Feeling the Love...

Today was a day filled with love for our child that we haven't met yet :)  Every day is, because we think about this little one (or ones) constantly.   But today was especially fun.  Today we got a chance to see how others that we love are thinking about our children as well!  

It started at Dutch Dance this morning.  For those of you not from Holland, Michigan, you may have no idea how intense Tulip Time Festival can be.  It involves TONS of people coming to Holland to Tip Toe through the Tulips and watch people in authentic Dutch Costumes dance to some pretty inspirational music.   Enter:  Me.  I am a Dutch Dancer.  Changing the lives of tourists everywhere.

My Dutch Dance partner is my best friend since middle school - Alisha.  She is an amazing mother who I can only HOPE to compare to someday.  She is also a pretty incredible friend, who is loving on our children even before she has met them :)  Today she brought me 2 books.  A name book, and a book about what to expect in your child's first year.  She was also the first one to bring David and I a "Hooray, you are going to be parents!" gift.  She brought us an INCREDIBLE book by Mem Fox, Whoever You Are, which made me cry in Starbucks, and two bibs - more for Mommy and Daddy than baby. SO cute!!   I am so lucky to have her as my friend :)  

Davids parents came to watch Dutch Dance as well, and as we were speed walking to find some breakfast afterwards, David and his father flagged me and his mother down.   There was this super cute little booth that was selling Ethiopian coffee!   We ended up talking with the man selling the coffee and found out he had also adopted children from Ethiopia.  He was selling the coffee, and some beautiful jewelry in partnership with an adoption agency in the area.  All the profits went directly to Ethiopia, and feeding people/mothers/orphans that live in Addis Ababa.  The jewelry was hand made by a woman's co-op, and again, all the profits went back to them.  The coffee is also sold at The Good Earth downtown Holland, and DeBoer Bakery on the North side.   David's mom bought us some, and I'm excited to try it tomorrow morning!  It smells AMAZING.  And what an amazing experience to talk to this man!  He said he had no words to describe his experience in Africa when we went to take home his children.  I was tearing up just listening to him!  It was such a cool little thing to come upon in Holland.

When we finally arrived at our destination for breakfast, there was a wait.  While Mom Stefanich and I waited in line for food, Dave and his Dad went into Gazelle Sports.  Of COURSE Dave's Dad had to buy prizes for David and I.  We both got RED laces - profits go to support fighting Aids in Africa.  I will proudly wear these on my shoes!  

Today was filled with a million reminders of our children and their incredible continent and country.  Its so incredible to be supported so much by our family and friends.  Its so great to know that as excited as we are to meet our children and get to know them, our family and friends feel the same way.