Sweet Lucy

Here is our new addition, Miss Lucy. Will, Wesley and Helen are crazy about her-she is the perfect addition to our COMPLETE family :)!!
School is going well for the boys. Will loves middle school and Wesley is Vice President of his school! Helen goes to preschool five days a week and is the "assistant teacher!" Lucy and I hang out at home but hope that as she gets a little older we will be able to venture out-just hoping it is not a cold winter!!

62 days and a Broken Foot

Helen loved preschool!

I can't believe Wesley is 10!

Yes, we are now Duke fans-no, Will doesn't have a Duke blue room, yet. My brother is now working with the Duke football team so I will wear dark blue!

It sure has been a long time since I have blogged. I guess because right after my last post we received the shock of a lifetime-I am pregnant with our fourth child-a daughter-due in 62 days. Needless to say, it has been an interesting 2011-I also broke my foot 6 weeks ago at the beach (two days after the boys began their summer break.) I had surgery 2 weeks ago and still have 6-8 weeks to go before I can walk without the dreadful boot. So, basically, I will finally be boot free and then I will have a c-section, a brand new baby, and three other children. Good times, people!!

Helen is doing great-she is excited about her "pink baby" sister-she calls her this because she informed me not too long ago that pink was not her favorite color, the baby could have all of her pink things and she wanted a blue room. Yes, her room is now blue-she is the princess after all!

Will and Wesley are doing well. Will is going to middle school next year and is growing up so fast-Wesley will be in fourth grade and has been such a big help during my time of need-

It is hard to believe that we were in Ethiopia over a year and a half ago. We are so fortunate to have Helen home with us because there have been some major changes in the adoption process and a lot of families are having to wait for an extended period of time before receiving referrals, traveling (twice now), and bringing home their children. I think of these families and children constantly. It is just a heartbreaking situation.

Well, please say a prayer for me-it has been a LONG summer and I am ready to be back on my feet-I am in serious nesting mode and that is hard to do in my situation. Please also say a prayer for the children in Ethiopia and the families who long to be united with them.

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas...from our house to yours!

Happy Gotcha Day dear Helen!!!

It is hard to believe that one year ago today we met Helen for the first time in Ethiopia. We cannot imagine our life without her. She has blessed us in so many ways. Thanks to everyone who supported us through the adoption process and over the last year. Happy Gotcha Day sweet baby girl.

I not sad anymore

Today, Helen brought a "book" over for me to read. It was a photo album that I kept with me while we were waiting for our court date and travel. She looked at the picture of her at the top of this blog and said, "Helen's sad- I not sad anymore." Those words say it all!!

Goodbye sweet summer!!

Goodbye summer!!

Annual beach trip!

Lake days with our buddies (and new neighbors!!) Helen is sweet on little B.

Celebrating my aunts birthday-

Wes and Helen at Bible School.

Summer is nearly over. It has been a great summer and the Britt family stayed pretty busy-I cannot believe that Will is going in to 5th grade and Wesley is a 3rd grader! They both have great teachers and classmates and I know that the 2010-11 school year will be a wonderful experience. Helen is going to miss her brothers so much but she will be starting preschool in a few weeks-she is only going 2 days a week for 3 hours but it will be a good time for me to go to the grocery store-alone!!!! (and BTW, why oh why do grocery stores have to put candy right where little Helen can grab them...I have bought many packs of candy because she tears into them before I can get them out of her hands!!! She is addicted to sugar-just like her mama!)

A few weeks ago, while we were at the beach, we celebrated Helen's referral day. It is hard to believe that we first saw her sweet face a year ago on August 11th-It honestly feels like she has been a part of our family for so much longer-I guess because she was in our hearts!! We are so lucky that we were chosen to be her parents.

How cute is my new blog?

Our blog was in dire need of an overhaul! Becky Lee from adoptafrica.blogspot.com is raising money for her next adoption! Check her out-it's a good cause and she does a great job! Thanks Becky Lee-you were great to work with!

Summer is flying by! The boys have already been to basketball camp, Will has been to scout camp and Wesley and Helen were in bible school. This week, we have taken it easy...we have been to the pool and that is about it! I am trying to do a little cleaning here and there-good grief 5 people can sure make a mess!!!

We are going to the lake for a few days over the holiday weekend. It is Helen's first 4th of July-hope she enjoys the fireworks-let me rephrase that-I hope she sits still long enough to enjoy the fireworks! She still loves the water and I spend the entire time at the lake and pool saying, "Don't drink the dirty water" and "Spit it out!!" She is a bird.

Have a great 4th of July!!

Happy 6 months home, sweet girl!!

Right before I chased her all over the putt putt course. Everytime we went over a "bridge" I had to sing the Grumpy old troll song from Dora.

Wesley riding the waves.

Helen's first summer trip to the ocean-she loved it!!

Love this picture of my oldest baby!

Will and Helen on the boat at the lake. She woke up at 5:30 am put on her life jacket over her pajamas and said, "I ready go ride boat!"

Today, Helen has been home for six months. Time certainly does fly! We have had a great 1/2 year as a family of five. I have never been more tired in my life but so very happy!!

Helen has flourished in the six months that she has been a Britt. She is so smart-and I wish I could take credit for it but she wants to learn-her favorite saying is "What's this?" She is a fish, too! She loves the lake, ocean and pool-(she did not get her love of water from me or Will...we tolerate it.) Yesterday, she started blowing bubbles under water, and kicking her legs while I pulled her along. Helen knows that she is from Ethiopia and can even point to the continent of Africa on a globe. I am amazed every day by her!!

It is hard to believe that we began this journey almost two years ago. I am so glad that we followed our hearts because now we have such a precious daughter. Many people tell us how lucky Helen is, but I think we all are. She has been such a blessing in our lives!
Happy 6 months home, Helen Gonder Britt. We love you so much!!

Missing Ethiopia

Our birthday month!!

Helen before her baptismal-she did such a great job-I thought she was going to baptize our minister at one point!! Her big brothers were so proud of her.

Helen riding the carousel for the first time.

Helen and her birthday cake-she loves Dora.

Our beach trip in January-As you can see, Helen does not like her picture taken.

Well, I have to admit when our case worker, Natalie, told me that Helen's birthday was in April, 5 days after Wesley's and 3 days before Will's, I had a moment of panic. I knew what this meant...April is a tough month for mom here at the Britt household-between Easter and now 3 birthdays (and throw in a baptism this April for good measure) but I am happy to say, we survived!!! Helen had a great birthday. All day she said, "Helen's birthday!" It was so cute- She is growing so quickly and learning so much. She knows all of her colors and can sing the ABC's and count to 10. I wish I could take credit for it-but she picks up on things so quickly. Her favorite saying is, "What's that?" and when you tell her, I don't think she ever forgets. She still looks at our pictures of Ethiopia and remembers some of her friends and caregivers-I know those memories are fading and it makes me so sad.

We had a play date with 7 other moms who have adopted from Ethiopia-it was so neat and we found out that one girl was in Helen's room in Ethiopia- I don't think they remembered each other but I have pictures of her from our trip. I hope that as the years go by, we can keep in contact-I know that connections with other families who have adopted from Ethiopia are so important.

Will and Wesley are doing great with their little sister. Will is perfect as Helen's big brother (he has had a lot of practice) and Wesley is like a big toy for Helen- We took Helen on her first boat ride last weekend and she LOVED it-I was worried she would not sit still because believe me she is BUSY but she did great-hopefully, she will still enjoy it this summer.

Well, I am going to go rest my weary bones before she wakes up!!!

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!!

The Britt Family of Five

Helen and her 2 big brothers!

Our sweet angel!

We have returned-this post is going to be quick because sweet baby is napping! Helen is wonderful-she has bonded so well with us all-It was as if she was praying for us as we were praying for her.

Ethiopia was amazing. The people there were so kind-the poverty, however, was devastating-something we will never forget. The orphans living on the street are constantly on our mind.

To the Gladney families waiting-you and your children could not be in better hands. The in country staff was incredible - the foster care centers were so clean and the children were so loved. Travis and Joanna-who we spent the most time with-are top notch...there is no doubt in my mind that they have the best interest of the children at heart.

The Bejoe house was the best-it was like a big family. Helen loved it there and so did we-our driver Tefessa, became a dear friend, and we pray that we will cross paths with him again.

Thank you for the prayers- Hopefully, I can update soon. Merry Christmas to you all.

Baby B....here we come!

My beautiful shower cake made by our good friend (and cousin) Jennifer. She and our other friend, Nicole had a surprise shower for us!! It was amazing!

Buying crackers!

Will surrounded by the 35 pair of shoes we are taking to Ethiopia!!! We are so excited!

Thanksgiving was delicious!!

Well, the time is here. Buddy leaves for Washington tonight and I leave tomorrow. We are flying separately-crazy, YES!! PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE pray for our safe arrival and return!!

I was at the boys' program at school today and thought to myself, one day we will be here watching Helen!! It was surreal-I still can't believe she is my daughter. We cannot wait to meet her and pray for an easy transition. She is a smart little cookie-she definitely has different faces when traveling parents take pictures of her and when the in-country staff does!! She is all smiles when people she is familiar with take her picture and very wary with others. I imagine she is going to throw a few of those looks our way!!

I cannot believe the next time I update our blog, I will have met our daughter, Helen! For those of you waiting, hang in there, it is SO worth it!!!

Love to you all!

Countdown to Ethiopia!

OUR DAY-first "family photo"as a family of five (notice Helen's picture!)

Baby Girl's pink paradise

Hope Helen likes pink!!

Happy Birthday, Nana!!

Picture from a sweet family who went to pick up their tiny baby boy!! Helen has a photo album we sent her in her hands!! We LOVE YOU SO MUCH, Helen!!

This week has been a blur. We have finished Helen's bedroom and made travel and lodging arrangements. Now, we have to pack...!!! Tomorrow we are going to shop for supplies for Helen's orphanage...thanks to many great friends and family, we are going to be able to take more than we originally thought! Thanks to everyone who donated baby supplies or gift cards or money (thank you notes will come...)

We are so honored to take pictures and/or packages to sweet children in Ethiopia waiting for their families. I have attempted to contact everyone who has left us a message. If for some reason, you have not heard from me, PLEASE try to contact me again!! I don't want to leave anyone out!!

Please pray for our safe travels-Two more weeks until we leave for Ethiopia!!!

Here she is.....Helen Gonder Britt!!!

Our little messy Marvin-she fits right in with our family!!

Love her beautiful smile!!

Look at those beautiful eyes-my dad says she has his eyes!!

Our referral picture-what a beautiful little lady!! This one makes me smile every day!!!!

It is a miracle-we have a daughter (and a sister!) Meet Helen Gonder Britt-The minute we saw her picture, heard her name and her birthday (April 16th-Will's is April 19th and Wesley's is April 11th-what about that for a sign!!) we knew she was our daughter!! We are so honored to be her parents. Thank you so much for your thoughts and prayers-We travel to Ethiopia on December 6th-please pray again for safe travels and an easy transition for Helen.

If anyone would like for us to take a package or take pictures of your little ones, (or big ones) we would be glad to.

Thank you again. This has been an amazing journey...and it is just getting started!!

Tomorrow, tomorrow, I love you tomorrow...you are only a day away!!

Telling the boys about our court date!!

Baby B's digs.

Our preacher calls her the chandelier baby-What? Doesn't every girl need a chandelier?

W1's "basketball court"

W1's cool loft bedroom courtesy of my husband and dad!!

Well, by this time tomorrow, we should know whether we passed our court date. Thanks for all of the well wishes and prayers. We are so hopeful that good news is coming our way.

I have been in serious nesting mode. W1's room is almost complete-it is so cool-He loves it. (Thanks Pawpaw and Dad B!!) We are currently finishing Baby B's room-it needs some accessories and curtains but it is a pink paradise!!

Some wonderful friends gave us a surprise baby shower over the weekend and we received a ton of supplies for Baby B's orphanage as well as some really great gear for her!! I will post those pics. as soon as I receive them.

Thank you for joining us on our journey to our daughter. She truly is our dream come true!