Beautiful Chaos

For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:38-39 (KJV)

Through our love for God we are blessed with so much. During prayer time last weekend with some close friends, my hubby mentioned how our weekend was a beautiful chaos. We had 4 families staying at our cabin outside of Yellowstone Park. There were about 18 people to one bathroom and 2 1/2 beds. :) It was AWESOME. These other families also adopted from Ethiopia and for the first time I got to meet them. God is so awesome to provide us this blessing of meeting. Here are some pictures of the weekend. It was a great time, and I can't wait to try again next year!

This was the highlight for me. I grew up here and yet I still am in wonder of the glory of bears.


Hanging out at the paint pots. It was hot, but the kids all did great.


Yes, this is my son. But oh, the little girls LOVED him!


Here is another shot of the bear. No zoom here, just up close and personal!


After lunch we all waded in the river, but it turned into an afternoon swim!

Oh, Nick, you are SOOOO funny!

These three guys were inseperable. I think Ms. H and A should move west. :)

What post isn't perfect without daddy and his little girl.

And what weekend of families with Ethiopian children is not complete without roasted coffee!

These two are made for each other. Thankfully, my wonderful friend KT has to pay the dowry to marry my son. Awww, it was love at first laugh. I think Caleb has found his life time partner. She is so him!

Oh, Daddy, you are the coolest!

Didn't I say these guys were inseparable?

Alden just came home from China and it was such a blessing to meet him. These women were wonderful and I am so happy I have them. I only have a few more families to go until I meet the whole crew!

In case I don't post before I leave, check back. I will try while in country to post, but we will see what email is like.

Love,
Sandra

One year ago today...

So, one year ago today God made His promises just. I received the wonderful blessing of 3 new little ones! I will try to post pictures soon, but honestly folks, I am exhausted. We just got back from 5 days in Montana visiting with friends and I am frantically packing to leave next WEDNESDAY!!!! So, as I reflect on my journey last year, I have a whole new one this year! The day I leave for our new sweet Ethiopian princess is the day we landed on US soil with our first three little ones. God has been awesome through all of this. I am truly amazed at his provision of strength, joy, love, grace, mercy and finances. I am amazed at how blessed I am today. Tonight we went to dinner for Nick's birthday. It is next week, but I will be gone. What a special treat to have yet another reason to celebrate.

There has been so much going on, but I need to get to bed. I will try to write tomorrow or this weekend.

Love,
me

Seriously - Are we there yet?

I am so ready to travel - and get it over with! This anxiety stuff is old! I have worked so much to get caught up that if I never sit in front of this computer I would be ok. Well, except to check emails for updates.

I leave in 16 days and 7 hours. Crazy. I mean really crazy. I leave Thursday afternoon for Yellowstone. While there I get to hang out with many of my friends! Praise GOD!!!! There are going to be 3 maybe 4 families that have all adopted kids from Ethiopia. Words cannot describe my excitement about finally meeting these women I have been in fellowship with for almost a year! God is so good.

For those of you who have done this there is so much emotions that go into it. Excitement, fear, anxiety, love, fear, finances (still need $3500, but who is counting?), leaving my family behind, unknown health of Nafkot, etc. etc. It is so exciting, but am I seriously ready to care for another? Can I handle 4 kids this young?

With God's provision and STRENGTH - YES!!!!

Please pray for us over the next 2 weeks. You guys are awesome!

Father's Day is Family Day!

So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son. John 1:14

Father's Day had special meaning for me this year. It was a great reminder that I have 2 fathers - my earthly father and my Holy Father. My earthly father is awesome. He is the best Grandpa ever! My Heavenly Father loves me unconditionally. He sent His son to this earth to save me and all of us. Give Him praise for what He did!

So, we went to Silverwood on the Saturday of Father's Day weekend. The only child that wasn't there was Malcom. It was a whole whopping 60 degrees, but we made the best of it. It has rollercoasters and a water park. Swimming with an outside temp of 60 degrees and WIND was not the best, but we made it fun. Caleb and Giovanni tried the big roller coasters. Giovanni thought it was funny, but Caleb didn't. He screamed the whole time! It was the perfect Father's Day. Especially since we only spend $100 for the whole day - food and park fees included. There were buy one get one free and my hubby won four tickets.

Here are some pictures from the glorious day.

Garfield and the kids

The very end of the day - tired and happy.

Amazingly enough, Sophia lasted about 20 min. Poor thing just shook she was so cold.

Before hitting the park. Gotta love crazy kids.

Whitney (Nick's girlfriend) and I LOVED this ride. We laughed the whole time.

Daddy, Caleb, Kevin and Mikaya (Kev's GF) on the log ride.

They had the coolest kid water park. It was awesome!

Kevin and George went down the big slide. NO WAY!

100 post and all you ever wanted to know about me

So, here are 100 useless facts about me:

1. God is the center of my life.
2. My husband is second.
3. My kids are 3rd.
4. I am an engineer.
5. I work for a private engineering firm.
6. I work 4 hours in the office in the morning, and 4 hours at home.
7. I have 7 children - Kevin (20 yrs), Malcom (20 yrs), Nick (17 yrs), Giovanni (7 yrs), Caleb (almost 6 yrs), Nafkot (2 1/2 yrs), Sophia (16 months)
8. We have 3 adopted children at home and one waiting in Ethiopia.
9. We took all our children to Ethiopia last year. The airline tickets cost as much as the adoption.
10. We met Nafkot while in Ethiopia.
11. I enjoy talking with my friends who have adopted online.
12. My husband wishes I didn't spend so much time online.
13. Giovanni believes that he can train to Superman - I never told him he can't fly.
14. I attend Real Life Ministries.
15. I work with Middle School youth at church for 7 yrs.
16. I grew up in Bozeman, MT.
17. I moved here 8 yrs ago.
18. I love to read the bible and any books when I have the time.
19. My favorite shows are 24, Amazing Race, Prison Break, Hell's Kitchen, ER, Survivor, Biggest Loser, Beauty and the Geek, and probably any other reality TV show.
20. My brother was an intern for SNL and I got to attend their 15 yr anniversary party.
21. I have been to Ethiopia, Italy, Germany, Switzerland, Canada, Mexico and Israel.
22. My grandpa is buried at Arlington.
23. My grandma lives with my parents in Bozeman.
24. I have 2 dogs and 5 cats.
25. I have already got Sophia trained that purses are awesome and you ALWAYS need more than one.
26. I overpack on trips - ask the hubby about our honeymoon.
27. My dream is to retire in Italy and Ethiopia.
28. My mama is going to Ethiopia with me this year.
29. My son, Malcom, is in Germany for the Air Force. (we love you and miss you malchi!)
30. I love God!
31. Jesus is my best friend.
32. My second best friend/sister (only behind Jesus) is Lora. I grew up next door to her since I was 2. We have experienced a lot together.
33. I was a rebellious teenager and have apologized over and over to my parents.
34. I was married and divorced to a not-so-nice man.
35. I am married to the most wonderful man in the world. Did I mention he is so hot! Girls, you can't have him.
36. I hit my son's car tonight. I didn't look on the side mirror. Ripped the bumper right off! Good job, mom.
37. I go to bed at 11:30 and wake up at 5:30.
38. I live in an old rundown farm house. I love it.
39. I drove a Chevy Citation in high school. When I got in my first wreck, we called it the scrambled egg.
40. I love crab and could eat it everyday.
41. I joined weight watchers and have lost 30 pounds.
42. I grew up with a black lab and calico cat.
43. I am afraid of Miller Moths and other creepy crawly things.
44. My favorite actress is Doris Day.
45. My favorite movie is Pillow Talk.
46. I have two cell phones. One for work, one for home.
47. I am a stress case. I like to yell a lot.
48. I have a bike I bought last year and I only rode it around the yard.
49. I used to sell Mary Kay and Stampin' Up.
50. I am bored already typing this.
51. I read a devotional (short one) every evening and morning before bed.
52. My ideal date with my hubby is to actually get 2 hours without any kids - anywhere.
53. I am norwegian/irish/german.
54. My father is a retired Army Lt. Colonel, policeman, and probation and parole officer.
55. My mom is a retired Army Lt. Colonel and nurse. She is a counselor right now.
56. My brother works for a newspaper.
57. I have one sibling, but 6 in-law siblings.
58. I enjoy doing dishes and vacuuming.
59. i don't like mowing the yard.
60. I start projects, but don't finish them.
61. My favorite place is Beaver Creek in Montana.
62. My name means God's Little Helper.
63. I like horses, but don't have any.
64. I like winters in Montana right after a snowfall.
65. My favorite time is to sit at our cabin during sunrise with coffee in my hand.
66. I look forward to the day Christ returns. I just pray it is when you all are saved!
67. My cats are called after lakes in MOntana.
68. I have an Ethiopian/Italian/Irish/American. Giovanni has the Italian name, Ethiopian blood, Irish birthday and is soon-to-be an American.
69. I am a huge procrastinator.
70. I don't take risks - except on roller coasters.
71. I used to go to Disneyland every other year.
72. I have one grandparent left.
73. My parents are still married.
74. I don't throw anything away.
75. I wish this 100 things would get over.
76. I own about 100 purses and 25 lotions/body sprays.
77. I rarely wear make-up.
78. I liked the smurfs groing up.
79. I still like My Little Pony and Strawberry Shortcake.
80. I listen to Christian music.
81. My favorite clothes are jeans, a cotton shirt and a long sleeve over shirt.
82. I used to own cowboy boots.
83. I have never been artsy. My poor kids suffer.
84. I kill every plant I try to grow.
85. I like to barter for things.
86. I have had 2 surgeries on each foot and a torn Achilles.
87. I like to follow peoples blogs.
88. I am hoping to bring Mark Shultz here for a fundraiser.
89. I now tell my boys to "suck it up" if they get hurt. 5 boys will do that to you.
90. I don't think I could homeschool. I have no patience.
91. My husband only likes to wear shorts - even in freezing weather.
92. I love popcorn. I eat a bowl everyday.
93. I am a completely different person after I went to Ethiopia.
94. I can cry at anything.
95. I like girl movies.
96. I think movie theaters are a rip off. Discount cinemas are the best.
97. I got my license at 15.
98. My favorite part of the day is to climb into bed exhausted.
99. I thank God everyday I have him. Without him, my crazy life would have not meaning!
100. I am totally 100% in love with my God, my hubby, my kids and my family. My husband is my rock and I still get butterflies thinking about him.

There you have it. That took forever! If you actually read this far, wow. You are awesome.

Beauty - what does it mean?

I saw this on a blog I read. HOW TRUE!!!!



My next entry is my 103rd. I am a little off on my 100th and posting 100 things about me, but I will catch up. I was also tagged by some friend's blogs to post 7 things about me, so I will do it all in one. I hope to get it done this week!

And presenting ....

...... Nafkot. The newest memeber of our family. Added on May 24, 2007. I love our Lord!

I hope to travel with my mommy and a close friend mid-July.

Thank you all for your prayers!

3rd time is a charm, right?

So, in just about 8 hours we will have our 3rd court date. I thought it would be smooth sailing until tonight, yet tomorrow morning we got a call from our caseworker. It went something like this:

Is Sandra there?
This is she.
This is >>>> from AAI. I have some news for you.
OK. (at this point I thought either Nafkot died, was withdrawn from adoption, or we passed court)
The grandmother has decided to put Nafkot's brother up for adoption.
OK
We want to know if you would be interseted.

So the conversation continued as my heart beat faster and faster. After many phone calls, emails, prayer, and talks, it was decided we would not adopt him. It turns out that the Grandmother doesn't want them to be split up and since we are not going to adopt him, she will keep him and we will just sponsor him.

So, a crazy 36 hours I must say. I really hope court passes tonight. I am tired of waiting and so ready to go get her! I tentatively have tickets booked for July 18th.

So, please pray for us that this time it happens. I want a full nights sleep for once! :)

Blessings,
Sandra

Our friends the Qualls

Qualls family of 10

The Qualls girls

Mommy and Daddy and Kalkidan

A grand reunion for mommy!
Love.....simple.
Precious. E holding K's hand.
A bond.

1st sight of their girl!

1 more week ...

"The sacrifice you want is a broken spirit. A broken and repentant heart, O God, you will not despise." Psalm 51:17


"But I am like an olive tree, thriving in the house of God. I trust in God's unfailing love, forever and ever. I will praise you forever, O God, for what you have done. I will wait for your mercies in the presence of your people." Psalm 52:8-9

We heard from our casework today. We have another NEW court date of May 24th. This time, the judge is requiring us to sponsor Nafkot's brother before he/she approves the adoption. The head of our agency is going to Ethiopia the end of May and hopes to resolve this issue before it affects other families. I am sad because I have to wait yet another week to find out if she is our daughter. Yet, I know in my heart she is. This adoption stuff is so hard on a person. I stayed up till 1 am last night and then woke around 5:30 am. It has been a midnight or later week! I would love to run away with my hubby for one night to sleep and reconnect, but life drags you back. But, soon all my children will be grown and gone and I will be sleeping TOO much! :)

So, prayer warriors, get your prayers ready again next week. Thank you all for your encouragement and prayers. We need protection so desperately right now. I will be fasting this week and I challenge you all to. I have not decided yet what that will be, but I will let you know. (My hubby would love the computer!)

Here are some random pictures to cheer you up!


Did I ever mention we were TP'd? Nick's tennis team got us one night while we were all awake, inside and we have dogs! They also got all four cars. It was hilarious! Teenagers....











Grandpa and Little One 2 (I am Little One - the original)












She cracks me up! She loves to lick glass - especially at the hockey rink where it is cold (I know you think, gross, but seriously, have you been to Ethiopia to see what it is like in the bathrooms?)










She is too funny!













My mom actually went into the big tube thing and went down the circular vinyl enclosed slide. Did I tell you my mom ROCKS! She also went off the high dive diving board when I was a kid. She is afraid of heights!

As she sleeps

As she sleeps, I sit here dreaming of the day she comes home. As she sleeps, the world spins around her. As she sleeps she is unaware of the impact she has on this world. As she sleeps, I pray.

While Malcom is soon to load a plane bound for Germany (check my last post), I sit here working, the kids are cleaning up toys, my friends join in prayer, my soon-to-be daughter sleeps, God prepares us for this journey we are about to embark on. So many people ask if we can love biological and adoptive kids the same. Absolutely! I love this girl even though I have only met her once. She is ours.

So, please pray for our daughter, Nafkot. Pray for a positive outcome on the court proceedings to be held on May 17th (or May 16th stateside).

As I sleep, I may become a mom to 7.

A piece of my heart....

A piece of my heart left yesterday. My first adopted son is now about 8 hours away from Germany. He starts the beginning of his Air Force career. I never knew it would be that hard to say goodbye. To not hear his footsteps crash down the stairs, or him wrestling with the boys, or our talks. I miss him. He took a piece of my heart. I am so proud of him and who he has become. I remember years ago when asked by Kevin if he could move in, NO WAY! I could barely handle the other two boys. Malcom was my first adopted child. He is definitely a blessing from God and he prepared our hearts for the ministry of our adoption.

How does one describe Malcom? Here is my list:

Unselfish, smart, funny, good-looking, brave, gentle, patient, caring, loving, nurturing, intense, peaceful, sensitive, strong, my son, calm, reliable, kind, wonderful, a one-of-a-kind, trustworth, honest, integrity, and so many more.

We love him so much, and although we are so proud and happy for him, we are sad to see him go.

Take care Malcom until you return!

Kevin and Malcom at the airport.

Malcom and his friend Natasha.

Malcom in the airport parking lot.

Malcom and his good friend Kevin, posing!

Malcom and his two little brothers. They are so sad he is gone!

Malcom and Nick - goofballs

Malcom leaving through security.

We had lunch at an awesome Greek restaurant (garlic galore - 36 hours later I can still taste the garlic) yesterday before Malcom left. Here is the "group". We were missing our Kevin. :(

World AIDS Orphan Day

How can one describe the devastation one disease can do to a world. I have seen it, I have feared it. Today is World AIDS orphan day. Please remember those children who have lost their parents to this devastating disease. When you scroll through old posts, realize my boys are victims of AIDS. Know that our soon-to-be new doctor is a victim. Visit this website: http://www.worldorphansday.org/en/ to learn more about the effects it has. There is always something you can do to help these children. Support hospitals, orphanages, health organizations. Get involved!

There are so many misconceptions about HIV and AIDS. Visit this site to learn more about the disease http://brehane.blogspot.com/. She works with HIV everyday and is a great source of information.

Jeus loves all of us. The sick, the healthy, the adults, the children. HIV and AIDS is not something to look down upon, but to look to see what we can do. Jesus loves the weak and the faithful. "As he entered a village there, ten lepers stood at a distance, crying out, "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!" He looked at them and said, "Go show yourselves to the priests."* And as they went, they were cleansed of their leprosy. One of them, when he saw that he was healed, came back to Jesus, shouting, "Praise God!" He fell to the ground at Jesus' feet, thanking him for what he had done. This man was a Samaritan. Jesus asked, "Didn't I heal ten men? Where are the other nine? Has no one returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?" And Jesus said to the man, "Stand up and go. Your faith has healed you." Luke 17:14-19

Who are we to judge people for who they are? Jesus spent time with tax collectors, lepers, woman, prostitutes, why shouldn't we.

How can I ever explain what I saw in the HIV orphanages, in the streets, in the country side. Read Melissa Fay Greene's book "There is no me without you". It is a great reference for what we try to ignore.

Please pray for these orphans and their parents today. Remember they are suffering and need our love and support.

A day in the life of me

So, here it is finally. The life of a working mom raising 2 young adult stepsons, a friend, a heart adopted airman, and three Ethiopian gems. This is a compilation of a few days. But, overall a typical day. :)


I normally wake up around 6 or 6:30 am. Most mornings Caleb is awake then, too. This morning he got a dollar from the tooth fairy.
















I am supposed to be to work by 7 am. Thankfully this clock is 7 min fast and I am only about 7 min from work.










Aw, there's the morning beast. I go to work early (I am supposed to be there at 6 am, but that never happens). George gets the kids off to school and SOphia to daycare.










Here's our neighborhood. The trees are finally fully leaved (no that is probably not a word) and beautiful! So, all you stalkers out there, you can probably figure where we live, oh well. :)











Here is my desk at my office. I work for a local civil engineering firm. I am a professional engineer and I design residential and commercial developments. (Can you see the moose animal on the shelf? For those of you in for Yellowstone 07, you can own one yourself!)









MMMMM, coffee.













Oh, did I tell you my hubby works with me! We have an awesome boss. He is so flexible with our work schedules! George works typically from 9 am to 7 pm.










At 11:20 am every day I leave to go pick up the boys from Kindergarten. My boss allows me to work from home in the afternoons.











Here's their school.














Here's their class. Time to go home!













Home!













While the boys unload their backpacks and get hands washed, I take our dogs out, Brutus the Great Dane and Reeses our spaz lab/shephard.











Today, I started some laundry. About 2 loads a day keeps the whole family up. Now I am down to 1 because I refuse to do the older boys laundry. I mean, come on, you are 17 and 20 and 19!









Mmmm, what a great lunch for them. Corn dogs, apple and egg. They get corn dogs, chicken strips, PB&J, left overs, etc. Whatever is easiest.












I get a salad with apple slices. :(















Then I check blogs I like to follow.














Check emails from my awesome friends.














Then, finally start back at work.












Around 5 pm, I go pick up Sophia from Daycare. Then I come home, make dinner and clean up while the kids play. Evenings are hit and miss. Mondays George goes to Youth Group, Tues is soccer, Wednesday George normally works late, Thursday is shopping or something and Friday is hanging out. This particular night we were shopping.






Here's Justin. He is Nick's friend who lives with us. He works at the car wash with Nick and all their friends. It is nice because we always get to use the services. Nick doesn't have his license so we get his free washes.










Grocery shopping with the fam.



















Nightly fit time.












Reading with the boys and time to relax.













Fianlly kids in bed, and catching up on tv, laundry, dishes, whatever.











Notice there are no older boys. They are an endangered species and only come out occasionally or in packs.

Well, there you have it. Life is crazy here and I don't know how we will be able to manage a new one, but with God, everything is possible!

Later I hope to post Giovanni's birthday pictures and other random fun ones.

Blessings!