Fun Times!

Taye's first trip to the lake house went so well! I was really nervous about how he would do-- he was great! We had so much fun with him -- from the pictures it looks like Kevin was the only one that had him- umm, I think I played with him too-- apparently we just don't have pictures of that :) I do have to say that it was a really nice break to have Daddy and a lot of other adults around though!

First trip to the beach-- he loves the water and sand but shivers like crazy after awhile

Go -cart racing. No fear! Couldn't beat Aunt Em and Kait though

Tubing! Had a smile plastered to his face the whole time. In fact after watching one kid ride he was literally fighting me to get out of the boat and get in the water or on the tube!

I was also stressed about how he would be when we got home. All these different adults taking care of him and Kevin with him a lot (he has always been a little more attached to Kev). I actually feel it has went really well as far as attachment/ bonding with me now that we are home. Maybe it is just as time passes or maybe I am a little more relaxed. Either way, it is definitely nice to have him be more receptive to me! A little more affectionate, wanting me to help him, and even obeying sometimes. :)--I've read and heard to expect 3 steps forward, 1 step back so I am just trying to soak all the positive in now ( and hoping that things can stay good).

Looking Back

We are hoping to leave tomorrow to go to Michigan. I looked back at our pictures from last year and had to smile. First I am amazed at how God has answered prayers-- last July our dossier was just going to Ethiopia. For those of you who are waiting for your children-- it feels so long but it really does happen! Second-- God does not always answer our prayers in the way that we were thinking-- this has been such a roller coaster journey. Third-- this picture was taken on our way up to the lakehouse-- kids in coordinating outfits, picnic packed to eat on the way-- ummm, this year --I'm just hoping that I can actually get packed. Period ;)

Fruit Stains -no problem

I got a great tip from my sister Sara~ pour boiling water on fruit stains before you wash the clothes. Magic! They totally disappear! No more stressing when the kids are picking strawberries and juice is all over! Now if I can get Taye to wait until I wash them....

Less time on laundry means more time for playing! Happy summer!

the end of our trip!

Firday was market in the morning and then visiting Taye's old orphanage. They were so sweet and excited to see him! I was really overwhelmed and it was a hard day. Taye was also starting to be more manipulative and controlling with us and that was obviously expected but hard.

Friday night we got to "help" make injera-- harder than it looks!

Saturday am we went to the Millennium Park to run. This is where some of the marathon runners finish up on their training runs and Kevin really wanted to do this! We took Taye for a short run too, to try to make sure it would be in his blood :)-- you can pick Kev out easily-- the only white guy.

Good thing we ran-- Saturday afternoon was the traditional Ethiopian meal at HOH. Oh it was soooo good! I don't think this was even all the food!

Later Saturday afternoon we visited the Home of Hope supported by Loving Shepherd Ministries http://www.loving-shepherd.com/blog/ . This is a home for 7 orphans. We had a great time with the kids!

Tsion is the beautiful "mother" to these children. She is 65 y/o (looks amazing!)and raised 4 children. After they were grown she "prayed to the Lord for 7 more". She then got busy working to support some families financially and wait for the Lord to answer her prayer. Through friends she met at work she was put in touch with the right organization and God has answered her prayers in miraculous ways. She was an amazing testimony and example! We loved meeting her!

this is Sunday after church. We went to the International church and took Taye. That was pretty much a disaster but I had fun walking around outside with him and talking to another mom! Kevin is pictured with Almaz, the wonderful wife of the director of HOH and Tesfu. Tesfu was our guide but ended up being our good friend!!!!! We enjoyed our time with him so much!

The end of and exhausting and emotional few days and the start of a very long journey home to another life for Taye. We are in the car after tearful goodbyes, some of which are captured on video and are so precious to us!

One of Taye's favorite guards saying goodbye as he closed the gate-- I have tears while I am typing! We can't wait to go back some day!

Kindergarten Graduation!

The class and their families all went to the park after the ceremony
Taye has been so prayed for and sooooo welcomed by the whole school! It feels like he is a little celebrity there! I can't even say how much all the love means to us!

Breck had his kindergarten graduation yesterday! When I was a kid I don't think that we had those-- we home schooled Kait in kindergarten- so, this was our first experience with the whole thing. Man, he had grown up so much in this last year! I felt like he was a hard toddler. Lots of tantrums, super clingy, ect.. I was completely unsure if it was okay to send him to preschool. The teacher, who had 3 boys, came and visited and assured us he would be fine. He was and has continues to grow and he is such a joy!!!

His heart for the Lord is so neat to see. One example- the class had been learning Bible verses all year- one for each letter of the alphabet. We were practicing those for the ceremony and J was- Jesus said, let the little children come unto me. He looked at me and was like, you know mom, that means me cause I'm a kid! Wow! It is so amazing how we can be laying on the floor, playing around while practicing but it is all soaking in! It is kind of overwhelming when I think about the responsibility that we have with these precious 4 kids but what a privilege to see God's work in their hearts!

Ethiopia part 4 - days 3 and 4

Wednesday morning, another beautiful day in Addis, we went to the Addis Ababa University. This part used to be a palace and is now offices. Neat to see and get pictures of. Of course Kevin found some students to talk to! This is with Becky and her little boy Bek-- awesome travel companions!

Here is a picture out of our door at House of Hope! They seriously have soooo much work to do! This is an every day deal-- washing tons of clothes and nasty diapers by hand, hanging them to dry, do it all over again! I can't say enough about how wonderful the nannies and the guards and everyone there was!!! We have so many pictures of Taye with the guards and drivers b/c he loved them so much!

Wed. afternoon, coffee ceremony! We had this every afternoon-- the best coffee ever and salty, sweet popcorn. Simegn,the cook was so wonderful!

Taye enjoying the popcorn with his friend, Amani.

Thursday morning we did some shopping, hung out with the kids, and then we were ready to go to our visa appointment!!! Such an exciting day!

Thursday was also my 31st birthday! That night we went out to an amazing Italian restaurant with our friends the Harrs! We loved them so much and it was so fun to celebrate my birthday with them.

Ethiopia Part 3-- still Day 2

too sweet-- my grandma, mom, and aunt stopped for a visit last week-- Taye loved Grandma-- she just followed him around playing with him, counting his little toes, and ooohing over his cute little pink feet (they are super sweet!)

When we first arrived home we were having a lot of problems getting Taye to eat. We picked up several orders of doro wat and injera and I froze them and give him that once a day-- he loves it! Grandma and Taye were having a great time feeding each other-- she was amazing, such a good sport-- she totally got the whole using your hand thing!

Wow I just realized that I am still posting pictures about day 2. I am going to have to speed this up!

Here are Taye and Kev putting together this little car on Tuesday afternoon. Taye loves trying to figure out how things work and wants to be in on everything! We stayed at the HOH and LOVED it. With a toddler, it seemed like a great way for them to still have the familiar around, but get to know us. Our room was really nice& the food was great!We were back in the van that afternoon. I was so excited that we were getting to see and do a lot of things! The scaffolding on the buildings was crazy!

This is driving up to the top of Entoto Mountain. One of the 7 mountains surrounding Addis Ababa. These women were walking down with these huge bundles.

Kevin and Taye at the top- overlooking the city. There are a lot of eucalyptus groves on the mountain.

This is a really old Orthodox church at the top. There was actually a service going on because it was Holy Week . There was also a old palace there that we went through and a small museum. It was really interesting and a lot of history but as we were leaving tons of kids and moms with babies were coming up to us begging. That is so hard!

We went with the group to the Hilton that night for dinner and had a lot of laughs and some disasters!