"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

Monday, April 20, 2009

Gotcha... 1 year ago!!!





It is hard to believe that 1 year ago we woke up in Ethiopia. Sometimes it is hard to believe we were even there, yet so much of me deeply misses Ethiopia. Africa had a real impact on all of our lives.

1 year ago today we drove into the courtyard of Hope's Place and were greeted by so many adorable little faces. Our boys were standing shyly on the stairs with their buddies all wrapped around them. They came right on over and shyly took our hands, gave us kisses and whispered their names. They tell us that they were told that day their mom and dad would come to get them- we don't really know if they understood that was "us". We spent a long day at Hope- loving on all the kids, delivering packages, taking pictures, checking on specific babies, measuring kids. We had lunch- Bis sat with his friends across the room, Yordi couldn't be removed from our sides to join his friends. They showed us their room and where they slept. And then we left.

And so a year has passed. I think they "know" they are here for good now. Things are settling in to a new normal. Older child adoption is a whole different world. Challenging but so rewarding... yes we missed out on all of their "firsts", but we have had the joy of all the new firsts and they are old enough to tell us... the first time in the grocery store, the first time in the swimming pool, ice cream, shoes, the first snowfall... sometimes we forget that the things they are experiencing are so foreign and new to them...

We are so thankful to have them home and for the relatively "easy process" that we had (ok if you don't count getting stuck in country). We are so thankful that our family is complete and that( for today anyhow ) :) they consider themselves part of it. We love these guys and just love watching them (especially our 3 littles) interact and learn and grow...

3 comments:

Sandee said...

Precious....you are such an encouragement to me. YOu make me want to cry.....

I pray blessings and God's hand on your family.

Nancy said...

CONGRATULATIONS on a year to each and every one of you. i understand all your sentiments, exactly! PRAISE GOD for all the learning experiences, so we can be more like Jesus. :)

Love to you all,
the wongs

p.s. ally is bursting at the seams, saying she can't wait to see you all again. :)

ellerbee eight said...

Amazing how fast time flies isn't it? I love what you say about a new normal... that's what we've found now too. Older child adoption is amazing and crazy at the same time. It hasn't been easy for us, yet I can't imagine not having them and not having gone through all the hard times because it has made me a better parent, a better spouse, a better person. I appreciate looking back at our challenges and actually laugh quite a bit more than I thought I would... all the times Josh tried to jump out of the moving car...the time Jameson painted my entire bathroom with fingernail polish... all in the first week home. I recognize the importance of the little things now. Congratulations on one year! Imagine what the next year holds for us!