Happy New Year!

I can't believe that 2009 is coming to an end. What a busy year it has been. As I reflect back on the year, I am again reminded how truly blessed we are. 2009 will be a year I will never forget and I am looking forward to 2010.

While there won't be any referrals or new children added to our family this next year, we are looking forward to celebrating many firsts with Kiya. Here are just a few things we are looking forward to in the new year.

1--Kiya walking. Okay I am really ready for her to walk, she is almost ready and our poor dogs and house have some catching up to do. I am excited and terrified by her walking on her own.

2--The toddler room. Kiya starts her transition to her new room at daycare on Monday. Everyone is excited for this. I can't wait to see what she learns and how she grows.

3--Her first trip to the zoo. We got a wagon for Christmas and can't wait to take Kiya to the zoo. We have a free zoo close by and last summer it would have been too much and she was so young. Not this next year though :) I LOVE zoos.

4--The purchase of a potty seat. I can't believe I actually wrote that but you see by the end of 2010, Kiya will be 2. Time to at least have the seat in the house even if we don't touch it for awhile. At daycare they will start taking her to the bathroom as well to wash hands and just sit on the potty to get used to the idea.

5--San Antonio. I HATE winter and Kiya needs to see her Auntie Sarah. We are off to San Antonio for a few days in February and it better be nice there.

6--Babyproofing. Admittedly we are a little behind in this area but since Kiya hasn't started walking yet and her scooting/rolling is fairly contained we weren't worried. Well, the times they are a changing. She is starting to cruise on furniture and go from one stationary object to another. Outlets are covered of course but baby gates, cabinet locks, etc are in our very near future.

7--Swim lessons. We can't wait to sign Kiya up. She LOVES water so far anyway. At the very least it will hopefully be some good mommy/daughter time.

8--Turning the car seat forward. It may not seem like a big deal but it is just yet another sign of how big Kiya is getting. She is technically old enough and heavy enough for us to turn her seat around now. We are holding out for as long as we can. It she keeps growing inches with each doctor's visit we won't make it much longer as she is already kicking the back of the seat. Plus, I think she is going to love sitting forward and looking at something besides the back of the seat.

9--The little things. Kiya is such a joy and just so sweet. I am looking forward to the sweet little things that will occur. The hugs, the snuggles, the kisses. We have those now and I look forward to many more in the coming the year.

10--1 year closer. Hopefully, fingers crossed, we will be one year closer to Kiya's little brother. International adoption is a scary world and I am nervous but remaining hopeful for the moment that our dreams of her little brother will come true and that 2010 will bring us that much closer.

Happy New Year everyone. I know for some of you 2009 was a FABULOUS year and for others it wasn't. If it was fabulous may 2010 be even more so. If it was not so great may 2010 be your year. The year that rocks your world. May all of you who read this find peace, love and happiness in the upcoming year.

Melkam Addis Amet!

Or Happy New Year. September 11th is Ethiopian New Year. It is our first Ethiopian New Year together as a family. Long before we had our referral, we had discussed ways to incorporate Ethiopian culture into our family and we agreed to celebrate Ethiopian New Year.

So what are we doing? Well, Kiya is still young so it will be low key and we will add to it each year. So this year we are going to have dinner together at Buraka, our local Ethiopian restaurant and take a family picture.

It is so great to have a reason to celebrate on September 11th. Since 2001, this date has been a little rough for me. It will always be my "I remember exactly where I was and what I was doing" moments. Both when I heard the news of the attack and later in the day when I heard I had lost a former resident on Flight 93.

So Melkam Addis Amet.

For more info on Ethiopian New Year click here : http://rastafarionline.com/files/AddisAmet.pdf