The Most Beautiful Princess in all the land goes to Prom

One year ago, I sat down at my laptop in utter tears and blogged, as my little girl went to her first Prom. I dropped her off and the door and picked her up before the Chariot turned back into a pumpkin.

This year I couldn't be more happy for her. To see the changes in Lauren's life has been so amazing!! Lauren has always been a "good girl". But to see her grow and mature in her morals, values, and friendships would make the most humble Mother proud. A humble Mother I am not... I am so incredibly proud of all of my children!! Lauren, my first born, the one you make all your mistakes on..... What a strong, wonderful, young woman!! Lauren was asked to join a group of Strong, Christian seniors for dinner. As I dropped her off at the house of more than a dozen upperclassmen, I was so happy that Lauren has made the "right" choices in life. I couldn't have chosen a better group of kids for her to go with, if I would have molded them myself. Seniors who are committed to keep themselves pure until marriage, pray and fast, and who know that they are an example to younger classmen. I am so proud of each and every one of them. I love you all as if you were my own children.

First time at the Zoo

We began and ended our time at the zoo with the lions. Selamnesh has perfected her "Rrraaahhh" She even squwishes up her nose and shows all of her 10 teeth!! The lions had 3 cubs and did they love her!!! One little cub came right up to the window and placed his paw on the window as Selamnesh was pressing her hand from the other side. We stayed there the longest, and I'm sure that we would have stayed for hours just watching them fight and play. Selamnesh screamed ever time we wanted to leave every exhibit. When we left the zoo we desided to buy a season pass. I guess we will be going a lot this summer...........






Feeding the giraffes was the second highlight to the zoo!! Zeri is about to give birth to her first baby in the next week ahead. We fed them giraffe crackers. And boy can they eat. Selamnesh liked them until they wanted to lick her. They were the sweetest things........

Indoor Soccar Rocks Tristan

This year Tristan tried indoor soccar for the first time. They are a new team, so they struggle with the game. But...I love it!! It's faster moving, more like hockey. You can exchange your men in the middle of a play, you can play the ball off the wall so there are less stops to the game. I love it!! I finally found a game that keeps my attention. And Tristan is awesome at it!! It also helps that they won their last game.

Happy Easter

Selamnesh's First Easter

Selamnesh's first Easter. This is a year of firsts for this precious princess. When Bizunesh and I met, I asked her if she was Orthodox, to which she answered, "No, Jesus!" Even though we do not follow the same calendar, and in the US we observe Easter as a pagen holiday created when the festival of the fertility God's was observed..........I can go on, but won't. Both Bizunesh and I celabrate the birth and dealth and reserrection of Jesus. I try not to make too much of the weekend we call Easter, for we should be giving it the same celabration every day, not just on a dedicated weekend. Some people, including when I grew up accually had such a somber Friday and a jubilant Sunday that it almost seems silly. Jesus Christ has Risen from the Grave!! Amen!! I think that everyone that calls himself a Christian should watch the Passion of the Christ. And realize that He took all of our sins onto Himself. He paid the price of all of our sins so that we wouldn't have too. I thank you Jesus!! We had a wonderful weekend!! That started by going out for breakfast on Friday. IHop, you hop, we all hop to IHop!!! Selamnesh had her very own breakfast for the first time also. Silver dollar pancakes, eggs, and a sausage. Then we went shopping at the mall and came home to clean. I was in a mood. Lauren and Tristan are fabulous kids. I thaught them how to take apart a window to clean it and they each did!!






Saturday we had our annual Easter Egg Hunt. With 16 children and their parents. Friends and family is what getting together at holidays is for. 700 eggs, over 13# of ham, Green bean casserole, suffing, dead Judy potatoes, Cheesecake, and blackberry pie among lots of other fillers. Can you say stuffed?? The kids squeeled, and screached, ran and jumped. I am most thrilled when my house is so cramped with people and I have to yell to ask someone if they need a soda from the other side of the room. I am in my element!!! Selamnesh was a pro right off the starting line. She wanted to be first out the door and was willing to be trampelled to be there. She knew that you had to hold the basket in one hand and pick up the egg with the other.






At church we waited for the first service to exit and while waiting we enjoyed a donut. Don't I have the 3 most beautiful children in the world??






After church we went to Applebee's where Selamnesh practiced her fishy lips. We went to the Wild Life Sanctuary where we looked and chased lots of geese. And came home to find a trail of bunny poop (jelly beans) leading to her Easter Basket. She LOVES jelly beans!!! She also found some really cool piggy slippers. God's Blessings to you all!! And may we remember what Jesus Christ did for us EVERY DAY, not just one weekend out of the year.

Home 6 months

October 3, 2008 we came home as a family. Oh how time flies. I look at these pictures from our arrival and Selamnesh looks so different than she does today.

Mom, meet your newest grandchild.





Could they be distant Sisters?? We all have a heritage. My is from Germany. My family can trace back and find the people that came here to America from Germany. We can trace generations back in Germany. So I ask.....Is she meeting her distant sister for the first time??



Could we be any more proud???