2 Months Home: Art project

To celebrate being home 2 months together, we made a picture to hang in our living room.


We are becoming more and more of a family. We are learning what makes each other tick, and I am learning how to parent each of my children...because they are all four so different!


We start each day with a prayer at breakfast that includes something along the lines of, "please let us love one another today, as you have asked us in the Bible." And it is only with the grace of God that we are able to love one another like we do!


My favorite thing from the past two months has been seeing each of my children grow relationships with the other ones. It's been so fun seeing which ones gravitate toward each other, which ones like to do certain activities with a special other one. God has proven to be amazing in answering our prayers for our four children to bond in a way that is only from Him.


Each one of my kids makes me a better person. Sometimes they teach me about patience, other times they show me how to love unconditionally. They remind me to find joy in the small things in life.


I am just crazy about my family. They are perfect for me, and I am perfect for them. Thank you Lord for an amazing husband and four children. You've blessed me beyond what I deserve.

Kindergarten Step Two: School Supply Shopping

What makes going to school any more real than buying all of your supplies?! Nothing! A friend of mine, Mrs. Haid, just wrote a blog post about the school supply aisle, and I must say, I LOVE. IT.! Unfortunately, with our local Walmart being under construction (remodel), there isn't one! Everything is just in it's regular place. I must say it took something away from the experience for me, but my kids didn't know any different!


I was blessed that my mom and sister accompanied me on this shopping trip...sure made it easier on me!


Our shopping list for kindergarten included:

• 24 crayons
• 8 washable markers
• art box
• Kleenex
  
• cleaning wipes
• 2 bottles of glue
• scissors
  
• lunch box
• sandwich boxes
• drink containers
• nap mat
• pencils
• zip lock bags
• germ-x
• 2 dry erase board markers
• backpack

Hunter and Silas both picked out Toy Story, Blake wanted Spiderman, and Graysen got Tinker Bell. Yes, I know Gray isn't going to school, but how could I tell her no?! We'll pack lunch and eat at home together!

After we got all our supplies, Mom took the kids to pick out ice cream treats and we headed to Lion's Club park for some fun.


I would share pictures from the park, but Graysen had an accident in her pants, and Blake got stung by a bee on his head, and well, our trip was very short...

Kindergarten Step One: Preparing our Hearts and Minds

One night I was praying for Hunter as he fell asleep in bed and I prayed for God to start preparing his heart for kindergarten. Apparently, he was still awake...because the next morning at breakfast he prayed something like this:

"God, thank you for our breakfast. Thank you for the good day that we are going to have together. Please start preparing our hearts for school."

I had to turn my back and finish breakfast because my eyes were welling up with tears. It was so precious to me to hear him pray for God to prepare his heart for something. The next morning his prayer was something like this:

"Dear God, thank you for this food. Please keep preparing our hearts for kindergarten. I know I already asked for that, but I'm going to say it again. Amen."

So, we are working on getting ready for school. The first step is preparing our minds and hearts. We've talked about how we are not going to be learning about Jesus in school this year (like he did at pre-school last year), but how we can still do things on our own, like bow our heads and pray before we eat lunch and snack.

I've been coming up with some Bible lessons that we may be able to use for lessons after school. I think this homeschool mom has tons of great ideas and resources!

We have been talking about rules for school, both on the playground and in the classroom.

We've practiced lining up and following the leader.

But really, the most important preparation for my three sons, is to ask God to prepare their hearts for all that they will see, learn, and experience!

These are a few of my favorite things

• My mom and sister
• Music
• Dancing
• Theater
• Evenings out on the town

Monday, July 26th was all of those things combined!

Some of you may remember that last year for my birthday, my sister gave me tickets to NKOTB.

We had a blast together at that concert...this year, another awesome gift...

tickets to see The Sound of Music at the Muny!!!
(I'm loving this trend, Kara!)

Mom picked us up at 5:00 p.m. and we headed to STL. We drove to Guido's on the Hill. We were all looking forward to some authentic Italian food and were thrilled when we were seated at a table in a little dark corner...perfect for girly talk and lots of giggling.


Only...we got our salads, antipasti, and then waited, and waited, and waited... for an hour and a half we waited, only to realize we had 15 minutes until the show started! Our meals never made it out. I suppose they forgot to put them in, but low and behold, they charged us for everything else!! We made a quick exit and headed over to the Muny.



We arrived in perfect time to get our tickets, stop for a quick bathroom break, and find our seats, which were GREAT!


The show was magnificent. Seriously. They did a great job of summarizing the whole story. The singing was wonderful...just the whole thing! The weather was perfect, except a few bug bites that we all got.

After the show we headed home and decided that we were all hungry. We thought some Krispy Kremes were in order, but imagine our surprise when they were CLOSED at 11:00 on a Monday night...I didn't know they ever closed! Boo...

So...we stopped at Sonic instead. We were sitting there enjoying our food when they turned ALL of the lights off on us...at 11:49! It was too funny, such bad food service that night!


As we headed back onto the highway, Mom looks down and says, "I'm going 103"!!!! Actually, we were just going about 60, but her speedometer had quit working and all the way home we were "driving" 103 - 115ish. Too funny. We got the GPS out to see how fast we were really going.


I had a blast with my mom and sister. I am so lucky to have both of them in my life. One to keep me grounded and the other to keep encouraging me to dream. I love you both so very much, and I enjoy our time together so very much. Let's do it again soon, okay?!

My days are made special

by little things like:

• feet tickling parties on my bed
• snuggles while reading a book
• watching the kids ride their bikes
• receiving flowers from my sons
• sharing videos of Ethiopia with my Mom
  
• hearing my kids laughing while making breakfast
• making family art projects
• having good friends who show support for me

What makes your days extra special?

So many things...once again!

Some day I will be able to post blogs like I want to...but for now, until my computer is fully functioning again, I have to wait until I can get my pictures burnt on a CD on someone else's computer...so, I'm way behind on blog posts again! Since I hope this blog gets turned into a book for my kids, I can't post without pictures when there are some to go with our adventures!

Just so you know though, I have several started, just waiting for pictures to be added!

• Who is this girl?
• Welcome Home Party for Blake and Silas
• Summer Mini Golfing
• 2 Months home: Art project
• Some recent food adventures
  
• Tent City
• Summer Lanterns
• My Days are made special...
• "Fake It Till You Make It"
• Our first trip to the dentist
• There is no one who is beautiful like you
• We love babies around here!
• Our day in court
• Rubber band bracelets: mostly cute
  

Have any you want me to post sooner than later?

Our Verses for Today

Today we are focusing on these verses in our home:

• Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. - Matthew 7:12

We are remembering that God doesn't tell us to do to other what they did to us, but what we would want them to do to us.

• Turn the other cheek. - Matthew 5:39

We are remembering that God doesn't tell us if someone hits us to hit them back, He tells us to take a deep breath and walk away, or look the person in the eye and tell them "I forgive you".

• No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it. - 1 Corinthians 10:13

We are remembering that God has given us the strength and option to make the right choice the first time. We are remembering that when we make the right choice He says to us "Good choice! I'm a so proud of you!" What wonderful words to hear from our Lord and Savior!

• Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it. - Proverbs 22:6

I am remembering that it is my job as a parent to discipline (train) my children. I pray desperately that when they are older they will know The Truth so deeply in their hearts and minds that they won't have to stop and think about decisions. That all of their decisions would be driven from what they know is God's heart for their lives.

This lady did a great job of following these commandments...and teaching us to do the same!

Do you ever think God's trying to tell you something?

I have the worst luck with phones. No, seriously...the worst. I've driven off with them on top of my car, I've dropped them and shattered them, I've spilled my kids orange juice on them, I've left them out in the rain, and most recently, I've dropped them in the toilet.

I've been praying for God to show me the things that I'm too addicted to, things I'm too attached to, things that I may spend more time doing than I spend with Him. I've been hearing God calling me to simplify my life. I've been asking Him, 'how'?

Do you think He could have thrown my phone off the window seal into the toilet this morning as a wake up call..."Ashley, simplify your life, focus on your family...you don't need this phone, this constant attachment to the outside world."

So, I'm giving up my phone. For now. I'm not eligible for an upgrade for months, so, unless my phone decides to start working on it's own again, I'm unavailable...

*Okay, I know this post is a bit over the top...a little sarcastic. But in some weird way, I'm being serious. I really am without a phone, and I really think it may be for the better...

7.21.10: 1 year DTE

DTE: Dossier to Ethiopia
aka: the day you are officially put on the wait list

Today marks one year since our Dossier went to Ethiopia. I'm amazed that we have been home with our children for 2 months (tomorrow) already! When we got word that our DTE was 7/21/09 I went through our calendar and marked on the 21st of every month "1 month DTE, 2 months DTE" all the way to "1 year DTE". It was my goal to have a referral by today. Amazing what God can do when He sees it fit. He had Blake and Silas picked out for our family in the beginning of time, and we were ready when they were in need of a home and another family to call their own. It just happened to be WAY before my time line!

Here is the post that I wrote last year:

After some miscommunication between our two agencies, everything is worked out! Here is the email I recieved from AAI just today...

"Hi Ashley and Lincoln,

Your Dossier was assembled into final form and shipped to Ethiopia on July 21st. Your family is now on the referral waiting list for 1-2 children, at least one male, 0-4 years of age (with the younger child being as young as possible at the time of referral). Currently, families who had their Dossiers shipped to Ethiopia in February 2009 are receiving referrals of infant/toddler boys. Families waiting for the referral of young sibling sets frequently wait a year or more for a referral. Please feel free to call the office each month regarding your position on the referral waiting list.

Also, once your family receives I-171H approval from USCIS, please be sure to forward a copy to our office.

Thanks and congratulations,

Susan"

YEAH! IT'S THERE.

I really expected this whole process to be a lot harder than it has been. We've been blessed with very few pot holes slowing us down. I've always been good at waiting during my pregnancies, never overly anxious to get the baby here. I've always had a peace of mind that they will join our family when the timing is perfect...and I know this child is no different...

If someone would have told me exactly a year ago that I would bring home two 6 year old boys, I would've laughed and told them they were crazy! I am truly in awe of how God can change people's hearts who are willing to listen to His quiet whisperings. There was never an earthquake or a mountain moving that caused us to change our hearts to older child adoption. God just whispered to our hearts, He just gave us a peace beyond understanding, knowing that there was a child (or two) for our family that wasn't in our limited request. "Open your hearts" He said, and we did. And our family became more beautiful than it already was.

Today I am grateful to have my two newest sons home. Today, I am thankful that we are becoming the family that God intended us to be. Today I am also sad...sad for those families who have been waiting and praying for their children for so much longer than I waited for my boys. Wonderful families who are following God's calling in their lives, sacrificing, and loving each other through the long wait. Families like this, and this, and this, and this, and this. Families, who are now friends, who have supported us, been excited for us, and shared in our excitement even though their hearts are hurting and aching for their loved one...

As we celebrate today, know that we are thinking about you, and not forgetting that there are others who are not complete yet. Remembering that there are still 147 million orphans around this world who are aching inside to be a part of a family, who are waiting for someone like YOU to come and get them, bring them home, tuck them into bed at night, and love them unconditionally...

won't you please...?

July 4, 2010

Warning: This post has tons of pictures! I know some of you are just here to look at 4 adorable children, so this should be great for you...

July 4, 2010 was spend at Rockaway Beach for Lincoln's family reunion.

Silas Sintayehu on his first Fourth of July in America!

Blake Bizayehu on his first Fourth of July in America!

Hunter Lee on his sixth Fourth of July! :0)

Graysen Faith on her third Fourth of July! :0)

You can always count on Lincoln to be festive!

Does it get any more "4th of July / American" than this? Having a picnic on a checkered table cloth while eating watermelon?

Silas and Graysen got a little over zealous with their beads...

Lincoln and his Grandma (Grammie B) right before the fireworks show.

They do always have a great fireworks show in Rockaway Beach... we walk down a big hill and watch it over the lake.

But, as I sat and watched it this year I had such mixed feelings. Although I was in awe, like I am every year at the beautiful display, I couldn't help but realize how changed I am this year. I sat, watching the faces of my four children, two of whom had never seen anything like this. They were amazed. They loved it.
In my heart I felt something sink. I wondered (and guesstimated) how much money they spent on that fireworks show...and it made me sick to my stomach. The number of people they could have fed with that money, the number of children they could have helped find families... The widows they could have helped provide for their families for another year so they could keep their children. Right here in America, and abroad...

Can you imagine if we all gave up fireworks next year and gave that money to help those less fortunate than us? No fireworks in Washington, none in Rockaway Beach, none in your backyard...
That would make a huge difference!

My sweet Hunter watching the fireworks with his cousin Hayden.

Happy Birthday America!

Corinthians 10:7-13

Do not be idolaters, as some of them were; as it is written: "The people sat down to eat and drink and go up to indulge in pagan revelry". We should not commit sexual immorality, as some of them did - and were killed by snakes. And do not grumble, as some of they did - and were killed by the destroying angel. These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the fulfillment of the ages has come. So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall! No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.

I love these verses! Isn't it amazing that God provides us the strength to make the right choice the first time, and yet, when we don't, He is willing to forgive us of our sins?! I have started really teaching this verse to my children. Along with our fruits of the spirit we are now learning that God has provided us the strength and option to make the right choice...the first time! Thank you Lord for this option!

This is my life.

I follow the blog of a fellow AAI family whose newest son and daughter happened to be VERY good friends with my boys at Layla! :0) Obviously S and & B love to keep updated on their friends and were amazed to see pictures of them in America with their new brother and sister. This lovely adoptive mom just wrote a post that IS. MY. LIFE. I'm was so glad and refreshed to read that someone else is there. That they just get it. I don't have to explain, they just understand because get this - she's living it too! Amazing!

Here is her post:

"We've been home nearly four weeks now and the kids have pretty much figured out how things work (like the TV remote, the sliding glass door, the dishwasher, the sprinkler system, the automatic car doors, moon sand, bike helmets, the shower, and virtually everything else in their new American universe). They are also pretty certain that we won't leave them or send them back and have really developed fairly strong attachments to us. Sometimes their attachment to me is so strong I think I may be crushed to death. "Mom..." precedes every word out of their mouths. If they want me to look at something amazing they've discovered (like, say, everything) they need to say "Mom, see" at least three times. If they come in from outside, they immediately say, "mom, mom, mom, mom..." infinitely until I respond, even if I'm upstairs. Thomas and Meredith aren't much different and now they need to work twice as hard to get my attention, so it seems like they say "mom" as much as Tinsaye and Solomon. One day last week it was lunchtime and I had already heard "mom" about 20 million times and I thought my ears would melt right off my head. I said, "Okay guys, I can't take it anymore. No one is allowed to say "mom" or ask for me for the next 10 minutes." It suddenly got eerily silent and (I was actually counting) after 9 seconds a tiny voice said, "...mom...?"

Okay, so they love me. Awesome. That means that they feel secure enough to move into Phase Two, which is characterized by a super fun game called "I wonder what she'll do if I __________?" and every 20 minutes or so there's a new activity to fill in the blank. For example, "I wonder what she'll do if I:
-refuse to get out of the pool?
-refuse to eat my lunch?
-refuse to do my math worksheet?
-pretend I don't hear her?
-pretend I didn't understand her English when she told me no?
-sneak off to the basement and watch TV on after I've been told to turn it off?
-ride my bicycle up to the front of the neighborhood alone without asking?
-cover my wall with stickers?
-take my sister's/brother's favorite whatever?
-ask one more time for something she's already told me NO 3 times?
-lay on the floor and cry?
-climb in her lap and cry?
-sit at the table and cry?

So far they've learned that I will drag them out of the pool, take away their lunch, make them do extra math, hide the TV remote, lock up the bike, make them clean the walls, make them apologize, continue to say no, and hold them when they cry. I am REALLY tired now and we are going through a LOT of kleenex. As exhausting as it is for me (physically, mentally and emotionally), I know we are making lots of progress. I'm just glad I'm a professional educator and experienced parent. I've had over 3,000 students try all this manipulative crap on me for the last 17 years and I don't fall for it. I've also had 10 years of experience as a mom and I can dish up plenty of love along with the discipline. But seriously, this is really hard work."

Here was my comment on her blog:

"You just wrote my life story. Amazing. Thank you! Seriously, I just read this outloud to my husband and he's laying on our bed shaking his head yes, amazed that someone else can put my life into words like this. I'm sooooo glad I'm not alone, although I must say, we've been home 6 weeks and it's not any better. Whew. Keep up the good work girl, I'm trying to stay strong as well! "

Williams Family Reunion

For the past 16 years (well before my time!) Lincoln's family has gathered at Rockaway Beach for a family reunion over Fourth of July weekend. It's the Williams side, which is Connie Bixler's family (Lincoln's grandma's side). When I first started going (in 2002 or 2003, I can't remember) lots of family members came, but now it's generally just Connie and Marvin, Marcinda and Carl and all of their kids and grandkids, Merilee and all of her kids and grandkids, Shawn and Pam and all of their kids, and Patty and Richard (Connie's niece and her husband). This year Patty and Richard's son Trent was able to attend with them, and Shawn and Pam and their family were not able to attend.


In no particular order, some of our fun festivities of the weekend:

Lots of pool time, with tons of fun uncles (and Daddies) around, there is always lots of splashing, throwing, jumping, and rough housing!

I had a blast doing coordinating outfits this year for my kids. Here they are eating one of our many meals in matching Redburn shirts.
(I got the shirts made for our homecoming from Ethiopia, and yes, that's our family in stick people on the back!)

We got an old time photo with Lincoln's siblings when only Becca and Justin were married, so we thought it was about time to get another one done! We're now all married and we've added 6 children to the family.

There is always lots of silliness and late night visiting in our circle of lawn chairs after showers.

Blake braiding Aunt Tamra's hair. I think she stopped him after 3 braids or he would've done her whole head!

The whole group shot. We should have taken it the day before when Nel, Corey, Libby and Abby were there...

The brothers always take a morning away and do some disc golfing...

More happy swimmers!

Mommy and Silas (at his first Williams Reunion)
(Connie and Marvin, Marcinda and Carl, and usually Shawn and Pam park their campers in the field next to the cabins)

There's always an evening at Branson Landing. Our kids are so lucky to have fun Aunts and Uncles...

We try to get a good family shot and this is what we end up with...I guess I'd better get used to it huh?!

Hunter mastered the front flip! Watch for yourself!!!

3 Peas in a Pod

I love these three boys! You guys light up my life!


Lucky Corey got to carry all three of them at the family reunion!

Any day that we go out of the house they wear coordinating outfits.

Learning to climb the tree in Aunt Sissy's (G.G.'s) yard!

Happy Birthday Miss Kim!

I had a great girls night a week ago with two great ladies! Chrissy, Kim, and I went to The Blue Beagle and Slice of Pie to celebrate Kim's birthday! Why don't we have birthday parties anymore? I definitely think I'm throwing myself one this year!

We started at The Blue Beagle and painted till our little hearts were happy! It was very therapeutic, we decided we may need weekly therapy sessions there...


Then we headed to Slice of Pie. I was TOTALLY disappointed because they were out of Toll House Pie (my favorite and the only kind I ever eat there), but Miss Kim was happy with her French Silk!!!

and Chrissy LOVED her's!

Happy Birthday Kim, thank you for being a great friend!