Settling in at home

Hello everyone. Well, we have enjoyed being back home for the last week. The first few days after Henok arrived were spent on the road, and he was very happy to be able to stay home the last week.

We had a very fun time on Sunday out at the Faske's Ranch (Thank's Suzanne for opening your home and your heart to all of us!). All of the families from this area got together and had BBQ, and a whole lot of fun.

We found that Henok loves to go fishing. He also caught a bunch of minnows and wanted to bring them home so we could raise them in a tank! So now we have about 3 minnows left and we just added some tetras and Henok (and Mom) are enjoying that alot!

One thing that we were worried about was how well Henok would like the food. Well, he has done well, and has been very good about trying all the different foods that we throw at him. Some things he likes, and some things... well... he spits out and says with a determined look on his face... "NO!"

The last week has been a very important time for us as a family. Renee and I have bonded with Henok, and we can tell that he has begun bonding with us. He is very affectionate and loves hugs, which is good for our family because we LOVE to hug! Like any normal child his age, he has begun testing the limits and exhibiting some posessive tendencies with "His" toys. Sometimes he just doesn't want to share, which I think is totally understandable. Having to share for the last 10 years with a hundred other children, and now having his own toys can be overwhelming. However, he understands that he needs to be nice and share with his cousins.... ;)

The last few days have been bitter sweet for Renee and I. We both know that this time of joy must come to an end all too soon. I didn't expect to feel the way I do. I feel happy and excited, and yet there is a sense of despare in what must happen. He has to go back. We know that, but we don't like it. We have really only just begun to scratch the surface on this new relationship, and something just seems wrong about having to give that up now. But this was Gods plan from the beginning, and we accept that. We just don't like it. However, it has given us a much greater sense of urgency to get the paperwork done and get the money together and go get our Son and bring him Home for good!

Well, here are a few more pictures that we wanted to share with you. Enjoy and tune in soon for another update!

Henok in America!

Hi everyone...  wow!  What an exciting and crazy couple of days.  We have been on the road driving from Dallas to College Station and then to Groves, TX and now finally back to Houston for some 4th of July action.  All in the last 4 days!

Well, we picked Henok up at Gladney, and he is as beautiful as we we could have ever hoped.  He is smart and funny, very affectionate, and has a great sense of humor.  I definately think I'm going to enjoy this "Parenthood" gig... ;)

Just a few minutes after meeting Henok, he asked "You have Computer?"   I knew he was my Son... hahaha   I told him Yes, we have 3 computers, and his eyes got even bigger (if that's possible...;)

Well, it seems that Henok also loves to take pictures.  We gave him our old camera to use while he is here to take pictures of things he would like to remember, and he has gone through 7 sets of AA batteries and has well over 300 pics so far.  We are going to print many of them out for him to take back to Ethiopia with him so he can have some of his memories there while he waits for us to go back to get him.  I'm going to have to take out a loan to cover the cost of batteries until then...  hahahah....!

Well, we have taken well over 400 pictures over the last 4 days as well and I have a few that I want to share with everyone.  So, for now, here are a few pics.

Love you all, and hope to see you soon!

Matthew and Renee


        Henok Stylin' in his new threads!


                Eating dinner at the Church


           Cousins...  New best Friends!


          Henok LOVES video games!


         Watching Fireworks on July 4th!

About Henok

Henok Kechene

Est. DOB: Jan 2, 1996
Est. Age: 11

Orphanage: Kechene Children’s Home

Henok Kechene arrived at the orphanage on July 2, 1997. His age at that time was estimated to be 18 months. From that information, Gladney has set his birthday, for documentation purposes, on January 2, 1996. With that date, his current age is 11 years old.

Henok’s birth mother passed away when he was only 18 months old, and nothing is known about his birth father. He has no known siblings.

Henok has a basic knowledge of English.
Henok (pronounced Heh-knock) is a biblical name which translates to Enoch in English.
Henok is friendly, affectionate, and outgoing. He is in 4th grade and his favorite subject is science. He would like to be a scientist when he grows up. He enjoys reading in his free time. He also loves playing with babies and is also very good with his hands. He can often be found repairing or making new creations out of broken toys and electronics.

He gets along well with the other kids at the orphanage. He is a very eager student, but is sometimes so eager to answer questions in class that he forgets to listen to instructions. His desire for the special love of a family is strongly evident.

More to come as we learn more of our boy... ;)

Welcome to the Henok Adoption Blog!

Well, tomorrow is the big day. We go to pick up Henok in Dallas!

We are so excited and scared, but we know that this is what we have waited for. God has blessed us so much with this opportunity, and we have met so many wonderful couples that will be sharing this exciting journey with us.

I wanted to be able to share as much information with everyone that I could so I created this blog site so that we could do just that. I don't know how many of you will be able to meet Henok while he is here for the 2-week Bright Futures Camp, I thought this blog could serve as a place you all could come and get the most up to date information and pictures.

I hope you all enjoy the site, and we will keep you informed as this journey continues.

In Christ,

Matthew & Renee