Nyah's friends Alec and Haven come over for a visit. So fun to watch them interact!
Nyah sure was interested in Haven's snacks and Alec was mostly interested in the dog.

Auntie Jenae brings over her game, The Settlers of Catan.

dress up

We go up to Grandpa and Grandma's house to celebrate their 10 yr. anniversary serving their church in Lakewood, WA.

growing 4 more teeth

playing Makaylee's favorite, Penguin Rescue, with Grandma

Makaylee's first basketball game last night (she's #3).

Lovin' it. She's a natural. But its so funny how polite she is on the court. Has a big smile on her face the whole time, cheers when the other team makes a basket, takes turns, etc. She doesn't even try to get the ball the whole time. Just happy watching everyone else and running up and down the court. When she does get the ball she holds it and takes off down the court like a football player :)

Mommy entertains Nyah at the game with her favorite book while Daddy is clear across the gym watching Marquez's game going on at the same time. So I missed his, bummer, but I heard he did awesome. He was so excited for his game that he barely ate dinner. When we got home he still couldn't eat!

Makaylee's team-16 kids. The girl in the pink shorts is named Biruktawit (Nyah's Ethiopian name). She's such a little sweetheart. I kept finding myself watching her, trying to imagine what Nyah would look like when she's 7.

Quite the Character

laundry stealer

center of attention

she's not going to let you ignore her- she'll plop right down on you with a book while you're doing sit ups


she's developed a new love for string cheese

can't shove it in fast enough

cracks herself up

always keeping us on our toes!

Sad

After 4 hours of deliberating, the vote was 2-1. Our family
got the 1. There are no words to describe how that feels
but mostly I feel sadness for Makaylee that she will not get
to grow up with her sister by her side and share in life with
her. But God is good and his plans are best. I am sure there is
a reason for this and trust Him. But it is hard to explain that
to a 6 year old whose understanding of God at this age is that
of a fairy godmother or Santa Claus- you ask, He gives.
Sometimes God's answer is no. When Orin and I were doing
infertility treatments, month after month God's answer was no.
And then we looked into Ethiopian adoption, and sweet, precious
Nyah was placed in our arms 13 months later. And I was glad that
God's answer had been no. I am so glad that he didn't give in to my
begging and pleading with him- I never would have met Nyah, or
Marquez or Makaylee. So while it may be hard to understand now,
there still is a peace.

Can't believe it

I can't believe the day is finally here. It's 8:51 am and in 9
minutes the adoption committee will be meeting in Salem
to decide which family will get to adopt Makaylee's precious
2 year old sister. The birth mother of the two girls mailed us
a sweet letter in which she talks about her desire for her two
daughters to get to grow up together and be close to their
brother Will as well. She said that the girls will grow up and
have to find her and she doesn't want them to grow up and
have to search for their biological siblings too and begin the
process to get to know them as an adult. Think of all those
years of friendship they would have missed. I thought I was
calm about this whole thing but now that it is starting in 5
minutes I am getting really anxious. Studies show that children
do better in adoption when placed with a known sibling.
Otherwise they often worry about that sibling and how they
are doing. That makes sense to me. I hope they choose our
family for this precious child. We would love and cherish her
deeply. Waiting... hoping... They told us not to expect to hear
anything until around 12:00. It will likely take 3 hrs. to decide.
This is going to be a long morning! Please pray for us that we
will have peace and be able to accept a "no" decision if it comes
to that. Because ultimately God will decide where he wants her
to be and move the hearts of the committee members likewise,
and who are we to argue with God? Ooooh, but I hope the answer
is "Yes!"

Princess party- Makaylee turns 6

Orin and I made a Princess and the Frog cake- I still can't believe he decorated the dress so well.


Who would have guessed he was artistic...

party time!

the princess opens her presents




pin the tail on the donkey

deciding which cake to eat

Orin lights the chocolate one

How many kids can we fit in the nursery?

the princess pinata

mad grab for candy

Nyah loves to bite the balloons!

one guest spent the night

and they went to Sunday School together the next day



"That was the best party ever, Mommy! Thanks" = priceless

Christmas Break

the kids watch TV in their Christmas blankets Nana knitted them

I often find Nyah napping with her bear by her side

Nyah's always hitting up someone up to read her a book

and play in the cottage with her




feeding her baby




Steph from www.adoptionmission-possible.blogspot.com is only $600 away from the amount of money they need to submit their dossier. They should be getting their approval letter from USCIS anytime and will be one step closer to their baby girl. Consider helping them by purchasing one of these cute T's, adult and child sizes available. Love seeing the Amharic!

Christmas

Twas the night before Christmas

Christmas morning finally arrives but the kids can't open the presents until Grandpa, Grandma, Great Grandma and Auntie Jenae get here.

Orin opens his gift from his buddy-his favorite team on a coat

They're here!

Great grandma is precious as usual.

Marquez gives in to Makaylee begging him to try on her princess stuff. What a good big brother :)

Nyah tries egg nog for the first time

and manages to be completely and utterly charming

Nyah's outfit from Grandma is adorable. Does this come in my size, too?

tries on her Green Bay Packers baby shirt

the boys putting together the Rose Petal Cottage for the girls

its a hit for sure

Nyah keeps her brother and sister in stitches by putting her doll in the washer and oven.

Marquez even plays in it!!

went to the other Grandpa and Grandma's house that night
to have even more fun


Happy Birthday Jesus!