One year ago today....

We (Jonah, Landon and I) had been waiting for a few weeks to see if Shane would hop on board with our plans to adopt from Ethiopia. I thought maybe he'd surprise me with a Christmas 'yes', but he didn't. Kind of bummed me out. We went shopping on the 26th and I picked up a new stocking holder on clearance, just in case. That afternoon, he said, "Let's go for it!" We were all so excited! We filled out the online application to IAN right then, even though they wouldn't get in the office for a couple of days since it was a Saturday. It was a one-day later Christmas suprise that was worth the wait!:) I just re-read all of the blog posts from those first few weeks and it makes me amazed all over again by this process and by this year. This has been a year of God sightings literally all over the place- He was so visible during this adoption, not just to us, but to our family and friends as well. A huge faith building year at our house for sure!

6 months ago today, we walked into the orphanage to meet our boys for the first time. They met us at the door and came out onto the balcony. I'm still not sure how they knew or the nannies knew that we were there for them and that our friends Jenni and Jim were there for Sitota and Fekadu, but it all seemed to be clear that day:). I'll post a picture from the first minute that we saw them- Shane took it of the boys and me. Pure joy I can tell you! Since I've given birth and adopted, I can tell you that the experience is so similar in emotions- I felt the same exhileration that day that I felt when Jonah emerged from me and was placed on my chest. (my sweet Landon's experience was different with being a preemie and I was knocked out completely during his birth :( ). Wow- 6 months! We love you, Abuzaid and Kalid!!!!