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It's silent.  Except for a few bumps on the floor above and distant voices upstairs.  The big boys (Roland and Kyle) are off to a Michigan State v Perdue Game (a much needed diversion - more on that in a minute.)  Claire, Simon, Gertie and Ollie are all enjoying eachothers company for the moment and I am savoring the quiet hum of the furnace and the dreary weather outside.  My friend Paula reminded me that she is waiting for a long overdue Bokma Family Update - and by the way, my peace has been invaded. 

We are so blessed.  We were just getting through homestudy paperwork a year ago and we actually held Gert and Ollie in our arms 8 months ago today!  Life is so good, so full. 

Homeschooling four different age groups can be challenging.  How do I manage?  I send Gertie and Ollie outside to play.  So, Claire and Simon and I are studying Interjections and as I am explaining "oh-no!" and "uh-oh!"  Ollie is just beyond the white board in our view:  The little red wagon is holding two 15 gallon buckets upside down.  On the buckets rests a board from the garage.   On the board, they have somehow managaged to get the tricyle.  And, it is at this moment I glance up to see Ollie trying to mount the tricycle.  Gertie is holding his bum and trying to boost his legs up.  All to say learning Parts of Speech can be very effective when the lesson involves a demonstration.    

Gertie and Ollie came home to America 6 months ago today!

When we had only been home about three months and Gertie and Ollie's English was not as good as it is now -- we had a little disaster.  We've had plenty of mishaps actually, but this one has since repeated itself. 

So, Simon was CONVINCED that Ollie was swearing.  "Dad, he just said bull sh**!  He just keeps saying it!" Well, tonight we heard it for ourselves.  Ollie's "push it" with his Amharic accent sure DOES sound a lot like what Simon thought.  We were sitting around the dinner table in pieces!  Just laughing and laughing as he tried to explain something but kept saying "push it."

Gertie started piano lessons this week.  First lesson was to know her right hand and her left hand.  This morning she sits down at the piano and announces to me, "this is my LEFT hand and this is my GOOD hand."  Because Right means Good... 

 Ollie had his first soccer game today.  Bunch ball, running/ kicking the wrong direction, kids in tears crying they want to go home, cartwheels while defending the goal and my favorite was when the majority of the team had to be taken to the potty. 

We have a verse we learn each week.  We say it at breakfast, lunch and dinner.  I love (not) how my kids are fighting over their turn to say "dear friends, let us love one another..." etc  Ollie is screeching at Gertie "not your turn, my turn, me first."  Hmmm... and its Friday.  Maybe we should spend ANOTHER week on this verse. 

Gertie's new favorite word is "Fabulous."  Yes, she loves High School Musical II.  As I type this she is in the living room dancing her routine.  When she watches her favorite movie -- she mouths the words and stands up and dances along with the TV.  We all watch out the corner of our eye - pretending not to see her and trying not to bust out laughing so she doesn't stop. 

Gertie and Ollie's 6 month report is due back to Ethiopia in August. So, I had to report their weights.  Get this: in the last 5 1/2 months Oliver has gained 12.2 pounds!  Can't believe it!

I'm up early this morning doing some prep time for a worship service I'm leading this weekend.  I was laughing to myself because last year when I led this service at Triponds we stopped at this really amazing totally organic restaurant for lunch.  It was Roland and me and Claire and Simon.  Lunch cost over 50.00.  This year I'm thinking that little dive Diner on our way in Hamilton.  There's 7 of us! -- full time!  And, if Kyle brings a friend..

We just got home from a weekend on the East side of the State.  I enjoyed leading worship with my friend Paula at a Wesleyan Conference.  II also had another opportunity to share our adoption testimony.