Well folks, after one rescheduled court date from February 7th to February 22nd, and NO NEWS for four days after that, we finally got word today that we PASSED COURT! We are legally the parents of three beautiful children from Ethiopia. Would you like to meet them? I’m so thrilled to be able to share their precious faces with you finally!
Here is a very recent photo of brothers Alex (6) and Melkam (4)
- Alex and Melkam pose for our friend Dakota, early February 2011
Aren’t they wonderful? Maybe you can’t tell from the photo, but they are sweet, funny, happy boys and they are so excited to have a family. When our friend Dakota (who, along with her husband Brent just brought home two five-year-olds this month…see their blog here) found Alex and asked him if she could take his picture for Mommy and Daddy, he got really excited and ran to find Melkam. And that’s the shot… Oh, it just broke my heart when I saw it. Those faces. They are probably going to be holy hellions (yes, you see those hints of mischief too, don’t you?), but I don’t care! We are joyfully jumping in with both feet.
And here is baby Eliana, who is about to turn 1 year old on March 10th:
I can’t tell you the number of times recently I have imagined holding this sweet little girl and how sad we are to be missing all of her baby milestones right now. She learned to crawl while we were there in November and it was such a joy to witness that. While we won’t have the blessing of having her home for her first birthday, it shouldn’t be too long after!
We hope to be able to bring the kids home in April, but we won’t know for several weeks when our embassy appointment is. So yes, a little more waiting!
Thanks for all your prayers and love and support, we are incredibly grateful for our families, our friends and our community.
-One very happy MOM!!!
biglifesmalltown 
February 25th, 2011 at 12:21 pm
Kimberly,
I’m so excited for you. so beautiful. this made me cry with joy for you. I can’t imagine that you still have to wait to bring them home!!
February 25th, 2011 at 12:24 pm
Thanks Lisa! We are so happy. Yes, a little more waiting, but we are in the home stretch now!
February 25th, 2011 at 1:18 pm
They are absolutely adorable and so lucky to have you and Charles as their parents. Congratulations!!! (and, little Melkham looks like a total angel!)
February 25th, 2011 at 1:28 pm
CONGRATULATIONS! I have been keeping my fingers crossed for you. How amazing. The pictures are just precious. I am so happy for you both.
Renggli
February 25th, 2011 at 1:41 pm
WOW, WOW, WOW, we are so happy for you. Blessings
February 25th, 2011 at 1:51 pm
Oh Kimberly, they are just beautiful children. In the Radtke house we call “holy hellions”, “blessed handfuls”. haha But oh, what our lives would be without the daily reminder of God’s unfailing grace to us. Many prayers are over you, my dear friend. And for the record – you’ve always been a Mom, there was just the waiting. Praise God from whom ALL blessings flow and for His PERFECT timing.
February 25th, 2011 at 1:53 pm
Holy Shizzle Kimberly, it’s about time. Congrats to you MOMMA. I can’t wait to meet them.
February 25th, 2011 at 3:10 pm
I am SO excited that you can finally share your kids’ beautiful faces with the world. Congratulations! Lots of positive energy for a smooth and speedy homecoming, and hopefully our kiddos can get together for a mini-Layla reunion sometime in the future. So happy for ALL of you!
February 25th, 2011 at 4:02 pm
Congratulations!!! How exciting to see and hear the official word.
Let the crazy begin! 🙂
February 25th, 2011 at 5:24 pm
WOW! I am so happy for you and Charles. I can’t imagine how it must feel to know your kids will be coming home soon. They are beautiful kids, and I love the boys smiles.
February 25th, 2011 at 7:02 pm
Congratulations!! I am so happy to hear of your wonderful news. They are absolutely beautiful- I look forward to hearing about the rest of the adventure.
February 25th, 2011 at 7:21 pm
This is such great news!!! Congratulations! While I don’t often comment on blogs, know that I am keeping up with your family through your blog & am sending good wishes and prayers your way.
February 26th, 2011 at 12:44 pm
I am so excited for you Kim! Congratulations! Your new adventure is about to begin. Love Kristin