back to blogging

Well, I dropped of the page and life for awhile.  There was so much emotion I couldn't put on the page.  To scary for me to share.  But now I am ready.  I will write on here soon, but tonight I need to get some sleep.  Just had to visit this page and spend some time reflecting on what has happened in our lives over the past 2 years.  So much has happened.  And I have so much to be thankful for.  I am committing to staying thankful in all things. 

One foot in front of the other

Today was another good day.  Russell did not use the cane.  Woohoo!  He saw the chiropractor and then he had a 1 hour massage.  The chiropractor thinks the surgery did work but that the muscles were so tight from constant spasms they just kept contracting and twisting into a big mess.

We also started Russell on an herb and vitamin regime, and a more raw diet.  Hey, if raw is good for your health it must be good for the back too.  I have been reading, and reading, and reading.  The body was made by God to be able to heal if given the right tools.  So, thankfully God has put the right people into our lives to help us find the right tools.

Well, need to head to bed.  But had to share the hope we are feeling right now!  Remember, you have never failed unless you just quite trying.  Thank you God for helping us to keep on trying one day at a time.  

Small Victories

Just a quick note.  Had to share the good news.  Russell had a good day.  He was able to chase Kidane around the kitchen table today.  I haven't heard Kidane laugh so hard in a long time.  It was an awesome moment.  Russell went to see a chiropractor today, she didn't do the regular run of the mill crack/adjust send you on the way.  She did acupuncture, pressure points, and I don't know what else.  I just know that what she did gave Russell his first good day in weeks!

Praise the Lord for small steps.  Russell is going back tomorrow.  And yes, the chasing around the table was in slow motion, but he had been using a cane for the past week just to walk.  It was so uplifting to see Russell smiling, and hear Kidane laughing and to feel hope on the horizon.

I can't remember the words, but I know I have heard a song on the radio about hope rushing in.  Well, it came to our house today! 

Step by Step

So, nothing has really changed since the last post.  Russell's back is still in really bad shape.  I look back and think "how have we gotten by to this point?"  Well, it is only by God's grace.  One day, one step at a time.  That is the only way we have survived through this ordeal.  We walk by faith, not by sight.

Russell is an amazing man.  He gets up each day knowing that he is going to face excruciating pain again and again.  I am so thankful for the friends who have lifted us up in prayer. In our American culture we want to do something.  We are compelled to take action.  Prayer often feels like the last resort,  if we can't do something, or donate money for something, we often say "we'll at least we can pray".  But prayer is the most important thing we can do.

So, please keep praying for Russell.  Those prayers are surrounding Russell with the courage to keep on going when the pain is more than he can bear.  Those prayers are the strength I need to carry the burdens that he is not able to handle right now.  Those prayers are keeping a song in the hearts of our children, when Dad can't play with them.

Believe me those prayers have kept us going. Those prayers have given us peace in midst of trial. Thank you! Now, I must go.  I have some more praying to do.  Philippians 4:6,7 Be anxious for nothing, but in EVERYTHING by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.   

Getting back into Life

Wow!  I realize that I haven't posted since my wonderful husband, Russell, hurt his back.  I didn't realize how busy my life would be. Now almost 4 months later, Russell is finally starting to get better. The kids have been amazing through all of this.  I know it has been hard on all of them.  Each one of them helped extra with no complaining.  They really love dad, and I know we all look forward to his full recovery.

I know it must be especially hard on Kidane.  He has already seen people he loves hurting and sick and then lost them.  I imagine that he is afraid that Daddy won't be able to play again.  He has tried to be so strong during this time.  Only once did he ask "Will daddy be able to play with me again?"  I could tell by the tone of his voice how  concerned he was.

The prayers and support of friends & family have been a strength for both Russell and I.  God created something wonderful when he created friendship!  So many times I received a hug, a smile or a text just when needed most.  And amazingly God gives the strength we need day by day.

Each day we have is a true miracle.  Make sure you take the time to appreciate the life you have been given.  Be thankful for everything, even the trials and hard times.  The experiences we have make us who we are.  Treasure each moment with your children, your spouse, your family, your friends.  Tell each one how much you love them and live each day to the fullest!!!!  That's how to get back into real life.

So much, so fast

I want to tell everyone about all the fun, awesome, exciting moments we have with our new son.  But by the time he goes to bed, and we sit down, we are too tired to write anything.  I am learning over and over that boys are so different than girls.
Kidane's energy never ends, and he has one volume, LOUD.  I was leaning over to get something out of a lower kitchen cabinet this week when Kidane entered the kitchen.  He wanted to tell me something, so he walked right up to me and said, "MOMMY!"  His head was level with my ear, and I answered right back, "WHAT?".  He jumped and gave me a strange look, like why are you yelling?  I had to laugh.  He has no idea that he is so loud. But I love his enthusiasm!
We were out shopping for a birthday present for one of his friends and he was overwhelmed by the many choices.  He kept saying, "oh, Mommy, look at this one, see this one...etc..."  He said "Oh, they make too many and I like them all."  It was fun watching him wrap the present and see his enthusiasm in giving to others.
I haven't even blogged yet about our family trip to Yellowstone.  He loved it!  He wants to go camping again.  He fits right into our family, we love camping!
God has a way of putting just the right person into just the right family.  He did it for me as a child and now he has done it for Kidane.  We serve as awesome God!

Out of My Heart...... What???

Life is good in our house.  The kids are into the swing of school.  Kidane loves to learn, for which I am very thankful.  We have family worship every night and during this time we sing songs.  So, we tried out a new song this week.  Into My Heart, Into My Heart.   Kidane loved it right away.  Very simple lyrics and nice tune.  He caught on quickly and began to sing as well. 
Our family added a second verse which we sang on the next night.  Out of My Heart, Out of My Heart, shine out of my heart, Lord Jesus.  At the beginning of this verse the look on Kidane's face was PRICELESS!!   He said "out of my heart", what you no want Jesus in heart???"  We all tried hard not to laugh but couldn't stop.  Of course, we explained the word shine very quickly and now he likes the second verse too. 
At the table last week he was eating lunch and said "mommy, my hands are stinky."  Rather alarmed, I looked over at him from the kitchen and calmly asked why they were stinky. "They are very stinky, mommy".  At which point I realized they were "STICKY".  Oh we have so many good laughs over words lately at our house.  Any of you have kids with "stinky" hands?   If so just hug them and laugh.  :) 

God does hear and answer prayers!

 When Kidane first came home he slept very well.  He slept in our room, in our bed.  Then the second week he slept on a mattress on the floor, the third week Carrie slept on the floor in Kidane's room and he slept in his bunk bed.  The fourth week we had company and Tyler (the son of our company) slept in Kidane's room.  So by week 5 Kidane was ready to sleep in his own room.  But after a couple nights he had trouble sleeping.  He can't sleep without lights on.  So we have a night light in his room, the hall, the bathroom, well you get the idea.  Lights were not a problem, however, we noticed he was getting up at night and closing his bedroom door.  So I asked him why and he said "that man (then he made a scary face) comes".  I said what man,  you are safe here, there is no man.  I tried with every explanation possible to assure him he is safe here.  Then Kidane pointed to his head and said "man come in here".  I realized he was telling me he had bad dreams.

We have family worship each night and pray together with the children.  But this called for more action. 

So I prayed with him and asked Jesus to make the bad man go far away.  And in the morning while eating breakfast, Kidane said,  "Mommy, bad man no come.  You pray and I sleep good."  Praise the Lord!  So the next night he asked Russell to pray and again, he slept well.  Tonight he prayed to Jesus himself.  We serve a very powerful God!  

It's Cold

We have to laugh when Kidane says it's cold outside.  Poor guy doesn't know what is coming this winter.  He says that it is cold and wants a jacket and pants when it is 70 degrees outside.  I know he will adjust, he has too.  North Dakota winters are tough! 

So many firsts!  He wanted to use binoculars today so I said yes, but only in the house.  I said, go to the window and look outside.  So he proceeded to head out the front door.  Carrie looked out the front window and there in the front yard was Kidane, looking up at the front window from outside.  We had a good laugh over that, but we brought him inside and showed him how to look out into the fields. 

He has finally learned how to say girls.  Since we have two girls this was very important.  He always pronouced the word "girls"  like "gross",  it was so funny.  Each time he would say "gross like this?", or "where are the gross?" Cassie and Carrie would quickly correct him.  "GIRRRLS".   Hey,  doesn't every boy think girls are gross???

I will try to get on here more often, now.  There are sooo many funny memories, and wonderful firsts for Kidane.  He is amazing!

Coming Home

A new life

I am amazed at how we are able to communicate with each other when we only know a smattering of words in each other's language!!  This proves there is so much truth to the saying "actions speak louder than words".  Somehow, our son knows that we love him, and somehow he is learning to trust us even though we are total strangers.

As adults how many of us could do this?  Totally trust someone you hardly know?  Learn a new language, begin a new life in a new country, eat totally new food....  I believe God gives resiliency to these children.  And God will give us adults that same resiliency.  I am learning so much each day.  God wants me to totally trust Him,  I have to learn a new language also.  He wants me to stop being negative and critical.  He has a whole new life waiting for me to live it! 

Today I want to begin that new life again.  Watching Kidane has given me a new drive to step forward in faith and be all that God wants me to be, all I have to do is trust Him.  God will do it for me by living in me.  Thank you Jesus. 

TIRED

Well, I have been too busy and tired to post anything.  We have been home for 5 days and it feels like a month.  We have finally started settling into a routine.  They say establishing a routine is the most important thing, but it is not easy to do when you consider jet lag, holidays July 4th, required doctors appointments, and the language barrier.  

Somehow we made it through.  My pillow and my prayers and a wonderful husband have helped me adjust this first week home with a very busy boy. 

Goodnight!

Heading back

Wow, we didn't expect it to happen this fast.  We got an email on Tuesday last week to say our 2nd appointment in Ethiopia would be June 27.  Wow.  It was 5 weeks from court to embassy appointment.  The sad part is we are the only parents from our first trip who are traveling over at this time.  In fact, we are the only family going at all this week to pick up our child.  
 
In some ways I am glad since we will have the guest house to our self and the attention of all the caretakers, nannies, and guards.  This will be a great opportunity to learn about his culture and experiences.  I am also praising the Lord that we didn't have to do the first trip alone.  That would have been too hard.  

Our lives feel like one carnival ride after another.  Sometimes, I feel nauseous, and other times I am enjoying the ride with my hands in the air yelling wohoo! There is so much I would love to have already done, in so many ways I think ohhh, I am not ready.  I need another week.  Yet, am I ever going to be totally ready? In my weakness God can show His strength.  If I was ready, and in control, would I forget who the real Captain is?  Yes Lord, I probably would.  Thank You for always being there and never letting me go.

Isaiah 41:10  Fear not for I am with you, be not dismayed for I am your God, I will strengthen you, yes I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. 

Back at Home

We made it to court and WE PASSED!!!  Now we wait to travel back for our 2nd and final trip.  It will be in 3-8 weeks.  It was wonderful getting to meet Kidane.  He is every bit as sweet as we thought he would be.  He knows how to read in English, doesn't know what he is reading, but he can read it!!!  He is a quick learner, he learned how to play UNO with us.  It was so much fun.  We were worn out playing soccer with him each day.  Coming home was hard, and the airlines didn't make it any easier.  We got to the airport Tuesday night and found out our flight was postponed until the next morning.  We finally arrive home on Thursday evening.  

Two Weeks till departure!

Since our phone call on Monday we have been happily busy.  We can take two 50lb suitcases, so we plan to take over needed items.  We got a list from our social worker of what is generally needed and most needed.  So if you want to send something over let us know and we can fill our suitcases for the children! 

We have our tickets.  We leave Bismarck on Friday, May 20 at 1pm, arrive in Addis Ababa Sabbath, May 21 at 8:30pm.   We leave Ethiopia on Tuesday, May 24 at 10:30 pm and arrive back home Wednesday, May 25 at 4:30 pm.  

COURT DATE!!!!!!

We got our court date today!  We have to be in court in Ethiopia on Monday, May 23.  I truly believe it is a miracle!  Why?  Well, at the end of March the court dates for April and May were given out and we were not on the list.  But the government decided to give out more dates in May and we got on the list!!!  Praise God!!!  

I will finally get to meet my little boy and see his smile in person!  I can hardly wait!  I want to just run outside and shout out the good news.  I about burst at the seams today.  Thanks go to all of you for your prayers for us.  

We were hoping for a June or July date and WOW we are going in May!!!  

Snow, Snow go away....

Wow, spring has finally arrived in North Dakota.  It has been a wonderful week!  The temp. has been in the high 40's and we have shed the winter coats, hats, scarfs, and gloves.  I know I have lived here too long when I feel like sun bathing at 50 degrees.  But I am seriously considering it. 

I just can't believe that we still do not have our little boy home yet!!!  I pray that we get a court date in June or July.  I am worried, because the Ethiopian Government shuts down in August and September.  I don't even want to think about how much longer we are going to wait.  We bought a winter coat for Kidane, guess he won't get to use it until next winter. 

For now we are busy with 500 seedlings in our homemade plant nursery.  We are starting lots of marigolds, zinnia, pansy, petunia, and tomatoes.  I love watching them sprout and grow so quickly.  I am saddened  that I am missing all these months of watching Kidane grow....

Speaking of growing fast, Cassie will be 15 this summer!!!! She is an instructor this month for our homeschool PE group.  She is teaching gymnastics.  I love watching her in this role, and I think she is doing a great job!  Of course, I am biased.  But it's my job to think she is the best!! 

Carrie is also growing and growing, she is taller than me and taller than her big sister!  She is very proud of that fact.  I wonder just how tall she is going to be.....  At least I will be taller than Kidane for a little while,  I just hope he comes home soon lest he be all grown up too....

Here's the Latest News.....

Back at the keyboard....  we did get good news this week.  Kidane's paperwork has been finished!!  That is a big thing for which to be thankful.  The process can now move forward!  However, our case worker also said that she received the list of April and May court dates and we are not on it!!!  So, we pray that we get a date in June.  It just blows my mind how long things can take.  I am very sad because his legal birthday is in May, and he will turn 8 years old.  I really wanted to have him home for his birthday. 

While we wait we have been busy.  Russell built bed frames for Cassie and Carrie.  He had them almost finished and was ready to put drawer fronts on the drawers.  When arrangements were made for a student from the school where Russell works to move in with us.  So, we put the beds in Cassie & Carrie's room.  Then we set up Kidane's future room for the student.  So right now it looks more like a teen room, Nascar Calendar, Desk for lots of studying and bunk beds.  Eventually, it will be blue (Kidane's favorite color) and have lots of little boy stuff in it. 

I suppose God is giving us a little practice at learning to adjust to new people.  Julius has been here for 2 weeks and we can see already that everyone is adjusting better each day.  Julius will be moved out by the end of May when school is out for the summer.  All things work together for good (Rom. 8:28), God knew that Julius needed a place and we had one.  And God is watching over Kidane in the meantime.    

Today Russell bought a Suburban so we can have more room on our long trips to Grandma & Grandpa's house in Tennessee.  He will be busy working on that for the next few months.  It is wrecked and it is in Texas.  Hopefully, he will bring it home in April.  You know,  a Suburban has 7 seats.  When Kidane comes home we will fill 5 of them, hmmmm......  you do the math!  :)

Blizzards and Governments.....

They all have something in common.  They can really change life as you know it!  I don't really have any news so I haven't been posting.  I will try to be more consistent.  I should be posting pictures of the two cuties I already have.  They have kept me busy this past month or so and that has been a good diversion from the news I have received about Kidane. 

The Ethiopian agency MOWA (ministry of women's affairs) released a statement to the Ethiopian government that they would be intentionally slowing down the process of approving adoption cases.  Since the announcement was just made this week there are no other specifics, so we don't know how much time frames are changing, we don't really know how this will affect us.  The adoptive parents who have already gone on their first trip are not going to be affected by this statement since they already  have approval thus they went to court.  For the rest of us, this is not looking good.  All we can do is try to wait patiently. 

The good thing about blizzards is they pass quickly.  Government ....well.....