What a great summer we've had! Martha came home and we had the joy of being able to spend time getting to know her and love on her like crazy. Earlier this month, we were able to take a trip to Michigan and introduce her to some more family members and also introduce her to Lake Michigan. She loved it! One of the special memories of our time in Michigan was being able to introduce Martha to the staff member from Adoption Associates who has walked with us since our first day of this Journey. What fun it was to take a picture of the two of them, so someday, Martha can see another one of the people who have already played a big part in her life. And, for us, it was a chance to try to put into words our gratitude for all she has done for Martha and our family.....but, no matter what we say, we can't express that kind of gratitude with words enough.
Today, the four "big" kids returned to school.....Jonathan as a Junior, Anna as a Sophomore, Ellie as a 7th grader and Joshua as a 5th grader. It seems like just yesterday, they were all toddling around and tearing the place apart. As with every school year, it is bittersweet. So wonderful to see them healthy, growing, learning and yet hard to see them another year closer to independence, each in their own way. One of the biggest blessings of this summer was watching how each of them love and spend time with Martha....each of them do it differently, but with such love and care that we as parents, have been just amazed and so thankful.
Vicki did not return to school this week......she have been blessed with some FMLA time and will not be reporting to work until September 10th. She is so excited to have some time at home with just her and Martha - we are calling it "Mommy & Martha immersion" - and is very glad for the opportunity.
We continue to try to stay connected to Ethiopian culture and a few weeks ago attended a Ethiopian Culture Day with other adoptive families, as well as Ethiopians. We enjoyed Ethiopian food, listened to a Q & A session and a couple of the ladies tried to work with Martha's hair a bit. Martha said a word or two in her native language and the ladies recognized it and started taking in Amharic. Martha seemed to listen intently to them. She is starting to say some English words and seems to understand much of what we say - but we are a bit sad that she will lose all of her native language and that connection to her country. Later this week, Dave, Vicki and Martha are having lunch with an Ethiopian pastor and his wife, who serve an Ethiopian church here in Columbus. We look forward to spending time with them.
Dave will have the honor of baptizing Martha on Sunday, September 2nd. This is a day we have looked forward to for a long time! God has blessed us with the gift of another child to baptize, and we get to claim God's hand in her life and give her back to God for His purposes. Feel free to come celebrate that with us!
Thanks for stopping by to check in - and please, continue to pray for the precious orphans all around the world.
Today, the four "big" kids returned to school.....Jonathan as a Junior, Anna as a Sophomore, Ellie as a 7th grader and Joshua as a 5th grader. It seems like just yesterday, they were all toddling around and tearing the place apart. As with every school year, it is bittersweet. So wonderful to see them healthy, growing, learning and yet hard to see them another year closer to independence, each in their own way. One of the biggest blessings of this summer was watching how each of them love and spend time with Martha....each of them do it differently, but with such love and care that we as parents, have been just amazed and so thankful.
Vicki did not return to school this week......she have been blessed with some FMLA time and will not be reporting to work until September 10th. She is so excited to have some time at home with just her and Martha - we are calling it "Mommy & Martha immersion" - and is very glad for the opportunity.
We continue to try to stay connected to Ethiopian culture and a few weeks ago attended a Ethiopian Culture Day with other adoptive families, as well as Ethiopians. We enjoyed Ethiopian food, listened to a Q & A session and a couple of the ladies tried to work with Martha's hair a bit. Martha said a word or two in her native language and the ladies recognized it and started taking in Amharic. Martha seemed to listen intently to them. She is starting to say some English words and seems to understand much of what we say - but we are a bit sad that she will lose all of her native language and that connection to her country. Later this week, Dave, Vicki and Martha are having lunch with an Ethiopian pastor and his wife, who serve an Ethiopian church here in Columbus. We look forward to spending time with them.
Dave will have the honor of baptizing Martha on Sunday, September 2nd. This is a day we have looked forward to for a long time! God has blessed us with the gift of another child to baptize, and we get to claim God's hand in her life and give her back to God for His purposes. Feel free to come celebrate that with us!
Thanks for stopping by to check in - and please, continue to pray for the precious orphans all around the world.
