Tradition

How we celebrate Jesus' Birthday:

Christmas Eve
. Ethiopian feast . birthday cake "Happy Birthday Jesus" . Bible Christmas Story .
. stockings hung . cookies for St. Nicolas .

Christmas Day
. wake-up to do final Jesse Tree devotion on the Birth of our Savior .
. unwrap the first gift: baby Jesus in our nativity set .
. share gifts with one another to show love in remembrance of the Greatest Gift .
typically a few small stocking-stuffers + one gift per person
+ a few family gifts (board games)
. family time playing games, watching movies, and eating cookies .
. Ethiopian leftovers .

We aim to keep our day peaceful and calm.
It's such a joy for us to spend a (relatively) quiet day together in celebration of Jesus' Birthday.


This year we had reindeer cupcakes for Jesus' Birthday Cake, snow flurries on Christmas morning, three wrapped Baby Jesus', new baby doll and tea table, Buzz Lightyear PJs, hand-made tree ornaments, puzzles, too much candy, lots of silly bandz, bubble machine, painted fingernails, serious lego building, carnival games, dancing, and Christmas light driving tour.
It was a wonderful Christmas!

How did you celebrate Christmas?

Blue Christmas without You . . .

Thinking of our kids this Christmas.
They'll be home soon.

Merry Christmas by Third Day

Glad Tidings

for Christmas and a Happy New Year

Favorite Holiday

Christmas cookies

ornament crafts
giving
Christmas light tours
gingerbread houses
decorations
hand-made gifts
Bible
Christmas books
Christmas music
Christmas movies
nativity sets
Christmas cards
birthday cake
Jesse Tree

Our household is very excited to celebrate Jesus' Birthday on the 25th and have thoroughly enjoyed the Season. We want the Christmas holiday to be special to our children. We try to be intentional in making Christmas activities Christ-centered and to be purposeful in doing something special to celebrate each day - this year the kids have contributed lots of their own ideas ideas!

It is not easy to combat the heavily commercialized secular Christmas. We pray that our children understand. As a family, we want to celebrate the true meaning of Christmas -
Jesus' Birthday is a big deal!

We love hearing "Christmas is my favorite Holiday".

We're in Stitches

2 kids

6 days
9 stitches

Despite having 5 young children who play hard, we have been relatively injury free . . .
this past week.
This week two kids required stitches (our first "real" stitches).

Last week, our son Hendrick - who has holes worn in the knees of EVERY pair of his pants due to his constant crawling/ jumping/ rolling/ diving - collided with a shard of glass while crawling under a table. He was taken to Urgent Care for 3 stitches on his knee. He was very proud of his battle wound, proclaiming: "Stitches are much better than throwing up or bee stings".


Five days later, our darling daughter Maegli - who is our climber - scaled her tall dresser to reach hair bows and was pinned as it toppled onto her. We bolted out of bed at the sound of the crash and after a terrifying moment due to the fallen dresser blocking the door, rescued her from beneath the dresser. She was taken to the ER and thankfully only suffered a forehead gash and bruised face, requiring 6 stitches. We are so thankful for God's protection over our brave little girl - her injuries were relatively minor. The dresser is now very securely attached to the wall and she has a new bow to wear over her bandages. We pray for quick healing with little or no scarring!


We are thankful Hendrick and Maegli are both on the mend and for the care they received, but let's please avoid Urgent Care and ER trips in the future.

Ethiopian Schedule

We have wonderful news:

*After a several month delay, we have received our USCIS Approval - which will allow us to bring our children home!

AND

*We have a scheduled COURT DATE! We will be traveling to Ethiopia at the end of January for our court appearance.


Our next few months:

• We will travel in January to meet our children and appear in court.
• After passing court in Ethiopia, our little girl and boy will legally be ours, but they will not be able to leave Ethiopia. It will be incredibly hard, but we must return home without our children and wait 6-10 weeks for birth certificates and passports to be issued.
• We receive our Embassy appointment in Ethiopia - we travel a second time to obtain their visas and bring our children home.

Time lines for international adoptions are always unpredictable - it is very likely that we will run into several delays with our Court and Embassy appointments. Please pray with us through this process. God willing, our children will be home in 3 months!

*** In 4+ weeks we get to hold our children ***

Booked

2010 Review

2010

. navigated our third year of home school with two "students" .
. entered the world of Cub Scouts . went semi-vegan . celebrated as our son was baptized .
. logged over 20,000 miles one our new 15-passenger van with road trips to PA and MN .
. mourned the loss of our Grandma . said good-bye to our faithful dog Chaska .
. enjoyed our third year of summer "Camp Younglives" . graduated two from diapers .
. cheered on two kids playing baseball and soccer . had three boys in KinderMusik class .
. watched our oldest learn to love riding his bike . grew a backyard garden .
. took four camping trips and countless zoo and children's museum visits .
. . . and began an adoption journey!

Next year, we will be a family of NINE!
We can 't wait for our two precious kids to join our family in 2011!

We are so thankful for God's many blessings and for the people who have been a part of our lives - your love and support are much appreciated. Our lives are busy and we are continually challenged, continually humbled, and constantly learning. We know the life to which God called us is contrary to societal pressures, and for that we are thankful.

"Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world..." Romans 12:2

We are so thankful for the life God has given us and are excited to see what He has planned for next year.

Connected

Now they know.

Our children received their welcome bags.

We are connected.

We love them. We know their names. We think of them all the time.
We treasure their pictures. We memorize their faces.
We pray for them constantly.
We praise God for them.

Now they know.

Now they know us. Now they know our names.
Now they know where we live. Now they know our faces.
Now they know we are waiting for them. Now they know we love them.
Now they know they have a family.

We are connected.

T-shirts. . . Don't Miss Out

Only a few more in each size remain of our t-shirts - now is the time to order.

We think they make fabulous Christmas presents.
Don't miss your opportunity!
$25.00 ea.
(We will try to keep the side-bar "store" updated as we sell out of sizes).


Available in Standard and "Girly" sizes (super soft American Apparel tee)
Also in Youth sizes (sturdy Hanes tee)

Help us finish our fundraising on a high-note. We just need to sell out our remaining stock to reach our goal of funding one of our trips to Ethiopia.
We can't wait to travel and meet our precious kids!

We appreciate your support!

First Cut

. . . and the Baby Mullet is gone.

Snow!

Can you believe we have snow!?!
Our little dusting is a big deal.
We've never had snow this early in Tennessee . . . we haven't finished raking our leaves!

Good Help

We always appreciate good help . . . with 2 acres of leaves, we need help!
Thank goodness for 6-year-olds motivated by quarters - He's filling up his piggy bank quickly!

"Nap" time

Have your children ever . . .

. . . snatched a tub of Vicks Vapor Rub and smeared it over the banister and door handles? (we were breathing clear for days)

. . . .confiscated a jar of peanut butter, eaten nearly all of it, and used the remainder to decorate the: carpet, blinds, walls, quilts, as well as their own clothes, hair, faces and ears? (peanut butter doesn't wash out well)

. . . .opened their bedroom window, ripped the window screen, and thrown 3 sets of bedding, 8 books, 14 hotwheels, and 3 sets of PJs out a second story window - all to be found littering the bushes the next day?

All during "nap" time?


Our Davis and Burke are incredibly creative and curious - they sure do make our lives interesting (although, our house may not survive).
Good thing we're crazy in love with these boys!!!

I guess Davis and Burke are sending STRONG signals that they don't need a nap each afternoon - - - but Mama isn't ready to give up on nap-time.
Ideally Mama needs two hours each day to work on school with Hendrick, catch-up on household chores and house business, and maybe even have a bit of quiet time.
These boys are only 3 and 4-years-old . . .maybe peanut butter, Vicks, and window screens present too much temptation for our little guys.. . but they NEED (I need them) to sleep!

can you see the ripped screen and littered bushes? very scary!

Last Batch

The last batch of dolls are in process - to be completed in the next few days.

These girls have kept me busy and have been a joy to create. I love projects!
Now it's time to make my Christmas gifts and get ready for Ethiopia!

We have been blessed by the support of so many, making this fundraiser a success.
Thank You!
We hope you love your dolls!

Dancer

Maegli loves Dancing. She wants to wear her "pretty dancing dress" everyday - often changing into it herself and sleeping with it (it's a hand-me-down Christmas dress from her cousins!); she asks to read her "dancing" book before naps and bedtime and sleeps with it in her bed (Dancing with Degas board book); she practices "pretty arms" and "pointed toes" and, of course, twirling, all the time.

It was no surprise she was immediately infatuated with The Nutcracker ballet, or "the Nuh Tacker". We have the DVD of Baryshnikov's 1977 Nutcracker - the performance Amy watched repeatedly as a child. She dances along for the entire movie, commenting "so pretty", and getting each of us to act as her dance partner - - we are happy to oblige.
It is a pleasure dancing with our pretty ballerina.


Amy loved dancing throughout her childhood - it's fun to see this love developing in our own young daughter.
We need to get this girl in Dance Class!

A Visit

. . . with St. Nicholas!

The requests to St. Nick:

Hendrick (6) - army men
Davis (4) - legos
Burke (3) - Psalty music
Maegli (2) - hair bows
and Kolpin (1) didn't know what to think . . .

A Wrist Adventure

To the doctor we go . . .

Davis is a very special boy, with a very special wrist. Over the Summer, he was diagnosed with Minor CP - which can cause the brain signals to muscles to be slightly damaged. The muscles Davis' wrist work overtime, causing his wrist to be continually flexed (it looks incredibly painful). It takes significant effort to straighten his hand and wrist to a "normal" position, and he is unable to bend back his hand - he has a very limited range of motion.

We have seen several specialist over the years. This past year we learned he may be a good candidate for surgery. . . a ligament switcheroo. The basic idea would be to move the tight ligament from the underside of his wrist to the top - pulling the hand into a more natural position. The original idea was to wait another 4 years before surgery, to allow Davis to grow. This Monday, Amy and the kids traveled to Memphis to meet with an orthopedic surgeon - the latest suggestion is to have the surgery within the next year.

notice the hold of his right wrist (on the table) . . .

It's scary and exciting. Any surgery is major, and there are no guarantees. While the idea of the surgery makes sense, it may not work. We have a lot of questions for which we will need to find answers before we make such a big decision.
But, if we can help our boy: if help to heal his wrist, if we can give him a normal range of motion, if we can ease his constant pain and tightness, if we can enable him to perform normal tasks with minimal effort . . . that would be amazing.

We have a lot to pray about!

Until we're ready for surgery, Davis has a brace to wear. The goal of the brace is to gently stretch the muscles and help to maintain some range of motion, as well as preventing fatigue and injury by holding his hand in the proper position.
Our only complication: he's 4. It's nearly impossible to keep a brace on a 4-year-old! This is our fifth brace - we keep trying out different designs hoping to find one that will work (and we've lost a few along the way).


Praise God for this special boy! We trust our Lord, the Ultimate Healer. We are thankful for the people He has placed in our lives to aid us on our path to healing, and for the strength He has given our precious son. We pray that full-range of motion will one day be restored to our son. We can't wait to see what God does with this situation - we know He can work all things to His glory. Davis will have an amazing story.

Christmas Parade

"Being in a parade is like winning an award!" - Hendrick (12/06/10)

Hendrick's Cub Scout pack participated in our city's annual Christmas Parade. They built a winter wonderland float ("Keep Christ in Christmas") - a great opportunity for the boys to learn basic construction and be involved in a large community event. Hendrick was thrilled to ride on board and shout "Merry Christmas" to all the parade watchers braving freezing temperatures downtown.

The hour-long parade showcased local marching bands, dance troops, scouts, politicians, holiday pageant winners, local businesses, decorated cars, floats, policemen, lights, candy, and ended spectacularly with St. Nicholas riding high on the ladder of a fire truck! We bundled-up and enjoyed every moment.
"Can we go to the Cub Scout parade again tomorrow night?" - Davis (12/06/10)

'Tis the Season

3 Years Ago . . .

My husband delivered our third son - Burke Zerihun arrived home from Ethiopia with Mike and my dad.
I was eagerly waiting at the airport with Hendrick and Davis (and 7-months pregnant with Maegli).

It was an amazing moment, meeting my son, for whom I had prayed for so long.
Forever home November 30, 2007.

Last Call

The last Doll orders need to be placed TODAY!

If you have already contacted us or placed your order, you are on our list and your dolls is being made. Please allow 3 weeks for delivery of these dolls (in time for Christmas!).

Thanks so much for your support!

I have enjoyed crafting these beautiful girls - 65 so far!

Do You Remember . . .

When the Christmas Tree in the Nutcracker Ballet grows?
(Or is Clara shrinking?)


That kind of happened at our house.

Our 3-ft. table-top, half-lit, broken branch, 8-year-old tree - GREW -
into a beautiful 7-1/2 ft. tall Christmas tree. We are thankful to generous friends gifting our family with their old tree (a much appreciated improvement to our own). Thank you!

And, as a bonus, the kids got to decorate (and undecorate) the tree(s) two times this year!

We Wait

We are so eager to hold our children.
We yearn to bring them home.

God placed two precious ones on our hearts.
They are our children.

We Trust God

We are ready to have them in our arms.
We are ready for our children to come home.
We are ready for this to be complete.

We Trust God

Following the pattern, it looked to be a few weeks away
. . . The outlook has changed . . .
We now anticipate a few months.

We Trust God

Our hearts ache with the prospect of a longer separation from our children.
A longer wait.

We Trust God.

We lifted this up to God from the very beginning.
We trust His timing in this process.

We know our children are well cared for in the orphanage.
We know they are loved.
We know they are learning.
We know they are growing.
We have seen their beautiful smiles.

And so we wait.

We Trust God

We wait for them.
They wait for us.
We wait.

Giving Thanks

sleeping in
Christmas music
busy kitchen
mouth-watering smells
time together
coloring and crafts
Christmas decorations
retiring pumpkins into the woods
messy cookies
reading books
thanksgiving feast
five kids playing
two waiting

So much for which to be Thankful this Day.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING


Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.
Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.

Know ye that the LORD He is God:
it is He that hath made us, and not we ourselves;
we are His people, and the sheep of His pasture.

Enter into His gates with Thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise:
be thankful unto Him, and bless His name.

For the LORD is good; His mercy is everlasting;
and His truth endureth to all generations.

Psalm 100

15-Months

and starting to move . . .

All of our children have been late walkers
Hendrick - 15 months . Davis - 22 months . Burke - 17 months . Maegli - 19 months

It's no surprise Kolpin is following suit.

Kolpin is such a content baby.
He can reach most everything he wants (he's long and lean)
and can cover an impressive amount of ground crawling . . .

What more does a baby need?

Hopefully we can get Kolpin motivated to add "walking" to his list of skills in the near future.
No Pressure :)

Maegli was 15-months-old for her first walker wagon adventures as well!
We love these new fun diapers!

Favorites: Equilibrio

One of Hendrick's favorite games: Equilibrio

This is more than just a basic building game. Using 18 blocks and a book of 60 designs, you are learning geometry, construction, and spacial and logic skills as you challenge your balance and perseverance. Hendrick enjoys working through the designs for hours at a time. We are amazed by his steady hands, concentration, and patience. He has built some amazing, gravity-defying structures . . . and always enjoys the after-building demolition.

We love using logic games as part of our homeschooling.

And yes, he is better at Equilibrio than both of his parents.

Is it just me, or does he look really grown-up in these pictures?!

First Kiss

We had the pleasure of the company of two very sweet (and affectionate) boys for the day.
Maegli wasn't so sure about the PDAs - good girl!

Imagination

Today's Art Lesson: Artists Use Imagination

After studying some fantastic fanciful artwork, Hendrick's assignment was to think of something he loves, and use his imagination add to it as he creates his own work of art.
He decided to draw himself exploring in the woods (something he loves) and used his imagination to add Smaug and the Lonely Mountain (from "The Hobbit").

Our little artist is very proud of this Masterpiece! (We might need to frame this one!)

T-Shirt and Doll Sales

The sales are going great - THANK YOU!

We are 3/4 the way to our goal of raising enough to fund our first trip to Ethiopia.

We have 30 t-shirts remaining. . .
and the doll order cut-off date is December 1st . . .

Place your orders now!!!
We appreciate your support - every purchase gets us a little bit closer to our kids!

Dolls have met Maegli's approval!