We have a fun *bunny* hill next door & had so much fun taking Zoie for a ride!!! wheeeeee! Zoie had so much fun:)

We woke up this morning & the weather man was right on…a winter wonderland of ice & snow. We’re all home enjoying fassst sledding, hot cocoa, toasty cheese sandwiches, Stumptown coffee & of course, scones!!! Hopefully, we’ll keep our power…it would put a little damper on all the fun:)

I’m snuggled up with a book….can you guess what I’m reading?

“He was becoming inexorably trapped as an ice-prisoner in his own home-much to his delight. There is something joyful about storms that interrupt routine. Snow or freezing rain suddenly releases you from expectations, performance demands, and the tyranny of appointments & schedules. All those affected this way are united by a mutual excuse, and the heart is suddenly & unexpectedly a little *giddy*

Thank you so much for voting on the date for our 1st annual AWAA ET Reunion!

Its official…….LABOR DAY WEEKEND *2009* in Branson, MO!

We will post news & updates on the YG, AWAA blog or via e-invite throughout the year!!!! Oh what a party!

AWAA Ethiopia families…are you planning on making the reunion?

We’d love to hear from you. List your family name & adoption status:)

It’s hard to explain to a one year old that daddy is bye- bye for 3 days on an airplane and he will be home soon. Zoie called for da da off & on, but was really puzzled hearing his voice on my cell phone. She held it & turned it over and over. Her sweet face showed… “Where is he?”

Daddy came home today and scooped up Zoie, who was obviously ecstatic. I gave my hubby a big hug, but was stopped short…Zoie squeeezed my cheek. ouch! I gave him a big kiss, but felt a little hand pushing me back. We both looked at Zoie and she waved her hand at me like she was trying to say…
back off mommy, he’s MINE. LOL

Today is my 42nd b-day & I only had one wish…..I just found out that it came true!!!!
Our dear friends, the Blackwells passed court today!!! Take a peek at their precious daughter, Rahel Scout. I’m officially a new auntie:))) We give God all the Glory!!!!

Please pray for the Foreman family…precious Jacob is very sick with strep pneumonia. This little 3 year old is fighting for his life!!
We also want to pray for our dear friends, Joners & Blackwells who have court date in Ethiopia 20th & 21st!!! If they pass…they travel in 2 weeks!!!
This has been an incredibly difficult & challenging journey for both families.
We are also lifting in prayer the Kulp & Semlow family….the desperately need a miracle for their ET children to come home!!!

**just heard that Joners passed court!! whoooohoooo

You’ve come a LONG way Baby!!!

Pammy-Sue had us over for a delicious birthday dinner….Aunti M’s famous chicken fried chicken & all the fixings!! Hannah dressed Zoie in *her* birthday outfit when she turned 1 yrs old…12 years ago !!! It made mommy cry:)

Enjoy the pics!!

Love u Grandpa & Aunti M
Zoie loved opening up her gifts…

On the eve of our beautiful daughter Zoie’s first birthday, our hearts have been torn thinking about another very special person. We do not know her, but we see her everyday in Zoie’s dreamy eyes. Every time Zoie smiles, we see *her* sweet smile. Zoie’s creamy brown skin and short chubby fingers makes me wonder if someone else has the same. Zoie’s giggle is adorable & spirit so bright…I’m sure there is someone close whose spirit and courage radiates all around her.
Our family celebrates a precious miracle, but none of our dreams would have come true had the miracle not started first with Zoie birthmother who gave her the name….Senait.
We also celebrate today our hero, a woman who sacrificed more than we will ever know. A mother who gave everthing for love.
We pray that you know deep in your heart that your daughter is safe and loved.

I found this beautiful poem that says it all…

It’s my child’s birthday
But there is something different happening inside me.
This should be a day of complete joy
A day for Thanksgiving
But in the midst of all this excitement
I pause, because my thoughts are about someone else for a time.

It’s my child’s birthday
I have no memories of her life growing inside me and fighting to be
released.
Another someone was there
Another someone suffered for my joy.

It’s my child’s birthday
But someone, somewhere, is feeling emptiness inside.
I’m sure she is wondering
Who she looks like
If she is big or small.
Wondering if she laughs much.

It’s my child’s birthday
And in the midst of this blessed day that was given to me
I have a prayer.

Oh God, that I may never forget that someone suffered so much to give life
to my child. That someone loved my child so very much that she gave her the right to
live. May I never forget for a moment and especially now, today, to offer a prayer of thanks
for that someone and that you, dear God, will always be there for that someone to help her
through the hurts she will have when she stops to think that today is “my child’s birthday.”

Zoie wants to wish you a Merry Christmas in Amaharic… “ye ganna baal”
She’s wearing a traditional Ethiopian dress & head wrap.
Typically, the children in Addis Ababa receive an item of clothing for a gift.

Zoie’s lunch is a feast of cheerios, cheese & bread (I think she really wanted injera:)
ET families…what will you do today to celebrate this special day?

Ethiopia is on the Julian calendar, so we can wish you a Merry Christmas today!!! Today also marks 6 months meeting our precious Zoie Senait. Happy Gotcha Day sweet girl! We can’t imagine life without you!! During Christmas break she earned the nickname *Zippy* She started crawling, pulling up, cruising, zipping everywhere a girl can move, including munching on Tate’s doggy food (oops) Her smile is radiant & spirit happy happy happy!!!
If you have time today, please take a peek at Zoie’s Gotcha Day video at the bottom of the blog (scroll waayyyy down) Zoie, we love you with all our hearts!!!
xoxox

Hubby and I have a fun tradition where we only buy “stocking” gifts for each other for Christmas.  What makes it so fun is finding creative gifts that will fit in a sock, but still have the big surprise value.  There are exceptions to the rule… this year, I had to cheat just a little and hide his 20 pound kettle ball behind the sock.  I would have ripped it stuffing that crazy thing inside.  My favorite gift this year was stuffed at the very bottom, inside the toe.  My family went shopping together to pick this one out.  I was VERY surprised!  I unwrapped a beautiful heart locket with the words “What’s in My Heart” engraved on the outside.  Inside the heart, tiny charms that symbolize what’s in my heart.  They knew exactly what to put inside: R- for my hunky hubby, 4 birthstones for each of my children (we have a precious son in heaven) and a cross.  What’s really special, they can add charms inside my heart anytime they want.

Yep, I cried.  It’s so meaningful to a mommy when her family takes the time to choose the perfect gift.  It made me think hard about all the things deep in my heart.  My faith in God is the ultimate treasure that I couldn’t live without.  He has made my life complete and utterly miraculous with blessings indeed.  I thank God daily for the precious treasures that He has entrusted me with.  I do not take them for granted.  I thank Him for the pain in my life.  It’s my core belief that He turns all pain to treasures.  It’s a promise I believe with all my heart.  I have experienced pain at all levels- physically, emotionally and spiritually.  Holding my son before he died was the single most painful moment of my life.  It made me the person I am today.  God wrecked my life.  He has stripped me and disciplined and pruned me the past 42 years to continue to grow as a wife, mom, daughter, and friend.  I’m a work in progress.  I challenge myself constantly to seek my purpose in life.  I love asking Him- why did you create me?

What I love most about my necklace- I’m in control of what I want to put in my heart.  The things in my heart can change constantly or remain the same.  The really important things that once were in my heart, that are not so important anymore, I have taken those “charms” out, they are gone now.  I don’t miss them at all.  I have replaced them with new charms that make me feel passionate, adventurous, radical and a little crazy.

I hope I have encouraged you to look inside and ask- what’s in your heart?  I really want to hear what your treasures are in your heart- please share.  Let’s encourage each other to add new “charms” in our hearts this year!

Best defense not to kiss…grow a beard:)) Thanks hubby for helping me out right now! You are officially prickly!!