Santa

I love my dad! He is a really neat person who is always willing to help out whenever asked. Recently he was asked to do a special job -- play Santa for some children in his community -- and, of course, my dad said yes (after pretending to be offended that perhaps his own tummy was the reason he was asked). Dad, it wasn't your tummy, or even your beard. It was your spirit, your kindness and love, your generosity, and your ability to bring a smile with your, "Ho! Ho! Ho!" I know those kids were happy, and you were the reason. You give me so many reasons to be happy, too!

So Thankful

This blog is called "Notes From a Blessed Life" and ours truly is a blessed life!

Last year on Thanksgiving we were recently home from Ethiopia with Eli and Hope and celebrating as a family for the first time. We had so much to be thankful for then. That is even more true today because of the past year that we've had together as a family. I am so grateful to God that He has knitted us together so tightly as a Forever Family.

"God sets the lonely in families." --Psalm 68:6

Happy Thanksgiving!

Looking Smart!

Geoffrey is usually one of the smartest people in just about any room! Well . . . look out! With his new glasses, he will now be even smarter!

And he looks handsome, too!

A Look Back...

Some visual highlights from our time in Ethiopia, November of last year...

The Fullness of a Family

In the fullness of joy, sometimes we find an absence of adequate words to describe all that God has given to us.

And so, on this occasion when we are celebrating our first year together as a Forever Family, in place of my words, I offer this Psalm of Praise and Gratitude in photographs instead.

Thanks be to God who made it all possible!

1 - 2 - 3!

What Fabulous Hair!

One of the joys of being Hope's Momma is helping to care for her hair. I love Hope's hair! And I want her to love it, too.

Once a week, we sit down together to comb through and fix her hair, usually into braids--anywhere from about 30-45 of them! I have not yet learned to braid the hair into cornrows, but I love this look on Hope, too. Luckily for us, we have a special family friend who can do Hope's cornrows occasionally. I also like putting Hope's hair into little ponytails, or puffs, all around her head. And, of course, I also like leaving her hair in its natural state--a beautiful, curly Afro!

I love that time with Hope. Most people cannot believe how willing she is to sit still for me to work on her hair. It can take us up to 3 hours, depending on the style. We take at least one break, and also enjoy watching "Sesame Street" together--that helps! Recently, while watching a new episode of the show, I fell in love with a music video of a little African American muppet singing the song, "I Love My Hair." I didn't realize it at the time, but there is a neat story behind the making of this song. You can read about it (and enjoy the video) here:

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=130653300&sc=fb&cc=fp

I'm grateful to this little song, and the man who wrote it, for helping to celebrate the beauty of little girls everywhere! Too often in life, little girls learn to want to be like someone else, rather than to love themselves as they are. Our differences are special, beautiful, and fabulous!

Looking Good

It was time for a haircut for Mr. Eli today--his first one here at home in the U.S.! I had the job of keeping him still on my lap for the big occasion. A nice, black sylist named Richard (who will now be known as Eli's Hair Dude) did the honors of cutting out those adorable (but higher-maintenance-than-they-ought-to-be) locks and then giving Eli this new, healthy look. No more countless hours spent twisting and re-twisting locks on a restless 4-year old! Eli was a bit nervous about the whole thing, for sure, but he relaxed as I held him and we watched those little locks fall around--and on--us. I bought him a new comb and brush and he was happily brushing his hair on the way home. I think he looks handsome as ever--and I think he agrees! Now, the question is . . . whatever will I do with the extra time?

what cute kids! :)