A Year of Blessings!

One year ago tonight...we drove to the Hilawe orphanage for the very last time.  We were so excited- the day we had hoped and prayed for.  But, within the excitement there was also sadness for all the huge changes our little guy would be facing.  Sadness for the nannies having to say goodbye.  Gratitude for all they had done for him and the tremendous love given to him when no parents could provide that. There was uncertainty about how the next weeks and months would go.  What we found when we arrived at the orphanage though was excitement in the air.  The other children were singing, dressed in their finest and peering through the windows with jumbo sunglasses on.  The day was really about the future.  Our future as a family.  A family for forever!  And, suddenly with children singing and dancing; smiles flashing and nannies scurrying around- out they came with the three little boys going home that day.  It was a beautiful celebration gifts, Ethiopian cake, Cokes, the singing on Ethiopian Sunday School songs and then, one by one- each child was brought to his family.

And, like that- these sweet loving women entrusted him to us.  God had called us to be together as a family.  These nannies though had stood in the gap until our family could be united.  What a blessing they will always be to us!  

One year ago tonight, 'we' became three.  God has been so incredibly gracious to us.  We are simply amazed at the year we've had.  We love our Kaleb Abera!!! :)  

Tonight, I rocked Kaleb to sleep like I always do and couldn't help but think back to the little boy I rocked to sleep one year ago tonight.  He was little.  Wore size 1-2 diapers and 0-3 month jeans would barely stay on him.  He was bald, he was skinny and his fingers looked really long because well... he was skinny.  He spit up constantly and would fall asleep by simply putting a blanket over his head.  He wasn't strong enough to sit in the Bumbo and wouldn't uncurl his legs into a standing position at 6 months old.  And, he sucked him thumb.  

Tonight, my little man is so big I kind of curled him up on my lap to convince myself he still really fits.  His 18 month jeans are too short and he wears size 5 diapers.  His 'fro' is ridiculously long and big and totally rockin'.  Its big and wild and crazy sometimes but, there are so many times when I look over and think of all the nutrients that mob of hair stands for.  Its nutrients that grew that hair.  Nutrients from the gallons of milk the kid goes through, the near adult-size portions of mac n' cheese he can put away and his incredible love for cinnamon waffles.  Today, he's a great sprinter for any distance shorter than the alley.  Can climb a dining room chair to get to anything.  And, thinks its fun to 'surf' in  his little plastic wagon across the kitchen floor.  He tell us when its bed time and kindly requests 'baba... dada... please'.  And, he still sucks his thumb because, well... its the only thing that has always been there for him.  

We love you, our sweet Kaleb Abera!!!  You're the best blessing God could have ever entrusted us with.  Thanks for the tickle wars, the 'roaring' attacks on Dada, your gentle spirit and compassionate heart.  You are a sweet, loving little man and are so thrilled to be your parents.  Go God!! 

P.S.  Could you slow down your growing up-ness?  

Thanks, 

Mom