Sunday, July 18, 2010

Captured my Heart...

One thing I love about our agency is the fact that they have ongoing humanitarian work and investment within Ethiopia. Sue, the program's executive director, is on another trip there at present. I returned home from church, a wonderful morning serving in the preschool ministry for extended session, to find an email full of current pictures of our son. I cannot look at him without tearing up, longing for the day we get to meet him and bring him home! Our little guy, Joshua Eyasu Livingstone Merida, has captured my heart!
For those who missed it, Eyasu means Joshua... He will probably go by both for awhile...
He is quite the handsome little guy...

Earlier in the year we were told he fell down while playing and chipped his front two teeth... poor baby... Some of his earlier pictures showed him smiling with his mouth shut, trying to hide his broken teeth... glad to see him smile more...




Meanwhile, we are still waiting on immigration to process our paperwork and approval... Praying for productive phone call in the morning with USCIS to see where we're at... once we receive the one sheet of paper we will have a better idea of when we will be able to go pick Joshua up... WE'RE COMING sweet boy!

Friday, July 16, 2010

All Good Things...

Must come to an end... unfortunately...






We've had a wonderful time at the beach this week with family and will be sad to go our separate ways Saturday... what a blessing family is!

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Books & the Beach

So, I started reading this book right before we left for vacation this week... it is a sanctifying work... learn more or order free copy here...
Meanwhile, Titus is curled up next to me exhausted from all the commotion a house full of 12 kids and 8 adults going to and from the pool or beach brings...
Victoria, her sisters & her cousin are enjoying girlie break (i.e. nails & lipgloss) from the sun...
Here's a glimpse from earlier at the pool... Mercy drying off in the sun...
Competitive volleyball game...
Balancing acts...
Diving for rings...
Game faces...


In addition to the previously mentioned book, I was able to start reading "Love Mercy" by Lisa Samson & her daughter, Ty... good stuff... Looking forward to what God will teach me through these convicting reads...

Monday, July 12, 2010

Beach Getaway with the Fam"

What a blessing to have the opportunity to meet up with our Merida side of the family in St. George Island, Florida for the week... All the cousins were especially excited to see one another... one big slumber party!
The six girls took over one room... (yes, I snapped this picture during bedtime prayer)...
This would be my crazy Vickie baby...
Sweet Sophia...
Lauren & Selamawit Grace...
Mercy Kaleab...
The six boys took over the living room...
Monday evening, Selamawit Grace prepared traditional Injera for our Ethiopian dinner... yum-mee!!!
Mercy Kaleab celebrated her 6th birthday with a "chocolate theme" - another Yum-Mee!
Victoria (and all the girls) was WORN out after a day in the sun & swimming pool!
Look at all that chocolate :)



Fun times... :)