Ethiopia 2012

I hadn't visited Ethiopia for more than seven years and much had changed. Modernized buildings and roads in Addis Ababa impressed me and so did the many trendy coffee shops. Stopping for machiatto became the norm of every day. That alone might be enough to compel me to come back!

Since my last visit, my parents have founded Misgana Ministries. The ministry's first project in Ziway produced a bridge that villagers now walk across everyday to access the school and market. Before the bridge, they had to balance across logs or wade through muddy swift flowing water to get across.

Hundreds of students now receive an outstanding education at three school campuses. While at school, each student receives breakfast and lunch.  The school buildings are clean and bright. When I visited a government run school, the contrast of dark dusty rooms with broken desks shocked me.

The stories of children who don't have a mom, dad, or both would break your heart into tiny pieces if you could handle listening to them all. Some are cared for by family friends or grandparents, but many live on streets selling gum, shining shoes, or simply begging as a way to survive.  With the desire to do something to help as many children as they could, my parents began a group home.  Orphaned boys and girls now have a home with houseparents who love and care for them.

My mind boggled as I saw the construction projects underway as well as the sites where current dreams will one day become reality. Additional school sites, expansions, vocational programs...wouldn't you love to meet every one's need?

Many outstanding Ethiopians who also have big hearts to serve God assist with managing daily operations. They work hard, my parents work hard, teams work hard, and yet much more waits to be done.

Lives are being changed every day because of opportunities that weren't available to them before. I wish you could see it. I wish we could snap our fingers together and start the programs and open enough classrooms for everyone who wants to attend.

It was good for me to go and I hope to do more.

He changed!

I don't know where to start.

The first year of Kindergarten is long over.
Grandma passed away and I missed her funeral.
I've been to the other side of the world and back.
My dad's cancer was diagnosed and prayerfully completely removed.
Swimming, tae kwon do, and baseball are in full swing.
Mother's Day, Father's Day.
Asher's first lost tooth.

I've had deep thoughts, encouraging words, insights into life that I've thought about sharing. But this...this is the thing I am inspired to get out here first.

Please don't judge me to be shallow. I've never been enamored with kids walking dogs and am having trouble thinking of a great inspiring thought to add to this. Maybe my inspired thought is that kids can change!!

Asher has long had a severe dislike of dogs. No Dogs is the first sign he posted on the porch. On our walks on the Constitution Trail and at the Farmers Market, he would walk along shouting at any dog we passed that it should not be there. When we saw one from afar, he stopped dead in his tracks and started yelling wondering "What is that creature up there with its tongue hanging out?" While most kids wanted to pet a dog at the park, Asher wanted to loudly talk about how much he did not like them.

But this weekend, he delighted in walking my aunt and uncle's dog. After the visit at their home, he even stated that he would in fact like a dog!

I'm in shock and excited about all of the things that can change!

Blended

He never had pulled mint, parsley, and almonds from any one's skin before.
That's what the Prompt Care doctor told me after I tried to blend my finger. 

I've been trying to think of a more clever way to describe my dumb mistake, but haven't thought of anything that doesn't make my stomach queasy whenever I say it.  Anyone who has been around while I've cooked knows I love my immersion blender and use it multiple times a day. I make babyfood, smoothies, creamy soups, and in this case, pesto. Now I've used it to mangle my finger.

I tried not to be wimpy, but really that's what I am when it comes to blood. I pass out and screech before you even touch my wound. When my kids forget and attempt to grab my hand, I jump back like a wounded tiger and I'm amazed at such intense instincts to protect my body.

I've kept a list of things index fingers are really good at.
- serving up cookie dough for a little taste taste
- scooping mystery objects out of little mouths
- wiping yogurt off of baby's faces
- tying a bow
- holding down squirmy babies during diaper changes
- providing a handle to hold during learning how to walk practice
- typing on a keyboard

I'm getting my stitches out today so I'm hoping to ditch the bandaids and rubber gloves and get back to using this finger for its regular duties. 

Those duties will no longer include cleaning an immersion blender while blending.

Here's to novel advive of unplugging appliances before cleaning them!

Now he is one.

Happy Birthday Buddy Boo!

Asa's tight lipped smile lights up his whole face. This same smile has wished me many good-nights as I've tucked blankets over his little body. A sweet smile and then the two fingers quickly find their way into his mouth. The contentment of a sleeping baby.

Whenever he spots a ball, the smile reappears.  He babbles "Ba ba ba" and I can not resist finding yet another type of ball to put into his chubby little hands.

This year of cuddling and carrying and yes many moments of crying is transitioning into exploration, enjoying and even less times of crying. Not a baby but a toddler, how does it go so fast?

He is a sweet gift and today we celebrate our first year with Buddy Boo.

Amelia Island

Sunrise from our deck.

I want to share a hundred pictures with you. From these pictures I'd love for the sun, relaxation, and giggles to ooze out and fill you with joy the way we were filled last week.

Mostly of beach scenes, running down the boardwalk, crabs, clams, herons, turtles, and even a striped snake, these pictures reflect a spot of time very well lived.

The pictures are of my sweet family and their unique ways of spending days with no agendas other than enjoy.
Of Asher karate chopping at waves, yelling at them to stay back.
Of Amelie clinging to Daddy in complete trust of his ability to keep her safe.
Of Asa stepping in sand for the first time and his fasincation with the swirling water at our feet.
Of Walter and his delight in spending time with the kids on the sand and in the water.
Of me living in time minus a list - knitting, reading, having an opportunity to enjoy my own children.

I can't share them all with you, but these are a few.


Our only family picture of the trip! Yummy gourmet cupcakes we made 6 last over 4 nights.

Kids on the beach before sunrise the first day! They couldn't wait (neither could I!) 

Love introducing babies to sand!

A rare moment of Asa sitting on the sand.

Daddy loving his kids.

Three

And she is Three.

I love her words, endless words. Words describing friends and imaginary happenings. Talk about Bunny Foofoo who is coming soon for a sleepover. Admiring words of Asher and the great feats he can accomplish. Adoring words of our Baby Asa or sometimes the one we call Buddy Boo.


The ensembles she chooses for the day make me smile. Scarves in 70 degree weather. Sunglasses on the darkest dreariest winter day, always bracelets, necklaces and a "headfan," "owl feathers," or a "kitty tail" in her hair. Today for her birthday, she chose two sets of sunglasses on her head.

A day can bring a moment of complete joy over hot chocolate and then a second later a meltdown over applesauce instead of yogurt for lunch.

She loves to be close, to be touching, and just to hang out with mommy. Mommy-daughter fun has been more fun than I thought and I'm so thankful for my sweet three year old AMELIE!

Six

Now he is six.

Asher the Rockstar who became Asher the Knight who became Asher the Sheriff who became Asher the Kindergartner who loves all things Lego especially Ninjago.

When I first looked into his brilliant blue eyes, there was no way I could have anticipated the battles we would have. Battles that span from eating food to wearing jeans and challenging him to simply show a little emotion.


But there was also no way I could have anticipated the thoughtful sweetness, cut and dry rule following, or creative artistic expressions.


His dealings with the things life throws his way challenge me to find a good response. There have been times I've never wanted to hurt someone more than when they have hurt my boy. But more often, I've never wanted more to set a good example of trusting God and treating people kindly.

He brings out my worst moments of impatience and angry outbursts, but I hope I've also practiced forgiveness and selfless love more than before.

Never dull and always an adventure I'm so thankful for Asher, my six year old boy.