Ethiopian Get-Together

I've joined a couple of Ethiopian Adoption Yahoo Groups since we started the process, and although I don't post much on them, I do get a lot of information from them. One of the groups, is specifically for this part of the country, and they had a get-together yesterday. So Jesse, Rachel, & I all decided to go.

I have to be honest, and say that we were a little nervous at first. One thing that we've noticed from these yahoo groups is that some people are very outspoken on how they feel about everything. And often times I feel like adoption becomes their platform. I know this isn't necessarily bad, but I guess it's just not where we are. I haven't felt that way about the local group, but we were still nervous that maybe we wouldn't fit in.

Well we were pleasantly surprised. We met some wonderful families, and it was so nice to see all these Ethiopian children running around. It was great to hear how much this group has even grown in just one year. They said that at their gathering last year, there were only two children, and a bunch of families waiting to go pick their children up. Well this year there were about 10 children! And since the weather wasn't all that nice, a lot of families didn't come.

On the ride home from the picnic, Jesse and I were so excited! We couldn't help but have huge grins on our faces. We just can't wait to bring whoever God has for us home! Rachel talked the whole car ride home about how she couldn't wait to be a big sister. Yesterday I think just made it more real to us, which is nice, b/c sometimes I think you can become a little removed from it, since it's not like pregnancy, where the throwing up constantly reminds you that you are going to have a baby. : )

We're Adopting

So as you can see I've done some revamping of our blog. Hope you all like it. : )

Jesse & I are very excited to be on this adoption journey. We always knew that one day we would like to adopt, and we can't wait till we have another little one join our family.

Adoption has always been apart of my life. My father was adopted, I babysat for a little girl who had been adopted, both my parents had jobs at one point or another working in some way with adoption, etc. I think the turning point in my life was the summer after my freshman year of high school, I went on a mission trip to Albania with my parents. While I was there we visited an orphanage. The conditions were horrible. Albania had just opened up it's borders, and the country was a mess. It was so sad to see babies and babies just laying in their cribs. Most of them were twitching, b/c since they had not been held their nervous system did not develop right. I also had a chance to work in a wonderful orphanage in Kenya for a summer, while my parents lived there. Both these experiences really made me realize that I would some day love to adopt. Thankfully, God brought me a great man, who felt the same way. Rachel is also really excited about having a new brother or sister, b/c I think she is definitely getting a little bored with me. : )

Erik & Lauren

It's official! My little brother is getting married! This past weekend he asked a beautiful woman, Lauren, to marry him. The best part is that we had been informed before hand, and invited to a surprise engagement party on Saturday Night. So Friday night Tamara, Brian, Jesse, Rachel, & I all headed down to Chattanooga, TN. (a 9 1/2 hour drive) We got there Saturday afternoon, just in time to get ready and head over to the engagement party.


The party was great. Lauren's family, who lives in Nashville, were all there, and all of their friends were there too. My parents, who are in England, although very sad that they couldn't be there were able to join us by webcam!


We are all very excited for Erik & Lauren. Lauren is a wonderful person. I have enjoyed getting to know her a little, and am really looking forward to getting to know her better in the coming years. She has such a "realness" about her that is very refreshing. Everyone in my family just loves her, and she fits in just perfectly. I think the world of my brother, and I am so glad that God has brought these two together. I am so excited to see what God has planned for them in the future.

So.... Congrats Erik & Lauren! We love you!

Easter

Here are some pics of Easter... Hope you all had a great day!

Rachel looking for gifts from the easter bunny:


Church easter egg hunt:


Lunch with Tamara, Brian, and our friends Ryan & Candice:


Uncle Brian helping Rachel dress up in her new princess ballet outfit:

Circus

Rachel went to her first circus this past week. She loved it. (okay Jesse & I enjoyed it too) She especially liked the elephants & cotton candy.



An hour before the circus started they let everyone on the floor, and you could try on costumes, see the animals, and meet the clowns. What do you think of my new look?

For Daddy?

Rachel & I went to the pet store & got to play with one of the puppies there. Rachel was in heaven. She loves puppies. She insisted that Daddy would love to get a new puppy...I'm not sure why she would have that impression, since Jesse is constantly trying to get rid of the one we have. : )