my five runners

cross country season is officially complete.  the five oldest competed, and AJ is just simply too young to enter, but his day is coming!  we are truly so proud of their efforts to prepare daily for these events.  the highschool girls had practice four times a week, and this involved lots of conditioning and distance running to be "race-ready" for the various meets.  they both did great~ consistently finishing in the top third of their category.  the younger three were part of the team at the new school.  to even qualify for a spot on the team, a requirement was that they log forty kilometres in training, most being completed on their own time.  that was big~ simply just in finding the days and daylight to get it all in by the deadline.  Hudson and i enjoyed many 2-3 km jogs down our road together.  some days he'd be all "mr. energy" and other days he'd need some encouragement and reminders that he is "Haitian strong".  he persevered, made the team, and even went on to compete at the district level where he finished 22nd out of 71 nine year old boys.

 

 

 

Layla joined a strong team of 11 year old girls already at the new school.  they competed so well that their combined team points got them the pennant at the district level.  individually, Layla finished 10th from 63 girls at district level, which was impressive all on its own, but even more so when i learned she'd fallen over a tree root out on the course.  she came in with mud on her knees and a bruised up shoulder, but her determination was delightful to see!  this course also contained an ominous hill which was pretty difficult for them as it wasn't something they'd trained for.

 

 

Adam was equally determined. through other sports and community events, he knew many of the runners that faced him at the start line. solid, competitive runners that were there on a mission. he had a goal of keeping a certain one in view at all times, and even at district level he managed to do so. he finished 27th out of approx 60-70 13-year old boys.

 

overall, i think all five were pleased. it had been hard work, but a great season to be out enjoying some trails and the benefits of cardiovascular work-outs. we praised their commitment and perseverance even through the discomfort...here's hoping a healthy lifestyle with lots of varied activity becomes their chosen pattern for years to come.

 

 

 

coffee...on an anniversary

i realize this is two posts in a row about Ethiopia.  i'm on an accidental roll! :)  yes, i've been remembering this "country of coffee" often this month, and it just so happens today is the anniversary of the court appearance when AJ became legally ours~ when we first heard a judge utter the words "he's yours." four years ago. crazy....reading that post over is just the best memory...so clear still. oh how i wish i had these journal accounts for each delivery of my four homegrown kids and Hudson's adoption too....i don't, so the baby books will have to do. 

 

back to the coffee....these articles and stories come to me by way of an adoption group i'm part of online.  there are some women there who are great resources for all things adoption and Ethiopia.  it's like they sit and scour the internet all day for anything related.  i'm sure they really don't, they have kids and families too, but wow~ are they ever a great wealth of information!  this article on the coffee business in Ethiopia is fascinating, to me at least.  Jeff and i have purchased coffee at two of the cafes mentioned and pictured, as well as partaken in the traditional coffee ceremonies and the beautiful way Ethiopians show their hospitality through this event....fond memories (wild understatement!)  great coffee.  great people. 

 

there, i'm done now.  for awhile at least...
 

ethiopia

i can't stop watching this, three and a half minutes that take me back....so well done that i can almost taste the injera, smell the roasting coffee beans, and hear the bustling sounds that i remember so well from our time in Ethiopia...this week marks four years since we first laid our feet down on the red soil of that exotic and amazing land.  with our two oldest daughters we took in all that we could on that journey to our dear AJ...it was unforgettable and one we hope to repeat someday.  even if you've never been, this gives you a small window into Ethiopian cuisine and culture....enjoy!

tooth fairy

this is the first front tooth to be lost by AJ, our last and youngest child.  sniff, sniff...this happened a few weeks ago, and actually it was his big, brave cousin that took on "tooth-pulling" duties.  i was glad because pulling teeth is something i strongly dislike, especially when they aren't literally just hanging and instead have a bit of a root still attached, as did this one...but AJ wanted it out and was determined the time had come.  he wiggled it and wiggled it all through the morning church service...he was on a mission.

 

AJ was a bit worried the tooth fairy would take his tooth, so i encouraged him to write a note to ease his concerns.  after all, it was a very fine front tooth and any smart tooth fairy would want to take it with her...thankfully, the message was clear enough that the tooth remained there the next morning with two dollars....he was an excited little man and so happy to go to school to show the "new look".