Things I Am Loving Lately

I haven't blogged in a while...a week to be exact. So, to my few faithful readers I apologize. Not having anything new to report adoption-wise, and being busier than a one-armed bandit are my reasons.

So, I thought I would post some of things I have been Loving Lately...in no particular order, here we go:

Brotherly Hugs

Walking Hand-In-Hand On A Cool Fall Afternoon

Mud Puddle Splashing...In New Boots, May-I-Add

Sipping Tea (After Blowing To Cool It Off) On A Beautiful & Crisp Fall Morning

Sweet & Simple Skirts...Made By Yours Truly For A Friend

Hope Materialised

Most people know I am not into Materialism. In fact, I think it is a horrible evil manifestion, present in the form of houses, cars, clothes, hair colours, the way we dress our children, their bottles, soothers, and even the brand of diapers we buy. If you need more proof than my words, I urge you to check out the week the US has had.

I also believe in Hope. If I didn't, well...we wouldn't be here.

My hope swelled the other day with the news of our Dossier arriving at the orphanage in Addis Ababa. So I now feel I can share with you, how I hold onto hope these days...

...a handmade quilt from a very dear friend.

...a dress I made from a pattern given to me by my mother-in-law.

...the sweetest pair of pink, frilly socks from my Mum.

When the package containing them arrived in the mail, we took it to the CQ office to open. We pulled out the socks and Noah walked around the office proudly informing everyone that these socks were for his baby seester who is coming soon.

Help End World Hunger, Personally

End World Hunger is an incredible organization, committed to ending the starvation of millions of people around our world. If you want to help in just the smallest way (and it's free to you!) I would encourage you to click on the new gadget, "Free Rice" I've added to the side of our blog. I think I donated over 3000 grains this morning. You can play for a minute or an hour and each time you respond correctly, 20 grains of rice are automatically donated.

I love philanthropy.

Our Dossier Is In Ethiopia!!!

As of Tuesday morning at 6:54am local time, our Dossier arrived in Addis Ababa! (That's Monday at 8:54pm here!!!)

Date	Time	Status	City
9/23/2008	9:01	Shipment Delivered	ADDIS ABABA, ET
		SignedBy:ELIAS
9/23/2008	7:48	With Courier	ADDIS ABABA, ET
9/23/2008	6:54	Arrived at DHL facility	ADDIS ABABA, ET
9/23/2008	6:53	Arrived at DHL Facility	ADDIS ABABA, ET
9/22/2008	11:12	Depart Facility	FRANKFURT, DE
9/21/2008	22:18	Arrived at DHL Facility	FRANKFURT, DE
9/21/2008	16:24	Depart Facility	LEIPZIG, DE
9/21/2008	13:26	Arrived at DHL Facility	LEIPZIG, DE
9/20/2008	13:30	Depart Facility	NEW YORK NY USA
9/20/2008	5:47	Arrived at DHL Facility	NEW YORK NY USA
9/20/2008	4:31	Depart Facility	WILMINGTON HUB OH USA
9/19/2008	20:43	Check In	TORONTO, CA
9/19/2008	18:54	Facility Scan	WATERLOO
9/19/2008	13:26	Picked Up by DHL	KITCHENER, CA

13 Pounds

So, Ben just located our Dossier and it is currently (as of 11:27am Sunday) in Germany!!! And, it weighs 13lbs. That is just incredible to me.

WoooHooo...maybe it'll be in Ethiopia tomorrow!?

How Do We Love The Poor?

I'm really thankful for this article about Loving The Poor, blogged by Jason our friend who works for the ABBA Fund down in the States.

Our Dossier Is On It's Way To Ethiopia!!!!!!!!

Good Morning Ashleigh and Ben!

I have some wonderful news for you. I have received your file back from Ottawa and it is ready to go to Ethiopia!!!!! We will be sending it via DHL and the tracking number is ******** if you wish to track it on the DHL website (www.dhl.ca) I would give it a couple days to show up on the website.

Over the next several months while you are awaiting a match, we will continue to send you updates and please feel free to contact me if you have any questions during the waiting period. Once a match is made we are notified right away and we receive a medical report, social history report and photos of your child. We review the information to ensure it matches against your provincial letter of approval. Then I will send your referral to your homestudy worker who will present the referral to you. And please make sure you call me or email once you receive the referral, I always love to hear from you! You will meet with your homestudy worker and sign a formal consent form. I am then able to inform Ethiopia of your acceptance and they will then open an immigration file for you and schedule a court date.

So that is a short update of what to expect in the coming months. And please feel free to contact me at any time, even if you just need to chat about the process!

Have a wonderful day,

-------------
Africa Adoption Case Worker

Imagine Adoption

your dreams of family coming true

H20...A Journey Of Faith

We started a new series in our Life Group last night called H20. These next 10 weeks will be a journey... a more in-depth glimpse into faith & the life of Jesus. Aimed at non-believers, those of us who already know the Savior will undoubtedly learn more.

Last night we talked about Thirst. And, CS Lewis (in his book Mere Christianity) simply and accurately described once again the proof that Jesus is all and everything we need. I know I don't usually get "religious" or over the top when it comes to my faith and Christianity on this blog, but if you're not a believer - because you've been turned away or because you simply don't think you have the time or "religion" is just not your thing - I would encourage you to continue with me for just a few seconds. (I plan to post about this in the weeks to follow too.)

Last night ourgroup discussed the fact that there is no need we have or are born with that cannot be filled. If we are hungry, we find food. If we are sad, we cry. When we are tired, we lay our heads down and sleep. However we all need something more.

We long for meaning in life...

• why am I here?
  
• what is my purpose on earth?
  
• what is this all for?

And the answers...

• will love fill me?
  
• will money take care of all my worries and needs?
  
• will tangible things like a bigger house, a newer car, the most in-style clothes
  

...can they possibly fill this void.

What if there is nothing in this world that will fill the emptiness? We need to seek something higher, something more spiritual, something that is "out of this world". CS Lewis concludes that his God (that's my God too) is the only One who will fill this void; this eternal meaning for our life. It is here resting in the arms of Jesus, where we will find peace and understanding that will transcend all other meaning.

I am resting easy in this.

I am comforted in knowing that finding purpose is not in vain, that disappointments will inevitably happen; that I will never have the nicest house, or perfect life (although I feel pretty close!). I have been put on this earth for a reason and everyday I seek His desire for my life...because when I thirst, He is there.

CIC...Don't Be Afraid

For some reason, filing with Canada Immigration & Customs freaks me out. Kind of that "being pulled over for speeding" in-the-pit-of-my stomach feeling. (For me, that would be right up there with the "speaking in front of a huge audience...I want to throw up", feeling. And by large audience I would mean 20 or more people...don't laugh, I'm serious.) Urg I hate that. I'm not sure why. The form while not intimidating, had that "fill me out perfectly or else" feel to it.

But, it's done. Our fees have been paid and the application is somewhere between here and Sydney, Nova Scotia. I know what you're thinking: Nova Scotia?...seriously? Why not Toronto or Ottawa? That's where all of this really official stuff seems to take place.

Anyhow, now (drum roll please...) we wait some more.

A Fabulous Find

Ben found this at a yard sale the other day and we went back just as they were closing, to scoop it up for a toonie. (It sells for just under $30 new!)





What better way to have fun with the kids, than the old fashioned way?!..and there are some cool recipes out there, too.

Warmland Kick-Off

We had a great time at our church's annual Fall Kick-Off yesterday. This is the second year (well hey, we're not even 2yrs old yet) and it proved to be even better than last year. A BBQ, bouncy castles, a dunk tank, cotton candy, great friends and this year it was beautiful and sunny!

We can't decide if Noah and Anna Kate will get married...or if it will be Tait and Anna Kate. If it's Noah, then she'll definitely be wearing the pants in the relationship. If it's Tait...well, there'll be a lot of screaming.


Straight up juice made it an extra special day!


Ben and I also both connected with a guy from our church who used our agency to adopt his beautiful little girl. What an incredible story about God's perfect timing.

Breakfast Conversation

I love the innocence of a child's thoughts.

While sitting at the table eating breakfast this morning, Tait was cutting up (as is commonplace).

Me: Tait, you are a funny little boy.

Noah: Why, Mama?

Me: Because God made him that way. Just like He made you so cute.

Noah: No, Mama. He made me little.

Show Hope: You Can Change An Orphan's World

143 million orphans in the world may seem overwhelming, but if only 7% [yep, only seven] of the 2 billion Christians would care for orphans in their distress, there would effectively be no more orphans. We can each do something.

$50 can purchase a crib

$600 sponsors an orphan's surgery

[I can't think of a better way to spend money.]

Learn more about how to Raise Hope.

By-The-Way: November is Adoption Awareness Month.

-Courtesy of SCC's Shaohannah's Hope Today (italics mine)
Vol 3. No 2

"Down By The Bay..."

...if I listen to Raffi again within the next week it will be too soon. If I never hear him sing again (which I know I will...and this is not a personal slam as I hear he is a very soft spoken, kind man, but if I never hear him sing again,) it may possibly be too soon. "Wilabee Walabee Woo" and "Brush Your Teeth" are forever ingrained in my head, along with "The More We Get Together" and "On A Hot Hot Day In July" (which Noah will randomly spurt out).

We had an awesome time down in the States last week at Birch Bay. However, the trip - from our place to the ferry, across the great Pacific, through the construction-filled lower mainland to Burnaby (to pick up a key), across the border (yay for kind border patrol officers...an aberration!) and - down to Birch Bay allowed for many hours of sing-along with Raffi. Aside from that...

We had a week of adventures...not to mention some fabulous shopping deals. I believe I may have the world's kindest, most thoughtful and caring husband (that was a rhetorical comment, by-the-way). He kept the boys occupied for more hours than I can count, between shopping malls, outlets, and department stores...oh, not to mention my couple long morning runs. (I couldn't miss the opportunity to run on flat ground!!)

The C-Shop is an old sweet shop to many and to most. To those who don't know the store, they wouldn't think it anything but an old yellow building with lots of highly priced salt water taffy, (because tourists will pay good money for their sugar,) and with a run-of-the-mill staff. To me, it's not that at all. I've not even been able to go inside 3 out of our past 4 years down at the Bay. It closes with the summer. Labour Day is it's last day of business until the following season and we usually arrive the following day. However, every year we walk the short 1/2km down the road to visit and take a look. To me it represents a childhood memory. It reminds me of my Mama and Papa, and of my Dad. And, in a world where I don't think kids are always given a chance to be kids, to laugh, ride their bikes carefree, to run and play with non-jugmental friends, this is a priceless thing.

Our week was also filled with parks...

...with beaches...



And with hours of family time. That was the best part of all.

Dossier Update

Wednesday, Sept 3, 2008

Good Afternoon Ashleigh & Ben!

I just wanted to let you know that I received your homestudy, fees and dossier documents today!

I have reviewed all the documents and I’m happy to say that everything is in order. I will be sending your file to Ottawa shortly to be legalized and authenticated. Once I receive it back (should be a week or two) then I will be able to forward it on to Ethiopia!!!! Would you be able to let me know which immigration method you are going to choose, either PRV or Citizenship. We just need to know this before I send the file to Ethiopia.

This is a very exciting time and if you have any questions, please let me know.

----------
Africa Adoption Case Worker

Imagine Adoption

your dreams of family coming true

Goin' On A Road Trip Baby

Every year we end our summer with a trip down to my aunt and uncle's trailer in Birch Bay. And, each year it proves to be more fun as the boys get older and more independent...this year is no exception. Ben came downstairs this morning a few minutes before 7am and found Noah sitting on our couch, (he NEVER comes down alone in the morning!) with all of his cars lined up. I came down a few seconds later and he looked up at us from the couch:

"Is it time for our Road Trip Baby now, Guys?" he asked.

TOO STINKIN' CUTE.

See ya'll soon.