Shape Collage...Go to http://www.shapecollage.com/ to see how to download it and have fun with your photos. Her is one from Jarib's birthday cake photos..
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Fun Photo Collage Tool
I do not know how to "add link"...ya know how bloggers have a subject highlighted and if you click on it you will go to website? It seems beyond me to figure that out right now...but did want to share this fun photo tool...the
Shape Collage...Go to http://www.shapecollage.com/ to see how to download it and have fun with your photos. Her is one from Jarib's birthday cake photos..
Shape Collage...Go to http://www.shapecollage.com/ to see how to download it and have fun with your photos. Her is one from Jarib's birthday cake photos..
Cuteness & Sugar Overload/Jarib's 2nd Birthday
There is tons of photos on this blog. "Little's" birthdays are so much fun simply must take tons of photos...just want to share the joy with you. If you can hold out to the end there is a surprise. A WONDERFUL blessing for Jarib and the culmination of months of paperwork and dealing with insurance. Praise the Lord!
Judah showing how yummy the frosting is on his tongue
Daddy likes Mommy's cupcakes too
Solomon and Towabech
Miriam and Meseret
Job
Tamar MyHao
Happiness is the biggest ball..
Jarib loves balls. He also still calls everything "round" a ball...like an orange, globe,a Brussel sprout. But real balls are just the best all time toy. They roll, bounce are even mostly squishy and colorful. For Jarib's birthday we bought over a dozen balls of varying size and a small child wading pool to hold them. They a winner!
Any toy for any of the three little boys is a "shared" toy. Stress and screaming reigns unless there is at least three of any given play thing. So, the balls are shared; thrown at windows and each other; played with in pool and bath tub; and at times slept with like a favored "lovey".
The best is last here. A few weeks ago Jarib's new wheelchair was delivered. It is honestly the cutest thing I have ever seen. From the first time Jarib sat in it he knew exactly how to make it work. He can crawl up into chair himself and buckle his sea belt. It has changed his life! He gets ALL over in house. Though the hard wood floors are easier for speed,he does fine moving on the rug. He LOVES playing (speeding around) on the cement and sidewalks outside...though he isn't able to get far in grass. Jarib loves to "dance" to music in his chair and to play the "twirl around" game where he spins the chair faster and faster around in circle. We are so happy for him!
Judah showing how yummy the frosting is on his tongue
Daddy likes Mommy's cupcakes too
Solomon and Towabech
Miriam and Meseret
Job
Tamar MyHao
Happiness is the biggest ball..
Jarib loves balls. He also still calls everything "round" a ball...like an orange, globe,a Brussel sprout. But real balls are just the best all time toy. They roll, bounce are even mostly squishy and colorful. For Jarib's birthday we bought over a dozen balls of varying size and a small child wading pool to hold them. They a winner!
Any toy for any of the three little boys is a "shared" toy. Stress and screaming reigns unless there is at least three of any given play thing. So, the balls are shared; thrown at windows and each other; played with in pool and bath tub; and at times slept with like a favored "lovey".
The best is last here. A few weeks ago Jarib's new wheelchair was delivered. It is honestly the cutest thing I have ever seen. From the first time Jarib sat in it he knew exactly how to make it work. He can crawl up into chair himself and buckle his sea belt. It has changed his life! He gets ALL over in house. Though the hard wood floors are easier for speed,he does fine moving on the rug. He LOVES playing (speeding around) on the cement and sidewalks outside...though he isn't able to get far in grass. Jarib loves to "dance" to music in his chair and to play the "twirl around" game where he spins the chair faster and faster around in circle. We are so happy for him!
Monday, June 20, 2011
Meseret's May 27th Birthday
Meseret is such a sweet daughter. She was adopted at age 8 and is now a whopping 14 years old! "Messy" is a great helper and very hard worker at home. She is super social and loves her friends and youth group. Most lovely is she loves the Lord and seeks to follow Him. It shows...Happy 14th Birthday honey!
The after "Happy Birthday" song cheering
Towabech waiting to bless Meseret with the gift she spent many hours making..
Meseret with her beautiful birthday gift scarf from sister. Towabech came from Layla home in Ethiopia with master knitting skills.
The after "Happy Birthday" song cheering
Towabech waiting to bless Meseret with the gift she spent many hours making..
Meseret with her beautiful birthday gift scarf from sister. Towabech came from Layla home in Ethiopia with master knitting skills.
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Reflections From An Ex Country Girl
I deeply miss our little farm. I most miss the watching of the sunrise. The eastern sky would flood with orange and pink light as I filled the clothes line with laundry washed the night before. Hanging out damp cold sheets and jeans was somehow made into worship. The world that early in the morning is a most private place. It seemed to be just the Lord and I. Alone, together. I ask Him between clothes pinning the flapping sheets..."What today Lord?"..."Will I hear the answer I've been seeking?... " Him answering in beauty and the still small/large voice..... "Seek ME first" "Rest in ME".." "See Me". Then later at evening...the time after dishes washed and PJs put on washed children...time for sun to set. Yet another glorious light show! Yah! Different in it's lusciousness every day's end. "Good night Lord."... "Thank You for this good and worthy day.".. "You are beautiful"... "You are Glory".. Sigh. Yes. He meets us wherever we are. Yes, His beauty is everywhere. In country, in village, in city. I just so loved the country though. The twenty acres of flat wheat land surrounding us with quiet...and an amazing first class seat everyday to sunrise and sunset. We for good reason became "townies", and said goodbye to the life in the country. It is all good and worth the loss of the front row seats to God's light and shadow show every morning and evening. I do so miss meeting Him though; when the world is LARGE with horizon and it feels like it is just He and I. It was a clarity and truth that I discover harder to "see" in town. I know it must be me. God is still the same "I Am" everywhere. If you live in town and have no sunrise or sunset to see. If you live in city and see little or no nature. If you live in prison and see only concrete. God is still "I Am". I know His beauty is the same when it is easy to see Him surrounding you in nature. I should not grieve the country when I KNOW He is the same here in the city. One really cool thing about God is that we can talk with Him where ever whenever, no matter the circumstances. Thank you God for the precious times I had with You when I was spoiled rotten with wide open space and horizon and quiet and light shows every day. And thank you most of all that You are everywhere and in every thing.
Okay...so I miss country life. You will understand this post better understanding that I am a former country girl who is sad for the loss of livestock and the living in the day by day "circle of life".... Forgive my post devoted to waterfowl. This kinda stuff thrills me...ducks, chicks, the birds showing back up to the feeders out back..
CLARK and MARTI
A few years ago shortly after we moved from "country" to "city" we were visited one early spring day by pair of mallard ducks we named "Clark" and "Marty" after our most ever favorite movie series "Love Comes Softly" and it's main characters...Marti and Clark. This adorable mallard pair now shows up every year soon after Mike opens opens up the pool. I assume it is same ducks? They look the same. We just look out one spring morning and there they are! Marty and Clark frolicking in our freshly opened in ground pool.
The kids and I are always so excited to see them come back. Mike is a bit less excited as he is one to clean the pool.
They aren't too scared of us. At least they don't fly away when I rush outside to take their picture and put some ducky food of bread crumbs or grain in pie plate near the pool. Our dog doesn't even bark at them. He must remember Clark and Marti too.
I have imagined a totally wonderful and touching duck love story. Two mallards who first met as young duck teens. Then a promise made to mate for life. Now, this sweet couple together all these years. They return every year from the south to the same northern town and neighborhood near a river. They visit daily our "cement pond" for some rest and a swim before flying over the fence to whatever weedy spot in a neighbor's yard they have built a nest. Clark standing watch nearby as Marti fluffs and turns to keep her egg duckys-to-be just the right warmth. Then one day a few weeks later they stop coming to visit our pool. I like to imagine they raised their batch of ducklings down near the brush of the river.
~CLARK~
~MARTI~
A few days ago I was outside and saw Mama Marti waddle through the neighbors open gate with ducklings following along behind her at just as a fast a waddle. They were so quick. They were making a beeline for the street. Then before I could weigh trying to herd them into our back yard...they were in street, across street and headed down the 3 blocks to busy busy street. I was still weighing just how mad Mike would be to come home to find duck family (with lots of wet messy duck poo) in his city back yard. I knew it was a "no no". But maybe a duck rescue? Catch them in box and transport to river..? But sadly now they were too far away. Too fast and too far. I couldn't see them anymore walking along the side of street. I just like to think Mama Marti took them into another yard with nice weedy spot to hide...maybe another yard with cement pond? I like to think Marti will be back next spring with Clark. I will pray she takes her ducklings east towards the river rather than west to the busy busy street. Circle of life.
Okay...so I miss country life. You will understand this post better understanding that I am a former country girl who is sad for the loss of livestock and the living in the day by day "circle of life"...
CLARK and MARTI
A few years ago shortly after we moved from "country" to "city" we were visited one early spring day by pair of mallard ducks we named "Clark" and "Marty" after our most ever favorite movie series "Love Comes Softly" and it's main characters...Marti and Clark. This adorable mallard pair now shows up every year soon after Mike opens opens up the pool. I assume it is same ducks? They look the same. We just look out one spring morning and there they are! Marty and Clark frolicking in our freshly opened in ground pool.
The kids and I are always so excited to see them come back. Mike is a bit less excited as he is one to clean the pool.
They aren't too scared of us. At least they don't fly away when I rush outside to take their picture and put some ducky food of bread crumbs or grain in pie plate near the pool. Our dog doesn't even bark at them. He must remember Clark and Marti too.
I have imagined a totally wonderful and touching duck love story. Two mallards who first met as young duck teens. Then a promise made to mate for life. Now, this sweet couple together all these years. They return every year from the south to the same northern town and neighborhood near a river. They visit daily our "cement pond" for some rest and a swim before flying over the fence to whatever weedy spot in a neighbor's yard they have built a nest. Clark standing watch nearby as Marti fluffs and turns to keep her egg duckys-to-be just the right warmth. Then one day a few weeks later they stop coming to visit our pool. I like to imagine they raised their batch of ducklings down near the brush of the river.
~CLARK~
~MARTI~
A few days ago I was outside and saw Mama Marti waddle through the neighbors open gate with ducklings following along behind her at just as a fast a waddle. They were so quick. They were making a beeline for the street. Then before I could weigh trying to herd them into our back yard...they were in street, across street and headed down the 3 blocks to busy busy street. I was still weighing just how mad Mike would be to come home to find duck family (with lots of wet messy duck poo) in his city back yard. I knew it was a "no no". But maybe a duck rescue? Catch them in box and transport to river..? But sadly now they were too far away. Too fast and too far. I couldn't see them anymore walking along the side of street. I just like to think Mama Marti took them into another yard with nice weedy spot to hide...maybe another yard with cement pond? I like to think Marti will be back next spring with Clark. I will pray she takes her ducklings east towards the river rather than west to the busy busy street. Circle of life.
Sabbath and Pancakes
Even though we attend a Sunday service church now; we still look forward to our Sabbath (Saturday) every weekend. Sabbath is a gift to us. A day of rest. To me that means letting go for a day of the constant multitasking frenzy of my life. From sundown Friday night to sundown Sabbath I can let go of my "hurry". I can let the kids sleep in and play with the littles when they get up at crack of dawn. I can sit on the couch writing posts for my blog without feeling like I should be sorting dirty clothes. Mostly I can focus my thoughts on the Lord. Read His Word. I have the kind of time to spend Mike and the kids that is difficult to arrange the rest of the week. And I can make pancakes for breakfast. I can read a book when the kids nap. Here is a great quote from a book I really want to read. The book is called "King’s Cross: The Story of the World in the Life of Jesus" by Timothy Keller.
<<“When Jesus says, “I am the Lord of the Sabbath, I can give you rest,” Jesus means that He is the Sabbath.
He is the source of the deep rest we need.
He has come to completely change the way we rest.
The one-day-a-week rest we take is just a taste of the deep divine rest we need — and Jesus is its source.”>> Timothy Keller
Isn't this great!?! Jesus/Yeshua is our rest! He is our big, forever peaceful, burden free, un-frenzied rest. Jesus our never stops at any sundown Sabbath.
Getting back to pancakes.....
Sabbath is about the only day I can imagine willingly dosing my children with sugar. It doesn't matter what form the sugar takes...organic pure maple sugar, honey, cheap syrup, Agave...it all has the same effect on my six little boys. First thing you notice is the volume of everything gets turned up. Pretty soon they are all doing gymnastics in the living room. Someone will surely bite someone else. They are happy. They are dancing. They are just super intense about everything after the powerful sugar drugging. Now, sometimes I am more healthy minded mama. "Healthy Minded Mama" only gives her kids pancakes served with unsweetened applesauce. But mostly on Sabbaths I like to live dangerously and give them their pancakes with syrup.
first batch....
Would you deny these faces the pure joy of real maple syrup on their pancakes?
This guy I can still "fool" with a plain bare naked pancake
Happy smiles with second and third helpings
Some folks just hit the sugar crash early. He may be mad someday that I put his fussy whining face on "stillwater" for all to see. But this blog is really a dairy of our family life. And this sad face is a big part of our life now. I love you Job. Your intenseness is all natural...no sugar needed. God will use you in BIG ways I know it!
And then there are those little people who are always ready with a smile... especially on pancake day
<<“When Jesus says, “I am the Lord of the Sabbath, I can give you rest,” Jesus means that He is the Sabbath.
He is the source of the deep rest we need.
He has come to completely change the way we rest.
The one-day-a-week rest we take is just a taste of the deep divine rest we need — and Jesus is its source.”>> Timothy Keller
Isn't this great!?! Jesus/Yeshua is our rest! He is our big, forever peaceful, burden free, un-frenzied rest. Jesus our never stops at any sundown Sabbath.
Getting back to pancakes.....
Sabbath is about the only day I can imagine willingly dosing my children with sugar. It doesn't matter what form the sugar takes...organic pure maple sugar, honey, cheap syrup, Agave...it all has the same effect on my six little boys. First thing you notice is the volume of everything gets turned up. Pretty soon they are all doing gymnastics in the living room. Someone will surely bite someone else. They are happy. They are dancing. They are just super intense about everything after the powerful sugar drugging. Now, sometimes I am more healthy minded mama. "Healthy Minded Mama" only gives her kids pancakes served with unsweetened applesauce. But mostly on Sabbaths I like to live dangerously and give them their pancakes with syrup.
first batch....
Would you deny these faces the pure joy of real maple syrup on their pancakes?
This guy I can still "fool" with a plain bare naked pancake
Happy smiles with second and third helpings
Some folks just hit the sugar crash early. He may be mad someday that I put his fussy whining face on "stillwater" for all to see. But this blog is really a dairy of our family life. And this sad face is a big part of our life now. I love you Job. Your intenseness is all natural...no sugar needed. God will use you in BIG ways I know it!
And then there are those little people who are always ready with a smile... especially on pancake day
Friday, May 13, 2011
Sand Box Boy Joys
Big Daddy Mike made the sand box over a year ago. ALL the kids love playing in it. Building, sifting, digging for buried treasure. Yes; I know it means sand filled diapers. And yes; it does mean shoes and sand laden socks making the living room a gritty always-needing-swept-pitted-hard-wood-floor. And yes; it means heads of thick dark Ethiopian and African hair and sandy haired Caucasian heads of hair all caked with sand...always needing a shower to rinse out the grit. A-OK...it makes them happy. This digging, building; shifting of earth exercise. It must be wired into them by the Father. Last week I found two little boys...happily, gleefully, digging, shifting sand. Of course that created an impromptu photo opt.
Umm...yes, his shirt is inside out. I told you it was impromptu "boy joys" time.
Umm...yes, his shirt is inside out. I told you it was impromptu "boy joys" time.
Goodby Winter!
It was a long winter. The next 4-5 mos we will swim every day (few baths needed), eat our meals outside (less meal mess inside) and wear saddles (no need to find a dozen pair of socks a day). Summer I love you...
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