Update!

Today we received our June update that included 13 pictures of a smiling, drooling, baby girl! The pictures caught her laughing, throwing a ball, standing on her own, and just plain looking happy! (She was wearing the puppy shoes pictured above in some of the pictures :)) I feel so grateful for the care she is receiving and the amount of communication we receive each month. It is so comforting see her face and hear more about what her day is like. In 5 days we'll be there to see for ourselves!

Today was an important day for our family in more ways than one, but I'll close by quoting Piper's words for the day. While looking at pictures of her new sister, she pointed at them and said, "I want her." Wow, she couldn't have said it better.

A Gift

Today, our friends who just returned from their court trip sent us a gift that had indescribable value. They sent us about 40 pictures and 5 videos of our little girl!!! (We had signed paperwork giving them permission to photo our sweet pea.) In the midst of their travel fatigue and mixed emotions, they took the time to download their pictures (hours after they returned home)and send us all the pictures they had of our little girl! After I cried my eyes out (a happy cry, of course), I've been smilin' ever since :) Now, that leaves me to say, 6 days to go, and we're outta here! I can't wait to meet her in person and bring our own video home to show our kids some footage of their soon to be little sis! Thanks Mike and Megan!

Single Digits

Today marks our journey into the single digits! Yay! In 9 days, we'll be boarding a plane to head across the country, and then across the world!!!

Lots of things have been accomplished this week (both with Bob at work and me at home). Tuesday, the boys and I packed 92 pounds of donations into 2, 18-gallon totes. I was beyond excited, and they were such great helpers :) I have 8 pounds to spare, which is leaving me with the urge to try to squeeze a few more items in there....I just don't want to go over our limit!

Piper is being stubborn about potty training now. She was doing so well! Well, I guess we just carry on! She will give in sooner or later and go with the flow (ha, ha).

Other great news this week was that another family we are friends with traveled for court this week. They were able to see our little girl and report back to use 3 times this week!!! They are amazing for taking the time to update us and totally make my day 3 times in a row! Here are some things we were told....On Tuesday, our sweet pea was wearing a pretty, little ball gown and crawling around everywhere! (Our friend recommended we be prepared :)) They also got to see her while she was having lunch, and they said she was pretty serious. Another day, they got to play with her for a while, but she was sleepy, and fell asleep on one of their shoulder's.

We are praying that their trip continues to go well, and will forever be indebted to them.

Shopping Trip

Today Piper and I shopped for formula and vitamins to take with us on our trip. Thanks to the 5th grade students at Roanoke, we were able to purchase 30 cans of formula, 6 packages of Poly-Vi-Sol vitamins, and 480 chewable vitamins!!! Amazing! This will help feed and nourish so many children in need! I can NOT wait to deliver it!

I love the looks of this cart!

I think Piper was on a mission to test out every bike in the store :)

Global Adoption Connection

Yesterday we participated in an event called the Global Adoption Connection. It's focus was on Africa, of course :) I am posting some pictures of the events because they were all great, as was the food, of course! There was storytelling, games, crafts, guest speakers, soccer, music, and lots of wonderful people! (Hopefully this will be an annual event for us to look forward to :))

"African" masks







Food-yum!

Storytelling

Soccer

Piper and her new friend

Our talented singers

Our singing and drumming entertainment

Food Fest

Tonight, Bob and I (he'll want to take all the credit, but I did help) prepared some lentils, a chicken stew and a carrot/potato/cabbage dish. All I can say is, it is time consuming, but I love it. I'm not just saying that because I am embracing my daughter's culture, but I really do love it. I'd have these dishes at least once a week if I could convince my husband to make them. (He really is an excellent cook.)

Our house was engulfed with onion, berbere (a spice essential for these types of dishes :) and vegetable aromas the whole evening. Yum.

The reason for this mass food frenzy is actually the event we are a part of tomorrow. It is called the Global Adoption Connection, and it is featuring the countries in Africa. I've been helping to organize this event with two, wonderful people over the past few months. Let's hope we have enough food, enough people and enough entertainment for everyone who attends. I think it will be awesome! Anyone who comes should have a taste of the sounds, food, dancing, crafts and storytelling of Africa. How could that not be great?!

Here is a look at a couple of the dishes we prepared.....

This is just a test!

If this shows up on my blog, then that means I know how to send a post from my email to blogger! Yay! That way, I may be able to post something while we are in Ethiopia to keep you all updated!