EthiopiaKids.com

Head on over to this site that our friend, D, created. It's a wonderful site/forum for adoptive parents (from any agency, any state/country) to go to for all sorts of information about Ethiopian adoptions.

Go check it out!

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!

Martial Arts Man

Garrett started taking Martial Arts this week, and he LOVES it! I was very hesitant to enroll him but finally found a place that is a wonderful fit for G-man. The academy he goes to focuses on self-discipline not only in class but at home, school, etc. Garrett loved his first class so much that he cried when it was over - big crocodile, sad tears. Thank goodness he can go three times per week (only 30 minutes each)!

Name Game

This little post is mainly so that I will remember....

It has taken no time at all to come up with a wide variety of nicknames for our sweet girl. Here are a few that you might hear called out in our home:

Ellie Belly

Ellie Tsion

Belly Girl

Tsion-y

Baby Girl

Elis-a-beth (Kenny is not a big fan of this nickname; I toyed around with named her Elisabeth and calling her Ellie for short but he just couldn't see how that worked.)

Kramer (When she rips out her bow or wakes up the middle part of her hair stands straight up like Kramer's did on Seinfeld. Cracks. Us. Up.)

Ellie Tsion Kramer Wade (This is Garrett's creation)

Bells

Bellsy

Ells-a-bells

Ell

Ells

Tsiony-Baloney

Adoption Tax Credit to Expire???

I saw this over at our friend's blog:

Did you realize that the Federal tax credit for adoption (of up to $12,500) is set to expire in December 2010? The tax credit is a huge help to families…helping make a very expensive undertaking a bit more affordable. Many of us already back have benefited from it, and others who are waiting to go are counting on it!

Fortunately, there is a bill before Congress that will prevent it from expiring and will actually make it permanent. If you will, can you take a moment to write your Congressman or woman? Encourage your representatives to sign The Adoption Tax Relief Guarantee Act of 2009, H.R. 213. Find out how to contact them here.

Please, please, please, stop what you are doing right now and take the 5 minutes to go make a difference for so many families and children all around the world!

Guess Who Got Some New Specs?

A few weeks ago Garrett's eye doctor came in town from Connecticut (yay for us - we didn't have to make the trip up north this year). We were so excited to learn that his eyes have "grown up" so much over the past year.... his depth perception used to be functioning at a 30% and now it is at 90%! AND, AND his astigmatism is completely gone! I was amazed as I watched Garrett go through over an hour of testing (the same as last year); I vividly remember how weak and clumsy he looked last year as he went through the testing. This year he appeared so strong and confident. It's amazing how much of a difference one year and some magical glasses can make!

Today the new specs came in the mail - doesn't he look handsome? I think so!

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: