2 Weeks and counting....

Well, we have officially been home for about 16 days and we are just now sitting down to update the blog. It has been a whirlwind of a Christmas/New Year's season and we apologize for the delay in sharing!

First, Jeff and I know that a "thank you" is a woefully inadequate expression of our gratitude to all of you.  Your words of encouragement, gifts, meals, prayers have made this journey an amazing experience.   We are certain that Israel was brought home because of your prayers.

We cannot believe that we have only been home for about 2 weeks.  It seems like he has always been in our family.  He has settled into a typical four year old routine.  Eat, play, sleep!  He communicates better each day.  We cannot imagine how exhausted he must be with all that is new to him.  We have certainly not taken things slowly--- he has already

• taken a 17 hour flight (thankfully slept for about 10.5 hours)
• celebrated Christmas on Jeff's parents farm
• meet three of his cousins
• jumped on a trampoline
•  4 vaccinations
• boat ride to the Dockside
• swimming in the ocean on New Year's Day
• slept in his very own room
• had a babysitter
• cheered on Patterson at a soccer game
• made lots of new friends at church and Patterson and William's school
• learned to say lots-  "help please, down please, all done, more please, thank you, 1-2-3-4-5"

Israel is his birth name though it has quickly become Izzy and fits his precious personality.  In the Ethiopian culture, names are very important and are almost always given very purposefully.  This was no exception for Israel.  His birthmother loved the stories in the Bible so she chose a name that reminded her of God.  Israel literally means "wrestles with God".  Jeff and I know that his birthmother must have genuinely and painfully wrestled with God about her decision to relinquish Israel.  He is a beautiful, joyful, very easy-going little boy.  She must miss him so much that she aches and our most desperate prayer is not for us, but for her.  We hope you will remember to pray for her and what must be her agonizing loss.  We are so thankful for little Izzy and confident that this was the Lord's will.  But we will forever remember her love for her son.

As you can tell, Jeff and I are quite slow and unreliable about updating this blog.  Even, before we brought Izzy home!  SO, please do not hesitate to call or visit!  Once again, we thank you for joining us on the journey.  We are also grateful for your love and support for Patterson and William as they adjust!  We are blessed indeed~

Love

Jeff and Alllison