All I can say is: WOW!

I have had so many !WOW! moments in the last few weeks, here are just a few highlights:

~To all who have called, sent texts, left comments, sent cards/gifts/hand-me-downs, stopped by, prayed and just ewed and ahhed, we are so very grateful. Family, friends & neighbors, you have all blown us away with the generosity and love thrown our way recently. THANK YOU!!!

~Kai - he is just amazing.. We are all still adjusting to a schedule, each other and to less sleep :) but this little boy is a champ. He is sleeping better each night (almost) and has laughed and cooed his way into the depths of our hearts. He responds to our voices, is reaching out for us and seems to be attaching really well. He had his first Dr. visit the other day and had to give up 5 vials of blood.. that was rough for all 4 of us (Wesley the awesome Hematologist included) but we got through it :). The only thing that came back in the tests is that he has F.O.M.S. - Fear of Missing Something.. He always has to know what is going on, doesn't nap more than 30 minutes and is happiest just watching everyone buzzing around him. He also definitely has a special connection to Ben and that leads to my next !wow!...

~Ben is THE biggest stud of a husband and father. We all knew he would be a great dad, but so far, he is the shining star in this new family. He is a natural, and Kai knows it. Ben is the one who can soothe him, get him to sleep out of a wailing fit and make him laugh from nothing. I keep saying in jest to Ben that he needs to be the stay-at-home parent.. :)

~The trip.. I don't know that I will ever really post much of a summary about it beyond this, to be honest. As many have told me from reading the posts, it is easy to tell that it was one of the most emotional weeks of our lives. We walked away with a sense of honor and blessing of being given the opportunity to spend some time in Ethiopia, learning about the people, history and culture.. To to have the weight, responsibility and humility of being able to bring home a child as our own, to have 7 other fabulous families to share the experience with, to know fully that Ethiopia is so much more than what you saw on TV in the 80's.. There is a deep pride in the people of their heritage & history, coupled intimately with the desperation of wanting to make changes, experience economic growth and to be able to trust their government.. Education is important to them, but the opportunity in country is limited..so, many leave.. How can we help those who are educated to be able to stay? That is where I am stuck.. the problem is so much larger than "poverty" or HIV or lack of water and schools.. those are only part of it.. As I posted last week.. I am so grateful that I was born in the "land of opportunity".. even if just for the fact of opportunity...

Love to all!
gin