Gratitude Edition:August 2013

Colleen's friendship. M's birth father! Home inspection. Time with M. Safe trip. Hugs. M's excitement for country life. Decorating thoughts. Church visits. Visit with Eva. Strater Bowl hike. Rain. Staying longer than planned. Ice cream. Time in Rapid. Safe trip home. Longing for Laramie. Receiving our earnest money back. Gift from Todd. Riding bikes. Chat with Miranda. Watching M play soccer. COURT DATE! LaVon's support. Micah coming home. A hug that comforts. Getting things done. Jon finding immunization cards. Jon and Beth's help. Love letters to M. Phone call with Amanuel. Moscow Mule. Help from family and friends. Chai. Going through this with Micah. Not being alone. Free shuttle in Dubai. Late night TV. International breakfast  and coffee- it always seems so much better. Arriving in Ethiopia. Time to rest. Feelings of returning home. New experiences in Ethiopia - car accident. Meeting Lady M and Little G for the first time!!!!! Holding and kissing my youngest children. Ethiopian food in Ethiopia. Knowing what it feels like to hold all of my children. Coming back and seeing Lady M smile. Playing with them. Hearing from Little M. Returning to my youngest babes. Hearing Lady M and Little G's laughter and seeing their happiness in our return. The sweet sound of laughter. Saba - a loving nanny. Meeting Amanuel's sister. Minase. Passing Court. Shopping in Ethiopia. Dinner with travel buddies. Final moments in Ethiopia. Easing the pain of leaving the youngest babes to return to the oldest. Travel companions. Seats that recline. Coffee. Getting closer to home. Seeing and holding M again. Arriving and traveling safely. Salad. Sleep - in our own bed and laying down. Free lunch. Unexpected visit with Connie. Beth and LaVon's help. Dinner out with the family. A walk. Taking M school supply shopping as a family. Chat with Ben. FitBit. Video of Lady M and Little G. Visit with Cheri. Finding encouragement. Jamilla's help. A new beginning. Closing on the house. Peter, Joel, Laura, Amanda and David helping. Cuddling with M. Visit from Jon! Our court decree! Sharon. Slow morning. Micah taking M. Kim's help. Sleeping in. Productive post office visit. Family breakfast. Amanuel's visit. Seeing Colleen. Peter and Kelli's help. Morning walk. Seconds on coffee. Paint changes. Beth's help. M's first day of 1st grade. Being back with students. Morning walk with M. Coffee. Friday. A full day with M.