This week

This has been one of the busier weeks for me. I thought since we had the week off of school we would have some free time. I thought wrong. I can hardly sit down! We've hit the pharmacy three times, two different Targets (we ended up finding some reasonably priced patio furniture that is on sale), Social Security Office to try and get Anna and Adah SS numbers, Costco, and visited with a friend for a few hours. Writing it down it doesn't seem that we've gone that many places, but I must be missing a lot. Got that foggy brain going on.

Sarah and Joe were down in Mexico so two of my helpers were gone. They had a great time down there. Their job this time was to pour 700 sq ft of concrete.

Jesse has done such a great job that his boss asked him what he thought about becoming a supervisor. He's only been there for three-four months and he just turned eighteen! Good job, Jesse! He doesn't know if he wants to take it though. He's thinking it through. His main responsiblity for the next four years is his schooling, his job will have to come second in line.

Receiving more of our mail-orders for our new daughters. I've been buying them dresses from LL Bean and Gymboree. We're pretty much dresses only, but around the house sometimes we wear pants. I'm finding that most places don't have the bicycle shorts that used to be available when Sarah was little. I always put bicycle shorts on her under dresses so she could play and not show anything. Bicycle shorts work better than other shorts because they're longer and they don't expose anything when you look up the leg. Does that make sense? Anyways modesty is my motto. My friend, Helen, used to tell me, "Don't put anything on them when they're little that you don't want them to wear when their big." So we've never done bikinis, two piece bathing suits, one piece bathing suits without board shorts on over, short-shorts or even mid-thigh shorts (except soccer shorts for soccer), short dresses (have to hit at least the bottom of the knee), no spaghetti straps, no back bearing or cleavage bearing dresses. Basically we stay covered and modest.

Hope you enjoy your Good Friday. I'm going to dr. for my blood pressure. I got called to the drs office, much like when the teacher calls someone to the front of the class. I need to go to Target and buy Easter egg stuff for our Easter egg hunt. Go on our Friday afternoon date lunch. Then hopefully the rest of the day I can lounge. (That is if little Adah & Anna stay out of mischief.) (Nah......what am I thinking?!)

Encouraging news about our daughters

Another adoptive family met our new Ethiopian daughters while in Ethiopia. This is the note they wrote to us. It teared us up and gave us great hope that they want to be in our family. We are so thankful to their father for blessing us with his daughters.

Dear Parents of ***** & ****,
I just came from the care center where I met your children. Oh you are blessed indeed. May I suggest you get a box of tissues, for you will see you will need it.

I was allowed to take pictures of your children. In fact, they were expecting me. I took a lot of pictures and they allowed me to video them as well opening the gifts you prepared. They gazed into each picture. You will see this on the video. They took every single thing out and then their friends gathered around to study your pictures. Each items was then carefully placed back in the bag like they were the most important things in their lives. They hugged the full bags. It was precious. While that was happening I asked the director if there is anything she would like you to know.

She does want you to know this: I gather you had a court date today. I was not told the outcome, but this I was told. An I got every word on video.

The children’s father went to the court hearing then came to the care center to say goodbye to **** & *****. Everyone was in tears. I am misty just writing this to you. Their father is old and he works hard as a laborer and makes very little money. One of your daughters fell asleep in his arms while they were at the center. Your children were and are loved deeply.

***** decided to write you a note from the paper and pen you gave her. She disappeared for a while she worked on it. We did not know where she went so we gathered into the car and said ciao. And then I saw her. Tears were running down her face. She was afraid we were going to leave without her note to you. The director translated the note to you on the video so you will know what it says. It is entirely in Amharic. I have the note. It is absolutely precious. I will mail it to you when we return to the States.

Your quiver will be bursting at the seams. You are blessed, indeed. I am so happy for you!

Court Postponed

Our court date is postponed until March 28. The Ministry of Women's Affairs needs more documentation. Not sure what they need, but hopefully it's figured out by next Friday. :)

Kite flying

Yesterday we went kite flying at the bay with other families from our church. We thought we might not get to go because it was supposed to rain. We were blessed with beautiful weather!

The best picture of all. Can you tell who has seven brothers?
Tay-Tay and Sarah
Anna Banana
Steve flying kites with the girls.Me
Sarah lovin' up on Adah.
Sisters!
Best friends!

Anna puckering up
Adah picking flowers

James flying a kite

Joel and his little sissy Adah