What we've been up to . . .

Yes, I have been "eating" peas!! Or maybe wearing them!

Taking a ride in my wagon! Thanks Grandpa for fixing it up and thanks Dad for the ride!!

Getting to know my dogs!! They keep trying to eat my snacks!!

Oh well!! Mom will give me more!!

I love to make faces!! I think I'm pretty funny!! It's been a great few weeks!! Maya is really growing and learning and keeping big smiles on our faces!! She is such a sweet and fun little girl!!

Go Cowboys!!

Birthday!

Since we couldn't be with Maya on her first birthday, we had a "Wish we had been with you on your birthday, birthday party"!!! The candle is one our friend Lucy gave us. We burn it every year until she is 18. It has her name at the bottom.

One Week

I can't believe a week ago we came home to a wonderful crowd full of love and support with our beautiful daughter!! What an amazing week it has been! Full of big brothers hugs and laughter, waffles, dogs (not so sure about these yet!), kisses and more kisses, a backyard and swings, friends, and more love than any of us can fathom!! She is full of wonder and surprises us every day with her smiles and kisses! She is actually beginning to understand some things and make some connections and I think she is beginning to believe that we are all here to stay and that she is loved and so are we!

Thanks Ms. Debbi for the beautiful dress!!

Since we've been home

Breakfast with our sister!!

I love my new bean bag!!

How abou that hair!!! We took out the braids and Carter said her hair looked like a volcano exploded!!! It was big! And very cool!!!

On our way home from the airport! We were worried about strapping her into the car seat because in Ethiopia she would ride in our laps in the back seat! Well, when she go tin and saw her two brothers, AND that they had twizzlers (thanks Aunt Cindy!!!) she was set!! She loved the twizzlers and her brothers were pretty entertaining as well!!

And more pics!

This is a gorgeous resort in the town where Maya was born!

We had lunch with Tigist, the director of the baby home and had a wonderful relaxing time, just enjoying the beauty of our daughter's country.

Mommy and Sitota!

We took the braids out!!! Is she pretty or what!

More Pictures from Ethiopia!

How 'bout that smile!!! Is she cute or what!!!

Ethiopian food! It really is great!!

This is the baby home where Sitota lived. A wonderful place. Happy, clean, bright and full of love!

First night with mommy and daddy!

She's warming up!

It's a band!

Our little Ethiopian princess!!

Ethiopian food! Really good! Sometimes best not to know what you're eating, but it was always great!!

The band!! We went to a cultural restaurant where they played music and danced to all of the different tribal music. It was so great, especially when we got to hear the music from Sitota's tribe!

Tigist, the director of the baby home and one of the care givers. Tigist is amazing and wonderful and has done more for our family than she even knows!!! She follows God's leading and helps bring families together with love and care like no one I've ever met! We love Tigist!!

The baby home.

One of the care givers who loved on and cared for Sitota and all of the other children. We can never say enough about how wonderful they are and how amazing they are. Their selfless, humble nurturing and love helped our daughter to develop into the wonderful, healthy little girl she is today. They give all of themselves to care for these little ones who will leave them someday to be with forever families. They are the epitome of sacrificial love and we are forever in their debt.

Happy New Year!

Tigist prepared some amazing homemade bread!

The coffee ceremony!

Our very favorite guest home staff!!