Is our turn next???

That is definitely a question that has been floating around in our heads the past 2 weeks. The Ethiopian courts reopened last Monday, YEAH!!!!, and since then there have been so many referrals, I've lost count. I think it is like 10 or 11....in 2 weeks!!! So we keep praying that our phone call will come, but we know that God has a plan for our family and we need to take this one day at a time. Can't say that has been easy though! Every evening when we pray for dinner, Scott or I pray that someone will call tomorrow and Elijah pipes in..."no God, today". I love his excitement. We know we are still around 45 on the wait list, but who knows actually how long it will be because we are accepting up to a 3 year old. I keep thinking that will make it sooner rather than later....but who knows?

Anywho, if anyone reads this, please add this to your everyday or every hour prayers...We so believe in the power of prayer and, like most of you know, waiting stinks!

~Ciao

The Story of our Tree

Our Tree may not be the most beautiful tree on the block, but it definitely has a spot in our hearts. Shortly after moving in, we put a baby swing on a branch. We've played underneath it, rested underneath it, raked many leaves under it...and then jumped in the piles over and over again. After Elijah was old enough, we switched out the baby swing and hung a wooden saucer (above). Elijah absolutely loved it. We loved lots of things about that 'ol tree, but now...our tree is gone.

It all started with the winds from Hurricane Ike Sunday, 09/14. We arrived home that evening from church to no power and a huge chunk of our tree laying on the ground.
Sadly, we were told it would probably be best if the tree came down. So tonight, that is what happened. Joel, Ben, Max, and Scott brought her down. I must say it was a bit nerve-racking! That tree was HUGE! Here are a few picks from the evening.

The mastermind, Joel, making the first cut. Yes, he is on a ladder, with no safety harness and a CHAINSAW!!

Ben and Joel up in the tree. Its hard to relate how big the tree was, but you know its big when Ben looks small way up in there! They were tying a rope around the trunks at the top to pull it down. Mind you, we don't live in the country, we have neighbors. "Please don't fall on any one's home!"

Elijah had a moment to himself. All the other boys were running crazy and Elijah was just taking it in. He was whimpering the other night about losing the tree. He told me swinging on the tree was his most favorite thing to do ever.

So this next picture looks weird, but I morphed about 5 pictures together to save space. Its supposed to be the progression of the fall. After tying ropes to the tree, they tied the other end to Ben's truck. Yep, they're CRAZY!
OK, so God blessed us. The tree came down, exactly where Joel was hoping it would fall. No people, homes, cars, light poles, or plants were flattened. Thanks so much Joel, Ben & Max. You guys are awesome to help us out!

Elijah and our 2 neighbors, Kevin & Jacob

The Lonely Swing...
I guess we need to find somewhere else to hang it!

First Day of PreSchool

OK, so this post is a "few" days late, but its here anyway. I was shocked that it was still dark at 6:45 in the morning....I know, we are lame! Also to my surprise, I barely mentioned that it was time to wake up and Elijah popped out of bed, mind you I have never, ever seen him get out of bed that fast. It was a drizzly, cold morning, but he was excited! I guess that made it a little easier to say good-bye. We had him ready super fast so that just left us time to wait for the bus. Here are some pics...

WAITING WITH DAD

GIVING MOM A HUG

OK, so the bus didn't come on our side of the street the first day, which is what we were expecting, so when it came everything was a whirlwind and I didn't get a picture of him getting on the bus, but here are 2 of him on the second day getting on like an 'ol pro...

So he got on the bus, it left, Tj had ridden his bike over to see the waterfall of tears, but I must say I held together pretty well. Well, until we went inside to get reading to go to the Y and Scott gave me a hug and then I just cried for a minute or two. Oh well, everyone needs a good cry every now and then!

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Scott and I were both standing in our front yard at Noon waiting for his bus to bring him home. I guess the first day is one of delays, because it didn't come until 12:45pm. Anywho, here was our first sight of it and I must say my eyes got all stingy with tears as it approached.

Day One, in the bag and he loved it!

Hi, I'm Mimi

Wow, its feast or famine from me as far as blogging is concerned. So from the looks of this photo, anyone who has seen the drew carey show knows what I am talking about. Elijah has really been into fixing hair and playing with my make-up, so....On this particular day, he wanted to do my hair and add a little makeup. Here's the final result...

Skater Dude

This past week I told Elijah that I would take him to the skate park since all the "big boys" were out of school. So, we picked up Ariella and off we went, on I think the hottest day we've had this summer (and from the looks of it, the last). Anyway, was a bit nervous because we could only find his knee pads and so I hoped he didn't land on the elbows. Here a few shots from the afternoon.

So, no major falls and he loved the every minute of it. Ariella tried the scooter out on a small hill and decided that cheer leading would be safer.

~Ciao

Where does the time go?

Wow, it's already a full week into September. What is going on? I sit at my desk very emotionally torn. It is so hard to believe that Elijah is going to start preschool/Head Start on Tuesday!!! I don't think I've really thought about it much deeply since we enrolled him, but as I wrote those words I felt the burning of tears coming on...(which isn't hard to believe if you know me). Thank goodness it is only for 3 mornings a week, and next year kindergarten is only half day...baby steps.

Anyway, back to preschool. I was one of those parents, the moment we found out we were pregnant with him I knew I was going to stay home with him and enjoy every moment of it (for the most part I have). I was the one who looked down on preschool because in my mind I thought "he will be in school for the 13+ years after he starts. why start him even earlier" So I sit here now thinking, "what am I doing??"

eh, who knows. I'm excited for him, sad he is growing up so fast. ugh, here come the tears again. Why can't we just bottle them up and keep them small forever. OK, a bit demented, I know. Anywho, he is excited and its only 4 hours on Tues., Wed. and Thurs. I can handle it. Pray for me Tuesday!!!

The Countdown is finally DONE!!

~Salem~

Okay, while some of you might have just felt a twinge of excitement, possibly thinking, "Awesome, they have finally gotten their referral!!" Well, not so much, but another countdown is done. I'll explain...

As Scott, Elijah, and I were sitting this morning at the table, eating our breakfast...after we ALL slept in until 9:30AM... I started to think out loud (which I do often).

"This is the first Saturday we have had

'nothing' to do in quite a long while..."

So that made my anal self pull down the 'ol calendar and we started to count back Saturdays... Let's just say it started to get depressing. We counted back as far as April 12Th!! That's like 19 weeks people!!! That was the last Saturday that we had "nothing", no family visiting (take no offense-we love you), no 7:30am-1:00pm days devoted to soccer games, no traveling home from youth activities, no traveling...etc. You get the picture.

So what did we do on our "nothing to do" day? Well, cleaning the house is ALWAYS fun. Scott also did some trim work around the house. Its amazing when you have nothing to do and you think, "relaxation here we come", and then before you know it the day is done. Aaw well, we did end this momentous occasion by getting a treat at Dairy Queen this evening. (you know its been a busy summer when the last time we were there was when my sis had her baby on May 4Th!!!)

Anywho, here's too fall and the leaves changing and hopefully a lot of scrapbooking pages to be done!!

~Ciao