It's been awhile....

I know that it has been months since I've last updated my blog. My apologies! Time flys when you're having so much fun chasing cuteness all around the house! 

So how have things been you ask? Well, I must admit that things have been much better than I could have ever imagined. It feels as if he was born into our family. I guess that's because he somewhat was. You see, I firmly believe that this kid was meant to be in our family. God knew it all along. He has been a tremendous blessing to our family. 

So what is Christian doing these days? He is 10 months old and he is walking and saying a few words. He says bye-bye, high five, stop, da-da and thank thank which means thank you. :-). About a week ago he said Ma-Ma and I think the way that I jumped up must have scared the ma-ma out of him because he hasn't said it since then! 

It's funny to think that he has been home now for 1/2 of his life! 5 whole months! As each month, week and day passes by, I still can't believe that this smart and handsome little fella is my son. His smile warms my heart and his laugh is music to my ears. He's perfect. He's ours. Thank you God for blessing us with him. He has changed our lives more than he will ever know. 

Here are a few pictures. I will post some from his welcome home parties in the days to come. As well as some pics from Ethiopia. 

Thanks for visiting my page! 

Christmas 2013

Thanksgiving 2013

Halloween 2013

Waiting on his food

xoxo

One month down and a lifetime to go!

Three weeks after passing court, we were cleared by embassy....It is hard to believe that was just ONE month ago!  The morning of August 24th, Christian and I boarded an early flight leaving Ethiopia, headed to America!  

For those of you that do not know his age, Christian is 6 1/2 months.  Sometimes I still look at him in complete awe....and I think to myself, God chose us for him.  We have done a lot during his first month in the US.  He has had a ton of "firsts"!  He has attended his first US church service, first trip to the park, first time in a swing, first blowout (he could have kept this one! :-)) First time eating baby food, first time eating American food, first time meeting grandparents, family and friends.  First tooth, first time sitting up, rolling over, holding his bottle, Skyping and the list goes on, but I think you get the picture!  

When Dion and I boarded the plane from Atlanta to head to Ethiopia, we didn't know what to expect when we arrived.  We did not know if he would be afraid of us or if he just wouldn't like us. To our surprise, when we arrived at the foster home and met him for the first time, he smiled.  The look on his face said "What took you so long!?".  I hugged and kissed him for the first time...he was no longer a packet of information (our dossier), he was no longer a picture (our referral), HE WAS OUR SON! 

We spent a few hours with him each day leading up to our court hearing, and each day he would greet us with that same adorable smile and he never cried.  The day we passed court, we went and picked up our son!  He was no longer an orphan, he was our son.  Typically, you do not get custody of your child after passing court.  However, because we decided that I would stay in Ethiopia with him until we cleared embassy, they allowed it because he was legally our child.  A few days after passing court, Dion had to head back to the US, and I stayed behind with Christian.  Little did we know, God was already putting everything and everyone in motion to get us through embassy in record time.  Just 15 days after passing court, we were cleared to go home!  (you can check my timeline for dates)

I can't get enough of this little boy.  Sure, there are days when I am tired or exhausted, but seeing his smile makes each day much brighter.  He has brought so much joy to our family and it feels like he has been with us since birth.  He has had no issues with attachment and I credit some of that to staying in Ethiopia with him prior to bringing him around family and friends.  It was a major sacrifice to stay there, and I had planned on being there for at least 2 months!  But it was so worth it and I would do it all over again.  People have asked me how could you stay in a foreign country, alone without any family or friends.  Can someone pass me the EASY button?  EASY!  I could stay because he is my son!  Everyone does not have the ability or flexibility to stay, and I can totally understand that.  But God made a way so I could stay, so I stayed.  

He is healthy, happy and he sleeps through the night and he eats like there is no tomorrow.  :-) 

He is perfect!  So many people have remarked on how much he looks like myself and my husband and it warms our hearts each time we hear it.  This little boy has impacted and blessed our lives more than he will ever know!  People have said that we saved him.  That is a false statement.  God called us to adopt and we answered; we prayed and God answered.  We didn't save Christian, Christian saved us!

One month down and a lifetime to go!  I love you son!  

We are officially a family of FIVE!

We arrived home on 8/24, exactly 2 months after we received our referral for our dear son Christian. As many of you know, I stayed in Ethiopia between court and embassy so that I could bond with him before boarding a plane and taking him home. Those three weeks were full of FIRSTS! First kisses, first diaper changes, first early morning smiles, first time eating baby food and so many more. 

It's amazing that he is in our lives and he fits in just perfectly. We are often told how much he looks like us and I couldn't agree more. 

He is the happiest baby I have ever seen. He is always smiling and laughing! He rarely cries and he is so laid back. God definitely had His hand is this and I couldn't be happier! 

Our time together in Ethiopia flew by. I had planned on being there for at least 2 months. However, God had a different plan and less than 2 weeks after passing court, we cleared embassy and we were on our way home! Our results are not typical! We know many people that waited on average 8-10 weeks. We know that it was only by the grace and favor of God that our time was accelerated and we are forever grateful! 

For those of you that may have questions, feel free to leave comments or you may continue to email me at kdadoption@gmail.com 

Til next time....

xoxo

Picture from our last plane ride home! 

Update....sorry for the delay!

This has been a very busy week for us.  We were submitted to Embassy on Monday, 8/19/2013 and we cleared Embassy TODAY!!!!  I wish that I could take credit for the quick submission and clearance, but I can't.  God opened each door that we walked through during our attempt to get submitted and He gave us favor in each situation.  I am so thankful for all of the prayers and words of encouragement.  After almost 3 short weeks in Ethiopia since boarding the plane for the first time to see our son, we will be going home! 

xoxo,

Dana

On our way to embassy submission!

In order to be submitted to Embassy, there are a few things that must take place first.  

1.  Obtain court decree---DONE

2.  Obtain birth certificate---DONE

3.  Obtain passport---DONE

4.  Obtain medical clearance---Scheduled for Monday!!

5.  Embassy submission--TBD

Woohoo!!   It's amazing to think that soon, we will be able to leave Ethiopia!  How soon? Not sure, it really depends on how fast the Embassy is processing things.  With courts being closed, we are hoping that this will speed up the process. But we will be happy once we are able to be submitted!  Please keep us in your prayers! 

XOXO, Dana

Introducing Christian K.D.

Christian Fanuel Keane-Dawes.  Fanuel was his name that was given to him by the orphanage and it means Vision of God.  This little boy stole our hearts before we ever knew of him.  This picture was taken the day that we met him for the first time.  It was a day full of so many emotions.  After traveling for almost 30 hours, being stranded at the airport in Ethiopia for 3 hours early in the morning, we headed right over to meet him.  You wait for this moment, and while you wait, you ask yourself what will it be like?  You fantasize about the first time that you will hold him and look into his eyes.  You think about the first time you will kiss his little cheeks and hold his little hands.  You wonder what will his voice sound like.  And if you're anything like me, you have dreams about this moment when you go to sleep, and you don't want to wake up.  When we first saw him and he looked at us with his wide eyes, he embraced us.  He smiled and it melted my heart.  There is no doubt in my mind that Christian was supposed to be our son.  Immediately, he took a liking to us and the attachment process for us has been a breeze.  I can't wait to bring him home so everyone else can meet our handsome prince.  

XOXO

Dana

We passed court!!! Gotcha Day!

Today we passed court!  Glory be to God!  It was quite simple and surprisingly fast.  Right after court, we went straight to the foster home to pick up our handsome son, Christian Fanuel.  He is such a happy baby and we are so honored to be his parents!  They allowed us to take custody of him because I will be staying in Ethiopia until we make it through Embassy. We are praying that the wait time for Embassy will be fairly quick, but we are also realistic in knowing that it could take months.  Either way, I am in it for the long haul!  

With that being said, I have my hands full!  :-)  So until later, I must go tend to my son!  Photos coming soon!