Toms To Tom Tom Toms!

(That subject was supposed to be sung in the same tune as the “Tums” commercial, you got that, right?)

Anyway, so Toms. I love them, always have. I’ve admired them from afar because, frankly, all of our money is going to water right now. But I wanted you all to see these and think about giving them for Christmas.

The basic premise is that for every pair of shoes you buy, they send another pair to a child who doesn’t have them in the world. Right now, you guessed it, they are sending them to ETHIOPIA!!!!!! Check out the website, it’s an awesome concept.

I hesitated posting these pictures, but decided to. These are Tariku’s feet.

Those toenails are what happens when kids don’t have shoes and run around outside all day with toenails too weak to protect them from anything. He has no infection, nothing. The doctor’s best guess was that it was due to lack of shoes. Right now kids in Ethiopia are being hit by an infection so the need for shoes is great. And seriously, these shoes are redonkulessly adorable so you know you want them anyway.

P.S. Don’t feel too bad for Tariku. 1) It’s not a big deal and 2) He looks like this. Seriously.

P.P.S If you’ve been thinking of getting me a Christmas present and just didn’t know what to get. You could start here. I’m a size 8. If those were out of your price range for me (what?!?!?!?) then maybe these? Or if you know someone who has always wanted to do something nice for a stranger, feel free to forward those links to them, I accept gifts from strangers.

School in St. Louis

PEGS Dancing for Water

Mrs. K’s class dancing to “Beat It”

Mrs. K’s class dancing to “Thriller”

An Elementary School in St. Louis has decided to Dance for Water. Each student that wanted to “STAR” in their class video was asked to bring in 50 cents. With a student body of appoximately 850 students, we were hoping for a couple hundred dollars. We have collected over $500 so far! Our school has always pulled through when people need them. The staff, students, and families have a heart of gold. A BIG THANK YOU to all the teachers and students participating in these wonderful videos. A BIG THANK YOU to all the people who have already donated and to those who will donate so that other children can have clean water!

hotflawedmama note: This is from my aunt-in-law who is a teacher at this school. I think I get asked on a weekly basis if the Klipschs really are as nice as they seem. I always roll my eyes and say something like, “No, they’re actually nicer than they seem.” I often fail to mention the fact that it goes beyond the Klipschs of the Quad Cities. Papa Frank’s parents did a terrific job raising wonderful children who have been fantastic aunt and uncle-in-laws. Some families really are that terrific and the Klipschs are one of those! Thanks, Aunt Lori!

Oliver and Elihu

When the Water for Christmas campaign hit two wells last week ($10,000!) we knew it was time to celebrate. Who better than our children to express our unbridled happiness? Here they are dancing for water. You may not find them as irresistibly cute as we do, but you’ll no doubt notice their unrestrained joy. We love that about kids—-they’re silly and happy and passionate and profound. And how wonderful is it that God makes each of us so uniquely? We are all capable of loving in magnificent ways and the water campaign is a testament to how God gifts each of us differently and then uses those gifts in a multitude of ways, all for the betterment of our shared world.

These children are connected, as we all are, to Africa. They may not comprehend the magnitude of this reality yet…but then again perhaps they get it better than anyone.

Give thanks. Give water. Give yourself to something greater. And most of all, do all of these things with great joy.

hotflawedmamanote: I must say…my nephews are kind of redonkulessly cute. Aren’t you just jealous they are mine and not yours?

Ethiopian Cuisine!

Today the kids and I headed over to Leslie’s to try our hand at cooking Ethiopian food again. I’ve been bad mommy and haven’t even tried since Tariku’s been home (we have eaten at ET restaurants, but nothing homemade). Since Leslie is kind of my food guru, I knew she’d be an easy target to help me and that she was. She is just great, there is not much more I can say but that.

There were many times I got close to tears during the morning. Nostalgia has that effect on me. The smells in her kitchen made me miss Ethiopia more intensely than I have since we returned. Looking around her house and seeing Tariku run around with just a slight trace of an accent, losing the few bits and pieces of his “Ethiopianness”…it’s enough to make a girl emotional.

And then realizing all of my blessings, specifically that of a sister-in-law who has quickly morphed into a best friend. One who had free trade Ethiopian organic coffee on hand as we stewed and mashed and tore through her kitchen. Truly, I am one lucky girl.

Oh, and did I mention that we’re kind of amazing? Our second shot was much better than our first though I didn’t get any great pictures of it, you’ll have to take my word for it. I was also pleasantly surprised to see how naturally Tariku took to the food again. It was old hat and he gave compliments to the chefs, which Leslie and I took to be the best indicator for how great we really are. Ahem.

This was just too cute not to include, thank you for indulging me.

My Ethiopian and his food. I’d kinda do anything for this one.

He wanted to be like Simon of “Alvin and the Chipmunks” fame. Ummm. not so much.

Leslie mashing and stirring.

The kids entertaining themselves.

Mommy Sayings

Top 10 things heard from hotflawedmama today:

1) Get your coat on now or your fingers will fall off.

2) Something stinks. Who farted? Why did I not hear an “excuse me”?

3) Don’t wipe your nose on your coat, wipe it on your pants, I can wash those easier.

4) You shouldn’t see your elbows in your periphery. That’s not entirely true, but I just like saying the word periphery. (Said during one of my Bodypump classes)

5) I love you so much my nose hurts.

6) Stop talking and just poop.

7) So you wiped her butt, threw the paper in the toilet and then went on your way?

8) Are you crying? Do you need to go to the doctor? If you don’t need to go to the doctor, then stop crying.

9) (I mutter something uncomprehensible)..Tariku, do you understand? Tariku says. “Mom, do YOU understand?”

10) Those don’t go in your nose, they go in your mouth so eat it.

"Babysitters"

So my mom, dad and sister babysat the kids while we were in Mexico (they had various rotating schedules, quite impressive). I’ve just been thinking about how lucky I am to have them.

Not only did they take on the task of 3 kids under 5 (which, is big enough!) but they also managed to make my house look better after they left than when they came. Laundry was done so the kids had nice smelling pajamas and clothes. Took out trash, organized our storage room. Built shelves, organized, cleaned and just loved the kids a lot.

But perhaps most importantly to me? My mom cooked. My mom is a great cook, I have a lot to live up to in that department. She worked full time and we still ate family meals every night together. So imagine my delight when I saw all the leftovers in the fridge when we got home. The good kind too. Turkey, homemade mashed potatoes and gravy. Spagetti and something else that looks gross but probably tastes incredible. Mmmmm, I love food. I love my mommy’s food. Do you think my kids will ever blog about my food? Not holding my breath.

In other news, on Saturday we went to the Polar Express at the IMAX with my parents-in-law and the kids. Bonus, it was in 3D so I got these awesome pictures of the kids. Whenever Dailah walked by someone with her glasses on they would all do the “ahh” bit. It would’ve gotten a bit old if it wasn’t so true.

I mean, when do these glasses stop becoming cute and just start looking ridiculous?

He looked awesome too, but he wanted to do the peace sign more.

She loved it and it was cute.

She also loved the starburst that came in the kids pack that grandpa thought she needed. Clearly.

Say it with me now…AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH

Abaye, Emaye, Sparky, Tater and Noodle

We are brothers and sisters. We are not eloquent writers by any means, but we do know how to enjoy life. We enjoy our lives that are filled with all of the basic necessities—things we take for granted. We shower, shave, brush our teeth, wash our clothes, use the toilet, and give our dog a nice brimming bowl of clean water every morning and every evening. Our dog has it better off than many people around the world. He has access to clean, disease-free water without limit.

Why wouldn’t we choose to give of our time and resources to grant everyone in the world basic human necessity like clean water?

Why wouldn’t you?

Abaye, Emaye, Sparky, Tater, and Noodle