tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35228350038676197922024-03-05T06:36:09.884-06:00Lovin' Much!Lovin' God, Lovin' Others, Lovin' Adoption!Alisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08607476812485135757noreply@blogger.comBlogger329125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3522835003867619792.post-22958160803985987522016-01-12T10:12:00.001-06:002016-01-12T10:12:31.520-06:00Ten Days in Love.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Ok, so I admit it. I have let this little Lovin' Much blog get put on the backburner. I never wanted to be the mom that finally got her child home through a long adoption journey (with tons of ya'll praying for us and encouraging us), and then just quit blogging. But now I see how it happens. </div>
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The past 2 years have been really full. I had no idea how much life was going to change...for the better of course! But having the time to sit down at the computer just hasn't happened very often. But this morning, I'm home with a sick child and had time to catch my breath a little. </div>
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I actually had time to read the blog my youngest brother just started, and I'm blown away. Just had to share with with the few of ya'll that still check our blog. Please go take a minute...<a href="http://www.tendaysinlove.com/">Ten Days in Love</a>. It's amazing. I'm so proud of Adrian, and thankful for how God is working in his life.</div>
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And here are a few updated pics of our growing family! I'm thinking it's time to update our blog header! ;)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoJyqosYShQiUkKxnBhuSnbnxeD9YV6c4LOpeEopvDKR3-8I8JErzIcJ4VNAot0T4MBI_3QHxqHLOJqsBXX3r2MXTRpcLgewHu6UW5Su9htT1nwNEpin4nCn85D6parn_2fzujsozrkZc/s1600/Caroline+Faith+Thanksgiving+2015+1%2521.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoJyqosYShQiUkKxnBhuSnbnxeD9YV6c4LOpeEopvDKR3-8I8JErzIcJ4VNAot0T4MBI_3QHxqHLOJqsBXX3r2MXTRpcLgewHu6UW5Su9htT1nwNEpin4nCn85D6parn_2fzujsozrkZc/s320/Caroline+Faith+Thanksgiving+2015+1%2521.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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Miss Caroline Faith...3 years old</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheTaMeKj5sj-d4xez92sWCPrYe9WO6nkAYaJhYMBgN8ldiFDdorlYKor76tErjPM5P6X66esX-jvWmWmLAgrG6zOLEBdy0IObirPubWZb7cI6RzeeyG6s3FBHbm4IjsPMPw8wC777MyS4/s1600/Thanksgiving+2015+2%2521.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheTaMeKj5sj-d4xez92sWCPrYe9WO6nkAYaJhYMBgN8ldiFDdorlYKor76tErjPM5P6X66esX-jvWmWmLAgrG6zOLEBdy0IObirPubWZb7cI6RzeeyG6s3FBHbm4IjsPMPw8wC777MyS4/s320/Thanksgiving+2015+2%2521.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The crew...they're growing fast!!!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFf6Cjh89q3w9dAaTyKL896Fkd5LbrO4MN9cPZfGQC4OtTsiJ1QxwETrXh8noZyhs2sNJtCRYRMdDU7YzC-cxUaWmnUtAGoBGuJuGuY49GYBl9tzrFLN_QFCBnxk0yjTkfOyLV0s263JU/s1600/Thanksgiving+2015+3%2521.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFf6Cjh89q3w9dAaTyKL896Fkd5LbrO4MN9cPZfGQC4OtTsiJ1QxwETrXh8noZyhs2sNJtCRYRMdDU7YzC-cxUaWmnUtAGoBGuJuGuY49GYBl9tzrFLN_QFCBnxk0yjTkfOyLV0s263JU/s320/Thanksgiving+2015+3%2521.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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Our entire family on a beautiful Thanksgiving Day in north Mississippi.</div>
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Hope to be back soon with updates on our family, our new church, and how God is working in our lives!!! He is so good and so faithful!!!! He's reminding me today that His mercies are NEW every morning, and His love never ceases! Wow...so needed for me each and every day!</div>
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<b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">"The steadfast love of the </span><span class="small-caps" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-variant: small-caps; line-height: 24px;">Lord</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">never ceases;</span></b></div>
<b><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Lam-3-22" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">His mercies never come to an end;</span></div>
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they are new <span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-20378C" data-link="(<a href="#cen-ESV-20378C" title="See cross-reference C">C</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>every morning;</div>
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<span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"><b> </b></span><span class="text Lam-3-23" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><b><span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-20378D" data-link="(<a href="#cen-ESV-20378D" title="See cross-reference D">D</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>great is Your faithfulness</b>."</span></div>
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<span class="text Lam-3-23" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Lamentations 3:22-23</span></span></div>
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Alisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08607476812485135757noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3522835003867619792.post-24100480092805989362015-09-07T15:53:00.005-05:002015-09-07T15:54:25.491-05:00Happy 2 Year HOME Anniversary!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5cm6SCch-NKi7IZSNJT-mHLStczgWHLj3Vd9a403EQsBg3dCkY6tXSR-ITH6MitJQF-Cw7ZvsyG9HS5NfO0oVVK9ALSMOwjEZpADTptdllC6EdpSsBHd3aoPhR1NhvE_B6BOx3-Sxj6I/s1600/Gotcha+HOME+Collage%2521.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5cm6SCch-NKi7IZSNJT-mHLStczgWHLj3Vd9a403EQsBg3dCkY6tXSR-ITH6MitJQF-Cw7ZvsyG9HS5NfO0oVVK9ALSMOwjEZpADTptdllC6EdpSsBHd3aoPhR1NhvE_B6BOx3-Sxj6I/s320/Gotcha+HOME+Collage%2521.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Two years ago today, September 7, 2013, our awesome and always faithful God completed our adoption journey! After a 3 1/2 year wait, our baby girl was finally HOME from Ethiopia! Caroline Faith Letehiwot met her brother and sisters for the first time, and they were instantly in love with her! I can't even put into words the joy and contentment of my heart that day! Our four children were finally all together!!! It's still bring tears to my eyes to remember that moment of Jody holding her as we walked down to the airport waiting room filled with our family and friends! What a milemarker moment of God's faithfulness and fulfillment that we'll forever cherish and remember! <br />
Thankful heart today as we celebrate Caroline Faith's <b>2 Year HOME Anniversary</b>!!!<br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px;">"I delight greatly in the </span><span class="small-caps" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant: small-caps; line-height: 24px;">Lord</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px;">;</span></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span class="text Isa-61-10" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">my soul rejoices<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-18854A" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18854A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> in my God!"</span></span></b></div>
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Alisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08607476812485135757noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3522835003867619792.post-9543512667084936192015-05-23T09:58:00.003-05:002015-05-23T09:58:49.763-05:00Happy 2 Year Referralversary!!!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEaQ6oxfvuvwbKUYv-id17UiSIjes22JuYh4k6w12FqQ6xRkaoZswLXR4ViJyY3pMznWcqJyynMohMNMKxHLlufLI2hA63IvbA39kOzNgBc7-r407bwffHVP9_Mtv0gYc3kd0kYSwFepo/s1600/Caroline+Faith+9+Months+Referral+Pictures%2521+%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEaQ6oxfvuvwbKUYv-id17UiSIjes22JuYh4k6w12FqQ6xRkaoZswLXR4ViJyY3pMznWcqJyynMohMNMKxHLlufLI2hA63IvbA39kOzNgBc7-r407bwffHVP9_Mtv0gYc3kd0kYSwFepo/s320/Caroline+Faith+9+Months+Referral+Pictures%2521+%25283%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Exactly 2 years ago today, on May 23, 2013, while sitting in Panini Pete's restaurant in Fairhope, AL, we got the our long awaited <a href="http://lovinmuch.blogspot.com/2013/06/caroline-faiths-referral-story.html">REFERRAL CALL </a>for our precious Caroline Faith Letehiwot in Ethiopia!!! <br />
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After 3 1/2 years of waiting we finally saw our daughter's face for the very first time! She was 9 1/2 months old and had the biggest smile and brightest eyes! We knew instantly that she was God's perfect plan for our family!!! I will never forget that amazing day and all the tears and joy as we were so overwhelmed by God's goodness and timing!<br /><br />
Happy 2 Year Referralversary to our daughter, Caroline Faith Letehiwot!!!! We love you SO MUCH, baby girl!!!<br />
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<b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; text-align: start;">"For I know the plans</span><span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-19647A" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-19647A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; text-align: start; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; text-align: start;"> I have for you,” declares the </span><span class="small-caps" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-variant: small-caps; line-height: 24px; text-align: start;">Lord</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; text-align: start;">, “plans to prosper </span><span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-19647B" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-19647B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; text-align: start; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; text-align: start;">you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."</span></b></div>
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Alisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08607476812485135757noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3522835003867619792.post-46974987760592525852015-05-18T14:06:00.002-05:002015-05-18T14:06:21.066-05:00Our Little Gymnast!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJl3PeQ0frkDF8K6dQYz8Xzwy6J-SX-4rQ7LJYaEp2TlBqlg_mM5jxNKaKlYAK9AcdiOtYoyF7qEk4a1IFPBr3m3SBtB3U-e3w4p5Mztnx-smS_lCAnlXNMWzkvD9KuVNG43sc0XUC0LY/s1600/CF's+Little+Gym+Medal!+(1).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJl3PeQ0frkDF8K6dQYz8Xzwy6J-SX-4rQ7LJYaEp2TlBqlg_mM5jxNKaKlYAK9AcdiOtYoyF7qEk4a1IFPBr3m3SBtB3U-e3w4p5Mztnx-smS_lCAnlXNMWzkvD9KuVNG43sc0XUC0LY/s320/CF's%2BLittle%2BGym%2BMedal!%2B(1).JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
So last week, this precious little one earned her very first gymnastics medal!!! She was so cute standing on that podium with her blue medal. "It's not a pink one", as she tells everyone! I think she really wanted a pink medal! haha! :)<br />
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Caroline Faith is growing fast and talking more and more everyday! She is a JOY to our family! Thanking Jesus for this precious reminder of His faithfulness that I get to hold, love on, and take care of each and every day! May I never take that for granted!!!<br />
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He is faithful! Always faithful!!!<br />
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A sweet friend texted me this verse (one of my favorites, and the verse we have claimed over Carson's life) as we are in the middle of a (semi-stressful) moving process...<br />
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<b>"Being confident in this that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."</b></div>
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Philippians 1:6</div>
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Alisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08607476812485135757noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3522835003867619792.post-49140529817626784142015-01-14T14:36:00.001-06:002015-01-14T14:36:39.383-06:00Melkam Gena! Our 2nd Ethiopian Christmas!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I am so behind on blogging, and I need to catch up on our holiday pictures! Wow, how does 2 months go by between every blog post?!?! :)</div>
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I think I'll start with our Ethiopian Christmas Celebration last week! This was our 2nd Ethiopian Christmas to have Caroline Faith Letehiwot with us, and we invited our friends, the Smiths, to come over and celebrate with us!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvmhO56QfKNHT0JMg9duNVHD8oCRWgd_DfyPC1EcIK7LE1Q3lzyySIY9xopN0pnaWfkLEfAJbyu0DQg2Vzw6t-aixRZEzAuiNPXcIZAxiNHDjp0Tiuf3OUz_00OpgQngzBl7gZB3lK-_w/s1600/Ethiopian+Christmas+2015!%2B(1).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvmhO56QfKNHT0JMg9duNVHD8oCRWgd_DfyPC1EcIK7LE1Q3lzyySIY9xopN0pnaWfkLEfAJbyu0DQg2Vzw6t-aixRZEzAuiNPXcIZAxiNHDjp0Tiuf3OUz_00OpgQngzBl7gZB3lK-_w/s1600/Ethiopian+Christmas+2015!%2B(1).JPG" height="214" width="320" /></a></div>
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Getting the table ready for our Ethiopian feast!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieKqD-B9DQVCoCb7Zrtlnsd0Oh5l1K7rSQQw_WHDsC7mgETbaM37MXj1RMtqES-bnfLUjVh3dxg5NNexCTRK-M7uheNQtHeQltzQv-ErLuBc7X50jlJi-PpbQ9j5iSqBZ-UZdJrHNoEsA/s1600/Ethiopian+Christmas+2015!%2B(3).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieKqD-B9DQVCoCb7Zrtlnsd0Oh5l1K7rSQQw_WHDsC7mgETbaM37MXj1RMtqES-bnfLUjVh3dxg5NNexCTRK-M7uheNQtHeQltzQv-ErLuBc7X50jlJi-PpbQ9j5iSqBZ-UZdJrHNoEsA/s1600/Ethiopian+Christmas+2015!%2B(3).JPG" height="214" width="320" /></a></div>
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The girls and I made another layered cake this year! So cute!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrwYOfUcz7IX3a_N87SYRYZ3fRDv-QlLddoh_VHLY9d9ncXdJ7Gdr3oRx4kciWEmBvCvGYSdwPYrwN31ZvnwOrUmPLa2_6cbK-L0FN7mUTt7_mO0yri9sQxM37zcdMOt1sIuoZSFz8Afo/s1600/Ethiopian+Christmas+2015!%2B(5).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrwYOfUcz7IX3a_N87SYRYZ3fRDv-QlLddoh_VHLY9d9ncXdJ7Gdr3oRx4kciWEmBvCvGYSdwPYrwN31ZvnwOrUmPLa2_6cbK-L0FN7mUTt7_mO0yri9sQxM37zcdMOt1sIuoZSFz8Afo/s1600/Ethiopian+Christmas+2015!%2B(5).JPG" height="214" width="320" /></a></div>
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But the cutest is our Ethiopian princess!!!</div>
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She was so excited to celebrate!</div>
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She says, "Melkam Gena!" (which is Merry Christmas in Amharic)</div>
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Eating with her best Ethiopian friend, MoMo!</div>
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The Ethiopian feast!!! We had Ethiopian potato salad, chicken, Ethiopian spaghetti, wraps (in the place of injera), and Ethiopian honey bread. The kids were really good about trying almost everything!</div>
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Moses loved his Ethiopian spaghetti!</div>
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Caroline ate a little bit more this year than she did last year! :)</div>
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A sweet kiss for a sweet friend!</div>
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Cute kids after dinner!</div>
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Only one piece of cake left! We did the layers like the Ethiopian flag!</div>
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The next morning was January 7th, which is Christmas Day in Ethiopia. We started a tradition last year of hanging chocolates on a little Christmas tree and giving the kids one gift each.</div>
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Caroline reaching out for her chocolate!</div>
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Another Christmas celebrated with our precious Ethiopian daughter, and we couldn't be more thankful! I hope she (and all the kids) grow up with fun memories from celebrating this special holiday!</div>
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Alisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08607476812485135757noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3522835003867619792.post-90387050731315296672014-11-05T14:22:00.001-06:002014-11-05T14:25:05.868-06:00Fun Fall Updates!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Wow! It's been almost 2 months since I've had time to update the blog! Life is full these days taking care of a family of SIX! But I absolutely love it, and wouldn't trade it for anything! I am taking a quick break from the laundry and to-do list to catch up on some FALL FUN!!!</div>
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Caroline Faith is growing and thriving and we really feel that her attachment is very secure right now. That is HUGE progress from where we were this time last year! She has been home for 13 months, and is doing so so well! She is a very busy, hilarious, active, cute and full of LIFE (just like her Ethiopian name!) little 2 year girl!!!</div>
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We are beyond blessed and thankful for all that the Lord has done to heal her sweet little heart over these past 13 months of her being home with us! Here's some pics of our fun we've had over the past couple of months!</div>
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A fun Labor Day weekend beach trip with friends! </div>
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Celebrating Gotcha Day! We gave her a cute little zebra toy we bought her in Ethiopia!</div>
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CG making the "Gotcha Home Day" cookie cake just a few days later! Sweetest big sister! Don't know what I'd do without her!!!</div>
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Happy Gotcha HOME Day, baby girl!!!</div>
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Ole Miss Football game!!! CF loves going to the games this season! And she's the cutest little Rebels cheerleader! :)</div>
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And this cheerleader is just PRECIOUS!!! Love her!</div>
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Carson was so excited when Game Day came to the Grove!!! Of course he was there with his sign!</div>
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Mommy & Daddy loving being back in the Grove together! This is where we got engaged 15 years ago! :)</div>
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The biggest smiles!!! :)</div>
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We won!!! Victory dance!</div>
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Our little guy is old enough to play tackle football this year! He is loving it, but Mama still can't believe he's old enough for this!!!</div>
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Caroline and Daddy selfie!</div>
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On the football field with the Packers!</div>
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The cousins waiting on the Walk of Champions at the Ole Miss/Auburn game!</div>
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Our first cold weather of the season! We got out the coats and boots! But no worries, it's back in the mid-seventies today! Deep South life! Ha! :)</div>
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Seriously, could he be any cuter!?! Love this boy!!!</div>
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A coffee date with Mommy! Like a true Ethiopian, she loves her coffee!!!</div>
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And Happy Halloween 2014 from our Fancy Peacock, Ole Miss Rebels football player, Disco Queen and Tiny Strawberry!</div>
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I am just so THANKFUL for this fun crew! They keep me busy, but in the BEST way! Hopefully, I'll be back to blog soon on all God is teaching me during this season of staying home with 4 kids. I am learning to savor the moments. forget the messes, and depend on Him for everything...including extra energy on the busy days! :) </div>
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Thankful for abundant life in Jesus Christ!!!</div>
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<b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; text-align: start;">"I have come that they may have LIFE</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; text-align: start;">, and have it to the FULL!"</span></b></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; text-align: start;">John 10:10</span></div>
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Alisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08607476812485135757noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3522835003867619792.post-56287581942365529672014-09-07T16:35:00.001-05:002014-09-07T16:40:36.581-05:001 Year "Gotcha HOME Day" Anniversary!!!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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On this very day last year, God gave our family a huge MIRACLE!!! Our prayer we prayed for over 3 years was answered...<a href="http://lovinmuch.blogspot.com/2013/12/welcome-home-caroline-faith.html">our daughter was HOME!!!</a> Life as a family of six was just beginning, and our hearts were (and still are!) overflowing with JOY! Thank You, Jesus!!! </div>
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<b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; text-align: start;">"I will remember the deeds of the </span><span class="small-caps" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-variant: small-caps; line-height: 24px; text-align: start;">Lord</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; text-align: start;">; yes, I will remember Your </span><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; text-align: start;">miracles!"</span></b></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; text-align: start;">Psalm 77:11<b> </b></span></div>
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Alisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08607476812485135757noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3522835003867619792.post-16526147530761583422014-09-04T14:21:00.000-05:002014-09-04T14:23:11.159-05:001 Year "Gotcha Day" Anniversary!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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One year ago today on <b>September 4, 2013</b>, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, we walked up the winding staircase of the baby house at Hannah's Hope and scooped our daughter back up in our arms! <a href="http://lovinmuch.blogspot.com/2013/09/gotcha.html">Gotcha, Caroline Faith Letehiwot!!!</a></div>
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Only by God's grace and strength had we made it through those long 6 weeks in between our trips to Ethiopia. Finally our daughter was in our arms, and this time for good!!!</div>
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My heart was so peaceful and content with my daughter snuggled up next to me, and I finally felt like I could breathe again. My heart was settled and at rest. The long adoption journey was coming to an end...or rather it was all just beginning! :)</div>
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God writes the BEST stories!!! We will celebrate her 1 year Gotcha Day Anniversary tonight with a family dinner and a gift that we bought her from our first trip to Ethiopia. My heart is still so peaceful and content. One year with her in our arms and there are days still when tears fill my eyes as I kiss her and hold her. God's goodness and faithfulness continue to overwhelm me. Just so thankful for this past year.</div>
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Happy 1 Year Gotcha Day, Konjo!!! We love you, baby girl!!!</div>
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<b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">"They shall eagerly utter the memory of Your abundant </span><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">goodness</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> And will shout joyfully of Your righteousness!"</span></b></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">Psalm 145:7</span></div>
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Alisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08607476812485135757noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3522835003867619792.post-2260630543969120222014-08-11T14:37:00.001-05:002014-08-11T14:37:21.752-05:0011 MONTHS HOME!!!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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This past Thursday was a BIG day at our house!</div>
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<b>August 7, 2014 </b>marked exactly <b>11 MONTHS HOME</b> with our precious Ethiopian daughter, Caroline Faith! It was also our 1 year anniversary of <a href="http://lovinmuch.blogspot.com/2013/08/submitted-to-embassy.html">being submitted to the Embassy</a>! </div>
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And it was also the day that these cute kids had their...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhayWwxz3FOWkwFNyrDdMB04JfIJnIqKvn0rhkw7UZP5yrG6LoOyiHLt6z0O8_iZjBYpFzyHg_nnMqTnqztWoFZiQGgFZ3rzAX8Jvr4R6eUx-RkSLTFgjowrlD66zQkNNMMimIVr_N11WM/s1600/1st+Day+of+School+2014!+013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhayWwxz3FOWkwFNyrDdMB04JfIJnIqKvn0rhkw7UZP5yrG6LoOyiHLt6z0O8_iZjBYpFzyHg_nnMqTnqztWoFZiQGgFZ3rzAX8Jvr4R6eUx-RkSLTFgjowrlD66zQkNNMMimIVr_N11WM/s1600/1st+Day+of+School+2014!+013.JPG" height="214" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b>FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL!!!</b></div>
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Can't believe that we have a 5th, 3rd, and 2nd grader this year!!! Plus one really precious little 2 year old! :) We are starting to get back into the swing of things a little bit, and hopefully I'll have time for more blogging now that summer is over! </div>
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I hear Little Miss waking up and the big kids will be home on the bus soon!!! Thankful we are celebrating some really sweet milestones! God is so good!!!</div>
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Alisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08607476812485135757noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3522835003867619792.post-24682466497247068512014-07-28T15:09:00.004-05:002014-07-28T15:09:36.162-05:00Happy 2nd Birthday,Caroline Faith!!!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">Two years ago today across the ocean, a tiny baby girl was born in a rural village in northern Ethiopia. Her beloved birth mother was there to love and take care of her as best she could even though her physical health was failing. I can </span><span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; display: inline; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">only imagine the love and adoration in her eyes as she held her precious daughter. The baby girl was named "Letehiwot" which means girl of LIFE. God had given this young mother a miracle with the birth and life of this baby girl.</span><br />
<span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; display: inline; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><br />One year ago today, the baby girl crawled around on the wood floors of Hannah's Hope in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. She had been taken care of there for the past 9 months, and she was loved and adored by her special mothers. Just 4 days earlier her adoptive parents had an early 1st birthday celebration for her before they went back to the US...without her. God had given these new parents a miracle that Letehiwot had been officially declared their daughter by Ethiopian law. They just awaited the final step for their daughter to be granted a visa by the US Embassy to come home.</span><br />
<span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; display: inline; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><br />Today in Mississippi, this adorable 2 year old toddler is home with her family! They celebrated her birthday over the past weekend with a fun splash party with her best friend, MoMo, who was with her for months at Hannah's Hope in Ethiopia! Caroline Faith Letehiwot is loved and adored by her family and friends, and they are so thankful that she is home! God has given this family a miracle of redemption and restoration in the joy-filled smile of their baby girl!</span><br />
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Alisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08607476812485135757noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3522835003867619792.post-68584695992955313532014-07-20T15:41:00.004-05:002014-07-28T15:10:08.254-05:00"Meetcha Day" Anniversary!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span class="userContent">One year ago today<a href="http://lovinmuch.blogspot.com/2013/08/ethiopia-1st-trip-day-three.html"> we landed in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia</a>, and entered the black gates of Hannah's Hope to meet our baby girl for the very first time! These are the "good" pictures from that moment. Let's just say that Caroline Faith Letehiwo<span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;">t and I were BOTH crying when I held her for the first time! This adorable, but terrified 11 month old sweetheart had just met her new parents, and she was not too sure about us! <i class="_4-k1 img sp_VTD04nrPnvj sx_e99112" style="background-image: url(https://fbstatic-a.akamaihd.net/rsrc.php/v2/yf/r/vgEDZOkFYM2.png); background-position: -119px -866px; background-repeat: no-repeat; background-size: auto; display: inline-block; height: 16px; vertical-align: -3px; width: 16px;"></i> We asked ya'll to pray for her heart, and we saw God begin a miracle in the days ahead. Even through all the tears, this was a sacred and precious moment that we will never ever forget! We were living what we had prayed for and dreamed of for over 3 years, and it was completely surreal and amazing to see God's plan unfold as we finally held our daughter in our arms!</span></span></div>
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<span class="userContent"><span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;"><br />Happy "Meetcha Day" Anniversary, Baby Girl!</span></span></div>
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Alisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08607476812485135757noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3522835003867619792.post-74626718027180580072014-07-18T13:05:00.002-05:002014-07-18T13:05:23.930-05:001 Year Ago: Travel to Ethiopia Day One!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Just one short year ago, <a href="http://lovinmuch.blogspot.com/2013/07/ethiopia-1st-trip-day-one.html">we were finally on our way to Ethiopia</a>!!! A day we had been praying for and dreaming of for years!!!<br />
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Today I am sitting here typing and watching all three of our girls stunt and tumble up here in our playroom! I have even spotted a few stunts! Haha! And yes, Caroline Faith is only 23 months old and already loves to cheer and tumble (she loves her front rolls)! No surprise...she just wants to be doing whatever her big sisters are doing!! :) It's so fun watching them playing together!<br />
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Hard to believe that a year ago, we were just days away from meeting our baby girl!!!!!<br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; text-align: start;">"Your love, </span><span class="small-caps" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; font-variant: small-caps; line-height: 24px; text-align: start;">Lord</span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; text-align: start;">, reaches to the heavens, Your </span><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; text-align: start;">faithful</span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; text-align: start;">ness to the skies!"</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; text-align: start;">Psalm 36:5</span></span></div>
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Alisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08607476812485135757noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3522835003867619792.post-40103345096502185652014-07-15T14:15:00.003-05:002014-07-15T14:15:23.743-05:001 Year Since the Travel Call!!!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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One year ago today on <b>July 15, 2013</b>, <a href="http://lovinmuch.blogspot.com/2013/07/going-to-ethiopia.html">we got the call we had been waiting on</a>...we were going to ETHIOPIA to meet our baby girl! We finally had a court date, and we needed to be on a plane to Africa in just 3 DAYS!!! To say we were excited is a huge understatement! We were ecstatic, giddy, joyful, and so</div>
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It's one year later, and the girls and I were doing a little shopping at some of the summer sales this morning, when we saw this outfit on sale. It was too perfect to pass up for Caroline Faith! I know most of ya'll remember how special bluebirds were to us on our long adoption journey. God used them as a sign to remind us of His faithfulness through the years of waiting.</div>
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And I just love that this little bluebird is singing away! I think he is singing praises to Jesus, just like we are! It's going to be really sweet and special over the coming days as we remember where we were just a short year ago! Going to re-post some travel days of meeting our daughter! Can't wait to look back!!!</div>
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We've come so far in just a year, and we are singing of His faithfulness just like the bluebird! :)</div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; text-align: start;">"I will give thanks to the </span><span class="small-caps" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; font-variant: small-caps; line-height: 24px; text-align: start;">Lord</span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; text-align: start;"> because of H</span><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; text-align: start;">is </span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; text-align: start;">righteousness; I will </span><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; text-align: start;">sing</span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; text-align: start;"> the </span><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; text-align: start;">praises</span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; text-align: start;"> of the name of the </span><span class="small-caps" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; font-variant: small-caps; line-height: 24px; text-align: start;">Lord</span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; text-align: start;"> Most High."</span></b></span></div>
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Alisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08607476812485135757noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3522835003867619792.post-45226324428219712482014-07-09T12:21:00.005-05:002014-07-09T12:33:48.021-05:0010 MONTHS HOME!!!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Monday, <b>July 7, 2014</b> marked exactly <b>10 months HOME</b> with our Ethiopian princess!!! It's been a great month filled with lots of summer fun at the pool, baseball field, vbs, playing outside, a trip to Tupelo, 4th of July fireworks, and occasionally falling asleep watching Barney! :)<br />
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We are just having so much fun with our almost 2 year old!!! She has a really big day coming up this month! It's her second birthday, but her first birthday to be home with us! Can't wait to celebrate! This 10 months home is a special milestone because she has now been home with us longer than she was at Hannah's Hope (her transition home in Ethiopia)!<br />
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Our hearts are full and thankful to the Lord for all that HE has done! Great is His faithfulness!!!<br />
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Happy 10 Months Home, Baby Girl! Love you MUCH!!!<br />
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<b>"Your steadfast love, O Lord, extends to the heavens, Your faithfulness to the clouds."</b></div>
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Alisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08607476812485135757noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3522835003867619792.post-23123854559865024312014-06-16T16:47:00.004-05:002014-06-16T16:47:35.689-05:00Happy Father's Day 2014!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Happy Father's Day (just a little late!) to this amazing Daddy! We are beyond blessed that God gave us you!!! We love you so much!</div>
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<b>"The righteous who walks in his integrity- blessed are his children after him!" </b></div>
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Alisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08607476812485135757noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3522835003867619792.post-19740483113894066172014-06-09T16:00:00.007-05:002014-06-09T16:00:44.832-05:009 Months Home!!!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><b>Saturday, June 7, 2014</b> marked 9 months home with our Caroline Faith Letehiwot!!! She loved going to the beach for the first time! Loved the sand, ocean, pool...everything except sleeping in the pack 'n play! haha! She is a little fish fo</span><span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; display: inline; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">r sure, and has no fear of the water! Gotta teach this little baby to swim this summer! <i class="_4-k1 img sp_Aw392G9WkqT sx_dc0b0b" style="background-image: url(https://fbstatic-a.akamaihd.net/rsrc.php/v2/yO/r/FHrytpDl6B1.png); background-position: -85px -885px; background-repeat: no-repeat; background-size: auto; display: inline-block; height: 16px; vertical-align: -3px; width: 16px;"></i> It was so amazing having her with us on our family vacation this year! Still feels a little surreal! Thanking Jesus every single day!!!</span><br />
<span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; display: inline; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><br />Happy 9 Months Home, Baby Girl!!! We love you so much!<br /></span><br />
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<b>"May my lips overflow with praise!"</b> </div>
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Psalm 119:71</div>
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Alisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08607476812485135757noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3522835003867619792.post-66827683100134458542014-05-23T13:49:00.001-05:002014-06-16T16:48:07.564-05:00One Year Referralversary!!!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgytZggNNYwzZuQM8aCWnT2imQ2ESPq3gxgCntZ0rwy_iAzP12m_bguFXHNj4N1dZzy3PhLY6bNB1gtpqgI9N0VEZBqVWQWd1sRWF-BRrZ34-rUSYry3v4fJgI6qzvwWKcFsg-2WFqvAeA/s1600/Referral+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgytZggNNYwzZuQM8aCWnT2imQ2ESPq3gxgCntZ0rwy_iAzP12m_bguFXHNj4N1dZzy3PhLY6bNB1gtpqgI9N0VEZBqVWQWd1sRWF-BRrZ34-rUSYry3v4fJgI6qzvwWKcFsg-2WFqvAeA/s1600/Referral+Collage.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
Exactly 1 YEAR ago today on <b>May 23, 2013</b>, <a href="http://lovinmuch.blogspot.com/2013/06/caroline-faiths-referral-story.html">we got THE CALL</a> that we had been waiting on for almost 3 years...the referral call for our baby girl in Ethiopia!!! And of course, it was LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT when we saw the face of our adorable 9 month old daughter, Caroline Faith Letehiwot!!! We had prayed by name for years for our daughter, and we finally had a PRECIOUS face to go with that name!<br />
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I can't even express the joy that we felt that day as we watched the faithfulness of God and the goodness of His timing unfold before our eyes! It was truly one of the most AMAZING experiences of my life! Exactly 6 months to the day of our daughter entering the gates of Hannah's Hope in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, God gave us a true miracle...her paperwork from Tigray (the region of Ethiopia where she was born) was finally signed and released and she was ready to be referred to her family!!! I feel like God reveals to me more and more each month what a true miracle this really was! She was an orphan no more! Our lives changed forever on that beautiful afternoon in Fairhope, AL as we learned all about our sweet Caroline Faith!<br />
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After she woke up early this morning, I put her in the bed with me and just snuggled with this little love whispering prayers of thankfulness to Jesus. Even a year later, the tears are still flowing as I think of all that He has done for us! Thank You, Jesus!!! And Happy 1 Year Referralversary to our little Konjo, our beautiful girl of life! We love you SO MUCH!!!<br />
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">"You will make known to me the </span><span style="background-color: white;">path</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span style="background-color: white;">of</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span style="background-color: white;">life</span><span style="background-color: white;">; In Your presence is fullness </span><span style="background-color: white;">of</span><span style="background-color: white;"> joy; In Your right hand there are pleasures forever."</span></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">Psalm 16:11</span></span></b></div>
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Alisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08607476812485135757noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3522835003867619792.post-81008844208620709302014-05-07T14:48:00.000-05:002014-05-07T14:48:06.574-05:008 MONTHS HOME!!!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Today, <b>May 7, 2014</b>, marks exactly <b>8 MONTHS HOME</b> from Ethiopia with our Caroline Faith!!!<br />
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She has had lots of adventures this month with Easter holidays, walking in 2 different 5K's with Mommy (well, she really rode in the stroller!), eating her first donut, going to lots of baseball games to watch Carson, staying in the church nursery, and yes...jumping in the bath tub with all her clothes on! There is never a dull moment with our active little toddler in the house! And we LOVE it that way!!! :)<br />
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Happy 8 Months Home, Baby Girl! We love you, and we're so thankful you're HOME!!!<br />
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<b>"Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus!"</b></div>
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1 Thessalonians 5:16-18</div>
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Alisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08607476812485135757noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3522835003867619792.post-185051112459468002014-04-22T09:50:00.003-05:002014-04-22T09:50:18.859-05:00Happy Easter 2014!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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It was such a BLESSING to sit in church on Easter Sunday with all four of our children as we praised our risen Savior! Caroline Faith loved her first Easter home!!! Lots of family, friends, sunshine, playing outside...and chocolate! Some of her favorite things, for sure! :)<br />
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Happy Easter from our family to yours!!!<br />
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<b>"He is not here; He has risen, just as He said." </b> </div>
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Matthew 28:6</div>
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Alisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08607476812485135757noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3522835003867619792.post-49190327393505978022014-04-16T14:42:00.001-05:002014-04-16T14:42:07.314-05:00Spring Fling!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I truly have the best intentions to start blogging regularly again, but the time factor in which to do all that blogging just never quite seems to happen! Imagine that! :) <br />
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So, this will be a "Spring Fling" on some pics of what we've been up to the past couple of months! So, in random order, here a few highlights! :)<br />
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All Caty wants this spring is her 2 front teeth!</div>
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Phone booth fun on the Oxford Square! </div>
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Davy Crockett and his Daddy!</div>
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Mommy and the big girls cheering for the Bombers!</div>
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The Ole Miss baseball game put Caroline Faith right to sleep!</div>
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Cheering at half-time with the Ole Miss cheerleaders!</div>
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Watching the Ole Miss first baseman...</div>
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And then playing first base!</div>
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Nothing more fun than jumping in the tub with your clothes on! :)</div>
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Brand new "family size" box of cheese crackers! </div>
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Family movie night!</div>
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We broke our original "rule" and let Caty get her ears pierced for her 7th birthday!!!</div>
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2nd place at Orange Beach competition!</div>
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Stunting in the pool!</div>
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This smart little thing is figuring out so much...like how to get outside even when the doors are locked!</div>
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One of her favorite things to do is watch her sisters cheer videos!</div>
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Lots and lots of baseball!</div>
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Intense cheering at the Ole Miss basketball game! :)</div>
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Chocolate milk at Big Bad Breakfast! Wow!</div>
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CF meeting the Black Bear for the first time!</div>
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Loving the pizza at church!</div>
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Hope your spring days have been BRIGHT and SUNNY!!!! :)</div>
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; text-align: left;">"Come, let us sing for </span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; text-align: left;">joy</span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; text-align: left;"> to the </span><span class="small-caps" style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; font-variant: small-caps; text-align: left;">Lord</span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; text-align: left;">; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation!"</span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; text-align: left;">Psalm 95:1</span></span></div>
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Alisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08607476812485135757noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3522835003867619792.post-80701632583235169012014-04-07T15:16:00.001-05:002014-04-07T15:16:19.671-05:007 MONTHS HOME!!!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Today, <b>April 7, 2014</b>, marks exactly 7 MONTHS HOME with our wild, spunky, active, sweet, adorable, joy-filled Ethiopian princess!!!<br />
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Caroline Faith has been so funny lately, and she is definitely keeping us on our toes! The only time I take a "break" is when she is sleeping! :) This morning, she threw her toothbrush in the toilet right as I was flushing it! Oh my...I have plunged and plunged, but we may still end up having to call a plumber! Ha! Something like this goes on at our house pretty much every day! :)<br />
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As you can see from the pics above, her older brother and sisters have introduced her to "Easter egg hunting"! They have set up many hunts for her in our backyard! One of her favorite places to play is in our shower! And yes, that is my sports bra around her neck! :) <br />
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And she loves loves loves to eat sweets! (Although I try to really limit her sugar intake.) The bottom pic is of her LOVING her piece of Caty's ice cream cake this weekend! Yummy!!!<br />
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I have started taking her to the gym nursery a few times a week, so that I can work out consistently again. It has been great for both of us!!! She loves the social interaction and getting out of the house, as does her Mommy! :) She is so my child!!! And I am keeping her room in the church nursery on Wednesday nights, and she is doing great with that so far too. <br />
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This weekend we were at Carson's baseball tournament, and she wandered off ahead of me. A sweet lady stopped her and asked her something. I saw her turn around and point at me and smile. I went up to the lady and asked her what she had asked Caroline Faith? She told me that she asked where her Mommy was? This made me feel so good that she turned around and pointed to me! So thankful she knows her Mommy!!! That just warmed my heart! <br />
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I am so thankful for our 6 month season of cocooning this fall and winter. We tried our hardest to simplify and slow down, and it was a sweet (and sometimes hard) season for us. But God is so faithful, and He used it as a time of bonding and a time for love to grow. And I am so very thankful that it's now spring and life is starting to take on a "new normal" for us! God is so GOOD!!!!<br /><br />
Now, if the weather would just stay WARM that would be perfect! Little Miss is happiest when she is OUTSIDE!!! :)<br />
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HAPPY 7 MONTHS HOME, Konjo! We love you, baby girl, and we're so glad you're HOME!!!<br />
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace.</span><span class="crossreference" style="background-color: white; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-26760AV" title="See cross-reference AV">AV</a>)"></span><span style="background-color: white;"> In this world you will have trouble.</span><span class="crossreference" style="background-color: white; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-26760AW" title="See cross-reference AW">AW</a>)"></span><span style="background-color: white;"> But take heart! I have overcome</span><span class="crossreference" style="background-color: white; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-26760AX" title="See cross-reference AX">AX</a>)"></span><span style="background-color: white;"> the world.”</span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">John 16:33</span></span></div>
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Alisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08607476812485135757noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3522835003867619792.post-59068090064422949532014-04-05T16:51:00.000-05:002014-04-05T16:52:04.463-05:00Catybug is SEVEN!!!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Our sweet little Catybug turned 7 years old today!!! </div>
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We celebrated by having TEN little 7 year old girls, including Caty (and plus our own other 3 kiddos!), come over last night for Caty's very first spend the night party! It was wild and crazy, and lots of memories were made! The night consisted of playing in the sprinklers, pizza, decorating sun visors, jumping on the trampoline, opening presents, ice cream cake, fingernail painting, glow sticks outside, make overs, hide and seek, glitter tattoos, making smores, movie time, a little bit of sleeping and LOTS of giggling and squealing! </div>
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7 year old girls are FUN!!! :)</div>
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And she is super excited about getting her EARS PIERCED!!!! </div>
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We are breaking our original "ear piercing rule" of being 9, and letting her do something CRAZY and get hers pierced at 7! Haha! Yep, we're pretty crazy like that! :) So, after her last cheer competition of the season, she'll be getting some earrings!!! So excited! Pics to come! </div>
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HAPPY 7th BIRTHDAY, CATY!!! WE LOVE YOU SO MUCH!!!</div>
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Alisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08607476812485135757noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3522835003867619792.post-6627368421891919412014-03-28T17:28:00.000-05:002014-03-28T17:28:11.416-05:0020 Months Old!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Our little cutie is <b>20 months old</b> today!!! She is so active and busy-busy! We are full speed ahead every day, and it's so much fun! Caroline Faith is doing so great, and she is growing so fast! Hoping to have more time to update the blog next week! This past week was a little crazy!!! :)<br />
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;">"How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the </span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;">joy</span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"> we have in the presence of our God because of you?"</span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;">1 Thessalonians 3:9</span></span></div>
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Alisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08607476812485135757noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3522835003867619792.post-2145635957274164862014-03-18T14:16:00.001-05:002014-03-18T14:21:49.313-05:00Tasted and Seen.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Yesterday, Jody and I had the opportunity to sit in our keeping room and share our adoption story with a friend. We pretty much shared the story from beginning to end. It had been exactly 4 years to the day since I came to Jody and asked him to pray about what I believed God was calling us to do...adopt a baby girl from Ethiopia.<br />
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I have to be honest that it surprised me how emotional I got as I shared parts of our story. It's been over 6 months since Caroline Faith came home, and I didn't think it would be as hard emotionally to walk back through our journey. I am thankful that it was though. I pray that the Lord will always keep my heart soft and vulnerable to how He grew us and sustained us during the long wait.<br />
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I haven't forgotten the pain and the raw emotion of the wait, and I hope that I don't. But the joy that has come from finally having Caroline Faith home definitely helps that hard season of waiting fade into the background. Isn't that just how God works? He brings such life and joy from some of our darkest times and then His redemption just covers the pain. His faithfulness overwhelms us to the point where our hearts feel full to the point of bursting.<br />
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Even at this very moment, the tears fill my eyes as I think back on God's faithfulness over the past 4 years. There were some times where I truly felt like I was in a pit of despair and could not carry on even one more day waiting. But even then, He was there. He never failed to meet me exactly where I was, and He always gave me the grace and strength I needed to make it another day.<br />
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I guess that's one of the biggest things I learned. He is enough. His Word is life-giving. Depending on Him day by day, even moment by moment, is truly the best way to live. He is always always always faithful. And now on the other side of our miracle, I can look back with a heart of thankfulness for what He allowed us to go through. We needed it. And He knew we needed it.<br />
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His timing (THANKFULLY!!!) is not always our timing, but it is always perfect. There are so many ways that God used the long wait for our good. And I am sure we will begin to see even more as time goes by. If you search the Scriptures, you will see all the many times that God used waiting to bring His people closer to Him and to grow their faith.<br />
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I love that our children learned at such an early age about what it looks like to wait on the Lord. I truly believe that they grew in their faith during this journey just as we did. I hope that they will look back one day and remember what they learned.<br />
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Life has gotten full and busy staying home with 4 little ones, but I wouldn't trade it for anything. The Lord is giving me much peace and contentment during this season, and I know this is what He has called me to do. Spring is here, and we are beginning to come out of our attachment cocoon and live out this life that He has for our family. Since having Caroline home, we have learned better how to simplify and it's been a welcome (and much needed) change for us.<br />
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Our lives are all for Him, and I pray that we will live each and every day for His glory. It keeps all the craziness and the worries of this world in perspective when we remember our purpose on this earth...to glorify Him.<br />
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We have tasted and seen the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. And we are forever changed.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">"Taste and see that the Lord is good."</span></b></div>
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Psalm 34:8</div>
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Alisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08607476812485135757noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3522835003867619792.post-12973848347432201932014-03-16T14:42:00.002-05:002014-03-16T14:42:19.880-05:00Happy Birthday, Jody!!!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Happy 36th Birthday to the BEST Daddy and husband ever! We love you so much and hope you have the best birthday yet! We are so thankful for YOU!!! :)</div>
Alisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08607476812485135757noreply@blogger.com0