Blume Where You're Planted

We are headed to Guatemala...

2012-01-31T18:58:00.005-05:00

YES!!!!! You can say it is a "dream come true"...if one trip could do some of our "TOP" things on our "bucket-list"...this trip has the potential...

*get to see & experience Zach's birth country with him at a stage that he will remember ("Happy 5 years Home Day" TODAY, Precious Boy, oh, how we love you"!)
*meet our sponsor boy, about 5 years ago we started sponsoring him, he has "grown-up" with our family
*have our children see & experience people that do life with "less"
*serve as a family (we will see how much actual "serving" we get done with 9,6,3 year old children, but we are praying we can some)
*see some of the "ministry" my parents have been at for many years...they will be visiting Guatemala at the same time & we will get to connect with them & see several of the schools where they have advocated to get children sponsored
*and for an added bonus we get to go with my cousin's family, they adopted their daughter from Guatemala about the same time as Zach, here's Zach & Cristina shortly after they were both "home"..

We are excited to spend a part of our trip with this ministry, AMAZING what GOD is up to caring for HIS precious children in Guatemala!

Http://buildingtheblocks.blogspot.com/

Oh, there are a lot of prayer requests on our hearts,
but we have such peace & JOY for our time there...we just can't wait...(we don't leave till the end of the month)...so we do wait & pray!!!!

So where are we with this adoption journey?

2012-01-24T22:15:00.003-05:00

In December we "announced" that we are adopting again, we were thrilled to finally "spill the beans"!

In another whole story we can post how God "called" us to adopt again, and in June 2010 we began the paperwork to bring another little one HOME!

On August 26, 2010 our paperwork was complete and we began on the "waitlist" at #90 for a baby girl. We knew it was going to be a long wait (that is why we started "early")...we have inched our way down the list. In December 2011, we were #14!

As exciting as it sounds, they say because of logistics the lower the numbers the slower things move, so that is where we are now, slooooooooooowly waiting!

It is crazy how much the timeline has moved out as we have furthered in this process, so it is difficult to predict when we will be bringing home our precious bundle!!?!

With Zach's adoption it was 13 months from the beginning of paperwork till he came home, 15 months from start to finish with Ellyana's adoption...and they both felt like an ETERNITY! With this adoption we are already sitting at 19 months and it easily could be another 12.

Life is full now, so that helps the "wait" fly by...I'm trying my hardest to not get "emotionally" drawn in...that happens very naturally once we get the referral ;)

And so we go on in faith, trusting the Lord, we appreciate prayers! Stay tuned, I'm sure there will be many more updates along the way...

Lovin' this video...

2012-01-22T21:37:00.004-05:00

Beautiful music, adorable pictures & our kids love the ending...ENJOY!!!

The Purpose of Adoption

2012-01-13T17:30:00.003-05:00

“The ultimate purpose of human adoption by Christians

is not to give orphans parents, as important as that is.

It is to place them in a Christian home that they might be positioned to receive the gospel, so that within that family the world might witness a representation of God taking in and genuinely loving the helpless, the hopeless, and the despised.”

– Dan Cruver “Reclaiming Adoption”

This quote was taken from today's blog post from Loving Shepherd Ministries...

http://loving-shepherd.org/blog/

So what did this Christmas bring?

2012-01-05T10:00:00.000-05:00

LOTS of babies...and Ellyana is loving bathing, feeding, carrying around & packing them up...for as much she wasn't into dolls earlier...things have changed!!!

Precious time with the great-grandparents...Time with the newest little cousin...she's "for real"...and Ellyana was in her glory to get to hold her!Some time bowling

Getting to wash dishes with Grandma's gloves on...always a highlight

Guy time at the Bass Pro...Girl time at the Depot (no pictures...but it was a beautiful place to be this time of year)

Mom getting in on BJ's Christmas field trip

Our own family Christmas

And the kick-off to the season...a birthday party for Jesus with friends!We have so much to be thankful for...great time with family (our Mom's did amazing hosting the families for days)...fun with cousins, seeing lots of old friends & celebrating the newborn KING!!! Our kids have grown-up...we had to say 1 week away did not feel near as exhausting as years past...so that made it all the more fun!!!

We are soaking in the last few days of "break" (even though BJ went back yesterday)!

And as we thank the Lord for the many amazing blessings to 2011, we look forward & commit 2012 to Him!

We are adopting again!!!!

2011-12-16T12:46:00.000-05:00

We are thrilled to share the news...we hope and pray to be bringing home a new baby sister from Ethiopia by this time next year! It has been an amazing journey...we will share more soon!

Blessings to your Christmas! We are thankful & humbled by God's amazing gifts!

Bravo, Dad! Much to be thankful for...

2011-11-29T21:58:00.004-05:00

Brian got voted on for "tenure"...hoorah! Too funny, to try to try to explain this to the kids...we did a surprise dinner to Bravo! for him (thanks to a gift card :) "Tenure" sounds too much like "ten year" to get too far in the conversation with the kids & Zach's response as he was bewildered why we were celebrating..."don't you think Dad has worked long enough?"

The other 2 kids get to celebrate their "coming home days"...and BJ does too...we were so happy to have him home after almost 3 months in the NICU...his pick...Panera!!!

Uncle Jay sent BJ his 1st circuit board...he LOVED it & it came pretty easy to him...extra fun to have Grandpa here to help figure it all out! :)

Zach & I got to ride the bus with our church choir to visit my sister's church. Fun to see my sisters & their families, parents, aunt & lots of familiar faces from my college years. It was a quick trip...but we did get in a trip Custard Cup...thankfully that never changes :)

Zach with his buddies on the bus!

BJ's teacher coordinated their Friendship Feast...the full Thanksgiving meal celebrating with his class...it is a special time!

We had friends over & a few International Students for a full Thanksgiving dinner here (bought a few things pre-made) The one International student was saying how much she loves to see kids "dressed up"...we have enough costumes around here to fulfill her wish!And BJ & Brian won 3rd place in the Annual Turkey Shoot...BJ won 3 Turkey Drumsticks...perfect addition to the meal for the Internationals!

We did not get in everything we had hoped to for this Thanksgiving...but we feel so very thankful!

As was said at the Thanksgiving Eve service...

Thanksgiving is really a Christian holiday...for without the Lord and what He has done for us...it is just an act of comparing ourselves with others who have less.

We are so thankful for the Lord & what He has done for us...and we our hearts go out to those who do not have as much on this earth...and it does make us THANK-FULL!!!

Its Pinkalicious to be "3"!!!!

2011-11-15T12:12:00.001-05:00

Today our PRECIOUS girl turns "3"! We were so happy to get to celebrate with grandparents this weekend with a Pinkalicious Party...just like her...everything has to be PINK!

Ellyana is a JOY to our family! She is a BLESSING! She is a DELIGHT to those around her, as the workers at the grocery store can't wait to see her again, the neighbor says she has the best belly-laugh in the world, she brings a smile wherever she goes!

And just like her name says...GOD has answered! She has blest our family beyond measure & we are so proud to call her our DAUGHTER!

Enjoy some of her pictures from the last few months...maybe "capturing" a piece of her amazing, fun & wonderful personality (and some of her pure cuteness ;)!

HAPPY 3RD BIRTHDAY, ELLYANA!!!

OH, HOW WE LOVE YOU!!!

Fun days....

2011-10-27T15:00:00.000-04:00

Its that time of year, thankfully the extended family pics went well...then we tried for own immediate family & then well, the kids by themselves...

Someone had just "had it"

These guys hung in there...aren't they the most handsome 9 & 6 year old boys you have ever seen...I totally think so :)

Our family trip to the orchard...the Mutsu apples were amazing this year (as always)

Playing on the hay bale maze

Grandma coming & getting to see Zach's new school

Zach's friend who was also adopted from Guatemala, so cute!

We met Brian's friend & his wife at a Korean BBQ for dinner (it was sooooo good)...plan did backfire to bring our kids really hungry to the dinner, took a long time to cook our food at our table...every trick was out of the bag to entertain them while we waited.

BJ's walk-a-thon...beautiful day!

My sister's family came to visit, we packed in a lot of fun...feeding the ducks

We borrowed the neighbors bikes to get to the Cider Mill...11 of us...was a small parade!

We had a great time & the best news is Ellyana has been playing with dolls, packing up backpacks & "serving" her play food ever since they left. She needed sometime with girls! The kids all had so much fun together!

The tree above our garage, it was a blaze of color the day before we took this picture! It has been a gorgeous fall around here!

Getting to go to Grandma & Grandpas for a fun weekend with the cousins & aunts & uncles & the baby kittys.

And guess who is almost...3...the birthday countdown has begun!!!

Abandoned in Guatemala: The Failure of International Adoption Policies

2011-10-12T14:40:00.002-04:00

We adopted our precious, Zach, about 5 1/2 years ago before Guatemala closed to international adoption. This video is worth your time to know what has went on, what is going on, and how to keep your prayers up-to-date as we pray for children around the world. I do not think only Unicef is to blame for this, unfortunately there a host of reasons probably Guatemala closed to adoptions.
And as we prayed earlier this year that adoptions would stay open in Ethiopia, a few people asked...do you really think they would stop adoptions in Ethiopia, what would they do with all the children?
We all like to say..."God loves adoption, His heart is for the orphan" but the reality is the opposite is true also..."Satan hates adoption". He uses any means he can to destroy family. May we pray and advocate more these precious ones!

The beginning of fall...

2011-09-20T16:42:00.006-04:00

The 3rd graders in our town got to participate in our town's Old-Fashion type Festival. They had a lot of neat activities for the 3rd graders during the day & BJ & I walked in the parade in the evening. It was an amazing "step-back" in time. I had figured if BJ dressed up, the other 2 would want to also...these kids love any chance to be in costume :)

The boys both got to go by themselves with Mom for ice-cream as school started...I didn't have my camera for Zach & I's date...but it was delicious.

And here we are at BJ's Classroom Open House...he looks quite comfortable...he gets his same teacher as last year...so we are so very thankful for that! Zach's year is going so well too...only the little Sister is having the roughest time adjusting...where did all the action go? and the comic relief!?!! She'll get the hang of it...but she is VERY happy to see the boys each time at "pick-up"...where are "my boys" she keeps asking!

Lots of last "hurrahs"...its "back-to-school" time!!!

2011-09-04T21:36:00.004-04:00

So its the time of the year I dread most...I'm going to miss the boys so much! We have had the best summer together (I think I say that every year :)

We have been living it up...trying to make the most of every moment! Going to the beach 1 last time, the pool, using our free "Happy Meal" coupons...the rest of the pictures are not in order but you can get the idea...One of the boys favorite times of the year...our Church's Father/Child Campout...sounds like a "blast"...Zach spent a lot of time playing with the toads & frogs

And this picture captures the "itch"... 54 mosquitos bites for Zach, 34 for BJ...sounds like they bite right through layers of OFF!

Ellyana's 1st trip to the dentist, she was a "champ"...we knew what we were going to hear...she needs to stop taking her bottle...bummer, this girl LOVES her ba-ba...we are down to 2 a day...you should be impressed!

The kids & I have gotten through several books this summer...we are loving our 1st read of Stuart Little!

Helped out with a Christian picnic reaching out to Internationals...lots of International students just getting here to the States...always amazed at the opportunity & openess of these people who will go back to be the leaders in their countries...what a mission field the Lord brings to us!

Yes, the sign reads ages 4-8, they said it was fine for Ellyana to go on the Kiddie Karts even though she isn't even 3...she was such a good driver (minus the "50" near-misses, at first I was cringing...then I realized she kept managing to avoid diaster...it was the hardest we've laughed in a long time!)

She was the lighest weight one on the track...so her car FLEW!

Mini-golf...always a family fav

The end of our day at the Zoo...at some point I'll realize their legs cant' carry them that far...and I'll bring the double stroller

Our picnic & feeding the peacock

And a special treat of seeing the 3D 4D Dora movie, it was really cool!

And here's Zach with his new teacher at his Kindergarten Round-up...he's excited...he said he already made 2 or 10 friends on his 1/2 day of school...Zach has the gift of "friendship" and it is neat to see him in a place for him to be loved & learn & grow another year!

Tuesday AM we hit the ground running, our life won't be the same till mid-June. God has proven Himself faithful & we trust Him again for this year!

How much "wonderful" can you pack in one trip...

2011-08-24T21:47:00.009-04:00

Last week, we had such a great time in Illinois...lots of getting to connect with friends and family and lots of relaxing!

Our amazing priviledge that our paths crossed with our beloved Dr. Parkhe who was here from India and his son, who our boys affectionately call "Omlet" and our dear Joe.

So much good time with Grandpa & Grandma!An August birthday celebration!

Getting to go to "Hymn Sing" with Great-Grandma.

Precious friend, Jada...2 really "silly" girls!

Getting to ride "Jeeps" any chance they had and swimming in any other spare moment...in some of the most beautiful days of the summer!The boys had been dreaming of "playing golf" so they got in a little time at the Driving Range before Brian left for his few days at a work conference.

We also got in some time with our Out-of-town Potluck and me and kids with girlfriends...both events I failed to bring our camera. Its amazing how much older our kids seem this year...they had a BLAST playing with the kids and we had soooo much fun getting to catch-up with our friends!

And the last morning, I got to go to the hospital with my sister while this little guy got "tubes in his ears"...yes, he won over all the nurses with his darling-ness!

We headed home, so thankful for our time together with family and friends...and so thankful for the fun and relaxation we had!!!

Happy Birthday 9th Birthday, precious boy!!!

2011-08-07T21:17:00.005-04:00

How does it happen that a tiny 1 lb 10oz baby born 9 years ago grows up and stands a big little man in our home?

How does it happen that a baby with one of the roughest starts radiates great JOY wherever he goes? Does that kinda thing come through the hard times or through knowing so many people have prayed for you & God has answered...He has a special plan for your life!
How does it happen that proud as can be parents the day of his birth stand today so humbled and amazed at God's amazing work through BJ's life? What a priviledge to share with others about our "miracle baby"!

Its his teacher, his coach, his music teacher, speech teacher, friends at school and church... "BJ is such a JOY, does he ever get upset?, does he ever stop smiling?, he makes me have a better day just by being around him, when he comes in the room..he just lights it up!"

His life is not without difficulty...several residual things from being a preemie...but his diligence and JOY in the journey is amazing!

This is just the morning, note left with the elaborate sketch I was to depict on the cake...the knock-knock joke book, notes left for us under our door that he was up & ready to see his cake. He LOVES his Playmobile, Legos & every sport! He's loving to swim, is a great help and plays so nice with his brother & sister!

It is a God-thing, we give the glory to Him and we thank Him for blessing our lives and family with this amazing gift...we call "BJ"! Happy Birthday, precious boy, I can't believe you are 9 years old!!!!

We LOVE vacation!!!!

2011-08-05T14:08:00.005-04:00

Dream come true for me...getting to go "Up North"...heard so much about it...it really was GREAT!!!

3 little ducks were "hanging around" our little ducklings at the beach at our hotel in Traverse City. Yes, it was chilly outside but still lots of fun!

No matter where we go on vacation...the favorite always is the same...the hotel pool...many hours enjoyed!!!

The kids loved the little putting green outside our place.

And in Traverse City...all things are CHERRY...a very tasty time of year to go! We all LOVE cherries!

Part of a great vacation is getting to try new restaurants...Bubba's in Traverse City was just as great as Trip Advisor said...

We crossed over the bridge just to say we had been to the U.P....here it is looking back on the bridge.

There was a Lumberjack Show that we went to one evening...so fun for the boys at the ages they are!Waiting for the Mackinaw City Laser light show, we left just a few minutes into it...but the Elephant Ear was worth the wait! We had a fun day on Mackinac Island (maybe needed the double stroller)...but it was amazingly beautiful and peaceful to be there. We had read a book from the library about the Island, so it was really fun to see it "for real life".

And though we got a lot in our 3 night vacation...my favorite part was just getting to be with my hubby & my kids...it was so great to get to be together!!! We LOVE vacation!!

Blessing...this world is not our home!

2011-07-30T21:36:00.002-04:00

Yesterday, Uncle Stevie passed from this life to his GREAT reward! He has a new body, his suffering is gone, he gets to be with JESUS! The questions seem to resurface...why do some people have to bear so much in this life? It is a fallen world and it makes us "homesick" for heaven, but also we are so reminded how our great God can be working beauty in this brokeness!

I've thought often of this song in the last few weeks & was reminded again of it...

We pray for blessings, we pray for peace

Comfort for family, protection while we sleep

We pray for healing, for prosperity

We pray for Your mighty hand to ease our suffering

All the while, You hear each spoken need

Yet love us way too much to give us lesser things

Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops?

What if Your healing comes through tears

What if a thousand sleepless nights Are what it takes to know You’re near?

What if trials of this life Are Your mercies in disguise?

We pray for wisdom, Your voice to hear

We cry in anger when we cannot feel You near

We doubt Your goodness, we doubt Your love

As if every promise from Your Word is not enough

And all the while You hear each desperate plea

And long that we'd have faith to believe

When friends betray us, when darkness seems to win

We know the pain reminds this heartThat this is not, this is not our home

What if my greatest disappointments

Or the aching of this life Is the revealing of a greater thirst this world can’t satisfy?

And what if trials of this life The rain, the storms, the hardest nights

Are Your mercies in disguise?

Blessing...by Laura Story

Serena or Venus?

2011-07-24T18:39:00.002-04:00

Here she was in the backyard.. Brian wondered which Williams sister she looked like!?!

Free Juggling Shows

Loving the summer fruit

And lots of popsicles!!!

Summer Time fun...

2011-07-17T21:20:00.006-04:00

Valiant effort at family pic...that is all we can say...

Fun "end-of-the-season" tourney for the boys...lost all 3 games & still had a lot of fun! Very high scoring event...29 to 26 :)

Cheering section...

Cute kids...

Free face painting at the grocery store (this was a monkey)

Sister Bear

A favorite thing to do at Grandpa & Grandma's

Lots of water fun

Just the beginning of birthday celebrations...its not till August!

They had been dreaming of doing a Lemonade Stand...they had fun, drank A LOT of their own lemonade & made $2.50 each :)

The rest of the 4th of July fun

Happy 4th of July!!!

2011-07-04T18:47:00.004-04:00

We have had a really fun 4th of July weekend, lots of friends here to celebrate, fireworks last night, parade this morning & an attempt to set off some firecrakers tonight! The highlight of the parade were about 20 unicyclists in descending heights (couldn't get them all in the pic) but they were very cool!

Thankful for the fun and the blessings of the weekend...so much to celebrate with our great country's freedom! God bless America, land that I love!

Easy idea to do for others AND fun Guatemalan lunch

2011-06-26T16:55:00.003-04:00

In addition to ALL the shoes that were so easily collected for Ethiopia (see post below), we also did a SCHOOL SUPPLY collection for the inner-city near us. The response was tremendous. We just had some notices go out in the usual school e-mails & put a box in the front of our public school (again with great support from our principal). Families dropped off any extra supplies (stickers, markers, crayons, paper, coloring books..)...anything in good condition. And we had the priviledge of bringing those to the inner city school who's students do not have all this stuff to play with over the summer. The inner city school was super appreciative. It is so great to get to connect our "extra" with someone who thinks its "special". We also left the box open at the end of the school year for any supplies parents didn't want at home...we plan to distribute those also for summer-time fun for more inner city kids.

So all of this brought us near a Guatemalan restaurant (in daylight hours). It was the 1st time we have had Guatemalan food since we were there picking up Zach. (and no, it does NOT taste like Mexican, but it super delicious also) The smells & tastes brought back so many good memories. The restaurant was decorated great, very clean (bonus for me :), and the food was outstanding!
Zach loved everything he tried & was so proud of being there. We were totally loving ourselves too...he said at some point "are you so happy I was from Guatemala so you could eat here?" We are sooo happy he is from Guatemala!!! I proudly told the waitress that he was from Guatemala, she said she already could tell. It was authentic Guatemalans running the restaurant (very limited English) but very hard workers!Zach's favorite was getting to drink pop from the bottle!

Guatemalan tableclothes
And they had an amazing wall with so many pictures on it, bringing back so many memories, it was so fun to get to talk about them with Zach! We missed BJ because he was at school, but we will look forward to going back again!!!!

Somebody that loves Jesus most of all...

2011-06-19T22:33:00.003-04:00

When the kids ask about how people know who to marry...I usually say that you should look for someone that loves Jesus most of all.

It is my priviledge to married to this guy & its amazing how his role of father falls right in place. We are so thankful for the amazing Christian heritage we have from both of our fathers & I love getting to see this daily around this house!

As for the picture, it is the day Ellyana came home..I love it because you can see a "proud papa" in his eyes...and he feels this way about each of our kids! What a blessing!!

Happy Father's Day, love!

It REALLY was all 1 day...the last day of school!!!!

2011-06-17T18:25:00.004-04:00

Yesterday was the last day of school!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We may have the latest "summer break" of any school I have heard of, but don't worry these have not been "heavy" on academics weeks...lots of fun stuff for the kids...yesterday topped it all off! BJ's sweet 2nd grade teacher this year has journeyed with us & we have no doubt God is the One the had her in his path! She loves the Lord & she loved the kids. BJ's grade had a "bowling party with pizza" followed by an ice cream party later in the day. BJ's bumper bowling score 101 :)

Zach's class had a "Beach Party"...slip n slide, sprinkler, freezy pops, pizza...they had so much fun!!!

His class has grown up soooo much over the year, its hard to believe it is even the same class...and kids from around the world in his class...he's had a great experience!His teacher did a fantastic job with this class & we are thankful Zach had her this year!
After the "countdown" & screaming to end the year...we came home & this big guy "crashed" (never seen this before)...

Then it was off to BJ's game & then Zach's T-ball game, where he was "Player of the Game"...he's quick, he's got a swing & he LOVES baseball...And well, Sister she did OK...here she is at the end of the day, with a Dum-Dum sucker...that's how we make it through big days...and she did get treated to a babysitter in the afternoon so she could sleep at home ;)

The boys really have had a good year, so they weren't really dying for summer break...but I was...I have missed them EVERYday they have been gone at school, our kids are JOYS to be with & I will not miss the "running" & schedule of school. We do keep busy in the summer but we are hoping for LOTS of relaxing too!

HAPPY SUMMER, FINALLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Shoes Galore-y..455 pairs to Ethiopia!!!!!

2011-06-12T22:31:00.003-04:00

What does that many shoes look like? THIS...its a beautiful sight!!!!

Almost 2 years for a dream to come true...

People ask what did I think about "Ethiopia" when we went to pick up Ellyana...

*It was beautiful country with amazingly beautiful people (inside & out).

I could go on & on about this one.

*And well, the poverty is unbelieveable.

*But what shook me so much in all of this, were huge number of people without shoes.

There they were with objects on their feet to try to make a makeshift shoes.

Sore feet.

Little kids trying to walk in big men's shoes.

People with so little money they stopped at road side stands to try to repair

cheap worn-out flip-flops.

People trudging far for water with such swollen feet and legs from no shoes.

Oh, we had packed as many donations as we could...but my heart ached to have suitcases full of shoes to hand out to all these people. Just to make their daily life better.

A friend did a "Soles for Jesus" drive & this got me excited...this organization had seen the same thing in Ethiopia & that is their heart to donate shoes to the

orphanages, hospitals & street children in Ethiopia.

"Soles for Jesus" http://www.solesforjesus.org/ has information for public place shoe drives. So with prayer, I talked with our public school principal to do a shoe drive at our elementary school. He was excited, wanted the Student Council to do the advertising & even agreed to a "A Day without Shoes" (in the classroom) for any student that brought in shoes to donate.

That was Friday and the response was tremendous. Lots of neat stories from the moms how touched their kids were to give their shoes. One mom saw 2 boys at the bus stop with garbage bags full of shoes. I had gotten a lot of flip-flops on sale at the end of the year last year & kids that didn't have shoes to donate, could give $3 to sponsor a pair all the way to Ethiopia.

It was exciting to say the very least...455 kiddos in Ethiopia to get shoes,

way better than I could have stuffed in my suitcase!

We plan to do another collection this summer for VBS & well,

it sounds like our school wants to collect again next year!

I LOVE how God works!

So easy to do...as a school, church, neighborhood, friends, work... "Soles for Jesus" has lots of info on their website & they are super helpful when you e-mail. We figured out the cheapest mailing options (if you need that info) & there is a drop-off center in Chicago if you around there. Anybody with kids who out-grow shoes can participate!

And another great part of this was seeing our boys work so diligently to get the shoes ready to ship off yesterday! So happy to be HIS hands & feet! :)

Fun and thankfulness

2011-06-05T21:28:00.005-04:00

Our boys grew up with "I love toy trains" & "All About John Deere" videos...we were able to check lots of them out from the library...and I can remember BJ as a toddler loving the videos & the boys still love them today. And here's the guy that started it all (as close to famous people as we get;)...as we visited his store with everything imaginable related to trains!

Here's the boys enjoying 6 trains going at once in a room-sized train track...

We had some wonderful days relaxing & having fun with my family in W. Michigan! So great to get to be together & so fun just to kick back on a little vacation!

The kids loving getting to play at the beach...counting the days till summer break & lots more days of getting to do this!

We were close to the Dunes, so they were very fun for the kids too...the girls are my sister's...she is the supplier of so many of Ellyana's cute clothes..very fun!

Dad did a neat thing on vacation as he had the family prior to vacation each come up with "100 things we are thankful for" lists (the kids did 10) then numbers were pulled out of the bowl & the family took turns sharing random numbers of thankfulness. I was thankful for the exercise, I had been wanting to get a formal list started since reading "1000 gifts"...so much to be thankful for, its impossible to stop. The Scripture is full of reminders to do this, may my heart be full of thank-FULL ness!!!And at the "Learning Fair" at school...Zach got to tour us around the amazing "Rainforest" his class had created...lots of hard work...he was really proud!

BJ's class has been studying local history & got to visit the village one-room school house. The kids were very excited!
BJ's sweet class in front of the village church they toured.

We are so thankful for the wonderful year the boys have had at school this year! We were thankful for the blessing of the little vacation...the calm before the storm...its going to be a crazy few weeks as school finishes up!

Our sweet neighbor let the kids pick out plants to put in her garden...she even let them do the planting!

We have much to be thankful for...the Lord is faithful & gracious!

Look, Mom, a mustache & signs of spring...

2011-05-26T16:41:00.004-04:00

Its just a gummy worm, so funny she came up with this one on her own

Planted this rhubarb last year...it has grown like crazy...rhubarb cake, so delicious (again do not make a double recipe in a cookie sheet pan ;)

Garage sale treasure, they have liked playing on this because they can "dunk"

Precious outfit from our sister-in-law, huge lilac bush

Playing with a baby...a rare but exciting happening around here

Buddies out for a morning stomp in the rain puddles

District "Art Show" then off to the T-ball game...we were very impressed with the boys' creative abilities...doesn't come from home...glad they have a good Art Teacher

Blessings to your Spring!!!

When GOD shows up...

2011-05-22T20:30:00.002-04:00

We had a great weekend with church stuff & today's Scripture passage reminded me of an amazing time when God showed up...

Almost exactly 3 years ago we were praying about adopting again, we had spent months praying, researching, praying, talking together, praying together... and we felt like God was leading us to adopt a baby girl from Ethiopia. Yet, it was BIG decision and so it felt like we could just keep "praying" about forever, so we set a deadline, by date X if we both didn't feel at complete peace we would just take a break from praying about it for awhile.

On exactly Date X, we had a visiting minister from out-of-state who started preaching & then he had to stop as he shared that he had a dream the night before that he was talking to a black man and the man was asking why we didn't do more to reach his people with the Gospel. The minister preaching said he doesn't usually have dreams like that and he didn't really even know why he was sharing it over the pulpit.

I knew, I began to cry, God had sent this man, given him this dream & then he "happened" to share it with the church on the exact day marked for our decision... GOD SHOWED UP!

And then began our adoption process for our precious Ellyana, who we are soooo very delighted to have in our family .

Our lives are mostly filled with the nitty-gritty of seeking to do God's will, not often filled with signs & wonders...and that is fine with us...we love the journey! But we are thankful for Ebenezer's in our lives when we can mark...here is the spot...God showed up!

Like today's Scripture...Paul was planning to head to Asia, but the Lord spoke to him in a dream to head to Macedonia...and he did & what a blessing it was!

Rejoicing today in what God has done in the past!

Frills & Flowers

2011-05-20T16:48:00.003-04:00

After "keeping my eye out" for many months for some navy head-something to go with all the navy stuff Ellyana has to wear, no luck. I contacted our good friend & she came up with this darling headband that Ellyana wears A LOT! So cute...can go dressy or casual, very comfy to wear & has held up well in Ellyana's forever quest to keep up with her brothers!

You can see all the great stuff offered at frillsandflowers.etsy.com or

contact frills.flowers@gmail.com And our little night owl, sometimes likes to "do" my hair after the boys are in bed...

this is last night's gem! Somehow, I think she looks a lot better than me in "hair gear"!

What's your "2 word story"?

2011-05-17T13:57:00.002-04:00

Its everywhere.

Signs in the yards.

T-shirts.

Bumper Stickers.

Churches have been mobilized.

The people have been trained.

And they are in action,

reaching out to the homeless, their neighbors, their friends, the grocery store clerks...

with the message of the gospel.

Peace? Peace.

Forgiven? Forgiven.

Loved? Loved.

And many more are all over right now.

This area needed revitalized. But revival starts in the heart with Jesus.

What would be my "2 word story"?

Enough? Enough.

Its hard to know if you are ever doing enough.

Yet, when we look to Jesus we see HE paid the price, and it was enough.

Enough, period.

Pray for this area. Think about your area & what you could do.

God's Spirit is BIG here, opening doors that the message of salvation can be shared!

What's your 2 word story?

2wordstory.com

The days are flying by...

2011-05-14T14:54:00.004-04:00

Our precious Zach turned "6" at the end of April! What a good boy!!!! He is growing up so much!!!He LOVES to celebrate...with sharing about 48 cakes for the day, treat bags for his class, a special sign, pin to wear, Chuck-E-Cheese was his choice with special friends to share the time & the first T-ball practice of the season...his uniform # this year...NUMBER 6! What a special day that he loved & he appreciated so much! Here's Zach with part of his team...the Ironbirds...he's already got a home run...I missed it because I was at BJ's game...kinda how our spring is going to look with the boys in different leagues.BJ went up to the next league & is enjoying his season with a bunch of nice buddies from school!

BJ's class hosted a "Poetry Cafe"...it was just darling...we were "waited" on, ordered our "poem", and then our waiter came and read us the poem we selected...it was delicious!

We had such a fun visit with Uncle Kent & Aunt Joann...they got in on "our lives"...picking the boys up from school, baseball games, local food, Farmer's Market...
Look at this precious outfit from them to Ellyana...she "stole the show" in it...
Here we are (minus BJ) at Coney Island! We all had so much fun being together!

And just for the record, we brought a whole new meaning to "firing up lunch" for the church on Mother's Day. The kids enjoy helping make Mindy Rolls...BJ's special job of dipping them in lots of butter...the butter went over in the pan (yes, I crammed in way too many) while baking them Sunday morning at church...smoke billowed out...set off the smoke alarms that were connected to the fire station that brought in 2 big fire trucks to the church...just as people were beginning to arrive for the morning. Thankfully, nothing was harmed, not even the rolls. And well, I think everyone got a really good laugh for the day...Happy Mother's Day!

Here's the recipe if you are looking for something fun to include your kids with...each kid has a station & we work like an assembly line...just for the record...you can not fit a double batch on 1 cookie sheet.

RECIPE TITLE: MINDY GREAT ROLLS

INGREDIENTS

1 ½ loaves of white bread
1 (8 oz.) cream cheese, softened
1 egg yolk
1 tsp. vanilla
1/8 cup sugar

2 sticks melted butter (our more if your kid let's them "soak")

Cinnamon sugar mix: 2 cups sugar
2 ½ tsp. cinnamon

METHOD

Trim the crusts off bread and slightly flatten each slice with rolling pin. Mix cream cheese, egg yolk, vanilla and sugar with mixer until well blended. Spread each slice of bread with cream cheese mixture and roll tightly. Roll each piece of bread in butter and cinnamon/sugar mixture, then place seam side down in jelly roll pan. You may refrigerate overnight or bake immediately. If frozen, thaw before baking. Before baking, cut each piece in half to form rolls. Bake in 350 degree oven for 15-20 minutes.

ENJOY!

Chicago, Cousins, Cake=Our Spring Break

2011-04-26T21:17:00.004-04:00

Brian's conference in Chicago at the beginning of Spring Break for the kids was a grand way to get it started. The above picture was at Navy Pier's amazing indoor garden on the top floor. The boys loved getting to show Brian Shedd Aquarium that we had been to in August.I tried to spark a little more "baby doll" interest with Ellyana at the the American Girl Doll store...precious Addy doll. Cheesecake Factory for an early dinner...it was fun & delicious to be back.The kids were thrilled to get to stay at my brother & his wife's amazing place in Chicago and Brian & I got to enjoy some late night Deep Dish Chicago Pizza while catching up them..I had been missing Chicago style pizza...it did not let me down...it was so delicious!!!

We went into Rainforest Cafe & the kids got to look around...but they were not open for lunch till later...so we went across the street to Portillo's. Do you see the common theme to Chicago?...lots of fun & lots of amazing food!!!We headed to my parents & really enjoyed my Grandma's 85th birthday party! Wonderful to see aunts, uncles, cousins & many great-aunts & uncles...so special to be with everyone!!!Lots of fun with the cousins...My sister & I were able to visit my other sister for a "birthday breakfast" which was special because they are awaiting baby #2 any moment. And we also had a fun little birthday party for all the rest of us that have April birthdays.
We came home for a few days & the kids got to just play & play here. Its one of my favorite things in the world for our boys to have time to play forever together...the best of friends...what a joy they are to have home! Zach & his cousin have their birthdays this week. 1 day apart these 2 are great buddies!Getting in another Easter egg hunt...3 total for this year...lots of fun for all the kids!

Poor Zach we had highly suspected was allergic to cats. Let's just say..he is!

And always something exciting with visiting the farm, 7 baby bunnies discovered, all the kids got a chance to hold them...here's our 3 kiddos each with a bunny!

So this Spring Break came to an end with an amazing amount of memories with family!

We were so very thankful for our time & the blessing each one is in our lives!

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

2011-04-13T17:14:00.002-04:00

Resurrection Cookies, Coloring Eggs, Resurrection Eggs, Easter Music and Egg Hunts...

it reminds us of ONE thing...He is RISEN!!!

The POWER of the Empty Tomb & our Resurrected Lord,

He can LIVE today in your heart & mine!

The best news of ALL time..."He is NOT here, for HE has RISEN!"

Dream Morning

2011-04-07T10:24:00.002-04:00

I have been super excited for yesterday morning! Wonderful friends from church came together with friends from away for an awesome morning focused on "Orphans". Amy did an incredible job presenting "God's Heart for Orphans" and our Biblical responsibility to pray & act!

It was so fun to meet her girls in person. http://jonandamyg.blogspot.com/

Amber and her family are just beginning the adoption process http://connectthedots-amber.blogspot.com/ Check out the new Ordinary Hero t-shirt, super cute & very comfy...the kids one with the red collar so darling!

Ellyana and her sweet friend also from Ethiopia

And we were oh, so happy to have Kristy & Charis here for a couple of nights...it was so awesome to get to catch up with Kristy and so fun to see our kids together. The girls really enjoyed being together! Kristy is the one who put together the awesome "Taste of Heaven" Lifesong Cookbook...http://kccommunicationwiththeoutsideworld.blogspot.com/

And here's our crew ready to "head out" for the morning!

Nothin' better than fun friends and a time with a great focus! May your heart be filled with Jesus & your week be blessed!

Thankfulness

2011-04-06T18:38:00.008-04:00

Christian hands never clasp

and He doesn't give gifts for gain

because a gift can never stop being a gift-

it is always meant to be given.

taken from book

"one thousand gifts"

by ann voskamp

Havin' some fun

2011-03-29T20:45:00.005-04:00

The Sunday School Easter Program was Sunday night...great way to be reminded of God's Love going into this season. Lots of time being spent with Consumer Reports & such trying to figure out what to do about our camera that is barely working...need to return the next one we tried... Was able to go with BJ on his 1st school bus ride to a Jiffy Factory field trip...it was nice place with nice people...makes you want to buy a Jiffy mixWe've had some wonderful weekends with visits from grandparents...didn't take good pictures...so this is it...having fun with the helicopter...the boys got to see both sets of Grandparents this weekend as they went on a 24 hour road trip with my parents...lots of fun, they are growing up too quick! We finally got to connect with some local Ethiopian adoptive families. It was a nice time & delicious to get Ethiopian food again. Ellyana ate soooo much and had so much fun with the kiddos!

She played well with the little ones & tried acting just like the big ones. They all seemed to be good natured, beautiful children!

And here she is in her Ethiopian dress one last time...it is sooo tight...took 2 of us to get her in & out of it...she just kept saying she was "stuck" (and she pretty much was ;)

And we might not have a good working camera in the house, but thankfully we have a "future" superhero...especially when the camera dates everything 2013!

We are anything but Irish...

2011-03-17T18:24:00.002-04:00

We did enjoy some corned beef & cabbage (at least most of us did ;) We are enjoying the awesome warm weather...and we would like to wish you a Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Good news re: Ethiopian adoptions...things are not settled but it sounds like there are good measures being put in place for the children of Ethiopia...to GOD be the glory, great things HE has done! If you have prayed, signed the petition, shared with a friend...or prayed some more! A very big "thank you"! Continued prayers would be in order, but for where things have come in just one week...we celebrate!

Update on Ethiopian Adoption Situation

2011-03-16T19:04:00.002-04:00

Very well-written letters are attached...

They are very worth your time to read.

They are worth passing on to friends and family to understand the situation better. And to PRAY with fervency and urgency. This remains very serious.

http://www.jointcouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/Jane-Aronson-Letter-to-Pres-Clinton-March-2011.pdf

http://www.jointcouncil.org/ethiopia-washington-times-article-by-andrea-poe/

God is big, but He asks us to pray!

Why would you not do all you can?

2011-03-10T20:12:00.006-05:00

One thing that I have been surprised at with all the news of Ethiopia adoption programs, is the lack of interest/urgency with many people that I may have considered "orphan advocates"...what is it?

*possibly too many "rumors" that have circulated, don't want to risk being a part one

*possibly a lack of seeing it as something that can truely be "influenced"

*possibly "orphan fatigue"

*or possibly, we knew changes needed to be made in international adoption, this just may be God's way of doing it

I still believe our immediate and even urgent response is right in this situation.

*Information has been supplied by very trust-worthy sources and verified.

*Things are just now being put into place, so the opportunity to influence is more open than when things are already established, see below, they are encouraging participation by Monday.

*Though it seems blog & e-mails are filled with this, but what if they "truely" were, what if everyone used their sphere of influence to contact all the people they can to really PRAY, this should be really exciting to us

*and the "hot topic" regarding orphans/adoptions...

it is going to take ALL of us in every way we can!

Above is picture of us visiting the Home of Hope in Ethiopia, local family in Ethiopia caring for orphaned kids (see Loving Shepherd side bar link). There is foster care, domestic adoption, child sponsorship programs, orphanages, programs for at-risk youth, clean water initiatives, and international adoption. These are not exclusive of each other, it is going to take all of these and many more to reach the children of the world. We can not afford to have big doors close, because we did not act, especially because we did not "care".

*So have you prayed about this situation, fervently? Do you trust that God is big enough to influence leaders? Can you pray with FAITH?

*Have you taken the minute to fill out the petition?

*Have you taken the time to contact your "sphere of influence" to encourage them to PRAY!?!

This is not a panic, this simple Biblical faith being

lived out in a practical way.

A sad day for Ethiopian adoptions

2011-03-08T17:43:00.008-05:00

Dear Family & Friends,

Very sad news was shared that the Ethiopian government is planning to cut adoptions by up to 90%. We had heard rumors, and still there is a chance that this may not take place...please join with us to fervently pray and also to sign the on-line petition.

We know things are not "perfect" in the adoption world and so often on our adoption journeys we have felt Satan's hand trying to thwart God's plan, and yet personally, we have had 2 beautiful experiences with adoption. We have also seen the country of Guatemala virtually close to further adoptions due to government regulations. To think of all of the orphans needing families and yet having to remain in orphanages for many more years, is more than we can even bear to think. Oh, how our hearts ache for these all these kids, as we know God's heart does too!

Please pray & sign the on-line petition at

http://www.gopetition.com/petition/43714.html

Many blessings to you!
The Blume's

We count it our very great priviledge to have our precious children, and that 2 of our kids are "orphaned" no more...

And yet for those that were left behind...WE PRAY!!!!

We go "fwimming", mom?

2011-03-03T19:24:00.004-05:00

Yes, the little 2 yr old "fish" in our family, loves to go "fwimming". We were happy to take her & her 2 brother "fish" to a hotel with pools this week for a little "vacation" as we call it (1 night :) Everybody had fun & swam & swam. Now I just have to keep all swimsuits & floaties & googles hidden because "little fishie" thinks we should go again...only 3 more months till the beach opens, Sweetheart!

About the only break we took from the pool, was "pretzel rolling"...very tasty!

"You've got the variety pack..."

2011-02-24T20:58:00.005-05:00

It was a few weeks ago the kids & I were coming out of the library, it was SUPER windy. The boys had run a little bit ahead by van, I was running through the parking lot carrying Ellyana and the bags of books. We all were kinda laughing & screaming about how crazy windy it was. A lady got out of her car & saw Ellyana & I running, she smiled, then she rounded the corner & saw the boys, she called back to me "you've got the variety pack". I smiled too & called back, "I sure do!"

What a compliment, it was said with a smile, and well, we LOVE variety! Especially, when God is the One who put it together! So happy for our "pack"!

And for anyone who knows us in person, we pretty much are a "Variety Show" at all times & pretty much keep the saying true "variety is the spice of life" ;)

In other news:

BJ got his cast off on Wed.

Zach thought it would be worth getting up early to watch the cast being sawed off

The boys finished Indoor Soccer, they had a lot of fun their 1st time in the sport & learned a lot

Blessings to you!!!

Happy Valentine's Day from the Sillys

2011-02-13T20:30:00.002-05:00

For whatever reason, they have been HARD to take seriously lately...

"We LOVE Him, because He first LOVED us."

Seeing God's work in a friend...

2011-02-10T17:17:00.004-05:00

Kristy has been a dear friend for years, enjoy her "featured story" it does a beautiful job of sharing God's work

Read her story:
http://lifewithapersonalgod.blogspot.com/2011/02/everyone-has-story-kristys-story-love.html

See her pictures:
http://kccommunicationwiththeoutsideworld.blogspot.com/

Scroll down and see the Lifesong Cookbook she's been working on...its to benefit orphans so we already loved it! But seriously, I LOVE cookbooks and this one has it all...the old, tried & trues & the new fun stuff...it is a treasure!
http://www.lifesongfororphans.org/store.html

May you be encouraged & may God use you as He so faithfully has used Kristy & Ben!

Happy "Coming Home" Day, Zach...5 years!!!!!!

2011-02-02T17:31:00.003-05:00

Soccer cupcakes & a friend over for lunch A few "treasures" throughout the day...all stuff he couldn't live without ;)Glo-golfing with our family(found BJ's old Guatemala shirt that fits Zach now...he was excited to wear it)

Our family, so thankful for our precious son from Guatemala

Its hard to believe ago that 5 years ago yesterday, you came HOME!!!! Yes, Dad & I had already visited you in Guatemala...but we had been waiting so long to get you HOME! You were a precious little 9 1/2 month old baby, who already loved our family! We love you so very much, you are a very good boy who is growing into a little man, a very fun best-friend for your brother & such a wonderful BIG brother for your little sister! We can't imagine life without you (it would be way too boring!), we know God has great things for you!!! We love you our precious, Zachariah, we are sooo happy to have you in our family!!!

Oh, we love these kids...

2011-01-27T21:05:00.005-05:00

It was going to be a quiet month, getting lots of things organized & done, enjoying the kids...

Here's the 2 "not-so-little ones" having fun in Ellyana's baby doll pack-n-play

Ellyana having fun trying on a beautiful hand-me down dress...

hoping it still fits this summer on our growing girl

Zach decided he wanted to try out a tie & sports coat to wear to church...

about made your heart melt

Wanted to capture our little "joy-bell" in the morning..

love her in her sleeper & bedhead with her juice sippy
Zach with his Playmobile people

All 3 kids helping the neighbors with shoveling

Zach finally got his turn as "Star of the Week", he's really been waiting

And we celebrated MLK Day with our Community, Ellyana loved it!

Never had been before, I took the 2 little ones, we had to walk in from the front of the room, the whole first section was almost filled & all the other front seats were marked for "Honored Guests"...we headed for the back (was planning on sitting there anyway). Wondered who would be sitting in the back with us? Looked around... State Representative, State Senator, Mayor...made you wonder who all the "honored guests" in the front were? We enjoyed the Old Spirituals by the choir & some nice speeches. We did have to leave early, so we were glad to be able to exit toward the back. It was a humbling day to remember where things have come from, not too long ago & so thankful for the progress that has been made.

Our month has surprisingly been filled with appointments & lots of stuff going on...the most recent...BJ broke his arm Monday evening playing football in the basement with Dad & Zach, he fell back & caught himself with his right arm. Great mom, sent him to school Tuesday with Tylenol, he was not doing great by Tuesday afternoon..so we headed to the ER. They splinted him & Wed. he was able to get his real cast on. Its an adjustment, since he uses his Right arm for everything.
This is Eddie, he's been putting on casts for 40 years, he was really nice to BJ. We have much to be thankful for...this is our 1st broken bone (surprising for all the sports & horsing around that go on around here), its not his leg (crutches would be a nightmare in the winter), we just had happened to rearrange the boys' room on Saturday (BJ now has a bed he can crawl in & out of with his good arm), and the 2nd hand store happened to have long sleeve shirts on sale for $1 so I can cut the sleeves to fit without ruining his nicer shirts.

And all the kids have been troopers through this unexpectedly crazy month.

We celebrated how great they have done through it all last night. We had to laugh as Brian noticed our table, a familiar theme...chocolate! God's grace & maybe more than a little bit of chocolate has gotten us through! Here's to a quiet-organizing- getting- things- done month of February!

It was a VERY Merry Christmas!

2011-01-02T16:53:00.007-05:00

Finishing up our family Christmas mealOpening gifts at home, Ellyana wrapping her baby up in leftover wrapping paper

Getting to visit the Rinks...the girls are still so similar (don't know how to post the video of the girls flying down the stairs together) & the all the boys have fun together too! Having fun visiting Great-Grandma

Precious time visiting Uncle Stevie with all my siblings & Mom...He LOVED Mom's homemade fudge!

Aunt Bonnie with BJ

Grandma & Grandpa with all the grandkids...Ellyana modeling her new swimsuit!

We had such a good time with Brian's family too, an extended family Christmas, visiting his brother's house, the guys playing walleyball, Grandma & the kids & I out for Chinese lunch, the kids getting to sled behind a pickup truck in an open field (wish I could post the video) & the last day the immediate family Christmas...

Zach with the gift he has been waiting for...

Ellyana enjoying her new Baby Alive

Brian with his brothers & Dad and the tasty fun of a HUGE box of chocolates!

We had great time with many friends & family...we feel so thankful to have each one in our lives! The presents were so fun & the kids have enjoyed getting the past few days playing with all of them! The kids are growing up so fast & tomorrow starts back to school! We thank the Lord for the precious season of fun that we have had!

Merry Christmas from our family!!!!

2010-12-19T19:42:00.004-05:00

Love this picture of Ellyana with Daddy, can you see her precious dimple!?!

We had a coupon for cupcakes at the mall...how else do you get 3 kiddos in their Christmas clothes to smile big..."Our Little Cupcake" was very happy to see the store of cupcakes

Guess who likes to pick out her own clothes...this outfit topped them all! Didn't catch the gray stocking hat on her head!

Zach lost his first tooth, in his words..."Dad broke it off"...not sure it was quite ready but the other one is coming in big behind
Marathon day of Christmas parties at school

Enjoying a Christmas Concert as a family

Many blessings to you this Christmas season! May in the hustle & bustle of these days our hearts be turned to JESUS as the best gift of all, may HIS love fill our hearts & lives with true thankfulness as we celebrate HIM!!!!!

Enjoy this...adding some JOY to the Christmas season!

2010-12-14T18:38:00.001-05:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wp_RHnQ-jgU

8 minutes of inspiring, eternal perspective

2010-12-07T21:21:00.003-05:00

Very worth your time to watch...

Eric Ludy - Depraved Indifference

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UWHJ6-YhSYQ

Lots of pictures...

2010-12-01T14:44:00.009-05:00

Here's Ellyana on her Birthday...with a little family celebration at Chuck-E-Cheese

She played games with Dad, had tons of fun running around, eating pizza & playing...but in very typical 2 year old fashion...was not about to "share" this ride with this mouse

We had some International Students for a traditional Thanksgiving dinner...its was nice to be together & the meal turned out fine...they had never had one...so it was low-pressure on how all the food would turn out

One of our yearly favorites...our towns Lighted Holiday Parade...fun to share with friends...it was ChIlLy this year! Finally, got to connect with some other local Adoptive Families at the huge playland...no chance to get the kids all together for a photo...but all of our 3 kiddos had a blast...it was nice to be with families that are the same as us in so many ways
Our school district hosted "Kids Against Hunger" night...we enjoyed a soup dinner & soup packaging for local & international families that are without food. We got to taste the total nutrition packed soup also...not too bad...but it does make you thankful for what we have!

BJ & Brian won BJ's age bracket at our towns "Turkey Shoot" (not much competition)...but fun...these guys LOVE basketball...and BJ won a frozen turkey for his prize
BJ's class "Friendship Feast"..Turkey lunch in 2nd grade

Zach's been working all month to get ready for his Kindergarten Pow-Wow...he did great in the program...and the whole thing was very cute & fun
Enjoying some time with cousins over Thanksgiving

And Grandma got the "Ellyana" cake (it looks just like her style ;), super delicious too!And here she is again...the Birthday Girl...she loves it! Though when asked how old she is...she says "18"...a comment made in passing by Grandma months ago when she was acting grown up..."how old do you think you are...18?"...well, it stuck in her head & that is what she always answers!

Zach got to see his 2nd cousin who is from Guatemala also...they are super close in age!

Getting to celebrate today with friends from church...Happy Birthday, JESUS!!!!
Decorating cookies

With the 1st snow, 1st day of December ...and today kicks off the "Advent Season"...may our hearts be open each day to the Savior & His love!

Blessings to you this December!!!!

tutu fun to be "2"

2010-11-15T14:38:00.004-05:00

Our hearts could not be more full of thankfulness for this
amazing, precious girl God has placed in our lives!
She brings so much JoY to those around her!
Sometimes she acts like she is a teenager & sometimes just still a baby
...it is the fun of being "2"!

Our version of prayer of 1 Samuel 1:27 & 28

We prayed for this child,

and the Lord has granted us what we asked of Him.
So now we give her to the Lord.
For her whole life she will be given over to the Lord.
And we worship the Lord here.

God has blest us beyond measure with Ellyana as our wonderful gift &

now we pray that He will bless her beyond measure as she grows up to
love & serve Him all of her days!

We love you so very, very, very much... Precious One!
Happy 2nd Birthday!!!!

*beautiful photos compliments of my sister-in-law,
as you can see we actually had "fun" taking the pictures :)

Guess who only has 1 more day of being "1"!?!!

2010-11-13T23:12:00.000-05:00

Great Idea for Winter...without messing the hair

2010-11-08T18:44:00.002-05:00

Crocheted Ear Warmer for Winter!

Made by Joy... see her photobucket...
http://s1225.photobucket.com/albums/ee398/hartlaj/Crocheted%20Creations/?track=share_email _album_view_click

contact her at drh@mtco.com

We just got this today...the flower is interchangeable with a cute button, so we got a red flower too to match her red coat!

A nice, warm, cute option & so much better than pulling on and off a hat to try to keep the frizzies away!!! Joy has darling hats too, very fun & very nicely made!

Over 140 million orphans MINUS 2

2010-11-07T18:48:00.004-05:00

In conclusion of the mini-blog series on "Orphan Sunday"...

On this "Orphan Sunday", we stand humbled, devastated and touched by the number of children in need of families at this moment.

And we stand humbled, amazed & forever grateful that 2 that have found a family within our home!

To God be the glory great things HE has done & we are praying like crazy that HE will continue move hearts to pray, do and give more for children around the world!

Check out great video & resources... http://www.orphansunday.org/

Romans 8:14-17 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with Him, that we may be also glorified together.

What it takes to be adopted

2010-11-05T19:23:00.004-04:00

Can you imagine prospective parents saying, "We'd like to adopt Johnny, but first we want to know a few things. Does he have a house to live in? Does he have money for tuition? Does he have a ride to school every morning and clothes to wear every day? Can he prepare his own meals and mend his own clothes?"
No agency would stand for such talk. Its representative would lift her hand and say, "Wait a minute. You don't understand. You don't adopt Johnny because of what he has; you adopt him because of what he needs. He needs a home."
The same is true with God. He doesn't adopt us because of what we have. He doesn't give us His name because of our wit or wallet or good attitude...

Adoption is something we receive, NOT something we earn.

-Max Lucado

For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. John 3 :17

Let's continue to prepare our hearts for this Sunday, Orphan Sunday

Benefit Auction for Orphans

2010-11-04T18:50:00.002-04:00

Going to be in Central Illinois tomorrow night!?!!

Friday, Nov. 5 at Five Points in Washington
hosted by Loving Shepherd Ministries
http://loving-shepherd.org/

Dinner & lots & lots of great stuff to benefit orphans!!!!

34% of CHRISTIAN FAMILIES consider adoption

2010-11-03T12:23:00.002-04:00

1 % of Christian families actually do.

When is the last time you thought about "orphans"?

2010-11-02T19:42:00.002-04:00

When is the last time you prayed for them?

Orphans are on God's heart. Are they on yours?

Sunday is "Orphan Sunday"...let's be reminded.

Prayer link:

http://www.orphansunday.org/images/stories/files/resources/Orphan%20Sunday%20Prayer.pdf

Redeeming Halloween

2010-10-31T20:45:00.004-04:00

Luigi, Mario & Ellyana Butterfly

Since in my lifetime I have ran the full-range of feelings & actions toward this holiday...I heard a radio program on Friday about "Redeeming Halloween"...and I guess that is what most accurately describes our feelings & actions toward it in the past few years.

Step #1 pray for weeks prior to the time

Step #2 be a "Room Mom" planning the parties for both boys' classrooms

Step #3 be at school all day to see what the boys are seeing to talk about it later (our school may be one of the last schools still doing all out celebrations for the holiday, I won't be sad if some of it disappears)

Zach & Ellyana got to enjoy BJ's party,

Ellyana got treated to a babysitter during Zach's party so she could get a nap

This is my favorite picture of the weekend, 4 little Mario's in Zach's class of 15 kids

Step #4 take the kids to a local church for their HUGE very well-done All Saints Party...to be the fun party in very good taste that the kids always look forward to every year

Zach got to see his dear preschool friend, who happened to be Princess Peach

(its who the boys wanted Ellyana to be since they were Super Mario Bros...

Grandma found the beautiful Butterfly that looks just like Ellyana)

Step #5 invite our closest neighbors for a fajita dinner prior to Trick or Treat, the kids looked so forward to helping & getting ready for them to come (we've been wanting to have them in for a long time...just seemed like a good day to do it)

Step #6 enjoy our neighborhood for the evening...the young kids on the street with their parents, and lots of elderly people in their homes that love to see the kids, their costumes & how they have grown...I can't tell you how many people said they were "waiting" for us to get there...some with little "gifts" prepared for the kids & way too much candy...it is really a "neighborhood night"

The neighbor's 100 lb. pumpkin was the biggest the neighborhood had seen

too much "loot"

Step #7 enjoy some candy & try to get your kids to go to sleep ;)

Ellyana grabbed the boys' costumes & crawled into BJ's bed..

no, she wasn't about to go to sleep

So everything ended well, I'm sure we could have done more to Redeem the weekend and you probably have tons of better ideas, but this seemed exhausting enough. Next year, I told Brian it may just be easier to take a "mini-vacation" and skip the whole thing. We'll see,

but hopefully we were able to bring a blessing to those around us & make some fun family memories in the process.

Ellyana's Butterfly headband

Our 3 little, very precious pumpkins

Happy Redeemed Halloween!!!!!

What is happening to our family!!?!!

2010-10-11T13:49:00.004-04:00

I thought my blood ran "Orange & Blue" & Brian's heart beat for the Boilers...but as the kids headed off to school on Friday...I realized something has happened! Living here, you are EITHER a Michigan or Michigan State fan...and with the big game on Saturday...you HAVE to pick a side! And when the pay check comes from one of the schools...let's just say we'll be loyal there...even if they lost the big game! Just know these kinda things can happen when you are "unequally yoked" (as far as college loyalities are concerned ;)
I do have to admit the "Maize & Blue" is growing on me...maybe it is just because the kids look so cute in it , and its just as cute as can be to hear Ellyana say "Go Meechigon"!

Fall fun!

2010-09-29T17:08:00.008-04:00

Last hurrah of the summer, the guys went camping with the group from church...they set up the tent in our backyard...just so Ellyana & I could see what it was like...very cool!
Zach started PM Kindergarten, he is ABSOLUTELY loving it! He's as happy as can be, he's only got 16 kids in his class...11 boys...the weekend was too long...he couldn't wait to get back to school on Monday!

Here he is waiting to go in the first day...tough day for mommy "letting go"...so much rejoicing now to see him so happy where God has him!Ellyana LOVES to talk on the phone, "Gam-ma?" She talks & listens for a little bit & then starts pushing all the buttons.
Street hockey with soccer shin guards, ski goggles & a mower & doll car?Ellyana was happy to get to be in the "haircut chair" on the night of the guys' haircuts...it was a sad day for me to snip out a couple of "knots"...all the website advice, multiple hair products, and the satin pillowcase did not prevent them...we'll keep trying!

At our local "Victorian Festival" (a very scaled down version of the Pumpkin Festival with lots of people wandering around in long dresses & wide hats & guys in knickers)...BJ did awesome again at free throws...even beating out his dad

The kids trying their 1st cotton candy...while waiting for the parade...I would say the cotton candy got "mixed reviews"

& sharing the "loot" after the parade

OK, this was last year to this year at the orchard...boy, have times changed! Lots more excitement with Sister Bear running around!

Apples to eat

Goats to feed

Hay bales to jump with Daddy
And speaking of Daddy, is that him or a Superhero...side-walking/ side crawling to push the Princess on a trike through a tire!?! It was amazing to watch!

And if you were standing here right now, she would probably yell "BYE-BYE" at the top of her lungs and maybe blow you a kiss!

The last time of summer break...

2010-09-02T17:26:00.000-04:00

An over-due post, but things have been busy ENJOYing our last time of summer break. We had a wonderful trip to Illinois to visit family & be with LOTS of friends that we do not get to connect with very often. It was a priviledge to be with each one!!! We got in a trip to see my sister's family's new home & some time back on campus. The campus is much the same, the friends are gone (thankfully the friendships remain:) & some of the great food is still there to enjoy...

Cousins learning the joys of Jarlings.

Getting to be with girlfriends (we missed you Jode!)

Both girls have been home 1 year, seem so similar & are suriving just fine in their families of brothers! http://janellrink.blogspot.com/

Getting to spend time with my uncle & grandma & the kids with fun cousin time (sorry, the pics started dropping off here)....

Brian told a few of the older girls at our friends event that Ellyana doesn't have any sisters, so they could show her "girl" stuff...she made her "debut" in this beautiful princess dress...she does love to wear around her plastic high heels my sister gave her & bang things with her "wand"...but I don't think she has been in a full princess dress before!

Our friend made these cute headbands for her...
http://mouseymom.blogspot.com

We feel so very blessed for each HIGH quality friend God has blest our lives with & we love it that our kids love to be together too!

After we got home, we had the VERY special honor of hosting Dr. Parkhe & his son, Amit. It really was such a JOY to be together!!! We packed a lot in those days of being together, this trip is the 1st time we have seen each other in about 8 years...so happy they could meet our kids!

BJ really enjoyed the traditional Indian food

Zach & Ellyana decided to stick with chicken nuggets.
And this week has been a wonderful week of doing whatever...the beach, the pool, bowling, bike riding, playing outside...soaking in the last few days of summer, it feels too soon to be over. I'm sure I would be still saying that in 6 months...I love having my kids home & not being on a tight schedule...with both boys headed to school in the fall...I'm very sentimental...we had "meet the teacher" night last night...it is peaceful & good & we are so thankful for how God has done abundantly more than we can ask or imagine...to HIM we give all the glory & we trust HIM for this next school year!

Ellyana's "Forever Family Day"

2010-08-14T19:17:00.000-04:00

1 year ago today, Dad & I landed & precious Ellyana got to meet Brian and the boys...what a happy day that was!!!

Tonight we celebrated the beautiful country from which Ellyana came & our wonderful year together as a family! We enjoyed a nearby Ethiopian restaurant.
The restaurant is beautiful, it was fun to be back with the sights, smell & food of Ethiopia.

The food was delicious & fun to eat...

Here's Brian & BJ in their Ethiopian T-shirts, with Ellyana in her traditional dress, one of the men at the restaurant said the dress she was in, was similar to the wedding dresses from the Wolaita region that she came.
Zach thought the HOT cloths that they gave us at the table (before & after we ate) were awesome!
Ellyana trying her first tastes of Ethiopian food (she was mostly on the bottle & just ate bland food when we were there). She was suspicious at first, but then seemed to really like it. At the end she got some spicy lentils, it was hilarious to watch...she ate them then drank A LOT of water, then ate some more, drank a lot & then a little bit later ate some more...it was so cute...she really did seem to enjoy the place! She danced a little to music & seemed to take in all the sights!
Back home she got an Amharic Children's Bible Story book that she liked looking at (Amharic is the language spoken in Ethiopia)

We all enjoyed a few Ethiopian themed cupcakes
And mostly we spent the evening...humbly grateFULL for the blessing of the precious daughter God has entrusted to us, and totally are amazed at the JOY that she brings to our home & wherever she goes! Ellyana, you are SUCH a blessing to our family! We all love you so very, very much!

Little Getaway

2010-08-10T22:48:00.000-04:00

The kids & I had some free days, so we headed to Chicago to visit my brother & his wife! We got to see their great place, their church, meet some of their friends...it is so amazing to see how God is using them in the city! We also got to take in the zoo, meet up with my cousin (no pics from the meal, it was hectic to say the least ;), eat a Chicago hot dog, & take in Shedd Aquarium. Pretty good for only being in the city about 24 hours. We had such a great time & made so many great memories, we thank the Lord for such a good trip!

The boys LOVE monkeys, the Lincoln Park Zoo has tons of them, always fun to watch!!!

The kids with Jay & Bonnie, it was fun to be together!

Not sure if the kids grasped the awesomeness of the view...but I loved seeing it again!

The boys really LOVED being at the Shedd, they ran from thing to thing...saying, Mom look at this...this was a great fit for them right now. And I have to highly recommend "Fantasea"...it was kinda like a broadway show, overlooking the lake, with real dolphins, whales & seals performing...it was awesome. Shedd tickets are expensive, but the show was definately worth the couple of bucks more, Ellyana even really loved the show!

Lunch on the Shedd Patio

Play area in the basement, was nice way to get energy out before we headed home

We totally appreciate Jay & Bonnie letting this crazy crew letting us "crash" at their house ...we felt so blest to be there!

Our Miracle Baby turns "8"

2010-08-06T14:36:00.000-04:00

On August 7, 2002 our biggest blessing arrived in the smallest package...1 lb. 10 oz...BJ came into this world 3 months early...3 months, 3 NICU's & a move to Indiana later...he finally came home!!!

Thanks to the prayers of countless friends & family our tiny baby, grew & grew...it has been a long road...but God's faithfulness & BJ's amazing progress has been soooo humbling!

In 2005, BJ's best buddy joined our family & we had our move to Michigan!BJ graduated from preschool.Enjoyed T-ballAnd he continued to grow in wisdom and stature!
He graduated from more intense speech & now is just continuing some speech at school.He graduated from a wonderful year of Kindergarten. Loves basketball, bikingSwimming And now has graduated from 1st grade

He got to play on the All-Star team this summer

And he loves his Mom & Dad & brother & sister

So tomorrow he turns "8"...he wanted cupcakes with a lot of M & M's

And to go "Glo-Golfing"
He's the best oldest brother!!!

Tears fill my eyes as I've went through the pictures of BJ growing up, each milestone we hit does that to me. I think I would be that way a little just because he's the first one hitting these steps, but as I think back about all the things we didn't know if he would ever be able to do...they really are a BIG deal. And they are also a BIG deal because we believe in a really BIG God who answered A LOT of prayers...and today he stands like a real "man" in our living room...it is sooo humbling!

He has a precious, tender heart that comes from the Lord. He perserveres through struggles with such a good & thankful attitude. He is a blessing to all those that know him, and we also believe without a doubt that God has actually brought each person into his life to encourage him & love him on this amazing journey of the past 8 years!

Here's a piece of the prayer, I pray with the boys at night, it seems so fitting today...

May you grow up to serve Him all of your days,

May He lead you & guide you in all of your ways,

May He bless your future with friendships that last,

May you cherish your youth & not grow up too fast...

As you rest in God's care I will rest too

Knowing that Jesus is watch over you. Amen.

Here's 1/2 way to his 16th birthday...

Acheivments & Fun in the Summer

2010-07-29T20:50:00.000-04:00

Last Friday, we did our 12 month post-placement report, our last one with our Social Worker that needs sent to Ethiopia & we celebrated at "Five Guys"...great burger & fries near the Social Worker's office...especially special because Dad & I ate at "Five Guys" as our last American meal in the DC airport on the way to Ethiopia...neither of us had ever heard of it...but we enjoyed every bite...it was a fun way to start & end our blessed journey!

OK, do you see a little resemblence between Ellyana & I? It was a far stretch for Brian to see too, but maybe the face shape a little, the shape of our eyes when we smile, the curly hair...or maybe just me trying to look like my little beauty queen ;)

Last stop at the Social Workers office :)

BJ enjoyed playing in the All-Star tourney...here's a pic of him in the catcher's gear...he's growing up...its been so great to have him around this summer, can't believe I have 2 kiddos heading to Elementary School in the fall!!!

We loved having our friends over for a backyard "swim" party...we are so thankful for the good friends God has placed in our lives!

And here it is, the boys turning in their Summer Reading Program logs to get their Certificates & prizes, lots of books have been read to get here...all of it being made extra special because the Children's Librarian is also our dear neighbor!

We are so thankful for the blessings of summer...friends, fun & some FREE TIME!!!!

We did a lot of this...

2010-07-20T22:06:00.000-04:00

We got back from a WONDERFUL vacation with my family...
Ellyana decided from the 1st moment in the pool that she wanted to swim by herself...so with enough gear...she did...it was darling to watch her heading around the pool...

She may have been trying to avoid this ;) Zach & BJ totally loved the pool also...it was so nice to have them as independent swimmers (without floaties!)
Precious picture of the kids headed back from the pool, Zach & his dear cousin Mycah sharing a towel...they were 2 peas in a pod the whole time!We enjoyed the beach every day & in the evening we headed down to watch the sunset & the kids loved doing smores!Sister playing in the sooty sand by the fire, right before she headed into Lake Michigan...fully clothed! She loves the water, and she loves sand too (she fits right in our family!)

Buddies...A few times "out" to get ice cream...

And too many of these to count (especially without great results)...our attempt at an updated family picture...

Our kids

And a "grandkid picture"...this is all the cousins, including our newest little boy cousin, just 2 weeks old...my sister-in-law got some better pictures, but its fun to see them all together!!!

What great memories of being together & having fun! Thank you so much, Mom & Dad!

What have we been up to!!?!

2010-07-08T18:01:00.000-04:00

An amazing visit from Bliss the Clown (aka Aunt Heidi)...the T-ball team loved her!

The end of school, how do we say it another way, it felt like the craziness of the holiday season...here's BJ's end of the year program
Somebody LOVES ice cream at BJ's school's Ice Cream Social (french fries, potato chips, ice cream are some of her very favorites...can you say All-American?...and also she LOVES fruit, just like Zach!)
Displaying his magnetized boat at the school Open House night Darling dress from my aunt & uncle when they were in Hawaii...she didn't want to sit on the front step...she'd rather be on the run

Grandpa & Grandma K were here for the boy's T-ball trophy night

"Sister Bear"all dress up in cleats, hat & Zach's sweatshirt

And then the very busy week of Vacation Bible School, I wanted to get them all in their VBS t-shirts...its hard to get them to all stand together...and well, it seemed fitting to get the picture in the van since it seemed to be where we were a lot of the week

And off to Brian's family, with lots of celebrations & fun (I did lose my camera for a big chunk of the weekend so here are a few shots)
The boys having fun

"Doing corn", 1st year we were there for the big event...Zach did not understand why he couldn't eat the corn right as he husked it

Fun with cousins at the pond

We are CELEBRATING summer & summer break around here, I have been looking forward to this for a long time!!!!

Meet our newest friend...

2010-06-14T20:37:00.000-04:00

Charis is HOME with her forever family!!!!! We have never met her, but we already love her so much...she has been up on fridge's world prayer map for many months...we are so thankful for God bringing another precious orphan HOME!!!! check out Ben & Kristy's blog at http://kccommunicationwiththeoutsideworld.blogspot.com/

She's been home...

2010-06-09T21:23:00.000-04:00

Ellyana's been home with us longer than she lived in Ethiopia! Our precious baby is growing up so fast! As we passed this milestone, we are so thankful for the beautiful country & people from which she came & we are so thankful that God gave us the perfect girl to be in our family...we love her so very, very much!
The 1st picture is our referral picture of her, Feb 2009...

These are 2 of her in the orphanage & care center before she came home.
Here's mommy picking her up...

Our very HAPPY FAMILY DAY!!!! We have celebrated lots of 1st's...1st teeth... 1st beautiful Michigan fall..1st Halloween...

Celebrating her beautiful Ethiopian heritage...1st birthday...
1st steps...
1st Christmas...
1st Michigan winter...

1st Valentine's Day...1st Easter...
1st vacation...

1st T-ball season (lots of snacks ;)

And here she is our beautiful girl, inside & out as we like to say...and as we see her grow we are reminded of the song that gave us her name...

“Elliana’s Song” by Watermark

Baby woman, tiny in stature now
But your heart is a treasure
Little princess come follow behind me now I am reaching for you
(chorus)
Elliana, God has answered my prayers
Elliana, God will conquer my fears
To mother a daughter, to look you in the eye
To know that I had everything, to walk with you in life
To give you to Jesus that He would impart
The wisdom that I'm longing for to mother your heart
Elliana, God has answered my prayers
There will be others to lead and to guide you girl
But only one you'll call Mother, the honor is all mine
To show you what a woman's like I'm so glad you're mine
(chorus)
Tenderness of God is twirling around In our living room tonight
Lighten up your daddy's eyes
And know that he just wants to freeze you in time
(chorus)

Our update in pictures...

2010-05-31T18:41:00.001-04:00

Its been a busy, fun month...no order, just lots of pics ;) Happy 1st Memorial Day Parade!

Another 5 yr old Birthday Celebration for Zach & a wonderful visit from Brian's family this weekend!

Last day of swimming lessons for the summer!

Lots of backyard fun!

They were determined to get 3 people to ride this!

Zach's preschool graduation, what a great year he has had!

These 2 LOVE to zoom around!

More backyard fun!

Grandma K got in a lot of fun at her last visit

Great Children's Museum by Brian's work

Too precious, they had this Rosa Parks display...recognize the darling face ;)

BJ's 1st grade music program

Lots of time spent riding bikes

Life in the fast lane

This t-shirt from Aunt Heidi says it all...ADORABLE...this growing girl(almost 90% tall & 50% for wt. at her 18 month check up this week) is the such a J-O-Y to our family! Her laugh is totally contagious & all the words she is trying to say just makes her cuter by the day

She's still into EVERYTHING, now she can just reach farther onto the counters because she's getting so tall!

She LOVES her Zach & BJ...and we've spent many evenings cheering them on...very special to have them on the same team this year!

The days & nights fly by & with BJ's school going till June 17, summer hasn't started yet...but we have been enjoying the beginning feel of it! So much to be thankful for, Love & Blessings to all!

The Most Beautiful Mother's Prayer...

2010-05-05T18:33:00.000-04:00

Heard this song on the radio tonight...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=re5EIUIXbhc

A Mother's Prayer, Rachel Aldous, "Transform Me"

Blessings to you & have a blessed Mother's Day!

Zach's Almost Perfect Birthday

2010-04-29T20:50:00.001-04:00

Well, yesterday was it the day Zach has been talking about for many, many months...his 5th birthday!

We were able to enjoy cupcakes after breakfast...what do you do with a batch of 24?...eat a lot & share a lot!It happened to be his preschool trip to the Real Life Farm...Zach LOVED his time with the animals, I can not post every picture of him with the animals...feeding a baby cow a bottle, riding the horse, feeding the baby goat, petting the ducks, milking the cow...but this was his FAVORITE part...right in the baby sheep pen, he could have stayed there all day.

And then Zach LOVES bowling, so off to ZapZone we went for a round of mini-bowling & some jump around time & more cupcakes.

Zach is our precious Zach, so very full of life & love. I think he has the "gift of friendship"...kids he hardly knows, their parents tell me that they consider Zach their friend. Everything is more fun with a friend! Thankfully, he has had his best friend as BJ & now another best friend that he plays with so much, Ellyana!And so we never forget Zach at this age...he's the only guy cute enough to pull off wearing his socks hiked up to bed every night...and his most appropriate nickname..."Snack Attack Zach" he is constantly asking for snacks & saying he's hungry!

Zach LOVED his day, the phone calls, the cards, the gifts, the little party, the farm...but as he was trying to get to sleep...he said the thing he had really wanted...was a baby sheep, he said he could start building a pen in the backyard...its just like Zach to dream BIG!!

Tonight started T-ball & tomorrow morning is Kindergarten Round-up for him. Its kinda sad to think of him growing up, but we very are proud of him & the work God has continued to do in his life, and we are oh, so happy to have him in our family!!!

Random Post

2010-04-25T20:48:00.001-04:00

Ellyana & I were able to fly to help celebrate Grandma K's 60th birthday...such a happy time to be together as a family!

Learning how to ride the little motorized 4 wheeler in her new Poppy Dip Dress, that coordinates with her cousins...

I was able to help with a little radio interview with Loving Shepherd Ministries...click on WPEO, Straight Talk with Janet Hall...it was aired on Saturday. Always, such a blessing to get to share about awesomeness of adoption!

Lots of other stuff going on too, but all we are all counting the days till Zach's 5th birthday on Wednesday (pictures to come ;)

Sharing in Women's Bible Study is a blessing, our current book "Calm my Anxious Heart" by Linda Dillow...has been super! Related to our Bible Study, I found these quotes from Roy Lessin of DaySpring...entitled Fret Busters...I'll post some now & may some later...

Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow. It empties today of its strength. -Corrie Ten Boom

Worry is a cycle of inefficient thoughts whirling around a center of fear.-Corrie Ten Boom

There is one thing that God says to every believer, regardless of his circumstances—“Trust Me.”“Trust in the Lord, and do good; Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness.” Psalm 37:3

Confidence is not based on you having all the resources needed to take care of yourself; confidence is based upon the truth that God is faithful.

We need sanctified imaginations. It is easy for any of us to fret and have our imaginations run wild. In reality, most things don’t happen the way we imagined them. The Bible says, “The just shall live by faith.” It doesn’t say, “The just shall live by their imaginations.” The Word of God builds your faith; your imagination can be a fast track to worry. Worry says, “What will happen to me, things seem out of control.” Faith says, “My life is in God’s hands and He is in control.”

Worrying about a circumstance won’t change the circumstance, but worry will change you.

God is in control. Things won’t always be the way they are right now. God knows how and when to bring about change. Trust His timing, He doesn’t make mistakes.

If you don’t have peace about what you are doing, stop doing it.

When a thought of anxiety comes knocking on the door of your mind you must refuse it entrance. If you invite it in, it will have dinner with you, and if it has dinner with you it will quickly move in and want to spend the night.

If you find that you are anxious about something ask yourself if you have prayed about it, and fully committed it to the Lord. If you have prayed about it, committed it to the Lord, and are still anxious, begin to thank God in your heart and in your prayers for being in control of the situation. Prayer, commitment, and thanksgiving open the door to peace.

The best and only policy we should have toward anxiety in our lives is “zero tolerance”.

Vacation Pics

2010-04-14T21:26:00.000-04:00

We had a great time at Hilton Head Island last week, beautiful weather, beautiful beach, lots of swimming & fun...
There was a lot of wildlife around (starfish, jellyfish, sand crabs, turtles, dolphins...) We went on a dolphin watch boat and on our last morning we saw 2 dolphins right off the beach right in front of us

Thought this shot was cute of both boys standing the same way on the boat.

Ellyana loved vacation like her brothers (and parents ;)

Lots of digging for the boys & climbing for the girl (and it was all safe climbing so Mommy could relax)This was one of Zach's highlights.Where did it go? The brothers thought it was so cool that the mini-golf place supplied "nets" to fish out the balls.
Last night on the beach.
They could have kept digging all night.
Brian had a conference in Atlanta, so we were there for a few days after Hilton Head. The kids & I had a wonderful day visiting dear friends near Atlanta & we were thankful for a fun stop visiting great friends near Cincinnati on the way home. A 13 hour drive home, didn't go too bad...but boy, it felt good to be home at the end! I would be a beach bum if I could...thankfully I'm not...but we sure enjoyed our time!!!!

Easter...the most wonderful time of the year!

2010-03-28T21:44:00.001-04:00

There have been sightings of Easter around our house... Ellyana's costume from her cousins didn't fit at Halloween, but it is fun to wear now! Her brother likes to "monkey around", most mornings he's "suited up" by 7:15 AM :)

Each year we try to make Resurrection Cookies, the "tomb" is sealed for tonight...we'll hope they are empty by morning (I didn't do the directions in order this year, too many distractions ;)...not sure of the results for this year) http://www.annieshomepage.com/resurrectioncookies.html (lots of Scripture to go with each step)

Coloring Easter eggs, we are going to be gone over Easter...that's why this stuff is getting done a little early this year
The kids before our Sunday School Easter program...the boys did very well reciting their pieces & Ellyana is pictured with her new Poppy Dip Twirl, we love Poppy Dips & we love the "cause" of bringing another orphan home http://itspoppydip.blogspot.com/

"Silly Baby" is what her brothers love to say! It is so special to get to celebrate our 1st Easter with Ellyana!

In college I heard the story of Edith Easter http://www.truthorfiction.com/rumors/e/edith-burns.htm, and it brought alive the amazing truth that "Easter" can be anyday...and the most important question we can answer is "do you believe in Easter?" We love the bunnies & the eggs (and the candy ;)...but what we really, really LOVE are the reminders of NEW life because Christ actually conquered the power of death...and the tomb was EMPTY!!!! Happy & Blessed Easter!

A few pics from the weekend...

2010-03-24T21:05:00.000-04:00

We were so happy Ellyana got to see her friend, Jada, again! These 2 were at the same 2 orphanages together in Ethiopia & it is so special to see them grow! Ellyana was very happy to see Jada again too, hugs & kisses! (notice their same pants ;)
We were able to visit my Grandma in the nursing home, she is as "sharp" as ever & the kids brought much entertainment to her room!

It was great to have all the cousins together at Grandpa & Grandma's, #8 is coming in June...a boy to even it out!

As for what we are up to in everyday life...check out the post below...

Something smells like lemon...

2010-03-24T20:51:00.000-04:00

I'm mostly recording this because I don't want to forget what it is like to live days like these...

I walked in this evening from being outside with the kids, "Boy, this place sure smells like "lemon", I wonder what it is?"

I looked at the kitchen counter...
*maybe the lemon dish soap as I had attempted to tackle the mountain of dishes today
*oh, maybe it was the Lemon Wet-Ones, as I had tried to sanitize hands more than usual...BJ had a 104 degree fever in the night...just a "virus" the Urgent Care doctor said today
*no, probably it was the Lemon Scented 409 cleaner that I used to clean the animal "poo" that both boys had managed to walk through yesterday (in different locations)
*or maybe it was the Lemon Clorox wipes that I had just used on the toliet & floor, as Ellyana had been back to her old toliet-swishing ways

Lemon does seem to be the smell of choice I pick, but as I thought about it "all"...it was not a good smell. What else is there to do? Pop a batch of popcorn to share...it smelled a lot better in here.

If only I was Mrs. Incredible

2010-03-05T21:22:00.000-05:00

OK, here she laid on my kitchen floor & the thought overwhelmed me...wouldn't it be nice to be Mrs. Incredible? Yes, I am completely happy to be married to Mr. Incredible & have 3 Incredibly Wonderful kids...but if only I was her...I would have those Amazingly Stretchy arms...and I'm pretty sure that is just what I need...

Let me introduce you to the 1st true "climber" in our family...she seems happiest at the "highest point" she can possibly get to...and that is where the stretchy arms for the Mom would be so awesome to save her...on the table, swinging the light fixture, standing on the dishwasher door, on the pile of books on the couch, chairs, stools, end tables, trying to scale the bookcase...she has a true "talent"...but it makes the momma sooo nervous!

Oh, the brothers try to get her involved in other activities...

And she seems to be our Champion Winter Olympian...speed sledding by herself is a favorite, along with diving off the front porch into a pile of snow, then climbing back up & doing it again & again...thankfully the snow made soft landings & she often was giggling & asking for "more"

Oh, & she does love to brush her teeth (with ALL of our toothbrushes). Notice the random pantry items & mittens that she collects in her favorite spot (the bathroom!)

Yes, our precious beauty is keeping us busy, we love her so very much & never have to worry she will get left behind with keeping up with our boys!

Thankful for our many blessings and even the blessings of just being ourselves!!!

Picture update

2010-02-12T19:25:00.000-05:00

We had a great visit from Grandpa & Grandma K a few weeks ago, we packed a lot of fun memories in...this was Sunday AM before church!

"Bust Brothers" as BJ calls them (aka best brothers ;)

Baby-on-the-go & still loving her "ba-ba" (aka bottle ;)

Cooking up some "apples" & fun

This little lady "hauls" things out all day long, it is better than "fishing" in the toliet, that is a habit that is slowing ending (thankfully ;)...I found her with one of the boys' Christmas candy...you'll notice a few shiny pieces that she had sucked & spit out...such a nice clean rug!

We have had a very mild winter here in Michigan, the kids (& Brian) have been able to go outside & play most days. Enjoy this video that captured Ellyana's contagious & adorable laugh!

Ellyana's Precious Dress & a heart for orphans

2010-01-26T17:23:00.000-05:00

OK, this link is for these amazing dresses & lots of great links for supporting orphans as this family is on their journey of their 3rd adoption.

Check out this website, for beautiful fabrics & adorable styles (and absolutely amazing "customer service") Its not too early to order your Spring/Easter dresses :)

I have to say how happy Ellyana was to try on this dress (as you can tell from the pictures), it was so precious!

Here she is featured on the website,

http://itspoppydipblog.blogspot.com/2010/01/look-at-this-sweet-baby.html

(I put the link for "Its Poppy Dip" to the side of our blog also)

Enjoy!!!!

Is Jesus the Strongest!?!!

2010-01-24T20:11:00.000-05:00

Brian's Grandpa Blume passed away unexpectedly on Wed. morning. He was ready to go & we were very thankful for the nice time we had with him at Christmas. We made a quick trip to the visitation & funeral & have answered more questions about death & dying from our boys than we can count (their 1st funeral in recent memory). We have tried to answer everything Scripturally & in an age-appropriate way...but sometime you just wonder what they are really comprehending!?!

Last night as Zach was eating his snack, he said....Mom, is Jesus the Strongest in the world? Oh, yes, He's the strongest of all! Zach then said, well, if He's the strongest is He going to be able to carry Great-Grandpa all the way to heaven in that tub?

Brian & I could not hold a straight face. After seeing Daddy & 8 other guys trying to carry the casket as pallbears... to a 4 yr old...heaven seems like a really far way to have to carry it ;)

We do rejoice that God's ways are above our ways & that Great-Grandpa can be in heaven!

Christmas & more

2010-01-09T21:20:00.000-05:00

Our first "Christmas" was at home together before we left for 7 days to visit family. Ellyana seemed to enjoy things from the very start. It seems to be her motto, and we LOVE it! Christmas is always special, but it seemed extra special this year to see all the excitement in the kids!

We asked for "girly toys" for Ellyana for her for Christmas. She really knows how to push around little matchbox cars & make the "motor" sound just like her brothers...but she looks pretty happy with these new beads too! She is just starting to play with her baby dolls now, it is sooo cute to watch!

We enjoyed our final day with family at a hotel, the kids loved swimming in the pool!

Things have actually been warmer & less snowy here in Michigan than other places! Ellyana enjoyed a few trips down the really big hill at BJ's school with this week's snow. She was jabbering about the snow, who knows what she was saying, but she seems to really like it all!

BJ had fun at his basketball camp today. We had such a good time with our family & the few friends we saw over the holidays! Now it is back to everyday, busy life...praying we can keep Christ 1st in 2010!

Merry CHRISTmas & Happy New Year!

2009-12-18T19:19:00.000-05:00

I posted the update on our lives in the 2 blogs below, but I remembered I had wanted to include this incredible C.S. Lewis quote that our friends had sent in their Christmas letter...in reference to how fast time passes, and our continued amazement at it...

C.S. Lewis said our being surprised by the passage of time is akin to a fish being surprised by the wetness of water. Time is the dimension in which we live. Of course it passes. But suppose, Lewis goes on to say, the fish is destined to be a land animal. In that case, he would find the water to be very strange. And of course, the reason we find the passage of time to be strange is because we know, deep down, that we are destined for eternity.

May our thoughts be focused on the Eternal as we continue to be amazed at "how time flies"!

Update 2...guess who is WALKING!?!!

2009-12-18T13:51:00.001-05:00

This was at Thanksgiving, Ellyana found Great-Aunt Lucille's cane & decided she could take off...Great-Grandma & Aunt Theresa had to help :)

Those 1st wobbly steps

And here she is coming down the hall...one hand lifted for stability! She is just so precious to watch!

Update...Part 1

2009-12-18T13:06:00.000-05:00

Lots of fun days to come with going to visit family & getting some days at home...today is the boys' last day of school till the New Year...hoorah!!!

Any one want us to make you something? Things are really sanitary here ;)

The boys anxious for snow after the neighbor gave them this cool sled for Christmas! I'm missing all the snow we had by this time of year last year...can't wait!

We will celebrate, I found several of these sticky notes around the house yesterday morning, after BJ slept in till 7:00 AM after his 5:15 AM streak....mommy was very happy, we may celebrate every night ;)

A little goofy before our church's Christmas program...the boys both said their parts so nice & sang well! We were very thankful!

I've been trying to take lots of pictures though I haven't been keeping up with posting... Ellyana got to celebrate more birthday with both sides of the family at Thanksgiving time, she loved it!

Pantry bandit!

Zach has been mommy's helper with cooking this year!

I'm going to attempt to post a different blog with our biggest news...Ellyana is walking...it is soooo cute!

Much love to you (sorry, for the random blog...tried to capture the last month in 10 minutes ;)! May you enjoy JESUS as the Reason for the Season! We have so much to thank the Lord! Merry Christmas!

Happy Birthday, our precious Ellyana!

2009-11-15T20:25:00.000-05:00

Birthday Girl got flowers from Grandpa & Grandma Knobloch yesterday!

The kids got special candy/toys from Ethiopia this morning after breakfast, they have been waiting to open them till Ellyana's birthday! We have been home 3 months, yesterday!

We had a special celebration tonight with family/friends...the Birthday girl enjoyed her day today...with lots of "Happy Birthdays" at church! Still more birthday to come as we look forward to celebrating with both sides of the family at Thanksgiving time!

After she tasted the frosting she decided to skip the fingers & just eat right off the giant cupcake!

Loving the frosting! It really was a "Happy Birthday"!

Ellyana Blume
Happy 1st Birthday!

E – Ellyana…I love it everytime someone asks what your name is…Ellyana it means “God has answered our prayers”… that’s what you are…our answer to so many prayers, its been 3 months since you are home & I think my eyes still fill with tears at sometime everyday…at the “amazingness” of having you here with us, our 17 pound bundle of answered prayer!!!

L – Light, you light up every room you are in…not sure if it is your beauty, your smile or your fun personality…probably just a lovely combination!

L – Laugh, you love to laugh…Little Miss Giggle…especially at your brothers, who endlessly perform tricks to get another giggle

Y – You, you are just perfect for our family…I shouldn’t be surprised, because the God of the Universe picked you just for us…but we think you are perfect…you remind us so much of the boys so its fun to see that God must think this is the kind of kiddos that are just right for our family!

A – Animated, yes, just like your brothers, there isn’t a moment that we don’t know what you are thinking…and we love it!

N – Never a dull moment, you are on-the-go…into everything & always trying to keep up with the boys!

A – Angel, that’s what we think you are…as very beautiful on the inside as you are on the out! A gift from heaven! Our little joy bell! Sister Bear, we love you…Happy Birthday, precious ONE!!!!

Thanks to each of you for your prayers along this amazing journey, we are so thankful!

My Aunt Sheila Steffen went home to heaven this morning, 41 years with Down Syndrome she has a new body & gets to be with Jesus tonight! Ellyana & I fly out Tuesday evening & fly back Wed night. for the funeral/visitation. I think the whole family would appreciate your prayers in this coming week! Thanks so much & God's blessings to you!

Best Thanksgiving Program Ever

2009-11-11T17:24:00.000-05:00

Mr. Turkey Zach is the "Chef" in the middle with his face covered :)

Anyone remember the "Best Christmas Pageant Ever"? Well, today it was Zach's preschool...it was all too funny! 4 yr olds alone are a really funny bunch, but today mixed with the background music "mix-up" it was hilarious. They kept announcing... and now we will sing "Praise Him, Praise Him" only to have a different song start up over the speakers and of course the 4 yr olds tried to join into whatever was playing (if they knew the song or not). The last song ended up being "Praise Him, Praise Him".

Zach was chosen as one of the 3 chefs for one of the songs, the teachers put the chef's hat on him & left the stage & didn't realize it was completely covering his face. Which he just stood there stirring his bowl (probably singing) for quite awhile till a teacher noticed & came up during the song to fix it. He has a wonderful Christian preschool that we are so thankful for & we "Praise Him, Praise Him" for God's many good gifts!

Our Ethiopian Princess turns "1" on Sunday...

2009-11-10T20:53:00.000-05:00

Sickness

2009-11-09T13:11:00.001-05:00

Zach... before we realized he was sick, we took the kids to the zoo on their day off last week. He was too weak to walk & we hadn't brought the double stroller.

Very sick baby girl.

The kids were quarantined to different floors. BJ had the basement. Mr. Social hung-out at the top of the stairs so he could still keep talking & set up a library for everyone to come to...though he didn't get much business.

We have been hit by "the bug"...yes, probably H1N1. Michigan was one of the last states to get it, and also one of the last to get the masses of vaccine. The kids all got vaccinated Monday at noon, Zach we think may have been actually infected earlier that morning. It is nasty stuff, try to avoid it. The characteristic very high temp & strange bad cough, body aches, nausea...the kids all got started on the Tamiflu (anti-viral) which I do give credit for really reducing the fever & minimizing the cough. The boys have been on the mend & Ellyana seems like she is getting some better this afternoon.

As for things I'm thankful for...

*that H1N1 didn't land us in the ER

*very thankful for the medication that I think lessened the symptoms & shortened how long it lasted

*that Ellyana is here with us & can get Advil for her fever

*Brian & I are still healthy

*BJ's asthma did not flare up too bad

*that there is forgiveness for sin...especially for a certain Mom that thinks their kid is "faking" it for a few days till the 104 fever strikes.

*hand sanitizer, Clorox wipes, Lysol, anti-bacterial soap & warm weather...to get outside & air this place out

*and that Zach gets to be "Special Me" next week at school, because the teacher says now she can probably count on him not to be sick ;)

This weekend!

2009-11-01T20:27:00.000-05:00

Annual "Pumpkin Carving"...Ellyana had a big mouthful of seeds before we knew it!

BJ our very proud NASA astronaut! My mom says when I was a little girl I wanted to be an astronaut too...funny I'm so scared of heights & not very detail-oriented...maybe

not the thing for me! Our very bouncy...Tigger!

And our sweet little love-bug! She actually really enjoyed herself in the days activities!

The kids "trick-or-treating" to our very special neighbor. Actually our whole neighborhood is special & they have been so very sweet with the arrival of Ellyana...it was a great night to go around & get to catch up again with everyone! We feel blest to be in this neighborhood & we pray that we are a blessing also!

International Children's Choir

2009-10-27T21:07:00.001-04:00

We were glad to get to see the International Children's Choir perform last week, they did a wonderful job & raised lots of awareness for orphans & the water crisis in the world. There were several children from Africa, but unfortunately there were no kids from Guatemala on this team. It was sooo good though to be reminded of the big picture!

We had listened to several songs (Ellyana has music "in her bones" as she "sang", clapped & danced to the music), I pulled out her sippy cup to give her a good, long drink of water...just as they started talking about the Global Water Crisis & how far people have to walk to get water & even more so to get to good, clean water that isn't filled with parasites that make them sick or die.

It was humbling to be there with our kids & being reminded of our simple, yet giant blessings like fresh water!

The kids got to meet the choir afterward, the African girls thought it was so cool Ellyana had a hairbow like them ;)(read the next blog for whatelse we have been up to)

Loving the Fall!

2009-10-27T20:52:00.000-04:00

Attempting to get a Christmas pic, the background is "for real"...so are the cute kids ;)

Picking apples

Guess who found her brothers' bath, notice the pants hanging on the faucet that she had just thrown in...she LOVES water!

Picture in her hat...glad we caught her dimple!

Feeding the ducks at the Cider Mill...I had never heard of a Cider Mill before I moved here. The Cider & Cider Doughnuts are so yummy!

When we say we live in Michigan, lots of people groan & say "its too cold or it has too much snow"...we actually love the snow & we love the beautiful fall...especially these warm, sunny days! All 3 kids are outside every chance they get, for as long as possible!

Our life...

2009-10-04T17:13:00.001-04:00

Well, I decided this one was worth a post of its own...BJ started 1st grade...and it basically "rocked" our world! New baby, no big deal, she goes with the flow. BJ gone all day to school...huge adjustments for the whole family. I can't quite identify what was the big deal, and everyone said it would sort out by the end of September...which it did. He loves his teacher, school...but there has been this big transition of moving a very "night owl" family into an "early bird" one...so that maybe was it. Who knows but we thank God for how much BJ loves school & that things seem to be looking less daunting around the Blume household these days! :)

And enjoy the "rest" of our life in the post below!

Our Life now...

2009-10-04T16:58:00.000-04:00

Zach started preschool too, 3 mornings a week. It is going well & thankfully he LOVES to play with Ellyana...as the 2 of them are spending lots of time together! They have really formed a cute friendship!

If you ran into us in town, this is the sight you would see. Ellyana tucked in with her bottle, shuttling around (sometimes you would barely see us...we run so fast to not be late picking up our boys ;)

At home this is what you would see (maybe not all the frills), but Ellyana is loving to pull herself to stand, anywhere...no matter how unstable it may be ;)

In the cupboards, she is just like her brothers & loves to pull things out & explore everywhere (including the toliet...yuck!)

And the most amazing part of our new very busy life, is how happy this little girl is. She sneaks a nap anywhere & anytime & even when she gets woke up...she wakes up like this!

We call her our little "joy-bell" and we think she is as beautiful on the inside as she is on the out! We have so much to be thankful, we praise the Lord for His incredible goodness! And thank Him for His faithfulness in this transition time!

Similar girls..

2009-09-16T19:28:00.000-04:00

The girls share their 10 month birthday & remind me lots of each other. I had even taken this picture last night to surprise Daddy...look familiar to their recent post...same Target jammies package & a bow way too big ;)? Thankful for the excitement for adoption that they share! http://weloveourlucy.blogspot.com/

A day to celebrate...

2009-09-14T18:23:00.000-04:00

"Self-timer" family picture

Digging into the frosting before we were ready, didn't her brothers do a great job decorating the cake!?!

Enjoying her special day!!!

Happy 1 month "Forever Family" Day at the Blume's... August 14...we were all home together...and now 1 month later we get to celebrate the goodness of God of blessing our family with our precious Ellyana, we love her so very, very much!!!!

Lots of firsts

2009-09-07T21:25:00.000-04:00

So many firsts, Ellyana got her 1st 2 teeth, learned to crawl, went on her 1st big road trip, got to meet her Blume grandparents last weekend, lots of Knobloch-side relatives this weekend, went to the pool & "our" beach (and ate lots of sand there ;) And Ellyana was so happy to get to see precious Jada Rinkenberger here in the States, they have been roomates for a long time, so happy they can both be home with their families, lots of prayers answered!

Tomorrow is the 1st day of 1st grade for BJ, Brian & Zach start back to school this week too!

Thankful for God's faithful hand in our family!

Our precious girl...

2009-08-24T19:12:00.000-04:00

After 1st Sunday at Church

Loves to go "bye-bye" & her bottle!

Jumping like crazy!

Little Sister loves to be in the middle of it all!

Trying to get some baby food in her mouth, we figured out she likes "big people" food better!

Our little over a week here has went so fast & has been so fun...I'll try to answer our most frequent questions...

How is she doing? GREAT!!!! She is amazingly sweet, good, precious, loving (and on & on ;)

How are the boys doing? So good! They love her & she loves them right back. The adjustment has went really well for the whole family...it just feels like this is just how its to be & we thank the Lord for that!

How is she sleeping? Well, she is adjusting to a total time zone change...last night we slept 5 hours in a row...its a record!

What is she like? She LOVES to smile & scrunch her nose & laugh. She loves to bounce in her Exersaucer (just like her brothers did). She likes to eat Cheerios & be outside. But mostly she loves her bottle & to be held all the time!

We've had wonderful meals from our church family, a visit from Grandma K & more family to come & visit soon! School doesn't start for a few weeks so we are thankful for this time! I hope to get started on a little "trip recap" soon! Much love & thanks to each of you for your prayers! It is just amazing to hold her in our arms, just a 16 lb bundle of answered prayers! She got amazing care in Ethiopia, you can tell by the way she interacts, she's healthy & has adjusted so well to our family! Praise be to our glorious God!

A few pictures from the trip

2009-08-16T15:21:00.000-04:00

"Forever Family" Day

2009-08-14T21:30:00.000-04:00

So much to be thankful for...we will post more later! Thanks for your prayers!