Committed to our faraway child

“Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness. Concerning all acts of initiative and creation, there is one elementary truth, the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one’s favor all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamed would have come his way. Whatever you do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it. Begin it now.”
Famous words from the German philosopher, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749- 1832).

Announcement

I have set up my new shop on Etsy.  It is called Casting Sunbeams. I will post the meaning behind the name at a later date. When you search my store you will find pretty hair clips for girls, little wallets to help keep you organized, and eventually I will post the skirts I have made.  As time progresses I will have other items listed to be able to give to the girls and mamas in your life.
The profits I receive from selling my handmade items will go towards our adoption costs.

Christmas blessings

We had a joyous Christmas celebration this year.  We were able to spend time with both sides of our family, some of whom we haven't seen in a while.  As we approached Christmas it was a special season for our family.  The kids were more involved in the activities and festivities, and engaged in the discussions we had about the spirit of Christmas.    

A few days before Christmas we celebrated my birthday.  However, it did not end the way I thought it would.  I was under the impression that we were going to have sushi.  Just before we were to leave my mom and dad showed up.  I thought, oh they are going to join us for dinner.  After all it is as much a celebration for our mama's as it is for us on our birthday's.  Then my mom told me she was going to take me shopping to get a few new things.  During our trip Dan called me a couple of times asking when I would be back home, because my dad was getting hungry and cranky.  After browsing the stores a bit more we returned home to pick up the rest of the crew.  I walked in and noticed that the house was dark and my couch was moved.  My first thought was they must have been playing basketball (we have a small hoop that hangs from the door).  Then I hear SURPRISE!!!!!  My family and friends were all waiting in the living room, h

anding me a flower one by one.  It was such a wonderful night!  My sweet husband had set it all up, and with help from the ladies we shared great food and drinks (chai tea...my favorite).  My heart was full of love and thankfulness. 

Here are some pictures of the kids with their Christmas gifts...

 My little adventurer now has a rock climbing wall in his bedroom.  

Thank you to his great aunties and uncles.

My sweet girl has a play kitchen.  

Thank you to grandma and grandpa Marion for your hard work in constructing this.

142

We are officially on the wait list!  Number 142!  This number may seem high, but the list is not separated by age, or whether a family is okay with special needs or not.  For example, if there is a child that is younger than 18 months and special needs, and nobody above us has those specifications then we will get the referral.

While we wait it is my goal to become knowledgeable and proficient in cooking Ethiopian food.  My first recipe to try is Injera.  Injera is like a flatbread with a spongy texture.  Injera is also used as the plate and utensil for the other food items served.  It is quite a process.  It takes about 5 days to make, due to allowing the teff flour and water mixture to ferment.  I am on day 3, so we shall see how it turns out.
Along with the Injera I am going to make a couple of stews called doro wat (chicken stew), mesir wat (lentil stew), and abesha gomen (collard greens).

Traditional Ethiopian Feast

I am also in the process of opening a store on Etsy.  Currently I am making things to be able to sell.  All of the money that comes from selling the handmade items will go towards our adoption fees.  My hope is that once our adoption is complete and we bring home our baby, that I will continue to make things in order to help out other adoptive families.  I will post more information once I get my Etsy store up and running.

Blessings,

Sonja

Dossier is Done!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Today was a special day for us, because we were FINALLY able to turn in our dossier to our adoption agency!  It is done!  Finished!  *sigh* I am thankful!
So, where do we go from here?  Next week we should find out where we are at on the waiting list.  The waiting period is approximately 2 years, unless we are referred a special needs child.  In the meantime we will continue to save, save, save, and pray about possible fundraising events.

  

Funny moments with the kids

Conversations with Selah-
Recently I convinced Selah that I have eyes in the back of my head, even though the eyes she can see are not looking at her.  So, I did trick her a little bit to prove this to be true.  I stood in front of the microwave so that I could see her reflection, and I asked her to hold up her fingers and I would tell her how many she was holding up.  In the end she was stumped as to how it was possible.  At a later date Dan was putting Christmas lights up and she wanted to go outside to play.  I said not at that time, because daddy couldn't watch her since he was up on the ladder.  Her response, "Well, daddy has eyes in the back of his head too, and he can still watch me."  Touche!

Conversations with Eli-
Eli has been quite fascinated with heaven and hell recently.  So, we have actually had some great, age appropriate conversations.  Eli always asks the really deep, theological questions, such as, "Will there be potties in heaven?  I don't want to have a potty accident."

Happy 3rd Birthday, Eli!

Just the thought of this handsome boy warms my heart and brings a smile to my face.  Eli Daniel was born 3 years go, November 6, at 9:14 in the morning.  He came into this world roaring like a lion and has been feisty ever since.  He is my little firecracker.  

Here is a little bit about my sweet boy...

Eli willingly gives hugs and kisses.  Loves to cuddle in the morning, before he's off and running, and ends the day back in our arms.  

He thrives on being outdoors. 

He feels the need to leap off of any elevated surface.  Why waste time going down each step?!  And climb anything that has a handle or foothold.  Which is one reason his daddy wants to put a rock climbing wall in his bedroom.  Mommy on the other hand...not too sure about that one.

He loves to eat...ANYTHING.

Typical rough and tumble boy...launching cars off ramps, playing sports, sword fighting, using poop and pee in any sentence (again I am losing the battle thanks to daddy being their ally), wrestling, and the aforementioned dare devil activities.

He also really loves to dance with his mama.  *sigh* I am a puddle.

I am so thankful that I have been gifted with being Eli's mommy.  He is loved, not just by Dan and I, but by many others.  I am thankful for the wise men and women that are in our lives to help us teach Eli and show him what it means to be a gentleman, and to grow into a many of integrity and honor.