Two years ago, TO THE DAY, I met and held my baby girl for the first time. I know many of you have already seen this, but here it is again... just for giggles. Yes I know it says we left on August 18th, which we did. But because Ethiopia is in BFE (By Far Egypt, that is), we landed in Ethiopia at 1:00am on the 20th. We arrived at the Guest House at 2:30am, and were allowed to go straight to the baby house, where we finally met and held our daughter. Lucky for us, she didn't mind being woken up and held by complete strangers.
And now... here she is today, at age 2 and 1/2, wearing a dress we bought for her during our Ethiopia trip.

And here she's hamming it up for the camera...

And here, she's tired of the photo session and instead decided to show off her mad skills by crossing one of her eyes. Oh yes... she takes after her Mama. Who else do you think she learned that very important skill from? It comes in handy when the kids are bugging me for unreasonable things... like attention, or food.

And this one is my personal favorite from our little "2 Year Anniversary" photo session...

She is a beautiful child. (I laughed so hard over your last post about the bunny.)
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness! A new purple friend on a journey! My son just pointed out how similar our blogs are.
ReplyDeleteThis is a beautiful story--the tears spilling down your face almost got me! I'll have to read and find out more.
Konjo!
ReplyDeleteHappy 2nd Anniversary, gorgeous girl! Wow, those photos are so beautiful! I love the last one, too -- What a personality!
ReplyDeleteBlessings.
Such a beautiful little girl you have, so, so sweet :)
ReplyDeleteThese photos are just gorgeous! My favorite is the crossed eye photo.
ReplyDeleteI love the dress too!
kristine
Watching this again I am amazed at how little has changed at Horizon House...and to see the same Nannies giving so much love to the children- I just love it.
ReplyDeleteSorry to post twice!
love that video!! and love the photos of your BEAUTIFUL girl
ReplyDeleteShe's beautiful Julie!! I love the video.
ReplyDeleteWhat a joy it has been to watch you all become the complete family that you dreamed of. Things couldn't have turned out any better. 8^)
ReplyDeleteThat is one GORGEOUS girl!! I hope your homeschool curriculum includes lessons for her brothers in "Beautiful, Little Sister Protection".
OH, Julie, thank you for sharing your joy! THe video was just wonderful. Award winning, I would say! And the pictures of her on her 2nd anniversary with you...PRICELESS! Love you!
ReplyDeleteOh Julie. I could just eat her.
ReplyDeleteBut that would be weird. So I won't, but seriously, what a beautiful baby girl and a magical addition to your family.
happy 2nd anniversary home, sweet girl!
I loved watching your video! She was an adorable baby, and has become a beautiful young girl!!
ReplyDeleteI love seeing pictures of your beautiful Marley! What a special date. I have always loved your video, even before I was even with WHFC!
ReplyDeleteWow, 2 years. She is beautiful!! Absolutely beautiful.
ReplyDeleteThat video is so sweet, Julie. The part when you first see Marlie is so touching. Happy Anniversary! Great pics of Marlie...she is beautiful. Love the dress.
ReplyDeleteThe pain you havre suffered over the last two years, looking at that darling little face. How have you managed? Happy Famiversary, party of five!!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful post! That video is still one of the most moving things I have ever seen. I still find it incredible that we saw that beautiful video before I even met you. It is amazing how she just gets prettier and prettier! As Chris says " her cute factor is off the charts!"
ReplyDeleteI will be turning to you for lots of advice on little girls... as soon as my feet touch the ground. We are both still floating!
Oh my gosh, she could not BE ANY MORE BEAUTIFUL! She takes my breath away. I just love that she's yours. Just as it was meant to be.
ReplyDeleteAnd WOW! Your house really IS purple!
I bet you are just a TON of FUN in real life - I'll have to come back just to keep this smile going.
Thanks for visiting Missouri today!
Blessings!
Your daughter is beautiful! I mean she could be a model.
ReplyDeleteI was just stopping by to say thanks for visiting my blog yesterday. It's nice to see another one of Darcy's beautiful blogs...is she talented or what?
I love your purple house in your header too! Is that really your house?? My hubby's favorite book as a child was "Mr. Pine's Purple House"...it reminds me of that book. Love it!
The winner is up on my blog.
we are waking up to "Ho - o - ome" all week at our house, thanks to alarmtube.com. and it doesn't stop at that 'cause then we all hum it all day long. not that i really need an alarm clock (still doing the 5am bottle thing) but at least i'm a little more cheerful when i wake up the members of the household who DO sleep. XO
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing! I've told you before but your daughter is just stunning! She looks like she's full of personality!
ReplyDeleteSo I'm a couple days late. I know nothing new for me! LOL
ReplyDeleteWhat an Awesome Video!
I love that your precious little girl seems to smile so much!
Congrats!
beautiful!! what precious memories.
ReplyDeleteCongratulation on two years. Marlie is beautiful. i love your pictures.
ReplyDeleteI remeber watching this video (what seems like) way back when. Its so different now that I've btdt, and just that much more special to me. I still start crying when the tear runs down your cheek. I love seeing faces I recognize and hearing a now familiar song. You and Marshall are really talented movie makers and parents. Congratulations.
ReplyDeleteLove the dress...love the pictures!
ReplyDeleteI really love the purple house! :-)
What a truly beautiful little gal you've got there...She's adorable.
ReplyDeleteHappy 2 Year Anniversary! I bet it brings back lots of wonderful memories! She's such a cutie! The last picture is my favorite too.
ReplyDeleteWith Love,
Penelope
OK...
ReplyDeleteThis made me cry. Yes, I'll admit it. Loved. Every. Minute.
But here's what's kinda scary...in more than half of the pictures I was laughing outloud, because I recognized an awful lot of Gymboree and Baby Gap outfits. Caroline had the exact same stuff, I kid you not.
We have such great taste, you and me.