Wednesday, September 30, 2009

What our sister can do


Today Noah and I got to go to the pumpkin patch with his preschool class. We had a great time with beautiful weather. As he picked his pumpkin out he yelled, " We HAVE to take our sister here!" That is where we are right now. Waiting on the court date and then travel dates to follow. We look forward to seeing what our sister can do in the coming months. Thank you God for the safety and care she is getting. Thank you for entrusting us to give her the same when she arrives.

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Ethiopia

Here are some stats about Ethiopia. Everytime I read them my eyes get watery. Our daughter WAS part of the 5-million. I say 5-million minus 1. What a gift to raise this baby. We are blessed. -Sarah

*There are approximately 5 million orphans in a country less than twice the size of the state of Texas.

*Between 60-150 million kids live on the streets

*One in six children die before their fifth birthday.

*One in ten children die before their first birthday.

*Half the children in Ethiopia will never attend school; 88% will never attend secondary school

*In the 1980's one million Ethiopians died of starvation

*Some areas still practice female circumcision

*82% of the population survives on less than 1 dollar a day

*Only 24% of households have access to safe drinking water

*Ethiopia’s doctor to children ratio is 1 to 24,000

*Children and family are honored above all else

*1 in 3 people are HIV+, the average life expectancy is 37

Sunday, September 6, 2009

Our first LOST tooth!


A couple of weeks ago Sean came crying to me because he had bumped his mouth and now his tooth was loose. I calmly replied, "That's okay baby. Soon all of them will fall out." That may not have been the best thing to say to my sensitive Sean. He was not very enthusiastic about this news. I am thankful to say that after living with a wiggly tooth for awhile he became very proud about this new stage in life. The big event occurred on the way to church on Wednesday. From the back of the car I hear, "Mom! My tooth is gone." I said, "Cool! Do you have it in your hand?" Sean says, "No, it's gone." I assume the first lost tooth is swallowed. Then the conversation turned to talking about what actually happens to a swallowed tooth. I will spare the whole blogging world the details. Tonight it hit me that my oldest baby is OLD. I'm all of a sudden mourning his tiny years. He is already a little boy. He does so much independently and of these things I am extremely proud. God has blessed me to be a part of two boys lives and I pray that he will give me the wisdom, patience, love, and strength to raise mighty men who love the Lord. Thank you God. Let me take time to enjoy each small moment. -Sarah
As for man, his days are like grass, he flourishes like a flower of the field;
the wind blows over it and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more.
Psalm 103:14-16