Home Two Months and Missing Ethiopia

We have been home with our sweet Hannah for 2 months now. In some ways the time seems to have flown by but in other ways it seems like she has been a part of our family for much longer. It's really amazing to see all the changes in her...not only in weight gain but developmentally. When we met her for the first time she was 4 months old. When we held her up in our lap, her legs would be limp. She wouldn't put any weight on them at all. Within two weeks of having her home, she would stand up when we held her up in our lap. She was also very quiet at first and the only noise she would make was when she would cry for a bottle. Within a week of having her home she was cooing, smiling and making eye contact with us. And now when she wants a bottle she doesn't cry but SCREAMS for it...and she hits the highest note ever...way off the scale! :) We think she just likes to hear her own voice. It's wonderful to see what a lot of love and attention can do! Of course her nannies were very loving and attentive, but they have so many children to take care of and they do the very best they can. We are so grateful that Hannah had loving nannies who cared for her so much before we could bring her home. I think of them everyday. Actually I think about Ethiopia every single day. Our trip was such an amazing experience. It's constantly on my mind...every single part of it...all the millions of orphans needing loving homes, all the street kids who came up to me saying "Momma, Momma" and asked me to buy gum, all the people sitting on the streets in such poverty selling their vegetables, scarves, etc. with smiles on their faces, all the beautiful women who touched Hannah and told me "God Bless You", the precious children singing as they walked to school, the man on the scaffolding who nodded at Hannah and blew me a kiss, the strong smell of spices in the air, the crazy traffic, no one caring about the time, the Ethiopian music played loudly at all hours of the night...I miss all of it. The experience has forever changed me. The poverty there is unbelievable until you actually see it. Even after seeing it, it's hard to comprehend. I try to remember every day how blessed I am and I try not to complain about the stupid, small things in life that irritate me...like our air conditioning going out the other day. They are nothing compared to what I have seen with my own eyes. And even with such poverty, the Ethiopians smile and make eye contact...they are friendly despite their conditions. They are loving, content people and I want to be more like that. The beautiful people of Africa can teach us all so much...to be more like Jesus even with the struggles and chaos in everyday life. I love Africa and can't wait to share all of this with our sweet Hannah.

Lots of Smiles

Hannah's surprised look! Love it!

What A Difference!!!

Hannah at 4 months Hannah at almost 6 months!

Fun Times!

We met some friends and made some new friends at an Ethiopian restaurant last week in Oklahoma City. We got to see some beautiful Ethiopian children! We are really hoping Hannah's hair will look like this adorable little girl's hair!

Hannah got her first kiss from cutie-pie, Eli. (Rebecca and I have already set up the arranged marriage. :) )

Hannah is such a happy baby! It doesn't take much at all to make her smile and giggle. She is doing great. We are so blessed to have her in our family.

Happy Anniversary Eddie!!

Today we are celebrating our 16th wedding anniversary. It's hard to believe we have been married that long! I am so blessed to have such a wonderful husband. Love you Eddie!!