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Thursday, November 12, 2009

We heart Ethiopia!!!

We have had an incredible time back in Addis. I love how it feels so natural to be here. We have loved the opportunity to spend time with old and new friends. The Funderburks came to visit us at our guest house and we loved seeing them again. It was so fascinating to learn all about their new adventure living here in Addis. Eyasu was very clingy at first and we realized that he only knows them from the transition home. :( We loved that he wanted us but it broke our hearts that he thought they might have been there to take him back. After much reassuring, he played with their precious little Ruthie. :)

We have also gotten to see our Ethiopian angel, Dereje, on several occasions. We were able to go to his sister, Fifi's, house yesterday for lunch. What a treat. Eyasu loved playing with her two kiddos and it was a gift being able to catch up on her life since we have last seen each other.

Now to the main attraction: EYASU. Oh man. Moody and I just belly ache laugh at this guy all day long. He is hilarious, unless someone tries to take his toys, then hilarious he is not. :) He really has the sweetest spirit. He is happy and VERY busy. Hill, Wick, Avery and Issy, get ready, he can run!!! He is also a parrot and repeats everything you say, full sentences sometimes. It is really funny. An interesting and incredible to witness reality of adopting an older child is seeing them experience firsts. He was terrified of the big potty (thought he would fall in poor guy), learned how to sip from a straw, took his first bath in the big tub, first sip of a Miranda, etc........his eyes and smile say it all! WOW. Thanking the Lord for the incredible gift of entrusting us to this amazing child and allowing us to experience so many of his firsts in life.

We received the very first picture of him when he came into care over 13 months ago. It is heartbreaking and yet, we are so thankful to have that piece of his story. It is clear that he is a fighter with an truly resilient spirit. It made John 14:18, "I will not leave you as orphans, I will come to you." come alive. Thank you for your faithful promises to your children. We are forever grateful to the staff at Gladney for loving him, for nurturing him and restoring him to good health. His love for his special mother was priceless and we will always have a special place in our hearts for everyone that played a role in his life until he could come home to his forever family!















33 comments:

Kristin said...

Seriously God...you are Ohhh so good!

Em and Moody - ahh tears are flowing! I praise God for this additional JOY to your precious family! I love that you are getting to experience first's with this little guy! (Moody I see you already have him on a brushing schedule!) Love you all so much and can't wait to meet the little spunkaroo here in a couple of days. Still praying for the visa! Any word.

Love with all my heart!!

Misty said...

he is sooo stinkin cute and you can see his sweet spirit in his smile! loved the tooth brushing pic too. ya'll should take the alexander bus out here to the country one day and run and play in my yard! we can even go fishing in the tank by the park :) you know...someday when you aren't busy... :)

Jillienne said...

Yeah!! I am so happy for you all! What an amazing little man! I am getting all teary and now I REALLY want to go BACK!! I keep having to remind myself to slow down!!

Amy said...

Love these updates and pictures! He is A DOLL! Can't wait to see the rest of Team Alexander meet him! :)

Julie said...

So happy for you...and for him!

Traci said...

Precious. He looks like the happiest kids on earth. Congratulations to your family.

Rebecca said...

He is such a handsome boy!! I love all the pictures!

mama becca said...

what an amazing update... thanks so much for sharing your story... i'm hanging on every picture and word... :)
becca

The Redman's said...

tears, tears, tears!!! Sounds like an amazing time is being had in Ethiopia.... and sounds like little Eyasu is even more amazing!!!

All this makes me that much more excited and anxious to get our little guy!!!!

Thanks for the wonderful updates!

Nicholas said...

I love that you're updating from ET! It warms my heart to read these excerpts... And YES, SO many firsts it's incredible!!!!

ARMSTRONG ADVENTURES said...

I am loving reading about your trip each day! Eyasu is such a cutie. (love the tub picture!) Congratulations!

Kristi J said...

oh, he makes me cry...I can't wait to go back..I want one of him :) what a precious gift from above, kristi

Cheryl said...

oh my heart! He is so precious!

I love all the pictures... a story told in each one! Such a beautiful story of God's faithfulness!

Kelsey said...

Alexanders!!!!

You describe him just as I remember him!!! Tears are flowing as I look at your pictures. I brings back so many memories for me. I could not be more excited for you guys. What an incredible journey for you guys and what a pure blessing! Wow, so amazing! Be blessed by the remainder of your time there. There is something so special about that place. Enjoy every moment with your new baby boy! He is so adorable! I LOVE IT! He has so much personality! Travel back safely!

Kelsey Taylor

Kari said...

It was so crazy fun to get your text from Addis! We can't believe you met our ET angel, Robel!!!! We love him! We're still working on getting his # for you. The pics are incredible and so much fun to see Eyasu falling in love with his new mommy & daddy!! We are praying you home:)

Jen said...

He is so Good, isn't He? Love love love it...the pics, that he is doing so well, and the happy ending (I mean beginning):)

Holli said...

love this post... oh how I miss ET....
I HEART ETHIOPIA TOO!!!!

Jana said...

Wow! He is precious!! Those big beautiful white teeth, what a great smile!!

Ellen said...

Haha, the tooth brushing picture is awesome. :-)
That's so neat that you got to see Fifi again! I can't wait to meet this boy... See you soon!

Guard Wife said...

These photos are so terrific!!! I love seeing all the smiles and joy you are sharing with your newest son. What fun. :)

Congratulations again & best wishes for the rest of your trip!

missy said...

so fun to follow along this amazing journey with you. obviously you are getting to be with some incredible people. eyasu has the most infectious, precious smile. so glad he's yours!

HoodMama said...

What a beautiful boy!!! I love his spunk already and can't wait to meet him. Moody's already working on his brushing habits and so thankful to hear him snuggling and even being clingy. He knows you're his!!!

Erica said...

Oh so beautiful! I can't wait to hear more! I love his smile!! He and Silas could do some damage I'm thinking. Love to hear things are going so well. God is SO SO good.

J Gutwein said...

We just received our referral yesterday. We are so excited & this post makes me more excited :). LOve, J

Kyndal Nicol said...

so happy for the two of you!! Just sitting here crying and thanking God for his blessing. Sounds like your new son has some "Max' in him. haha How wonderful to be filled with spirit and joy.

solas4me said...

Wow!
Thanks for posting, especially the pics. Make my long to be in ET. God is so good, gives us some much more than we deserve. To him be the Glory!

Justin Darling

Cloverland Farm said...

so fab!!! love it! congrats!!!

African Love Story said...

Hi. I am travelling next month (12/4) to pick up our 5.5. month old son. I am looking to the experts for some advice on where to stay, what to bring for baby, etc.

My blog is www.africanlovestory.blogspot.com and my email is amygugger@yahoo.com

I'm sure you are so busy, but if you happen to have any time to share some of your insights it would be SO appreicated.

Sincerely, Amy Gugger

Kimberly Baggett said...

this post just warms my heart and makes me so emotional about your journey! i am so excited for y'all and can't wait for y'all to be home with ALL of your children...together!! won't that be amazing?!! seth is a precious little cutie!

Sydney said...

Ummm... I don't really have words for how beautiful, cute, wonderful, precious, etc. all of that is. Can't wait for him to play with my little BUSY kiddos!
And, seriously- he looks so much like you guys already!
What a Blessed crew you are!!

Cassandra Britt said...

Thank you so much for your comment. It was the best! Eyasu is so adorable!! I am so glad you are home safe and sound! Best wishes!

Gwen Oatsvall said...

I simply can't get enough of that smile !!! so thankful you are home and all together ... can't wait to talk on the phone and get all the details !!!

love you bunches !!!!

Wendi said...

congrats! such great updates ! i really want to pick your brain on traveling there with the family when you recover from your jet lag! you guys rock!

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"Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from becoming polluted by the world." James 1:27
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