ethiopian roots run deep.

it's late Thursday night + I'm having one of my "in the mood" late photo editing nights.
thinking about the day.
seriously, adoption has changed our whole life.
it has expanded our world view ten fold.
people that we might never have had the opportunity to know, we now consider family.

I mean, when did we ever go over to our "ethiopian parents" house for coffee ceremonies?
or go to gotcha day parties + celebrate orphans no more being in their forever families?

it's insane.
and I love every minute.


we want our kids to KNOW all about their culture.
so we love when getanah & wosene speak to them in amharic + even oromo (their tribal language)
we love it when we participate in one of the greatest traditions of their home culture - the coffee ceremony.

we love it when they have friends who come from the same places as they do.

tonight, as our sweet friend Lana's daughter Eva Rose met Camp + Asher for the first time, Lana told her simply that they come from the same place that she does.

Eva just studied Asher and said in her 3 year old voice, "mommy she has hair just like me & Lomi do".  Yes, Eva she sure does.  and her skin is the same as yours.
Eva strokes her skin and says an enthusiastic, "yeah!"
"and her eyes are black too"

simple conversation but it still stole my heart.

I love that that four little girls who once lived as orphans in Ethiopia, can now call each other friends in Midland Texas.  they can relate to each other.  even at a young age.  

I'm so thankful for the adoptive families that we are blessed to call friends!

and those of you who are adopting & don't know ANYONE who's adopting in your area... rest assured, we didn't either when we started this thing.  the bond of adoption runs thick.  you will meet "your people"!  pray for an adoption boom in your city! 

Emme, it was an honor to celebrate your gotcha day tonight.  I can't believe it's been 1 year since you've been home.  I still remember so well sitting in YOUR room with YOU IN IT just in awe.  after months of no Emme in that room, that day you spun me around in your chair it all became real.
you are a beautiful joyful  and have the best-laugh-ever + I'm blessed to know you! (jennas blog here!)

camp + asher, may you never lose your Ethiopian roots.  

happy friday yall! 

 in case you missed it this week:

I guest posted over on my girl Tara's blog here. 

talking about my No. 41 bag!