So I’m wondering if People magazine ever saw these kids…if they did, I’m fairly certain they would make the Most Beautiful People list every year…but I may be a bit partial.

These pictures are of my two eldest climbing the Alpine Tower the other day. They are the two youngest climbers on it yet and loved every single minute! Dailah gave it a go for two steps with her daddy’s full support. She truly wanted to go further but we had to had to draw the line of safety somewhere.

So few words tonight because Desperate Housewives and Brothers and Sisters is on and I know you all are only here for pictures. 🙂 Yippee!

So if you’ll notice in my comments from the last post, a blog stranger left me an interesting comment. Apparently not everyone loves everything I say like my mom, who would’ve thunk that?

I kept it there (after, admittedly, thinking about deleting it) as a reminder of what I believe. Overall, I believe in the power of one. It’s the reason I’ll vote come November, the reason I pray, the reason I love and so much more. I believe the power and passion of one person can compel 20, which can become 100 then 1,000 and so on (either for good, i.e. Jesus or bad, i.e. Hitler).

So perhaps my last post came off a bit soap boxy but that’s fine with me as that was not my intention and since this blog is not really for you all (I know, shocking) but more selfishly for me and mine, I’m okay with interpretations.

I just had to comment to my new interested, stranger blog friend person that I appreciate you taking the time out of your day to question my intentions. My intentions, as always, are to be a little more like Jesus every day and every day I fall short of that but every once in awhile (typically one in every 4,000 minutes or so) I get ever so close. I don’t think my thoughts and prayers for Ethiopia are too far from that.

Quite frankly I’m not entirely convinced Ethiopia will be affected by little ole’ me but I’m certainly convinced me storming the gates of heaven in prayer for Ethiopia can do a whole hell of a lot. Because that God of ours can change the course of Ethiopia in ways I never thought possible.

So here here to the power of one and let that One be the One to bring Ethiopia to the glory it deserves.

(And in true humanly spirit…how do you like them apples?)

LOTS of people ask me what I took from Ethiopia, not literally but ideas, knowledge, etc.

That’s a really tough question to answer. I really think there was a Tesi before Ethiopia and a Tesi after Ethiopia. My personality hasn’t really changed much (except I like to think I’m more compassionate towards people and their situations) but certainly the way I think of my place in the world and the world in general is different. It’s not something we can learn on the sidelines, it’s one of those where you just have to be there. In some ways it’s both the world’s saddest inside joke and most ironic.

It’s so fascinating how many comments we get about our adoption being a “good thing to do”. This says nothing towards the person saying it, except for perhaps they just don’t know us all that well. Zach and I are human, that’s why I can say this adoption was purely selfish. Even though we are certain God called us to adopt, we are also certain we did not save Tariku. Truth be told the care center he was in was a very loving, comfortable, beautiful environment. It doesn’t make up for a family but it was a lot better than a lot of families kids have to live in these days. I dare say in many ways our adoption of Tariku saved me. I’m certain God called us to do this because of what we would get out of it as well. For all intents and purposes I think God was kind of killing two birds with one stone with us. Sure Tariku could’ve used a family and we could’ve used a child but certainly it was more than that.

So with that said, I also cannot erase Ethiopia from my mind (not that I want to necessarily but it is SO PRESENT). When I’m in the car, I think of that special person we were able to meet on Sunday. When I see a food market I think of the Merkato, when I see an African person I think of Ethiopia. I think of Ethiopia when I drink coffee and when I eat a really large meal. I think of Ethiopia when I wear my scarf or look down at my arm. I think of it ALL the time. And I know God’s doing it for a reason.

I finished Kay Warren’s book, Dangerous Surrender. She has a chapter on becoming gloriously ruined, which is to say seeing the world through the eyes of the “lesser of these”. The ones Jesus so obviously has a huge heart for. There are a few points in this chapter that reminded me of why God called us specifically to Ethiopia, though perhaps it will mean something entirely different to you.

“You don’t have to go to Africa to prove that you’re seriously disturbed and gloriously ruined. That’s where dangerous surrender to God led me, but it’s not a litmus test of the depth of your obedience to God. What is a litmus test of your surrender and obedience to God is how you treat the least among us.”

Love this one…”As long as suffering people are a mere statistic to you, you will never become ruined for life as you know it. When suffering becomes personal–with faces and names–and when you hear their stories, you won’t be able to remain disconnected.”

And this one is what I’m dealing with now..”It takes time–weeks, even months–to settle into a new equilibrium that allow you to feel the pain and sorrow of our world without being overwhelmed by it.”

I can say without a shadow of a doubt that I’m a gloriously ruined by knowing Ethiopia. And in knowing Ethiopia, I know many other nations in the same situations. I’ve said it before, Ethiopia is so beautiful and it CANNOT be pity we feel towards the country. The fact of the matter is there are people starving there, this cannot be ignored even when they are some of the most beautiful people on this planet. There are crimes against humanity there, this cannot be ignored even when I only saw goodness in their people. Recognizing the ways we might be able to help Ethiopia does not negate the awesomeness of the country.

I just had to put this all down. I haven’t slept much wondering how in the world I will be used for this country. I’m both excited and terrified to see what’s in store but I love this country with so much depth and passion I know I’ll answer “yes” to whatever I’m called to do.

So my dear friend Jody, who I’ve mentioned one maybe two times should be heading to Sierra Leone to pick up her twins any day now. We are so very excited for her. The problem is, as many of us adoptive parents have found, travel is always so much more expensive than we originally thought it might be. This will be Jody and Andy’s second time going over there but this time they are obviously bringing back 2 more! So…we’re helping out and you can too.

I posted a picture of the bags we are making. Can you believe how cute it is? And all for the low price of $50. The bag pictured is mine, all mine and I use it all the time. Heading to the shower? It’s on me. Heading to the bathroom? There it is. All the time because you just never know when some weirdo will have a camera stalking you and perhaps he needs a bag with the outline of Africa on it.

So there it is. We are, at this time, doing just Africa. We’ll put the heart anywhere you like. So even if you’re not adopting from a specific country but are particularly troubled with the happenings in Darfur, you can request a heart there. If you don’t necessarily have a country to specify, we’ll put Sierra Leone on it as we are all hoping and praying this country opens it’s borders more widely for adoption (and because this wore torn country needs more prayers and attention!)

SO, if you would like one (and who wouldn’t?) go to Jody’s blog and click on the sidebar, there is a place to order one. You can also follow their adoption through that and see that they are genuinely good, funny, beautiful people and worth every cent. So dear blogger friends, let’s blow this blogosphere up with support for this amazing family and this truly perfect bag. If you have any questions or concerns you can also comment here and/or email me. Thanks in advance. Much love, much, much love.

What a day…again.

Did I mention yet that I love having 3 kids? Especially ones that are as adorable and laugh as often as mine do? I mean, really.

Perhaps one of the best parts of my day (oddly enough) was getting word from my friend Jody that she will probably be traveling to Sierra Leone in just a few short weeks. They are so close we can all taste it and I’m so incredibly thrilled for her.

Trysten said to me today, “I didn’t really like having a brother at first but I love it now. His laugh is so great.”

That is a fact.

So todays pictures are brought to you by the only child of mine who will stay still for pictures these days. I tell you what. We call Dailah “The Dutchess”. My father-in-law named her that because he says my MIL is queen, my SIL is princess and Dailah….you get the rest. These pictures were too cute. In 20 minutes she fell and skinned her knee and then fell and bumped her lip. 🙂

But I think someone told her she was royalty. She really is so funny. She is all girl and I’m not sure how that happened with a mom like me. I wouldn’t know girly girl if it smacked me in the face…and that’s exactly what’s happened. I have a daughter who would rather paint her fingernails and sit on a chair singing and dancing than come join her brothers and mom in an intense game of soccer..Who does that?

If she starts reading trashy romance novels and hating when people ask her questions I’m going to start asking my sister lots of questions.

We made our first trip to the grocery store tonight. I told you I should be cloned. We bought way too much, it actually made me depressed. Unfortunately not depressed enough to not eat it or something like that.

So things are going better with the urine situation. Well, I don’t know if “better” is the word, perhaps just “different”. He doesn’t pee on the floor as much anymore (yippeee!) but he does pee all over the toilet seat as he just forgets to push that up as well (yuck). The cheerios hasn’t helped that situation. I’m hoping if I keep repeating to pull the seat up maybe it’ll just sink in. How soon is too soon to have the boys start cleaning their own toilet? Gag a maggot.

Had book club last night and actually stayed out until 10:30. Those things just don’t happen to me anymore. But it was great conversation with a great group of women, I am just so grateful for their wisdom and insight!

Thanks for your prayers for my grandpa! He is out of the hospital and they are trying to control his issues with medicine. Now we need prayers that he takes the medicine! If not, we gave my grandma permission to chop it up and put it in chocolate (grandpa is the person who passed on my absolute obsession for all things chocolate and good).

We have thick, green mucus and coughs at our house. Is anyone else really questioning this whole global warming thing with the weather being 30 degrees IN MAY!!!! My goodness, this is getting ridiculous.

I really don’t even have any funny antecdotes to share or pictures for that matter because all things considered, I’m quite lazy and don’t want to go look for the camera. So until I get some powerful motivation, you just have to settle with my mom-ish words and lack of humor.

Another blog about a conversation with a 5-year-old.

Trysten: Mom, Max and Quincy (Jody III’s boys, check sidebar) don’t have their brother and sister home yet (they’re adopting the twins from Sierra Leone) but we have Tariku.

Me: That’s right, who did you talk about that with?

Trysten: Quincy, he said he’s excited to get them home and play with them. He said he misses them like I missed Tariku before he came home. He said that we’re cool because we have brothers and a sister who are from Africa.

Me: Well he’s right about all of that!

Trysten: Mom, is Africa cooler than America?

Me: It’s just different. Cooler in some ways, not in others.

Trysten: I sure wish I was from Africa. Tariku talks cool and I like his skin because it’s my favorite color. Quincy and I wish we had black skin because that’s really cool.

Does he get any cuter? I mean, really.

Ok so I liked, no pictures this time but this was an unplanned post. I just have to post when my kids are cute, it’s like some motherly thing I think.

The kids are down (it’s 7:30) and I’ve heard 4 flushes of the toilet in 15 minutes. That means only 10 more and they should be down for the count. Boys crack me up.

It’s been a crazy weekend. We had some great friends over Friday night. I shared my enchiladas that Cassie made, which I now regret (I need the recipe, Cassie!). But they shared their beer so I think we’re somewhat even.

Yesterday we launched a new Bodypump release the kids and myself were at the Y until 2.

Zach has been at a training all weekend so we’ve not seen too much of him.

Today we went to church and are now taking naps, which I will surely partake in after this absolutely necessary blog.

My mom called today to tell me that my grandpa had fallen, a possible stroke. My typically optimistic mind is racing at breakneck speed to pessimism. I’m praying for him with all my might today.

My 3 names (first, middle, last) are constantly being misspelled. If I would’ve not been so head over heels for Zach, I maybe would’ve thought about keeping my easy-to-spell maiden name but I didn’t. Worst I got from a telemarketer was teshoshe klipesch. Today I looked in the mail and Zach has a piece of mail for him. If they didn’t have his first name, I wouldn’t be exactly sure who it was for as it was addressed to “Zach klit” and that’s no jokes. I think I’m going to keep it just because it’s hilarious.

You remember that book of 660 pages I was supposed to read half of by Monday? I finished it last night. 660 pages in approximately 2 days. I couldn’t stop, good stuff. The Other Boyeln Girl is what it is called. I love reading, absolutely love it.

The kids….are….great. Tariku is starting to get his wits about him and I must say I’m very proud to have another funny child join the family. Though his jokes are sometimes in Amharic, I completely get that he must’ve been the funniest 3-year-old in Ethiopia. He has started to go back and forth between wanting to forget about Ethiopia and wanting to show it off. I tried to give him some injera the other day and he told me he doesn’t like it. But in the bath last night he kept saying, “Tariku Ethiopia, mommy America, daddy America, TT America, Dailah America.” When I just put him down for his nap he was jokingly messing up who was who and then just laughing so hard…way to precious.

The pee thing is getting better. Everything still smells like urine but now it’s mostly because he forgets to flush, so that’s an improvement. As he runs to the bathroom he yells, “Pull pants all the way down!” “Shinte in the toilet, not on floor!” Who’s a proud mommy?

Trysten and Dailah are getting ever the more clever as well. I really think they’ve taken quite a liking to being a family of 5. I can’t remember if I’ve ever seen anything as cute as them all holding hands but if I have, it completely escapes me. Truth be told I’m enjoying myself too. Things haven’t really changed that much from 2-3 kids. I felt it big time only once that I can remember. Today on the way to church I was carrying Dailah as she was sleepy. Trysten was holding on to my hand and Tariku was holding on to his (remember Zach was working). So Trysten and Tariku start running and Tariku falls, skins up his knee. He wants carried, Dailah wants carried. I had my purse, diaper bag, water bottle, 60 lbs of kids in my arms and one tugging on my coat. I sure could’ve used an extra set of hands but my good church-going people obliged me and picked up Dailah. 🙂

Anyway this post was so random but I had a few things I wanted to remember before I forgot them…which could be anytime from 3 minutes or 2 hours, they will doubtfully last longer than that. Pictures next post, I promise!

Tariku is still feeling a bit under the weather. He’s very quiet for him, still limping. He even chose to take a nap instead of eat lunch…who is this kid?

I called the doctor…just to be sure this is normal. 🙂

Trysten is so funny. Yesterday we were watching Ellen (admit it, you were too) with the single reason being David Beckham was on. I’m a bit partial to him myself so I was excited. On the show they called him the greatest soccer player in the world. To which Trysten says, “Even better than uncle Marcus?” (My little bro plays soccer in college). “Yeah, even better than Marco.” “Oh, I don’t think so, mom, Marcus is way better.” Way to cute.

That’s all. 🙂

Whew…a few days out of the blog world and I feel like I’ve been out of touch, I started getting emails making sure I’m okay…I appreciate your concern. 🙂

So we’ve been good. I’ve been out of things to say, things are going so well I fear a jinx will surely happen should I blog about it. (By the way, i love writing “about it” because inevitably 2 out of 3 times I write it, it looks more like “abou tit” and that always makes me giggle.)

But today has been an interesting day. It started (kind of) with Tariku getting his vaccinations. I was never one of “those moms” that cried when my babies cried over vaccinations. They’re babies for God’s sake, they cry all the flippin time. I felt bad, sure, but they weren’t able to differentiate between a needle and 2 hours in between breastfeeding. Turns out it’s COMPLETELY different with a 3-year-old; even a 3-year-old who speaks limited english. He knew what was coming. He started screaming when he saw the needles then proceeded to let out a blood curdling scream that awoke the Ethiopians IN Ethiopia. It was horrific, I started crying, he kept crying. We were a blubbering mess. Then we went to McDonald’s and he forgot about his shots…

Until tonight. I noticed he was limping when we got home from the Y. Then I realized he had his first accident in his pants so I thought that was it. But then I changed him and he was still limping and very quiet for Tariku. When I kept asking him what was wrong (in English, then looked how to in Amharic) he pointed to his legs. Poor guy. Though it was the first time he let me just take care of him. He definitely has an independent streak a mile wide so he usually won’t accept help in dressing, brushing teeth, eating, etc. But tonight he was all about it (hee hee hee) so I splurged and carried him everywhere, etc. I kept repeating, “I’m your mommy, I’m going to take care of you.”

Then Trysten started coming up with things that hurt. I never realized that my hypocondriac (sp?) stage could’ve been so annoying to my parents (sorry about that ‘rents) or my siblings for that matter. He was complaining of a hangnail and I was like, “Trysten, your brother got 4 shots, let’s not go there.” Jeesch, I hate when things like that come full circle.

BUT, on a good note, in the car Tariku said his first full English sentence! Dailah likes dolls. So Dailah had a baby and Tariku says, “mommy baby is sleeping!” It was awesome. Not rocket science, but not Amharic so we’re getting there. Really the language issues hasn’t really been an issue but I’m on the edge of my seat wondering what this kid will be like when I know what he’s saying. He has such an awesome personality I don’t want to miss it anymore!

So on that note, I must go start my book club book. I have 400 pages to read in that and 10 songs to learn for BodyPump by Monday. Good thing I got an A+ in multi-tasking (though I wouldn’t check my references on that, I doubt many teachers would say the same thing).

Here are some pictures to make you smile. Dailah’s outfit is just ridiculously cute, I love having a girl. The boys fell asleep on the way home from Iowa City with their hands like that, try telling me that isn’t the cutest thing in the world. And do you see how Dailah is looking at her big brother? So much love, so much saying, “what the hizniz is that kid saying?”