Reflections of 2009

Of course this Christmas has been amazing. We have a precious baby boy in our home, all the way from Ethiopia. The journey all seems like such a blur now yet I daily am in awe of the miracle of MoMo.

On Christmas Day there were several minutes of tears and anguish. Thoughts of a two and a half year old boy in Ethiopia that was to be ours...........and then was not. Wonderings of "is he eating today?"..........."is he clothed today?"............"is he loved today?"..............Is he where he is supposed to be because I can't help but feel that he is meant to be with me, for in my heart I am his mom.

My biggest take away from 2009 is the way life can completely surprise you with the joy of an unexpected baby even while you are grieving the loss of a dearly loved toddler.

Life is this way, pure joy mixed with pain.

Now I ask the one who has redeemed me and I know has a purpose for my life, "what do You have for me in this?". My heart breaks for all the moms in Ethiopia who can't properly care for their children and all the children who suffer. May He find me faithful to, in any small way, do what I can to help the least of these.

Merry Christmas!

It has been a fun and productive few days in the Abbott home. I was inspired to stop being the only one in our family to shop, wrap, bake, do Christmas cards and all. So, Silas, Kate, and Maria have become the best little elf helpers you have ever seen! With all of us so busy Mo has been left to his own devices which has been a bit scary. (he actually crawled to the TOP of the stairs ~ note that at the bottom of our staircase is HARD wood floor ~ before we realized he could even climb a stair!) It has made the Christmas hustle and bustle a fun family time - crazy I know! This morning we took a little cocoa devotional break (pic above) and now they are all busy making cards. At 3 today we head to my folks (who live about one and a half miles away : ) ) for our traditional Christmas Eve time with them. Lots of FOOD and Lots of PRESENTS ~ my brother, Eric, and his girlfriend, Diane, should be there too. Tomorrow we will be home in the a.m. and have our traditional egg casserole and sticky buns (yummm ~ hope those go over well for your crew Mandy) and read the Christmas story. In the afternoon we will go up to Mike's folks (they are about 5 miles away!) and spend the evening with Mike's brother and family and have the traditional acting out of the Christmas story. Feeling so thankful for my amazing family and wishing you all a blessed holiday!

December 18 ~ Moges Michael Abbott forever

What is in a name? Well, quite a bit as we all know who have prayed and pondered over what to name each little blessing God has given us. Before we traveled to Ethiopia we decided to name Moges "Joseph Moges Abbott". Well, after travelling and coming home, and learning in the process that his name means "grace" we just haven't felt settled about his name. Yes, we sent out announcements that his name is Joseph Moges but here he is Moges, Mo, or MoMo. There is also a part of us that just doesn't want to take that cultural piece away of his given first name. So, Mike officially filed papers at the court today and we will have his court re-adoption on December 18th and he will forever be OUR Moges Michael Abbott. The perfect name for our blessing of a baby boy. His middle name is after the best man I know and it is also a name close to my heart since I have a brother named Michael who died when I was 6 and he was 11. Mo is our little gift of grace and we are so thankful.

Kate is Eight!

Oh yeah, she's sassy!

November 27 Kate turned 8 and we got to celebrate in Olympia with swimming in a hotel pool and fun with relatives. But, the party goes on. We had a big celebration here Friday night and will have a girls day out Saturday to see The Princess and The Frog.
Kate is our sunshine daisy girl. She loves drama, being contrary, singing, her new ipod shuffle loaded by dear Silas with .......... the Wicked soundtrack of course! Kate is a delight any way you look at it and we are so happy to have her at 8!