9 Years!

October 1st, 2005 we said I do. It was such a beautiful day! How the years have flown by - Joe has stuck by my side through 4 miscarriages, 2 births, two trips to Ethiopia for International Adoption, a move across the country, new jobs, new house, 3 kids that are three and under....thanks for being my loyal and faithful love Joe!

A special day

Rewind 3 years ago to September 10th, 2011 and I remember it like yesterday. It was a cool day in Illinois and I was taking Blake for a walk. We had been waiting for months / years for a referral from Ethiopia. I got the call. We didn't know if we'd get a boy or girl so when she said "it's a girl" I about died. A dream come true. Her name was Tarikwa unknown...that's the last name they give orphans there until the adoption is complete. She was never unknown though to the Lord!
I still remember looking at her photos for the first time, it was finally real! She was so beautiful!!!

Telling her the story today I got choked up and realized just how incredible it is that from a village on another continent God brought her here. To me. To our family. It still just amazes me. God knew she needed us, we needed her (especially Blake!) and He was so gracious to us. I had no idea why all those miscarriages were happening - then I look at her face & thank Him for putting all the pieces together.