Winding down!!

The last couple of weeks have been filled with school projects....I figured out a couple of weeks ago that we have now completed 6 dioramas of Charlotte's Web. (I wish I would of kept all of those and just let the next one use it...hee hee, I guess that would be cheating!) Every year the 4Th graders read Charlotte's web, then they complete the diorama! (sorry Araya..no picture)

A week ago it was the culture fair, as you can see from the pics, my kids enjoyed it...I am glad it is over! We made a different meat dish from, Spain, South Korea, Thailand, Cambodia and Taiwan!!

We have 2 days left with the kids at school!

Big Mistake!

Oh my word! I do not get the "Mother of the Year Award". My girls asked if we could go to a movie last weekend...well, Star Trek did not appeal to them or I..(the boys saw that one). Night at the Museum was not one we really wanted to see either. The girls said, "can we go and see, Ghost of Girlfriends Past?" I looked it up- it was rated pg-13. I looked up why? I am not sure what I was reading but the reviews I read were not what I saw and heard. My friend Sarah went with us, we had the Theatre to ourselves....should of been the first sign!!

Matt McConaughey, Michael Douglas, Jennifer Garner were in the movie, I like all of them, however the movie was a terrible inuendo filled story of selfishness and bad choices. I actually kept thinking, this can't keep on like this, I kept waiting for the redeeming moment of the movie. It happened...the last 5 minutes, o.k. maybe 10.

I will tell you this movie did bring out some interesting conversations.....we actually could of left, probably should have. As we have talked about the movie throughout the week....because I was sort of "traumatized by my lack of better judgement." I am seeing that we can use so many situations as learning experiences and conversation pieces.....this was one of them....so, while I still am pondering my decision to "stay or go" I am thankful that I have 4 girls that understood that we (I) made a mistake and we can learn from it....

p.s. I would not recommend the movie...if you haven't figured that much out.

We gave it 1/2 star out of 5, and that would be a stretch! !

THE BEST PART OF THE MOVIE WAS THE 80'S MUSIC, and the girl that wore the 80's hair scrunchies....she did make us laugh!

The Green Machine

A couple of years ago Troy bought a Mazda for driving back and forth to Plymouth. The Mazda is an ugly green...sort of minty green, iridescent. It is a gem!! Well I have been quite stubborn about driving the bomb.

a) it's ugly

b)it is a stick shift and I haven't driven a stick shift since I was 22.

C) I feel like I am sitting on the floor, literally my feet feel like they are going to hit the gravel below!

Anyways, tonight Troy was changing the brakes on the Suburban, and I needed to bring Syfah to a friends house. Everyone including my dear husband and children were petrified. I jumped in and Corbin jumped in the bucket seat next to me and said, "mom, I am going to ride with you, are you scared?" we took it for a spin around our loop driveway...it all came back to me!

Syfah came out of the house, stopped dead in his tracks and said, "What, are you serious?" I said, "do you want to get to your friends house." He jumped in. It was smooth sailing until I got out on the highway....(I think I missed 3rd gear and went straight to 5th...a scary moment). We arrived safely at Syfah's friends house...he jumped out..kissed me and said, "mom, I am going to be praying for you for the next 20 minutes!"

As Corbin and I accidentally peeled out of the driveway, she was a little nervous....she called my mom. I got the giggles, it was bringing back the memory of the day when my dad called me at work( I was 17) he said, "jody, I found you a car $1500.00, you can start making payments, here is where it is and you and your mom are going to pick it up tonight after you get off of work." It was a Chevy Chevette, STICK SHIFT!! I had never driven one, nor had my mom. I literally do not know how we made it home from Cambridge, she was crying, and I was mad. Someone even called my mom and dad the next day and said, "I saw Jody stalled in the middle of 65 and 95 today, was everything OK." Yeah, it was fine, just learning how to drive.....I should of practiced on back roads. What was I thinking?

Troy has actually been teaching Morgan how to drive it too, as she will be 16 in June. Tonight before I had the privilege of driving it, she had been out with Troy, Troy said she was improving..."only killed it about 20 times!" Yikes, I am glad he is teaching her. Syfah shared with me that people were mad and honking......bringing back the memories!

It was fun! I would like to drive it again! If you want be to pick you up, give me a call!

5 years ago......

ONE OF THE FIRST PICTURES WE SAW OF SEBLE AND SYFAH!!

SEBLE AND SYFAH LEARNING ABOUT US!!

TROY MEETING KIDS!!

May 15, 2004 was the first day that I was able to hug my new kids! Seble and Syfah joined our family 5 years ago! Wow, is what comes to my mind! 5 years ago, was a day I will never forget, I had not slept well the night before….too excited, nervous and anxious. Our dear friend Deb had traveled with Troy, while her Ethiopian blessings Sarah and Hannah stayed with us (the girls and I ) for the 2 weeks. We eagerly went grocery shopping, cleaned up the house, made welcome signs, bought balloons. We arrived at the airport at 3:00 p.m., they landed at 4:00. I remember calling Troy on his cell phone and asking, “Where are you? What is taking so long for you to get down here?” (lower airport) I remember what he said back, “Jody, calm down, we just stepped off the plane and we are getting them into clean clothes and combing their hair. We will be down in 5 minutes"….he knows me too well!

I saw them come down the stairs and I was freaking out, so many things go through your head….how are they doing? Should I kiss them first or kiss my husband? Will they think I am weird, will they like me? Will they be petrified (of course!), will Morgan, Shelby and Corbin be o.k.? Will they wonder why I am crying? Will they like their house? Are they going to like it here?

AIRPORT
It has been a good 5 years. I cannot imagine our lives without, “rambunctious, outgoing and personality plus Syfah!” He has tested me in ways I did not know I could be tested, he has loved me when I have been hard on him, Syfah has forgiven me when I needed forgiveness. Syfah has taught me so much! I know that we are only a stepping stone in helping him be the man that God wants him to be, for that I am thankful. I love the way his dimples show when he flashes me a smile! Seble has been a “pure delight!” This girl has a heart of gold! We simply could not have begged or pleaded for anything to be different about her! We took a huge leap of faith when we added another girl to an already houseful of girls…it was scary, we currently have 4 girls that are 15, 15, 14 and 12! It could have been an interesting combo…God is good and gave us 4 girls that have become great friends and love each other! I love her hugs, and the way she calls me, “mommy.”

I don’t want to sound like it has been “perfect,” who and what are?

On this, the 5th year Anniversary of adding Seble and Syfah to our family we will celebrate by attending a play that Shelby and Seble are in. We will rejoice in the fact that we have been blessed! We are thankful to God for walking with us so faithfully on this journey, and we will look forward to many more years.

I also want to say, “thanks” to so many who have walked beside us, and welcomed our family, as we are.

I hope that Semnayesh and Negash know what wonderful kids they created! I think they had done a great job, they would be so proud of the young people Seble and Syfah (Araya too!) are becoming! I cannot help but think of how these three Ethiopian kids were brought to us from around the world and given to us……It’s a miracle!! WE WERE GIVEN THIS PICTURE OF SYFAH, SEBLE AND ARAYA, WHEN TROY WAS IN ETHIOPIA!!

Formal!

Morgan and Ellie!

On Saturday, Troy and I had the privilege of being 2 of the chaperone's for this years Formal at CCS! The day began early with hair and nails, done by me! It was fun, we watched the movie, "Bride Wars," I thought it was sort of cute! The girls enjoyed it too!!

We needed to be at CCS at 4:30 for photos, and then we boarded the charter bus to the, "St. Croix, Boat and Packet!" We were pleasantly surprised by the upgraded boat, 2 enclosed levels and an open top. The weather was was sunny and a little cool! We had dinner on the boat, followed by a dance. We were blessed by this group of kids, they were great, the chaperone's were a little crazy at times but had so much fun! Thanks Jeff, Shelley, Rachel and Sarah!

Getting a little too crazy!

p.s. although I had a wonderful time, I am not so sure I ever want to go on a cruise!

It's me Troy....Jody's husband!

I am not known for my writing skills,but I just wanted to write a little something about her this Mothers Day! I remember when we first got married, we had no idea that one day she
would be a mother of not just one, but six. I am very blessed to be married to someone like her.
Jody has been a wonderful wife and mother to our children. Many times she puts us first in front of herself. She is a wife, mother, a maid (more than she probably would like), taxi driver, friend to many, secretary, school mom at times, problem solver. What I'm trying to say is, this mothers day, let's not take for granted our better halves and all they do for us. Don't forget to do something out of the ordinary for her, tell her that you love her and all the things she does for you and your family.
Jody I love you with all my heart, thanks for all the things you do for us.

Love Troy

Followers of the Swenson Family!

I talked to Julie today, they are doing well in Ethiopia. They have not been able to get e-mails, blog or do anything related to the computer.
I know many of you have been praying and wondering how they are. They are doing well!
Planning to return home this weekend, patiently waiting for Seble's visa!

World AIDS Orphans Day!

In support of World AIDS Orphans Day on May 7, AHOPE for Children, is urging Everyone to take a 60-second moment of silence at 15:15 (3:15 pm., regardless of time zone), to reflect upon the more than 15 million children orphaned by AIDS around the world. "If everyone takes just one minute out of their day to think and pray about these children and how we might help them, we are taking a step in the right direction!"

"The Secretary"

Tonight I actually answered the phone, "Hello, I am watching American Idol, may I call you back?" She replied to me, "what?" I said it again...of course I do have caller i.d., so I knew that I would hopefully not offend her...sorry Jenn, I am sorry if I offended you...I was rather rude! (I did call her back, at 8:00!)

I answer the phone 50+ times a day, and I would love to say...."........may I call you back when I feel like talking?" "If you have already called me once today, please hang up and call back tomorrow!" I don't or I wouldn't have a job! I also would just love to let it go to voicemail and take the messages off in the afternoon....I can't or I wouldn't have a job!! WOW am I ready for summer. Yesterday I said to one of my co-workers..."not too many days left." "21", he (j.b.)replied before I could finish my sentence! I have seriously been thinking about the book that I am going to write ....."How to fool a secretary!", "How not to fool a secretary!" "Bad excuses (a.k.a small lies) to give the school secretary!" "How to Bribe the school secretary!" (diet coke and chocolate is the best!) "How to talk politely to the school secretary!" "Funniest stories that your kids have told me about you, the parent,(I will never divulge but you wouldn't believe!") "I am not a doctor, psychiatrist or janitor...just the secretary!" I guess I went a little crazy for a moment.

Summer, Here I come!!

Happy Friday!

Maybe you have already seen this but.....My co-worker and great friend Sarah, sent me this and we cannot quit laughing!! (Maybe it is because we work at a school, where the kids are crazy today!!)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_wJqQeBRm0&feature=related

Hilarious...this is how one of my kids acts at the local fair...help!

Notice at the end how she takes her ear plugs out and she probably did not even hear this child screaming..I am sorry if you do not find it funny!!