Finally Blogspot shows up in Ethiopia!

We have tried and tried and tried all week to blog -

and now finally we are here!

Sooo, we thought we would begin our re-cap of the week!

has is only been a week?

We arrived in Addis Ababa on Sunday morning at 8am,

met us with travel mates, Mike and Heather,

and arrived at our guest house to see more travel mates,

Todd and Michelle in the parking lot.

Though we had been told that we will not be going to see the boys on Easter,

Todd and Michelle were on their way to the Care Center,

and said, "Hop in!"  

So we dropped of our luggage and went immediately to our boys!

They were dressed in their traditional Ethiopian clothing enjoying 

their Easter dinner of lamb.

We spent the afternoon playing with them and their amazing friends.

Each child is absolutely beautiful!

With an amazing personality to match!

As you know we were concerned that Donovan would be quiet and shy with us-

nothing a ton of prayers and a little soccer can't cure!

He was so excited to play soccer and beach ball with Daddy!

And Elijah ran around with his friends playing with us a little at a time.

All the kids were welcomed us into their home and hearts.

They love getting their photos taken and have the biggest hearts EVER!!!

It was an amazing, emotional day!!!

Soooo glad to finally meet and hold our boys!!!

Confession

There are two little guys in another world,

who speak a different language,

who eat different food,

whom I have no clue as to what makes them laugh,

or how they think.

I admit,
I'm am scared to death.

I guess it's one of those things -

innocence is a good thing.

But, since we have been through two previous adoptions -

my eyes have been opened to many scenarios
to a first time meeting

besides the happy endings 

that only Hollywood write.

But, I must say -

though I am nervous and anxious to meet two little guys.

I am sooo thankful to be on this journey to 

bring them home and to love them 

forever and ever!

Here we go...
ready for anything!

Time... UPDATE

wish I could post something wonderful and inspiring 

instead,

I'm kinda going C.R.A.Z.Y.!!!

The only full bag I have packed in one filled with flip flops!

Did I tell you -

I get to meet my boys soon!!!!

Very soon!!!!

UPDATE: 
The full bag of flip flops is not for me!
Sorry - see -I'm going kinda C.R.A.Z.Y.!!!

This is the bag of flip flops!

Awesome donations in children and adult sizes 
for our boys, 
their friends and their nannies 
who are 
keeping such good care of them
until we can bring them home.

Baby steps

Ohhh my baby

has come so far!

she has soared in so many ways!

Two short years she has been home -

but ohhh how has our Jorja grown.

She loves to be cuddled,

and to cuddle.

She loves to help mom with chores.

She loves to play with the kids.

But, she does not enjoy reading and writing

Jorja will be going back to public school in the fall.

We weren't sure what grade we would put her in.

So, we asked our local school to test her so we could place her 

in the best grade for her ability -

and they did a great job.

Jorja knows the school well and many of the staff -

she is very comfortable there and very excited to got to school next year.

Though I was not surprised with the test results were -

it still hurts.

Look at that face...

beautifully created by our awesome God!

It breaks my heart when that sweet, happy face

turns into struggle, loss

and insecurity.

 But I can promise her that she will always

have her family to help her,

to carry her through the struggling times.

To celebrate her many accomplishments.

and to cry with her through the rough times.

Her history is not pretty -

but her future is bright!

How I wish more kids had this hope.

Imagine...

Imagine 

one of these pairs of shoes are your child's.

Imagine 

this is your child's classroom.

Can you hear your child playing in this courtyard?

I know those  shoes,

I love that little school room,

and I can't wait to hear my boys laughter on the playground!

I am so blessed that I get to go love on them soon!

Psalm 23:3

He restores my soul. 

He guides me in paths of righteousness

for his name's sake.

Ohhh that's funny!

There are times when things happen 

at the most inopportune time.

This would be one of those times...

and sometimes one just has to laugh!!

Of course, I wasn't laughing too much before 

I got the cast and I was wondering how I would pack for Ethiopia 

when I couldn't even fold the laundry.

Amazing that I wanted so badly to be able to fold laundry!

Note to self:

when at a 17 year old boys soccer game,

and the ball come towards the parents

R.U.N.

 don't try to stop the ball.

Cause these boys kick hard!

Cake Boss Jr

Conner had an extra credit project -

and since he is shooting for straight A's again - 

he decided to take the opportunity and GO FOT IT!

He had just done an awesome report on The Sperm Whale 

so the Extra Credit is a 3-D replica of a Sperm Whale.

Conner, being Conner was thinking out of the papermache' box!

And he dove right into the cake box!

Our posts this weekend gave you a look at the beginning of his project and here is the rest -

(he even learned how to put the mixer away)

And then came the fondant!

First time working with fondant 

- he liked it!

And even color - spray icing on fondant!

add a fondant squid

some chocolate chip eyes

And here is his finished product!

Way to go Conner!

Good work and I'm glad you are willing to try something new!

and now all the girls think he is sooooo cool!!!

and the cool boys were amazed,

bullies will always be bullies but I'm so proud of being a bigger person then they - 

and shared cake with them.

Jailyn SCORES!!

(proof Jailyn is lighter then air - her feet aren't touching the ground - tee! hee!)

 

She dribbled...

She's focused...

She kept control!

(Look at those little feet!)

And GOOOOAAALLLLL!!

Way to go baby girl!

Sunday Snapshot: God's Beautiful creation

The beautiful Texas Bluebonnet

it is in bloom for a short time,

but we will enjoy them while they are here

displaying God's majesty.

And we will roll in these fields,

and know that we can roll in the arms of HIS love.

Isaiah 40:8

The grass withers and the flowers fall,
   but the word of our God endures forever.”

Phase I

Interesting...

hmmmmmmm...

Any guesses?

Sneak Peak to our weekend

Don't let the obvious fool you!

Stay tuned for something bigger and better!

(well, it'll be bigger -

hoping it works and we get better too!

Happy Friday!

Where are boys are from -

Since I can't post photos of our boys,

I thought I would share with y'all where they are from.

Ethiopia is on the far East side of Africa

touching Sudan, Kenya, and Somalia.

Our boys are from the Gambella Region

which in on the western side of Ethiopia, on the Baro River.

And here are some photos of our boys home town.

It saddens me that this is will probably be the only glimpse we will have of our boys beginnings.

Gambella is almost 300 miles away from Addis Ababa by air,

(where we will be and where are boys are now)

and very hard to travel too, as it is a very remote region.

As I have researched I have found that Gambella is a very beautiful area with incredible wild life.

The people of Gambella are made up of two main ethnic groups:

the Anuwak and the Neur.

The Anuwak are strikingly tall

and the Neur are on the short side -

from reports it seems that are boys are tall for their age - so maybe they are Anuwak.

I've also read that the people are very 

friendly and charming. 

Love it!

Truly Blessed Tuesday: The scrolls

If you wondered about what these scrolls were 

at our shower -

well, 

this is what they were - 

Remember my challenge request?
Well, we were able to challenge guests at the 

"baby" shower too -

to pray for specific children who are waiting 

for their forever family!
(and I must say it was amazing who God matched with who! - ya never know!)

To care for the orphan as God commands us to do - 
we need to begin in prayer for them,
and for the softening of our hearts to love
what God loves.


"Let the little children come to me,
and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."
Matthew 19:14


We are truly blessed to be asked by God to speak for the orphan, 
so I apologize if you get tired of hearing about them - but we are honored that God has asked us to do so.