We got Grace Elisabeth!

(Posted by Becky's mother) Today we got Grace! She is so beautiful! Her eyes were open wide and we have yet to hear her cry. The nannies at the orphanage are wonderful, caring, Christian women who cried when she left. Of course, we cried too! There is not a crib readily available so we will be using a suitcase! Tonight all the adoptive families staying at the Sadula are having pizza together. But mostly we'll just be loving on our new children. Praise God from whom all blessings flow!

Arrival in Ethiopia!

This is Becky's mother writing. Becky and her father arrived in Ethiopia on Saturday night--exhausted but happy. The flights went very well and they even arrived an hour earlier than expected. Getting visas and going through governmental lines was long but someone from the hotel was there to carry them to their hotel. The Sadula Lodge is very nice but the beds are HARD. They slept well the first night anyway but the second night didn't go as well. Yesterday Sami took them to visit some churches and museums. It wasn't real inspiring but it got them out of the hotel. They were able pop microwave popcorn and watch a movie on Becky's computer. Today they are scheduled to visit more museums and go shopping. Becky is hoping to purchase some memorabilia for Grace as well as a Nativity Scene.

Grace is growing!

I got new updates on Grace today!! I was so surprised. I didn't think I would get any new updates before I traveled, but I'm sure glad I did because I wanted to know her weight in order to take the right size clothes and diapers. She currently 11.03 pounds. She's a tiny one. So I packed 3-6 month size clothes and the smaller diapers. But I think she's the same weight Abby was when I brought her home. I also got this new picture. Isn't she a perfect little princess?
Today was a snow day and much needed! I was so busy catching up on life today. I spent about five hours working on school lesson plans for the next four weeks. I also spent quite a bit of time packing Grace's suitcase and the donation/gift/food suitcase. I got both of them done. Each suitcase has to weigh 50 pounds or less, and I made it! They are zipped shut and ready to go. I have the third suitcase open in my room and it's slowly collecting my personal items. There are only 9 more days until I can hold her in my arms.
Grace, I'm coming soon.
Lord, please hold her. never let her go.

Forever Home for 4 Years!

Today marked four incredibly awesome years with Abby. It was her Forever Home day, her "GOTCHA" day. The day we celebrate our family. At one time I thought I was fulfilled with life. Then I became a mother and Abby became my daughter. Suddenly, life became better. It became more fulfilling, more promising, more fun, more full, more tiring, but much, much more loving!
We celebrated with Mickey Mouse pancakes and a trip to Dairy Queen. Both of these were chosen by Abby. I guess that's what you want when you're four years old. It was perfect. We spent the rest of the afternoon just enjoying each other and being home as a family.
Here's Abby eating her bacon at lunch. She's so funny!

Yep. That's our family. Four years together!! What a blessing she is to me!! Thank you God for sharing her with us and for choosing me to be her mommy.

Abby chose to have vanilla ice cream covered with M & M's. Ahh....pure bliss.

I love her eyes in this picture. She was playing around with my dad and she didn't want him to take her ice cream. It was so funny, we were all laughing.

Abby, I love you!!