We are Home!!!

The first time we held Yonatan.

So we are back from Addis! Even though our trip was amazing, we were so glad to be back. My brain is not functioning quite normal yet...hence the 4:30am post. The boys took a "nap" at 4pm yesterday and then I dozed off around 7pm. Well, Yonatan woke up at 1:30am and Elijah at 2am....I think we are about ready to sleep again until 9:30am or so and then hopefully stay up most of the day.

ok, so again, my brain is dead, but over all our trip was awesome. Yonatan has been great for all the changes going on in his life, The staff at the Ethiopia Guest Home were absolutely amazing and we recommend them to anyone heading over! Ephrim was also amazing. Cannot say enough about how he blessed us! For now, here are a few pics and as I post more pics later, we'll reveal more of our trip.

Daddy and Elijah playing futbol with Yonni.

Yonni and Daddy listening to some tunes. Yonatan LOVES music and has a great since of beat already. I thought it was funny because the first song he listened to on my Ipod was "Seed to Sow" by Michael W. Smith. This was not on purpose, but he became addicted to it as the days progressed.

The brothers chilling out at the Guest Home. We brought a portable DVD player, which proved to be very useful!

And We're OFF!!!

So I really meant to post something before actually leaving the country, but our life has been a whirlwind, so now that we have several hours to kill in London, I thought I would catch up. So, for those of you who are reading this that are family...we have made it to London!!! (you probably already figured that out(-: ) Thank goodness we've had an uneventful trip so far. My "plan" was to sleep the whole way from DC to here. Well, that didn't go as planned. Elijah and Grampa Vern slept about half of the trip and Scott, Grama Jo and I tried really hard, but couldn't. When we got here, we were extremely exhausted, so I found an empty row of chairs and slept for a couple hours here. Feeling a little better, I guess. The fact that we will be meeting Yonatan soon still hasn't hit me. I feel like I am in a surreal state right now. After all the waiting, it doesn't seem like it could actually possibly happen. Can't wait!

So, on a side note.....

Last week we went to California for my cousin, Leilani's, wedding. First off, those of you that live there that we were not able to see....I AM SO SORRY! It was a crazy fast trip (because we had to turn around and go to Ethiopia so quickly). Anyway, we really wish we could have seen everyone, but alas....we couldn't. So, because I assume I will be posting many photos of Yonatan and our trip, I thought I'd post these few from good 'ol California now.

My dad with all but 3 grand kids...we were missing Yonatan, Micah, and Rylie

Elijah and his "Teddy bear" (cousin Tamila)

On the way to Santa Maria for the wedding we stopped at the Oxnard State Beach, Elijah love this rock.

I hope you don't mind me posting these Leilani...you were so BEAUTIFUL!!!

"You may kiss your bride...or the other way around"

Yep, that's my bro... no explanation necessary(-:

Next post....either from Addis Ababa or upon our return!!!!!

~Ciao

Happy Birthday Little One

Well, since it is 6:20am in Addis Ababa right, it is YOUR birthday! Happy, Happy Birthday Yonatan. I so wish that we could have been there for this awesome day, but I guess know that 2 weeks from tomorrow I will be on a plane nervous and excited and just wanting to let you know how much I love you. For me, that will have to be enough to get me through the night. I remember when your brother was about to join our lives, we were so excited but had no idea what the journey entailed. As I sit here typing this to you, I feel so much more. It seems like we have been longing to meet you for forever now. Know that since we have started this journey there has not been a day that has gone by that we didn't pray for you. Even more so since we saw your little picture that 28th day of October. My birthday wish for you on this 2nd year of your life is that God blesses you beyond what any of us can fathom. He has already done that for me because through this journey God has humbled me, comforted me, encouraged me and has softened my heart. He has shown me that He is in control of my life, that He is "good to those whose HOPE is in Him, to the one who seek Him." I am so thankful the He has brought you into our lives. I am so thankful that the Holy Spirit has guided us through all the doubts and frustrations and because of that we will be united soon. I so cannot wait until that day. I love you, I love you, I love you little one. Happy Birthday!

18 days and counting

So we were pleasantly surprised today to get some pictures of Yonatan from CHI. It melted our hearts even more. We were so amazed at how different he already looks from his referral photo that was taken in October. Aggh, can't wait to go get him.

Elijah thought he was so cute and wanted to jump into the computer to get him. If only it was that easy. 18 days and counting! (unless something changes yet again...I won't go there)

INTRODUCING YONATAN WILLIAMS

WE PASSED, WE PASSED, WE PASSED!!!!! We just checked our e-mail a little bit ago and found out we passed court! YONATAN WILLIAMS IS NOW OFFICIALLY OUR SON! So excited right now. A little bummed that our visa appointment is not until February 5th, but as with this whole process God's timing is best. I guess one good thing is that we will not be missing my cousins wedding. Thank You so much for all your prayers and encouragment along this journey of ours, we really appreciate it! Anywho, gotto go finish calling people!

~Ciao

Waiting SUCKS!

I haven't posted in a while....busy December...but our court date was yesterday in Addis Ababa. We "knew" that we would probably not hear anything yesterday because the CHI offices were closed in St. Louis until Monday, the 5th....BUT GOLLY we were hoping we'd hear something. Waiting has been such a part of this whole process and now that our journey is practically over, it keeps getting harder. I just want to know NOW what the future holds! When can I go get my new little guy. THANK GOODNESS those of you that have recently come back from Addis have been kind enough to call or e-mail me with the little tidbits of info that you have. It really has warmed my heart and its just good to know that he is really being taken care of well at the House of Hope.

Just a few lines of what some of them have said....

"LB is the cutest!!! He is very friendly. He loves to play with balls. He lets you know what he wants and loves to ride on the round ride. He is so cute and loves to smile."

"LB is such a beautiful little boy. His hair is full and thick. He is one of the youngest kids that get to go out and play in the courtyard. So he is out there with all the older kids. He isn't quite big enough to bounce balls or kick balls with the others, so he does a lot of walking around and watching. He always came up to me and wanted a hug. He has such a beautiful smile."

And then I actually talked with someone that met him and they said they loved him. They said he was very outgoing and such a charmer. He loved giving hugs and was too cute. He apparently is also very intriuged by the automobile. Agghh, I can't wait to meet him, but I guess these little memories will have to hold me over until we get there!

Oh well, pray for good news on Monday and we are wishing everyone a GREAT 2009!

Through the Eyes of a Child

Salem.

So Elijah and I were driving home today and passed a house that had a lot of Christmas lights and then further down their lawn was a large cross with a light on it.

As we passed it Elijah exclaimed,

"look mama, look...a cross, a cross!"

"yeah, do you know why they might have a cross lit up at Christmas time?"

"because Jesus died on the cross to save us from our sins"

"that's right, but why would it be up at Christmas time"

silence

"because who was born at Christmas...?"

"Jesus"

"that's right"

At this point we continued in the car as the Christmas station played in the background. I wondered to myself how much Elijah comprehended. He gave a wonderful "Sunday School answer", but how much did he really get? A couple minutes later Elijah broke the silence...

"mama, I'm glad I wasn't born Jesus"

curious.... "why's that"

"because I wouldn't like to have nails cut through my hands and feet and die"

me, a little choked up, "that's why Jesus was so awesome babe, He went through all of that just because He loved you and me and everyone else so much"

"yep"