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introducing baby elsabet

July 12, 2013 Teresa Swanstrom Anderson
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introducing elsabet

We have now been home a week and I have yet to share with you not only photos, but our new baby girl's name.

I can only begin to tell you what an INCREDIBLE trip it was and how grieving & heartbroken I am to have left my children in Ethiopia until we get the green light from the US Embassy and can bring them home.

Friends...she is breathtaking.

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{meeting for the 1st time}

meet our baby girl

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Ben really wanted to keep her name a secret until we met her, so though we've referred to her in our home as Baby Elsabet, we haven't publicly announced it. 'Till now.

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{anton meeting her for the 1st time}

Elsabet: I've searched & searched for the meaning of her name. From what I hear, it's of Hebrew origin but not an uncommon name in Ethiopia. I always thought we'd have a Swedish looking Elsa running around our house, so it's fun that we have the African variation of it!

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Hannah: When we were brainstorming & going through baby name books, Ezekiel asked if we could name her after his sweet older sister, who still lives in Asosa...which is right on the boarder of Ethiopia & Sudan.

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From the stories Ezekiel has told us, it's a very dangerous area. He misses her very much. Pray for sweet Hannah, if you think of it. Last we heard, she was a maid for a family. But that was 2 years ago.

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It's an honor & privilege to incorporate her name in with Ezekiel's newest little sister. He prays for them both daily.

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Milki: No one seems to know where this name came from, or who gave it to our beautiful daughter, but this is her given name...and we felt it important to keep it.

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She was born at a hospital in the Capitol {Addis Ababa}, which is extremely uncommon. Sadly, her mama left her there when she was discharged to go home. I wish so desperately we had more information on her mother.

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I'm sorry Elsabet that I don't know more, my love. When you're older and reading this, know that your mama loved and cared about you so much to have left you in such a safe place. She knew by leaving you at the hospital, you'd be cared for, well-fed, and a loving family would be found for you.

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God brought you specifically into our family. He has a purpose for that. I ache for you, not having you cuddled into me like I did for every moment of the 2 weeks we were with you.

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You are every bit mine, as you would be if you came from my womb. I love you and would give my life 10x over for you. You captured my whole heart the moment my eyes met yours and your tiny little hands searched my face.

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My heart physically aches not having you with me. I count the seconds until I get to bring you home.

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{my amazing friend Kognit was in Ethiopia the same time we were. It's so fun knowing she'll be a familiar face when they get home}

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{hamming it up for her passport photo}

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{baby girl, your brothers absolutely ADORE you...to think, you have 2 more brothers & a doting sister waiting to meet you!}

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{there is no doubt...she will be well-loved}

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Elsabet, my love. Come home soon. We miss you!

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{don't worry...you'll meet Aberhem next!}

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In Adoption, Family Life Tags adoption, baby girl, elsa, elsabet, ethiopia, introducing elsabet
← meeting abrehamtravel: how to look like a million bucks {& only pack a carry on} →
teresa-headshot.jpg

Writer, speaker, and busy mama of six

2 biological & 4 from Ethiopia

I have a fervent eagerness to build a place where we can get filled up, when we feel like all we do is pour out.

I do my best to be real and honest about life, our struggles, and how God stretches me through (so many) mistakes along the way.

May this be a place of nourishment for an everyday, beautiful life.

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Thank you!

Instagram

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You know how you sometimes meet someone and you wonder how you haven’t been friends for 20 years because conversation is so fun and fluid? . Well that’s totally it with sweet Kate of @jillandkate. We (re)met in October at the @aboundinall conference in Nashville. . Y’all, she’s the real deal. So kind and lovely. If you’ve never heard their podcast, go subscribe to @girlsjustpodtohavefun and head to iTunes and download ALLLLL the #jillandkate albums! They’re seriously phenomenal. . And a HUGE thank you to @sarahjohnsco at @somethingstyledco for the most incredible #plaidandpeonies event!
My Mom has always said, “Major in the Majors and Minor in the Minors”, meaning don’t focus on the small stuff! . One of my Minors that I made Major is freaking out when the kids scribbled or drew in my Bible...a few years ago though, I wondered why I cared so much and decided to start writing down my little artist’s name and the date. To turn it into a little memory. . I decided to not make this little thing into something Major...I mean, they see me highlighting and writing in the margains every day, why WOULDN’T they think they could too? . I want them to know the Bible is something you cherish, yes...but also something you dig into and want to get dog-eared and used, ya know? . Quite honestly, I have a lot of Minors that somehow turn Major...maybe it’s the perfectionist in me. But I’m intentionally working on focusing on the big and not the little imperfections in my life. You too? . What have you decided to let go of lately?
Something to Give... 💦 🎁 Years ago our family switched to giving 4 gifts for each child: Something you Want, Need, Read and Wear. . As we thought more about our goals in raising our children however, @Ben_c_anderson and I made some very intentional changes... . Something: . You Want . To Read . To Experience . To Give 💦🎁 What do we mean by GIVE? . Well, we want our children to realize they can make a difference in the world and become lifelong givers (Readers too, but that’s another post). . We spend time thinking about how we can connect our children to giving in a way that impacts them and let’s them see both that the world is bigger than they see and that they can create change. . Clean water has always been an area of focus for our family (one of our bits was a #WaterWalk kid). . From this our children have worked to give back to a community that needs such a basic thing as water. 💦🎁 . Friends, as you search for presents this season consider something as simple as a 👕. . We obviously can’t take all of our children across the world every year to show them firsthand like Little Laith was able to do this fall. Instead show your child photos of dirty water and women and children on a #WaterWalk. Explain and educate them in an age appropriate way. . This will allow your loved one to connect to making a difference, rather than just seeing a cool shirt. . Our kids have loved knowing when they wear these shirts that it’s making a difference and providing clean water 💦 to those in need! . There is a link in my Swipe Up where you can get adult and child items. Go check it out! . Give your child or family member something that they feel empowered by, knowing they can change the world now...not simply when they’re adults!
Do you sometimes read Proverbs 31 and feel inadequate, like you’ll never measure up? . Well what if I told you that the Proverbs 31 woman was not an actual person? . This is why it’s SO IMPORTANT to dig into the Scriptures and take things IN context rather than just scooping up passages here and there without understanding what’s going on around it. . What’s going on here is King Lemuel’s mother was describing the kind of woman she hoped her son would find. . Here’s the important thing to remember when reading it: Proverbs 31 is not a job description for women, nor is it a shopping list for men in finding their wives. . Instead, it’s an example of the abundance God gives us over time as we grow to know and love Him more. . And if you’re a single woman or married and without children, it still pertains to you. . A husband and kids are not a prerequisite to receive all God has for you in this life, because every good thing in our lives is a direct result of our relationship with God. . The standards for a “virtuous wife” are the same standards for a virtuous woman — single or married. . Let’s check out a few character traits we see in Proverbs 31:10-31: 1. Trustworthy (v. 11) . 2. A hard worker (v. 13, 17, 27) . 3. Resourceful (v. 14, 19, 22, 24) . 4. Makes good use of her time (v. 15, 18) . 5. Good with money (v. 16) . 6. Generous (v. 20) . 7. She thinks ahead (v. 21) . 8. Wise (v. 25) . So instead of reading this passage as if it’s unattainable, simply look at these themes above and consider how you can work on each one as you grow in relationship with Christ. . The first step of it all?? Spending daily time with Him. After all, how we spend our time is a direct reflection of what’s important to us. . If you don’t know where to start, head to my Swipe up and download “Bible Nerd” my FREE 14-day study on learning HOW to study God’s Word. . We even have a FB group if you want community as you delve in! 📖💕🤓 . What do you think about this passage?
Talk to me...what are your favorite things, your fun little pick-me-ups when you’re exhausted or need an extra smile in your day? . When I need a little special in mine, I treat myself to fresh (grocery store) flowers, rose lemonade, and play Andrea Bocelli 😉 . What about you? 🌸🌿 . PS full disclosure, if you want to know what a TOTAL nerd I am, I carry the flowers around with me to whatever room I’m working from so I get maximum time of enjoyment 🤷🏼‍♀️😂
I got hooked on phō a few years ago not only because it’s so yummy but because of all it’s health benefits!! . COLLAGEN Bone broth, the soup base used for pho, has received a lot of attention lately for its curative properties and one of the reasons is that it contains collagen, a protein found in bone marrow. When boiled, the collagen is hydrolyzed into gelatin, which is extremely beneficial for connective tissues in the gums as well as strong bones, teeth, hair, and nails. MINERALS The long, slow boiling process of making bone broth extracts the maximum amount of minerals from the bones, cartilage, ligaments, tendons, and joints. Rich in calcium, iron, and phosphorus, the ingredients even help with healthy gums and teeth! VITAMINS The crunchy bean sprouts, squeeze of lime juice, and fresh herbs like mint and basil that are offered as toppings for pho give you an added punch of essential vitamins like A, C, and E, which all contribute to a strong immune system and overall health. The more fresh herbs and vegetables you include, the more nutritious it is for you so be sure to fill your bowl with plenty of them. PROTEIN + FIBER Traditional pho is served with thinly sliced beef, but it can be made with any type of meat (my fave is chicken). Including a serving of meat gives you added protein and combining it with plenty of vegetables gives you a healthy dose of fiber, both of which help you to feel satiated longer. Opt for whole grain noodles if possible and skip the high sodium sauces and you’ve got a wonderfully nutritious meal that your body will appreciate. . It’s our go-to when we feel like we’re about to get sick! This ain’t your grandmother’s chicken soup!! (That was lame, forgive me...but seriously, it’s SO GOOD!)

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