On the road again...To Ethiopia that is!!!!!!!

That's right friends, we're going back to Ethiopia to bring home another little one!!!!This family of three is becoming a family of four!!!!!

We mailed in our application on Monday and just found out today that we've been approved for an infant boy or girl. Now the paperwork begins!

Yay yay yay yay! We've been praying about this little guy or gal for quite some time and are so ecstatic that the Lord has led us back to Ethiopia to bring him or her home.

How you can help:
First and foremost, Pray!! Of course we would love to have each of you praying over us, our family, our little one-to-be and all of the paperwork, waiting, embassy and court appointments to come, etc.

Encouragement and support! We'll need lots of it as we proceed though this adoption journey. Having experienced it once before we know there will be lots of ups and downs along the way and we know that we'll need our Heavenly Father, family and friends to keep lifting us up.

Lastly, adoption is quite costly, so we'll be doing some fundraising throughout this journey to help get this sweet baby home. So if you feel led to help in that way, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

We thank you regardless just for the love and support you've shown to us over past several years and for the love you've shown to our sweet little Bear. We know this new additon to our family will be loved just the same! We are so very blessed. Yay God!!!!!!

Bear's First Haircut...Pics!

Here he is before with his big afro...



He was so great, he didn't cry or fuss at all. He just sat there like a big boy, a little nervous but so brave! I'll admit I was nervous too but I stayed strong so he'd be brave.


And here's the after! Wow, what a difference! He said "Thank you" when we were all done. He's so handsome!!



Here are a couple more after we got home. I sure do love this boy!

Bear's First Haircut...Since being home that is

I knew this day would come eventually. Yep, after a little over a year and a half the day has finally arrived and it brings with it a lot of mixed emotions. This haircut, for me, symbolizes many things. I feel attached to that beautiful head of hair he has. I've spent the past year and a half pouring time, love, sweat and tears into it. Being a white mommy to an Ethiopian baby with no idea how to care for his hair type, there have been hours spent talking with friends, researching online, oh and don't forget all of the YouTube videos. Yes, quite literally, hours. But I made a vow to take care of that hair the very best that I possibly could and I've loved watching it grow and grow.

The thing about it is that while I loved learning about his hair type and how to care for it, experimenting with hairstyles, etc., well you see, Bear... he did not. He would cry and cry every time I combed it out. I learned the right kind of comb to use, made homemade detangler and moisturizing products, learned to take small sections one at at time so his hair wouldn't pull and break... I could go on, but he still fought it every single time. I was committed to this so I kept at it anyway. The longer it's gotten the longer it takes to detangle and style which means the longer there are tears and frustration. So after some discussion and some prayer, we decided it's time for a change. I do believe it will be good for all of us.

Having said that, it's still harder than I thought it'd be. Not only does it symbolize all of that, it also symbolizes him growing up. Our baby boy's getting a "big boy" haircut! Going to a barber shop, the little guy sitting in the big chair, man, it really melts my heart. Also the fact that his hair has been the same since the first day we saw him face to face, though it wasn't as long then, I can't explain it but there's just something about that fact that stirs something in me. I guess it's silly really, but I can't help it. I'm just the sentimental type.

It's time though for a change and I know it's going to be good.
I'll let you know how it goes when we get back. With pictures of course!

Being crafty

So you all know about the website Pintrest right?! Well I've been a bit crazy about it lately. There are just so many great and creative ideas on there. Everything from yummy recipes to home decor. From fashion to funny quotes to brighten your day. Photography to kids crafts. Not to mention how-to's on just about anything. Especially Christmas decor and gift ideas right now. I've really enjoyed finding fun ways to help Bear with fine motor skill development. The cloud dough and slime recipes I found were a big hit! Really, you've got to check it out if you haven't.

After scouring the site last week, I felt like being crafty. I thought I'd share a couple of things I made...and this is only the beginning!

Christmas ornaments made from paper and brads...


A scarf made from an old t-shirt!


I felt a bit awkward "posing" for a picture of something I made so this is how I combated it... by embracing my inner dork!