Perfectly said.....

So I wanted to share something that a long time client and dear friend said to me the other day that left me seriously just beaming, tears welling a bit in my eyes and thinking "Yes, Yes you are so right". We were talking of Ezra and how she came to us. She asked what we knew of her history and I said "We know nothing" and she said as she was walking out the door "Well, God does, He knows everything and he knew exactly what he was doing" with a lil wink and a big smile on her face she was off to enjoy the rest of her evening, and so was I.

We all know that God has a "plan" for us. God hand picks these children, and each child of every family has a different story, a different background-he knows exactly who will go with each family. Who knows-he may be "hand picking" one for you right now and you just don't know it. I'm glad that we do. I am stealing this quote from my girlfriends status from Facebook she posted the other day, and it couldn't be more perfect-

"Orphans are easier to ignore before you know their names. They are easier to ignore before you see their faces. It is easier to pretend that they are not real until you hold them in your arms. But once you do-everything changes"-David Platt

I feel like the last couple of weeks are a complete bluur, that's already been said. I also feel like I haven't been doing a very good job of documenting all that's been happening with pictures as well as I have in the past-BOO. For that I am sad. When it comes time to document our process with Ezzie she will not have near the amount of "footage" of it all as Rylee did. I'm wondering what I'm going to have to "scrape together" or "stage" to have each special part of our process with her! Now I know how my mom and dad felt by the time it got to me, I know that's what they say that with each child the memories that are captured become less and less-that doesn't mean that she's any less of a JOY and miracle for us-she is! I've just been feeling a little bit guilty for not having as much for her, but then guilty for not having me camera for every little thing that we do with Rylee either-so all in all I have just been terrible as of late! With Halloween coming up, we have lots of fun planned for this week-I will be sure to capture all of that!

I also have been thinkin a lot about "stupid things people say". A girlfriend and I have been talking a lot about frustrating blurbs (for the sake of a nice word on our family blog) that comes outta the mouths of people. We are in disbelief that people could sound so stupid. It is what it is, I can't even say it's a case of "do you think before you speak" because it's clearly just ignorance. We understand that with adopting a child of a different race we will encounter situations where we will need to "educate", when in reality I would like to just knock 'em over the head and hope it clicks. For the sake of our children, I will go with the first option-or just walk away shaking myhead. Don't get me wrong, we have not ran into anything publicly-
We have met MORE amazing people throughout our adoptions, and know that's exactly another reason this is how our family has been built. The people that have come into our lives are here for a reason, and we are thankful for them! It's like a circle of family that we never even knew was out there, but our amazing children have brought us together! I look forward to many years of memories and bonding with each and every one of them!!!

((Hugs))
Meggan

Donations!!!!!

Many of you have asked what items are needed at the orphanages in Ethiopia for us to take when we go-here is a list-and our goal is to pack one large suitcase soley for these items-so please if you feel the need to help, it is GREATLY GREATLY appreciated!!!

FORMULA
GERBER BOTTLES/NIPPLES
DIAPERS
CHILDRENS VITAMINS
CHILDRENS DVD'S

We will be taking donations up until thanksgiving-so please get anything to us before then!!! XOXO THANK YOU!

We Passed!!!!

Introducing Ezra Tilahun!!!!!
Better late than never! WOW! Life sure has been busy the last week, especially the last 5 days while Ryan was off to Ethiopia! We got word on Tuesday Oct 19th that we passed court-Ryan said it was a breeze and our lil girl is officially ours!!! I will let Ryan blog about the trip when he get's a free moment-but wanted to leave ya'll with something to make you smile....

Fall trip to Wisconsin

These are 2 peas in a pod if there ever were such a thing! We are so very blessed to have them in our lives! What a fun weekend we had in Wisconsin visiting the "McCoy Family"!!! : )

ONE DAY!!!!!

Ryan called this morning at 7am (2pm in Addis)!!! He called yesterday when he got settled into the guest house. Not gonna lie, Sunday morning was tough-i was missing him a lot, and I just kept thinkin to myself "U never realize how much you love someone until you can't talk to them or see them"-we've never been apart where I couldnt atleast pick up the phone or vise-versa, so it was tough-but after he called my level of sadness quickly became not sad but giddy at the thought of him getting to see her this morning! Now back to his phone call this a.m.......When he called at 7am, he said "i know I told you i'd call at 9, but i couldnt wait-she's absolutly amazing and already has me wrapped around her finger"-and what's funny about that is he hadn't ready our blog, to see that I posted exactly them words in the previous post. Her hair is crazy, she's a snuggle bug and she is just a good good baby! He's going to have her all day today and actually she's spending the night with him at the guesthouse, so the nannies told him "be prepared for 3 wake-ups" : ) And of course the obvious question "what size clothes is she in"??? Up to 3 months, but she may be getting a lil big for them, so looks like 3-6 months is right on track to what we've been thinkin'!!

When I think about our place in life that Ryan and I are right now it shows me every-single-day that God has had this in his plans all along. We couldnt have planned this. This isn't something that he and I would have written up, because we would try to avoid all of our disappointments and try to make life "perfect"-no hardships-who wouldn't want that? However, those disappointments and hardships are what make us who we are-and has made our marriage what it is. I have more respect for that man than I do anyone, I never in my wildest dreams would have thought he would be so on board with jumpin' on a plan to Africa by himself-he continues to amaze me every day-and for him I am so thankful!

Tomorrow is the BIG BIG BIG court date, I am asking you ALL to please say a prayer today and tonight for us that we pass and the judge rules in our favor, and all of the paperwork is in hand, approved and ready for us to legally become her mommy and daddy! I am hoping that when I wake I will shortly hear from Ryan and it will be good news! Then finally I can show ya'll how beautiful she really is! We love you-asking for prayers and i'll post tomorrow!!!

((Hugs)) and love,
Meggs

2 days!

I feel like I haven't even really had time to process what's going on in the last 2 days. So, this number here really represents more than Ryan leaving to go meet our daughter and appear before the judge in 2 days, it also tells the story that the last 2 days has been a complete bluuuuurr! When I got the email from our director, she said "I have your court dates and they're right around the corner"-she wasn't kidding! She also told us that if we traveled for the October 19th date, she's pretty sure she'll be home for Chritmas....can't really hang that over our heads and expect us to say, nah-we can't go on the 19th! Haha...So we pray pray pray we pass the first go around and she is able to be with us all for Christmas!
What I can't say enough about is Ryan! As if he's not swamped at work, he was all about leaving this weekend to go meet our baby girl! When I think about him going to meet his lil' princess by himself, i get all teary eyed-her daddy coming for her to see her to be with her, if only for a short while, she will know right at that moment that she's going to have him wrapped around her lil' finger....forever! I know all things happen for a reason and I am totally AT PEACE with Ryan traveling by himself and me staying home to be with Rylee. I think Ryan was far more than impressed when I proposed that idea to him-as much as I can't wait to get my hands on her, I know that this is how it's all supposed to go right now. The next couple of months are going to be crazy busy and full of such excitement and change for all of us-we can't wait to see what lies ahead! Thank you ALL for your continued love and support! Honestly, to know that we have such special friends and family in our life is all we can ask for!
Blessings and Hugs to you all!

3 days!

And on the morning of our 8 year annivesary we got word that Ryan will be traveling to Ethiopia.....SATURDAY! We had 4 short days to book his trip for our court date! I am so blessed to have such an amazing man in my life, I thank the good lord that he gave me Ryan and we have eachother, I can't imagine going through all of this with anyone else! With this date it gives us hope that maybe, just maybe she will be home in time for Christmas! Thank you all for keeping us in your prayers, and I will update as soon as I know how court goes for us-our appointment is Tuesday the 19th!!

HUGS!

Patience is Hard.

We've been waiting since August 16th for our court date. Now, keep in mind the courts were closed for about 80% of that time, however patience is still hard. I just keep thinking about how much she is growing while we're not with her and how much we're missing out on. Let's be honest, An average American wants instant gratification-and I am worse than "the average" so you can imagine how antsy i have been.

On the other note, Rylee Bona is such a joy! We have had such a blast with him this fall-every single day it's something new. I can tell turning 3 is going to be something with him! He's too smart for his own good, gaining a LOT of independance (like clothing choices that clearly I wouldn't choose, but this is where "picking my battles" is coming into play to an extent). He talks about his baby sister ALL THE TIME. He thinks she'll be here "maybe Tuesday". Maybe it will indeed be a tuesday, but many tuesdays from now Rylee Bona!

Thanks for keeping us all in your prayers during this time of wait. We've been keeping busy to pass the time, but we can't help but obsess over what our little princess might be up to! Patience is hard, but Rylee Bona sure keeps it lively around our home!

All our love-