I am hoping this works

I have spent the last 3 months trying to remember how to log on to post pictures and updates.  I am hoping this works!

 

   Brooke Schuldheisz

       Math Specialist

     Westgate Elementary

 

Last ETHI

How far we have come

Last year we took the kids out on the boat to teach them how to jump into the water, float with their life jackets and climb back into the boat. Safety first is my motto... Danny and Lilly were the only ones who were enthusiastic by the idea of swimming in the river.

Today we took the kids out for the first boat trip of the year and ALL 6 of them jumped into the river the same way they jump into the car when we tell them we are going for ice cream... they were so excited! Marti (who last year was clenched onto Ben tighter than I have ever seen anyone clench another person) jumped into the water, swam around and had a great time. Jacob did about a hundred karate-cowabunga-cannonball-things into the water (hoping to splash me everytime) and Addy, Danny, Lilly and Joseph also had a blast floating around the "mighty Columbia. It was so much fun to watch them all having so much fun.

And yes, once again, I did NOT jump into the water. I really don't like swimming where fish might bite me... despite the fact that I told the kids at least 30 times that, "the fish are more afraid of you than you are of them." Shhhh.... don't tell them I am afraid too. :)

More kids????

OK... don't freak out! Yesterday, Addy and I had this conversation:

Addy: Mom, what can't I be a big sister like Linnea? I want a baby brother. Who put's babies in tummies?

Me: God puts them in.

Addy: So God put Danny and Jacob and Joseph in Daddy's tummy.

Me: Ummmm...

Addy: And he put me and Marti and Lil in your tummy.

Me: Ummmm....

Addy: Because boys come from Daddy's tummies and girls come from mommies.

Me: Ummm.....

Addy: Because I really want to be a big sister. I want a baby.

Me: Ummm... no Daddy and I are done having babies.

Addy: Why?

Me: Ummmm...

Addy: OK so when are you going to 'dopt a baby brother for me - from Ethiopia?

Me: Ummmm.... go ask Daddy.

Home again... home again... jiggety jig

Hello,
Anyone out there? Is anyone still reading this? Hello?

I am so happy to announce that we are in our new house, totally settled and LOVING it!!!! I can't believe what a perfect house we have. It is just right for my family. Joseph has his own room (decorated in black and red in honor of AC Milan, a pro soccer team), Danny and Jacob have a great big room that has room for their legos and all their clothes too! :) They love being in there and giggling and having fun. The girls are still sharing a room (Marti is actually thrilled to still share a room) and they love their lime green and aqua room. They have super cute comforters that match. I love their room almost as much as they do. We have a fabulous above ground pool that has gotten LOTS OF USE in the last 3 weeks. Ben, Joseph and Dan worked really hard to build a fence and deck around the pool and that has made our yard pretty much perfect too.

I now have an enormous kitchen that makes me smile everytime I cook and I also have a WALK IN CLOSET!!! I can't believe it! :) My other favorite thing about the house is the 2 washers and dryers - yep, their awesome!!!!

Life is fabulous!

The kids are all doing really well and loving the house. Addy had a couple of tough days adjusting to the change but is now downstairs making cupcakes with her play kitchen that has been in storage for 3 months. Joseph has been having a fabulous time with soccer, football and drivers ed (EEEEEKKKK). Marti finished 2 volleyball camps and then started an art camp that she has been enjoying as well. Danny and Jacob and Lilly have been going to a fun sports camp that keeps them tired - and that is a good thing.

Ben and I are loving the new house and keeping busy hauling the kids to and fro'. We are looking forward to a trip to Sun River soon and then we will start getting ready for school. Hope your summer is lots of fun!!!!
~Brooke

This week

This has been a crazy busy week and the kids have been a blast! Joseph got his driver's permit and started football for Kennewick High. Marti finished her second week of volleyball camp and had a blast. Lilly went to cheerleading camp and was SO stinkin' cute. Addy and the boys played outside and helped us get ready to move tomorrow. Ben and his dad spent the week painting and building a fence around the pool. Hooray!!!!!!!! We are getting ready to move tomorrow night and Saturday. In some ways it seems like we have always been here with Ben's parents - it is so easy and really fun in a lot of ways. The kids absolutely love being here and I am pretty sure they will be sad to not have grandma and grandpa to cuddle with each morning.

So tomorrow will be a day of cleaning their house and packing everything that is here (there is a lot). We are hoping to have the keys early in the afternoon and will spend the evening getting everything moved over and setting up Joseph's room (all of his stuff is here at Jan and Dan's). He has never had his own room - I keep wondering if he will love it or get lonely! Satruday at 9 we will start moving everything, if you are looking for something to do on Saturday we would love to have your help!

We would love your prayers as we step into this new "chapter"!

Hello

I cannot believe it has been nearly a month since my last post. Time has truly flown...

Here is a look back --

• we moved out of our house and into Ben's parents house. Moving was pretty stressful but we had several friends who came and made it almost fun. Joseph and Marti were the stars of the move - I really don't know how we could have done it without them. They were amazing. Living with Ben's mom and dad has been great. I seriously never would have thought that 10 people in there house for an extended period of time (it's been over a week) would survive happily. We are all happy! Grandpa has been spoiling me and I have only cooked once since we have been there - we are blessed!!!!
• the boys finished up their baseball season in 3rd place and are currently in the running for first place in the All City Tournament. Danny is a hot shot catcher and Jacob is pitching like a pro... I LOVE watching them play!! They have both hit home runs this year (did you hear me cheering - you probably did)!!!
• Lilly is just about to graduate from Kindergarten - I cannot believe she is that old. Although there are days I would sware she's 12 instead of 6. She is so much fun and her laughter is one of my favorite sounds in the world.
• Addy is turning into quite the big kid - and quite the ham. We were sitting at dinner the other night when she announced to us all, "Everybody PAUSE!!!! I have to go potty!" She is not one to miss the action and wanted to be sure that no one had any fun without her! She is also now a big girl and does not wear pull ups to bed! Hooray!
• Marti finished up a great softball season! It was so much fun to watch her learn and have fun with the kids and the coaches. She is such an amazing kid and really loves her classmates.
• we attended the Afro-American for Academics Society banquet with Joseph last night. He was honored for his terrific grades, what a thrill!!! He also starts football today -so prayers for an injury free season would be much appreciated!
• we are signing papers to buy our Dream House today. It is nearly 3000 square feet with a huge kitchen, living room and plenty of bedrooms! It also has a fabulous above ground pool that we are going to LOVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
• school is almost out... what more could we ask for??

Exchange Students?

Someone asked me today if Joseph was my exchange student...

It made me laugh. People have asked about my day care rates too. :)

Nope... I am just a mom with a family! Right now they are out shopping for Mother's Day. Lilly asked me if I like peanut butter toast for breakfast... I wonder if I will be getting breakfast in bed tomorrow.

Addy has told me about 300 times today that she is going to help make it. Lilly keeps telling her to be quiet.

I know I say this a lot but I really love being a mom! It is super hard, wonderfully fun and never leaves me bored. I am a blessed woman!

Funnies from Addy

This is the monologue Addy had this morning...

Mom, where is my fishy? I think it died. I don't see him? Where is it? I didn't name it. When will it come back to life? I will name it Deady. When it comes back to life I will name it and then I will complete it.

Big Changes are Coming

We are so excited to announce that we have sold our house (pending an inspection tonight) and we are buying a new home from our good friends. We have outgrown our 1780 square foot home and even though I will miss some things about our house (the yard, the ability to hear when people are grouchy because it is so small) I am also SUPER excited about our new house. It is almost 3000 square feet with a huge yard (sorry Joseph - we know you don't want to mow that huge lawn), a pool, and every other wonderful thing we needed in a house. Joseph will finally have his own room and we will have 3 showers, 2 washer and dryers and a lovely deck that overlooks the yards.

We would love prayers that the inspection, paperwork, financing etc. goes smoothly as we sell our home. We would also love prayers as we pack and move. We will be living with Jan and Dan for 3 or 4 weeks (the boys and Ben will be sleeping in our camper trailer in Grandma and Grandpas driveway while we (the girls) sleep in the house). We are a little (a lot) nervous about driving Jan and Dan nuts and would appreciate prayers for them as well as us during that "transition time".

Moving is such a stressful and exciting time. We can't wait to let you know how it is all going!

Forever Day 2009

In honor of our first Forever Day anniversary I have created this video.

I cannot believe it has been a year!

I cannot believe how much I love my kids!

I cannot believe how blessed I am.

Thank you God!

HOME

Once we hung up the phone we headed to Aunt Rebecca's room for a distraction. Later, we had some dinner, said our prayers and fell into a deep and sometimes troubled sleep - knowing that the next day we would be leaving Ethiopia.

From Part VI

We woke with excitement, nervousness, sadness and fear. Ben and I could hardly wait to get home and have all 6 kids together. Joseph was so sad to be leaving his home and Marti and Jacob were terrified of the plane ride. We finished packing and took our bags down to the lobby. We checked around the room for the 100th time and finally went to check out. Rebecca paid an extra fee to keep her room until we left for the airport at 5pm that night. When I showed Ben the hotel receipt we had to laugh when we saw that we had spent over $500 calling home - we knew it had been worth it!

We had some major shopping we wanted to get done today... and Marti's hair to get done too - we headed out for our last day in Ethiopia...

We decided to start with the haircuts... We took Marti and Joseph to the Ghion hotel for their appointments. Joseph was in and out in 15 minutes... after an hour we sent everyone shopping while Marti and I stayed at the salon. 3 hours later, Marti's hair was still being done. At one point there were 6 people braiding her hair... we started getting nervous that we would miss our plane. The Ghion is the 3rd nicest hotel in Ethiopia - I expected clean bathrooms and cockroach free floors. I was wrong. The salon would have never survived a health department inspection here in America, but the ladies were all so nice and Marti loved being the center of attention!

While we did hair, everyone else shopped. They went to the world famous Mercado but only sent Joseph and Dawit in for the soccer jerseys and dolls that were on our list. It is not safe for Americans to go into the Mercado so Ben, Rebecca and Jacob took pictures from the van. Next, they went to the"Fixed Price" store which does not haggle with prices and does a good job of giving ferenji's a good deal. While there, they ran into another ferenji couple and Ben started talking to them. It turned out that they were related to a friend here in Kennewick - what a small world it is!

Finally, Marti's hair was done and we returned to the hotel for dinner. We said a tearful goodbye to our driver Dawit and headed inside to eat. We decided to eat in our room so that we could shower and pack our purchases. The kids loved their doro wat and Coca Colas and I just sat there hardly believing that our time was almost done.

We got to the airport and had 2 hours to spend doing nothing. We met 2 girls who had been adopted 10 years before and had returned with their mom and dad to see their older sisters for the week. The girls were so excited to have had the chance to see their sisters and they were so glad to be going home - it was a great meeting for all of us.




Getting on the plane was terrifying to all 3 kids. But they fell asleep within 10 minutes of take off. They slept off and on all the way to Germany and couldn't believe we were almost half way home. We ended up having 3 hours in the German airport but we were all so tired I don't remember any of it. Our flight from Germany went directly to Portland which was great - everyone settled in and slept for several hours again. I am sure they were tired but I am guessing they slept out of fear too. At one point, half way through our flight, I lost it. I tried to be discreet in my tears but I am sure the man next to me thought I was crazy. It started because Marti didn't want to watch Enchanted with me and got worse because I was sure that my house would be overrun with laundry and I would be a horrible mom and that I was crazy to ever think I this was a good idea. I am really not a cryer - but if you ever run into anyone who was on that flight, they would probably remember me differently. It was bad. I remember that at one point, Ben got grouchy with me. He reminded me that I could do this and it would all be fine. He was right. I pulled myself together, washed my face and got ready to be home.

When we arrived in Portland it was chaos. The flight was late and there were so many people waiting to go through customs. All I could think about was the people waiting for us at the Pasco airport and that I was pretty sure that if I had to wait to see Danny, Lilly and Addy for the next plane I would probably lose it all over again. Normally when you adopt internationally there is an interview process at customs and immigration. Sometimes it can take quite a while. Let's just say that God blessed us HUGELY and we were ushered through in 20 minutes. The next job was to say goodbye to Aunt Rebecca - the kids and Aunt Rebecca were sad. I was too.

From Rebecca: Some of the things I most vividly remember about landing in Portland that you left out were that wonderful man who helped usher us through customs. What was his name? He was a sergeant or a colonel or something and he was super friendly. He worked it out so that Ben and I could gather luggage and go get everyone checked in at the Alaska/Horizon counter, and you could take the kids through for the INS interview. He gave us his name so that the people at the ticket desk could call him if there was a problem. There was a lot of mayhem, Jesse showed up and handed me some tulips, and then everyone was at the counter and it was time to say goodbye. The whole airport might have swirled around a bit, or perhaps that's just my memory. I don't think the kids understood that I didn't live in your house or at least in the same town, so there was a bit of surprise that you were leaving me behind with the strange, tulip-bearing man. It was such a sad parting, but I was anxious to get home and so were all of you. (Anxious in more than one way, I would imagine!)

I couldn't believe we were back in the Portland airport and that we were on our way home. We quickly ran into bathrooms to put on our red shirts. I frantically searched through the gift stores for something to make us smell better - but there was nothing to be found. We got to our gate and waited - the grin on my face might have made me look slightly deranged but I couldn't help it... we were almost there!

The flight to Pasco was relatively quick, very bumpy and I am guessing that I talked a mile a minute. The kids were nervous - really nervous and so excited too! I remember getting off the plane (we left our video camera on it but got it back a few days later) and walking across the tarmac. I remember wondering if the blond kids remembered to put their red shirts on too. I remember holding Jacob's hand and feeling him shudder. I remember hearing Lilly SCREAM when we walked through the security gate. I remember thinking that there were a lot of people crying. I remember hugging onto the 3 we had left home and searching the crowd to make sure that Marti, and Jacob and Joseph were OK. They were hugging everyone and holding onto their little brother and sisters too. Lilly still talks about the way Marti hugged her. She hugged hard. :) I remember taking some pictures and getting into the Suburban. I remember turning around in the Suburban and bursting into a huge smile. It was just as I had imagined it. Everyone cuddled together and talking loudly.

We were home. We were together.

That's what it was all about.

Home together!

Coming Home

Joseph will be home from his trip to Washington DC in a few hours. He told Ben that he really missed us and can't wait to get home.

A year ago Ethiopia was home... even though we had already left Ethiopia and were flying somewhere over Europe. He was so sad to be leaving Ethiopia and so unsure about the new life God had planned for him.

Today, he is coming HOME! Hooray - we have missed him sooooo much!

What I have learned this year...

Here are some of the things that I have learned this year...

• Being a mom to 6 kids is just what God had planned for me
• Things like laundry and dishes are not as important as I thought
• but they take more time than I have
• Giving kids chores makes my life better - and their spouses will thank me someday
• Ben is the best dad in the world
• The best husband too
• God is so good with the details
• Taking this leap of faith has blessed ME in ways I would have never guessed
• Having time for friends is super important
• And I am thankful for the friends who lovingly get me out of the house and into Starbucks
• That Starbucks was very helpful for my sleep deprived state the first few months
• That a homemade dinner is sometimes over rated
• Hannah Montana is no longer cute for 7-year-olds ~ she is way too sassy!
• Muffins from Costco are sometimes worth the money
• 2 dogs are sometimes 2 too many
• Ethiopian kids may never like milk
• Salsa is the most important item on my grocery list at all times
• Even big kids like to cuddle (sort of)
• Watching America's Funniest Home Videos as a family makes me super happy
• Riding bikes with my kids is stressful
• St Patrick's Day is really hard to explain
• Ben does not eat broccoli no matter how many times I ask him to be a good example for the kids
• Disneyland may never be in our budget
• Our garbage gets full way too fast
• Homework is an evil invention and I seriously have doubts about the benefits to children
• and the benefits will NEVER outweigh the stress it causes parents
• And I HATE Science Projects
• I love reading with my kids, chapter books have really improved in the last 20 years
• although I will always love Super Fudge!
• Eating dinner outside is a great way to save my sanity
• The Wii is a great bonding tool
• Taking walks with my kids make them talk to me in ways that are very different
• Making time for God somehow gives me MORE time for other things
• Losing 25 pounds without exercise was harder than I thought it would be
• I may never have time to exercise again
• Reading a magazine brings me GREAT joy!
• I love date nights more now than ever before in my life

OK... I am sure there are some other, much deeper, things that I have learned... but for now that is all I can think of!

Time Flies When You are Having Fun

It has been exactly one year since we first hugged our kids. I will never forget those first hugs... I was so very scared that they would not want a new mom - and the moment Joseph ran into my arms I knew that God really did know what he was doing :). I am not sure that I have ever been hugged so possesively in my whole life. The kids clung to us and had a very hard time letting go. Someone asked me the other day if the "kids call you mom yet?" OH! They have called me mom from the second we first met. She also asked if the kids get along well... OH Yes! They have so much fun together AND they drive each other crazy - it is definitely LOVE!

I have put together a vidoe of the last year in honor of our Gotcha Day on April 5th. We have decided to celebrate our first day ALL TOGETHER instead of the day that Ben, Rebecca and I met the kids. So... check back later this week for the video (don't be expecting too much - this is my first video).

Can you believe it's been a year?

Happy Birthday Joseph

Happy 15th Birthday, Josepho The Great!

Happy Birthday, Joseph! We love you so much! I cannot believe I have a 15-year-old son! I cannot believe he is not here for his "first birthday". Right now Joseph is touring Monticello with his 8th grade class. He has a fever and a bad cold and is feeling horrible... and is 3000 miles away! I am praying constantly that he feels better soon so that he can enjoy his trip. If he knew how many times I would have kissed him and hugged him today, he would probably be glad that he was gone. It has been so weird not having him here. Having 5 kids is different... definitely not better... just different. We miss him so much - Jacob has been in tears several times and the rest of the kids miss him so much too! I am so glad Joseph is a part of our family. I am so thankful that he is the big brother in our family - what a wonderful example he is to the other kids. I could never have dreamed that Joseph would be so special... God sure knew what he was doing when he placed Joseph in our lives.

To Ethiopia and Home Part VII

That night I ended up with a bad headache so Rebecca and Ben entertained the kids with her laptop. Marti entertained them with her "gymnastics" and the boys just had fun hanging out.

From Part VI

I had no idea how much a headache would worry the kids. No idea at all! They still worry every time I don't feel 100% - it makes sense and breaks my heart all at the same time.

We woke up on Thursday with anxious hearts. We had to return to the German Embassy to get our transit visas... and they were not overly helpful. I had finally figured out that the kids did not like pancakes or eggs for breakfast. They were perfectly happy to have a roll and tea or water. No Fruit Loops for them I assumed - I was wrong, they love them! :) Once we got dressed and ready we headed for the car with our $312 to pay for our German visas. We debated about taking more money but we decided that we would only need birr (Ethiopian money) for the rest of the day.

We arrived at the German Embassy and were quickly separated. They only allow 2 people in at a time and so I went with Jacob, then Ben followed with Marti. That meant we left Rebecca and Joseph outside the embassy walls alone. I was nervous. We were in a not so nice area next to a river where people bathed. I was so worried that someone would see Rebecca and think she was alone and steal her... I am such a worrier that way. Soon enough we were all back together and inside the waiting room with our paperwork filled out EXACTLY the way the man had told us to do it the day before.

When it was finally our turn we learned that the exchange rate had changed overnight and we needed $30 more dollars for our visas - we only had birr and had no idea what to do. We all searched our pockets and panicked. If we didn't get our visas we would have to stay for a few more days... and I REALLY WANTED TO GET HOME! Finally, Rebecca got the idea to ask if someone would "sell us some money". When we first asked they looked at us like we were crazy... after a minute one lady figured out that she would be making some serious money by exchanging our money. I think I may have hugged her because I was so excited. :) Phew... we were going home! OH! But not so fast. The same man informed me that I did not make enough copies of our plane tickets and that we would have to return tomorrow. Ummm.... let's just say that the "momma bear" came out fighting and I quickly showed him where I had written notes the day before and that no where did it say that we needed what he was asking for. In addition, I could see the copy machine right behind him and it seemed like since there was a break down in communication it would be best if he helped us immediately. I am guessing that it was NOT my excellent persuasion that encouraged him to make the copies... instead it was probably the fact that he could tell that "that crazy ferengi lady was about to start screaming and crying" if he didn't fix the problem.

15 minutes later, visas in hand, we were back in the car and I was all smiles!

We settled in for a long car ride out of the city to a place called Summer Lakes. It is an area with many lakes in a rural part of Ethiopia. The drive was absolutely beautiful. The acacia trees, small villages, and farms made me feel far from home. The kids sang and talked and cuddled the whole way - they were so cute! We arrived at a restaurant overlooking the largest lake. It was a very nice restaurant but still had a bathroom that made you willing to 'hold it' for a long time! The kids took over the camera during our wait and had a blast posing and showing off!

After lunch we went to a park and walked around. It was about 90 degrees so the lake water looked very inviting until we heard about the alligators that frequent the area. They had a dock with boats for rent... we decided to skip it! :)

After an hour or two we headed back to Addis and planned for a relaxing evening at the hotel. We called Mesalech that night. Dawit, our driver, translated for Ben and I as the kids talked to her and told her that they were OK. Joseph, while listening to Marti and Jacob talk, was praying and thanking God and had the biggest grin on his face. Ben and I got to "talk" to Mesalech too... it was wonderful and overwhelming and exciting and heart breaking and terrible all at the same time. We all cried and laughed throughout the conversation.

Once we hung up the phone we headed to Aunt Rebecca's room for a distraction. Later, we had some dinner, said our prayers and fell into a deep and sometimes troubled sleep - knowing that the next day we would be leaving Ethiopia.

What is your favorite word?

Marti asked this question the other day... in the middle of a baseball game where we were soaked and cold.

Hmmm... what IS my favorite word. I told her that I didn't know and then asked what her favorite word was.

Especially... I like ESPECIALLY

That was cute.

Joseph then told us that his favorite word was

Wonderful...

I am especially thankful to have such wonderful kids! :)

It is well... with my soul

Just letting you know that all is well around here! We started Spring sports yesterday and, with the exception of a freak hail storm, the kids loved it! The little boys had baseball, Marti had softball, Lilly is still having fun at gymnastics, and Joseph started track. He is one FAST kiddo! I cannot believe how good it is for them to have activity... the laughter and talking around the table at dinner made me smile. A LOT!

Contentment... seriously random thoughts.

I pray about contentment a lot.

Lord, help me to love my house. Lord, help me to stop wanting an iPhone. Lord, thank you for this body you gave me but help me to NOT be content with the way I have been treating it (I need to lose 40lbs if you were wondering). Today I found this thing called the BodyBug or something like that... it tracks your calories eaten and burned and looks really cool. Lord, help me stop thinking that it is so cool. Lord, help me to remember that in Ethiopia they don't have washing machines. Help me to be content with 1 washer and dryer and stop wanting another one.

If I stop and think about the streets of Ethiopia -- I am ashamed. Really. Sometimes I choose not to stop and think. Sometimes I purposely keep right on dreaming about the things I want or think I need.

But today I will remember the little kids who were begging on the streets. Kids who would be whisked to foster homes if they showed up on the streets looking like "that". Today I will also remember the mom who kept shoving her hands in the window of our car wanting food to feed her tiny tiny tiny baby who looked like it was barely alive.

Today I will remember that my kids had never owned a TV or an extra pair of shoes 1 year ago. So today I will stop and be thankful. Thankful for my fabulous house where I always know if someone is pouting or being ornery -- because it is so small, I can hear EVERYTHING! Thankful for the body God gave me and I will start treating it better so that someday my gorgeous grandchildren can climb on my lap. I will stop caring about the stupid iPhone (I actually may need prayer to help me get over that one :)) and be thankful that my kids know my cell number and call it constantly.

I will continue to pray for contentment and all the while thank God for HIS amazing blessings.