Sunday, August 17, 2008

One year ago...

Today is an anniversary of sorts for Heidi and I. It was 1 year ago today, that by God's graciousness, Ezra Abera Greenup, was placed in our arms to love & care for as our son. As we look back over the course of this last year, we are humbled by how God has provided a huge measure of grace to our family. We love Ezra with all our heart and are so thankful he is in our family. It is hard to believe that it has only been 12 months since we were in Ethiopia picking him up.
Much has happened over the course of this last year, the biggest change being the arrival of his sister Olivia in March of this year. We don't know what the Lord has in store for us next, but we look forward to see how He will lead us.
Heidi and I looked through our pictures of our trip to Ethiopia as a reminder of that long week in Ethiopia a year ago, but in the end we are so humbled by God's goodness in our lives. We want to be faithful parents who live out the Gospel and point our children to the centrality of the Cross of Christ on a daily basis.
We also look back and have many thanks for so many people who prayed for us and financially helped us in this adoption process.
If any of you are considering adopting a child or children, we would wholeheartedly encourage you to take that step of faith and extend your life, family and home to one or more of the 143 million + orphans in the world. Adopting a child or children has many countless trials, but our Risen Savior provides the necessary faith and endurance to trust Him through it all.
A family picture
He hasn't worn that pink sleeper since he has been with us.
Learning to play and use his nuk


Ezra's first finger food meal


Saturday, August 16, 2008

Family Vacation and rice cereal

We had some family friends who for our wedding (3 years ago) gave us a few night stay at their home on Deer Lake. Wow! This was the most relaxing 3 full days we have had since our honeymoon. We were extremely blessed and thankful for the Kersul's generosity. It was just the four of us and it was a lot of playing in the water & relaxing.
Ezra was a little sheepish of lake water, but by day 3, he relaxed and enjoyed his time in the water.
Olivia loves to smile and loves her toes.
We started rice cereal for Olivia a few weeks ago, but she gets more on her than she does in her mouth. Mommy has a cute new haircut!
Olivia trying to figure out which she should try to eat...her fingers or rice cereal?
A work in process
The result of her rice cereal...a needed bath.
Olivia's favorite thing...chewing on her toes.