In case you haven't heard...

Our family is moving to Ethiopia. I know that's big news...to get the scoop, check out our family blog at www.theshannonfamily.com . Its quite a story. We could be moving to Addis Ababa as early as October, 2009.

She's Got Proof!

Today Hanna's Certificate of Citizenship arrived! Woo Hoo! This was the last major adoption paper work that we had to do. So, while she has officially been an American citizen since December 11th when we had our court hearing, she now has the proof to show it. Now, we'll head off to Social Security and get her status updated with them and then apply for a US passport for her.

Feet!

Our dear friend Kate took these photos while she was keeping our kids for a recent trip. I LOVE the one of my 4 kids! The single one is Caia...she asked to have her feet taken alone. Kate was so sweet to oblige!

Hanna - 15 Mos. Old!

I was trying to get one nice "normal" shot of Hanna for a grant agency that helped us bring her home. I guess I might need to redefine normal. We got everything but. And yes, she is eating Cheerios with a pretend ice cream scoop, just in case you were wondering.

Caia drew a picture of herself with Hanna on the porch with sidewalk calk today. So here are the sisters sitting by their portrait. And some of Hanna. Apparantly, something was wildly funny...as much of life is to Hanna! :)

He's Got It

The other day Christy was looking at a video that flashed up that there are currently 5 million orphans in Ethiopia. Joshua read that caption and he said to Christy, "Well, mom, now there's one less than 5 million." I love the fact that he's caught it!

How Could God?

Below is a video from a campaign called "I Am Second" featuring a young man named Blake and the difference he chose to make in his school by raising money to dig wells rather than everyone buy great costumes for Homecoming. I love the question he asks...one of those "how could God" questions. It is so easy to see the suffering around the world and ask "How could God allow such pain?" However, Blake asks two very courageous questions, "How could we allow ourselves to be so distracted" and "How could God allow us to be so affluent?" What if the very God whom we blame for not fixing the problems of our world has actually blessed us to be a blessing and to make a difference in His Name with the vast resources and affluence he has given us? Check out the video here. What if I could give up those exercises of affluence I take part in, so that someone else could benefit?