36 Months

Just 36 months ago, T and I boarded a plane to Africa. Waiting for us was a beautiful and tiny bundle of love.

We met an amazing group of folks with very similar families (lots of 3 year old sons in our group). We were forever changed by the country. The people. The love.

It hasn't always been easy since we made that first flight to Africa. In fact, our flight out of Africa was well...tough. (Still really sorry about the gift G shared all over the shoes of one of our travel group Dads.) I am so thankful that this group of families has been so open to sharing their journey via their blogs since we live pretty far from most of the group. You can check in with them here. Or here. Or here. Or here. In fact, there are only a couple of families who I don't hear about via blogging or facebook. Of everyone else, we are the ONLY family who hasn't adopted again. But frankly, this little bundle of joy made our family complete.*

* that and it didn't take long to understand the nannies' suggestion that we give her whatever she wants when she cries. She could pierce ear drums with those lungs and still tries from time to time.

It works!

As I mentioned earlier in the week, one of our travel mates was experiencing a major medical issue in their family. Well, all of those little prayers are working. They were told to prepare for up to six weeks of treatment and that treatment may be ending tonight because their son's lungs are working again. You can see the details here. What a wonderful morning!

Say a little Prayer...

There is a special bond that seems to form between families who have gone through international adoption. That bond is even stronger with the families who have adopted children of a similar age and from the same area of the world. Needless to say, even if we don't see one another very often, I will always feel connected to the families with whom we traveled in Ethiopia last year. One of those families is going through a life-threatening journey right now. Their 4 year old son (who came along on the trip to bring home his little brother) is fighting for his life. You can read about it here. Here we are pictured, in the yard of the guest house in Addis Ababa, cuddling with our beautiful babies. Happier times for sure.

Please send your thoughts and prayers their way.