Celebrating

Five years ago we returned from Ethiopia with our oldest babe in our arms and started learning how to love in ways we had never experienced before. That love carried us through some of our darkest days over the past four years. We added to the celebration today when we met with a judge to finalize the adoption of our two youngest babes. Feeling grateful for the privilege to share life with these babes. 

One Year Ago Today

A year ago we held these two babes for the first time. I wasn't sure if my heart could stretch anymore, but it did. The few hours we spent with them were beautiful and would carry us through the months of unknown separation and heartache. As their mama I will always treasure those first moments with them and when I was finally able to hold them in my arms. 

Mama Mantras

Let go.

Trust.

Make mistakes.

Get messy.

Live.

Breathe.

6 Months Home

It has been six months since we stepped off the plane with these beautiful babes. I can't even begin to adequately express all my heart has felt these past six months....

Truth from Friends

I was visiting with a dear friend of mine the other night and shared with her some of the struggles I am encountering right now as I learn to be a mama to three beautiful babes. She spoke the following and it is something I keep coming back to:

"I don't want to be a perfect mom. In fact, I want my kids to see how to navigate a messed up life."

Waiting

Life is full of waiting.

Waiting for paperwork to be processed.

Waiting for babes to come home.

Waiting for trust to be established.

Waiting for nap time.

Waiting for rest.

Waiting for healing.

Waiting for bedtime.

Waiting for health to return.

Waiting for freedom from pain.

Waiting for peace.

Waiting, waiting, waiting.

Motherhood

Read this on a blog and have been rereading it several times since then.

"This. is. motherhood. The gray areas. The in-between. The pushing and shoving and clawing to find our space, our time, our breathing room."

I have been a little less than graceful as I enter motherhood of three young babes. Lord help us all.

Sharing Life with the Babes

Finally Home

We are back in the U.S. and much closer to home than we were when we started this journey 28 hours ago. All my babes are in the back seat and my heart couldn't be happier.