Saturday, November 2, 2013

Thankful

Well, we've become those people who never do anything with their blog. We meant to update, but well, life just gets busy. As our minds turn to Thanksgiving, we can't help but remember how appreciative we are of all of the people who have helped to build our little family.

Thank you to everyone who has given financially and prayed for us and other adoptive families. The process of adoption is expensive and trying. Because of your generosity and faithfulness, we've always had just what we needed... usually on the exact day that we needed it.

Thank you to everyone who has supported and been patient with us as we've begun to figure out what it means to be first time parents to an incredibly lively 10-year-old little girl. Most people are amazed at how well-adjusted she is. Most of that is thanks to the amazing friends and family around the world who have cheered us on and given us guidance and grace over the past few months. And the people who loved and cared for our kiddo before she came to us.

As we think of people for whom we are thankful, we can't help but think of the love and sacrifices that women on the other side of the world made to ensure that our daughter had a hope and future. We are forever grateful for, Wude, Annie's Ethiopian mommy. She raised this kid to think critically, act kindly and generously, to be joyful, and to work hard. We are also immeasurably thankful to Annie's aunt, who had the courage and faith to trust strangers to raise Annie well.

For those of you considering older kiddo adoption, it can be beyond words hard. But, for us, every hardship has been outnumbered countless joys. For this, we are thankful.

With love,
Jimmy and Celeste