Celebrating Zahra!

It has been an exciting and busy week as our friends, the Shubins, have been making their last minute preparations to leave for Ethiopia. It is a day we have longed for with them for over a year!! And it is finally here!!! As I type, they are on a plane headed to Addis Ababa. Tomorrow, they will meet little Zahra for the first time. Oh the joy!, and how I wish I could be there to see that precious moment!!

It has been such an honor to walk alongside the Shubins in their process. God used them to reignite our desire to adopt and to lead our hearts to Ethiopia. To think that our daughters are already friends from their days together at the House of Hope just makes me long even more for Zahra's arrival home!

Last weekend was Zahra's shower. It was a wonderful celebration both of Erica and her daughter.

the invite

Danielle helps set up

fun & festive

Melissa did the devotion and Barbara hosted in her beautiful home

Abby and I enjoy the yummy food

Erica enjoying her gifts

Abby kept everyone entertained between gifts : )

Kim came all the way from the other side of FL
and shared pictures from her recent trip to Ethiopia
to meet her daughter!

our friend Lizzy who took all the amazing photos

Moms with children from Ethiopia in our hearts and homes
(Kim, Melissa, Erica, Jessica, Amy & me)

It was truly wonderful. We also showed a video with messages from some of Erica's long distance friends. It was beautiful to have them be able to celebrate with us in that way, and Erica was a mess watching it! So fun! : ) I'm sharing it below.

I don't think I'm any less excited for them than I was for us!! We love you Shubin family, and we love you Zahra Reign!! Have a wonderful trip and hurry home to us---we can hardly wait!!!