Grateful Edition:May 2013

Heart to heart with Micah. Dreaming about the future. Vander's friendship. Dinner date. Friends surviving the distance. Chat with Shelly. Early morning shopping. Getting out of town. Chai. Knitting prayers for baby O. Looking at potential houses and feeling excited about change. Feeling confirmation. Micah teaching. Micah's feeling re: home. Moving forward. Prayers being requested. Friendship that survives my emotions. EXCITING NEWS!!!! Sharing with Colleen. Celebrating with hugs and joyful tears. A showing. Hard cider. Beth's email. Another showing. Remembering a mother's love. M's gifts and card. Breakfast with my boys. A nice long walk. Dinner at Sweet Melissa's. Ginger beer. Renewed hope about selling the house. Tina and Amanda's offer. Generosity that overwhelms. Sharing our news. Blog writing. Comforts of home. Time to talk. Another chance. Chat with Kim. Challenges to stand for what is true. Sharing about Ethiopia. Zane's willingness. Dinner with Jon. ACCESS results - 33! Working with M for the year. M's final writing. ELL Family night. Handing out awards. Drinks with EL team. Visit with Seble. Campfire. A field of kids. Chat with Eric and Steph. A clean house. Open house ending. Bike rides and ice cream with the guys. Garage sale donations. Time outside. A walk to reflect. Beth and Zach. Lazy morning. Tea. Rice bags. Jon. Jr. high class. C. confirmation.

This Just Happened!

We were making dinner this evening and doing some work outside. I ran inside to check on dinner and when I came back out, I looked up and saw M. on top of the garage! How did he get there you might ask? He simply climbed the 6ft. fence, jumped onto the top of the dog kennel and then climbed onto the roof. He did all of this because this is clearly where he has a much better view to look for his lost baseball. Oofta!

Ready For More of This!

Finally!

Kids Say the Darndest Things

He's been on a roll lately.

M is dancing on my bed and looks at me proudly proclaiming,
"I'm the king of this house!"

On Mother's Day I wake up to M saying,
"Ena, you're going to love your present so much you will cry so hard and fall flat on your face!"
Umm..... thank you?

As I am cutting M's hair he reaches out and pats my chest.
"Why is this your private part, but I don't have any private parts there?"
I explained to him that God made boys and girls different and everyone has a chest, but girls are special because they have breasts that can make milk.
M instantly replies, "You mean you're like a cow with gutters!?!"

M was running around the house yelling "Arrrrr" so I asked him to please be quiet. His reply, "But I'm a pirate and pirates have to yell Arrr!"

A Glimpse at the Future

The Painting Crew

Keep Moving Forward

Trying to stand with confidence knowing the story is already written, I just don't know how it unfolds. Until then, I need to take some deep breaths and keep moving forward. 

Happy Mother's Day!

1. What is something Ena always says to you?

I love you.

2. What makes Ena happy?

Kisses.

3. What makes Ena sad?

When people are disrespectful.

4. What makes Ena laugh?

When she gets tickle attacked.

5. What was Ena like when she was little?

Cute and a little funny. 

6. How old is Ena?

32

7. How tall is Ena?

13 pounds

8. What is Ena's favorite thing to do?

Hug and kiss me.  

9. What does Ena do when you are not around?

Lay down and cry.  

10. What is Ena really good at?

Playing with me.  

11. What is Ena not very good at?

Letting me do iPad whenever I want. 

12. What does Ena do for her job?

Work with students to behave and learn about stuff. 

13. What is Ena's favorite food?

Everything.

14. What makes you proud of Ena?

When you do your job.

15. If Ena was a cartoon character, who would she be?

Holly Shiftwell because she is in love.

16. Where is Ena's favorite place to go?

To the Crowbar and Grill.

17. What do you and Ena do together?

We play and kiss and jump. 

18. How are you and Ena the same?

We are both human beings. 

19. How are you and Ena different?

Well obviously I am not a girl and I don't pee out of my armpit! 

20. How do you know Ena loves you?

Because she always wants to kiss me.

Amazed

This little guy can pack away so much more food when it is filled with the flavors of Ethiopia. 

Check-up

Almost a year ago we were here getting the little man ready for Kindergarten. Now here we are almost a year later finishing up Kindergarten and preparing for 1st grade. Can you believe it? I certainly can not. I sit here and look at him in this picture and think of how much he has grown this year - in all ways possible. I am so proud of our sweet little man and honored that I get to play a part in his life. It certainly doesn't feel like I am doing the best job most days, but I just pray that I can remember how incredible it is to partake in each of these moments. 

An Update

Just thought that you might be interested in seeing where we are at in the adoption process. Head over to Our Journey to Ethiopia to find out!

Sneaking Away

Micah is busy writing his teaching for church tomorrow, so the little man and I got out of the house and found ourselves a variety of adventures.

His favorite was looking at all the different gelato flavors.

Yum, Yum Sushi!

M's little buddy invited him to a play in Cheyenne, so while he was being brave to get through Scooby Doo, we had a little dinner date and enjoyed some sushi!