.com/">Maser family</a> is apart of the Children's Hope Family just received their referral of a 9 1/2 month old baby boy!! From the sounds of it, this is one adorable little guy and his family longs to be able to sign on the dotted line that they accept his referral!! They are currently fundraising to complete this next step and they are so close!! Won't you consider helping this family out? They have 4 days left to say "yes"....</b></span></span></div><div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b></b></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPg03ImIA37xc6kS-LR3Q8vrrLcZDKLLNE_Dc72kr_Jhl6A1q91TyeYRglePzJqxU6BkbP-vi3pJ7oGYU4UqnTRORkeMpuiBXa7RPyfQK815EaIGhNeqY20ny4K2kAPK6T0BpU4UUq9j06/s1600/melissanewestsidebarphotocopy-1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPg03ImIA37xc6kS-LR3Q8vrrLcZDKLLNE_Dc72kr_Jhl6A1q91TyeYRglePzJqxU6BkbP-vi3pJ7oGYU4UqnTRORkeMpuiBXa7RPyfQK815EaIGhNeqY20ny4K2kAPK6T0BpU4UUq9j06/s1600/melissanewestsidebarphotocopy-1.png" style="cursor: move;" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
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</span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>This is a funny story.... yesterday as I was blogging, I searched Google Images for "pink ethiopia". I was hoping to get an outline of Africa in pink to use on a post. Well, in the midst of doing do I found a brand spankin new blog called <a href="http://katemarshman.blogspot.com/">Kate's Craft Fair</a>. I mean, they <i>just opened up last week and I was the first one to place an order!</i> I promise I wasn't stalking! Rachel and some of her friends from across the US are coming together with their skills and talents to make things like this for only $15!: </b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><img height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjluslhjnetrqpXWY45D1KBBccc_IYV31O5U0DatwtjHZI_NohKkTnXUVNyKNyOWMGNuW6PyK_3hw1A9cWuDRIkG5P1bHzSj9H823OPXrBqsKC9u4y3tjhYnAnVOZZTI14xgrv7BdsBW4/s320/bags-2.jpg" width="213" /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><br />
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</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Check out <a href="http://www.adoptionbug.com/">Adoption Bug</a>. They have some super cute stuff, like these shirts below...</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Am I Showing? - Women's Tee" height="197" src="http://www.adoptionbug.com/02_pp/images/01WH-women.jpg" width="320" /></div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>This t-shirt is one of my favorites for guys and your money goes towards helping a family that is in the process of adopting from Ethiopia! Their blog can be found at <a href="http://justloveethiopia.blogspot.com/p/fundraising.html">Just Love Ethiopia</a>. Father's day might just consist of one of these, from Little D of course..... ;)</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img height="212" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_SPu_1rhzWs/TZVOn65qy2I/AAAAAAAAAU8/Nzv_hnI3xUU/s320/DSC_0333.JPG" width="320" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://pitterpatterart.wordpress.com/">Worthy of the Prize</a> is created by a mom named Laura Kelly, and all I've got to say is that I LOVE her artsy ideas!! She is so talented and I have no idea how she does this with 3 kids and one more on the way from Ethiopia! Rock on momma! It's tough to single out my favorites, but here's a peek at her creativeness.... Oh that Little D will grow to know this in her heart...</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><img height="300" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3314/5753728018_2639cb2c11.jpg" width="400" /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3430/5753716982_8c4f0b8ab6_m.jpg" /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">(Camera strap)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><br />
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</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>The family at <a href="http://2000tutus.blogspot.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">2000 Tutus </span></a>has such a neat story! We recently found out that Justin's cousin and his wife are going to be adopting from China! It makes me smile every time I think of them and the incredible journey they are embarking on! Well, at 2000 Tutus there's a family that has come up with a really cute way to spread the word! Aren't these adorable?!!</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGjTh76LuzARNkNNy_o6qM1qUIPIEqKLI-1gjspfmZ0s-3PbC450iknGWlatt_2GLWqQn5BNjfFbOUdcO42a-yawf7gubQMLOfBkpIcm3qIUymqxd_ZhmDr-DI2ErIVIG4-3DScjBiHFI/s400/DSC_0097e.jpg" /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><br />
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</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://www.147millionorphans.com/">147 Million Orphans</a> is pretty well known in the adoption world... There gear is moving and I love what they stand for!</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.147millionorphans.com/thumbnail.asp?file=assets/images/0516.jpg&maxx=300&maxy=0" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img align="middle" alt="147 Brown Utility Hat" border="0" id="large" name="large" src="http://www.147millionorphans.com/thumbnail.asp?file=assets/images/0516.jpg&maxx=300&maxy=0" style="border-bottom-width: 0px !important; border-color: initial !important; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px !important; border-right-width: 0px !important; border-style: initial !important; border-top-width: 0px !important; border-width: initial; margin-top: 0px !important; opacity: 1; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important;" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://www.ordinaryhero.org/Ordinary_Hero/Home/Home.html">Ordinary Hero</a> was started by a mom of 6, yes SIX! They support children here in the US as well as around the globe. Her website has exploded, you've just got to check it out and see how God is using them!</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><img height="320" src="https://www10.corecommerce.com/~ordinaryhero/images/products/323.jpg" width="213" /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><img height="320" src="https://www10.corecommerce.com/~ordinaryhero/images/products/228.jpg" width="213" /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Ever lose your keys in that big ol' purse of yours?? My Mom and I both got these a few months ago and we love the ease of finding our keys, not to mention how fun they are! Over at <a href="http://ourtreeofhope.blogspot.com/">Our Tree of Hope</a> is Kathleen's outlet to share about their courageous adoption journey and the neat little things she creates :) They are also doing a coffee fundraiser and there are TONS of blends to choose from!</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><img height="320" src="http://ny-image3.etsy.com/il_fullxfull.213190723.jpg" width="212" /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b></b></span><img alt="Just Love Coffees" height="135" src="https://www.justlovecoffee.com/images/slide1.jpg" width="320" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Speaking of coffee, are you addicted? My handsome husband loves his morning cup to take along to work or on a lazy Saturday morning. We have ordered from <a href="http://www.gobena.org/">Gobena </a>before and we have never been disappointed!</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><img height="212" src="http://www.gobena.org/img/index.jpg" width="320" /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b></b></span><br />
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</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Tomorrow is Friday and we've got family coming into town to stay at the Casa del Foster :) Love time spent with those dear to our hearts. Have a wonderful Thursday!</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><br />
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</b></span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12093589459459734561noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6717625296301511386.post-4894488963330705902011-05-26T10:54:00.000-04:002011-05-26T10:54:15.673-04:00What Love Really Is...A few weeks ago I had been spending time with a sweet little boy reading books to him before his afternoon nap. As his mom and I sat there reading story after story, I found myself wondering if our little girl was getting these same opportunities? For some reason I just couldn't shake my concern about if Little D is getting interactions like this, I began thinking back on my time in Romania in the baby hospital were these children desperately needed human touch and interaction...and love in it's fullest sense. I found myself wide awake at 1am, restless and began praying for our sweet little one that night. It was 8am in Ethiopia and I wondered what her routine was like that morning? Was she being loved on? Was some saying "I love you" to her? Is there a special lullaby that makes her grin?! Was someone rocking her, rubbing her back and singing to her before she went to sleep at night? Was she being taken care of like I was when I was a child?<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The next morning I called Sharon and asked her. I think she could sense my concerned heart, the one that's growing into <i>mom</i>, and she reassured me that yes, "those nannies are loving on her more than you'll ever know". Her little ears are hearing lullabies and stories and that I could rest assured that there are some remarkable women there at the House of Hope taking care of every child there. Later on that weekend, <i>on Mother's Day,</i> I got these pictures from a wonderful CHI friend who was traveling to Addis to pick up her son and daughter and whom had emailed and said "let me take pictures of your baby girl for you"..... What a perfect Mother's Day gift! (we had to edit Degeme out of them...but not for long! Hopefully we'll be sharing <i>her</i> pictures soon!!)...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitYhE4bGI2gdwn7FYKJ5ttEw7vW6wQzYYG26a0Zd69MYkjwKu1LDlK2zLw7Lz2grckABf_0pgzp6SaYpsPyKXxS0QrBAB5I7dRqZQ_KyUB_DWHeIDN8s6IFDeUS3g2-p7Rl2CTreIptQkX/s1600/Degeme%2527s+nanny-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitYhE4bGI2gdwn7FYKJ5ttEw7vW6wQzYYG26a0Zd69MYkjwKu1LDlK2zLw7Lz2grckABf_0pgzp6SaYpsPyKXxS0QrBAB5I7dRqZQ_KyUB_DWHeIDN8s6IFDeUS3g2-p7Rl2CTreIptQkX/s320/Degeme%2527s+nanny-1.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="180" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">Now, check this one out....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOKbov0QnbFvCoapqTEtHwsILHx8JfwQKiY8QaswiHLA3Jzu9RAbr7fMije9b0dm6jfNNTlSZ2gz2u5LZ0U1dMq0nnq4V7uzaSvcRIBQU8fdGKFZPDcJpiESEYi9EE3jtYZwUgiclRuVUL/s1600/Degeme%2527s+nanny-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOKbov0QnbFvCoapqTEtHwsILHx8JfwQKiY8QaswiHLA3Jzu9RAbr7fMije9b0dm6jfNNTlSZ2gz2u5LZ0U1dMq0nnq4V7uzaSvcRIBQU8fdGKFZPDcJpiESEYi9EE3jtYZwUgiclRuVUL/s320/Degeme%2527s+nanny-2.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="255" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"> Do you see it?!?? This incredible woman has allowed herself to fully love our daughter and we cannot ever thank her enough. She is one of our baby girl's nannies and she is showing Little D what <i>real </i><i><b>love </b></i>is. She is allowing herself to invest in this baby girl's life, fully. She is teaching Little D that a smile means "your're special and you're cherished". She's trusting God that right now her role is to love on this precious baby more than she'll even know. I cannot tell you how incredibly blessed Justin and I feel for the role this woman, and the other nannies, are playing in Little D's life. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">It was clear that God had watched me lie awake in bed that night, He had heard my aching heart and what a precious message I needed to be reminded of: He knows and He provides. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">Maybe this is even a song that she hears the older children at the House of Hope sing....it's sweet nonetheless!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/byXgGvoQOp8?rel=0" width="425"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">Can't wait to hear voices like these 3 little sisters myself in a matter of weeks :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">Here's a few pictures from Mother's Day afternoon at our place!</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6XsTNzzFcyolwmZtUO-7demqBzVIH5Gx3rjfAvNYqBXyWTCRBj0juwspQJa0ysCg6Q1EMWs-ee67hQF_XNmD1ZKl2FH__U2L7TUwkGvEiL4lKCIZQOmnHlopDFKBoxv8zefAHqwlU_4x8/s1600/Mother%2527s+Day+May+2011003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6XsTNzzFcyolwmZtUO-7demqBzVIH5Gx3rjfAvNYqBXyWTCRBj0juwspQJa0ysCg6Q1EMWs-ee67hQF_XNmD1ZKl2FH__U2L7TUwkGvEiL4lKCIZQOmnHlopDFKBoxv8zefAHqwlU_4x8/s320/Mother%2527s+Day+May+2011003.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Justin and his Mom on a beautiful Mother's Day!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXf3c_dKOA0691TEZU_Vl5cscFfjAJF8KlW-wcKIdI0P7zTBJyUC62VAUdkSSikkO-7U6atEG8nySaGodoW5hUAXdUvo6SgFDOpvL0J8aEZvSCNcX1X4_doGWcQeloqv1e_22ohmSzQNsO/s1600/Mother%2527s+Day+May+2011008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXf3c_dKOA0691TEZU_Vl5cscFfjAJF8KlW-wcKIdI0P7zTBJyUC62VAUdkSSikkO-7U6atEG8nySaGodoW5hUAXdUvo6SgFDOpvL0J8aEZvSCNcX1X4_doGWcQeloqv1e_22ohmSzQNsO/s320/Mother%2527s+Day+May+2011008.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmiiYItzU_SN8Y4vfm4atwj9Cbk8g13c9jE2MiJmEkcLb0t3A4d1fF5ik7_SK60Se2K8-u2vNLUnSPW4G1IlJMdEWWGnqELeWbpMzQmk1377NlR7nuX75FAZ3vCO_Xx_NQi0tmKXK8wDLY/s1600/Mother%2527s+Day+May+2011010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmiiYItzU_SN8Y4vfm4atwj9Cbk8g13c9jE2MiJmEkcLb0t3A4d1fF5ik7_SK60Se2K8-u2vNLUnSPW4G1IlJMdEWWGnqELeWbpMzQmk1377NlR7nuX75FAZ3vCO_Xx_NQi0tmKXK8wDLY/s320/Mother%2527s+Day+May+2011010.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With his Dad!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZHILbZ4RV5EudMChOj9PFiuFfwQ7wXOxidwnoVyoB9uGBz5-gGkMOVJdilY0p1B4HDteDKkbOF4iRpcj9naiakyTvrf2vy8N4vku7NUncsornhnyWZCPhMBUjW4_g4JeoiIQwPAM-Bmes/s1600/Mother%2527s+Day+May+2011002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZHILbZ4RV5EudMChOj9PFiuFfwQ7wXOxidwnoVyoB9uGBz5-gGkMOVJdilY0p1B4HDteDKkbOF4iRpcj9naiakyTvrf2vy8N4vku7NUncsornhnyWZCPhMBUjW4_g4JeoiIQwPAM-Bmes/s320/Mother%2527s+Day+May+2011002.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Love this shirt from my brother and sister-in-law that reads "eh-MY-ay" aka Mama in Amharic</td></tr>
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</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12093589459459734561noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6717625296301511386.post-6832029610682796542011-05-25T14:15:00.000-04:002011-05-25T14:15:01.249-04:00Let the count down begin!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>In</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUBAYEVHddpJw8GLDdGt6CgzRArWMVZRZyQQgiKuXj5B-Lyy8Rtde9YgGZEsGg8zB9c4vpNXWTEsxHV1x4IAlAen7DGAZoIsfyK53U44VZORzOCkpAlL8eM3QdBzw2WQcI9LzU3FTSohvt/s1600/the_number_21_by_poison_skittles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUBAYEVHddpJw8GLDdGt6CgzRArWMVZRZyQQgiKuXj5B-Lyy8Rtde9YgGZEsGg8zB9c4vpNXWTEsxHV1x4IAlAen7DGAZoIsfyK53U44VZORzOCkpAlL8eM3QdBzw2WQcI9LzU3FTSohvt/s320/the_number_21_by_poison_skittles.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>days</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQNDu2tWe5sEH6-NPZXd4k6e0DORRBRJuNn0331vrR1BHhTQMuZ2c7JwyxeqkRgiaDfHoUu3_qQEHg-fa_elIO03B0OyL7RxstypZRCczc__owJZ4NJudtXE7I6lm8R0CQ7tlLgVNYi0sG/s1600/IMG_4387.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQNDu2tWe5sEH6-NPZXd4k6e0DORRBRJuNn0331vrR1BHhTQMuZ2c7JwyxeqkRgiaDfHoUu3_qQEHg-fa_elIO03B0OyL7RxstypZRCczc__owJZ4NJudtXE7I6lm8R0CQ7tlLgVNYi0sG/s320/IMG_4387.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>will pack their </b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqQF1B55l3wTuq4iEXyu2sJxc6TjVrMBG3osZi4bYGTFG18wsI-SjZCJ603fHAZLBvRm7ppYZCG2n00_9dKuBFcDnfKUQWF0BpwcY39RfTXzD60gKH4mek0bOwqllPK3bTCwS7LoyYPJV2/s1600/lost-luggage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqQF1B55l3wTuq4iEXyu2sJxc6TjVrMBG3osZi4bYGTFG18wsI-SjZCJ603fHAZLBvRm7ppYZCG2n00_9dKuBFcDnfKUQWF0BpwcY39RfTXzD60gKH4mek0bOwqllPK3bTCwS7LoyYPJV2/s320/lost-luggage.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>and </b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>we will board this</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi82XMNruX4pq-7CUThNv2e6i6q1yxiccRsJx54ySk2CRjou4EYHfthWMGHesGVZLgooZdEa0HXXcyfTx23TEcwpmYMudpyloUoheTNFrvv7UwIOgQtLommTXKm98BTjZ6t5XLrNfosxuDu/s1600/ethiopian_airlines_072108.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi82XMNruX4pq-7CUThNv2e6i6q1yxiccRsJx54ySk2CRjou4EYHfthWMGHesGVZLgooZdEa0HXXcyfTx23TEcwpmYMudpyloUoheTNFrvv7UwIOgQtLommTXKm98BTjZ6t5XLrNfosxuDu/s320/ethiopian_airlines_072108.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>on a great </b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNJ0X766eLFDwIgTLKH-RnxYMzPzRc166Af1FmYmiOGTEfCZXtmiKHZaQitaIQ_5tV6YmUY-LgGEC7WLKCYqiwi2S8CcDag50nDyCkbv_DpfLmQkrdXwyJvzCPfWsztUlRGrMNAFiRbMgM/s1600/adventure+plates.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNJ0X766eLFDwIgTLKH-RnxYMzPzRc166Af1FmYmiOGTEfCZXtmiKHZaQitaIQ_5tV6YmUY-LgGEC7WLKCYqiwi2S8CcDag50nDyCkbv_DpfLmQkrdXwyJvzCPfWsztUlRGrMNAFiRbMgM/s320/adventure+plates.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>to fly to </b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ6JsRyl7_-Z9UjnqzC0aZCh2zaHQzy-NdVk-FS1hBCM55wm5NaP9xfq_izCcsgNX1GS0aG_DJgQeXHdIZn6urx9HVeEpnXpYLJHb-c9pJLJ57C3nM3WrsrAFP5a7R9HCU_HtD8NGD871d/s1600/gutteye-ethiopia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ6JsRyl7_-Z9UjnqzC0aZCh2zaHQzy-NdVk-FS1hBCM55wm5NaP9xfq_izCcsgNX1GS0aG_DJgQeXHdIZn6urx9HVeEpnXpYLJHb-c9pJLJ57C3nM3WrsrAFP5a7R9HCU_HtD8NGD871d/s320/gutteye-ethiopia.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>and meet our baby girl!!!</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We got the call from CHI last week on Wednesday, along with 7 other families who will all be traveling together! How AWESOME!! We've been able to talk to a couple of families via email and phone and boy, I've got to tell you, this is just so cool! There are families from all over the US and we will all meet up in Addis over<i> Father's Day</i> weekend. My <b>baby girl</b> gets to meet her <b>daddy</b>, and my <b>husband </b>gets to meet his <b>daughter </b>on a weekend that just couldn't have been scripted any more beautifully. Thank you Jesus for giving us these moments of saying "ohhh I get it! This is why things are happening this way". Does it make you smile? Because it truly does make us grin from ear to ear :) </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On this trip, our main purpose is to meet Little D (!!) and attend a court hearing where the Judge will hopefully be able to name us as <u><i>her legal parents!</i></u> To spare myself from going into tons of detail, <b>please be praying for us that MOWA (Ministry of Women and Children's Affairs) is able to attend and will have all their paperwork completed so that when we give witness that we love this little girl and long to make her our own, the Judge will be able to sign her signature and declare that we are Little D's forever family</b>. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We'll be staying at the <a href="http://www.ethiopiaguesthome.com/">Ethiopian Guest Home</a>, and place that was started by a couple who adopted little ones from Ethiopian and wanted to create a place for families like theirs. Here, let me let Dave tell their story :) ....</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/mrPc7BTTbLw?rel=0&hd=1" width="560"></iframe></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We're also planning on taking some trips within the capital and then outside to different areas of Ethiopia. We don't have those nailed down yet, but rest assured we will be sharing those pictures here on our family story blog! </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So, we're gathering up gear, making plans, and most of all thanking God for opening this door! I prayed this verse so many times, even the very morning before we got the phone call while I was getting ready for the day, I called out to God and asked Him this for Little D...</span></div><blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i style="background-color: white;">The boundary lines have falled for me in pleasent places; surely I have a delightful inheritance</i></span></blockquote><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's from Psalm 16:6, a verse I came upon a couple of weeks before that day when doing preparing for my weekly bible study. It wasn't the verse that I was studying, but as my eyes wandered down the page in my Bible, those words sank into my heart and I knew this was a prayer I could lean upon for our daughter. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This whole adoption story is incredible, and yes, there have been laboring, gut turning moments, but what outweighs it all is that <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">God Himself truly gives us the desires of our hearts</span>. Do you know that? Can you allow yourself to believe it, who heartedly? We cannot shout that it is really true loud enough!!!! (Maybe we will when we're there on Entoto Mountian in Ethiopia.... ;) ) It's just <i>amazing </i>to be the receiver of His blessings.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Have a great day!</span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12093589459459734561noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6717625296301511386.post-26088746408192840152011-04-20T21:37:00.002-04:002011-04-21T08:00:51.109-04:00Whatcha doin?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The past couple of weeks around the Foster house have been pretty neat, if I do say so myself :) Crazy? Why yes, but that's how we roll! Here's what the past couple weeks have looked like....</div><br />
-Getting home from Budapest--that travel alone was crazy and patience-testing. May I add that although I lost my sainity while going through unexpected complications with security and customs and started tearing up to two women who were complete strangers as I explained "I <b>need </b>to get home!"...all over the thought that my bags could get lost and heaven forbid our paperwork that was signed by my husband who was across the ocean at the time and needed to be in our agency's hands ASAP would not get home.... Well yes, I'll be honest. It is pretty goofy thinking back on it. But, at the time, I thought "these <i>people </i>just don't get it!!" <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUwX8aslljDh8zVFDr0p04luGt9mWnOUuRaZt80CfQO0l-GzDs6PWxUDnqptBxaSYzCjrVnHULgSIzIicWswN4pyh9QoO4ObYgvW19Y1L9y-AJ4qT4nwecBMBvEdFRtR3a0qkFnhYei0cN/s1600/munich_airport_customs-check-in.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUwX8aslljDh8zVFDr0p04luGt9mWnOUuRaZt80CfQO0l-GzDs6PWxUDnqptBxaSYzCjrVnHULgSIzIicWswN4pyh9QoO4ObYgvW19Y1L9y-AJ4qT4nwecBMBvEdFRtR3a0qkFnhYei0cN/s320/munich_airport_customs-check-in.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
-Exploring the new world of a pediatrician's office--something our agency requires us to do before accepting our referral. While I sat and waited in the very.quiet.room. while listening to the humbled stay @ home dad next door via the very.thin.walls. explain to the pediatrician something about his daughter's bowel habits.... I decided to distract myself from their "private" conversation and whipped out my camera...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIgFDY9Ldp3KfTzdEdXlrVGlJCcVwYuVMfZC-khgI4ryYjlZYcD3DJkiz2_GEiYly23kKHDJT4zdrU9DYaXY9Oabr_IRRwEKVSYzrMQfEO03oyoxid6F3U4ZqYFhfGE6Odlg9j7Yh_lUvr/s1600/100_5957.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIgFDY9Ldp3KfTzdEdXlrVGlJCcVwYuVMfZC-khgI4ryYjlZYcD3DJkiz2_GEiYly23kKHDJT4zdrU9DYaXY9Oabr_IRRwEKVSYzrMQfEO03oyoxid6F3U4ZqYFhfGE6Odlg9j7Yh_lUvr/s320/100_5957.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
-Weirding out the FedEx people when I asked them to take a picture......thankfully, she got her manager and all smiles unfolded when I explained to them what this was for :)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_iZibfzCo7OUbntbF7Dbrl4kJkCYhxszpgk8OnUS-WYcoSAtaOSMnhUtJn3-YzPlnf5-Ob97Gbf4lMGGSL7vQQL4Ke7IiXWerq8ItPBLYmebPlKYA_ZIooRVuXrcC8TJRNnPbOpV68Z3f/s1600/100_5958.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_iZibfzCo7OUbntbF7Dbrl4kJkCYhxszpgk8OnUS-WYcoSAtaOSMnhUtJn3-YzPlnf5-Ob97Gbf4lMGGSL7vQQL4Ke7IiXWerq8ItPBLYmebPlKYA_ZIooRVuXrcC8TJRNnPbOpV68Z3f/s320/100_5958.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
-Welcoming my hubby back home after his long business trip :) I wasn't the only one who missed him...It's good to be loved and Labs know how to hit it on a special note! Brie climbed up and snuggled in for an afternoon nap with J ....<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgybv4_nCsEgdjHUBBPMX6M1syf3-ij_yX8Oy0C57eFf7_uSEQYSkiAuBdo8ttpJ8vD_RH9-8QEoODaeD3kP_Y_qiMpab1SnhbO7pdry7ehSLXqCSANO4VvkbiOzqrQAEHGnzOEwoRXNKZA/s1600/100_5960.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgybv4_nCsEgdjHUBBPMX6M1syf3-ij_yX8Oy0C57eFf7_uSEQYSkiAuBdo8ttpJ8vD_RH9-8QEoODaeD3kP_Y_qiMpab1SnhbO7pdry7ehSLXqCSANO4VvkbiOzqrQAEHGnzOEwoRXNKZA/s320/100_5960.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<br />
-Looking at endless nursery room ideas after returning our cute JJ Cole bedding that will need to find itself a home somewhere else. We're not settled, but we're getting closer and we realize we still have some time. Here's a couple ideas we've stumbled upon while looking at one of my favorite Little D related sites, <a href="http://projectnursery.com/">Project Nursery</a>--check them out for great ideas around your home. And there's always our beloved Ikea ;) ... wonder what her room will look like?....stay tuned ;)...<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZFfsNmZu4mL-m4FSkOehogV9xyO3h255KpLfKJbEJmxmDyB0e0xirciP1Ii6h1I-JcjXLNnm7S1YkHLmmwr0cGoDKHsinAZBGHFt2XtQ-oFia_7ORi3Snr41sJO5hXYX5H5QwvFn0wAND/s1600/banana+fish+bedding.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZFfsNmZu4mL-m4FSkOehogV9xyO3h255KpLfKJbEJmxmDyB0e0xirciP1Ii6h1I-JcjXLNnm7S1YkHLmmwr0cGoDKHsinAZBGHFt2XtQ-oFia_7ORi3Snr41sJO5hXYX5H5QwvFn0wAND/s1600/banana+fish+bedding.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Super cute Bananafish bedding found <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Bananafish-MigiSweet-Sunshine-Bedding-Yellow/dp/B004C4GL94/ref=sr_1_2?s=baby-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1301555543&sr=1-2">here</a>.<br />
<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2YC8OudgIok22CQBdUpmCYFwLm11ZAhnMljr2Gm-SnSD6dLsYks96H9iMFo-s54JzXDScnyNoTxtLV2anTxlDcbz80A__LNNfFDtummaZJWQtH0eS5EyDDlcBqBBXVwWr-84Ww8TcOh-B/s1600/nursery+cute.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2YC8OudgIok22CQBdUpmCYFwLm11ZAhnMljr2Gm-SnSD6dLsYks96H9iMFo-s54JzXDScnyNoTxtLV2anTxlDcbz80A__LNNfFDtummaZJWQtH0eS5EyDDlcBqBBXVwWr-84Ww8TcOh-B/s320/nursery+cute.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This mom, <a href="http://gallery.projectnursery.com/projects/946-Aria-s-Nursery">Aria</a>, over at Project Nursery, made one of the coolest nurseries I've seen! We're scoping out Craigslist to find a mid-century dresser like the one above...</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCqjL3tvyo4V_OO3yrIWyIdW8uq5d1j6QEjhxVbjeMUS-pQp6GJYX2MSOX2v2jT5l_nKKPvaQURZ4CdZPiirtw4rHltiuTccEpI0KBF6wRBbhInHgypmK-wLPqV9cJHXQJXF9G5j-qG86E/s1600/ikea+pendant+light.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCqjL3tvyo4V_OO3yrIWyIdW8uq5d1j6QEjhxVbjeMUS-pQp6GJYX2MSOX2v2jT5l_nKKPvaQURZ4CdZPiirtw4rHltiuTccEpI0KBF6wRBbhInHgypmK-wLPqV9cJHXQJXF9G5j-qG86E/s320/ikea+pendant+light.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We LOVE <a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/">Ikea</a>...this pendent light will be hanging somewhere in her nursery</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
-I recently read a new book that's geared towards the friends and families of adoptive families. It's called <u><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Adoptive-Parents-Adoption-Relatives-Friends/dp/product-description/0982876505">In On It</a></u> by Elisabeth O'Toole, and I found it to be a really great read. Written by an adoptive mom, her focus isn't to the adoptive parents, but rather to the friends and families to those around them. She wrote it to help them understand how important their role will be and how they can be <i>in on it</i> [i.e. the adoption] :) Check your local library to see if you can snag a copy otherwise, Amazon is where we ordered ours. It's a wonderful book and I wish I could share it with all of our close family and friends before Little D comes home.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBkC1cOclTp6ITOs5oKUVbOIK_rct37_GeuRkWBG8-ZInxXmCFAROntoHTtL5i4dtbRmXr_6DDzfAZEDSQYciirUqQF7uMC3smeKAl6y1j4VsexpK5kSTCzLDWzf2VBO6q0Nz9laqXIsmM/s1600/in+on+it+book.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBkC1cOclTp6ITOs5oKUVbOIK_rct37_GeuRkWBG8-ZInxXmCFAROntoHTtL5i4dtbRmXr_6DDzfAZEDSQYciirUqQF7uMC3smeKAl6y1j4VsexpK5kSTCzLDWzf2VBO6q0Nz9laqXIsmM/s320/in+on+it+book.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
So that's just a few of the musings of our time since the <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">awesome</span> </span></span>news we announced about two weeks ago about our referral! On the front-line of prayer requests: The Ethiopian government has begun their limited processing of court cases (going from 50 cases a day to now 5 per day), and our family, along with a dozen others, are now in the midst of waiting out this new process. We're not certain of how long it will be before we can travel to meet Little D and attest to the judge that we are madly in love with her and that she has a permanent place in our family forever. But, we have witnessed on several accounts, that God has more power than we often think possible or give credit to, and so we are going to Him frequently, asking that He'd give the ET government the resources and time that they need to do a thorough, safe job with bringing families together. We want Little D to be home, like yesterday, but we also know that it's not about us. Truly. All entities are doing the best that they can and it's our role to patiently support them. As we wait, we're comforted by some awesome blessings already: several families who are traveling to Addis Ababa (the capital) have offered to take pictures and video of Little D for us!!!! We're thrilled!! We can't wait to see more pictures of her and hear the nannies pronounce her name for us :) There is great hope in that fact that she is being lovingly cared for by our agency's nannies. She has been removed from the state-run orphanage and is now in a home where she is being cared for in wonderful ways. Do you see it? God is providing us with a lot, all around us, and we have the option to either choose to a) anxiously turn to frustration and fear or b) rejoice in the fact that He is taking care of this little girl <i>and </i>her parents ;) We're going with the latter one--and we hope you will too! <br />
<br />
We'll keep ya'll updated on the little moments, as well as the big ones too as things unfold. Thanks for coming along with us on this amazing adventure of becoming parents!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12093589459459734561noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6717625296301511386.post-87583546217575158222011-04-04T17:07:00.002-04:002011-04-04T17:34:50.198-04:00We have GREAT NEWS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!We can't believe we're actually typing these words, but.....after 7 and 1/2 months of waiting...........<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>WE RECEIVED OUR REFERRAL</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!</i></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaM6YsdymjZbCTK-JtY3gDYKRORDbjXjoRoDuGy3T8o6Qd8vEr6iUyXu0DyoaytientGqAZ7b6I1kab8aXblrxg4E3fqfUqcHIjJiVCZM1gN3SeX6i620XvExal2KmmuhsjvhA1YEvLama/s1600/IMG_5067.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaM6YsdymjZbCTK-JtY3gDYKRORDbjXjoRoDuGy3T8o6Qd8vEr6iUyXu0DyoaytientGqAZ7b6I1kab8aXblrxg4E3fqfUqcHIjJiVCZM1gN3SeX6i620XvExal2KmmuhsjvhA1YEvLama/s320/IMG_5067.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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We are <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">thrilled</span>, and <b><i>excited</i></b>, and <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">surprised</span></b>, and <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">overjoyed</span>, and <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">smiling </span>from ear to ear! Oh my goodness, where to start?!? This is such a neat story, filled with God's hand in every detail, and it's something we just can't believe we're the recipients of! Let us tell you about <i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">our</span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79;">little</span> <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #c27ba0;">girl</span> </b></span>;) </i><br />
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God has known all along what our story would hold and to our surprise we got the wonderful news of our referral while we were on Justin's business trip in Budapest, Hungary last week!! There are so many little details that needed to happen--way beyond our control or, I must point out: even our <i>knowledge </i>of what would need to happen to make everything come together. This is truly GOD you guys!! Justin and I could have never, ever orchestrated this to happen the way it has. It it AWESOME. And mind blowing. It is leaving us speechless as we now fully <u>see</u> and <b>know </b>that His hand is weaving our family's story together and it is unbelievably beautiful. <br />
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Wanting to save our story, <i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">her story</span></i>, for our little girl, we'll share some of the details because this story is just <b>too good to not share!!</b> But we'll also keep some behind so that someday, when we're holding our daughter in our arms or rocking her to sleep, we can tell her about the amazing God that created her and protected her and brought us all together in a way no human could have successfully directed alone. <br />
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The news came on Wednesday night, March 30, when Justin and I had just gotten home from dinner. He is currently in Budapest, Hungary for business (I flew home Friday morning), and while we toiled over which trip I'd join him on (he will return again to Hungary in June and then in August/September), the day of his departure got closer and closer. Finally, just less than a week before his flight took off, we made my reservations so that I could join him on <i>this trip</i> for the first half of his 14 days there: to <i>bring home to him</i> amidst stress and all that comes with leading big projects. It just so happened that my work schedule was also the most opportunistic for me to go during this particular time as I'd only have to miss one day of work. [Insert: Hi God! (wink) We now see where your hand was guiding our decisions!] So we booked the flight, packed our bags, and headed over to Budapest. Fast forward to Wednesday. That morning we got up, Justin headed off to the plant and I embarked on a morning spent doing something I absolutely love: cooking with local Hungarians. It was one of the highlights of my trip and when we joined up back at the hotel to go out for dinner, I was full of energy and excited to tell him all about my day. We headed out to a great local restaurant called Iguana, where most ex-pats grab garb and hang out. It happens to be one of Justin's favorite places to eat. We had a really fun date talking about our future family and how intrigued we were with the European way of baby gear vs the American stuff we'd registered for just a few weeks ago. After dinner we caught the Metro and came back to the hotel room and were ready to call it a night. It was then that I casually sat down at our laptop and moved the mouse to check the weather for the next day. Justin's email account popped up and in bold print [you know the kind when you have <b>new unread email</b>] it said: <b>Ethiopia - Referral Given.</b> I went NUTS!!!!! I was <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">jumping on the bed,</span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">giggling </span>and shouting <i>"its here, its here!!!! oh my gosh!!!!! I can't believe it!!!!"</i> over and over. My very mellow, handsome hubby sat on the bed staring at his work email from his Blackberry....I think he was in total shock!! We sat down together at the computer, opened the email and there before us were two <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">beautiful</span>, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">big</span>, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #783f04; color: #f1c232;">melt your heart</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;"><b>brown </b></span>eyes that just seemed to call<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> <i><b>"I'm yours"</b></i>. As we sat there just staring, we thought, I can't believe our little <i>boy </i>is here :) Little to our surprise, as we would find out minutes later, God had an entirely different desire for how our family grows. Because as we opened the rest of the email, we learned that we are expecting <i><b>a </b></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><b>precious three</b></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><b> month old, beautiful </b></i><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">little girl</span></b>!</i>!!!!!!!!</span> We spent the next day praying, fervently and honestly to our Father that He would help us guide us in our decision. And on Thursday night, over <b>Whoppers </b>and <b>Cokes at Burger King in Budapest, Hungary</b>, with beaming smiles we toasted to one another and said, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">"<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">to</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-size: large; font-style: italic;">our</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><i> </i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79; font-size: large; font-style: italic;">little</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><i> </i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #c27ba0; font-size: large; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">girl!!!!"</span><span class="Apple-style-span">. </span></span><br />
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For anyone who has been apart our story at any point along this great adventure, you will have known that a) Justin and I have been anticipating this amazing news for years--literally--we have been longing to grow our family through adoption since our dating years, and b) that we were honestly expecting a <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>little boy</i></span>. All we can share with you is that we know, with no regret and no doubt, that we are to begin our family through the adoption of this beautiful little girl. When we jumped on full board for this adventure, we trusted Jesus Christ from the moment we began that we had the capacity in our hearts to love a child who needs to know what the love of a family truly is. We are thrilled that God has <i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>surprised us</b></span></i>, and that we're now: joyfully, incredibly excited and more than thrilled to announce that <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-size: x-large;"><i>we're going to have a little girl!! </i></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT1Bi-IOATEz2eO5XUJ675BjO9Y9SnMGoyRSK8z7lqu6rPQ_6Iz0T19X4T1e0gIZaZ2Qg3g6QkZKW-3xgIOyOXK_dyAgpoPC2Fan3VP_sQKOBuXIQj2IN11ghLS7PEZpKqV4EXjbiAeIf5/s1600/IMG_5058.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT1Bi-IOATEz2eO5XUJ675BjO9Y9SnMGoyRSK8z7lqu6rPQ_6Iz0T19X4T1e0gIZaZ2Qg3g6QkZKW-3xgIOyOXK_dyAgpoPC2Fan3VP_sQKOBuXIQj2IN11ghLS7PEZpKqV4EXjbiAeIf5/s320/IMG_5058.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A few goodies from Hungary to remember this remarkable trip!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>So, now it's time to make some changes to the baby registry, start looking at pink and purple ;) and begin to plan for a little girl filling our home with laughter, smiles, and tears that her daddy and mommy will soon grow to love unconditionally! This is one of the greatest gifts Christ has ever blessed us with and without Him, we cannot imagine missing out on His perfect, marvelous direction of our lives. We're hoping to travel sometime in August to meet her and then bring her home this fall sometime!!<br />
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Because of Christ,<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Justin, Kati and <i>"Little D"</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><i><br />
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<i>Although we cannot post any pictures of our little lady, "Little D", on the internet right now because of Ethiopian law, please do not hesitate to come see us because we would love to introduce you to our little girl through the pictures we have of her!!!!!!!!!!! She is special!!!!</i>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12093589459459734561noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6717625296301511386.post-24901650930883249522011-03-31T06:01:00.002-04:002011-04-05T05:46:18.098-04:00Traveling AbroadI would be pretty sure to say that Justin and I both love to travel. Whether it's backpacking in the Allegheny National Park in Western New York, swimming in crystal clear water in Hawaii and letting Him introduce us to His endless creativity, even gathering around different tables where we learn that enjoying a meal with others can create a true sense of community, or settling here: in Budapest, Hungary and finding that a smile will speak a <s>thousand</s> no, rather million words and that the kindness of an older man helping me find my way back to the trolley are all moments when God says, "I'm here" [wink..ya, I think that's just how He does it]. <br />
-- it often leaves us speechless with faces of those who watch fireworks on a warm 4th of July night. It's breathtaking. It's beautiful. It leaves us saying, "Wow God. I can't believe that I could have missed out on this!". <br />
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This won't be a rather long post, but one that has more pictures. Everyone <i>looooves</i> pictures ;) I'm writing this from our hotel in Budapest, getting ready to go enjoy my last day here. The decision to take this trip was, well, rather short notice, however, it's one that I cannot imagine not being on. Justin's career requires frequent trips to Hungary for 2 weeks stents. For us, that time cannot pass quickly enough. After toiling over my role as a wife and wanting to create <i>home</i> wherever that may us, we decided that <i>this </i>trip I'd come along for the first half of it and be here for Justin when he comes home from work, to bypass the quiet evenings of dinner alone, to support him when the project gets tense, and to doll up the hotel room with flowers and sweet smelling things..... ok so maybe not that last part ;) but you get the idea! It's been wonderful and here are some pictures of this cool city and how I've spent my time while my hubby works so hard to support our family with integrity and drivenness.<br />
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Oh, and how could we not add: the news on the adoption front line has become incredibly encouraging!! Our close friends just received their referal last week of a beautiful, handsome, precious little boy!! We went over <i>that night</i> and had to meet his precious little face in the photos :) WE ARE HEAD OVER HEALS for Eric, Ally & Sam--Congrats! Isn't God awesome?! This adoption is quite a roller coaster of an experience--thank you all so, so much for being along it with us! Also, on another note, we just ask that you would all be thinking about and praying for our case worker at Children's Hope. Two weeks ago she suffered a medical emergency while on vacation visiting family. She's doing ok (thank you God!) but will be gone from CHI for a while as she recovers and gets the care she needs. This means we'll now be learning the rest of the team there at CHI while they adjust and shift around in Sharon's absence--they are all doing such an amazing job! So, good good news in many different ways! <br />
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Enjoy this pictures!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO9Qo47-hMeKvgpY1cV6aYiGvIFpO9BbIhGTsC8hq05fkE6Sgvw5qllCsomcpiDIKDQBvTbsBWtBih9lQHeOo_NdeLdF7HGXpXwn1jKs7OOYZ9O-848d6vVYl7BAfNSFWatrcaxM7Hkurv/s1600/IMG_4870.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO9Qo47-hMeKvgpY1cV6aYiGvIFpO9BbIhGTsC8hq05fkE6Sgvw5qllCsomcpiDIKDQBvTbsBWtBih9lQHeOo_NdeLdF7HGXpXwn1jKs7OOYZ9O-848d6vVYl7BAfNSFWatrcaxM7Hkurv/s320/IMG_4870.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12093589459459734561noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6717625296301511386.post-66786455570165496342011-03-09T08:18:00.000-05:002011-03-09T08:18:54.606-05:00Only Water<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ80BnT9CPtKqcimOcA5kzsP9sjFcWLAIWWlSlvGmcXQ8zwRw5m_cywoAiTdWSrvpzs4vlEbPbrxuPc4W7GMlPOSHo3t9cpAwpHPY21hzgEhummQ2kVwSwjSHfCasE1PjV39Y3PuZM0hFo/s1600/Praying+Hands+on+Bible+Black+and+White.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ80BnT9CPtKqcimOcA5kzsP9sjFcWLAIWWlSlvGmcXQ8zwRw5m_cywoAiTdWSrvpzs4vlEbPbrxuPc4W7GMlPOSHo3t9cpAwpHPY21hzgEhummQ2kVwSwjSHfCasE1PjV39Y3PuZM0hFo/s1600/Praying+Hands+on+Bible+Black+and+White.jpg" /></a></div><div style="font-family: times, serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'bookman old style', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: times, serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'bookman old style', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: times, serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'bookman old style', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: small;">Today is a day for only water. And only Jesus.</span></div><div style="font-family: times, serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'bookman old style', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: times, serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'bookman old style', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: times, serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'bookman old style', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: small;">Justin and I, along with many many other families in the waiting process of being united with their Ethiopian child(ren), have </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'bookman old style', 'new york', times, serif;">received</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'bookman old style', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: small;"> some very difficult news over the past 5 days from the Ethiopian Government. In the attempt to protect their orphans, the Ministry of Women's Affairs (a branch of their government who is responsible for inter-country adoptions) has announced that starting this week, tomorrow: <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1299675083_1" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-color: rgb(54, 99, 136); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 2px; color: #366388; cursor: pointer;">March 10</span>, they will drastically reduce the number of adoptions to the U.S. by 90%. Their reasoning is based on fact that there have been U.S. adoption agencies that are practicing unethically and providing <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1299675083_2" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: initial; color: #366388; cursor: pointer;">child trafficking</span>. In effort to protect their childing, ET has pulled the cord tightly and in doing so, this means that we now face many months, possibly year(s) before we bring a little boy home. We were planning on a referral (phone call telling us we have a son!) coming in the next 2-3 months. It is now looking like it could be very long before we hear anything.</span></div><div style="font-family: times, serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'bookman old style', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: times, serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'bookman old style', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: small;">Without going into great detail (please understand and trust that we have been in contact with our agency and we are choosing to not share every detail with every one--it is exhausting to revisit over and over again and frankly we have very limited information right now that we can believe as true--there is a lot of information floating out there that does not have sound backing, just people's speculations. We're choosing to receive our information through our agency, where they have people in Ethiopia who are able to bring facts to us as they learn all the details). Please know that there are two things that you can do that would support us in <i>so many ways</i>. </span></div><div style="font-family: times, serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'bookman old style', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipJ-LG4p42pRf4S1K-T8K8tuV_v2P4fvyEsiW8wgV51KJfKtDze9rZD_LmJC77q4nboZ9dwCZ-ZG3cB-_en48kq0a5uMiAUF85I2ZcjNMknqqQBT5-1lBrnpXJfOX22WFXdc8KYvMv2uSN/s1600/trust.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipJ-LG4p42pRf4S1K-T8K8tuV_v2P4fvyEsiW8wgV51KJfKtDze9rZD_LmJC77q4nboZ9dwCZ-ZG3cB-_en48kq0a5uMiAUF85I2ZcjNMknqqQBT5-1lBrnpXJfOX22WFXdc8KYvMv2uSN/s200/trust.jpg" width="200" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">First, we believe in the <i>power</i> of prayer. We are on our knees, bringing every aspect of this to Jesus, asking for His direction and providence over this decision. Would you join us in praying, please? Today, I (Kati) will be joining other waiting families by fasting to focus on these following prayer points that were shared with us from our agencies blog group</span>: </span></div><div style="font-family: times, serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4040ff;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><b style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">1. For God's will to be done on earth as it is in heaven.</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">God is in control. For those of you who are facing being stuck, remember that God is in control.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><br style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><br style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><b style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">2. For God to breakdown strongholds of the enemy.</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">Every child deserves the right to grow up in a health family, and adoptive families provide that for thousands of children each year. Pray that God would demolish the strongholds that are set up against adoption.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><br style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><br style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><b style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">3. For God to fulfill His promises.</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">God defines Himself as the Father to the Fatherless. He declares He will set the lonely in families. He warns those who would interfere with His plan to bring justice and mercy that is due to them. Find the orphan scriptures, pray them to God, and ask Him to fulfill those promises to the children of <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1299675083_3" style="color: #366388;">Ethiopia</span> now.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><br style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><br style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><b style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">4. For the courts and judges and government officials making this decision.</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><br style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">Ask the <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1299675083_4" style="color: #366388;">Holy Spirit</span> to permeate the courtroom and convict the hearts of the judges and other government officials. Bring the <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1299675083_5" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(54, 99, 136); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 2px; color: #366388; cursor: pointer;">power of the Holy Spirit</span> into these discussions and proceedings--not that we would get our way--but that God's perfect will would be fulfilled in these decisions.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><br style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><br style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><b style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">5. For the <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1299675083_6" style="color: #366388;">children and families</span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">That God would shorten their wait times. Fortunately, God is bigger than these obstacles. Pray that waiting children would receive comfort. And pray that waiting families would experience peace, grace, and love from those around them.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><br style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><br style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /></span></div><div style="font-family: times, serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">We are also asking that you would consider signing this petition on our son's behalf: </span></div><div style="font-family: times, serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.gopetition.com/petition/43714.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1299675083_7" style="color: #366388;">http://www.gopetition.com/petition/43714.html</span></a></div><div style="font-family: times, serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: times, serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: times, serif;">We</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'bookman old style', 'new york', times, serif;"> believe God has called us to Ethiopia for a reason. We believe that there is a little boy over there who is waiting to be apart of our family and we believe that God turned our hearts with such passion and drive towards Ethiopia that our only response is to continue to trust Him through this rocky period. Thank you, each and every one of you, for the incredible support you've shown us ever since our announcement that<i>we're expecting</i>. As we find patience and peace, we continue to <i>expect</i> that God will guide our hearts towards His beautiful and best plan.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><div style="font-family: 'bookman old style', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'bookman old style', 'new york', times, serif;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/UWHJ6-YhSYQ" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #366388; font-family: times, serif;"><br />
</span></div></span></div><div style="font-family: times, serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'bookman old style', 'new york', times, serif;">Phillipians 4: 6-7 (taken from the Message Bible)</span></div><div style="font-family: times, serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'bookman old style', 'new york', times, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Don't fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life</span></span></div><div style="font-family: times, serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'bookman old style', 'new york', times, serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: times, serif; font-size: 12pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12093589459459734561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6717625296301511386.post-81743230838444601962011-02-17T17:44:00.001-05:002011-02-17T17:50:17.524-05:00"I love my house; I love my nest; In all the world; My nest is best!" excerpt from The Best Nest.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrbgz3lBkTGkbTRVkIkwNtx1sWNDkSWpRpvp8nmM2ieEKRjCbEGAqbvZlBAHL4SmVJ7_7q0w6P6FoOQHfQ7NWHqLBNMfDKUH5rPNr01lUQu6_JBXlLsVrK_k-Unr1OFsZ5f9EMCHFvmsZB/s1600/empty+nest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrbgz3lBkTGkbTRVkIkwNtx1sWNDkSWpRpvp8nmM2ieEKRjCbEGAqbvZlBAHL4SmVJ7_7q0w6P6FoOQHfQ7NWHqLBNMfDKUH5rPNr01lUQu6_JBXlLsVrK_k-Unr1OFsZ5f9EMCHFvmsZB/s320/empty+nest.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><b>Nesting (my current state): </b>refers to an instinct or urge in expectant animals to prepare a home for the upcoming newborn(s). It is found in a variety of animals (both mammals and birds) including humans.</span></span></blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSf4k6QLwzdTq3HeegDT4I-ingXj6iMTDczQAYUXcuG1Z-5cJ-w_1l8ZFnCblrYPtsdsFjBkK2l9F_QWXRe6DM4P971rngUFdr0Hzf8GGFPZTESvGY6jFFsTisjPG3B30WMoT3rpuL-UKM/s1600/the-best-nest+book.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSf4k6QLwzdTq3HeegDT4I-ingXj6iMTDczQAYUXcuG1Z-5cJ-w_1l8ZFnCblrYPtsdsFjBkK2l9F_QWXRe6DM4P971rngUFdr0Hzf8GGFPZTESvGY6jFFsTisjPG3B30WMoT3rpuL-UKM/s1600/the-best-nest+book.jpg" /></a></div>Do you remember reading <u>The Best Nest</u> by P.D. Eastman as a child? This Random House Young Reader book was a favorite of mine in 3rd grade. I know, it just shouts <i>advanced reader</i>, doesn't it?! Actually, the reason I loved this book had nothing to do with the context of the story, but at that stage in my childhood I was thrilled with anything that had to do with art, and I was quite obsessed with tracing.... everything... including these lovely little birds..... weird. I know.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxiFyFlxZqOdXLNzXFsSAM6BOK7acRwA_O0B44TiBEE8wnZPBQYY71R-CBby3aWA_Ug0WAAZw0jKxfGWJIZxVwojdU-Qx4HM7ZO4SXZfifrj0AnaHhkTmZWJ2fNcncQxj23WtcvLHuD3TC/s1600/100_5894.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxiFyFlxZqOdXLNzXFsSAM6BOK7acRwA_O0B44TiBEE8wnZPBQYY71R-CBby3aWA_Ug0WAAZw0jKxfGWJIZxVwojdU-Qx4HM7ZO4SXZfifrj0AnaHhkTmZWJ2fNcncQxj23WtcvLHuD3TC/s1600/100_5894.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxiFyFlxZqOdXLNzXFsSAM6BOK7acRwA_O0B44TiBEE8wnZPBQYY71R-CBby3aWA_Ug0WAAZw0jKxfGWJIZxVwojdU-Qx4HM7ZO4SXZfifrj0AnaHhkTmZWJ2fNcncQxj23WtcvLHuD3TC/s320/100_5894.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My cookbooks. New and Old and Inspiring!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;">Well fast forward 20 years and you have a woman who still is pretty fond of these sweet little creatures [when they remain outdoors and away from reeking havoc on a good hair day]. But get beyond that, go deeper, and you arrive at my ever so delighted <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">heart</span>. Over the past couple of weeks I have begun to embrace God's design of <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">nesting.</span> Some of it relates to our preparation for our little baby, some of it is just plain simple a passion of mine of home making. It began with working on a playroom, then grew into an early Saturday morning baking muffins (I'll share the recipes below!) for our neighbors, and has traveled into the beginning stages of creating a nursery and getting back into the kitchen to make cupcakes for Valentine's Day. What a beautiful thing community can be. Going door to door to get out of our hibernated state to actually SEE our neighbors and to offer a simple gift that said <i>I'm glad it's <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">you </span>who lives near us</i> was a chance for us to hopefully thaw out the chill of winter that drives us to be brief and closed up and offer an opportunity to build something more significant. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a name='more'></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyMCCxD0i0wU7u9iQ9IpttxXTocXkrzPi9d4OGSwk7mJr_7S8T1fRPgk0mkVU_3QdaRCGAgyh6m_BGMlOdf15_j4BTf5pDkHkheAC2gz7EPGVd7PxD1yPtETZ89R8OEjQ95FaUY9zHYagt/s1600/expectant+mom+parking.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyMCCxD0i0wU7u9iQ9IpttxXTocXkrzPi9d4OGSwk7mJr_7S8T1fRPgk0mkVU_3QdaRCGAgyh6m_BGMlOdf15_j4BTf5pDkHkheAC2gz7EPGVd7PxD1yPtETZ89R8OEjQ95FaUY9zHYagt/s200/expectant+mom+parking.jpg" width="150" /></a>I've also spent a lot,<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"> A LOT</span> of time looking online at different bedding sets for the nursery, traveling over to Target and BabiesRUs to just <i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">peek</span></i> at the baby stuff, and ordering fabric swatches gives me butterflies! I was so stinkin tempted to park in the "Expectant Mom's" parking spot at BRU...but bashfully I chose another spot. How silly?! I don't know why I just didn't park there? Oh well, my giddiness was over taken with the worry that someone might say "hey why are you parking there? You don't <i>look</i> like you're pregnant". Ha! Next time, I'll just pull right in there with a <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #f1c232;">beaming</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"> </span><span style="background-color: #f1c232;"></span><span style="background-color: #f1c232;"></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>smile </b></span>across my face :) Anyway, I found one the other day that was really cute, and well, after many nights of showing Justin countless "ideas", he saw this one and agreed it was a good pick! I like that Justin's got a sense of design preference for our home--at times I get a bit feisty when we're both arguing for what we like, but I honestly do enjoy that he's interested in having a style for our home too. Our criteria was pretty picky: NOTHING themey, NOTHING uber classic, we wanted it to be modern, but not overkill and something that can grow with our son. After grazing oodles of websites, blogs, etc, here's what we picked out: </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn3UMOWqK0orrotIBAKat8WoLmG667kkM45rUzJwGbFEAeb6zZjV2cdrn5enfxeGqQuwRHJ0gn2tj7C_cvEIAxU8QV-za2ns-fivaktRwNjm4ZAs0IM_Kqa9shQUaBBvy8D11OVz-7HAAd/s1600/bluebullseye715694.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn3UMOWqK0orrotIBAKat8WoLmG667kkM45rUzJwGbFEAeb6zZjV2cdrn5enfxeGqQuwRHJ0gn2tj7C_cvEIAxU8QV-za2ns-fivaktRwNjm4ZAs0IM_Kqa9shQUaBBvy8D11OVz-7HAAd/s320/bluebullseye715694.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It's from JJ Cole and it's called Blue Bullseye. I ordered it from Amazon on Tuesday night and it arrived today (thanks Amazon Prime!)! The walls in our baby's room were a jaw dropping teal green with hunter green some kind of <i>special effects stuff</i> when we first moved in....sadly those had to go! As we wrap up our bathroom project, my mind is already brewing up lots of ideas for this little boy's nursery. It'll be a lot of fun to work on that space! </div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnRmof6YY6h42bmeVrj8t1WZB8VX5Cqxs-KhhUHou61uWTg5uFf9pyeR9qKVQOjr7fNQsqSgagq-VOAxntSkvsvAxi23XHgNRytnZJBmZJH4CL2AJ2QghkP4BPVFl-zPOjO7uEYbg0hxTE/s1600/Number-18-900.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnRmof6YY6h42bmeVrj8t1WZB8VX5Cqxs-KhhUHou61uWTg5uFf9pyeR9qKVQOjr7fNQsqSgagq-VOAxntSkvsvAxi23XHgNRytnZJBmZJH4CL2AJ2QghkP4BPVFl-zPOjO7uEYbg0hxTE/s320/Number-18-900.jpg" width="320" /></a>Speaking of <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">R</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">e</span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">f</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">e</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">r</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">r</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">a</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">l</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">s</span>, some wonderful news was brought to a couple in the CHI family! This past week a family was given a referral of a precious little 9 month old boy. We're INSPIRED, reFUELed and so, so stinkin happy for this family!! For the past 2 months, referrals slowed down and for a moment (or many moments) I found myself running to the Lord with lots of <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">anxiety </span>over this waiting stage. I imagine I wasn't alone with the other families who are on this adventure too. Our Amazing Creator has opened the door again. And with that thrilling news for the family mentioned above, it became thrilling news for us because it now means we're #<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">18</span>.!!! <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">yay!!!</span> I wish we lived near these families, because I would just love, love, love to share in their joy and watch how God makes each of these situations special & unique. The CHI Ethiopia team must have a blast getting to make that incredible phone call to a family with their referral! What a beautiful love-strung message from our Father to a expecting mommy and daddy for Valentine's Day! Below you'll find the recipes and some pictures from the fun that's been happening in our kitchen and in our home with crafts......</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVsguMrwA7ApcO0lf0rl3de3hFo4iBjiqZ8XD09hPMfs13uGgm_km8BkQUpVJb-ELd_98w0dbgeJIszsn39AjKG9hkf3ePerIIHLhajT99v02f4yTuzDN79q7Vi9ADJHlLplR0C2kDaXdu/s1600/100_5897-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVsguMrwA7ApcO0lf0rl3de3hFo4iBjiqZ8XD09hPMfs13uGgm_km8BkQUpVJb-ELd_98w0dbgeJIszsn39AjKG9hkf3ePerIIHLhajT99v02f4yTuzDN79q7Vi9ADJHlLplR0C2kDaXdu/s320/100_5897-1.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a>For each of the recipes, I chose to use both blueberries and blackberries and added whet germ into the dry ingredients. <a href="http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/To-Die-For-Blueberry-Muffins/Detail.aspx">Recipe 1</a> (raw sugar topping), <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/emeril-lagasse/blueberry-raspberry-muffins-with-streusel-topping-recipe/index.html">Recipe 2</a> (strudel topping, yum), <a href="http://thebittenword.typepad.com/thebittenword/2009/06/best-blueberry-muffins.html">Recipe 3</a> (raw sugar topping or strudel topping..great idea using blueberry jam! it was innovative!)</div><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"> Gluten Free and simply delicious! If I could eat cupcakes all the time, I'd go GF just for these! They are <a href="http://www.food.com/recipe/easy-gluten-free-red-velvet-cupcakes-437479">Red Velvet Cupcakes with Creme Cheese Topping</a>.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ_BuY970I5mFNYJ1nHl5WUHPhwKpkGFjT_1ODC33IZPMZUpLSG9IiAUy-HgJHrqpRc5UFHwcnwpEvw9H_WvLL1k4IlhsjNbuxKDeIaGb33m9GpyNgsKe2zDiaO6HpueLqItB2r7D7Vuvr/s1600/100_5900.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ_BuY970I5mFNYJ1nHl5WUHPhwKpkGFjT_1ODC33IZPMZUpLSG9IiAUy-HgJHrqpRc5UFHwcnwpEvw9H_WvLL1k4IlhsjNbuxKDeIaGb33m9GpyNgsKe2zDiaO6HpueLqItB2r7D7Vuvr/s320/100_5900.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"> Packing up the goodies to go bless our neighbors with some love!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxTVGuIuHtm8x1nyvlELf-ZjWB840kIoWp_FRQSNzZnLvDKg1VR8kFex3GyIGzr-5_PAe6W6cvMajPbW4D6VL10JCVxea7CQSEiopy2hGin0gzmaQDch8k7k6Qc02pa6ePPazYvb5U7Dgk/s1600/100_5892.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxTVGuIuHtm8x1nyvlELf-ZjWB840kIoWp_FRQSNzZnLvDKg1VR8kFex3GyIGzr-5_PAe6W6cvMajPbW4D6VL10JCVxea7CQSEiopy2hGin0gzmaQDch8k7k6Qc02pa6ePPazYvb5U7Dgk/s320/100_5892.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="240" /></a> I was recently introduced to <a href="http://moneysavingmom.com/">Money Saving Mom</a> (check this out--if you're not following, you soon will be!) and along came this cute <a href="http://www.ourbestbites.com/2011/01/weekend-crafting-valentine-rosette.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+ourbestbites/djLu+(Our+Best+Bites)">Valentine Rosette Wreath</a>. I love crafts, and so I set out to get the materials and make it clear that cupid had landed! It was really easy and Justin was even super sweet to help me roll the rosettes one afternoon while watching HGTV :) </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12093589459459734561noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6717625296301511386.post-42177141961558751102011-01-28T20:00:00.000-05:002011-01-28T20:00:41.608-05:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2WYVle_-Ze28BWwhekOi-TZHWjBuy4Dq839cW22v9rhaPpXA3UonDHobtJWAQjpOobiIHN074Y7eX1XLbD7wWjEJBcfgMCIzBuUYqyAai8JbZarR9vlLZvaFbkEj7I7J9kMjuXKV2SoB2/s1600/DSC_0630.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2WYVle_-Ze28BWwhekOi-TZHWjBuy4Dq839cW22v9rhaPpXA3UonDHobtJWAQjpOobiIHN074Y7eX1XLbD7wWjEJBcfgMCIzBuUYqyAai8JbZarR9vlLZvaFbkEj7I7J9kMjuXKV2SoB2/s320/DSC_0630.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">This blog was created to be a place where family, friends and other adoptive moms & dads could come to follow <i>our journey</i> to becoming a <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">family </span>of <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">3</span>: to share in our <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">joyful celebrations,</span> to <i><b>laugh </b></i>with us at our silly moments, to keep us encouraged when times get tough for one reason or another and seem so trivial at in that instant yet reveal themselves to be <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">worth it all along</span>, and watch as Our Maker reveals to us <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">His wondrous design</span> of unifying and husband & wife in Ohio with a cherished little boy from Africa. Since being added to the wait list, we've had weeks where we hear that we've moved closer to our son, and weeks where no referrals are given within our agency and we remain eager to hear of news that brings families together in the coming weeks. In August we were encouraged that the wait might last about 10 months, and as of now, we're almost half way there! You should know that there is no guarantee that someone in Ethiopia is sitting there keeping track of the Foster's wait and making sure we are held any timeline. It's just an estimate to help our newbie minds understand the process. :) It might be longer, it could be sooner, but we're praying that in 2011, we'll welcome our baby boy into our lives! What we do know is that Jesus already knows the date when we're going to get that amazing call that says "you have a son!", the week that we'll travel to Addis to hold him in our arms for the first time and attend court, and the final trip that will grow together as a family and bring him home. We find peace in that alone.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLrs1iEHHW36EyWrT4wM1Bwa9MoHYBaugGYSNrY1iWHpYmBW4qcd8851Zk9kECuYOMPC4BiJQpsPx7LfbRKQ-PtMYs_5QIBeeEJnXrDvcWy7QKXAVCXt-rf6dPoerSqZcwxuuT5aorEDCJ/s1600/19-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLrs1iEHHW36EyWrT4wM1Bwa9MoHYBaugGYSNrY1iWHpYmBW4qcd8851Zk9kECuYOMPC4BiJQpsPx7LfbRKQ-PtMYs_5QIBeeEJnXrDvcWy7QKXAVCXt-rf6dPoerSqZcwxuuT5aorEDCJ/s320/19-3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">We've nicknamed him <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;"><b>JJ</b></span> (because when he is adopted, in Addis Ababa he will take Justin's name as his middle name for the court records...so as of now, he's Justin Jr.... ha, we know, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">original</span>, eh??!) Anyway, little JJ is already working on our hearts, and we don't even have a face or name to this precious little one! Looking forward to someday sharing news that we've gotten our referral. Until then, we'll wait! No news of moving up on the wait list this week. We remain at praise-worthy number 19!! (That's great growth from where we started!!)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">Have a great weekend everyone!!</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12093589459459734561noreply@blogger.com1