JOHNSTON HAPPENINGS

Oh no!

2009-11-17T18:37:00.000-08:00

Preface with this: Hope was disobedient last night and after continual reminders to wind down and go do sleep she was given a "baby" bed time of 7pm and no dessert tonight. GASP! I know right, awful aren't we?!
Ok so I'm getting the shower on and Hopie ready to hop in... I'm also taking this moment to dump the overflowing garbage can in the bathroom...gross I know..anyways....and I hear a AHHHHHHHH!!!! (girly scream)
So I go flyin in the bathroom as Hope comes flyin out of the shower BAWLING "I can't go in the shower (screamed very dramatically(
Me: Why not? What happened?
Hopie: There's a spider in there (in a half cry half scream)
Me: Oh man. (I'm peeking in the shower and see this spider, EWWWW)
Me: Daddy, help us. Help us now.
Daddy meanwhile is being a good hubby and doing dishes. So thinking a limb is falling off a child or something awful, shuts off the sink and comes down the hall saying :What's wrong,whats going on?
Me: You gotta kill the spider in the shower, eww gross.

I'm now walking to the BIG garbage can outside to dump the icky bathroom overflowing garbage and am followed by a much too curious 2 year old.
Mikey: Mama, mama, what happened? (said in a little boy voice, slightly airy)
Me: Oh, Daddy had to save Hopie and kill the spider in the shower.
Mikey: GASP! A spider? Ewww.
Me: I know.
Mikey: Daddy, what happened?
Jason: I had to kill one of God's creatures - mommy made me kill a spider!
Mikey: OH NO!

And we're still laughing.

Thank you Mikey for your never ending laughs!

I'm no country girl, that's for sure!

2009-10-12T11:24:00.000-07:00

Ok, I'm going to post this because everyone I tell laughs so hard they start tearing up. It's funny but in all seriousness this actually happened as I will cut and paste the exact email I sent my mother who I KNEW would appreciate the reality of the following information.

Also, I need to preface this with the following. #1: I am a down right cheapskate. Not just frugal mind you, I'm cheap. I will use everything down to the last drop, and even skip buying things I need in order to not spend money. I would like to credit my mother with this ingrained sense of frugality/or cheaponess (I'm pretty sure that's not a word - yet - but it is now). #2 due to Mikey's 'anything related to a cow allergy' which entails no beef,gelatin,whey, or casein let alone full on dairy, we eat a lot of chicken, turkey, and he eats beef free hotdogs if I don't feel like avoiding beef.
All that to say this: I am ALWAYS looking for cheap ways to include meat in meals without spending large amounts of money. SO...... I heard about using whole fryer chickens, using a crock pot and shredding the meat for recipes. This sounded GREAT to me because a local store had them on sale. So last week I called Jason and asked him to pick up a few whole fryers so I could prep some meat and have it ready to use in dinners - nice idea right? I thought so. Ok soooo.... Jas being the dear he is bought 2 whole fryer chickens and I then realized, oh wait I really don't even know how to prep a chicken ,something I failed to take into account prior to the demand I mean request for the purchase of meat.
The following is the actual email sent to my mother after the um.... event? Is that the right word???

Ok so i found some great recipes that call for shredded chicken. and i've been waiting for a good deal on a whole chicken i can slow cook and shred the meat with right. ok so wrays has them on sale for .79/lb. not bad for a few different meal options. so i had jas pick up 2 whole chickens.
then i had to google how to clean and prep a whole chicken (since the idea or reality hasn't ever come to mind.....) so i read the directions:
1.wash hands with warm water and soap
2. remove gizzards from inside (save for gravy, um yea right this is ambitious enough for me)
3. skin chicken if desiring skinless meat
4. prep with salt and pepper and in this case i'm slow cookin it/her/him whatever it used to be..anyway so here's what happened:

step 1: i washed my hands!
step 2: for me was removing the wrapping it was in and here's where i almost puked
i SWEAR there was hair on it's butt. not jokin, and i lost it. i'm not stickin my hand in ANY part of a dead chicken.
step 3:call jason and BEG him to please come help me with the chicken, i just knew i was gonna puke.
step 4: NOT watch him as he tries to clean out the chicken and so generously informs me of all he's doing (blech)
step 5: drop the bird in the crock pot, add salt and pepper crank her up and write my mom and email!
hehehe. i'm such a city girl! the idea of yummy tender shredded chicken sounded great right, the reality of getting to the point where it's tender and yummy is almost more than i can take. i've still got the heebeegeebees

And so if it wasn't clear to anyone who knows me that I am NOT country material, here in lies your proof that I should NEVER be left to my own wiles to devise cheapo plans and then discover I have NO IDEA what I'm doing!!!!!

By the way, my mom, had the EXACT same experience like 30 years ago, except my dad said when she yanked the chicken out of the bag she held it up by it's legs and FREAKED out saying "I can't do this, it looks like a baby!" And so my dad officially became the chicken cleaner and prep man for that season of their life! - It runs in the family, should I warn my girls??

Kala

O the crazy life I lead....

2009-10-08T17:00:00.000-07:00

Well hello all those people that I'm sure have thought that I fell off the face of the earth! To my credit, I was without a computer for like 2 1/2 weeks and have been reading a lot, and started Bible Study Fellowship, and have 4 kids plus my nephew 5 days a week before and after school, and what else? Oh yea I also have this guy I'm married to, who likes me and we like to spend time together so our SACRED 8pm bedtime means Mommy and Daddy get to read in quiet, watch a movie together(which involves Jas finishing the movie and I'm usually passed out around 15 minutes in but whatever..man the first 15 minutes of Batman Begins and The Dark Knight are great!!!)
So no, I didn't fall off the face of the earth, I've just not been bloggin' ya'll. No worries.

I do think it's time for a little update.
Faithie is in 2nd grade this year, YIKES, I'm old if I've got a 2nd grader! She is loving school, and has this amazing Christian teacher who is just fabulous. In fact, we got a call on our home phone the other night and it was her teacher saying she was looking at the sunset and thought of Faith because she had said in class she loves beautiful sunsets. So Faith hit the teacher jackpot to say the least. She is reading all the time and started Bible Study Fellowship with me, so she has homework she does each day and goes on Monday nights for her discussion and learning. What a great way for her and I to connect through scripture! Oh and my mom's doin BSF too, so 3 generations of crazy ladies are studying the same scripture, that is just beyond cool to me.
Hopie also hit the proverbial teacher jackpot and has really been enjoying school. Although about 2 weeks ago she came home and said she wants to be home schooled because all her friends are in different reading groups (lower levels than her, she is with 3 other kids in a high level for kinder reading) and has decided that they are having more fun and that's not fair so home school it is. I did remind her that our family feels like we need to be in the school to show people Jesus' love and to be a good influence so home school isn't an option for us, not to mention she wouldn't enjoy it I'm sure. She's WAY too social.. I'm not sure how that happened (yea right between Jas and I our kids will ALWAYS have the 'talks to much in class' note in their report cards I'm sure!)
Henok is doing really well. He is picking up English REALLY fast, talking in full sentences and really adjusting nicely to our family. Him and I did have a rough go, on my end not his but that is SOOOO much better now, it's nice to have it feel like he's always been around. He was walking around telling Mikey (who is by far his bestest friend in the whole wide world that he LOVES him too much) Medically he's messed up though. We've been to Seattle Children's Hospital once already and will go back again at the end of Oct for some dental work and probably scheduling him to be knocked out for that plus while he's out he'll have a total brain and spine MRI. Henok has a 63degree curvature in his spine, VERY severe scoliosis and also we found out possibly has some cranio-facial issues like his skull has already fused together which at 5 shouldn't have happened yet. So there may be a possible surgery to open his skull at some point to allow his brain to grow. But we'll cross that bridge when we get there. He also has to be seen by an ENT and Optomologist to make sure that currently his brain isn't putting any pressure on his eyes. He has also had numerous blood draws and had to repeat a few because his levels were not right or something. Sorry I'm not dr so I couldn't tell ya what they're testing for! I'll tell ya what though, for all the crap he's gonna have to face physically he's got the best personality for the challenge. He could care less about blood draws or people pokin on him, he's Mr. life of the Party so as long as he's gettin attention, he's down for whatever!
Mikey, now here's a funny boy. His personality has just exploded the last few months, you wanna talk about funny. Oh my word. And I can't even explain it because it's all his facial expressions or the way he says a word! But here's a Mikey conversation with my mom...
Gram :Mikey can I hold you sweet boy?
Mikey : No!
Gram: Why not?
Mikey: Taus! (it would be cause be all c's sound like t's)
Anyway, more to come later!!!
Blessings to all,
Kala

Whew!

2009-08-19T10:59:00.000-07:00

Ok so summer is coming to a close, HALLELUJAH. A sense of normalcy is going to descend on this house in the next 2 weeks that I'm dyin for people. I am a creature of habit and routine. My day may look slightly disheveled but I have a flow to it and DO NOT like it disrupted. I like knowing what's coming next and that I can trust my handy dandy calendar to guide me through my week. That being said our summer has been anything but normal or routine and I'm just FREAKIN out. I have been quite a bear to live with these days which although I may be well aware of it, my attitude is the same...my poor family...anyway. We have done it all this summer (except the zoo but don't get me started) I led worship with da band at 2 summer camps with a week of "rest" (there is none with 4 BUSY kids by the way), my washer went out (and ringworm keeps creeping back so we've been on overload but I think, I actually think it's gone for good)I'm waiting for my parents old washer and dryer so we can maintain our minimum 4 loads a day to keep going. Went on vacay baby to Seaside OR, that's a whole nother post and maybe pictures if I can get blogger to download, came home and are now just trying to catch our breath! Yikes. I have made a command decision that we WILL not be this busy next year and I will try my hardest to maintain that - I feel bad like we haven't been home long enough to feel like we could get into a routine of life with 4 kids we've just been scrambling all summer long so this school year is a welcome relief. 2 kids in all day school (boohoo and woohoo all at the same time) and 2 little boys that will get some mommy time and some serious working on colors,numbers and letters. We'll see if we can learn these boys a thing or two! :).
Blessings to all and with luck I'll get the pics posted sometime in the next few days.
Kala

The Last 5 weeks....

2009-07-01T11:01:00.000-07:00

Okey dokey, so I've been BUSY to say the least and haven't had time to post in a while. I am sorry for the delay but I have good reasons like....
ringworm outbreak, scabies outbreak on Henok the same week as ringworm appeared, a positive t.b. skin test on Henok even though he tested negative in Ethiopia...???....a chest xray to determine no t.b. in his lungs, Praise God, working, doing 7-9 loads of laundry a day to try and kill ringworm and scabies by cleaning all bedding-clothing-towels after every use and I'm beyond sick of all this cleaning BUT hallelujah we are done with all of it! I did however get a personal phone call from our Ped. to tell me he wants Henok in ASAP due to his severe scoliosis. So we'll start more dr. visits soon. Hooray!

On a lighter and less whiny note life is getting better and better. I can honestly say I'm beyond the self pity and the Why God did we do this, and tears in the bathroom over frustrations with all the transition and we're into a phase where I feel like Henok's always been here. In fact I have to keep telling myself when he does get a little freaked out "Oh yeah,it's only been a month.." That's how much things have changed. Praise God. His mercy's are new, and he heard the cries of my heart to see this little boy with eyes of love and tenderness. I have called out to God begging for attachment and a sense of bonding with Henok and I and again, God didn't disappoint. I pray every night over Henok and my heart. That I will remain soft and loving when I'm wanting to scream. And yes I still do scream, anybody who knows me knows that. I'm one step shy of a nuthouse some days but it's all good. We're feeling much more close and connected as a family and that is EXACTLY what I've wanted, hoped and prayed for!

Henok is doing GREAT. The other day Hope had daddy take off her training wheels and off she went like she'd been riding her bike without training wheels her whole life! So Henok immediately was like "Oh no she didn't! If she can I can!" So he started saying "off mommy, off off!" And other than the fact the poor kid is so darn short his legs don't touch the ground when he's on the bike (I feel his pain! It's the stinkin story of my life!) he's able to ride without his training wheels too! Mikey thinks he's able to do that but uh sorry bud if Henok's too short you don't have a prayer.

I hope to update with pics, I am soooo horrible at this but honestly we don't download to the computer that much and I'm pleading ignorance. I don't have the slightest idea how to do this and haven't much cared to learn yet so there ya go!

We are leaving town in a few hours for the river where will have his first boat and jet ski ride! Oh man, have I been waiting for this! He has NO CLUE how much fun it will be.

For all of you checking in, thanks for following our journey so far. We're doing well and if you live in Yak-town stop by and say Hi! Faithie is still acting like Henok is show and tell so she'd love to introduce you to him!!! (oh and much thanks to Gram Darla who has supplied "teacher" Faithie with her classroom materials to teach Henok english. - she has red pencils for grading and everything!)

Blessings to all,
Kala

Life with Henok so far.....

2009-06-02T12:14:00.000-07:00

Ok all, I have a MILLION emails and questions - how's he doing? How are the other kids doing? How are we doing? Does he sleep at night? Can he speak English? Yada yada yada. So I will post some VERY honest answers, well cause that's how I roll but also I would hate to paint an unrealistic picture of what it's like adopting an older child. Easy, NO! Worth it - A MILLION TIMES YES!!!
Henok is bubbly, energetic, funny, sweet, and oh so adorable. He is doing so much better than I could've dreamed. I will be honest I do live with anxiety right now, in my spirit I'm just uneasy thinking... "This is all gonna fall apart, he's gonna lose it and I'm gonna officially lose my mind..." I am proud to say that Henok is communicating VERY well for only being home like 11 days, am I counting right? Anyway, let me first answer the questions listed above and try to add detail where I can. Also, we've got some great pics of him on his new bike which is the most wonderful thing he has right now other than swimming at Papa Steve's pool, so I'll have to get those loaded. Ok here goes...
Henok is adjusting well. He has moments of sadness (of course), yes he's 4 so the word "No" or Not right now is guaranteed to tick him off. He eats like a horse although this is slowing down. As much as I want to control his food intake due to not wanting him sick as a stinkin dog I have given in to numerous rolls in one sitting, up to 5 bananas at one time, and 3 and 4 helpings of dinner if he likes it (this is proving to be more difficult in the States than in Ethiopia, he ate anything in front of him there - here however he's gotten quite picky.) So food is an issue at times, but even at that my own kids are picky so whatever.
How are the other kids doing? Great. We knew Faithie would be a rock, she just one amazing kid. Such a first born spirit, sweet, caring, helpful in fact I am counting down til school's out cause she is a great set of hands to help when I'm in the kitchen or folding laundry (which I HATE!). Hopie we knew would struggle and she is. She's trying to find out where she fits. I was told by Hope I don't love her because I wash the boys hair but not hers. I informed her that hurt my heart and by the way she's been washing her own hair for the last year, BUT if she wants me to do that I will, just ask me nicely don't say hurtful words. I don't think she intended to hurt my heart but that's how she's processing this. Now some attention she got is going to another kid, I must not love her. So I'm trying to keep it even steven and that's EXHAUSTING! Mikey has a playmate that loves to mimic him, follow him around, play all the time and be silly so he's good. The boys are on the same language level both learning words, of course Henok will take off he's 2 years older but for now they are buddy buddy for language!
How are we doing? Fine, beat at the end of the day. I'll be honest I used to roll my eyes at parents that put their kids to bed at 7:30. And honestly when the girls were young and Jas was a youth pastor it didn't fit our lifestyle to do that. These days however.... 8pm can't get here quick enough. And after the kids are down... peace out! The only night I've been up late since we got Henok was Sat night and that was because I started The Curious Case of Benjamin Button which I found fascinating. Brad Pitt is hot.. ok I digress. So we're doing good. My patience gets it limit each day and I wish I could love Henok like my other kids, what I mean by that is he's pretty attached to Jas but not to me yet and it's not easy to hug him tight, or he doesn't kiss so it's not easy to try to show love. It feels very forced but I'm trying to create a habit of physical touch with him, hugs, a kiss on the head whatever so that he knows I do love him and want him to get to the point he loves back. I also think I have unhealthy expectations for him, like when he gets upset I get frustrated and literally have to tell myself, ok his whole world changed give him time. I want him to just go with it and he's not there yet, maybe like 80% of the time he's down for whatever but the other 20% tries my patience. I do count my blessings though, he doesn't rage, he cries but no raging. He lets us hold him, he doesn't cuddle but we can hold him. He is silly and sweet and getting used to be in our family so we get to see even more silly stuff from him now that he is trusting us. All in all we're all doing ok.
Henok sleeps great at night, almost 12 hours. He goes down easier than our other 3, and isn't up at 5:45 am anymore. The memo finally got delivered,we Johnstons don't get up til 7am thank you very much! Jas puts him to bed, sings a few songs, rubs his back bada bing bada boom 10 min he's out, see ya at 7!
He is learning English. He knows what we've taught him so far. I use VERY basic sign like eat, hungry, drink, no thank you stuff. That's about it. Anything he touches we try and say the name. He's picking up quick. Everyday he understands more and more of what we say to him. It's nice! There's a man in Yak-town that speaks Amharic and we say him the other day. I realized as much as I want to communicate with Henok, he will more than likely lose his Amharic and that makes me sad. It's a part of him but we don't speak it so unfortunately he will lose it! Boohoo. That is sad.

My dreams for summer have already come true... Henok's home. We've been outside almost all day everyday, we play HARD and it's a blast. We're getting a new play structure that should keep all the kids entertained for HOURS everyday!We've been swimming this last weekend and hopefully many more weekends to come... hooray. The family of 6 will be playing all summer long thank you very much!! For all of you who are saying prayers for us.. keep it up..we sure need it. We're doing very well and I hope to get pics up soon of the kids on bikes. Too much fun!!

Blessings,
Kala

Thursday May 21st

2009-05-25T14:43:00.000-07:00

Today was quite a busy day. We fly out at 10:50 tonight which I haven't figured out if that's a good thing or not. Henok should sleep and thanks to Dramamine I'm sure he will (hehehehe)but I just hope he isn't wired when he does wake up! He's a million miles an hour from the time he wakes up til bed. There's no rest for this kid all day long, too much wiggling to rest, so I'm stressin about the plane ride.
Today we visited the fistula hospital where they help the women of Ethiopia in childbirth and repair of obstetrical fistula's if they occur during childbirth. Ok here's the scoop if you didn't watch Oprah 2 years ago when she visited and helped fund this hospital. The women in Ethiopia have small builds, are married VERY young like 12 and 13 in the villages, have extremely small pelvises and babies too big to fit. So when they go into labor they are laboring for like 5-7 days and the babies get stuck in the pelvis, and the pelvic bone and babies head rub against each other creating a tear that creates the fistula. Fistula's cause incontinence and the women are shunned from the society for their horrible smell. Not only do they labor for 7 days, the babies usually are still born and the poor girls have no home. So this wonderful hospital helps repair fistulas, has a maternity ward for those expecting, operating rooms for C-sections when necessary, a recovery center and a special refuge for the women (about 1.5%) that cannot be cured of the fistula. Those 1.5% of women are employed by the hospital for various jobs and live there for the rest of their lives. It is a beautiful sanctuary of hope and a beacon of promise to a country of women who desperately needed aid! The hospital also teaches mid-wifery to women that can go back to their villages and aid others that can't get to the hospital. Such a wonderful experience. Jas and I bought a painting done there of a woman holding her new baby. It's beautiful and our payment helps fund the hospital. Bonus!!
We also went to the orphanage that is loosely affiliated with our orphanage in Ethiopia, Hannah's Hope. It's where Henok was relinquished. We went in and saw the children eating and I started to cry and had to go watch Henok whoop up on some adults in a fun game of soccer cause I just couldn't look at these faces that may or may not find their forever parents.
As I watched Henok I kept thinking, he's a life full of promise. He's got some MAD soccer skills, can shoot hoops in basketball and has more energy than I could dream of having. He is a bundle of potential and with God he could do more than my mind can comprehend. So I am thankful to be apart of his life! As with all my kids, all I want for them is to find their passion and go with God wherever that may take them. Mission field, to be a teacher, pastor, work with kids, whatever it may be - just go with God!!

** We did survive the flight, Henok slept a bunch, so did I. He was great on the plane when he was awake. He's got this show off personality that makes everyone giggle! Too cute. He did however get overly tired and started this incredibly annoying whine thing. So I just held him and endured all the stink-eye glares for having the kid who won't stop whining. Yeah loads of fun!! We made it home at 11:30p.m. to Yakima. 39 hours of travel. Too much for us to put up with, but hallelujah we made it. Now comes the fun part..... adjustment and transition.

Thanks for following our journey to Henok thus far, it's been an exceptional experience. Hmmm....I wonder what's next??

Kala

Wednesday May 20th

2009-05-23T16:44:00.000-07:00

Wow, nothing could've prepared us for this day. In our hearts we knew we wanted to meet Henok's birth mom, and we also knew we'd be emotional but that doesn't really scratch the surface of seeing the woman who doesn't get to see her baby grow up. Who out of faith and love handed him over to give him a chance and not starving and to get an education, and to have his needs met and be loved.
When we dropped off the kids to the grandparents house the night before we left, I had kissed Faithie on her head told her I loved her and laid on the bed with her. She looked at me and started to tear up and said she was sad cause she would miss me. And we both just laid on the bed and cried. Then Hopie came in and she started to cry so I just grabbed them and we cried together. This is the longest trip I've been away from my babies and it was incredibly hard to say goodbye for 8 days. Then I thought of Henok's mommy. What was it like to hug him and then walk away without being able to say, I'll see you in 8 days? With only a wish and prayer of something more for him? That's what tore at my heart even more as we prepared mentally to meet her.
So we got up, went to breakfast where Henok put away a substantial amount of food and headed to the orphanage early to play and try to talk with Almaz about what to expect. Our meeting was to take place at 8:30. So right around then a lady walked in, looked at us and went to sit down. I didn't know who she was but I almost started crying. It turns out she was going to court to finish the paperwork for her baby to be adopted by someone. Whew, ok not her - so where is she? So I was down watching the little kids sit on the potty's because at like 18months they are on their potty chairs and they sit there til they go, and sing songs and act silly. So who wouldn't want to see that?Seriously, it is adorable.
All the sudden Almaz came down and said "Ok she's here". She saw me, I saw her and we grabbed each other and just cried. Some people she is staying with who were there when Henok was born also came to say goodbye and to meet us.
Wow, Henok looks just like her. She was quiet and sweet and cried almost the entire time (so did I!)
Almaz read the letter we wrote her, gave her the album and then we asked what she wanted us to tell him about her and what could she tell us about his father. She said she tried and that when she was pregnant she moved from the village and bounced around til she found friends to take her in. She gave birth at home and tried to raise him but just couldn't do it. She said she hasn't talked to Henok's father since she left the village (we thought he was dead so that was confusing) and her parents have no idea she had a child and adopted him out. The family she stayed with had a grandmother figure who adored Henok and passed away a year ago and they wanted to see him one last time. So then we took a few pictures and she walked away.

I am so thankful for the meeting and am glad to have that piece of this puzzle for Henok. What surprised me was Henok's indifference to seeing her. He didn't go to her, cuddle with her, he barely acknowledged her. We had to tell him to go kiss her goodbye. I guess when she visited him throughout the last 10 months it was the same way. He didn't get worked up when she came or left. Almaz thought it was because he remembers how poor they were and being desperately hungry and having nothing. That he has already seen we are different and he doesn't want to go back to the other life. My heart did break for her, to see her son not being overly affectionate broke my heart and once we can communicate I'd love to see what he remembers.
After we took some pictures before she left Henok told them he was going to America on an airplane where the buildings are high. (thank goodness for translation!) It was quite cute.
So one more day in Ethiopia and then off to real life.....

Tuesday May 19th

2009-05-23T16:40:00.000-07:00

Today was an overall good day. We did wake up without power and haven’t had power all day which means Jason didn’t get a hot shower and I didn’t get to curl my hair. I’m sure far worse atrocities are happening worldwide BUT for now that’s as bad as it’s been. We took Henok with us looking for a café and couldn’t find it so some kind girls showed us a different one and to our surprise NO ONE spoke English so we ordered bunna “coffee” and Henok got to pick a pastry which he thoroughly enjoyed then back to the hotel for more coffee and some breakfast.
After breakfast we took Henok to Hannah’s Hope because we went shopping at a large market and it’s frowned on now to bring the children with us – Ethiopian’s are upset that Americans are taking the kids away. So we shopped with anxiety I might add. I’m a look at 3 shops then make a purchase kinda gal and this was like “how much you pay??” in your face. So I hope we hit everything on our list. Whatever we forgot we can make up with some coffee. We bought like 20 kilos of coffee! Yum yum!
Jason found an old Bible written in Amharic on leather that he bought and also got a painting of Jesus that is pretty darn cool. So we got some fun stuff to hang on the walls and such.
After shopping we went to this extra yummy Italian restaurant and I ordered this Gorgonzola pasta which was just delicious. We also got a pizza to go on recommendation from previous traveling families which Henok is diggin!
Then Jas went to get Henok while I took a nap cause we both hit a wall of exhaustion – the time change isn’t being good to us to say the least. Luckily we have a child who sleeps the night through so it’s not like I’m up with baba’s every few hours. Hallelujah! When I woke up Jas took a nap and Henok and I played soccer in the hotel which made me nervous so we went to Hannah’s Hope and it was fun to have his special mother have him say “America I’m very excited!” Too cute. He also played a little bit of soccer and I would’ve thought he would want to stick around for dinner but he said he wanted to go to the hotel. So we came back scarfed banana and some pizza and he’s going to try some more clothes on!!
I am ready to head home but the next major check off on the list is the birth mother meeting which hopefully we can meet her tomorrow. Almaz the orphanage director said that his mother has seen him 3 or 4 times since she relinquished him and he does ok when she’s there and when she leaves so she had no worried about his reaction to seeing her one last time. I would like that piece of the puzzle for Henok. So as he grows and wants answers like why didn’t she keep me, or what do we know about her we can tell him honest answers. So I’m praying that she comes tomorrow so we can have that treasure of knowing his mommy in Ethiopia.
One side note, Henok LOVES Jason. He is always walking around Mommy Daddy, it’s quite precious and I’m so thankful that at this point he’s excited and happy to be with us!
More tomorrow,
Kala

Monday May 18th

2009-05-23T10:32:00.000-07:00

This morning about 3:30 I woke up and just couldn’t sleep! I knew today was the day we would finally meet our son. So Jason and I watched movies, got up early, read books trying to pass the time until we could go eat breakfast with the other families and meet Almaz, the orphanage director. I also had a few moments in the dark with God including tears…what if this was a mistake? What if he doesn’t really like us? What if we can’t even touch him and show him physical touch - holding hands, kiss on the cheek, rub his back? So I cried and prayed the one scripture that came to my mind about not being anxious, Do Not let your hearts he troubled….. and I gave God the fear, picked up Angels and Demons and started reading.
Around 7am we just went downstairs to get some coffee and a few other families dealing with nervousness were already down in the lobby. We chatted, ate some breakfast, drank some really strong but good coffee and paced for Almaz to show up.
When Almaz came up the steps I just wigged out (on the inside…ok now we’re close). Oh before she came a family took us up the the 2nd floor and showed us how close we were to Hannah’s Hope where our son has been for the last 10 months. Wow, sooooo close!

We filled out our paperwork correctly, had Almaz review it and then we took off with a soccer ball and cameras to finally lay eyes on our long awaited son. Since being in Dulles getting on the Ethiopian Air flight we have made some friends also adopting who were so great to take video for us as we meet our boy. There aren’t word to describe the feelings that took place next. Because we are the only family of this travel group picking up an older child we got to meet him first and all the other families watched us as the gate opened.

We would like to introduce you to the newest member of the family. This is Henok Johnston. Isn’t he a doll??

He came bounding around the corner and grabbed me hugged me and went for Jason. Of course we’re both BAWLING and Jas scoops him up and he kisses his cheek and says “Daddy.” One of the best moments of my life. This day with 3 other days will be the most profoundly humbling and exhilarating days of my life. March 13,2002 Faith entered my life and made it better. December 1,2003 Hop entered and spiced it up even more. March 26,2007 Mikey arrived and we have been blessed to have him in our family. And now May 18th, 2009 Henok became a part of our family for ever and all I can say is this will be quite an adventure.
We played soccer with him for a good half an hour, took a picture of his bed, got pictures with his special mothers and met some of the other families children. We went back to the hotel to get what we would need at the Embassy and then went back to Hannah’s Hope to take Henok with us. When I got there he was eating injera for lunch with shiro wat I’m pretty sure. So the special mothers sat me down and fed me lunch also while I waited for him. Spicy but GOOD! Then Henok came over and I showed him his new clothes and shoes, he PEELED his other clothes off and got ready with a HUGE smile on his face. And we were off. Henok sat on my lap the whole way there and back from the Embassy which was so sweet. While at the Embassy he was our pure entertainment, and I told him he was ‘funny,funny” so that’s all we’ve been hearing since. “funny funny” mama funny funny! He also almost ate us out of house and home. We brought what we THOUGHT were enough snacks for the trip and plane ride back to America. Um… he’s gonna have to slow down or we’ll have to get some fruit to keep here(which is on the agenda tomorrow anyway) just to keep our stash from depleating for when he’s gonna need it on the plane!! He ate a cashew peanut granola bar, 2 lollipops, a pack of oreos ( the travel size one people not the whole container!), and started in on the goldfish. I have mixed feelings about food consumption cause I’m not so much thinking he was like starving as much as trying it all out and seeing if we will give it ot him. And honestly with some rationing so he won’t get a tummy ache I don’t really care what he eats. But we now know what will work in a pickle when we get home.
So after the embassy appointment we came back to the hotel and just hung out. We showed him his bag and I’ve got 6 whole minutes of him taking it all out kissing it, stacking it up, putting it in his Spiderman backpack. Then he started putting it all on. So he’d take out a pair of socks” Mama, casi” and he’d put them on , then “mama, pajamas” and I’d say “Yay Henok” and he smile put it all on with Jason’s Mariners baseball cap and he was off to wander the room then back to the bag to check out more goodies. I had more fun watching him check out all his new things he was just having a ball!

We went down for dinner and thank goodness the workers can communicate with him, so he ordered Macaroni and a Coke. And for today, you better believe he got it.!When we get home Coke won’t be happening like at all maybe some rootbeer or sprite but I’m sure he’ll but just fine.
Then he ate some of my food, Jason’s tbone steak and his macaroni. HA! I thought he was a bottomless pit until when we got him to finally lay down after a shower and brushing teeth which he LOVED both! He was rubbing his tummy so I asked him in Ahmaric “Ya-Mal?” which means “That hurt?” and pointed to his tummy and he said yes! Bummer dude, bad marks for mommy and daddy letting him shove his face full of food. It was a learning lesson though, we will just ration how much he intakes and maybe give more variety if we can but lessen the amount he consumes.
All in all this day was 100% more than I prayed for! At Hannah’s Hope all the people tell us Henok special. And he sure is. I can’t wait to bring him home!!

Blessings,
Kala

Sunday May 17th

2009-05-23T10:22:00.000-07:00

Well after a seriously LONG flight and time change we arrived in Ethiopia around 8p.m. and headed straight for the In Country Visa line which took at least an hour and a half. Then to the customs line which wan’t as bad but our whole group went together so it took a while to get us all through. Then had to get all of our bags accounted for and get to the vans. So one whole van was for our luggage and the other was just enough room for our travel group. As we were heading through Addis Ababa the van stopped and the window I was next to was open and this boy about 10-11 came to the window begging for food. First of all it scared me out of my mind I swear that kid came out of nowhere and then he just kept saying “uh food, hungry, please?” I almost cried but didn’t thank you very much! Then he was gone. So that was a memorable experience! Then we drove on for a while til we got to the Union Hotel Apartments where we would be staying.
When we got to our room it was around 11p.m. and we were whiped out, for sure. So we plugged in the hot water heater and got ready for a quick shower. As I was getting ready I noticed a sign above the toilet “Toilet Cannot Flush Toilet Paper,Thank You” So I was like hey Jason, is this a joke, what am I supposed to do. So he started laughing at me and said “Oh just put the toilet paper in the garbage can when you’re done”. Uh yeah right are you kidding me? Let me say this, I have only been out of the contiguous United States to go to Hawaii ok, I have never been anywhere where you couldn’t flush t.p. down the toilet. So I’m still getting used to this one. Anyway, we must have a suite cause we have a king size bed and this huge shower/Jacuzzi tub in the bathroom that we have yet to figure out how to drain the water. It took us 5 minutes to figure out how to turn the lights on. Anyway, we hit the sack and slept like a rock til 3:30 am and couldn’t go back to sleep for nothing! So I read my Angles and Demons book which I really want to finish, the night we stayed in D.C. we saw the movie and it’s LAME-O but the book is fascinating, so I feel I must redeem my expensive ($9.75 a person – don’t complian Yakima people)crappy theatre experience. Then we watched a downloaded episode of the office on the laptop, the power went out 2 times, and then we decided forget it and go down and get some coffee!
And today begins a new chapter for us…. Becoming a family of 6!!!

Blessings,
Kala

New Friends Kale and Kim

More new friends Truett and Kim

Hum De Dum...

2009-05-14T17:40:00.001-07:00

Hey what's up with you? Oh me, not much just GOING TO ETHIOPIA this weekend! Uh huh, yup you heard me correctly. We got a call on Tuesday morning, like 8:30, and I was at work and I'm not "technically"supposed to answer my phone but I saw I missed a call from our caseworker. So I secretly texted my hubby and told him to get on the phone NOW. About 3 minutes later Faithie calls my work and says "Hey mommy, you get to go to Ethiopia to pick up "H"!!!!! So Hopie and I started jumping up and down, Mikey just stood there like "oh great, today she actually lost her mind..." And I was FREAKING out after that!
So the last 2 days have been frantically packing cause yeah you guessed it we didn't prep ahead of time, other than packing donations. Our stuff didn't get packed til yesterday, but now we're just making sure we've got everything and See ya people, I'm meetin my son!!
So it's weird cause in like 4 days, he won't just be a picture I show off, he'll be in my arms FOREVER! Wow, it's hard to wrap my brain around but I'm up for it!

Thank you to all those who have prayed, brought cute clothes, gave moola, and just listened as we blabbed about the journey. It's been a blessing to share this journey with you all and I can't wait to share the next part, raising "H"!! Wow, what an honor!

And with that I'm going to go sing with the HSM3 dvd, because I literally can't resist!!!

Blessings,
Kala

Don't We Look Good?

2009-05-07T16:17:00.001-07:00

I Just Hit A Wall

2009-05-06T07:30:00.000-07:00

Let me clarify for those of you who know me and for those that don't. No, I didn't literally hit a wall, just figuratively, rest easy my friends! For those of you who don't know me...I may or may not but more than likely have in the past bounced off more than a few things with multiple cars mostly in my youth or even as recently as 2 years ago whatever... so that's where any cause for those who do know me would come in (hypothetically! hehe). Seriously though, we have been sitting on our mountain of praise telling everyone joyfully that yes we are FINALLY on our way to Ethiopia after literally a year process and holding our sweet boy's pic for 10.5 months now, yup we were running to everyone, on the phone more than we should've been I'm sure, proclaiming our days were numbered as a family of 5. And then we got a phone call. One that I should've prepared for because if anyone is going to hit a roadblock it's us. We've had more than our fair share of delays in this adoption. And here's yet another.... So we're awaiting a t.b. test before our travel dates are confirmed. Another roadblock, yup I'm pretty sure this makes a baker's dozen!We can't travel to Ethiopia to pick up our son til he has tested negative for t.b. AH!
Last night I told Faithie my heart is just sad. I want him home, I want to begin our lives as a family of 6. Whatever the future holds I'm wanting to be there now not in another month. (I'm sure I'll look back on this and think "What was the rush again?" But right now that's where I'm at) So last night between playing on the scooter and almost giving me a stinkin heart attack going down the church ramp, Faithie would come over periodically and we'd lift our cause to the Lord. Faithie told me her heart is sad too, she wants to share her toys with her new brother, she wants to play with him and teach him English.
So I emailed my case worker to get the scoop from her because God love him Jason doesn't give details, he gives vauge - I think that's what she said kinda answers. And I had to hear for myself that our plans are halted or pushed back. So my oh so sweet case worker called me and we talked. Oh how nice to hear a woman's touch in a conversation where I really needed not only answers but hope. So it looks like our orphanage director thinks we still might be traveling if we can get the t.b. test done. They are cutting it close for reasons unknown to me but it's out of my hands. So this morning feeling the weight of the unknown I laid in the tub and thought I need to pray scripture. (When the bottom feels like it's falling out of things, I pray scripture). And it feels like somebody let all the air out of my balloon. So I got Hopie to school and called my oh so wonderfully inspiring girlfriend who spoke hope to my soul when I really needed it. Thank you Nichole. With every word I felt your heartbeat as tears streamed down my cheeks (and I'm also thankful I didn't get ticket!) I know we are prayed for, I know our son is meant to be in our family. I know God is God and this will all be ok. He'll be home before we know it and we'll look back and think, "What we're all those days of worry for?" I know I trust God with my heart, my problems, my situation and my son I haven't even met yet. I know that I know that I KNOW Jesus will hold my hand when it "feels" like the world is collapsing.
So I open my bible and where better to start to read in crisis than Psalms. So I open up to Psalm 12 and read it. Ok it's fine. Then I keep reading to Psalm 13:5-6

But I trust in your unfailing love;
my heart rejoices in your salvation.
I will sing to the Lord,
for he has been good to me.

And yes he has. This too shall pass (as my mother always tells me).
Yes we have plane tickets that will continue to be on hold.
Yes for next week we have our children taken care of while we are gone and won't cancel those arrangements.
Yes we still have far too much packing to do, a few more doses of oral typhoid fever vaccine to take, endless prescriptions to fill and take with us, donations to pack, prayers to pray, and sleep to LOSE!
And you know what - I'm singin to the Lord the whole time. Why? Because this can crush my spirit or I can hold His hand and give Him the glory and praise for however this all shakes out. Since this adoption started, I can look back and see how He has delicately weaved a path for us and this isn't looking like the tapestry I thought but it will still be beautiful, God will still recieve glory, and I will continue to lift my eyes to the ONE who gives me hope and strength.
But as for now, my ultimate nemisis awaits - LAUNDRY!!

Please pray with us that we are able to meet our son quickly, my heart is ready, my mind is ready (well what's left of it, I think it's mostly gone!).

And I'm singin to the God
who brings redemption to the nations,
Kings and oceans bow to him in praise.
And I’m singing to the God
Who wrote the book on our salvation
To the One Who covers me in grace
I’m singing

Sing with me,

kala

Not Gonna Lie

2009-05-04T13:29:00.000-07:00

Ok so here goes....I've been absent from blogland lately. Um duh I guess since it's been months since I last posted. A LOT has transpired like oh I don't know.... WE"RE GOIN TO ETHIOPIA yeah you heard me in like 12 days (ish) we are awaiting a t.b. test on our guy and then we're off. Oh man, I'm jittery with excitement and frantically trying to figure out what I really need while I'm there and how in the world all this is going to play out. Will there be bitterness or happiness? Will be let us hug him or will he not be havin any of it? I will try to blog what I can when I remember but hey let's face it I'm not so good at the rememberin part!
Oh to top it all off I've been poked with vaccinations for traveling, which was nice and cheap! NOT! We're up to like $800-$1000 in medical crap from one day of shots!
Then I got the flu and puked up one of my typhoid fever vaccination pills so I'm not exactly sure what that means, I guess some extra prayer that I really don't get it! I hear it's just awful!
While havin the pukes with poor Faithie I might add, I did happen to enjoy my moments with her just laying on the couch. I was rubbing her arm and told her I'm so glad she's my girl and that I think she's awful sweet. So then like 10 times after that she kept saying, "Hey mom, remember when you told me I'm a sweet girl?" HA! Yea babe, I forgot already! :). What a doll!
What else is new... oh Mikey figured out peeing in the tub (in plain view I might add) gets QUITE a reaction. So then he proceeds to blame Hope and says "Hopie peed!"
Like father like son?! HA!
That's it for now. Nap time before Step at 4:15! {Oh yea and the "new" Kala has been working out, still not ready to try on swimsuits and RUIN a perfectly good day but getting better at toning up!)
Peace Out,
Kala

Untitled

2009-03-02T17:27:00.001-08:00

I just need to unwind, so here we go!

My life is pretty darn good. Honestly I shouldn't complain ( I will but I shouldn't). :). I sure love our new church. We're still in a honeymoon phase of sorts I guess, but hey bring it on, we'll ride that wave as long as we can! Truly, the people are sweet, God has richly blessed this tiny little church - when they decided to FINALLY interview us, and remember we were LAST on their list, and they accepted us and took it to a church vote the main problem for them was money. In fact they low-balled us the first time. I actually remember laughing out loud at the number, I digress, so we said yes and trusted God would provide. The parsonage hasn't had any work done to it in oh I'm guessin well let's say YEARS! WE're talkin lime green kitchen cabinets, lime green 70's linoleum, rust colored carpet, lime green bathroom, it's got a salmon pink cast iron bath tub and HAD a funky green toilet. Get the picture? UGLY. Needed some T.L.C. to say the least. The board knew it needed work but financially couldn't do it all at once. I requested paint, new carpet and vinyl flooring, a new toilet, (I wanted a new tub but it turns out that's just not in the cards, those babies are spendy to replace let alone take out, but hey a girl can dream right?),a sliding glass door to the backyard because currently there is no access to the backyard except by our carport and I'm just not ok with no visibility to the kids while they are playing, and a fence (we live on a BUSY street).Ok so that's some dough right. And what did God do? Supply. Through the generous donations randomly given to the church, 2,000 here, 3,000 here, etc. we haven't had to take out a loan, and we've done - all new flooring, paint, we will pay cash for the fence and sliding door AND with no loan. How stinkin cool is that anyway? Also, we sat down and well I made Jas talk to me about our money situation cause I HATE not knowing where it's all going and such, and we're doing ok. Which leads to...
So I lead worship at a small youth conference this last weekend and the speaker was talking about how we can be everyday hero's. Anyway, he mentioned he did a little game with God, where he TRIED to out give God. He said he told God that for 3 months anything he had for discretionary income which at the time was minimal he would give half away. He said all the sudden he was getting checks in the mail, a sizable tax return he couldn't explain, and on it goes. He said he had more fun walking up to someone he didn't even like and saying " God has blessed me, so I want to bless you" and just walked away. He said one time he heard this guy run in the house yelling at his wife cause they were just BROKE and he gave him a decent amount of money. So I'm mullin this one over. This is right up my alley, so I'm going to challenge Jas to see which one of us can give more away over the next few months. Now naysayers may say " Uh you have an adoption loan to pay off" or " You don't make a lot of money, you should save what you earn" But well here's what I think about that.... ok I can't think of anything nice to say but Dream on comes to mind. I'm just excited to be apart of a blessing. I feel overly blessed and want to extend that to unsuspecting people. Stay tuned for the updates!

Ok well I gotta blog later cause I really should be preparing dinner for friends coming over so yeah... I'll post more later.

Oh and I'll post some new pics of Jas and I when I get them. Oh man my friend Sam is beyond talented, she even made us look good! HA! More to come on that too...

Peace out, may you find ways to richly bless those around you!

O Happy Day!

2009-02-09T16:17:00.000-08:00

Ok so I got a phone call today... and we have our court appointment in Ethiopia! Yay for us! Unfortunately it's not until April 22nd and we may have to go through a second court date due to any whim of the judge who sees our case. BUT I'm so happy to have a date! It's like I am checking off a list (which I love to do by the way - I'm a list person. So if I can accomplish or have things accomplished (which is even better HA!, then I am a happy camper). I also haven't blogged in a few weeks or so and need to give the fam update.
First of all, we moved. Woohoo let's hear it for no more boxes. Man I hate moving. Yuck Yuck Yuck. Trying to figure out where everything goes.. it's just beyond what this unorganized girl can handle. I do admire those like my own mother who can organize (even though she's got her own messy rooms but I'm not gonna get into that). I just literally closed a few door or shoved stuff into a few closets and will 'deal' with them at a later date. Not sure when but that's the beauty of a list, it will go on one eventually. When I start 'nesting' before our boy gets here. I will look like a mad woman preparing the house to look all good, and then throw him off by not maintaining it! Hehe. It has been nice cause my mom has come over 2 times and "helped" the girls clean their room. It's a battle I just loathe. So I hear her in the girls room giving them the age old lecture I rolled my eyes at for years but these days has a much sweeter ring...' This is unacceptable, You should be listening to mommy and helping her not making messes and leaving them for her to clean. I better not have to come back and see it messy again, you girls, you should know better.' I did smile and giggle to myself, oh how I hated those words around oh 20 years ago, but now they are so wonderful. Funny how that works huh?
Anyway, so the girls are LEARNING about keeping up their room. A task that proves harder to implement as they get older. My arch-Nemesis LAUNDRY has been dragging me down. Man, 5 people can put out a lot of dirty clothes. My idea no one seems to agree with is getting down to 1 pair of pants, undies, socks and a shirt. For some reason no one is on board? What's the deal with that?? :).
As far as the new church goes... it's going awesome. Jas feels really overwhelmed with the whole like "where to start" bit but he's doing a great job of getting together with the board, preaching on Sundays, and managing to still be here at the house in the evenings. Pretty sweet gig! Oh and since we live on church property now, Sunday mornings don't consist of HURRY UP WE GOTTA GO, we just walk across the lawn. Yay for me!

Well I don't have much else to write. Oh except I wish I would've gotten Hope on camera the other day making up a song about gas (like for cars). She was in the back seat singing to a tune I'm sure she mustered up herself "Fred Meyer has gas, Safeway has gas, but Target doesn't have gas...yadayadayada" It was hilarious. She was running out of stores that had gas so she just trailed off. Too funny.

More next time (whenever that happens!)
Kala
OH and here's what happens when a 6 year old gets a camera..some random fun pics since I"m sooo bad about putting pics on here.

and then...

or how about....

and finally..

Things that make me go Hmmmm....

2009-01-27T16:27:00.000-08:00

Ok so I'm trying to be a trooper, we still aren't able to move into our house. I haven't been bloggin cause I've been packin' and to no avail. We have stuff all over the place literally trying to ready to move to the new house and are we able to yet?? NO! The carpet guys scheduled 4 days for vinyl and carpet. It's been 6 work days for them and they still aren't done. I don't know why it's taking so long, a word that starts with L and ends with azy, comes to mind but not quite sure if that's the real reason. So I'm not tolerating this whole limbo deal too well. If you call I may actually sound chipper cause you'll probably catch me not ticked but beware..... if I freak out you might want to hang up! It would be in both our best interests!!

So speaking of freaking out, with the stress of new move, new job, Jas working on the new house and not home a lot, I've been oh, what's a good word?? Edgy? Yeah that will do. I'm 'edgy'. Sidenote - Hope is about one of the funniest kids I know who single handily can put me to my 'nice mommy' limit in roughly 5 seconds flat. Ok so the kids are in the tub, swimming, I'll let you imagine that. And I'm trying to get them out the door. Faithie had school, Hope MIkey and I had to get to my job and we were running out of time. So my tone quickly went from calmly saying " Please get out of the tub, do not put your hands on each other rudely, I don't want to be wet please don't splash around...etc etc" So we were there for a bit to frantically looking at the clock and rushing about high pitched words like " GET OUT NOW, YOUR GONNA BE LATE, IT LOOKS LIKE SOME LITTLE GIRLS JUST LOST PRIVILEGES TODAY - ALL DAY!!!!"
No more mister oh I mean ms. nice guy. I was not havin it. Another sidenote, my kids mood and tone is a reflection of my mood and tone most days so if I'm stressed, they're stressed. Following? So what happens next? What I try to avoid which would be almost utter chaos. Water everywhere, Mikey's crying, Faith's crying cause Hope hit her. I'm about it tears realizing I totally handled this the wrong way. I calmly got down and looked at them and said " Ok listen, I'm gonna try to be the best mommy I can be. Will you please be the best sisters and daughters you can be? That means obey mommy and daddy, be helpful and respectful? Can you do that?" And their mood changed. Faith decided that was a good idea and because Hope wants to show off how 'good' she can be she followed along. I'm pretty sure at this point Mikey was picking his nose but that's beside the point. So off we go, they shaped up, obeyed and we had a much better morning.

So this incident was a few days ago, and yesterday I was talking to the kids in the car as we headed into the grocery store and was saying something like " Ok, now I'm gonna be the nicest mommy I can be and you guys are gonna be the nicest kids you can be right? I want you to be helpful and not give me any funny business." Faith's response was "Wait a minute we have to do that for more than 1 day? I thought that was just for the other day?" And I lost it. I was laughing so hard I thought I was gonna cry.
My goal is to not be a meany, I used to yell and have tried to remove that from my tone all together (it got me nowhere and my kids didn't deal with it well, and I hated how I sounded). I want to be calm, loving, and respectful so my kids will be calm, loving and respectful. But I am also human and struggle with controlling my mouth and temper sometimes. Enter apologizing. I've gotten very good at humbly asking my kids to forgive me for my rudeness. And it works! Now when they get in trouble for their tone, they are starting to see why it's important to not only stop the bad tone but to apologize. Man, nobody told me parenting was gonna require this much patience! Jeez.
This is why I'm so stinkin glad that God delicately teaches me little ways to show me how to be better. Be a better wife, mother, daughter, sister, aunt, daughter in law. In all these areas of my life I need peace, patience, a humble heart and a spirit of love. I think this will be a battle that will not be over soon. Not even in this lifetime perhaps, but I'm so excited for the renewing each morning that I can start again. Today doesn't have to be like yesterday. Amen!!

Oh I read a friends blog the other day who talked about her word for the year:
CHILL is my 2009 word. This year will require more patience, understanding and ability to just let it go with our new church transition and bringing our boy home so my word is chill. What's yours??

UGH!

2009-01-14T15:34:00.000-08:00

Ok so we're moving. UGH UGH UGH! I hate moving. The realization of how much crap we've really compiled in a short amount of time is utterly insane. I will be honest I'm not technically "packing" at this point but I have started to declutter and process through like, well I'm up to 2 drawers ok, I've had high hopes of doing more but let's face it, it's not happenin yet. Poor Mikey has been sick, yet again, so then the little dear gave it to me, so a cold's been kickin my tail for a good week plus working 2 jobs, etc etc. Don't you feel bad for me? Jeez I sound pathetic. Oh well. I am however excited that our new house will have all new paint, flooring, kitchen counter tops and if I get my way a new tub and toilet in the main bathroom.

I haven't really mentioned this journey to a senior pastor roll simply because it wasn't the right time or place to discuss such a major thing and we didn't want people finding out til we were really ready to tell them. But here's the scoop on this process. On December 30th 2007, we visited this little church on a Sunday off cause anybody who works at a church knows when you've got a day off and you end up at work, you don't actually get to have that intended day off. And we fell in love with the church while we were there and secretly started thinking "Hmmm, what if...." Then e found out last Jan 26th to be exact (I only know that because we were sitting in a pool of tears over the loss of our 4th baby and 'happened' to get an email from our district superintendent asking if Jason would preach and if he would consider giving his resume for the position.)So we prayerfully sought what to do and gave him Jason's resume. I only mention the loss of the baby because in that whole time of grief over and over again I can see where God specifically gave us hope in the midst of despair and this was the first. So then we knew the pastor that was at the church was retiring end of March so we expected to hear soon after whether we would be interviewed or not. After like 6 weeks or so of waiting we found out they had compiled a list of candidates to interview and Jason was not on the first list. We felt totally ripped off. Jason had been filling in there as they needed help and had a great response from everyone and even had board members tell him he was on the top of their list. So we were thinking this was a slam dunk for us. Anyway, we kept of distance secretly thinking it wasn't over. And it wasn't. After they burned through the first 3 people they went back to the drawing board. This time we just knew we'd be on that list, right? Who wouldn't want Jason as their pastor? He's amazing, so the next list came out and we didn't hear boo about it. Another let down. I was pretty frustrated and just decided that God had shut that door and we would move on.
Around the end of October we found out Jason was the last of the last on the list and they were going to interview one other person and then it was Jas. Well the other guy already had another job so it was us. We were finally on. BUT at this point we were indifferent to the whole idea. As much as we wanted this next step if these people couldn't see the potential then we'd wait for the right place. So November 8th we interviewed and it went fantastic. We laughed, I cried, had a great discussion and ended the night with anticipation. We had left the room a few minutes before anyone else cause I was singing there the next morning and Jason was preaching so we went to mess with the sound system. All the sudden we hear them singing in the back room and they came running out saying, "We voted, we voted, it's unanimous, we want you to come!" And we were as thrilled as them. (side note - in the Nazarene church if you are voted by the board you have to also have a 2/3rd's majority from the congregation hence the preaching to intro the congregation to the pastor). So the next day went great and we had a potluck that Sunday night to meet and greet all the people. It was a great weekend. Then we waited for 3 weeks til they voted. The vote finally came on November 23rd. 40 yes 6 no. The 6 no we later found out just wanted the interim guy to stay and be their pastor even though that's not the way it works with an interim pastor. So we prayed and had some serious confirmations and some serious doubts. But in the end we took a step of faith that God was calling us to lead these people. And we are so excited. To see all the details that have come into place and to see family and friends rally around us as we say goodbye to one church family and go meet another one has been truly remarkable. I have felt more honored and blessed through the last 2 weeks than words can describe.
So it's down to moving. Which I hate but will endure yet again for the sake of obedience and opportunity to see God do some truly amazing things in this little church on the corner. So that's the journey we've been on. 2008 was the year of waiting and 2009 will be the year of REALITY. We will move to a new church and house, travel and bring our boy home from Ethiopia, and figure out what life looks like as a senior pastor with 4 KIDS!!!! Holy cow. Are we really ready for this? Who knows, maybe we're just young enough to not know the difference between stupidity and insanity? Or maybe we've allowed God to work on us til we were ready to be stretched? Again, I don't know. But what I do know is I'm highly anticipating this 2009 year as one to be remembered for years to come. 2008 sucked for me, I doubt it could get much worse in 2009 right? Huh, we'll see. Hehe. I am really excited though. Can't wait to recall the many miracles God performs publicly and in the depths of this little heart.

May 2009 be a year of anticipation for you all!!

Kala

A Burden for the Babies

2008-12-23T21:31:00.000-08:00

Ok all, for those of you who may not know, Ethiopia is currently not importing infant formula into their country. They do not have the means to produce this product and since they are in economic distress (we Americans don't know the meaning of the word I'm sure!) they are unable to financially bring imported products like infant formula into the country. So what does this mean? Folks, this means we step up and be the people God is calling us to be. We dig deep, find the resource, and get it into the mouths - literally - of these innocent children that wouldn't otherwise have the chance at a meal. My heart is literally ACHING for these infants with no mommies or daddies to snuggle them into their beds, kiss their foreheads and lay them down for a good night's rest. Some of these precious children are lined in rooms with workers diligently trying to care for large numbers of babies that are waiting for their forever families to come. Some of them may not have a chance to meet their new parents if proper nutrition is not available. I can hardly wrap my mind around it. I look at my sweet Mikey - a busy 20 month old ray of sunshine, what if he was sitting in a crib with no hope of physical touch other than a diaper change and a propped bottle? I started bawling last night at the thought. It's not fair, it's not right, and I can't imagine a world where some walk by or turn the backs, out of convenience and not stop along life's path and invest in little ones they will never hold, embrace, or speak to. So I go to bed tonight committing to prayer these treasures that God so deeply loves.

Lord, may we who have the resource reach out to those who we will never know, and while we work, keep their bellies full enough, keep their spirits high, keep the smiles coming. Lord, I ask for guidance, lead me into a place where my heart breaks like Yours breaks when You see any of Your children suffer unjustly. May we be a light to those who can't seem to see it right now. I love you Jesus, more and more each day, I want to live a life worthy of your smile and approval. Let me shine for Your glory. (And help me be nice about it when people say they can't help, I'm struggling to see how they could turn their backs.) Give me patience, kindness, warmth and a heart that beats for orphans.

Amen.

Milk and Cheese

2008-12-16T17:38:00.000-08:00

WARNING!!! The following is NOT a brag session merely THANKING GOD for HIS unfailing patience with me!! Ok so YEARS ago we lived in Spokane (some of the best years of my life to date) and we were literally living my the grace of God financially. The church we were at didn't pay great (surprise surprise, a ministry job that you don't get rich in) and I had snagged a pretty awesome babysitting gig in my own home with one family that happened to pay AWESOME. Anywho, so back in these days we had enormous debt and I have blogged previously about my desire to be debt free and save money. That's me in a nut shell, no financial woes, wouldn't that be great? So we had school payment, credit cards, car payments, life payments you know the drill. And my hubby made around $2000 a month roughly and God landed me this amazing job where I made around $900 a month. Anyway, broke we were, every time I turned around we had another bill to pay and couldn't seem to get ahead. We'd get a tax return, pay off one bill, not be good and rack up even more debt. It was a vicious cycle. And I have also mentioned in previous blogs, I'm a dreamer right? Ok, so one of my dreams in life is to have money available to give to other people, whether I know them or not, like a lady who's card is declined in the store, cover it for her. Get someone groceries and never let them find out it was me. That kind of stuff. You get the idea. I wanted to be as generous as I could but financially we just couldn't do it. So we move to Yakima and the spending doesn't change and the finances stay tight. Until Jas and I get on the same page. So it's only been a year or so, maybe not even that long that we've been very careful about money. No car payments, cheap food, careful spending etc. And we might have a new adventure to which I can't give details on yet coming quite soon. Anyway, so we've tried to be faithful stewards of the money God is giving us each month. Ok, LONG intro I know.... so Monday morning I woke up and thought of a friend and I felt God saying, take her milk. So Jas went to the store for us cause we needed milk and cheese and we got her and her fam some milk and cheese. So I called her up and made sure she was home and dropped it off to her. She blogged it was God's grace to her, but I am more confident it was God's grace for me. See I've been wanting to do this for a long time, and if I look back yeah sure there were moments we had dough but we were busy spending it on stupid crap not looking outward to find people who might need help. So I'm standing back today and this week and just thankful to God for patiently waiting for our lives to back up what's in our hearts so we can show Jesus to people we know and hopefully to people we may not know. I'm praying my heart is bent towards generosity and that God will give me the eyes to see the needs and the ears to hear him whispering "Go get them some milk and cheese!"

Blessings,
Kala

Could This Day Get Any Better????

2008-12-03T15:53:00.000-08:00

Ok, so I'm stoked! Today in the mail after... count 'em people.... 6 WEEKS!!!!, we finally received our approved home study in the mail! Oh yeah baby. I'm so stinkin excited. My paperwork would already be at our agency except when we verified our documents and put them in order we realized we missed a few things. Oops. I would like to say this is an anomaly and that we are always prepared and ready for everything but I would be lying - we are throw it together kinda people. Need I say more? Anyway. Surprisingly enough I'm in a great mood after getting the mail considering Mikey has another HORRIBLE cold and didn't sleep for nothin last night. So I'm wiped out but amazingly optimistic with our new hurdle almost completed.
On another smokin note, K Mart is doubling coupons. Sing it with me, Hallelujah, Hallelujah!! I almost screamed when I saw the ads. And I've been a good little coupon momma and saved TONS of coupons for just about everything sooooo.... I'm headin to K Mart to save some dough on some much needed items and Christmas stocking stuffers and such. Woohoo. So I will post after I hit K Marche and brag about my sales! :). Hopefully the isles aren't bare yet.
On a Christmas note, we are fully decorated and loving our Christmas-y house. I love this time of year except for snow. Snow is only for looking at with me. We have a love/hate relationship, snow and I. Snow loves to look pretty and inviting and beckons all those feeling in a shopping mood (which is me on any given moment) to venture out into the weather and enjoy it's beauty. I, on the other hand, HATE snow. Every year it costs me money, usually cause I bounce of something in my car like oh I don't know, someone else's car for example. And that's just you know, uh, hypothetically speaking of course. On that hypothetical note, let's say I have totalled one car, messed up a parent's truck, bounced off a cement barrier. In this 'hypothetical' world there are too many accidents to name. Anywho... nice tangent huh? So it's Christmas time, and we celebrate 12 days of Christmas with our kids by doing a small present each day starting December 13th. Now since we have one more boy to get home we are downscaling like crazy in the spending department but are still managing to get some cute and fun things that will delight the kids. The girls look so forward to fun little things. This year we are adding in like a pack of Oreos which sounds silly to some I'm sure, but you obviously don't know my feeling of Oreos and how strongly I feel the need to educate my children on this particular matter. I LOVE Oreos, and only double stuff thank you very much.(Side note, when I was prego with Faithie, I would call Jason literally every other day for an Oreo run on his way home from work, they are miraculous, seriously.) There are few things I HAVE to buy name brands of and Oreo's are one of them. There's no skimpin, that and Kraft Mac and Cheese. Once you go Kraft, you'll never go back! Hehe. Seriously though, I'm not big on brand names unless they are ridiculously cheap and then I'll get them. But I've got standards. So, tonight I'm off to find some ridiculously cheap deals for stockings and gifts and household items, unfortunately our K Mart doesn't have numerous food items. Wish me luck!!

Blessings,
KalaKalaBoBala

*****Update: So, Kmarche...drum roll.... I spent 23.68 and saved a grand total of 16.25 in coupons, oh yeah, it was a great night. Plus my momma went with me and it's rare to spend time with just her, so bonus!!

I lost my mind!!

2008-11-15T10:23:00.000-08:00

Ok not cause Jason's gone, although that hasn't helped. So I live in this little place called 'La La Land' where we can eat candy and our butts don't grow, where my children wake up saying, 'Mom what can I do for you today?', where mysteriously someone broke into my house, cleaned it, left mints on my pillow, stocked the fridge, and had homemade bread fresh out of the oven for me to indulge in. Ok so I want to live there, I don't actually, cause if I did you all wouldn't know about, I'd be hiddin that little treasure!! Anyway, I'm like the loftiest thinker, where even though I can be pessimistic, God gave me a wild, free imagination where I don't need details cause it will work out right? And I know my God is like huge, so that works out well. So I guess I never grew up cause that's the beauty and innocence of a child, anything and everything is possible because you haven't been tainted by negativity or the world or your friends or parents or the bullies at school. You can do and be whatever you want to be. That's where this little mind lives. So when I think about 'Gee what shall I do with my life?' I can't put my finger on it, I think teacher, tried that and NOPE, checked that off the list, I keep saying I'm going to nursing school but I don't know if that will ever happen. So anyway, I know I want to be with my kids, it feels right (and frustrating at times) but that's where I seem to click. I love kids. I love my kids, I love other people's kids. I'm a kid person. So the idea of adoption just clicks with me. I have a HUGE heart for kids, and whether I have more of my own or seek out the ones God lays on my heart, I'm open for the journey. Ok so back to loftiness for minute. When I felt God say "Adopt, you can do something for someone, go find your child' I was running for the nearest computer, praying to find the answers, and here we are today, waiting for our boy. But when God spoke, I acted. I didn't look at the price tag, which I know deters most people from adoption, I didn't flinch at any financial ramifications at all. I just went to work to find out how to come up with the money. It wasn't ever a deterrent. I believe God knows our financial situation, that whole heartedly we want to live debt free, make conscious choices to be money savvy and want to be freed up to live lives worthy of His approval. So I believe that He will help us get our boy home, and you know what it's ok if we still have a loan payment, which I have read on other blogs people who are against getting loans. Hey if you're one of them, that's great, I applaud you keeping it debt free but the timing of our adoption just so happened that we needed that money right then to get our boy and I do believe that it will be ok, maybe had we not gotten a loan it would've played out differently, I don't really care to debate, our family made a choice, it worked and we are happy all the more for having a face the to dream God gave us. Anyway, sorry for the tangent. I keep feeling like we need to be a catalyst. That our adoption isn't just about us and our son, that we have a chance to bring awareness, prayer, money, and dreams to other people whether they feel they can adopt and go for it, or they help someone else adopt. Whatever they feel God leading them to, may they be faithful and be a blessing. So we are lucky enough to have people in our lives that buy into adoption and are helping us find creative ways to raise the money. We did the yard sale, we have a family that sent out donation letters, and we have a family friend who is helping us put together a fundraiser/silent auction dinner. So here's where I start getting all La La Landish, I don't want all the money from the auction dinner. Granted I know we have to come up with money still,but I want to start an adoption grant through part of the money raised to help other local families feel empowered to not look at the bottom line but to follow the leading of God and through helping provide funding that may be more possible for more families. Anyway, for those of you who read this, please partner with me to lift high the dreams of one mommy who wants more kids and families than her own to see God move in mighty way and bring more babies and children home to their forever families. I feel like there's more here that Yakima needs an adoption ministry where we partner with families to get these kids home domestically or internationally. I just think we need to prepare for the rain, cause when we tap into what breaks God's heart, when we read all the scriptures that tell us to care for the widows and orphans, I think He is just waiting to produce greatness out of us. To help us to see the beauty that comes from investing in other people, in other children, and in other parts of our world. Down the street, or a million miles away. I feel like God is whispering "Take my hand, and I will show you the way to touch lives." I want to take His hand, don't you?

Coupon Complainer!

2008-11-05T15:36:00.000-08:00

Ok I should probably explain, I did the whole coupon thing and it was fun and nice and all but I come home and read on Money Saving Mom.com and she all like spendin 38 for a week of groceries. So I'm complainin', ya you heard right, I know you're all surprised that I of all people would complain' but alas, here we go! So NO stores that I have found in po-dunk Yakima double coupons which I am finding is the ticket to coupon savings. So I printed a LOT of coupons and hit Walmart, and yeah I got some deals like ziploc bags, 50 count for 23 cents, and toaster strudels (which I haven't bought EVER for my kids, simply cause it's never crossed my mind) for like 1.12. So good deals but I still spent like 68 bucks, partly for baby wipes ( I didn't have a coupon), partly for mascara(searched for a coupon, not go) and well cause it's Walmart, who only spends like $20 at walmart? And if you think you are that person, you are lying, it's like Costco which I renamed "The $100 minimum store" cause I think 1 time I got out without spending $100, and that was only cause somebody pooped and I had a headache. So unless Mikey wants to 'fill the ol drawers' EVERY time I enter a Walmart or Costco it's bye bye cash. Anyway, coupons rock, love the idea, love not paying full fare, i love making it almost a game, see how little to spend, but at the end of the day..... Yakima stores SUCK, none that I have found double coupons. If any one knows of a store that doubles in Yakima, hook a lady up, yeah?
On a completely different note but praise worthy none the less, I started at my new job, which is working at the child care area in the Yakima Athletic Club. I can take my kids, (no daycare,plus, and I can be with them, plus plus) I get a free membership, and I get paid. Yup, it's that good! :). I LOVE not getting up at 5:00am and seeing my kids all day. I am also hoping to do some online writing stuff for my friends brother in law, if we can connect on when I should start, so that will be cool.
We also had parent/teacher conference this week for Faithie. I don't know how it happened but we got a teacher's pet. I know right, my kids' the teachers pet? Yeah who knew but hey she's an AWESOME student, getting 100% on reading and spelling tests, helpful even to sub's when her teacher is gone. Just all around a good kid. I am so proud to be her mama.
Hope's teacher conference was good. Well especially cause it didn't start with " You guys are only responsible for the first $10,000 of damages!" Hehe. Seriously though, she can count ridiculously high, thanks to big sis teaching her how. She knows all her stuff like colors, numbers, etc. She plays well (not bossy, I did ask for clarification of what child we were talking about, and it was Hopie). She is just an amazingly funny little girl, who happens to be super smart, and sometimes willing to share with others, I guess she's one of those at school she's like "miss helping hands" and at home she's "miss I'm hittin ya when mom turns around" and she's smilin the WHOLE time! :).
If I can get the pics up I will post their school pics. I heard this thing about advertising companies using photos from people's blogs and facebook and myspace pages without consent so I'm hesitant to throw these wonderfully cute kids on here and have someone makin moola without my consent. You could sell snow to a snow man with Hope's smile! Alright enough braggin'- if anybody knows of a doubling coupon store - HOOK ME UP!
Peace out,
Kala

Tagged

2008-10-18T14:04:00.001-07:00

Hehe, so I think this will be fun! Ok so I got 'tagged' so I'm supposed to give fun facts ..... here we go....

1) I'm dramatic. I know hard to believe right? Ok so example, I have personally diagnosed myself as Hypoglycemic which means I have really low blood sugar and if I don't eat I get all dizzy, clammy, tired feeling, shaky, and CRANKY. So we were in Sears this morning and I was too hungry and I got all the symptoms I just listed and Jason laughed at me cause he says I'm just hungry BUT I KNOW there's more too it than that. Anyway, on the way home he was trying to have a conversation with me but I literally like shut down and can't process info so I wasn't much for talking (even though I did have plenty to say oddly enough)and he thinks I'm just dramatic. Whatever!

2) I hate bananas. I do however like banana bread. But that's it for bananas. Here's my 'logical' reason for not liking bananas. So ya know that mushy sound people make while they eat a banana, kinda like a mini smacking of the lips but more mushy sounding? Yeah well my sister used to do that crap in my face all the time and one day I had enough and decided I'm not a banana person, thank you very much. I don't like the smell, the texture, or how it sounds when someone eats them. So bananas? You can have em!

3) I don't like eggs. Nasty nasty nasty. And here's my reasoning, you know that scene in Robin Hood Prince of Thieves when the witch breaks open the egg and blood comes out? Gross, I was done after that movie. And when I was prego with Hopie I even tried to eat a quiche for good measure, eggs can be good for you. And I took one bite, almost puked and decided "Yup, done with eggs too." Makes sense right?

4) I'm really self conscious. I don't like my body AT ALL. Pre kids it was ok, post kids, does the word Nightmare ring a bell? I have a hard time liking the way I look knowing I don't do a darn thing about it, even when I do work out I don't see much of a difference so I just give up. I tell myself that if my tummy wasn't ridiculously flabby then I would feel better about myself but let's face it, I'd find something else to be upset about.

5) I have a desire to live simplistically and I live with money spender. AGH! I wouldn't mind getting rid of the Tv, goin all granola, and living simple but that's a process and will take time to implement. Although Jason totally wants to do my little personal coupon challenge and see how much money we can save.

6) I used to want to be a professional singer, so I would stand in the bathroom with my moms candle sticks (they make the best pretend microphones) and practice singing for HOURS on end. Up until a few years ago, I was trying to figure out how to get into the music business, I recorded a demo for some gal sending her song to a music company, I recorded 2 cd's of funeral music for this guy in Spokane, and got professional pics taken to send a demo into a record company.I secretly want to be on T.V. like Jon and Kate plus 8, but I would lose my mind I think, with all those people peeking in on my life, but I get lots of attention since I'm sooooo small anyway, so I'm sure I'd get used to it.

7) I'm fickle, I hate working outside the home but when I'm home too long I feel worthless. Although now that I've worked full time outside the home I appreciate the days when I can just be with my kids. I wish we made enough money I didn't have to work and could simply volunteer my time instead of always squeaking by trying to make ends meet, only focused on my little area of influence instead of going outside my world to impact others. My heart's desire is to be the person that when they see a need they meet it, no matter what. But I feel like I'm just trying to keep my head above water (financially) I can't give the time to others - I don't take the time to see it. That's something I'm really working on.

Ok, well that's random, and quite the scope of my little life.
Let's see how I can tag!

Kala

Warm Fuzzies

2008-10-14T14:28:00.000-07:00

Ok so I'm still recovering from the flu, holy cow, it seriously kicked my tail this year, wow, anyway, Saturday come heck or high water we were heading to North Bend. And what did I find? Oh yeah baby, .99 sale racks at The Children's Place Outlet, and Carters had 1.99 with an additional 20% off. The most I paid for an item of clothing was 3.19. hehehe, warm fuzzies. I just love a good actually in this case GREAT deal. It was worth the gas to get there cause I talked my dad into driving so I didn't even pay for gas, can it get much better? Uh NO! Anyway, Jason went to an event called Super 7 which is a sleep deprived 7 hours from 11pm-6am where they play sports or swim, and to all of that I give a loud "NO THANK YOU." My sleep and I have a delicate relationship that can't be compromised by ridiculous events like Super 7. Leave it to those dumb I mean PAID youth pastors to do that stuff.
We haven't gotten to wrap up our adoption home study cause I think our social worker is sick, and man I sure hope we didn't give it to her. If that's the case she better buckle up for a nasty few days. Man, it's been 6 days since the pukes and I still can't eat without a gut ache, lousy lousy lousy! I do need to take a moment to brag though, the last few night Jason and I have been having Guitar Hero showdowns and oh yeah I am seriously kickin his tail, never mind the fact that he is playing on hard and I'm on medium at the end of the song I have a higher score so another warm fuzzy for me. Woohoo!!
I gotta go to work tomorrow and I'm dreading it, I haven't been in for 8 days due to sickness and scheduled days off so tomorrow kicks off 3 days one day off and then 2 more days. AGH. I'm dreading not being here to get Faithie ready and hang with the kids, so that's a bummer.
Ooo, oooo, one more warm fuzzy, we found out we have like 900 bucks left in our flexible spending account used for medical related expenses and we have 2 weeks to use it or it just literally floats away. So I went to Costco and picked out a new pair of glasses that are ultra hot AND a pair of some seriously rockin prescription sunglasses. Oh man I am stoked- both pairs are just rad, which is so 80's but the only word to describe the coolness level.
Well I better scoot, Mikey is dragging around a kite he found, Hope and him are aimlessly wandering the house looking for trouble I'm sure.
But before I part, I was watching Oprah and I record them and watch them later like during nap time and the other day she had this gal on who is like the Ultimate Coupon Shopper. Now here's confession time, I don't use coupons, I use card discounts like Safeway and Albertson's but nothing extra like cutting coupons. Now I now some of you are like " What are coupons?" And others may be thinking I'm some sort of weirdo who pays full fare for things. And honestly I'm somewhere in the middle of those two - I like deals but let's face it I'm too lazy to use coupons. So I decided to challenge myself to shop as smart as I can for the next month and keep track of savings to see how much we can really save using coupons. If any of you are in the coupon lane who know good coupon resources or have an extra paper I can cut coupons out of give me a holler and I'll stop by.
Ok now seriously I'm hearing " I see London I see underpants" This can't be good.
Peace out,
Kala

It hit

2008-10-09T18:17:00.000-07:00

The horrible flu my family endured finally hit me Wed afternoon. It started with the stomach cramps and trips to the bathroom if you know what I mean. I honestly just wanted to puke already thinking everyone else only threw up like 2 times this should be over quickly. Um... so finally started puking around 9pm, didn't stop til 3:30 am, have continued frequent trips to the bathroom all day long, and am now on the achy I don't want to move, gosh I hate being sick, completely unprodcutive phase. So I'm miserable and missing Bunco which I'm totally bummed about, the one time I month I get to hang with girlfriends and I'm stuck on the couch wishing this crap will end soon. Mikey however has been taking 3.5hr naps with me the last 2 days which is heavenly, no joke. And I had to call in sick for tomorrow cause I'm done puking but 12hrs of running around and trying to keep going while I am still achy I'm sure, well that just sounds like tons of fun eh? Uh yeah not so much. So me and my hopefuly shrinking butt due to sickness is just layin low. Well it's a short post today bummer eh? I think if Sat we're all healthy we're goin to North Bend to hit a few sales at the outlet mall and call it a day. Jason is gone to Idaho for a youth all nighter, not my cuppa tea , me and no sleep, yeah we don't mix well. So I hope everyone else steers clear of the sickness!
Blessings.
Kala

Home Study Part 1

2008-10-07T09:33:00.000-07:00

Whew! We made it through the first part. Our social worker came by today for a few hours and did the first half of our home study. I heard how nerve wracking some people feel about it and to be honest I had no preconceived notions of what it would be. What I did know is I didn't want it to look like we live like pigs OR that we tried too hard to make our house look perfect. But I will say we maintained the cleanliness everyday after it got cleaned for real, and I'm happy to say that since our social worker is coming back next Monday we have to keep it this clean. It's a good habit to start. I'm not the organized one around here so I tend to stuff things in places instead of creating a good spot for them. So we've been doin some good ol deep cleanin and it's really nice to have a place for everything and everything in it's place. So she asked us about our lives and families growing up, how we love each other, qualities about one another. How we solve problems, easy right, I'm always right! Hehe. That's how we solve them, Jason concedes. No I'm kidding but that doesn't sound like a bad plan. It was fun talking about each other with the other one there and hearing what he thinks about me and what I think about him. It was interesting how our social worker talked about what it will be like when we bring our guy home, she told us it's like our family is in a row boat and we all know our places and what our role is and then someone swims up to the boat so we pull them in to safety and in that jostling around and movement the order gets upset and everyone has to find their new spot. That really resonated with me, I liked the word picture. We will all have our adjusting to do with this, and I don't want to be naive about any of it, it won't do us any good. I also read about one gal who had older kids and everyone kept coming to see the new one and the others felt like, "What the heck, we've been here all along and they didn't stop by then." So that made me realize too that we will have to be VERY intentional with each child in making them feel their importance and worth in all of this. I've also got to get our book of our family pics sent off to our guy so he can see that holy crap we're all white! I wonder what it will be like for him to come home and all of his family doesn't look like him? That will be weird I'm sure I just want him to know how much we love him and it doesn't bother us one bit he doesn't look like us he's still our son. Oh I can' wait to meet this kid!
Anyway ,so we wrapped up with her coming back next week and I ran a few errands, and we mooched dinner off of my in laws. The night ended quickly when Faithie started puking, which was so fun, I hate it when my kids get sick. Oh yeah and Jason woke me up in the middle of the night throwing up, but he had one big incident and was done, he slept in and was doing pretty well by the time our social worker arrived. So I'm waiting for it to hit me, and Hopie. We're the last two standing so far, we'll see who holds out the longest. To be honest I would've figured it would be me since Michael sleeps with us still, I know I know, and he pretty much sleeps on me or touching me at all times. So I would've pegged me to be the first one down. Huh, we'll see. I still gotta get pics loaded for the brace. I'm slow I know. I'm actually tryin to get goin on my little business opp and want to find a stinkin name already so I can market it! We'll see. Oh and I'm applying for a side job where I can take the kids with me and hopefully between the two keep up the saving money, but be with the kids,and get my business going so I only have to do that. I can't tell you how good it feels to tell Jason I feel like I'm drowning thinking about going to work for 12 hours and missing my kids so bad. He hates me being gone too so he's being very flexible to find a way to get me out of work all together but until then find ways to keep me with the kids. When I told Faithie that I was looking for a job that would help me be home more she got a huge smile on her sweet face and gave me a hug and said "Oh good so now you'll be here!" So yeah job, what job, I gotta get home!
Thanks for listening, reading whatever, peace and have a great day!
Kala

Broken

2008-10-03T16:59:00.000-07:00

So I'd like to make this a post about my spiritual journey and being broken before God but today, the news is... drum roll..... Hopie broke her collar bone last night thanks to our beefy dog who just needed to attack the fence to bark yet again at our neighbors slightly obnoxious dogs. So I'm doing laundry, tryin my hardest to be domestic and Hope starts screaming and crying. Faith comes running into say Nala jumped over her but she fell and she's crying (Captain Obvious!). So I got her on the couch and at this point Mikey and Hopie are bawling, Hope's hurt and Mikey's crying cause she's crying so fun stuff to say the least. So I got Hope calmed down and situated and she fell asleep while I was playing with her hair. She woke up about 20 minutes later, screaming and saying her arm still really hurt. So I called Jason home and had him diagnose that Yup she needed a trip to the doc which at 5:30 translates to the E.R. More Fun Stuff. So they headed out and I stayed with Mikey and Faith, we called the grandparents and my mom decides she's goin to give moral support and bring a sucker. So a couple hours later my baby girl comes home with a brace (pics will follow, when I find the camera) and a sucker in hand, Thank You Grandma Darla. Well Mikey got a sucker to, cause he's all about equality these days, if anybody's got something - he better be gettin some too, or buckle up. Anyway, so fun night and then to my wonder I discovered this thing called a Housekeeper. Now let me preface this with, my mother in law has this gal who cleans her house so for our anniversary that was oh I don't know 3 months ago, she gave us a house cleaning on her. So I finally cashed it in today since we've got our social worker coming Monday to do our home visits, which we don't live like pigs ( usually) but with 3 kids this house ain't as clean as she should be ok? Anybody feelin what I'm saying? So I'm lovin the clean house, although trying to find ways to keep us out of it so we have a fighting chance of keeping it clean for more than 5 minutes. Oh and Jason cleaned out our van, we're like living like clean people. It's weird, an adjustment to say the least but possibly one worth making permanent? Hmm. We'll see. It's been an eventful week, a trip to Leavenworth, a few nights of laughing hysterically with old friends, sleeping in, delicious fudge, and coming home early to a puking baby, broken collar bone, clean house, and now off to mooch dinner from Grandma Darla and Papa Steve, we're doing pizza which is always a hit in my book, Jason got his order in for the Papa Murphy's Taco Pizza, it's good ok, not worthy of eating all of it in one sitting although he will if left alone, but it's good. So we're off to top off this week with some pizza, probably ice cream and watching the kids mess up Gram's house not mine. Can it get much better? I submit it cannot! Hehe.
Peace Out,
Kala

Friends

2008-09-26T16:46:00.000-07:00

So I gotta give a shout out to a few people who in the last week or so jump out to me as being huge prayer support and mommy support. I've got a few on the brain right now but I'll mention one - drum roll please... Nichole! Oh how I love her. She bounced into my life a few months ago, well almost a year I guess and we didn't "hit it off" cause we didn't really spend a lot of time together for a while but since we have a small church home group in our home we have become closer, and my oh my am I better for it. I've had her weigh in on a few things and isn't' it funny how usually we know the answer to the problem but it takes someone else saying it for us to register it like it was a good idea? Funny, I'm so that way, I'd like to think I am on my game all the time but let's face it that's just not me especially lately. I'm strugglin and I mean in a gut wrenching kinda way about having to work full time outside the house. My goal was to only be gone til our guy gets home but as it looks now serious medication will need to get me through. So I feel in my gut I gotta quit right, but uh that doesn't exactly make sense right now? In the middle of a costly adoption, I got this job so fast when I thought I wasn't going to be working for a while so that was a blessing for sure, but I completely and totally lost the reality of what being gone all the time is like and how stinkin hard it is. I've fought like mad comin up with odds and end jobs to be at home and now I'm gone 36+ hours a week sometimes 48 depending on overtime situation, and it's a crappy job and I do mean that literally, I clean crap. Gross eh? Yup, that's the blunt way to put it and not that the job isn't necessary - somebody's got to do it, but just not this somebody. So I have a had a few talks with friends this week and the same message is - find peace and be home with your kids. Which I know in my heart right but explain that to the hubby - hey I'm gonna cut the 1,000 + a month cool? Yeah and I don't know how to help us raise money for the adoption but it's all good right? Anyway, so back to my shout out - I love Nichole, I need her to say what she said and it wasn't revolutionary but it was needed and publicly to all 5 of you who read this blog I just want to say - I love ya Nichole, you are one amazing mommy and you hold a special place in my heart. :).
So yup that's it for now. So I am going to try a little mini business thing if it pans out I'll share it but it's in dream phase almost reality phase so we'll see. Jas is all for it which is great, I know he wants me here with the kids he did tell me the other day " I just want you to pick what you want to do and do it, I don't care what it is, just stop jumping around jobs" So I know he's game but I gotta trust that my Jesus cares that I want to be with my kids and He will show me how to do it and how to tackle our adoption moola situation. So anyone who wants to join me in prayin BIG things for this family of 5 getting their boy home to make 6, let's see what we've got in store.
Kala

Excited!!

2008-09-25T11:03:00.000-07:00

Well all you following this perilous (ok maybe not that bad) journey we are pumped. We have our social worker meeting on Oct 6th to get our home visits done and then as soon as she is able to compile our approved homestudy we are ready to send off our paperwork to our agency. Then it goes to D.C. to be authenticated, then back to our agency to be sent to Ethiopia. Once in country it will be translated, paired with our little man's file, and then awaits court approval. Once court happens we are told our travel dates and then ladies and gentleman, we are outta here on a ungodly long flight to meet our guy. The idea of flying for like 30 hours sounds horrific BUT the idea of wrapping my arms around that little guy gives me butterflies in my tummy and makes me want to scream with delight. What a process. Ok so I just typed "horrific" and it made me think of Faithie. So the other day I was explaining to Grammy Joann that Faithie is quite good at braids these days and she pipes up " Well only on other people, on me it's just horrible!" And I laughed, what a grownup thing for a 6 year old to say. Hehe. She's a doll. I've also got to get some video on here of Mikey screaming "Mooom!" Way too cute. We also have some praises on the financial front for the adoption. We have a donor giving like $5000 which is amazing. 2 in the states tickets given so we only have to pay from New York or somewhere on the East Coast to Ethiopia and then back plus our guy. And some other people have given money totalling around $1000. So that's like awesome. We are going to apply for grants and see what comes of it. Like everyone applies and not very many get it. So we'll see. The worst that can happen is we don't get it, and that's ok. Well I'm a dope and took advil for a killer headache this morning and then ate something. Shoulda reversed that. Eat and then pills. Cause my oh my do I feel like crap! Bummer eh? Oh well, Hope is excited to lay with me on the couch and Mikey is just running around laughing so whatever! :).
Thanks for tuning into yet another ADD moment -
Blessings,
Kala

The Picnic

2008-09-13T20:12:00.000-07:00

Ok so we pulled Faithie out of school yesterday to head to AGCI's picnic in Battle Ground WA to meet Almaz the director of Hannah's Hope in Ethiopia. So any of you ever have a plan of how things are to go and then FREAK out when it doesn't work out like you wanted? So... here's our day. I rock first of all, I packed the whole car by myself, filled up the tank, got all the clothes including jammies for all of us but Jason cause well let's face it he's a grown man he can get his own stinkin clothes, went to lunch with a friend I hold quite close to my heart, got my dad's GPS system, and was ready to head out the driveway when Jason got home with Faith. So we get on the road after a Starbucks stop ( obviously) and off we went to meet Almaz. My mind was racing with all sorts of things, what will she say about our little man? What will other people be like? Will older kids from Ethiopia be there to play with the girls? And so on and so forth. So we are doing great, one potty stop at Goldendale and we keep on truckin'. The bridge at Biggs was closed so we went to the Dalles and over the Columbia. THEN we hit a traffic delay, so for an hour and a half we moved approxiametly 4 miles! GRRR. The kids did surprisingly well except for Mikey losin it, so I let them run around the van while I impatiently waited for traffic to move. We could see smoke in the distance and speculated the entire time (and still are actually) about what was going on to cause this kind of delay. So we waited and waited some more, all this time I've planned to be in Battle Ground by 5:45 and be able to eat, play, talk, and relax. So now it's 5:45 and we start to finally move. I was a mess. I wanted to cry but I didn't thank you very much. So we made it and I held it (potty) the whole way to the picnic which if you know me personally that is a major feat in itself! So we get there at 7:10 and the picnic was scheduled to be over at 7. I was determined to meet this lady if it was the last thing I did. So we piled out of the van, the kids took off for the toys, and I anxiously waited to meet this slender, petite, pretty Ethiopian woman who would give me word on my boy. As we walked up to the picnic I almost cried. There were babies EVERYWHERE, no big kids, but babies galore. And it hit me, we are apart of this. This is the most beautiful thing I've ever seen. All these drop dead gorgeous babies in the arms of their forever parents. It tears me up thinking about it now. So we met Almaz who told us our guy has a big head - literally - (he'll fit in great, I think Faith just grew into hers!) and he's amazing at soccer. He can kick the ball up from his feet, head butt it and pass it off to other players. I guess according to the parents who just traveled within the last month, he's just an amazing kid. So the wait, drive, and determination paid off BIG TIME! I'm on cloud 9 and can't wait to get this kid home!! Oh then we took the kids to Chuck E Cheese (it's) as Faith calls it to play and run off the energy. Then drove home, got in at 1am got up at 5 am for work, worked 12 hours and am now about ready to pass out! One more 12 and then 4 days off! Woohoo. Anyway, for those of you who are praying and are as excited as we are to get this boy home - buckle up cause I guess he's somethin else! :).
Blessings,
Kala

Peace Be Still

2008-08-22T16:13:00.000-07:00

Ok, so I've pretty much been a basket case the last few days - I talked with our agency who does the home study and because we flip flopped our process and aren't done with our home study we are looking at another 2 to 3 months before our home study is done and THEN we can send our paperwork to Ethiopia! So my son is sitting in an orphanage for a couple more months than we thought cause I had no idea that until all our paperwork was in would they even open our file. So thanks to a freakin busy summer I haven't been able to get some of it done which had I known our home visit and everything else was hinging on paperwork completion then I would've tried to bust it out a lot faster although I'm not sure when that would've happened. But since we've been sending them stuff periodically I assumed they were just going to call and say they were coming over not hey by the way when you send us your mountain of paperwork THEN we'll start the home visit process. GRR, so I've been pretty upset, and feeling way too overwhelmed today with hold ups at the bank trying to get a statement of our good standing and they won't do it - and my poor sister is goin through a divorce which I can't get into here - but it's bad ok let's just leave it at that. So I've been up and mad so I opened up my Bible needing a fresh word and looked at the reading for today August 22 and it was Luke 18 1-14. Let me preface this with I need to get my boy home like more than I need to eat (ok almost but like that's the urgency I feel for him). So it starts out "Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. He said "In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared about men. And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea ,'Grant me justice against my adversary.' For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself ' Even though I don't fear God or care about men, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won't eventually wear me out with her coming!" And the Lord said "Listen to what the unjust judge says. And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and QUICKLY (emphasis mine). However, when the Song of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?" And it keeps going to talk about those who pray and humble themselves are justified while those who boast are not. Anyway, I needed to know that my pleading will pay off and my uneasy spirit can drive me to work like a dog to get this boy home. I'm praying for a miracle - maybe it's peace while we wait for the process or maybe it's getting him home in record time because we are able to get this all done quickly. Unite with me and plead with God to grant me my request, be Big be Fast and be I AM in all we do especially getting our little boy home. On a happy note - we had dinner with friends last night and as we left they gave us $250!! I almost cried on the way home - not only are they financially helping us but they are looking into adoption also. I couldn't be more overjoyed to open eyes and hearts the the world of orphans. Peace and Blessings for all.
Kala

My cake and eat it too!

2008-08-21T14:18:00.000-07:00

So why can't I have this, I'm just wondering. So since I last checked in and the yard sale ROCKED I've been running like I've lost my mind finishing adoption paperwork, working full time, trying to do youth group stuff like 30 famine which by the way was HARD and I cheated - I thought I was gonna puke after 26 hrs of fasting so I ate some bread. Yeah I know I suck but hey that's me in a nut shell. And also, I'm like not one of those people who does well on low blood sugar or tired and if you mix both well good luck to you. We may not be friends when it's all said and done, too bad eh? I don't do things gracefully I decided. I can't speak gracefully, I use words like crap, frigin, and sweet. I'm loud, probably obnoxious to most, and have a hard time keeping boundaries which translates into a very busy life. So my job is all fine and dandy but 12 hour days are kickin my tail that's for sure. I'm all freakin out cause when we travel to get *H* from Ethiopia I want time to adjust for his sake and ours. This is like a monster huge transition which even after we do all our adoption courses and read like 10 more books we won't be ready for it. Jason and I are rose colored glass kinda people. Anyway, I'm trying to figure out how exactly to make some money since we'll have a nice loan payment plus be at home as much as possible - so I want my cake and eat it to! I really don't think it's too much to ask for right? Hehe. Yeah ok, see the rose colored glasses? :). Anyway, I'm looking for ways to make cash at home so we'll see! :). I'm so glad I have a blog to vent on! If any of you feel like praying for us - we need a few adoption grants to come through, donations to be awesome, *H* home soon, like I'm praying for before Christmas, and umm... maybe a nap in there! :). Peace love and cake for all!
Kala

He did it again!

2008-08-09T16:26:00.000-07:00

God is SOOOO good. He is coming through in new ways each day, confirming our adoption and proving faithful in helping us see the light financially in this whole ordeal. Let's clear up a thing or two about adoption, best decision we've ever made and most people assume it's either free or cheap - so um.. to all of you who like me until I researched it knew NOTHING about adoption it's VERY expensive. Whether it's domestic or international (the latter is MUCH more spendy by the way) it's all got cost to it. So when we stepped out in faith to choose to adopt and got lucky enough to find our son like 6-8 months earlier than expected we lifted hands,hearts,and eyes to heaven and asked for money. Cause who doesn't right? Seriously though, we're lucky enough to have some of it through a loan which will be paid off in different ways but ultimately I got a full time job to cover payments and save money and we are just searching out how to find the dough.
Anyway, so we did an adoption yard sale fundraiser and my prayer was just don't let this be a waste of time. And MAN did friends and family come through. We had so much crap - I mean treasures - I mean stuff and we made around $1500. AHHH can you believe it? I'm just amazed and honored to be apart of all of this. God is good.
Oh then we get a call this morning and one of our local news stations heard about our story and the yard sale and they did a story on us that will air tonight at 6pm. My prayer and desire is we will be a catalyst for others to look into adoption - we're not meant to save the world alone but if we partner together we can put a dent in poverty, orphans without hope, and bring tangible relief and help to those who need it. You know the single mom down the road - watch her kids for free, mow her lawn drop off a gift card and don't let her know it came from you. Or the elderly couple - bring them their mail, pull their weeds, and walk them to their car. Anyway,I'll get off my soap box!!
Peace, Blessings and Pass the Olive Garden (that's where we're eating tonight - bring on the one million calorie Fettuccine Alfredo that's already calling my name)
Kala

Revision

2008-08-02T14:31:00.000-07:00

Ok, this may be a mute point but I wanted to clarify an earlier statement in the post before this one. I don't believe God took our child from us in January, but I do believe he allowed it to happen so we could be open to bringing our son in Ethiopia home. Does that make sense? Some people probably wouldn't care how I worded that BUT I wanted to be clear I firmly believe that sometimes things just happen because that's the world we live in and God works through the muck and mire to bring glory to His holy name in the midst of pain and sadness as well as joy and hope. Ok, I had to get that off my chest, thanks for tuning in again! And WOOHOO again for us.. please pray with us as we talk to our agency this week to find out the process to get our boy home. Oh man, we've got another one!! Yeah for us!!

WHEWW!

2008-08-01T21:01:00.000-07:00

Wow what a week!! We just got back from Jr Hi camp where I lead worship. What a blast! The band was amazing and we just had an awesome time leading kids to the throne of God. What an experience. I'm not well versed in leading so it was rough at first but still awesome!!! I'm beat and have LOADS of laundry but hey that's life eh??
The MOST exciting thing of all is --- duh duh duh duh... we have our little boy waiting for us in Ethiopia - AHHHH! I opened up my email and saw we had an update from our agency on waiting children. So I scroll down and see his face and I just knew. So then Jason walked in and asked "Who is that?" and I told him that he was available and he just stared at him and told me to send them an email that we want him. So we contacted our agency and no one else had sent in for information on him so we did our talk with the international pediatrician last night at camp and when we sign and send in our official referral contract HE'S OURS!!! AHHH! Amazing, I can't believe it. He's a show stopper I'm warnin ya, and the girls are super excited. Cute story time - so the other night we were praying before bed and it was Faith's turn so she said her normals thanks for everything and ends with " and Jesus please tell (I don't know if I can say his name online yet) so he'll be BOY for now, in his heart that we are coming for him." It melted my heart what a sweet way to ask God to whisper his family is coming. It must be weird for him when he doesn't know we are planning and praying and freaking out excited that he's coming - he doesn't know we exist yet. Oh but he will!!! His days are coming of Hopie tickling him and then bossing him around, Faithie helping him brush his teeth and Mikey taking his toys. Oh the joy! :). My heart is quite full tonight thinking about how amazing my God is. I went to the Casting Crowns concert and they sang their song " Love her like Jesus" and I lost it. That song hasn't meant much to me until I heard it with the ears of one mommy giving up her baby so another mommy can love and raise him. And my heart breaks now as I think about how she holds him in her thoughts and heart and how she wants to hold his face in her hands. I promise I will do my best to love him like he deserves offering him compassion, love, and a safe place to fall. I cherish her decision to let us be apart of his life and thank my God that took one life from me and gave me another in return. "You give and take away, but blessed be Your name!"
Well not much else going on than being on cloud 9 for the last week. We also just fast forwarded our process by about uh 6 months and uh we don't have all the money yet, so uh hey God remember us!! I am banking on a miracle. Let us pray!! :).

My Jesus, My Saviour
Lord there is none like You
All of my days
I want to praise the wonders of Your mighty love!

Blessings,
Kala

Thankful

2008-07-14T21:23:00.002-07:00

So how cool is my God - uh this cool.... So I got hired at a Retirement facility in their nursing home as a Dining Room lead where I will be helping set up meals, feeding residents who need assistance and charting who ate what - etc. Anyway I got hired about 4-6 weeks sooner than I was expected to. Jason had just told me he forgot to put a tithe check in 2 weeks previous and it was just sitting there waiting to be given to the church so he quickly thought about just tearing it up and using it for bills cause with me not working it's been 'tight'. So he then caught himself and just remembered faithfulness it better than money in the bank. Three days later I got a call saying they could hire me RIGHT away and to start this week. So I will be working 3 12hr days in a row on a rotating schedule - I'm SOOOO excited. This means we can save a good chunk of money every month for the adoption and we won't be tight either!! Anyway, we also announced to friends if they want to donate to our adoption yard sale fundraiser they could and my carport is FULL of stuff people have dropped off. I'm just feeling good and blessed right now. I also got invited to a Casting Crowns concert on Sat night in Spokane and then I'm off to lead worship for a week at a jr high youth camp(which I'm pretty nervous about) but it will be nice to go to a worship concert the night before and get all in the mood. I just wanted to give a shout out to Nichole (you know who you are) for asking me to the concert and being a good friend - I look forward to a fun drive and getting to know you better!!! I already enjoy our friendship- this will be great!
Peace out - I gotta go sign new hire paperwork in an hr and my hair isn't curled!
Kala

Dreams

2008-07-14T21:23:00.001-07:00

So I was thinking again ( I know scary scary) about adoption which got me thinking about dreams. (Man I hope this makes sense, in my head it does but outside of Kala Land let's see if it works.) So we all have dreams don't we? When we're little dreams of being doctors, going to the moon, eating large amounts of cookies, kissing the cutest boy in class, staying up late with girlfriends, our weddings, how many kids we'll have (in the 4th grade I was quoted in our yearbook saying I would be a mommy and have 10 kids, 3 down 7 to go, Lord help me!), who we will marry and how much fun we'll have as adults. And when we get married we dream of our lives with our spouse, how many kids, buying a house, the dog, white fence - all that good stuff. Then...we see our babies - and if you get to carry your own that moment you see the pink lines you dream of their hair color, boy or girl, their eyes, smile, laugh, maybe even of leaving them in a store, but we dream don't we? I remember what it felt like to see each of my babies for the first time - I'm tearing up thinking about it - that moment where they cry - you give a sigh of relief and then hold them like they're glass - ah that is a moment dreams are made of. Ok so take a break from that. I get an email from our agency about children who have recently been abandoned with our agency in Ethiopia and my heart breaks realizing the reality of these children - what are their dreams but even deeper - what are their mothers dreams? What kinda world do we live in where some mommies don't get to see their babies grow up because there isn't enough food- what about those mommies dreams? So as I was folding laundry which I loathe by the way I got to thinking - God's dream for us is to connect with each other in such a way that everyone is helping everyone. That none of us lack, that we are all loved,fed, warm, and cared for. And adoption is a practical way to love someone you haven't even met. To honor the dream of a mother you probably won't ever met but will forever have a connection to because you are raising her child. Oh her dreams must soar for her babies - someone to always give them food when they need it, hug and kiss them, rock them to sleep, help them go to school and be the best person they can be. So that's what I think about when I'm folding laundry. Hehe, deep huh? Yeah that's me, I'm deep ( yeah I wish) but really I honestly feel like not only did God call us to adopt and give me a dream of a child I don't have a face or name of but he also held a mothers hand and heart as she decided the best shot for her kid was if someone else raised them. Oh how God's heart must break, he holds orphans so close to his heart, how can we not be apart of something so tender? Anyway, well now that my mind is clear, off to put laundry away - woohoo.

Bummer

2008-07-13T09:24:00.000-07:00

So ever had one of those days where everything you touch gets destroyed? Yeah that was my day today! GRRRR!! It's been a while (Thank God) since I've had such a bad day that everyone heard about it AND the poor kidlets suffered. Jesus pretty much held my hand over the last year on learning how to be frustrated but not yell at the kids and to try and be calm when explaining what needs to happen or fixing a situation. And today I regressed a WHOLE year. Crap, square one again. I just got up EARLY like 4:40 for work, and was doing ok til about 7:30 and then everything I touched was wrong, I made dumb mistakes with people's drinks, forgot to do other stuff and just wanted to sit down and cry. So then got off work had lunch at the park which was nice, got home tried to take a nap since I was up at an ungodly hour and the kids wouldn't be quiet. So I found myself screaming (quiet eh?) SHUT UP and then my attitude regressed from that point on. I just don't like being like that. It's like some B horror movie where you watch it and think "This sucks lets find something better to do - like anything but this" BUT as much as you want to leave you just sit there and endure it and when it's all done look back ant think "Well I'm now dumber for watching that". I did wake up refreshed this morning though and having a late start - and skipping church - I gotta take my freebees when I get them. Jason is at camp all week and he left at O-dark-thirty today so we're having a lazy day. I need those sometimes. Anyway, we've got our home group meeting tonight and my house is surprisingly clean so we're gonna get outta here so it stays that way til group. Home group is one of my most favorite parts of the week - I love the people that come and we always talk about good stuff AND it's the one time each week Jason and I unite to clean. A beautiful thing let me tell ya. Funny thing at my house, my husband is a much better cleaner and organizer than I am BUT he leaves it in my hands so we end up with closets that shouldn't be opened quickly, drawers stuffed that you now can't open at all and funny little places that in 2 weeks I will find stuff and think "Oh that's where I put that!" Yeah I'm one of THOSE people. Wish I wasn't but lo and behold I am. Well my kids need a GOOD scrubbin, Michael seems to know something about dirt I don't it tastes good. That kid is constantly flinging dirt, eating dirt, rolling in dirt and he's now figured out how to get his diaper off so now he's naked in dirt! Gotta run! :).
To all of you who read this - I LOVE YA
Kala

FYI

2008-07-10T11:40:00.000-07:00

Ok all you out there who haven't read "The Shack" get on it!! It will rock your socks like crazy and then after more of you read it we can dialogue about it. Seriously chapter 3 will make you want to not finish cause it's got some tough stuff in it. BUT you will also breeze through it and find you read it in like a day or two every spare minute you will want to finish this book. It's that good. This book pretty much revolutionalized my thinking and at the end I gave a good sigh thinking " Oh man that's who I need and want my God to be!" Pick up a copy if you live by me I've got one - but trust me you will want your own to pass out! Ok, so read up little students and we will chat it up when some of you finish. Who up for the challenge?

WOOHOO!!!

2008-07-09T20:29:00.000-07:00

Done done done done done, I'm soooo done with class!! Oh man, now I get to hang with the kiddos finally. It was an interesting and exhausting experience. I met a wonderful lady named Geneva Jo who in about 10 minutes impacted my life. I painted her nails on a Friday and she was on hospice care Monday afternoon. She went to walk with her Jesus on Tuesday around 11:30 am. I held back tears but was glad before she passed I wrote her a note and her daughter read to her something along the lines of "sometimes God brings people into our lives and the minute you meet them you know you are a better person for having them there, and Geneva Jo, you made me better by knowing you." ah, what a wonderful lady, she lead a good strong life and I sat in our lunch room and looked up on the board to read "Behold I make all things new" Revelation 21:11 (?) and my heart skipped a beat - she's been made new!!Hallelujah, praise Jesus she is at peace and breathing easy! :). I've also had the chance to pick the brain of an almost 101 year old lady who is delightful. I was told I'm cuter than a button and have nice breasts (by a lady) so I told Jason - Hi Five you and a 70yr old lady like my boobs! :). I've also seen true love at it's finest and want to be loved forever like this one couple. She touches and kisses his hand so gently and he whispers he loves her and I'm tearing up thinking about it. Who would've thought love looked so lovely in two old wrinkly hands and wheelchairs? Huh, I learned more than I thought I would and will probably work there for a bit to get my feet wet - then onto the hospital. I did apply but lo and behold on the med term test I found out there were names to parts of our body I didn't know existed....So.... long story short I need to score higher on med term before I reapply!! Maybe that's a good thing, it wouldn't look good to hear your aide holler down the hall...."You put that where?? That's in the body?? I thought that was a type of shoe or underwear or whatever" So yeah I'll learn me up some med terms and give em .. heck .. at the hosptial.
As far as the adoption goes we are trying to plug away, lots of paperwork and notarizing ahead!! I just am glad for reassurance that we're on the right path and that when I lose focus on the reality of meeting my child that could very well be alive right now and I don't know their face or name but they are apart of me just gets the blood a pumpin and I wanna fly over to Ethiopia RIGHT now and pick them up and tell them my heart heard their cries and Im here to love them. So anyway, I'm such a sap. :). I tear up just thinking about my kids (the ones I've met and the ones I haven't).
Anybody heard the new Natalie Grant song "I will not be moved?" Uh somebody peeked in on this little life and made a song of it. I wonder if I can get royalties?! If you haven't heard it a little slice is the chorus :
I will stumble
I will fall down
But I will not be moved
I will make mistakes
I will face heartache
But I will not be moved
On Christ the solid rock I stand
All other ground is sinking sand
I will not be moved

Huh, words to live by eh?? Time to sleep (dream on right?)
Blessings,
Kala

Checkin in....

2008-06-23T21:19:00.000-07:00

Holy cow, I'm busier than a one armed paper hanger these days!! AGH!! High Five to any single mom that manages to have her kids in clean clothes, a job, and spend time with her kids. I'm not even a single parent, I've got a super involved hubby and I'm losin my ever lovin mind!! I just can't imagine doing this on my own. Well school's goin good, I've got a 98% in my class and we start clinicals in a few days, which is SWEET cause I finally get to wear my SUPER cute scrubs! :). Hehe. I'm studyin my brains out for a medical terminology test at Memorial so I can get on hopefully as a Unit Secretary til my NAC is all done and taken care of. I'm prayin I don't have to work in a nursing home, I just don't feel called there but I'll pay my dues if I have to. Oh Lord please don't make me pay my dues there! :).
So we took the new 7th graders to the river this last Friday and other than being a buffet for mosquitos which in the famous words of Faithie "WHY did God have to create mosquitos?" Which is a valid question and one I'd love answered...huh good luck eh? Anyway, we've got an awesome group of 7th graders, I'm just so excited at this new batch of kids. We're lookin at good times ahead. Well I gotta learn some med terms and study for a 2 chapter test tomorrow and start on 3 more chapters of homework for a test on Wed. Yup it's official I just lost my mind! Oh and did I mention we've been married 8 YEARS tomorrow, I said in church on Sunday - "It's a good thing I didn't kill Jas that first year, this worked out pretty good!" Man do I love that guy. Peace out and if I remember how to type I'll send out another post in a few days, well when I find my mind!! :).

Amazing

2008-06-10T16:43:00.003-07:00

Ok, God is like the coolest I decided. So we have a family in our church who contacted us about helping with the adoption expenses, which feels like a total confirmation to what we are doing. We decided that whatever it costs we are good for it, and if it costs us a lot then that's ok too, well worth the chance to see God be mighty. Anyway, its' exciting and wonderful to see the pieces slowly fit together. I'm just thrilled to be apart of the plan for a child to be in a forever family, and we get to be that family, how much better can life get I mean really?
Also, I suck at Guitar Hero, I played numerous times last night at our out of school bash at youth group and it's offical : I SUCK!! I was on easy the whole time and still didn't beat a kid who has never played before. (man I wish I was lying about that!) Although I played Bobby a kid in youth group who is amazing on expert level and beat him but I was on easy so I didn't really beat him but it makes me feel better. Hehe. I'm a dork, oh well!
I also learned how to take vitals today so anyone needing their blood pressure stats, I'm available. Can't promise they will be accurate but I'll give it the good ole college try! :). We had like 20ish minutes to learn how to use a blood pressure cuff, which is fun trying to put on your own arm, pump up let out the air to get a reading while listening for a pulse to find out the reading, oh and the whole time your fingers are like numb because the first time I didn't let the air out fast enough and got all tingly. Not a good idea but I'm a beginner. I bought a cuff and stethescope to do it on Jason tonight, little does he know but he's gonna have tingly fingers too, and maybe after a few tries I'll get it right. :).
I've got homework and some blood pressure to mess with, til later.....
Kala
(oh and I got scrubs the other day - I'll post pics when I get a chance to show ya just how cute I will be in clinicals!)

Food

2008-06-10T16:43:00.002-07:00

So I was just thinking about food and eating( a favorite pastime if you will) and decided to post my fav's:
Fav Foods (in no particular order of course)
Mac N Chz - Kraft not the fake crap OR Stouffers frozen kind (incredible)
Spaghetti (any noodles, never met a noodle I didn't like) no meat sauce
Fettucine Alfredo from Olive Garden (I think it's somewhere around uh 1 million calories but worth every bite)
Steak (well done thank you very much)
Pizza
French fries (one of the only things McD's does right)
Wendy's Spicy Chicken Sandwich - Holy cow this sucker is good.

And I'm sure there's more maybe I will remember later!

Oh this is a fun one...
Fav coffee drinks (working at Starbucks for the last 9 months has provided me with endless opportunities to make FUNKY drinks)
Iced Grande White Chocolate Caramel Macchiato with Xtra Caramel - YUM
Tall Half Vanilla, Half White Choc With Caramel Drizzle on the foam Latte
Tall 1 pump Mocha,1 pump White Choc, 1 pump Vanilla,some caramel sauce with caramel and mocha drizzle on the whip - DELICIOUS
Of course Vanilla Latte
Blended Strawberry Lemonade
Iced Grande Vanilla Starbucks Doubleshot

Tell me what your favorite drink is??

Update on the movie situation, Kung Fu Panda, (drum roll please) Very good, kids laughed out loud, worth a trip to the theatre for sure. By the way McD's sucks, the little yogurt parfait - smaller, frozen, and still a buck - I feel very ripped off. Note to self - boycott of McD's - I'm so done with you McD's!!! Muahahahaha

Cried

2008-06-10T16:43:00.000-07:00

So... I post the blog about God's goodness and Sunday night, I think in the wake of knowing I was starting new training and everything I just got overwhelmed. I went back to January when we lost the baby and in an instant I was bawling like a baby reliving the memories of sadness and pain. I think in those moments it's ok to let go. Jason held me and I just lost it. I got pretty overwhelmed and then I felt this whisper in my heart. God sweetly saying "I'm sorry for the pain, it's gonna be ok" And I lost it again. I'm so glad for a God who comforts over and over again even over the same hurts and pains and I needed that fresh reminder that it's gonna be ok.
I'm so excited to be adopting and beginning this journey but in that moment my sadness of the baby took over. Jason is sooooo good to me, he just held me and I was very transparent with him - it was a good time to just be together!

Anyway, today is Tuesday and things are good. I just talked with our case manager from AGCI (our agency) and went through the mountain that they term a "packet" hehe, I told her they need to rethink their terminology, slightly deceiving, but very helpful none the less. We've gotta a lot to do over the next few months, fingerprinting, medical exams, etc but all worth the prize!! I think I'm gonna journal for our new child this experience - so as we have our dreams and present realities of what adoption intails they will be able to look back years later and see how much we loved them before we knew their face or name. When they were just a dream in our hearts.

Nurse Assistant Training is going really good, I like it. Not much for the idea of bed pans and fecal matter I'm not gonna lie BUT keeping my eye on the prize getting to the holy grail (personally) the labor and delivery or mommy/baby floor. AHHH!! I can't wait. I know it's not all glamorous but to be the person that helps in those beautiful and tiring hours after delivery just floats my boat.
Well Faithie graduated from kindergarten today and wants a party, she is so my kid!! (I call my parents 2 weeks before my birthday to remind them it's coming - I like attention) and we decided to go to dinner at McD's which I loathe with a passion but will tolerate for my child, go see Kung Fu Panda ( a review to follow whether ya'll wanna know or not) and ice cream at coldstone. Should be a great night. I have high hopes of gaining a few un-needed extra pounds and rolling home like a dough boy. (No pics to follow that mess! :). ) I decided my meal of choice at McD's will be a fruit parfait, fries, and a drink water maybe if I'm a good girl, we'll see can't make any promises!

Thanks for tuning into another ADD moment in print and ta ta for now!

Weekend fun!

2008-06-08T21:16:00.000-07:00

So this weekend we went to Darin and Sabrina Millions wedding. What a day of answered prayer! Long have we waited on the Lord to send her a daddy for Campbell and for her to have a partner in life and Hallelujah it happened officially on Saturday. I wish we would've thought previous to driving an hour out of town to bring our camera to take pics but oh well that's our life now isn't it?? Always remembering after the fact! Hehe, oh well, what can I say?
The drive was beautiful and we stayed with an amazing family "The Youngs" who fed us like kings and queens and made us feel quite at home in their awesome house and took a gazillion pics of the girls.

When we got home I found our home study "packets" which must be lay terms for BINDERS FILLED WITH PAGES AND PAGES AND PAGES of documents. I've got quite the job ahead of me to read and begin the paperwork process. I'm good for it though!
Tonight our home group met and talked about prayer and watched a Nooma by Rob Bell called Open. I got pretty emotional and tried to hide it.. not sure how good I did at that but it's worth a shot eh? Through the last 5 months God and I have been on quite a journey of heartache, love, faith, freedom and trust. I just really want to publicly praise the God who gives and takes away. As we get closer to our "due date" for our baby in heaven today, my heart is sad but reassured that it's gonna be ok. I think back to the night I figuratively threw my hands in the air and cried out to my comforter how I couldn't do this anymore. The pain and guilt over the loss of my baby was too much. I remember feeling crushed under it's pressure and the instant relief he gave to my broken spirit. He is my comforter and my shelter, he did not forsake me.
The video reminded me of being in Spokane and praying with all my might for God to heal Zack, a little boy in our church who ended up dying of cancer at the age of 7. When I think back on that time I still can't believe he wasn't healed and my heart still breaks at the reality of what his parents had to endure. So this video hit my heart tonight and after watching it I'm sooooooo glad that I can look back and forward knowing I'm walking hand in hand with a God who won't let me go even when I may feel like he did.
So I go to bed tonight with a thankful heart, I think I will always think about the baby I will never hold or nurse or tuck in at night (cue my tears) and while it's not how I wanted it EVER and I don't know if I ever want to have to go through anything that painful again, my God was faithful to save me and I will praise him til the day I die for his never-ending patience and willingness to pick me up, dust me off, hold me and let me just be.
I hold tight to Jeremiah 29:11 "for I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart."
Our path after loss lead us to adoption and while I'm seeing it's not for the faint of heart FOR SURE, it's one of blessing, trial, perseverance, and love. As we journey with our Creator to expand our family I'm excited to see how this will all play out and meet the child that I carry in my spirit! Thanks for your prayers and GOOD NIGHT.
I start my training tomorrow if you think of me, PRAY, I'm nervous to be away from the kids every day all day for 5 weeks.
We also did some professional family pics today at Jeff and Joann's house (my inlaws) here's some extras: (note- these arent the professional ones )

Blessings,
Kala

Livin the dream.....

2008-05-29T13:35:00.001-07:00

Ok so kinda, it's just another day in paradise I guess! I found out last Thursday that I got into a Nurse Assistant training program that starts June 9th, and I'm SUPER excited, it's one step closer to literally livin the dream of being a Labor and Delivery RN. I'm hoping after my training and certification that I can get on at Memorial on Labor and Delivery floor or Mommy/Baby. So that's super cool.
Today I also got an email from All God's Children saying they recieved our contracts and we are officially clients and can start our homestudy and dossier!! WOOHOO! One step closer to my new kiddo.
I have been reading like a mad woman all these adoption books and it stirs my heart to it's core to think we are on the road of our own story and as it unfolds I'm so thankful to share it!!
I will keep you posted on our homestudy process - from what I hear the contract paperwork pales in comparison to homestudy paperwork, so that sounds like fun eh? :). We are praising God day by day for allowing us to join him in a journey of faith, surrender, mercy and hope. I hope you all in internet land enjoy the journey with us and pray for guidance in how you can partner with God in what he has for you.
Toodles

Just so you know.....

2008-05-29T13:35:00.000-07:00

Hey guys I put a link to our adoption agency on here for you guys to look over if you want. They are pretty amazing, if you want to see just how awesome they are give them a peek, oh and check out the Adoption Programs link to Welcome Home page Ethiopia to see how absolutely adorable these kids are! Oh I'm sooooo excited!! :). Toodles for now.

The whole fan-damily

2008-05-29T12:22:00.001-07:00

Hey it just occurred to me that there's no recent pics of our fantastic 5.
Faith is 6 - AAGHHH - this can't be right? I'm not old enough to have a 6 year old right?
Hope is 4 1/2 and CRAZY, but awesome all at the same time. She will forever keep me on my toes - but if you know me you know where she gets it!!
Mikey- is 14 months old and about the cutest thing ever, he has the Johnston space in this top teeth and can pretty much fit his two bottom teeth in the gap of the top middle two. WAY TOO CUTE.
In less than a month Jason and I will have survived I mean enjoyed 8 years of marriage. It's a good thing I didn't kill him the first year (hehe), he's an amazing dad and my best friend, I thoroughly enjoy his company and constant annoying comments, what would my day be without them?? And he's gonna freak when he sees that pic of him on here! Ha!

It's been a while!!

2008-05-29T12:22:00.000-07:00

Hello all you Johnston fans, it's been like 8 months or so since we updated our blog. Life has been fun, challenging, uh a roller coaster would be a great description. Most of you know about our surprise pregnacy in October and our horrible miscarriage on January 30,2008. I'm glad we are into late spring now, those early days of loss wore on my emotions, and I just wanted to be on the other side of grief.
Thanks be to God for his all consuming peace and patience with my broken heart that so desperately needed to be repaired. He is the ultimate healer and gave me friends who spoke peace and hope when I just couldn't see it for myself.

After a few months of working through our loss, I went through a series of emotions that could've been classified as crazy I'm sure and Jason was kind enough to play along. He's a great guy, and a saint in my book for putting up with me!! So I began to calculate when to get pregnant again, how soon, trying for a boy or girl etc etc. I just really needed something happy to think about and focus on. Then I sat down and watched Idol Gives Back and I felt this overwhelming sense of how wrong it was that there are so many people especially children who have no hope, no resource, and in the case of the children no parents. I couldn't figure out what I was feeling but I knew there's a part I can play in this and started praying about what in the world was stirring in my heart. So then I go to church and hear a missionary from Mozambique speak on the suffering of his people and the hope missions and God brought to him.
All of this was mixing together and turning into a passion that didn't have a focus until I suddenly thought "What if we adopted a child?" I am passionate about my kids who are freakin awesome I might add, but even more than that God gave me a passion for children a long long time ago. So I asked God to show me if this was a fire he gave me and if it was to make it burn til it hurt. So..... lesson here... be careful what you pray for!! :).
I suddendly began researching agencies, reading as much material as I could handle each day and praying for direction.
I was lead to All God's Children International after seeing them on an adoption story on the discovery channel. I researched them and loved what I saw. So the dream began to take shape.
Since finding our agency we have completed our application, been accepted, and yesterday we sent our contracts and a LOT of money to get started.
Throughout these beginning days of this process God has made himself so clear and has been guiding our path so directly that I just know regardless of the ups and downs it's just gonna be ok.
I think when we tune into what breaks God's heart (homeless , mother and fatherless children) we begin to see something bigger than ourselves and begin to feel him smile on our hearts cry to make this world better one person at a time.
I really don't know what to expect in this process - but I do know that I am carrying a child in my spirit that I don't know yet, I don't have a face or a name just a dream to be a mommy and honor the request of God to love the least of these.
As we go through our journey I'M going to blog to keep you all updated in internet land, I know that there are sooooooo many already wanting updates and have questions - so ask away. I don't know much more than you but want to share the dream.
My hope and prayer is that through this experience all of us will begin to see the bigger picture and hopefully more hearts will open to adoption and loving those who have no hope.
May God bless you and keep you,
Kala

Pumpkin Patch

2007-10-15T23:36:00.000-07:00

Last week we took the kids to a pumpkin patch down in Zillah. We went to Jones farm. They have a maze and a ton of pumpkins. The kids loved it.

First Day In The Boat

2007-07-07T23:55:00.000-07:00

So Michael took his first boat ride this last week. We took a few days before me leaving for St. Louis and went to the river. Faith did her first cannon ball in the pool. Hope is enjoying having "holding your breath" contests, and Michael loves the pool. Of course Kala wimped out and would get in the toasty hot Columbia River. Maybe next time we will just throw her in.

10 Year Reunion

2007-06-25T23:53:00.000-07:00

This last weekend was one of the most incredible expereinces I have ever had. I had my 10 year reunion from high school. I graduated from a class of 25 people. Of those 25, 17 made it back to Yakima for the reunion. We had dinner Friday night at El Porton. Saturday we had a picnic lunch at Franklin Park and then a formal dinner at the school. We played a trivia game about our days in high school. One of the questions was asking who the homecoming prince was our Junior year. At my table we answered that it was Josh Klocke. I was convinced. Well...it was me. Ok I am an idiot. But that's the way it goes. Any how it was great. I am already looking forward to my 20 year. Except I will be old and fatter. Oh well. It was amazing seeing everyone and I can't wait to see them again.

Stipe's Vow Renewal

2007-06-22T00:02:00.001-07:00

Tonight Jana & JJ renewed their vows at Randal Park. Today was their 5th anniversary. JJ put this whole thing together to surprise Jana on their anniversary, and she was certainly surprised. It was a great night and I think it will be a very strong anchor in their marriage. Following the cerimony we had a potluck with all other people that attended. There was a great turn out of about 40-50 people for tonight.

Following potluck we were cleaning up and Hope followed Jordan into the sprinklers that had just turned on. She had a dress on and they ran through the sprinkler forever. Hope found it to be fun to have the sprinkler spray directly into her butt. Then Jordan wasnt able to keep his wet shorts up for he was running around with his shorts at his ankles. It was a fun night.

The Last 3 Months

2007-06-22T00:02:00.000-07:00

OK so I decided to give up internet for a month. During that month Michael William was born on March 26. It has taken 2 months after the month off to get back into some of the stuff. Well, we are back at it now. Life is transitioning great with the new little boy. I have got plenty of sleep. Kala on the other hand...

Gettin Close

2007-02-10T17:37:00.000-08:00

So Faith and Hope are loving the idea of a baby brother. Today we went and registered and I think we got a lot of unnecessary things because Faith and Hope were in charge of the clicker thingy. We are about 32 weeks. Kala is praying that this kid comes in about 5 weeks. Keep your fingers crossed. Oh...there still isn't a name.

First Timer

2007-02-01T19:24:00.000-08:00

Ok so I don't think there is anyone in the world that cares about our life, but I thought I would do this blog thing anyway. So check back frequently for info regarding our life, new baby, ministry, or whatever.