Our International House of People: April 2009

Monday, April 20, 2009

Easter and Catching Up

A Very tired Lennah

The past few weeks have been fun and very busy. Easter came and went and the girls has a spectacular Easter. Between my parents and us the girls have way more candy than they could possibly eat so it is stashed away for mommy and daddy but they got lots of stuffed bunnies and goodies in their baskets that they are actually allowed to have. We also bought the girls a playhouse and slide for the outside that they are thoroughly enjoying it. Mommy has been super busy since I had to go to Atlanta four days in a row for my doctorate residency. In between my Atlanta trips we had several birthday parties this past weekend. Overall it has been a very busy time. We also have a lot planned with the nice weather coming like heading to the taste of marietta fair next week and getting together with friends. Nothing is looking as exciting as heading to Disney in less than two months. Enjoy the pictures all.

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

One Year Ago

Today

One year ago we were blessed with wonderful news for the second time around. While on vacation in Disney we received the news that we were going to be parents again to a beautiful 2 month old baby girl. Time has gone so fast and Delylah has brought so much joy to our lives within the past year. We had a rocky road to travel to get her with many ups and downs and at points we were unsure if her adoption would come to be with the freeze on adoptions from her orphanage for a brief period of time but when all was said and done God had a plan. His plan was for us to be her parents and for her to be our daughter. This time last year I was so shocked beyond belief when we received that phone call. It was one of the biggest surprises of our lives. Surprise because we did not expect a referral so quick. We are truly thankful that God has blessed us with two beautiful and smart daughters and today we celebrate what he has given us. Delylah is growing into a smart and vivacious little girl who has a whole world ahead of her with us there to guide her.

Thursday, April 2, 2009

Easter Pictures

Life has been the usual around here. Recently we had the girls Spring/ Easter pictures done. I try to take advantage of every holiday and have photos of the girls (I can't complain that target does such a good job at an affordable price). Lennah is just getting over the flu and she was the most miserable sick child I have ever been around. She took full advantage of getting to sleep in mommy and daddy's bed since she was sick. We also have a lot to look forward to in the next few weeks Spring Break is coming. YEAH!!! I feel like I need a vacation and extra time with the girls. Over the summer I am also looking forward to my friend Jamie coming for a visit with her kiddos. Her daughter Lilly was in the same orphanage as Lennah and her son Abel was in the same orphanage with Delylah so it is going to be a grand reunion. We also have some close friends getting married in the next several weeks and Lennah is the flower girl. She looks too precious in her outfit. I guess that is all to report for now enjoy the pics.

History of Ethiopia

Ethiopia is one of the oldest known cradles of civilization known to man. Christianity was brought to the Kingdom of Axum around the 4th century AD and later in the 7th century Islam was introduced. Foreign missionaries were introduced to the region around the 1630's. Because of these unwelcomed guest Ethiopia did not welcome foreign Christians and Europeans into their lands. Its isolationism may have saved the country from 19th century colonialism. In 1936 Italian facists entered the region and forced its emperor into isolation but was later returned when the British and the French defeated the Italians. Civil unrest would lead to the demise of the aging emperor and in 1974 a socialist sort of government was named. The country went through a period of red terror that was funded by the Soviets and Cuba. This lead to the implementation of a communist government being installed in the late 1970's, early 1980's. In 1989 the country went through a period of famine that also lead to a change in governments. Finally, in 1994 the country would declare its independence and later hold free elections.

History of Vietnam

For about two thousand years Vietnam was ruled by China, following this period it would become independent for the next almost thousand years. In the 1800's it would be colonized by the French. The early 20th century would bring about visions of an independent republic. In 1945 Ho Chi Minh declared Vietnam independent and renamed it the Democratic Republic of Vietnam. By 1947 a full-scale war would break out between the French and the Viet Minh (Ho CHi Minh's followers). China also began to aid the Viet Minh at this time due to its own communist revolution. July, 1954 the Geneva Accords would be sign paving the road to France leaving Vietnam; however, it would partition Vietnam into 2 independent states seperated by the 17th parallel. The South was helped by the United States, while the North would be dominated by the Viet Minh. By 1963 the South's government was very unstable. 1965 President Lyndon Johnson would send troops into Vietnam. The North would lead a massive attack in 1968 destroying much of the South. In 1969, Ho Chi Minh died but his forces remained in tact. By the early 1970's many Americans viewed the war as unwinnable and would prove unsuccessful at containing communism. January 1973 the Paris Peace Accords were signed ending the United States role in the war. In 1975 Saigon would fall to the North Vietnamese and in July of 1976 the two parts were reunified into the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. The war was disastrous for the Vietnamese people leaving an estimated 1 million to become boat people, 1 million imprisioned, and more than 100,000 killed. Today, Vietnam still has a communist form of government and although they are a developing nation many people remain extremely poor.

Monday, April 20, 2009

Easter and Catching Up

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

One Year Ago

Thursday, April 2, 2009

Easter Pictures

Ho Chi Minh City

Addis Ababa

Hohhot City

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