I am Running Out of Buna...Help!

While in Ethiopia this past Summer, we stopped at Mokarar Best Ethiopian Coffee and picked up a suitcase full of VERY FRESH Ethiopian coffee. It was from the Sidamo region, about 100 miles West and North of Nyah's home town. It was one of my favorite memories of our trip. Nyah was bonding well and loved seeing her dad excited to pick up some "Boo-Na" as she would pronounce it!!! Thank you Lord for being so creative in giving me a daughter from the land of coffee beans. See the video attached (click link below) for a look at the Mokarar shop we visited.

Mokarar Link (click here)

Snow Gets Colder as I Get Older

Remember when you were 8 years old how a snow was almost as exciting as getting a new package of Garbage Pail Kid cards? On the coldest night this past week, the kids and I went outside for our evening visit to the family dog. We cleaned the pin, gave him some new straw to keep warm and replenished his food supply. By this time I was freezing and wanted to head back in. Guess what? The kids wanted to stay out and play in the snow! Are you kidding me...why would one do such a crazing thing? Then I suddenly remembered how awesome I used to think it was when it snowed...25 years ago that is. Time really changes things and I swear the cold cuts deeper and deeper each year. Regardless, I sucked it up and stayed outside watching them make snow angels and roll in drifts. They were covered with snow by the time we came in. Remember how you used to get snow in your boots, gloves and hat? They had it. Funny thing is, it never melts. It just packs in and turns to ice. You go and go and go and go...then finally the sting from the snow packed next to your wrists and ankles starts to sting. Thats when you finally say its time to go in.
Watching my kids this past week reminded me of these things. I quickly determined that the snow definitely gets colder as I get older!

Great Day In King City...

Today we did something that we haven't done in a long time...we spent a day in King City hangin out with our families for no other reason than sharing a Saturday in life together. What a blessing it is to have family like ours. Romey and Jim started the day together doing electrical work on one of Romey's projects. Can work be enjoyable...somehow it usually is to these two. It's been several months since they have had the opportunity to work together. For lunch, Romey Clayton joined them at Friends and enjoyed an afternoon meal. As usual, Romey Senior had "projects" on his mind and was anxious to travel to St. Joe to pick up some needed supplies. What an amazing man...86 and still fills a daily agenda with work that some young men can't comprehend.

Dixie, Nyah, Delton and Davin headed to Granny Carolyn and Papa Cuz's house early. As usual, the kids ran and enjoyed all 20 acres of Papa's awesome trees and garden. Papa Cuz is getting soft though...he even elected to play some "ball" with the kids in the yard! This is wild... The kids loved their time with Granny and Papa Cuz. Priceless times East of town.

After all this, everyone met at Grandma Cheryl and Grandpa Romey's house, dawned the swimsuits and jumped in the pool. The pool is a sure hit for our family. It raises Grandma and Grandpa's political capital every time. They love coming to their house and ALWAYS ask about when we can come back and swim. Cheryl and Romey had to leave early to head for a wedding in St. Joe...but the time we spent with them today was fun and full of smiles!

Amy, Cameron and Nick stuck around, watched funny youtubes and played in the yard until PIZZA was the agreed upon plan. Hands dirty from playing in Grandpa's shop, a little sweaty and a little tired...we all sit down to a meal. So much life happens around the dinner table.

Amy and Dixie shared a visit...laughing as they so often do! Playing continued, but eyes now look tired. The kids are worn out and a great day just being family comes to an end. Thank you Lord for this day and for the blessing of just being family together! This picture of Delton and Nick says it all and wins the "Pic of the Day" award. Two cousins, full of life, being ornery and making memories together...

Check Out "Our Story" and "Nyah's Timeline" by Clicking Above!

We have recently updated the "Our Story" and "Nyah's Timeline" pages on this site! Check them out by clicking the links above on the blog menu bar...

Home at Last!

We are home and it feels amazing to have arrived at this point in our Journey to Nyah! She is an amazingly strong little girl. Things are going quite well in our household, as we believe she is adjusting quite well. The boys love her and she really enjoys them as well. Mom and Dad are sleepy...still trying to figure out how jetlag can have such a long effect on you...

We hope to share lots about our Journey, including pics and a possible video or two. But for now, we just wanted to let you know that it is going great and we are praising God for bringing us together as a new family!!!!

God Bless,

Jim and Dixie

8 Days to NYAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wow...the entire weekend has gone to preparing for our trip. Pouring over our adoption guide book, thinking of and purchasing items to take, items to leave with the boys, items for travel and for Nyah. Also, today we took another online course for Adopting the Older Child. Still several things to do between now and next Sunday morning when we fly out! Stay tuned and check out this awesome pic of Nyah...

Time to start the countdown...10 DAYS TO NYAH!

10 Days until we hold this smiling girl in our arms!