Why?

I know not everyone understands. It has been hard for me to put into words why our family is beginning this journey to bring home a daughter from Ethiopia. I came across this video on another blog... so if you've got 10 minutes, check it out...

(I can't figure out how to make it a link, so cut and paste in your browser and it should work. If not go to youtube and type in ethiopian adoption Lucy)

www.youtube.com/watch?v=duyL9UjLrdM

Here We Go Again

We are very excited to share that we have decided to add to our family. We are adopting a baby girl from Ethiopia. We have just begun this journey and won't be bringing our daughter home for at least another 12 months. We have currently completed one home study visit and for those of you that know anything about the adoption world are busy doing the 'paper chase' to complete our dossier.
Sarah Bess and Davis have mixed feelings about a 'new baby'. Sarah Bess is THRILLED and announces it to anyone that is willing to listen...Sunday School teacher, preschool teacher, nursery staff. Davis is unsure but is excited that he will share bunk beds with Mei Mei (Sarah Bess) when the baby first comes home.
We are using our same adoption agency as last time, CCAI, but this time they are partnered with an agency that completes Ethiopian adoption, IAN.
We will be sure and keep everyone posted through this blog.
We are SO appreciative of the support we have received from family and friends as we begin this journey.

Swim Lessons

This weekend Sarah Bess and Davis had their first swim lessons. They had a great time (well...Davis did. Sarah Bess was on the VERY exhausted side and would cry if they tried to get her to put her face in the water). However, she seemed afterward to be excited to go back next week. Davis even tried floating on his back. Way to go!...They do look very cute in their new Lighting McQueen and Hello Kitty Sun Glasses...or should I say "Oh La La My Family Is Posh"

First Day of Dance

In January Sarah Bess started her first dance class. She has been asking to take dance, and talking about taking dance for quite awhile now. I was hopeful the night before that she would have half as much fun as she was anticipating.
She had a blast! She was smiling from ear to ear the whole time. Some of the other girls would come over to the window looking for their mommy, not SB. She just hung on the teachers every word. Because of snow, she has only had two classes, but the two missed will be made up. She has her third class tomorrow and she is almost as excited as before the first.
It's not too surprising as she is constantly dancing, singing and making up new songs around the house.

Snow and Sledding with no sled

January and February has brought snow to our area that we are not used to (nothing compared to what they have been getting in VA and north, but still a lot for us). As parents we were not prepared- no snow boots for Davis, no sled, no real 'supplies'. But we made the best of it...nothing like the plastic bag around the shoes, the snow ball fight with snow that won't pack and best of all...sledding in a laundry basket (while I am not on video, I also participated in this activity and let me say it is FUN!)

Christmas 2009

We have had such a wonderful holiday. Sarah Bess and Davis loved all there was about Christmas and had a great time visiting with Papa Rob, Sudie, GaGa, D Daddy, Uncle Sam and Aunt Usha.

Christmas begins

We are having a great time celebrating the holidays this year. Sarah Bess and Davis love looking for Fred the Elf and making Christmas goodies. Some of the highligths so far have been making a gingerbread house, making dough ornaments for family and friends and of course Davis deciding to put aquafor in his hair during nap! That will be one we won't ever forget.
Sarah Bess and Davis look forward to Christmas eve when Santa comes. They are also trying to understand what the real meaning of Christmas really is. Jingle Jam last night at church helped with the theme "God gave us the greatest gift. What will you give?". They are helping our family particpate in getting gifts for those that can't afford them for themselves. We are also reading lots of stories related to 'the meaning of Christmas'.
I look forward to posting in the new year all the excitement from the rest of the holidays....Hope everyone has a great holiday season!