Like my new blog header? Me, too! It's thanks to my oh-so-talented friend, Angela. She IS every woman! Thanks so much, Angela!

Airport Day

This past Sunday was airport day for our family! We had the privilege of welcoming the orphanage director from Ellie's previous home in Ethiopia; she (and her husband) are here in the states on business. Words cannot even begin to express the immense amount of love we have for Ms. Tegist. Want to see what a servant of Jesus looks like? It's her. Want to see what a defender of the hopeless and homeless and orphaned look like? Look at her. I won't even begin to describe all she has done for our family, our daughter and our daughter's birth family. But we, the Wade's, will feel forever indebted for her faithfulness.


After Tegist's arrival we welcomed home sweet baby Maya Sitota - one of Ellie's former roomies! You can check out her family's blog here . There is something so magical about welcoming these families home - maybe it's just because I've been there. But I doubt it.


As we got in the car to come home, I was really quiet and just sad. I went from the high of seeing the miracle of an orphan being united in a forever family to the immense and heavy sadness that she is just one. Only one. I felt defeated. I felt helpless. I felt almost angry as I replayed the new count of babies and children sitting back in the orphanage that both Maya and my daughter once lived.

Why? Why? I won't go into the big philosophical debate that played through my mind that afternoon, night, yesterday or today. But I will tell you that I have complete faith and hope that each one of those precious babies and children left behind will be matched with their forever families. I have to believe that their families are out there. I have to believe that even though I can't bring them all into my family, God will provide families for them.

Could it be your family? Have YOU ever entertained the idea of adoption? Have YOU ever thought about it? What's holding you back from taking that next step? Check out this site.

Another Friend of Ellie's Coming Home!

Today our friends found out that they had a successful court date in Ethiopia making their daughter, Maya Sitota, officially a part of their family! We are thrilled for them - go check out their blog and see some pictures of beautiful Maya!

Two Months

We've been home from Ethiopia for about two months now, and I honestly cannot remember the time Ellie wasn't home. Well, okay, when I take both kids to the grocery store, I remember then how much easier it was with just one! But really, life with both of our kiddos is so sweet. Hectic, yes. Trying at times, yes. But overall, we are head-over-heels-madly-in-love with the TWO precious children God has given us the honor to parent.

Here are a few fun pictures from the past few weeks:

Caught in the Act of a Little Sibling Sweetness

Yesterday afternoon while I was cooking dinner, I put Ellie in her high chair with some fruit, and Garrett was off somewhere playing. The next thing I knew I heard shrieks of laughter coming from both of the kids. Garrett had come into the kitchen and was tickling and kissing on his sister. While our days ARE sprinkled with sibling love, it is very rare that my 4 1/2 year old, non-napper boy is in a really sweet, affectionate mood so late in the day. So, I ran to grab my camera....proof for Daddy that the big brother really does love the little sister in the evenings.

The last two pictures were some other fun moments from the afternoon....Garrett tickled about something and Ellie chasing me saying her latest and greatest phrase "DEESE!" (cheese) when she sees the camera.

Coloring 101

This afternoon Garrett showed Ellie the ropes when it comes to coloring ... she loved every minute of holding crayons (and trying to eat them, too)!

Reunited

Today we met up with our sweet friends for a crazy hectic brunch and a little shopping! Our girls, Ella and Ellie, were able to reunite (they once shared the same home in Ethiopia for about four months) ; who knows if they remember one another, but oh how precious it is that they will have one another as they grow older. This family's friendship is just one of MANY blessings this adoption journey has brought us.

(Hopefully A will have some better pictures to show from our day - mine aren't so great!)

Another Family Formed

Take a peek here and see two beautiful children who officially became a part of their new family! Although we have never met the Seay's, we have been inspired by their journey and know you will be, too. We are using the same adoption agency as the Seay's, and their children live in the same orphanage as our daughter.

We are beyond thrilled for ya'll - Seay Family - and look forward to meeting your WHOLE family in the near future!

Welcome Sweet Ella!

Some of our friends that we met through our adoption agency found out last night that they "passed court" after NUMEROUS attempts and are now the proud, proud parents to their little girl, Ella!! Head on over to their blog to see Ella's sweet, beautiful face and congratulate them!

D & A, we are beyond ecstatic for the three of you and cannot wait to meet Ella once you bring her home! Although we haven't known ya'll long, it is evident that ya'll will make AMAZING parents. Lookin' forward to lots of play dates with our two "E" girls!

Love you guys,

Kenny, Jill and Garrett

Congratulations are in order!!

Congratulations are in order for some of our new(er), sweet friends that we meant through our adoption agency. Kenny and I met them at the initial orientation meeting back in December and at that time of starting the adoption process, both of our families thought we were going to be growing our families with infant(ish) girls. But man, oh man, God has something totally different in store for our friends!

Yesterday, they "officially" gained a son and will soon be travelling to meet him and bring him home. Head on over to their blog, read and see his handsome face and leave them a note of congratulations! We are certainly overjoyed alongside them....for the Lord has done GREAT things for this family!

We love you K family!! And can't wait to meet your son!!

-Kenny, Jill & Garrett

Welcoming Will

A few weeks ago, DeAnn and I had the privilege of hosting a baby shower to honor our sweet, sweet friend, Kristen. We have been waiting many, many years to host this shower and had so much fun planning and watching it all come together. We are more than ready to meet precious baby Will any day now!

Kristen is that friend to me....the one God uniquely and perfectly placed in my life's path. We met in high school and instantly clicked. It's been beyond fun and wild to stand by one another in our weddings, cry over our infertility woes & more and rejoice in the blessings of the children God has entrusted to us. I do not know anyone who has ever met this friendly gal and not been totally at ease - she's such a kind, caring and trustworthy person. I am beyond blessed to call her my friend. And, her new baby boy, Will, is already the luckiest little guy in town to have her as his Momma.

Can't wait!

Wedding

Last week one of my very best friends of more than 10 years got married! DeAnn was such a beautiful bride and was married at a beautiful location - the Dallas Arboretum. Everything was gorgeous and appeared to go smoothly (I say appear because I was not aware of any problems). The above picture is of Kristen, me, DeAnn and Ashley. We all met during our high school years (even though we went to different schools) and have been with one another through graduations, weddings and babies. It's wonderful to have such amazing friends and to be a part of their lives. Thank you, DeAnn, for allowing me to be a part of your big day. I wish you and Matt many blessings and many years side-by-side.

Love you,

Jill