Travel Approval #2

We FINALLY received Addisyn's Travel Approval yesterday, July 30th.  Our agency actually received on July 19th but it was finally in our hands yesterday.

Our travel plans are all made.  We are leaving August 6th and returning August 29th.  We are heading to Nanjing in Jiangsu province first to complete Addisyn's adoption.  Then we will head to JiNan in Shandong Province to complete Sam's adoption.  We will have our "Gotcha Day" with Sam in JiNan then head to WeiHai City were he is from on Monday and stay 3 nights in WeiHai.  We have to apply for his passport, etc. in his home town.  Then we go back to JiNan for one night.  The next day we head to Guangzhou where we get the TB testing completed, immunizations done and have our US Consulate Appointment and Swearing In Ceremony for both Addisyn and Sam. 

Then we get to bring them home!

Happy 2nd Birthday Reese E.!

Two years ago, a woman gave birth to a baby in an impoverished country.  Having given birth on the streets of Addis Ababa, this woman found refuge for her tiny baby in an orphanage as she was unable to care for her on her own.  She was a day laborer and did not have anyway to provide for herself and her newborn.  I can not imagine the pain that would come from giving your baby up and never to see her precious face again, knowing that she would be placed for adoption and grown up in a foreign land.  Never knowing what became of her precious life.

God had a plan for you sweet one. 

We have been blessed by adoption once more, we have been blessed to be your mommy and daddy, to be your FOREVER family!

We love you Reese E!

~Happy Birthday Sweet One~

Birthday Breakfast Smith Style!

 

How many times do I have to blow these things out?

Our Ethiopian Princess!

I don't know if princess suits her quite right, but she sure is our princess. She definitely has the princess "role" down.  She comands attention, which we all eagerly give her.  Reese is the spunkiest, loudest and probably the funniest 2 year old this family has ever seen. 

I was reflecting on her life, that which she has had and that yet to be.  As she was playing in our backyard with her sisters that adore her, blessed and priviledged came to mind.  But the blessings and priviledge have been all ours!

When we were in Ethiopia, we bought Reese a formal traditional Ethiopian dress.  We were running out of time to take her picture in this beautiful dress as she is growing up so fast. 

Enjoy!

Reese Ellenor Etenesh Smith

Soccer, soccer and more soccer!

This past weekend, we had but another great weekend of soccer, except now it includes our "little" Hayden, that isn't too little anymore, participating in the big tournaments.

Where does the time go?  How do you go from this....

PSC Butterflies '07

To this...

Pacific FC '99 Blue

Tumwater Kick in the Grass Tournament

2nd Place U11 Girls

Hayden...

Soccer Extraordinaire!

We are so proud of you!!

Travel Approval #1

We received our Travel Approval today (Wednesday) for Samuel Thomas Jun Smith. 

Isn't he just beautiful, I can't wait to kiss those chubby little cheeks.

So now we just are waiting for Addisyn's TA,

 and then YES! we are going to China!

Finally!

Happy Birthday America!

A few pictures of our day....

Happy Birthday Christopher!

Happy Birthday Christopher....

A new story began in our family two months ago, on May 4th, 2010 we welcomed Christopher into our family.  Christopher turned 12 this July 4th.

We are so blessed to have this active young man in our lives.  He always has a quick smile and eagerness galore despite the major challenges he has faced in his life.  He has  recovered from major surgery in the midst of strangers he now calls his family.

Happy Birthday Bud!

We are so happy to be your family.