HOME - One year ago

One year ago at 3:32 p.m. my parents, and new little sister were walking towards us in an airport. I remember saying "I see them!" I started walking towards them, holding back the tears, and I had the most amazing feeling inside. I smiled so big, and remember thinking "this is it." I finally get to meet her! My dad had the video camera, and yes I wish I could of posted that video and some day if I can figure it out, I will. My mom's parents were there, and our dear friends who watched us for 9 days!There were hugs, kisses, tears, and lots of introducing. Below are a few pictures of our adventures... a YEAR ago!

They met 3 other families in Ethiopia, who were also there to bring home their little ones. We actually got to meet them in Chicago last December! Also thinking of them, as their "Gotcha Days" are the same as ours! Birtukan was their host in the guesthouse that my parents and 'T' stayed in, and she was so kind to them! Silly 'T' checking things out, and staying busy on plane. Yes, there was a few moments of sadness, and frustration. Meeting her namesake Josi! We love her so much!
Finally! Our forever family, July 23rd, 2010! I can't believe it... it seems just like a couple of days ago, I had met her for the first time, and gave her a hug for the first time. If you would like to see a few more pictures of our homecoming then just go to last years post right here!

Wishing you all a wonderful day!


Blessings, ~Michlyn

Quick Post - New recipe

So tonight my mom made these quick zuichini snacks. The recipe is below:

Things you need:


1 zuichini (or more depends on how much you want to make)
Vegetable Oil
1-2 eggs (again it depends how much you're making)
Saltine crackers

How to make it:
Start by heating a fry pan and lightly pouring the vegetable oil in the pan just to cover the bottom of it.
Next, you can start cutting the zuichini in medium slices, and putting them off to the side.
Then, take a handful of saltine crackers, put them in a plastic gallon sized bag, use a rolling pan or just your hands, and start crushing them.
Put the crushed crackers into a bowl, and also the egg(s) into another separate bowl and mix well.
Once your pan is heated you then take a slice of the zuichini, dip it into the egg, roll it in the crackers, and finally place it on the pan to cook.
Once each side is done to your liking flip it to the next side.
Continue until all of your cut slices of zuichini are made.
ENJOY!

We also enjoyed some porkchops tonight with this tasty snack!

Blessings, ~Michlyn

Wordless Wednesday

Happy 1st Tarekech Day!

Yesterday marked our first "Gotcha Day"! A year ago yesterday, my parents were in Ethiopia and got to meet beautiful 'T' for the first time! You can probably tell in her big brown eyes all the emotions and thoughts that were going through her little mind. She was scared, she knew she was leaving, and didn't want anything to do with it. Being taken away from everything she once knew would definitely be scary. The nannies loved each and every child in her orphanage, and we couldn't imagine where she could of been without the love that they gave her.

In our house we call the orphanage the "sharehouse", because all the kids shared EVERYTHING you could think of. Clothes, toys, beds, and a whole lot more. Maybe they would "steal" things rather than share them, because when you're in an orphanage it's basically survival. The orphanage or "sharehouse" 'T' was at was called Shalom. Sadly because of some complications, our adoption agency does not work through Shalom anymore. :(

We've seen, and heard so many of 'T's friends from Shalom come home to America and we do stay in contact! One of 'T's BEST friends and her even got to Skype! They were both so excited to finally "see" each other again, and talk to each other. It was truly an amazing gift for both of them!

July 19th, 2010... In our arms forever!

Here's a little video of 'T' on the plane home! :)

Blessings,~Michlyn

I Need Africa More than Africa Needs Me

We were in Africa one short year ago.

It changed us.

I desperately want the impact of our experience to remain forever.

To know JOY, HOPE & PEACE despite what society says our response should be to our circumstances.

We are abundantley blessed.

I Need Africa More than Africa Needs Me....

One year ago...

A year ago, we held our daughter for the first time & looked into the eyes we had only peered into through pictures…

She was more beautiful than we dreamed… a sweet shy little girl, both nervous and anticipatory of the moments when “strangers” would come for her. She seemed familiar with the visits from the “new” mommy’s and daddies. It had only been a few weeks since she said goodbye to her dearest friend and the new family who had come to bring her home.

She was walked over to us, a few words spoken to her by a nanny, all of us surrounded by many excited energetic children –

Simultaneously, the moments were both wonderful & awkward…  all very surreal!

It didn’t take long before she claimed us as her own & the backpack we carried along too – her curious little hands were exploring the contents in no time. She delighted in the “treasures” we brought – lollipops & bubbles for everyone, her very own sunglasses & sparkly ball to play catch with. She let a few friends try on her new glasses but only with her assistance and only for a brief second or two. She led children away from us, to claim our laps & attention for hers alone.

Our time together that first day slipped by quickly & before we knew it we were saying goodbye – Each of us aware, just a few days later we would be together again, and this time united as a family forever.

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One year later ... it is harder than I could have ever imagined.

I'm jealous ... of those whose journey's seem to have fallen effortlessly into place.

And I want things to be easier.... We knew our start together would be difficult, we did not expect the intensity it would become a year later…

So I look into the photos above and a few others - and remember to connect with my precious daughter who has lost so much and choose to see the past that will always be a part of her and who she will become… it gives me strength to renew my compassion and empathy and be the instrument of healing & love I’ve been called to be for our precious daughter – and be the momma for her, God created me to be.

We’ve come a long way in a year … And believe Tarekech Josi Hope is the child God intended to grow up in our family- all her beauty, grief & broken-ness are now part of what makes up our family. We have been uniquely knit together by God. So much of our journey is not as we expected… but every difficult step is worth the more humble & compassionate family we have grown to be.

We are blessed beyond measure … 

"For I know the plans I have for you", declares the LORD, ... "plans to give you HOPE and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

In Him,

Becky

Hattie Girl

Our "Hattie girl" turned 4 on July 13th, 2011!
She was our little mischievous puppy that everyone, but mom wanted. So after months of begging we finally got our little Hattie! Somethings that we're told about her, and other random things we know:

1. Everyone says that it looks like she's wearing mascara or eyeliner because her eyes are darker and much prettier than other Golden Retrievers.
2. She's well trained, and listens.
3. She can do so many cool things... which my dad and I taught her. ex: high-five, hand-shake, sit, lay down, speak, hug, and more.

A few things we knew had to line up before there was a "Hattie":
1. To get my mom a little excited about a new puppy, it HAD to be a girl. She says they're much smarter. (no offense to any people who have boy dogs, they're just as special)
2. We found her in a newspaper ad-not an expensive petshop, with her other little siblings.
3. Her dad was a huge "stunt/frisbee champ" dog, and they lived on a farm.

4. Her one and only sister was fat, so my dad picked the "runt of the litter".
5. We'll always love her, no matter how naughty she is!

Just a few short weeks after becoming part of our family :)

Blessings, ~Michlyn