My 2 Ethiopian Girls

New Blog Name and Place ...

2011-07-29T12:54:00.000-07:00

I have updated my blog site ... if you have not been redirected to it, here it is;

www.thelisachronicles.com

Thank you so much, i will be posting more on a regular basis, life has just been quite busy. Thank you for reading.

Lisa

Happy Fall

2010-10-05T11:53:00.000-07:00

Just a quick note to say hello.

Tigist is out having a lunch date with her Daddy. I am cleaning, picking up after 3 very messy children and wanting to get outside on this gorgeous day here in Denver. I have a book to read, so I'll step out to lunch before kids come home.

Last night we had Family Fun Night and had so much fun here at home playing Ping Pong, finding fun new apps for my i-phone and laughing so hard from the boys humor I cried tears down my face ... Tigist ran to get me tissue and said, "It's okay Mommy". It was so funny. I said, "No sweetie, I'm laugh-crying. I'm not sad." I posted the photo on my FB page you have to see it ... look for a naked cowboy.

David soon leaves for Chicago to work another Seminar with his Home Recording Bootcamp. That is going well and he plans to schedule more next year as well. I'm trying to get out with him to see his work, but with 3 kids, it is difficult.

Tonight we get out for a date-night in the VIP seats of the Hollywood Theater here near our house to watch The Social Network Face Book movie. Should be interesting. Plus, they serve you wine and food in these excellent huge leather chairs. I love my life!

Hope you all are well.

Talk soon.

Tigist - A montage about our daughter's adoption from Ethiopia

2010-08-29T18:15:00.000-07:00

Enjoy ...

Lisa Wills Sings "The Way I Am" by Indrid Michelson

2010-08-27T18:24:00.000-07:00

David has been preparing his upcoming "Home Recording Bootcamp" for his seminars (www.proaudiodvds.com) in New York and Los Angeles, so we were fooling around with some of the recording equipment ... I recorded this song, he played all the instruments and, how fun is this ... I did my own background vocals.

I recorded a song 24 years AGO in a studio that cost a lot of money and it sounded nothing as nice as this one, my David's the bomb! He is so much fun to be married to.

THE WAY I AM sung by one of my favorite artists, Ingrid Michelson.

Have a listen and tell me what you think,

Brandon Turns 15. Happy Birthday Handsome Guy!

2010-08-27T14:02:00.000-07:00


March 22nd, Brandon turned 15. Here is Tigist, Brandon & Evan. Brandon invited a few friends to go to a huge trampoline place where you literally bounce off walls. I hope he had a great day.

Of course we had to drive to the Lamborghini Dealership to touch, see and smell these puppies.

Our favorite color

Can you imagine driving in this baby?

So close, yet so far from owning one.

Tigist was such a big girl about the birthday party being about her big brother and not her. She was very excited for him to have a birthday and cake and prezzies.

Back in March Photos

2010-08-26T10:48:00.000-07:00

I tried to post these back in March, but here they are now

Thank God for this yard sale snow blower, it is the bomb for clearing our property.

David does this job, but if it's not below say, 20 degrees, I'll do and it's fun.

I love popping my head out the door during the day or right before I go to bed. I say g'nite to the day and take a deep breath in of this incredible air that smells so fresh and crisp...especially in this Mile High City.

Living on a corner, you need to clear the front, the corner and all along the side. So sometimes we just keep on going and do a bunch of neighbors. It's good exercise and gets you all warmed up.

Hard to imagine this was March when at the moment I have the fan in the living room on high cause I'm hot. Yep, that's me ... one hot mama! But that's David snow blowing our driveway.

When Life Gives You Lemons ... Make Limoncello!

2010-08-25T17:38:00.000-07:00

The Limoncello is now in process. The rinds of 10 large lemons are swimming in a liter of rocket fuel. This is 190 proof Vodka by Everclear. They will soak for 5 days, shaking them only once a day. Then the simple sugar added then sitting another 24 hours, then another 24 hours in the freezer. So you know Wednesday night we're checking out the goods ... wanna come over?

This is the adorable Luigi and Francesca. They allowed me to stay in their Rome apartment as well as their Tuscany 13th Century Monastery home. They are in Santa Fe at the moment exploring the gorgeous middle America. They call me and tell me how they are doing and they are truly having the time of their life. They come back here to Denver on Sept. 1, 2, 3 & leave on 4th back to Rome. They are absolutely life-long friends, for sure. I just love these guys.

I'm baaaaaaack!

2010-08-24T13:34:00.000-07:00

Hey y'all,

I haven't posted in so long, life has been messy, and busy, and unexpected, and much expected. But I look forward to expanding on it all very soon.

I had tried to post pics back in March, but blogspot has done something funky and it doesn't seem to be as easy as it used to be. I'll be looking into that.

Even now, it's acting up with my typing.

But, for now, I'm off to my travel writing class with a Denver University Professor.
Then, tomorrow, I shop for my ingredients to make my home made Italian Limoncello liquor. (Nancy, I must drop off a bottle to you when it's done in 10 days, and Brandon wants to hang out with Ben)
And I'm doing some very exciting things in my life as of late.
More later, miss you all. Just don't forget about me...

Lisa

Dreams ... Oh So Healthy!

2010-03-12T20:10:00.000-08:00

I can feel it in the air ... Spring is about to be sprung. That's always the same week of Brandon's birthday, so such a lovely time to consider Spring time and what it has to offer. I can't wait to rejuvenate the soil of my vegetable & herb garden. I can't wait to sit on the edge while pulling weeds with the promise of a lavender fragrance or the promise of fresh pesto that night from the basil that seems to yield more than I could ever use.

Spring promises me a new growth of my mind. As Winter can shut you in with all of your bottled up thoughts, Spring is the time for the promises of dreams too.

Lately, I've been having the sweetest of conversations with a new friend. Because we are on opposite sides of the world and the time difference, we both awake to find a newly typed out reply from the day before. Back and forth, back and forth we write and share our dreams and our hearts. I hold it very dear to my heart and understand that this person trusts me with all that he has to share such as ... his dreams and fears. We discuss our countries. Both the beauty and the tragedies of what makes them what they are. We share life's challenges and how our Faith holds us together when life feels like too much to take. We dream together, yet apply practical advice within every conversation. I consider him a brother that I never had. I hope he thinks of me like family too. When he apologizes for downloading such personal thoughts, like his fears, anger and frustration, I have to remind him that it is God's most precious gift to us ... relationship. Life seems to offer up surprises sometimes that we don't even see coming. One day is normal, and the next can be just spectacular. One day we're too busy to just "be", where the next day can be quite tragic. Tomorrow is not a promise, but today is! I'm taking my own advice!

Perspective plays such a huge role in how we look at things though. That is the beauty of our uniqueness. We can have the same thing happen to 2 different people and because of our specific uniqueness and qualities, they can be handled and experienced in 2 totally different manners.

I have been doing a lot of dreaming lately. How 'bout you?

A Reply Fom My Favorite Writer ... Frances Mayes

2010-03-01T09:11:00.000-08:00

Cortona, Italy in January

Posted by francesmayes on February 27th, 2010

"What a terrific adventure you’re about to take. It will be fascinating to be in actual homes while the owners are in yours! Could be a book! Thanks for all the kind words and have fun–Frances"

Ohhhhh ... now I have my book idea! I've always dreamed of writing a book and also writing part of it from italy. I journaled about that years ago while on a sabbatical in Santa Barbara.

Something to think about!

Ciao,
Lisa

A Letter To One Of My Favorite Writers ... Frances Mayes

2010-02-27T12:05:00.000-08:00

Dear Frances,

I didn't realize that your movie "Under The Tuscan Sun" was a memoir of yours. I hadn't known the back story and thought it was fictional. I had already fell in love with the movie, then I went to Italy before picking up my newly adopted Ethiopian daughter (Aug. 2008), but I have not been able to get Italy out of my head...truly it is all consuming. I was very happy to know that you wrote it as a memoir (I write as an outlet and have written since I was 9 with my diaries) as the little spare time I have, I choose to read non-fiction. (That may change once I read Swan though.) I agree, the reason for the success of the book and movie is absolutely because many of us out there would like to do just that ... take a risk of this nature. I've taken many and they have all paid great dividends.

So finding out that your writings were memoirs, the library became my new companion where I checked out your books and devoured them yesterday. At the moment, I honestly do not know what to do with the conflicting of my emotions. I live in Denver, Colorado, but my heart is in Tuscany. I would like to blink my eyes and cross my arms across my chest a'la "I Dream of Jeanie" whilst creating a place where my two worlds converge into one. All I can do is attempt to create what I love so much about Italy into my existing life. I have 2 teen boys, one 3 yr old and 22 years of marriage to the love of my life. I couldn't ask for more ... but I want to!

I am traveling to Italy in June for a month doing home exchanges with half a dozen Italians who are kind enough to allow me to stay in their homes and they in mine. From the Amalfi Coast through Tuscany to Venice, I will enjoy every step I walk and every minute I am there. My husband understands who I am and that we need to take care of our souls in order to be full and present in our ever busy lives that we all live. Thank you for your gift of writing and sharing it with us. Especially those of us who drink it in like mama's homemade limoncello on a warm Summer night under the Tuscan Moon ... like I did in July of 2008 at Francesco's Villa in Siena!

God bless us ... who dream!

Life is Good!

2010-02-11T06:24:00.000-08:00

So much going on. I really never have or make the time to write, which bums me out a lot. Writing is an outlet for me and to not make the time for it is not good.

But here I am, making the time now. We are all very busy and doing well. Just dropped the boys off at school. A bit frustrating 'cause they are young adults now (at 13 and soon to be 15) we've taught them to get up on their own, take care of their needs for lunches and prepare for the day, but it is a constant battle to try to get them to do that consistently. I'm not talking about perfection here, just a really good effort. Family meeting tonight!!! I'm not sure what else we can take away from them that we haven't already taken. But it just can't go on like this.

Tigist is sleeping soundly while I write and will be going to her twice weekly "preschool" time at Ms. Brandi's home. She still loves going so that is good. She loves, loves, LOVES watching Dora and I can tell she learns so much from it. I'm just not sure about the Spanish part cause she was coming out of her Amharic vocabulary, into and American family with a father who has a strong Australian accent and a Mother who is trying to speak Italian cause I'M GOING TO ITALY IN JUNE!!!!! So really, I don't need her to learn Spanish right now, but Dora is her drug of choice for now.

I'll write more about Italy another post, but can I just say OH MY GAWSH!!!! Anyone out there love Italy like I do? I'm even part of a couple of Italian groups in my area so I can have a place to talk about it without driving my family absolutely bonkers.

Well, for now I'll go. My coffee is getting cold. I need to catch up with the morning news and get Tigist all ready for her day. She's now waking up with dry diapers almost 100% of the time. She is so excited every morning, "Wake up dry diaper!!!!" She yells each morning as I open her bedroom door. Now I'll have about $20 extra a month in my household budget to use on herself and the rest of the family (except Daddy and the cat) for scar ointment from all the biting she's done to us. See, I can find the positive in everything!

Ciao!

Happy New Year ... 2010!

2010-01-01T19:15:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year Everybody....

This is the first year in a long time that I did not get a Christmas Letter out or even Christmas cards. This year's events snowballed into the end of the year and left me wanting for simple days and as little stress as possible. Our year has been chock-full of good stuff and not so good stuff, but the promise of a new day is the best medicine for me always.

Christmas Eve we had Mesfin and family come over for afternoon lunch and catching up. Genet was in Ethiopia (her sweet sister, Tigist, had died suddenly).

Each morning I enjoy beautiful scenes as I make my morning coffee. My good friend Grace lives right there behind me, so I give a silent "good morning" to her as I smell the scent of my coffee brewing...

Morning coffee view

When we decided to move from California to Colorado ... I still find it interesting to realize that I'd never been here, (just a tad when I was really young, don't remember all of it), I didn't know anybody here, and moving would have lasting ramifications with significant relationships. I would be leaving everybody and everything that I ever knew and had spent precious time coming to know. What kind of crazy decision is that? But what I know for sure is that all of the decisions I've made as an adult and some as a young girl, have brought me such joy and happiness for years to come. I can take any one of my decisions and follow it through and see an incredible amount of fruition ... fulfillment, achievement, satisfaction! I can see the fruit that I've labored for. Some ripened over night and some took years. And right now, it all seems to be evident right before my eyes what my "Fruit Tree" looks like. It is huge, it has strong roots, it has strength that only God can offer it. It bears not just one type of fruit, but many colors and tastes. Sometimes ... too many for me to take in.

Our first Winter snow

Front yard tree

In my 40's, (okay...late forties) I can say that I am at a happy place. Certainly I am a constant work in progress, always. But you can't have in your 20's and 30's what the 40's can bring you if you do it right.

All this to say, September 29th, 2006, (the day we moved) marked a day creating yet another fantastic foundation for me and my family. Since then, we have continued to make fun and courageous decisions that have brought fulfillment and richness beyond our recognition. I love when I get to remind our boys that "You never know what is around the corner," especially when I know exactly what is around the corner that we are about to give them. Maybe it's something big, or what they've been asking for lately. But I feel like when I get to do that, I can only imagine what it is like for God to look at our life and say, "My Child, you have no idea what is around the corner for you!" He must want to scream out to us to make those U-turns, or keep on doin' what we're doin'. When I know that Brandon has major attitude for some crappy little issue and yet around his corner I have something big for him, it hurts my heart to decide to stick to it and give it to him. God does not take things away from us every time we make bad decisions, He keeps his word and so do I.

It took me a while, but I have found that when I reflect back on my life in California, I have no regrets for this move, this major life-changing decision. Sure I was sad to leave behind everything that I knew, absolutely ... but the idea of something unknown, something simpler, a not so fast paced lifestyle ... drew a fire in my heart that I couldn't put out. One thing about David and I is that once we make the decision, which is always based on careful thoughtfulness, we pretty much stick to it and move full steam ahead. And it has always been good. We trust our instincts and intuition.

There are so many changes that have taken place since we've moved and over 2009...

We added a new family member, Tigist! Big one, don't you think? The boys have grown very tall, Brandon being over 2" taller than I and I'm 5'7 and a half! Brandon has created many things with his hands and head ... a cross bow, a hover-craft that literally floated on air the length of a cement hockey field, a bow and arrow, artwork that blows my mind and other stuff I forget by now.

Evan and Tigist making letters

Halloween at Leah's house. She sure loves dressing up. She's tried to dictate what she'll wear each day by throwing a fit. I won't have this starting so early, so I just give her 2 choices and she gets to pick one. Sometimes she just can't decide and throws a fit...God help me, it's too early!

Learning letters with playdough

Evan took tons of pics of her in the house, outside ... they love to play with each other

Working her music career early on.

Did you like it Mommy?

This is Aman. Mesfin's youngest. I think they will marry one day. He takes care of her when he comes and kisses her. But today, she couldn't get a kiss from him at all.

Tigist dressed up to see the new Disney movie with the first black princess ... "The Princess and the Frog". Her first time in a theater. She wasn't too impressed with this new experience, just too wiggly and wanted something to do the whole time. We'll try again real soon.

This is truly how they feel about each other. At times it brings me to tears. Brandon being in the 9th grade now, High School, he's grown up quite a bit. He really gets into hands on projects at school and at home. He is 2 or 3 inches taller than I, I can't believe it. Some of our most precious times are little rides together running errands or a movie. And I know David has precious times with him to playing ping pong in the rec room upstairs.

More of Evan's pictures in the back.

Oh, my precious daughter. Full of joy!

"Evan, how many more times do I have to say cheese?"

Elizabeth gives her a pink Ukelele. Rockin' it!

This is the owner of our adoption agency, Joan. She had a 10 year anniversary fundraiser here where the night before this, was a beautiful sit down dinner. Many adoptive families came fromout of town and out of state to celebrate.

Aneata on the right was our agency rep. We still meet for lunches and Tigist loves to see her. It was so much fun when returning home from Ethiopia and bringing Tigist to the agency for the first time.

My 2 love-birds.

Now ... this is Abebe. He was our rep in Ethiopia during the time we went to pick her up. He and his wife run the orphanage, Sele Enat, so to see him here in Denver was such a treat. And for him to see not only Tigist, but all of the other children that they helped to bring home to their families...was just so wonderful.

Gilles and Melanie are waiting for their baby girl. They live in Hollywood where we use to live. We met over the phone last Summer, I visited while attending Deb's funeral in L.A. And we've been friends since then. They just got their referral of a gorgeous 2 yr. old girl.

Hanna runs Sele Enat in Ethiopia. It was so good to see her here too.

Tigist and Hanna

Evan is now teaching himself piano, he plays guitar and the drums every single day. Their interaction with people is so much fun to see, because that is where I see if all of our hard work "took." Evan sometimes cooks a whole dinner for us. He loves, loves, LOVES it when we play family games or cards.

Most times you can find Evan playing with Tigist. They do everything together. Evan is an amazing big brother to her and she loves him so. The other morning, I was looking on the video monitor to see if she was up yet, and I viewed something that brought tears to my eyes. Evan was waking her up and stroking her back and tucking her in (I guess she was still tired). He hopped into bed with her and just was so sweet to take such care of his baby sister. It was just precious to witness and know how much he loves her.

I guess I've inspired him by buying him the Guiness Book of World Records. I think he had like thirty-something shirts on at once. Then he couldn't breath and pleaded for me to help him get them off.

Thursday nights we have Family Fun Night and we make it a point to stop everything else at 5pm and it's all about being together. No I-Pods, I-Phones, computers, head phones, work ... this is our favorite night of the week and we get to check in on where the boys are at with what's going on with them for the week. Next week we're having a Dream-Nite, where we sit in the front room together and make lists and notes about what we expect of ourselves for the year. They get to pick their favorite drink, I make them a goodie bag of yummy stuff they like (cause we want to put them in a happy place, right?!!) and we talk about expectations! It's a time to focus on that one subject and think it through. David and I have done this for years between ourselves. We make a list called ... "I can't believe I .... " and then we fill in the blank. But the neat thing is, this list is things that we have not accomplished yet. It is a sort of bucket-list to work towards. We all know that if we put our dreams and wishes on paper, they are more likely to come true, so that is what we do. And it works!

David's business is taking a new turn this year where he will host a regular seminar across the US called "Home Recording Boot Camp". His first one plans to be hosted in L.A., which will be on his way to Australia taking Tigist to meet the few remaining family members who have yet to meet her. His sweet brother Rod found out a couple of months ago that he has a brain tumor of all things. He was just about to retire and vacation in the US to come see us and other places. David went to visit him earlier and will go back in March again. Rod is doing well now, but he continues to struggle with taking care of this. Bless his heart.

I continue to fulfill the orders daily for the business and blown away that everyday there continues to be orders from around the world for David's dvd tutorials (www.proaudiodvds.com). We hope to pass this job on in the next month or two so that I can concentrate on perhaps teaching a half hour session at David's Boot Camps about Social Media Networking for Musicians. We'll see. There doesn't seem to be a whole lot of extra time on my hands with a toddler in tow, but I really would like to see this happen, so I'll do my best. Hopefully we''' be traveling to the cities that some of you live in and we can have a coffee together. I'm going to be starting some podcasts about SMN (social media networking) with my friend Gina (she's in Orange County, CA) which really thrills me. I think this'll be right up my alley.

For those of you who has known me for a long time, you'll remember I use to sing with a vocal group called Crescendo in L.A. One of my most favorite times in my life was being a part of that group. I ended up bowing out as it was conflicting with my family time and David was then working his business as well as working at our church as the sound engineer. But the update of one of the members, Charmaine Clamor is that she is doing really well these days. She has the equivalent of an Oscar in the Philipines where she is from, but doing really well in New York and L.A. I'm so proud of her. She plays regularly in L.A. at "The Catalina Bar and Grill" on Sunset Blvd in Hollywood and if any body here likes really great Live Jazz, you should see her show there. I highly recommend it and I'm upset that I cannot see her regularly like I did when I live in L.A. I'm working diligently, however, with jazz radio here and the local jazz clubs and Filipino Community to try to get her and her band here for a Denver performance. It's my new mission I'm on!

Tigist grew 5 inches since she came home, yet she only gained 1 pound. It is clear that she has thinned out and grew taller cause all of her pants go a few inches above her ankle when I put them on.

It has absolutely been a wonderful year, despite some tough areas, did I mention the fire? Just a little damage. Brandon has to tell THAT story. This year I feel is going to be spectacular for sure.

Lots and lots of neat things happening. Stay tuned...

Back home Mimi's was my go-to place to meet people for breakfasts. It always seems so weird for me to see snow on the roof of our Mimi's here in Denver.

Halloween this year was at Leah & Kyles ... again. They are always so sweet to invite us.

The food was amazing here. Leah pulls out all the stops.

Leah ...

Ohhh, don't we love Thanksgiving?

Leah's pavlova dessert

Oh my!

Tigist and Aman ... isn't he adorable?

We love baking in the ktichen together. She even has her own baking utinsils.

Our visit from our California neighbors who now live in Texas. Terry and I had a day out in the city ... it was a great day!

Our friends from Texas brought Tigist a new back pack and "Dora" underwear ...

Our friends visit from Texas
Tigist, Me, David, Nick, Sabrina (hiding) Brandon and Evan

A Letter To A Child ... Meeting His Bio Mother!

2010-01-01T12:27:00.000-08:00

Before Tigist came home, I frequented numerous blogs about adoption. When you adopt, the child's background and family connections can always be in question, especially for international adoption in 3rd world countries.

Our daughter, Tigist, came to us with absolutely no background, family info, birthday or even a name. Her name was given to her by the police officer who was called to pick her up in Bedele. That is how she got her name and I love it. My guess is that probably the day-long drive from Bedele to the orphanage in Addis Ababa compelled him to name her what means "Patience" in Amharic, her language.

I know that now! She is my daughter and I have to have a ton of patience for this remarkable child who wants to talk and learn so much in the times she is awake.
She is so easily stimulated by stuff, not toys, but books and conversation and play...I tell her I love her every day and when I say that, I have to try to keep the tears from falling because when I say those words to her, they come from not just a Motherly love place, but from a place of "God, thank you so very much for placing her in our family to love and take care of. She is Yours ... and we do not take that lightly. We are forever humbled by her presence in our life."

So back to my intro...

I came across a blog where this woman described her meeting with her newly adopted son's biological Mother in Ethiopia. They had to take a drive far out into the country where most of these broken families live in complete destitution. I'm not sure how many times I had to clear my eyes from tears streaming down my face before I finished reading the letter, but it is an understatement to say that this biological Mother had a kind of courage that I don't think I could even find in myself ... here is her letter...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Written by an adopted Mother to her newly adopted son from Ethiopia, Addis Ababa ...

It is 4:45am here and I can’t sleep anymore. Anteneh just woke up yelling, “Abat!” (Father) because he had to pee. He went back to sleep and I laid there going over in my head the most amazing day we had yesterday. It was one of the hardest, most memorable days of both of our lives. The best way to put it into words is in a letter to Anteneh-

Dear Anteheh, We met your biological mother yesterday. It was one of the hardest things we have ever done but we know how important it will be to you as you grow up. She traveled 1 ½ days by bus from Harar to meet us. To tell you the truth, I was terrified. What was going through her mind? How would you react, seeing your mother after she gave you up 4 months ago? What would we say?

As soon as we walked into the room, both your daddy and I were overcome with emotion. I looked at her and she was so beautiful and tears just started pouring from our eyes. She looked at me crying and began to cry, too. It was amazing but as you saw her again, you smiled so big and stayed at my side.

We all stood there and she said, “Anteneh-this is your new mother and your new father.” And she looked at us and said, “I give this child to you in the name of God”. (This is all through a translator). Your daddy said, “We receive this child in the name of God”. We all sat down and you just kept gazing at her. She was incredibly beautiful. Long, confident face with a strong jaw and pretty lips. She was thin and sat gracefully with her hands in her lap and her legs crossed. Her hair was wrapped in a scarf in a way that reminded me of the famous profile of an Ethiopian woman with a long neck, face, and wrapped hair.

You look so much like her. I told her she was a beautiful woman and you look so much like her. We asked about your family. She said that your father was a soldier and that he is dead and she is living with ‘the virus’ (which means she is HIV positive). I thought how brave she was to give you to us so early in her disease before her body was ravaged by it, giving you the best chance of being adopted because of your young age. She asked about our family and we told her about your aunts and uncles and how Aunt Megan is going to have a baby and how you have so many cousins on the other side of the family that can’t wait to play with you. And about your grandmas and grandpas that are so eager to meet you and especially about Grace and Luke who are so excited. She had seen all the pictures in the book we sent you and she asked to keep it so she could always see the family you are with. We said, ‘of course!’

We told her that you have a dog at home and you will get to ride horses at one of your grandma’s. She smiled. We told her that we would always help you to embrace your Ethiopian heritage and bring you back to your country in the future so you could again experience this country, firsthand. We showed her on a map where we live in America and pointed to the beach in Florida where we will take you in a few months. She said she had been told there were beaches there. We took many pictures and when walking back to the little room we were talking in, she saw three little orphaned girls who were from Harar and kissed and hugged them and was so affectionate with them.

As we watched that interaction, we could just glimpse the love with which you had lived your first 3 years and were so thankful. She was obviously resisting loving on you like that so as not to confuse you and we are sure to distance herself from you to lessen the pain. As we walked around, you asked me to hold you but I made you walk a little so that I didn’t hold you back from touching her or hugging her or walking with her, if that’s what you might want to do. We sat down with her one more time and told her that we would raise you in a Christian home and she said she was ‘very happy for that.’ Sensing that the time was coming to an end, I started to cry again and so did she. Hers was more of a soft cry and she would dab at her eyes with her shawl. Mine was a wet, rather less controlled cry. Your dad’s cry was like when Grace and Luke were born-where his face looked on the verge of breaking down but wiped his eyes with a bit of control. It felt so special to be going through this life changing time with your Dad-I can only imagine how much it has bonded us in ways we don’t even know now.

We gave her 500 birr (about 50 dollars) to cover her travel expenses which she had to pay out of her own pocket. We all stood to go. I held your little hand and hugged your mother for the last time-the way Ethiopians embrace-kiss to the right, to the left, to the right again. But she went further and kissed to the right again-making me feel so close to her. The thing that hit me so hard and that I will always remember about that hug was how good she smelled. She smelled like an incredible perfume and at that moment I wanted to remember that smell. I walked out with you and turned and watched your daddy do the same thing. We picked you up and busted into tears as we walked back to the taxi. We walked by some American volunteers playing with some older Layla House kids and they smiled and said, ‘hi,’ with empathizing smiles. We walked past Gail and she looked at us with a knowing smile like she had seen this same event unfold hundreds of times and asked how we were. I just squeaked, “OK-that was so hard.” And she smiled at us.

We climbed into the taxi and rode off, crying-thinking of what it would be like to have to give up Luke at 3 years old, which is what it was like for her. I was just thinking how incredible that experience was and how thankful we were to experience it. It is clear that God is so full of grace and mercy. That room had been full of brave people. Your mother, the bravest-for having the strength to give you to us-what an amazing gift to give to you-a chance at a life in a family who would love you and nurture you-and to spare you the memories of watching her life taken away from her slowly by AIDS. You were so brave, too. You stood there and nodded as your mommy who birthed you and nurtured you and taught you your numbers, your manners-all those things mommies teach-and taught you how to cuddle and love, told you that you were to have a new mommy and daddy now.

And I know is that we were brave to meet her, knowing that it was for the best for all of us-especially you as you grow and wonder where you came from. Well, we are in somewhat of a dream world right now. We are rocked by emotion and counting the minutes until we can get you home to meet the rest of your new family. We are in awe at what we have experienced and will never forget this amazing trip. You are such a blessing already. You have no problem calling us ‘Abaye’ (Daddy) and ‘Emaye’ (Mommy)…and hug us and kiss us and squeeze us tight and ask permission when you want something (some of the time!). It is evident that this incredibly beautiful, strong woman we met yesterday gave you the best start in this world she could and for that we are SO THANKFUL. The love she gave you is the reason you are so wonderful and attaching so well to us. And we are in awe at how clearly God has shown us how merciful he is.

None of us deserve this gift He has given us of awesome you. Thank you, God, for this wonderful experience-we are so humbled. Love, Mommy

All Is Well ... Christmas Letter to Come ...

2009-12-22T17:22:00.000-08:00

So busy ... as are all of you, I'm sure. I look forward to sitting down and recalling what has gone on in our lives here in Denver over the last 12 months. It has flown by, no doubt.

We're expecting snow in about 1/2 an hour for the next 48 hours so that'll be nice for Christmas. I must shop for groceries early in the morning before the roads get too slick. Meeting a friend for coffee at one of my favorite breakfast places after that, then Tigist has her follow up immunizations apointment (she's gonna go wild trying to get 4 shots) and then wrapping presents.

I shopped all day ... I MEAN ALL DAY with Brandon in tow. (note to self: don't shop with a kid who goes directly to the department you are headed for to buy him a gift and he's looking everywhere you are!! ) He wanted to go home many times, but I enjoyed his company and I hope he enjoyed mine ... as silly as I can get at times just to appease him.

We'll talk soon ...

Must post more!!!

2009-12-05T13:40:00.000-08:00

Oh, just so busy I can't believe how busy I have been since sweet Tigist came home August of 2008.

We are all doing well. Brandon in High School now and Evan in Middle School now. Tigist goes to "preschool" 2x a week for 4 hours, then the other times we play, eat, shop, clean, sew and laugh a lot!

Probably just like you, we can't believe Christmas is here. We'll write more certainly in our Christmas letter, but I miss writing and plan on doing more of it from now on. I have so many pictures to post. Perhaps after church tomorrow I'll make myself a cappuccino and sip and post.

Stay tuned......

An African Journey….One Woman’s Narrative

2009-10-17T15:24:00.000-07:00

Botswana: Never Ending Garden 2003

Below is a journal and personal account of my experience on a mission trip to Africa in 2003. This experience led us to our 2008 adoption of our daughter Tigist Sophia Wills. This trip was headed by author Bruce Wilkinson to offer help in this much needed area.

Our goal was to plant 10,000 gardens (there were 84 of us total) in teams of 10 to supply food, opportunity and dignity to the people of this poor country. Stricken with AIDS, with life expectancy of 32 or younger, there is not much hope around this place. We plan to partner with them by planting food and offering help to maintain their personal gardens as well as obtain more in the future should they do well with what they have when we leave.

Ten days to reach our goals and work hard. Three thousand dollars each one of us needs to raise in order to pay for the airfare, hotel, tools, seedlings and food.

I had no idea how I was going to raise so much money, but how I did it was amazing in and of itself. The details are personal and I would love to share them more on a personal level rather than through a public forum. Just unbelievable set of circumstances after a series of faithfulness on my part.

Botswana:

10 hrs. ahead
Religion: 85% indigenous, 15% Christian
Avg wage rates $105 per mo.
Population: 1,573,267
Life expectancy: 32 years for male & female
HIV/AIDS – adult prevalence rate: 38.8% (est. 2001)

An African Journey….One Woman’s Narrative
Why am I going to Africa?

My heart lead me there. When I heard Bruce Wilkinson speak at our church (who wrote the #2 best selling book ever, the Bible being #1), (The Prayer of Jabez is the #1 New York Times Best seller), my heart leaped out of my chest. When I look into the eyes of my children, I see an innocence, a vulnerability, hope, dreams and trust in me that I can make everything right…….and I can’t always. So when I was faced with the vision of these beautiful children and the adults who’s average life span is 32 years old and a 38% HIV rate, I couldn’t turn my back.

My head confirmed what my heart already knew. This NEG program has a 95% success rate. This program works, so it made sense to me. In the area that we will be planting these gardens, at any given time 80 to 90 percent of these people have no food. God did not intend for His people to go to sleep hungry. Although I don’t have a lot of money myself, I am living a “rich” life relative to the rest of the world. You know how some people say, “it’s the LEAST I could do”……..well, to take a quote from my Mum-in-law, I asked myself, “what’s the MOST I can do?”

This trip is allowing me to combine a long time desire with a long time dream...A mission trip to Africa. I wasn’t created to take moments like this and “do nothing” with them. Nelson Mandela states in his inaugural speech, “Your playing it small does not serve the world. Who are you not to be great?” How could I sit there in my nice church seats in my nice clean clothes and not be moved to be a part of this program that is literally saving lives…..?

This is God’s desire for each of us ... to live a life that He rewards. To be the light amongst the darkness.

There are people I’ve shared this with that question us going. “How could you leave your kids?” “You and your husband are flying on the same plane?” Aren’t you afraid? I expected discouraging comments, but they don’t change MY mind. For those who ask how could we go and leave our children for 10 days? I tell them to do the math. Our kids are watching my husband’s actions and mine. We teach them about life and the power that they have inside of them. How can we teach our boys to love thy neighbor, but say, “Well, Africa…that’s just too far.”, “Botswana, the disease too great!” From our family & friends, our supporters, we’ve collected over $6000 for this program. I think that speaks for itself.

All I know is….our country is in dire need of people making decisions like this more often. What’s happening internationally right now I can’t make go away with what I feel in my heart, but what I feel in my heart I can project with this trip. If I was inspired by one man (well of course God, but by Bruce Wilkinson on my 42ndth) and in turn he spoke out with this need, and is inspiring people like me, to plant over 100,000 Never Ending Gardens in Africa, “speaking” with our actions……….THAT’s what I’m talking about! birthday Jan. 18

I have a feeling part of my heart is going to be left there in a small village in Gaborone, and that this will be the first of many trips to this beautiful Continent.

Here is my story ...

Day One, Thursday, June 24, 2004

Although we had planned this trip since January 18th, it was only at 4:00pm today that I was able to really exhale and really believe that we were truly going to Africa on this “Mission From God”. As Tony Lorrich drove off with Brandon and Evan, I watched the van fade away down Berry Hill Drive and then disappear. And as they faded away, it was then I was able to exhale realizing that I can now start to focus on what was ahead for David and I. I walked back in the house, having packed, gotten the kids off with Tony and awaiting Gina and Monica to arrive so we can drive down together. My friend Steve Irigoyen from High School had wanted to contribute to us somehow so he hooked us up with a stretch limousine to take us to LAX. So, that was relaxing to just be able to just talk with Monica & Gina on the way down.

Sitting in the terminal awaiting our time to board the South African jumbo jet, the flight attendants walk by with their brilliant sapphire uniforms, beautifully made up faces…our first introduction to what was going to become very familiar to us. Part of this trip was to stretch myself in certain areas, so I know that all of the travel we are about to experience to get there is not going to be the most convenient. All and all from home to the hotel, it will be 55 hours of travel time. Lord, give me patience and a heart like you!

Okay, I’m just downloading my “perceived” negatives...just venting! The seats in the plane are shockingly smaller than that of previous planes. This is a jumbo jet, but the seats are all but that!! An hour into the flight, my self-talk was, “Are you kidding me? Thirteen more hours of feeling like I’m stuffed into a small box!" It must be known first that I don’t sit in one place in one position well at all. For instance, in a movie theater, I change positions a couple of dozen times for circulation. The only way I’m going to get through this is to meditate and quiet my mind. And as I sit next to my husband, I need to remind myself to keep my mouth shut about how UNBELIEVABLY uncomfortable these seats are!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have no idea how I'm going to get through 55 hours of travel time and smile at the end of this. However, when I think of where I am going and why I am going, my mind compensates.

Day Two, Friday, June 25, 2004

Still en route. We arrive in New York JFK airport at 6:00 am. With 84 of us on this trip, we’ve broken into teams of 10. So we’ve been sticking together and getting to know each other as we go about our travel.

Knowing that our layover in NY will be 10 hours, we all agreed to trek into Manhattan for a few hours and have breakfast. Last time I was in NY I was 5 weeks pregnant with Brandon having come from Australia, through Germany and I think Holland? I forget, it’s been so long. But I was visiting David on the Phil Collins tour and I remember the nausea in the hotel and taking a warm bath made me feel so good. I stayed with Sheryl Martinelli in Phil’s manager’s multimillion-dollar apartment over looking Central Park and 67th street. That time was so magical for me as it was my first time experiencing New York and although I was pregnant and tired, 13 days in NY was so fabulous. I had wanted to go back so many times since then and … here I am positioned specifically to spend some time in this amazing city.

It was a comical journey from JFK and then to the city. Dropped off our luggage in a storage area at airport, and then took several different modes of transportation to get into the city. We ended up eating in Times Square at the Roxy Delicatessen for breakfast. It was wonderful! We’re getting many pictures of our favorite moments.

Day Three, Saturday, June 26, 2004

Arrived 12:30 am to our hotel, finally. We very literally ran across the border of South African to Botswana border. They close at 10pm and it was 9:55. The border employees were told that 84 of us (well 68 cause 16 people were coming through from Georgia instead of New York) were “running” towards them to get into Botswana in time to get to our hotel. They knew that they would be working overtime and they wanted to deny us. They complied however.

It was late, we were tired…and we’re running in the dark in Africa where animals run wild. And we’re smiling and looking at uniformed men with rifles looking at us like we’re weird. Truly, if we hadn’t been able to get through the border then, we would have slept in our seats on the bus that we’d been in for several hours, not to mention the previous 50 hours of travel. So we were so relieved to be across.

We arrived at our hotel at 12:30 am. The lobby was packed with hundreds of pieces of luggage. The first man I met in the hotel seemed to be one of the managers, Harold. He showed me to my room with such a lovely smile and respectful eyes, it was beautiful. Ps. Kelly held a meeting (are you kidding?), but the good news was we wouldn’t be going to the local church in the morning, but we’d have church here in the conference room at 11:00 am instead of 8:00 am church!! Disappointed that we’d miss a church experience here, but glad for the sleep in! Once we checked into our room, David and I had a nice bath and then crawled into bed and out like a light within seconds.

Day Four, Sunday, June 27, 2004

11:00 Team meeting. Met for church in the conference room in our hotel. It was fabulous. Pastor Kelly lead worship and taught on the 5 principles and our God given purposes.

4:30 We launch the program with the Agricultural representatives about what to expect and learned language and how to use certain phrases to get through our day.

7:00 dinner & individual group meetings. Delegation of responsibilities.

Day Five, Monday, June 28, 2004

Woke at 5: 25am in order to have an hour before the sun comes up, before breakfast and more importantly meditate on the impending day. Today was the big day, an important day to me. I’ve been thinking constantly about what lies ahead for David and I. We are so open for what’s to become of the day. Breakfast from 7 to 8 am, and then we depart at 8:15 am for the 25 minute trek to the village. I believe today is a government attended and newsworthy event where the town and news media will be a part of it.

Today could possibly be one of the top 5 best days of my life. I’m not the only one saying this on this trip. There are lives being changed, not only in the village, but in the hearts of many of this group I’m with. The times I have to spare here are not much to write all that I need to write, but perhaps the most precious moments will live in my mind and heart and not so much on typed media.

On our first day, our team of 10 only planted one garden. Today was really the initial orientation and public acknowledgment of all of the people and groups involved with this project. If our goal by Friday evening is 10,000, then something needs to change. The numbers don’t add up the way we’re going. For a total of 300 gardens planted by 84 people, 300 multiplied by 5 days total only totals 1500 gardens.

This was not part of the plan over here, but we were all offered an opportunity to experience an African Safari for a fraction of the cost. So our group of 10 went today and others will go on other days. It was surreal. They only charged us $50 dollars for the Safari with dinner included. At the end of the day we knew that we were given so much more than what we actually paid for. We were taken around for a 4 hour drive through the Mosetlha Bush Camp in Medikwe. The open truck sat 10 of us and all had excellent views of any kind of animal that was visible. Within 10 minutes we see just 20 feet away and very tall, beautiful giraffe standing right beside a tall tree as he was eating the leaves from it. Although once you saw the giraffe it was clearly visible, had we not glanced at the tree we would have missed it completely. It blended nicely into the landscape. Next we came across a herd of warthogs who were the only animals to run away from us. We saw a herd of elephants at nighttime drinking from the water hole. We saw a huge, beautiful eagle sitting in the tree.

We were 10 feet away from two lions resting under a tree. The guide explained to us that as long as we didn’t make any fast moves or wave our hands, or get out of the jeep, the animals realize that we are only looking and we weren’t to be feared. He reminded us that we were not at Disneyland and that they were VERY real and VERY dangerous and powerful. They just trust us right now and that is why they are letting us stop and look at them. They were not afraid of our voices talking or the clicking of our cameras. While we were watching them, something frightened them (not us) and they roared and stood up prepared to defend themselves. Really scared us too, but after a few seconds they relaxed. Some moments they would seem to be posing for us as a kitty cat would while just looking around. They were absolutely beautiful, stunning to see in their own environment.

A pack of Wild Dogs that we were told were great predators ran 3 feet along our jeep. They could have easily jump right inside and taken advantage, but they didn’t and I’m glad. We were told that they would catch their prey 90% of the time. We saw African type Zebras that clearly had different black and white stripes than ours back home did. So gorgeous. Walked very slow right in front of us as if on cue from the tour guide.

He then took us to one of the peaks of the mountains and gave us hot chocolate and muffins as we looked out into the vast reserve as the sun set. I took several pictures of the sun setting and some of us up on that hill. He then proceeded to go back down and head towards camp where we were greeted by a lantern lined dirt road that led into the campgrounds. This place was magnificent. It was breathtaking. It was almost too much to take after the incredible morning with the opening program and then the planting of our first garden. This just topped off the day possibly creating one of the best days of my life. Actually, yes! It was one of the best days of my life. When I say this was a camp, it wasn’t like when you go camping. IT was like out of a magazine article that you read about where only rich people could afford.

Day Six, Tuesday, June 29, 2004

Our team gathered as usual this morning in front of the hotel. Pastor Kelly (who leads all of the missions trips at our church went over some things and off we go into the huge bus, and 2 smaller buses into the small village of Old Netali. As we drive in closer to the village the children and adults would all wave us in. They’d have smiles on their faces as we drive in as if we were the circus coming to town. They knew we were coming because of the advertisement in the newspaper as well as the daily reminder of a truck with a bullhorn attached to it shouting out while driving around the dirt roads that the people from The Never Ending Gardens were now here and to prepare their plots for us.

Today’s planting total was 600. Doubling is good, but still won’t get us to our goal. Something’s gotta give. Each night we had dinner from 7 to 8pm, then a half hour Team Leader meeting to discuss the days events and how to go about increasing the numbers. Tonight’s meeting included Quinten with Dream For Africa and Phillip Shapiro as well. They said in Swaziland last month on their 3rd day their total was only 4,000 planted. Between Thursday and Friday’s planting they totaled 8,200 gardens. Our question to them was, “How did they make such a huge jump? What did they change? Well, they split their teams from groups of 5 to groups of 2 and enlisted locals standing around watching to help us by giving us breaks with the heavy work like the picks plowing up the ground.

Some men simply didn’t want to help, some perhaps were too weak and sick to help, some were too drunk to consider the thought, some were drunk and would show US how to do it THEIR way, and others would jump at the chance to help us to help them…60 year old women included, even a 2 year old. In fact many small children were perfect to place the seedling into the prepared one inch hole. It made them feel involved. It was fantastic! Here I was, standing side by side with people on the other side of the world from me ... and we were working together. We were creating something out of nothing so that they can "set themselves up for food & income."

Today I befriended a beautiful young woman named Elizabeth. She was the one who had seen us planting yesterday and asked me to please plant her a garden the next day, which is today. I made sure I remembered who she was and where she lived. I asked her to show me exactly which house was hers and told her I’d be back. I asked her if she knew why we were here and she didn’t know. When I said to her that God had sent us, she was so pleased and shared with me that she wanted to get her life right with God. I explained to her how much joy and peace God gives me in my life and how this relationship makes me happy. She said, “Yes, I want to be happy like that.”

I said to her that she could absolutely have that joy in her heart and that would allow her to shine for her neighbors and 3-month-old son. I asked her what she would like me to pray with her for. She said she wanted prayer over her constant drinking and smoking (probably not the cigarette kind of smoking) and she did in fact want to draw closer to God. While we were talking, her two friends came over and we all prayed for Elizabeth and a better life. The 3 of them accepted Jesus into their hearts and went off very happy. Wow, in my 42 years of living, I’ve never directly led anyone to the Lord. It felt exhilarating. I knew that Elizabeth meant it. It seemed to me that it was really an “Ah-ha” moment for her!

Day Seven, Wednesday, June 30, 2004

Today we went into a 2nd area. I was told we were going into the 4 most poverty stricken areas. They were expecting us. And although we knew that we hadn’t planted all of the gardens we needed to in Old Netali, we had to move on. Knowing we were disappointing many who hadn’t been home or that we just didn’t get to.

The types of homes we encountered varied. There was everything from huts and brick & morter to small homes with a few rooms. The latter were far and few between but usually they were a room with a cement floor that was about 10 x 10. There would be a table and then maybe some blanket-beds on the floor. It was not unusual to have anywhere from 5 to 13 people in one of these homes. This was because as relatives die off from AIDS, they move to the Uncles home or neighbors homes and they just take care of each other. Everytime we came across a home, the children were often hanging laundry over a fence of washing dishes outside in a plastic bucket. The kids that were playing were so joyful and happy.

Dinner time came and our daily number was revealed…2000 gardens planted. We were elated. That was a good number. So 300 the first day, 600 the second which now puts us at 2900 total.

Day Eight, Thursday, July 1, 2004

There were 3 boys that were with us the entire day planting. As we were unloaded from our buses into the community center, we were faced with dozens of children hanging around to see what was going on. We were told it was their first Presidents birthday, so there was no school today. We grabbed 3 boys near us who said they would help us with our planting. We figured they would just help to show us around the village area, but instead, they were the hardest working kids I’d ever seen. Never complained, never asked for anything.

Our interpreter told them that we would give them chocolates when we were done. We knew we had more for them, but we wanted them to work for God and not chocolates or a toy. Clearly they weren’t there for reward, but because they wanted to be near us, they wanted to learn and help. By about 2pm, I was getting so tired. My feet were throbbing, I was feeling dizzy whenever I’d stand up from squatting down…my body was starting to weaken. I asked the oldest boy who looked 12, but turned out to be 17, why he was doing this. “You boys are working so hard, why are you helping us today while it’s your school holiday off?” And he replied, “Because of God.” We hadn’t told them why were there, or prompted him in any way. He was a gorgeous soul and he worked extremely hard…for the promise of nothing material.

Then there was the 12 year old. The hardest worker, the most passionate worker. Very quiet & shy, but you could tell there was fire in his heart. Gina on our team said he came up to her midday and with sweat running down his beautiful face he said quietly, “I’m tired.” The day ended with 2 more boys joining us. We had Pula (Botswana currency) to give them and a toy car each. The average days salary for Botswana is I’m told $7 (American) dollars. So giving them $4 each was not so bad. We would have given them more if we had it on us. Also, explained to them that we weren’t rewarding them so much for their work, but for their desire to be God’s hands.

The 12 year old realized we were having to say goodbye and quickly walked away from us, tears falling from his cheeks into the dirt road. Not just one or two tears, but heavy emotional tears of sadness that we were parting. Gina and I cried too (you know that “ugly” cry) as we hugged him and walked back to the bus area…we were running late so we were rushed. He continued to cry all the way there with no shame that his friends knew. At that moment, I knew for sure that if we could have taken him home with us (if he were orphaned) for perhaps opportunity that he does not have here. We knew what his life was like here and we knew he deserved better, but there was nothing we could do about it. We shared words with him that Gina promises to keep in touch with pictures and letters. I would too, but Gina seemed to have special moments with him. He said he lived with his Grandmother and I think brother. It was difficult to say goodbye. Very difficult. Like crazy difficult.

Today there were whispers in my head and aches in my body as I asked myself exactly why this was so important to me? I was a little bit sleep deprived, truly tired, worried about flying home during elevated terrorist alerts to LAX on the 4th of July, and so concerned about these beautiful children. My emotions were toying with me, but the knowledge of the importance this project gives us outweighs any disconcerting thoughts surrounding this work.

Once again, at dinnertime, we were given our daily total…1300, I think. Trying not to feel discouraged, I recall being told Swaziland soil was softer and that the people had in fact “prepared” their plots, whereas Botswana people hadn’t prepared their soil…for whatever reason. The digging and breaking down of the soil was the most time consuming part and took the most energy.

Day Nine, Friday, July 2, 2004

So tired, but really want to get close to our goal. We redefined our plan, split into teams again, used more tools and enlisted more help. Our team of David, myself and Monica completed 114 gardens today and our goal from the head guys was 50. Don, Becky and Gina did about 60. Their goal was 50, so we all did pretty good.

Bruce came to dinner, as well as Phillip, Collin, the ex president’s son in law who spoke eloquently and the Ministry of Agriculture heads. Also, the United States Ambassador. Bruce spoke about his vision, his goals and how Uganda’s HIV/Aides crisis was miraculously turned around from a 45% rate to a 3% rate of the disease. He educated them on abstinence…hello!! No doubt every one of us will be involved in helping out one way or another with this vision to becoming a reality. A 747 has been given to this project called Dream For Africa. That was also a vision and a prayer request from Bruce Wilkinson. The night was incredible, amazing and will never be forgotten.

Day Ten, Saturday, July 3, 2004

Today we leave and we feel ready and satisfied with our work. Although it was really hard to leave, we felt like it wasn’t a good-bye, but more like, “I’ll see you next time”. What an experience, what an adventure, what a blessing that I had the good health to go there, conquer our mission, and return so full. It’s as if I was given a peak into how God see’s us! Wow! Too much to take all in at once. I'm so thankful, so grateful for experiences like these.

My New 3rd Language

2009-09-12T15:39:00.000-07:00

Because I want to return to Italy hopefully next Summer, I thought it a great investment in my time to learn some Italian. Having grown up knowing how to communicate in Spanish, it really helps to understand this new language. When David and I were there last year to pick up Tigist and celebrate our 20th wedding anniversary, we picked up enough to eat and shop, but now I really want to be able to speak it.
It is such a beautiful language to speak ... wanna join me? Here is our first lesson. Break this into 5 lessons, study them Monday through Friday and try so speak it on the weekend. It'll be fun.

Ciao
I have a message below for you. Can you figure out what it says?

Ciao gli amici, lei amerebbe unirmi in italiano di cultura? Fare un commento di sotto se lei è così so chi lei è.

Sinceramente, Lisa

yes - si - (see)
no - no - (noh)
excuse me - mi scusi - (mee skoo-zee)
hello - buon giorno - (bwon jor-noh)
goodbye - arrivederci - (ah-ree-vuh-dare-chee)
thank you - grazie - (grah-tsee-eh)
yesterday - ieri - (ee-air-ee)
today - oggi - (oh-jee)
tomorrow - domani - (doh-mah-nee)
what? - quale? - (kwal-eh)
where? - dove? - (doh-ve)
The Shopping Phrases - You cannot go to Italy without a little shopping. After all, Italy is one of the leading fashionable cities in the world.
How much does this cost? - Quante’e, per favore? - (kwan-teh pair-fuh-vor-eh)
What time do you close? - A che ora chiude? - (ah keh or-ah kee-yoo-deh)
I am just looking. - Sto soltanto guardando. - (stoh sol-thahn -toh gwar-dan-doh)
I would like... - Vorrei - (vor-ray)
Do you accept credit cards? - Accettate carte di credito? - (ah-che-tah-the kar-teh dee creh-dee-toh)
The Restaurant Phrases - Naturally, you will want to dine out to taste authentic Italian cuisine while you are there, so these phrases should help you order and decode the menu.
breakfast - colzaione - (koh-lah-tsee-oh-neh)
lunch - pranzo - (prawn-tsoh)
dinner - cena - (che-nah)
waiter - cameriere - (cah-mair-ee-air-eh)
dessert - il dolce - (eel dole-che)
carbonated water - l’acqua minerale gassata - (lah-kwah mee-nair-ah-leh gah-zah-tah)
non-carbonated water - l’acqua minerala naturale - (lah-kwah mee-nair-ah-leh na-too-rah-leh)
garlic - aglio - (ah-lee-oh)
steak - la bistecca - (lah bee-steh-kah)
coffee - il caffe - (eel kah-feh)
cheese - il formaggio - (eel for-mah-joh)
ice cream - il gelato - (eel jeh-lah-toh)
milk - il latte - (eel lah-the)
bread - il pane - (eel pah-neh)
knife - il coltello - (eel kol-tell-oh)
fork - la forchetta - (lah for-ket-tah)
spoon - il cucchiahio - (eel koo-kee-eye-oh)
Numbers - If you know any Spanish, you may see many similarities in the way the Italian numbers are spelled and pronounced.
one - uno - (ooh-noh)
two - due - (doo-eh)
three - tre - (treh)
four - quattro - (kwa-troh)
five - cinque - (cheen-kweh)
six - sei (say)
seven - sette - (seh-teh)
eight - otto - (oh-toh)
nine - nove - (noh-veh)
ten - dieci (dee-eh-che)
twenty - dodici - (doh-dee-chee)
thirty - tredici - (treh-dee-chee)
forty - quattordici (kwah-tor-dee-chee)
fifty - quindici - (kwin-dee-chee)
sixty - sessanta (seh-sahn-tah)
seventy - settanta - (seh-tahn-tah)
eighty - ottanta - (oh-tan-tah)
ninety - novanta - (noh-vahn-tah)
one hundred - cento - (chen-toh)
Time Phrases
one hour - un’ora - (oon-oh-rah)
one minute - un minuto - (oohn mee-noo-tah)
Monday - lunedi - (loo-neh-dee)
Tuesday - martedi -(mar-teh-dee)
Wednesday -mercoledi - (mair-koh-leh-dee)
Thursday - giovedi - (gee-oh-veh-dee)
Friday - venerdi - (ven-aire-dee)
Saturday - sabato - (sah-bah-toh)
Sunday -domenica - (doh-men-ee-kah)

Wine, anyone?

2009-09-11T15:17:00.000-07:00

Is 4:15 in the afternoon too early to pop open a bottle of wine? Oooopsies ... too late!

Crash Course in Life Lessons

2009-09-11T10:59:00.000-07:00

I don't think I've ever had a year like this one. So much has happened in every area of our life, some too long to post, some too personal and lots of things thrown in just for good poignant measure. They say God laughs at our plans ... He reminded me quite frankly this year.

Who needs to pay for counseling or therapy when if you listen closely and read between the lines, you can learn some of the most profound lessons you'll need.

In the end, I love that my mind is open to whatever lies ahead and I'm prepared, in only how I know to be, and that there is always something unexpected around the corner full of surprise and wonder as well.

I hope you are all well and prepared for life's wonderful expected and unexpected expectations.

Deep breath

Denver's Hidden Gems ... Snooze!

2009-09-10T15:25:00.000-07:00

We stumbled upon this really fantastic restaurant popular for their breakfasts, pancakes and long waits. They say it's worth it ... my take, I waited for quite a while now twice, so I guess it is worth the wait.

www.snoozeeatery.com Apparently there are several locations and a new one even closet to me. But any reason to get into the city is fine by me. Back in L.A. to get into the city I had to make a day out of it only because of traffic to and from even though "as the eagle flies" it's only 25 min. drive into downtown L.A. But my new city affords me so many more trips into town and I'm always finding new cool places to jot down and try again next time I'm in town.

I know if a place is worth it by how nice the coffee is. I've GOT to have my morning coffee, so that is how I rate places for breakfast. This place is coffee-worthy!

Inside is really cool ... there are 2 sections, front and back. Truly contemporary decor and the place very trendy.

The waiting area that surprisingly is clear at this time. David and I just left eating breakfast, so I think it's really trendy for mornings mostly. I would highly recommend breakfast here.

Just a reminder of our Tuscan trip last year and the acres and hills filled with gigantic sunflowers. This little corner around Snooze was only a tast of Italy though. (Sigh)

Friends Return Back to Texas ... Monday Day 7

2009-08-16T09:34:00.001-07:00

Boys First Day of School ... Visitors Return Home!

This Summer has been full of wonderful times and memories. I haven't been updating our blog regularly, but that's just how busy we've been. I enjoy writing (not just posting) so hopefully now I can get back into it as we enter a new Season of all sorts.

We welcome friends and family always ... we always have room for you so please start planning now for a visit any time of year. The snowy time is November thru March and the wonderful Summer days with all the colors out are May thru October. Still color in November but it is starting to fall and the weather gets colder. We hope you all have had an amazing Summer too....

First day of Middle School and High School. Big day for all.

This is Nick's picture from Terry's camera. Nick and Brandon both play guitar really well. But I'm a bit sad that we didn't get to hear any while they were here. We were all just so incredibly busy and happy.

Nice Guitar Nick!

Goodbye's are hard, but all the more reason to stay in touch and visit often. These kids will know each other forever.

Sabrina, Tigist and Nicholas say goodbye.

Friends Visit From Texas ... Sunday Day 6

2009-08-16T09:33:00.005-07:00

We have no pics from today. I think we're all pictured out. We went to our church, SouthEast Christian in Parker and then to lunch at Park Meadows Mall area. Ate at The Grand Lux Cafe (fabulous decor) and the kids hung out at the mall together.

Later, Terry and I went to Indulge Wine Bar and Tappas up the street and lounged on outdoor sofas in the back. We drank a "flight" of wine of our choice and shared an amazing steak meal with salad.

We thought we'd be out for an hour, but it turned out to be several. We love this restaurant.

Terry and her family leave tomorrow ... it has been a really great amount of time and everybody is ready to get back to a routine of school, work and home life. But truly, I can't wait until the next time they come. Or when we go to their home.

Friends Visit From Texas ... Saturday Day 5

2009-08-16T09:33:00.003-07:00

Although tomorrow is officially the day of Tigists (given) birthday, we celebrated it today, Saturday August 8th. Tomorrow will be exactly one year since we saw her beautiful face in front of us for the very first time. Today is a very special day for all of us.

For Party Favors, I thru these balls out in the yard. Except I forgot to tell some people to take them home as the left. Oooops!

We had guests from lots of places ... neighbors, from church, from the adoption group, from Texas ... we have such great friends and our neighbors are the best around.

The bounce was huge and the kids played in it for hours.

Elena & Marcel who live up the street.

Jonathan (Brandi's son)

One of Brandi's daughters

Brandon gave motorcycle rides

Catherine (from choir at church) and her husband enjoying some food. The day was really great ... Catherine helped us cook some hot dogs and burgers. Her daughter Olivia like to have playdates.

We met JanMarie and Alex in the city in front of this fantastic cake store. Now we are friends.

Brandi & Travis' newly adopted daughter, Addison. Her twin brother is Joshua ... who is equally gorgeous.

JanMarie & Alex talking with David.

Elena's boys who live up the street.

Nicole is waiting to pass court any time now for her daughter from Ethiopia

The Akin twins ... Addison & Joshua. Home now for almost 2 months.

Friends & neighbors

Playing horseshoes game ...

Aman is always there to help his girl ...

Our wonderful pine provides hours of shade in the back.

Mesfin & Genet with Aman

Time for the Pinata!

Waiting so patiently

Sabrina, Brandon & Nick.

Time to sing Happy Birthday! I also made 2 dozen cupcakes as I was unsure how many people were coming.

Can we eat it NOW????

Mesfin, Genet and I

Ohhh! Time for the presents

Can I open this one now, Mommy?

Nana and Pop from Australia sent this Kangaroo over for her birthday. They are so amazing about keeping up with birthdays and prezzies & cards. I've lots to learn from them.

She loves this life size roo!

Our friend China

A build a bear from the Webb family! Everybody was so sweet to bring such thoughtful gifts.

Friends Visit From Texas ... Friday Day 4

2009-08-16T09:33:00.001-07:00

It took all of today to prep for her birthday party tomorrow. Terry and I shopped for a guest list of about 65. Lots of kids and adults had RSVP'd to be a part of her celebration.

Tigist helped me bake her cake. She was my "dish washer" if you know what I mean.

See ... she cleans dishes very well.

Oh so yummy icing.

Sabrina and Evan helped bake and decorate too. They too were good "dish washers" by licking dishes with cake batter and icing.

Sabrina and I looking thru the cake decorating book to see what tips to use