Our Holiday Wrap Up

In trying to reach all of our closest friends and family, as sad as it is I think this is the best way to keep everyone in the loop as to what's been going on in 2011 and what we're all up to! So, this is gonna be our new thing, a lil' "year in review" for ya'll and for us to remember when we're like 60 : )

At the beginning of  2011 we were JUST settling in with our lil' princess-honestly-the first month it was a lil' bit fuzzy, so I'm glad that it's well documented-Rylee has adored her since day 1, and we are so thankful for that!

We have been so blessed by our 2 lil' munchkins, and I can't believe that we ever doubted what was going on in our lives.  God's plan is ALWAYS better than the plan we have for ourselves, so I don't know what I was so worried about!

After settling in for a few months, we felt it was "ok" for mommy to take a lil' break and head out to some of our best friends wedding-Ryan was super sad to be missing out on it, but he bought me a ticket to California with my mama to visit my brother and attend our friends, Lisa and Shands wedding!!!

And while that was a fabulous get away, on my final day there we got word that Ryan had been let go from his job, and we were onto a different segment of our life-change was gonna be coming-and we knew as much stress as we were going to be under, it really was for the best....eventually it would get better, but it was a LONG summer.  Blesse to have the summer months together, we just wish it would have been under different circumstances....so we took the next 4 months to spend together as a family, and as hard as it was to just emjoy that time.  I truley believe that if we can get through that and come out "alive" we can get through anything!  It has told us who we really are as indivisuals and who we have become as a couple, a family, a team....we have grown so much and learned a lot about life, and those who surround us....

We got home and enjoye Easter together with our family, and focused on the good in our life!

We took a camping trip up to Northern Michigan with family and friends-Ezzie LOVED it, and she was just learning to walk! She's a biggie girl! Rylee became a real outdoorsmen : )

Ezra turned 1, and we celebrated with all of our favorites!

See! Walking like a biggie-girl! I almost feel as if Ryan's time off was something "planned".  This sumer my mom got very sick, and long story short required about 10-14 days in the hospital, in and out for about a month.  There is NO way I would have been able to be there as much as I was for her to help out if I had to figure out something with the kiddos everyday-well, I would have-but it took MUCH stress away from that whole ordeal.....We were on our way to the hospital to visit their "nammy" in this pic!

We went to Tennessee for our adoption agencies reunion! What a wonderful weekend away that was, meeting everyone that we have all learned of via the internet during our amazing journey!  CCI has done sucha  wonderful job of keeping us all in touch, and gives us such great means to do so! We also got to stop and stay with some of our good friends The Haid's in Indianapolis on the way home too!

During this time, Ryan was still searching and searching, networking through ALL of this, and actually I don't know how I didn't jump off a tall building through it all.  We learned not to get too excited, as it seemed everynight on the news we just kept hearing how the unemployment rate had grown.  Never in a million years did we think that one of us would become that statistic, but that's why you just live your life for what you have "that day", as you're not guarenteed anything......at this point Ryan was considering a job that he knew probably wouldn't be "forever" but it was something that was able to get him out there again and still looking in the meantime. It's pretty nervwrecking to think about moving the family, leaving our home, etc-but we just do what we feel is right, go with our gut, that's all you can do!

We celebrated Rylee's "Gotcha Day" at the waterpark nearby, and on that day Ryan was "employed again"! Nothing permanent, but hey we were moving in the right direction! We felt "alive" again! And we cannot believe that we were celebrating 3 years of Rylee being home! How on earth did that happen!

The Bodine's and The Shrock's came to visit! We had an amazing weekend with our wonderful CCI family, and now our dear friends!

Kalvyn James was brought into the world on September 4th! A new baby cousin for Rylee and Ezzie to love on! Ezzie is in love with "Bubba Kal" : )

Uncle Jake came for a visit! Ezzie was not his biggest fan, thankfuly since then she has grown to not hate everyone that she doesn't see often!

We went to visit our friends Mark and Amy and their awesome lil' man Eli in Western Michigan! We are so lucky to have met such great adoption friends, that have now become more than just "adoption friends"!

Rylee Bona started preschool! Ok, let's be honest. Mommy was a MESS leading up to this day!  We don't have to go through all of that, but we have loved where he is at-and he LOVES preschool.  The first day as we were pulling out of the garage he says under his breath "finally, i get to play with my friends" Hahaha, o goodness-yes, that child is so deprived! : )

We played dress up on halloween, and Ryle was a shark and Ezzie a ladybug.  Rylee did great trick or treating, was pretty laid back but loved all of his snacks! Ezzie thought she needed to sit down on everyones doorstep to put her treat in her pumpkin, this made for a long night : ) We lasted a good hour out on the town though!

We have had a great fall and holiday season together.  We have been so very thankful for all that we have in our lives, even given all of the "set-backs".  We've had all but the kitchen sink thrown at us, and we have managed to stay alive.  Ryan has a job that he really loves now as an Account Manager with WLNS.  I am in the salon 2 days a week, as Salon Manager, and taking appointments part time-and I am also Director with Thirty-One Gifts, in which I am still loving all of that! It also gives me the satisfaction of being at home with our kiddos too!  We still don't really know  what will be going on for 2012, we see some changes coming up, but I can honestly say I am ready for change! Last time I had been this emotional about life changes, God told me "I got this"-and a year later we brought our lil' boy home from Ethiopia (No, we are NOT bringing anymore kids home right now) : )...just when I think my world is crumbling, some how I am humbled how God is moving in our life, so I can't help but feel him moving mountains for us right now!  We have been blessed beyond belief, and he is using us in ways we don't even know of right now, but I have to trust.  Wishing you all a Happy and HEALTHY 2012!

 

2010

2011

Our December has been crazy busy, but i have had lots of days of reflecting.  This is the month that we came home last year, and let me tell you-we have had a LOT of stress in our life the last 6 months-lots of life changing events, HOWEVER-I can tell you-I am SO much more relaxed now than I was at this time last year......
This year, stress was about jobs, finances, are we making the right "financial choices" for our family - you see the "trend"-this year it's about $$$, money is an important thing and it does control almost every aspect of your life, especially when caring for 2 young children.  HOWEVER-we have MOST definitly learned that $$$, believe it or not-really doesn't signify "who" you are in life, your status, etc...well, for us it doesn't-not anymore.  After 2 (3) trips to Africa, 2 children that came from LITERALLY NOTHING, the LOVE we witnessed in a country that has NOTHING, the "simple" things, etc our life has been dramatically changed, and I am certain it was all part of God's master plan.  I tell you, this silly "God" of ours-he makes me stomach do crazy things, he makes my mind wander in areas it shouldn't go, but ALL because it's in his plans. 
One year ago, my stomach was in knots because we had just returned home with our baby girl. Our precious Ezra T. that NOW I would not CHANGE a thing for and we would do it a million times over again-it's the transition period from the trip to Africa, back home with a baby girl. It's the leaving our 3 year old at home (on his bday, and even though HE didn't know it-I did) while we were gone on a 18 hr plane ride on a short lil' jaunt across the pond, the 5 holiday parties we needed to tend to when we got home, the guilt of wondering if I really did have enough EQUAL love to give two children at once every.single.day.........the feeling of thinking i didn't have it in me to even travel to the market with BOTH of them at once, HOW ON EARTH would I do that without losing my mind, or for that matter ONE of THEM?! : ) Surpringly enough, one year later I do it all the time and I LOVE IT! (now, don't get me wrong-I never thought I would enjoy grabbing a Coffee and heading to Meijer for 2 hrs by myself either!) ....
I cannot WAIT for Christmas 2011-a year of Ezra T being in the family, our greatest gift of 2010 BY FAR-And Rylee continues to amaze us, even when she's being her diva lil' self-he helps, giggles, and sometimes tries to discipline her himself, we are so very blessed to have all that we have in our life, even if it meant lots of struggles a long the way, as long as we keep our faith we know we'll make it....Thank you everyone for all of your Love, Words of Encouragment, Laughs and tears you have shed with us a long the way-we are simply blessed in many areas of our life....Enjoy this CHRISTmas season with those you love.....

Merry Christmas, and a HAPPY HAPPY New Year!

Ryan, Meggan, Rylee and Ezra

How did he get to be FOUR?!

Fabulous Cake by Erika Karber!

Rylee and his cousins Asher, Adysen and Avery

Yes, we love the Lions-happy they are not "O-fers" right now! : )

And of course at the end of the night i realized we hadn't gotten a family pic yet! Ezzie really did love her first birthday party for her brother! : )

Rylee had a football party for his 4th birthday.  It was something to come to a decision on what kind of birthday he was going to have.  We knew at this point it was going to be something sports related, because he is his father's son and his OBSESSED with it all already! : )  We had all of our closest friends and family over for snacks, drinks, cake and ice-cream and he was SPOILED once again by everyone! He has been playing with all of his new stuff non-stop. He plays football guys with daddy every night, has to take his motorcycles with him wherever he goes, sleeps with his LIONS pillow pet, wears his new shirts and loves his new games....We are so very thankful for all the people in our lives that celebrate our children's birthdays-from far or close to home, we are blessed to have you all in our lives!
So, Rylee is FOUR and a pretty cool cat.  But, also on his day of birth-I think about his birth-mommy and how forever grateful we are for what she had to sacrifice.  She has now given up all of her children to their forever families to provide a better life for them.  Can you imagine making THAT choice?  I still continue to pray for the day that we may be able to meet her and tell her how thankful we truly are IN PERSON.  We have sent letters and photos of Rylee growing up, which is amazing in itself!  I think about what his life might be like had she not made that huge decision.  So, on his birthday we celebrate his life here in America, his Ethiopian values, his tummy-mommy and all of the sacrifices she has made for her children.  Happy 4th Birthday little buddy!!!
WE LOVE YOU!!!

Ezzie's FIRST "Gotcha Day"!!!!

Cannot believe it that Ezra has been with us for ONE WHOLE YEAR! At this time last year, we were in Ethiopia, I was so thankful to be there, holding our new baby girl, but my heart was torn being away from Mr.Rylee!
We miss Ethiopia every.single.day-I miss the culture, so beautiful and polite! So welcoming and so compassionate about their heritage!

So on this day, to you Ezra T......

We are so thankful for you. You have blessed us beyond our wildest dreams! Even at your craziest, your bright eyes and smile can light up a room. You make any "horrible" day, amazing. Your a lil' baby girl who know's what she wants, just like your mommy! You test us, and on some days you just plain hate things. You bop your brother one the head to show him you love him, you rub is head and love to lean over to give him smoochies, and you try your hardest even when he's not interested! Thank you Ezra Tilahun for bringing us more joy and headaches that we ever thought possible, it is ALL so worth it! We love you baby girl!!!!

Love and Hugs,
Mommy and Da-deeeeeeeee! : )

{Fall-ing Behind}

Been a busy fall around our these parts! Ezzie is starting to talk! She says "No, No, No-Up-Dad-deeeeee-Mama-Nammy (grammy)-Reece-Rylee-Hot-Ouch-" and plenty of others' but those are her favorites! She cracks us up-her personality is a typical girls-she knows what she wants, drama queen with a lil' bit of diva-girl in her : ) We love her all the same, no worries here-but let's be honest, we know the future will be a tricky one with her! : )

Rylee is still lovin' school, his friends and daddy is certainly his BFF.  He's obsessed with belts and ties now, because of course that's what daddy puts on everyday. But he waits to see what "day" it is, if it's the weekend he will dig out of his drawers close to what daddy puts on. I LOVE IT. Then of course when daddy tries to discipline mommy is the hero and he taddles on daddy. Knows how to work it already! Big week here with Ezzie's first Gotcha day tomorrow and Rylee's birthday-check back for some fun pics, until then enjoy some of our fall.....

Shark-man and Lil' Lady Bug

 Been a gorgeous fall here in the mitten!

 The great Pumpkin!

 Ezzie's first visit to get pumpkins-she loved it!

 And she even got to paint her pumpkin.....

 until she put paint in her hair.....

 Rylee's first preschool party!

AND....my Mama turned 60-so we did it in typical "McKean Fashion" Big ol' Surprise party with a DJ!

Thankful for Adoption!

http://www.wilx.com/home/headlines/Local_Family_Thankful_For__134451408.html

Last week, we were contacted by a local news station about our adoption story, and what we are THANKFUL for. Couldn't think of anything more perfect! We were honored to say the least. But most importantly we did the story, hoping and praying that maybe we would help those considering adoption for their family! We are BLESSED beyond measure by R & E !
Enjoy! A blessed Thanksgiving to you all-by the way, Ezra "hated" her first Thanksgiving : ) ( She was dealing with an ear infection, I will blame it on that) As the day went on, she eased into the holiday, with pumpkin pie and a lil' bit of turkey....love our lil' munchkins!

Advice from a friend...

This was my status on my facebook today. A friend told me that I should paste this in your scrapbook for you Ezzie, and since this really is your's and Rylee's "lifebook" that someday we will print for you guys, here you have it : )

"Today, I am thankful for one on one time with my sweet Ezzie this morning. We say she's just a crazy disaster of a 17 month old, but honestly-she loves to cuddle, read books, and sing songs too! Thank you God for bringing this sweet baby girl into our home and choosing us to be her mommy and daddy!"


And thank you for placing Rylee in our arms too! Our cup is overflowing!!!