The End (of this part of the story, anyways!)

On July 7, 2009, we were officially accepted by AGCI into their Ethiopia adoption program.  Hundreds of pages of paperwork, months of waiting, many highs and lows, and two trips to Ethiopia later, our precious daughter is in our arms forever.

This blog was started as a record of our journey "to welcome our daughter home."  That part of our story is complete:  Isabella's adoption is final by law, and her place in our family is confirmed by God's grace.

We will memorialize this piece of family history in a blog book, as we look forward to our family's future.  We have many hopes and dreams for Isabella.  Most of all, we pray that she will grow into a Godly young woman, strong in faith and rich in love. 

As we bring this blog to an end, we want to especially thank you for following our story, sharing our joy, and lifting our challenges up in prayer.  May the Lord bless you and keep you; may He make His face shine upon you, and be gracious unto you; may He lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace.  (Numbers 6:24-26)  Amen. 

Milestones

The past few weeks have been full of firsts:

Isabella cut her first tooth in April.  She now has five teeth, and loves eating just about everything. 

In June, she charmed Grandpa and Oma in person for the first time:

She opened her first (early) birthday presents:

She enjoyed her first trip to the coast:

She went to her first wedding:

She had her first professional photographs taken:

Isabella's first birthday reminded us how fast our little girl is growing up.

At her one-year well-baby checkup, we learned that she is now in the 40th percentile for height and the 50th percentile for weight.  What a difference a few months can make!

Another first in June:  Isabella stayed with Grandma -- her first babysitter -- while we went out for dinner for our 13th wedding anniversary. What a difference 13 years can make, too! :) 

Finally... here is our family's newest U.S. citizen (yes, her citizenship certificate finally arrived!), enjoying her first 4th of July celebration:

May God continue to bless our country and all of His people who call it home!