our visit with friends who also adopted from Ethiopia

Here in Columbus, we got a chance to visit with another family who adopted from Ethiopia. (We had met the parents at training for adoption.) It was so neat to visit, compare notes, and let our kids get to know each other again.

The mom made some Ethiopian food for us to snack on - injera (a large "pancake" made with tef -instead of flour), doro wat (chicken stew with hard boiled eggs) and shiro (crushed lintels with spice). It was such a treat. We brought home some leftover injura and shiro, and Serena savored it until much to her horror, I threw the remaining peices away because they had mold growing on it. (doesn't keep real well.) Garret found a buddy to play chess with.

Once we got to their house, and the girls had a chance to reconnect, they realized that they actually slept in the same bunk bed in Ethiopia at the care home. They were some of the older girls who helped care for the babies that were at the care home. The babies were lined up against a wall, and the girls spoon fed them.

While we were at our friend's house, the girls huddled over the books of their Ethiopian trip and compared notes and reminesced. It was so sweet to see them running across the field hand in hand.

Serena even confided in her friend that she wished they were in the same family. I'm so glad that they live right in Gahanna, where my brother lives, so next time we visit my brother, we can stop by.

Stu watching their daughter play soccer.

Ahhhh.
To follow this dear family, go to their blog; http://www.welovebigfamilies.blogspot.com/

They have interesting tips, etc. about adopting also.

My sister Kathy & our trip to COSI - the center of science and industry

My baby sister, Kathy (in her school uniform) - holding Zeke - when we stopped by mom's house -(and where I grew up). It was amazing to see my sister - who is 18 now - and I have seen her 1 other brief time in the past 8 years. I didn't even recognize either her or Christy's voices. I wanted so badly to spend more time with them, but it wasn't allowed, so I soaked up the 10 minutes that I had with them. I was so glad that they seemed happy to see us and meet our kids.

Kira's hair standing on end at the static electricity show - COSI. She loved it! I remember going there when I was a kid.

The streets of yesteryear. Brother Davy being goofy.

Damien going down in an actual submarine.

A spaceship. There was so much to see there, and my kid's minds take in so much - I can't wait to go again!

Our trip to my hometown - Columbus OH

Us at the columbus crew game (soccer) - with a friend, Shelley. They won!

My younger sister, Christy - holding Zeke. She is 20 now.

I called my mom and asked if we could see her. Since there is bounderies between us, (put up by them) because we chose to leave what they call "the fellowship", my mom made arrangements for us to meet at the family business. We got to see my mom, my 4 older brothers and Christy. I wish I got pictures of all of them. They were kind, but reserved. I treasured the time I had with them, but it made me want more time. It was good to see that they are all well, and it was good to introduce them to my children.


Eating watermelon at Davy's house.

Davy grilled us some chicken sandwiches and hot dogs at Blendon woods -

My grandpa was out in his garage working on something - like he always has - his hobby, when we stopped by. He kindly invited us in for "tea". Davy and I will remember that forever.
My Grandpa Kenimer (93 yrs old!), brother Davy and I.

Enjoying Memorial Day at Creekside in Gahanna.

Damien "planting" flowers by my dad's grave. Davy and I had a good discussion about what we remembered about Dad. It did us good to reminisce and for our kids to hear about the man who had such an impact on our lives. I tell my kids that he would just love them, 'cause I know he would.

Driving home to Columbus brings on many emotions now for me. I'm the type that loved to get away, and I really didn't get homesick much even when I got married and moved 20 hrs. away. But 12 yrs and a few circumstances have changed that for me now. I reflect on the way things were and how they will never be the same- my dad is gone now, and I'm ex-communicated from my family, except my one special brother, Davy. Still, it is sweet to get back - show my kids the streets I used to walk on, the parks and zoo I used to visit, etc. I did stop by to see my grandpa and he invited us into his house - in spite of the "rules" he is supposed to follow - and we did stop by and see my mom, 4 older brothers, and one younger sister, Christy, pictured above holding Zeke. I grieve for the loss of what it could be as far as my relationship with my family, but rejoice that they at least saw us, and thankful too for Davy, my younger brother, who opened his home for my crazy tribe - and is as much of a brother to me, as I could hope for. As for the rest of them, I only hope and pray for it to change, but know I can do nothing more, except to continue to follow the path I know is scripturally sound.

Our week in Columbus isn't over - and we hope to visit some Ethiopian adoptive families here and on the way home - it will be wonderful for Serena to see some of her old friends from where she came from.

More later...

Sharing the gift of wellness and opportunity.

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My favorite things.

These are the things that make me pause, contentment fills my soul and I raise my eyes to heaven, thanking God: Might be weird to you - or might not - a full fruit basket. Often when I drive home from the grocery store, I think of the work ahead - hauling in groceries, putting them away, etc., then I smile to myself and thank God that we can do this - buy groceries and feed our family. As I open the apples, oranges, bananas, etc and place them in the basket, I stop and admire them - always a fruit lover myself - I love the thought of my kids (Garret mainly) asking me if the pear is ripe enough to eat, etc. Life is good if my fruit basket is full.

Clean sheets. I always remember to breathe in the aroma when I crawl into bed after my sheets have hung out on the clothes line all day. Seeing a new plant grow. Spring is a beautiful time of year, and I get freshly inspired to make my garden this year better than it's been.

Blue skies. My mood changes as the sunshine does. I go from wishing for a nap, to sitting up straighter, breathing in the fresh air, and being energized to get outside and soak it up.

Having someone shampoo my hair. Ahhh, nothing is like getting a shampoo - the tension eases away....

Holding hands. Having my husband's hand in mine, fills me with a peaceful, satisfied feeling - I remember that we're not just parents, we are a couple and we are together - through this incredible journey.

A road trip. I love seeing different scenery as we travel- love getting "away from it all". I find myself reminescing of days passed, when as a child, I sat in the back of our van, every once in a while catching my dad's eye in the rear-view mirror - contented and safe, together as a family, experiencing new things. Now I love making memories for my own children.

Children. No one can guess the joys of parenting, unless you've experienced it yourself. A baby's breath on your face. His chuckle. How at 3 months of age, he studies his hands, and practices using them... You realize how he loves you when you go out, and the interested neighbor can't get him to smile no matter what - yet he's got one for you almost everytime you look his way.
Mother's Day gifts from your kids. I love it - every year - the kids come home with these treasures that they are so proud of, and want so much to impress you with their work. And it's beautiful - maybe not in the eyes of others, but is a masterpiece in mine.

Close to my heart

I wish I knew how to be a better advocate for adoption. I feel living what we feel is right, is the first step. With it's challenges and joys, we are doing that - we've adopted 2 great kids 2 yrs. ago. I haven't gotten up on stage anywhere to speak about it, or done anything dramatic to encourage others in relation to it - but many have. Listening to Steven Curtis Chapman's appeal for helping orphans at one of his concerts years ago, deepened a desire in my own heart - and ultimately we followed through with that desire by adopting ourselves. I came across these incredible websites, and hope you take the time to go through them yourself. Not all of us are "called" to adopt - but all of us Christians are responsible to care for widows and orphans. (James 1:27) The blessings outweigh anything you might give! I can't imagine our family without the precious ones we adopted.

http://www.icareaboutorphans.org/Default.aspx?Menu=1

http://www.howtoadopt.org/

what I love about being two...

Our "Gaby" is two - and a half. Last night Stu and I were discussing that he is especially a sparkly, smiley 2 yr. old. He is wild and crazy - and generally a very happy child.
I love how when it's naptime, he gives into the idea when I offer to "hop" down the stairs with him - to go to his bedroom. We hold hands and he giggles endlessly as we exaggerately hop down the stairs. Mainly at night we pray together once he's tucked into his bed, but sometimes at naptime, he wants to pray too. We were thanking God for the day, and he adds "sanks for my cocodile bike". He LOVES his crocodile-cruiser bike (just a little blue bike with training wheels). Can he ride it? No - but he'll sit for the longest time - going far with just his imagination. He's getting old enough to spend time outside alone, now that he's learned to stay in our yard. I continue to check on him, and sure enough - he's still sitting on his bike. I've tried to teach him how to ride it, but no use - and why bother? He loves just sitting there. I go out and ask him how it's going, and he explains that he's going to run over that "birdie" - which is yards away. He gets off occasionally and checks under the seat to see if the "gas tank" needs to be refilled - and puts in gas because it does. His expression is of extreme delight - with dimples going deeply in his cheeks, and eyes that sparkle. "I wide my cocodile bike!" How can a person not love such a child?
He's "big", and proud as he collects baseball cards with his 11 yr. old brother - nothing is more exciting than to be part of the big boy world -and Damien has a special place in his heart for him. He's small when he asks to climb up on my lap with his favorite blankie, so we can "wock". He loves the attention of being rocked and sang to. He's very proud when he wakes up in the morning and exclaims "I'm dy - I'm dy!" Meaning in the pull-up department - and then gets a candy out of the jar - or in the case where he discovers that he isn't so lucky - "oh SOOT! My hammers (bob the builder pull-ups) are gone! No tandy cause my hammers are gone! Oh SOOT!" He's growing up too - he seems to think his particular job around the house is to unload the dishwasher - anytime someone opens it up, he comes scurring over to "help". Only sometimes the dishes aren't clean, so you have to stop him, which causes him to disgustedly stomp his foot - or if it is clean and he "helps", usually the spoons, etc. go in his mouth before the drawer... He means well...
When I look at Gabe - I dream of what he can do with his life - and pray that his life will bring glory to God. He might not be able to be president of the U.S. - since he wasn't born here - but what's stopping him from being the president of Ethiopia? He is so smart it blows us away sometimes. Or he may become a janitor in a high school that loves the students and shows sympathy to those who are different or have challenges to overcome. That would make me proud too. As a mother, I only play a part in his life - and as important it is - it is only a part and one day, I'll be able to sit back and see what picture his life had made.