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!!!

Happy 3rd Birthday Ana!

Ana had a great birthday today!! We celebrated Ana turning three with family and friends!! The weather was so beautiful that Ana got to spend most of the day outside!!
It's so hard to believe that little Ana is three years old! We love you Ana so much! We have loved watching you grow and learn so much this past year. The way you love all of us and give HUGE hugs makes us all feel so special!!



We also love your free spirit!! The way you just go wherever the wind takes you is one of my favorite things about you!! Wearing rain boots on a sunny day, eating dessert first, licking the dirt just to see how it tastes, throwing your head back while you swing, and loving with your whole heart are some of my favorite things about you!!

Happy Birthday Ana!! We love you so much!!

Last day as a 2 year old!

Today is Ana's last day being 2 years old!! I can't believe my little baby will be 3 tomorrow!! Wow, time has gone by very quickly.

Ana loves to have her picture taken so when she saw me take out the camera she had a few "last day as a 2 year old" poses for me!!!

Happy Mother's Day!

I'm so excited to celebrate my first Mother's Day as a Mom of three!! Being a Mom is something God placed on my heart since I was a little girl. Getting to live it out everyday is the absolute best!! I love how each of my children brings a new and different reason of why I love being a Mom!!



Carter - the way he is so confident and his compassionate heart inspires me to be more like him!

Durant - his silliness and laugh is contagious and reminds me to not take life so seriously!

Ana - her carefree spirit and they way she loves with her whole heart is something I strive for everyday




Of course, I can't celebrate this day with out thinking of Durant and Ana's birth Mom's. Two remarkably brave women who put themselves aside for the love of their children. We love you Rebekah and Emma!

Happy Mother's Day!!!