Signing off

This is a bittersweet post to write.

I've loved being a part of "blog-world" the last couple of years! I felt like I've had a front-row seat to watching families grow through pregnancies and adoptions, a peek inside people's lives as they raise their kids, and a look inside their hearts as they've shared their thoughts and feelings.

It's been a great way to chronicle our past couple of years too - my primary motivation to starting this blog was for our adoption and it's amazing to go back and read through everything that has led to today.

And right now I just sense God calling me to pull back - to simplify and to focus on being faithful in the small things. And for me, part of that simplifying is closing out the blog.

I'd love to send all of you yearly family updates around Christmas (we're going to send out e-Christmas greetings this year as opposed to snail-mail so leave your e-mail address in my comments section if I don't have it!)

Thanks for reading!

And remember to have lots of "Rice and Peas" (Grace and Peace) this holiday season. ;)

Today

It's late, it's been a big day, and I'm feeling reflective. So, here's some highlights of a random day....

Today my Jo had her tonsils out. She was such a trooper.

All set for surgery...

Waiting, listening, and on deck...

And here she is an hour-and-a-half later, in Recovery 2, and attempting a smile...see what I mean? A total trooper. We were so proud of our little peanut - and so thankful for a successful surgery.

Tonight sitting right on Josie's armchair, I found this....

On closer examination it reads: "Dear Josie, Are you feeling good? I wanted to write a note for you. I put a balloon on the paper. I wanted to give you the magnet thing to you put on a smile! Love, Maggie."

Ok, so are you gagging with sugary sweetness and light? :) I'm so thankful for the times I witness my kids loving on each other and for the times they behave so well they're actually voted "best patient of the day" by all of their nurses, but seriously, is that real? All the time? ha ha ha.....

Remember this?

Well, these days, it's looking more like this...(that's my mom in the middle - she took the boys this morning while we were with Josie at the hospital.) Just check out Miles' expression...

Ok, to put it bluntly, the honeymoon is over. Yes, they're learning to love each other and have their moments of great bonding brotherly love, but they're working out life together too - and we're all finding that can be pretty messy and exhausting...

And tonight, a last word from my sweet little note-writer...

While other parents are teaching their children to save money to build REAL wells for REAL poor people, well, just check out what I found as I was tucking everyone into bed...

It reads, "Wishing Well, we are poor, donate a lot of money. Thank you."

Oh my.... :)

Yonas, Eva, and baby Misikir :)

Fall

It's been crazy around here lately. I feel like I've been dropping the ball constantly, chronically late, grouchy to my kids and man, and just generally not finding my groove.

Yesterday I was home most of the day with some sort of 24 hr. flu junk. (In amidst all of the colds, runny noses, coughs, etc. that have already struck...) ugh... But it was actually a blessing in disguise. The weather was beautiful - a sunny oasis to break up the constant, rainy, dreariness of the past couple of weeks. One of my kids came running inside so excited about the gorgeous fall colors on our bushes and trees, that it inspired me. I grabbed my camera and my kids, and rediscovered the beauty of being spontaneous, slowing down, really taking the time to look at and talk to my kids, and just enjoying the now....

Happy Fall!

Miss Betty

The day after I wrote my post about being convicted to witness, a really interesting thing happened.

First, a little background: About a few weeks after Yonas came home, we both had to go to the doctor. We waited for FOREVER in the waiting room. And it was nearly impossible to divert Yonas' attention in the sparsely decorated, not kid-friendly environment. Here I have my newly adopted 3 yr. old in this totally boring place, he has no idea where we are, why we're there, and why, in heaven's name I'm making him sit there....and at this point, I have no way to explain any of it. So, ok. I've set the stage for:

Betty. She too was waiting for the doc and could sense I needed a little help, if even just a distraction. So, this sweet stranger struck up a conversation with Yonas and I, having no idea he couldn't understand a word she was saying, but he was mesmerized none-the-less. She pulled out this little LED flashlight and gave it to Yoni. Whew. It worked. She was such a sweet lady and I was really thankful for her momentary intervention. After a little small talk, we got called back to see the doc. End of story...or so I thought.

A couple of weeks ago my doctor's office asked if they could give my phone number out to the lady who had given us the flashlight back in July. They told me that she felt bad that she didn't have flashlights for all of our kids (who weren't even at the office that day). So sweet. So after about a week of phone tag, we finally nailed down a date that she could drop off the lights.

She came to our door with a bag full of fun little flashlight keychains. The kids loved them. But then she asked if I had a piece of paper and some scissors. And then she really got to work.

Ok, long story short, she basically took that little interaction at the doctor's office and turned it into an opportunity to not only show love, but to share the Gospel with me and my kids. She took one piece of paper, folded it a special way, made one cut, and then each little scrap of paper told part of Jesus' story.

The kids were mesmerized. And I was struck at how such a simple, everyday moment could turn into this...

As I listened in and took these pictures (a blog post in mind the whole time) :) I wondered if she wondered why God had brought her to our house that day. I mean, our kids were reciting their verses to her, we talked of our relationships with the Lord, etc, so we really didn't need to be told what we already knew, right? But I know why she came. She came to SHOW me. Isn't just like God to not only convict the heart, but to then help us take that conviction one step further to action - and show us how it's done?! Pretty cool.

So Betty and I talked and she told me how really incredibly easy it is to take the simplest conversations and interactions and turn them into an opportunity to love like Christ. I don't know - just thought it was really encouraging and challenging.

How can we do the same in our everyday lives? I'd love to hear your thoughts...

Thinking of Fruit

Over the past few months I've heard Maggie exclaim, usually in times of distress, that she's "thinking of fruit." And she doesn't just say nonchalantly, "Mom, I'm thinking of fruit..." do-dee-do. She says it passionately and with urgency, like, "MOM, I'M THINKING OF FRUIT HERE!!!" As if that's supposed to indicate major seriousness - the world's about to end serious.

Perplexed and amused, but always in a huge hurry when this is happening, I've never quite understood what in the world she's talking about. Well, this morning, I got a better (I guess?!) idea...

So, it's my understanding that "thinking of fruit" entails a big castle table covered in a white tablecloth with fruit bunched together on top. Hmmm, ok...

And then I asked, "What exactly is the fruit doing on the table?"

To which she replied, "Sitting there looking pretty."

Trying to stifle my giggles, I ask, "And that's a bad thing?" "YES, MOM! It's totally bad!"

"But you like fruit," I say.

"I know." She says. "But that's just to eat. The fruit on the table is a different thing."

After more of this hilarious back-and-forth, I come to discover that "thinking of fruit" happens primarily when she's embarrassed, uptight, anxious, or over-stimulated. Hmmm....ok, again.

I'm bouncing between thinking this is hilariously funny, strangely weird and possibly problematic when Josie, who's listening in quietly to this whole exchange says, "Maggie, you have problems."

To which I retort, "Jos, we ALL have problems."

And she says, "NO, Mom, not just problems. Issues."

Just another day in the life...

:)

Neti Conviction

Ok, so I've got this favorite thing. I use it every day, without fail, and sometimes even 2-3 times per day. It's one of those things that totally freaked/grossed me out by the mere thought, but once I tried it, it changed my life...are ya ready? (drum roll...) It's my Neti Pot. Ever heard of it? If you know me, and you've ever mentioned allergies, you've heard me tout it's "amazingness." If you've been in potluck with me, well, you've seen me demonstrate it. :) It's something I love to tell people about because not only did it change my life, but I want others who suffer with constant sinus pain, pressure, and post-nasal drip to "taste and see" and find some relief too! If you have no idea what I'm talking about, here's a hilarious little demo video I found online...

Hee hee...I know, weirdly hilarious, but it somehow works. So here's my random thought process the other day as I was using my neti pot - and stick with me here, I promise there's a point to my random madness...I thought about the first time I had heard about it and how I thought, "absolutely NO way - that's just totally unnatural." And then I thought about it some more...and then with lots of reservation, but with nothing to lose, I bought one. And honestly, the first time I used it, I thought I'd seriously drowned myself. Totally out of control, I thought I had just poured water not only into my nose, but my brain! I swore I felt it swish/swashing in my entire head. AHHH!!!! But, although it was a freaky experience, going off of the testimony of others who'd achieved success, I stuck with it. And then lo and behold, I noticed a difference - it was changing me and I felt so much better!

And then it hit me...I have NO reservations whatsoever to tell people about my Neti Pot. It's gross, it's weird, it's unnatural, and a strange picture to have of someone doing, BUT, it's changed my life. I want others to know about it, regardless of how weird I appear because I want them to experience what I've experienced. And yet, here's my real point (finally) - when it comes to witnessing about my faith in Jesus Christ, about how HE has changed me, I'm tentative. I'm afraid I'll say the wrong thing, I'm afraid I'll turn someone off, I'm afraid to be unabashedly passionate for fear of looking like an idiot....Wow...what a conviction for me. I'm not afraid to tell someone I'm a Christian, but to testify about how Jesus has changed my life, to desire for others to "taste and see" and experience life change...I'm ashamed to say I'm more vocal about an $18 clay pot than the SAVIOUR of my life. I've been convicted to change that. I've been convicted about making my life really count. And although that may make me extremely unpopular in the world's eye, I've got something they've just gotta know about, and I can't be silent anymore.

What happens when...

Q. What happens when one of your kids has a stubborn case of Giardia (intestinal parasite - water born - from ET) for two months that requires multiple poop checks and rechecks?

A. "Playing doctor" for my younger children takes on a WHOLE new meaning....um...like...complete with taking real, true live stool samples...

Oh my goodness...don't even ask....

Suffice it to say, next time they're playing so well and quietly upstairs, with the occasional visit asking for small Ziploc baggies, I'll be asking what the baggies are for... :)

"All the day..."

Ellie just came into the kitchen as I was cooking and told me she told Yonas about Jesus...how he died on the cross for us, loves us, etc....and I was like, "Wow - that's awesome, Ell!"

It wasn't two minutes later and Yonas ran upstairs saying, "Mom! Yonas - Jesus! Yonas - Jesus!" And I said something generic like, "Ya, buddy, Jesus!" And he said, really, really quietly, almost in a whisper, "Mom - Jesus hug Yonas all the day!" (Almost like, "OH! I know Him!")

And it just struck me - how God has truly been with this sweet little boy throughout all of the traumatic and dramatic changes in his short life...4 homes in the past 8 months, 3 languages, multiple caretakers, a new mamma and daddy...I've often marveled at how in the world he's done so well. And I've always known it's been God. A total, marvelous God-thing. But to look at this bright-eyed, thriving, beautiful, beautiful boy, and hear that sweet, genuine little whisper...it's an inexplicable image for me - my little Yonas being hugged and supernaturally protected by the Almighty God "all the day"....wow.

Yonas

Thank you Jed & Vicki!!! These are priceless...

"So, How's It Been Going?"

Is a question I've gotten a lot the last few weeks since we've been home. This week marks one month since we met our sweet little man, so I thought it would be a great time for an update.

The past few posts I've mentioned and/or shown pictures and videos of how great it's going. And it is. It seriously is going really great. Yonas is such a little lover - he freely gives hugs, kisses, and "love you's," and accepts and seeks my comfort whenever he's sad, grouchy, or hurt. That was probably my biggest concern/fear and I've been so pleasantly surprised in that arena.

That said, Yonas is also NON-STOP action-man. Seriously. He keeps me going from the moment he wakes up. I've really been trying to wake up before him in the mornings just to getting a running start, but he usually beats me. And first thing - really first thing out of his mouth as he climbs, sleepily and wobbily into bed with us, is either, "Mom, hungry - sucker - pizza!" or "Mom, bike!" or "Mom, bye-bye!" or "Mom, bath!" And then the rest of my morning is spent saying, "Isch (Ok) buddy, Koy (wait) - first, let's get dressed." And he's totally "isch" with that...he obeys and gets dressed. THEN, immediately after he's dressed, he's ready for pizza, bike, and bye-bye again. Soooo, then I talk him into some sort of breakfast food other than pizza (seriously, it would be pizza 24/7 for this dude) saying, "Koy, Yoni, pretty soon we'll ride bikes and go bye-bye!" Whew. So, by 10 am, when we're all ready to go for the day, I'm pooped! :)

But, I'm so thankful to say, the last few days we've fallen into more of a routine (what do ya know - 2 wks. before school starts when it'll totally change again!) :) So, he's getting to the point that he can anticipate what's next and therefore have a smidgen more patience for what's next in the day. AND, big praises here, he's actually been taking a nap the last couple of days! "Rest time" for all of us has been huge. We all desperately need it to make it in one piece until dinner-time. I'm really, really thankful for this.

And language-wise, it really has not been near the issue I thought it might be. A lot of this has to do with the fact Yonas has a definite opinion on EVERYTHING...and he makes it particularly clear if we can't get it the first couple of times. :) And he's catching on like crazy. Today I said as we were crossing the street and he looked like he might make a run for it, "Yonas, NO -makeena (car)!" To which he replied, " No, Mom, car." Like, "Give me a break, mom, you don't know what that's called??!" :)

So, my spunky, full-of-life, strong-willed, lover of a boy keeps each day fresh, new, and full of surprises. It reminds me a lot of the 18 mo. old stage that I loved so much but which exasperated me to no end with my other 4 kiddos. There are daily discoveries and milestones met, but also disasters diverted and patience stretched beyond what I ever thought possible. All rolled up in my little bundle named Yoni...

And here's a pic from our town coffee house's steps with all of our kids and two of their cousins, Carys and Moses: (see Yonas with his sucker and cowboy boots? He'd have it no other way. And neither would I.)

Brothers

Ethiopia: Days 5-10

Ok, where were we? :)

A little recap...Sunday, July 5th, our trip south to Hosanna. I couldn't end this day without more pictures of the beautiful countryside and people.

But first, a picture of the trusty bus that took us everywhere we needed to be...I'll never forget that smell of exhaust or the way our driver would hoooonk his horn way before he'd ever think of braking for an animal or person in our way...

And the donkeys - had to get a picture of the donkeys for my animal/horse crazy kids. This was a common sight...

This was the woman who prepared the coffee ceremony for us in Hosanna after the candle ceremony with the birth families...

A panoramic view of the countryside...Yonas was born in a hut like these...his father was a farmer like a majority of the people in this area....

This handsome boy kept fighting off his friends with a long stick so I would take his picture alone. He made me keep taking them until I got one he liked.... :)

Monday, July 6th, we all got to bring our kids to the care center for the morning to play. This is where we congregated a lot of the time - mostly to eat. And did we eat.....yum....

This is Yonas and his sweet buddy Degefa...

We did tons of this...pushing the kids on the little trikes and car, and then they'd roll down the hill...

And then when we old people got tired, we tried bringing the kids in to color and play - but that didn't usually last very long....

We always ended up back outside. :) And these were the bikes the boys were determined to get working - completely flat tires and no seat. If we would've known, we would've stuffed one in a big duffel to donate...

On Monday afternoon, we took the kids back to the care center and we got to tour AHOPE, the CHSFS Ethiopia offices, school, and health center.

Here we are at AHOPE... we weren't allowed to get any pics inside here or at our agency's care center...

The school...

The pharmacy right next door to the health center...

The museum...this is where "Lucy" is kept...

We passed this spot so many times in Addis. I was always so intrigued by all of the goats right there smack dab in the middle of the city, right next to the road...

There were also so many fruit stands - I thought they were so pretty and kept trying to get just the right picture to blow up and hang in my kitchen - so we have tons of random fruit stand pictures. I think this is my favorite so far...

Tuesday, July 7th, we had our farewell party for the kids at the care center. We were not allowed to take pictures, which made me sad. It was so precious. All of the kids came down the stairs in authentic Ethiopian dress with stickers all over their faces (Yonas has a left-over on his chin in this next pic.) The big boys sang a song, and then we all clapped and cheered as each child got his/her hand painted and stamped in a big memory book. Then we stood around the children and prayed. First there was an Amharic prayer said, then an English prayer, and a member of our group also contributed a traditional Hebrew prayer. It was a beautiful thing.

Then in the afternoon, we were off to the Embassy. This is our Embassy dude...

And when we came home, we ate dinner, and spent our first night together. He went right to sleep...

Wednesday, July 8th, we spent the day at the guesthouse - the kids were officially ours!!!

We spent a lot of time hanging out with our awesome travel group. I seriously love these guys. There's just something so special about sharing such a life-changing experience with people. We started as strangers, but now feel forever connected through the time we shared together and the bond our kids had before any of us even entered the picture...

Yonas and Hizkiele (sp?)....

And Degefa and Mituku had birthdays!!!

The wonderful kitchen staff even made them a birthday cake. But this is what Yonas thinks of cake...I think I'll be putting his b-day candles on a big ol' pizza... :)

One of our moms even brought the party gear...the boys had such a blast. Along with lots of sweet babies and two precious toddlers, our travel group had 4 big boys - two seven year-olds, a five year-old, and Yonas, the smallest of the big guys at three years-old....

Thursday, July 9th, we had an Ethiopian cooking class in the morning...the smell was heavenly...

And after the class, we all met in the eating area for one last coffee/popcorn ceremony...more heavenly smells...frankincense, roasting coffee, and popping corn...ohhhh....

At about 5, we packed up the buses, collected all of our documents, said our good-byes, and headed for the airport...

And this is what Yonas thought of the airplane...it was hilarious...

I don't have any pics of us arriving home yet, but hopefully will share those in the near future. I've had such a hard time capturing this trip with so few words and pictures, but hope I caught at least the essence of it.

So now we're home, and beginning a whole new journey. One I can't wait to start sharing....