Ten Days in Love.

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. 

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.  

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...Ten Days in Love.  It's amazing.  I'm so proud of Adrian, and thankful for how God is working in his life.

And here are a few updated pics of our growing family!   I'm thinking it's time to update our blog header! ;)

 Miss Caroline Faith...3 years old

 The crew...they're growing fast!!!

Our entire family on a beautiful Thanksgiving Day in north Mississippi.

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!

"The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;

    His mercies never come to an end;

23 

they are new every morning;

    great is Your faithfulness."

Lamentations 3:22-23

Happy 2 Year HOME Anniversary!

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!
Thankful heart today as we celebrate Caroline Faith's 2 Year HOME Anniversary!!!

"I delight greatly in the Lord;
my soul rejoices in my God!"

Isaiah 61:10

Happy 2 Year Referralversary!!!

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 REFERRAL CALL for our precious Caroline Faith Letehiwot in Ethiopia!!!

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!

Happy 2 Year Referralversary to our daughter, Caroline Faith Letehiwot!!!!  We love you SO MUCH, baby girl!!!

"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

Jeremiah 29:11

Our Little Gymnast!

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! :)

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!!!

He is faithful!  Always faithful!!!

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...

"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."

Philippians 1:6

Melkam Gena! Our 2nd Ethiopian Christmas!

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?!?! :)

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!

 Getting the table ready for our Ethiopian feast!

 The girls and I made another layered cake this year!  So cute!

 But the cutest is our Ethiopian princess!!!

 She was so excited to celebrate!

 She says, "Melkam Gena!" (which is Merry Christmas in Amharic)

 Eating with her best Ethiopian friend, MoMo!

 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!

 Moses loved his Ethiopian spaghetti!

 Caroline ate a little bit more this year than she did last year! :)

 A sweet kiss for a sweet friend!

 Cute kids after dinner!

 Only one piece of cake left!  We did the layers like the Ethiopian flag!

 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.

 Caroline reaching out for her chocolate!

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!

Fun Fall Updates!

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!!!

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!!!

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!

 A fun Labor Day weekend beach trip with friends!  

 Celebrating Gotcha Day!  We gave her a cute little zebra toy we bought her in Ethiopia!

 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!!!

 Happy Gotcha HOME Day, baby girl!!!

 Ole Miss Football game!!!  CF loves going to the games this season!  And she's the cutest little Rebels cheerleader! :)

 And this cheerleader is just PRECIOUS!!!  Love her!

 Carson was so excited when Game Day came to the Grove!!!  Of course he was there with his sign!

 Mommy & Daddy loving being back in the Grove together!  This is where we got engaged 15 years ago! :)

 The biggest smiles!!! :)

 We won!!!  Victory dance!

 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!!!

 Caroline and Daddy selfie!

 On the football field with the Packers!

 The cousins waiting on the Walk of Champions at the Ole Miss/Auburn game!

 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! :)

Seriously, could he be any cuter!?!  Love this boy!!!

 A coffee date with Mommy!  Like a true Ethiopian, she loves her coffee!!!

And Happy Halloween 2014 from our Fancy Peacock, Ole Miss Rebels football player, Disco Queen and Tiny Strawberry!

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! :) 

Thankful for abundant life in Jesus Christ!!!

"I have come that they may have LIFE, and have it to the FULL!"

John 10:10

1 Year "Gotcha HOME Day" Anniversary!!!

On this very day last year, God gave our family a huge MIRACLE!!!  Our prayer we prayed for over 3 years was answered...our daughter was HOME!!!  Life as a family of six was just beginning, and our hearts were (and still are!) overflowing with JOY!  Thank You, Jesus!!!  

"I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember Your miracles!"

Psalm 77:11