Gratitude Edition:March 2015

Supporting M. Afternoon quiet. Letter writing. Snowfall. Warmth. Productivity. News from Becky. Micah here in the morning. Coffee and car rides. Soup. Cuddles with kids. A shiny ring that's been fixed. G playing the drums. Crisp cold. Sunshine. Warm gear. Chat with Stephanie. Friendship in unexpected ways. LaVon's offer. Getting things done. Tina's help. Micah coming home. Welcome home signs from the kids. Coffee with Mellany. A beautiful day. A clean car. Sammy & M. Lemon and ginger tea. Moments with G. Lazy evenings. Libraries. Warmth. Time with Michael. Chai. Lady M's comment, "I want to look like you mama." Barb's understanding. Extra time. Friendship that offers encouragement and truth. Becky! Spring break. Coffee on the road. Audiobooks. Sarah and her humor. Laughing. Being in Zion. A campsite. Hiking with the kids. Experience versus destination. Jon!! Morning hikes with kids. Time with Jon. Campfire conversations and sharing hearts. A second goodbye hug. Car rides. Bryce Canyon. Picnic lunches. Lady M's words, "You left and I was very sad." Books. Words. P.F. Changs. Bathes. Warmth. Arriving home. Sundance. A washer and dryer. Church conversations. Quiet. Blogging. Organization. Time with M. Breakfast for dinner. Michelle's news. A unexpected dinner date. Lady M and G's imagination. My evaluation. Conversation with L regarding next year. Playdates. Park time. Conversation with Sharon. Libraries. Pancakes. Warmer days. A hug from Sarah. An afternoon nap. Time to visit with Sarah. Warm weather. Talk with Tami. Comfort in truth. Excitement for the future.

Truthful Reminders

Within the past few days I've come across this particular piece twice - taking some time to ponder this and let it all sink in.

Spring Break - Zion National Park

Like father like son

Observing campground wildlife across the road

Playing in the Virgin River and enjoying time with Uncle Jon!

Zion Canyon

At the top of Canyon Overlook

Bryce Canyon

Sanctuary of a Tree

If you look closely you'll find my oldest lounging amongst the trees. This boy and trees....he makes me feel like we should move just so he can have his own tree to sit and ponder life in rather than always needing to borrow from a friend. 

Thursday Happenings

Today Lady M had class picture day. She took this very seriously and thought about her outfit for an extended period of time last night. Micah is out of town right now and she wanted me to send him a photo of her all dressed up. I can't believe how old she looks!

Once the babes were in bed I tried my hand at making injera again. Slowly, slowly it is coming along. 

Gratitude Edition:February 2015

Reminder to lay down our burdens. Shopping for M. Car naps. Easy bedtime. Soup - which was surprisingly good. Food prep time. Playtime with Lady M. Art camp. Seeing Sammy. M playing with G. Chat with Steph. Micah home in the morning. Psalm 46:1. Yoga. Baking. Warmish weather. Time to rest. Micah cooking. Dinner with the Coulter family. A walk. Yoga with the kids. Sarah's truthful reminders - I need to hear these a lot! Hug from Dixie. Text from Becky. Chat with Steph. Meeting with MM. Steps of bravery. Hope that leads to healing. Micah's courage. Katey's help. Refunds. Prep time. A beautiful day. Paining Lady M's nails. Baking. Special breakfast. Gift cards. KFC. Snow globe snow. Fixed garage door - just in time. Flexibility. Working from home. My kids. Katey's help. Going to bed early. Walking away. Peanut butter. Cancelled appointments. Time to process/reflect/heal. A bath. Refocusing. Carol's help. Nuggets of wisdom. Knowing I did the best I could. My family. Boxing up tests. Seeing former students. Reflections from Brittany. Courage. Chat with Meaghan. A beautiful snowy day. Strength. Adam's reminder. Chat with April. Relaxing afternoon/evening. Rice bags. Cuddles. Chat with Steph. Art journals. Excitement from M. Adam and Cheri. Music. Ethiopian community. Call from Micah. Chai from Kim. Time to reflect. Chat with Britt. Celebrating M. Ethiopian friends. Injera making - not a complete disaster! Table conversations. Coming home. Talking with Jon. Possibilities.

Happy Birthday Mr. M!

8.  I can't even believe that he is 8. It feels like just yesterday I was holding him for the first time and trying to memorize how the nannies made his favorite avocado juice. I love this kid so much, but I am definitely not ready for him to be 8!

Tongue Tricks

G proudly informed me that today he put his tongue in his nose....

Hush!

Things were a little too quiet so I went to investigate. When I asked if everything was okay they replied in a harsh whisper, "The babies are sleeping! Be quiet!!"

Reflecting on Love

Reading the Day Away

I have so many memories from my own childhood where I am lounging in a chair, the hammock in the backyard, or curled up in bed with a book. So, I especially love finding my kiddos curled up with a book - babes after my own heart.

Sock Monster

I do not know what is happening, but almost every pair of socks is starting to look like this...

Gratitude Edition:January 2015

Game time. Taboo. Coming home. Time with Jon. Watching Uncle Jon play with the kids. Breakfast with Jon. Safe roads. Seeing G's love for Jon. A warm home. Ethiopian food from our kitchen. Another full table. Melkam Gena. hanging history - even if it is hard work. Lazy days. Dinner in the crockpot. Micah. Truth from Brittany. Doodling. Micah coming home. Bedtime. M losing another tooth! Family day. Cuddled up with Micah and M watching Chronicles of Narnia. Pancakes. Chat with Micah. Dinner with Merrill Family. Sarah and her reminders of truth. Sarah's encouragement to be brave. Rebecca's help. Cuddles with M. Upside down dinner. Grocery shopping alone. Text from Sarah. Truth from Melissa. God's promises. Trusted by others. Old movies. Quiet moments. New recipes. Scones and bacon. A table full of friends. Encouraging conversations with Ryan. Afternoon tea. Connie and Todd. Coffee. Family meetings. Second and third chances. A quick time away. Gift cards. London fog. Feeling peace. Hand lettering. Talking with Micah. Text messages that offer community. Online study. Erin's prayers. Steph and our weekly chats. Barb's help. Input from Carlos. Holding onto hope. Cara's help. New days. Slow mornings. Skiing. Lady M's confidence.

Skiing the Day Away

Reminders...

The end of yesterday brought with it many stories of brokenness and left my heart feeling heavy. It is hard to walk through brokenness and not want to gather up all of the little pieces and put them back together. Ugh. Thankful for a new day and for the reminder of things greater than myself.

Another Tooth!

Batman!

I took the kiddos to see the dentist this morning. The youngest two are still unsure if this is something that they want to participate in.  G was stressing out and pretty scared. However, as soon as the hygienist pulled out the Batman glasses his opinion about the dentist completely changed. Thank goodness for Batman!

His Heart Beats in Two Places

Mr. M was asked if he would like to share about Ethiopia with his class and he accepted this offer with determination and pride. He spent weeks reading and preparing his presentation. Last night he walked through our house rounding up as many Ethiopian artifacts as he could find and he also requested we prepare some traditional food. I was so grateful that I could attend his presentation and I was certainly one proud mama. My sweet boy did a wonderful job and I think it did his heart some good to share this part of his story.

I have a tendency to think of my children as blossoming trees. For a tree to continue to grow big and strong it has to be able to support branches of new growth. The tree also has to have well established roots that are healthy. If you neglect the roots, the tree will eventually stop existing.  I think of Ethiopia as the roots to my little trees. We are fully aware that we will never be able to fully share the culture, language, food and traditions of their home country with them. However, we will do our best to continually try and learn alongside of them so that they can claim not only our culture and family nuances, but those of their homeland as well. We want them to always take pride in being Ethiopian and American. 

Melkam Gena!

It's So Hard to Say Goodbye....

We were able to spend the past six days with this guy and the littles were so happy until we had to say goodbye.