yonas

imagine my delight when i finallllllly opened an email last Saturday evening with news of Yonas....to say that it was a long time in coming might be the understatement of the year, however, better late than never, i guess...

this update was solid proof that our care package arrived and passed through many hands but eventually DID land in the intended place.  thanks to K&S for bringing it sooo far....so thankful...without a doubt, Yonas now wakes daily with the knowledge that he is loved and cared for by many.  i picture him reading and rereading the letters sent by all his supporters here in Canada.  i imagine him staring into the faces of the pictures the families sent.  plus, he's wearing the t-shirt that was lovingly designed just for him (insert plug for the wonderful people at The Silk Screen~ check them out), and the shoes look super cute as well!  i'm almost certain the soccer jersey we left for him over a year ago might even be on underneath.  he looks well, considering how long his body has been invaded by HIV and the other chronic health concerns that have raged unchecked in his tiny frame. 

i think he looks better than in December 2010 when we last spoke.  yet, the biggest difference appears to be the glimmer of hope that shines from his countenance.  seriously, this sponsorship thing is so win-win, and i could see it getting addicting.  what compares to the feeling of knowing that a few dollars a month is changing a life??  not a deliciously and lovely chai latte, not a contemporary chic couch (i love my couch!!), not a designer handbag....no, nothing could come close. 

again, many thanks to all who support and pray for this boy.  please continue to do so.  Eyob states that paperwork is almost complete to allow Yonas to be admitted into the care of KVI.  then, a suitable and loving forever family can be sought for him.  please pray that either there in Ethiopia or across North America the most perfect family will be found to best meet his needs.  his case is certainly time sensitive.  he turns 14 in April, i believe.  he doesn't have that much time to be matched, according to Ethiopian law.  but hey, time is nothing to God.  as always, i'll update here as i learn more. 

like and love...sorted out

sweet thoughts from little man AJ last week.  i loved the conversation so much i walked away from it and jotted it down on paper to capture the essence.  i was in my bathroom getting ready to attend an engagement at the school.  AJ was watching me.  brushing my teeth, touching up my face, etc...he's always nearby...content to watch and chat as we hang out...the discussion went like this...
AJ: "hey momma...do you like your mom and dad?"
me: "oh yes AJ, i love them."
AJ: "do you like yourself?"
me: "yes, i love myself too." 
me (flipping things around to get his take): "do you like your mom and dad, AJ?"
AJ: "yes i do, and i like myself!  daddy likes himself too!"
me: with the biggest smile..."yes, yes he does.."
i'm more than happy to see the healthy self-esteem being passed down from parent to child...it's good.  it's precious.  a wee bit funny too...

birthday boy, valentines, and whiteboards

phewww....what a whirlwind.  it seems i really just manage to show up here weekly as of late, so today will be a combination of the latest family news.  i must start with my birthday boy.  dear Hudson Pierre is now seven.  without giving away too much information for the sake of his privacy, it is fair to say that life with Hudson is never dull.  he stretches and tests me~ often revealing in me my own character flaws and weaknesses with glaring clarity.  he challenges and tires me.  yet honestly~ and not because i like to keep the tone positive on this blog~ he also brings out the deepest purest joy in my spirit.  when i see glimpses of his positive character traits and potential and all that is good and right tucked into his busy body, i well up with emotion at the gift his life has been to me, to us.  jeff and i were recently discussing the implications of bringing Hudson home and the possible turns his life might have taken had he not been adopted, had he remained in Haiti.  again, a loaded topic, but of all our children his personality could be described as the one that "teeters on the edge" the very most.  he is sensitive and emotional and impressionable.  we are sooo thankful Hudson's world in Haiti intersected with ours, and we will continue to do our very best to support him and his needs in the years to come.  we pray God will guide and lead him down the perfectly suited path that is meant just for him. 
so, for all the above rambling, this made his seventh birthday very special indeed....we didn't talk too much about it in the weeks prior to the "big day", just to keep as much calm (relatively speaking) in his life as possible.  so, the night before his very first friend party we broke the news that tomorrow was the day he'd get to hang with four friends (and his five siblings) at Laser Tag for an afternoon party.  i loved it, and i think he did too! :)

he was so excited, and even more when he found out that the family party would be later that evening.  and i know the football cake isn't exactly "Cake Boss" quality, but hey, it was yummy, it was super easy and fast~ plus he liked it, so there!! :)

on his actual birthday yesterday he woke up and was sincerely shocked to learn that it was also a school day and he needed to attend on his birthday!  i don't blame him for not being super into that idea.  it helped, however, to bring treats for the class and be recognized there on his special day.  last night was his birthday meal of capellini caprese and Aunt B's recipe of honey garlic chicken wings.  he ate a man-sized portion (scary) and then opened presents from us.  the highlight was when he found Sarnia Sting tickets hiding in the Sting programme right above Connor Murphy's picture.  he loved his "gif-it-iks" (or gift certificates) and his RC car.  good weekend for my handsome fella...

being Valentine's Day today~ i'll spare you all the sap and just say that i felt ginormously blessed to set my dinner table with treats for my seven valentines.  apparently i need a few more "blue plates", as is our family tradition to receive on an occasion worth honour or special recognition.

also thinking of Yonas today, and all the others like him~ wondering if there is anyone around him speaking love into his life.  check out this post by a nurse in Soddo, Ethiopia to read a positive story of love demonstrated in a tangible way. 

lastly, Layla was given a whiteboard for Christmas. she uses it faithfully.  lately it has been to list single words describing what she's thankful for.  it's beyond precious to read.  friends, pillows, butterflies, etc...when she says her nighttime prayers she tilts her head up and peeks at the whiteboard to say her lists out loud.  then just last week, i saw this on there.  oh my heart...

she must have been reading about the ten commandments in her devotional time.  how much does God love to see kids working out their faith in ways like this?  i was going to draw stars around the last commandment to give extra emphasis, but refrained...

now playing....

.....in my musical library on my pc is a new favourite song of mine.  Where I Belong by Building 429 is filled with hope and truth and great sound.  i've been listening to it ever since hearing them in concert a few months back.  then, to add to my musical bliss, the talented and wonderful S&A and team even belted out their own take a couple Sundays ago at church.  the VS family loved every second and my kids were all smiling at me because they know of my current obsession with the song.  hope you like it too!!

snowman...proper

a few weeks ago AJ returned from school with this school craft.  a snowman.  hmmmm....

it became clear rather quickly that AJ obviously hadn't seen enough snow this winter to properly know how to "dress" a snowman.  last winter he was simply adjusting to the massive climate change.  he was surviving.  a slightly perturbed "Michelin" baby walking around somewhat stunned by the snow and cold and the insane amount of layers we wear in Canada (most winters) to stay warm.  well, after seeing his take home craft i determined that once there was a real snowfall we'd teach him how to make a proper snowman.  yesterday was the day.  the snow was ok for packing, it was really beautiful and not bitter cold out either.  all photos below taken by Joelle...

Hannah's "Lulu" won the imaginary prize...

next~ hot chocolate on the stove.  marshmallows.  fire crackling.  rosy cheeks. ohhh how i love weekends....now i'm ready for spring!  what's takin' so long?!?!  :)

sting game

thanks to tickets from J&B, Hudson and Daddy headed off to a sting game together last week.  there was much anticipation from Hudson.  the whole evening carries a lot of "wow" factor for a six year old hockey-loving boy.  Jeff was blown away by the focus Hudson had during all three periods.  once Jeff missed seeing a particular shot, but Hudson knew the number of the player that took it!  he was paying careful attention, taking it all in (as shown by later demonstrations done in the basement hockey room).  any that know Hudson also realize that focus is a.....ahem....challenge at times.  not this night.  not if the activity is something he is interested in.  and, as if the game experience alone wasn't enough, the night was capped off with a pat on the head by Connor Murphy, annnnndddd, Connor so kindly picked up THE game puck and handed it to Hudson as well.  to keep!!  well, as you can imagine, Hudson nearly flipped his lid on this one.  so cute....
the tuck-in prayer that night went like this....
"dear God, thanks that i could go to the sting game with dad.  thanks that i could get the puck from Connor Murphy and that he's my best friend!" 
sweet ending to a sweet evening for two happy boys.

hello again!

aaahhhhhh......finally here.  my new spot on the web to log our family happenings.  the stuff that fills our days~ we, the "crazy eight".  the good, the bad, the highs, the lows, and the chaos in between.  don't be fooled by the tranquility seen in the photo above.  tranquil is rarely the word i'd choose to describe our crew.  yet, amidst all the nuttiness, through the fast-paced current of our lives flows a peace and joy that is real and tangible.  not every second of every day~ we are real, after all!  still, we are blessed in "epic proportions".  we know this.  we are thankful. 
here you will find a mix of family news~ successes and struggles, as i attempt to preserve these days in written form.  you all know about my memory....'nuf said....while it would be simpler not to set aside the time each week to jot down this seemingly trivial information, i know i'll be grateful to have done so in the years to come as my kids branch away from the nest (sniff, sniff).  at that time i'll switch my focus to starting a support group for "empty-nesters", which no doubt i'll need to survive those days...i'll also toss in an assortment of random stuff that interests or inspires or frustrates me.
so, to any that desire to follow along~ welcome!  if not, that's perfectly fine too.  i know there are more riveting bloggers just a click away.  i read some of those very blogs myself! 
feel free to say "hello" or drop a question in the comment section anytime. 
it's good to be back....
cheers!