tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23369040368915327022024-02-07T18:15:57.244-07:00Ethiopian Adoption -This is Providence-Stacy Rogershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12483876921671653513noreply@blogger.comBlogger118125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2336904036891532702.post-74015708247481476972012-07-15T05:10:00.003-06:002012-07-15T05:10:51.589-06:00One year ago we saw their faces<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I am a day late in posting this, but it has been one year since we received a call and learned about our precious Lucy Eyerusalem and Jude Uchala. The call came on July 13th, but due to a computer glitch at our agency we had to wait 24 hours and finally on July 14th, 2011 we saw their faces. That call made me a mommy. I will never forget the feeling and rush of emotions as we opened the email to see their photos.<div>
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This was the first photo we saw. </div>
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Followed by these individual ones.</div>
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By this time tears were streaming uncontrollably, those are my babies on the other side of the world. God had chosen us to be their parents. I was in love immediately, but my heart was breaking being so far from them. Their faces were so scared and sad and there was nothing I could do to comfort them. </div>
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I was happy to see one picture with a smile.</div>
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One year later and a recent move (10 days ago) to Los Angeles, here they are today.</div>
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These pictures were taken in Colorado before we moved.</div>
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One year. One family. One God. Lots of Love</div>
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In one year their hair has grown and their hearts have experienced the redemptive power of God. I am so blessed to be their mommy. Every day is a new adventure.</div>
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</div>Stacy Rogershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12483876921671653513noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2336904036891532702.post-13126837787864553542012-05-13T15:31:00.000-06:002012-05-13T15:31:08.617-06:00Six Months of Motherhood: God Telled My Heart<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I've been able to say that I am a mom since July 13th of 2011 when we first saw their precious faces. Four months later we brought Lucy and Jude home and life has never been the same. For the past six months my days and heart have been so full. I have sat down to write <s>numerous</s> less than a handful of blog posts in the past six months. Each time I begin a draft I delete it or leave it sitting unpublished. There is so much I'd like to say, but pray about each post and have not felt I should share personal details about my children. Know that there are ups and downs and our kids are amazing. They are experiencing and processing so much. They bring joy to our hearts and home each day, but parenting a hurt child is not easy. We've been told by some that it seems we've dropped off the face of the earth; I sometimes feel the same as it often feels that all the support has vanished. We lay low and grow as a family. God is the maker and the healer of all things. He is restoring the broken hearts of our babes each day as we grow as a family. Redemption in the midst of pain is beauty. I am thankful that He chose Me to carry out this role. I am Blessed beyond measure to be a child of God and a mother to the two He has entrusted to me. <br />
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As I sit to reflect on all that my eyes have seen and my heart has experienced in the past six months, {my first six months as a mother} my eyes well up with tears. So many emotions are present on this Mother's Day. Truthfully, each day is filled with so many emotions. <br />
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I have enjoyed celebrating today as it is the first Mother's Day that I had my babies to hold in my arms, though I've held them in my heart for years. It is a tremendous blessing to have them home. I celebrate the milestones they've achieved. I celebrate that they are mine forever. I celebrate that God made our family, and it is precious.beautiuful.cherished. <br />
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Yet, my heart is heavy today. My heart hurts for the mother who gave life to my babes, who cared for them for the first months and years of their little lives, and for the mommy who loved them first. My heart aches that I get the blessing of being with our children each day and see them growing, learning, and loving and that I never knew this amazing woman. I know very little about this incredible person, but she has a huge piece of my heart. It is a unique experience to share a role with a woman you'll never know; this role is arguable the most treasured one in the world. <br />
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My heart also is burdened for all the precious children {nearly 150 million} in the world that don't have someone to call mommy. Though I hear Mommy! MAMA! mimi! shouted at me 762 times a day and sometimes it starts to get a little old, I must remember that this is a privilege to have this title and that so many children have no one to answer their cries. Tragedy and injustice occur in the world but what are WE doing about it as privileged people. You might think this is a push to get everyone to adopt, but it isn't. In fact, adoption is not the answer. Adoption changes the life of each child that is placed in a forever family... but it is only a small part of the orphan crisis. <br />
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If you are my facebook friend you laugh along with me at the hysterical stuff my precious Lucy says, but today I leave you with this exchange between Lucy and I a few months ago.<br />
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<i>Lucy: Mommy I missed you when you weren't with me.</i><br />
Me: Sweetheart I missed you so much too when I had to come back to America, I prayed for you and your brother everyday and waited for God to bring our family together again.<br />
<i>Lucy: No mommy, that made me sad...but I'm talking about when I was in Gambella {her birth region}</i><br />
Me: You didn't know me then baby.<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><i>Lucy: God telled my heart and I missed you</i></span><i>.</i></div>Stacy Rogershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12483876921671653513noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2336904036891532702.post-64386034073553762792012-02-29T17:32:00.022-07:002012-03-07T01:30:05.229-07:00Ethiopian Christmas and Jude's 2nd birthday.<div style="text-align: left;">Jude tends to not be a morning person, just like his mama. We filled his room with balloons while he was sleeping. When he woke up he looked and the floor and then looked at me like I was crazy. After being awake for a bit he decided it was really fun. We enjoyed celebrating the first birthday in our house. Lucy can't wait for hers now. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgngZ5ysGWUBfRjKKdI-D94g9mgxBqZgQiSqDhr-EOpnK0Kdb0MAd09KuL2aYJM2RJnkNR5pf55pNSFUIuMg0t_95SVdFG0gmzzPf1dPyGs5A7ZY3F8bfaItkS_IJcSlARNnwopmSRW9sin/s1600/IMG_2695.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgngZ5ysGWUBfRjKKdI-D94g9mgxBqZgQiSqDhr-EOpnK0Kdb0MAd09KuL2aYJM2RJnkNR5pf55pNSFUIuMg0t_95SVdFG0gmzzPf1dPyGs5A7ZY3F8bfaItkS_IJcSlARNnwopmSRW9sin/s400/IMG_2695.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5717060895129772290" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqqrc2Bc7Z7ZZJqvusVACS6ngmeh-QdPIHuC0L2lOmkHyq2x2qIJXnF1Xlqd6UxGtCDc04FXk7LM7SVCXpSULyukUI1Jjk0DCLtDshAEC8z-JZspy3oZHDU6KFUslizPHarro8GXfZg9qL/s1600/IMG_2700.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Two months later, I am sharing these with you. I seems I'm never able to </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 25px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><strike>find</strike> make the time to blog. I find myself writing blog posts in my mind through out the day... I actually have a running list of titles and topics that I'd like to share. In fact, I started this post a week ago and am just now adding the pictures to go with it. </span></span></span><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 25px; font-size:medium;">We had a wonderful celebration of the Ethiopian Christmas. It was January 7th. That is also Jude's birthday. My mom was visiting, we went swimming, got take out from Uchenna (our local Ethiopian restaurant), and wore our Ethiopian clothing. Jude got a few birthday gifts. Lucy and I got the same necklace. It was a precious day.</span></span></div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqqrc2Bc7Z7ZZJqvusVACS6ngmeh-QdPIHuC0L2lOmkHyq2x2qIJXnF1Xlqd6UxGtCDc04FXk7LM7SVCXpSULyukUI1Jjk0DCLtDshAEC8z-JZspy3oZHDU6KFUslizPHarro8GXfZg9qL/s400/IMG_2700.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5717060892354221138" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 298px; height: 400px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzRiO5x93bcS9tdtXamZIbLk00kem0eyIkHhMHefttxB1jQsUX0mHR06UzKcr_86Q5ajC1D2IGEc2tNWv2kneaIay7vHembhyfQjMMaapBy3XD45hPXlSVxRl36QPlYOyMdL1Mz2HnXeY-/s1600/IMG_2725.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzRiO5x93bcS9tdtXamZIbLk00kem0eyIkHhMHefttxB1jQsUX0mHR06UzKcr_86Q5ajC1D2IGEc2tNWv2kneaIay7vHembhyfQjMMaapBy3XD45hPXlSVxRl36QPlYOyMdL1Mz2HnXeY-/s400/IMG_2725.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5717061394079010802" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 299px; height: 400px; " /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgoB8EGfrvLkY8AUc0Vd60X9i4-TQFAXgPdyLpRVmkaaFiXrH0mIzeiGt_zA5nUfeh5m2HPDWMImBfwxwhSZpBgAV_jrc_6ViZKJGQkn_ylGgVxCW06I4VJWPY3_YtW0M_qFoIJ0gVGsFb/s1600/IMG_2715.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgoB8EGfrvLkY8AUc0Vd60X9i4-TQFAXgPdyLpRVmkaaFiXrH0mIzeiGt_zA5nUfeh5m2HPDWMImBfwxwhSZpBgAV_jrc_6ViZKJGQkn_ylGgVxCW06I4VJWPY3_YtW0M_qFoIJ0gVGsFb/s400/IMG_2715.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5717061386202271746" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 299px; height: 400px; " /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixeu_m-CcOHNygNBEVGzl3gEGyaOufCruSTmX2dcGmm355ZlMdWTXLxAzx3MtwHWuYk4Ia6E0AkhbQnHryCCCGriadPh2e8Ucswh8wNp2Bw4cUp_IL_RwXGOnjSONWeXaf3OQzB2NTeXn6/s1600/IMG_2704.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixeu_m-CcOHNygNBEVGzl3gEGyaOufCruSTmX2dcGmm355ZlMdWTXLxAzx3MtwHWuYk4Ia6E0AkhbQnHryCCCGriadPh2e8Ucswh8wNp2Bw4cUp_IL_RwXGOnjSONWeXaf3OQzB2NTeXn6/s400/IMG_2704.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5717061382243796402" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px; " /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOvRcDs19Y90678SGHEzrCpD-x4X40EB3G3WqwieCh0SWiJKjvp7X9TLJGf6S7YUZx_FBFDwPaBzHUVp_bo8DmSrBIh3dSzaDe3rPdrMv10D7i1sCzST7VUATkHhzK31fkBpAOlIpPYtVd/s1600/IMG_2701.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOvRcDs19Y90678SGHEzrCpD-x4X40EB3G3WqwieCh0SWiJKjvp7X9TLJGf6S7YUZx_FBFDwPaBzHUVp_bo8DmSrBIh3dSzaDe3rPdrMv10D7i1sCzST7VUATkHhzK31fkBpAOlIpPYtVd/s400/IMG_2701.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5717060900926556930" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 299px; height: 400px; " /></a></span></span></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ7vS1alPIVqoBVK9s3CB7ZUVFF5kSVL8nqsjn4aDW60uASMWofy-2xyxiQ3QSv8NhIS1rzGihAo_SMBp9WeIJtV2bRwJz5oEcB1bDen2woYCPv7Lgi8OfHnf5ZB2kXcUrFF2i68atlr3x/s1600/IMG_2734.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ7vS1alPIVqoBVK9s3CB7ZUVFF5kSVL8nqsjn4aDW60uASMWofy-2xyxiQ3QSv8NhIS1rzGihAo_SMBp9WeIJtV2bRwJz5oEcB1bDen2woYCPv7Lgi8OfHnf5ZB2kXcUrFF2i68atlr3x/s400/IMG_2734.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5717062421560312754" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px; " /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgICpDFegO7cmSM2jkuWJUX7m4qZlLiZ-YGWZivPfx40IjJVAEkP4iZDwKuhiE75ZBegd22gMXc8w51kvn6mznGct6RKjf6ueC1eG1LFhdwji6Vpo0IKYMWywnGqh0mqBgK2GLTtHf1BM-z/s1600/IMG_2731.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgICpDFegO7cmSM2jkuWJUX7m4qZlLiZ-YGWZivPfx40IjJVAEkP4iZDwKuhiE75ZBegd22gMXc8w51kvn6mznGct6RKjf6ueC1eG1LFhdwji6Vpo0IKYMWywnGqh0mqBgK2GLTtHf1BM-z/s400/IMG_2731.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5717062418862851442" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px; " /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtV8evwwwWJEyoEf1Aahkxl-tERtU0rF8TIM1exrx8pmdi0Oilr242Z6YJ85xov_lIU5k4h5ucKgzSeL4yPTpVcWHX1sVjFEDXy3oeXSgdOpUfb4NRSR-thGvGhAKdhgu-CIUV_92pHEvd/s400/IMG_2807.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5717064757457508418" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 299px; height: 400px; " /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzRiO5x93bcS9tdtXamZIbLk00kem0eyIkHhMHefttxB1jQsUX0mHR06UzKcr_86Q5ajC1D2IGEc2tNWv2kneaIay7vHembhyfQjMMaapBy3XD45hPXlSVxRl36QPlYOyMdL1Mz2HnXeY-/s1600/IMG_2725.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzRiO5x93bcS9tdtXamZIbLk00kem0eyIkHhMHefttxB1jQsUX0mHR06UzKcr_86Q5ajC1D2IGEc2tNWv2kneaIay7vHembhyfQjMMaapBy3XD45hPXlSVxRl36QPlYOyMdL1Mz2HnXeY-/s1600/IMG_2725.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#ff9966;">The chef at Uchenna gave Jude a special treat!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#ff9966;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKjA6qammi7JBZfR54RgWcUz3ymM3gmjvGfL1MfoCMVPUMj_kR_KGgT0zig2iL2Gjjo4C9GchyphenhyphenAWw5oBiqto5uxrYHjJDZpclRV3FkLpoHS5LqWA685eDY2fooquUP8ltqcgdXkifyU1LO/s1600/IMG_2755.jpg" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); " onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKjA6qammi7JBZfR54RgWcUz3ymM3gmjvGfL1MfoCMVPUMj_kR_KGgT0zig2iL2Gjjo4C9GchyphenhyphenAWw5oBiqto5uxrYHjJDZpclRV3FkLpoHS5LqWA685eDY2fooquUP8ltqcgdXkifyU1LO/s400/IMG_2755.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5717063869857010210" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 299px; height: 400px; " /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUaPXR2MJVBACFLEF8_Eojb8OFjF6CoSJbr4xK6yHNzLSJXxvoDhStSnUVar-vBVCxrFkYl9nuNa8dT_5I16ZPNsrYnTCin6M6ppFw2wo67AgjR0wWeVwwdbCD-ioWowDZTmBw22eKIX_o/s1600/IMG_2749.jpg" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); " onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUaPXR2MJVBACFLEF8_Eojb8OFjF6CoSJbr4xK6yHNzLSJXxvoDhStSnUVar-vBVCxrFkYl9nuNa8dT_5I16ZPNsrYnTCin6M6ppFw2wo67AgjR0wWeVwwdbCD-ioWowDZTmBw22eKIX_o/s400/IMG_2749.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5717063862797905074" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 299px; height: 400px; " /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZPMU52VbVQP7Fk29RILtANJqFIRc3NmHNIze1KDT5lLCbPwd7oBJJ1cYb_nX09PgiBdCKPUgTyxp10OqEwZmwH07ZAHAEvzrlTEbgSiTwcSooXsLQcSZdvsrnwnnXlCAgjN1u9_Y2my1F/s1600/IMG_2743.jpg" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); " onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZPMU52VbVQP7Fk29RILtANJqFIRc3NmHNIze1KDT5lLCbPwd7oBJJ1cYb_nX09PgiBdCKPUgTyxp10OqEwZmwH07ZAHAEvzrlTEbgSiTwcSooXsLQcSZdvsrnwnnXlCAgjN1u9_Y2my1F/s400/IMG_2743.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5717062429590747570" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 299px; height: 400px; " /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLLaw8t_Q6Y9C4EeXitvZW7_lxhnCumdvfDv2YdUe8CEkSIKhXloL-iTHF-V-3gEHREUWGYyuheb96jzXma6OQoii_lEae3jn-LJ70JSnQ2IVoOD9-MzTlHo8_NeWV7Ugs3rQy4wDQNHE-/s1600/IMG_2737.jpg" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); " onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLLaw8t_Q6Y9C4EeXitvZW7_lxhnCumdvfDv2YdUe8CEkSIKhXloL-iTHF-V-3gEHREUWGYyuheb96jzXma6OQoii_lEae3jn-LJ70JSnQ2IVoOD9-MzTlHo8_NeWV7Ugs3rQy4wDQNHE-/s400/IMG_2737.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5717062427629042354" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 299px; height: 400px; " /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhptVmNAVAMnAtzrXk9xz4i4qOQK3PoaaUElZpGoEvEYYkTfHMTcZP2lZnden6Rt5VPtWk9nf2xg3xa8Qt_aUBowrv90IIxYPdQc8BdQ7qHC8giAVqGLvIngwun_K6-IQstiOvjEcesGdvJ/s1600/IMG_0426.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhptVmNAVAMnAtzrXk9xz4i4qOQK3PoaaUElZpGoEvEYYkTfHMTcZP2lZnden6Rt5VPtWk9nf2xg3xa8Qt_aUBowrv90IIxYPdQc8BdQ7qHC8giAVqGLvIngwun_K6-IQstiOvjEcesGdvJ/s400/IMG_0426.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5717056812209185666" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 299px; height: 400px; " /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnVkDBOQ3qrho-beWzfWHWxLd4E12AjPWVTTMqfNfjfcKS-KJG6uKyssR832gNzCyIL8nGIyi7cVCw-lhe6OFvWKTDDr1uj-2cXkwHto-Php8Qw6NNhYK2xuprgGJts7uFiLfoiLQ1fMVV/s1600/IMG_0416.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnVkDBOQ3qrho-beWzfWHWxLd4E12AjPWVTTMqfNfjfcKS-KJG6uKyssR832gNzCyIL8nGIyi7cVCw-lhe6OFvWKTDDr1uj-2cXkwHto-Php8Qw6NNhYK2xuprgGJts7uFiLfoiLQ1fMVV/s400/IMG_0416.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5717056807524612882" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 299px; height: 400px; " /></a><br /><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjffecZ5OmYDKjn1uxczh0KetWuyJgcVI1aTj0F-9LWzFP0Uucm7kSLjsgJmISEeJazYa_MamnKjWdId3MP5xUOop4tRx8AkuYUoNH372Dis1yp0dXC_cU2KBmOLwVNHvtbRI2iSEzDuq31/s1600/IMG_0392.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjffecZ5OmYDKjn1uxczh0KetWuyJgcVI1aTj0F-9LWzFP0Uucm7kSLjsgJmISEeJazYa_MamnKjWdId3MP5xUOop4tRx8AkuYUoNH372Dis1yp0dXC_cU2KBmOLwVNHvtbRI2iSEzDuq31/s400/IMG_0392.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5717056804396522402" style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 299px; height: 400px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#ff9966;">I'm not exactly a masterful cake decorator, but I tried and the kids enjoyed it.</span></div></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKbazlBZ8vFlFLvdasF1uqhl7yJkpIKtpz5K9Ivzlqt4tF1JiVz8PQUri2ET9EwgG2BDqYaKrCvWkB_05koc5dCdAqXWq6xP7y75FdZmCtHUhfKV4MaR876XHlbPHacGt0iKWpcgYqURlS/s400/IMG_2799.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5717063891460088290" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 299px; height: 400px; " /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVadBjuMXaPtPci2sTFgk4Zl9cXg9jJMx2Naws7-6zP-pn6mMf7RwafMuEZB-xx0fP0nWYHJampJ6rAAMCanfoBE7z7oUJEn3XGNO-8U3wACnSroMPZysuknS7VR5772ReWcm5ft2NpbRR/s1600/IMG_2790.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVadBjuMXaPtPci2sTFgk4Zl9cXg9jJMx2Naws7-6zP-pn6mMf7RwafMuEZB-xx0fP0nWYHJampJ6rAAMCanfoBE7z7oUJEn3XGNO-8U3wACnSroMPZysuknS7VR5772ReWcm5ft2NpbRR/s400/IMG_2790.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5717063880381342338" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 25px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;color:#ff9966;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 25px;">A few pics of my little man looking big and 2!</span></span></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPq0C-D-yG18vjl9a2kMIthr6WIlF8j34LjdRhBf_rTo02zawf0aI5mn-zI5Qkwgi58E4JOBFxlXcr5kZT9RTE6GqwJkcQpXw6n7eDQFbVdRTNcXK05bdW9c9ElFq7pwekbatkSVQPe_Em/s1600/IMG_2819.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPq0C-D-yG18vjl9a2kMIthr6WIlF8j34LjdRhBf_rTo02zawf0aI5mn-zI5Qkwgi58E4JOBFxlXcr5kZT9RTE6GqwJkcQpXw6n7eDQFbVdRTNcXK05bdW9c9ElFq7pwekbatkSVQPe_Em/s400/IMG_2819.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5717064773461237346" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 299px; height: 400px; " /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxdNxLttM8vO7Gexzu2p5KoIIB97fkFOr-B9qdKXQDi3PeUO2X5r08bOkmtYOIBxhFtW0MayiynoJpvJyfut9aseb7Vog9_VOvJ8McR7x7z4yrTp_kpnJn6VuGEkfKdxrKWBMEQCF9GDLo/s1600/IMG_2816.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxdNxLttM8vO7Gexzu2p5KoIIB97fkFOr-B9qdKXQDi3PeUO2X5r08bOkmtYOIBxhFtW0MayiynoJpvJyfut9aseb7Vog9_VOvJ8McR7x7z4yrTp_kpnJn6VuGEkfKdxrKWBMEQCF9GDLo/s400/IMG_2816.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5717064771657875890" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 299px; height: 400px; " /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxKPX1sjklRDFVnh_euVFqiq-oY9bt_Rh62iBDJDqM5ov2gyC2gIz3fQBiTNzfjI1n5Cre0iGOUFrfirZt9Qdk48xBEXQKKPHIAasNPM6dRl7DKheumDahIU8rCoag6jDQmtBAVoj9K7fx/s1600/IMG_2812.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxKPX1sjklRDFVnh_euVFqiq-oY9bt_Rh62iBDJDqM5ov2gyC2gIz3fQBiTNzfjI1n5Cre0iGOUFrfirZt9Qdk48xBEXQKKPHIAasNPM6dRl7DKheumDahIU8rCoag6jDQmtBAVoj9K7fx/s400/IMG_2812.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5717064761789926146" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 299px; height: 400px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div>Stacy Rogershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12483876921671653513noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2336904036891532702.post-10581526856711688372012-01-10T00:07:00.012-07:002012-01-10T01:19:13.576-07:00Christmas and Catching up... Part 1<div style="text-align: left;">Christmas came and went but the celebrating has lasted the season. I think there has been so much celebrating going on around here that I haven't gotten a chance to post, or at least thats the excuse I'm going to use!</div><div><div>Dave's family came from Kansas and Mississippi for Christmas. It was great to have all of the family together to meet Lucy and Jude. David's brother married my best friend so that is always and extra to have her in the family. She is an awesome photographer and did a family session for us on Christmas afternoon. The kids were freezing and sleepy and refused to smile, but they still look beautiful.</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinx5_UCK3LH3IFohl6HxnbIlDNS8brP0fauF8CU52Sv7Z9aEihM01st8QB4g1dKVyag-LthMnNjbIKsFFumSDmHLtZgdLXPGAYEykRllX3-VvFQmg2WIccYFc1a9Bv8TtSu2mUYj_Q5ciV/s400/IMG_7418.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695908913420142514" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRh2UFBJTLShERnLqddnCWmmsd3za8_EOwE1C8K65DNs4W8ybylaW6ltsjl1IicIdIn_-bBWiAP1e0v4oxv_G6LMRTKdGkzIeP5wRj3RgEkpGO-qvCvFwXf4hObsc7XTJnfD2oPpH0-KVO/s400/IMG7421-M.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695909292915090530" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxvc-5UG3t8KvUDO4dIN16SLTrR4kXTuchgZyqHB41gsNzE6HfQFH7qnAYe7pfBg520fcaWeZy1QvncmwTn-bQHmApV17vtSWfkupJZ7OwJfaTj5bGtfLwjkihtcbfPTKcaikKPXgV8eka/s1600/IMG7572-M.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxvc-5UG3t8KvUDO4dIN16SLTrR4kXTuchgZyqHB41gsNzE6HfQFH7qnAYe7pfBg520fcaWeZy1QvncmwTn-bQHmApV17vtSWfkupJZ7OwJfaTj5bGtfLwjkihtcbfPTKcaikKPXgV8eka/s400/IMG7572-M.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695910713752751810" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px; " /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFz8J3kk-xGhHkYly7F0RGfLjgw8hwIk5w-AEMIBUv1SwEcibpExACTKyXxpH_hCEsKhtwldK3WmlYPcFnjH-QZgH8lRZNF-V6wqqa3CkIRJVF4dvq1W7_sc2CxnwTVu6Uomh0yxCtQGfC/s1600/IMG7543-M.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFz8J3kk-xGhHkYly7F0RGfLjgw8hwIk5w-AEMIBUv1SwEcibpExACTKyXxpH_hCEsKhtwldK3WmlYPcFnjH-QZgH8lRZNF-V6wqqa3CkIRJVF4dvq1W7_sc2CxnwTVu6Uomh0yxCtQGfC/s1600/IMG7543-M.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSm0Sy8nnFbRqzRpC_yXLLMPE65Mj6pKavVgbcWl1LqE7wDIXOtabnwgYsH-kURvxla9dAqE5Z1YOAuhzsrnZ_CX4jPmgD1zHrF_3MnBIAiS2RZ_uHR25S-we-zQs-g8QyKFYJXM4Q2a_G/s400/IMG7465-2-M.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695910286669206178" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLnffTUlP0qPGtK6uyofSoCy7H89sZNKccTC9yJKoUIBNcP_LZ54TD2CRsX17fvdmYsPLLolVXfty9TLof6r1Q7I7QGaL0VytseG2sofkKeWvFNtixmcwhfKtC8oFH49D9jzhRgis-uN0z/s400/IMG7468-L.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695910291484760978" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6JgyXx6xIIgcF3f56VSToq_5Yxvy21yKSZO-JTVliO2SbgCx7Jtl_2QG0kUvNdmGxLtnAW451UC8aurtjnjH4stWFCgM7Szv6cWd6tczcxa-ibejkeZmL0FusJNiVntpkhHxQ-w7bXpuV/s400/IMG7574-M.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695910722394023762" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFz8J3kk-xGhHkYly7F0RGfLjgw8hwIk5w-AEMIBUv1SwEcibpExACTKyXxpH_hCEsKhtwldK3WmlYPcFnjH-QZgH8lRZNF-V6wqqa3CkIRJVF4dvq1W7_sc2CxnwTVu6Uomh0yxCtQGfC/s400/IMG7543-M.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695910495569573106" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqG85cSj3i2YIKee8NI9MMhMi4Oa9ivi_ZZvBm0T8waiqyJhBqCf4veBTAIe62AWXncgmg9g7K-dS597Cp3Oy4EmWqLZjBpcpZbbJa3nHAIywj11fttn74I3nR16L9vzUq419kNw8SNUB9/s400/IMG7519-M.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695910480736982178" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh65tPk835sZbfrOdmewYPT6KoaBrotBGy0vQlsBy7B1v6m76kCwDLkgacwDNWe3olRtzUnMDfXwQxVsN6_RNdxUFlfG3An1TlVr-Zmznb8j2H_66zUc7VJ9QoOAc_lz5VexTPZh1dozDZk/s400/IMG7584-M.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695910779273427938" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJCQ2RpSK6_h3G409prbT4acNhG3LKaNQBkWA2mA2wPmVayo4wfiCbtbR-YmEke3hQ38egbYk2t4Mqvo2ZSs6Uj6OQhH8DsT_QWn7TJnYXH4lKiodllweVviw8hisOpDvFaEl0VjgwsiWu/s1600/IMG7518-M.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJCQ2RpSK6_h3G409prbT4acNhG3LKaNQBkWA2mA2wPmVayo4wfiCbtbR-YmEke3hQ38egbYk2t4Mqvo2ZSs6Uj6OQhH8DsT_QWn7TJnYXH4lKiodllweVviw8hisOpDvFaEl0VjgwsiWu/s400/IMG7518-M.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695910301676199122" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px; " /></a></span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipjXbWShStE2-7TW5Cq-hL_DPFmukVGQ1Ez6LUOPvDMp9PM71KUx8xQxosKPzJick1c0ihG_OT2cja5SbEeB6lYYqpHy46XJZv-gR-1cVy8ebOmWZNRdw0k-LY0TeHywEmGyzNr2tnfcv8/s1600/IMG_7525.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipjXbWShStE2-7TW5Cq-hL_DPFmukVGQ1Ez6LUOPvDMp9PM71KUx8xQxosKPzJick1c0ihG_OT2cja5SbEeB6lYYqpHy46XJZv-gR-1cVy8ebOmWZNRdw0k-LY0TeHywEmGyzNr2tnfcv8/s400/IMG_7525.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695908935633848002" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px; " /></a></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip0TM8haB2ISCd6AxiCgM4S_fXqC4jF_r61imaLA1aTUaK9cH2h_G2QeW7V4d3kYrenlkLOTTjI7xaPllLn_kKmcBdAlC8c5h9HBZ94mywIizCyFD00_pomo2FL6dLi5kq2JkI7ScIfS1u/s1600/IMG7537-M.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip0TM8haB2ISCd6AxiCgM4S_fXqC4jF_r61imaLA1aTUaK9cH2h_G2QeW7V4d3kYrenlkLOTTjI7xaPllLn_kKmcBdAlC8c5h9HBZ94mywIizCyFD00_pomo2FL6dLi5kq2JkI7ScIfS1u/s400/IMG7537-M.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695910484928677282" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px; " /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMzOQvZFAPb85-xW-cUr6CV25sE2iyk776tJ5xr4WqKw6bCb2VR5eKH4S47g3_UPgWduO7bM1C1fIm42t-edIGOHI4TkA0rN8av5WjuLcqoC8ew6GwugeFASYS5t_wutqMv9eQeNmX1zsS/s1600/IMG7428-M.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMzOQvZFAPb85-xW-cUr6CV25sE2iyk776tJ5xr4WqKw6bCb2VR5eKH4S47g3_UPgWduO7bM1C1fIm42t-edIGOHI4TkA0rN8av5WjuLcqoC8ew6GwugeFASYS5t_wutqMv9eQeNmX1zsS/s400/IMG7428-M.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695909292591948050" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center;">And this one is just funny! It shows exactly how they were feeling.</div></div><div style="text-align: center;">***</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#99ff99;">On Christmas Eve we went to church with the whole family. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000ee;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinx5_UCK3LH3IFohl6HxnbIlDNS8brP0fauF8CU52Sv7Z9aEihM01st8QB4g1dKVyag-LthMnNjbIKsFFumSDmHLtZgdLXPGAYEykRllX3-VvFQmg2WIccYFc1a9Bv8TtSu2mUYj_Q5ciV/s1600/IMG_7418.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXiALwOZiUALi_g9x3WfLCiwhqtBV3kRzAyDEZwFuL-dDjsqSoE3k61yJf8THI6eVf4ph_Fxmuz_f3GVjwI__VKWzPf8rq4eLf9zJHYyr6LGMTQD195y99o6703of7fO0K6oxc6UFCthBX/s1600/IMG_0265.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXiALwOZiUALi_g9x3WfLCiwhqtBV3kRzAyDEZwFuL-dDjsqSoE3k61yJf8THI6eVf4ph_Fxmuz_f3GVjwI__VKWzPf8rq4eLf9zJHYyr6LGMTQD195y99o6703of7fO0K6oxc6UFCthBX/s400/IMG_0265.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695906797482283730" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 299px; height: 400px; " /></a></span></span>David and I each got each other a sweater for Christmas, I think its funny that they matched and we didn't even plan it. We really are becoming one, ha!</div><div><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000ee;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaYA5ye2djz3hteD42tlmNcKq3BAqa-WS7lUF2ErYLXrB1Zxb4oi5RhAnyv49onRW8SvgyFjjPzOV22LqyP0BIxKZP4JY76Sjqrewc_4VyEl3H3SdwFiOGZb4tD6ze1zz4lMIXv2aymDBJ/s1600/IMG_0255.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaYA5ye2djz3hteD42tlmNcKq3BAqa-WS7lUF2ErYLXrB1Zxb4oi5RhAnyv49onRW8SvgyFjjPzOV22LqyP0BIxKZP4JY76Sjqrewc_4VyEl3H3SdwFiOGZb4tD6ze1zz4lMIXv2aymDBJ/s400/IMG_0255.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695906781897581922" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px; " /></a></span></span><div style="text-align: center;">The kids were less than interested in sitting through the service so we ended up in the kitchen where this kids were sneaking cookies.</div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000ee;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000ee;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "></span></span></div></span></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdPkmVH5HaQPMulN-wY51JwDe_6n7s18A_M3NMR8rKHvBLe6JY4K-GkNPvgq-HghGnIQdXkfkJQ6WzwFbdIQtO7m4AvQqFu52Re3n1kzd_Hb_z0Al3R41PATgCLhdRMUve7FisgvzqDM_Q/s400/IMG_0245.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695906775639932770" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 299px; height: 400px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH9AfuRP8Pts_PeyxjCEPMVR0n8WtPwDur-_VBRa_iQmYKR4dMvIjca8ZtxKwAwwftZkaWx7XcAUhBNlyier4KW55ho8kaWyRUj91gmbeGug-UN0in7r0ICAkIvxIInnsAS17Od8eyGqR7/s400/378485_10100513953140749_16829400_51690609_1127682773_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695913378385689666" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px; " /></span></div></div>Stacy Rogershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12483876921671653513noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2336904036891532702.post-22739620715862045892011-12-20T23:45:00.008-07:002011-12-21T00:59:44.637-07:00All She Wants for Christmas is Her TWO FRONT TEETH!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRWQTPd19sH2ja0PAwR2piKF0KyuEXkYjVeN26O3yEdHI_PHTtWK_NIBrvp6kPFTobSTOv2atd_FvSlDp6vrKFx1aHqJpUzarRNeXAlTYjUkzr9tGt5B_64yG5FOqEnPmYnVduIZtsd2cy/s1600/IMG_0213.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a>Sweet little Lucy had a big surgery last Wednesday. Thank you to all of you who were praying for her. She recovered like a superstar and is doing great. <div>Surgery? What? I hadn't posted about it before, but our little girl needed some serious dental work. It was done in the hospital and after a multitude of things, root canals, crowns, extractions, etc... she's got a whole new smile with no front teeth. </div><div><br /></div><div>She is a brave little girl, full of excitement about going to the hospital. I think she understood that she would feel a lot better after the doctor helped. The morning before her surgery she woke up and asked, "Mommy, Lucy go Doctor? Lucy no more mouth ouchies? Better Better, (pointing) this tooth, this tooth all gone today?" What I find to be remarkable is that she could have had no prior understanding that she'd be under anesthesia and not feel a thing. I am certain that she thought we were going to just go to the doctor and have them yanked out... and she was still excited to get the help she needed.</div><div>This Christmas I am so thankful that our babies are home and for access to good healthcare here in America. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Here she is after being admitted, waiting for the O.R.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisr19eZxft7uegK1cC4JRfxyNDD2_kuHA4Hn-Wers7EMVdGL_HuBcrF6Dv6Ex2Z9X5khanAmEs7TgXQxD_tJuNen5tU-ZBVg7en62SXHytBJtuT8jc0mGQKB01e2OoQqg8ReLlq-3f41Hi/s400/IMG_2354.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5688474358676990786" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#99ff99;">She started getting really silly after they gave her some meds... she took this picture.</span></div><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><br /></div></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuhCw5m-cvDbvJC0DRTR9LdD3RTo9jm8aQYVIS9kJrNBU1vY8LMed-POwnPyISnZPKMkYzdEidfp1OJvfyoyHN1pkTupHqZ7SX6VBwZbrgrPwcQkpqdAPOjQ9rCIzHv4jcJmJ51EPECd3k/s1600/IMG_2358.jpg" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); " onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuhCw5m-cvDbvJC0DRTR9LdD3RTo9jm8aQYVIS9kJrNBU1vY8LMed-POwnPyISnZPKMkYzdEidfp1OJvfyoyHN1pkTupHqZ7SX6VBwZbrgrPwcQkpqdAPOjQ9rCIzHv4jcJmJ51EPECd3k/s400/IMG_2358.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5688474358733188226" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">The nurses had me lay in bed with her as they transferred her from O.R. recovery to pediatrics.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRWQTPd19sH2ja0PAwR2piKF0KyuEXkYjVeN26O3yEdHI_PHTtWK_NIBrvp6kPFTobSTOv2atd_FvSlDp6vrKFx1aHqJpUzarRNeXAlTYjUkzr9tGt5B_64yG5FOqEnPmYnVduIZtsd2cy/s1600/IMG_0213.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRWQTPd19sH2ja0PAwR2piKF0KyuEXkYjVeN26O3yEdHI_PHTtWK_NIBrvp6kPFTobSTOv2atd_FvSlDp6vrKFx1aHqJpUzarRNeXAlTYjUkzr9tGt5B_64yG5FOqEnPmYnVduIZtsd2cy/s400/IMG_0213.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5688487394697775426" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px; " /></a><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; ">She woke up from the anesthesia <i>very</i> hungry... She ate four cups of applesauce.</span></u></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7iJZ23xqgRkr6FLledUZZfiXLus6tTQSYPDCU6E2m1ckldnKG2io0wl1P-3GSOsAWp6jCsQP-lxDbHqzl6oNBnyNoqSuyYcOIChD4dWO_2rW5xZmz5jaIuTNKezHH0mIjfS3rWw0McJfT/s1600/IMG_2371.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7iJZ23xqgRkr6FLledUZZfiXLus6tTQSYPDCU6E2m1ckldnKG2io0wl1P-3GSOsAWp6jCsQP-lxDbHqzl6oNBnyNoqSuyYcOIChD4dWO_2rW5xZmz5jaIuTNKezHH0mIjfS3rWw0McJfT/s400/IMG_2371.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5688474365058453186" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 299px; height: 400px; " /></a></div><div><div style="text-align: left;">I had worried that she would miss having front teeth. I guess that the title of this post is false then, because so far she hasn't seemed to mind having no front teeth. In fact, she might be the only child I've ever met to learn how to whistle <i>after</i> having no front teeth. She is very proud of her new trick. We probably won't hear her singing that old and obnoxious but familiar Christmas tune... but she sure is cute with her new grin.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Today I told her we were going to take pictures of her new smile and this is what I got. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicM9NZAzQSkrieXr6pivgwOjuQiNsLYAUMJAjaP9k5IxrhG0UcRXteLAbZciqq8ylP59vr86fty9CcG5xYcuJNBqE8yf6qjTf0dDElNLcP0mETntYZnRPb2FBBDJnbtDM_TJoD2Yj9r5TS/s1600/IMG_2454.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicM9NZAzQSkrieXr6pivgwOjuQiNsLYAUMJAjaP9k5IxrhG0UcRXteLAbZciqq8ylP59vr86fty9CcG5xYcuJNBqE8yf6qjTf0dDElNLcP0mETntYZnRPb2FBBDJnbtDM_TJoD2Yj9r5TS/s400/IMG_2454.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5688477766839856338" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 299px; height: 400px; " /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJWU9T9anvIViSHKq-rzUnkVgiywFW04xkagkglD7gQe5LfK864c_fyYn0VJDvyjzmUbAudgy7tIw0yOlyIKngUgdaQJUvdwgkOeIbJkRh6b0N3zaLOVtaun2WiIf-NUOQ-puVKHfJOL5v/s1600/IMG_2453.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJWU9T9anvIViSHKq-rzUnkVgiywFW04xkagkglD7gQe5LfK864c_fyYn0VJDvyjzmUbAudgy7tIw0yOlyIKngUgdaQJUvdwgkOeIbJkRh6b0N3zaLOVtaun2WiIf-NUOQ-puVKHfJOL5v/s400/IMG_2453.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5688477755283009138" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 299px; height: 400px; " /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmQpEfE2fn4kMMlQSIQdB3J-tN-stxfoAi4GdAcMqnJmmxOKIL2FsOR87UDH_vwiE-hTxt_tqHIQX8vtlM31FaZAhNdiT3c5TXW_1b9zuglAASP6Jz9o9zOrORhvWSanlL9_jbcg0kfIKd/s1600/IMG_2455.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmQpEfE2fn4kMMlQSIQdB3J-tN-stxfoAi4GdAcMqnJmmxOKIL2FsOR87UDH_vwiE-hTxt_tqHIQX8vtlM31FaZAhNdiT3c5TXW_1b9zuglAASP6Jz9o9zOrORhvWSanlL9_jbcg0kfIKd/s400/IMG_2455.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5688477758200892450" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 299px; height: 400px; " /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiodjAI1ZuJDARaLLAQlUKvTrE72EzHg3WM9z0AV7Fsq7U_vJ8zm-rcyJhpYWU8JSSWkwLeP__DnMcUEMN5Dziad18DelQbTeRn7pT5z5sXRzHKK0YwUPcIzyHZ8DhLew5OKUFZe517YH4b/s1600/IMG_2451.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiodjAI1ZuJDARaLLAQlUKvTrE72EzHg3WM9z0AV7Fsq7U_vJ8zm-rcyJhpYWU8JSSWkwLeP__DnMcUEMN5Dziad18DelQbTeRn7pT5z5sXRzHKK0YwUPcIzyHZ8DhLew5OKUFZe517YH4b/s400/IMG_2451.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5688477121713758690" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 299px; height: 400px; " /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwJcCptTsUwwdU_pWSUNas8b8IXEt5JplEwGr8Bl3Owt3tEo4AKMSYo6z7IWHhCzC4abrT_4DhBDs6eKtz3LNpKgskM0XlM_12lBgXIBH_rmeemP1-TO7FYaFSMTCG_VkdY33OKoqJIJkH/s1600/IMG_2450.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwJcCptTsUwwdU_pWSUNas8b8IXEt5JplEwGr8Bl3Owt3tEo4AKMSYo6z7IWHhCzC4abrT_4DhBDs6eKtz3LNpKgskM0XlM_12lBgXIBH_rmeemP1-TO7FYaFSMTCG_VkdY33OKoqJIJkH/s400/IMG_2450.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5688477117030924770" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 299px; height: 400px; " /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSmpu21VqcNeidCum2lHVtV-i51ePAjK3uck_KojfMJp60xgxlp4huzArDivik4ujFQe2nfsvZs-YRivjSjs3H21Wpb6b2WTlCFNKnpKSDrSNd8WlHiArIvGae_ObEZGHhELOTgi3tI2LF/s1600/IMG_2449.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSmpu21VqcNeidCum2lHVtV-i51ePAjK3uck_KojfMJp60xgxlp4huzArDivik4ujFQe2nfsvZs-YRivjSjs3H21Wpb6b2WTlCFNKnpKSDrSNd8WlHiArIvGae_ObEZGHhELOTgi3tI2LF/s400/IMG_2449.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5688477111714216530" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 299px; height: 400px; " /></a><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisr19eZxft7uegK1cC4JRfxyNDD2_kuHA4Hn-Wers7EMVdGL_HuBcrF6Dv6Ex2Z9X5khanAmEs7TgXQxD_tJuNen5tU-ZBVg7en62SXHytBJtuT8jc0mGQKB01e2OoQqg8ReLlq-3f41Hi/s1600/IMG_2354.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a></span></span></div><div><br /></div>Stacy Rogershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12483876921671653513noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2336904036891532702.post-87607817770497320202011-12-07T17:17:00.044-07:002011-12-08T17:54:33.755-07:00One month!It has been just over a month since we took our children into our arms in Ethiopia and left the gates of the place they'd called home for several months, just under a month since we stepped into the door of our home as a family of four, and about a month since I've updated this blog! <div>I hope I still have readers. To say we've been busy is an understatement. I've wondered if I'm a super wimp sometimes, but going from no kids to two <i>very</i> busy kids has been an adjustment. They are amazing, full of energy and so so curious. Each day is a new and exciting day of discovery. I can't believe how much they are learning, and so fast! Lucy speaks so much English now, and Jude understands everything we say... and is starting to talk. </div><div>The time is precious and I think if I blink I'm going to miss it. There are so many special times and sweet things that they say or do. Now that things are "settling down" I hope to stay on top of blogging a bit better. It makes me sad that all of you don't get to see the day to day cuteness at my house.. so here's my attempt to fill you in.</div><div><br /></div><div>We celebrated the most thankful Thanksgiving, ever. All four of us, under one warm roof with clean water to drink, plenty of food to eat... the perfect first holiday together.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyt6mkPx5bzYHQmX2uPcJv0CTqeVE3snF8ei3evCmTECsK4fe_s1T-ydQAUSykZrPr1E1_rcXf5-NQ5gkM8GOM3nmVs7LzHhJszGCrp4_VjgkopxgMlQj1TRMuprJE1UUGJir-fiScfZNP/s1600/IMG_2108.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyt6mkPx5bzYHQmX2uPcJv0CTqeVE3snF8ei3evCmTECsK4fe_s1T-ydQAUSykZrPr1E1_rcXf5-NQ5gkM8GOM3nmVs7LzHhJszGCrp4_VjgkopxgMlQj1TRMuprJE1UUGJir-fiScfZNP/s400/IMG_2108.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683881283641756786" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMllgQ45SZBN0PPiVEiWbo22kaGmQTtHKjTwdx5yNDbVlHUJSP_Zo7Ha5WvWrJ9VPIS8lmMsIoCNCACGmmE8cveik2dZJEJEEZ7qGbqg8X8QXkV2uE5bgOMhq4Jp_UZA7e5LledRsrsS5x/s1600/IMG_2120.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMllgQ45SZBN0PPiVEiWbo22kaGmQTtHKjTwdx5yNDbVlHUJSP_Zo7Ha5WvWrJ9VPIS8lmMsIoCNCACGmmE8cveik2dZJEJEEZ7qGbqg8X8QXkV2uE5bgOMhq4Jp_UZA7e5LledRsrsS5x/s400/IMG_2120.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683881630750037538" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWJ-FanRdY2fcwtAiHK_VWxdV9bl9EG1R-jHh1JD9maxut7yoWX3-li2s8aMAqwK_dqVooF_ex4-WkgeJI3p1QtbZcPjON_O6z-jFeb41sY39RLJn6Cj0H3DESdlleDOpOPK-MGSsFPTKD/s1600/IMG_2110.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWJ-FanRdY2fcwtAiHK_VWxdV9bl9EG1R-jHh1JD9maxut7yoWX3-li2s8aMAqwK_dqVooF_ex4-WkgeJI3p1QtbZcPjON_O6z-jFeb41sY39RLJn6Cj0H3DESdlleDOpOPK-MGSsFPTKD/s400/IMG_2110.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683881625299152946" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></div><div>Here's a few of the cute quotes from Lucy. I'm going to be sad when her adorable accent is gone. I love hearing her learn new words and structure her sentences as she communicates with us.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">"Mommy, buna (coffee) is medicine."</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Upon our dog Riley's arrival back home... "Lucy eat dog??" (points to mouth, rubs belly) She points at nearly every animal and asks if she can eat it. Prior to their arrival I was a vegetarian... and had planned to keep our house meat-free, well, she won, that is SO over. If I tell her that the food on her plate is moo moo, her eyes light up and she snarfs it down!<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio7f93OKsmaMPcvz-hque0YmqjVVd2sqCUXfhDyj_9CkCrAI6vND-FALaRYSuZhFnmPr3spqp3ph1Xk7mcNU4e-JdkVn-NxBwRF4wg6K6BHaa-jh6G1XW0hs9A0lTQ7RLceOP4nkRUVxFZ/s1600/IMG_1903.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio7f93OKsmaMPcvz-hque0YmqjVVd2sqCUXfhDyj_9CkCrAI6vND-FALaRYSuZhFnmPr3spqp3ph1Xk7mcNU4e-JdkVn-NxBwRF4wg6K6BHaa-jh6G1XW0hs9A0lTQ7RLceOP4nkRUVxFZ/s400/IMG_1903.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683881272698665970" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Almost every morning, "Mommy, Lucy, Jude.... machina (car) vroom vroom? Banana Market? (for several weeks she called Whole Foods the banana market)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Looking at the nativity she shouts, "Jesus baby, NO MORE SLEEPING!"</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I'm in constant verbal dialogue with God. Lucy hears me and will often will chime in when I say thank you God for ______. When we were praying at bedtime the other day she said "Thank you God for (stretches left arm out, strums belly with right arm, and looks at me for the word)" I said, "guitars?" ... "Yes, thank you God for guitars"</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Until today she called all birds "quack quack bom bom". This was a result of one episode of Sesame Street we watched in Ethiopia. Today she decided that she was okay with using the word bird.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Lucy continues to be a fashionista, she enjoys picking out her clothes for each day and matching accessories. Sunglasses are a BIG deal.. oh, and hand bags. She will put on her sunglasses, shoes, and bag over her should and say "bye bye mommy, Lucy go work in America"<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKigkWEBPMSXDjP9zbmzMUSZjmCGVxRk0wXlLfR7pcB7dEa5ha6z3-zPHbT7PhyxLyXsDMYcYzBqdjzDKMq4HvVhXy__DynHwcno4S2NiSd7J1UnHxTJcEbQPeA8qdPzWwlaq3iTILLKi2/s1600/IMG_0071_2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKigkWEBPMSXDjP9zbmzMUSZjmCGVxRk0wXlLfR7pcB7dEa5ha6z3-zPHbT7PhyxLyXsDMYcYzBqdjzDKMq4HvVhXy__DynHwcno4S2NiSd7J1UnHxTJcEbQPeA8qdPzWwlaq3iTILLKi2/s400/IMG_0071_2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683875864571547730" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimuc40BNklPz2T9cFACgkE4vuGF_lVlT_F1xpJdacA_gMBL7qDz_d8QJ2522-UQPRp4WtTugXsp3j5yUGKIJyh33XePQcKlMFNVMMc3dnl8o_rEQ_xaFMYsFbJFBKRsWY_Sv9Sb3vB9SZl/s1600/IMG_1603.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimuc40BNklPz2T9cFACgkE4vuGF_lVlT_F1xpJdacA_gMBL7qDz_d8QJ2522-UQPRp4WtTugXsp3j5yUGKIJyh33XePQcKlMFNVMMc3dnl8o_rEQ_xaFMYsFbJFBKRsWY_Sv9Sb3vB9SZl/s400/IMG_1603.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683876267559447106" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR_WlBPc4ERrKA8t0A4ZWZ9tPkFSeD1_4zN2N3KzObQcaU_90PgX1gucLxb2Mw2tGWdNyFmFEek0HJwE4gj8B7R1u6APtNgq5fe9TCc87Rq9ITv4pVO9m6zTrjcxnm-kbAfoqZp7inpsXl/s1600/IMG_1637_2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR_WlBPc4ERrKA8t0A4ZWZ9tPkFSeD1_4zN2N3KzObQcaU_90PgX1gucLxb2Mw2tGWdNyFmFEek0HJwE4gj8B7R1u6APtNgq5fe9TCc87Rq9ITv4pVO9m6zTrjcxnm-kbAfoqZp7inpsXl/s400/IMG_1637_2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683877182451206626" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLhCTYfeeUDW7NiEiGmLhvwbmW2u5BRiJHlpdfCnGG01St-DiIYYb1Vxj8Q3bT7cXL5H4WuM8GyLXm5AuoZrXV6-llAYN8okRb6NLy5d3U7Djbuehw4o7zLnoXHdnhwnFcuzxqbn8V6Bdn/s1600/IMG_1609_2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLhCTYfeeUDW7NiEiGmLhvwbmW2u5BRiJHlpdfCnGG01St-DiIYYb1Vxj8Q3bT7cXL5H4WuM8GyLXm5AuoZrXV6-llAYN8okRb6NLy5d3U7Djbuehw4o7zLnoXHdnhwnFcuzxqbn8V6Bdn/s400/IMG_1609_2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683876934568072242" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEVs_vjxtqvnjc8Rf5fAA3Jzl4kZRGyy0CuNa0znTDTKu7a53gBZ7XHIFws4BFOCR1Qk_7dAe8kOvvW4DyVAqfXl3ZYMuYaeFiTGkjFry1Gyb4bfJM4nnd0K_MCtfvTMoNFhO53lxORVW1/s1600/IMG_1814.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEVs_vjxtqvnjc8Rf5fAA3Jzl4kZRGyy0CuNa0znTDTKu7a53gBZ7XHIFws4BFOCR1Qk_7dAe8kOvvW4DyVAqfXl3ZYMuYaeFiTGkjFry1Gyb4bfJM4nnd0K_MCtfvTMoNFhO53lxORVW1/s400/IMG_1814.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683879446073623666" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvCJ0DeRlCdDCGkrCZ8QIsJrAwD5etIkqQ1MiGtBOPbQYmhZbVCwd9Zt1_Uzuq6Xoqto_pZETVfVq3ZuMx4Gi1Z3Ied90cGRAzrey2LgLm42AhQTRuU-zro1nIAQUu_PxuH4MWe8GyNdCx/s1600/IMG_1776.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvCJ0DeRlCdDCGkrCZ8QIsJrAwD5etIkqQ1MiGtBOPbQYmhZbVCwd9Zt1_Uzuq6Xoqto_pZETVfVq3ZuMx4Gi1Z3Ied90cGRAzrey2LgLm42AhQTRuU-zro1nIAQUu_PxuH4MWe8GyNdCx/s400/IMG_1776.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683879017898772338" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKySIoCEvHP2Xf0zDNhjriDRgYLcDmANRnrgzi7j5dVQ_kY88EGuvjnfeIfk6KIa6CQqbiuYWtmuzGDghN2C5oKVx5WB3W_HOn3Ov8fo-x7KaXG9GtCZNPysFR56iXskltsrI_bMB8VXjj/s1600/IMG_1728.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKySIoCEvHP2Xf0zDNhjriDRgYLcDmANRnrgzi7j5dVQ_kY88EGuvjnfeIfk6KIa6CQqbiuYWtmuzGDghN2C5oKVx5WB3W_HOn3Ov8fo-x7KaXG9GtCZNPysFR56iXskltsrI_bMB8VXjj/s400/IMG_1728.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683878663191076162" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcok29BlOAi55LA3TDXQdNXscY_tGUwfjHw1ZcuG3jyunImT5Vg6S-T-Z7ElY2Apk3QdUpknV5NNaiYxXeKnxdjbSaKzQnuXT8leHF46i9XXEb2KuQQbVJiCqXkE0ouqEkUw_6pHnyVQ5q/s1600/IMG_1635_2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcok29BlOAi55LA3TDXQdNXscY_tGUwfjHw1ZcuG3jyunImT5Vg6S-T-Z7ElY2Apk3QdUpknV5NNaiYxXeKnxdjbSaKzQnuXT8leHF46i9XXEb2KuQQbVJiCqXkE0ouqEkUw_6pHnyVQ5q/s400/IMG_1635_2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683877182777593698" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Q2Ditx5X7f9h0TMy04Se6qicVEC9t31oeWxO6KT5p7zatSNXALYyVYXiw9d16Zkhdc7_48vu2MW01hOinqQ-L3sf0qoR-Gsu8bfP9Q7kyYi5s0mQ8Uj4NPUACpzhICKQ6CgS6OREuJpK/s1600/IMG_2200.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Q2Ditx5X7f9h0TMy04Se6qicVEC9t31oeWxO6KT5p7zatSNXALYyVYXiw9d16Zkhdc7_48vu2MW01hOinqQ-L3sf0qoR-Gsu8bfP9Q7kyYi5s0mQ8Uj4NPUACpzhICKQ6CgS6OREuJpK/s400/IMG_2200.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683882471370110002" border="0" /></a><br />The first several times we left the house she would ask if our destination was America? Yes, Lucy, we are still in America, Daddy works in America, the market is still America, the park is also in America.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Two days after we were home she noticed the world map on our wall. She pointed right at the USA and said AMERICA!!!, then pointed to Ethiopia and said Addis Ababa. She is brilliant.</div><div style="text-align: center;">It seems as though Lucy is attempting to make a photo documentary of her life in America. She takes a photo of every new thing she sees.... too bad her finger is usually over the lens.<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpFUwJFJuyEcF8xk0tH3AvLBsSjU2Zue_VJsz6VENe8J141dr9At816itlVtuVDte1hKLWJcuL8-te5nXA4tdXoCSISILrjkZdAsmD88Z4Qg5kH8q3N4gGEcE5qV233rUqWj1JxHOJQeTz/s1600/IMG_1715.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpFUwJFJuyEcF8xk0tH3AvLBsSjU2Zue_VJsz6VENe8J141dr9At816itlVtuVDte1hKLWJcuL8-te5nXA4tdXoCSISILrjkZdAsmD88Z4Qg5kH8q3N4gGEcE5qV233rUqWj1JxHOJQeTz/s400/IMG_1715.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683878654185179042" border="0" /></a><br />A little about Jude...</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Jude <i>loves</i> to eat, its an exhausting job.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiFcKRnULXOgTt96yW-TWI07-Bm7FDXU8N4U4l-5ktT0agaI1jJTIxtI3nTRnfX3ZklPDOcgzzEB7fhejH18ANC9TGvziLDgx2GYedPkb7vkEIr3LkCYBBciXL66OH16YV4lv38mb8eED1/s1600/IMG_1671.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiFcKRnULXOgTt96yW-TWI07-Bm7FDXU8N4U4l-5ktT0agaI1jJTIxtI3nTRnfX3ZklPDOcgzzEB7fhejH18ANC9TGvziLDgx2GYedPkb7vkEIr3LkCYBBciXL66OH16YV4lv38mb8eED1/s400/IMG_1671.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683878235566198994" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4NaI_QqazKv2PFsFclyLJmw6JRF4wmYM6ZZCrSW_OUC1XD5wtHkApjpbp-5GCRV1KhyphenhyphenZAeuHmIVNSwWqJfxga44fg89SUCxfrLpOhDlqaBwAV7FJsENGZKBENuuUqgMj3nth8GEayQUI4/s1600/IMG_2258.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4NaI_QqazKv2PFsFclyLJmw6JRF4wmYM6ZZCrSW_OUC1XD5wtHkApjpbp-5GCRV1KhyphenhyphenZAeuHmIVNSwWqJfxga44fg89SUCxfrLpOhDlqaBwAV7FJsENGZKBENuuUqgMj3nth8GEayQUI4/s400/IMG_2258.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683884310803304674" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">He screams with excitement when Daddy comes home from work. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXoepV_TSzZsfPJBM1t50XibodLr9NMO9Q3EXD0uVz_1yLCGPDHRbdCGJ_5sDPGSy02rCAsAQeNitBusL-SmEBP4CDR6_iVZOSoj1FcBzHuepyjNOuuxrY972ryCKy_v4vIYs1HEL_CYHI/s1600/IMG_2209.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXoepV_TSzZsfPJBM1t50XibodLr9NMO9Q3EXD0uVz_1yLCGPDHRbdCGJ_5sDPGSy02rCAsAQeNitBusL-SmEBP4CDR6_iVZOSoj1FcBzHuepyjNOuuxrY972ryCKy_v4vIYs1HEL_CYHI/s400/IMG_2209.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683882928032616066" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The first few days after Dave went back to work the kids were sleeping when he left. Jude would wake up and say Baba? (what he calls daddy), walk around the entire house looking for him, including in the cabinets and under the beds before he concluded that daddy was really at work. Now he is used to Dave being gone in the mornings and wakes up with a smile and says mama.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">He doesn't say very many things, but the one of the things he will say to me is "mama, kaka! (poop)" Yes, I just blogged about poop... maybe I'm immature but poop humor is still funny to me. He tells me this when he needs a diaper change or when he doesn't like what I have put on his plate! I've decided not to take it personally. ha!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center; ">Jude loves to push or ride anything and everything. We caught him trying to ride the dog several times. He also tries to ride on Lucy's back, and LOVES riding on daddy.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPzZLCQLtIPdjnIGiAbfDUfTZHL-KdkFx9uiN6Z73EXSwCNNiOKukdt5WhjeOjihV27b651ICCea2n6A6jlksu_6zepVHtX2ttLZED8kF6upDuAjwpkzCMZvWr7JW3gvcKFSvuguk0KbsT/s1600/IMG_1881.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPzZLCQLtIPdjnIGiAbfDUfTZHL-KdkFx9uiN6Z73EXSwCNNiOKukdt5WhjeOjihV27b651ICCea2n6A6jlksu_6zepVHtX2ttLZED8kF6upDuAjwpkzCMZvWr7JW3gvcKFSvuguk0KbsT/s400/IMG_1881.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683880779325015234" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWdW-jMM5RoXbvJxOqBQsFoQN_246QWNRfdmAma3V1FOxmddCTmDZKooG-1ONjDymo0aUGGqDt6ICmzUNWsXK2Zm6veuy2kAyrw4lk_0jlndxio_GCUDiVKwo43K9lWan9e3LLlpb2mkO1/s1600/IMG_2189.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 329px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWdW-jMM5RoXbvJxOqBQsFoQN_246QWNRfdmAma3V1FOxmddCTmDZKooG-1ONjDymo0aUGGqDt6ICmzUNWsXK2Zm6veuy2kAyrw4lk_0jlndxio_GCUDiVKwo43K9lWan9e3LLlpb2mkO1/s400/IMG_2189.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683882466052138242" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center; "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHVfNWpEVJAeyjWCfoRVMR_ltqo3Rh-PdlIAJhwDGC5umD_XMLY7S3tqFG3VSPr4Iq2MFVi2M-VH1alLQxdPCn9pHySRTza2xelfev4PT7qAnYcW0CmOGdSCV9ygN_c6N2w-aCJWZ21QPt/s1600/IMG_1748_2.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHVfNWpEVJAeyjWCfoRVMR_ltqo3Rh-PdlIAJhwDGC5umD_XMLY7S3tqFG3VSPr4Iq2MFVi2M-VH1alLQxdPCn9pHySRTza2xelfev4PT7qAnYcW0CmOGdSCV9ygN_c6N2w-aCJWZ21QPt/s400/IMG_1748_2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683879005091743858" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center; "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFJXl0thgJl0yw8SB9IMPPniFDbmyLLWg6u25jAV0W7ZTS-vOvVLuaVXctNGdBl_HDwHHgK2hVMND0IQTrmKY65M4F0EqAH5ifTu1Duz_18HQxonYda74HOpEdpkts6-Tiar77mUqvMa-3/s1600/IMG_2257.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 298px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFJXl0thgJl0yw8SB9IMPPniFDbmyLLWg6u25jAV0W7ZTS-vOvVLuaVXctNGdBl_HDwHHgK2hVMND0IQTrmKY65M4F0EqAH5ifTu1Duz_18HQxonYda74HOpEdpkts6-Tiar77mUqvMa-3/s400/IMG_2257.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683883467616931426" border="0" /></a><br />He will push the laundry baskets all over the house making little motor sounds.</div><div><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: left;">Both kids love watching music videos, its hysterical! They act out different parts of the songs and sing along. Coldplay is their favorite... and the Beatles too. I think Lucy is ready to audition for the lead in school musicals. Jude is interested in the piano, surprisingly he plays it one key at a time instead of banging on it... impressive for an almost 2 year old.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">He is one funny kid! Jude is always looks for laughs. He will make hilarious faces and then look at us to see if we will laugh. He loves to give and blow kisses (melt my heart!)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDfo3qqi_Ftx_lm7H-q2ie5lMUZmveJSLiAsBblot0BOJ_wJJWy2l56a0bgpDPpGZfV8RVJ3wP0oK7Zcg5_pW-tcwdrfA58d-873q2jjvcERpQn87W3JLs8-3-7rWiUTsvaKu8pi5md8kS/s1600/IMG_2291.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 293px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDfo3qqi_Ftx_lm7H-q2ie5lMUZmveJSLiAsBblot0BOJ_wJJWy2l56a0bgpDPpGZfV8RVJ3wP0oK7Zcg5_pW-tcwdrfA58d-873q2jjvcERpQn87W3JLs8-3-7rWiUTsvaKu8pi5md8kS/s400/IMG_2291.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683917907629774994" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDMGx9tb9igWZBGLP8kVYeGG0K1e8iDEaU2kwanmcmZGFEDNpAVEyYtJpBvmephXJGb8sq7AJKW9pXPoYkVyJOgbliphCM3ZzEb9-6FCRKmSMAo8aWffSH9j64Qrv7_OOrSSRLITFn_gM6/s1600/IMG_1550.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDMGx9tb9igWZBGLP8kVYeGG0K1e8iDEaU2kwanmcmZGFEDNpAVEyYtJpBvmephXJGb8sq7AJKW9pXPoYkVyJOgbliphCM3ZzEb9-6FCRKmSMAo8aWffSH9j64Qrv7_OOrSSRLITFn_gM6/s400/IMG_1550.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683876257073712466" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY0BYSsG7CK2Vd5M2UMicgpe6HbQDL3egKzlAYorkCG8Uzg_eWoVkufDKaC4U11pNxJvTY-sPIUan6w9FFKWDwQr8oo1QBOZzVukulGrrNP8WJWuXVeOk-bLJpMmwgqCU63Los4Q4tMkiR/s1600/IMG_1656.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY0BYSsG7CK2Vd5M2UMicgpe6HbQDL3egKzlAYorkCG8Uzg_eWoVkufDKaC4U11pNxJvTY-sPIUan6w9FFKWDwQr8oo1QBOZzVukulGrrNP8WJWuXVeOk-bLJpMmwgqCU63Los4Q4tMkiR/s400/IMG_1656.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683877867759858482" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoO3o1ny8yHhrIQC_oJv1jdIjcE7-tmdwC5Tq8Q6VSLgc-zJH8WQGPs4ooHbriZtwZ4HtFEPHbTWKmvb4mInlfckRcYRBqhk7CWM-ehpIyYKcSevR5QNVxF2Yz7vP9gsyNS-uNg1bIpIaP/s1600/IMG_1909.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoO3o1ny8yHhrIQC_oJv1jdIjcE7-tmdwC5Tq8Q6VSLgc-zJH8WQGPs4ooHbriZtwZ4HtFEPHbTWKmvb4mInlfckRcYRBqhk7CWM-ehpIyYKcSevR5QNVxF2Yz7vP9gsyNS-uNg1bIpIaP/s400/IMG_1909.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683881276500005810" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwrZ4X2Gqnsod3KxvZ8biPSF9xLCa9J1jkbdFDxN7exjZ96yCz0oCJqx8-70oG5pjST1Fq6IpxwRGTaULR_3TbIq-hnhYGJYPbIdr6IdoIlDCFCnkPPJy6phyphenhyphenGQ3LtvO9hiFZ1uB5dPIQk/s1600/IMG_2234.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwrZ4X2Gqnsod3KxvZ8biPSF9xLCa9J1jkbdFDxN7exjZ96yCz0oCJqx8-70oG5pjST1Fq6IpxwRGTaULR_3TbIq-hnhYGJYPbIdr6IdoIlDCFCnkPPJy6phyphenhyphenGQ3LtvO9hiFZ1uB5dPIQk/s400/IMG_2234.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683882941926981106" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvjyc6tfbwtem4qPEu6Ri3aW96gHi7CDxcDEP-lfttgtPLqwpaO38TZYw0QhgjGvGQfvxGbjKHhjeBh9qwl8cQrrlTc6V8Y4arFWm-NXmkUUlmyVowH2RdqMf1i6nbj470VPRtnRteR2hJ/s1600/IMG_1711.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvjyc6tfbwtem4qPEu6Ri3aW96gHi7CDxcDEP-lfttgtPLqwpaO38TZYw0QhgjGvGQfvxGbjKHhjeBh9qwl8cQrrlTc6V8Y4arFWm-NXmkUUlmyVowH2RdqMf1i6nbj470VPRtnRteR2hJ/s400/IMG_1711.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683878243800500594" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHh0uswX57V-rE13fbjlvb8rJB1UmhKBVe5oNK1lpTDYjmFO-q7gG555ZV_3wEUXeq8OfWiVZKDZFFHPF3-KywdtmSIxSjueYnXhzAFf55kGND1Vkt8Qpw1ciZbMa3RbFUTeF2t3rmxvTR/s1600/IMG_2161.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHh0uswX57V-rE13fbjlvb8rJB1UmhKBVe5oNK1lpTDYjmFO-q7gG555ZV_3wEUXeq8OfWiVZKDZFFHPF3-KywdtmSIxSjueYnXhzAFf55kGND1Vkt8Qpw1ciZbMa3RbFUTeF2t3rmxvTR/s400/IMG_2161.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683882163824287122" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKtHHOl90KIs1630hwnuElAfPD3uVdi8UbvLRaT0Eig-iqhi_SsQaCHQLDPHnnbarQ6HjVJmJmbj0eGZn_v-_gQztCU6IWVaJmRr2k8beT3aTqC1f-GI6cpvtrfOK6C9MCxQ6J_etLmVKY/s1600/IMG_2075.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 340px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKtHHOl90KIs1630hwnuElAfPD3uVdi8UbvLRaT0Eig-iqhi_SsQaCHQLDPHnnbarQ6HjVJmJmbj0eGZn_v-_gQztCU6IWVaJmRr2k8beT3aTqC1f-GI6cpvtrfOK6C9MCxQ6J_etLmVKY/s400/IMG_2075.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683917900945882178" border="0" /></a><br />Before the weather turned extremely cold we went to the park a LOT. Every time we pass a playground Lucy says, "PARK!!!!" I knew that we need to remedy the cabin fever so we've been going to play at Chik Fil-A. Lucy calls it "Chicken-Park" She also calls the swing set in our backyard Lucy Park.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEHiqK2lVnaOYhCYSIgGDzW5Vf9-AeDinSlxLDh_wdrvLfTVatVD4_Yu9no1C9dVkxihESirD2yfgnVbW_lTZLLnGsKPSuxBNtdqE4EtFGLBVlexhCcN2E3Wsn6AB9pzkytogIjAIJ11Ra/s1600/IMG_2244.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEHiqK2lVnaOYhCYSIgGDzW5Vf9-AeDinSlxLDh_wdrvLfTVatVD4_Yu9no1C9dVkxihESirD2yfgnVbW_lTZLLnGsKPSuxBNtdqE4EtFGLBVlexhCcN2E3Wsn6AB9pzkytogIjAIJ11Ra/s400/IMG_2244.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683883456700165746" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY1GL7BsitrRQvoDb513ZtDs9WgssOix0spVKepe0BdofqvYjX3gzbHYYAAWokyiihXIi01UvJgLF16eOjHITi6pP-_vNcsXTZ9PiioviGxi2mINOnjyTHNcuG6sRtUpi6XKrpSv7fFco1/s1600/IMG_1838.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY1GL7BsitrRQvoDb513ZtDs9WgssOix0spVKepe0BdofqvYjX3gzbHYYAAWokyiihXIi01UvJgLF16eOjHITi6pP-_vNcsXTZ9PiioviGxi2mINOnjyTHNcuG6sRtUpi6XKrpSv7fFco1/s400/IMG_1838.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683880757033230194" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk8xuCT2vch0Ynk-dPAiqCUFFc30VlozsnbumE49GW1ebsrYEbibmMxVQsso1vSLMgGZAdMzw4ZI0xSi4gJnnJVu7WRN3h6BK09QeeZSvlUGPb2BzuPgbkW5nc0P3Dd5qnuFIZTYxOuUUq/s1600/IMG_1844.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk8xuCT2vch0Ynk-dPAiqCUFFc30VlozsnbumE49GW1ebsrYEbibmMxVQsso1vSLMgGZAdMzw4ZI0xSi4gJnnJVu7WRN3h6BK09QeeZSvlUGPb2BzuPgbkW5nc0P3Dd5qnuFIZTYxOuUUq/s400/IMG_1844.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683880762890856242" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZJAZLtQNH36VRjDXQCuk3G_HSPh7AnJCb0x4WUsnqPssktK_cSpXUjciID4DAw4U_qbxFEEDvPABaSpKIgZ0JNlmURYipweqg_ZEs3Apc1W6-_ssqmyBSBq07B4vFxSsnHtyR-1zrTzi2/s1600/IMG_1825.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZJAZLtQNH36VRjDXQCuk3G_HSPh7AnJCb0x4WUsnqPssktK_cSpXUjciID4DAw4U_qbxFEEDvPABaSpKIgZ0JNlmURYipweqg_ZEs3Apc1W6-_ssqmyBSBq07B4vFxSsnHtyR-1zrTzi2/s400/IMG_1825.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683880041423873602" border="0" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3WiYwV6bvmDhT60H9X-WYvqwmex-L-ELhZDkUdAVuWhyphenhyphenlhLRoBnMS6VwmQ0Ur9BHdfJjxJkO6k3MhRFk3gO2ihvvQZmZk4z0quIjPNnY2u9ApPGsJ4iLK35GFvmyj_7rWDWyStmlNCUfP/s1600/IMG_1828.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3WiYwV6bvmDhT60H9X-WYvqwmex-L-ELhZDkUdAVuWhyphenhyphenlhLRoBnMS6VwmQ0Ur9BHdfJjxJkO6k3MhRFk3gO2ihvvQZmZk4z0quIjPNnY2u9ApPGsJ4iLK35GFvmyj_7rWDWyStmlNCUfP/s400/IMG_1828.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683880044721847762" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS005brbSNbbDMs-78scn8fpZRdOfLWcNbSo9IGT6HFcjoLbRIA99RB2PFzmZZDC8xU2dNT4edFJQC6ZitmowTW1kFKuamyHWcD9Xgc32I8zNsPqdlnBsRH3brNqn_EivwGVZoXdx1mB-Q/s1600/IMG_1815.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS005brbSNbbDMs-78scn8fpZRdOfLWcNbSo9IGT6HFcjoLbRIA99RB2PFzmZZDC8xU2dNT4edFJQC6ZitmowTW1kFKuamyHWcD9Xgc32I8zNsPqdlnBsRH3brNqn_EivwGVZoXdx1mB-Q/s400/IMG_1815.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683880035053847618" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC6vlx4DCUI8SqZAU1BR8YDnm4vUZnrSZp6p6s3Eg3vy-tyM1zzyKf7tGGZBDlrIF6EQGy0gLZv8AmwwSeo0L7sbD13JaBd22utREOIwnvIV_QgumzQPcf0NwKSGy7T5DhYP7y_V6WmGpv/s1600/IMG_1606.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC6vlx4DCUI8SqZAU1BR8YDnm4vUZnrSZp6p6s3Eg3vy-tyM1zzyKf7tGGZBDlrIF6EQGy0gLZv8AmwwSeo0L7sbD13JaBd22utREOIwnvIV_QgumzQPcf0NwKSGy7T5DhYP7y_V6WmGpv/s400/IMG_1606.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683876930626006402" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">These glasses are also a big deal in our house.<br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmtLaztsdZ64_oYJoTy1ffuXcAHhr0mlWK5zBAatJBSpY-OcpujDfv2Sc2gl_6KFrIoz0AKYXgohbpEpyTW6qd9PRALzmXtGXTrYxOxg14SKcPYYLhtkHatLNAipOnFvNFA_dNwnVnD4tq/s1600/IMG_1648.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmtLaztsdZ64_oYJoTy1ffuXcAHhr0mlWK5zBAatJBSpY-OcpujDfv2Sc2gl_6KFrIoz0AKYXgohbpEpyTW6qd9PRALzmXtGXTrYxOxg14SKcPYYLhtkHatLNAipOnFvNFA_dNwnVnD4tq/s400/IMG_1648.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683877552118668850" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfQ1htsLLIITZAKvqqFxYoCcWgCi7PLE7-s4-VQxHD1geiArMNVQ3tzTuEfTjUuMoloclW7bg-_RDcYh3Hdu99Gkua8j0nn5UxyW9UKdtvYGj0MNRq7J8utjozMrAjH_uNPmSsypkDqwQ1/s1600/IMG_1649.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfQ1htsLLIITZAKvqqFxYoCcWgCi7PLE7-s4-VQxHD1geiArMNVQ3tzTuEfTjUuMoloclW7bg-_RDcYh3Hdu99Gkua8j0nn5UxyW9UKdtvYGj0MNRq7J8utjozMrAjH_uNPmSsypkDqwQ1/s400/IMG_1649.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683877870221121874" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRAn-TWYZ622S81pbXeDaIUAlRfv9GzzNbb5a0hKQUT6gLCWnLn_qBKPMbTKjfmaDLAaxRbhinJNbjeUeFqaNcG7LxYNww44SGhmvljNTQdsUxVvF2fQ283tHm7JNd9dDj9mZBM69805iy/s1600/IMG_1645.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRAn-TWYZ622S81pbXeDaIUAlRfv9GzzNbb5a0hKQUT6gLCWnLn_qBKPMbTKjfmaDLAaxRbhinJNbjeUeFqaNcG7LxYNww44SGhmvljNTQdsUxVvF2fQ283tHm7JNd9dDj9mZBM69805iy/s400/IMG_1645.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683877545389785106" border="0" /></a><br /><br />They are a tremendous joy to have in our home and I can't thank God enough for the incredible blessing of choosing ME to be their mommy. I'm also so grateful that God gave me an amazing husband to be in this journey with me. Life.is.good... I didn't say easy... but OH SO GOOD!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihhZhh2P1K-QlTO5jqDMQD20ZZdQQpSkTAolk0lqDVgoZ2cMrVYhcWSiDG1IVi4hc7Rit6wgMbcZjF5ckZuzmtpl-pZ4tx01Hg3X8LewGj3Llz6yULEb5yIRUMi1JbmWV8GWe9YvNPv8cx/s1600/IMG_2248.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihhZhh2P1K-QlTO5jqDMQD20ZZdQQpSkTAolk0lqDVgoZ2cMrVYhcWSiDG1IVi4hc7Rit6wgMbcZjF5ckZuzmtpl-pZ4tx01Hg3X8LewGj3Llz6yULEb5yIRUMi1JbmWV8GWe9YvNPv8cx/s400/IMG_2248.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683883462337886306" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinU58Y3i77bTHgkWTrk-YnDCX_dHnudBbx4xjs8v9vPIhuWM9W7ApB6yJsjOuu-gZXrm9EFoX6N7jFHREA4fl3yIu_3Hkjstoz0lgKJDRlwf3o2sBkbekdmKk2FsLlSKDPUlOWoYd89M8u/s1600/IMG_2280.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinU58Y3i77bTHgkWTrk-YnDCX_dHnudBbx4xjs8v9vPIhuWM9W7ApB6yJsjOuu-gZXrm9EFoX6N7jFHREA4fl3yIu_3Hkjstoz0lgKJDRlwf3o2sBkbekdmKk2FsLlSKDPUlOWoYd89M8u/s400/IMG_2280.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683885032773376354" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhte4PN1cVj43aySxZsA4mYCOudEpluMS_IgbLXPKKAkwu70hqesJ2Q6vLUiAAQ4gBb0uI0eNWaiO2S0nRvrqwFpn6r7tZRwBLZUBt8TVnCtsEA09M52SFNlddmM_uLNSMe5Jw-Dk9iguEH/s1600/IMG_2212.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 309px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhte4PN1cVj43aySxZsA4mYCOudEpluMS_IgbLXPKKAkwu70hqesJ2Q6vLUiAAQ4gBb0uI0eNWaiO2S0nRvrqwFpn6r7tZRwBLZUBt8TVnCtsEA09M52SFNlddmM_uLNSMe5Jw-Dk9iguEH/s400/IMG_2212.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683882929901283714" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyOowN5LgMEWuxebRTHwg_UQFjgJ42hShqRMxa3vY6SwhECepuMEVKrioMXO4V7ekc1cOhVn5XRrCb5sbuOgaIR0F8G-TVWWU9xNLSa2lnVpD3hcHbBumwRIiMG79pac97JSLmeqsIE8hP/s1600/IMG_2274.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyOowN5LgMEWuxebRTHwg_UQFjgJ42hShqRMxa3vY6SwhECepuMEVKrioMXO4V7ekc1cOhVn5XRrCb5sbuOgaIR0F8G-TVWWU9xNLSa2lnVpD3hcHbBumwRIiMG79pac97JSLmeqsIE8hP/s400/IMG_2274.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683884317030242786" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAf8Lrx_howCFwql1Ip6aYUcnuMhq_t4U23-0vB6Sda-2fKPVL0TukqrwB6U7bFvwVQ4x25JU0qmWHBQknHQfqrAswQWQ4NTgL_l70XCatHPE0_7o__3SSHasVZQO107pUBjij1aWraYwq/s1600/IMG_2163.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAf8Lrx_howCFwql1Ip6aYUcnuMhq_t4U23-0vB6Sda-2fKPVL0TukqrwB6U7bFvwVQ4x25JU0qmWHBQknHQfqrAswQWQ4NTgL_l70XCatHPE0_7o__3SSHasVZQO107pUBjij1aWraYwq/s400/IMG_2163.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683882169756838466" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSI4EqtvLcrcf6wEUxzmCtqa512Dct9KuecsidfRVBn4-k54FEVHqD8uWYpY_BcrV6ZMwIMVYda7Qz0GINhgKGbMxGHu1vukhGbHD4TBlejZJ3JoXRJMURnxRulH86DTG2yIeU1yWk6kx3/s1600/IMG_1754_2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSI4EqtvLcrcf6wEUxzmCtqa512Dct9KuecsidfRVBn4-k54FEVHqD8uWYpY_BcrV6ZMwIMVYda7Qz0GINhgKGbMxGHu1vukhGbHD4TBlejZJ3JoXRJMURnxRulH86DTG2yIeU1yWk6kx3/s400/IMG_1754_2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683879004374400930" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBRjY6-RN-E224gR-Ea_uC7r5UF8CF6ojVs1GKc5WnlkEHwQZvtHDo_bui75sogNKRdRxeCkBGCCVUkqfude6vfqyCT4uUqGuT6ChbkhlxOz1rd2K0FZsoBPqHv0sbbUwuEhzz__GJt_E9/s1600/IMG_1797.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBRjY6-RN-E224gR-Ea_uC7r5UF8CF6ojVs1GKc5WnlkEHwQZvtHDo_bui75sogNKRdRxeCkBGCCVUkqfude6vfqyCT4uUqGuT6ChbkhlxOz1rd2K0FZsoBPqHv0sbbUwuEhzz__GJt_E9/s400/IMG_1797.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683879438671509698" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5yOTbSRHkpoTmBhXE3mheJ09fFiJpf27cQMERVGuxFAngxh-aR5l0mU-8J4Mvr7j2lvmSjTxU8Zrdd781funtR88JZHej4YWDUzWLjLFA_Tc_HDbjU0HB1CidoiMnq_e5D07foK-BGmTA/s1600/IMG_1610.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5yOTbSRHkpoTmBhXE3mheJ09fFiJpf27cQMERVGuxFAngxh-aR5l0mU-8J4Mvr7j2lvmSjTxU8Zrdd781funtR88JZHej4YWDUzWLjLFA_Tc_HDbjU0HB1CidoiMnq_e5D07foK-BGmTA/s400/IMG_1610.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683876939633799874" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijsk5KZ1Eee_sLDxDn8kMQurnuwHR-vBhpinHqh0ft1S5LKFb3rCpggm4SvgyyYM_ozYPnc-O2TmGXLSA9C_ze6sF9JUPteW6QTQSF8PfGWuw4szUptE2TcAx_7vRuWLMXfomRk-foBjJJ/s1600/IMG_1793.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijsk5KZ1Eee_sLDxDn8kMQurnuwHR-vBhpinHqh0ft1S5LKFb3rCpggm4SvgyyYM_ozYPnc-O2TmGXLSA9C_ze6sF9JUPteW6QTQSF8PfGWuw4szUptE2TcAx_7vRuWLMXfomRk-foBjJJ/s400/IMG_1793.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683879440919954034" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-ROaGb_DTzCW1pSL7C42O7049KzyWZ2qgIxy2pHTEdJPnqe7Cfx23NusN7O9aYWzJi3ZpOksVfkmS_DXLECl2W4E0omggqVGQGtwJAXMRibYwh2pylDnXzSKRmmBgUdlgqhibGyVWNpgQ/s1600/IMG_0101.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-ROaGb_DTzCW1pSL7C42O7049KzyWZ2qgIxy2pHTEdJPnqe7Cfx23NusN7O9aYWzJi3ZpOksVfkmS_DXLECl2W4E0omggqVGQGtwJAXMRibYwh2pylDnXzSKRmmBgUdlgqhibGyVWNpgQ/s400/IMG_0101.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683875866698087794" border="0" /></a><br /><br />This post was long and now I feel like crashing on the floor like these two.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEo9alYm2YDmiYH_1U3AwuNih6U1VCG9oSaDYeyoy6ro9OBOZg-FNZeWBqknc-t6e3JWIOL1iRjAm_24-5JoozHNGootAU8zB3o1Nrq633m2FeaslI9jZ4FieA8EtDYCfN7bnFoI3qn1aq/s1600/IMG_2294.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 374px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEo9alYm2YDmiYH_1U3AwuNih6U1VCG9oSaDYeyoy6ro9OBOZg-FNZeWBqknc-t6e3JWIOL1iRjAm_24-5JoozHNGootAU8zB3o1Nrq633m2FeaslI9jZ4FieA8EtDYCfN7bnFoI3qn1aq/s400/IMG_2294.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683885037480861282" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Stacy Rogershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12483876921671653513noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2336904036891532702.post-42559327996658635862011-11-08T16:29:00.005-07:002011-11-08T16:57:08.080-07:00Day 2, Full and Final<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4RSJxEeOMD-mALWPdqJWpJGQL99yKkN7A7ntrJ3SIclCcEa-IY65-pRA8CyO0hNd2XAgn7NWF8wWRI5uutDB1GTV05-wk_IAbSrTs7hKdmhRH5nx75ZxWo3QnpJbC1bcGwWZW1P2IfNyS/s1600/IMG_0338.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><br /></a></div>The kids are doing great and adjusting beautifully. Today we had our appointment at the US Embassy. The kids were patient while we waited and loved the bus ride. The appointment accomplished exactly what we came for. The official said, "Your adoption is now full and final." Those are words we've been longing to hear for so long. <div>Here are some fun and funny things about the kids. Lucy has taken 4 baths in 2 days. She loves the water and sprays herself in the face with the hose and laughs... and I had worried they'd hate the bath. Jude also enjoys it but doesn't ask for more than one a day. His favorite thing to do though is wash his hands, over and over and over... again and again. We've named the game soapy sink. They are calling us by name. Lucy says mommy and daddy, and Jude says mama and baba. We have random dance parties and the kids love our iphones. They will hold them to their ear and listen to music and dance, so cute! (unfortunately the charger is temporarily MIA... this could get ugly) </div><div>I'm pretty sure Lucy has learned more English in 2 days than I learned of Spanish in 2 years. They are so bright and beautiful. God is working in their lives and bringing healing. It is an incredible experience to see them learn and begin to trust us. I don't know if she knows what it means yet or if she's repeating it because I've said it 3000 times... but Lucy will whisper "I lub ywo" in my ear. Jude is fascinated with his daddy's beard and hair. He rubs his hands and his face against it and has the most infectious giggle. </div><div>We haven't been able to take many pictures, which makes me sad... but this is because the kids see the camera and want to take it and then they fight over it. I'm thinking I need to get them their own little cheap digital cameras.</div><div><br /></div><div>Now the we've heard "full and final" I can post pictures! These are from the first trip.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4zL5VFk3R5gGLfBBCK7ZzKWqTnDuFSGZSG24pjy1STtgmqm7IUoN5Q4tum8buYn7ZQhpx3rcSCFNlOb45VMQz3qFA6SFVQSMJ1FJKP2tKHuuHGNdanXHlR2Kt9O_6U45eZ31y33BLULbY/s400/IMG_0427.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5672777240675565602" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 299px; height: 400px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4RSJxEeOMD-mALWPdqJWpJGQL99yKkN7A7ntrJ3SIclCcEa-IY65-pRA8CyO0hNd2XAgn7NWF8wWRI5uutDB1GTV05-wk_IAbSrTs7hKdmhRH5nx75ZxWo3QnpJbC1bcGwWZW1P2IfNyS/s400/IMG_0338.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5672777853747457378" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 299px; height: 400px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF9966;">More to come, but with this spotty internet it takes five minutes to load one photo.</span></span></div>Stacy Rogershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12483876921671653513noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2336904036891532702.post-2851691471563491242011-11-08T16:14:00.002-07:002011-11-08T16:22:25.325-07:00Our Gotcha Day<!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal">We have been unable to have internet access in our room and leaving the kids to post on the blog hasn't been a priority. I just woke up in the middle of the night and the internet is working. I've been journaling and here is day one.</p><p class="MsoNormal">Our Gotcha Day</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Today, November 7<sup>th</sup>, 2011 our family grew by two with the addition of our precious son and daughter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We arrived in Addis just after 8 am, collected our bags and were taken to the hotel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Upon arriving at the hotel we received our itinerary.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It stated that we were to be picked up in 40 minutes to head to Hannah’s Hope.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We quickly checked into our room and tried to organize all of the toys and clothes to eliminate complete chaos ensuing when we arrived back to the room with the kids.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We packed all of the donations together and headed to Hannah’s Hope.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">We had been praying that the kids would remember us after three months and be comfortable coming with us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>When the van pulled into the gates of Hannah’s Hope I saw our daughter first.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>She was standing with a group of friends with a curious look on her face I opened the door and waved to her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>She walked toward us as we got out of the van.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I knelt down to hug her and she hugged back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>She was definitely timid, but certainly remembered us… and within moments was full of smiles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>While bending down to hug Lucy I heard a familiar sound, the cry of our son.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>He saw us and started screaming and crying.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>My momma heart broke, but I totally understand the fear inside of him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>He is 22 months old, a typical age for any child to experience stranger and separation anxiety.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I had prepared myself for this and knew that God would take care of it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We didn’t spend a lot of time at HH before deciding that it was best to begin our time together at the hotel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Meanwhile Lucy was already ready and determined to leave.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>She’d begun dragging my backpack to the van and pulling as hard as she could in an attempt to open the door!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>David scooped Jude in his arms and he began to calm. The van doors opened and both kids hopped in Lucy with excitement and Jude with curious apprehension.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>As we were driving down the road away from Hannah’s Hope we were met by several of Hannah’s Hopes’ school aged children on their way back from school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Wass, our driver stopped and the kids all said goodbye to their beloved friends and Lucy and Jude got lots of kisses from their sweet friends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It was a beautiful moment, my eyes filled with tears.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I was so excited to be starting our lives together but sad for all they are leaving.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I’m not sure they understand that they might never see those friends again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>For the moment though Lucy was ear to ear smiling and ready to hit the hotel.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">We walked into the hotel and prayed as a family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Then we showed the kids around the room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I pulled out their matching elephant toys.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I showed them where a few other toys were and we had a snack.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Jude remained calm for the most part and is constantly seeking to be held, especially by his daddy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We are so thankful for all the prayers, things are going beautifully.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Jude is really into his toy car that shoots forward when pulled backward and they continue to look at the scrapooks that I made for them for the first trip.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The books are nearly destroyed, I love it!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I’m so glad that they’ve been looking at them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Lucy then discovered the clothes!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>She is quite a fashionista.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>She picked up each article of clothing and shoes and asked if it was for her and if it was obviously for Jude than she’d put it in an organized pile for him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>She gestured to me asking if she could get undressed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>For hours she kept changing her clothes every 20-30 minutes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I’d take her to look in the mirror and she’d pick a headband for the outfit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>SHE IS TOTALLY MY DAUGHTER.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>If you know me well, you know that I’m nearly OCD about matching and she coordinated everything perfectly, she does it rightdown to the underwear. Ha!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>She’d then say “daddy, daddy” looking for him to tell her how great she looked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>They both say “beep beep” asking us to hold them up to the window to see the cars go by.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Their appetites are huge and there is nothing they haven’t liked yet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">So thankful. So blessed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I should try and get some sleep… I’ve been up writing this unable to sleep but enjoying the sweet symphony of snoring! </p> <!--EndFragment-->Stacy Rogershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12483876921671653513noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2336904036891532702.post-70361738898791402852011-11-06T06:46:00.003-07:002011-11-06T07:10:06.932-07:00Orphan is a bad wordOkay, orphan isn't a curse word... but I don't really like that word. It breaks my heart for what it means. Its definition is sketchy, and the reality that there are are anywhere from 143-170 million children in the world that fall into the category, who receive that label is DEVASTATING. I think most people go through life not really givingthe orphan, widow, people in distress and need.... etc a second thought. I think that this is often due to a disconnect. They assume that is a tale of another world, so far and distant. People can't relate to these statistics because they haven't seen it face to face. The truth is, there are orphans right here in America. Its a big world, but God created all of it, and loves each one of us. There are people in need and the Bible doesn't just suggest, or recommend that we "care" to do something about it. It is a command and a huge focus in the word. It <i>is</i> the gospel. <div><br /><div>Today is Orphan Sunday. Chances are, if you have a friend who has adopted they've spread the news on facebook, if you went to church this morning you might have heard these staggering statistics, seen photos of sad children and desperate situations. Did this stir your heart? All people are created equal and beautiful in the eyes of the Lord. It is my prayer that the stirring God does in the hearts of many will cause them to further seek Him and His will. Not everyone is called to adopt, but everyone is called to do <i>something</i>. Love as Christ loves. The world is fallen and full of brokenness. I do not believe that it is God's plan for there to be millions of orphans. His command is clear and with all my heart I believe that there can be a real change made in the lives of these precious souls. God might be calling you do adopt, support and adoptive family, sponsor a child, serve in a mission. Listen to what He is asking, be ready to say yes.</div></div><div><br /></div><div>Today, on Orphan Sunday I am sitting in the Washington Dulles airport waiting to board a plane. When you are all going to sleep tonight in America we will be landing in Ethiopia and it will be Monday November 7th. We will then be heading to pick up our children, and they will be forever ours... orphans no more. Last year Orphan Sunday was on November 7th.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>We stood up in front of our church and told of what God was doing in our hearts and how he was taking us on a journey to a child in Ethiopia. One year later, we are packed up with boarding passes in hand... ready for the journey of a lifetime. We leave as two and come home as a family of four. I do not like that my children have been given the label of "orphans" but am forever thankful that God chose US to be their forever family. A privilege, an honor, a blessing... to be entrusted with this little lives.</div><div><br /></div><div>Pictures to come... as soon as we can! GET EXCITED!</div>Stacy Rogershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12483876921671653513noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2336904036891532702.post-32426692233066053142011-11-06T06:43:00.001-07:002011-11-06T06:45:50.428-07:00An Explosion!<!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal">Saturday Nov 5th, 2011</p><p class="MsoNormal">An Explosion, While Many of You just experienced an Earthquake</p><p class="MsoNormal">As I sit in our hotel room in D.C. (courtesy of Ethiopian Airlines) I am reflecting on our 18+ month adoption journey, the time we spent with the kids in Ethiopia, the 3 months since we’ve seen them, and the last week since we found out we were heading back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It’s an explosion.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">As I packed the bags for our journey and folded the little clothes emotions rushed over me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Thankfulness has been so present in my heart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I am just so thankful to have a faithful God who has worked out every detail for our kids to come home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">The wait, though it was long, was still incredibly blessed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I’ve fully enjoyed the adoption process.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It has been filled with ups and downs, tears of heartache and tears of joy, uncertainty, and difficulty… and so full of blessings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I’m thankful to have learned more about who I am as an adopted child of God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I’ve grown to know my Father in Heaven in a deeper way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I’ve spent time with my amazing husband; our relationship has grown stronger as we have been pushed to the limits emotionally, financially, and spiritually.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Today, I am THANKFUL.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">During this week of travel preparation I found myself tearing up more than I did when we were stuck in a time of uncertainty about when we’d see our kids again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The tears are tears of thanksgiving.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I am just amazed at how God has brought it all together and we are headed to bring them home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>On my way home from a trip to the grocery store (to buy snacks for the kids) my heart just exploded at the traffic light and tears streamed from my face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I glanced over my shoulder at the two little car seats in the back, thanking God for Providence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>My babes will be in those seats next week as we make the last leg of our journey home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">This morning as I left our house my heart exploded with joy, knowing that the next time we walk through the door we will have our children in our arms. Amazing.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">You are probably thinking the extreme excitement is what is bursting from my heart right now… and it is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>BUT, there are so many of feelings rushing over me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I am sad too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Yes, I said that!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I am sad to be taking our children from a country that they were born in and love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I am sad that we do not speak the same language and that they will be confused.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I am sad to be taking them from everything they know.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Yes, they are in a transition home which is basically an orphanage setting, and with all of my heart I believe that we are doing the right thing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>God has led us to this and it is in His plan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>For the time being though, we are going to turn our kids world upside down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>They have friends that they love at Hannah’s Hope, a language that they are familiar with, food that that is familiar, and nannies that have truly loved them for months.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Our children have fun with their friends and love the nannies that have been their mothers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>For them, this is traumatic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Like I said, this is also beautiful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Children belong in families and nothing can change how I feel about that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">So many people have said, “your kids are going to love it here,” your kids are so lucky,” “I bet your kids are so excited,” etc, etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">My kids are not lucky, but God our God is a God of redemption, He has blessed all of us as he knit our family together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>They have been through more than anyone should ever have to face in their young lives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>That’s not luck, that’s tragic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Don’t try to tell us that because they are going to be living in America that their life is better.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It is different, but not necessarily better.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Ethiopia, or any place for that matter, is beautiful and unique… I’d go so far as to say that the excessive and materialistic lifestyle hurts us more than it blesses our lives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>When we are forced to live a simple life and work hard for what we have; we are closer to the heart of God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>When you rely on God for everything, worship is so much deeper in our souls.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">My thoughts and emotions have been all over the place through this post… as I said, “It’s an explosion.”</p> <p class="MsoNormal">We are thankful, blessed, and rejoicing that tomorrow we will be together with our children.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Please join us in prayer for the hearts of Lucy and Jude.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">~that they will remember us</p> <p class="MsoNormal">~that they will feel our love</p> <p class="MsoNormal">~that God will be their comfort</p> <p class="MsoNormal">~that they will not be confused</p> <p class="MsoNormal">~that their bodies will be healthy for this LONG trip home</p> <p class="MsoNormal">~that they won’t be afraid</p> <p class="MsoNormal">~and for continued peace.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">God is watching over us and we are so thankful for his Providence and provision.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Thank you for your support, thoughts, and continued prayers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Let the journey begin!</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <!--EndFragment-->Stacy Rogershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12483876921671653513noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2336904036891532702.post-6947901043834992102011-11-03T13:08:00.007-06:002011-11-03T21:46:22.533-06:00...and this is your new home.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL49zqZ07DjKoboWpEmB9RooXinfsv2wjwhVaS2vkvpEfY_fHKTOJiq-PzPXtGYS4cRFeAX2uq0WZhspS2x39aKpOA3Ba9x7H2ifyHJND4O30v70eKHbBkecgOnbnLOJbkf8GdHynVD7ZP/s1600/IMG_1381.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><div style="text-align: center;">Sweethearts, this is our backyard. We know how much you love the swings at Hannah's Hope. This is how it will look one day...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8pHcB-CsWQsn527anfujKlY3yuqjwruX_yFj1HQNiw8-asybeAWOkKMZ5rYnc3Vqzgq06sz4cibxOGa3uyFWVL_nYprm6rSVVILDzPox1g5Bo0z2bJvPpTlgjte6GkIJ-eNUVGSUIvvpW/s1600/IMG_1392.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8pHcB-CsWQsn527anfujKlY3yuqjwruX_yFj1HQNiw8-asybeAWOkKMZ5rYnc3Vqzgq06sz4cibxOGa3uyFWVL_nYprm6rSVVILDzPox1g5Bo0z2bJvPpTlgjte6GkIJ-eNUVGSUIvvpW/s320/IMG_1392.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5670853645530836962" /></a><div><div style="text-align: center;"><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">And the next, it might be cold and snowy, like this. Colorado weather is CrAzY!</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000ee;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm8TEMYZdZ6MX8IObEP__CNnIwtxZM3Oi2bW6mLJdTUkRTih4JbbywbBmTS4nHTPtXlgou5OnxILd8dk7kCKBjYuUNUbGT_Zlx_8VQrtrUxoHMBbPfovtvUBZkeZvM1WjBq-9m-rajty16/s320/IMG_1455.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5670849756800981202" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 239px; " /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000ee;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">We will have to cuddle up in the playroom I've made and enjoy your toys and books. </span></span></div></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkLn0REv931X59eSO9ydyf61s9NGbf6J7a_GrSUGmHWgUhOig0CQbhGTYJ234teDHEGOtmlC1zEShZOvV82qEm0ek0pGrjGQHVpvkTeiJpwP0f05mDGOlsxMAKc_lN3Dbfj9tiYsmpUJie/s1600/IMG_1390.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkLn0REv931X59eSO9ydyf61s9NGbf6J7a_GrSUGmHWgUhOig0CQbhGTYJ234teDHEGOtmlC1zEShZOvV82qEm0ek0pGrjGQHVpvkTeiJpwP0f05mDGOlsxMAKc_lN3Dbfj9tiYsmpUJie/s320/IMG_1390.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5670853642333809042" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000ee;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">This is your bedroom. </span></span>We love you dearly and pray that your hearts and bodies will find rest in this place.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH_i8fNIAbMj_Zx4Jv1c6sFpuvPGecO93Mnbpw8lij5RLSBNYL2ezNTZGe2BgkdczawtRBGE5sZv-9uYZ_o4yd7Zd8Z8q0uRNsynTZWpueBFKF30za-z-f1GL1Ak0VWw2QsQH-Sr5vqjc6/s1600/IMG_1385.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH_i8fNIAbMj_Zx4Jv1c6sFpuvPGecO93Mnbpw8lij5RLSBNYL2ezNTZGe2BgkdczawtRBGE5sZv-9uYZ_o4yd7Zd8Z8q0uRNsynTZWpueBFKF30za-z-f1GL1Ak0VWw2QsQH-Sr5vqjc6/s320/IMG_1385.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5670853629268813698" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt9Ip0E1iQ5uIbSuTSS5wq7WcbeMCegCcRyNW9Wv6kPFkAwLrBvvc9E3EGIPvU1uRKLopOablELyuEGNZ66phYdbfX91CMXOPBGCfh3bfO2rFnw7kxwsj0OteAONtZ8aJ8LZnS_0nOX2oe/s1600/IMG_1384.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 239px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt9Ip0E1iQ5uIbSuTSS5wq7WcbeMCegCcRyNW9Wv6kPFkAwLrBvvc9E3EGIPvU1uRKLopOablELyuEGNZ66phYdbfX91CMXOPBGCfh3bfO2rFnw7kxwsj0OteAONtZ8aJ8LZnS_0nOX2oe/s320/IMG_1384.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5670853623754534402" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">I made pillows for each of your beds, okay I didn't really make the elephant one.</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpdPiHJXX9lJz4Uv10cVP0_BTdBIQUz738c1FOH-RPmgUtrTwIvrBM4xNUet7XFR6BFwvrap8kjJ-KFUVvYfvkaNXpoqPqbbUb0WN_FJmC_2JKdpNp9G0pvuQ_G12xjFH-ayrmNIARihFK/s1600/IMG_1380.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpdPiHJXX9lJz4Uv10cVP0_BTdBIQUz738c1FOH-RPmgUtrTwIvrBM4xNUet7XFR6BFwvrap8kjJ-KFUVvYfvkaNXpoqPqbbUb0WN_FJmC_2JKdpNp9G0pvuQ_G12xjFH-ayrmNIARihFK/s320/IMG_1380.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5670851339368197938" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL49zqZ07DjKoboWpEmB9RooXinfsv2wjwhVaS2vkvpEfY_fHKTOJiq-PzPXtGYS4cRFeAX2uq0WZhspS2x39aKpOA3Ba9x7H2ifyHJND4O30v70eKHbBkecgOnbnLOJbkf8GdHynVD7ZP/s1600/IMG_1381.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL49zqZ07DjKoboWpEmB9RooXinfsv2wjwhVaS2vkvpEfY_fHKTOJiq-PzPXtGYS4cRFeAX2uq0WZhspS2x39aKpOA3Ba9x7H2ifyHJND4O30v70eKHbBkecgOnbnLOJbkf8GdHynVD7ZP/s320/IMG_1381.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5670978145848377298" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 239px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Our dog Riley likes to warm the beds up for us, she is so excited you are coming home.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoe4R5jvDMlYghNuRkmtzi7Clf_2JKDNFOV-E7yMvisgyCQ5EedS1JzfCJIqcdv0lrA7afI7dg0Oo4sYqEc9BM0XxLDB6b042uAovdeNYgngMazQbmpPil9Ka3HcnPYeg1wG7KO0Nw1zUE/s1600/IMG_1377.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoe4R5jvDMlYghNuRkmtzi7Clf_2JKDNFOV-E7yMvisgyCQ5EedS1JzfCJIqcdv0lrA7afI7dg0Oo4sYqEc9BM0XxLDB6b042uAovdeNYgngMazQbmpPil9Ka3HcnPYeg1wG7KO0Nw1zUE/s320/IMG_1377.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5670851334776187810" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAMlXd9fU2b6k-Bz-HSRVU0eGU5eSsb6fBaCS1vlle0UIjqQ-jzm57obDzEwmhl0mSy0Jp5sW0BwczxAZzMnq3UbCQHiSJNbD3Q70ObnNzllDvYZo2c9SvfJ-F6zYanw6EOd14ka6oqerl/s1600/IMG_1373.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 239px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAMlXd9fU2b6k-Bz-HSRVU0eGU5eSsb6fBaCS1vlle0UIjqQ-jzm57obDzEwmhl0mSy0Jp5sW0BwczxAZzMnq3UbCQHiSJNbD3Q70ObnNzllDvYZo2c9SvfJ-F6zYanw6EOd14ka6oqerl/s320/IMG_1373.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5670851331104390274" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiab51AluDMCPuSQWuGemF8qNkNUu1x4l0rdWuznDBuMGlsfd1Dep0qmmry5ha4b1x2B5DXAcIxRZLJAgTsfnGYX60vo4HHCUpgMXa2s-5aDUVFVRcJgr7NN__taufznHYx2VQrRRCMY1yw/s1600/IMG_1369.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 239px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiab51AluDMCPuSQWuGemF8qNkNUu1x4l0rdWuznDBuMGlsfd1Dep0qmmry5ha4b1x2B5DXAcIxRZLJAgTsfnGYX60vo4HHCUpgMXa2s-5aDUVFVRcJgr7NN__taufznHYx2VQrRRCMY1yw/s320/IMG_1369.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5670851320274809586" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Hooded towels are awesome and you are going to look so cute!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiew_IrzxwZfRnSqfVWLuj-Kf8Qqrgdv0omOeP82iX1MhGMGFEyWH0BKbpSerHBBAG8kPc3UoNTFW6GUi6s2GtyeyU-HTCO_2H2rM0t1biTYXO9G9jjALV2riIke27GFNkDqH9xWdVYQOQj/s1600/IMG_1368.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 239px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiew_IrzxwZfRnSqfVWLuj-Kf8Qqrgdv0omOeP82iX1MhGMGFEyWH0BKbpSerHBBAG8kPc3UoNTFW6GUi6s2GtyeyU-HTCO_2H2rM0t1biTYXO9G9jjALV2riIke27GFNkDqH9xWdVYQOQj/s320/IMG_1368.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5670851313780391970" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">*I made a photo book for the kids to look at in the hotel as a "what to expect" for the transition home. I included pictures of the airport, airplanes inside and out, and our home. It is our prayer that this will ease some of their anxiety about all the changes that will be occurring in their lives. After all, we don't speak the same language...yet!</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm8TEMYZdZ6MX8IObEP__CNnIwtxZM3Oi2bW6mLJdTUkRTih4JbbywbBmTS4nHTPtXlgou5OnxILd8dk7kCKBjYuUNUbGT_Zlx_8VQrtrUxoHMBbPfovtvUBZkeZvM1WjBq-9m-rajty16/s1600/IMG_1455.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a></div>Stacy Rogershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12483876921671653513noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2336904036891532702.post-56185970872954854322011-11-02T09:02:00.011-06:002011-11-02T10:08:02.343-06:00They are REALLY going to be here.... in our home!For the the past three months I've prepared our home for two little blessings. I crafted like a madman, designed on a dime, and decorated the room they will share when they come home. I transformed a disastrously, messy, unfinished basement into a suitable playroom (all with things we already had!) It paid well to save all my decor from my room in high school! I took my time on each project because I didn't want to rush and be done with everything... sitting around waiting for a notice to hop on a plane back to Ethiopia. <div><br /><div>I truly believe that the energy God gave me each day provided the pace at which I needed to get things done. Last week I knew I was nearing the end of my "work projects" and thought I might end up making endless scarf and hat sets for the kids as a we await a notice. ...And then, we were told to be in Ethiopia by November 7th.... because our children are coming home! Hallelujah, and what wonderful timing!</div><div><br /></div><div>Countless times throughout the wait I would sit in their unfolding room and pray for them. I would walk into each room of the house and try to picture their precious faces in that room in more than just a wooden frame. I would listen for their laughter and imagine scenarios at the dinner table or playing in the playroom. During these THREE long months without them I would sometimes start to think that the time we spent together in Ethiopia was a fairytale and that I wasn't really a mother. </div></div><div><br /></div><div>There were times where I started to wonder if I was a horrible mom. Shouldn't I be devastated and in tears everyday without my children in my arms? Why am I not falling to pieces and pleading with God for them to be home? That was Satan, winning in my thoughts. The TRUTH is, each day was an incredible blessing and a gift from God. Every morning when we woke up he gave us the gift of peace in our hearts, our minds, and our home. Most days I chose to unwrap the gift, open it; to live in the <i>present</i> and let joy and abounding peace reign in my heart. (Don't get me wrong, there was pain and we fervently prayed that they could come home soon.) I am human, there were days that no matter how God revealed his Providence in this (what seemed senseless) wait I was discouraged and broken. </div><div><br /></div><div>Most certainly I wish we could have brought Lucy and Jude home with us on our first trip. There is nothing I'd like more than to have the last three months back and for our children to have begun living in our family. God's plan has purpose. A <b>quarter.of.a.year.</b>has past since we saw them. I'm sure that their little bodies have grown, as well as their hair, and their hearts. We have missed that; just like the first 4 years of Lucy's and 2 years of Jude's life. -Not a Thing in the World can replace what we will never know. We will never have baby pictures of our little ones. We didn't hear their first words, see their first steps, hold them when they cried as babies. As I wipe the tears from my face now I decide to stop the list. There is a countless list of first and precious moments that we have missed. BUT, I am without a doubt, absolutely, 100%, positively sure... that THIS IS PROVIDENCE. I trust in the Lord with all my heart. Throughout these past months I've found <a href="http://kissesfromkatie.blogspot.com/2011_08_01_archive.html">this</a> post by Katie Davis to be exactly how I feel as I trust in my God, the creator of this universe the father of my children, and maker of all things. </div><div><br /></div><div>The following quote is said much better than I could ever put my thoughts into words.</div><div><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(202, 202, 202); line-height: 20px; font-family:Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;font-size:15px;">"He did not choose me for those moments, He chose me for these. I entered motherhood through a different door, and I get a different kind of stretch marks."</span> -Katie Davis<div><br /></div><div>It is so true, God is writing this amazing story of love on our hearts and in our home and His Providence says, "It's Time, I entrust you with these little lives." An amazing gift, privilege, and responsibility has been laid upon us to bring these children up. I thank my God every day for Lucy and Jude's lives and look forward to His gospel being lived out in and through our family.</div>Stacy Rogershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12483876921671653513noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2336904036891532702.post-66030545225935181462011-10-27T08:57:00.002-06:002011-10-27T09:02:34.014-06:00Lucy and Jude are Coming Home.In my last post I told you all that we might be leaving as early as the 23rd... well we are still here. Though, this morning we received a notice for our embassy appointment, which is scheduled for November 8th. We are still waiting to find out our exact travel dates. <div><br /></div><div>For the last three months that we've been home (without them) I'd walk around the house, sit in their bedroom and just think to myself how incredible it will be to have them here, in our house. It still seems unreal, I can't imagine their sweet heads on their pillows, the precious voices ringing through the house, sitting down as a family of four for dinner. Life in the Rogers house is going to change drastically and we couldn't be more excited. </div><div><br /></div><div>We are so thankful for this adoption journey and all that God has taught us through it. Now we are ready to start a new chapter of our lives. Our family, all together, at home. Praise the Lord.</div>Stacy Rogershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12483876921671653513noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2336904036891532702.post-64457350506948806532011-10-13T20:48:00.002-06:002011-10-13T22:17:59.951-06:00Oh Babies!We've been anxiously awaiting news and dreaming about the day we travel back to Ethiopia to have our babes in our arms forever. Somedays it would feel like I'd made up the memories in my mind... that we'd had this fantasy trip to Ethiopia, met two amazing children, and that it was all a dream. I would have to watch the videos we took of our precious children and see our family of four to believe that it really did happen and to remind myself that just because they are half a world away didn't mean they aren't coming home. <div><br /><div>Since our return from Ethiopia 8 and a half weeks ago I've tried to ready the house for the kids and prepare their room. I've gotten a lot of work done; including transforming a useless and messy unfinished basement into a cute play room. I told myself I didn't want to rush the job, because I didn't want to be sitting around broken hearted with nothing to do, just waiting for them to come home. I believed that God's timing is always perfect and that I'd get the amount of work done I needed each day so that when it was time to go back I would just be finishing up.</div><div>I need to kick up the pace, because we should be going back very soon. Our agency said to prepare to leave as early as the 23rd, but also be equally prepared to be waiting several more weeks. Peace continues to reign in our hearts, but joy is abounding as we know that our wait will soon be over. </div></div><div><br /></div><div>Our file is at the US Embassy in Ethiopia and anxiously await their review. I'll keep you posted when we hear more.</div>Stacy Rogershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12483876921671653513noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2336904036891532702.post-75431848788340391642011-09-28T02:21:00.008-06:002011-09-29T10:23:14.350-06:00Keeping it even on the playing field.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJy9AAnyqOb0WlHRw025cHaRWY2Cs6LbbFYIRiwlUutFol96rBVeok2d5Vg_dX6I_bPXx5USGq_gm7c8nnIak6P2Iv4poSS64UMN5DRRshZp0gzjKJEr84oEGWXgtJnFCm7CelHKonIJuj/s1600/IMG_0656.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><div style="text-align: center;">Our home has almost always been filled with an equal representation of both genders. When we got married I already had a female cat.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdnWx2Jl01CaeGLCoIqW92uJAewhw4Od6EKrIlC5F0sypZiQ_jh5-l2QzQCdKdksYYAXiltlvfgI-T-8OURqeM460VNShEFcOSIREZ6UBhbc8bUtUwhgEFfrRXx1wrAR5xiSubQrmMphr7/s400/IMG_0636.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5657815775653638194" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 298px; height: 400px; " /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Shortly after we got married I thought we needed a male cat, Moses, so that Mocha wouldn't be so lonely on long work days.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJy9AAnyqOb0WlHRw025cHaRWY2Cs6LbbFYIRiwlUutFol96rBVeok2d5Vg_dX6I_bPXx5USGq_gm7c8nnIak6P2Iv4poSS64UMN5DRRshZp0gzjKJEr84oEGWXgtJnFCm7CelHKonIJuj/s1600/IMG_0656.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJy9AAnyqOb0WlHRw025cHaRWY2Cs6LbbFYIRiwlUutFol96rBVeok2d5Vg_dX6I_bPXx5USGq_gm7c8nnIak6P2Iv4poSS64UMN5DRRshZp0gzjKJEr84oEGWXgtJnFCm7CelHKonIJuj/s400/IMG_0656.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5657816275290760898" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"> A year later we got a female dog, Riley.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhetCpVvMssbr3qpNJMkm0QIH36-LNwxQ1VkBml9XtjnIcGdhhiTG5-azbrWI6X2zXXt8_fTemzzKDqF-Ek4hGVzUcEDl4l1luXIV1FfCVgHm0E4REkNw-IdKq2S3fE1svFIrQH1AvEHndY/s400/IMG_0403.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5657815577204319634" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 299px; height: 400px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"> To me, it just didn't feel even, so we got Bruno. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGzFTxzkq_0Ke99G8YaZGb9SiRmkPW8PuVYTXdf_fktfdQXHGJnSDUMpYuX2EnXug09NKi9g6AV2FFHo67xh7LHy7TOk9dsGETKZS94YS8ate1hBKE4kEas4nURVuy8yLV5MgEIVkYNZd5/s400/IMG_0292.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5657815257141371314" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 299px; height: 400px; " /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">I wonder what our daughter and son will think of our small petting zoo. We are so excited about their addition to our family. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I guess we do things two by two by two...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div>Stacy Rogershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12483876921671653513noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2336904036891532702.post-8204827164673408932011-09-26T14:10:00.004-06:002011-09-26T14:31:38.097-06:00Answered Prayers and a Decree!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Nti1Jhyphenhyphenu9zIMIYTCxsHxkQHMFCeDxBRQFONz3MMoRH8UC_mhpwZCN905DWlRjxwc9dMaKK5AH2V9RJIKN6ku2-5jHSl8E1ULwcd2_bIgWTg8JfPvO1zQzqu75crdYm37D73LD6WfeXx9/s1600/IMG_1361.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a>We have continually been praying that our adoption case would be finalized quickly, but knew that the reality of hearing something before mid to late October was almost impossible. We prayed anyway, believing that God can move paperwork just as he moves mountains. The courts still are closed, but the judge came in and finalized our case along with some others. We couldn't be more joyous and thankful at this moment. <div><br /></div><div>I was sick all weekend with a bad sinus infection. I spent the majority of my time in bed. I covered my eyes with my sleeping mask from Ethiopian Airlines. I drifted in and out of sleep praying for our children and dreaming about them. I woke up this morning and had a sense of perfect peace and believed that we would hear good news today. I looked at the clock and it was still 2 hours before the AGCI office opened. I fell back asleep and sure enough my phone rang, but I missed it due to my cold medicine induced coma. Dave called me a little bit later and told me the good news! Our missing letter had been received and a court decree had been issued. Our case is finalized by the Ethiopian courts. L and J are ours! </div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Nti1Jhyphenhyphenu9zIMIYTCxsHxkQHMFCeDxBRQFONz3MMoRH8UC_mhpwZCN905DWlRjxwc9dMaKK5AH2V9RJIKN6ku2-5jHSl8E1ULwcd2_bIgWTg8JfPvO1zQzqu75crdYm37D73LD6WfeXx9/s1600/IMG_1361.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Nti1Jhyphenhyphenu9zIMIYTCxsHxkQHMFCeDxBRQFONz3MMoRH8UC_mhpwZCN905DWlRjxwc9dMaKK5AH2V9RJIKN6ku2-5jHSl8E1ULwcd2_bIgWTg8JfPvO1zQzqu75crdYm37D73LD6WfeXx9/s400/IMG_1361.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656768544735439922" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px; " /></a></div><div>Now we just wait for the US Embassy to finalize their end of the paperwork, issue visas, etc and we can go bring them home. Providence, absolute Providence. So much to get done before they come home, but it will all work out. </div>Stacy Rogershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12483876921671653513noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2336904036891532702.post-74247479583895377632011-09-23T07:51:00.003-06:002011-09-23T08:09:58.724-06:00Fun Facts For Friday1. I have a stupid obsession with titling my posts using alliteration.<div><br /><div>2. We went to court in Ethiopia 7 weeks ago. (not fun, since we haven't held our loves for 7 weeks)</div></div><div><br /></div><div>3. When our daughter was born: I was 20, Dave was 21 and parenting was just about the last thing on our minds.</div><div><br /></div><div>4. When our daughter was born I was probably studying for finals and preparing for college graduation.</div><div><br /></div><div>5. She is one month older than our marriage.</div><div><br /></div><div>6. In the month our son was born, God was speaking into our hearts and moving us to begin the adoption process. </div><div><br /></div><div>7. Around our son's first birthday God spoke into our hearts again, and we changed our parameters from up to 48 months to 54 months. (our little princess wouldn't have been ours had we not changed our paperwork)</div><div><br /></div><div>8. I've been collecting African decor for years and always said, "Someday, I'll decorate my son's room with this." I didn't know yet that he'd be born in Africa. </div><div><br /></div><div>9. Since the best surprise ever, A DAUGHTER, I've been making the room we had prepared for our son 1/2 girly. Woohoo for purple!</div><div><br /></div><div>10. We've always known we would adopt. So in love with God's plan for our family, it is beautiful and blessed. </div><div><br /></div><div>--This is Providence-- the theme for our family. Love it so much I wear it on my skin.</div>Stacy Rogershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12483876921671653513noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2336904036891532702.post-60337882448788087342011-09-13T09:50:00.003-06:002011-09-13T10:16:38.838-06:00Five WeeksIt has been five weeks since we returned home, since we left Ethiopia, and since we said good bye to our sweet kids. <div>I started recounting the journey on here several weeks ago, but couldn't seem to finish. I think it is because I'd didn't want to step back into the pain of the last day, the heartbreak of saying goodbye. </div><div><br /></div><div>-Five weeks later, I am ready to tell you about our last two days in Ethiopia</div><div><br /></div><div>Friday we boarded the van with our group and ventured to the court house. It was a less than pleasant ride. I'm claustrophobic already, and we were stuffed so tight into a tiny van to travel what seemed like an hour across Addis. Upon arriving at the court house there was a lot of waiting involved and then suddenly we were called into the court room. We answered a few questions and were done. We knew that we would more than likely not pass court due to a missing document that has to be written by a group in Ethiopia. They have been behind the court schedule for quite a while. Other than that, our case is clear. Unfortunately our court appointment was the last one before the courts closed for over two months. Our case can not be finalized until they reopen in mid October. After court we spent the rest of the day with our kids.... falling more in love with them and praising God for making us their parents. So blessed.</div><div><br /></div><div>Saturday was our last day with the kids. We were able to spend most of the day at HH. It was by far the most blessed and precious day with the kids. We were able to see more of their sweet personalities coming out, they were less shy and full of hugs and kisses. After bathing the kids and cuddling with them our driver arrived and motioned for us to go. Instantly my heart started breaking. We found an English speaking staff member and asked her to tell our kids a message for us to help explain why we wouldn't be back the next day. She then found our daughters good friend who speaks our kids first language. So from us, to the staff, to a five year old, to our kids... this is what we hope was not lost in translation. "Mommy and Daddy love you so much, we have to go home to America and get our home ready for you, get you a bed and clothes, and to tell everyone we know about how wonderful you are, we love you and we will be back as soon as we can." ~tears are streaming as I type this over five weeks later. It was seriously the hardest moment of my life. </div><div>Little man seemed distracted by a toy, but our girl got a sad look on her face hugged us both and I bent to kiss her head and we walked out the door. I turned and looked over my shoulder she was sitting on her bed with the scrapbook I made for her. It is our prayer that they look at the pictures of us often, do not forget our faces, and feel our love through the many miles. </div><div>~Please pray with us that they will be comforted by God's perfect peace and know His love and ours, and that the case can be finalized quickly when the courts reopen so we can bring them home.</div>Stacy Rogershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12483876921671653513noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2336904036891532702.post-7697414884053998432011-08-16T13:45:00.009-06:002011-08-16T14:24:52.194-06:00Thursday in Ethiopia<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ_Zc8v8tUWNNX_WE5nkY05QgxGoAfq_mHQLctuZjXg-APJZ6-GTO8mt2RE2CN8BEka-rzrwSdJQ8RtCidtPjDs89RLDDzvbSPQZlYno8HUEJz60dVoU5E7D5qhuTjbgh4eUDEkDlC-l3c/s1600/IMG_1153.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Thursday started out with a trip to the market, which I think was mostly a tourist stop, but nonetheless we were able to purchase some super cute things for our kids.<div><div><div style="text-align: center;">We got two outfits for each of the kids to grow into.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqYUlri9lwUqiBrsuJvFIvUnWNEYPKa1Ew8CnZ_veFMM8NScRdS5yQxzsoyE1I1t2iPmK2NJUP1gB6FWYy62OL0vBtxCpXiugBtu6o0JvJlavYMRb5qtL9SVj-toOHJPn5eNXZe_FCFAbD/s1600/IMG_1277.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqYUlri9lwUqiBrsuJvFIvUnWNEYPKa1Ew8CnZ_veFMM8NScRdS5yQxzsoyE1I1t2iPmK2NJUP1gB6FWYy62OL0vBtxCpXiugBtu6o0JvJlavYMRb5qtL9SVj-toOHJPn5eNXZe_FCFAbD/s400/IMG_1277.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5641546774117569378" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 299px; height: 400px; " /></a>
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNRXyLvTxJtvovHOAyu4AmgRZlTOMve0YZUOOkOAzUF17vDE5bovYBncUug0vQhJp-JKIKz4niEY-Z72hpU60UTK0auXmtmfz56mAYwqP5mHMvGXeQVPr1w3eHcGJlyvK_1FuAQ-oEF7R-/s1600/IMG_1274.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNRXyLvTxJtvovHOAyu4AmgRZlTOMve0YZUOOkOAzUF17vDE5bovYBncUug0vQhJp-JKIKz4niEY-Z72hpU60UTK0auXmtmfz56mAYwqP5mHMvGXeQVPr1w3eHcGJlyvK_1FuAQ-oEF7R-/s400/IMG_1274.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5641546754192795906" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 299px; height: 400px; " /></a>
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFxO9OahW_jap1isiPwijDOayEqi0GGIsMb9L7rALGndlb2TjjH1CnrniTOzpjdyqzH5LemNI6WtSuA1yQcuwAhI8wXhaeT3iCU0hBcWG0zX91w5ndQK0T65JzfDc1hZ9Irb1EuonCdOA-/s1600/IMG_1273.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFxO9OahW_jap1isiPwijDOayEqi0GGIsMb9L7rALGndlb2TjjH1CnrniTOzpjdyqzH5LemNI6WtSuA1yQcuwAhI8wXhaeT3iCU0hBcWG0zX91w5ndQK0T65JzfDc1hZ9Irb1EuonCdOA-/s400/IMG_1273.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5641546375933942146" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 299px; height: 400px; " /></a>
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOblvkxXX_vyxP7apg9tL9voFR0MVRLdjyc2xrmYkSN3zh2uUGjhE2IYn_8ro3o1VOFRoTvG6aeIrdGRCxJpxEpZpvKUupd033COoiBjdP06JsAuDoNqHwoNgWH22Z_EnWJIpmCJeqIvLW/s1600/IMG_1272.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOblvkxXX_vyxP7apg9tL9voFR0MVRLdjyc2xrmYkSN3zh2uUGjhE2IYn_8ro3o1VOFRoTvG6aeIrdGRCxJpxEpZpvKUupd033COoiBjdP06JsAuDoNqHwoNgWH22Z_EnWJIpmCJeqIvLW/s400/IMG_1272.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5641546164149084786" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 299px; height: 400px; " /></a></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;">We also got a few cute toys.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdcS19w6Eqvsr4JqnARUyiq7G3mnQMr5nJ-lG5dp6-wzweuynz3uGRIljbOIHSk0PFJnfneMA1ls3AZYfsymznPIpViIqPjEAVsiCdFzoyhW9I_3V77jS9ambspnmINIOli2yb-Fyirxco/s1600/IMG_1279.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdcS19w6Eqvsr4JqnARUyiq7G3mnQMr5nJ-lG5dp6-wzweuynz3uGRIljbOIHSk0PFJnfneMA1ls3AZYfsymznPIpViIqPjEAVsiCdFzoyhW9I_3V77jS9ambspnmINIOli2yb-Fyirxco/s400/IMG_1279.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5641547420276745186" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 299px; height: 400px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicfwcFB8WdoOJBRQdHT9Kqx8natNvifmsCgENmawUCZEdLjM5ePe_vnMDR2zIsWJ8mqRvSwppWaEeO4B_ghS0E7W_tiVYGpV13m3Nz4G7Z5b2M7MZubVqQKzmvtx8wuzXfstZJYTvnt828/s1600/IMG_1278.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicfwcFB8WdoOJBRQdHT9Kqx8natNvifmsCgENmawUCZEdLjM5ePe_vnMDR2zIsWJ8mqRvSwppWaEeO4B_ghS0E7W_tiVYGpV13m3Nz4G7Z5b2M7MZubVqQKzmvtx8wuzXfstZJYTvnt828/s400/IMG_1278.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5641547430382598962" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 299px; height: 400px; " /></a><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>I got some beautiful scarves, paper bead necklaces, and a traditional coffee ceremony dress. After shopping we had lunch at a delicious Italian restaurant that had a beautiful art gallery, <a href="http://www.makushethiopiaartgallery.com/">Makush</a> in it. After lunch we had a short stop at the hotel and headed back to Hannah's Hope for an afternoon with our babies. When we arrived our kids were napping. It was so precious to walk in and see their sweet heads resting on their pillows. I was able to place my hands on each child and pray for them. That quiet moment was so perfect and so beautiful to reflect on the months... years really, of waiting and praying for our child(ren) in Ethiopia. It was somewhat surreal, we were finally there staring at our little loves. Such a blessed miracle.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>I'm realizing now that I should have journaled while I was there, but I just couldn't seem to do it. I was exhausted and emotionally overwhelmed. As I look back the days are starting to blur together. It must have been on Wednesday, but our kids stayed up through their nap time and we had sweet family time. Our precious children were too tired to stay awake all afternoon and each of us got special snuggle time. Little man was snuggled up to me in the wrap, I tucked my iPod in the pouch and played "Hey Jude" he fell asleep almost immediately.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjirwbw_7AghWSxDkAJBTS7XYu7nLb8Zu5nwGTb1kmwYCRjaWMG95OkWGc04-A904c2yxVTJhPA1G_6nsb_3jveGzNp5HxufcPD2nD1a_fARcqW679CaQ2E8F-wEM3S7jBDL6rL-VvUltWW/s1600/IMG_0337.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjirwbw_7AghWSxDkAJBTS7XYu7nLb8Zu5nwGTb1kmwYCRjaWMG95OkWGc04-A904c2yxVTJhPA1G_6nsb_3jveGzNp5HxufcPD2nD1a_fARcqW679CaQ2E8F-wEM3S7jBDL6rL-VvUltWW/s400/IMG_0337.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5641550639187475586" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 167px; " /></a>Dave was holding our little miss when she snuggled up closer and rested her head on his shoulder and fell asleep too. These moments were so perfect. Oh how I miss my babies.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ_Zc8v8tUWNNX_WE5nkY05QgxGoAfq_mHQLctuZjXg-APJZ6-GTO8mt2RE2CN8BEka-rzrwSdJQ8RtCidtPjDs89RLDDzvbSPQZlYno8HUEJz60dVoU5E7D5qhuTjbgh4eUDEkDlC-l3c/s1600/IMG_1153.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ_Zc8v8tUWNNX_WE5nkY05QgxGoAfq_mHQLctuZjXg-APJZ6-GTO8mt2RE2CN8BEka-rzrwSdJQ8RtCidtPjDs89RLDDzvbSPQZlYno8HUEJz60dVoU5E7D5qhuTjbgh4eUDEkDlC-l3c/s400/IMG_1153.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5641551165346207378" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 310px; " /></a>
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<br /></div></div>Stacy Rogershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12483876921671653513noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2336904036891532702.post-50164872859519885472011-08-13T19:24:00.007-06:002011-08-13T19:43:48.091-06:00Wednesday In Ethiopia<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU4n6wZ-R8MD5UUUf2sq5Mr3RiU5ndU95lEdZVC-w_fs_sF8_4fvlJOOja43uO58mKwtPSfBC8XHcH15phNk8NJR49AbuJ9pmftAuXkXCnkYYiAp_eZjRTH8vI8jDqgsx6IjHMwJWxDq2C/s400/IMG_1157.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5640519489902370690" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">
<br /></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfcsnxTkeKqx_6IF6d1dmmOsMkAjcPUZzh_24-1zDjs_bkcaen5_CROiFWEjfFk5NlHuwS6Au7-UIBywo48XOB6saV2SogIdBBpmRa59an0c2VGODCirMCwFRJy6f9wUxGrKxaMT9wTCo4/s1600/IMG_1165.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfcsnxTkeKqx_6IF6d1dmmOsMkAjcPUZzh_24-1zDjs_bkcaen5_CROiFWEjfFk5NlHuwS6Au7-UIBywo48XOB6saV2SogIdBBpmRa59an0c2VGODCirMCwFRJy6f9wUxGrKxaMT9wTCo4/s400/IMG_1165.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5640520772201444034" /></a>
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioqJYC7FMqZQmScDgDCKRZiALhsNvINlNiag1dt6MqUWXswkw1TvC9p0sWEaNY2NIsmxHhogdpamGbQ6HqRd5nBz_rDgExlsSNtP5ObicUQOwXtfSmLGkta9GifKnt4kfz4UcTRvnLWbjF/s1600/IMG_1162.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioqJYC7FMqZQmScDgDCKRZiALhsNvINlNiag1dt6MqUWXswkw1TvC9p0sWEaNY2NIsmxHhogdpamGbQ6HqRd5nBz_rDgExlsSNtP5ObicUQOwXtfSmLGkta9GifKnt4kfz4UcTRvnLWbjF/s400/IMG_1162.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5640520402971401026" /></a>
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSdRZwPd7glblmisuZ9DnFoWHCwFjRWNx6tFraTvvgNNOMcctLBP5NgxN78U-v8JrhWSEFfG65OyWfxaVpaCvJDbXcQ8jLgSM79GPg2u3zI-DQ3N1n5Ho1cRuapjCi3K6IWKwBvTnRS-3q/s1600/IMG_1160.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSdRZwPd7glblmisuZ9DnFoWHCwFjRWNx6tFraTvvgNNOMcctLBP5NgxN78U-v8JrhWSEFfG65OyWfxaVpaCvJDbXcQ8jLgSM79GPg2u3zI-DQ3N1n5Ho1cRuapjCi3K6IWKwBvTnRS-3q/s400/IMG_1160.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5640520181963675282" /></a>
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcM5vgP_CH692IIrV6tclUl2SAbmx-Xu3RLoL2vJ-crSF-Ku4Ld6pkPExSngvRlLMgGpzMuSkpT-OArHWkP6wB0ic0bScdd8IdwusPxDp7MOWtZrIVY0JqSJgnRMIQ8S_8t1t-DcppIE1n/s1600/IMG_1156.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcM5vgP_CH692IIrV6tclUl2SAbmx-Xu3RLoL2vJ-crSF-Ku4Ld6pkPExSngvRlLMgGpzMuSkpT-OArHWkP6wB0ic0bScdd8IdwusPxDp7MOWtZrIVY0JqSJgnRMIQ8S_8t1t-DcppIE1n/s400/IMG_1156.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5640519985968628818" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU4n6wZ-R8MD5UUUf2sq5Mr3RiU5ndU95lEdZVC-w_fs_sF8_4fvlJOOja43uO58mKwtPSfBC8XHcH15phNk8NJR49AbuJ9pmftAuXkXCnkYYiAp_eZjRTH8vI8jDqgsx6IjHMwJWxDq2C/s1600/IMG_1157.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a>Our second day in Ethiopia was Wednesday August 3rd. We got to spend the majority of the day with our sweet little loves. Each moment was precious and as the day continued the kids became more comfortable with us. We are so blessed that they are in our family. <div>Wednesday evening we got to attend an Ethiopian cultural dinner. It was so delicious. Ethiopian food is seriously one of my favorites! The dances were amazing too. </div><div>
<br /></div>Stacy Rogershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12483876921671653513noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2336904036891532702.post-74997214437027648122011-08-12T09:57:00.012-06:002011-08-12T11:12:14.386-06:00Where do I even begin?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVtQk_o5k4eyjDaU4x5dK2Yv29vuP2iBuJ3MfV1y6FxItUseik66Tz_iA2iH_WETxzVE7wdc_SF0ic-fm1ONwSQAtgAEEG6_NtrQnl3pXdSwUSBGmfBq37sxwjKU8o448uwKJhGCY9vASI/s1600/IMG_0321.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a>We have been home for five days now. I had planned to start writing about our trip to Ethiopia right away. I'd like to blame it on jet lag, but that is entirely not true... in fact, it has been a blessing of just the opposite. Since our return from ET we have had a great schedule of early mornings and productive work days. I am home full time, getting ready for the kids and loving it. Honestly, I think my writing procrastination has come from the acceptance of my inability to accurately portray the experience through my writing... especially since we can't post pictures of their faces until everything is finalized. There has also been a mourning time in my heart. My mind and heart are trying to process the reality that my children are 8000 miles away, I can't hold them, whisper I love you in their ears, or be certain that they understand we are coming back; this breaks my mama heart. <div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>I could keep writing about boring and sad things, but I know you have really been waiting to hear about the trip and the KIDS... the amazing, beautiful, funny, precious, sweet incredible kids! </div><div style="text-align: center;">Day One</div><div style="text-align: center;">August 2nd</div><div style="text-align: center;">We left Denver on July 31st and flew to Washington D.C. </div><div style="text-align: center;">After an overnight in D.C. we boarded a plane to Ethiopia! Here we are before take off.</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWJOVIrimiWCCvK7VIk5UJ1RDxB4gu2ZCWB-YfP3hCl6wgykI-aeiMQlSAGUvd7BrC1VFtfRwEv6Sm58vdaOYMpdZbjNxcofX9ZLuNgM3Qkvym2fgklwzsmgMPGQwvKr-bT7sUFEHVXiJp/s1600/IMG_1096.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWJOVIrimiWCCvK7VIk5UJ1RDxB4gu2ZCWB-YfP3hCl6wgykI-aeiMQlSAGUvd7BrC1VFtfRwEv6Sm58vdaOYMpdZbjNxcofX9ZLuNgM3Qkvym2fgklwzsmgMPGQwvKr-bT7sUFEHVXiJp/s400/IMG_1096.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5640005467155761650" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></a><div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxg-2g_HW_HhlQNIcktcdZrUjT4fI-i335EYkfjbm8hqwwxjH1UzvGpqQ_orfh6tnWGUCpqN9o3jn1IjwzVTau2_1XReiB0fdZ-R4WonzJLJxAO6LSe0c_PmCxaTkuwo12CJ5WQTjLIOgl/s1600/IMG_1097.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxg-2g_HW_HhlQNIcktcdZrUjT4fI-i335EYkfjbm8hqwwxjH1UzvGpqQ_orfh6tnWGUCpqN9o3jn1IjwzVTau2_1XReiB0fdZ-R4WonzJLJxAO6LSe0c_PmCxaTkuwo12CJ5WQTjLIOgl/s400/IMG_1097.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5640006419762825938" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">After 13 hours we finally arrived in Addis Ababa at about 8am local time. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4G1oBIfXQKqjHBQxP-6cbt-_w0DV4DNw5Har_d8gIOnQzLJtytnSOl9cZsrBjhyM5lYnG0WoOj-qOvqnEqcGANOmPvRCCllQslsKmmt9FBWKkolRiXhXwyH55QxSXrN91c0y9eMBES4c_/s1600/IMG_1101.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4G1oBIfXQKqjHBQxP-6cbt-_w0DV4DNw5Har_d8gIOnQzLJtytnSOl9cZsrBjhyM5lYnG0WoOj-qOvqnEqcGANOmPvRCCllQslsKmmt9FBWKkolRiXhXwyH55QxSXrN91c0y9eMBES4c_/s400/IMG_1101.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5640006633074014914" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">We were taken by a driver to our <a href="http://www.rivieraaddis.com/">hotel</a>. Here are the first things we saw as we traveled to the hotel. (... taken from inside a van with my phone) </div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyDPppmz2SjMJKHUxrfcdWnTsaOze5_vrMkdJ-mYisYp3JNuE3Fxa3MaW0xxPDzR4cYWW2rZiT24H8kh6Nq9qY2_knoHC0EhR0jCPxKfDOBXB70bRZaOZkXti6J44vhJSHDBlfLCx66pXy/s1600/IMG_1116.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyDPppmz2SjMJKHUxrfcdWnTsaOze5_vrMkdJ-mYisYp3JNuE3Fxa3MaW0xxPDzR4cYWW2rZiT24H8kh6Nq9qY2_knoHC0EhR0jCPxKfDOBXB70bRZaOZkXti6J44vhJSHDBlfLCx66pXy/s400/IMG_1116.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5640007743277685218" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px; " /></a>
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOGFisoVr4aVW1nZwgwKXNLqFNPb7avraLGS8EONq4ZULlhoR4HOeV8N5K2eQF9tqsv91EKosTvAHBZTkrZ6L6EUbUgS9CpGcJVxCZd1AX0cWey2AjrwM5EDhQZYO07A4N_gv8uhb7drHw/s1600/IMG_1114.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOGFisoVr4aVW1nZwgwKXNLqFNPb7avraLGS8EONq4ZULlhoR4HOeV8N5K2eQF9tqsv91EKosTvAHBZTkrZ6L6EUbUgS9CpGcJVxCZd1AX0cWey2AjrwM5EDhQZYO07A4N_gv8uhb7drHw/s400/IMG_1114.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5640007736017838802" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px; " /></a>
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeZP2pLjJv6gHn_q7jEIj-8lJZ3tpEdIw7csu5uVeHS29lHyJdYfL8FIU3kg0Zwd5LtOT0hsLlmH16iTFQwLcQrzBlt8RCDqFhe0l3e_tIewjSLTTPpt-L59R5q-hJu2J3OxD5c_lDQgHh/s1600/IMG_1109.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeZP2pLjJv6gHn_q7jEIj-8lJZ3tpEdIw7csu5uVeHS29lHyJdYfL8FIU3kg0Zwd5LtOT0hsLlmH16iTFQwLcQrzBlt8RCDqFhe0l3e_tIewjSLTTPpt-L59R5q-hJu2J3OxD5c_lDQgHh/s400/IMG_1109.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5640007733071875938" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Upon checking in we were handed an itinerary for the week. It said that we would be picked up in just two hours and taken to Hannah's Hope. Exhausted and excited we went to our room to prepare for meeting our kids for the very first time. (as if you can <i>really</i> prepare for that) We packed some toys, activities, candy, and a headband for our girl. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>The hotel is very close to Hannah's Hope. We soon arrived at the gate and my eyes began to water. This is it... we are about to meet our children. Words can not describe the feeling unless you've been there yourself. </div><div style="text-align: left;">We walked in and were asked who our child or children were. A few minutes later a precious and scared little girl holding the hand of a caregiver walked up to us... our daughter, even more beautiful than the pictures we had seen was standing there with giant brown eyes looking up at us. A moment later our son was brought to us, in the arms of another caregiver he too looked a bit frightened. He was placed in Dave's arms. I knelt down to our daughter and gestured to ask her if I could hold her. I picked her up and hugged her as tears streamed down my face. WE ARE A FAMILY. I looked at Dave and we each hugged the precious child in our arms and kissed the head of the one in the other's arms. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>We took the kids into a room to get to know each other. There is of course a language barrier between us and the kids, but also the kids and the caregivers. Our kids are from a region where a different language is spoken than Amharic, that of the caregivers and staff at HH. We opened the bag and pulled out a sucker for each kid... yes I know promoting cavities while coaxing our children to sit in our laps... bad parents right? Seriously though, it was recommended and worked like a charm! We opened the books that I had made for each of the kids. I had scrapbooked photos of them, us, and our home. Our girl was very interested in the book and pointed at every picture. She would point to our faces on the picture and then to us.... so sweet. The little man loved being held close. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFopfqtIYRYvxsgd1QaFqK3SrKXvJUNxA4xdLexxltgQFZ_7f0gn62tYKRmdK6hkqYHWfwAC8-7oiRaFC9M1o2hy42jRk_C1R814ZZjDpgDSXUUm4sTGu4EN9WCeRiluw1qLGyH3k1vv5T/s1600/IMG_0308.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFopfqtIYRYvxsgd1QaFqK3SrKXvJUNxA4xdLexxltgQFZ_7f0gn62tYKRmdK6hkqYHWfwAC8-7oiRaFC9M1o2hy42jRk_C1R814ZZjDpgDSXUUm4sTGu4EN9WCeRiluw1qLGyH3k1vv5T/s400/IMG_0308.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5640013188048142866" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 214px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif3Syw2UpM3BwW3LLLyZpgv_9qeNBE6FqSavsps6tGxK_OdkpLA4etVJVbnhsvu89oWQbaAQeEBnoDq6QHlUoMnCZnquIMMIfHcOQKZfEgNcUasSXYzfaoSdEvdvW7q_KW11mSF4ads4Zl/s400/IMG_0318.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5640013863529034386" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 350px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>I pulled a headband that I'd made out of the bag and showed it to our daughter she smiled and nodded yes for me to put it on her. I took a picture and showed it to her on the camera. She had the greatest grin. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTDnu_Y30maXiv9xPrvBmc2Gv_77Tuy7ImSrr51ojHZFG6i8WVvb-VwnF91RiWI3DwcvnAfGVLYZdrOkOn-5VFCbRcQPyktKUKo4Mu68MflMiuqV6EdpPVB-M9ih0a431qnRAHRe0e9dIQ/s1600/IMG_0307_2.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTDnu_Y30maXiv9xPrvBmc2Gv_77Tuy7ImSrr51ojHZFG6i8WVvb-VwnF91RiWI3DwcvnAfGVLYZdrOkOn-5VFCbRcQPyktKUKo4Mu68MflMiuqV6EdpPVB-M9ih0a431qnRAHRe0e9dIQ/s400/IMG_0307_2.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5640015305568284242" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 204px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">Very quickly we learned that she is silly, smart, and sweet! He is shy, sweet, and loves to eat.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif3Syw2UpM3BwW3LLLyZpgv_9qeNBE6FqSavsps6tGxK_OdkpLA4etVJVbnhsvu89oWQbaAQeEBnoDq6QHlUoMnCZnquIMMIfHcOQKZfEgNcUasSXYzfaoSdEvdvW7q_KW11mSF4ads4Zl/s1600/IMG_0318.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVtQk_o5k4eyjDaU4x5dK2Yv29vuP2iBuJ3MfV1y6FxItUseik66Tz_iA2iH_WETxzVE7wdc_SF0ic-fm1ONwSQAtgAEEG6_NtrQnl3pXdSwUSBGmfBq37sxwjKU8o448uwKJhGCY9vASI/s1600/IMG_0321.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVtQk_o5k4eyjDaU4x5dK2Yv29vuP2iBuJ3MfV1y6FxItUseik66Tz_iA2iH_WETxzVE7wdc_SF0ic-fm1ONwSQAtgAEEG6_NtrQnl3pXdSwUSBGmfBq37sxwjKU8o448uwKJhGCY9vASI/s400/IMG_0321.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5640016110156033410" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 288px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">On that first day we got to spend about six hours with them, falling so in love with who they are and rejoicing in God's beautiful plan for our family. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Keep reading and I will keep writing tomorrow.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000ee;"><u>
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<br /></div></div>Stacy Rogershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12483876921671653513noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2336904036891532702.post-71846493845463408902011-07-31T08:28:00.002-06:002011-07-31T08:35:29.623-06:00Our Biggest Birthday Week Ever<!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal">Dave and I aren’t really into extravagant holiday celebrations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The one time of year where we actually get excited to celebrate is here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We call this time “Birthday Week.” For the past six years that we’ve been together we’ve celebrated birthday week starting today, July 31<sup>st</sup> (my birthday) and finishing up on August 5<sup>th</sup> (Dave’s birthday).This year will be the best birthday week ever.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The July 31<sup>st</sup> kickoff will begin as we board a plan for the first leg of our journey to Ethiopia.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We will spend the days in between loving our kids and spending time in their birth country.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Traditionally birthday week ends on August 5<sup>th</sup>… which is our COURT DATE!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I think the celebration will continue on to the next day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Just like any party though, there is an end and usually a feeling of exhaustion and sadness that its over.</p><p class="MsoNormal">As I sit in my living room writing this, we are waiting for a friend to pick us up and take us to the airport. I truly believe that God has given us a great gift of peace. Throughout the days leading up to this we've been surprisingly calm and enjoying each moment. I had thought I'd surely be a mess of stress. I even slept really well last night. The bags are packed without any last minute, crazy, running around moments... and WE ARE READY!</p> <!--EndFragment-->Stacy Rogershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12483876921671653513noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2336904036891532702.post-79259542877752211822011-07-30T22:44:00.006-06:002011-07-30T22:49:35.680-06:00Just over two weeks ago...<div style="text-align: center;"><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#99ff99;">It was just over two weeks ago when we were sitting in a Mexican restaurant waiting for an email to arrive with the first pictures of our kids. Here is Stacy, looking at the picture. God is good and we will meet our kids face to face in just a few more days.</span></u></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000ee;"><u><br /></u></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHj8oYeIvF8XuoZtPKf1GiCsxIbEdKAFq5k4Q_9CPiD4uQJ_jRgNpK9U5grFb64oeVh_Fvd2s78EsBS_aNXPtOt_MeDqkK6c0uaFVf7oXRowDNkm-9xMczvMUp6quQvhvvM4fYPOKLVHfB/s1600/IMG_0278.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHj8oYeIvF8XuoZtPKf1GiCsxIbEdKAFq5k4Q_9CPiD4uQJ_jRgNpK9U5grFb64oeVh_Fvd2s78EsBS_aNXPtOt_MeDqkK6c0uaFVf7oXRowDNkm-9xMczvMUp6quQvhvvM4fYPOKLVHfB/s400/IMG_0278.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635373454010257746" /></a>Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10171940178039010143noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2336904036891532702.post-29007627236193885742011-07-29T20:37:00.004-06:002011-07-29T20:51:39.172-06:00Girly Girl<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdLS6OmmGwFsbTqrUI6K2N6ylJ95bHCTe-kpOTKT-7fMKgIlHPUw2UfhQvzYZ8l1qV-eQwwPIIqiU8MW8WO8Y26-DbWNRURBCr-cXchjRA_oatYFnIQaL6flC3fyaHCtPPJa_jnQ3LTgEU/s1600/LUCY+bands.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a>For nearly two years we've been planning for a son. From time to time we would buy boy clothes or toys at garage sales. When God surprised us with the amazing blessing of a daughter and a son we were thrilled. This means that in a short amount of time we've wrapped our minds around having a girl and our hearts have fallen in love with her. In the mean time I've been getting excited about girly things. Going into Target is a whole new world now that I stop and see all the pink!<div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">This is the first piece of clothing we bought for our little princess.</div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxsZ0ALW2e4ltXW01-25p_6gs5oj-SNzoDSftvqMJ2MDNJVGhiw9MeUCS98cRe7wa6I93qL1hwKsZXk15-SXV4SJJnGD0WT6cRR_X1scZue0XamapfIL1gRHwxkqHlKnOUSErJ5PKw-FXO/s1600/lucydress.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxsZ0ALW2e4ltXW01-25p_6gs5oj-SNzoDSftvqMJ2MDNJVGhiw9MeUCS98cRe7wa6I93qL1hwKsZXk15-SXV4SJJnGD0WT6cRR_X1scZue0XamapfIL1gRHwxkqHlKnOUSErJ5PKw-FXO/s400/lucydress.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634970390836006162" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">I've been having fun making headbands for her too. These are just the first few.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdLS6OmmGwFsbTqrUI6K2N6ylJ95bHCTe-kpOTKT-7fMKgIlHPUw2UfhQvzYZ8l1qV-eQwwPIIqiU8MW8WO8Y26-DbWNRURBCr-cXchjRA_oatYFnIQaL6flC3fyaHCtPPJa_jnQ3LTgEU/s1600/LUCY+bands.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdLS6OmmGwFsbTqrUI6K2N6ylJ95bHCTe-kpOTKT-7fMKgIlHPUw2UfhQvzYZ8l1qV-eQwwPIIqiU8MW8WO8Y26-DbWNRURBCr-cXchjRA_oatYFnIQaL6flC3fyaHCtPPJa_jnQ3LTgEU/s400/LUCY+bands.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634972244883769090" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000ee;"><u><br /></u></span></div><br /><div><br /></div></div></div></div>Stacy Rogershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12483876921671653513noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2336904036891532702.post-21125078912655179812011-07-28T12:24:00.004-06:002011-07-28T12:42:09.550-06:00A Dream<div style="text-align: left;">Last night I had a silly little dream that filled my heart with happiness. I've tried so many times to visualize meeting our children for the first time... but have no idea of how how it will be. We pray that God will fill the moment with blessing and His glory will be evident in each moment. We pray that all of our hearts will be connected and that our babes will know how deeply we love them.</div><div>--but last night I had a dream that we walked in the gates of the transition home and our little girl came up to me, smiled, and said, "Mama... I like your fingernails". In the dream my nails were purple!</div><div>--and our sweet little man held his arms up to David and said, "Papa, hold me." </div><div><br /></div><div>Obviously, it isn't going to happen like this... they don't speak English yet, haha. Though I think I will paint my fingernails purple for the occasion. We are so excited to see how it unfolds and overjoyed that we will be with them in under a week.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-FVTXm1pe3m_MXEf8yqs58VL0PjYZBne98xNKNjnM8gGyfwISt5Gy5br3DE4SA2gLtI0JKudCq1qF7Gc1fAvxdYHGFE8CIVVIheBVfh2yTyx1musLGqB9s7zAhHC4Nc02yHsdKmZY5NEv/s400/purplenail.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634474855785842722" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><br /></div>Stacy Rogershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12483876921671653513noreply@blogger.com1