Looking Back at Twenty-Eleven

I know it's only the 16th of December but with my recent record of blogging, I suppose it's fair for me to go ahead and write my end-of-year post.  Here are my favorite moments of this past year:

1. Early in the year, Dan prayed for God to somehow help us pay off our adoption debt.  We had decided to adopt Esias without knowing exactly how we would pay for it, but we also knew it was God's idea and if he tells you to do something, you just do, no matter if it costs money you don't have!  So, we did.  We were so blessed by friends, family, strangers, and grants that helped fund our adoption.  But there was still a good chunk left after we brought him home.  Dan was working odd jobs and giving plasma so that I could be home with kids full time.  We knew we could knock out the debt after we got him home.  Enter sick baby...with lots of needs at the hospital.  So, there went our extra income.  But when a baby boy is sick and needs the care of a super amazing hospital, you just take him there no matter what the cost.  So we did.  And so our bills racked up and our adoption debt sat there (luckily with no interest).  At this point a fellow Christian challenged Dan to pray, ask God to do something big, he said.  So Dan prayed for our debt to be removed.  Right after that, we found out that the Adoption Tax Credit had changed from a "lowering your tax liability" type of credit to a straight credit.  And we would be getting back all we paid in to federal taxes!  And guess how much it equaled?

2.  Re-adopting Esias seemed like just another step in the never-ending trail of paperwork of adoption.  I was emotional when our friend Craig, a lawyer, said he'd like to represent us in the hearing for free.  That saved us so much money and we were already swimming in debt (see #1!) but I didn't expect to be emotional during the hearing.  The judge came in and we all stood and were sworn in, then sat down.  She began to talk to us about the seriousness of adoption and what it means for our family.  I was surprised by the tears that filled my eyes.  We had already adopted him once, why did this mean more than before?  I think it's like renewing your vows...when you first get married "in sickness and in health" is just a phrase.  I realized while judge was talking how much I LOVED this boy...how much he'd come through already...how proud of him I was...and how I thought he was absolutely perfect in every way and how blessed we were to be his family.  That day, his name changed from Yabetse ("sorrow") to Esias ("God is my salvation") Tesfaye ("my hope") Grimes!

3.  My heart nearly explodes with pride and joy when I see my two beauties walk off to school together.  This year, Elly joined Eden in the ranks of school-aged-kids.  I have been so proud of them both for how they take care of each other and look out for each other.  Occasionally, the girls will come home arguing but more often than not these two are BFFs.  Eden especially has taken on the role of big sister beautifully and is not embarrassed of her sometimes goofy little sister.  She's never left her at school, anyway!

4.  In Ethiopia we saw so many amazing things!  Being able to do this trip together with Dan and my sister was a huge blessing.  It took so much sacrifice on the part of my other sister and my mom to be with our kids while we were both gone.  I am so grateful for that experience.  It changed my life forever.

5.  Esias is thriving in preschool.  It has been such a sweet thing to my soul to see my little man go to school and learn to trust someone else (his teachers) and learn how to socialize with other kids.  He has done better than I would have ever imagined.  And even though this was not my plan (I would have kept him home until he was at least 23), it was a good decision and it has been healthy for both of us!

Well, that's probably not all of the highlights but that's all I can remember right now!  I am so blessed to be the momma of three and the wife of one (amazing) husband.