A Blogger's Hiatus

Nope. This isn’t part 2 of our story. Just an update since my blogger hiatus.

What have we been up to for the last 8-10 weeks?

Avery asked Keith to dance with her stuffed Dumbo, who had dressed up for the occassion. We were all the captive audience. As you can see, Garrison is thoroughly enjoying the show.

At the end of July I loaded up the family, minus Keith, with Simon as my narcoleptic co-pilot and made the 11-hour drive to Oklahoma. After nearly a week with family and friends, I packed everyone back into the van and drove 8 hours to Houston. Lucky for the kids that Keith flew in for the final weekend with his parents so that I didn’t have to make the 12-hour trip home alone.

Saying our goodbyes in Oklahoma.

In Texas, the kids and their cousins made tie dye shirts and onesies for the new baby...with a little help from me.

Although shockingly I have no funny stories to tell about my travels, I could tell you about a mom who prepared for everything but Armageddon. To eliminate stopping for meals, I packed baggies full of nuts, fruit, veggies, chicken, and even more veggies. Plus one package of fruit snacks each. I am not the cool mom. No, sir. Each child had a cup of water, but I forbade them to drink any because of the no-stopping-for-a-potty-break philosophy. The seat pocket in front of each child was stocked with coloring supplies, a lacing toy for idle hands, and a trash/vomit bag with very clear instructions on what to do with it. They were also strongly encouraged to fill their backpacks with a blanket for naps in the van, a change of clothes just in case, plus an electronic game with ear buds so I wouldn’t have to listen. I have zero complaints about the entire experience, except that I missed my husband, and would do it more often if it weren’t for that.

We arrived home in time to unpack and get groceries before our friend Bisrat (visiting from Ethiopia) flew in. The kids and I kept him entertained for the week, and Keith joined us the latter part of his stay for some touristy expeditions in Atlanta.

In addition to poking fun at the volume of pillows with which Americans adorn their beds, especially guest beds, he enlightened us as to the low down, and I mean way low down, on Ethiopia. Although it’s nothing I can post here, it hasn’t dissuaded us from going. And, while it still seems a relatively safe place for foreigners, specifically Americans, we are grateful certain family members are not privy to such information. In fact, were we making this decision 15 or 20 years down the road, we probably wouldn’t be facing it with as much enthusiasm. But, with youth comes naivety, even in the midst of knowledge.

Sadly, we captured the majority of our experiences on Bisrat’s camera, and these 2 blurry shots are the only ones to show you. Ivan, who has been known to be sent to bed after dinner, was rewarded one evening for who knows what by getting to stay up 10 minutes past his siblings and teach Bizzy how to play Xbox.

The zoo was part of his ATL tour, but he escaped all the pics we took.

Here the kids are with one of their BFFs Worth.

Seriously, my kids are so stinkin' cute!

Avery, the ferocious tiger.

Then we had the super fun, never-ending, amazing wedding on Labor Day. Two of our very best friends got hitched in Atlanta over the course of a 4-day celebration. Yes, my dress was fabulous, but did you see the very handsome and sexy Keith in any facebook photos? If his job required him to wear a white button up and suspenders every day, there’s not a whole lot that would get done.

Thankfully, this was one of those kid-free weddings, so I divvied out the kids to the homes of 4 friends and didn’t think twice.

The following weekend our kids experienced all things beachy for the first time when we took our first ever. Yes, ever. Family vacation. Destination: Orange Beach, Alabama. Not the swankiest of retreat areas for adults or kids, but it was free. And, even better is that our getaway was with 2 more of our best friends and their kids.

I need to teach this gal some modesty!

So that Megan and I could have some quality beach time, Keith and Mr. Chris took the kids to some kind of museum. I didn't ask too many questions. I mean, we were getting a few hours without our kids. The guys could have told us they were taking the kids to learn how to throw knives and I wouldn't have batted an eye.

Next on the agenda was the biggest yard sale ever! I mean, EVER. The idea was a smallish fundraiser to get rid of the purged items in Round 1. We were overwhelmed by how much our fellow church members brought in to sell. Overwhelmed in the good sense that, “Gee, this is awesome how much people are supporting us. I feel so loved.” But also overwhelmed as in, “Are you kidding me? We’ve got less than 2 days to sort through the mounds of crap…I mean items to sell…that people have dumped on us…I mean donated. And, there is no end in sight.”

We just weren’t prepared for the department-store level of set up we’d have to do. Although I lost count of how many full trailer loads of donations Keith unloaded, it was such a blessing. We raised enough money for about half the airfare needed for our family to move. And, a sweet friend has already offered to host another one at the end of October to sell some of the leftovers.

A few days later, the paternal grandparents showed up for a 4-day visit. They headed home the same day Keith left for a scheduled “work” trip. Sunday night we returned from Tennessee, the home of some friends who took our newest family pictures. Much more on that weekend later. And, of course I’ll plaster the rest of the pics on here when we get them.

VBS, a Beach and 2 Birds

A week of firsts for this family…and some shocking revelations because of them.

The kids attended their first Vacation Bible School. It was plain ole awesome with songs like “Nothing But the Blood” and a series of skits that presented the Gospel. The week of VBS made me realize a few things. There is no way I am capable of sending the kids to public school right now. Literally, I can’t do it. We were supposed to be in the van ready to leave almost 2 hours from the time I let them out of their rooms. Yes, they are caged animals. However, there was no time for memory work at breakfast or snuggling up to read between lunch and naps. We barely had time for the essentials: eating, getting dressed, brushing teeth, and cleaning up to my specifications, which includes sweeping all non-carpeted areas after breakfast. I have a problem, I know. I would seek help, but this is me with help from more than one professional.

Another thing I didn’t have time for was just seeing the kids. Crazy, I know. But I missed them. Not a lot. Gosh, no! But, yes, missed them. I mean, they spend 98% of their waking time with me. And, somehow being rushed through the morning meant we were rushed through the evening. Instead of having the entire morning to vie for my attention, they were left with those few moments from nap to dinner and dinner to bedtime.

VBS for them was supposed to mean glorious free time for me. Oh, and the learning about Jesus part. Yes, let’s not forget about that. But, I was looking forward to two and a half hours a day of nearly guilt-free freedom for 4 days. Keith called it my half-days off. Someone, slap him. Please. However, real life full of its responsibilities stomped all over my plans, and I spent that coveted free time getting groceries, taking the van to get fixed, and getting a rental.

I want to spend time with my kids, but I desperately need the occasional stretch of time for just me. Free time that does not entail grocery getting, meal planning, cooking, cleaning, laundrying, etc. Is that so selfish? Yes? Well, I still want it.

It comes down to the fact that the stage I’m in is just a season. A very short one. I have to keep telling myself that. I’m going to be dreaming about these days gone for much longer than the actual struggles of them are lasting. I count myself as one of the lucky gals who gets to stay home with her animals…um, I mean children.

Another first for the kids was a boat ride with two of their favorite men: Daddy and Mr. Chris. During this lake trip, two things occurred to me. 1) Our kids are going to miss our friends as much as we are. I’ll say no more on that sadness because I’m sure Megan is crying at the mere mention of it. 2) It doesn’t take anything fancy to entertain kids. A boat with maximum capacity of 2-3 adults on a lake that is technically a pond with a somewhat grassy beach not more than a hundred feet wide. But…it was awesome! And, I finally got some of that free time I’d been longing for.

A first for me, but not something I’m looking forward to making a habit of was deboning 2 whole chickens. Thanks to my farming, homeschooling, amazing friend Keri for that inspiration. Not just removing the meat either. I separated those dead birds into 3 piles: the edible meat (although not all of it looked edible…yuck), the bones, and the rest of the carcass, which included skin, fat, white pieces that were hard enough to be bones but not quite the right bone color plus a disgusting bag of who knows what that basically slid out of each bird’s crotch as I yanked on its flimsy leg. If you are about to vomit over this revolting image, you are not alone.

Who am I kidding? I have to admit that I did it all through thick rubber gloves…my saving grace on most days. Still, what has become of me? I use tongs to transfer the already processed “boneless, skinless chicken breast” from the bag to the pot for crying out loud! Oh, but, I finished the nasty deed by tossing those dry bones back into the pot and cooking them far beyond death to get that yummy, stinky, healthy, greasy, versatile stock. At first I thought it was a flop as it turned out gelatinous instead of liquid, but after using it all week it has been a space saver in the frig and is easy enough to dilute as I use it. And, meals have been easy breezy. Finally, something that’s easy. Totally worth it.

I think I’m ready to take on a chicken in Ethiopia. No? Make that a dead chicken. Okay, not quite yet. But I’m getting there.

Here's a handful of pictures to tide you over since I'm not getting on here too often.

Keith and I went to Hilton Head for a long weekend thanks to some of our best friends who invited us to their house there and other best friends who kept all 3 kids for us.

The kids couldn't understand why I wasn't excited about my birthday. It's just going to get more depressing. But, Keith ordered a cookie cake with what else but an angel.

When Keith gave piggy back rides one evening, they all jumped on at once.

Can you see everyone?

If Daddy can do it, Garrison thinks he can do it. Avery and Ivan slid right off when he stood up. Great effort though. And, very cute.

The boys awkwardly pose with our friend Jane. I missed their horse ride or you'd see those pictures here.

Avery rode the horse last with Mr. Tim, who said "she is a natural on a horse." When I asked her about it later, she wanted to make it very clear that she didn't like horses, just riding them.

The next post is supposed to be Part 2 of "The Story." Do you like how I said "supposed to be"?

Trip 3, Day 4: The Pitch

Ethiopia may not be the hottest vacation spot, but it is warm...all year long. And, although you may not be on vacation, you’ll feel like it with the speed at which people move here. Let me tell you what “we” have here to offer you in this equator-level country.

#1. Affordable produce. Dirt cheap. Avocados are my favorite. A staple in our house. I have been addicted to guacamole since I was first introduced to it at Tovah’s first birthday party. Now, I make it every day for lunch. The going rate for a kilo (or 2.2 pounds) is 10-12 birr (or $0.70). You got it. All those avocados for less than a dollar. Fresh picked organic avocados. Wow. Forget the orphan crisis. That might be reason enough for me to move here! Any takers?

#2. Beautiful people. Stunning. Perhaps you’re not in the market for attractive people unless you’re a single person, a talent scout or just creepy. But they are here. Unashamed I’ll admit catching myself staring too long…wondering just how someone’s features could be so flawless. I would estimate that 90% of the population here are outright gorgeous. Have I enticed you yet?

#3. The sight seeing. While I am always honest, and perhaps a bit too brutal in my delivery, I think last year when I wrote about Ethiopia my perception may have been skewed. Yes, people urinate right in the median of a highway in broad daylight, but I have seen zero men expose themselves during this trip. Thank you, Jesus. However, at one stoplight a woman with a child resting on her hip approached my side of the van with her right hand extended asking for money and her left boob exposed. This was no accident. It didn’t just pop out a little. No. She had pulled the whole thing out and flopped it over her V-neck shirt. Was this part of her ploy to get money? You know some people will show off a disability or hold a sign explaining the sad reason they are begging for money. Was there a fee assumed with being shown the boob? I do not know. But it was a sight to see. Oh, the animals! No need to buy season tickets to the zoo. Just take a walk to the market or a drive into the city. You’ll see plenty. Down a little side road on a walk today stood a silk factory with real, live silk worms! Seriously. Plus leaves for them to eat, women weaving the silk, and items they produced right there for you to purchase. Field trip! Plus, tons o’ shopping. I’ll leave it at that. Ready to pack up?

#4. The culture. Just in general. The people here are amazing. They take care of each other, including the Americans living here (They love us!), as if they’re all a close-knit family. It would put Americans’ idea of community to shame. Whether they know each other or not they serve each other. Greetings and pleasantries can go on for hours, which is sweet….unless you’re in a hurry. That’s another thing: It’s so relaxing and slow-paced here. There’s actually a chance to get to enjoy life, which is rare in the states. Want me to get you a room at the fabulous Ethiopian Guest House?

#5. The lack of crime. With the exception of pick-pocketing, there is virtually no crime. While I have no idea the penalties for petty or serious criminal acts, I do know that people in prison sleep on dirt floors and have no TV. During an inquiry about getting a vehicle and license, we were told if you get caught driving without insurance the fine is 7,000 birr and a year in prison. No warnings. When would you like that reservation?

Life here isn’t that different from life back home. Grocery stores, movie theaters, churches (even English-speaking ones), schools (public, private, even home-school co-ops), malls (I know of at least one), gyms, and a multitude of cable TV options. Take away all conveniences and a sense of entitlement and you’ve got a normal life. Well, a reduced sense of entitlement. Almost normal. Oh, no tampons here! Never even heard of them. So when you come, bring me a box or two.

Christmas Was Here

This post will chronicle our Christmas events. Plain and simple. I'll try to be quick, narrating as little as possible. A picture's worth a thousand words, right? I only added a few.

We had Christmas with the kids the night before we left town. Do you love their matching festive ensembles and Ivan's masculine socks? We had just returned home from gymnastics, which usually leaves enough time for dinner and a maybe a bath before bed time. Oh, and squeeze in the family Christmas.

No "candy" canes in these stockings. Those are pens. School supplies. Much better than a sugary treat, right?

A present for the boys quickly captivated everyone, except for me. I mean, it's just spinning a little round piece of plastic. How easily they are entertained. Fun times.

Hannah Montana blanket for Avery. I had found it on clearance for $3 this past summer. Score. She probably thanked me a hundred times over the next few days for that thing.

The excitement over Keith's gift is an act. A very cute act but still 100% false. "I already have a watch," he said upon opening the present. Yes, he does have a watch, but it's been broken for about 7 years. I returned both of these 2 days ago.

Those are Toy Story book lights clipped onto Ivan's waistband. He thought himself hilarious. And, gloves...from his stocking of course.

Change of setting: Houston, Texas.

We jumped right into Christmas dinner. All of us in coordinating attire, except for Keith who said navy blue is basically the same as black, hence the reason I am hiding all but his face. I have to add that after lunch I did coerce him into one of his dad's black shirts. At least it didn't have a giant Fox logo across the front. Poor Uncle Tommy sacrificed being part of the picture so we'd have a photographer. No one had thought to get out the tripod yet.

Cousins! Garrison (5), Ivan (3), Avery (4), Addyson (4), Kendall (6)

How cute are we? But, wait! Someone is missing! He was too fast for the camera.

One big happy family, incomplete without that little black and white face on my lap.

The grandparents. Pa Pa and Gu Gu. Wearing age-appropriate head accessories.

Time for the gift-opening mayhem.

Keith's favorite pastime while on the road is taking pictures of those goofy, yet certainly life-changing, church signs and sending them to his BFFs. A little game they play. This book is full of them, and it's the "collector's edition." A few good ones as I flipped through it: "Road Rage? How Would Jesus Drive?" "7 Days a Week Without God Makes One Weak" "God Answers Knee-Mail" Yes, definitely life-changing words.

147 million. That number is astonishing to me. I cannot wrap my brain around it. 147 million kids with no mom or dad. Garrison was telling me a story about "before Ethiopia," which he refers to the time before he arrived at the orphanage....and in the middle of his story, he said, "There was no Mommy." The heart-breaking part is he said it with no emotion, as if it were commonplace. While I'm about to cry recalling this story, Keith is about to cry over seeing this shirt. He's such a softy. And I love it!

The ceremonial receiving of Christmas Eve pajamas! And the mania that ensued the moment they were donned.

I know the question you're asking. Why is Avery standing behind the kid-sized punching toy while Ivan takes a swing at it? I have no clue. This is the effect of having recently gained 2 brothers.

Christmas morning...

Candy canes filled with Hershey Kisses. This was the only gift that prompted all 3 of them to jump up and run to grandparents to express their sincere gratitude. I allowed them to eat as many as they could stomach. I am awesome.

Jesus' Happy Birthday, as the boys referred to the event. Thanks to Gu Gu who didn't use any artificial food coloring with the cake. The boys were a bit disappointed that Jesus didn't "come down" for his party though.

Two peas in a pod. Two very cute peas in that pod.

I am forced to go to the Y to workout anytime we are in Texas. Yes, forced. Every time. But, they have a room of rock-climbing walls for kids 5 and up. Garrison climbed the beginner wall, then the one you see here. The goal is to ring the bell dangling from the stuffed animal at the top. Oh, he did it. Both times.

Gingerbread houses were a catastrophe for the second year in a row. And, all because we are too cheap to buy one at the before-Christmas price. Aunt Renea had purchased these last year for a quarter each. The above picture is the end result of our efforts. Nice, huh.

Ivan spent much of his time in this position, on the table, which is why he has nothing to show in the end.

The grandparents treated everyone to TCBY after the first ever big family photo shoot. Yum.

Our dear friends The Rawlings, also residents of the Houston area, came for a visit with their 3 kiddos since we were in town. We sure do miss them.

Gingerbread house assembly: Take 2. Using graham crackers, homemade cream cheese icing (which I am not recommending for the job) and dye-free edible decorations from the pantry, we let the kids take a stab at this again. Fools we are! The little house above was their example. Perhaps it was too extravagant for them. Yes, that's it. No way the kids themselves could be the problems.

I'm not sure what I've captured below. Is it a house under construction? Is it a proud child's final product? The remnants of someone's snack...someone who decided not to even attempt anything more than icing smeared across the crackers?

But, the kids still had fun. And, because I'm so awesome, I let them eat everything they created. After dinner of course. I am still a responsible parent. Awesome. But responsible.

Careful.

Consumer.

Creative.

These last few are of the girls strutting their stuff and their new fab headband/hats. The epitome of sophistication right here.

Our tree and other Christmas decor stayed up an extra week because we wanted to celebrate Christmas with Ethiopia on January 7th. We couldn't adopt many of their festivities: fasting, marching in circles with candles, no gifts. But we did dress up the kids in authentic Ethiopian attire and read some more about the events surrounding the birth of Jesus. Oh, and pictures in front of the "Christmas treat," as Ivan calls it, for the last time this year.

Are these captured moments making anyone else cry?