I'm a bad, bad blogger!

For the two readers that are still following me (Aunt Mary and her friend!).  So sorry for the lack of posts.  We are all doing super, just busy!

Berhanesh and I spend most of our days...playing!  

Last week, we celebrated 3 amazing months with our daughter home with her forever family.  In the 3 months that B has been home, she has gained 7 pounds and grown 3.5 inches!  She is blossoming right before our eyes!  I love watching her grow, physically and emotionally.  We are confident B's little personality is beginning to emerge.  Some days are better than others, the memories are still there.  We will probably never know what she remembers, but the look that comes across her face is something I will never forget.  I don't want to.   New memories will replace the sorrow and sadness but I pray that I will always be sensitive to her "story."   

Things we have learned about Ava Berhanesh so far:

*  Berhanesh loves Dora and Diego.   

*  Goldfish and apple juice have once again, become a staple in our home!

*  All Berhanesh's babies have to naked, all the time!  This drives Gaga crazy!  

*  Cell phones are very popular with Ethiopian princesses.

*  Berhanesh's language is growing every day.  When she gets really excited, she jumbles all the words together.  Makes no sense, at all.  But it does bring a great laugh!

*  Prayer is really important to this little girl!  Just today, she began praying on her own.  When it was her turn to pray at bed time, she said "Jesus, I love you.  Thank you cookie, halloween, Gaga no hurt arm and then a bunch of rattling and then Amen."  When she prays, she throws her head all the way back and prays with such excitement!   If we could all be like this!

*  Loves music...funky music.  The funkier, the better.  Although, there are times when I have Kari Jobe on in the car, really loud and I am just singing...I look back and she is totally joining in.  I have been know to raise my hands at the stop light while singing and I sometimes see her doing this!  OH MY GOSH!!!  Melts me to a puddle!  What an honor to share with her the love and power of Jesus!  

*  Coffee con leche is a must in the morning!  

*  Sleeps all night (11-12 hours) in panties!  No accidents!  Unbelievable bladder control!  Naps are still around 30 min.-1 hour.  Enough time for me to potty by myself and do a load of laundry.  Fun!

We went to Seaworld a couple of weeks ago and she loved Shamu!  Was not too fond of the jack-o-lanterns in the park (she calls then naughty pump-i-kins)!   

What you all want to see!  Enjoy the photos!

A little more than 2 months!

Friday, Sept. 25, we celebrated two months home with our girl! 

 

I have said this so many times but she is such a JOY!  A true blessing.   It is amazing to me and such an example of Christ' love. The way Berhanesh has blended into our family and the way we all feel she has been with us forever is nothing short of another example of God's divine plan for our family.    We are so glad that we took that HUGE step into the adoption world and we live with NO REGRETS!!!  

We have had quite the month.  Berhanesh is continuing to discover many new things and grows more confident each day.  We continue to see some (actually, very little) signs of grieving.  The moaning at nap time (sleeping almost an hour a day!  YEAH!) is almost gone and she is still sleeping 11-12 hours at night.  She is attaching well to our immediate family and is open to strangers talking to her.   We had a doctor's appointment with an Orthopedic Specialist regarding her legs.  Not such good news; however, we do have a second opinion with another specialist planned in October. Please pray for wisdom for Tulio and I.

The highlight of our month was a trip to see a special little girl that our Berhanesh loves dearly.  These darling girls spent time together in Ethiopia at the TH and it was obvious they were close friends.     It was a true delight to spend the weekend with Jane-Grace and her family.  I was delighted in seeing my baby have a connection to her past.  Berhanesh was in heaven!  It is our hope to continue and nurture this relationship for many years to come.    

While visiting with our new friends, we had the honor of staying with Tulio's great aunt.  She is 82 and such an incredible lady.  We sat around the table till midnight each night hearing story after story of her life in Cuba and how she and her family came to the United States.  She is a survivor!   Her testimony was a true inspiration.  My kids LOVED Tia Bebe!  She is a crack up!  She would disappear and come back dressed up in a funny wig and outfit just to make us laugh!  Berhanesh did not think it was so funny...she was freaked out!

Abby and Ben are blossoming in school.  Ben was elected to student council and Abby was elected to the board of the Interact Club.  They both are so excited!  We could not be more proud.  They are excellent students and we anticipate an awesome report card!  

Enjoy the pictures!

Morning Coffee Mustache!

Look at them holding hands!!!  

Best buddies! Pure JOY!!!