Monsters and Bean Burritos

So, I know I am terrible at posting lately. I have cut back my internet time and focused more on the kids. Yeah for us, sorry for you all.

Life has been great. We are definitely getting into a groove and I feel about 50% back. I still struggle with sleep, organizing, and meshing with all the new stuff. By this time next year, I may consider this again. :)

Ahnika is really focused on monsters lately. Of course when your older brothers constantly scare you that "The monster gonna eat your toes", or baby, or dog, or insert item. I took her to Princess Wishes - Disney on Ice and Malificent the bad witch in Sleeping Beauty scared her. We had such a ball watching the event. She was in awe of it all. I will post pictures soon. So Tues we go to Target and I ask her where she got her owies. "A monster at school." So, two questions - Who is the bully picking on my kid" or "Wow, what an imagination!" I think it is the later. Along with monsters her other favorite thing is princesses. Everything pink or purple is for princesses. It is cute.

Sophia is doing well. Her words are expanding greately! I can't believe it. She really loves to color and has finally learned to ask to color. Our walls are now multi-colored because of her. She is just my heart and I smile when I think of her and her little voice saying "I know know!" for I don't know.

Giovanni amazes me all the time. He is really starting to come out of his shell. He is doing great at school. Last night we were talking about Star Wars while in line at the grocery store. He was asking about the "guy that look like a bean burrito". We determined he meant Jaba the Hut. Kids and their imagination.

Caleb is still a little hyper boy. He is just always having fun. He loves to tickle, wrestle and laugh. His math skills are great. He has also become quite the tehter ball pro at school.

Nick is doing good. Enjoying life I guess without a job. But looking. He is really getting back into church which we love and in a way continues to mature.

Kevin is still in school and work. He has become quite the babysitter for us. It has been great!

Malcom is in Germany still. He has been nominated to attend the Air Force Academy so he is working on that. He is hoping to come home for a visit soon. I miss him somethin' fierce. George and Kev went to Florida to visit him in the beginning of November.

I will try to post pictures soon. I miss blogging, but I will say, my family doesn't miss me blogging!

Here are the kids before their first sledding of the year. Ahnika loved it!

This is the director from Ahnika's orphanage. She was in Seattle from Ethiopia and we drove over for a visit. Ahnika was so happy to see her! She misses "Mama Sidisse" so much.

Life

My heart breaks for what others have to endure in life. I know we are all where we are to be. I was to be born in America so I could adopt my children, have my husband, and raise my older kids. I know this, but my strength is weak when I hear or see what other people endure.

I have been to Ethiopia twice now. The first time was hard for reality. The second even harder. Then I read my dear friends blog this morning about her journey in Ethiopia. There has to be something we can do.

http://starbelliedsneaths.blogspot.com/

The other color blue...

I had such an awesome weekend this last week. I was blessed with not just one family member visiting but FOUR! My Aunt and Uncle flew up from Athens, Georgia last Thursday and my mommy and grandma came up Friday. We had such a busy weekend with dinners, apple and pumpkin picking, shopping, watching pictures, Ahnika's dedications, and lots and lots of visiting. It was so fun! My aunt and uncle are the coolest people ever. It was so awesome to get to know them and see Christ in them. My aunt went with me to bible study and my uncle went with my hubby for middle school youth group. Amazing. My mom made her wonderful apple crisp and applesauce and we ALL enjoyed it. She is such a great cook. They all spoiled us and loved on us. I just wish we all lived closer.



The kids continue to amaze me. Sophia has actually gone twice in the potty. She is so close to being potty trained! They constantly color - or as Sophia says "Blu! Blu!" We have pen marks, crayon marks and marker marks all over! Last night we were blessed with free tickets (did I tell you how much stuff my hubby wins off the radio) to go see Dan in Real Life. It was a good movie. Our 20 yr old watched all 4 little ones and did great. Only Ahnika has pen marks ALL over. :)



We celebrated Ahnika's "3 yr" birthday. We actually are changing her birthday so she is 6 months older, but I needed an excuse to get George to his surprise birthday party. It was fun and he was surprised.



Life continues on in busy-ville. George and Kev are heading to Florida next week to

visit with Malcom. I wish I could go, but finances just won't allow to buy 8 plane tickets. I pray he makes it here for Thanksgiving before going overseas. It has almost been a year since he left, but honestly it seems forever. I miss him very much and I am FINALLY seeing how my parents felt after I left. It is the hardest thing to say goodbye to your child as they grown. I want them to all live with us forever!

God continues to amaze me at His provisions for us. He is so awesome and I am grateful to serve Him. May His blessings and glory be in your lives, too.

Goofy guys at the best restaurant ever - The White House Grill. Mmmmmm! And Daddy playing with his girls.

Birthday party!

Ahnika's dedication. I was just a wee bit nervous.

She is so funny! She loved the apples and was proud of "my apple".

My uncle won the best bite picture.

George says "HI"

Ahnika is such a ham.

Gamma and Sophia after pumpkin picking.

Could I have anything more perfect?

How did God give me such wonderful blessings? Why me? Why do I get the priveledge to live in America, have an awesome (if not dirty) house, a great job, the most wonderful husband and 7+ a few extra kids? We talked about this in bible study on Monday night. My heart aches so often when I think about how I was picked to have this life. My boys were telling me a few days ago how they would watch people be buried. They are 6 and 7! Why did they have to watch their parents die and be buried.

Then I realize that God knows. He knows why I am where I am. I should be content with my life and cut out the "if onlys". I am such a worry stress case (ask my hubby, he would agree). I continually pray to release this worry. God has always provided my means and most importantly - my life. I cannot wait to get to Heaven and have the knowledge and understand of why life happened the way it did. For now I can hold to His knowledge and that He and He alone knows what is best. Rather than trusting my husband, kids or job to provide all I need, I have to remember He will - always.

Life has been crazy for us. I don't have much time for much more than playing with kids, cooking, cleaning and working. I love our life. It is so FUN! Ahnika is doing great. Her tantrums are so much less. She has moments of thinking it is not fair or whining, but she is doing great. Her and Sophia are priceless to watch.

The boys are hitting it hard at school. They continue to amaze me at how much they know! They are starting to read so well, and learn math, and time. They love school. We did get our first "bad choices" notice from the school counselor. Apparently Caleb pushed a little kid to far with teasing, the kid shoved him, Caleb's best friend shoved the other kid and then next thing you know - 8 kids in a kicking and hitting battle. Needless to say, they all lost recess the next day. Boys.

My Aunt and Uncle are coming in this week to visit and meet the kids. I haven't seen them in years and I am so excited. My mom and grandma are also coming up for the weekend! Yeah! We are going to go apple and pumpkin picking and eat lots of caramel apples.

Here are some pictures of our crazy kids. The one above was the girls (Sophia on the left) who HAD to wear their Ethiopian princess dresses. I was trying to pack to go to Montana, but we got side tracked.

Ahnika is such a little lover to Sophia. She is a great big sis. We were having a Spongue Bob puppet night.
Giovanni sporting his Ethiopian hat. Goofball.
Did I tell you they were crazy? The girls cannot seem to keep their shirts on. Sophia and Caleb are having an intense conversation on the phones. My sister-in-law got Ahnika the coolest little phone system for her birthday. They have fun.
Goofy and Crazy.

Pure joy

This is from camp this last weekend. George and I walked up while Nick and Gio were playing baseball. It was a parents dream to see this bond.

Or this bond. Kevin loves his little Sophia so much. To bad she only calls everyone Nick or Ahnika (or sounds like Nee and Ahnka).

Ahhhhh! Help!

This was our trip home. We (except George) slept the first 3 hours and then it was the beautiful chaos again. Dancing, screaming, singing. It was fun.

Ahnika gets the funniest looks on her face!

This video was taken at about 1 am after arriving at camp. The girls are now into dancing.

Did I ever tell you we slide down our steep steps? Well, we tried with a laundry basket, but 1 hurt knee and goosehead later, we moved up to the sled. Who knew a 43 yr old man would do it.

Being a mom is the best thing in the world. Third to being a child of God and a wife to my wonderful hubby. Last week I ended up in the hospital with Ahnika for pheumonia. It sucked, but thankfully she is better. I feel really tested the last couple of months, but Thank YOU God for these trials. Without them life would be nothing and there would be no meaning. After visiting Ethiopia again, my perspective has changed and I just want a simple, no stress life. That is utterly impossible with my attitude, but I can definitely pray for a change in attitude. Our God is so amazing - truly. Everyday is enjoyment and I know I will learn something new.

Last week I heard some of these things:

"Mom, how come you never drink water like we do?" As I open my diet Mountain Dew.

"Mom, you eat a lot." Really, you think? I mean, I didn't get this size by not eating. :)

"Mom! That car is fishing." As the tow truck pulls the car up to a broken down car.

My sweet Little Miss (Ahnika) is fitting in so well. She loves to sing, dance, play and just cuddle. She started pre-school yesterday. She did goo and was excited to go back (well, into it was actually there). Today the boys started 1st grade. I didn't get to see them as I had an appointment, but hopefully there is pictures.

Life is getting more into control and organization. I pray daily for peach, and i know it will come. Enjoy the video and pictures.

S

Updates and life

Where to begin. The last couple of weeks have been C-R-A-Z-Y! I never thought adding another child would change things so much. Little miss Ahnika (previously known as Nafkot) definitely has regulated our lives. We actually live on a schedule - meal times, nap times, bed times, etc. If we don't follow this we get big tantrums. She has done so well here, really. I think it more me trying to adjust. I am just exhausted! The first time around we had so many people bring us meals, help out, etc. but for some reason this time around it was different. We have made it through the hard part - the first month. On Monday we will have been home for 4 weeks. Boy has time flown. Here is a list of what we have been doing:

1. One trip to the doctor for regular visit. - He thinks things look good.


2. Next day a trip to the Dermatologist to treat her molluscum. They give her a treatment that will cause blisters and then h0pefully the virus will die. Poor thing, when they say blisters they really mean blisters. She had about 10 bandaids on for days. I felt so bad. I was definitely feeling like the worst mother EVER (of course wait till you read on).


3. Next day me, hubby and the 4 Ethiopian children loaded up in the car to drive to Seattle to see a doctor there. The visit went great. We only had one melt down at radiology. She did great on the blood draw.


4. Next day we go to the zoo. I almost missed out with Ahnika because she was throwing a tantrum (like now because it is nap time). Thankfully she calmed down and we had a great day. That afternoon on the way home, we got a call that she is Hep A positive. This is the "good" Hep to have. Of course, what is really a "good" Hep? We will talk to the Health Deptartment next week to find out what we have to do.

5. Next day we head downtown for kids day. We got faces painted, free stuff, suckers, candy, and PIZZA from Rocky Rococos. Mmmmm.

6. Next day we went to Cat Tales. It is a little zoo here to help rescue big cats and bears. It was so much fun. Caleb, Gio and Kev got their faces painted. The whole family and girlfriends went with us.

7. That night we ended up in the ER with Ahnika for a staff infection from one of the molluscum. Apparently if you leave a band-aid on a lot, bacteria will grow in the hurt area. Bad mom moment #2. We got home about 1:30 am with her still awake.

8. Two days later we had SOphia's 18 month check up and a follow up with Ahnika. Things are looking better.

9. Next day - the worst moment in my history - I was changing Sophia and reach down to get her pants. At the same time, she did. She fell. Hard. Her face hit the drawer. She screams. I pick her up with blood everywhere. Her bottom teeth are no longer there. I grab wipes and try to stop the bleeding all the while screaming for someone ANYONE to get in to help. Finally I ran out to the living room, called Kev down to watch the boys, and head to the dentist. They say if we can bring the teeth in they may be able to put them back in. Finally after searching we find them. We go in. After 3 tries they are in. I am crying, she is crying, and I just want to die. Why didn't I get her clothes first? So many what ifs. We go home and I don't want to put her down. She won't remember this moment years from now, but I always will.

10. Two days later, my parents come in for a visit. We went to Greenbluff and George and I actually got a date! We went and saw Bourne Ultimatum. It was pretty cool!




This week has been pretty relaxed. I started back at work. But, unfortunately for my boss and my schedule, we can't get Ahnika into daycare until Aug 30th because of the Hep A. So, I frantically figured out a schedule. We took Sophia back to the dentist and she has an infection. If it is not better by Monday, we have to take the teeth out and she will be toothless there until her permanent ones come in. Please pray for healing. She is such a trooper. I took Ahnika in yesterday for a "happy visit". They were so good to her! She had a ball. I wish my dentist visits were that fun.

This weekend my bestest friend ever is coming. I might actually get some time away from home with her. We grew up next door to each other since I was 2. She is like my sister. I am so excited!

The kids has so much fun running through the sprinkler. It was Ahnika's first time. It was like it was the first time everytime it came back down on them! Priceless, for sure.

We were all dancing to the African Children's Choir. Shhh, don't mention that the musical instruments were from Mexico and not Africa. :) I do keep my daughter dressed, it is her that doesn't like to keep it on.
Yes, this is what happens when you don't pay attention for like 5 min. Stickers are found and placed in many areas. I won't show the wall or bench my other daughter colored "Bwue Bwue".

Well, time to get back to work. Have a great weekend!

Day 1 through Day 6

Day 1 through Day 6 - A journey of love - missing and found

Nafkot - Meaning what was missing is now found - Our sweet girl is home!



Day 1 -

Well, we made it to Rome. We are refuelling and hope to airbound within 45 min. The flights haven’t been to bad so far. I had to run through Chicago to catch my flight and mom was delayed in Denver, but we are here.

We got word there was a glitch in the paperwork for our embassy appointment so I pray everything goes well and we can still leave on the 28th. Otherwise I will be in Addis a little longer!

This is all pretty exciting. I have been on a rollercoaster today of emotions. Last night I went to bed around midnight and woke up at 2 am to get ready for the airport. I slept a little on the first flights. I did sleep on the way to Rome for about 5 hours. The joys of Ambien. We are still scheduled to land at 7. Then the fun begins. I am hoping Carolyn makes it to the airport, but I understand if she doesn’t. It is so hard the first few days with your children, being tired, culture shock, etc.

I feel so blessed to share this journey with my mom. We have gotten along great and I look forward to see Ethiopia through her eyes for the first time.

Day 2 -

We landed in Addis Ababa around 7:15 pm 7/19. The flight really wasn't bad. The last three hours was long, but we slept, talked and met some cool people. The meals on there were great. I felt like I was always eating. I am so hungry right now, but m&ms and popcorn will have to do.

Going thru the airport was easy the second time around. Visas went well, bags all came. The only problem was AAI sent a driver and I thought it was the driver the Guest House sent. I was wondering why he wouldn't let me pay!

It was so awesome to Kidist, Alayhu and Hannah. It was definitely like coming home. They are such awesome people. Kidist showed mom the pictures we sent. I can't wait to give her more!

Tomorrow morning we go to the Embassy to try to file for the IR3 visa rather than the IR4. This would make her an automatic citizen when we land in the US. Our paperwork was filed finally today. Hopefully this means her Visa will be done by early next week! So, after the Embassy we get to meet her. I am so excited.

I got to meet Carolyn, Kiel and her sweeties. Poor girl, the baby has scabies and the boys have lice. I actually saw a live lice for the first time. I am praying Nafkot doesn't have any.

Well, I better get to bed. Tomorrow is the big day.

I miss my family so much. I wish they were here to experience all of this. It is so crazy to be back here a YEAR later!

Day 3

Woke up at 6:30 am to call the family and the phones are down. I am bummed. We had a wonderful breakfeast. There are 3 people here teaching kids and adults in different schools. There are 3 older gentlemen working on well drilling. Then their is the Tweitmeyers who adopted also.

It is so good to see Kidist and Hannah and show them pictures. Kidist and Aleyu are heading to America on Sunday so Kidist can have surgery. I pray I am able to see them while they are in the States.

we are just sititing here waiting for Nate to get us to go to the Embassy. Then we get to go get Nafkot. I feel bad for habtamu, carolyn’s son. He is crying right now. I remember those moments so well with my boys! Boy do I miss my kids. I can’t wait to get back home to them!

Nate mom and I went to the embassy. I have to get proof from George that he was here last year for the IR3 visa. Gail didn’t get the stuff to him before she left. bummer. The CDC has the waiver and so hopefully by Monday Naroibi will have the waiver and by Tues/Wed it will be done.

We learned so much from Nate about here and process. He is a great addition to AAI. He was able to get us a cell phone to rent and then we can charge the number with Birr and people can call us. It is free incoming calls so our families back home can call and get a hold of us even if we aren’t at the Guest House.

After the embassy we drove back, picked up the cameras and picked up Carolyn to go to AHOPE. It was surreal really. When i got there I was just another stranger. She finally came to me and it was love from then on. She is really a doll. She barely cries unless she is tired or hurt. Poor girl, she has molluscum all over her face, arms and legs. I know they hurt her when we try to get rid of them. She is a brave little one. There was a going away party for the volunteers when we were there and the kids sang sons and had cookies. Then Nafkot got to give each child a sucker we brought. She was pretty proud. We also got to watch them eat lunch. It was amazing how good the kids are! They line up to wash hands, sit in their seats and eat. After they eat, they go wash their hands again, and then get their drink. If only my kids were like that now!

Our biggest worry right now with her is lice. She does have it. We are hoping to get all the eggs out before we leave. I don’t want to bring them home! She also will have to have surgery on an embilical hernia (did I spell that right?). I have heard it is not that bad. I met with the nurses for her meds and time frames. I totally forgot to see where she sleeps, if there are any toys left that I sent, etc. Next time.

We then walked back home and had dinner. I treated her for lice, gave her a bath, and got her ready for the day. later that afternoon we went to the market for snack foods. Last night was awesome to get to know her. After bed Carolyn, Kiel, Mom, and I stayed up and visited. Sleeping wasn’t the best, I must say. I finally fell asleep at about 3 am and then was awoke at 7 am. Nafkot sleeps all over the place.

Day 4

I woke up to a phone call from Dad to mom. I impatiently waited for one from George, but I gave him the wrong number. Finally I got to talk to him. I miss him so bad. I cry wishing he were here. It was good to talk to all the kids. It is Nick’s birthday and I am sad I wasn’t there. After eating we got ready to go. We didn’t have definite plans today. We went to a new HIV orphanage that was being set-up and Carolyn and fam brought donations to them. Then we went to lunch at a great restaraunt. I am not feeling so well so it was a struggle all day. I started taking cipro this morning. It really puts a damper on the day. After lunch at Le Jardin we looked for a medical care center but Barlow was closed. From there we went to the Hilton, got our Airline tickets confirmed, exchanged some money and then got online. This year was so different from last year. I was able to check all my emails and send some. Last year I sent one and checked one. After that we headed out after Carolyn’s son bolted from Kiel. After the Hilton we went to some markets looking for suitcase for Aleyu and Kidist, scarves, dresses, fabric, misc. We hit many stores and by the last one we were all at meltdown mode. We came home and rested before dinner. It was an emotional night for me tonight. Kidist and Aleyu leave tomorrow night for America. She is really sick and has tried everything here with no fixes. A police man from VA has helped them find a doctor and will stay with them and got them plane tickets for America. It is such a blesisng from God that they get to do this. I am in awe of His glory. Tonight we gave them their suitcase and carry-on bag. They were so humbled by these gifts. It is so awesome they have this opportunity. After that it was time to get ready bed. So, here I sit typing. I think it is time to get to bed.

Tomorrow we will go to an international church, visit AHOPE, have a coffee ceremony, and Yodit’s brother is going to come pick up their gifts. Hopefully it will be relaxing.

Day 5

Today we went to the International church. It was in English and about 1 John. HOnestly, I was so exhausted, I don't know all that he talked about. I think there was a discussion on lightness and darkness and picking to always live in the light. We went with the Tweitmeyers, Joe, Josh, and Katie. It was cool. We had Macchiottos before church, which is the best drink EVER! After church, we went to the Paradise Cafe on top of Kaldi's coffee. It was great food and the view was awesome! After that we went home for a coffee ceremony from Kidist, a visit from the brother of an Ethiopian woman who lives here in SPokane, visit Nafkot's orphanage again, and head back for dinner. We brought some donations from friends to the orphanage and got to hang out with the kids again. It was awesome. That night we were able to pray for Kidist and Alayu before leaving for America. What a humbling experience to know I was able to be there when they left. They are my family and I can't wait to see them again - preferrably, this side of heaven. I woke up as they left early in the morning. Thank you Lord for them in my life!

Day 6

Today was crazy. We went to the dr for 5 hours. It was really long and Nafkot did fairly well. Finally we got back at 2 pm had a quick lunch and then went back to AHOPE at 3 to get ready for goodbye ceremony. We got there and Nafkot would not let me put her down. It was very hard after awhile. The ceremony was awesome. They prayed for the children, sang to them, and they got a traditional outfit to take home. Then we went to dinner with Sidisse (the doctor for the orphanage) and the paradise grill. I will write more about this when I am not so tired. Sidisse told me nafkot’s grandmother visited her many times at AHOPE and her brother visited 2 times. I will meet her on Friday at 9:30 am. We still don’t know about our waiver.

Tomorrow we go to Sodo for 2 days. I am praying it goes well.

I will write more about the rest of my journey later.

We are home now and doing well. I have learned when to stop tantrums and what her needs are. She is a happy girl, most of the time. I think the kids here are having the harder time adjusting. Thank you all for your prayers as I travelled and for all the calls and emails to George while I was gone. He is such a great dad. He painted the girls room, rearranged and hung new shelves. It was the best welcome home gift ever! Today we went to Greenbluff to pick some peaches. We will go back in a few weeks for more and for berries, but it was so good to get out! The girls have totally bonded. Nafkot really takes care of Sophia - feeds her, comforts her when she cries, holds her hand, etc. I think they will be great for each other. The biggest problem is when I am holding one, I have to hold the other! But they are cute!

And two shall become one ...

This is a message to my husband. I sit and frantically pack and get ready to pick up our new daughter - the daughter that God drew to your heart before mine was ever opened. How did we get here? Only by God's grace and mercy did we make it through these years to where we are. I am so sad to leave you, even for this short time. This is the longest we have been away (crazy I know), and I am sad it is now. You are my rock, my life, my everything. Knowing you will be there when I return is the strength that will keep me going.

I am such a blessed woman to know you and to have you as my husband, my leader, my friend. How did I become so blessed. You are an awesome father, son and husband. God sees your good works and you will be glorified in heaven. You are a light to me when I am down. I will pray for you as I am gone.

What other husbands allow their wives as much freedom as you have done. Thank you, thank you. I have been given such an opportunity to bond with our daughter and to bring her home while you care for the others. They love you so much. You are such a role model and just knowing you they will also know how much their big Father in heaven loves them.

I love you, my dear, now and forever. Thank you Lord for sending me this husband. God, watch over him and bless his time with our children here. Thank you Jesus for his life in mine. Thank you for our bond and love we have. Lord protect us as we are away. Keep our eyes on you and the prize you have died for. Lord, bless our journey and our homecoming. Lord you are an awesome God WE serve. Thank you for everything.

My sweet prince, I love you. Watch over our children and love on them as you always do. I will miss you.

Your sweet princess.