a year in the making

On September 14, 2008, we met Simon Alemayehu in person for the first time. I've never really written much about that day, because, really, how do you put such an amazing, surreal, emotional experience into words?

A year later, it is still hard to find the words to describe that moment - other than the obvious "life changing," but even that seems like an understatement. Our meeting was the culmination of a process that was both draining and inspiring, and the beginning of an adventure we could barely imagine.

We are still enjoying this adventure and look forward to all the joys and challenges, the laughter, the tears, the smiles and surprises in store for us. But today we are also looking back over the past year (the past two years really) and marveling at how life has changed.

remember us?

So (and I feel like I say this a lot on here these days) it's been a while since we've posted. No excuses really... we've mostly just been trying to enjoy these last days of summer and the good weather that finally came our way, and that has meant as little less time at the computer. Add a short trip to Napa to celebrate Ry's birthday and some flirting with facebook (though I still don't really think I'm a facebook sort of gal)... and, well, guzo has been neglected a bit.

And I'm not even sure anyone is checking in on us anymore (can't really blame people for giving up on us), but I do want to keep this blog alive, even if it is not quite as up-to-date and detailed as it once was. It is, after all, our "baby book" for Simon: a keepsake of sorts, a record of our journey to meet Simon and our first year (so far) together.

And to that last point, we are coming up on one year of being together. Just an amazing thing really. We have lived a lifetime in the past year and yet it also has gone by so quickly (something I've marveled about before).

But gone is the baby we brought home last September. He is all little boy now. Running around, chattering up a storm (most of which we can't really understand, but he's got a lot to say!), climbing on every piece of furniture, and entertaining us with his dancing, singing, laughing, and silliness. He is curious, determined... a little mischievous (well, maybe a lot mischievous)... sweet, energetic, funny. He LOVES to cook (he didn't get that from me) and will happily ask you to read him the same book over and over again. He's developing an obsession with Thomas the Train. And he can always make you smile.

...and one more thing...

we can't celebrate a milestone without pictures!

time flies... sometimes

Today marks the anniversary of another milestone in our adoption process - one year since we became Simon's parents in the eyes of the Ethiopian courts!

As we have entered into this season of anniversaries (referral, court date, travel...), I find myself amazed at how quickly the past year or so has gone by. Then, as I look back over the year, and re-read some of my posts from this time last year, I am just as amazed by how time can be so fickle: specifically, how one year can feel like a whirlwind today, but one day felt like an eternity only one year ago (am I making sense?).

I thought we had waited forever for a referral... and then that forever felt like a brief minute while we were waiting anxiously for our court date. And then, when we found out that we were not successful on our first court date... well, I thought time just stopped moving altogether.

But then at around 4pm on August 6, 2008, while I was on a coffee break with an old friend, trying to distract myself from staring at the phone, I got a call that changed my life. Simon Alemayehu was officially part of our family.

We still would not travel and meet him for several weeks, but that call marked the end of so many struggles, questions, worry, and wonder.... A whole new chapter had begun.

And here we are a year later. New struggles, questions, worries and wonders... but also so many new joys, laughs, emotions, amazements (is that a word?).... Life as a family of 4 (yes, EJ is a full fledged member of our family) is simply wonderful.

the journey

Ryan discovered this movie this morning - and, given the fabulous title and subject matter, how could we not mention it?? Now I'm just trying to find out if/when it will be playing in NY.

ps - happy birthday j