Happy 1 month home, Jordan! (tomorrow)

Can you believe we've been home for a whole month? That's crazy! Seriously, time flies when you're watching a sweet little man roll around and giggle and poop a lot! :)

I have been wanting SO BADLY to reflect on our time in Ethiopia and share some pics with you guys, so today is FINALLY the day (assuming Jordan stays asleep like he is supposed to). Speaking of sleeping, Jordan just gurgled himself to sleep . . . it was absolutely hilarious. Moms, you know exactly what I'm talking about. Too cute!!!

First of all, I just have to say that our God is AMAZING. That's actually a really pathetic word, I'm sure, compared to how GREAT He really is. I just can't get over the miracle of adoption. There is something so HOLY and HUGE about holding Jordan in his bedroom, rocking him to sleep, and thinking on the faithfulness of God and the great story of His glory in our lives. See... I told you my words aren't really doing Him much justice, but I just have to "get it out" somehow, you know? I've been telling Jordan stories about Ethiopia, our time there, and what we know about his first mommy. I've been telling him how incredibly loved he is by God, by his family in Ethiopia, and by his family here in the United States. I've been whispering prayers over him while he falls asleep in my arms, and I've gotten to tell him each morning how cool is is that God made the sun come up AGAIN! And, that God is the same yesterday, today, and forever... always loving and rescuing us, always FOR us and His glory in our lives. (Needless to say, Jordan looks at me like I'm crazy most of the time, b/c I just talk so much... ) But, all that to say, I AM JUST SO AMAZED AT GOD'S GREAT GIFT. Picture a fountain bubbling over with WAY too much water.... that's how I feel.... so, so, so grateful. So, so, so in love with my Jesus, my sweet son, and my #1 husband, who is an awesome daddy.

Whew. Had to take a minute to cry. :)

Ok.... so back to our time in Ethiopia. Here are some pics, and I'll do my best to explain as I go.

On Saturday before we left, the HOH staff served us an amazing traditional Ethiopian meal. So much preparation went into this meal, and boy was it delicious!!!! Yes, it was a bit spicy for my stomach :) but Nate helped me finish my plate. What you see above are hard-boiled eggs in a stewy-meat type of dish. I have to admit, the first time I saw it, I thought I was in a haunted house, where this was supposed to look like eyeballs floating around in goo. :) However, it was SOOOOO GOOD!!!! p.s. The staff at the HOH were incredible... so generous, hospitable, kind, all glowing with the grace and love of Jesus.

The day before we left to go home, we visited an Italian restaurant in Addis (this was actually the only meal we ate out, because the food at the HOH was so good). Above, you will see Nate and I, the director of the HOH, Tseguy, and another couple that traveled with us, Nick and Sherry, and their sweetie son, Nathan. First of all, Tseguy is an incredible man. He and his wife have committed so much of their lives to helping children find forever families, and we are so thankful for their partnership in our journey to Jordan. We miss you, Tseguy and Almez! Nick and Sherry ended up being "roomies" with us most of the week, as we had some extra room in our guest house and it was easier for them to stick around instead of go back and forth to their guest house. We has SO MUCH FUN with these guys, and we are convinced that God had this planned long before our trip, b/c He knew we would get along so well! :) We actually hope to get to see Nick and Sherry and Nathan next weekend! Yay!!!

Tesfu, our driver. First of all, Nate is a HUGE Flordia fan, so when Tesfu showed up wearing this shirt, Nate just HAD to get a picture with him. I love that Nate is holding the #1 sign, b/c Tesfu is probably thinking, "What is this crazy American doing?" :) No, Tesfu became more than just an acquaintance to Nate and I while we were in Ethiopia. He became a dear friend, and we were so sad to leave him. Tesfu was so patient with all of our questions about the culture and country of Ethiopia. We are so thankful for his help while we were there. Lord willing, we will get to go back and hang out with Tesfu again!

Sometimes, you just need to stop and look at this face. :)

So, to my dear friend, Em, no there were no pigs, but there were mules (or donkeys.. not sure). These amazing animals were trained to carry very heavy loads back and forth to different destinations, with no one leading them at all! Seriously amazing. I really wanted to touch one, but I never got the chance. :)

More of Addis. I felt VERY SAFE, by the way, while we were there. Everyone was so friendly, so kind. I commented to Nate several times on how the "honk" is so different in Ethiopia. When you honk on the road in the states, it's usually followed by a not-so-friendly gesture. However, there is a LOT of honking going on in the streets of Ethiopia, but come to find out, it's simply a way of saying, "Hey there, just so you know, I'm coming up behind you, and it would be great if you get over for me." I even saw many people HONK and then kindly wave to the person they were honking at! So cool! I think we should try that here, don't you? :)

This is where Jordan slept. We did not have a crib (p.s. you may want to request a crib before you leave the country, if you are staying at the HOH). However, Jordan didn't care one bit. Nate put together this palate in a matter of minutes (he's a genius like that) and Jordan felt right at home! :) I loved his crib in Ethiopia b/c it was RIGHT BY ME! Now, I have to use a silly monitor to hear his sweet voice. :(

This is Jordan's sweet (and beautiful!) nanny at the HOH. She LOVED Jordan!!! It was so sweet the first time that we took Jordan back to the HOH to visit. Her eyes got really big when she saw him, and she cried out, "Baby?" (That is his Ethiopian name.) And then she swooped him out of my arms and swung him around and he giggled like crazy! Oh my goodness!!! Here come the tears again just thinking about it! This woman cared for our sweet Jordan for over 4 months of his life! We are so thankful for her love for him and her great care! We hope to get to see her again as well!!!

. . . again, just stop . . . and look . . .

This was a common image on the streets of Addis. I LOVE that the smaller guy is imitating the older man in the "thinking" pose. I cannot get over how relaxed and relationally-centered Ethiopians seem to be. I would often see both children and grown men and women holding hands, hugging on one another, linking arms as they walk, sit, just simply enjoying each other's company. I imagine our world might be a bit "nicer" if we would just sit like this with one another a little more often, huh? Just a thought.

A corner store right by our guest house. I love this picture. Look at all the brilliant colors!

Nate was playing around with a coke bottle one afternoon, trying to get a cool picture to give to one of his co-workers who collects coke bottles. I thought this picture turned out super cool.

Here we are hanging out in the Frankfurt airport on our way to Addis. This picture was taken after little to no sleep on our way back from Missouri the night before (Nate's bro got married) and then little to no sleep on the flight from Lexington to Frankfurt. Pretty awesome... that's how I felt at this point. :)

Getting ready to leave for Ethiopia!!!! Way too much luggage! :)

Overlooking Addis from our guesthouse. Beautiful place. We miss it. We want to go back. :)

. . . so, that's some of our journey for ya. Someone has decided to wake up. :)

Love you all, and thank you for all of your prayers for our family! We are so blessed!!!