Resting

Mataya is so very happy to have her daddy home.

We spent today resting.  Dad worked for 2/3 of the day.  Grandpa Scott came over to tell us stories.  And we all took naps.

After a month of having daddy back and forth, it feels really good to have him home to stay.  I think my body physically relaxed, which resulted in a bit of a cold and sore throat.  Snuggles, sleep, and stories ruled the day.

Thank you Jesus for Daddy.

Shaving Cream Homework

Tuesday was endless.  It was cool and rainy. . . AND we were waiting for Daddy and Jamison to come home which meant way too much energy and excitement.

One of the ways we passed the day was with shaving cream play.

 It was Mataya's first time with shaving cream.  She loved it.

 Before I gave JG his cars and construction equipment, he had to write 10 site words in the shaving cream.  I have been very impressed at how nicely he has completed his summer school homework assignments.  His good attitude is a relief to me.

In addition to shaving cream play we watched TV, cleaned house, went for coffee, took a drive, and FINALLY. . . FINALLY headed to the airport.

We are so very happy that our boys are back in town!

Grammy's!!!!!

The highlight of today was playing at Grammy's house!

 Joshua and Brenna stayed the night, so by the time Mataya and I arrived this afternoon, they were nearly professional go-cart drivers.  They absolutely love Grammy's new toys.

 Without Mataya they were crazy drivers.  Think cookies and burn outs.  With Mataya they used much more self control.

 You know Joshua is in LOVE when he allows a picture.  He is even looking at the camera and smiling!  That is a sign of thru bliss, I tell you.

 Mataya has become an animal lover, so I knew she would adore Grammy's.  When she saw all the kitties she stomped her feet in glee.  She was fascinated with the fish, and after tasting one piece of fish food, she enjoyed feeding them.

Mataya's grandparents have not gotten very much access to her yet.  Mommy and her sisters have been baby hogs, I confess.  It was fun to watch her explore with Grammy.  They have very similar interests - birdies (oh she loved the parrots), pup pups, kitties, and 'side.  We are excited to go back soon.

 Brenna fell in love with Joey the kitty.  She is trying to figure out how to convince her dad she should have one. . . 

My girls, running to get-you, get-you momma.

Melt my heart!

There is no place like the country in the summer.  Kids being kids - running, climbing, exploring, and carousing - it does not get a lot better than that!

I have no photos yet of what happened at Jemo today.  Chad and I exchanged a few quick texts before he headed to the airport!  The airport!!!  My boys are coming home!

He briefly said that it was a good day at Jemo.  The kids enjoyed their gifts and there was plenty of food at the feast.  Our older kids were very difficult for him to leave.  Big hugs, kisses, and "I love you's" were exchanged.

Just 23 hours and 23 minutes now from now my boys will be back!

Sunday Mission

 I woke up my 4 amigos bright and early this morning and we took a trip to Freedom Fellowship.  It had been far too long.  Going with Mataya meant I spent more time in the nursery and less time with the kids of the church, but a bit of time is better than none.  Plus - my being busy gave Sierra the opportunity to lead much more than usual.  She is ready, willing, and waiting to lead - so it was really a victory kind of day.  (Joshua is in the car!  He just refused to be in the photo.)

While at Freedom Fellowship, Mataya lost her beloved paci!  Patti came to the rescue, much to the joy and relief of baby TayTay.  Thanks to this "loner" we had a quiet drive home.

 Momma was feeling nostalgic, so we had lunch at a little park the park I used to take the big kids to when they were little kids.  I made these four pose on the slide just like my first four did years and years ago.  Bless them for their patience.

This afternoon, JG and Brenna went home with Grammy.  They are hanging there tonight and Mataya and I will join them tomorrow.  It is a treat!  They were ready for an adventure and momma was ready for some quiet.  Mataya seemed happy tonight to have me to herself.  It has been a while!

Meanwhile in Ethiopia. . .

The guys went to church.  It was a loooooong service.  They left after four hours, but the service was not over.  CHC staff just decided it was time to get the Americans some lunch!  I have so many mixed emotions about a service that long.  But most of all I feel admiration.  Worshiping without a time-line, and instead being Spirit lead sounds divine.  Especially since I have been there and realize that people come and go from the service as it fits their time-line and needs.  I am weary of rushing.  A few more worship songs and many more "Lu Lu Lu Lu's" would set my heart free.  But it is so hard to set my heart free in the midst of the American rush. . .  

He DID send me this picture of our sweet, and tiny sponsor daughter Yedidiya. She looks tiny and afraid.  I just want to pull her onto my lap and whisper a prayer into her ear.  She is precious and loved and has great hair!  I can not wait to meet her.  She could use a sponsor momma hug.  I just know it.

He also sent this photo.

It is the mosquito net that keeps his sleeping area bug free.  Oh how thankful I am, once again, for the simple things.  Window screens and air conditioning are blessings I often forget to name as blessings.

There are a few team members who are having tummy troubles this night,  Please pray for them.

Tomorrow (which is actually dawning right about now in ET) is their last day with the kids.  They will present the children with their gifts from their sponsors.  They will feed the kids an authentic Ethiopian feast.  Then they will say good-bye.  Good-bye is terribly hard.  Terribly.  Please be praying!

After they finish at Jemo they will race to the guest house to finish packing and head to the airport, which means Daddy and Jay are coming home soon!!!! YAY!  

I am so thankful that they were able to go - but I will be thrilled to have them back home.  There is NO place like home!  And with any luck, my handsome husband and grandpa-to-be will make it home in time to welcome out grandson.  We expect him to arrive this week.

Hold onto your socks, it looks as though it is going to be a game-changing kind of a week.

Saturday. . . Catching Up!

I spent the day playing catch-up.

Laundry.

Floors.

Groceries.

Gardening.

At about 4:15 one of my children came to me and said she was sooo bored!  This child had slept until 3 PM.  No lie.  She had then watched some TV.  And by 4:15, life was a bore.  LOL!  Can you say First World Problems.  Sigh.  Funny thing, when I mentioned the list of projects I had yet to do today, she was instantly busy!  

The moment I should have gotten on film was late this evening.  I rain storm blew through.  It began with big warm drops.  No wind, just rain falling straight down.  Mataya and Joshua were playing outside and when the rain started they stayed out.  Soon it began to pour.  Those two began a rain dance that would have made the grumpiest person in America smile.  They danced and giggled until the rain stopped and they were soaking wet.  They were precious.

On the other side of the world, it sounded as though the day was crazy.  All medical.  A lot to do.  Some rain delays.  Wild kids.  Many hurdles.

Chad did not text long, but he did send me a couple pictures!

 Our handsome Ayelu coloring with his customary grin.

And our newest sponsor daughter Dibora!
We now have as many sponsor kids as kids!

So far he has managed to send me photos of all our kids save one.  He is so good to me.  He has a way of always making me feel included even when I am half a world away.

I am one lucky girl.

Friday FARM Day

I took the kids on a quick road trip today - but before we left town we stopped at the park to burn off a bit of energy.  I LOVE this photo of my "underclassmen."

 Since Daddy is away, and Momma's ride is in need of an oil change, we took Daddy's truck on our adventure.  Sierra was THRILLED to drive it.  I love her smirk.  Her dad gets this same smirk when he drives a vehicle he loves.  I dubbed it his "car grin" back in our dating days.  It usually meant a burn out was in the near future - but Sierra would NEVER do that! (:

 Our destination was my Grandma and Grandpa's farm.  There is NO place like the farm, especially in the summer.  One thing my kids always enjoy is riding their Great Aunt and Uncle's childhood bikes.  They think it is so fun to rip around the yard on them.  Mataya needed to try, too, of course!

 Cheesin'

 Mataya is not usually interested in anyone touching her outside of her immediate family.  She talks to everyone and "flirts" - but she likes "outsiders" to keep their hands off.  The kids and I were floored and thrilled when she insisted that both of my Grandparents (her Great Grandparents) hold her.

(This picture makes it look like it was only for the yummy watermelon - but that was not true!  She snuggled up with each of them several times.  And when we left, she gave big hugs on her own.  She was melt-my-heart precious.  She also has very good taste.  I have very special grandparents.)

 They were having a deep conversation.

Oh my heart!
They were off the charts precious!

We spent the afternoon chatting while the kids explored.  Then we split a pizza and watermelon and hit the highway back home.  It was a very nice way to spend a day!

On the other side of the world. . .

 Chad sent me pictures of their day.

Above he is with our sponsored son, Ayelu.  Ayelu is about Joshua's age.  We met him two years ago, and I love hearing about him on this trip.  He looks braver, stronger, healthier, and older.  His missing tooth makes me grin!

 He sent this picture with the instructions, "She needs a sponsor.  Let's fix that!"

It has been fixed.

 Apparently Jamison likes to race in Africa, too.  He is pictured above participating in a 3-legged race with Fikru. 

The princess on the right is our Serawit.  I soooooo wish I could be with her.

Chad describes her as quiet in a confident way.  Not needy.  Observant.  Patient.  Kind.  Pretty.

They had supper at the Yod.  I had teased Jamison that he would be dancing.  Dancing in front of a crowd is NOT his norm.  He told me that would more than likely be his Dad, not him.  Looks like momma knew best!  Ha!  He tried out Ethiopian dancing afterall.  I so love and respect that Jamison knows how to be a good sport and have fun!

Growing UP

As I continue to work on savoring this season, I realize that today is a day filled with signs of growth.

 My beautiful and oh-so-sweet niece turned thirteen today.   I thought the milestone was best celebrated with flowers, because I love them and her.  And something about having flowers delivered is both grown-up and special.  (At least in my opinion!)

 The two pictures above are screen shots of Jamison's Instagram post.

I have not spoken or texted with Jay since he has left American soil.  (His phone does not like mine for some reason.)  But I have been thinking of him and praying for him steadily.  I was longing to know just what was happening in his heart when Sierra showed me his post.

It sounds to me like my son has discovered the real meaning of life.  (Which of course made his momma cry tears of joy, tears of gratitude, and tears of relief.)

I can not wait for him to get home and tell me the rest of his stories, but until then I rejoice in this.

And my once shy and uncoordinated Joshua aggressively participated in  his first soccer practice.
Oh my heart.

Last moment I hope to hide away forever and ever I was not able to photograph.

While I mowed, Mataya watched (with Brenna nearby) with complete adoration.  Every time I drove near her she clapped, waved, stomped her feet, and blew kisses.  There is no love like the love of a baby.  Her precious love and joy is something I hope to hide in my heart always.

It has been a long, full, and very emotional day.

As my Grandma used to say, "My cup overflows."