I'm all packed and ready to head out to Ethiopia tomorrow morning!! It's just so crazy to think that one year ago today I landed in Minneapolis with Durant and had our family of five together for the first time!! Now almost a year to the day later, I head out for a third time to Ethiopia. This is only possible because of God's favor on our lives. Thank you God!


Talk to you all when we get back in two weeks!!!

Here is what I put on the KVI post:

Christy, Jen, and I (Nikki) are off to Ethiopia!! We hope to be able to post while there, but if not, we will have lots of updates to add when we get home. We have a lot we hope to accomplish while there. The biggest thing being opening another orphanage in another city. We are still praying about which city God wants us to work in and trust that He'll lead us to the right place. Please keep us in your prayers for:

• Safety for the three of us

• Safety for our families back at home

• Heath for the three of us and our families back at home

• Focus to get the work done

• Sense of God's presence and direction

• Energy to play with the children :)

Thank you! We appreciate it so much and we can't wait to come back with updates and stories of how God moved while we were in Ethiopia!!!

More pictures from the last day of school...

Here are a few pictures from picking Carter up on his last day as a first grader....


This is what he spent most nice afternoons doing after school.... playing baseball outside the front of the school for about 10-15 minutes.

Here is Carter's 1st grade teacher Mrs. Thompson.

Here is Carter with a good friend, John.

Last day of 1st grade...

Today is the last day of 1st grade for Carter. I enjoy walking him to and from school everyday!! Even though we are so close, I still walk him because I know these times are short. Soon he will be grown up and be able to get himself to school, but for now I will enjoy walking my first born to and from school!!

Here are some pictures from the last "walking to school as a first grader" day! Carter was so excited that he got to ride his scooter today. We even had our friend Lauren join us for the walk!!

1 year ago today!!

One year ago today I got to hold Durant Natnael for the first time!!! The memory is so fresh in my mind. Holding your child for the first time is so special and it will forever be a very special memory for me!!!

On Sunday, June 8th it will be the 1st anniversary of our family of 5 being together for the first time!!! I will always remember that day as well. It was such a great feeling to have my entire family together!!!!


Durant has grown so much since we brought him home. Matt and I were just talking about how Durant hardly ever smiled at first, but now he smiles all the time!! We have enjoyed watching him learn new words, become more active, and open up his heart to us.

We love you Durant!! We're so glad you are a part of our family!!!