3 Months Home

Are you kidding me? This Friday will be 3 months since we arrived home with Miss Ayantu. I can hardly believe it. Life as we knew it has definitely changed...but changed for the better!

This little one has certainly found her place in our hearts and our home. She is a busy little girl exploring all that she possibly can. She has currently repeated the entire alphabet on cue from Mama. This is kind of weird, but her favorite letter is the letter "w". She will pick up any book, periodical, card, or even look at the wording on Daddy's T-shirts and find the letter "w". I squirted ketchup on her hot dog tonight with a squiggle and she blurted out "Mommy..."W". Hilarious!

Brian and I realized how smart this girl was when we met her in Ethiopia. But so much so that I now have her signed up for Preschool this coming fall. She doesn't turn 4 until next February so she will be young but Ayantu needs to be challenged more than I can offer her! She will go 2 mornings a week next year and then do Preschool again the following year but 3 mornings a week. Sahara keeps telling Ayantu how much fun school is and that she will do really well!

Speaking of Sahara, the adjustment for her has continued to get better. In fact, I would dare to say that she actually loves her little sister now! Sahara has to pick Ayantu's clothes out in the morning, and at night she gets Ayantu her PJ's. At bath time, Sahara will come in by the tub because she and Ayantu have special games they play with Elmo and The Little People. And when we take Sahara to school, Ayantu will not leave until she gets a hug from "Sissy"! Wow, what an improvement!!

It's hard to fathom being in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia just over 90 days ago. At that time we were nervous to meet this little girl we had only seen pictures of but knew that God had destined for her to become our daughter and a part of our family. And now, 90 days later, it's hard to imagine her not being here. Don't get me wrong, things are definitely not perfect...Brian and I are more tired than we've ever been. And Ayantu can whine and cry [REALLY LOUD] until she gets what she wants. But we're learning, just like we had to with Sahara when she was 3 years old, how to help her know her boundaries and to teach her that she will always be loved, adored and cared for in a special way.

Thank you for following our journey. The road of adoption is not for everyone, but we know it was for us. And we know that God will be faithful in helping us to raise Ayantu as we move through another 3 months!