A Visit from Belachew!

Today we enjoyed a visit from Belachew and his sweet parents, who were travelling through town on their way home after Thanksgiving.

Belachew and SJ were in the CHSFS Care Center at the same time, we first met Belachew in Ethiopia when we picked up our girl. Cindy and Paul travelled to Belachew about a month after we were there. I called Belachew the "Big Man on Campus" as he strutted around the Care Center confidently and made sure the other kids ate their lunch and followed directions. It is beautiful to see him again now with his loving parents, Cindy and Paul.

The kids played together well and shared muffins and orange slices. We parents shared about our adoption experiences and future plans. We are so thankful for their visit and hope to see them again soon.

http://paulandcindyadopt.blogspot.com/

Thanksgiving Day 2008

1- Uncle Dom taking aim.

2- Jelly and SJ playing under the deck.

3-the 4 B family kids playing in the dirt.

4- SuperDaddy and Uncle Dom.

We had a lovely Thanksgiving Day, celebrating at Mamaw and Papaw's house as is tradition. The food was plentiful and amazing. Uncle Dom joined us this year, which was fun. Our Social Captain, Auntie Jo, was sick so we weren't forced-I mean- lucky enough to play board games. Instead, SuperDaddy brought the bows and arrows and we played outside, took a walk, and enjoyed the beautiful weather.

We were so grateful to have our SJ home this Thanksgiving. She enjoys a good party, and it was fun to have all of the kids together.

Thankful

In the spirit of Thanksgiving, what we are thankful for:

*clean, easily available water

*freedom of religion

*freedom of speech

*food

*SuperDaddy's stable career which provides generously for us, allowing Mommy to stay home

*access to education

*a warm, comfortable home

*our health

*our amazing beautiful children

*our church family

*our extended family who all live close by and help out so much

*friends, old and new, near and far

*God's love and forgiveness

We have been blessed, no doubt.

Caring for Orphans

James 1:27 NIV
Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

You can-

-adopt! Really, you can! Domestically, internationallly, fostering, there are many options to bring a child into your family. Consider adopting an older child.

-support adoptive families. Be excited during joyful times, and stand by in the hard times.

-treat new adoptive parents just like you treat parents of newborn birth children. Bring casseroles, celebrate new additions, understand that they are tired, help out with the other kids.

-sponsor a child with World Vision, make Operation Christmas Child boxes, or mentor a child through Big Brothers/Big Sisters. Your involvement will show a child that he or she has NOT been forgotten.

-learn. Read, discuss, travel and explore this world. Open your eyes, heart and mind to those less fortunate.

-conserve. Consider buying less and giving more. Consider giving donations in a friend's honor rather than a gift. Consider giving Fair Trade goods and handicrafts as gifts.

-teach your children. Teach them about children around the world, to be thankful for their blessings, and that they can help too!

-PRAY. Pray that God opens your heart to ways that you can help, pray for these lonely children, pray for the workers who bring God's love.

Cardboard Testimonies

Costume Phase Update!

B is NOT growing out of his costume phase after all. He wore costumes the past 2 days and is getting SJ to wear them too. Yesterday we went to the gym and B wore his Anakin suit with cowboy boots and an Indian headband he made out of leaves. Today he's wearing his Robin suit and put SJ in the Superman suit.

I love his creativity and confidence, 2 of his many fine qualities.

<---- This is a homemade monacle with a toy lens and tape.

A Heavy Heart

As we approach the first anniversary of SJ's relenquishment, my heart is heavy for SJ's First Mother. We had the honor of meeting this amazing woman and it widens the gash on my heart as I think of what she must be going through at this time. SJ's First Mother made the painful choice to give her daughter more than she or her community were able to offer. I pray God gives her peace and the knowledge that her daughter is well loved. And, we will raise SJ to bring honor to Ethiopia and its people. Adoption stretches the heart more than humanly possible, this is God's work.

Photo Tagging!

I've been tagged by Janet, http://philjanetevieandrew.blogspot.com/. I'm to take the 4th picture of the 4th file on my computer and explain it.

This is Batman standing by the Batmobile at a Comic Show when he was 3 1/2. He's growing out of his costume phase, boooo, I loved that he wore costumes so much and had such an imagination.

I'm tagging Theresa, Stacy, Tracie, Karey and Julie, my Ethiopia adoption buddies!

Historic Night

Whether or not you voted for the guy, it was a historic night. And now, little African-American boys and girls see that they too, can be President. Good stuff.
This was posted by R on our adoption forum:
"Rosa sat so that Martin could walk.
Martin walked so that Barack could run.
Barack ran so that my children might fly."

Stuff that works for me...

Random thoughts on stuff that works for me:

-ERGO baby carrier. It works for the front, back or side. I've carried little ones and big ones in it, super comfortable. It even has a zippered pocket for your wallet.

-Kangaroo bibs. The perfect bib.

-DuraTuff glasses by Libby. I've had these glasses for over 10 years and we've only broken one.

-Longaberger dishes. Ditto, had over 10 yrs, only broken one.

-Allrecipes.com for recipes. Each recipe is rated, so you know if you've got a winner.

-Doubling my recipes. I freeze one and serve one. I always have something in the freezer for a lazy meal or an emergency.

-White towels only. All of our towels match and can be moved between bathrooms.

-Keeping a toiletries travel bag packed at all times for each family member. It makes overnights for the kids easy and lessens packing stress for trips.

-Keeping a dark red washcloth in the first aid box. We use it on kids' booboos, but they can't see the blood on it and calm down.

-Tresemme Moisturizing Curls conditioner for SJ's hair. A cheap, terrific product that we use to wash and style.

-Daily pill boxes, the ones with a compartment for each day. I put the kids' vitamins in them, & can keep track of whether or not they've taken them today. Also, we use them for travel.

-Keeping a shelf by the door for the kids' shoes.

-Low hooks by the door for kids to hang their own coats.

-Fiber One pancake mix, yum. It's not flavored, so I can add bananas or pumpkin or cinnamon to flavor it up.

-Harry & David Pepper Relish. It makes great appetizers, soup, sandwich topping, anything!

-When having company, make sure the trash and dishwasher are empty. People can then help you with cleanup easily.

-Legalzoom.com. Cheap, fully legal wills and other legal documents.

-Keeping a hidden key to the house somewhere outside.

-Valerian. Herbal sleep aid that works for me!

-Avon makeup. Liberal return policy, good product, and cheap.

-Knox County Library website. I can put a book on hold, transfer it to my local branch, and renew materials from home.

-Doubling meals that I'm taking to church/MOPS/etc. If there's a potluck on Sunday, I'll double a recipe, take half to church, keep half at home for dinner that night.

-Homemade healthy popsicles. I can let the kids have a popsicle, they think it's a treat, but they're eating straight fruit, ha!

-Stir Crazy popcorn popper. Best. Popcorn. Period.

-Keeping a pen and notepad by the bed. If I think of something I need to remember, I just jot it down and it's off my mind.

-Nature's Own Double Fiber bread. 5 grams of fiber per slice, woo hoo!

-Probiotics. That's worth a whole post of it's own, but probiotics rock.

-BORAX. Earth friendly cleaner that works very well on any surface, and cheap too!

That's all I can think of now. What works for you?

Quick Funny

When planning for my beach trip, I decided to braid SJ's hair so that SuperDaddy would not have to worry much over it. I'm new at this girl-hair-braiding business, so I did the best I could and let it be. I thought she looked cute.

I got a call from SuperDaddy while on the way to SC. He simply said, "Is her hair supposed to look like this?". I said "Yep, it is, I'll be back on Saturday."

Halloween 2008

Our Halloween party was a blast! Each year, we invite the cousins and the besties over for a party and to trick or treat. Our block is Halloween Party Central, tons of kids out and several neighbors going all out with decorations. The kids had so much fun, and so did the grownups. Say what you will about Halloween and it's origins, but for my kids, Halloween is for costumes, pumpkins, fun family traditions and candy, lots of candy.

1. Auntie Jo with her girls.

2. Blurry picture, rats! The Frog and Ben 10.

3. Axe weilding Fairy Princess, typical Jelly.

4. Most of the kids, can't find our favorite Korean in the pic.

5. My gorgeous children at the pumpkin patch. I could eat them up!