Tumblr (3.0; @thecosgrovefamily)http://thecosgrovefamily.com/<p>Every time a father holds his child for the first time a wave of unimaginable love, joy and hope rushes into his heart; a heart that probably felt pretty full before that moment.  Three years ago today, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, I had that feeling; that overwhelming wave of emotion for the third time in my life. </p> <p><img src="http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lu3rs6lzqf1qz7l2g.jpg"/></p> <p>Before that first moment of holding my youngest child, I couldn’t have told you with certainty that adoption was going to feel just like having our first two biological children.  I purposely kept my expectations low.  I had studied the theories of attachment and my wife and I had talked many times about building attachment and trust, yet what I wasn’t prepared for was how this little Ethiopian baby was so perfectly chosen for our family.  </p> <p>I had purposely tried to prepare myself for a long hard road of reshaping our family.  With our biological children I witnessed that maternal bond that happens with pregnancy; that knowing a pregnant mother has with her child in the womb.  I remember at their births a sense of peace, because my wife already knew those children. Her knowledge of them was an encouragement to me.  In my mind that knowledge would help bridge the gap as I got to know them after they were born.</p> <p>With adoption I lost that peace.  How foolish I was to not see God’s perfect plan for our family.  The moment my wife held Maleia for the first time the peace came back instantly, then when I held her all doubts disappeared.  To be clear all the doubts about whether adoption was a good plan for our family disappeared.  I still had all the same doubts about her as our 2 older children.  Doubts like: Will I be a good father? How can I keep her safe? Will she make good life choices? How on earth will I afford college? How will I be able to give her away in marriage? (all of these seem more in the “normal” category of doubts)</p> <p>So to my precious Ethiopian princess I say Happy Gotcha Day! Three years ago today we “gotcha” and you changed our lives forever.  We love you!</p> <p><a title="Getting Maleia" target="_self" href="http://thecosgrovefamily.com/post/1628289771/its-been-just-over-2-years-since-we-brought-maleia">Click here to watch a short video about our trip to get Maleia.</a></p>http://thecosgrovefamily.com/post/12296028592http://thecosgrovefamily.com/post/12296028592Thu, 03 Nov 2011 14:07:00 -0700<iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/20972416" width="400" height="300" frameborder="0"></iframe><br/><br/>http://thecosgrovefamily.com/post/4139347781http://thecosgrovefamily.com/post/4139347781Sun, 27 Mar 2011 11:45:51 -0700<iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/20867140?byline=0&portrait=0&color=ffffff" width="400" height="225" frameborder="0"></iframe><br/><br/>http://thecosgrovefamily.com/post/3764318205http://thecosgrovefamily.com/post/3764318205Thu, 10 Mar 2011 07:39:00 -0800<iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/2190192?byline=0&portrait=0&color=ffffff" width="400" height="300" frameborder="0"></iframe><br/><br/><p>Its been just over 2 years since we brought Maleia home.  </p>http://thecosgrovefamily.com/post/1628289771http://thecosgrovefamily.com/post/1628289771Sat, 20 Nov 2010 10:17:58 -0800<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_l4oq2lvMNY1qbvonwo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>Summer is in FULL SWING!  </p>http://thecosgrovefamily.com/post/742613151http://thecosgrovefamily.com/post/742613151Sun, 27 Jun 2010 11:01:00 -0700<iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/12673758" width="400" height="300" frameborder="0"></iframe><br/><br/><p>The kids have been asking to see some of the earlier videos of themselves.  This is the most recent favorite.  </p>http://thecosgrovefamily.com/post/713032368http://thecosgrovefamily.com/post/713032368Fri, 18 Jun 2010 16:50:55 -0700<iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/10854709" width="400" height="300" frameborder="0"></iframe><br/><br/><p>Maleia’s 2nd Birthday Video</p>http://thecosgrovefamily.com/post/514967503http://thecosgrovefamily.com/post/514967503Sun, 11 Apr 2010 22:22:10 -0700<iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/10601411" width="400" height="265" frameborder="0"></iframe><br/><br/><p>Calen’s 4th Birthday Video</p>http://thecosgrovefamily.com/post/514216352http://thecosgrovefamily.com/post/514216352Sun, 11 Apr 2010 16:20:39 -0700<p>Check back here often or sign up to folllow this blog.  We’ll be posting a variety of family happenings here.  </p> <p>If you want to read our blog about adopting M from Ethiopia, you can still find that story over at <a title="BabyEthiopia" target="_blank" href="http://www.babyethiopia.com"><a href="http://www.babyethiopia.com">http://www.babyethiopia.com</a> </a></p>http://thecosgrovefamily.com/post/488418390http://thecosgrovefamily.com/post/488418390Wed, 31 Mar 2010 22:44:33 -0700