Thursday, August 25, 2011

1st day of school....2011!!













Was a success!!!

They made it through their first day of the 2011-12 school year!! I walked their cute, little, back packed selves to school this am...enjoyed a back to school bkfst for parents & students, then there was a flag ceremony out front, in which Our very own Teddy Roosevelt sang the "Star Spangled Banner!!" The boys & walked back to get them...and down the steps came two sweet, smiling kiddos!! They chattered about their day the whole way home & then some!! Love hearing about their new friends & experiences!! Looks like this year will be great:) We came home & had a special back to school treat!! They always love seeing what I come up with....& it's fun for me too!! Hoping your kid's had a great 1st day also!!! xo

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

the night before 2nd & 3rd grade...

How time flies...so hard to believe we have a 2nd & 3rd grader!! Their backpacks are lined up by the door, their first day of school clothes are crisply pressed on the ironing board...which they requested!! They love wrinkle free clothes:) They are excited yet nervous. they continue to ask..."mom, will kids like me, or what if nobody wants to play with me??" And this momma heart breaks each time they ask. I know starting a new school makes them a little more nervous, unsure of the schedule, new faces, lunch lines & the in & outs of a new place...but I KNOW they will do great!!

In other exciting, make this momma cry news....Ageze will more than likely be starting kindergarten on Monday!! He is soooo excited!!! And how did this happen???? well, between the dentist & the doctor & I...we feel like he is definitely older than his b.C. states....so, I made a few calls & now we are just waiting on an early entrance exam, and hopefully it'll be good to go!! He was thrilled to pick out his own backpack, school supplies & such...here's hoping for exciting news for Ageze!!!

So, our house will seem much different...just Tesfa & I. Which will also be a great time for the two of us:)
Stay tuned for sweet pic's of their first day:) xo

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

An Orphan's Prayer.

An Orphan's Prayer

I am waiting...somewhere far...far...away on the other side of the world. I may not know who you are or what you look like, but some how deep in my heart I know you are out there. That one day you will come and find me. It's a long journey,and it takes a lot of time... I wish it could be easier. But I know that the ones who come for me will not count the cost. They will only see the joy of finding me. For now I abide in the fields of the fatherless. Day by day wondering why I was born here and not somewhere else? Asking....why my life couldn't have been different.

It is so lonely...Even though I am surrounded by hundreds of other children, I know something is missing... I know in my heart I need a place to call home. My arms long to be wrapped in a father's embrace..I long to be saved by a mother's love...

Gazing out the orphanage window I offer a prayer of hope,"Oh, God, please help them come quickly." Even as I lay there in the darkness each night somehow I feel assured, that no matter how lost I appear I am not alone,

Holy hands guard my steps, sacred fingers wipe my tears, touching my lonely heart. The one who made me, the God that knew me before I was born, hears me every time I call. He whispers his promises in my ear. I listen with hope to His voice.

But what I worry about most is that no one wants to look for me. The fields are vast and there are so many scattered all over the earth. I wonder how one little child, so lost can be found?

Yet he calms my heart and assures me,that He will find you. That he will make sure that you hear His voice clearly. He has promised me that He will make a way through the fields. That he will personally cut a path,and lead you right to my orphanage door.

My prayer is... When he speaks... Please don't forget to listen... When he calls don't be too afraid to go. For I am waiting somewhere, far,...far...away, on the other side of the world... TO COME HOME.

May we all listen clearly for HIS voice. xo

Monday, August 22, 2011

day 3...Colorado!!

Such an awesome day!!! We started the day off at our friends' church they attend...amazing!! We loved Christ Community Church!!! REally, everything about it!! The kids had a complete blast too....they pleaded to just stay for another week or two, so they could come back to this church!!! After church we headed into Denver, where our Annual Picnic was being held!! We enjoyed meeting our coordinators who helped with bringing the boys home & are helping us this 2nd time too!! So fun to finally put faces with all of the names!! We had a great time visiting with other families who are just starting the process, in the midst of it, or home with their children....what a great connection we all had!! The kids enjoyed facepainting, playing on the playground & chatting with all of the kiddos:) Once the picnic was over, we headed down to the creek by the park...man, do our kids love playing in water!!! To top our evening off, we went to The Habesha(local Ethiopian Restaurant!!) & enjoyed every bit of it!! What a fun, celebratory day!!!















xo kristen

Sunday, August 21, 2011

before & after. adoption update.







excuse this non-adoption related post. Since my plan is to make this into a book, it's fun to document all of our life's happenings...and, well, since we live in a 1929's old house...much painting is happening around here!! Fun to see progress:)

In adoption news...our homestudy is in our hands & complete...now we will wait for our fingerprint appt & I171H !! Then it will be off to ET!!! An estimate in our eyes...we know this could be a long shot, but like I've said before...we are hopeful. We hope to have court date late December/early January!! So, although it seems like much might not be happening...it is..we can't wait to get our hands on our girl!!! xo

Saturday, August 20, 2011

day 2..Estes Park Colorado:)




























What a day!! We started it off by heading up to Estes Park...wow!! Talk about beautiful!!! We walked around the downtown shops, had lunch by a creek & then headed over to a beautiful lake....I think it was Lily Lake!! Wish that was my backyard!!! We hiked a bit & of course snapped some pic's!! Once we were back at the Fanning's...we had a delicious dinner & then outdoor fun for the evening...followed by cake, of course:) Enjoyable day!!!