Friday, November 11, 2011
Monday, October 24, 2011
Things I loved about today...
-walking to Starbucks in the morning with my sister and mother-in-law, my two nephews and one foster niece (beautiful day for a chilly fall walk!)
-taking my two puppies to play in the school field with my husband, we ran in all the leaves...wish I had my camera!!
-going to a rich ladies house to buy her son's old clothes (I found her on kijiji, and yes I have started to buy up some older boy clothes!!) I scored some beautiful Hilfiger winter coats, Dr. Suess converse that her sons just didn't have the chance to wear and some other really cute items! I may be jumping the gun, but a boy is pretty much guaranteed as I was informed on my phone call with MoT last week!!!! LOVE IT!!!!
-Getting my butt whooped at boot camp with my sister... actually the feeling after the workout I should say...I can't say I love the feeling of working out, but I do love the good feeling after the fact!
-Lounging in a hot bath after said butt whooping, eating popcorn and drinking a blood orange San Pellegrino. Yup that's right, I love to eat after I work out!!
-and now I look forward to an evening with my husband and my furbabies!
-Oh and I also LOVE this:
Psalm 113
Hallelujah! You who serve God, praise God!
Just to speak his name is praise! Just to remember God is a blessing-now and tomorrow and always.
From east to west, from dawn to dusk,
keep lifting all your praises to God!
God is higher than anything and anyone,
outshining everything you can see in the skies.
Who can compare with God, our God,
so majestically enthroned,
Surveying his magnificent heavens and earth?
He picks up the poor from the dirt,
rescues the wretched who've been thrown out with the trash,
Seats them among the honored guests,
a place honor among the brightest and best.
He gives childless couples a family,
gives them joy as the parents of children!!!!!!
HALLELUJAH!!!!!
One last thing I love about today:
-that the creator of the universe loves my child more than I do
And just in case you missed that last part:
He gives childless couples a family,
gives JOY as the parents of children!!!
That is the best!
And just for fun some photos I uploaded today that I love:
-taking my two puppies to play in the school field with my husband, we ran in all the leaves...wish I had my camera!!
-going to a rich ladies house to buy her son's old clothes (I found her on kijiji, and yes I have started to buy up some older boy clothes!!) I scored some beautiful Hilfiger winter coats, Dr. Suess converse that her sons just didn't have the chance to wear and some other really cute items! I may be jumping the gun, but a boy is pretty much guaranteed as I was informed on my phone call with MoT last week!!!! LOVE IT!!!!
-Getting my butt whooped at boot camp with my sister... actually the feeling after the workout I should say...I can't say I love the feeling of working out, but I do love the good feeling after the fact!
-Lounging in a hot bath after said butt whooping, eating popcorn and drinking a blood orange San Pellegrino. Yup that's right, I love to eat after I work out!!
-and now I look forward to an evening with my husband and my furbabies!
-Oh and I also LOVE this:
Psalm 113
Hallelujah! You who serve God, praise God!
Just to speak his name is praise! Just to remember God is a blessing-now and tomorrow and always.
From east to west, from dawn to dusk,
keep lifting all your praises to God!
God is higher than anything and anyone,
outshining everything you can see in the skies.
Who can compare with God, our God,
so majestically enthroned,
Surveying his magnificent heavens and earth?
He picks up the poor from the dirt,
rescues the wretched who've been thrown out with the trash,
Seats them among the honored guests,
a place honor among the brightest and best.
He gives childless couples a family,
gives them joy as the parents of children!!!!!!
HALLELUJAH!!!!!
One last thing I love about today:
-that the creator of the universe loves my child more than I do
And just in case you missed that last part:
He gives childless couples a family,
gives JOY as the parents of children!!!
That is the best!
And just for fun some photos I uploaded today that I love:
Grandparents
Kids
Nephews, nieces and friends at Arnie's 30th birthday, lined up watching Veggie Tales...looking so innocent...only moments before the basement was destroyed and 5 fights had broken out!
Dogs (who act like babies!!)
Oh man he is funny!!
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Our single bucket list
Yesterday I was thinking of ways to distract myself as we wait for the call. I decided that we should make a "bucket" list of things we want to do before we have kids. When I told Arnie he said, "I've already done everything I want before having kids." This is true, we have done many, many big things in life already but I was thinking more of a "last chance" type of list. So I need some help, from all you moms out there, what should I add to my list??
A few of my thoughts:
-a weekend away to the mountains
-sleep in on the weekends
-go on a couple dates to our favorite restaurants
-finish all renos on the house
I know nothing can ever be better then having a family, but I'd like to focus on what I do have and can do now. I am so thankful for my husband (who turned 30 yesterday!!!!!) and I'd like to make the most of the single time we have now before it is gone (hopefully soon:)).
I know we have not wasted our time while we have been waiting and I am so happy for the things we have done together just as a married couple without kids. So I think it is important that I celebrate the accomplishments we have made together and the fun things God has allowed us to do together!
Our finished single bucket list:
-became a nurse, finished 2 years of school
-were youth leaders
-moved into our own home
-had 13 different renters in our home
-raised 4 puppies together (2 who passed away)
-held each other's hands through a family member's death
-celebrated one sister and two brother's weddings
-renovated 3 bathrooms, 2 bedrooms, one deck, one living room and dining room, and one backyard
-visited Arnie's family in Hungary
-travelled to Costa Rica, Mexico, Cuba, all over Canada and Hungary
-lead a mission's trip to Costa Rica to build a playground
-worked in an orphanage together
-loved on 3 nephews and 4 nieces
-celebrated 5 anniversaries, 5 birthdays and 5 christmases
-paid off our debts
-saved money to stay in Ethiopia for as long as it takes to bring our child home
-Co-managed a winter warming centre for homeless in Edmonton
-Arnie keeping his job for 11 years
-finished our family "banking plan"
As I write this list, I am again so thankful for all the things God has allowed us to do and has given us the resources to do.
OK, one last list:
Our bucket list:
-adopt from Ethiopia
A few of my thoughts:
-a weekend away to the mountains
-sleep in on the weekends
-go on a couple dates to our favorite restaurants
-finish all renos on the house
I know nothing can ever be better then having a family, but I'd like to focus on what I do have and can do now. I am so thankful for my husband (who turned 30 yesterday!!!!!) and I'd like to make the most of the single time we have now before it is gone (hopefully soon:)).
I know we have not wasted our time while we have been waiting and I am so happy for the things we have done together just as a married couple without kids. So I think it is important that I celebrate the accomplishments we have made together and the fun things God has allowed us to do together!
Our finished single bucket list:
-became a nurse, finished 2 years of school
-were youth leaders
-moved into our own home
-had 13 different renters in our home
-raised 4 puppies together (2 who passed away)
-held each other's hands through a family member's death
-celebrated one sister and two brother's weddings
-renovated 3 bathrooms, 2 bedrooms, one deck, one living room and dining room, and one backyard
-visited Arnie's family in Hungary
-travelled to Costa Rica, Mexico, Cuba, all over Canada and Hungary
-lead a mission's trip to Costa Rica to build a playground
-worked in an orphanage together
-loved on 3 nephews and 4 nieces
-celebrated 5 anniversaries, 5 birthdays and 5 christmases
-paid off our debts
-saved money to stay in Ethiopia for as long as it takes to bring our child home
-Co-managed a winter warming centre for homeless in Edmonton
-Arnie keeping his job for 11 years
-finished our family "banking plan"
As I write this list, I am again so thankful for all the things God has allowed us to do and has given us the resources to do.
OK, one last list:
Our bucket list:
-adopt from Ethiopia
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
The table my husband built
This is the table my husband built! I love it! It can seat up to 12 people (a little squishy). He finished the other day, just in time for Thanksgiving. This is the first wood item he has built, and I was so impressed at how well it turned out! We saw one like it at Restoration Hardware and he just copied it from a picture. We did order the chairs from there as we thought that they might be a little too much work!
The other day I laughed a little when I realized that we just put in a huge table and ten chairs...when only two of us live in our house. We didn't even think twice about the fact that we needed a huge table, it only occurred to me after the fact that some may come in our house and think that it was odd or maybe unnecessary. You see our house has become a little bit of a community house. Once a week we have a family dinner where our whole family comes as well as whoever else would like to join. We often have neighbours over or friends as well as the family. At least once a week our house is bursting at the seams. And I love it!
Family dinners aside, our house often collects a few people here or there for games, dinners or bible studies. Arnie and I have created an open door policy. Since day one of living in our house (over five years ago) we decided that we wanted our house to be made for family. Anyone who comes in is welcome to use whatever they want, drink and eat whatever they want and stay however long they want. You may think this is strange, but we love it. You may think we would never have time alone, but we still have plenty. You may think we would get sick of people (and yes we have had our moments) but we still enjoy their company. Maybe because this was never our house, it was always God's house and will continue to be. One day I came home to Arnie and one of our old roommates, painting something above the top of our main entrance door. It says, "My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations." Our desire is that our house would be a home and anyone who steps in the door would feel a part of our family, no matter who you are or where you come from.
And that is why I love this table. It is so much more than a table to me, it represents our hearts and our desires... and let's just say there is enough room for an Ethiopian baby or two!!!
Sunday, October 2, 2011
Joy
I went to a women's retreat this weekend. During the weekend my friend wrote me a quick note, and this verse was on it!!
"May he give you the desire of your heart, and make all your plans succeed.
We will SHOUT FOR JOY when you are victorious and will lift up our banners in the name of our God.
May the Lord grant ALL YOUR REQUESTS!!"
Psalm 20: 4-5
I love this!!!
"May he give you the desire of your heart, and make all your plans succeed.
We will SHOUT FOR JOY when you are victorious and will lift up our banners in the name of our God.
May the Lord grant ALL YOUR REQUESTS!!"
Psalm 20: 4-5
I love this!!!
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Ethiopian New Years
On Sunday Arnie and I went out to celebrate Ethiopian New Years.
Technically the holiday is on the monday, but we were told that the Canadian Ethiopian's were celebrating on Sunday because everyone has to work on Monday. We decided to go to the same restaurant we went to for Christmas. We love this place! It looks like it is built in a trailor with a mobile home type addition.
It is mostly Ethiopian's who go to this restaurant as it is located close to the Ethiopian community. Our sweet waitress barely spoke english. We had a chance to get to know the family who own the restaurant a little bit and got to talking about our adoption. We found out the couple is Christian and has family living in Addis. The lady told us that when we get our referral that she would be honored to do a coffee ceremony for us. She also said that when we do go to Ethiopia that she will call her family and arrange for them to meet up with us and show us around!
We are going to keep going to this restaurant often as we would love to keep building a relationship with this family. I thought about our child all night and how I wished they were with us... We knew we needed to celebrate this holiday and continue to find out more about Ethiopian culture even though our child is not with us yet. I look forward to the day we can bring our child to this restaurant, I hope they will feel at home there and that they will be able to meet some friends.... Now if only that phone would just ring!!
Technically the holiday is on the monday, but we were told that the Canadian Ethiopian's were celebrating on Sunday because everyone has to work on Monday. We decided to go to the same restaurant we went to for Christmas. We love this place! It looks like it is built in a trailor with a mobile home type addition.
It is mostly Ethiopian's who go to this restaurant as it is located close to the Ethiopian community. Our sweet waitress barely spoke english. We had a chance to get to know the family who own the restaurant a little bit and got to talking about our adoption. We found out the couple is Christian and has family living in Addis. The lady told us that when we get our referral that she would be honored to do a coffee ceremony for us. She also said that when we do go to Ethiopia that she will call her family and arrange for them to meet up with us and show us around!
We are going to keep going to this restaurant often as we would love to keep building a relationship with this family. I thought about our child all night and how I wished they were with us... We knew we needed to celebrate this holiday and continue to find out more about Ethiopian culture even though our child is not with us yet. I look forward to the day we can bring our child to this restaurant, I hope they will feel at home there and that they will be able to meet some friends.... Now if only that phone would just ring!!
Saturday, September 3, 2011
HOME
We made it home from Hungary. 24 hours of travelling and I was starting to see double. I don't think I have mentioned this before, but can I just tell you how thankful I am for my bed... I got in my bed curled up and thought, I have never been so comfortable in all of my life!
I am happy to be home. Although I loved Hungary and meeting my family, there is just something about being home. I can speak and others understand me. I can go to the grocery store and know exactly what everything is. I can cook. I can clean. The air is cool and my bed is warm. I can see my family and friends again. I can order coffee. I can pick my garden. I can walk down the street and not get lost (and even if I do I can ask for directions).
I am so thankful for all God has given me. Coming home I have been wondering why it is that I get to have what I do. Why was I born in Canada? Why was I not born into poverty? I dont have answers for this... but I know that I do not deserve what I do have. I thank God, but also wonder if maybe someone else should have what I have. I do plan on giving what I have to my Ethiopian children, but somehow I still feel undeserving of all the blessing I have.
And again... I am just so happy to be home!
My husband on the other hand, could live this life forever!!
I am happy to be home. Although I loved Hungary and meeting my family, there is just something about being home. I can speak and others understand me. I can go to the grocery store and know exactly what everything is. I can cook. I can clean. The air is cool and my bed is warm. I can see my family and friends again. I can order coffee. I can pick my garden. I can walk down the street and not get lost (and even if I do I can ask for directions).
I am so thankful for all God has given me. Coming home I have been wondering why it is that I get to have what I do. Why was I born in Canada? Why was I not born into poverty? I dont have answers for this... but I know that I do not deserve what I do have. I thank God, but also wonder if maybe someone else should have what I have. I do plan on giving what I have to my Ethiopian children, but somehow I still feel undeserving of all the blessing I have.
And again... I am just so happy to be home!
My husband on the other hand, could live this life forever!!
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