Scroll down to read parts one and two first.
_____________________________________________________________
Ezra said "brudder" and Ella was just quiet. I don't think they quite grasped the gravity of the moment.
We left for Virginia shortly after. We spent most of the weekend praying and searching the Word and talking with family. And maybe I spent just a teensy weensy little bit of time searching our agency photo files and finding more pictures of him.
Finally, late on Saturday night Jeremiah and I had been talking (and talking and talking...) and looking at Chala's photo's when he turned to me and said with utmost determination, "lets go get our son." I think that was the moment that things changed for me and I felt a peace. The moment I first felt a true bond towards him.
Fast forward a week to the present: We have his photo up on the fridge. I keep one in my wallet to whip out and show everyone. Ella sleeps with two photos by her bed. We pray for him by name every night. His face has become dear to me. My heart softens towards him more with each day. I feel protective towards him. There is a sense of someone missing as I go throughout my day.
Do I love him yet?
I don't know. I love the idea of him. I love his eyes. His pouty lips. His curly wispy hair. I love the anticipation of getting to know him. Of getting to fall in love with him. Of getting the privilege to be his Mama.
I know that I will love him. I don't have to force it or pretend it. I will love him through the good and the bad the pretty and the ugly the ups and the downs. I have been loved like this by my heavenly Father and am equipped with an abundance of His love to share with this little boy.
Before the referral the whole adoption journey was one of paperwork and ambiguity and following a calling.
Seeing his face made it all suddenly and blissfully real.
Welcome to the family, little boy of mine.
Be ready to be loved.
Friday, February 26, 2010
First Signs and Faithfulness
We interrupt the regularly scheduled program (or referral story, part three) for this important first glimpse of Spring found here around the farm, as discovered by Ezra...
Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.
They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
Lamentations 3:22-23
Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.
They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
Lamentations 3:22-23
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Thursday Thoughts: Referral Story, part two
Click here to read part one.
_____________________________________________________
As soon as I opened the email his picture popped up.
Ooops. I'm not supposed to look yet but I can't help it now that I've seen it.
(insert how am I ever going to explain this to Jeremiah moment)
Here's where I get honest. My initial emotion when looking at his face was not instant love. There was no instant attachment. There was compassion. And curiosity. And oh my, those eyes. Those lips. He looks so tiny. How can he be three? Compassion again. More curiosity. Is this my son?
I call Jeremiah again. He knows (without my telling him) that I looked at his picture. He is not too mad at me. Shew. He is on campus at Duke and without access to his computer so I try to explain to him what he looks like. I try to explain the details of his medical details and family history.
Try is the key word. I am just so befuddled. I can't think straight. Is this what shock feels like?
Jeremiah has to go. I urge him to hurry home as soon as he can.
Somehow I manage to tear myself away from his picture and file and do some necessary things. Like pack all four of us for our trip to VA that we are supposed to be leaving for in just 2 hours.
When Jeremiah gets home he goes to the computer and we round up the kids for them to see his face all at the same time.
They all look.
I wish I could say there was that instant connection and attachment and feelings of love. But I could read Jeremiah's face and could tell he felt the same emotions I did. Compassion. Curiosity. A sense of surrealism. Is this really happening? Is this really our son?
___________________________________________________________
Stay tuned for part three...
_____________________________________________________
As soon as I opened the email his picture popped up.
Ooops. I'm not supposed to look yet but I can't help it now that I've seen it.
(insert how am I ever going to explain this to Jeremiah moment)
Here's where I get honest. My initial emotion when looking at his face was not instant love. There was no instant attachment. There was compassion. And curiosity. And oh my, those eyes. Those lips. He looks so tiny. How can he be three? Compassion again. More curiosity. Is this my son?
I call Jeremiah again. He knows (without my telling him) that I looked at his picture. He is not too mad at me. Shew. He is on campus at Duke and without access to his computer so I try to explain to him what he looks like. I try to explain the details of his medical details and family history.
Try is the key word. I am just so befuddled. I can't think straight. Is this what shock feels like?
Jeremiah has to go. I urge him to hurry home as soon as he can.
Somehow I manage to tear myself away from his picture and file and do some necessary things. Like pack all four of us for our trip to VA that we are supposed to be leaving for in just 2 hours.
When Jeremiah gets home he goes to the computer and we round up the kids for them to see his face all at the same time.
They all look.
I wish I could say there was that instant connection and attachment and feelings of love. But I could read Jeremiah's face and could tell he felt the same emotions I did. Compassion. Curiosity. A sense of surrealism. Is this really happening? Is this really our son?
___________________________________________________________
Stay tuned for part three...
Thursday Thoughts: Referral Story, part one
How bout that. A Thursday thoughts on Thursday.
Wonders never cease.
This time last Thursday we got our referral call. Things have kind of seemed in a blur ever since. For me time will forever be split between life before knowing about Chala and life after knowing about Chala.
While in the wait, part one, I loved to read other adoptive families stories of their referral calls. Some even made videos. I admit to tearing up a bit at those. There was always such excitement, such anticipation leading up to the call, and oh my...such emotion. I read of moments of instant love for couples seeing their child for the first time. Instant connection.
I promised several months ago to always share my honest feelings as we go throughout our adoption journey.
So...
Here is my honest account of our referral day:
The day started as a normal Thursday. I cleaned the house and did a few loads of laundry then headed out to the library with the kids. After returning home I started fixing lunch for the kids and thought to check my messages.
Hmm? Don't recognize that number?
"Hello Jeremiah and Jennifer this is ___________ with Adoption Advocates and I am calling to talk with you about a little boy......"
(insert FREAK OUT moment here)
I put the phone down and let out a very loud OH MY GOODNESS! Ella came running to me asking me why I was yelling. My answer (no lie) was that Mommy was freaking out. She gave me a very concerned look. I knew I should explain further but my thoughts were not coherent at that moment.
Please remember that this came out of the blue. I was supposed to be geared up for this. I was supposed to be prepared. In control.
I immediately try to call Jeremiah. No answer. No answer. Aughh...no anwer.
Finally! He answered. I think I gushed out the message. We agreed that I should call back and get more information. (Duh.) Being the patient sort of person that I am in those situations I of course waited until the kids went down for nap and rest time.
Or maybe I turned on Veggie Tales and gave them an open package of Oreos and told the kids that Mommy had to make a very important phone call and I was not to be interrupted for any reason other than the loss of a limb. And it had better be an important limb.
I'm pretty sure I called my mom at some point in this too. You know, what all big girls do. Call their Mom.
I talked with our agency director and got more information about Chala and she said she would send us his picture and file by email and to look over it and call her back with any questions.
(insert check email every 30 sec. moment)
I talked with Jeremiah and we agreed that I will look over the info and call him back to talk with him but wait to look at the picture until he gets home.
Finally (ok, it was only 10 minutes later) get the email...
_______________________________________________________________
Stay tuned for part two!
Wonders never cease.
This time last Thursday we got our referral call. Things have kind of seemed in a blur ever since. For me time will forever be split between life before knowing about Chala and life after knowing about Chala.
While in the wait, part one, I loved to read other adoptive families stories of their referral calls. Some even made videos. I admit to tearing up a bit at those. There was always such excitement, such anticipation leading up to the call, and oh my...such emotion. I read of moments of instant love for couples seeing their child for the first time. Instant connection.
I promised several months ago to always share my honest feelings as we go throughout our adoption journey.
So...
Here is my honest account of our referral day:
The day started as a normal Thursday. I cleaned the house and did a few loads of laundry then headed out to the library with the kids. After returning home I started fixing lunch for the kids and thought to check my messages.
Hmm? Don't recognize that number?
"Hello Jeremiah and Jennifer this is ___________ with Adoption Advocates and I am calling to talk with you about a little boy......"
(insert FREAK OUT moment here)
I put the phone down and let out a very loud OH MY GOODNESS! Ella came running to me asking me why I was yelling. My answer (no lie) was that Mommy was freaking out. She gave me a very concerned look. I knew I should explain further but my thoughts were not coherent at that moment.
Please remember that this came out of the blue. I was supposed to be geared up for this. I was supposed to be prepared. In control.
I immediately try to call Jeremiah. No answer. No answer. Aughh...no anwer.
Finally! He answered. I think I gushed out the message. We agreed that I should call back and get more information. (Duh.) Being the patient sort of person that I am in those situations I of course waited until the kids went down for nap and rest time.
Or maybe I turned on Veggie Tales and gave them an open package of Oreos and told the kids that Mommy had to make a very important phone call and I was not to be interrupted for any reason other than the loss of a limb. And it had better be an important limb.
I'm pretty sure I called my mom at some point in this too. You know, what all big girls do. Call their Mom.
I talked with our agency director and got more information about Chala and she said she would send us his picture and file by email and to look over it and call her back with any questions.
(insert check email every 30 sec. moment)
I talked with Jeremiah and we agreed that I will look over the info and call him back to talk with him but wait to look at the picture until he gets home.
Finally (ok, it was only 10 minutes later) get the email...
_______________________________________________________________
Stay tuned for part two!
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Olympic Playdate
Since all of my Via sisters live less than an hour from each other, we rotate houses every Tuesday for a playdate. Between the five of us ladies, we have eleven (very soon to be 12 with Chala!) children, the oldest turning five this weekend.
You could say we've been a little busy.
It's always crazy, always a little chaotic, and always a lot of fun!
This Tuesday was my turn to host. With the temperature reaching the 60 degree mark and eleven children with energy to spare heading outside was a must.
A little climbing of the trees and farm gates, a little bit of preschool "olympic" relay races, add in some popsicles and you have yourself a great day...
You could say we've been a little busy.
It's always crazy, always a little chaotic, and always a lot of fun!
This Tuesday was my turn to host. With the temperature reaching the 60 degree mark and eleven children with energy to spare heading outside was a must.
A little climbing of the trees and farm gates, a little bit of preschool "olympic" relay races, add in some popsicles and you have yourself a great day...
Monday, February 22, 2010
What Next?
Now that we have our referral we have stepped into the wait, part two.
Let me explain...
Our agency will contact their Ethiopian office this week and our file and case will be presented to the Ethiopian government and we will be assigned a court date. Depending on how busy things are we can expect a court date to be anywhere from 4-6 weeks from now.
The court date is when officials will gather in an Ethiopian courthouse to review all the documents in our Dossier and all the documents that represent Chala and his status as an orphan. If all the documents are in order, the appropriate people show up, the court docket isn't too full, the electricity is working....and, well, you get the picture...then we will be officially and legally be named as his parents.
Obviously, as you can imagine, it is very common not to pass court the first time.
When we do pass court, we will then travel approximately 8-12 weeks later (depending on how quickly we are able to get our embassy visa appointment).
Best case scenario would be for us to travel as quickly as 3 months from now, or the end of May. More realistic scenario would be for us travel in June/July/August.
We feel extremely fortunate that we have a lot of pictures (20+) and even a short video of our little guy (he can clap!) to help tide us over during the wait. We also have promises from a few other adoptive families in our agency who are heading over to Ethiopian in March to pick up their children to take more photos for us.
Here are some specific prayer requests you can pray for:
- Emotional and physical health for Chala and for him to somehow know he has a family.
- Efficiency and no delays in this next part of the wait.
- Funding. While we previously thought we had at least 7-9 more months to raise the rest of money, we now have possibly only 3. It is going to be awesome to see how God provides!
- For us to find a vehicle that can hold three carseats, has low mileage, and is within our budget.
Let me explain...
Our agency will contact their Ethiopian office this week and our file and case will be presented to the Ethiopian government and we will be assigned a court date. Depending on how busy things are we can expect a court date to be anywhere from 4-6 weeks from now.
The court date is when officials will gather in an Ethiopian courthouse to review all the documents in our Dossier and all the documents that represent Chala and his status as an orphan. If all the documents are in order, the appropriate people show up, the court docket isn't too full, the electricity is working....and, well, you get the picture...then we will be officially and legally be named as his parents.
Obviously, as you can imagine, it is very common not to pass court the first time.
When we do pass court, we will then travel approximately 8-12 weeks later (depending on how quickly we are able to get our embassy visa appointment).
Best case scenario would be for us to travel as quickly as 3 months from now, or the end of May. More realistic scenario would be for us travel in June/July/August.
We feel extremely fortunate that we have a lot of pictures (20+) and even a short video of our little guy (he can clap!) to help tide us over during the wait. We also have promises from a few other adoptive families in our agency who are heading over to Ethiopian in March to pick up their children to take more photos for us.
Here are some specific prayer requests you can pray for:
- Emotional and physical health for Chala and for him to somehow know he has a family.
- Efficiency and no delays in this next part of the wait.
- Funding. While we previously thought we had at least 7-9 more months to raise the rest of money, we now have possibly only 3. It is going to be awesome to see how God provides!
- For us to find a vehicle that can hold three carseats, has low mileage, and is within our budget.
Football Sally
You might have noticed that my blogging hasn't been as regular as usual over the last week.
There is a reason for that.
We have had a very eventful week. In fact, as I was doing my quiet time this morning I looked back over last Mondays journal entry and actually laughed out loud at how clueless I was to what was coming just a few days down the road.
We got the call.
THE call.
THE call needs no more elaborating on for those of you in the adoption world. For those of you not familiar with adoption lingo THE call means we received our referral.
Referral: When we are matched with a child and presented with a picture and all their information, including family history, medical information, etc.
For those of you keeping up with our adoption story you realize then that this call came about 6-8 months sooner than expected.
Needless to say, we were SHOCKED.
In a good way. A very good way. Shocked none the less.
Here are some things we know about our little guy:
- His Ethiopian name is Chala
- He is three
- He is tiny for three (28lbs)
- He has an incredible smile
- He likes pancakes
Again, for those of you keeping up with our story, you might remember that we have always said we wanted to adopt siblings. That is what we had said...however, after receiving his referral and hearing his story and taking the time to pray (alot!) we have a peace from the Lord that this is right. He is our son.
We called our agency today and accepted the referral of him.
If you are wondering why I titled this post the way I did, let me elaborate...
When we talked with Ella and Ezra about Chala and showed him his picture we talked about how we were going to give him a new name (and keep part of his Ethiopian name as his middle name) we asked if they had any suggestions.
Ezra said "Football!"
Ella said "Sally!"
There you have it. Our new son, Football Sally.
Yeah. Don't think so.
I can't post photos of him on here until after we pass court (more details to come on that later) but you can take me at my word that he is absolutely precious.
More to come later...
There is a reason for that.
We have had a very eventful week. In fact, as I was doing my quiet time this morning I looked back over last Mondays journal entry and actually laughed out loud at how clueless I was to what was coming just a few days down the road.
We got the call.
THE call.
THE call needs no more elaborating on for those of you in the adoption world. For those of you not familiar with adoption lingo THE call means we received our referral.
Referral: When we are matched with a child and presented with a picture and all their information, including family history, medical information, etc.
For those of you keeping up with our adoption story you realize then that this call came about 6-8 months sooner than expected.
Needless to say, we were SHOCKED.
In a good way. A very good way. Shocked none the less.
Here are some things we know about our little guy:
- His Ethiopian name is Chala
- He is three
- He is tiny for three (28lbs)
- He has an incredible smile
- He likes pancakes
Again, for those of you keeping up with our story, you might remember that we have always said we wanted to adopt siblings. That is what we had said...however, after receiving his referral and hearing his story and taking the time to pray (alot!) we have a peace from the Lord that this is right. He is our son.
We called our agency today and accepted the referral of him.
If you are wondering why I titled this post the way I did, let me elaborate...
When we talked with Ella and Ezra about Chala and showed him his picture we talked about how we were going to give him a new name (and keep part of his Ethiopian name as his middle name) we asked if they had any suggestions.
Ezra said "Football!"
Ella said "Sally!"
There you have it. Our new son, Football Sally.
Yeah. Don't think so.
I can't post photos of him on here until after we pass court (more details to come on that later) but you can take me at my word that he is absolutely precious.
More to come later...
Friday, February 19, 2010
Thursday Thoughts (on Friday)
Somehow Thursday flew by me.
I managed to clean the whole house, do 3 loads of laundry, plan 2 weeks of meals, run errands to the bank, pharmacy, library, and post office, pack the whole family for a trip to VA for the weekend, and then drive to VA with the whole family + dog. Whew.
One of our goals for 2010 was to be more intentional in traveling to visit family.
Hence the trip to VA this weekend. We are staying with our Via family and we all are having a great time!
We got to spend the morning with Jeremiah's Granny and check out her new digs. I think Granny had special training in what to give a 4 year old great granddaughter to make her the happiest 4 year old in the world...
Real high heels.
Angel snow globe.
Box of chicklets.
Ezra managed to eat all her cough drops and not break anything. His box of chicklets has already been consumed.
It is trips like these that I realize how overwhelmingly blessed we are.
Pictures to come later...
Happy Friday!
________________________________________________
p.s. Yes, I am again tweaking my blog. I am using the minima stretch blogger template and just played with the fonts and colors so that nothing is the default setting. I am hoping to add in some pages and maybe some other features...stay tuned!
I managed to clean the whole house, do 3 loads of laundry, plan 2 weeks of meals, run errands to the bank, pharmacy, library, and post office, pack the whole family for a trip to VA for the weekend, and then drive to VA with the whole family + dog. Whew.
One of our goals for 2010 was to be more intentional in traveling to visit family.
Hence the trip to VA this weekend. We are staying with our Via family and we all are having a great time!
We got to spend the morning with Jeremiah's Granny and check out her new digs. I think Granny had special training in what to give a 4 year old great granddaughter to make her the happiest 4 year old in the world...
Real high heels.
Angel snow globe.
Box of chicklets.
Ezra managed to eat all her cough drops and not break anything. His box of chicklets has already been consumed.
It is trips like these that I realize how overwhelmingly blessed we are.
Pictures to come later...
Happy Friday!
________________________________________________
p.s. Yes, I am again tweaking my blog. I am using the minima stretch blogger template and just played with the fonts and colors so that nothing is the default setting. I am hoping to add in some pages and maybe some other features...stay tuned!
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Here They Go Again: Haiti
Jeremiah's parents headed out this morning for another week long trip to Port au Prince, Haiti. They were joined by Jeremiah's sister, Addie, who is a nurse, another missionary friend and two doctors. They will be meeting a team of nurses from Canada as well.
Please pray for them throughout the week as they come to mind.
You can read all the details of their days here. Or click on the Heart for Haiti link on my sidebar.
This past weekend it was rumored that the Prime Minister of Haiti had accepted Christ. Then on Friday he openly proclaimed it on public radio. He called for a National Day of Prayer for Haiti. Sherrie Faussey, our missionary friend and director of the Christian Light School in Haiti, reports that Haiti is experiencing a huge spiritual revival.
The churches are packed and people are gathering in prayer and praise in the streets!
Normally at this time of year, the country is partying hard in celebration of Mardi Gras, but now they are crying out to God to restore their country.
Pray not only for Jim, Debbie, Addie, and the other team members...
But for the people of Haiti to experience Hope like never before.
this.
As usual I heard a crash about 2 minutes into roomtime. It was followed up by Ezra's cry.
I peeked through the sliver crack of their door to make sure there wasn't any blood or dismembered children.
I saw Ella bent over her brother, pulling up his sleeve, and administering a healing kiss. Along with the kiss I heard the words "It's ok buddy" uttered.
This.
Moments like this make it all worth it.
And by all I mean all.
Even the craigslist moments of last week.
_______________________________________
Had any this moments lately?
I peeked through the sliver crack of their door to make sure there wasn't any blood or dismembered children.
I saw Ella bent over her brother, pulling up his sleeve, and administering a healing kiss. Along with the kiss I heard the words "It's ok buddy" uttered.
This.
Moments like this make it all worth it.
And by all I mean all.
Even the craigslist moments of last week.
_______________________________________
Had any this moments lately?
Monday, February 15, 2010
Memory Monday
Philippians 2:12-13
Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed - not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence - continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.
Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed - not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence - continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Love Weekend: I love Jeremiah
I could list a list of loves...
His eyes.
His love of the 80's electric guitar solo's.
His ability to make me feel most beautiful when I should feel most ugly.
His spiritual leadership.
His creativity.
His willingness to fold laundry while watching the superbowl.
But I think a story would best demonstrate...
I had a rough week with the kids last week. A really rough week. Thursday night after work when Jeremiah got home from work he packed the kids up and took them out for the whole night. I didn't ask him to do this. He got up Friday morning and again, packed them up, and took them out for the whole morning. I never asked him to do this.
He was sensitive to my needs. He wasn't selfish. He didn't take the kids out of a sense of duty. He enjoyed his time with them. The kids came home brimming with stories of the fun they'd had. He would never make me feel like I owed him one.
You can keep your roses. Or stuffed bears. Or chocolates.
I'll take the sensitive heart of my husband.
(Not that I would ever turn down chocolate. Just saying.)
I love Jeremiah.
His eyes.
His love of the 80's electric guitar solo's.
His ability to make me feel most beautiful when I should feel most ugly.
His spiritual leadership.
His creativity.
His willingness to fold laundry while watching the superbowl.
But I think a story would best demonstrate...
I had a rough week with the kids last week. A really rough week. Thursday night after work when Jeremiah got home from work he packed the kids up and took them out for the whole night. I didn't ask him to do this. He got up Friday morning and again, packed them up, and took them out for the whole morning. I never asked him to do this.
He was sensitive to my needs. He wasn't selfish. He didn't take the kids out of a sense of duty. He enjoyed his time with them. The kids came home brimming with stories of the fun they'd had. He would never make me feel like I owed him one.
You can keep your roses. Or stuffed bears. Or chocolates.
I'll take the sensitive heart of my husband.
(Not that I would ever turn down chocolate. Just saying.)
I love Jeremiah.
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Love Weekend: I love Ezra
I love his sweet turned down mouth at rest. Rarely is it at rest these days.
I love his dimples. The one on the right cheek is the heart melter. The one on the left is the knock out punch.
I love his enthusiastic enjoyment of pancakes.
I love his wide open heart. No strangers or bad guys in his little world.
I love the way he plays with blocks. Holding his mouth just so. Completely entrenched in his creation. Sometimes roads. Sometimes garages to hold his cars. Sometimes tall towers. Sometimes precarious castles.
I love Ezra.
I love his dimples. The one on the right cheek is the heart melter. The one on the left is the knock out punch.
I love his enthusiastic enjoyment of pancakes.
I love his wide open heart. No strangers or bad guys in his little world.
I love the way he plays with blocks. Holding his mouth just so. Completely entrenched in his creation. Sometimes roads. Sometimes garages to hold his cars. Sometimes tall towers. Sometimes precarious castles.
I love Ezra.
Love Weekend: I love Ella
I love her eyes. Not green. Not brown. When they catch the light they remind me of a close up view of a fresh cut tree trunk. In a beautiful way.
I love her independence. It will be the thing that draws her to her own relationship with her creator, rather than riding on the coat tails of her parents. It will be the thing that creates um,...unique outfits that she will look back on and laugh about.
I love her attempts at telling jokes.
I love her loyalty.
I love her imagination. When she puts on her superhero cape, she is a superhero.
I love Ella.
I love her independence. It will be the thing that draws her to her own relationship with her creator, rather than riding on the coat tails of her parents. It will be the thing that creates um,...unique outfits that she will look back on and laugh about.
I love her attempts at telling jokes.
I love her loyalty.
I love her imagination. When she puts on her superhero cape, she is a superhero.
I love Ella.
Friday, February 12, 2010
Love Weekend
No takers on craigslist yet.
Therefore, I am hereby declaring it love weekend here at the Hambrick household.
I have a few posts to come out this weekend with such titles as: Things I love about Ezra, Things I love about Ella, and Things I love about Jeremiah.
I'll kick it off today with a list of random things I love:
I love quarters. Not dimes, pennies, or nickels. For some reason I always feel rich when I have a change purse full of quarters.
I love the colors green, brown, yellow, and red. Together. For my house, not my clothes.
I love the smell of lowes.
I love vintage Jennifer Knapp music.
I love vaseline chapstick. It's the only kind I use, and I use it liberally every day, quite a few times a day.
I love breakfast. My favorite meal of the day.
I love feeling insignificant. Staring at the night sky or across the ocean.
_________________________________
Feel free to join in on the love fest this weekend...leave a comment or link to your blog about what you love!
Therefore, I am hereby declaring it love weekend here at the Hambrick household.I have a few posts to come out this weekend with such titles as: Things I love about Ezra, Things I love about Ella, and Things I love about Jeremiah.
I'll kick it off today with a list of random things I love:
I love quarters. Not dimes, pennies, or nickels. For some reason I always feel rich when I have a change purse full of quarters.
I love the colors green, brown, yellow, and red. Together. For my house, not my clothes.
I love the smell of lowes.
I love vintage Jennifer Knapp music.
I love vaseline chapstick. It's the only kind I use, and I use it liberally every day, quite a few times a day.
I love breakfast. My favorite meal of the day.
I love feeling insignificant. Staring at the night sky or across the ocean.
_________________________________
Feel free to join in on the love fest this weekend...leave a comment or link to your blog about what you love!
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Thursday Thoughts (of the shallow kind)
I believe there is a conspiracy by the Keebler elves to lace their Fudge Shoppe cookies with crack.
Just an observation.
Ahem. Moving on...
I dearly and deeply love love love my children. I realize the blessing they are in my life. I am constantly pricked by the perspective that I am not promised tomorrow with them.
That said, I am seriously considering putting them up for sale on craigslist this week.
Ahem. Moving on...
Valentine's day is a mere 3 days away. I love this holiday. Not the cheesy commercial part of it with the cards or chocolates or cutesy stuffed bears. I love that there is a whole day designated to tell those you love how much you love them.
That is, if they haven't sold yet on craigslist.
At our house we carry on a few valentine's day traditions including making homemade valentines for family and friends, a family breakfast of heart shaped pancakes followed up by a fun family outing. Jeremiah and I are going on a date tomorrow night for our own Valentine's day celebration. Two dates in two weeks could be a new record for us!
Does anyone have any suggestions for getting up spiderman stickers from hardwood floors without damaging the floors?
Or how to rehydrate the set of brand new dry erase markers that got left out without any tops put back on them?
Or how to fix a scratch in the beloved Disney Cars dvd?
Or how to get a four year old not to freak out when a two year old even so much as looks in the same direction of her toys.
Or how to get a two year old not to...
Ahem. Moving on...
Despite our early no-minivan for us mantra...we are welllll...looking for a minivan. We would prefer something under $10,000 with relatively low miles. The Honda Odyssey is our first choice, but the likelihood of finding one for under $10k with low miles is a little slim. We also like the Kia Sedona or Hyundai Entourage. Just putting it out there for your radars in case any of you know of any good deals.
Or anybody who would like to give one to us =)
I am having loads of fun with my new camera and lenses...
Happy Thursday!
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Fast Getaway
I took the kids with me to the world of Best Buy this week.
I was mid conversation with a nice young salesman when Ezra starts to lose it. Lose it in the high pitched whine/wiggle/attempt to climb out of his seat kind of way.
I stopped and asked him what was wrong...
"I POOOOOOPTED!!!"
Nice.
Not two minutes later the aforementioned nice young salesman hands me the lens we had been discussing earlier, placing his hand and arm directly in front of Ezra's face.
"ACHOOOOO!"
Snot was flung.
Onto (and all over) the nice young salesman's hands.
I apologized.
Paid for my lens...
and quickly slunk out of the store.
Some days you win.
Some days you just need to make a fast getaway.
I was mid conversation with a nice young salesman when Ezra starts to lose it. Lose it in the high pitched whine/wiggle/attempt to climb out of his seat kind of way.
I stopped and asked him what was wrong...
"I POOOOOOPTED!!!"
Nice.
Not two minutes later the aforementioned nice young salesman hands me the lens we had been discussing earlier, placing his hand and arm directly in front of Ezra's face.
"ACHOOOOO!"
Snot was flung.
Onto (and all over) the nice young salesman's hands.
I apologized.
Paid for my lens...
and quickly slunk out of the store.
Some days you win.
Some days you just need to make a fast getaway.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Hambrick Baby #3
No silly. Not a baby baby.
A camera baby.
(Go ahead and admit it. I got you, didn't I!)
This camera baby...
Otherwise known as a Nikon D5000.
Thank you to everyone who offered advice!
I know I said that I had almost enough saved up for a new camera...but, we found a better deal on it than we were expecting so I actually ended up having just enough!
The manual and I are getting very well acquainted these past few days. I am forcing myself to keep the camera on manual and play with such things as white balance, ISO, aperture, and shutter speed, among other things.
I am having to brush up on my graphic design photoshop skills as well. (College feels like such a long time ago!)
And the kids are already telling me that they don't want to look at the camera anymore =)
Can you see it? The "I'm just tolerating you look" in his eyes...
Oh boy, are they going to be frustrated with their Mommy!
A camera baby.
(Go ahead and admit it. I got you, didn't I!)
This camera baby...
Otherwise known as a Nikon D5000.
Thank you to everyone who offered advice!
I know I said that I had almost enough saved up for a new camera...but, we found a better deal on it than we were expecting so I actually ended up having just enough!
The manual and I are getting very well acquainted these past few days. I am forcing myself to keep the camera on manual and play with such things as white balance, ISO, aperture, and shutter speed, among other things.
I am having to brush up on my graphic design photoshop skills as well. (College feels like such a long time ago!)
And the kids are already telling me that they don't want to look at the camera anymore =)
Can you see it? The "I'm just tolerating you look" in his eyes...
Oh boy, are they going to be frustrated with their Mommy!
Monday, February 8, 2010
The Joys of Boys, Cont'd
I sent the kids outside for our mandatory 15 minutes of fresh air after lunch today.
Before I could even get my own jacket and shoes on and join them outside Ezra ended up like this...
It's a good thing he is so cute...
He has figured out how to close his eyes (on demand) and goes around doing it all the time now...saying, "yook Mommy, yook!".
Before I could even get my own jacket and shoes on and join them outside Ezra ended up like this...
It's a good thing he is so cute...
He has figured out how to close his eyes (on demand) and goes around doing it all the time now...saying, "yook Mommy, yook!".
Memory Monday
Genesis 18:14
"Is anything too hard for the Lord? I will return to you at the appointed time next year and Sarah will have a son."
"Is anything too hard for the Lord? I will return to you at the appointed time next year and Sarah will have a son."
Not Me Monday
I do not have a secret infatuation with Greg Fischel.
In case you don't know who that is...He is WRAL's chief meteorologist.
I, therefore, do not know facts about him, such as his wife and kids names, where he is from, what church he attends, what instrument he plays and his news philosophy.
That would just be creepy.
1) Kathy
2) Brandon and Austin
3) Lancaster, PA
4) St. Francis United Methodist Church
5) Tuba
6) Content is more important than entertainment.
I do not enjoy the way he is so technical yet passionate about explaining such concepts as upper level disturbances and atmospheric pressure.
I certainly do not enjoy the way he gets excited at the prospect of winter precipitation just like I do. Elizabeth Gardner (or should I say...Debbie Downer) could learn a lesson or two from him.
He is after all...my weatherman.
Oh no. Not me.
p.s. I am not joined in my admiration of Greg by my buddy, Tasha, either. Oh no. Not her.
In case you don't know who that is...He is WRAL's chief meteorologist.
I, therefore, do not know facts about him, such as his wife and kids names, where he is from, what church he attends, what instrument he plays and his news philosophy.
That would just be creepy.
1) Kathy
2) Brandon and Austin
3) Lancaster, PA
4) St. Francis United Methodist Church
5) Tuba
6) Content is more important than entertainment.
I do not enjoy the way he is so technical yet passionate about explaining such concepts as upper level disturbances and atmospheric pressure.
I certainly do not enjoy the way he gets excited at the prospect of winter precipitation just like I do. Elizabeth Gardner (or should I say...Debbie Downer) could learn a lesson or two from him.
He is after all...my weatherman.
Oh no. Not me.
p.s. I am not joined in my admiration of Greg by my buddy, Tasha, either. Oh no. Not her.
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Simple (Saturday) Pleasures...
My red laura ashley slippers...
Ella's unsolicited kisses...
Chicken salad on wheat thins...
A new candle...
The way Ezra answers every "what do you want to eat?" question with an excited "PANCAKES!"...
Jeremiah taking the kids with him to run errands...
Chapter 4 of Francis Chan's Forgotten God for the second time...
Time for that second cup of coffee...
_________________________________
Hope your Saturday has been filled with simple pleasures!
Ella's unsolicited kisses...
Chicken salad on wheat thins...
A new candle...
The way Ezra answers every "what do you want to eat?" question with an excited "PANCAKES!"...
Jeremiah taking the kids with him to run errands...
Chapter 4 of Francis Chan's Forgotten God for the second time...
Time for that second cup of coffee...
_________________________________
Hope your Saturday has been filled with simple pleasures!
Friday, February 5, 2010
Thursday Thoughts (on Friday)
Gross. Sloppy. Slushy. Cold. Wet. Squishy. Slick. Blehhh...
I attempted to go grocery shopping this morning in this delightful weather we are having. The only bright spot of that attempt is that I saved over $120 at Kroger and Harris Teeter and only spent $117. Our pantry, refrigerator, freezer, and fruit bowls are full to overflowing.
Tonight is date night for Jeremiah and me.
EXCITED!
We will do dinner (of course) and then are going camera shopping. I almost have enough saved for a digital SLR camera and have been researching and researching and researching some more. I decided that I needed to get my hands on a few and really feel them out before I commit to one. For those of you photographers out there I'd love any recommendations or warnings.
I called our adoption agency this week just to touch base about a couple of things. It is always reassuring for me to have communication with them. Our agency is a little different in that they don't give adoptive parents an official number on the wait list. Instead they send out frequent (at least once a month) in-process updates telling of what has been going on in the orphanages, within the agency, and of course, referral updates. The agency director has just returned home from a visit to Ethiopia and was full of positive news for Ethiopian adoptions, including a renewing of their license. We reach 2 months of officially waiting next week.
In my desire to use the wait productively I have collected a list of adoption/attachment/biracial parenting books and am steadily working my through them. I am in the middle of I'm Chocolate, You're Vanilla by Marguerite Wright. It came highly recommended to me and I mean no offense if anybody who recommended it to me reads this, but I really tend to disagree with some of the points made. I think there have even been research studies published recently that disprove some of her foundational points. I am only about halfway through though...
Anyways...that is a subject that is worth digressing on and worthy of a future blog post. Again, any recommendations for books for parenting a child of a different race would be readily accepted!
Did I mention yet that the weather is absolutely horrendous today?
There has been a lot of this going on...
Happy Friday!
I attempted to go grocery shopping this morning in this delightful weather we are having. The only bright spot of that attempt is that I saved over $120 at Kroger and Harris Teeter and only spent $117. Our pantry, refrigerator, freezer, and fruit bowls are full to overflowing.
Tonight is date night for Jeremiah and me.
EXCITED!
We will do dinner (of course) and then are going camera shopping. I almost have enough saved for a digital SLR camera and have been researching and researching and researching some more. I decided that I needed to get my hands on a few and really feel them out before I commit to one. For those of you photographers out there I'd love any recommendations or warnings.
I called our adoption agency this week just to touch base about a couple of things. It is always reassuring for me to have communication with them. Our agency is a little different in that they don't give adoptive parents an official number on the wait list. Instead they send out frequent (at least once a month) in-process updates telling of what has been going on in the orphanages, within the agency, and of course, referral updates. The agency director has just returned home from a visit to Ethiopia and was full of positive news for Ethiopian adoptions, including a renewing of their license. We reach 2 months of officially waiting next week.
In my desire to use the wait productively I have collected a list of adoption/attachment/biracial parenting books and am steadily working my through them. I am in the middle of I'm Chocolate, You're Vanilla by Marguerite Wright. It came highly recommended to me and I mean no offense if anybody who recommended it to me reads this, but I really tend to disagree with some of the points made. I think there have even been research studies published recently that disprove some of her foundational points. I am only about halfway through though...Anyways...that is a subject that is worth digressing on and worthy of a future blog post. Again, any recommendations for books for parenting a child of a different race would be readily accepted!
Did I mention yet that the weather is absolutely horrendous today?
There has been a lot of this going on...
Happy Friday!
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Click Moment
I have read about the moment that things just "click" for a young reader.
They get it. They just get it.
Ella had that moment this week. (As opposed to the library moment of the week!)
We have been working through the alphabet, letter sounds, memorizing connecting words, and oh yes, she was highly determined to read.
(I know...it's hard to imagine a daughter of mine highly determined about something!)
I introduced her to the Bob Book series this week and (insert click moment) off she went...
They get it. They just get it.
Ella had that moment this week. (As opposed to the library moment of the week!)
We have been working through the alphabet, letter sounds, memorizing connecting words, and oh yes, she was highly determined to read.
(I know...it's hard to imagine a daughter of mine highly determined about something!)
I introduced her to the Bob Book series this week and (insert click moment) off she went...
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Innocence of the Young
We made our normal weekly trek to the library yesterday morning.
We were having fun reading books, working on puzzles, playing in the cool tent set up in the children's section, and typing on the computers when Ella asked to go to the bathroom.
Now, there is a family bathroom right there in the children's area so I just told her to go ahead while I stayed out with Ezra.
No biggie.
Right?
About five minutes later I hear a loud voice yelling in the library.
Really, who lets their children yell in the library. What kind of mother?!
Wait a second...
I recognize that voice.
Oh dear. It's Ella.
Asking me to come and please wipe her bottom. With the bathroom door wide open. With her pants down to her ankles and her bottom stuck right up in the air.
Oh, Ella.
The innocence of a four year old.
We were having fun reading books, working on puzzles, playing in the cool tent set up in the children's section, and typing on the computers when Ella asked to go to the bathroom.
Now, there is a family bathroom right there in the children's area so I just told her to go ahead while I stayed out with Ezra.
No biggie.
Right?
About five minutes later I hear a loud voice yelling in the library.
Really, who lets their children yell in the library. What kind of mother?!
Wait a second...
I recognize that voice.
Oh dear. It's Ella.
Asking me to come and please wipe her bottom. With the bathroom door wide open. With her pants down to her ankles and her bottom stuck right up in the air.
Oh, Ella.
The innocence of a four year old.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Joys of Boys, part 3
Ode to the Little Blue Airplane
Oh, little blue airplane,
Who provided countless hours of fun,
For my boundless bundle of a son,
We bid you farewell.
An entire roll of tape cannot reconstruct you,
Thou, try and try we did,
For too many trips down the stairwell,
Have left you airless beyond repair.
While little orange airplane may fill in for a time,
He cannot replace you,
Or the heights to which you climbed.
Oh, little blue airplane,Who provided countless hours of fun,
For my boundless bundle of a son,
We bid you farewell.
An entire roll of tape cannot reconstruct you,
Thou, try and try we did,
For too many trips down the stairwell,
Have left you airless beyond repair.
While little orange airplane may fill in for a time,
He cannot replace you,
Or the heights to which you climbed.
Joys of Boys, part 2
Ezra, sit down...
Ezra, sit down on your bottom...
Ezra, sit down...
Ezra, sit down on your bottom...
and finally, I make my point...
Oh, the joys of boys!
Ezra, sit down on your bottom...
Ezra, sit down...
Ezra, sit down on your bottom...
and finally, I make my point...
Oh, the joys of boys!