Published!

"Adoptive Families, the award-winning national adoption magazine, is the leading adoption information source for families before, during, and after adoption."

If I had time for a hobby -- digital scrapbooking (or more accurately, album design) would be it.  Every year my list has included designing our family's year in review book.  (I'm behind 6 years -- but I have made my share of wedding albums and smaller books as gifts.)  There is something satisfying about seeing one's digital images bound and in print form.

In early January an e-mail popped up in my box.  From the Adoptive Families editors, it requested samples of various books parents had made documenting their child's entrance into their forever families.  Of course I had more important things to do (a-hem), but on a whim I pulled out Reni's adoption book and snapped some images and e-mailed a few low-res pics away.

A couple of weeks into our travels south I got an e-mail request for reprint permission and the hi-res files!  Problem was, I had copied the files onto my desktop back in Illinois... then I had the thought to look through my memory cards and found the originals there!  I sent those off and didn't hear a word whether or not they would be used, until a month later when I was on my way to the airport to go to Albania when my friend Amy texts me.

"Just got our Adoptive Families magazine and Essie yelled, 'It's Reni!'"
Her text was accompanied by a pic of the page spread.

When I came home, there was a copy of the latest issue in my mailbox where I could read the article in its entirety. It gives a lot of practical advice for parents on everything from the types of photos to take on an adoption trip, to software programs for photo editing and book design, to publishing/binding manufacturers.

For those of you interested, I design my photo books in a software called FotoFusion (which I also use for the collages you frequently see here).  I can't say enough how much I love this intuitive software which I use for everything from albums to postcards to collage prints, posters, invitations, and more.  For publishing my photobooks and albums, some of my favorite companies include Shutterfly (for economy),White House Custom Color (medium to high quality), and Zookbinders (high quality to heirloom albums).

If you are curious to see the books I created for both children's adoption trips, click on the links below:

Reni's Book

Ellie's Book

If you are an adoptive family -- I know it's a lot of work to create something like this.  I'm so glad we did because in the early months looking at their books, it was interesting to see what images triggered memories for Ellie and Reni. Now, when we look at their books, different photos will unexpectedly lead to stories about our trip or their life before being in our family -- it's an excellent conversation starter (especially for Ellie) whenever she has questions about her adoption.

Thanks, Adoptive Families, for including us in your article!  What a special treat to be featured in a national publication!

Bringing Reni Home: The Photobook

Click here to view this photo book larger

I've been anxious to share this project on the blog for a while, but because it was to be a special surprise for grandparents for Christmas, I had to keep it under wraps a bit longer.  I designed this book as 12x12 pages in my favorite album design software, FotoFusion, to upload it to the album manufacturer of my choice.  

I'm sharing it here via Shutterfly as I'm away from home and don't have the right software to share it via a different slideshow program... If you click through to the Shutterfly site via the link above, you have the option for viewing it full screen so you can more easily see the images and read the text.

It took me a bit longer to tackle this project, but I'm pretty happy with the results and hope that Reni will appreciate this when he grows older!

(P.S. We love Shutterfly -- their featuring of Ellie's homecoming book on their baby microsite and in some printed materials was a special, unexpected financial provision for Reni's adoption fund!  You never know what instrument God will use to provide for your adoption needs!)

Found Photos: Reni's last 24 hrs in Albania

My Dad had the idea to photograph Reni next to some landmarks in Tirana so that when he returns, he can revisit some of the same places, knowing he had been there. The photo above is at part of the University, at the very end of the Boulevardi, very near Mom and Dad's place.

Touching a statue of Mother Teresa

Pivoting 180 degrees from the first photo, a view down the Boulevard towards the center.
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Mt. Dajti

Mother Teresa turned 100 this year and in her honor, Albania be-ribboned the country in her honor. My loose translation of the first line of the banner above is, "Where there is peace, there is God."

Looking at the Lana River

Outside the Lincoln Center (and where we attend church in Tirana), the former residence of Enver Hoxha, the dictator.

Mr. Chicken -- our favorite take-out for easy, rotisserie chicken!

Gjyshe and Reni looking surprisingly chipper for 3:15AM, loading up the van outside the apartment to drive to the airport!

Reni's boarding passes in hand!

Boarding the 5AM flight to Vienna

I love how you can see the sunrise in the window behind...

At the Austrian counter in Vienna to get the rest of everyone's boarding passes.

Jetlag and Dad's whirlwind 48 hour visit is catching up with him.

Immigration stamp, leaving Albania

Nathan was able to get online as soon as the flight opened up and reserve these seats in the bulkhead. As you can see, Reni just fits.

A new American Citizen!

Passed out on Jan's couch. I have a similar photo of Ellie, but not as modest. (She was so hot, she had stripped to her shirt and underpants).

Almost home! On the flight to Lexington!

Bonus Video

Thank you, Uncle Jack, for shooting and posting this video!

Worth the Wait

Ellie was a trooper, staying up WAY past her bedtime, anxious to see her Daddy and new brother. We were so grateful for the friends and family who also joined us to welcome our boys home. We were also a bit surprised when an airport personnel member started preparing to close up the airport, seemingly unaware that one more flight was still making its way to Lexington. There was no listing of the flight on any of the monitors. Yeah, it was that late.

I'm afraid we might have been a bit overwhelming to the 16 other passengers on their flight, descending the escalator. The airport was vacant save a few cleaning staff members and a few rental car agents.

Ellie practically shouted "Daddy!" when she finall saw Nathan. It was very emotional for me to hear her sincerity and intensity. It was followed by, "You brought David Reni home!"

Reni was a bit dazed and confused at first.

As is typical, Ellie was so excited she didn't know how to express herself.

Pardon the yellow caution tape -- it was so late, they were waiting for us to leave so they could wax the floors.

Ellie said, "Daddy, you were on the computer and now you're here!"

(below) Aunt Ruth

(below) Uncle Jack -- what a treat that they came from Muncie to welcome Reni home. It was quite appropriate though as they came to Cincinnati for Ellie's airport homecoming arrival in 2006.

Meredith (a member of our cabinet), documented everything on video

Reni, getting to know Mark -- yeah, you're gonna like this guy

Reni meets Faith, who we are thrilled to have walk with us as we work with the team at Shriners Hospital

Kristen is checking out Reni -- who shares a birthday with her own little girl, Emily!
We can't wait for those two to meet!

Meredith

Our awesome documentarians, Wes and Nina, who are waiting to hear of their own bundle of joy from Ethiopia. I hope we can return the favor soon!
By the way, if you like their shirts, they have those awesome adoption-themed graphic tees on sale on their blog!

All photos courtesy of Nina Mullins Photography