Genna 2011. . . Celebrating Jesus and the Miracle of Adoption

Two Ethiopian holidays that we are incorporating into our family's traditions are Enkutatash, or Ethiopian New Year (celebrated on September 11) and Genna (or Ganna), Ethiopian Christmas, which is celebrated on January 7. Some fun facts about Ethiopian Christmas can be found HERE. Did you know that the king that brought frankincense to baby Jesus is believed to be King Balthazar from Ethiopia? We purchased some frankinsence in Ethiopia and have enjoyed infusing our home with the smell from time to time--takes us right back to Ethiopia!

The timing of our trip to bring home Miss K makes the holidays even sweeter and more sentimental for our family. Christmas Eve is extra special because it's the day we left for Ethiopia to bring home Miss K, New Year's Eve is extra special because it's the day we left Ethiopia for home, New Year's Day is extra special because it's the day that we were finally together as a family of 5, and Genna is special because it's the first holiday we celebrated together as a family. Last year, some of our Ethiopian friends invited us to a Christmas celebration they were hosting. This year, a bunch of families from the Central Florida Ethiopia Adoptive Families Group packed the Nile Restaurant in Orlando for some Genna fun and fellowship.

Doro wat and injera are as traditionally a part of the Christmas dinner in Ethiopia as turkey and dressing are in America. And Mr. B and I LOVE Ethiopian food. We were so proud of our girls for being adventurous eaters and trying a little bit of everything on our platter--wat, tibs, shiro, veggies. They liked it all, too!


After dinner, we zipped over to Tampa to welcome our friends, the W family, as they arrived home from Ethiopia with their daughter A! It has been such an honor to get to know the W family in their journey to A. They are such a precious family and had a huge turnout of friends and loved ones there to meet them. We are so thankful we got to be part of the crowd! What a beautiful way to cap off the evening--with teary eyes and full hearts, watching another family come together through the miracle of adoption.

Photo courtesy of Erica S

Together at Last!

Photo courtesy of Erica S

K loved all of the excitement!

Photo courtesy of Erica S

The kiddos! 2 more from Ethiopia will be joining these families as siblings in 2011!

Love this family!

Photo courtesy of Erica S

New Family Photos and a New Look!

How do you like our new look? An important little somebody had been missing from our header for way too long! I love the new design by Danielle over at The Design Girl Studio featuring images captured by the incredibly talented Garry and Emily of Big Star Studios. Girls' outfits are by Sweet Sassy Boutique on Etsy. Here are a few more of our favorites from the Ft. DeSoto Beach session:

Special K Day

On December 27, 2009, we walked a cobblestone road to an orphanage in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where K was placed in our arms and our lives were forever changed. After months of staring at her picture and longing to hold her, our prayers were answered and she was forever entrusted to us. And precious K, one year ago today, her little world was turned upside down as she was taken by two strangers from the comforting familiarity of Hannah's Hope and her beloved special mothers. As the days, weeks and months have gone by, her trust, connection and love for us has grown. We have become family. We feel so undeserving yet so incredibly grateful for the opportunity to be K's Mom-Mom and Daddy. That she is the little girl we were matched with is something that could only have been orchestrated from the heavens. Thank You God! She is a perfect fit and has blessed us beyond words. (Scroll down and pause (II) the background music before playing the video)