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!!!