Photo-a-Day February

In an effort to actually have a presence over here I'm going to do a little project.  Okay, I'm going to TRY to do a little project.  Stolen from several blogger friends, I'm going to make February "photo-a-day" month.  You should see a post from me every single day in February.  I'm not promising long, well-written posts, but hopefully at least a photo with a couple a words slapped on top of it! I'm also going to turn off my privatization for the month as well. Hope you enjoy.

Miracles

I worked on Saturday most of the day and as I drove down our street toward home, I was welcomed by this sight:

I can't even begin to describe the joy me heart felt at seeing my daughter "walking" around in the driveway, playing with the rest of the family.  Not to mention the fact that it's January in Wisconsin and is 45 degrees!

2012

There is no profound, well-written post to kick-off 2012.  I've tried to think of something, but I guess I'm fresh out of profanity.  Hmmm...that didn't come out right.  I stumbled upon this frame well over a year ago - long before we even knew about Bamlak and Hiwot - and I loved the saying so much that I bought it.  It's been stashed away in a closet, waiting for me to redo a room, waiting for Kamila to come home so we could add another child's photo, then waiting for Bamlak and Hiwot, and so on.  A few weeks ago, I got it out, filled it with pictures and proudly displayed it on my wall.  Every single time I look at it I get a little choked up.  I think about all the places we've been.  Not just the "exotic" physical places to which we've traveled to be united with our children like Kyrgyzstan, Louisiana and Ethiopia or the days and months logged in the hospitals and clinics; but more importantly, the emotional places we've journeyed as well.  Our hearts have been softened, our souls have been changed.  I think about where our children have been, what they have endured, how far they have come and how far they have yet to go.  I am both amazed and grateful.  It is so simple, what I want for 2012 is for my family to be happy, to be healthy and to finally be whole. 

Bunk beds for the Boys

We're getting closer!  Last week brought Ethiopian birth certificates - with our names listed as Bamlak's and Hiwot's parents!  Next week should bring an official Ethiopian court decree.  We're expecting to have their case submitted to the US Embassy in Addis Ababa by mid-month and hope to have an appointment mid-February.  Today we painted the boys' room and assembled the bunk beds.  As you can see, Esen was very excited!  I can't wait until that other bed is filled.  Next project - get our room finished downstairs so we can move out of what will be the girls' room; then work can begin on it, too!