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I have had the chance lately to reflect on the past six months. First, it is amazing how quickly this six months has passed compared to a year ago when we were waiting for a referral. Six months then seemed to last an eternity!
Second, I have come to realize something about the attaching process. I'm sure this will sound very obvious to most of you, but it really is something I wish I would have accepted when we first brought Isaiah home.
This "Aha idea" is that attachment takes time. I expected it to happen all at once, but I wish I had realized it just wouldn't. This seems so obvious; however, I really wanted to see "attaching" immediately. Now, I feel silly that I had these expectations. Or, maybe I just wanted it all to be super easy. I think I wanted to think that I would do everything perfectly so Isaiah would attach right away to us. But, some things just take time. It takes time to establish new patterns and trust. The other day, we were playing "This little piggy" with Isaiah's toes, and I remembered those first few days when we entertained him with this new game. Everything was new to him back in September, but now, he knows what to expect because we have done it so many times. The same thing is true with eating. Now, when we sit down at the table for a meal, he immediately starts chanting, "Pray, pray!" He knows that is what has to happen before we eat, and he is ready to do it. Night time is also a sweet time. We read our Bible story with the kids, pray, and give bedtime hugs and kisses. He has grown to love this time on the couch with our whole family, and I love to see how he knows the routine and plays his part on cue, giving each person their hug and kiss.
Yesterday, I was blessed to get a day away on a women's retreat. When I came home, Isaiah came running, arms outstretched, yelling, "Mommy! Mommy! Mommy!" I don't have to tell you how sweet it was to have a fresh reminder that time has led to some major attaching. 
It was so different than this picture when he came tentatively to us in Ethiopia. I'm so thankful God led us through those first days to this very sweet place.
We were so blessed to get to go on a ski trip with my dad. I have to admit that I was a bit nervous embarking on a long car trip with all four kids, but it really went very well. We drove mostly through the night hours, so that helped because the kids slept the majority of the way.
We arrived Friday night, so we had Saturday to catch up with some cousins. First, we headed over to Kevin and Brandi's house. Jackson loved this because he was able to get reacquainted with his cousin, Caleb. They had a great time together, and we loved getting to catch up.
Next, we headed across Denver to my other cousins' house. I can't believe I didn't get any pics, but we had too much fun getting to know their kiddos they adopted from Thailand. We swapped adoption stories and laughed about how similar they were/are! This was a sweet time because this was my cousin, Kim, who walked with me through my tough adjustment period. It was good to give her a hug in person. :)
On Sunday, it was finally time to head to the slopes! We ate breakfast each morning in the hotel lobby. 
Then we drove about an hour to Loveland. It seemed like it took us forever to actually get going, but we eventually got everyone loaded into their gear and headed to the mountain. 
At first, we tried to get all 6 kids on the mountain and just teach them how it was done, but they far out-numbered us. We quickly decided to ship them all off to ski school which was the smartest decision we made! Here is Raegan in her class: 
That first day was so fun because the kids were all occupied in school, so Chris and I (and my friend, Paige) were able to just ski. It had been 14 years since we had been, so we needed a little time to get comfortable again. We were proud of ourselves because we were on blues by the end of the day. That is good for me! 
Paige and Chris getting ready to get on the lift. 
The second day, Reagan went back to school, but the rest of the kids ventured out on their own. They did a great job, even going on a little side trail with bumps! Jackson loved being able to ski with some of his friends. Here, he and Owen are ready to jump back on the lift.
For lunch, we all met at the lodge and had our picnic!
After lunch, we ventured to the top of the mountain--with the help of Uncle Adam and Uncle Marc and Papa. At first, the kids were so nervous--and so were we as we watched them ride the 2-mile lift to the top! 
But they quickly found out why we kept pushing them to go. It was just so beautiful, and they did so well with a little coaching from Papa. Here is Jackson.
Here is Sydney.
Julie at the top of the mountain.
Following Uncle Marc's lead.
By the end of the day, we pulled Raegan out of school, and she was able to go down the bunny slope!
We had a great time, and we were so thankful to get to experience a beautiful part of Creation!
Today, we had a play group over for lunch! We are so excited to have met these sweet friends. Tyler Jae, Isaiah, Raegan, Dominick, and Jason all played so well. Isaiah had a tough time sharing at times, but overall, he did great!
I already love my new friends, and I look forward to more play dates! Here are the moms (picture by Raegan!)
The kids have been out of school for a record number of snow days this winter. In fact, they have had to add 10 minutes each day to make up for it! But, we made the most of the days! Here is our awesome "Fox and Geese" field! 
The drifts made fun "forts".
Jackson was drawing the other day, and this is what he did. I just loved seeing it on paper!
Raegan all dressed up!
Raegan all dressed up!
Reading books. Notice the lovely hair-do Raegan gave me. :)
Brotherly Love.
Playing at the park with friends Dominick and Tyler Jae. 
Does anyone have great tips for getting sand out of hair? We may be going short--very soon!
All tuckered out!
Planting our new tree!
We are all so glad that Spring is in the air!
