1 year later

The first full day home with Kobe we took some pictures of all three kids. A year later we did the same thing so we could compare. It is so hard to believe it has been home a year. A year since our family was complete and all under one roof. Like every parent we have our days. However I feel we are so lucky to have been given the three precious gifts that God has entrusted us with. There is never a dull moment in this house. Love all of these kiddos.

 

A special day

Today is the last of the "One year ago today."  After 2.5 years of waiting, 2 trips to Ethiopia, 22 hours of travel, and lots of heartache and tears, we landed in the US one year ago today. We had an emotional meeting with the girls. We were then able to have Kobe meet most of our families along with some special friends (including 2 little ones that lived with him in Ethiopia) What a special homecoming celebration it was! Tears still fill my eyes when I see pictures or video from that day. It will be forever etched in our memories. I can't believe a year has passed. It has been one year since Kobe was united with his FOREVER FAMILY! What a blessing he is to us. We love him so much. Thanks so much for walking this journey with us. It hasn't been easy, but the rewards are far greater than we could have ever imagined.

I do ask for your prayers once again. Kobe is having a hard time with his trauma anniversaries. He is very irritable at home. He "flips out" easily and cries way more than normal. He is not his happy self. Knowing what we do about trauma anniversaries we can tell that is what the trouble is. You can tell he feels out of control. It is hard to be patient with him as he seems as if he is just being naughty, but it is different. I think about how our lives changed a year ago. Think about what this little boy has been through this past week a year ago. He was plucked from everything he had ever known. He was put with these people that look different, smell different, and talk different. Then he was put on a plane for hours and hours. Then at the airport he had tons of people in his face. I can't imagine how scary all of this was for him. So if you could say a prayer to calm his heart and to give us patience as he works through all of this, I would appreciate it.

Thanks again for all. It is appreciated more than you will ever know.

Gotcha Day---1 year later

A year ago yesterday we boarded a plane to travel across an ocean, to a world away, to bring our son home. A year ago tomorrow our little boy was placed forever in our arms. The emotions that come with these anniversaries are very strong. I can't even begin to put those feelings into words. It seems as if it was just yesterday that this all happened. Yet it seems like Kobe has been in our family FOREVER! Again things are very bittersweet. We are so happy to have him here, yet it is so sad that time is going so fast. I think of all we have been through. The past year has been good, but very hard. There are lots of things with an adoption that are hard that you just never think about until you are put up against that challenge. While we were waiting, people told us it would be worth the wait. I knew it would be worth it, but I had no idea. It is true beyond words. The wait was incredibly hard, but the joy this little boy brings to our days is unbelievable.  Part of it is because of his personality. Part of it is because of the age difference between him and the girls. The girls love him so much and he loves the girls so much. They have a special relationship. It is awesome to see! The newness hasn't worn off. With all of us, the love we have for him grows more and more every day if that is even possible. Since the girls are so much older, I believe I cherish the things he does much more knowing it won't be long and he will be on to new things. I just never could imagine that one child could bring so much joy into the lives of our family as well as everyone he meets. With adoption, you hear about the child being a perfect fit for the family. I cannot believe how perfect he really is for our family. I still sit back in awe of God's amazing love for all of us. We feel so, so blessed.