Today is Thanksgiving, and a local family who were able to adopt two children from Ethiopia has a lot to be thankful for this morning.

Meggan and Ryan Armbrustmacher struggled for years to have biological children, before turning to international adoption.

"Not just during Thanksgiving time, but on a daily basis it makes you just thankful for the little things you have from one day to the next," said Ryan Armbrustmacher. "It's easy every day to wake up with these kids and feel thankful for what we've been given."

Their adoption story started several years ago, when they tried to have biological children.

"After four years, three failed pregnancies, and one round of in-vitro, we decided to take the adoption route," said Meggan Armbrustmacher.

The Armbrustmachers wanted to adopt internationally and began looking at their options.

"It's funny thinking back to when we were picking out countries, and I was like, 'Ethiopia,'" said Meggan. "I looked at Ryan and he was like, 'We live in St. Johns.' And I was like, 'I know, but I think we can do this.'"

And they did, not once but twice - first adopting their son Rylee and their daughter Ezra. The process wasn't always easy.

"It consumes you. Waiting for that email, waiting for that call saying you've been cleared to go pick up your baby girl," said Meggan. "It eats at your every single day."

The Armbrustmachers traveled to Ethiopia to meet their children for the first time. They brought three-year-old Rylee home in August 2008, and brought one-year-old Ezra home in November of 2010.

"Through all the adoption struggle, when you get to that crib and see him or her laying there for the first time, it's almost indescribable," said Ryan. "It's like finally, after all those years of struggle."

This journey isn't what the Armbrustmachers ever imagined.

"Never in my wildest dreams did I think we would have one kid from Africa, let alone two," said Meggan. "It's crazy the wild path life takes you on when you're not expecting it.

The couple said they decided to focus on opportunity instead of loss, and couldn't be happier.

"There was a need for adoptions then. There might be an even greater need now," said Ryan. "It's amazing the things that can happen when you really put your mind to it, and we're definitely evidence of that."

The Armbrustmachers said they don't know exactly what the future holds, but they haven't ruled out adopting another child either from Ethiopia or another country.