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Orphan Summit 2010

Sun, 2 May 2010 16:16:27 -0400

I attended the Christian Alliance for Orphans Summit in Minneapolis this week. I can’t begin to describe the incredible energy there was in being in a room of over 1000 people who have the same heart and passion as I do for orphans. It was so inspiring to see God’s church coming together for a united cause despite denomination! What a little glimpse of heaven this must be!

There are so many exciting things happening now regarding vulnerable children: orphan care, adoption, foster care, and addressing the ever growing problem of child trafficking. I am happy to say that I will begin working with Children’s Hopechest very soon. This is an organization which goes into countries and partners with local support of children. Sometimes these children are orphans and sometimes they aren’t but Children’s Hopechest coordinates sponsors for each child to provide medical services, food, clothing and education. In essence, they are helping to provide the hope and future for which we have all been promised.

There are several care points already operating. There is one in Addis called Kind Hearts that my friend is directing sponsors for. Fortunately, all 68 children at Kind Hearts are sponsored!! If everything goes well, there will be another location opening up the beginning of June. This will be the one that I will be helping with. I can’t wait to get started!!!
Please check back soon to see the progress.

We can no longer wonder “what can I do with a problem so big?”, we can be His hands and feet.

Best intentions....

Thu, 15 Apr 2010 23:02:52 -0400

I really did want to try and keep my blog updated but somehow life has just gotten in the way. The first month was all about survival. Adjusting to having five kids, trying to communicate with Meron through our English/Amharic dictionary and sign language, remembering the fatigue caused by an adorable little 10 month old, doctors, doctors and more doctors, and paperwork.

I am finally beginning to accept our new life. I think I just fought it for a long time that I really could be some sort of supermom and do it all. Baby, no problem, child who speaks limited English, no problem; homeschooling aforementioned child, no problem; keeping up with homework and projects for three in school, no problem; running kids to various activities, no problem. The list could go on and on. It took some time for me to finally realize that it truly was not humanely possible to do it all. I then began the process of prioritizing what had to happen and what just wasn’t going to happen. For a self-proclaimed perfectionist, this was tough. But if I wasn’t going to just lose it, something had to change in my expectations. I wish I could say that this is all taken care of now, but to be honest, it can still be a daily struggle. I am getting better at it though.

My life now is truly all about my family. My kids all need me in different ways, sometimes all at the same time. There are days when I think I just can’t do it but even at those moments, there is an underlying unimaginable joy. This joy is not based on circumstance because my circumstances now are most often chaotic, but the true joy of the blessing of my family. I am humbled beyond words that God would have shown me such favor. I know me. I am not deserving of this yet God has blessed me with the most incredible husband and the most amazing children, all so unique. My life is full.

I wish I could say that I will be better at keeping blog posts up to date, but chances are that I will be running someone to Scouts, lacrosse or soccer or perhaps a doctor’s appointment or two. Maybe on a great day, I may actually get to take a walk or drive to the grocery without a child to capture a moment or two for myself. Maybe those days I can update!

Spring Break 2010

Thu, 25 Mar 2010 00:00:00 -0400

We weren’t planning to go anywhere for Spring Break but decided at the last minute to check on pricing for one of our favorite beaches in Florida, Seagrove. Sometimes it pays to wait! Because we called about rates just days before we would be there, we got a great deal. That settled it, we were heading to the beach!

Our week was just great! Hadley did okay with sleeping for 3 of the 8 nights we were gone. That was a little tougher. The kids loved the beach. Meron kept taking in the magnitude and size of the ocean. She just couldn’t help herself but to check out the quite chilly water. At first she was hesitant and just was in up to her ankles but it didn’t take long until she was jumping in the waves! She had been playing in the water for several minutes when she came up sputtering “It’s salty!”!

We had a great week for relaxing and just hanging out together!

Where has the time gone???!

Mon, 1 Feb 2010 21:43:20 -0500

Wow!! I can’t believe we have been home over a month now. In some ways it seems like we got home yesterday and in some ways it seems like we have been home forever.

The first week home is still a bit of a blur. We were so jet lagged from the trip home, it was crazy. Hadley was trying to figure what time to be on and was up several times during the night in the process. I believe the jet lag drug on as long as it did because we weren’t able to get a full night of sleep. We also went to the International Adoption Center for the girls to be checked out. I was anticipating a two or three hour appointment and we ended up being there for six hours!! Oh my goodness, what a long day! The worst part was that we ended the day with the blood draw. They had to take 12 vials of blood! Meron was pretty scared of the needle and the process. She hung in there with dad’s arms around her. Unfortunately Hadley did not do well. The first attempt was not successful and so they had someone else try. He tried as well but by that time she was so upset she threw up all over me! Not the first time I have been thrown up on! Thankfully we were able to get it the third try a few days later.

Week two was when a bit of reality set in. Reality of five children......endless laundry, dishwashing 2 or 3 times a day, cooking, cleaning, figuring out the needs of our baby, figuring out Meron’s language ability and what to do for homeschooling, trying to make time for our boys and their homework and schedules, and the list goes on. All of this on varying hours of limited sleep! I was able to lean on some wise adoptive moms who have already been there!

Week three brought health issues with dad. He was in town to repeat a surgery that he had a few months ago and wasn’t working. He was in the hospital for a few days so my time was split between hospital and home. Everyone really pitched in and helped out. I was also very grateful to my neighbor who helped watch the girls. Thankfully everything went well and dad is now home and doing great.

Week four was finally a taste of normal. I am no longer wondering how in the world I will keep up with everything and am coming to terms with the fact that I can’t do it all. So, if you ever stop by for a visit, you will be greeted with five children, two dogs, a few dust bunnies and possibly some dishes in the sink!! But life is good!

I wish I could find the words to express the blessing that I feel with my family. Our girls are just amazing and I can’t begin to think of life without them. Just last night I was on the bed feeding Hadley her night time bottle when all the other kids came in and had Grandma and Papaw on speaker phone. They were all able to talk and worked hard at trying to get Hadley to talk or laugh. She wasn’t cooperating but when she came out with a big burp, the kids found success (and lots of laughing!).

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Fri, 25 Dec 2009 00:00:00 -0500

“I’ll be home for Christmas......” What sweet words to a tired and weary soul. After logging over 30 hours to travel back home, we were never so happy to see the gray clouds of Cincinnati on Christmas Day!!!! Our trip was truly unforgettable and once in a lifetime but we were definitely ready to be home. Dorothy had it write, “there’s no place like home”.

We were also anxious to see our family and friends who had made their way to the airport to greet us on Christmas Day. Walking down the hall holding our baby in one arm and our daughter’s hand in the other as we looked up to see their smiling faces, was incredible. I am so thankful for our family and wonderful friends who feel like family!! Just good to be home........ now for some much needed sleep!