For your immediate viewing pleasure.

The fabulous trio (Lisa, Zaela and Shands) visited this past weekend and we had a blast. Zaela and Fiori were like true sisters - getting along some times and competing other times. Boy they were cute together.

Can I just tell you how much fun they had with the Jack in the Box?...

Remiss!

I just looked at the blog and realize what a bad blogger I am. So much has been happening and I just haven't gotten to blogging about it.

Biggest news is that Fiori is 2 today. She is doing very well and is at a new pre-school that she LOVES. She is a total character and I will try to write more on that later.

We've also moved into a new place. Well, kind of. We haven't yet sold our old house so much of our furniture is there so we are half moved in. We've got a pretty nice set up and finally a flat fenced yard for the dogs and Fiori. Sweet. We've also got her bedroom on the same level s ours instead of 2 flights down and we are on a cul de sac. Could you get any more family friendly than that?

The wonderful Zaela and her mom Lisa (with boyfriend Shands) are arriving tomorrow for a weekend visit and we are really excited about that. For those of you that don't remember, Lisa and I traveled together to Ethiopia (along with grandmothers) to pick our girls up and Zaela and Fiori are only a few weeks apart in age. Funny thing though, Zaela is in a 3T-4T size and 2T is still too big for Fiori.

We are also having a Halloween/Housewarming/Bday party on Saturday and are really getting into the Halloween spirit with decorations and such. Should be a blast.

OK, more later along with pictures.

One year ago today...

was Gotcha Day.

Grandma Julianne and I arrived in Ethiopia and picked Fiori up on August 18, 2008.

I remember on the way over thinking I might leave her at the transition house and visit a few times since I didn't want to shock her system. I figured I would play it by ear and see how she was with me. That all went out the window as soon as I arrived and she was placed into my arms. No way was I leaving without my daughter.

Today I picked her up from day care and it was so cool that she was sitting looking out the window and yelled "mommy" at the top of her lungs as soon as she saw me. Then she met me at the door telling everyone "it's mommy" with a big smile on her face. I almost cried.

America's Next Top (Ethiopian) Model

After being told over and over by random folks on the street that Fiori should be in commercials, I started sending out her photos. A first round 6 months ago didn't draw any response but Matt took some new pix and Laurie sent me one with a killer smile so I decided to try again.

Success.

Over the next week, Fiori has two appointments with modeling agencies in SF. Well, one appointment and one open call audition but we were invited to attend after the agent saw her pictures. One of the agencies is Ford Models which is pretty big.

I can't say I'm big into the fashion industry but I've heard it is pretty cool for kids.

Wish us luck. We've got to figure out some way to pay for her college education. :-)

New photos