Day at the State Fair

Let the eating begin!

Today we decided to go to the "Great Minnesota Get-Together."  Troy and I had been thinking we would not go this year...bottom line is it is costly for a family of 8 to go, and we have a lot of other things we should be doing right now...need new patio door, deck on the front of the house needs to be replaced, paint a room or two....well, we decided to go for the last "hurrah" of the summer and go for it!  It was a hot one!  We were thankful for a little breeze.  We had lot's of fun sharing foods, laughing, watching a horse show, visiting the birthing center for animals and so much more.

Sharing Sweet Martha's Chocolate Chip Cookies!!

We all shared in giggles many times today, but, we were all in agreement that one of the best parts of the day was......PEOPLE WATCHING!  I would of loved to have taken photos of some of the most unforgettable outfits and hair-do's of the day, but, I promised my kids I would behave with the camera~

Troy and I

looking back...

Earlier in the summer we were able to get away for a 4 day weekend!  Some great friends let us stay in their cabin in Wisconsin.  It was different this year as this was the first year that we were not all in the same car heading on vacation.. The 4 teenagers followed us in their Saturn, while Troy, the boys and I led the way.  It was so fun to glance back at them every once in awhile, sunroof open, heads bobbing to the music...They were having way too much fun!  The boys enjoyed our car, as they were able to watch a movie and have Troy and I to themselves...they talked a lot! 
Anyways, it was a wonderful time, lots of reading, canoeing, shopping, eating out, games and even a visit to the local Dr.'s office.  Morgan had just gotten home from a church youth group trip to Colorado, as the weekend progressed, she was barely able to swallow, so in to the clinic we went we were thankful for drugs!  She was miserable for a day, then started to perk up! 
The best part of a vacation is getting to relax and hang out.  I sometimes struggle with just "relaxing," I generally feel as though I need to do what everyone else wants to do, and I want to, but, I have been trying to find the balance of not feeling "guilty" if I want to read a book instead of playing a game. etc.... I think it is a hard thing for many..the selfish side says.."my vacation too."   So I did a little of both, tried to do what others wanted to do, but also, read one whole book and loved every moment of it...no guilt involved!!

Troy cooking breakfast

PLAYING GAMES

We joke about this picture because Corbin has been reading the same book since spring break...must be good huh!

Syfah doing some mowing!

The "Barbies" going canoeing! (that's what their dad said after waiting and waiting for them.)

Seble and Dad hitting the lake!

Morgan relaxing after her Dr. visit!

The Ear...

Araya had his hearing test-visit to the ENT (Ear, Nose and Throat dr.) last week!  I was a little overdue with scheduling this appt., but last time he saw Dr. Hoyt at the U of M she noticed something on his ear drum..so off we went last week! First we had the hearing test then we saw Dr. Kaubbi, he looked in his ear and brought us to a different room where he had Araya lay down, he stuck his very small intrument in the ear, guided by a light.  His nurse and I stood by Araya as he did some tugging...he pulled something out which he believes was a solid piece of scar tissue that had formed on the ear drum where he had his surgery...so after that we went back to the other room.  Dr. Kaubbi then asked Araya to plug his nose and blow out...he did.  I heard something that sounded like air...I said to Araya, "squeeze your nose before you blow out."  He did it again.  Dr. Kaubbi looked at me and he said, "His nose is plugged, what you hear is air coming out of his ear."  "What?" I said,....Yup, Araya has another hole in his ear drum. So, Dr. Kaubbi is going to have Araya squeeze his nose and blow out about 5 times a day....I don't really understand why, but we will do it!  We will then go back in 3 months and see what is happening to the hole!
That evening, while sitting at the dinner table of course, we were explaining this to Troy and Araya showed us all how he can blow air out of his ear..amazing talent:)  The funny part is, Araya looked at Troy and he said, "Dad, do you think I can breathe out of my ear?"  "Nope," Troy said, but you can try it...Araya looked at Troy and said, "nah, that's o.k., I don't want to try."  I have a feeling he tried it anyways but probably when he was alone!!!
Never a dull moment!
On another note, we will continue to not use the hearing aids at this point, but will also check hearing when we go back!

"The Egg Recall"

Today when I woke up I was watching the news in my room, they have been talking about "The Egg Recall," for people in Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota etc...this week on the news.  I thought, "I should check when I go upstairs."  I didn't.....5 hours later I received a phone call, actually a very frantic phone call from Shelby... I was at work...
Shelby:  Mom, we have a big problem.
Me:  What is wrong?
Shelby:  Well, Morgan was on the computer and she saw on AOL that we had an egg recall.
Me:  Yes
Shelby:  We looked though the names and codes on the eggs, and we found out that we have those eggs.
Me: OK, I said, I will bring them back, set them aside.
Shelby:  No mom, you can't just bring them back, we ate them for lunch! (frantic voice).  The news said that we will get sick within the next three days and then another week of sickness...

Me:  I started to laugh hysterically..... I could not stop.

Shelby:  Mom, this is not funny, this could be serious...what should we do?

Me:  Well, I said,  lay down and see how you feel.

That didn't go over so well either~

I am really hoping that the 3 older girls don't get sick.

I just found out that Corbin used those same eggs to make a cake yesterday that we all ate!

Oh well....we will just wait this one out...I am pretty sure we will all  be fine!  If however you don't see around, assume we got sick....lol.

4 girls that need our help!

Today I received this e-mail from AAI, our Adoption Agency that we used to adopt our 3 Ethiopian kids.  I know that our adoption agency is worried about finding these girls homes, as it is really unheard of for them to request our help....including personal information and pics. 

Please share this info. with others that may be interested in older child/ren adoption!

This is what the e-mail said.  If you want me to send you the actual document, let me know.  This one is hard to read!

For the first time since Layla House Ethiopia opened its doors, children who were promised
families may not get them. These four girls, at 14 and 15 years of age, are about to "age out" of
the orphanage because of changes in the laws. For more information call Adoption Advocates
International at (360) 452 -- 4777 and ask to speak to Linda or Gay. Please pass this e-mail on to
anyone who might have an open heart and room in their home.

Grandma & Boys Road Trip...

On Thursday, Grandma Teresa took Syfah and Araya on a road trip...to Milwaukee.  This was a big deal! Grandma and the boys have been planning this trip for a while now, they were thinking that the train or bus would be a fun option, as the summer was coming to an end we talked and she decided that they would road trip it~ They had a wonderful time!  The boys played "navigator"  and each took multiple turns being, "Grandma's Co-Pilot."  The GPS was a great thing to send with her and now we know what we can get her for Christmas!!  Anyways, the reason for the trip was bonding time with Grandma, but also a trip to see Aunt Priscilla, Uncle Kevin and cousin Tatiana!  they just relocated back to Milwaukee after living in MN for a while...so it was fun to see where they now live.  They were very busy, they went to a Brewers game, water park/water fights, shopping, Lake Michigan and much more! 
Thanks for the wonderful week Grandma, Kevin, Priscilla and Tatiana...they had a great time!

Syfah, Grandma and Araya

Syfah...loving Marilyn

Syfah, cousin Tatiana and Araya at Lake Michigan

Oh Boy!

Uncle Kevin and Aunt Priscilla

Ethiopian Culture Camp

Last weekend, my friend Deb loaded up the van!  They were heading to Ethiopian Culture camp in Southern Wisconsin.  I believe this is Seble's 3rd time going with Deb and her 3 girls.  The timing has unfortunately not worked out for our family to attend this yearly event.  It was a great time for all the "girls." Another friend that now lives here and attends the same school was also able to join them this year!

It was a great weekend of Traditional Ethiopian Dress, an Ethiopian Dance, Ethiopian Food, but most importantly a time to connect with each other.  Seble was able to connect with others that were also adopted from the same orphanage in Ethiopia.  What a blessing to see others that she remembers from years ago, share stories and re-connect.

Thank you Solomon Family for the gift....a gift that Seble will remember for years to come!

She had a wonderful time!

Seble and Sarah

Sleepless in...

Last night as I flipped and flopped around in my bed (Troy is still gone, and he would not have been pleased with me) praying and feeling desperate to have an answer- on my clock, which means now..I kept dozing off and waking up. That was how the whole night went.. every 15 minutes...I would pray again for a sign...any sign...I even found myself wondering if my headache was a sign, is the fact that I can't sleep a sign? Did I miss the sign?...just drop me a note please!... Crazy, I know, but eager and slightly impatient.

Then Tonight, a great friend sent me this verse, I needed it and perhaps you need it too! 

Philippians 4:4-7 "Rejoice in the Lord always, I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

Wow!  What a reminder, what a blessing today and everyday!  I think I am going to sleep better tonight!

I don't think this has ever happened before...

First of all July has been a blur!  I cannot believe that I have already had a month off from school, I go back to work tomorrow.  I am not ready! 
Tonight however, I will have the house to myself, for the first time ever..I think!  Troy and Corbin left yesterday, along with 30 others from our Church, to Chattanooga, Tennessee!  They will be gone for one week doing various things, working in nursing homes, helping work on homes, serving the people that need them!  I am so excited that Troy and Corbin were able to do this together...as a team.  My mom is camping with the three older girls....roughing it they are not. (my mom and dad have a motor home that has all the bells and whistles.)  I would imagine that they will be doing home-made facials and polishing nails once again!  After my Dad set the girls up at the Campground, he called and said, "do the boys want to come stay with me tonight?"  Sure..cable t.v, out for pizza, stay up late, eat in the living room....pure joy for the boys....when Grandma is away the boys (including Grandpa) play!
So......guess what?  It is me, myself and I tonight..oh yeah, I have the two pesky dachshunds to take care of, when the kids are gone they drive me crazy...so I am not alone.  I will enjoy it though, I am fighting the housework that is calling me and leaning towards taking out a book! 

Resting up before they begin to drive me crazy!