Crisis in Ethiopia

I am not here today to write about my family but their families suffering in Ethiopia. There has been a drought for months in Ethiopia and now they are facing massive food shortages. My friend can't afford to buy apples or carrots. Corn has tripled in price. Children are dying. I am so saddened by what I see. I pray for the safety of Giovanni's grandmother, aunts, uncles, half brother. Or Caleb's family who I have yet to meet. Please join me in prayer for Ethiopia and all the other countries facing food crisis. Watch this video to see what they are facing.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_depth/7444998.stm

Let us be the Josephs (Gen 41:54-57) of the world and save those in need during the times of famine. We have plenty so why should we not help those who don't.

Wow, has it been that long

Wow! Has it really been that long since I posted? Life is beautifully crazy. We are getting ready for a fun summer of camping, Seattle, swimming, camps, etc. I can't believe we still are getting snow! Will it ever end!

Everyone is doing well. The boys are getting so big and the girls are definitely fitting their age. Sophia has tantrums about every 10 mins. Ahnika is still trying to figure out where she fits in. Hockey starts this week for Caleb and Gio. They are pretty excited. We are hoping to get Ahnika into dance for a little this summer.

I don't have much time left after work, kids, house, family, church, etc. for much internet. But, pictures are helpful to see the progress. Just know we are all where we are supposed to be and God is amazing gracious to us!

Enjoy!


Mommy and Ahnika at Spagetti Factory
Mommy and Sophia at Spagetti Factory.
Giovanni was Student of the Month! Yeah!
Crazy hair day for school.

She cracks me up! I love this age.
Ahnika and her new bike. She hasn't quite yet learned how to pedal.
Nick and Whitney for Prom plus a few cute extras. Kev and Mikaya's I haven't downloaded yet. They just went this weekend.
This is our new puppy Peyton sporting Sophia's pajama top.
I had the priveledge of seeing Mark Schultz in concert with my 3 "daughters" and a friend. It was SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO awesome! He is an amazing performer. Go see him!

What is in a title?

And being found in a fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Phil 2:8

I didn't know what to title this, but does it matter? Hopefully people read this anyway. :)

Not much knew is going on. Our son Malcom surprised us from Germany a couple of weeks ago. What a surprise blessing. He is back home in Germany and we are back to missing him. 5 more years, 5 more years. :(

We got a new dog. She is so sweet, even if she likes to run away. She has definitely made our house busy - again.

Life is good, busy, and packed with love. I was talking with my bible study on Monday about my "older" boys and the "younger" boys. I asked them if it is wrong to have your 7 yr old and 6 yr old sit on their big brothers shoulders and "chicken fight" in the mall like they are in the pool. They seemed to think it would be better than to be a boring, strict, no fun family. Well that is DEFINITELY not us. Do you think it is wrong our girls have tiaras, earrings, and phones? Thanks Malchi! They love it!

The boys continue to amaze me with their reading and math. They are so smart! I just wish their family and friends in Ethiopia could see how smart they are. Ahnika continues to amaze me with her language and smart brain. Do you know that at 3 1/2 she has comprehension of what being poor is? We were in Target weeks ago and she asked me "Mommy, I not poor anymore?" It broke my heart that she knew what it means to be poor. Then I realize what a blessing it is to fully understand what it means to go without. I will, prayerfully, never have to know the deep harshness this world offers. My 3 little children will hopefully always appreciate the blessings God has given them.

I pray our little one will learn this appreciation as she can't remember her life before our home. Yet, constantly repeating to them the Love of Christ, to have Him in your heart, to love your friends, to be sorry and humble by our actions, and to teach them about God will keep her humble. Yesterday we were walking through our neighborhood when a car drove by with loud "rap" music. There was some derrogatory language in it and I heard the car flip around. My mom radar went up, but of course he was only parking. Yet when he parked and turned the car off Sophia yelled as loud as possible in her 2 yr old voice "JESUS COME TO MY HEART! JESUS!" as she looked to the sky. Wow! They do listen and I pray that man will someday open his heart to Jesus.

Today I am humbled again to the life God has blessed me with. My heart is bursting with the love I have for my awesome, drop-dead gorgeous hubby, ALL my kids, my friends, my family, and most importantly MY GOD! I have friends in Ethiopia picking up their new children. I received an email from one of them and my heart ached to be on a plane back there. I miss my friends and my new family there, the people, the food, the culture, God's presence, the coffee. If you can - go there. You will forever be changed.

Here is a picture of Sophia's birthday.

Thank you to all my friends and family. Thank you for sharing your lives with me. I can't imagine being anywhere else in life. You are all blessings to me and I love you dearly. Be in Christ in all you do - daily - seeking Him and loving Him just as He loves you.

What will you do with your rebate?

So, we are getting a rebate in May. My mind was already planning on how to spend it: playset for the kids, clothes, christmas presents, fence, etc. Then I read a friend's hubby's blog at http://musicbykeith.blogspot.com/ and I started thinking. So we get a few thousand, but what has Jesus really taught me about money. Didn't he tell us the parable of how the master gave 3 men 3 different wages to see what they would do with them (see Matthew 25:14-30). One invested and doubled his return, the second did the same, the third hid it away and got nothing out of it. So, I had to realize, how do I want to invest it? Yes, a play area would be great for the kids, but what about their Ethiopian friends who have no water, or food, or shelter? What about them? Should my selfish heart give up on them? What better investment that to help others. So, my hubby and I decided to give to the following places:

AHOPE - http://www.ahopeforchildren.org/
Heifer.org - http://www.heifer.org/
1000 wells (or my friends blog)- http://musicbykeith.blogspot.com

AHOPE is and HIV orphanage in Ethiopia. These sweeties are adoptable and sponsorable. For $30 a month, your money pays for the meds the children need to survive. HIV is a manageable disease. It is not the death sentence the world once thought as long as medication and treatment is available. These kids are the sweetest kids. I have had the priveledge to hang out with them a lot. I can't wait to go back and see them again. So far, there have been over 25 kids that have been adopted in the US from AHOPE.

Heifer.org is an organization my friend KT told me about. You basically buy a cow for a family to use. I plan on researching this more.

1000 wells. I believe for $3000 a well can be dug. So, as K points out, 5 families at $600 each pays for a new well. I'm game!

So, when you get your check in May, think of who you can help. Here is a picture from Soddo, Ethiopia where my boys are from. They could use your help.

Nothing big, just life

Life is as usual out of control. Eventhough I stress, yell, cry, get sad, worried, etc. I love every minute of my life. What 30 something has 7 kids at home, 1 in Germany, another big kid for a hubby, 5 cats, 2 dogs, a small house, a truck without 4 wheel drive in the worst Spokane winter ever, 4 bibles (did we forget some people can't even have one?), cameras, tvs, a job, a computer, cubboards of food, etc. I stress so much, but God is graceful and merciful, but most importantly - gentle. He loves to gently remind me of His provisions when it is time to pay bills. He reminds me when I am not praying or getting in the Word. Today I was reading my "bible in a year" book (I am only about 7 days behind), when I came across this "God replied, 'I AM the one who always is. Just tell them "I AM has sent me to you." Ex 3:14 God is always and is I AM. He continues to provide for all of us. I praise him for the blessings he has given me.





January is always a hard month for us and I am sure many others. Holidays are over, it is my birthday, so I get older, we are broke and it is STILL winter! I just have to hold strong that spring is coming!





We have had snow days for the first time in a long time. We have gotten a lot of snow lately. It was a crazy week. This has been the snowiest winter since I moved here 9 yrs ago. It is actually closer to Montana winters which I love. Well, until our 4 wheel drive truck lost its 4 wheel drive. It is a little scarier to drive now. :) Not much else to say. We did get our first stiches with the little ones. Apparently a hockey stick to the ear without a helmet can cut your ear bad enough to get 4 stiches. Poor Caleb. It is all healed now!

Here is a little video of Sophia singing "happy birthday". She is obsessed with it and sings it everyday. It is so cute! A light does come on during the filming so you can see her.



Here are some pictures of my birthday and fun times. We ate at IHOP (remember, kids eat free with each paying adult, unless it is all-you-can-eat pancakes and your teens get that) and the older boys made it to 14 pancakes. Mmmm.


Here is the gang minus Malchi at IHOP.


This one is for you Malchi. I am trying to upload the video, but I am having Youtube probs.

I love watching Nick and Kev play hockey. This is Nick. See the 'C'. He is the Captain!

This is what happens when your daughter falls 1 foot onto the floor from her bed. This happens a lot!

Heart for Ethiopia

While in Ethiopia we stayed at the Addis Kidan Baptist Guest House. The couple that runs the house Ray and Lauralee are in the finals for an Ebay give away. Go to my friend Lisa's blog to find out more.

http://www.abushel-and-apeck.blogspot.com/

Please vote (I believe she is the 2nd from the left - she is the older woman against a brick wall).

Christmas, New Years, Whatever!

Christmas Eve Service. Aren't they cute? The older boys were at their moms.


Christmas morning.

Giovanni made this snowman. We have had a lot of snow this year. It has been awesome!

Aren't those robes the cutest? THese girls love to jump.

This is our New Year's Dinner. Homemade Ethiopian. The Shiro Wat was a little too spicy for me, but I tamed it with the Iab and my version of Doro Tibs. It was really good.

A quick update and then I am off to bed. We have been crazy busy with "the Holidays". Christmas was insane - Hmmm 12 people in one little living room - 4 of them little ones who have only celebrated none to one time in their short little lives? Yes, crazy. Awesome. Beautiful. Amazing. Blessed! Within 5 minutes of sitting down to open presents we heard "But, I didn't want a scooter, I wanted a skateboard." And "Is it Ahnika's turn yet?" "Mine!" Ahhh, so their little minds forget where they came from. :) We spent the day (and week) with my parents and my grandma. It was so nice to have them hear, but I must say, they are probably glad to get back to their beds! New Year's eve was fireworks, sparkling cider, games, and fun. Today we hung out and let the kids be LOUD for most of the afternoon. It is great to sit back and enjoy your children playing, laughing, and being kids. God knew what he was doing when He hand picked each child for us. I get so stressed so often with time, money, work, kids, dogs, messes, etc. that I forget that it is all so temporary and my life will be over soon. What legacy do I really want to leave? A stressed out teen? A poor son? Or a lost soul? So, I plan to focus on what I am to live for. Jesus. I mean he is the reason why we are all here, right?

I met this girl who is awesome. She has been through so much in her life. I was writing a letter to her about life when it really struck that I am so good at telling others about God and what He does for us, but I never really believed it. I never believed that he really loves me no matter what. Even when I lose it on my hubby, or I break a promise, or gossip, or criticize, or judge, He still sees me as a beautiful woman full of love and compassion. He gave so much up for me. And He would have done it just for me - just for one person He still would have sent His son. How awesome is that.

So, I reflect on my life and this last year. I have gained so much in my life, I don't EVER want to look back. I will try to look forward - to run the race He has planned and keep my eyes on Jesus (read Hebrews 13 for this passage - it rocks!).

Have a great 2008!

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!