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I'm teaching our choir sunday school class tomorrow.  I was sitting working through some scriptures on our call to be "under-shepherds" -- accountable to the The Great Shepherd.  And Gertie comes running in giggling and telling me something about Ollie in Amharic.  I get up because I need to understand what she is saying - so I follow her outside.  She wanted to show me that Ollie was using an old corn cob from the compost pile and a big pine cone to comb his hair.  We were laughing at the silliness when Gertie fell backward on the sidewalk and hurt her bum.

Psalm 145  I will extol You, my God, O King;  and I will bless Your name forever and ever - with GRATEFUL, AFFECTIONATE, priase.  Every day with it's new reasons will I bless You affectionately and gratefully praise You...

The birds woke me this morning with their singing and I am knowing that my God is so wonderful.  Having weather that allows the window to be cracked while we sleep just fills me with gratitude.

Today Gertie pounded on the glass slider (she was outside and I was inside).  She had an important message.  It sounded like "bard, bard, car mom!  ca - ca"  she kept repeating it until I understood.   There was bird poop on the van. 

Claire found a gold chain with a big gold dollar sign on it at Meijers from one of those 25 cent vending machines.  It was sitting on the bench in it's plastic container.  So she gave it to Ollie and now Ollie has bling - bling. 

We are coming to one of our last adoption expenses for post reports and I am just in AWE of God how he has provided for us BEYOND my expectations.  I am amazed.  

I am so thankful for the sunshine today.  I kept the kids locked in the house until schoolwork was done because I knew once they escaped there would be no return.  I would have lost their attention.  Yabi has fallen in love with the backpack today.  So, we have shed our raincoat, still donning a helmet of course but we have added a backpack.  Everytime I see him it looks a little heavier and sounds like there is a puzzle loose in there. 

The training wheels on Ollie's bike have been bent back so many times they are about done.  It's hilarious.  They love their bikes.  His handle bar grips are ripped he has fallen so often.  Not, owie fall - more like I don't want to stop so I will just bail.  Roland took Gertie and Ollie for a bike ride in the rain yesterday - even the rain doesn't stop them from wanting to go to the park and or have a bike ride. 

 Gertie had heard Blessed Be Your Name on a Worship CD at the Orphanage - so I was excited to hear her singing today in church.  If they know it - they love to sing. 

We got pictures of the trip developed yesterday (I am determined NOT to have a million undeveloped photos just because we have a digital.)  It is huge excitement for Gertie and Ollie.  I am trying to write down the names of their friends so niether of us forget.

Yabi doesn't understand the "me" "you" concept.  I point to him and say "you" and so everytime he asks me if something is his, he points to himself and says "you."  Try explaining to someone that they are only "you" if someone else speaks and they are "me" only to themself. 

Weather really makes or breaks the day.  My mom babysat for an hour and half today.  She said it was the longest hour and half of her week.  They painted.  Yeah Nana! 

We hit a Dove movie yesterday with my mom and Sister and her twins.  It wasn't until we got INTO Rivertown Mall that I realized/ heard Gertie had chosen to wear Claire's old tap shoes with her outfit (that was already a little on the creatively colorful side).  Click click click clack - all the way through the mall.  You go girl.  I love it. 

Yabi is still wearing his bike helmet and rain coat.  My brother said I should give him a snorkel and a ping pong paddle and send him outside to direct traffic. 

We have a new one. 

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Every day -- and night, too is an adventure.  We are having a blast - the kids are doing so well but this momma is tired. 

My friend Tracy who is 16 came today for the day.  She helped me clean and get a little organized.  Normally I either make breakfast, clean up breakfast then hand out snacks and clean that up then we are ready for lunch.  Between getting dinner ready and laudry I don't get much else done. 

I am so thankful to be a mom.  We are just having too much fun.  Playing with the Herrell cousins today. 

Gertie did not cry last night - praise Jesus.  I was trying to communicate to her not to wake Claire up - but to just come into mommy's room.  I think she didn't dare to get out of bed - and orpanage rule maybe?  Try to explain: it's okay to get out of bed, go potty, come get mom... not okay to cry and wake up the entire house.  We finally got through.  She came in at 3am and woke me and we set up her bed on the floor.  No tears last night. 

We got through Simon and Roland's birthdays.  I was wondering how they would deal with the presents - 1 for Simon, none for you... they get "Happy Birthday to Simon."