Is it Monday yet?

Savouring today, BUT I cannot believe that Monday is just around the corner!! When will I hear? 10 am? Noon? Two o'clock? It feels a lot like Christmas Eve around here...

(cute little baby doll is from Bamboletta. I want to order one!)

http://bamboletta.com/

Schoolwork....how exciting...

I received pictures of Olivia that were taken earier this week! How exciting is that...and several of them showed her doing school work!

Fun! This is the first time I have had even an inkling whether she had any formal schooling or not. I had asked, but seemed to not get answers.

I love seeing her at a table with other girls working on school. I wonder what they are writing?

Monday is our BIG day!!!!!!

An Interesting, Sad Perspective...

This was written as an analogy of what some of our children feel...in the process of becoming ours.... Eye opening.

A Different Perspective

Immense Loss; Walk a Mile in Baby’s Booties

Imagine for a moment… You have met the person you've dreamed about all your life. He has every quality that you desire in a spouse. You plan for the wedding, enjoying every free moment with your fiancée. You love his touch, his smell, the way he looks into your eyes. For the first time in your life, you understand what is meant by "soul mate," for this person understands you in a way that no one else does. Your heart beats in rhythm with his. Your emotions are intimately tied to his every joy, his every sorrow. The wedding comes. It is a happy celebration, but the best part is that you are finally the wife of this wonderful man. You fall asleep that night, exhausted from the day's events, but relaxed and joyful in the knowledge that you are next to the person who loves you more than anyone in the world…the person who will be with you for the rest of your life. The next morning you wake up, nestled in your partner's arms. You open your eyes and immediately look for his face. But IT'S NOT HIM! You are in the arms of another man.

You recoil in horror. Who is this man? Where is your beloved? You ask questions of the new man, but it quickly becomes apparent that he doesn't understand you. You search every room in the house, calling and calling for your husband. The new guy follows you around, trying to hug you, pat you on the back,...even trying to stroke your arm, acting like everything is okay. But you know that nothing is okay. Your beloved is gone. Where is he? Will he return? When? What has happened to him?

Weeks pass. You cry and cry over the loss of your beloved. Sometimes you ache silently, in shock over what has happened. The new guy tries to comfort you. You appreciate his attempts, but he doesn't speak your language-either verbally or emotionally. He doesn't seem to realize the terrible thing that has happened...that your sweetheart is gone. You find it difficult to sleep.

The new guy tries to comfort you at bedtime with soft words and gentle touches, but you avoid him, preferring to sleep alone, away from him and any intimate words or contact. Months later, you still ache for your beloved, but gradually you are learning to trust this new guy. He's finally learned that you like your coffee black, not doctored up with cream and sugar. Although you still don't understand his bedtime songs, you like the lilt of his voice and take some comfort in it. More time passes.

One morning, you wake up to find a full suitcase sitting next to the front door. You try to ask him about it, but he just takes you by the hand and leads you to the car. You drive and drive and drive. Nothing is familiar. Where are you? Where is he taking you?

You pull up to a large building. He leads you to an elevator and up to a room filled with people. Many are crying. Some are ecstatic with joy. You are confused. And worried. The man leads you over to the corner. Another man opens his arms and sweeps you up in an embrace. He rubs your back and kisses your cheeks, obviously thrilled to see you. You are anything but thrilled to see him. Who in the world is he? Where is your beloved? You reach for the man who brought you, but he just smiles (although he seems to be tearing up, which concerns you), pats you on the back, and puts your hand in the hands of the new guy. The new guy picks up your suitcase and leads you to the door. The familiar face starts openly crying, waving and waving as the elevator doors close on you and the new guy.

The new guy drives you to an airport and you follow him, not knowing what else to do. Sometimes you cry, but then the new guy tries to make you smile, so you grin back, wanting to "get along." You board a plane. The flight is long. You sleep a lot, wanting to mentally escape from the situation. Hours later, the plane touches down.

The new guy is very excited and leads you into the airport where dozens of people are there to greet you. Light bulbs flash as your photo is taken again and again. The new guy takes you to another guy who hugs you. Who is this one? You smile at him. Then you are taken to another man who pats your back and kisses your cheek. Then yet another fellow gives you a big hug and messes your hair. Finally, someone (which guy is this?) pulls you into his arms with the biggest hug you've ever had. He kisses you all over your cheeks and croons to you in some language you've never heard before. He leads you to a car and drives you to another location.

Everything here looks different. The climate is not what you're used to. The smells are strange. Nothing tastes familiar, except for the black coffee. You wonder if someone told him that you like your coffee black. You find it nearly impossible to sleep. Sometimes you lie in bed for hours, staring into the blackness, furious with your husband for leaving you, yet aching from the loss. The new guy checks on you. He seems concerned and tries to comfort you with soft words and a mug of warm milk. You turn away, pretending to go to asleep.

People come to the house. You can feel the anxiety start to bubble over as you look into the faces of all the new people. You tightly grasp the new guy's hand. He pulls you closer. People smile and nudge one other, marveling at how quickly you've fallen in love. Strangers reach for you, wanting to be a part of the happiness. Each time a man hugs you, you wonder if he will be the one to take you away.

Just in case, you keep your suitcase packed and ready. Although the man at this house is nice and you're hanging on for dear life, you've learned from experience that men come and go, so you just wait in expectation for the next one to come along.

Each morning, the new guy hands you a cup of coffee and looks at you expectantly. A couple of times the pain and anger for your husband is so great that you lash out, sending hot coffee across the room, causing the new guy to yelp in pain. He just looks at you, bewildered. But most of the time you calmly take the cup. You give him a smile. And wait. And wait. And wait. --

Written by Cynthia Hockman-Chupp, analogy courtesy of Dr. Kali Miller

http://www.a4everfamily.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=53&Itemid=120

A matter of the heart.....

I read this awesome blog entry by another mom who has adopted a young "older" daughter and had some of the same experiences I have had so far, and could have with Olivia as well.

It is such an encouragement. It opened my eyes that a lot of the boisterous, over-the-top, loud behavior could be acting out from fear...and doubt. Even in my boys. Do they feel loved?

They are young, and do not know yet how to run to God to get their hearts filled. I pray I can somehow in my mothering, teach them how to do that. I know in myself, when I do not go to God to get my heart full and satisfied, I run around empty, with nothing to give and looking to others to fill me up.

So must my children..go around feeling their heart to be empty, but not understanding it, so they act out to get attention and something to help them out....

In her blog, this mom talks about filling up your childs heart with love. Maybe a hug, cuddle time, but actually asking the question, Does your heart feel filled? I tried that last night, with one of mine. He said, no it does not. So I hugged and cuddled. When we were done, he went back to reading his book, with a smile on his face.

If I could just remember, these little ones need love poured in, and most of their acting up is coming from a feeling of emptiness.

Read the whole thing here: http://abushel-and-apeck.blogspot.com/2008/11/hows-your-heart.html

New Pics from across the world...

I got new pictures of Olivia today. She looks bigger! I think all the clothes I got will be too small.

I went from 7, and then to 8's, but I don't know....

At least they are all stretchy ones, and Mary can inherit them if they are too small for Olivia.

Our court date is Monday...like you did not know that already!

Girlie giggles...am I ready for this?

Grace, one of the office managers at Hope Adopton Agency, is in Ethiopia right now visiting the orphanage where Olivia Mame is living...she sent back this little message yesterday about Mame and the other girls....

"Mekdes, Kalk and Dag, Hen and Wub, Mame are all doing great!!! They know they have families and they know they are coming.

The girls were so cute--they were whispering and giggling for a while, I finally asked what they were up to and one of them whispered "Antneneh"?? So cute!!"

Anteneh is a little boy that was adopted earlier this year by Grace. My little girl is giggling about little boys ALREADY!

Oh my! Am I ready for this? :)

My presentation at church yesterday went well. My sweet Nicholas blessed me so. When I was in Starbucks on our way to church, he wrote me a note. He gave it to me when I got back in the care and it said:

"Pray that I may proclaim it clearly as I should." Col 4:4

I love you mommy, I know that you will do great with your presentation, so I'm writting to comfort you, hundreds of kisses.

Nick Hancock. xxxoooxxooxo"

Isn't that precious?

7 more days until court!

Ten..

Yep...ten days left until our court date. And I am getting a little nervous...

Not about passing court, it will either happen on that date, or it will be a later date. God is in control of that.

I am nervous about travel to Ethiopia.... alone...

And will miss and worry about my little ones at home, even though I know they will be well cared for.

I know God is in charge of all that too...and wrapping it in prayer is what I need to do.

Sunday is when I share in church, and I think I am ready, but nervous about that too...

....What a friend we have in Jesus
All our sins and griefs to bare
What a priviledge to carry
everything to Him in prayer
Oh what peace we often forfeit
Oh what needless pain (worry, stress) we bare
All because we do not carry,
EVERYTHING to God in prayer.

A great project...

I am always interested in how helping those without can be personal to me and my children, rather than money in an evelope..(which I know is very needed as well!). I saw this and plan to do one with my kids. http://etools.781net.com/a/vomso/bg_vomso_wdbm_354.html

They are "Action Packs" Packages of blankets, towels and a few other survival type options being passed out in Pakinstan by Christian brothers and sisters to those who are in need. Along with it, they put in a booklet about Jesus.

They vacuum packs are $7 each..you fill it, ship it back and VOM then sends them in bulk over to Pakistan.

I like it...

Our New First Family....

Whether or not I agree with the politics of our new first family, it is heartwarming to see this family in the White House.

As I raise a my little ones, two Causasian, one Chinese and one Ethiopian, yet, all American, I love for faces of diversity to be prominent in our culture.

My little Olivia might be thrilled to see someone who looks like her, in the White House.

And as Beth Moore suggested and God, through the apostle Paul directed, I will pray for those in authority, may they be led by God, even when they do not know it. May He bless them, direct them and draw them to himself and guide them in wisdom for our nation.

http://livingproofministries.blogspot.com/2008/11/united-house.html

14 Days

It is 14 days until my courtdate...

I wonder if I will pass the first time? I am praying so, but I am also resting in God's care, as He knows far better than me.

Last night I had an odd mixed up dream about being in Ethiopia and getting Mame. In my dream she was first a very small, skinny, toddler girl, so small that I could carry her in a mama pouch on my front...but then, as the dream progressed, she was a baby boy, as dreams are sometimes wierd and do not make sense.

But the part of the dream that lingered was this intense feeling to protect her, to care for her, that she was mine.

We are all looking forward to her being here.

I wonder what she thinks? Going about her days, somewhat oblivious to what lies ahead. What worries her? What make her happy?

Another mom, who adopted a young girl from Mame's same orphanage, told of how her daughter shared, on the day she knew her new mom was coming to get her, she picked out her clothes (from clothes I think they all share), and fixed her hair. Ready, aware and looking forward to this day.

We so often look forward to something, holding an expectation and "fantasy" of how it will be, that is never like the reality. It can't be, as we cannot fortell the future and understand each nuance of how it will be. But, if we will embrace the life God gives us, planned and orchestrated from the hands of our loving Father, it is a rich, full, loving life, beyond what we could imagine.

Different, yes, but better. I prayer for little Mame, as she is about to embark on a new life, with a new family, that God will pour love in her heart, comfort and peace and give us all the wisdom, patience, understanding and lots of laughs to make it through the transition.

14 days...and counting.

21 days to court...

I made a "true media" presentation yesterday, which is a collection of photos of Olivia and Ethiopia put together with the song by Avalon, Orphans of God. I made it to perhaps be used at church in a couple weeks.

I wish I could show it here, but I cannot. If you want to see it privately, let me know. But until I pass court, I cannot post any photos of Olivia. And even after court, the presentation has some photos of other children yet to be adopted, so I cannot....

But each time I watch it my heart just aches, and tears roll down my face. Our God is so awesome. And these children so in need of His love and a loving family. It just overwhelms me. How one or two children (or more) so impact our family, enrich it, expand it, deepen it, make it...and yet there are so many many many more....in want of love and family...and so many many many families that have not even thought of expanding their arms and hearts....

sigh....

The fields are white with harvest and the workers are few. Pray to the Lord of the harvest that he would send workers......

open hearts, homes, arms, minds.....

ESL.....at last...

Remember the scenes in "Good Morning Vietnam" when Robin Williams is teaching a class of Vietnamese adults, English...his style? How about Lilies of the Field, where Sydney Pointier is teaching a room full of nuns to repeat "I stands up, y'all" then launches into the spiritual, "Amen, amen..."

That is ESL, English as a Second Language, education. Comes in all shapes, forms and sizes.

I wanted to share, because I have been in such a quandary regarding Olivia Mame...on what to do about school when she comes home. I can't home school (single mom working) and the private Christian school my other kids go to does not have an ESL program. I have been snooping around the internet and the website for our public school district, but had not found much. Looks like they only had some tools for teachers to use to help students in the regular classroom.

Today I decided to really focus and figure out what to do. I have been praying that God would lead me to the right solution.

VOILA! I talked to this great guy who heads up the program for the local school district. They have an ESL program called Newcomers, which are dedicated classrooms for ESL students for one or two semesters, depending on how quickly they pick it up...

Tomorrow I am meeting with him and observing both the classes (it is offered in two different schools in the district)to see what I think. And they have a bus for the ESL students from a park close to our home.....

And it is free! (I know all of you who are in public schools get the free thing, but I am so use to paying for EVERYTHING, that it
is just a blessing. )

If feels good to have another piece of the puzzle fall into place!

Thank you Lord! Amen, amen, amen..

Their Future Hangs in the Balance4

Many of the children in Mame's orphanage are from this region, and Hope is opening a new orphanage in this area:
http://www.smh.com.au/interactive/2008/world/ethiopia/

By Kate Geraghty

September 27, 2008

THE people are desperately hungry. Two thousand of them queue from early morning to see the Australian nurse Alana Baker and her co-workers for the chance to escape from the grip of acute malnutrition.

Drizzling rain and cool temperatures do not deter them; nor does the crowd-control man whipping people back into line with a branch.

Baker, 28, is in the second week of a three-month mission in southern Ethiopia with Medecins Sans Frontieres Belgium, working as an outreach nutritional nurse.

Thousands of people, mainly farmers, travel up to 250 kilometres to reach the mobile clinic where Baker and up to 10 staff work.

The team visits five locations each week, testing for malaria and screening people for severe and moderately acute malnutrition. They weigh, measure and register them, giving nutritional supplements to those who need them.

In May the nutritional crisis was dire, Baker said, but the clinics were making a difference.
Last week the United Nations estimated that up to 17 million people in the Horn of Africa urgently needed food, up from 9 million earlier this year, as drought, soaring food prices and conflict took a toll on the region.

I've been tagged....

My tag response is on my other site: http://sandeefamily.blogspot.com/

Just too precious...

From the Martin Family...another family in the Bay Area, waiting for their Ethiopian referral...

NEWS...I have NEWS!

I am happy to announce........

(drum roll please..)

I have a court date! Yes. The court date for Olivia Mame to become my daughter is set for November 17th.

Yea......

So...hopefully, prayfully, we will pass court the first time. I could be traveling mid-December and Olivia would be home by Christmas! Barely! YEA! Pray for us. (Court goes smoothly, quick, quick Embassy date for our Visa, and money for the flights!)

It is amazing to remember that December 27, not even a year ago, I decided to embark on this journey.....

No News...again

It has been a week. Today. A week since my papers were filed in court. Supposedly I would get a court date assigned (ie know that the date is, ..) in that week.

It has been a very very long week. And of course imagination is that no hearing means something is wrong. IT is almost 6 pm in Ethiopia. So I know the courts have already closed today.

No news.... sigh

Pray for Samuel

Pray for Samuel http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/samuelphillipson http://paul-samuelphillipson.blogspot.com/ He came from Hope, Olivia's orphanage, 5 weeks ago.

Blessings....

I have the words!

I am excited that I have the words to the blessing they use at mealtime at Olivia's orphanage in Ethiopia. And for some reason they pray in English. I had seen and heard it twice on a video tape at meal time, but the voices and recording I could just pick out some of the words. Well here they are, from another mom's website, whose son is now here in America, and recited the prayer at the dinner table.

Thank you God

for this day.

We love you.

We need you.

Be with us

.Protect us.

Bless our food.

Bless our thoughts.

And guide us

in your way.

In Jesus' name

We pray

Amen.

And I say AMEN! Pray for a little boy, Samuel, whose older brother Paul, is were I got this prayer. Samuel was in a bad accident on Saturday and is in and out of multiple surgeries...very serious. Hold them in prayer, please. http://paul-samuelphillipson.blogspot.com/

The View on the Other Side of the World

A trickle of news.....

So I did not get any BIG news....but a little trickle:

"The filing is done but we won't hear anything for at least a week, when they issue our dates."

So hopefully next week, I will know our court date....

and then can start panicing, I mean planning! :)

Oh Dopey me...oh Smart God!

So I had an adrenelin rush today.

I got an email that I interpreted to say that my court date for Olivia Mame was tomorrow!

I cried, I giggled, I cried some more and was giddy. My heart actually hurt! It was swelling and full and overwhelmed. I even mailed folks, posted a message, and announced it on my yahoo group, only to find out, I misunderstood. Oh dopey me! Felt stupid.

What is interesting about it though, is, when I thought it was true, I felt panicky! I need more time to save up money for plane fare, and I am just now understanding that Mary has some attachment challenges, I need a month with her, before I take on another...and..

Any way, when I found out my error, I was not as upset as I could have been. It felt like, yep, God knows what He is doing. He knows the time I need.

So the real deal, is my papers get filed in court tomorrow so I can get a court date assigned. I was told the date would be around 5 weeks out, with travel 3-4 weeks after that.

That timeframe makes more sense.

Coming to Grips with Attachment

I have been just opening my eyes and starting to work with the attachment challenges I have with Mary. I am sure I will also have challenges with Olivia. I read a comment response the onther day on Grace's blog (another single adoptive mother, and co-director of Hope Adoption Agency) (http://sistermom.blogspot.com/) where someone
mentioned a book on attachments called "Coming to Grips with Attachment", by Katharine Leslie, Phd, who is also an adoptive mom of 4.

It is awesome. Mine came in the mail yesterday and I have read 1/2 of it. I recommend it for EVERYONE who is adopting, whether you THINK there are attachment issues or not. Eye opening...and freeing
from guilt, so you can grow the relationship and move forward.

I am getting so many ah-ha...and although I wish I had had it 3 years ago BEFORE I brought Mary home, it is probably even more appreciated now, having struggled with what I have struggled with.

www.brandnewdayconsulting.com is where I ordered it. Just the chapter about love and feeling love and why it can be different in adoption, expecially when adopting children around age 3 or older, was in itself worth the price of the whole book.

Good stuff!.

Nine, nine? I like Nine

The more I think on it, the more I like nine... if Olivia turns out to be 9.

I had a long, lying-on-the-bed face-to-face relaxed chat with Tadpole the other day.... and we talked about what if his new "little sister" was taller than him.

I didn't talk about older, since we really do not know her exact age, and even if 9, schooling-wise and Ethiopian birth certificate-wise, she may be treated as 7.

But heighth-wise. That can be a guy thing. So I wanted to probe those waters and see what Taddy thought, after all he is stocky, but not so tall.

His matter-of-fact statement on the subject was, "Well, Mom, there are FIRST graders taller than me and even one kindergartner!"

So no problem. No ego tied into his heighth, we just have to hope she is not too skilled at Hotwheels Velocity X and we will have it made.

Courts are OPEN!!

As of Sept 28th.....so I could hear about a court date anytime.....

Playdoh!

I received some new pictures of Olivia Mame today.... having fun with Playdoh. I wonder if thst is her first time? :) Still smiling, still growing!

Wanna Smile

This is a lovely blog of a family and their precious daughter....

Click on the video by the words First date...and get ready for your heart to smile.

http://gracieib.blogspot.com/2007/09/more-nursery-pics.html

Older than I thought....

So, besides more pictures, I just got an update from a returning mom regarding Olivia Mame:

"Mame: She is the leader of the pack. So smiley and pretty and
happy. We all fell in love with her. She looks like she's 9. She
is not 6 1/2. I'd lay money on that one. I have a 10 year old girl,
so I'm pretty sure about my estimate of being 9. She is the oldest
looking, biggest one in there. So sweet. I'd steal her any day."

So now, that flips things a bit. First off, Taddy is not getting another younger sister, but an older sister. Gulp. Not sure how he will handle that. I think with it being a sister, it will be better, easier, than another older brother. I don't think it will make a difference to Nick or Mary, since it does not change the birth order.

Besides the birth order consideration, I need to rethink school. I was planning on bringing her into the 1st grade. But at age 9, that would be the 4th grade. 3rd at the youngest. I have no clue if she has had any schooling, and the school my kids go to does not have an ESL program, so I need to find that on the side.

I know God knew, all this, and it is not a surprize to Him. I am not concerned, just thinking...what do we do differently..and how will it all work. :) I think a kg, 2nd, 3rd, and 5th grader works well. Just gotta figure out how to do it.

Attachment Disorders

Now aren't those disturbing words. It is interesting, as I am starting to read, and to talk about my challenges with Mary, this has come up in several conversations. At first I wrote it off as the easy out...ie Folks here she is adopted and immediately jump to adoption as the root cause of the issues.But, in one conversation someone asked me, does she do this..and this..and that...and pretty much discribed her behavior to a tee..so I need to focus on it. It also does not help that I was going through my own Post-adoption issues, the first year she was home.So..now we are learning and planning on doing some back-tracking...and getting some ideas on what to do...things I can use for Olivia as well I am sure.Two good books mentioned to me...one I have the other I just ordered:Post-Adoptoin Blues by Karen J. Foli and John R. Thompson (http://www.amazon.colm/)and Coming to Grips with attachment by Katherine Leslie. (http://www.brandnewdayconsulting.com/)There is always hope.

Court Countdown...

It is 12 days until courts open in Ethiopia. Talking to one of the managers at the adoption agency, she said Mame's paperwork was all ready before the courts closed, they were just waiting on my dossier.

So now my dossier has been sitting there, waiting for the courts to reopen...

YIPEE! So 12 days and counting....and then we may have a court date assigned soon after that. All in God's timing I know.

Was told today by someone who got to visit the orphanage: "We really loved Mame! "

Can't wait!

Today is Olivia Mame's Birthday

Today is Mame's birthday..according to her profile. She is turning 7, according to her profile. I bet she never celebrated a birthday. I asked God to send her a special blessing today...a good laugh with a friend, a kind word or hug, and hope in her heart....Tonight I am taking my three kids shopping for Olivia Mame a gift, wrap it, put it on her top bunk and sing happy birthday and pray for her. (We are adding Olivia to her name Mame...So she will be Olivia Mame.(mah may) It is funny, my Mary Beth's nickname is Mei-mei (may may) So I will have a may may and a mah may.

Little Princess Far Away
Do you know that it's your day
Turning 7, the papers say
Today is Mame's Birthday.

Far away, yet close inside
Eyes that sparkle, smile wide
Joy in your heart, your face implies
Today is Mame's birthday.

Abba send her blessings I pray
Kindness, hugs and laughs today.
A hope of family, forever to stay
Today is Mame's birthday.

We pick out gifts, one from each
Some for play, some to teach
Placed up high (out of sister's reach)
Today is Mame's Birthday.

Happy Birthday to you we sing
Hearts are full, tears it brings
Each says a prayer to our heavenly King,
Bless Mame on her birthday.

Abba, bring us together soon. Keep us all safe and build the love even now. Amen.

The Waiting Child

The Waiting Child

By Debbie Bodie

I saw you meet your child today

You kissed your baby joyfully

And as you walked away with her

I pretended that you'd chosen me

I'm happy for the baby, yet

Inside I'm aching miserably

I want to plead as you go by

Does no one want a child of three?

I saw you meet your child today

In love with her before you met

And as I watched you take her out

I knew it wasn't my turn yet

I recognize you from last year

I knew I'd seen your face before

But you came for a second babe

Does no one want a child of four?

I saw you meet your child today

But this time it was something new

A nurse came in and took MY hand

And then she gave my hand to you

Can this be true? I'm almost six

And there are infants here, you see

But then you kissed me and I knew

The child you picked this time was me!

Stop...right now..and Hug 'em!

http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=4434608n (Champman interview from 9/10/08)

Those little or big ones in your home and heart....here now and soon to be...hug em

Every day hug them...and laugh a lot and relish in who they are...and not what they are not.

Thank you for them Lord.

So why would you do this..?

Aren't your hands full already?

I read this poem on Holly's blog and it reflected what I think and feel:

Some would gather money along this path of life

Some would gather roses and rest from earthly strife.

But I would gather children from among the thorns of sin

I would seek some little curl or an awkward toothless grin.

For money cannot enter in that land of endless days

And roses that are gathered soon will wilt along the way.

But Oh, the laughing children as I cross that sunset sea

And the gates swing wide to heaven, I can bring them in with me.

** author unknown

A Hair Party...

So I got news and new pictures on Olivia today. Several of the pictures were of 3 or 4 of the girls in the orphanage all doing each others hair! It is so precious! (I can see the scrapbook page now!) And the news I got was:

Mame is very sweet and speaks Amahric. She was wearing a size 7 skirt (too tight) and a 14 jacket (too large) she is 52" high and has an 8" foot.

Whee! Now I know what language to learn phrases in, I did not know if she spoke Amharic or Oromo...and I know the sixe 7 shirts and pants I have are too small, so I will pass them down to Mary. Wish I could show you the pictures...they are just too cute.