Dear Enat ~

Dear Enat ~
My mama heart knows you are thinking about him and wondering about this journey he is on.

He's 10 today!  Can you believe that?!?!?!

He is getting ready to head onto 4th grade with the help and guidance of so many amazing people at his school and at our deaf church.  He knows Jesus and LOVES him with all of his heart.  He is getting more and more confident in his signing and communicating with the hearing world around him.  His love of video games and movies would make you laugh.  His favorite thing to do on the weekend is being able to sleep on the couch!  His favorite color is still blue.  He and his brother Tariku are truly the best of friends day in and day out.  He loves to make people laugh and there is no one in the world that he loves more then his papa.  He's doing amazing with sports and continues to play on a travel futbol club.  He also enjoys basketball and golf. His papa taught him to ride a bike (something we were told he would never do!)

He has learned to be an big brother as we walk this journey of fostering and is always a go with the flow kind of kiddo!

He LOVES unconditionally and with all that he has and he is so incredibly LOVED.  I know you would be so very proud of the young man he is becoming.

Happy Happy Birthday Tewdros Joshua - you are truly the love of our life and we are blessed to call you son!

Dear Enat ~

Dear Enat ~
Well its that time of year again.  The time when you are on my mind constantly.  The time of year that I wonder are you thinking about him, are you wondering what and how he is doing, the time I wonder if you miss him as much as I do when he's gone from me for simply a night or 2?

Today our boy turns 11!!  It seems like it was only yesterday that we arrived in Ethiopia to meet a shy, quiet 5 year old and then in the blink of an eye he's 11 and getting ready for 5th grade!

I want you to know he is great - he is thriving at school, loves his brother and his family with all his heart, knows and loves Jesus.  He still thinks yellow is the best color in the world.  His sign language has come a long way as he grows with Tewdros.  He spent this past year with trips to Wisconsin, Alabama, Louisiana, Georgia, and Mexico.  He continues to play futbol and basketball and his golf game is quite impressive!!  He has become an amazing foster brother as he will tell you that it is our job to stand in the gap and love those when they need it most.

His heart and compassion for others lead him to extraordinary opportunities.  But most of all he is LOVED and LOVES so many.  So thank you - thank you for knowing the worth of his life when you made that decision all those years ago.  And know that we talk about you often.

A few photos to recap his 10th year!

Happy Happy Birthday Tariku James - you are and always will be our greatest love

Good bye 2014 - Hello 2015

Goodness gracious - another year is wrapping up for people all over the world. In just a few short hours from now we will celebrate the beginning of a new year. And so I thought I would end 2014 with a few photos from our world to yours.

Teddy is now playing club soccer - different team from Tariku but same Club

Soccer - it's apparently ALL we do in the Spring and Fall 

Amazing business opportunities

Photos with Santa - photo courtesy of Karen Halbert Photography

Time with Papa is always time well spent

Disney with Papa Blue

Maybe this should of been our Christmas card this year?  Oh wait I never got the card out!!!

Teddy and his papa blue

Tariku being interviewed for NPR

IF conference in Austin with Jillian and Jess - a true blessing of an opportunity

And when not playing soccer we are on the basketball courts

2nd grade means Leprechaun traps

So proud to be in black for Aris FC

Designing their own golf hole

Hard to believe he is about to begin his 3rd season with this club

Mrs. Clark and Mr. Jim - they made the school world a wee bit easier to navigate

Tariku and Ms. Gatlin (2nd grade)

It's a party when Will is in town and mama is in Ethiopia

 an amazing evening to benefit 147 million orphans and a private screening of Legends of the Knight #wearebatman

Easter 2014

yep a totaled car in the Spring of 2014 

Who cares the water is FREEZING!

Always ready for the next adventure

Off to Uncle Jason's we go

Playing tic tac toe with great-grandma Taeko 

Mama why do Americans think this is fun?  This is just life in Africa! - Tariku

Brothers 

Awards won and parties planned

See a theme?  This boy and his tic tac toe

On the soccer field before 7am - calls for one thing

So happy to see their Amber get married

Summer spent with Kylee

The Christmas gift from Uncle Josh that lives on and on and on

Giggles and all girl

Adventure and Road Trips!

Atlanta GA - Six Flags

A look into the future and look who's driving

Kylee behind the wheel

Cousins and the bestest of friends

One would think they were related by blood - but alas they are not

Summer - welcomed a pool into our yard!!

New friends

Working on their radio voices

Hanging with friends at the radio station

Listening as they remix the Tariku message

Preparing his lines

Ready to go wish America a very happy birthday

Disney day @ Camp Summer Sign

Just over 5 months in this thing 

Halloween

The launch of a non - profit

Wedding help in Santa Fe

Cliff Dwelling in Santa Fe

My little orange boy

So there you have it!!  A look back at 2014 - we are blessed beyond measure and look forward to all that comes in 2015.  From the Hammons House to yours we wish you a very HAPPY NEW YEAR