January Update

Meeting sweet baby girl for the first time. Her little friend in the crib was just united with his family-I think they were sweet on each other-he screamed, "Helen" the whole time we were meeting her-so cute.

Helen's favorite food-INJERA!!

Our dear friend and driver, Tafessa.
Ethiopia would not have been the same without him.

It is hard to believe that we have been home for over a month. Helen is wonderful-she is just unbelievable-she is learning so much and is SO smart-Will and Wesley love her and have the best time playing with her. We went to the beach for a little vacation with some friends and stayed in a hotel with an indoor water park. She loved the water and the lazy river but when we went on the beach she did not want her feet to touch the sand-it was so cute.

I think of Ethiopia every day-especially her orphans. I wish I could post pictures but it is not allowed-the one thing I do know is that the children in the care of Gladney are so loved. Helen had such a difficult transition at first when she entered the foster care center. She cried for many days. The fact that she has bonded so well and quickly to us shows that the caregivers at Gladney earned her trust and love. I am so thankful that we traveled down this path and my heart is so full-

Love to you all!

Happy New Year

My two favorite boys!

Sweet girl!

Already a wolfpack fan!! When my brother gave this to Helen on Christmas morning, she ripped off her pajamas and put it on immediately!

2010 has been wonderful so far (with the exception of bronchitis for sweet Helen). Other than that, Helen is doing GREAT!! She has adjusted so well-Believe me, it is a shock! She had such a hard time when she was first brought to the foster care center-she cried for several days. Her first pictures were so sad and they broke our hearts. I really believe that she was waiting for us-for a home. I am so thankful that we listened to OUR hearts and pursued international adoption.
Meeting her for the first time is so surreal, now. I was so calm-which is very unlike me. She knew us instantly and after about 15 minutes of us talking and playing with her, she looked at her caregivers, gave a big wave and said, "Chow." When we got in the taxi, she took several deep breaths and a few tears were shed and then she fell asleep-from that moment on I was Mommy and Buddy was Babba.
The boys adore her and she loves them so much. They have been such big helpers for us and when we returned they looked like they had grown a foot. Our family is complete-it feels complete and I know how blessed we are.
Have a wonderful 2010!!