The back porch.

There has been a lot of talk lately about going to Ethiopia.  Dawit and Israel will tell me to turn left when leaving a certain road and we can go to Ethiopia.  They will paint a picture and it will be a map with America, Ethiopia, the middle school, the high school, church, preschool, and last but not least the grocery store.  Sometimes they will throw in Idaho.  They talk about bringing their friends from Ethiopia home(to America).  We talk about Ufyesa their brother and how we are praying and hoping to find him one day soon.  They talk about bringing him home to America as well.

I am glad they talk about Ethiopia.  It is their homeland.  It is their birthplace and we will take them back someday.

Tonight Dawit said he wanted to bring all his friends from Ethiopia home.  We asked him their names and he went on to make up many names of people.  Yo, Ano, Eto, Ano, Eto, Ethiopia, and he went on to make up more names.  Mike asked him where we would put all his friends and without skipping a beat he said, while pointing, "the back porch!"  So sweet.  We can always make room!!

I wish that could be everyone's motto.  There is always more room.  As we look at the waiting child lists just in Ethiopia we are burdened.  Our whole family is because there are so many children who need us to step up and become their family.  How about this group of siblings?  They are just precious and just need some one to step out in faith and love them and give them what they desperately want.  A home and a family.

Read their story here.
/http://holtinternational.org/blog/2012/01/a-family-thats-all/

I am praying that soon they will have that family that they so want.  Please pray with me.  They have been on my heart for months.  Thank-you

Things that make me smile.

Have been sick for the past several days with a really fun cold.  Have not moved much which made me notice some funny  things around this crazy place.  So in my congested stuper I took some pics of the things that make me smile.

The boys own cell phone tower.

My kids walls.

Big kids bulletin boards.

There are always cars lined up in our house.

The unexpected things Israel says.

Dawit brushing his dinosaur's teeth

Dawit's dinosaur toothbrush taped together after a rough brushing.

             

Sometime it's the little things.  

He did it!!

My sweet husband did it!  He got ordained last nite.  It was a special nite. Sean sang a special song and our District Superintendent did a wonderful job explaining ordination and giving Mike his charge as well as our family.

Mike spent countless hours reading, studying, traveling to Boston, and writing papers.  He did this all while raising a family, adopting our sweet boys,  keeping  up with the endless house projects, coaching cross county and track and field, and running children and young families ministries.  Yep he is amazing!

We are super proud of him.

Reverend Mike James

Sean Singing for his Dad

Whole family with Elders and Pastors

Love you honey!!

Parenting is tough!

Parenting is tough!  Yep I am great at stating the obvious.  Parenting an 18 year old and 4 year old twins and everyone in between can be a bit overwhelming some days.   Our 18 year old just made his decision on where he is going to college and boy does that come with a lot of emotions.  So happy and excited for him and so sad all at the same time that he is leaving.  We have challenged all our kids to take an adventure during these next four years and well he took our advice.  He is heading to California.  People keep saying that is so far from Vermont.  Yes it is, but if you knew my son you would understand when I say, but it is a lot closer than Africa, cause who knows after these next few years where he will be.  So I will take California for now.  While dealing with the emotions with our first born leaving  we have these cracker jack of boys who keep me on my toes. 

Sean was that same cracker jack who kept me on my toes and on my knees.  He was a toughy.  Strong willed, creative, smart, loving, did I say strong willed?  But such a joy to watch grow and mature and become the young man he is today.  He loves God.  He cares for others, He loves to worship His God, and has a desire to share with others the hope that can only come from Him. 

Parenting is tough.  I know I already said that but it really is.  I made so many mistakes.   I lost my temper, let things go that should not have been let go of.  Was not consistent when I should have been.  Gave in because I did not want to hear anymore whining.  Sometimes just went into my bedroom and shut my door because I could just not handle it anymore.  Having 4 kids in 6 years was hard but Sean is 18 going off to college and doing well.  I marvel.  How did he make it?  How did I make it? 

You know that song just put one foot in front of the other.  Thankfully with God, He and I did that.  We just kept walking forward together.  I look at Dawit and Israel and think keep making those investments in them.  Teach them the little things like keeping their mouths closed while chewing and what lying is and what the truth is.  Investment after investment.  Praying for them and walking forward with them.  Tickle them, laugh with them, make  messes and have fun.  Put a tray of baking soda out and have them experiment with colored vinegar.  Just keep investing.  I will continue to make mistakes and want to take back words that I wish I had not said.  But I cannot look back and get stuck wishing  things were different or that I handled things better because before long they will be graduating from high school and leaving to go on their great adventure.

Why am writing this?  To encourage myself and others who are feeling a little tired and at their end.  Just keep walking forward and if you know God, walk with Him.  He has the strength to even carry us when we are too weary to walk.  Parenting is tough but well worth the investment!!

A little baking soda and vinegar and yes they are still in their PJ's.

Look mom it is bubbly.

By the way, parenting is never perfected.  After 18 years of being on this journey I am still learning and growing.  Parenting is never boring.

From one imperfect mama to another, just keep moving forward!!

Watch.

Please break our hearts for what breaks Yours God.

New Words and Ladybugs

We still hear a few Amharic words from Dawit and Israel.  Dabo for bread and Carmela for candy.  One that has been a necessity from the very beginning is my least favorite word, shinta bet for bathroom.  When we needed to ask them if they needed to go to the bathroom we said, need to go shint?  Does not sound that great rolling off the tongue.  Especially when you are in public.  My older kids hide every time.

Today at lunch I suggested that we go outside when we were  done and as usual my sweet little schedule guy, Israel went through what  needed to happen in order for us to go outside.  First bathroom and then wash hands.  I agreed and Dawit repeated it with first Shint and then wash hands.  Israel as plain as day(which does not always happen) said no more shinta bet we call it toilet.  We pee in toilet.  I smiled and was kinda of  sad.  As an Ethiopian man in our community met them last spring he said they will be Americans.  They are from Ethiopia and keep that alive for them.  Read to them about their home country and the traditions and folk stories but as he looked at his kids playing, they will be Americans as mine are.  Some might not understand as you look around at our wonderful country but to me, after being in their country it is sad.  Unexpected emotions and adoption go hand in hand. 

OK no more pee posts!!!

Last nite Israel and Dawit caught a lady bug.  It was the highlight of the day, well except for the chocolate chip cookies Mrs Myers sent over!  They sat on the floor for about a half an hour playing gently with this poor little bug.  Sean joined in on the fun and these 3 boys were having a great time......until it flew away.  I was shocked that it was still alive.  Dawit was shocked that it left him.  He was really distraught.  I convinced him that it needed a nap and he said well tomorrow jkhjdhf  jhjdhfdh  jduadsere hfakjhdfjdhf jkhdfjdjhf eywqjdwe.  Not a typo.  I have no idea what he said just like you have no idea what was typed.  All I know is there was a plan for tomorrow.

Here are a few pics of the lady bug fun.

 

Happy Friday!!!

Today

I am watching Dawit and Israel play in what snow we have left today and I am in awe of how far they and we have come.  There are days when I get a little fustrated with the pee situation.  Aim? Not so good, but getting better.  Night time?  Still wearing pull ups which, well let's just say I wash sheets almost everyday.  I mentioned it to a friend how fustrated I was.  I feel like all I do is clean up pee.  She so nicely said well at least it is not poop!!  How true.  A nice little reminder that if this all I have to complain about I have it pretty good.  It still can annoy me.  Just ask my family as I screech at wet sheets and wet toilet seats but I am reminded daily how blessed I am.

As Dawit and Israel scoop up snow and try to cover up the green grass with it I realize there will be a new season soon.  Green grass, graduations, busy summers and well maybe still lots of pee.  :) But at least it is not poop!!


Here is a sweet video of  Dawit and Israel's first bath in the Guest House we were staying at in Ethiopia.  We had just gotten custody of them and stuck them in the tub.  They only had ever taken a shower.  They were not sure what to do with it.  They have come so far!!