Celebrating a year since...

I LOVE November 5th! The LONG awaited for day in which we received our "match" for beautiful Shani Mihret! Here is her match photo taken just 2 days after coming into Holt's care...


And... here she is one year later!

What a happy girl... and we are SO incredibly blessed that the Lord brought this little one into our family!

It's Harvest time...

And the kiddos are lookin' cute! Here's the cutest train conductor showing off his dimples! :)

And... check out this happy little lady bug!

What a pair!

Cuteness continued...

Some little cutie's hair is getting long... so someone else has started "playing"... the first result...



What does Shani think? She was ALL giggles!!! (That is... after the hair ties were in place! oh dear...)



Now... as promised... little more walking and talking...

She walks!

For all her adoring fans... here she is! Big Brother Micah started BIG walking the day after he turned 13 months... hmm... so did Little Sister! Way to go cutie!

Coming soon... an update of other "1sts"!... 1st b-day, 1st pony ride, 1st car! tee... hee...

Adventure Day!

We took our first "REAL" hike as a family yesterday! We explored a bit of the Tillamook National Forest and found some awesome campgrounds and trails to explore! Micah was a TROOPER! 1 hour uphill with only 2 stops for snacks! Not bad little buddy! :)



Shani, of course, rode in style!!! And was all smiles! She's an outdoor girl just like our boy!

Once we made it back down the trail, we conquered a STEEP embankment and found the COOLEST swimming hole! We weren't prepared for getting wet... but we are quickly learning that to a 3 1/2 year old... whatever clothes you have on... WORK!!!

What is that you are holding Micah? Hmm.... take a guess... and scroll down...

The big AWESOME surprise of our adventure was finding a massive population of pollywogs! Pure delight for Micah!!!!

Baby Dedication & Family Celebration Day!

We were blessed to dedicate Shani's sweet life to Jesus today at church! Both Micah and Shani did wonderfully up on stage in front of the "big church". Micah was so excited that he got to give Pastor John "knuckles"!!! (Thanks John!!!)

My favorite picture from the dedication... prayer time... 3 heads bowed (good boy Micah!!!!) ... 1 looking up to heaven and talking to Jesus himself I am sure! :)


Look at this angel in her first "full length gown"! We purchased this dress at the leprosy hospital in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia for a special occasion for Shani! This was it! What a beautiful angel!

Thank you to all our family and friends who were able to share in this wonderful occasion with us! We are so thankful for your loving support, prayers and encouragement and so blessed by this precious life that we have been entrusted with!

I cried at the barbershop...

Ok... I know I have a soft heart... but last night I found myself watching my 3 1/2 year-old transform into a really BIG boy while sitting in the barber's chair. I believe my exact words were... "Maybe a little shorter for summer"... one swoop of "the buzzer"... AND...



... I found myself teary-eyed and looking at David and mouthing the words "I'm going to cry... I need to leave..." Shani and I rapidly excused ourselves for a short walk while the buzzing continued! Ok... he's seriously WAY cute! But I think that was one of the last stages of baby-hood for mommy's little guy!