Wow! What a week!

This week has been so busy, yet full of wonderful memories. We celebrated Elsie's birthday on Saturday. On Monday we began our first day of our home-school co-op for the year. For home-schoolers, starting co-op is kind of like the first day of school. New backpacks, crayons, pencils and a whole new schedule make it very exciting. Monday went very well.

If that was not enough fun, I decided to take the kids to the Western Washington State fair on Tuesday. Everyone around here just calls it the Puyallup Fair. It is a huge fair that is right in our home town and we are regular attenders. Our home-school status earns us free tickets, so it is affordable fun. The weather that day was very warm for September at 90 degrees. We had a great time. The kids rode all the rides and I fulfilled my roll as photographer. We kept talking about how much fun it will be next year to bring our little ones to ride all the rides and see the animals and eat cotton candy. There are so many wonderful experiences waiting for them. Here are just a few pictures of our fun day.

M&M on the "Big Slide"

Elsie and Sweet Pea on the "Lollipop Swing"

Look out! Pumpkin and Sweet Pea are driving!!!

Below you will see a video of our Pumpkin "Mutton Bustin'." This is a sport for kids 6 and under and under 60 lbs. They actually throw kids on the back of a sheep and see how long they can hold on. I was surprised when Pumpkin said that he wanted to try this. This year was his last opportunity as he is 6 and weighs 59 lbs. So, I signed a waiver, and cheered along as he had the three second ride of his life. Take a look!

There is a Teenager at Our House!

Thirteen years ago today our sweet Elsie came into our lives and changed our world forever. We celebrated in a special way today. We had a Tea Party with all of the women that have been a godly influence in her life over the years. These women brought their daughters along and we had tea, and many other goodies.

The ladies each took the time to write a note of blessing for our daughter and read it to her during the party. God has truly surrounded our family with amazing Christian fellowship. Our daughter was so moved and encouraged by the words spoken on her behalf.

I am so thankful for my precious teenager. She loves the Lord and desires to serve Him. I can't ask for more than that.

It was such a special time that will be cherished in our hearts forever.

Sweet Momma

Chrysanthe"Mom"

Four years ago we moved into our new house. That fall my mother and father in law came to visit from Kansas. While they were here, my mother in law bought me a beautiful burgundy chrysanthemum. I enjoyed it that fall and planted it in my front yard.

I love to garden and have had great success over the years in my yard, but I have never done well with mums. They seem to look beautiful the first year, but they never come back as nicely as that first year, if at all. As you can see, this plant from my mother in law is very happy at our house. It makes me smile each time I see it in the fall.

It reminds me of my sweet mother in law and her thoughtfulness in helping to spruce up my yard. I hope you are enjoying the beginnings of fall as I am. I love to watch the seasons change and observe the beauty that God has created for each one.

Sweet Momma

Happy New Year!!!

More fun at the Pacific Science Center

No, I am not going crazy. Today is New Year's Day in Ethiopia. They are celebrating January 1, 2002. They follow the Julian calendar. So we can all step back in time to 2002. Pumpkin is confused, this date means that he is not born yet. We are all learning so much through this adoption.

Here in the states we remember something else on this day. We continue to pray for the families who lost loved ones eight years ago. May God Bless America!

Sweet Momma

Two Months Since Referral...

Having fun at the Pacific Science Center

The last two months has flown by. So much to do. So much to think about. We are quite busy with the normal things of life. We are well into our third week of homeschooling. Each year everyone readjusts as they begin new curriculum. Usually, by now, someone will have broken down in tears over the difficulty of some new curriculum. It hasn't happened yet and I am thankful. Maybe this year we can skip that:).

I have been making lists to keep me on track with the adoption to-do's. Stand-Up Dad and I have had most of our shots needed to travel. The "girls" room is complete except for the clothing organization that takes place each fall. I am focussing on the "boys" room and am scouring Craig's List for a bigger dresser. I also need to get hopping on the quilts for that room.

Our new little ones have back packs and surprises that fill them. We are beginning to learn Tigrinya (our kiddos native tongue) and Amharic (Ethiopia's official language). This is difficult for me. I managed to graduate from high school and college without a second language. I am not accustomed to training my brain this way. I am glad to know that if my sweet little girl calls me "ade", that will be a good thing because it means, Mom. I also want to be able to tell them both "efetweka." Which means "I love you."

Please continue to pray for us as we wait for a court date. And then, more prayers to pass court the first time. I thank you in advance for your prayers, said on our behalf.

Sweet Momma