Selah and Eli's mad hoop skills

Cleaning cotton balls

Selah and Eli are great helpers around the house.  Especially as I get further along in this pregnancy I have called on the kids to help out more, and they have risen to the occasion.  Well something happened the other day that I wanted to make sure I remember.  Eli came downstairs and was so proud of what he did and wanted me to check it out.  He explained that he had gone potty, but before he washed his hands he accidentally touched the cotton balls.  Since they had germs on them he had to wash them.  He was just so darn cute!  I thanked him for helping make sure they were clean and he ran off to play.  

Unexpected Gifts

It has been quite some time since I have even looked at this blog or even considered writing a post.  We had an incredible summer filled with great memories.  Here are a few highlights:

 Eli got his first bike.  I am thankful we live in a neighborhood 

where our kids can ride and play safely.  

The following are pictures of our trip to the beach...

The newest member of our family, Ella

Multnomah Falls

 Selah is in 1st grade, and also enjoys piano lessons and Bible quizzing.

Eli is almost 4 years old and is enjoying his swimming lessons and preschool time at home.

For the longest time now the focus of this blog has pretty much been about our efforts to adopt from Ethiopia.  I have no new updates, except the waiting period keeps being drawn out.  We are looking at a waiting period of about 3 to 3.5 years.  We've already been waiting almost a year, since our dossier was turned in back in December 2012.  The reason for this long wait is that they want to make sure each adoption is done legally and ethically.  Many people have turned the lives and well being of orphans into a money making scheme, often times kidnapping children or convincing birth parents to relinquish their child under false pretenses.  So, we wait, hoping the door will stay open so children who really do need a forever mom and dad can find their way to their new family.  There are so many uncertainties with the world of adoption.  It takes a lot of faith and prayer.
We don't always know the details of our future.  We think we have it all figured out, and then BAM!  God says I have another plan for you.  One you have been waiting for a long time to see unfold.  Well let me tell you that back in June we found out the biggest shock we've experienced together.  After enduring tests and fertility treatments, after being told by doctors that I could not have any more children, after feeling broken and grieving over that loss, after embarking on our adoption journey and feeling a renewed sense of excitement and joy (and still do), we find out that a new little blessing is growing and developing and getting ready to be loved by her family.  I am currently at 20 weeks, and our second daughter will arrive sometime in late February or early March.  We are all extremely excited and thrilled with this unexpected blessing!  I am thankful for all those weeks of throwing up, my overactive gag reflex and sense of smell.  I am thankful for the headaches, exhaustion, and the crazy emotions.  I am thankful I get to experience this miracle of life again.  

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