Selamnesh's Story

Sweet Chocolate

2010-01-08T22:41:00.002-06:00

Tonight after Selamnesh and I sang our songs, prayed, and asked God to Bless everyone we know.... She noticed the picture of herself on the shelf. Above her crib, I have a shelf with different framed photos. We looked at each one and talked about them. 1st a picture of herself at her second birthday party in a Princess frame. We talked about how that was her birthday party, and that she was 2 years old..... Then a framed photo of me holding Selamnesh at the airport introducing my mother to her newest grand-daughter. We talked about the day I was SO happy to bring home my little girl from Ethiopia. And lastly, a framed photograph of myself and Bizunesh, taken by Lauren a few hours after we met. Both of our eyes red and puffy, both of us with very somber faces, but with our arms around one another. I asked Selamnesh who was in this picture.... She looked at me...."Mommy" and pointed to me in the photo. I asked who this was, pointing to Bizunesh. She looked at me, then the photo, back at me, then the photo again...."Mmmmmm" I helped her, "Is that Bizunesh?" We talk about her often and pray for her every night. "Bizunesh" She said with a smile. I told her how that was the day that Mommy met Bizunesh and how she grew in Bizunesh's tummy, and how much Mommy loves Bizunesh... Then my sweet, beautiful, baby girl said, "Bizunesh...Me...Bizunesh...Me, same." as she rubbed her sweet, tender, skin on her arm. As I choked back the tears and kissed her repeatedly, telling her how much I loved her, I knew that she realized that she was the same color as Bizunesh. My heart broke and sang at the same moment.............

The Christmas Letter

2009-12-20T22:02:00.004-06:00

Christmas letters.... What a joke??? You never get a Christmas letter that says that their first born is in jail, the second got a girl pregnant, and the youngest just dropped out of school. Christmas letters are a way of telling the world how wonderful your children are and bragging about all of their achievements during the year.... I never thought I would write such a letter...........but here I am...

First I want to wish everyone God's blessings on them and their family. I pray that God blesses your family as much as he has ours. We are truly blessed beyond measure!! This has been a hard year with the economy for my work. Sales is always better when people have more money and they are secure in their jobs. But God has something big that He is planning for us, yet it's still unknown, He is teaching us lessons that we wouldn't be able to learn otherwise.

Lauren is now a junior in high school. Looking at colleges for pre-med. A Doctor in the family would really be a plus!!! Lauren is on high honors in school, so hopefully 13 years of college will be fun for her.... :) She plays the clarinet in concert band and pep band. She also is a beautiful pianist. She plays classical and pop. Most often in passing the piano she will stop, and play theme songs...most common lately is the theme song to "The Office", as wonderful of a song it is..... Tristan and I are a little sick of it. But she is very talented and it is beautiful to listen too. She also had another Prom and Homecoming dance.. But this is the biggie... Junior Prom!!! Lauren is also involved with Community problem solvers. A group through school that works to improve the community. This past year they finished the town park and this year are working with the Veterans. Hostessing dinners, interviewing them and what they recall from years gone by and having fun events with our Veterans. Lauren is a worker when it comes to helping people. Lauren is very involved with our church. This past summer Lauren wanted to be baptized in the same lake that she attended Bible camp at for years. It was a very special day!! Also this past summer she did street missions, and this summer she will be going on a Missions trip to Ireland. While there, they will be doing community service and street missions. What a wonderful young woman she has become!!! I couldn't be more proud of her!!!

Tristan is in eighth grade and well beyond his years. He is the student council president. And went to Leadership Camp this past summer. Tristan has a politicians personality. Everyone loves him!!! I joke and say that he got all of the girls votes for student council president and a few boys and he had it easy.... Tristan is so easy going, and well liked!! After coming home from Leadership Camp, I had to remind him who ran the house.......... Tristan has been playing the French Horn for the past number of years, although he tells me that he won't be playing the French Horn for a living, so he might not take it in High school. Tristan was chosen to go to Milwaukee School of Engineering for a Hydro Power Challenge with school. He went for one full day for learning, and then competed just a few weeks ago. Although they didn't come home with the gold, it was a very good learning experience. Tristan has always been a challenging child. He talks about thing...I have no idea about. Just the other day he was talking about...big this and little that.......only to find out he was talking about the names of the bomb that were dropped on Hiroshima. What?? Tristan is also very involved in church activities. This past summer he also was baptized in the same lake that he went to Bible camp at for years. Nothing make your heart swell than to see your children make a public confession of faith. He will be going to Ireland as well. He will also be doing street missions in Milwaukee this year. Tristan has a heart of Gold!! He is loving and caring and really cares about people. He will do amazing things!!!

Selamnesh.........what a growing girl!! It is so amazing that just a year ago we were hoping that she would take her first step on Christmas. And so like her personality... she did just a day after Christmas. Selamnesh has a smile and personality to melt your heart!!! But a strong willed child she is also....much like her older brother and sister. She is almost potty trained..... She will go when you put her on the potty, but really doesn't care if she is wet or has a dirty diaper. And you can't make someone not like something...... So unlike Lauren and Tristan who were both potty trained before 2 years old. She will do it when she wants and how she wants!!! Just a few days after Christmas she will be 2 years and 7 months. And a smart whipper snapper she is... She knows all of her colors, counts to 10, sings the ABC's, sings songs, likes to gallop around the house like a horse.....Just all the things she should be doing!!! Selamnesh is such a blessing to our family!!! She changed our hearts so much more than we changed her life....

So... What is going to be happening in the next year for our family?? Lauren and Tristan will be going to Ireland with our church this June. August Tristan will be doing street missions in Milwaukee. Until then they will be raising the funds to go on the trips by themselves and with church activities. In June of 2011 I am organizing and taking a group of people to Ethiopia for missions. We will be doing general work for the orphanage Selamnesh came from, and building a playground for the local school there; since they don't have anything for the children to play on or with. If you are interested in coming with us, please let me know. I also got my Foster care licence. We are waiting for placement...although Tristan really wants a boy...we are open to whatever God has for us.

May God keep your family close to his heart,
In His Grip,
Anna, Lauren, Tristan & Selamnesh

Happy Thanksgiving

2009-11-26T22:03:00.002-06:00

Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family!!! I pray that God will bless your family as he has ours this past year. This has not been the easiest year........maybe the hardest. The economy has really hurt our "normal" way of life. But I almost enjoy this new normal better. I really feel that God is preparing me for a life with less......like missions??? My heart really is missions. Someone asked me the other day how I came to love missions.......I don't know, I think it is just how you react when you hear of people in difficult times. I have always had a heart for the needy. Always had a heart for Africa. But when I went to Ethiopia to adopt Selamnesh, I didn't go wanting to change people's lives or even help them. I went for ME! I went to adopt a little girl who I wanted so badly!!! And when it came time to board that plane to come back home...I stood there crying my eyes out!!! I thought about putting my teenagers on that plane and staying there in Ethiopia. I didn't mean to fall in love....it just happened. We have had such a wonderful year!! Sitting around the dining room table today saying what we are thankful for, my step-dad said, we are all thankful for Selamnesh. So true... she has bonded our family in ways that we just couldn't experience otherwise.

Some funny things lately..........

Selamnesh talks and talks and talks..... I love it and have never told her to be quiet, other than, when mommy is on the phone we need to wait.

Today she said that she was thankful for Mommy. Awwwwhhh

The other day she passed gas.... someone asked, did you toot?? She replied, "Me no toot, me fart!"

Selamnesh is working on potty training. I'm really not ready for her to grow up, so with me...it's fine if she is in diapers. But she now has a stool that she has next to the big potty. She climbs up all by herself, turns around, and goes!!! Just the other morning she pooped. We are talking a big log!! When she got off the toilet she looked in and said, "Ma-ma, me BIG poop!" I agreed with her that I was so proud of her. And said, "ok, you can flush now." she.."No, me no flush!! Picture!!" Me..You want me to take a picture of your poop?" her.. "Yes, picture poop" So, I ran out to the car, got my camera, took a very nice picture of the poop, and she was happy.... She looked at the picture I took and said, "Nana, Sissy, Brother, picture poop." and she flushed the toilet.

She loves daycare, and so do I!!! She learns so much!! She counts to 10 sings the ABC's, knows her colors, she tells you what kind of weather it is outside, she is just so smart!!! She loves to play with her Duplo blocks and make towers with them.

And every night we rock and sing songs... Jesus loves me and Amazing Grace. We pray together and asking God to bless everyone. When she prays whether at meal time or night time, she bows her little head and pinches her eyes closed and really prays!!! Sometimes in the dim light when I lay her down I can almost see the face of Bizunesh.

Yes, we have so much to be thankful for... May God Bless You

Selamnesh's 1st year home

2009-10-03T23:15:00.002-05:00

One year ago tonight we stepped off the plane. Home forever with our Ethiopian Princess. I thank God for such a blessing to all of our lives. I thank a country, and a culture for changing my life forever.

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

One year ago today............

2009-09-30T13:51:00.005-05:00

One year ago today I met Bizunesh. Selamnesh's birth mother is a small frail woman about 5 feet tall and maybe 100#. She was the same size as Lauren when we went, about a size 0. Lauren has grown in the last year and I wonder how Bizuinesh is doing. How often does she think about Selamnesh?? How often does she cry for her baby?? Has she moved on with her life?? Is she married?? Have another child?? I love you Bizunesh, you have given me the most precious gift. I love Selamnesh more than any other mother in the world. There is no difference in giving birth to a child and adoption. I have more time for Selamnesh than I did my other children. I am older and wiser. God has gifted me to be a loving mother. Thank you Jesus.

Working or Vacation in Marquette, MI

2009-09-10T21:05:00.008-05:00

Last year I took the kids with me to Marquette, MI while I worked. I love Marquette so much!!! It is such a beautiful town!!! So we went there for a working vacation, I can work while the kids sleep in, go swimming, or entertain themselves, then when I'm done working for the day.....WE PLAY!!!! Lauren drove most of the way...it's so nice to have a 16 year old!!!!

Selamnesh loves the water!!! She would jump off the side of the pool, be dunked by us, or just want to swim or float!!! Of course Lauren was her main playmate!! Tristan was diving, swimming, floating or just plain having fun!!!

What do you do with a 2 year old for 2 and a half hours while everyone is painting pottery??? Let her color on what ever she wants.......... We went to Hot Plate. It is the coolest paint pottery/make glass jewlery place I know of!!! Lauren made two glass fused necklaces. She layered pieces of glass on each other, they will fire the glass in the kiln and it will melt all together. Lauren is so detailed!!! Tristan made a beer mug....hummm..... But it was the coolest beer mug I have ever seen!!! He is just so creative!!! He even made it look like it had foam around the top rim of the glass. It was so cool!!! While visiting Bizunesh in Ethiopia, I asked her what she would like me to get Selamnesh as a gift from Bizunesh, her answer... warm pajamas and a bowl of her own. I made Selamnesh a princess plate from Bizunesh. We had a great time!!! I think it took longer that we expected it too, but it was fun!!!

We hiked up Sugarloaf Mountain!!! Lauren did not want to go!!! She isn't the most outdoorsy kina girl....she is more of a Princess than she lets on!! Tristan was all Gun-hoe!!! She volunteered to take Selamnesh and show her how it was to be done. After Lauren got going she desided that maybe this wasn't so bad and took a few paths of her own......

Once we got to the top... everyone was happy!!! I carried Selamnesh the way down, which was more difficult than you would think......but imagine carring a 25 pound bag of potatoes on your front while you were trying to make a correct step.....so that you both don't FALL down the mountain.........

After the hike, we were driving back into town when Tristan exclaimed, "Look!! Waterfalls!!!" I slammed on the brakes, and turned sharply into a small driveway/parking lot. The water was ice cold!!! The water flowed strangely in odd directions. The rocks that it ran over were black, flat and dull looking. It was breath takingly beautiful!!! No photos could take the full scope of the magesty of it!!!

I introduced the kids to Little Ceasar's $5.99 pizza!!! What a huge hit!!! Lauren couldn't believe that a whole pepperoni pizza was only $5.99!!! What a hoot!!! Selamnesh LOVES pizza!!! Tristan and I would have prefered sausage pizza to pepperoni but... oh well... So we sat at the beach eating a whole pizza and Crazy bread, another HUGE hit!!! Also.. Lauren taught Selamnesh to say, "Bus driver, bus driver, open the door!!" While she is pushing her cheeks together!!! They have such a great time!!!

Lake Superior is Cold!!! But Tristan was determined that he was going to go swimming!!! And of course... Selamnesh had to follow him in!!! She wanted to bring home every rock, stick, and piece of garbage she found.....after coming home... I realized that Tristan brought back a bunch of stuff from the lake.....

We had a wonderful time......oh, how I love vacationing with my children more than anyone else in the world!!! They are my world..........

Selamnesh's First County Fair

2009-09-04T23:24:00.003-05:00

The County Fair came to town once again......and we were there to celabrate Selamnesh's first county fair!!! She LOVED the animals!!! A very nice woman took out her goat for her to pet. Lauren and Tristan would introduce her to every new animal.....it was so adorable!!! She wouldn't even stick her hand in the cage and she would pull it away and squel with laughter!!! She had her first Merry-go-round ride and LOVED it!!! She had her first corn on the cob and we couldn't take it away!!! She sat and chewed on the cob!!! There is something just so special about the County Fair.........

Selamnesh's Dedication

2009-09-04T22:57:00.002-05:00

July 19, 2009

When we decided to adopt, I put it all in God's hands. If it was God's plan that it would happen easily and fast. And it did!!! Praise God!!! I dedicated Selamnesh in my heart before I even met those beautiful eyes!!! But on July 19th I dedicated Selamnesh to the Lord at Pathways Church. I was a really nice service and Selamnesh loved Pastor Brad's humor and hypnotising animal crackers!!! We recieved a blessing, and she recieved her very first Bible (pink) from Pastor Brad Liebe. What a Very Special day!!!!!!!

For those of you who ask......What is dedication......
We are born again Christians. We try to follow the Bible as closely as we can. We are saved by Grace through Faith in Jesus Christ as our Savior. We believe that the Old Testament is a very important part of history, and we live by the new testament. We read in Luke chapter 2 that Mary and Joseph brought Jesus to the temple to be dedicated to the Lord.

Camping and Caves

2009-09-04T22:17:00.003-05:00

June 16th More camping....and caves

We went camping with a friend of Lauren's, at Da Ranch!!! When you have your very own camping resort, it's hard to pass up.

And it's just miles from a Door Co. park that has beautiful caves with the clearest water!!! We walked around the shores and caves. We hiked and went exploring. And while hiking through a wooded area, we found a Geo box. Right there off the path, a plastic box. I had heard of them, but have never found one. We took nothing, and had nothing to leave but a bobby pin. It was really cool!!!

We camped in the pop-up camper, it rained gently at night, in the morning we Went to the Sevestepol parade!!! What a show!! This tiny little town had a parade that was at least an hour and a half long!!!They had everything from men dressed up as women to camels and horses.

We had a great time!!! And Selamnesh is quite the camper!!! She goes to sleep so well!!! And then we turn on the lights and play cards all night, eating Lauren's famous kick a_s dip!!!! MM mm good!!!

Lifest 09

2009-08-25T21:06:00.003-05:00

Well, another year of Lifest under our belts this summer!!! What an awesome year!!! Last year we made the commitment of adoption. We sat in the SuperWalmart and Lauren came up with names for our baby girl. And just 365 days later we would take her to the SuperWalmart to shop.

Selamnesh did fabulous!!! What a trooper!!! I like the late shows, the ones that start at midnight. Lucky for me...Tristan is a early bird. Lauren and I would go out late to see Bands like Superchick sing about purity and being an everyday hero. Gosh I love that band!!! Then there was Toby Mac!! I never grow sick of seeing him!! But he is getting older...older than I am at least!! I think we all saw every band that we wanted too!! Tristan played Dodgeball all week, and loved it!!!

Where else can you go for a week with your children and friends and not have to worry about drugs, drinking, or rude behavior?? We had a prime camping spot across the road from out best friends, who had a French foreign exchange student. That made it allo the more fun!!!

I am SO increadibly proud to have such wonderful kids that love God with all their hearts!!

Selamnesh's first time camping

2009-08-25T17:09:00.003-05:00

After years of camping in a tent and air mattress, I desided that Selamnesh needed to stay in a camper...........okay, maybe I used her as an excuse to buy a pop-up camper!! As the weeks aproaching our annual pilgrimage to Lifest,(a HUGE Christian music festival) I thought it wise to take the baby camping for a first time close to Grandma's house, just in case she didn't do so well....... She did FABULOUS!!!! She loved it!!! And we had a good time too!!!

Lauren and Tristan treated her to go cart rides around DaRanch!!! Weeeee!!! She has a farm, barn and animals all outside. And just wandered around the 40 acre woods...okay 20 acres. When night time came we lit fireworks, and had a bonfire. Selamnesh went to bed just like at home..........What a wonderful little girl!!!

4th of July

2009-08-25T16:14:00.003-05:00

Where has the summer gone??? We have had such a wonderful, awesome summer. Selamnesh's first summer with us...and how she is changing every day!!!

Selamnesh's first 4th of July was extremely important to me!!! I think I started to cry early in the morning. Lauren and Tristan were with their father. So it was just Selamnesh and I which that in it's self I was sad about. Selamnesh's first 4th of July and her brother and sister weren't there..........

We went downtown to meet up with friends. We watched some bands and met up with different groups of friends. We had a wonderful time!!!

As the sun went down we sat down right on the water's edge with the same friends that we do every year. Just before the fireworks other friends joined us. Selamnesh stayed up for the beginning of the great light show..... I sat on the ground, with her in my lap. As I watched the fabulous explosions of colors I rocked my baby in my arms and sang all the patriotic songs I could think of starting with the national anthem. All the while thinking of her little life.....what freedoms did Selamnesh have that Bizunesh will never have. As her little body relaxed with sleep, I sang while tears fell on her face..........I love you baby girl!!

Sweet Baby of Mine

2009-07-01T23:19:00.002-05:00

Oh how I have wanted to blog for the past few weeks. I have had a heavy heart, but distractions have kept me from posting..........

Tonight was a great reminder of why it has been important to share. Baby girl, putting you to bed is my favorite time of day. Before I met you I dreamed of how it would be..... You were so tiny at 16 months old, only 15#. Lauren was a 7# baby, but was 16# at 6 months old. Everyone thought Lauren was such a tiny little girl. But you are just so teenie... My agency CHSFS did a wonderful job of preparing us for adoption!!! In 2008 1,725 children from Ethiopia were adopted into the USA. 90% are under 5 years old. 46% are under 1 year old. I took days of classes for 8 hours each to help prepare us for our new children. They really stressed the importance of bonding. No matter the age of the child we should try sleeping together, or at least in the same room to create parental bonding. These children are raised this way from baby on. Whole families sleep on one mattress. What could it hurt??? I mean if we wanted these children so badly.......isn't sleeping with them such a small sacrifice?? I had dreams of Selamnesh sleeping next to me.....but she has dreams of being left in her crib to stretch and move..... Some mothers in our group even breast fed their new children. With the help of herbs you can start lactating. And it worked!!! Not for me... I didn't even try. Been there, done that. But they stressed the importance of bonding skin to skin no matter the age of the child. I started right away rocking her before bed, she doesn't like to be rocked to sleep, I wear either a bra or camisole and rock her. I sing her "Jesus Loves Me", "Amazing Grace", Oh How I Love Jesus", "Just As I Am", and sometimes more....... We start out praying. I was so amazed how these children at 16 months old would wait to eat until we prayed. She would sit with her hands folded and just shake with excitement about food, but wouldn't eat until we prayed. When you tell her it's time to pray she either folds her tiny hands or covers her eyes. So we pray and Thank God for sending Jesus to die on the cross for our sins. We ask Jesus to forgive us for anything we have done bad today, And then we ask God to bless everyone that we know. She is starting to name people, it's so cute...... Then we sit/lay skin to skin. With her face on my chest. As I sing, I hold her close, our noses only inches apart. I can feel my breath coming back in my face. Her tiny hand strokes my face or my chest. I imagine she did the same with Bizunesh. What would bedtime be like with a tiny baby in her birth home??? Did she squat on the floor, sit in the hard wooden chair in the corner?? She didn't have a glider as I do, but I'm sure it was the same bonding. Bizunesh was a great mother to Selamnesh!! I imagine Bizunesh holding her tight to her chest as I do, singing her songs of Jesus. Bizunesh is a follower of Jesus. And her tiny hands stroking her face or her chest as she does mine.

The day will come when she is just too long and too heavy to hold her so close. And then the day will come when we just don't do it anymore........how sad. I can't even imagine not rocking her, holding her close, feeling our breaths meet. I love you Baby Girl. Goodnight.........

Selamnesh's 1st Baseball Game

2009-06-09T21:46:00.004-05:00

We had a Blast at Selamnesh's first Timber Rattlers game!! We went to this game with OURS Through Adoption. What a great group of families with adopted children!!! To see families that like us last year were waiting for a referral, and now have a beautiful baby!! To families that have had their children for years. It was a great game!!! We won!!!

Selamnesh loved cotton Candy!!!

Selamnesh loved the Fireworks after the game!! She would giggle and laugh every time they exploded!!

The Farm

2009-06-09T21:17:00.003-05:00

We took Grandma to The Farm. We fed baby pigs, sheep and goats. Selamnesh loved the animals but had a nerveous giggle. She loved throwing corn in the long horn steers mouth!! Lots of walking.........

We took Grandma to The Farm. We fed the baby sheep, goats, and pigs.

Tristan 09'-10' Student Council President

2009-06-08T22:48:00.003-05:00

Tristan was elected by the students of his school as the Student Council President. I am SO proud of him!!! Tristan is a sweet, nice kid!! He isn't the most popular, he's not the most athletic, but his is definitely the nicest kid!!! I'm sure he got every girls vote in the entire school and then topped it off with a handful of guy votes............Of course he would win!!! Tristan treats girls with respect, and it wouldn't surprise me if he went to prom with 4 girls!!! Not because he is a player, but because his best friends are girls, and they know he is respectful of them. I'm so proud of you Tristan!!!

Journey to Selamnesh

2009-06-01T01:00:00.001-05:00

Make an on-line slideshow at www.OneTrueMedia.com

2009-06-01T00:53:00.002-05:00

Ethiopian Princess Selamnesh's 2nd Birthday

2009-05-28T22:33:00.008-05:00

May 28th marks the Birthday of Princess Selamnesh, desendent of Queen Sheba of Ethiopia. It was a Large Royal Gala. All of the Kingdom attended this Royal event and everyone was dressed in their finest wears!!

It was truly a wonderful party!!! Everyone came, everyone had a great time!!! more than 50 people!!! I loved sitting on the deck with my closest friends and watched the mix of Ethiopian and Anglosaxon children play soccar in the backyard. What a beautiful blend!!!! I am truly Blessed to have such wonderful friends and wonderful relatives. God has been so good to all of us!!!

By request of the Ethiopian population.......We devoured bowls and bowls of my famous chili. 30 Pounds of chili!!! For them I made it extra spicy!!! Selamnesh loves Chili, she wasn't as keen about the cake I got just for her.......What ever makes the Princess happy on her special day!!!

All of the Princes and Princesses of Ethiopia came to the Gala event.

Have you ever seen such an adorable little girl??? After opening gifts she wanted to wear her Minnie mouse Princess ears, with her tiara underneath, her princess gown with a tutu over the top with fairy wings on her back. She had so much fun!!!

She isn't spoiled, just well LOVED!!! Thank you to everyone for all of the gifts!!

Chuck E Cheese!!! An American Classic Lauren had her 2nd Birthday at chuck E cheese, Tristan had his 2nd Birthday at Churck E Cheese. and now Selamnesh has her 2nd Brithday at Churck E Cheese!!! She isn't much for the moving rides, But did like the slow moving mary-go-round and a horse race ride that she and Lauren had a great time on. When it came to meet Chuck E, I knew better than to let her see him before the picture was taken. And as soon as I knew we had a good one, I slowly turned around and she almost jumped out of my arms.

Happy Birthday Baby Girl...........

One year ago today.........

2009-05-28T00:34:00.003-05:00

One year ago today I received my referral call for a beautiful, tiny little girl, who was named Selamnesh. For all the play by play details(which are quite funny now) go to the right column under blog archives, then go to 2008 posts, then find May 27, 2008.

This has been quite an emotional month. May started off with a very dear friend bringing home her Ethiopian boys, my 1st Mother's Day of 3 children, the one year anniversary of Bizunesh bringing Selamnesh into care, the 1st anniversary of our referral call, and tomorrow will be Selamnesh's 2nd Birthday.

God's Blessing

2009-05-19T21:03:00.002-05:00

I blog as a personal journal. It amazes me that people would actually read what I have to say. But I get emails from people I don't know and have never met, that are ministered to through my blog. When I blog it's usually because I take the time to do it for a particular reason. I sit and just write, with very little thought ahead of time of what I want to say besides the original topic. I really think that it is God writing through me. I write, spell check, and never read it again. Some have suggested that I print out my blog and have it published as a book. I'm not sure...it's so personal.... Personal, but yet open to the public. I don't understand my own thinking...........

But tonight I want to share a story of God's Blessing. As Born again believing Christians, as most of my closest friends are, we want to walk in God's will, and direction. We desire to please our Saviour. We want to follow the Bible and all of its commands and desire all of its blessings. In the Bible it instructs us to take care of the orphans and widows. For some it is supporting an orphanage, for others it's sending money to an organization for children, for some it's volunteering, and for others it's adoption. Hopefully it's more than just one. I felt the call to adopt years ago.....when I was still married. Even before then, back in high school I had a heart for Africa. And part of my heart will always be there.

For those of us who choose to adopt, we must seek God's will. Just because the Bible instructs us to take care of the orphans doesn't mean that God wants everyone to adopt them. For some He knows it would be better for them to support adoption, or another avenue. A while back a friend and I discussed that same subject. Their family was having some difficulty in adopting, and we discussed if it was God's will, or making it God's will. How do we know if Satan is coming against us, and making a situation difficult for us, so that we might grow from it, or if it really isn't God's will??? I understand making something wonderful, God's will, because I wanted it all too much. And I believe that it can happen in adoption as well. We want to do God's work in helping the orphans, and we want to do God's will, but it isn't really what God has for us.

In my adoption, which only took 5 months for a referral, and 4 months to complete. Which is normally a year wait and four to six months to complete. My prayer to God from the beginning was this... God, if you REALLY want me to adopt a child, make it easy, come up with the money, and let everything fall into place, because if it doesn't, I quit!! I have learned the hard way that just because you are doing something good that God would support, doesn't mean that it is God's will for YOUR life.

I want to share the story of a family I know personally. I know that these people are Born again, God seeking Christians. This family tithes to their church, and are good stewards of the 90% left over. They don't have debt, live clean lives, and are very invoved in their church. They are a Christian family to look up too and many in their church do. They have a heart for Africa the same way I do. They have adopted before and had a similar situation as the one I am about to tell you... If I don't get a fact correct I know that this woman will bring it to my attention and I will correct it.

Soon after the last adoption, they decided that they wanted to adopt again. The agency they had used wouldn't let them adopt so soon. They wanted to adopt from the same country, but something led the wife to another country in Africa and another agency. She checked their website daily. Knowing that it was becoming an obsessive quest, she said that today would be the last day she would check it and to leave it in God's hands. She found two beautiful girls that day, not babies, but without special needs. Truly beautiful girls. One would ask, why would such beautiful healthy girls still be up for adoption. Other than it was God's plan. After prayer, her husband agreed to change agencies and countries. The rest of the story is proof that when it is God's will and plan for your life every thing just falls into place.

Their request for the girls was accepted in 1 day.
The approval to adopt out of birth order.
Their home study was done in 3 days.
Their fingerprints were taken immediately.
They were the last children to pass court before closing.
Their passports and visas came in record time.
Their tax return was enough to cover the adoption fees of both girls.
Her employer has decided to pay for part of their adoption.
Her employer is continuing to pay her for the possible 2 trips she will need to take.
Her employer is paying for the airline tickets.
It is suppose to take 2 trips to bring these girls home. They have heard and pray that it will only be one trip to bring them home.
They will have brought home 3 children from 2 different countries and processes in less than 8 months!!!

Why is this family being so blessed??? Because it is God's will, and God's plan.
They are a family living according to God's plan, And wanting to do God's will. They stepped out into the deep water, and trusted God to provide, and that His will, would be done.

Does this mean that people that face trials in adoption aren't doing God's will?? NO!!! I don't know why...... All I know is that this family is a great encouragement to other families who want to do God's will.

I love you sister!! Have fun in Africa for me!!! Smell the air, pick up some dirt, collect some rocks. Laugh with the people, cry with the people, kiss and kiss and kiss and kiss. I pray a special blessing over you and your daughter on this trip. I know all that read this will pray as well.......... I love you!!

We went Pee pee again!!!

2009-05-19T18:45:00.003-05:00

It was time for a bath and told Selamnesh to sit on her potty and go pee pee. As she sat there I went to get some chocolate chips, cheaper than M&M's. When I came back she was standing, I told her to sit and she pointed to the potty and said,
"Pee pee". By golly she went!!! This hasn't been the first time, but the third time. I have thought of starting potty training, all my other kids were trained by 2. But I'm not ready for her to be a big girl, I want her to be a baby just a little longer...........

She had her bath, and while standing grabbed her butt and said, "Poo poo". OKAY!!! Get her out, dry her off, and sit on the potty. And we sit. And we sit. Okay, I'm done............

The long walk

2009-05-18T21:46:00.002-05:00

One year ago Bizunesh walked 3 hours to make the best choice she could have for baby girl who she named Selamnesh. How many times had she started that trek only to turn back and go home??? She had nothing to feed her, in the end it was just warm water. Ohh, how I don't understand her pain. I honestly don't know if I would love my children enough......Would I rather them die in my arms??? Or give them to someone I never met, and would never hear from again??? I honestly couldn't tell you what I would do. 3 hours is a long time, a long time to second guess your decision. I have 3 hour drives all the time. I can think a lot in 3 hours. I can drive 3 hours with Selamnesh in the back seat. But what would I be thinking if I had 3 hours to walk with my precious baby in my arms???????? Bizunesh, I will never forget what you have done. You are much more loving and caring than I could ever be. I love you!!!

My first Mother's Day of 3 children

2009-05-10T21:23:00.008-05:00

My first Mother's day as a mother of 3 beautiful children!!! I am so blessed!!! I can't imagine Selamnesh not being part our family.....

I am not the newest mother of my friends. We spent last night with one of our dearest friends who brought home two boys yesterday from Ethiopia!!! Bringing home these boys was a difficult process!! For over 2 years, their family fought to bring them home. And now....Tahja is a new mother of 6 count them, 6 boys!!! Her boys are very special to me and our family. While we were in Ethiopia bringing home Selamnesh; our family, these two boys and some helpful people sat in a small room visiting with these boys. Not knowing if they understood a word I was saying I tried to tell them through my sobs of grief that their mother was fighting for them, and that she was doing everything that she could to bring them home. While inside wondering if it was God's will that they should be in the United States. God's will is not always what we think is the "right" thing to do. What if it was God's will that these two last boys of a group of seven children were to stay behind to change their world?? While I prayed that my will, will be done?? Last night I watched 20 of our children sit around a dining room table eating dinner together and one third of those children were chosen to be part of our families from Ethiopia. I couldn't hold it in, I went outside to loose it!!!!!!!!!!

Why??? For many reasons........ For childhood friends that were reunited. For the miracles God has shown us. And that His timing is perfect!! And I grieve......I know that I see the lives of these 8 Ethiopian children differently than their adopted families. Each of our families sees adopting our children differently, for different reasons. We each have a love of Ethiopia. But my love for the country is different from the rest of the families. I see a people that are content with what little they have. A people that truly love one another. I see a country of people that is so taken advantage of. I see a country of happy people. The devastation is so great, but THEY are truly thankful for what they have and praise God for what they have, and don't concentrate on what they don't have and what they want. I grieve for the 7 children who were taken out of this loving country. Yes, they have more than they ever would. But I grieve for the loss of a culture so unknown to us... Yes, their country could not provide for them what we can give them, but they left behind a culture that we can never replace. I sat on a roof top for hours and would watch children play in the streets. They were happy!! Laughing, playing, like any group of friends in any country. These were children playing with a waded up peice of paper for a ball. Some children had clothes, others did not. Some had shoes, others did not. Day after day we would watch them play and their wasn't any judging of children. No clicks of kids with clothes or without. They all played together... Here we would look at them and think, What was that mother thinking... But they are a people that cares for their children like we don't. We are so consumed with ourselves. We worry about offending the parents of our children's friends by yelling at them. We would never think of disciplining our friend's children. Heck we don't even disapline our children in public. Imagine if your house had no walls...... And we don't love our friend's children as if they were our own. SO different of a culture there............They really have a village raise a child. Children that are respectful, children that are loving to all, children who are treated as children and not as equals to adults. How many parents share all the family secrets with their children. Children are children. They are a nation of children who are loved by neighbors as if they were their parents. How many people in your neighborhood would take your children if something happened to you, and not expect or even accept a penny for it??? NO WAY...Maybe if it was a friends child, but not for stranger's children.......... We would want some financial assistance. Look at our foster care system. People can stay home, raise some one's children and actually make money doing it......... What if you didn't get a penny of help for raising those children?? Would they do it then?? I have a passion for the people of Ethiopia!! I don't see it as rescuing children from a bad life. I don't think I can give Selamnesh a better life here is the United States. I wanted a little girl, and a little girl I got. But I got so much more!!!! I learned humility that I couldn't anywhere else. I am no better of a mother, they are better than I. I can give material things, and education, but they really are loosing out on something more precious than I can give. I love a woman who I share a child with. I grieve for Bizunesh. I love that woman. We share mother's day. A day that is Hallmark. Did Bizunesh know what we did was special today?? NO!!! But I grieve for her loss. She did the last resort. She knew that her baby girl was going to die if she didn't get the only help left to her. As Bizunesh told me on a September morning, "You are her mother, I am Bizunesh". So we share a child that without either of us would not be here. And I share this special day with her. She taught me so much about being a mother that I would have never learned without her. I don't think I will ever be the mother she was.... I love you Bizunesh!!

So on this special day we went to our favorite place........... The Zoo!! Selamnesh has a connection with the Lions. They love her. It might help that we go there every weekend...... But they have come right up to the glass and look into each other's eyes every week. It would not surprise me if she worked with lions in her life. The next Jane, but with lions. We fed the giraffes. That is so much fun!!! We break wasi crisp crackers into tiny pieces and they take them out of your fingers. It's really awesome!!! We could go to the zoo and stay for hours and only visit 2 exhibits. The giraffes and the lions.

Spending the day with my mom was really special!! We don't get enough days together!! I miss my mom so much!! I remember being a teenager thinking that I love her so much, and struggling with loving my mother and being a teenager. My mom got to feed a giraffe for the first time. It was very special to see my mom do something for the first time. I feel that there is so much in life that my mom has not had a chance to experience. I want to help my mom experience every thing that she can. My mother is not old, but a very young 67 years old. But I realize that she will not be around forever. If something happens to my mom, she knows that she will be living in my house and be taken care of by me. But God willing, nothing will happen to my mom for many more years. And until then I want to help my mother see things and do things that I feel she has missed out on. Mostly because she was busy trying to care for 3 selfish children. I love you mom!!

It was a long day. But Selamnesh always has the most energy!!

I am SO In Love

2009-05-04T22:09:00.002-05:00

You know the feeling.......You look in their eyes and you melt into a puddle on the floor...The way they touch your face and you feel butterflies.....when your eyes meet and you both start to laugh.......when they tell you that they love you all on their own with out any prompting......I Am So In LOVE!!!

This morning when I dropped Selamnesh off at daycare. I couldn't have been more in love!! I was running an hour behind. Why?? Because I just didn't want to leave her. You know the feeling when you have a new love and you just want to be together all the time??? It was a typical morning. I sitting at the Breakfast bar, she sitting in her big girl chair next to me. Both of us eating our peanut butter sandwiches. Our eyes would meet and one of us would give the other a bite from our sandwich. And we would both giggle...... by the time we were both done eating she had peanut butter on her clothes, in her hair, and all over her fingers. She would give me the finger that had the glop of peanut butter on it and I would act like a monster and chomp it off. As I clean the peanut butter from between her fingers and around her face I sing a song about what I'm doing....under your chin, on your neck, this cheek then that cheek, naming and counting each finger, making sure she still has them all. We laugh......Ahhhhhh I am so in love.... We finally head out the door. And arrive at the daycare one and a half blocks from our house. We are singing and dancing our way through to her room. They all know that I am NUTS!!! No other parents sing or dance when they drop their kids off.

I know, I watch them the same way they watch me!!!!

We burst into the room as I proclaim. "No one loves their children as much as I love mine!!!" I look at one of my favorite little girls Selamnesh plays with and I tell her, "Your mommy loves you, but not as much as I love my little girl" The daycare teacher looks shocked. Shock factor is what I do best. My best friends know that about me. And love me anyway!! We take off our coat and the same little girl comes up to me. I scoop her up, look her in the eyes, and call her by name and say I love you!! I wasn't sure she had ever heard it..... Selamnesh has said I love you for a long time now. I think I say the words I love you to her more than any other phrase. I set her down and Selamnesh would want up. I squat down and hold them both on my lap. Giving them both a squeeze and tell them again how much I love them both. Selamnesh says "Ahh wub ohh" Repeatedly this little girl would come and every time I would tell her I love her. Finally after the 10th time, she repeated it back.

I watch people drop their kids off, It takes me a long time to drop her off. She is fine, it's me....... They take off their child's coat. Say hello to the teacher, and say "I'll see you later" most of the time not even that.....then give them a quick wave and they are out the door.

I tell every one that I love them. My children, their friends, my friends, their kids. But when I say it I mean it!!! I don't use "I love you" as a salutation. So often, my family or friends will end a conversation on the phone with an "I love you." Most of the time I say,"yah love you". But it's really meaning less. I will usually say their name and I love you. I want to know that I mean it every time.

Lauren is 16 years old. She isn't as affectionate as Tristan. But when I drop her off at school every day, I rub her arm or touch her leg, she hates it every time, but I don't care!!! I look her in the eyes and tell her I love her, and ask for a kiss. Tristan is a little easier with the affection. I still get teary eyed when I drop them off at school like the first day of kindergarten. Now I only have 2 more years of dropping Lauren off. Wow!! Where does the time go??

How can I be so in love with my children?? My friends don't even understand. I would guess that most parents don't mind getting a breather as I have heard them say, when they let their kids go to friends houses. I hate it!!! Some think that I don't let my kids go to friends houses, or to the mall with friends because I fear for their safety or I don't trust them. I trust my children, I just don't trust any one elses!! But in reality, I would rather go with them, or have their friends over at our house. I love being with my children!!! Being single for so many years I have taken a lot of vacations with friends. And I honestly have a better time with my children than I do a friend. I enjoy motherhood so much now at 39 years old.

Children are a gift from God. and I am SO Blessed!!!

So where does this leave me....... thankful...... My children are good kids, I don't think that it is any mystery that the more time you spend with your children the more they pick up from you. You might think you love your children, but not as much as I love mine!!!

The Most Beautiful Princess in all the land goes to Prom

2009-04-23T21:39:00.002-05:00

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

2009-04-23T20:55:00.005-05:00

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

2009-04-23T20:34:00.001-05:00

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

2009-04-12T23:05:00.002-05:00

Selamnesh's First Easter

2009-04-12T21:51:00.005-05:00

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

2009-04-04T22:28:00.005-05:00

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???

6 months ago today I met Bizunesh

2009-03-30T21:36:00.005-05:00

September 30, 2008 I met the most amazing woman. Bizunesh would remind you of Jesus's mother Mary. I sat with her, asked her questions, answered her questions, cried together and promised her that I would take great care of Selamnesh. Now 6 months later she isn't the same frail little baby we brought home. She is a beautiful, little girl. She has full cheeks, chubby thighs, talks non-stop, sings constantly, and loves to make faces. I pray that God gives Bizunesh dreams that would show her how healthy and happy she is. I love you Bizunesh!! Thank you for entrusting me with the baby you gave birth to, to allow me to be her Mommy. I will never forget that 6 months ago today, I asked you what you wanted us to call you. And when I asked if you wanted to be called birth mother you said. "No, I am Bizunesh. You are her Mother" I love you, pray for you, and Selamnesh has her own name for you. We look at this picture of you above her crib every night and give you a kiss.

Look at this Ethiopian Princess!! I am planning an Ethiopian Princess party for Selamnesh's 2nd Birthday!! I had to make some alterations to the dress. She loves it!! She wanted to wear her pretty shoes to bed tonight!! It's so hard to tell her she can't....... She is a princess.........

Classic Selamnesh.... In her princess dress, crawling into and sitting in the dog's crate!! Jacques is such a great dog!! Annoying, but a great dog!! He hates it,but does nothing about it, but almost daily she climbs in, and closes the door, sometimes she can get the door closed before he slips in, but usually he is too fast for her.

Learning to snowboard

2009-02-22T20:23:00.004-06:00

This past weekend we went to this small ski hill to learn to snowboard. The kids have been skiing for a number of years with their dad. But he would never allow them the chance to learn the art of the snowboard. It takes much more talent and skill to balance on the edge of this board while propelling yourself down a steep decline. And thanks to a very talented snowboarder of 23 years, my children got 1on1 attention. To see the joy on their faces as they accomplish something for the first time........Do you remember the joy it brings to see your children learn to do something for the first time?? I could have cried all night. I am so very proud of them both!! Thank you Travis for being so talented, gracious, and patient.

Selamnesh loved eating the fresh snow!!

Winter park

2009-02-13T19:52:00.003-06:00

What a great time to share some family LOVE!!!!

On a wonderful warm winter day we went to a park that has a little zoo. We didn't see much but had a great time!!! We fed some Mountain Goats, saw a Bobcat, an very tame, wild bunny and a lot of empty cages. Selamnesh liked being pulled in the sled more than feeding animals.

My Baby has her Driver's License

2009-02-13T19:23:00.003-06:00

Look a this little Gril All Grown up!!!!

Sweet 16

2009-01-24T17:04:00.002-06:00

Sixteen Years ago on a very icy, early morning I gave birth to the most beautiful baby girl. And this week we celebrated her 16th birthday!! Friday we had a sweet 16 party at a dry nightclub. It was a great time and and great time had by all. All night I kept asking Lauren, Are you having a good time? She would smile and say yes. Mid-evening she asked me, Mom are you having a good time? I started to cry. Yes, if you are happy, I'm having a great time!! Isn't that just it??? When we see out babies having a wonderful time, it makes our evening wonderful...... Lauren has a great group of friends, half from school, and half from church. And then there is Marty.... gosh I love that guy, and he is good for her. NO not a boyfriend. Lauren isn't allowed to have one of "those". But a great guy who keeps her compass north.

Happy Birthday Baby!!! I love you so very much!!!!

Other updates.........

2009-01-20T18:46:00.002-06:00

I have been asked today what other updates I have on my baby girl........

She has changed so much!! And keeps me running!!!!

She took her first steps the day after Christmas. Since as of today is taking 6 little shuffle steps. That might span 2 feet. Huge for a little girl that was dragging her left leg behind when she tried to crawl just 3 1/2 months ago.

She now calls me "Ma ma" loudly from across the room.

How many times is too many to tell your baby that you love them..... Last night as I held her in my arms, I looked into her eyes and said I love you. she replied.... Aaa lub ooo. I wept.

She calls Lauren Sisis when asked to say Sissy.

Tristan we call Bro, and it comes out like Bo.

She will try to repeat anything you say.

She loves to climb the stairs, and is just getting the hang of going down.

Doing work at my desk is a disaster....she grabs every file folder and it's quickly flung on the floor.

She will sit in the exersaucer for about 15 minutes while I'm running on the treadmill.

She loves playing with her kitchen set.

Bizunish would be proud, I sure am.............

Dr. Visit

2009-01-19T21:15:00.003-06:00

We went to the Dr. and they did all the blood tests. I was really nerveous..... Is she healthy?? Does she have Malaria again?? She didn't have fevers before and she had Malaria. She hasn't run a fever since we met. Have her liver functions spiked again?? We had her portraits taken the day before we were admitted to Children's Hospital. She looks healthy, but she did before. I sat across from Dr. Kellner, and he told me that I might doubt him. Have I ever said how much I love this Dr.??? He is so awesome!!!!!!!! But he said..... Anna if her tests come back normal, I won't need to see you until her 24 month appt. I cried...How can I trust in God, but still have fear my baby is going to get sick again?? How can I trust Drs. that can't tell me what she had or if it will ever come back?? We tested her blood every 3 days, then twice a week, then once a week, then twice a month, now once a month. And now you tell me that we will go 4 months without testing her blood??? I have to trust him, I have to trust Him. God almighty!! This is no suprise to Him. Lord God, you gave me this Baby girl to take care of. She is yours.

Selamnesh is now 21# and 30 inches long. She has gone from 6-9 month clothes to 18 month clothes in 2 months. I can hardly change her closet in time. She is the best dressed little girl all thanks to Once Upon a Child.

She had to have 2 shots, and then the blood draw. I actually helped to hold her down for the first time. My heart ached!!!! A few hours later Dr. Kellner called me on my cellphone. Have I said how much I love this Dr.??? He has called me while on vacation, on a Saturday...... He said all of her blood levels are normal!!!!!

Merry Christmas from our family to yours

2008-12-25T22:41:00.003-06:00

We would like to wish everyone who reads these words a very Merry Christmas and my Jesus Christ Bless you as He has Blessed our family this year.

This year has been one blessing after another. The very unexpected referal of Selamnesh. A wonderful summer of enjoying my two older children in a season of lasts, just the 3 of us. Our eye opening trip to Ethiopia to visit the birth country of my 3rd child Selamnesh. Tristan would like to remind everyone that this was not a vacation. This was a mission trip. The mission was getting to know the people of Ethiopia. Picture taking was not like taking pictures at Disney World, but remembering for Selamnesh for the rest of her life. Meeting Bizunesh, Selamnesh's birth mother. I respect this woman so much. In our country most women who deside to make a plan for their unborn child, including adoption for reasons such as.....I can't afford a child, wanting to go to college, having too many children, I want to finish high school, or just don't want the responsibility. Bizunesh never went to school, gave her first born child to me, would have loved the responsibility, and couldn't afford a child.......Look at what we have and we say we can't afford things. Bizunesh didn't have cable, a tv, electricity, a cellphone, a home phone, a house, an apartment, eating out, hanging out with friends....... For Bizunesh it was a very different life.(Don't misunderstand me. I think that every young woman that finds herself in an unexpected pregnacy, her best choice is to place that child up for adoption. You don't realize how long some people wait wanting to have a child. How they would care for that child as if they gave birth to it themselves. How much BETTER of a life that child would have.) I'm only making the comparison between lives. Bizunesh and Mary, Jesus's mother had a much closer comparison than any of us in the states can imagine. Being an un-wed pregnant woman could have gotten Mary killed or disowned. So is the story with Bizunesh. We think nothing of an un-wed pregnant woman. That isn't the case in Southern Ethiopia. We have a poster size picture of our family with Bizunesh in the middle hanging above our couch in our family room. We remind Selamnesh every day who Bizunesh is and how much she loves her. When I look at Bizunesh I feel I am looking at Jesus's mother. When Mary had baby Jesus, she didn't know how He would Save the world. When Bizunesh had Selamnesh she didn't know how she would change the world. Soon after getting our baby girl home she had complete liver shut down. We didn't know if she was going to make it. But God Blessed us, by listening to the plee's of so many of you. He healed her completely. And friends who sat with me in the hospital for a whole week!! I am Blessed!! As an update, they still don't know what caused it, or how she got better. But we know!! Since going back to work after being off for a few weeks after our homecoming. Business has been WAY down. This last year hasn't been real good in my territory. And since going back to work the media keeps reminding people of how broke we are!!!!! I work in sales. I don't sell, I don't make money. Bottom line!! I can drive 3 hours to go to 3 appointments and not make a dollar. And I have to pay my gas to get there!! I have had weeks I owed the company money, and weeks I had a deposit of $58. But God continues to Bless us in other ways. Our angel Jill who made sure that our family had a wonderful Christmas. The children were very suprised!!!! I can not thank you enough!! We are so Blessed!! God has never forgotten us and His Word says He NEVER will!!

May the Love of Jesus Bless your families as He has Blessed Ours.

Snow Snow can you believe the Snow

2008-12-25T22:24:00.002-06:00

We are getting record snow falls and records for the month and it's not even Winter yet. (taken on December 19) Thanks to Don and his handy snow thrower we have had a pretty easy season so far...........

Tristan becomes a teenager!!!!!!!!

2008-12-25T22:07:00.002-06:00

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Can you beleive my baby boy turned 13?????? I took he and a few friends cosmic bowling. Because he's getting older.......his party started at 8pm and lasted until after 1am!!!!! He keeps me young, and has such great friends!!!!!!

Legally Ours Forever

2008-12-25T21:55:00.004-06:00

On Tuesday, December 16, 2008 We went to court for the very last time, to make Sahara Selamnesh, Elizabeth a permenant member of our family.

Court took all of 5 minutes including being sworn in. It was very anti-clamatic. But it was a very special day to us.

Home 2 months photos

2008-12-09T16:55:00.002-06:00

Birthday Cake

2008-11-10T20:12:00.002-06:00

We had a quiet weekend. We stayed around the house for the most part. I built shelves in the basement to house my collection of boxes. I think deep down inside I wonder if they are going to stop making them. So I collect them. Really it's because I'm too practical and would never want to buy a box. I even ripped 4x8 sheets of particle board into 2x8 for the actual shelves with my handy Mikita skill saw. (thanks Mom)

8am Saturday morning Tristan decides he is hungry for cake. He finds a Funfetti cake mix, and makes the cake. Lauren wakes at the smell of almost done cake and wants to take it out half baked and eat it raw. They settle on baking the cake.... I help cut off the top, and they eat it. They decide to frost it in vanilla and put sprinkles on the top. I take a break from my project to see a beautiful cake. I almost wanted to put candles in the top....... (any reason for a party) We each had a piece of cake, Selamnesh was napping and missed out.

So last night I made a beautiful apple smoked bacon, encrusted pork roast, red potatoes with garlic butter, and topped it off with a piece of cake. As I started feeding Selamnesh small pieces of cake, I started thinking about her birthday. What would I do for her 2nd birthday. For the children's first birthdays I got them their entire own cake and they could eat it any way they wanted. Yes, I would do the same for Selamnesh........... What about her 1st birthday..... Her mother surrendered her 13 days before her 1st birthday. I got the referral call the day before her birthday. Her birthday was on a Wedensday. We went out for dinner in honor of her birthday and I couldn't stop crying then........ What did her birth mother do on her birthday?? Did she cry?????? I sat and cried, and tried to smile as I fed her cake and eventually let her eat it on her own. I cried for the birthday I missed....I cried because she didn't have a cake and balloons and streamers on her first birthday...... I wondered if her mother and I would both be crying every birthday for our little girl that we share. I told her through two translators that I would give her a birthday gift every year from her birth mother.

Lord, God. I pray that you give Bizunesh peace. May you know that your little girl is happy, and loved, she is always warm, and is never hungry. I love you.

The Dog Whisperer

2008-11-03T21:34:00.002-06:00

The dog was not harmed in any way. I am teaching her to be nice to the puppy. She loves to sit in his crate..... What can I say, It's just too cute.....

Almost Normal

2008-11-03T21:19:00.003-06:00

First I have to thank everyone for their prayers. It is only prayer that has bought us this far......... We have been to the Dr. for blood draws at least twice a week. Today was another one of those days. I still cry when I hear my baby girl screaming as they hold her down. Today they couldn't get a good draw. They said she has so much scare tissue on her tiny veins that they have a hard time sticking the needle through... great. But they got it done. I love our Doctor!!! He calls me within hours to give me the results.....She is at 90!!!! Praise God!!!!!! We started the Primaquine to keep the Malaria away. It actually kills the eggs of the Malaria parasite. Get this.....from someone who doesn't like to take an advil for a headache...... The US doesn't have much experience with Malaria, So I'm suppose to give her 1/3 of a tablet. I said no way!!! So they came up with a different plan, as cave man as this sounds..... They crushed the pills for me and have each one in a baggie. I have to add 15 Mg of water to each pill, stir it up, and give her 5mg of the liquid. They don't know how it holds up over time in water, so I give her two doses and throw the third away...... I'll do what ever it takes......We don't have to go back for over a week!!!!!Yeh!!!!!!

We are HOME

2008-10-22T22:02:00.003-05:00

Even though we are home, there isn't much more to say........ They still don't know what is/was wrong. They don't know what caused, what ever.... We go in every few days to draw blood. Hopfully her numbers will continue to decrease. I'm not sure how I feel about it now that we are home. Children's hospital staff is wonderful. They never asked me to hold her down, or to even be in the room for that matter. And the nurses went just that extra mile. One of our first days, I came back to the room to find a nurse in the crib with Selamnesh singing the wheels on the bus...... Thanks Trica!!!!!! And Tiffany you were such a blessing!!!!! All of the nurses were!

And I can't thank the rest of you who prayed and pled with God for healing. It IS the only reason she is better. Then didn't give her a ml of medicine besides Vitimin K for clotting, and an ant-acid for her stomach. Most kids get ulcers in the hospital, so it's just a precaution. Prayer is the only thing that made this precious child better.

Tomorrow we go in for a full lab work up. Hoping her numbers are down. Normal is under 60.....Last she was 926. Better than 4000, but not 60 yet. I'm hoping for a cause also. Give me a virus, a paracite, give me something......... but tell me what was wrong with my precious child.

PS. It's so wonderful to have Lauren and Tristan with Selamnesh. Lauren is going to be such a great mother!!!!!

Update

2008-10-20T21:36:00.002-05:00

Really there isn't anything new to tell. A bunch of maybe this, maybe that, maybe we can go home tomorrow.

They draw her blood every 12 hours the maximum that they can. Being that she is only 16.67 pounds they can only draw about 11cc. So they draw the maximum twice a day. If the tests turn out that her liver levels are continuing to lessen she can go home if she test negative for a certain parasite. If not then we stay. They wanted to do a pic line so that they wouldn't have to stick her but they couldn't get her veins to open up enough. The insides of her tiny arms are just bruised Black! They took her off of the IV, but keep the site in, just in case they need to hook her back up. They have tried a new line in her other foot, but can't get it. Her tiny body is bruised so badly it's hard to look at when I change her. I have to focus on the medical miracle that they can remove a piece of liver through needles, instead of cutting her open.

My heart aches.......for Lauren and Tristan. For my baby girl....For her Birth mother..... I held her birth mother in my arms and promised her that I would take care of her baby girl. She trusted me to care for the child she gave birth to.

How has God Blessed me in this............ Christy and Tahja. I can not thank you enough. You help me while I wept. It's not like we are family, or that I grew up with you both, or that we have shared our darkest, deepest secrets............ Wednesday night while curled up on the couch in our room, I finally listened to the 8 voicemails I had after meeting with Dr. after Dr. and drawing her first blood. It's Christy... She knew I wouldn't ask for help, so she desided to come anyway. She left 2 hours ago!!!!!!!! I so needed her. Tahja came the next day and stayed until Sunday night. She asked questions for me, heard what I didn't, and held me as I cried. We even got the nurses to think that we were a "couple".

Lee...Thank you for the bags of goodies and the radio. It has made all the difference. Christian music has brought up conversations with people. And has been my strength when I am alone.

Greg...Thanks for the visit. It was wonderful to see you.

To the kindness of all who have emailed and left messages for me. Some who are complete stangers to me. THANK YOU!!!

Sunny and Sunny......Ethiopian women who came to me and spoke Ahmaric to Selamnesh. She does understand!!!!!!! We are family.

Jesus, thank you for your continuted strength. I never felt alone. I know you will never leave me, or forget about me. To God be the Glory!!!!

God has so Blessed me in this troubled time. God does not give you what you can not handle, for this I am certain.

UW Madison

2008-10-18T17:46:00.002-05:00

Wednesday morning we had a regular check up with the pediatrician. He came in, sat down and didn't look good. Looking intently at his laptop said we needed to check a few more things out...... So more blood draws, a chest xray......waiting......waiting.... I peak out the door wondering if I can get her dressed. He tells me that it will just be a minute that he is making some phone calls......wait......

He comes in, sits down, scrolls on his laptop, which I beleive is a nerveous habit. He looks at me, and says, I don't know what to do. Her liver issn't functioning. Her levels are all off. I can leave and he will let me know where we were going to go. 2 hours later he calls to say, go home, pack a bag, and rush to the Children's Hospital. Hurry. They are waiting for you.........

7pm we pull into the parking ramp. They are waiting for us, name on the room already. As I walk down the hall to the desk, I start to loose it.......

We have been here for 4 days!!!!! I have been over everything....They draw the mazimum amount of blood at a time, to run every test they can think of. They don't know what's wrong.......

Thursday at 3pm we had a liver byopsy. Her liver is 4 times the normal size. The liver is destoying it's self. She is in liver failure. They sat me down and prepared me for liver transplant. Oh my God, I haven't even had my daughter home for 2 weeks and they are planning to cut her to pieces.........I should be home planting bulbs in the gardens, with her sitting in the grass. Instead I'm asking if liver faliure is fatal. The liver specialist replies, not always.......They don't know what's wrong or what's causing it......

As of this moment tonight......Bottom line....... It's not the major things we all think of. It's not HIV, it's not Hep A, B, C. They stopped talking about transplant. And now we pray and wait for results of tests to determine what it is......

Thank you for your prayers, God Is Good All The Time!!!!!

This is why I wanted to be a Mommy again

2008-10-06T16:43:00.002-05:00

I am living the dream!!

Last night it all became real. Lauren and Tristan spent the weekend with their dad. I missed them very much and called to see how they were doing. Tristan went duck hunting, and Lauren is still under the weather after the trip home. I still miss them very much when they aren't at home!!!

Selamnesh, we are still calling her for now because she doesn't know any English and at least she knows her birth name, and I ate dinner. I'm not one for spicy food and that's all she ate in Addis. I bought some Pastrimi at the deli after realizing that the food I like just didn't have enough flavor. Saturday I tried giving her rotisseri chicken, she spit it out until I but BBQ sauce on it. So I thought I would try some pastrami. She ate all of the outside pieces with the pepper aound the edges. She wouldn't eat the middle!!!!! So I grabbed the pepper mill. After mixing in the pepper she ate it all!!!! After dinner we sat in the living room and played with the barnyard. Later I popped some popcorn and we sat watching 60 minutes and ate/played with the popcorn. She loved it!! I think because I douse it with salt and butter!! She would stick her little arm in the bowl and stir it around, pull a few choice pieces out and eat them. She would climb over my legs and back, She started crawling on all fours, it was just so much fun!!! And that's when it all hit me........This is why I wanted to be a mommy again!!!!

Today we went to the Dr. They drew blood, I cried more than she did. I started to cry when they were trying to deside which vein was better. Everyones comments were the same........She is so tiny, she looks like a porcelin doll. And she does. I don't realize how tiny she really is for her age.

Just a few minutes ago I found her crawling to the dog's bowl of food. So I put it in his crate. I turn around and she has her arm up to her body in the crate taking the kibble out of his dish and eating it!!!!! So I gave her a teething biscut, now as I write she is giving the dog licks of her busicut!!!!! She just gave him the buscuit!!!!!! This is what being a mommy is all about!!!!! This is living the dream!!!!!

Flying home, First McDonalds fries and McFlurry, Embassy Day

2008-10-05T22:44:00.001-05:00

We are a Family... my Brother, Sister, and Me

2008-10-05T22:29:00.000-05:00

Trip home from Hossana"notice the Jesus clouds"

2008-10-05T22:14:00.000-05:00

children love to see poloroid pictures of themselves

2008-10-05T22:06:00.000-05:00

Busy roads on the way to Hossana because of holiday

2008-10-05T21:54:00.000-05:00

Trip to Hossana

2008-10-05T21:35:00.001-05:00

Pictures of Muskul Holiday Celabration

2008-10-05T21:19:00.003-05:00

Embassy Day

2008-10-01T14:21:00.001-05:00

This morning we went to the the farewell ceremony at the care center. It was bitter sweet. They dressed the children in traditional clothing. The older children sung us a few songs. They put their hand prints in a book. We had cake and then had a prayer. The care takers love these children so much. Everyone was in tears. the nannies and us parents. CHSFS is not like other orphanages.

Most of the children are going home next week or the following. But there is one little girl who broke my heart. She is 8 years old. She has been there for a year. I'm sure that she will have a wonderful family someday. But for a year she has watched children every week go home with families, but she knows that she does not have a family. She is beautiful!! My heart aches for her. She understands at 8 years that she has not been chosen. May God comfort her and soften the heart of a family to adopt her.

After the ceremony we went to the Embassy to finalize the adoption. Really non eventful. I feel like I should have answered more questions, done something more. We waited in a room until our name was called. Then we went to a window and they asked us a few questions like is this the child you thought you were going to get?? Then it was done!!

After the Embassy we went to do some last minute shopping. We hired a driver for $6.50 an hour. This guy graduated with a veterinary degree and makes more money driving foreigners around than he does as a Vet.

We checked our flights and we still leave here at 10:15pm tomorrow and still arrive at our airport Friday at 4:30. For more details call my mom.

Dinner

2008-10-01T06:58:00.000-05:00

After getting home from the trip to Hossanna, we were hungry. Some of the people in the guest house are vegetarians. So we have been eating noodles and sauce every day. We were craving meat!!!!!!!!! There is a local restaurant Metro Pizza. We walked there and after one glance of the menu discovered they had steak!!!!!!!!! It wasn't an American 1 inch steak, but more like a Ponderosa steak, covered in mushrooms and gravy. Steak never tasted so good!!!! And all for 55 birr=$5.50 a steak dinner!!!!

Today the good bye ceremony and the American Embassy.

Meeting Selamnesh's Birth Mother

2008-09-30T12:40:00.001-05:00

Today we left at 6am. It was a 3 1/2 hours drive to Hossanna. This country is called the green famine. The hills and mountains are green and beautiful. We saw a few waterfalls, but most creek beds were dry. It was a long drive. We went to the drop off site and waited for the private meetings. I of course was the second to last meeting. Her birth mother and I came into the room at the same time. I had seen a DVD of her yesterday, and I recognized her right away. We hugged about 20 times and each shed a lot of tears. I told her about me, my faith, my life, and how much I love her. I told her about our faith and she shared that she knows Jesus. What a comfort to know that she will be in heaven with us. She told me about her life and how she came to this decision. She wants Selamnesh to have an education and a better life than she could give her. She knows that there is a huge difference between our lives. It was so sad, and she humbled me so much!!! She asked if I would let Selamnesh come to visit when she is grown. I reassured her that we would be back. I knew most of her history ahead of time, so it wasn't a surprise. A few things shocked me. She is a beautiful woman of 25. She has a nose like my mom. Her ears and eyes are just like Selamnesh's. Tristan took some video and we got pictures of us as a family and a few with just her and I. I will frame them and put them in her bedroom. They lit candles and gave them to us, to symbolize giving us the trust of the children. We both cried and cried. And hugged and hugged!!!!!!!!! The people generally kiss three times on the cheek. I think we did 50 times.

Today was so wonderful. I praise God for our meeting. Please pray for her mother's health and life.

A very full day.

2008-09-29T10:54:00.001-05:00

This morning I met with Salamnesh's Dr., Social worker, Nanny,and the journalist. The thing that makes this Adoption Agency different from every other is that they give you so much valuable information about her history. A journalist of the agency goes to the birth family home, films the home, the family, and where she was born. They ask the mother questions about the birth, the day she was born. And any message she wants to tell Salamnesh. I watched this 20 minute interview with her mother along with the other professionals. And then spent as long as I wanted with them asking them questions. It was a very emotional time.

Later we went shopping. I felt so rushed!!!!!!!! We had one hour at one market. Thirty minutes at another and then stopped at their version of Starbucks so everyone could by the most popular brand of Ethiopian coffee. It was amazing how much you could by for so little. There was a lot that I didn't get that I had wanted. I'm hoping that we will be able to go for a little longer tomorrow or Wednesday.

Because of Rashashana we might visit the birth families tomorrow or Wednesday. The holiday ends either day depending on the moon and the Muslin leader. It's a last minute decision.

Well, more tomorrow.............

OK. Power is back on

2008-09-28T20:09:00.000-05:00

Seeing these kids was really great!!

We had our first laugh also. She doesn't really smile much. We also had our first bath tonight. And she didn't whimper or cry at all!!! Huge, huge!!! We also had a Vaseline massage. She loved it!!! Then we went out to the outdoor lawn swing and cuddled before putting her down and she went right to sleep. She is such an angel......

Our first day together

2008-09-28T20:08:00.000-05:00

Today I picked up Sahara-Salamnesh at 9 am. We spent the entire day together. It went really well!!! She started out apprehensive as before. But she warmed up great!!! We ate lunch together, She ate injera and wat. The wat was really spicy, and the injera is a spongy tortilla and has a sour taste. I can't stand it!! She ate a ton of it!!! We went into the city to visit a friend's children. It was really neat to see the other side of the city. We drove through some nicer parts of Addis. We aren't suppose to take the children out in public but we went to their home and were with Ethiopians the whole time. We are having a power outage so gatta go.

More later

Being Real

2008-09-28T06:27:00.001-05:00

Let's be real. This getting to know you process is difficult. Salamnesh went from a year of a loving caring mother to an orphanage unlike other orphanages you have heard so much about. She loves her nannies so much!!! When I peek into her room she is laughing and bobbing up and down to the nanny singing. She says little things, babble and a few words. But the entire time we spend with her she is either crying or ready too. She is SO timid!! She doesn't make eye contact. Although she is starting too. She is very serious. But we have only spent a total of 15 hours together. Today we pick them up at 9 and return them tomorrow morning. I'm hoping we have some breakthrough's today.

I knew she was little. She is very tiny. She looks like a little porcelain doll. Beautiful girl, she has the most beautiful features, on this little body. She's long, but skinny. She doesn't have good muscle tone in her legs. She sits well, but she doesn't exactly crawl, or pull her self up well. They say she can, I just haven't seen it. Despite the issues with crying, looking at me, and the physical she is the most cuddly baby!!! She loves the Ergo!! She loves to be held tight!! Yeah!! We love her so much!!! Lauren tries to take over. What a great little mama!! And Tristan is just so in Love with her. They just want to pick her up today and go home!!!

Tristan got a little queasy on the plane and going through customs. It's not good when you are waiting to be approved and you go running!!!!!!! It gets their attention.............

Lauren got sick last night. She thinks it was a combination of tired and spicy food. We eat a lot from our food suitcase. The staff here is great!!!! The meals are wonderful if you aren't the pickiest people in the world. And we are!!!!!!!!! We are staying with some vegetarians, so we are craving meat!!!!!!!! Someone get me a steak for the day we get home!!! Thick and rare!!!!!!!!

Pray for our day together. We love her so much!!!

Muskul Holiday

2008-09-27T08:46:00.000-05:00

Good morning from Ethiopia!!

Last night we went to the Muskul Holiday Celebration. Wow!! Muskul Holiday is an Orthodox Christian holiday when St. Helen found the True Cross. So every year at this time they have a big celebration where they don't work or have school. They gather at the center of the city at the Muskul park. When you enter the park, the National "army" gives each person a pat down. They give you a trac and a candle. We walked up to the amphitheater. They have a very large tree shaped pile of sticks and branches. The celebration starts in the afternoon, they chant and sing and have people speak. The Orthodox Christian "pope" shall we say, gives a speech and message. It's long and drawn out when you have no idea what they are saying. The momentum builds as it gets dark. Then the candle lighting and then they light the tree. Families also have small fires made in front of their houses. They have a tree sticking out of the top of a pile of sticks and they decorate it with the Muskul flower that only blooms after the rainy season.

Today we spend most of the day with the babies!!! I am about to bust!!!

She is so Beautiful and shy!!

2008-09-26T13:20:00.000-05:00

We went to the care center at 8am. We were called in one family at a time. We were 4th. When we walked into the room the camera guy was running the camera. Her nanny had her standing in the middle of the room. We were told that she is extremely shy, doesn't like to meet new people, doesn't like eye contact, and doesn't like change. She looked at us, and didn't cry. That was great!! The nanny held her for a few minutes, then handed her over to me. She is very shy!!! She looked down most of the first 10 minutes. Then she laid her head down on my shoulder. I fell so in love!!! Lauren and Tristan held her for quite a while. She never cried when we took turns holding her. Her favorite new toy is musical. Thanks Mom!!! She didn't want to let it go or let you take it away. We spent 2 hours with her and she is so sweet but so shy it's painful!!! Her leg muscles are so weak that she can't walk or even stand. We will need to work on that. She is so beautiful!!! Soft ringlet curls, big doe eyes, full lips, and the tiniest nose. She is light as a feather and long. Picture to follow as soon as I can...........

Tomorrow we will meet with her for 3 hours in the morning, come back to the guest house for lunch then go back to pick her up for the day.

TTYL

Leaving for the Care Center

2008-09-26T07:20:00.001-05:00

Sleep was ok. To our bodies we went to sleep at 4pm. And as predicted the dogs bark and the prayer tolls ring early!!! Breakfast was pancakes. Leaving for the care center now. Talk more later.

Were Here!!!!

2008-09-25T17:22:00.000-05:00

The trip was pretty much non-eventful. Wonderful flights, The flight attendants were great, nice and accommodating, great food, and 5 families adopting from our group. So the time went faster than it could have. Every time we turned around we were being fed great meals with Cheesecake!!! Security went great, non-eventful. In the morning we will meet Sahara for the first time. We got our social report tonight and what great pictures!!! I will share photos as soon as I can............. As for now it's almost midnight and we haven't slept for more than a few hours in the last two days. So ta-ta for now from Ethiopia!!!!!!!

Ready Set Go

2008-09-24T10:47:00.002-05:00

At the airport

2008-09-24T10:35:00.002-05:00

Baby girl we are on our way!!! All of the luggage made it!!!! We passed inspection and we are just waiting for our flight.

I woke up at 5:07am. And I couldn't fall back asleep. I thought about what Sahara was doing, she just got done with lunch, maybe taking a nap. I can't wait to see you baby girl!! I was ready and waiting to go at 6:30am. Until Mom and Dad (George) came at 8am to drive us to the airport. Mom is always very early and rushed us to leave. We got to the airport with almost 3 hours to kill. Saying good bye to mom was the hardest!! I love you Mommy!! I could only hope that my children love me as much as I love you!! Thank you to everyone that called or txt lastnight or this morning. Tj I will make it work, I will see your boys!! I will miss you all!!!! Blessings!!

How much luggage does it take to bring Sahara home??

2008-09-23T23:19:00.002-05:00

327#

Now before you think, that is a lot of stuff........... We are allowed 100# per person for checked luggage. And 15# for a carry on. My purse weighs more than 15#!!!

I had less!!!!!! I did the final pack, weigh, move, weigh, pack, weigh, move, weigh. And I was under in every suitcase!!!!!! SOOOOO what's a girl to do??? Pack more!!!!! I packed an extra pair of shoes, toys, clothes for all the kids, more stuff to donate and I got the weight too.............

49# food suitcase
48#
46#
44#
45#
18#
15#
15#

24

2008-09-23T22:14:00.003-05:00

A friend turned me on to the show 24 and if you ever watched it you know the music that goes with it at every commercial. Tonight I look at the clock and imagine in 24 hours what will I be doing...........

24 hours from this very minute I will be somewhere over the Atlantic Ocean!

12 hours from this very minute I will be waiting to board the 1st of 4 flights!!

I am no longer nervous, no longer feel like I'm going to loose it!! I am at peace.

One Day and counting

2008-09-22T21:00:00.000-05:00

I’m calling this one day. I have one full day until we leave. And you know, I’m doing okay……. I actually feel better than I have all week.

I will be trying to post all week from Ethiopia. The internet is iffy and blogspot is blocked from Ethiopian internet. SO ……..A computer person is going to post on my blog for me. Thanks S.

We will be returning home on Friday the 3rd of October at 4:30. Into our local airport. For details call Mom, Rebecca or Christy.

Holding it together

2008-09-21T23:10:00.002-05:00

I'm just holding it together. As you all know I'm a super emotional person and I show my feelings quite well, even when I'm trying to fake it. Up until now I have held it together pretty well. My last melt down was the day of the referral. I could have been committed!!!! Don't get me wrong, I cry, boy do I cry...... Men you think that's loosing it, no way....... Loosing it means you are to a point of no return.

Church was wonderful. Church is always an emotional thing for me. I am so humbled every worship service that I usually shed a tear or two. Being that this is the last Sunday alone, I thought it might be the time I loose it. I hate it when my children go to their dad's house. I love that unlike so many divorced families, their dad and them have a great relationship!! And we share the time 50/50. BUT I hate the idea of them going there!!!!!!! I hate Fridays, knowing that they will go with their dad in the morning, and I will always try to stall them leaving...... I'm so bad!!!!!!! I love going to church with my children!!! But they are to the ages that they love going to church with their friends, which is a GREAT thing!!!

So getting ready this morning was like this huge revelation that this is the last time I will be getting ready by myself for a lot of years. How wonderful is that, I fantasize about having someone else to get ready, baby barf, and poopy diapers, I am so excited to change diapers again!!!!

I did very well during the service. Pastor Lathen you are wonderful and should really preach more!!!!! All was going well, I was visiting with people after service when a newer couple wanted to talk about adoption with someone. Sure, my favorite subject........ I was walking them down the hall to meet the family of 5, when passing by was a woman who I admire, but don't know all that well. We have had a few conversations, and over to the house, but not someone I have shared my deepest secrets with. She asked me to stop. She started digging through her purse, boy do I know the feeling....... She pulls out a twenty and hands it too me. I asked what it was for.....people have asked me to get them things from Africa....And she says what ever you need it for. I just about lost it!!!!!!!!! Inside I lost it!!!!!! I am so humbled by the generosity of people you don't know all that well. I know physiologically that I think that if I start to loose it, the fear is that I won't come back......... Very true. I know that at some time I will crash. I just hope it's by myself and not with a new couple standing next to me wanting to talk about adoption. God is so Good!!

3 MORE DAYS!!!!!!

2008-09-20T23:29:00.002-05:00

"They" say this is normal....you know who you are.........But .............

I wouldn't know, but if I had to guess, this is what it feels like to be on drugs!!!! I feel like I'm going insane!!!

Today at Walmart while trying to pick up last minute things.......One minute I'm crying about this all becoming reality, the next I'm giggling out loud in the middle of Walmart, that I can't believe it's becoming reality, and then I'm dazed and confused, realizing that this is becoming reality!!!!!!

I have packed all day and night. 600# of luggage guess what, the food suitcase is the only one that was over the weight limit, just means I needed to shift some goldfish crackers, sunflower seeds, and starbursts. We are allowed 100# per person for checked luggage, but only 15# for a carry on item!!!!!!!! My purse weighs more than 15#!!!!!!!!!

shower pictures

2008-09-17T21:25:00.005-05:00

Mom made the blanket
Lauren
Tristan
snack bowls

Baby Shower

2008-09-17T21:25:00.002-05:00

First I would like to thank my wonderful friends and family for the beautiful shower. I am overwhelmed by the generosity of you all!!! Rebecca, you are my very bestest Sister!! I know how much you wanted to to this, but how un-natural it is for you. You did a wonderful job and everyone had such a great time!! Thank you Mom. You are always so supportive and I appreciate your excitement!! Thank you to all of you that traveled so far. With the price of gas, and I'm sure you could have found something to do on a Sunday afternoon. Thank you to all of you who couldn't make it, but sent a gift. I am truly amazed by the outpouring and it really humbles me. And thank you for all your prayers. I am surrounded by such Faith Filled people and it's wonderful to know that at times you are holding up my arms. And most importantly Thank you Jesus! Lord, I am nothing without you. I told you from the beginning of this process, if you wanted this for me and our family that you make it easy for us. You have blessed me more than I ever deserve. I only hope that I can make you proud.

13 Days!!!

2008-09-11T16:41:00.002-05:00

This proccess has gone very well. I can not say enough GREAT things about my adoption Agency. I would like to thank the entire team for taking my calls, calling me back, and for all of your support. Last night there was a slight bump in the road regaurding the schedule. All that matters at this point is that I will be boarding a flight in Ethiopia on Thursday night with my 3 children!!

Packing for this trip is a process in it's self. Anyone who has ever went on a weekend get-a-way let alone for a week knows how I pack!!!!! 3 outfits for every day, you can't show up at dinner wearing the same thing you wore during the day.......dahhhh. And then shoes really make the outfit. So a pair of shoes for each outfit. And you never want to go on a trip without the comforts of home. When we have gone on vacations out of the country. I pack 2 large suitcases for myslef. I use one of the children's suitcases for my shoes and cram their clothes into one suitcase!!! .................This is different.................I am a changed woman................. I really haven't packed for the last time, I'm sure. But............
I am bringing less than one outfit per day!!!!!!!!!!!
I think I'm bringing two pairs of ballerina slippers, one brown and one red, just because a girls gotta feel special. A pair of garden shoes just incase it's muddy, but they are new, baby blue with little flowers on them. And my favorite pair of Birkenstocks to lounge in around the guest house. Those of you who have traveled with me are in awwwwwwhhh. I'm bringing my favorite 2 pairs of cargo pants, lauren hates them, 2 linen skirts, she hates them too, a long skirt for the trip south to meet her birthmother. A denuim skirt, and a velour jogging suit. A few long sleeves and a few short sleeves. That's it!!! I'm hoping this will all fit into a carry on. I have the kids packed pretty much the same.

BUT
I packed an entire suitcase of food!!! Goldfish crackers, graham crackers, animal crackers, starburst, jolly ranchers, beef jerky, 2 jars of peanutbutter, juice boxes, fruit roll ups, fruit gushers, sunflower seeds, mixed nuts, pistashios, trial mix, ramen noodles, bannan pudding that doesn't need to be refigerated, two flavors of oatmeal, chex mix, cheddar fries, prunes, raisins, three kinds of granola bars, and 5 kinds of drink mix. Thanks to my favorite mommy to be...... easy mac and instant hamburger helper. And my daughter is a size 0!!! I'm so afraid that they won't like the food and that my children will starve!!!!!!! Besides the peanutbutter and the oatmeal everything was pretty much picked out by Lauren. Tristan will eat anything.

For mother's day we took my mother and all of us went to an Ethiopian resturant. We wanted to try a little bit of everything. Our bill came to over $80, and there wasn't one thing that we even kinda liked!!!!!!!!!! Now you understand my fear. Anyone who knows me and my children well knows that I am a tough mom!! What I say goes, no questions asked!! But you also know I do everything in my power to make them comfortable. We don't want baby Sahara Selamnesh to go hungry on that 27 hours of travel home...........

Sahara Selamnesh measurments update

2008-09-05T22:55:00.002-05:00

New measurements are taken the 1st of the month. As of September 1 .....

Weight 16.09#
Length 28.14 inches

We're Going to Africa Baby!!!

2008-08-22T23:22:00.002-05:00

Isn't she the most beautiful baby girl in the world?? Come on now....Birth certificate photos aren't suppose to be beautiful, but she is.......look at that hair????? We leave at 11:30am on Wednesday, September 24th out of Green Bay and return with princess at 4:30pm on Friday, October 3rd!!! Lauren is determined to go to homecoming minutes after we land. You go girl......I'm not going to stand in your way.....How many kids are going to be talking about their 27 hours in travel at homecoming?????None......maybe you will want to be a little late to the game so that you can change your clothes that have baby barf and poo and if you can miss the first quarter, take a shower??????

Sahara's a growing girl

2008-08-04T11:07:00.002-05:00

I just received an email update!!! Is our little princess growing!!!!!! She is now 14 months old weighs 15.25# she is 27.9 inches long and her head is 17.68 inches. I can't wait to love on her!! No new pictures yet. We should be getting her birth certificate in just another week or two.

My Man

2008-08-03T22:46:00.003-05:00

Tristan Loves soccer!!! We spent the weekend at a soccer tournament. We didn't win one game, but Tristan has the spirit of a winner. He is a loving, free spirit who loves the game whether winning or loosing. The best game was the last today. Playing against a team of friends. They had a playful banter that lasted the entire game. It was truly a fun game to watch!! There is nothing more rewarding than to watch your child do something that they truly love!! Tristan is a young man with a huge heart!! And a loving spirit. God only knows what He has in store for this gifted child. Whatever it is, I know that he will enjoy life, because in his mind, that's the only choice to make. I love you Man!!

Beautiful Girl

2008-08-01T06:57:00.002-05:00

My beautiful girl Lauren! She's an A student. Is driving. And is a good driver!! Wants to be a veterinarian. She loves animals, and I've let her have them all. Dog, cats, fish, rabbits, rat, Guinea pigs, and the latest, the promise for a baby goat. Thanks Christy!! My favorite........the rat!! We just cut her hair and I loved it so much I wanted to take her picture. She loved it so much we took 104. Not that this was my favorite, but she was going the wrong way in the others. I just wanted to heap praise on my not so baby girl. I love you Sweety, you are so smart and beautiful!!

I'm a mommy again!!!!

2008-07-18T23:54:00.002-05:00

I'm a mommy again!!! I couldn't wait to go home and get an email, or get a phone call, so at 2:34pm I called Jan. I love that woman, she is the nicest, sweetest, and loves giving these calls!!! She confirmed that yes, I was a mommy again!!!! I am so in love!!!! Look at those eye lashes, she looks just like Me!!!!!!!!

Lifest 2008

2008-07-15T20:16:00.004-05:00

Lifest 2008

Hanging out in our
friends RV !!!

Newsboys!!! Nothing like them!!!

Lifest 2008

2008-07-15T19:31:00.004-05:00

Lifest 2008

It was the best year, and it was the worst year!!

This was the year that the music meant the most to me. The first night was the Newsboys!! Need I say more?? I have the lead singer's face on a pillow case!! What's better than partying with your children??? Throwing Captain Crunch because they don't serve breakfast in Hell.... Every night was a beautiful sunset followed my a 3 in the morning storm that bent the metal poles of my screen tent-kitchen, but didn't disrupt the pile of tupperware sitting out on the table. That is an act of God!! Telling me that my tenting days our done!! And thanks to my very best friend in all the world, we will be sharing sites next year with campers!!! He has such a sence of humor and I know that he must just get a kick out of watching me deal with his humor!!! It is such a great week to spend with your children worshiping God the whole time!! Lauren stayed with her friends the first night. They had just one more spot for her to stay. The first night it rained hard!! And their tent got flooded. Including her new air mattress and tatered sleeping bag. While trying to dry out the tent with a space heater, HER air mattress fell ontop of the space heater and melted!!! God is just so funny!!! I'm glad we all saw his humor this weekend!!

Stephen Curtis Chapman was the most emotional day. I woke up feeling sorrow for his family, for their daughter's birth mother. This was his first appearence since the dealth of his daughter Maria. May 21st. 1 and a half months after the dealth of your daughter you are back to work. Not sitting in an office hiding for the next year, but on stage telling the story over and over. He it truely a man of God and did it to show people how if you have the faith and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ how he can carry you when you can't do it on your own. All day I couldn't stop talking about him and how he must be feeling. I found myself in tears in the middle of the day behind my sunglasses. I just don't know how I would deal with it??? The same way God has lead me through every trial I have had. The consert began slowly. He came out and talked about how he didn't know how this was going to be, how he would get through it. He cried, sang a song, talked more about how every song he wrote years ago meant so much more. At times he would just stop and cry. Everyone cried!! I knew we were all going to wake up looking like we had hang overs!!! He even sang the Cinderella song. Which I beleive he wrote for his daughter Maria. Come to find out later that he said he would never sing that song again. It wasn't on his play list. But he did, and what hope it gave to people who were going through similar situations.

I can't say enough how much I love Lifest!! It will always be my favorite weekend of the year.

Update Update

2008-07-07T15:32:00.002-05:00

We got a few updates!! Sahara was 5.85kg= 12.87# on May23 she is now 6.15 kg=13.53# as of July 1st!!! She was 67 cm=26.13 inches and is now 68cm=26.77 inches!!! What a growing girl!!

We also recieved a report that she removes marbles from a bottle and puts marbles in a cup. She tries to use a spoon and stacks cubes. She appears to understand a few new words a week, and understands feelings. She clings to her care taker, and trows tantrums when upset. WOW!!! She IS a normal 13 month old!! We are so happy and so blessed!!!

Please continue to pray for her birth mother and the greif she is going through. Getting these updates on Sahara only reminds me of what her birth mother is wondering. Please pray for our court date of July 18th. If all goes well that day she will legally be our daughter and I will be able to post a photo of her.

Mehaber (picnic)

2008-07-03T23:35:00.003-05:00

Ethiopian Summer Picnic

2008-07-03T22:40:00.005-05:00

June 28th

I can't praise CHSFS enough!!! I absolutely love my agency!!! We traveled Friday to the twin cities, shopped at the mall of America, stayed at Northwestern College. The picnic took place on the campus of Northwestern College. What a great campus!!

It started at 11am with the Markato(market). Lots of great things to buy. Lifebooks, hair beads, coffee, clothing........... They had a petting zoo with African animals. they had blow up games and Tristan played soccer.

We watched hair braiding, and we listened to a panel on Racism. We went on fundraising walk, Walk for Water. Which is to raise enough money to build a well in Hossana.

I met Jan the Ethiopian program director, and Alexa the woman who placed Sahara with our family. I will forever be greatful!!! It was wonderful to see so many white parents with Ethiopian children. But it was sad also. I spent most of the day behind sunglasses, with eyes brimming with tears. I miss my baby girl!!! Seeing all the families with there children made it harder for me to deal with her thousands of miles away. I just want her home!!!!

Court Date!!!

2008-07-01T21:46:00.002-05:00

We have a court date!!! July 18th is the date that we go to court. I don't actually go to court. A Power of Attorney for Sahara and I goes to court there in Ethiopia. Sometimes we don't make it through court on the first try. Sometimes there is a power outage, they need more paper work, sometimes a family member needs to be found. But sometimes it does go through on the first try, and when it does, she is legally my daughter.

REFERRAL--THE CALL

2008-05-27T21:40:00.002-05:00

Today at 2:59pm.

I'm standing in line waiting for a perscription at Sam's club. I have a cart with just my purse in the front. I'm going to walk around and get the samples after I get to the counter and tell them what I need. My phone rings, it's my social worker. Gosh, she probably found out that I told Alexa a few weeks ago that I wanted to be on the list for a referral during the summer. Alexa pretty much laughed at me. I'm #45 on the list and I shouldn't be expecting a call anytime soon. Judy was going to tell me to relax this summer, leave the agency alone, and to not even think about a referral until Thanksgiving. When I know who's calling I often answer the phone with a question instead of the boring, "hello".

Me: "Hey Judy, you got my baby girl for me yet?"

Judy, "Yes, Anna I do."

Me, "WHAT?"

Judy, "Yes Anna, I have your baby girl for you."

Me, "Oh my God, No, Oh my God, Oh my God, No, No, Oh my God, oh my God!!!

At this point, I'm shaking, sobbing uncontrollably, I have my face in my hands, snot starts running down my face, I'm bent over my cart. People are looking, and starting to gather around. As the sobbing continues, I take a breath.........

Judy, "She was born on May28,2007"

Me, "Oh no, oh no, Oh My God, I need to write this down!"

I start rummaging through my suitcase of a purse which always has a dozen pens, one notebook and countless scraps of paper. I can't find any of it!!

Still sobbing and wiping snot across my face, "Judy I can't find paper!"

Judy, "Anna, why don't you go out to your car and call me back. I will wait." Judy is the perfect woman for this kid of job. She is the woman you want at every accident. Believe it or not that person is usually me.

Sobbing, "Okay" I hang up the call.

I start sobbing harder, snot running down my face, I'm bent over my cart, uncontrollable........then I realize................. I'm in a store. I look up.........People are looking at me. OMG People are staring at me!!!!!!! "Are you okay?" "Do you need someone??" "Do you need a ride?" OMG "I Got a baby girl!!!!"

I grab my purse, and go running out of the store in heels, I mean running!!! I don't remember the people, I don't remember the sliding doors. As I'm running I'm calling my mom. She doesn't answer. I leave her a message.

"MOMIGOTTHECALLIHAVEABABYGIRLTODAY!!!"click

I call my great friend Christy, Mother of two Ethiopian children. Her husband answers in his usual calm voice, "hello"

"ISCHRISTYTHEREINEEDCHRISTY, HURRY"

Christy sounding troubled, "Hello??"

"CHRISTYIGOTTHECALLIGOTTHECALLCHRISTYIT'SAGIRLSHEISONEYEAROLDTOMORROW"

"Anna??"

"Yes, I got a baby girl, I'm at my car, I'll call you back"

I had to call Judy back and get all of her info. Needless to say...... I was in total shock!!!!!! We went from #60 to #45 in a week. We were at #43 yesterday. I was waiting until June 1st to give an update. And then wait the long summer.

God is Good, God is faithful, God's timing is perfect!!

Just when you think you have it all figured out, He puts a twist in just to keep you on your toes!!

Details:

The private details are private.

Her name is Selamnesh, "you are peaceful" her mother named her that because her labor was not difficult.

Her mother is 25. Brought her to the care center herself. She said that she wanted a better life for her daughter. She has no other siblings.

She was born May, 28th 2007 tomorrow is her 1st birthday and it pains me to not have her here with us. Birthdays are such a big deal in our family!!!

She is about 12# tiny but healthy. She is sitting in a crib in her picture. I can't post a picture of her until she is officially ours. But she is wearing a cute little dress, sitting in her crib. She has big doe eyes with the longest lashes. (She has my eyelashes) She has a cute nose and the most beautiful lips with that little pouty indent below her nose they look like angel wings. Her ears are cute and little, and flat to her head. She has no hair, (just like the rest of my kids) Sitting in her crib she looks like a doll. And she is!!!!!!

Please pray for her birth mother

Jesus, Father in heaven, wrap your loving arms around this wonderful, caring woman. Only you can give her comfort in this time of loss for her daughter. Give her comfort in the fact that her daughter will not ever have to feel the pains of hunger. She will have a great education and make a difference in the world of her own some day. I will never understand her feeling of loss and Love she has for her daughter. May you give her comfort, take her onto your lap, and wrap your arms around her and ease her pain. Knowing that she Loved her daughter SOOO much that she was willing to make a plan for her future. amen

OMG #45

2008-05-23T23:53:00.002-05:00

As my daughter would say.........OMG!!! Just 48 hours ago we were at #60 and now, #45. Wednsday night the referrals started coming in and they are slowing down now, but I was so excited I just had to post!!! Congrats to all of the families at CHSFS!! God is so good!!! Just when we are so discouraged, he gives us hope. Being #45 doesn't really mean a whole lot right now for our family, but it means that when referrals open up again we won't have to wait as long. I'm hoping now for a referral by Thanksgiving.

Please pray for sooner.

5 Month Anniversary

2008-05-21T16:51:00.002-05:00

May 20th came and went. I was hoping for a few more referrals at the last minute. But this morning when I refreshed 100 times, I was still at #60. It was like if I just hit the button again magically I would move another 10 spots. Or if I just hit the F5 key harder, it will change. But it didn't..........

Rumor has it that there are suppose to be a large bunch of referrals that will come in right before courts close. I was hoping for that. The last date for referrals will be June 1st. Which being on a Sunday means that it will be May 30th.

My prayer...... God, I know that your timing is perfect. You have our little Sahara all picked out for us, and you will bring her to us when Your timing is right. I know that you are teaching us patience, and to trust your judgement. Lord take care of our little girl, keep her healthy, help her birth mother with her desicion to adopt her. Grant her mother wisdom and peace. God may your will be done in all of our lives. Thank you Jesus.

Beautiful Girl

2008-05-01T17:41:00.003-05:00

My beautiful daughter Lauren went to her first prom. I held myself together, didn't bawl like a baby. (well not in front of anyone.) Lauren went with a girl friend. And after attending the Grand march as we used to call it, (gosh I sound so old) I determained that no daughter of mine would ever go with a guy date unless he wore a tux!!! The guys at their school wear ties, if they are lucky. Some just a shirt and Dockers. No Way, not with one of my daughters. If you want my girl for a date, you have to work at it!! These girls buy a dress, do their hair nice and fancy. And for what??? A guy in a dress shirt??? No Way!!!

My beautiful, first born, daughter...........Lauren.

#63

2008-04-25T13:40:00.002-05:00

4 months 5 days We moved to #63. Last night I had a Zag Bag purse party. Oh what fun!! I designed a diaper bag!!!!!! It's so girly. Black bottom, black handles, a woman in Paris on the sides done in pink white and black. the lining is a pink Leopard print, don't forget the long black fringe around the top, and oh so much fun!!! I also bought a used white crib. Sahara, mama's getting ready!!!

We are on the Move

2008-04-15T06:44:00.002-05:00

3 months, 26 days We are now at #66!!! I am so Blessed!! Little Sahara, You might be, probably born right now and I write to you as your future mother. I pray for your needs each day. I know when you are waking, and going to sleep at night. Your grandmother, brother and sister think about what you are doing at any given moment of the day. I dream of your birth mother and the life you have with her. I grieve the lose you will have. I morn for your mother. I dream of the meeting with possibly your mother. Standing in front of her with Lauren and Tristan. Imagining that I am giving them to her to care for. And the grief I would have. I love your birth mother. She is a wonderful, beautiful woman to make such a loving choice for your life. I love you Sahara, and your birth mother.

The Princess has a new castle

2008-04-14T20:43:00.003-05:00

With a lot of hard work, cheap labor, a few volunteers, Lauren sanding her own ceiling, Tristan mudding and taping, sanding, sanding, and more sanding. The princess has a new room!! And as much as a 15 year old can appreciate things, I truly believe she does. I made her work quite a bit on it herself. She sanded the ceiling, and we know how much fun that is, she painted, and hung her walk in closet fixtures. Lauren, I'm proud of you!!

Love on my Son!!!

2008-04-14T20:27:00.003-05:00

Can a mother be any more proud of her son?? His School just finished a traveling theatre production of Robinson Crusoe. He did not play a lead part as he has the last two years(which he won't stop talking about) but he had a great little part and it was a funny one at that!! The theatre comes and auditions the kids on Monday and they perform on Friday and Saturday. Can you beleieve it???? I couldn't be more proud!!! Last year he was the Prince in The Little Mermaid. Big part!! The year before he was Jimminy Cricket in Pinnochio. Huge Part!!! This was the last year that he would be able to be in the one week traveling theatre, so I threw him a cast party after the last performance. Tristan, you are the light of my life!!

I am SO proud of you!!

3 months 18 days

2008-04-07T23:05:00.002-05:00

We are now at #71. It seems as though we will never get there. I miss my baby girl so much. I have dreams about her. I see her with her birth mother. I know that she is already born in my heart. Still no information, so don't get excited!!! God is really teaching me patients and humility lately. It's good to know that God is working in you!!! I love you baby girl Sahara!!

Moving fast!!!

2008-03-12T14:48:00.003-05:00

2 months and 21 Days, and we are at #72!!! The referrals are moving fast the last week or so!! I feel like a total addict!!! Keeping busy helps, but any time I get, I'm online looking at what number we are. Lauren's room is just about done. All painted, Allyn hung the doors yesterday. And I'm starting to paint the family room!! I can't wait to get Lauren moved down stairs. She is so looking forward to it!! And I can't wait to have her old room open to clean and get it ready for Sahara!!! I love you baby girl!!!