I am back in the blogging world!

Andrea posting here: Pete and I have our blogs set up together, so at the bottom it says he is posting this, but it is me. : )

Wow, it has been months since my last post! If there is still anyone reading this or following along...... thanks.

Things have been wonderful, crazy, busy, and full of God's blessings. Also, a little 2 year old who has been giving me a run for my money! Can I get a shout out from anyone else going through the terrible two's from a firey, spunky, and strong-willed little Ethiopian prince or princess.......whew! I thank God for her vigor and strength as it is a blessing and she is a survivor, but my goodness it has been a little rough. :)

Here is a brief update on our ongoing's and what God is doing lately in our lives:

• We are waiting for our I-171 so we can submit our dossier for a baby boy! Yeah....so excited and also feeling so much more prepared this time around. Then....as soon as those words come out, I realize that one can never really be fully prepared for international adoption and what may come your way. At least I know how to better expect the unexpected. :)
• We have been asking God to lead us to a bigger way to help and support the children in need in Ethiopia, and if you have been following Pete's blog, you have seen that he just got back from a Vision trip with Children's Hopechest, and we are sooooooo blessed to have found LOOK DEVELOPMENT and to be beginning the journey to finding sponsors for these children there. http://afatherseyes.blogspot.com/
• LOOK DEVELOPMENT is located in Nazret and we have a need to find sponsors for 100 children to start. So many wonderful things to share about this organization and how God has led us there, we will be sharing more on that soon!
• Enjoying our 3 kiddos and enjoying the Christmas spirit. What a pleasure.

If you are interested in potentially working with us and sponsoring a child, PLEASE post here or send me a message.

Looking forward to blogging again and hope all are enjoying the Christmas time with their family!

Considering adopting an older child? Read this

Friends of ours through our adoption agency and our Yahoo Group posted this short and powerful post on their blog. Had to share it!! Thanks Raymer's for being awesome parents.

Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Nice Mommy and Daddy

If you need a reason to consider adoption, particularly to adopt older children, I submit the following two stories that are brought to you courtesy of Feromsa:

1. Out of the blue Feromsa began to discuss being at Kids Care Orphanage. In this discussion he made this comment, "In Kids Care I pray, 'Please give me nice mommy and nice daddy' and now I have nice Mommy and nice Daddy!"

2. In another discussion about being in Kids Care Feromsa offered this observation, "The big kids know that people don't want them. They want the little kids. I was scared I too big."

I don't think any commentary is necessary.

To read more of their story, follow their blog here

Well, I asked.......

Gotta love the beach, corn rows and a cute bathing suit!!!!!

Asleep in her high chair...hee hee

She love that daddy of hers. When she is with him, I need to BACK OFF, she shake her finger at me and tells me "no no"!

We both just woke up.....I love that lovey cuddly time

"Sitting on the dock of the bay"- and fishing.....and crabbing!

So several posts ago I titled it "Lord Expand My Territory". Well, both Pete and I have been praying for some time now as to how and what He will lead us to. For a little while we wondered if we should move to Africa for a year or so and just DO. We continued to pray and we have definately heard His answer on a few things.

#1. WE ARE ADOPTING AGAIN!!!!! Yeah, we have begun the paperwork and are going back to Ethiopia for a baby boy!!! We are so excited and always knew we would be going back again to adopt another child, but it feels really good to be actually in the "chase" again. His name will be Mathew, or Matty as we have been referring to him.

#2. We are committed to finding an orphanage to sponsor and support (with our friends and family......YES THAT MEANS YOU!). We have been working and talking with Tom Davis and his team at Children's Hopechest for some time now and we are hoping that on their next trip, we will, or God will direct us to the place that we will be involved with. We will be following up with more on this towards the end of the year.

#3. We realized we would be able to do more by not actually moving to Ethiopia, but to leverage and gain as much support and help from our network here that we can make a huge difference there.....BUT we believe that money alone does not do the job, our hands and feet and eyes and arms to hold and hug and love need to be in action.........so Pete has felt called to go on a trip to do just this. He will be traveling with Tom Davis in November to Ethiopia for a vision trip. God willing he will get to see and meet the children of the orphanage that we will be sponsoring and greater than that, will be able to love on and give to as many children he can come in contact with. We laugh though, because as anyone who has been to Ethiopia knows, we think we are going to give hope and to give love and to give the word of Jesus..........while in the end we end up getting so much more. Between you and me :) I think Pete will come back even more changed and even more convicted than we are now. So, stand by as he will be creating a blog for his trip.....and anyone with referrals around that time who want some pics and love delivered to their child.....he will be visiting the Transitional home!

So, maybe this means I will actually start updating my blog again on a more regular basis. I hope~ and I hope that you follow along as we could use many prayers as we follow our passion and the mission we feel we are being ever more called to.

Now that I dropped all that on you, I am heading off to tuck 3 sweet peas into bed and pray for the 4th!

Gotcha day Celebration!!

We can't believe you have been with us only one year Gigi......it feels as if you have always been with us.  I also can't believe a year has flown by so quickly.  You have made us so proud.  You have worked SOOOO hard with weekly therapy and have grown stronger and stronger, day by day.  Almost exactly one year after coming to us you have completely caught up and are walking, talking, loving~ and are a true miracle and blessing to us!  Because of God leading us to you, we now have a greater love and passion for Christ, for Africa, and for helping children.  Our hearts have been opened and our eyes have seen!  Every time I look at you I am reminded of how much God loves us and how much he chooses us to be His children ~just like we love you and have you as our child.  God has blessed us so much by allowing us to see all your firsts:

• Your first tooth~  now you have a mouth full!
• Sitting up for the first time
• Crawling
• Standing
• Walking
• Giggling~ the kind of free belly laughing that comes when something just hits you as funny.  This took some time as you were so reserved and waited to let yourself open up.
• Your first solid food~ now you eat ANYTHING and EVERYTHING
• Hugging and kissing~ to watch you open up to love and affection and give it has been the best gift to us.  To watch you heal from what you didn't get before us, and to learn to trust us enough to let yourself be fully loved and to give love and affection.  

There are so many more things that you have done and shown us over this past year, but mostly we are beyond thankful that you are where you were always meant to be- at home!

We enjoyed some Ethiopian food, your favorite music by Ethiopian singer "GiGi", and a family celebration marking this special week that you came into our arms forever!

Walking Gigi!!!

We are so proud of how hard Gigi has worked on her muscles and how far she has come in the past year.  She decided to start walking this week......she and us are so happy!!  Excuse the fun hair Gigi has.......when we approach week's end it is time for a re-do of the do.  

FINALLY a video- Dancing and Giggling Gigi

This one's for you Kari!

Photo Session!! One year Referral-versary!

It has been one year since we got to see sweet Gigi's face.....and we received THE CALL. What amazing memories of that day and what lied ahead until now. Thank you GOD for blessing us!!!

We had a great time getting pics of the kids. Check them out! We love Mama Mia Photography, so
bloggy friends who live nearby, give her a call!!

Mama Mia Photography
Kari Anderson
Leesburg, VA
571-291-1457

Lord, expand my territory-My heart is still in Ethiopia

Every day I spend some time researching, praying and looking at the need and situation in Ethiopia regarding orphans. I have been reaching out and finding my way as to where the Lord might direct me. I have felt so strongly, from before we even brought Gigi home, that there was more for me in Ethiopia. After being there and now being home for some time, I find I am even more on a mission. I know we will be going back to adopt again, but there is still something more. My prayer is that the Lord "expands my territory" and shows me how I can be used as His servant to help more orphans and just to make more of a difference. It is so exciting to feel this direction SOOO clearly and to pursue and pursue until He shows me I am on the right track. There are several areas and things I have been moving forward on and all are so exciting and have great possibilities.......what is more exciting is to see what the Lord does in my life and Pete's life and our families life. Or should I say what He will do through our lives- for the lives of many precious children. So many people and groups inspire me to keep plugging away and to keep supporting and searching for ways to help. I love Amazima's blog- what this woman of such a young age is doing is nothing but pure God and pure and true religion. Also, I had the opportunity to speak with Tom Davis, the author of "Fields of the Fatherless", "Red Letters", and "Confessions of a Good Christian Guy". He also heads Children's Hopechest. What they are doing in Africa is incredible and big and inspiring too! There are so many others out there who are "doing" and just reading their blogs and the stories of how God is paving the way for them to follow their passion for the needy children of this world keeps me plugging away. What I realize is that one person with a burden on their hearts and a desire to please the Lord and glorify Him in all they do- can do big things. This is my prayer and my desire and my search. I thought I would throw it out there for my friends to see and read. It feels good to write what is in my heart, thanks for listening/reading.

Some recent pics of the kids and Gigi, just growing up before our eyes!

A blessed reunion!

What a gift.....we got to see sweet Meti and her awesome mother at the airport as they were coming home from Ethiopia! Meti was such a part of our week when we got Gigi. She loved Gigi so much and according to the nurse and nannies, she used to carry Gigi around and help take care or her. It was soooooo hard saying good-bye to her almost 8 months ago. She told us through tears she prayed she would see "Selam"/ Gigi again one day. I know Meti is so special and probably had this relationship with so many of the other children and babies at the orphanage, she displays so much love and joy and God's heart for such a young person- she is so special. I am so thankful that she is now home with her family who has adored her and prayed for her for so long. Her family is so special and what a treat to finally meet Patty too! She was incredible, and it was a treat to visit with them and have lunch and watch Meti and Gigi together again. Also, our two other kids had heard all the stories about this little girl, so they were so excited to meet her and visit too! Enjoy the pictures!

A lost camera can put you WAY behind on blogging!

So, I finally bucked up and bought another camera. I thought for sure it would just *turn* up somewhere. I had visions of someone calling me to tell me they found my camera........the call never came. The camera never showed up under a couch, in a bag, or under the seats of the van along with the old dried up french fries and cherrios. Just thought I would FINALLY add some pictures. Took these yesterday and today. Gigi didn't know what to think of the snow, even more than that, she didn't know what to think of the "armor" I put her in which made her not be able to move. She handled it like a champ.