the martine’s family photos

It was nearly two years ago when Cristie said to me “God funds what he favors.” Those words cleared our doubts, pushing Chris and I to begin our journey towards adopting an infant girl from Ethiopia (For more about our adoption journey, check out my personal blog here). Since then, Cristie has become one of my dear friends. Someone I can count on to listen, understand and encourage. She and her husband, Doug, recently brought home their fourth child, Zebene, from Ethiopia. I am so blessed to be a part of an adoption community, to watch as families grow and to be the one to document this time in their lives. I had so much fun with them this week, hanging out in the park and photographing their sweet family of 6. For more of their family’s story, check out their blog here.
My part in Zebene’s story is a bit sweeter. While Chris and I were in Africa last summer, the Martine’s got their referral for Zebene (the agency matched him with their family). Chris and I were able to visit him in Ethiopia, play and cuddle with him even before Cristie and Doug met him. Here is a photo of that meeting.

We were also at the airport the day that they arrived home. Celebrating with other families as they are finally together is one of my favorite things.
And now my over abundance of favorites of one my very favorite families. Love you guys!!!
-Jenn

Zebene quickly became buddies with his big sister, Maliah. As soon as we got out of the car, he was running to explore while shouting “Maaa-wee-ah!” He grabbed her hand and off they went. Melt my heart. A little Mom and Dad time. Aren’t they cute?!The gorgeous girls. The boys.

The blue-eyed beauty.I don’t know that there is anything in the world that I love more than a Dad loving his daughters. So precious. Mom and her little men. Dakota is a little country girl, horse riding and all. I wish I had photos like these of me at her age. You are beautiful, Dakota.
What can I say? The boy loves the camera! I just want to eat him up. So adorable.

The precious Maliah. A quick change for Z into a traditional Ethiopian outfit and more sweet smiles. Canyon, the handsome-almost-teenager of the family.