Pictures From the Weekend

Mikaele at a DFW Ethiopia Adoption Gathering

Ephrem with new friends at Ethiopia Adoption Gathering

Meeting and playing with cousins Jon and Jack

Mikaele petting Jasper with PawPaw and Jon

(This is a huge step as the boys came home terrified of dogs.)

Cake at a shower given by friends from Monica's mom's work

Ephrem eating cake Mommy brought home from the shower

Mikaele enjoying the cake too!

Brief Update

Several people have asked for an update. Sorry it's taken us so long. The boys have kept us so busy non-stop. There just hasn't been time to get on the computer until late at night and by then, we are exhausted. Adjusting to a new country, a new family, a new home, a new language and learning boundaries is hard work for the boys which makes hard work for Mommy and Daddy too. Last week was really difficult, but things seem to be quite a bit better this week. We are starting to get into a routine and things are going more smoothly most of the time. We are still having challenges at bedtime and it's taking awhile for the boys to get to sleep which keeps us up later than we would like with no time to rest or get anything else done around the house. Mikaele is really picking up the language so quickly. It is amazing to watch him learn new words every day and hear him use them correctly. Little Ephrem has started repeating words this week. Overall, I think the boys really are doing well. We are enjoying getting to know them. I'll try to update more often now that things are settling down and we'll try to post some pictures soon too.

Ready to Go!

Our bags are packed and we're ready to go meet our boys! Please pray for us, for health and safe travel. Most importantly, pray for Mikaele and Ephrem as their lives are about to be turned upside down. I imagine it might be a scary time for them not really understanding what is going to happen next in their lives and that this is really forever. Pray for all of us as we become a family.

I'm not sure how to put into words how we are feeling right now, so many different emotions all at once. I'm also not sure I really believe it is time to travel to bring our boys home. I wonder when it will finally sink in. Maybe when we are on the plane tomorrow, maybe after we meet the boys, maybe not until we are all home. Right now it just feels like a dream.

Finally, we are so thankful for the overwhelming love, support, and encouragement we have received from so many people over the past few weeks. Every hug, prayer, e-mail, blog comment, phone call, etc. has meant so much to us. We are blessed.