Calendars for a Cause!

Seems that I'm always trying to get organized. Once our 3rd child joined the family, this wasn't as easy as it once was. When I was recently scheduling dentist appointments and doctor's appointments, I realized that this year has quickly gotten away from me and I am in need of a 2012 calendar. So, I was so excited when I saw this:

The new Amharic Kids' 2012 Ethiopia Calendar!

I was even more excited when I saw that they were selling them in bulk for families to use as fundraisers. Because, I mean, who isn't excited to do fundraising?!   (ha!!)

Actually, I have been wishing that I could do something to help raise money for a certain special family that I've met online through our adoption. They recently adopted a sibling group of 3 kiddos from Ethiopia to add to their family. They have a heart for sibling groups, you see. And they are faithful. When God calls, they respond. And not just once, but twice.

God recently pierced their hearts again. This time, not for a sibling group of 3, but for a sibling group of FIVE!!

Yes, you heard me correctly -Five!

Five!! Cinco!! Cinq!! Ammïst!!

 The Jensen family - Chrissy, Paul, and their 7 (soon-to-be 12!!) kiddos - live in Tennessee.  They are currently awaiting a court date.  You can read the story of this most recent adoption here and follow along as the story continues to unfold on Chrissy's blog, Injera and Chocolate Gravy.  Also, if you feel called to do more than buy a calendar, you can donate to their adoption fund on their blog!

If not, you know you need a calendar for 2012, so buy one here.  It will have beautiful pictures from Ethiopia each month, bringing back memories for a lot of us, I'm sure!  

The calendars are $20.00 each (which includes the shipping costs).  All proceeds will go to the Jensen families travel fund.  They will need to purchase 4 round trip tickets, plus 5 one-way tickets in all!!  That is no small potatoes!

To purchase your calendar, click on the PayPal button on the right to pay and then either leave a comment or email me at lori.stark@gmail.com with the mailing address where you want the calendar shipped.  

Calendars for a great cause!!  And, maybe, if you're lucky, you'll be able to get organized.  I know I'm hoping I can!

Month of Gratitude - Day 7

On this day, when all 3 children are home from school, full of energy, and on each other's nerves before noon, 

I am thankful that we live in a safe neighborhood, with beautiful parks and playgrounds all around.

Beautiful trees with leaves - red, orange, yellow, and brown.

The sun shining on my face.

The boys able to run safely ahead, while I stroll along with the over-sized puppy in need of exercise.

There's no better way to tire the boys (and the dog) out so their energy is used for good and not evil on these unscheduled free days.

Month of Gratitude - Day 6

Today is Orphan Sunday. 

Today (and everyday), 

I am grateful for our God.

There are an estimated 147 million orphans in the world.

Our God knows each one by name.

An estimated 15 million children have lost both parents.

Our God is the Father to the Fatherless.

He sets the lonely in families.

He will never leave them or forsake them.

He has a plan for them.  And it is good.

The question we must ask ourselves is:

What is MY part in His plan?

Month of Gratitude - Day 5

Today, I am thankful for the internet.

I know.  Some people claim that it's evil.  They don't want their children on their computers.  I understand that and acknowledge that there is danger lurking out there and that it can be used for evil, (as with ALL things).  But, there is also amazing good for which it can be used.

I can't begin to tell you the support that we received during our adoption process AND even continuing now, by people known only through the computer.  We've prayed together, cried together, shared stories with one another, shared tips and information.  The Yahoo group for our agency was one of the single most valuable sources of information to us during the entire process.  They were my go-to-girls.  Before I'd pick up a book or email our agency, I'd ask those women (and a few men).  More often than not, they had answers.  Good answers.  From people who've been there, done that.

Google is also one of my main go-to's.  I seriously sometimes think I should have been a researcher.  It can be problematic at times, but it's also incredibly helpful most of the time.  Your daughter just spilled oil-based paint on her carpet and you don't know what to do?  Google it.  Your son has some funky bumps on his arms and you don't know what they are?  Google it.  Your lab results were just posted online and your doctor hasn't called you to discuss them yet and it's Friday and you are DYING to know what XYZ is?  Google it.  (BTW, I'm sure that I drive my doctor completely insane because I am ALWAYS saying, "well, I read online that....", but, too bad.  I like to think that I'm an informed consumer of medical care and that I keep him on his toes.  He probably thinks differently.)  I also drive my husband crazy because I frequently Google his ailments and diagnose him with some serious afflications.  **think Arnold Schwarzenegger, in whatever movie that was, saying "It's NOT a tumor!".

I can track my kids grades on Edline.  I can see what they buy in the school cafeteria.  I can do my banking and pay my bills.  I can skype with people in other parts of the world or IM with my sister at midnight when everyone else is sleeping.  I'm even going to graduate school, primarily online when my kids are sleeping or at preschool!!  Come on!  It's incredible.

I've nearly forgotten how to use a dictionary, thesaurus, or phone book.  And, frankly, with a house as small as ours, I'm so happy not to have to keep those additional books in the house! 

I have done intensive, video-based Bible studies online, while my kids were napping or at preschool.  I have watched sermons when I couldn't go to church because my kids were sick and my husband plays guitar for the praise team so he has to go. 

I've stayed in touch with friends who have moved far away, and gotten back in touch with friends from high school.  I've laughed myself silly goofing around on Facebook with old friends and new. 

I've also received urgent prayer requests or cried until I was exhausted at receiving the most awful of news. 

I have friends who "aren't into computers" and I understand that, but for me, it's a God-send.  Truly.  Markos is the biggest attention-hound known to man-kind.  If I even think I'm going to pick up the phone and have a conversation with someone, I am sooooo mistaken.  But, I can sit and email at any time day or night without interruption.  OK, not really without interruption, but without the recipient having to endure the interruption with me.  :-)

Surely, the internet can be used for evil, but it can also be used for good.  And, I am grateful for it!!

Month of Gratitude - Day 4

Nothing fancy.  Nothing emotionally moving.  Nothing extra special.

Today, I am thankful that my kids don't have school on Monday or Tuesday.

A four day weekend.

Sleeping in and not having to rush around to get to bus stops and preschool, which inevitably leads to me yelling at them.  Just nice peaceful mornings.

And, to go along with that, I'll add that I am also so thankful for our king-sized bed.  

I LOVE our bed.  I think I've actually talked about it in a previous post.

When Eric and I were first married, we had a full-sized bed in a bedroom which was barely big enough for the bed and 2 dressers.  So, when we did our addition, that was the only thing Eric wanted -- a room that was big enough for a king-sized bed.

Aside from the sheer comfort of it, I am glad that we have this bed because:

• it's allowed Daniel to climb in during the night when he's sick or scared

• there was room for Markos to sleep with us when he first arrived in America and was afraid at night

• our puppy (who is enormous for a puppy) sleeps with us and is the biggest snuggler of a dog that you'd ever meet

• we were able to cuddle in our bed with all 3 kids when the power was out for days and we had no heat during the Blizzard of 2010

• we frequently all snuggle together in our bed and watch movies as a family

It's nice.  It's comfy.  It's warm.  It's safe.  

And, I get to hopefully spend a little extra time snuggled up there this coming weekend - for 2 extra days, and 1 extra hour due to the time change.  Yippee!!

Month of Gratitude - Day 3

One small disclaimer before I share what I'm thankful for today:

These are in no order of importance to me, just what I'm feeling especially grateful for on that particular day. Shoo.  OK, now that you know that I'm not more grateful for this than, say, my kids!  :-)

 Pretty sure that I've complained before about the allergy issues that we have at our house.  They currently  include:

Foods:

peanuts

tree nuts

eggs

paprika

tomatoes

corn (including corn syrup!)

all beans

peas

all shellfish

cantelope

Environmental:

cats

dust

molds & mildew

pollen

grasses

ragweed

nickel

Medication:

penicillin

amoxicillin

Oh, and because that's not enough fun for one house, it has turned out that our new dog has significant allergies, too.  We are currently giving her prescription medication AND avoiding all chicken & beef.  Do you know how hard it is to find treats and dog food with no beef or chicken?

Anyway, on to the thankful part....

I am so thankful for the availability of specialty foods and allergy friendly products.  

For the most part, we've been able to find or make foods for Daniel so that he never feels left out of normal kid things like birthday cake, or gummy snacks, or even condiments (no small feat for a child who is allergic to corn syrup, paprika, and tomatoes!)

They may be pricey, but they're totally worth Daniel being able to not feel like he has to miss out on everything.  So, for that, I am thankful for:

Nomato Ketchup - tomato free ketchup! (also Nomato pasta sauce and Nomato BBQ sauce)

Back to Nature crackers and cookies.

 

Annie's Homegrown Bunny Fruit Snacks.

 And all the other the other great products with labels I've scoured and websites I've searched.  Not only have they made Daniel a happier kid, but they've made my life easier in so many ways!

Month of Gratitude - Day 2

Today, I am thankful that Markos has adjusted so well
in our family.  

 I am grateful that he celebrated his 5th birthday.  

I am grateful that he got to experience dressing up in a costume and doing fun Halloween things, and that he was here for Easter to go to church and find his basket.

I am grateful that he's mostly healthy and now has access to the medication he needs, doctors and hospitals, and CLEAN WATER!

I am grateful that despite the severe malnutrition, the numerous losses in his short little life, and being taken from his first family, culture, and country, he is just like any other little preschool boy - 

singing songs, 

making up his own words to the songs, 

making friends,

learning his ABCs, 

starting to count (up to and including "eleven-teen"), 

fighting with his siblings but also being their best friend at times.  

I am grateful that he speaks amazing English - especially for a 5 year old child on his third language, who spoke no English just 9 short months ago.   

I am grateful that he talks about God, that he prays with us, and that he is learning about Jesus.

I am grateful that he gets to attend church and school, and that he has a bed to sleep in and food to eat.

I am grateful that he is ours and we are his.

God is good.  All the time.